Pycnogenol a promising remedy for diabetic keratopathy in experimentally induced corneal alkali burns in diabetic rats.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of topically applied pycnogenol (PYC) in healing the standardized alkaline corneal ulcer in diabetic and normal rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The corneal alkali-burn injury (CA-I) model was unilaterally developed in Wistar rats by filter paper saturated with 0.01 M of NaOH and touching the eyes for 45 s. Rats were divided into four groups: Normal control (NC), normal PYC (NPYC), diabetic control (DC), and diabetic PYC (DPYC). Both NPYC and DPYC groups were daily treated with PY eye drops three times, whereas NC and DC ones were treated with ordinary saline for six successive days. RESULTS: The wound healing of corneal epithelial was improved in the NPYC group compared to the NC group. Meanwhile, it was significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the DPYC group than in the DC group. Histological examination revealed that corneal re-epithelialization was more accomplished in the DPYC group than in the DC group. In addition, the inflammatory cells were augmented in the DC group more than those in the DPYC one. CONCLUSION: The findings obtained revealed the efficiency of PYC for enhancing the corneal re-epithelialization and reducing the inflammatory reaction post alkali burn in rats, and thus it could be beneficially valuable as a treatment for the diabetic keratopathy.

Skin burn and ocular damage by calcium oxide (virgin lime) in swines / Queimadura de pele e lesão ocular por óxido de cálcio (cal virgem) em suínos

An outbreak of skin burn and ocular damage by calcium oxide in swines is reported. The outbreak occurred in a rural property located in the municipality of Iuiu, Western Bahia, during the transport of 60 pigs from a recreation farm to a fattening farm. The observed macroscopic lesions were erythematous areas; formation of papules, vesicles, and in some cases, there was the formation of firm, parched, high brown plaques and in other cases detachment and loss of skin. His eyes were dull. Histological analysis of the skin revealed areas of necrosis of focally extensive clotting of the epidermis, and dermis, delimited in the paniculus, by cellular debris and rare neutrophils. Corneal necrosis with perforated ulcer formation, superficial epithelial necrosis, edema, and neutrophil infiltration of the cornea adjacent to the ulcer were revealed in the eye.(AU)

Descreve-se um surto de queimadura de pele e lesão ocular por óxido de cálcio (cal virgem) em suínos. O surto ocorreu em uma propriedade rural localizada no município de Iuiu, região Oeste da Bahia, durante o transporte de 60 suínos de uma granja de recria para uma granja de engorda. Macroscopicamente foi evidenciado que na pele dos suínos havia áreas eritematosas, formação de pápulas, vesículas, e em alguns casos havia a formação de placas elevadas marrom firmes, ressequidas e em outros casos desprendimento e perda da pele. Os olhos estavam opacos. Na microscopia da pele observaram-se áreas de necrose de coagulação focalmente extensa da epiderme, e derme, delimitadas no panículo, por restos celulares e raros neutrófilos. No olho observou-se necrose da córnea com formação de úlcera perfurada, necrose do epitélio superficial, edema e infiltração de neutrófilos na córnea adjacente a úlcera.(AU)

Management of a facial partial thickness chemical burn in a dog caused by bleach.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the management and successful outcome of a late-recognition partial thickness bleach burn to the face and corneas of a dog. CASE SUMMARY: A 1-year-old male neutered Fox Terrier mix breed dog was evaluated for sloughing facial epithelium 5 days after coming into contact with an 8.25% household bleach cleaning solution. Severe erythema, edema, and crusting were noted around the muzzle and margins of both eyes, with moderate to severe alopecia in these areas. A partially detached, partial thickness eschar was present on the muzzle, while a firmly attached eschar was present in the region of both frontal sinuses. These injuries were consistent with a focal, superficial, and partial thickness chemical burn. Multiple ocular abnormalities, the most concerning of which was corneal ulceration, were also present. The patient's wounds were managed conservatively with limited surgical debridement of the affected epithelium 11 and 22 days after the initial exposure. Topical ocular medications, corneal debridement, and a superficial keratectomy were also used. All lesions resolved completely by 84 days postexposure, with no residual effects on the patient's quality of life. NEW INFORMATION: Chemical burns caused by contact with alkaline agents such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite) result in extensive necrosis of the skin and underlying structures. This is the first report of management alkaline facial burns in a dog. If inadequate or delayed hydrotherapy following exposure has resulted in superficial partial thickness burns, conservative management can be successful when traditional treatments, especially bandaging, are not feasible.

