Hrvoje Capak

Antimicrobial prophylaxis in addition to premedication in gastrointestinal surgery.

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate three combinations of antibiotics applied perorally prior to laparotomy and gastrointestinal surgery and to select the most favorable combination. Research was performed on 24 female and male dogs divided into four groups. Following abdominal wall incision the caecum was compressed manually and 5 mL of saline solution was injected into it. Five mL of caecum contents was aspirated in a sterile syringe and only 0.1 mL was incubated into blood agar and homogenous agar. Bacterial colonies were counted and determined. Prior to surgery the control group (n=6) received no antibiotics. The group which received the combination of gentamicin and clindamycin (n=6) achieved the best reduction of E. coli whereas Enterococcus faecals was 100% destroyed. The group which received amoxicillin with clavulanic acid and metronidazole (n=6) acquired a reduction of bacteria Enterococcus faecalis, which could be sufficient for prophylaxis. The combination of gentamicin and erythromycin (n=6) failed to accomplish a reduction of the number of bacteria.

Review of 166 Gunshot Injury Cases in Dogs

The study is aimed to establish predilection signalment and history data, and to investigate clinical findings and risk factors associated with a poor outcome in dogs with projectile injuries. A retrospective study was undertaken of 166 canine cases in which a projectile was found on radiograph in a university׳s diagnostic imaging center more than a 4-year period. The study included dogs with both apparent (obvious recent traumatic event) and incidental (traumatic event unknown to the owner) projectile injury. Radiographs were reviewed and data regarding projectile position according to body region, number and type of projectile(s), bone fracture(s), and wound(s) related to projectile were recorded. The dogs were divided into groups according to owner address, hunting accident vs. shooting unrelated to hunting, and projectile type found on radiographs. Overall, 160 dogs met the inclusion criteria, making 0.76% the incidence of gunshot injuries. Further, 91 dogs were received with incidental projectile injury, and 75 dogs had apparent projectile injury. Male dogs were overrepresented (74.1%). Hunting accidents were the cause of projectile injury in 12.7% of cases. Fractures were observed in 20.5% of dogs. Most of the dogs (62%) were from an urban area, and the most common projectile type was airgun projectile (62%). The risk of fatal outcome was 14.4 times higher in dogs with thoracic injuries. Projectile injuries are still a real cause of trauma, especially in urban areas and in male dogs. Most gunshot injuries do not cause fatalities, although the thoracic projectile injury was associated with a greater fatality risk.

Metal projectile injuries in cats: review of 65 cases (2012–2014)

Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of different types of injuries caused by various types of projectiles among urban, suburban and rural cats of different ages in order to predict the type of injury sustained. Methods For the period 1 January 2012 to 30 April 2014, the medical records of cats with metal projectile injuries (PIs) were searched from the archive of the university’s small animal diagnostic imaging centre. Age, sex, owner address, admission during a weekend or on a working day, month of admission, projectile position (head and neck; thoracic region; abdominal region, including lumbosacral spine; forelimbs; and hindlimbs, including tail), number of projectiles, presence of a wound and fracture related to the projectile, and the type of projectile were recorded for each cat. Results Sixty-five cats with PIs were admitted during the defined period. In 38.5% of cats the projectiles found upon radiography were incidental findings. The frequency of PIs peaked in March. Airgun projectiles were found in 80.0% of the cats. PIs in two or more body regions were found in 29.2% of the cats. Among the cats that had only been shot in one body region, the projectile was most frequently found in the abdominal region, including the lumbosacral spine (41.3%). Conclusions and relevance These results might prompt clinicians to evaluate closely and screen for feline PIs in emergency situations.

