Luciana de Oliveira

Clinical and pathological study of an outbreak of obstructive urolithiasis in feedlot cattle in southern Brazil

The epidemiology, clinical picture and pathology of an outbreak of urolithiasis in cattle in southern Brazil are described. The disease occurred in August 1999 in a feedlot beef cattle herd. Five out of 1,100 castrated steers were affected. Clinical signs included colic and ventral abdominal distension. White, sand-grain-like mineral deposits precipitated on the preputial hairs. Affected cattle died spontaneously 24-48 hrs after the onset of the clinical signs. Only one animal recovered after perineal urethrostomy. Necropsy findings included calculi blocking the urethral lumen of the distal portion of the penile sigmoid flexure, urinary bladder rupture with leakage of urine into the abdominal cavity and secondary fibrinous peritonitis. Daily water intake was low since water sources were scarce and not readily available. The animals were fed rations high in grains and received limited amounts of roughage. Biochemical analysis revealed that the calculi were composed of ammonium phosphate. A calcium-phosphorus imbalance (0.4:0.6) was detected in the feedlot ration. For the outbreak, it is suggested that contributing factors to urolith formation include insufficient fiber ingestion, low water intake and high dietary levels of phosphorus. No additional cases were observed in that feedlot after preventive measures were established. Similar dietary mismanagement in fattening steers has been associated with obstructive urolithiasis in feedlot beef cattle in other countries.

Transposição do músculo reto do abdome para correção de defeito iatrogênico no diafragma em cães

With the objective of analyzing the use Rectus abdominis muscle flaps for repair of large diaphagmatic defects, when direct suture is impossible, six dogs underwent surgery. The Rectus ahdominis muscle was dissected up to its insertion and was introduced into the abdominal cavity through a paracostal incision. A defect of 4 x l0cm was created in the diaphragmatic muscle and the flap was sutured to the edges of the defect with horizontal mattres suture with 2-0 silk. Animais were clinically evaluated every day at the post-operative period. Biopsies and macroscopic observation were done at the 15th, 30th and 60th day. Connective tissue and hemorrhagic areas among the flap and the diaphragm, and granulation tissue with median maturity were observed in the biopsy material at the 15th day. At the 30th day, few granulation tissue among the muscles were observed. At the 60th day, there was mature granulation tissue. Adherence ocurred in the region of the implant with the liver, caudal pulmonar lobe, stomach and omentun. The Rectus abdominis muscle can be used to correct defects in the diaphragm with a complete tissue integration in the implanted region.

Retalho pediculado do músculo grande dorsal para reparo de defeito diafragmático experimental em cães

In this study, the Latissimus dorsi muscular flap was experimentally used for the repair of iatrogenic diaphragmatic defects in 18 adult dogs. The flap was elevated maintaining its dorso-caudal attachment. The diaphragm was accessed through a right thoracotomy in the tenth intercostal space, a defect in the diaphragm was created and the flap was sutured in the margins of the defect. The flap was capable of covering one third of the right hemidiaphragm. All the animals had good post-surgery recoveries. Respiratory function was not compromised. Necropsies were taken at 15, 30 and 60 days post-surgery. Macro and microscopically, the muscle showed few adhesions with adjacent viscera and excellent healing. The Latissimus dorsi muscular flap can be useful for reconstruction of large diaphragmatic defects in dogs.