Variabilidade clínica na determinação da dose tóxica oral em intoxicação experimental por fluoroacetato de sódio em gatos

The sodium monofluoroacetate (FAC) or compound 1080 is a potent rodenticide used for a rodents and vertebrate pest control. It was prohibited in many countries because of its high toxicity, but in Brazil exist evidences of ilegal use causing the intoxication in children and domestic animals. The fluoroacetate metabolite, fluorocitric acid, blocks body energy production by inhibit the Krebs cycle, resulting in neurological and cardiacs signs. In the present study, four group of oral toxic dosis of the FAC were compared in cats. The best oral toxic dose for clinical signs presentation, without cause acute lethality, was 0,45mg/kg. The clinical variability was dosis dependent and its intensity, in crescent order, was: light signs (dose 1: 0,3mg/kg), light to moderate (dose 2: 0,4mg/kg), moderate to severe (dose 3: 0,45mg/ kg) and severe (dose 4: 0,5mg/kg). There was individual clinical variability between animals that received the same oral toxic dose.

Determinação de desmineralização óssea em gatos após tirotoxicose experimental

Hyperthyroidism can result in serious effects on the bone metabolism in humans as well as animals. For a better characterization of thyrotoxicosis effects, 16 cats were induced into thyrotoxicosis by intaking a dose of 150 μg/kg of sodium L-thyroxine every 24 hours during 42 days. The hormonal levels were evaluated by radioimmunoassay technique and the bone mineral density of the right distal radius extremity was measured through the radiographic optical densitometry. Was verified significant bone demineralization seven days of hormonal intake as weel as radius demineralization.

Produção deficiente de citocinas Th1 em camundongos BALB/c jovens

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a produção de IFN-γ, IL-12 e IL-4 entre camundongos jovens (5, 12 e 19 dias de idade) e adultos (30 dias de idade). As avaliações foram feitas por estimulação, in vitro, de células esplênicas com Concanavalina A (ConA) , Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) e lipopolissacarídeo (LPS). Diferentes concentrações de cada estímulo foram testadas e os sobrenadantes das culturas foram coletados após 48 horas de incubação e as concentrações de IFN-γ, IL-12 e IL-4 determinadas por ELISA. Células de camundongos jovens e adultos produziram níveis igualmente elevados de IFN-γ após estímulo com ConA. Somente animais adultos produziram IFN-γ em resposta ao estímulo com S. aureus. Em culturas estimuladas com LPS, a produção desta citocina foi baixa e similar nos animais jovens e significativamente elevada nos animais adultos. Somente células de animais adultos estimuladas com S. aureus foram capazes de produzir IL-12. O único estímulo capaz de induzir níveis detectáveis de IL-4 foi ConA, sendo que estes níveis foram mais elevados nos animais com 12 e 19 dias de idade em comparação com animais neonatos e adultos. A diminuição das doses ótimas dos estímulos não mudou o perfil de produção de cada citocina nos animais jovens. Estes resultados permitem concluir que a idade afeta a produção de citocinas: ocorre maior produção de IL-4 em camundongos jovens e maior produção de IL-12 e IFN-γ em animais adultos. Estas informações são importantes devido ao papel destas citocinas na polarização das respostas imunes nos sentidos Th1 e Th2. Palavras-chave: camundongo; citocina; interferon-gama; interleucina-4; interleucina-12.

Mensuração do tamanho cardíaco em radiografias de gatos com hipertireoidismo experimental

Feline hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) is now recognised as the most common endocrine disease of the domestic cat. Feline hyperthyroidism cause multisystemic disorder associated with incresead circulating concentrations of the thyroid hormones, tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Cardiovascular abnormalities in cats with spontaneous hyperthyroid have been described. Objective to determine heart size of progressing experimental thyrotoxicosis of 19 cats, using a vertebral scale system (VHS). The lateral, dorsoventral e ventrodorsal radiographs thoracic were measured using a vertebral scale system. Lateral radiographs thoracic to efficient develop that DV and VD. The VHS method is easy to use, allows objective assesment of heart size in cats hyperthyroid, and may be helpful to identify cardiomegaly and heart size progressing.

Ocorrência de parasitas gastrintestinais em cães e gatos na rotina do laboratório de enfermidades parasitárias da FMVZ/Unesp-Botucatu, SP.

With the object of determining the occurrence and prevalence of parasites in dogs and cats in the region of Botucatu, a survey was conducted from the results of fecal parasitologic exams feces, processed by the laboratory of parasitic diseases of FMVZ-UNESP/Botucatu from January 2002 to December 2006. 1,012 fecal samples of dogs and cats were evaluated by the technique of Willis Mollay and Faust. In dogs the higher incidence was found for Ancylostoma caninum eggs (38%). In cats, the oocysts of Isospora spp were present in 48.38% of positive samples.

