A Bayesian approach to estimate the accuracy of in-house ELISA assay to measure rabies antibodies from compulsory vaccinated dogs and cattle

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Partial external mitral annuloplasty in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve degeneration and congestive heart failure: Outcome in 9 cases

Objective: To report the outcome of partial external mitral annuloplasty in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to mitral regurgitation caused by myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD). Animals, materials and methods: Nine client-owned dogs with CHF due to mitral regurgitation caused by MMVD. Surgery consisted of a double row of pledget-butressed continuous suture lines placed into the left ventricle parallel and just ventral to the atrioventricular groove between the subsinuosal branch of the left circumflex coronary artery and the paraconal branch of the left coronary artery. Results: Two dogs died during surgery because of severe hemorrhage. Two dogs died 12 and 36 h after surgery because of acute myocardial infarction. Three dogs were euthanized 2 and 4 weeks after surgery because of progression of CHF, 1 was euthanized 30 days after surgery for non-cardiac disease, and 1 survived for 48 months. In the 5 dogs that survived to discharge there was no significant change in the left atrium to aortic ratio with surgery (3.6 ± 0.56 before surgery; 3.1 ± 0.4 after surgery; p = 0.182), and no significant change in mitral regurgitant fraction in 4 dogs in which this measurement was made (78.7 ± 2.0% before surgery; 68.7 ± 7.5% after surgery; p = 0.09). Conclusions: Partial external mitral annuloplasty in dogs with CHF due to MMVD was associated with high perioperative mortality and most dogs that survived to discharge failed to show clinically relevant palliation from this procedure. Consequently, partial external mitral annuloplasty is not a viable option for dogs with mitral regurgitation due to MMVD that has progressed to the stage of CHF. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A survey of owner attitudes and experiences in managing diabetic dogs

A survey of the experiences of owners of diabetic dogs was carried out by distributing questionnaires to veterinary clinics in São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 93 dog owners were surveyed over a 4. month period and descriptive statistical analysis, frequency distribution and correlations were performed. In most cases the clinical condition of the dogs had improved following treatment and owners were largely satisfied with veterinary intervention. Injection of neutral protamine hagedorm twice daily was the most commonly prescribed treatment and respondents found this procedure easy to perform, although it did pose some difficulties when the owners were away from their animals. Cost was considered an important factor at the initiation of treatment programs. The information gleaned from this survey, in providing useful insights into the attitudes and experiences of owners of diabetic animals, will contribute to improvements in the treatment and management of such patients. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.

T and B lymphocytes in the brains of dogs with concomitant seropositivity to three pathogenic protozoans: Leishmania chagasi, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis is a disease with great variability regarding the clinical manifestations in humans and dogs. Chronically infected dogs may develop neurological disorders, however, there are few reports that characterize the lesions and make clear the pathogenesis of the canine cerebral leishmaniasis. Concomitant with Leishmania chagasi, dogs may be infected by opportunistic pathogens, such as Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, which may contribute to the occurrence of lesions in the central nervous system. Hence, we aimed to compare the T and B lymphocytes population in the brains of infected dogs with seropositivity to L. chagasi, T. gondii and N. caninum concurrently (n = 24), seropositivity only to L. chagasi (n = 31), and seropositivity to T. gondii and N. caninum (n = 16). Uninfected dogs were used as control (n = 10). Results: Inflammatory lesions, characterised by mononuclear cell accumulation, composed mainly of CD3+ T lymphocytes predominated in several encephalic regions of the dogs from all the three infected groups, with no difference among them (P = 0.0004), whereas CD79α+ B lymphocytes were detected in very small intensity and presented no difference among groups (P = 0.5313). Furthermore, no association among diseases was detected at the serological enquire. Conclusions: We demonstrate that the peripheral infection by L. chagasi per se can promote the influx of lymphocytes within the nervous milieu as occurs during Toxoplasma and Neospora infections, and the concomitant seropositivity against these pathogens does not exacerbate the inflammatory brain lesions. Therefore, these findings give additional support that the brain should be included in the list of organs affected by visceral leishmaniasis and that even asymptomatic infected dogs may develop brain lesions. © 2013 Sakamoto et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Correction of rectal sacculation through lateral resection in dogs with perineal hernia ? Technique description

The occurrence of perineal hernias in dogs during routine clinical surgery is frequent. The coexistence of rectal diseases that go undiagnosed or are not correctly treated can cause recurrence and postoperative complications. The objective of this report is to describe a surgical technique for treatment of rectal sacculation through lateral resection in dogs with perineal hernia, whereby restoring the rectal integrity.

