Obstetric and fetal outcomes in dystocic and eutocic sows to an injection of exogenous oxytocin during farrowing

Sixty hybrid Yorkshire-Landrace penned sows, 30 with eutocic farrowing and 30 experiencing a dystocic parturition, were studied to evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes to low doses of oxytocin administered at advanced stages of parturition. Animals in each group were randomly subdivided into 2 subgroups: 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received oxytocin 0.083 IU/kg (equivalent to 1 IU/12 kg body weight), administered intramuscularly after the delivery of the 5th piglet; the other 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received saline solution intramuscularly at the same time. Oxytocin decreased the number of intrapartum deaths by approximately 50% (P = 0.002). No piglet was born dead from the saline- and oxytocin-treated eutocic sows. The highest viability score was observed among piglets born to eutocic sows treated with oxytocin. In summary, this dose schedule would help to decrease the number of stillbirths in both eutocic and dystocic farrowing sows.     

Lesions associated with the plexus venosus subcutaneus collaris of pigeons with chlorophacinone toxicosis

We describe lesions in 29 adult domestic pigeons (Columba livia) poisoned with chlorophacinone, an indandione anticoagulant rodenticide. Birds were found dead in the field and in dovecotes after a wide-area treatment against common voles (Microtus arvalis) based on the dispersion in the open field of wheat grain treated with 0.005% chlorophacinone. At necropsy, most pigeons showed crops full of red-colored wheat grain, extensive subcutaneous hematoma in neck and breast zones, and hemorrhages in lungs and the coelomic cavity. Chlorophacinone was determined in liver samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, and the mean (range) concentration was 11.2 (1.48-50.1) microg/g. Pigeons have a venous subcutaneous plexus in the neck zone (plexus venosus subcutaneus collaris), which has been described as an erectile tissue with a thermoregulation function. This case report describes a relationship between the subcutaneous hemorrhagic lesions and the plexus venosus collaris.     

Temporal IgG subclasses response in dogs following vaccination against Leishmania with Leishmune®

Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis (CVL) is a widespread zoonotic disease with mandatory euthanasia of infected dogs determined by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Development of vaccines against CVL may provide a prophylactic barrier, but transitory peak of antibody response detected by standard diagnostic techniques in vaccinated dogs may be interpreted as natural infection. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to sequentially evaluate total and IgG subclasses response between naturally Leishmania-infected and dogs vaccinated with Leishmune(?). A total of 172 mongrel dogs were divided in four groups: Group 1 (G1) with 45 clinically healthy dogs, Group 2 (G2) and Group 3 (G3) with 45 dogs naturally infected by Leishmania sp. each, symptomatic and asymptomatic respectively, and G4 (G4) with 37 healthy dogs submitted to a complete protocol of a commercially available vaccine against CVL, monitored and evaluated in 5 different chronological moments (M0-M4) up to 180 days after M0. Total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2 were unable to differentiate between infected (G2 and G3) and vaccinated (G4) dogs, demonstrating that polyclonal commercial antibodies do not distinguish these groups apart. Total and IgG subclasses antibodies were not detected until 21 days of the second vaccination dose; however, seroconversion was observed on 21 days and sustained positivity up to 6 months after the vaccination start. A peak of antibodies response was observed on 90 days (M3), when results for total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 where highly significant when compared to M0 (P<0.0001). Neither total IgG nor IgG1 effectively differentiated between infected (G2 and G3) and vaccinated (G4) dogs. In conclusion, despite dogs may test serologically negative immediately after vaccination against CVL with Leishmune(?), subsequent seroconversion, antibody peak and positivity up to six months may lead vaccinated dogs to be mistakenly identified as naturally infected dogs during this period.     

Evaluation of reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RET‐He) in the diagnosis of iron‐deficient erythropoiesis in dogs

Background

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content provided by the Siemens ADVIA (CHr) is an established marker of iron deficiency. The IDEXX ProCyte Dx hematology analyzer now provides a similar variable, reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent (RET‐He).

Objectives

The objective was to evaluate RET‐He and its diagnostic utility in dogs, and to calculate a cutoff value for diagnosing iron‐deficient erythropoiesis (IDE). Furthermore, the prevalence of RET‐He values below this cutoff value was established.

