Porencephaly and cortical dysplasia as cause of seizures in a dog

Background: Seizures are a common problem in small animal neurology and it may be related to underlying diseases. Porencephaly is an extremely rare disorder, and in Veterinary Medicine it affects more often ruminants, with only few reports in dogs.Case presentation: A one-year-old intact male Shih-Tzu dog was referred to Veterinary University Hospital with history of abnormal gait and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Signs included hypermetria, abnormal nystagmus and increased myotatic reflexes. At necropsy, during the brain analysis, a cleft was observed in the left parietal and occipital lobes, creating a communication between the subarachnoid space and the left lateral ventricle, consistent with porencephaly; and also a focal atrophy of the caudal paravermal and vermal portions of the cerebellum. Furthermore, the histological examination showed cortical and cerebellar neuronal dysplasia.Conclusions: Reports of seizures due to porencephaly are rare in dogs. In this case, the dog presented a group of brain abnormalities which per se or in assemblage could result in seizure manifestation.

Thermoluminescence measurements of entrance surface skin dose in exams of dog's chest in veterinary radiology

This study aims to determine the entrance surface skin doses in dogs (with suspected pulmonary metastasis) submitted to chest X-rays using the technique of thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetry. Twenty seven radiologic exams of dogs of different breed and sizes were performed. The radiation doses were assessed using thermoluminescent dosimeters of calcium sulphate doped with dysprosium (CaSO(4):Dy) produced at Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN). The entrance surface skin dose range evaluated in this type of procedure was between 0.43 mGy to small size dogs and 4.22 mGy to big size dogs with repeated exams. The obtained results indicate that is extremely important the assessment of radiation doses involved in veterinary diagnostic radiology procedures, to evaluate the delivered doses to the animals, to be used as a parameter in the individual monitoring of pet's owners, who assist the animal positioning, and to protect occupationally exposed workers at the Veterinary Radiology Clinics. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detection of Hepatozoon spp in naturally infected Brazilian dogs by polymerase chain reaction

Hepatozoon canis was molecularly identified in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Twelve dogs from urban areas were studied by blood smear examination and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. From these dogs, only 1 was positive in both blood smears and PCR.

Contribution of ocular B-mode and triplex Doppler in the evaluation of 10 Poodle dogs with cataracts

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Qualitative and quantitative tear film abnormalities in dogs

Anormalidades do filme lacrimal de cães podem ser classificadas quanto ao seu aspecto quantitativo, qualitativo ou ambos, sendo comumente observada na prática cotidiana. Intercorrências na produção de um ou mais componentes do filme lacrimal ensejam distúrbios oculares em graus variados, denominados ceratoconjuntivite seca. Diversas são as causas da ceratoconjuntivite seca em cães, mas a maioria dos casos é de caráter idiopático, estando associada à participação de linfócitos T. O diagnóstico em medicina veterinária é firmado com base nos valores obtidos pelo teste da lacrimal de Schirmer. O presente artigo objetiva revisar os aspectos relacionados à etiopatogenia e ao diagnóstico da ceratoconjuntivite seca em cães, assim como discutir novas modalidades terapêuticas para a doença.

Referral letters in oral medicine: an approach for the general dental practitioner

The aim of this study was to analyze the contents of referral letters related to clinical history and reason for consultation. A total of 236 consecutive referral letters were evaluated. Analysis of the referral letters was based on key items concerning patient identification. chief complaint, previous consultation. laboratory investigation and use of drugs for the chief complaint. A database was organized (Epinfo 6.04) and the chi (2) test (a = 0.05) was applied to the results. of the 800 files examined. only 30%, (236) had a referral letter. of the 236 referral letters. 67% were from dentists, 22% from physicians and 11% from unidentified professionals. Patient age did not appear in 70%, of the letters and the chief complaint was mentioned only in 55%. The letters had no details such as description of the oral lesion (80%), anatomical site (34%), size (99%), symptoms (83%), or period of evolution (92%). Clinical diagnosis was not included in 84% of the letters. Less than 5% of the referral letters contained information about previous consultation and laboratory investigation. The chi (2) test showed significant differences for ail items of the referral letter. Referral letters did not satisfy minimal requirements about clinical history or reason for consultation. leading to failed communication among professionals. Based on this study, we suggest that standard letters are important to improve the quality of the letters, reducing the rate of omission of relevant items.

