Thaiza Helena Tavares Fernandes

Diagnóstico clínico e radiográfico de luxação traumática da articulação atlanto-occipital em dois cães

Atlanto-occipital luxation is considered rare in both humans and animals. Lateral radiographs are recommended for diagnosis, however, errors may occur related to the angle of radiation, image target, distance and overlapping of bone. Our objective is to report the clinical and radiographic findings in two dogs with traumatic atlanto-occipital luxation, which had tetraparesis, cranial neck pain, and inability to raise the head and cranial nerve deficits. The first animal had a cranio-dorsal dislocation of the articular process of the atlas in relation to one of the occipital condoles, with no overlapping of the transverse foramens or overlapping of the occipital condile in relation to the articular process of the atlas, on the right side, which characterizes a unilateral luxation. The second animal presented with a cranio-caudal dislocation of the articular processes of the atlas regarding the occipital condoles, with overlapping of the transverse foramens and inability to visualize the occipital condoles due to the cranial advancement of the articular processes of the atlas towards the skull, which characterizes a bilateral luxation. We conclude that a simple radiographic exam, in lateral and ventrodorsal projections, though difficult to interpret, is efficient in confirming a diagnosis of traumatic atlanto-occipital luxation, both symmetric and asymmetric.

Desinserção proximal do músculo sartório na correção da luxação patelar medial graus III e IV, em cães

Six surgical corrections were performed with techniques of bone and soft tissue reconstruction, according to the individual presentation of each patient, in four Toy breed dogs, which had grades III and IV luxation, two of them bilaterally operated. During the recovery excessive medial tension associated to the Sartorius muscle was detected, which motivated its release at the iliac insertion. The animals had a functional recovery of the limb after 15 days, and complications or loss of function related to the release of the Sartorius muscle were not observed even after six months. It is believed that the proximal disinsertion of this muscle can be necessary and effective in some patients as a complementary technique to release medial tension in dogs with grades III and IV medial patellar luxation.

Evaluation of cranial tibial and extensor carpi radialis reflexes before and after anesthetic block in cats

Objectives This study aimed to test the extensor carpi radialis and cranial tibial reflexes in cats before and after anesthetic block of the brachial and lumbosacral plexus, respectively, to determine whether they depend on a myotatic reflex arc. Methods Fifty-five cats with a normal neurologic examination that were referred for elective gonadectomy were divided into group 1 (29 cats) for testing the extensor carpi radialis reflex, and group 2 (26 cats) for testing the cranial tibial reflex. In group 1, the extensor carpi radialis reflex was tested after anesthetic induction and 15 mins after brachial plexus block with lidocaine. In group 2, the cranial tibial, withdrawal and patellar reflexes were elicited in 52 hindlimbs and retested 15 mins after epidural anesthesia. Results In group 1, before the anesthetic block, 55.17% of the cats had a decreased and 44.83% had a normal extensor carpi radialis reflex. After the block, 68.96% showed a decreased and 27.59% a normal reflex. No cat had an increased or absent reflex before anesthetic block. In group 2, prior to the anesthetic block, 15.38% of the cats had a decreased cranial tibial reflex and 84.62% had a normal response, whereas after the block it was decreased in 26.92% and normal in 73.08% of the cats. None of the cats had an increased or absent reflex. Regarding the presence of both reflexes before and after anesthetic block, there was no significant difference at 1% (P = 0.013). Conclusions and relevance The extensor carpi radialis and cranial tibial reflexes in cats are not strictly myotatic reflexes, as they are independent of the reflex arc, and may be idiomuscular responses. Therefore, they are not reliable for neurologic examination in this species.

Development and evaluation of a traction device for reducing long bone fractures in dogs

ABSTRACT Fractures usually occur with overriding of bone fragments, thus hindering fracture reduction. The aim of this research was to develop and test a skeletal traction device for use in dogs with long bone fractures. Twenty-one dogs were included, regardless of breed or gender, weighing between two and 27kg, and between two months and 11 years of age, with metaphyseal or diaphyseal fractures that had occurred between three and 24 days prior to intervention. While fixation of the patients body to the table was performed using nylon straps, the traction force applied along the bone axis of the fractured limb was performed using nylon straps or transfixed pins and stirrups (with the pins implanted in the distal epiphysis of the fractured bone). Tensile strength was measured by a dynamometer, and the maximum load applied was no greater than 25kg. In all cases, the distraction force began at five kilograms except in dogs below this weight, where the starting load was equivalent to the weight of the animal. If necessary, in all dogs, force was increased every five minutes to maintain equal traction to the dog’s weight or values which ranged from the dog’s weight to five kilograms depending on the size of the animal, until the necessary traction for reduction was obtained. For this progression of distension, the equipment had a 25-milimeter-diameter threaded rod, a nut with a rudder system