Hormonal induction of mummified fetus abortion in a breeding Weimaraner bitch

The case describes a four-year-old Weimaraner bitch with fetal death resulting in the resorption of two gestation sacks and mummification of a fetus on day 30 of gestation. An ultrasound diagnostic on the 22nd day post-ovulation showed three normal gestation sacks. An ultrasound check-up 3 days later showed only one gestation sack with no heartbeat observed, while the diameter of the gestation sack did not correspond to the gestation period. The uterine wall was intact and the ovaries had corpus luteum bilaterally. The clinical status of the patient was physiological. On the 32nd day post-ovulation, an ultrasound showed a big solid cyst on the left ovary. At the bifurcation of the uterus, there was a solid mass (2.56 cm x 3.18 cm) with a lack of fetal fluid. The mass corresponded to mummified fetus. The progesterone level on day 34 of gestation was 31.94 ng/mL. The bitch was negative for Canine herpes virus , Canine bocavirus and Brucella canis . The induction of the abortion started on day 34 post-ovulation with a combination of antiprogestine (Alizine® and synthetic prostaglandins, (Estrumate®) given subcutaneously and intravaginally administered (Cytotec®). There were certain side effects during therapy, such as tachypnea, polydipsia, nesting and fever. During therapy, the uterine wall, embryo mass, ovaries and eventual occurrence of fluid in the lumen of the uterus were monitored daily. On the 57th day post-ovulation, a mucosal dark discharge occurred. Ultrasound findings showed no presence of fetal mass persistence in the uterus. The bitch showed signs of heat three and half months after the abortion. In the next gestation, it was confirmed by ultrasound that a minimum of five vital fetuses were developing normally. It can be concluded that the described hormonal protocol is the option of choice for breeding bitches in order to avoid unnecessary and undesirable surgery. Key words: fetal death; bitch; mummification; aglepristone; cloprostenol; misoprostol HORMONALNA SPODBUDITEV SPLAVA MUMIFICIRANEGA PLODU PRI PLEMENSKI PSICI PASME WEIMARANEC Povzetek: Opisan je primer stiriletne plemenske psice pasme weimaranec, pri kateri je prislo do smrti vec plodov, kar je povzrocilo resorpcijo dveh gestacijskih vrec in mumifikacijo ploda 30. dan brejosti. Ultrazvocna diagnostika 22 dni po ovulaciji je pokazala tri obicajne gestacijske vrecke. Pregled z ultrazvokom 3 dni kasneje je pokazal samo eno gestacijsko vrecko brez opaznega srcnega utripa, premer gestacijske vrecke pa ni ustrezal casu trajanja brejosti. Maternicna stena je bila videti neposkodovana, na obeh jajcnikih pa so bila opazna rumena telesca. Klinicni status psice je kazal fizioloske znake brejosti. 32. dan po ovulaciji je ultrazvok pokazal veliko trdno cisto levega jajcnika. Na razcepu maternice je bila trdna masa (2,56 cm x 3,18 cm) s pomanjkanjem fetalne tekocine. Masa je ustrezala mumificiranemu plodu. Raven progesterona v krvi 34. dan brejosti je bila 31,94 ng/ml. Psica je bila negativna na pasji herpesvirus, pasji bokavirus in na Brucello canis. S spodbuditvijo splava smo priceli 34 dni po ovulaciji s kombinacijo antiprogestina (Alizine®) in sinteticnih prostaglandinov (Estrumate®), ki smo jih dajali podkožno in intravaginalno (Cytotec®). Med zdravljenjem so se pokazali nekateri neželeni ucinki, kot so tahipneja, polidipsija, gnezdenje in povisana telesna temperatura. Med zdravljenjem smo dnevno spremljali debelino maternicne stene, maso plodu, jajcnike in morebitno pojavljanje tekocine v lumnu maternice. 57. dan po ovulaciji se je pojavil sluzast temen izcedek. Ultrazvocni pregled ni pokazal prisotnosti mase plodu v maternici. Psica je kazala znake gonitve tri mesece in pol po splavu. V naslednji brejosti je bilo z ultrazvokom potrjeno, da se normalno razvija najmanj pet vitalnih plodov. Glede na rezultate lahko predlagamo opisano hormonsko zdravljenje kot možno izbiro za spodbujen splav pri plemenskih psicah, da bi se izognili nepotrebnim in neželenim operacijam. Kljucne besede: smrt plodov; psica; mumifikacija; aglepriston; kloprostenol; misoprostol

Determination of Sublethal Mutation Causing Lavender Foal Syndrome in Arabian Horses From Croatia