Referral letters in oral medicine: standard versus non-standard letters

Usually referral letters are the only means of communication between general practitioners and specialists in the health area. However, they are inadequate if important basic data are omitted. The aim of this study was to compare the content of standard and non-standard letters. A total of 1956 files from the Oral Medicine Service were consecutively evaluated (March 1996 to September 2000). Key items were considered for analysis and the results were stored in a database using the Epinfo 6.04 program. The X-2 test (a=0.05) was applied to the results. of the 1956 files examined, 34% (662) had a referral letter, 31% of them being standard letters and 69% non-standard letters. Most standard letters (87%) were from professionals of public health institutions. Most percent discrepancies between standard and non-standard letters were observed for patient address (14.90 vs 1.32%), patient age (54.81 vs 9.47%), chief complaint (32.21 vs 8.37%), fundamental lesion (29.33 vs 13.66%), and symptoms (27.81 vs 15.42%,,). Statistically significant differences were observed for patient age, professional referring the patient, chief complaint, and site of the lesion. The quality and quantity of the information differed significantly between the two types of letters. The standard letters were more complete and contained information commonly absent in the non-standard letters. We suggest the use of standard letters for improving the quality of communication among professionals.

Use of gastric balloon manometry for estimation of intra-abdominal pressure in horses

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Morphology of Aortic Arch in Rabbits with Atherosclerosis Treated with Resveratrol

Objective: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with the production of oxidative species. The phenoliccompound, resveratrol, seems to have cardioprotective activities preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins.In this study we investigated the effect of resveratrol on prevention of induced atheromatosis, through the morphological study of the segment of aortic arch in White New Zealand rabbits.Study design: 20 rabbits were divided into four groups which received the following diet for 60 days: control group (CT) normal ration; resveratrol group (R) normal ration and resveratrol (3 mg/kg/day); cholesterol group (CL) 1.5% of cholesterol added to the ration; group cholesterol plus resveratrol (CR) 1.5% of cholesterol added to the ration and resveratrol (3 mg/kg/day). The analysis of the atherosclerotic lesions were performed by the means of appropriate histological techniques.Results and conclusions: The animals belonging to group CL showed atherosclerotic lesions with tunica intima thickening due to the presence of foam cells, placed in several disorganized layers, and extracellular lipid droplets in subendothelial conjunctive tissue.We also observed the invasion of foam cells in the beginning of tunica media. In animals belonging to group CR there were changes in the subendothelial of tunica intima, although in a minor degree of development as for the number of foam cells layers and extracellular lipid droplets. An invasion of foam cells in tunica media was observed in this group. We haven't seen any changes in tunica adventitia in any of the studied groups. There were not evident histological changes in any of the analised tunicas for groups CT and RConclusions: This study may help demonstrate that the phenolic compound, resveratrol, works as a preventive agent in the development of atherosclerotic lesions.

Analgesia of Epidural Tramadol in Dogs Submitted to Orchiectomy

Epidural tramadol in veterinary medicine has been studied in only a few instances. In this case, 36 dogs submitted to orchiectomy received 6.0 mg/kg of lidocaine combined with 1.0 mg/kg of tramadol, 0.1 mg/kg of morphine or 0.01 ml/kg of 0.9% NaCl by epidural route. Analgesia was assessed at 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hours after surgery. There were no differences between morphine and tramadol over the time of evaluation within these groups, and no complementary analgesia was necessary. In the NaCl group, analgesia was needed at 4, 8 and 12 hours. Epidural tramadol provides an analgesic effect comparable to that of morphine during the first 12 hours post-surgery.

Highlights from the I international symposium of thrombosis and anticoagulation in internal medicine, October 23-25, 2008, Sao Paulo, Brazil

The importance of thrombosis and anticoagulation in clinical practice is rooted firmly in several fundamental constructs that can be applied both broadly and globally. Awareness and the appropriate use of anticoagulant therapy remain the keys to prevention and treatment. However, to assure maximal efficacy and safety, the clinician must, according to the available evidence, choose the right drug, at the right dose, for the right patient, under the right indication, and for the right duration of time. The first International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation in Internal Medicine was a scientific program developed by clinicians for clinicians. The primary objective of the meeting was to educate, motivate and inspire internists, cardiologists and hematologists by convening national and international visionaries, thought-leaders and dedicated clinician-scientists in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This article is a focused summary of the symposium proceedings. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2009.

Study of entrance surface skin dose in veterinary radiology

This study aims the evaluation of the radiation dose levels involved in veterinary radiology and to contribute to review the procedures for performing radiographic exams in animals in the Department of Veterinary Radiology of Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia of Universidade Estadual Paulista (FMVZ-UNESP/Brazil). The obtained results has shown to be extremely important the assessment of doses involved in veterinary diagnostic radiology procedures both to protect the occupationally exposed workers and to optimize the delivered doses to the animals. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.

B-mode Ultrasound and Doppler Mode for Early-stage Pregnancy Diagnosis in Shi-Tzu Bitches

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)