Efeitos sedativo e cardiorrespiratório da administração da metadona, isoladamente ou em associação à acepromazina ou xilazina, em gatos

Six cats weighting 3.3±0.3 kg were randomly allocated to 6 treatments, with at least one-week intervals. The cats received intramuscular administration of physiological saline (control), methadone (0.3 mg/ kg), acepromazine (0,1 mg/kg), xylazine (1.0 mg/kg), acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) plus methadone (0.3 mg/kg) or xylazine (0.5 mg/kg) plus methadone (0.3 mg/kg). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), indirect systolic arterial pressure (SAP), rectal temperature, sedation score and pedal withdrawal reflex were evaluated before (baseline) and at selected intervals after treatment administration for 90 minutes. Respiratory rate, HR and rectal temperature decreased in cats given xylazine or xylazine plus methadone. In 1 out of 6 cats given xylazine and 2 out of 6 cats given xylazine/methadone, pedal withdrawal reflex was absent. In cats given 0.1 mg/kg of acepromazine, SAP decreased compared to baseline. Sedation scores were greater in cats given xylazine or xylazine plus methadone. Methadone alone or in combination with acepromazine did not produce a satisfactory degree of sedation and resulted in signs of excitement in some of the cats. Methadone alone or combination with acepromazine was not considered an effective protocol when moderate to deep sedation is required in cats. Methadone in combination with xylazine produces moderate to deep sedation, being this effect comparable to that achieved with a higher dose of xylazine alone.

Estudo retrospectivo dos procedimentos anestésicos realizados em cães e gatos submetidos a neurocirurgias

Neurosurgeries are frequent in the routine of veterinary hospitals and, therefore, knowledge of the different anesthetic protocols to be used for each patient is necessary to prevent the morbity and mortality in the after and trans-surgical period. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the anesthetic protocols used in patients undergoing neurosurgeries; the results of those protocols; the rate of complications, and if those complications are related to the duration of the anesthesia time. We studied the anesthetical data of 52 dogs and two cats submitted to neurosurgery between January of 2003 and December of 2006, in the Veterinary Hospital of UEL. Findings showed that the main protocols used were propofol for induction and halothane or isofluorane for maintenance of the anesthesia. These protocols induced adequate anesthesia for the surgical procedure and did not occur complications during the anesthetic period in 37/54 (68,5%) of the cases. 7/19 (36.8%) of the complications observed occurred in patients submitted to anesthesia with halothane and 8/32 (25.2%) in patients with isofluorane. The complication most observed in this study was bradicardy, which occurred in 15/54 (27.8%) of the patients. Two deaths occurred in patients submitted to slot cervical. Good knowledge of the neurological disease and of surgical and anesthetic techniques are essential to prevent alterations in the central nervous system caused by the drugs, disease or association of these factors.

Correlação entre a densidade mineral óssea e níveis séricos de cálcio, fósforo e fosfatase alcalina total em gatos após tirotoxicose experimental

Hyperthyroidism is and endocrinal dysfunction characterized by excessive serum concentrations of thyroid gland hormones, which can cause several effects on the bone tissue in humans and in animals. For a better characterization of thyrotoxicosis effects on bone metabolism, 16 cats were induced into hyperthyroid state. Results showed that, in some moments a major bone demineralization of the right distal radium estremity promoted an elevation of the serum levels of phosphorus and total alkaline phosphatase.

Resposta imune e capacidade de neutralização de anticorpos produzidos em ovinos jovens imunizados com veneno de Crotalus durissus terrificus nativo e irradiado com Cobalto 60

The ELISA technique was used to evaluate and compare young ovine humoral immune response during crotalic antiserum production. Animals were clinically evaluated throughout this process, and the neutralizing capacity of antisera raised against natural (NV) and Cobalt-60 irradiated (IrV) venoms of Crotalus durissus terrificus (C.d.t.) was verified by means of in vitro challenges. Three groups of six animals each were used: G1 received NV; G2 was inoculated with IrV; and G3 was used as control. Animals received six immunizations during 84 days at 14-day intervals. ELISA of antibody profile showed significant difference (p<5%) between experimental groups (G1

Ocorrência de leishmaniose em gatos de área endêmica para leishmaniose visceral

Despite the description of several cases of feline leishmaniasis around the world, little information is available about the importance of the cat as a reservoir of the disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the occurrence of leishmaniasis in cats from an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil. Two hundred cats were included in this study. Infection was evaluated through the presence of amastigotes in stained smears from fine-needle aspirates of lymph nodes, bone marrow, spleen and liver, and by antibody reactivity against Leishmania chagasi using indirect ELISA. Our results showed a prevalence of infection in 14.5% (31/200) of the feline population studied, with 4% (8/200) of positivity by parasitological diagnosis and 11.5% (23/200) by serology.