Cardiovascular and respiratory alterations in dogs during cervical myelography using ioversol

Subarachnoid infusion of most contrast mediums and the steps involved in performing a cervical myelography have adverse affects that can discourage its use in the radiographic diagnosis of spinal cord diseases. Thus, the cardiovascular and respiratory alterations associated with neck flexion, subarachnoid puncture, and cerebrospinal fluid drainage during subarachnoid infusion of ioversol (320mgI/mL) in dogs under general anesthesia using isoflurane were evaluated. The dogs received subarachnoid infusion of autologous cerebrospinal fluid kept at 38°C - control group (GC); ioversol 0.3mL/kg at 25°C (GI25) and ioversol 0.3mL/kg heated to 38°C (GI38). Each dog had its heart rate (HR), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), respiratory rate (RR), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SaO2) and electrocardiography readings (PR and QT intervals) recorded. Group comparisons showed no statistical difference regarding neck positioning, subarachnoid puncture, and subarachnoid infusion of contrast medium on HR, RR and SaO2, cardiac rhythm or conduction. However, isoflurane significantly increased PR and QT intervals. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the steps involved in cervical myelography and the use of ioversol 320mgI/mL at 0.3mL/kg (25ºC and 38ºC) during cervical myelography did not result in relevant cardiovascular and respiratory alterations, except for an elevation in arterial pressure after injection of ioversol.

Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in dogs

Toxoplasmosis and neosporosis are parasitic diseases of global importance. The present study had the objective to determine the influence of age, sex and breed in the prevalence of antibodies against both diseases in dogs from Brotas city, São Paulo State, Brazil. Blood samples of 342 dogs were collected, and the age, sex and breed of each animal were recorded. The serological diagnosis for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis were performed using the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The Fischer's test was used to calculate the association probability of the variables, with a = 5%. For toxoplasmosis the prevalence of antibodies was 26.9% (CI 95% 22.4-31.8%), and for neosporosis 4.97% (CI 95% 3.1-7.8%). The statistical analysis revealed a higher risk of infection for T. gondii in dogs with more than five years.

Non-contact specular microscopy in aphakic and pseudophakic dogs

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

Hemostatic profile and thromboembolic risk in healthy dogs treated with prednisone: a randomized controlled trial

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

Clinical feasibility of cognitive testing in dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)

Several cognitive tests have been developed to evaluate specific aspects of human and animal learning and memory. These tests have been used for early detection of cognitive deficits and to monitor the treatment of dogs with cognitive impairment. Thus, this article evaluated the feasibility of cognitive tests for use in canine neurology clinical routines and the suitability of the different tests to accomplish this aim. Fifteen healthy adult dogs were used for the cognitive tests of reward approach learning, object approach learning, object discrimination learning, reversal learning, delayed non-matched to position, and delayed non-matched to sample to assess different aspects of memory. No difference was observed between tests of delayed non-matched to position (3.13 +/- 2.23 days) and delayed non-matched to sample (3.20 +/- 2.40 days) (P = 0.944). However, dogs had greater difficulty in reversal learning (8.47 +/- 2.61 days) than in object discrimination learning (4.60 +/- 1.64 days) (P <= 0.001). Based on the tests performed, the delayed non-matched to position test may be performed in clinical routine if the owner and the veterinarian have time available, because this test is sensitive to evaluate dogs with cognitive impairments, but requires approximately 10 days of training. Thus, elderly dogs are excellent experimental models to study pathological aging based on their similarities with some human brain diseases, such as Alzheimer disease. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Humoral immune response in dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies in southeastern Brazil

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

Serological and infection statuses of dogs from a visceral leishmaniasis-endemic area

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

Data collection on bone density of mandibular alveolar bone on a Hounsfield scale of the dental apex of the cranial root of the first inferior molar in dogs using computed tomography at FMVZ-UNESP