Acute corrosion of the oral mucosa in a dog due to ingestion of Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis: Coccinellidae).

A six-year old mixed-breed dog presented with severe trauma to the oral mucosa suggestive of chemical burn. Sixteen Harmonia axyridis (Coccinellidae) were removed from the oral cavity, which revealed trauma consistent with chemical burn. The beetles had become embedded in mucosa covering the hard palate and required manual removal. A diagnosis of beetle induced chemical burn was warranted and consistent with the nature of the chemical constituents of H. axyridis hemolymph.

Calf response to caustic paste and hot-iron dehorning using sedation with and without local anesthetic.

Dairy producers require effective methods of reducing the pain associated with dehorning. Previous work has shown that analgesics can reduce pain associated with hot-iron dehorning, but these interventions may not be practical for some producers. Some producers favor the use of caustic paste (to cause a chemical burn as opposed to thermal burn), but little is known about how to treat pain caused by caustic burns. In 2 experiments, head shaking and head rubbing behaviors were used to evaluate pain following dehorning using caustic paste. In experiment 1, sedated calves were dehorned using a caustic paste, with or without a lidocaine local block. Calves treated with lidocaine showed no evidence of reduced pain response in the hours after the caustic paste was applied. In experiment 2, response to caustic paste dehorning with a sedative only was compared with hot-iron dehorning using a sedative and local anesthetic. In the first 4 h after dehorning, calves dehorned with a hot iron showed more head shaking than calves dehorned with caustic paste. These results indicate that dehorning with caustic paste combined with a sedative results in less pain to calves than dehorning with a hot iron combined with a sedative and a local anesthetic.

Phenol poisoning in three dogs.

Three adult dogs were evaluated following oral administration of phenol by the owner. All three dogs experienced severe oral and gastric ulceration. Hematological abnormalities included neutropenia with the presence of toxic neutrophils, thrombocytopenia, and increased muscle enzymes. Endoscopic examination was performed, and biopsies yielded a diagnosis of gastric mucosal necrosis in two of the dogs. Following supportive care, the dogs recovered completely. Phenol is a caustic, highly poisonous derivative of coal tar. The dogs of this report were poisoned inadvertently by their owner who received misinformation concerning the use of this chemical via the Internet.

Esophageal electrochemical burns due to button type lithium batteries in dogs.

Incidences of swallowing lithium batteries have been increasing. More severe tissue damage may be produced by the flow of electric current through tissue due to a lithium battery than a button alkali battery, because the former has the higher voltage of 3V. In this study, model CR2032 lithium batteries were fixed in the esophagus of 5 adult mongrel dogs for 15 or 30 min or 1, 2 or 5 h. On microscopical examination of the esophagus 15 min after fixation of the battery, necrosis was demonstrated from the lamina propria mucosa to the inner muscular layer. Thirty min after fixation of the battery, the esophageal epithelium had completely disappeared to form a blackish-brown area and the outer muscular layer was partially necrosed. Histological findings after 1, 2 or 5 h were similar to those after 30 min, and the blackish-brown area became larger with time. The necrosis extended to the trachea after 1 h. The necrosis developed sooner in tissue in contact with the lithium battery. An ingested lithium battery appears to be more dangerous than a button alkali battery unless it is removed quickly.

He-Ne laser therapy by fibroendoscopy in the mucosa of the equine upper airway.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A study was made of the effects of low-level laser irradiation on the cicatrization of superficial wounds in the pharyngeal mucosa of the horse. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Duplicate pharyngeal mucosal ulcers were induced in 12 Spanish horses with submucosal injection of sulfuric acid. A fibroendoscope and an He-Ne laser were used to treat one of the ulcers and the second ulcer in each animal was left untreated, serving as a control. Biopsy samples for the histological study were taken after the seventh laser therapy session from the two animals. RESULTS: Irradiated lesions cicatrized at 10.5 days and nonirradiated lesions cicatrized at 18.0 days. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences (P < 0.0001) between the irradiated and control groups. Histological study of the control samples showed epithelial coagulation necrosis, edema, and microthrombi. However, in samples from the irradiated lesions no inflammatory edema, numerous active fibroblasts, connective tissue, and intensive epithelial regeneration were observed. CONCLUSION: Macroscopic and microscopic results indicated that laser treatment accelerated the cicatrization. Irradiated lesions cicatrized faster than control. These results suggest beneficial effects of low-level laser irradiation therapy on equine pharyngeal ulcerative lesions.