Comparative study of 1H-NMR metabolomic profile of canine synovial fluid in patients affected by four progressive stages of spontaneous osteoarthritis.

The study aimed to assess the metabolomic profile of the synovial fluid (SF) of dogs affected by spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA) and compare any differences based on disease progression. Sixty client-owned dogs affected by spontaneous OA underwent clinical, radiographic, and cytologic evaluations to confirm the diagnosis. The affected joints were divided into four study groups based on the Kallgreen-Lawrence classification: OA1 (mild), OA2 (moderate), OA3 (severe), and OA4 (extremely severe/deforming). The osteoarthritic joint's SF was subjected to cytologic examination and 1H-NMR analysis. The metabolomic profiles of the study groups' SF samples were statistically compared using one-way ANOVA. Sixty osteoarthritic joints (45 stifles, 10 shoulders and 5 elbows) were included in the study. Fourteen, 28, and 18 joints were included in the OA1, OA2, and OA3 groups, respectively (0 joints in the OA4 group). Metabolomic analysis identified 48 metabolites, five of which were significantly different between study groups: Mannose and betaine were elevated in the OA1 group compared with the OA2 group, and the 2-hydroxyisobutyrate concentration decreased with OA progression; in contrast, isoleucine was less concentrated in mild vs. moderate OA, and lactate increased in severe OA. This study identified different 1H-NMR metabolomic profiles of canine SF in patients with progressive degrees of spontaneous OA, suggesting 1H-NMR metabolomic analysis as a potential alternative method for monitoring OA progression. In addition, the results suggest the therapeutic potentials of the metabolomic pathways that involve mannose, betaine, 2-hydroxyisobutyrate, isoleucine, and lactate.

Primary ocular chondrosarcoma in a discus (Symphisodon aequifasciatus).

An adult discus (Symphisodon aequifasciatus) with a history of buphthalmia and anorexia was referred, from an aquarium, for clinical examination. Surgery was performed to enucleate the eye and obtain a definitive diagnosis. Macroscopic examination revealed a yellowish mass that affected the eye. Histologic examination of the mass revealed a poorly demarcated, high cellular infiltrative mesenchymal neoplasm composed of ovoidal-spindloid cells with elongated nuclei and with scant cytoplasm arranged in a solid pattern. Throughout the tumor, there were scattered foci of cartilaginous differentiation that stained deeply with alcian blue and stained metachromatically with toluidine blue. The neoplastic cells were immunolabeled to varying degrees by antibodies against vimentin and SOX-9. Based on morphologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical characteristics, the tumor was diagnosed as a chondrosarcoma.

Effects of Autologous Microfragmented Adipose Tissue on Healing of Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomies in Dogs: A Prospective Clinical Trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) applied after mechanical fragmentation and assess these effects radiographically in bone healing in dogs subjected to tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO). Twenty dogs with unilateral cranial cruciate ligament disease were enrolled and randomly assigned to the treatment group (MFAT) or the control group (NT). The MFAT group underwent TPLO and autologous MFAT intra-articular administration, while the NT group underwent TPLO alone. Adipose tissue was collected from the thigh region, and MFAT was obtained by mechanical fragmentation at the end of the surgery. The patients were subjected to X-ray examination preoperatively, immediately postoperatively (T0), and at 4 (T1) and 8 (T2) weeks postoperatively. Two radiographic scores that had previously been described for the evaluation of bone healing after TPLO were used. A 12-point scoring system (from 0 = no healing to 12 = complete remodelling) was used at T0, T1, and T2, while a 5-point scoring system (from 0 = no healing to 4 = 76-100% of healing) was used at T1 and T2. The median healing scores were significantly higher at T1 and T2 for the MFAT group compared with the NT group for the 12-point (p < 0.05) and 5-point (p < 0.05) scoring systems. The intra-articular injection of autologous microfragmented adipose tissue can accelerate bone healing after TPLO without complications.

Efficacy of dexmedetomidine as adjuvant to bupivacaine in femoral-sciatic nerve blocks in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO).

