João Paulo Monteiro Carvalho Mori da Cunha

Rangelia vitalii: changes in the enzymes ALT, CK and AST during the acute phase of experimental infection in dogs

Rangelia vitalii is a protozoon that causes diseases in dogs, and anemia is the most common laboratory finding. However, few studies on the biochemical changes in dogs infected with this protozoon exist. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the biochemical changes in dogs experimentally infected with R. vitalii, during the acute phase of the infection. For this study, 12 female dogs (aged 6-12 months and weighing between 4 and 7 kg) were used, divided in two groups. Group A was composed of healthy dogs (n = 5); and group B consisted of infected animals (n = 7). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 10, 20 and 30 after infection, using tubes without anticoagulant to obtain serum and analyze the biochemical parameters. An increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) on day 20 (P < 0.05) was observed. Also, increased creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were observed throughout the experimental period (P < 0.05). No changes in the serum gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea and creatinine levels were observed. Thus, is possible to conclude that experimental infection with R. vitalii in dogs causes changes to the biochemical profile, with increased ALT, AST and CK enzyme levels.

Remoção da cartilagem articular associada ou não a implante homógeno ou enxerto autógeno de osso esponjoso em cães submetidos à artrodese atlantoaxial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of joint fusion and bone formation in dogs undergoing atlantoaxial arthrodesis after removal of articular cartilage associated or not to implant homogenous or autogenous cancellous bone. Twelve dogs, weighing between 8 and 12kg were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (GI) performed only the removal of joint cartilage and joint immobilization with acrylic resin and pins. Group II (GII): after removel of joint cartilage and articular immobilization was performed modeling and placement of homogenous cancellous bone at the given location. The volume of homograft placed in the joint was measured using a precision balance and all animals received the same amount. Group III (GIII): this was the same procedure as GI, however, was used autogenous cancellous bone graft at the given location. Radiographic examinations were performed on all animals at 30, 60 and 90 days postoperatively. At 90 days of PO was carried out euthanasia of animals for testing of manual palpation and CT evaluation and histological. Samples were kept in solution in 10% buffered formaldehyde for fixation for a minimum of 72 hours and after, decalcified in formic acid and sodium citrate for subsequent processing and included in paraffin. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for light microscopy evaluation. Statistical analysis of the association between the degree of joint fusion assessed by manual palpation, the digitized radiographic images and CT scans and treatment groups, we applied the Chi-square test of independence. The test results were evaluated by the exact significance and considered statistically significant at 5% significance (P<0.05). By manual palpation test and by the CT images can be seen that there was no statistically significant difference between groups at 90 days postoperatively. Radiographic analysis of the atlantoaxial joint showed that the degree of fusion was similar among treatments, no statistical difference at 30, 60 and 90 days postoperatively. Regarding the histopathological study of atlantoaxial joint of dogs after 90 days postoperatively was found that bone formation in group I had 25% of each intensity (absent, mild, moderate, severe) in group II, 75% lighter and 25% sharp and in group III, 25% moderate and 75% severe. It can be concluded that the use of graft homogenous preserved in 98% glycerin in dogs undergoing atlantoaxial fusion method is a viable alternative for treatment of atlantoaxial instability. There is no difference in the degree of joint fusion and bone formation when the technique of atlantoaxial arthrodesis in dogs is associated with autogenous cancellous bone graft or implant homogenous. The removal of articular cartilage alone is an effective and shows similar results to the use of autograft or homogenous implant.

Substituição dos ligamentos cruzados cranial e caudal em cães por duplo implante de polipropileno

The objective of this study is to point out an effective alternative in the treatment of the cranial and caudal cruciate ligaments rupture in dogs, with no association of external immobilization. Six dogs with rupture of both cruciate ligaments were included in the present study. Stifle joint was surgically stabilized by an intracapsular technique, using two polypropylene synthetic implants. The animals returned to full member support in 11.8±3.5 days and did not sustain any joint instability degree after 0, 30 and 90 days of clinical evaluation after surgery. At 90 days after surgery, it became apparent lameness in any of the six patients. It was concluded that the technique employed caused total joint stability in the absence of caudal and cranial cruciate ligaments.