Anestesia epidural na cirurgia descompressiva lombossacral de cães

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, advantages and disadvantages of lumbosacral epidural anesthesia with inhalational anesthesia in surgical decompression of the cauda equina, since this surgery has a lengthy and painful recovery from anesthesia. For this, 11 adult dogs which showed clinical signs of cauda equina syndrome were used. After the epidural, anesthesia in six of 11 patients, spinal tap in L7-S1, with bupivacaine 0.5% anesthetic was used. Physiological parameters (heart, vascular, respiratory and body temperature) were measured before, 10 minutes after, and 30 minutes after the epidural, after the laminectomia and 60 minutes and 90 minutes after the epidural, both in the epidural group and the control group. Animals that had ep showed a significant reduction in consumption of inhaled anesthetic and time of extubation. There were no neurological deficits caused by epidural anesthesia compared with the group without epidural anesthesia. It was concluded that the epidural anesthesia technique is effective in lumbosacral decompression surgeries, leading to a lower risk for the anesthetized animal.

Substituição da agulha isolada para eletroneuroestimulação pela agulha metálica de cateter intravenoso, na verificação da punção epidural, em cães

The electric neurostimulator was used as an adequate mean for the confirmation of the correct placement of the tip of the insulated needles in the lumbosacral epidural space through small electric stimulations causing muscle contractions by using an intravenous catheter needle instead of an electric neurostimulation insulated needle. Forty dogs were selected based on the need for an epidural block for orthopedic, abdominal or retroumbilical surgical procedures. Electrical stimuli were applied from 1.5 to 0.5mA during a gradual introduction of the needle into the lumbosacral vertebral canal. Responses that were considered as indicative of the correct placement of the needle and stimulation of the cauda equina were muscle contractions in the pelvic limbs, tail or anus. An association of lidocaine, bupivacaine and tramadol was then administered. Adequate epidural anesthesia was confirmed through relaxation of the anal sphincter, absence of patellar and flexor reflexes and analgesia of the abdominal surgical area. The authors were able to conclude that the method used was effective to confirm the correct needle placement in the epidural space during regional anesthesia in dogs.

Lesão iatrogênica meningomedular em um cão submetido à espondilectomia ventral para tratamento de extrusão crônica de disco intervertebral cervical

Our objective was to describe the occurrence of an iatrogenic meningo-medullary lesion and the trans-surgical complications in an eight-year-old male Daschund, which presented flacid tetraparesis for two months, and underwent ventral spondylectomy to treat a chronic cervical intervertebral disc extrusion. During the removal of the herniated disc with dental picks and hemostatic forceps, we observed meningeal dislocation with medullary laceration and an immediate reduction in cardiovasculatory and respiratory parameters, which progressed to a cardiorespiratory arrest that was non-responsive to medication and finally led to the death of the patient.

Avulsão das origens lateral e medial do músculo gastrocnêmio em gata: relato de caso

Few reports have described avulsions of the medial or lateral heads, as well as bilateral avulsion of the origins of the gastrocnemius muscle in dogs and cats. The objective of this study was to describe the first report of avulsion of the origins of the lateral and medial gastrocnemius muscle in a cat (Felis catus), as well as the surgical reinsertion technique. A mixed breed queen at 10 years of age presented claudication of the right hind limb with plantigrade stance. Bilateral avulsion of the heads of the gastrocnemius muscle was diagnosed based on findings from clinical a examination. The reinsertion technique was performed with monofilament nylon thread in a modified Kessler suture anchored in a hole created in the distal metaphyseal portion of the femur, obtaining satisfactory recovery after a period of additional external immobilization followed by physical therapy.

Exame ortopédico, com e sem anestesia geral, de cães com luxação patelar medial

This study aimed to compare the osteoarticular and musculotendineal findings in dogs with medial patellar luxation by orthopedic examination performed with and without general anesthesia. For this we used 11 knees of 10 dogs without distinction of sex, age and race, which had medial patellar luxation in grades II, III and IV, diagnosed clinically. The specific orthopedic examination of the knee joint was performed prior to surgery with the non-anaesthetised dog, and on the day of surgery with the same patient already anesthetized. Regarding the osteoarticular results, no differences were found. In relation to the musculotendineal results, differences were observed between the assessments of the drawer movement and sartorius and rectum femoral muscle tension.