The aim of this randomized, prospective clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine combined with bupivacaine on sciatic and femoral nerve blocks in dogs. Thirty dogs were selected for elective unilateral tibial plateau levelling osteotomy, and each subject was assigned randomly to receive perineural bupivacaine 0.5% (0.1 mL/kg) and intramuscular dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) in the BDs group, perineural bupivacaine 0.5% (0.1 mL/kg) plus dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg) in the BDloc group, and perineural bupivacaine 0.5% (0.1 mL/kg) plus intramuscular administration of saline solution the in Bupi group. Nerve blocks were guided by electrolocation. The main intraoperative parameters were registered 10 min before the start of surgery (BASE) and during the skin incision (SKIN), the osteotomy (BONE) and the suture (SUTURE). At 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 24 h after blocks, the Glasgow Composite Pain scale (GPCs) was used to identify the degree of pain during the postoperative period. Patients with scores ≥5/20 received rescue analgesia and were excluded. Furthermore, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, footstep capacity, reaction to wound touch and femoral and sciatic skin sensitivity were registered. Parametric data were compared at each time point of the study with the one-way ANOVA for repeated measures and Fisher's test for yes/no variables analysis (p < 0.05). No subject required intraoperative rescue analgesia. In BDloc group, the GCPs score was <5/20 for all dogs at all times of the study, and 70% of dogs did not need systemic analgesia. In the Bupi and BDs groups, 100% of subjects achieved a score ≥ 5/20 between 8 and 10 h after the blocks, and 100% of subjects showed femoral and sciatic skin sensitivity and required rescue analgesia within 10 h. Our results showed that the addition of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in SF blocks may prolong the sensory block and ensure sufficient analgesia for up to 24 h in dogs undergoing TPLO surgery.

Medial pantarsal arthrodesis with Compact UniLock 2.0 locking plate system in a cat.

Background: Pantarsal arthrodesis is a salvage procedure carried out for the treatment of tarsal joint disease, including severe osteoarthritis with intractable pain in the tarsocrural joint, tarsal fractures, shearing injuries, tarsocrural joint instability, and failure of the common calcaneal tendon. Although medial plating is preferable, the high incidence of post-surgery complications is possible. Using thin, pre-contouring or easy contouring, locking plates might reduce the incidence of such complications. However, to date, there are no pre-contouring and dedicated locking plates for pantarsal arthrodesis with medial placement. Case Description: The case of an 18-month-old female stray European cat has been referred because of a severe tibiotarsal injury improperly treated with an intramedullary pin. The patient was submitted for medial pantarsal arthrodesis, performed with the Compact UniLock 2.0™ locking plate systema (DePuy Synthes, Oberdorf, Switzerland). The authors hypothesized that this particularly innovative osteosynthesis system could present advantages compared to the systems already in use for medial pantarsal arthrodesis and therefore reduce the risk of complications. Conclusion: This innovative titanium locking system, because of its versatile contour function and thinness, allowed the good functional recovery of the limb and showed numerous advantages over traditional systems.

Effects of size and location of regions of interest examined by use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography on renal perfusion variables of dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of the size and location of regions of interest (ROIs) in the renal cortex of unsedated dogs on renal perfusion variables determined by use of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). ANIMALS 12 client-owned adult (1.5 to 2 years old) Labrador Retrievers (8 males and 4 females; mean ± SD body weight, 27 ± 1.6 kg). PROCEDURES Each dog received 2 bolus injections of sulfur hexafluoride during CEUS. Three small oval ROIs (area of each ROI, 0.11 cm(2)) located in a row with a distance of 1 mm between adjacent ROIs and 1 large oval ROI (area, 1 cm(2)) that encompassed the 3 smaller ROIs were manually drawn in the renal cortex. The ROIs were located at a depth of 1.5 to 2.0 cm in the near field of the renal cortex. Software analysis of time-intensity curves within each ROI was used to identify peak enhancement, time to peak enhancement, regional blood flow, and mean transit time. RESULTS The location and size of the ROIs of unsedated dogs did not cause significant differences in the mean values of the renal perfusion variables. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The development of CEUS has provided a unique means for visually examining and quantifying tissue perfusion. Results of this study indicated that it was possible to use small or large ROIs during renal CEUS to evaluate renal perfusion in dogs.