Eficácia do extrato aquoso do Triticum vulgare no tratamento de radiodermatites geradas pelo uso da radioterapia em gatos

The use of ionizing radiation in the treatment of oncological diseases in veterinary medicine has grown in recent years. In general, these animals are very well tolerated by the treatment with radioactive elements; however, the harmful effects that may occur are not always able to be controlled, particularly those relating to skin burns. Then, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Triticum vulgare in treat of 10 cats radiodermatitis with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which were treated with radiotherapy as single modality treatment. The drug was used topically and daily until complete healing of wounds. Based on the findings, it may concluded beneficial effects of the drug, because it allowed the formation of granulation tissue and epithelization of wounds with epidermal repair not exuberant, good-quality cosmetics and, considering the deleterious effects that can result from cancer treatments.

Prevalência das arritmas cardíacas e distúrbios de condução em cães e gatos em Botucatu, Brasil (2003-2007)

Cardiac arrhythmias are important electrocardiographic disorders in small animal medicine since some of them can cause serious situations, such as cardiac arrest and death. It's essential to recognize ECG abnormalities and the frequency they occur to improve the therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs from January 2003 to April 2007 by retrospective analysis of ECGs obtained at the Veterinary Hospital at UNESP - Botucatu - SP. The most common rhythm disturbances in this population were sinus tachycardia and ventricular premature complexes in dogs and sinoventricular rhythm in cats.

Inter-relação entre o balanço cátion-aniônico do alimento e o ph urinário de gatos

Studies for the food development of formulations for pets, look for key components to maintaining healthy way of life and safety of products, including these, elements capable of preventing the risk of certain metabolic disorders associated with diet. Feline urinarytract disorders, highlights the urolithiasis, have high incidence in clinical series. Studies linking dietary factors such as ingredients, digestibility and chemical composition, changing the volume, density and pH of urine and consequent induction training for urolithiasis. A highly significant correlation between the mineral composition of the diet and urine pH of cats began to be studied, using the association between the cation-anion balance of the diet (DCAB) and regulation of acid-base balance of the body. The DCAB can be defined as the difference between the total fixed anions and cations present in the diet, important tool for estimating the urinary pH and to determine the range of pH that favors the food used, thereby linking the trigger and the prevention of struvite and calcium oxalate urolithiasis in the urinary tract of cats. Thus, this review aims to clarify the effects of the nutritional composition of diet on urine pH in cats.

Sorofrequência de infecção pelo vírus da imunodeficiência felina e vírus da leucemia felina em gatos do município de araçatuba, são paulo

Feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia represent important infectious diseases caused by retroviruses. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of infection by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) in cats from the municipality of Araçatuba, São Paulo. Blood samples from 302 cats were collected and tested for the presence of antibodies against feline immunodeficiency virus and antigen of feline leukemia virus by ELISA ® Snap- Combo FIV-FeLV (IDEXX Laboratories). The frequency of FIV positivity was 5.63% (17/302) and of FeLV was 0.33% (1/302). Of the 17 cats infected with FIV, nine (52.94%) were symptomatic. There was a prevalence of FIV infection in males (p 0.0316) and cats aged between one and three years (p 0.0324).

Avaliação dos níveis de frutosamina em gatos sob estresse agudo e crônico

Fructosamine are glycated serum proteins that are formed continuously due to the reaction between glucose and circulating proteins, and corresponding to the blood glucose control assessment over the last one to two weeks in cats. The fructosamine concentration has been used for differentiation between persistent and transient hyperglycemia. Therefore, the determination of fructosamine is considered the gold standard for monitoring glycemia into control in diabetic cats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of acute and chronic stress of cats on serum fructosamine. 62 cats were selected from the Veterinary Hospital of FMVZ - UNESP, Botucatu campus. They were distributed into three groups: cats with a history of any illness or stress condition, excluding Diabetes Mellitus (DM), for a maximum of 48 hours (Group A, n = 21) or for a period exceeding 120 hours (Group B n = 27). The third group (Group C = control) was formed by 14 health cats. The groups were evaluated for serum fructosamine, glucose, protein and albumin. In this study, there was a significant increase in the values of fructosamine in animals subjected to acute and chronic stress, but these values remained within the reference range. The animals were, on average, normoglycemic, despite the positive correlation between fructosamine and glucose concentrations. We conclude that the fructosamine concentration is influenced by acute and chronic stress in cats, remaining, however, within the reference range, and therefore, still useful in the diagnosis of DM.