Abstract The incidence of perinatal mortality of Arabian horses in Croatia is in accordance with the high frequency of lethal and sublethal mutations in Arabian horses in other countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of recessive genes causing lavender foal syndrome (LFS) in three Croatian breeds of Arabian horse and to compare these findings with the literature reports. Pedigree and molecular analyses indicated the existence of three distinct breeds of Arabian horses (Traditional Arabian, Shagya Arab, and Pure Arabian horse) in Croatia. Molecular analyses were performed on 100 blood samples (n = 100) of Arabian horses by analyzing isolated and quality‐tested genomic DNA. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the MYO5A gene was performed for LFS determination. The proportion of heterozygous carriers and the frequency of the LFS allele were lower in Arabian horse breeds in Croatia than in other reports. The LFS allele was found exclusively in the Pure Arabian breed, supporting the findings of other studies on Egyptian Arabian horses. The results are consistent with the interbreeding of Pure Arabian horses in Croatia with Egyptian Arabian horses. The Traditional Arabian and Shagya Arab breeds showed a lower frequency of the LFS allele. Based on these results, screening of the entire population of Arabian horses in Croatia for mutations responsible for multiple inherited genetic disorders should be included in breeding programs. HighlightsLavender foal syndrome in the Arabian horse breed population in Croatia.The allele for lavender foal syndrome was found in 9.62% of tested Arabian horses.Genetic screening of Arabian horses in Croatia to determine mutations is required.

Postovulatorische Retention von Eiern (Dystokie) bei Echsen - Diagnostik - und Therapiemöglichkeiten

In Gefangenschaft gehaltene Echsen leiden sehr oft unter Reproduktionsstorungen. Die haufigste Reproduktionspathologie bei weiblichen Echsen ist die postovulatorische Retention von Eiern (Dystokie). Dabei wird zwischen einer obstruktiven und einer nicht obstruktiven Dystokie unterschieden, also einer erschwerten (Oviposition) bzw. einer volligen Unfahigkeit zur Eiablage. Haufig sind diese Erkrankungen durch Haltungs- und Futterungsfehler bedingt, weshalb Tierarzte uber gute Kenntnisse auf diesem Gebiet verfugen sollten. Ursachen fur die Dystokie konnen eine mechanische Obstruktion der Eileiter, Infektionen des Reproduktionstraktes, eine grose Anzahl an Eiern, eine mangelhafte Kalzifizierung der Eischale oder auch die metabolische Knochenerkrankung (metabolic bone disease) sein. Die klinischen Anzeichen von Reproduktionsstorungen sind unspezifisch. Zu ihnen zahlen Depression, Lethargie, Anorexie, Dyspnoe, Obstipation sowie eine Reaktionslosigkeit auf ausere Reize. Das unspezifische klinische Bild macht die diagnostische Aufarbeitung zu einer grosen Herausforderung. Als erstes sollte durch Rontgen- und Ultraschalldiagnostik der Zolomhohle bestimmt werden, ob es sich uber praovulatorische oder postovulatorische Pathologie handelt. Tierarzte, die uber gute Kenntnis der Ultraschall- und Rontgendiagnostik bei Reptilien verfugen, konnen die Anzahl und die Position der Eier sowie Eierschalenbildung (Kalzifizierungsgrad) abschatzen. Die Bestimmung hamatologischer und biochemischer Blutparameter sowie der Elektrolyte kann helfen, den klinischen Zustand des Tieres besser einzuschatzen. Auch eine Endoskopie in allgemeiner Anasthesie kann bei der Diagnosefindung behilflich sein.Es bestehen unterschiedliche therapeutische Moglichkeiten (manuelle Massage im Wasserbad, chirurgische Behandlung, hormonelles Behandlungsprotokoll mit Kalzium- und Oxytocinanwendung). Die Auswahl der Behandlungsstrategie hangt von unterschiedlichen Faktoren ab: Soll das Tier reproduktionsfahig bleiben? Wie lange dauert die Retention der Eier (Dystokie) bereits an? Sie hangt aber auch vom klinischen Zustand des Tieres, der Art der Reproduktionsstorung und Prognose nach der Behandlung ab. Je schneller die Behandlung der Dystokie eingeleitet wird, desto groser ist die Chance, die Reproduktionsfahigkeit zu erhalten.

Elbow Joint Luxation in a Ten Months Old Arabian Colt : a case report

Abstract Elbow joint luxation without concomitant fracture is uncommon in horses. This paper reports on a case of elbow joint luxation in a ten months old Arabian colt. The horse was presented with a history of an acute onset of non-weight bearing right front limb lameness with edema of the affected region lasting for six days. Radiographic imaging indicated luxation of the elbow joint; however, useful information about the severity of soft tissue involvement was obtained using ultrasonography since bilateral collateral ligaments were completely disrupted. The owner opted for euthanasia and necropsy confirmed the diagnosis. Although very rare, elbow joint luxation should be considered in cases of acute forelimb lameness in young horses.