The head is the most important and specialized region in the body because it contains a range of specialized organs and, because it has interconnections between specialized organs, there is a great overlap of images. Thus, computed tomography (CT) helps in diagnosing diseases in this region, such as oral conditions, as they provide millimetric slices or cuts and demonstrate the relationship between the various anatomical structures involved, in volume and depth. Within dentistry, CT helps in the identification of pathological processes such as infection, tumors, visualization of embedded teeth and bone bed. This study aimed to assess the density of the mandibular alveolar bone at a determined point to later predict how periodontal disease is involved in bone resorption. For this, we performed a blind retrospective study (n = 124) of the CT scan files of dog skulls at FMVZ-UNESP in order to determine the density of the jaw bone using a Hounsfield scale, in the region of the dental apex of the cranial root of the first molar tooth in dogs. The results obtained were evaluated using mean and standard deviation (27.28 +/- 9.53 HU) in order to predict the normal density of the mandibular alveolar bone in the studied region. Thus, this data analysis allows a more concise evaluation of bone resorption of mandibular alveolar bone and, therefore, provides an adequate surgical planning in cases of osteosynthesis given mainly by the presence of installed periodontal disease.

Ophthalmic parameters in adult Shih Tzu dogs

Ocular surface diseases are often diagnosed in brachycephalic dogs. The ophthalmic parameters of the Shih Tzu dogs are evaluated in this study since this breed is among the most commonly affected by these diseases. In this study, ophthalmic parameters of this breed were partly studied under physical restraint. Schirmer tear test, breakup time test, aesthesiometry, biomicroscopy, non-contact specular microscopy, laser flaremetry, applanation tonometry, ultrasonography and ophthalmoscopy were carried in 48 eyes of 24 male and female dogs, aged from two to four years, weighing between 5 and 10kg. All dogs were from a breeding kennel. Descriptive statistics were applied to the data. Mean and standard error for Schirmer tear test was 26.145±0.803mm min-1; breakup time test, 13.668±0.538s; and aesthesiometry, 2.395±0.071cm. The biomicroscopy evaluation showed that 70.83% of the eyes had medial entropion; 42% caruncular trichiasis; 33% distichiasis, 27% mild paracentral corneal opacity; and 13% corneal melanosis. Mean and standard error for endothelial cell density was 2221.591±20.161cells mm-2; endothelial cell hexagonality, 63.770±1.805%; endothelial cell area, 451.895±4.179mm2; central corneal thickness, 0.490±0.007 mm; laser flaremetry, 1.720±0.216PC ms-1; applanation tonometry, 16.118±0.460mmHg; axial length, 20.255±0.134mm; lens thickness, 6.624±0.031mm; anterior chamber, 4.064±0.109mm; and vitreous chamber, 9.565±0.054mm. Ophthalmoscopy findings were not different from previous reports for other breeds. The results showed that the ophthalmic Shih Tzu parameters did not differ from other breeds according to data in the literature, except for the breakup time and Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry.

Endodontics pastes formulated with copaiba oil: action on oral microbiota and dentin bridge formation in dogs

This study analysed the effect of pastes formulated with calcium hydroxide P.A. and different vehicles (saline solution - paste A and Copaifera langsdorffii Desfon oil - paste B) on oral microorganisms and dentin bridge formation in dogs. The antimicrobial action of the pastes and their components was analysed by the minimum inhibitory concentration in agar gel technique. The components were diluted and tested on fifteen standard strains of microorganisms associated with endodontic diseases. The microorganisms were cultivated and after incubation data was analysed using One-Way ANOVA and Turkey's test (P≤0.05). Four superior incisors of ten animals were used to evaluate dentin bridge formation. Two incisors were capped with paste A (GA) and two with paste B (GB). After 90 days, the teeth were extracted for histological analysis and the degree of dentin bridge formation evaluated. Data was analysed by the Kruskal-Wallis test (P<0.05). The pastes and their components were classified in the following decreasing order of antimicrobial action: calcium hydroxide P.A., paste A, paste B and Copaifera langsdorffii Desfon oil. Calcium hydroxide P.A. showed significantly higher antimicrobial action than the pastes or their vehicles. No significant difference was observed between the two pastes in dentin bridge formation. Based on the microorganisms studied, it can be concluded that the pastes analysed showed similar antimicrobial potential but differed significantly from their individual components. No significant difference was observed in dentin bridge formation between the different pastes tested.