Methods

One hundred and seventy‐one CBCs of healthy dogs were used to establish a RI. Stability of RET‐He was evaluated by repeated measurements over 48 hours (n = 10). The 25‐run coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated, and correlation and bias between measurements of RET‐He and CHr were assessed (n = 190). A cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was calculated. The utility of RET‐He in the detection of IDE was evaluated in 123 dogs. The prevalence of low RET‐He values was assessed retrospectively in a multicenter study (2012–2014) under participation of 7 veterinary clinics.

Results

Reticulocyte hemoglobin equivalent with an RI of 22.2 to 28.6 pg was statistically stable over 48 hours (P = .10). The CV was 1.8%. A fair correlation (ρ = 0.74) between RET‐He and CHr with a small bias of ?0.6 pg was found. The cutoff value for diagnosing IDE was 20.9 pg (sensitivity: 85%; specificity: 99%). The prevalence of RET‐He values below 20.9 pg was 10.3% (1084/10,553 dogs).

Conclusions

RET‐He on the ProCyte Dx is a precise screening tool in dogs to detect iron‐deficient erythropoiesis.     

Evaluation of analgesic and physiologic effects of epidural morphine administered at a thoracic or lumbar level in dogs undergoing thoracotomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the analgesic and physiological effects of epidural morphine administered at the sixth and seventh lumbar or the fifth and sixth thoracic vertebrae in dogs undergoing thoracotomy.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded trial.AnimalsFourteen mixed-breed dogs, weighing 8.6 ± 1.4 kg.MethodsThe animals received acepromazine (0.1 mg kg^?1) IM and anesthesia was induced with propofol (4 mg kg^?1) IV. The lumbosacral space was punctured and an epidural catheter was inserted up to the region between the sixth and seventh lumbar vertebrae (L, n = 6) or up to the fifth or sixth intercostal space (T, n = 8). The dogs were allowed to recover and after radiographic confirmation of correct catheter position, anesthesia was reinduced with propofol IV and maintained with 1.7% isoflurane. Following stabilization of monitored parameters, animals received morphine (0.1 mg kg^?1) diluted in 0.9% NaCl to a final volume of 0.25 mL kg^?1 via the epidural catheter, and after 40 minutes, thoracotomy was initiated. Heart rate and rhythm, systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressures, respiratory rate, arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation, partial pressure of expired CO₂ and body temperature were measured immediately before the epidural administration of morphine (0 minute) and every 10 minutes during the anesthetic period. The Melbourne pain scale and the visual analog scale were used to assess post-operative pain. The evaluation began 3 hours after the epidural administration of morphine and occurred each hour until rescue analgesia.ResultsThere were no important variations in the physiological parameters during the anesthetic period. The post-operative analgesic period differed between the groups, being longer in T (9.9 ± 1.6 hours) compared with L (5.8 ± 0.8 hours).ConclusionsThe use of morphine, at a volume of 0.25 mL kg^?1, administered epidurally over the thoracic vertebrae provided longer lasting analgesia than when deposited over the lumbar vertebrae.Clinical relevanceThe deposition of epidural morphine provided longer lasting analgesia when administered near to the innervation of the injured tissue without increasing side effects.     

Characterization of the extracellular matrix in the chorioallantoic membrane of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in early gestation

Placenta is formed by a parenchyma rich in extracellular matrix (ECM), and this structure guarantees the proper development of the embryo and placental functioning. Recently, studies have focused on the characterization of ECM in the placenta and foetal membranes of different species. This work aimed to analyse the composition of the ECM and to quantify the types of collagens in its composition. For this, 33 chorioallantoic membranes were used at different gestational ages, which were grouped into five groups. Subsequently, haematoxylin–eosin staining, Masson trichrome and picrosirius were performed for histological analysis. Through the technique of polarized light, it was possible to quantify the total collagen present in the membranes and finally the immunohistochemical technique was performed to verify the presence of collagens and glycoproteins. It was possible to verify that the chorioallantoic membranes have, in all the gestational periods of the initial third of gestation, the same histological structures, being the most significant difference the membrane thickening that occurs gradually during the gestation. However, we notice the appearance of binucleate cells only from group II. In addition, it was verified that a gradual increase of collagen occurs until the group IV, yet from the group V begins to occur a decrease of this protein. In addition, collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin and laminin were present in all membranes. With this, we concluded that the buffalo chorioallantoic membrane presents ECM in constant remodelling at the beginning of gestation and can be used as biomaterial in works on regenerative biology.