Beak trimming in japanese quails at initial phase is an alternative to reduce the negative effects of feather pecking

Regarding the lack of standardized methods for beak trimming to reduce feather pecking in Japanese quail, the present study aimed to compare two ages and 3 methods of beak trimming, evaluating the performance, egg quality and feather pecking. One-day-old Japanese quails (n = 770; 22 birds cage-1), at the initial phase, and 36-day-old (n = 630; 18 birds cage-1), at the production phase, were assigned to a completely randomized design, consisting of 7 treatments with 5 replicates. The treatments were: non-trimmed (NT), cauterization of approximately 1/3 at 14 days-of-age (CAUT 14) and at 28 days-of-age (CAUT 28), moderately trimmed to approximately 1/3 beak at 14 days-of-age (MOD 14) and at 28 days-of-age (MOD 28), severely trimmed to 1/3-1/2 beak at 14 days-of-age (SEV 14) and at 28 days-of-age (SEV 28). Data were analyzed using Minitab®. The results indicated that beak trimming methods applied did not influence the performance and egg quality. Quails subjected to MOD 28 and SEV (14 and 28) presented lower feed conversion per egg mass compared to NT. However, MOD 14 and SEV were more efficient in preventing feather pecking behavior.(AU)

Sarcoide em equinos - tratamento com associação de Aciclovir e excisão cirúrgica / Equine sarcoids - treatment with a combination of Acyclovir and surgical excision

Background: Sarcoids are the most frequent skin tumors among horses, causing serious lesions due to their different shapes, sizes, degree of invasiveness and distribution on the body. The pathogenesis of sarcoids is multifactorial, with genetic, viral and environmental involvement, making their treatment complex. The aggressiveness and high rate of recurrence of sarcoids makes it difficult to use an effective treatment, which is why there are several therapeutic routes described in the literature. Aiming to describe and expand sarcoid treatments, this paper reports on the use of acyclovir in the treatment of this type of tumor. Cases: Four horses sent to the Large Animal Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Lavras - UFLA were diagnosed and treated for sarcoids. Case 1. Lesions on the right ear, region of the masseter muscle of the right side of the face, neck, vulva and medial aspect of the left pelvic limb. Case 2. Lesion in the left groin region. Case 3. Lesions on the face, masseter muscle region on the left side, mandibular region and right ear pinna. Case 4. Lesion in the lateral region of the left pelvic limb, close to the tarsometatarsal joint. All horses had a diagnosis of sarcoid, which was confirmed by histopathological examination of material collected after surgical excision. Macroscopically, the neoplastic lesions were classified as fibroblastic, verrucous and nodular. The tumors exhibited irregular surfaces, keratinization, and a firm consistency. Their surfaces were alopecic, slightly rough, some of them were ulcerated, and their color ranged from greyish to rosy and reddish. All the tumor masses were surgically excised from the 4 horses, and one sarcoid was treated by thermal cauterization with liquid nitrogen due to the lesion's depth and size. In most cases, the sarcoid removal sites were closed with sutures. Only 2 lesions were not sutured due to the impossibility of bringing the edges of tissue close together, or due to proximity to the tarsometatarsal joint. The surgical wounds were cleaned twice a day with sterile saline solution followed by the topical application of Acyclovir. One of the animals received complementary therapy with Cimetidine. Discussion: The equines recovered completely from their sarcoid treatment, and no recurrences were reported a year later. Thus, the combination of treatments employed for the extirpation of sarcoids proved to have greater chances of success. First, all the tumors were surgically removed with the largest possible margins of safety in order to ensure the elimination of neoplastic cells. In the postoperative period, all the animals received topical treatment of the lesions with acyclovir after surgical resection of the tumors. The drug aided the complete healing of post-surgical wounds, and healing time varied according to the size and depth of the lesion. One tumor was treated with liquid nitrogen after surgical excision of the sarcoid. Another horse was treated with cimetidine over a 3-month period after surgical excision of the neoplasm in order to reduce the sarcoid and prevent its evolution. Surgical excision of the sarcoid associated with topical application of acyclovir ointment showed satisfactory results. Moreover, the combination of surgical excision and administration of liquid nitrogen on the lesion and topical application of acyclovir ointment in the postoperative period also provided good results. Given the complexity of sarcoid treatment and the high recurrence rate of these tumors, the use of combined treatments should be taken into account.

Use of monopolar cauterization by cystoscopy for ectopic intramural ureter correction in a bitch

Background: The ectopic ureter (EU) is considered a congenital anomaly in which the ureteral aperture opens in a positionother than the bladder neck. The diagnosis involves the use of different methods or combination of image exams, including excretory urography, pneumocystography, ultrasonography, cystoscopy and computed tomography. The technics forsurgical repair should be considered evaluating the number and functionality of the EU, the location of the ureteral opening, functional condition of ipsilateral kidney and the presence of other abnormalities. The case reports aims to show thesurgical repair of an intramural EU in an English Bulldog bitch by cystoscopy-guided monopolar cautery.Case: A 1-year-old English Bulldog bitch received medical care due to a history of urinary incontinence since a few monthsof life. The animal had laboratory abnormalities compatible with lower urinary tract infection, followed by a profoundgrowth of Klebsiella sp in urine culture, and received antibiotic treatment for 21 days based on antibiogram results. Dueto a suspect EU, a urinary tract tomography was performed and indicated a congenital kidney malformation (renal dysplasia), enlargement and distal insertion of the left ureter (in comparison with the contralateral one), rising suspiciously ofits intramural progression. We choose to proceed to cystoscopy examination, in which both right and left ureteral ostiumcould be seen in the urethral region. A guide of a pigtail catheter was inserted through both ureteral ostia in order to orientthe ureteral incision. The monopolar cautery was inserted in cystoscopy working channel to section the mucosa of EUchannel on urethra region, separating the lumen of EU from the urethra and extending the incision cranially inside theurinary bladder lumen. After a complete section of the ectopic tissue, a pigtail urinary catheter was correctly placed inboth ureters...

Use of monopolar cauterization by cystoscopy for ectopic intramural ureter correction in a bitch

Background: The ectopic ureter (EU) is considered a congenital anomaly in which the ureteral aperture opens in a positionother than the bladder neck. The diagnosis involves the use of different methods or combination of image exams, including excretory urography, pneumocystography, ultrasonography, cystoscopy and computed tomography. The technics forsurgical repair should be considered evaluating the number and functionality of the EU, the location of the ureteral opening, functional condition of ipsilateral kidney and the presence of other abnormalities. The case reports aims to show thesurgical repair of an intramural EU in an English Bulldog bitch by cystoscopy-guided monopolar cautery.Case: A 1-year-old English Bulldog bitch received medical care due to a history of urinary incontinence since a few monthsof life. The animal had laboratory abnormalities compatible with lower urinary tract infection, followed by a profoundgrowth of Klebsiella sp in urine culture, and received antibiotic treatment for 21 days based on antibiogram results. Dueto a suspect EU, a urinary tract tomography was performed and indicated a congenital kidney malformation (renal dysplasia), enlargement and distal insertion of the left ureter (in comparison with the contralateral one), rising suspiciously ofits intramural progression. We choose to proceed to cystoscopy examination, in which both right and left ureteral ostiumcould be seen in the urethral region. A guide of a pigtail catheter was inserted through both ureteral ostia in order to orientthe ureteral incision. The monopolar cautery was inserted in cystoscopy working channel to section the mucosa of EUchannel on urethra region, separating the lumen of EU from the urethra and extending the incision cranially inside theurinary bladder lumen. After a complete section of the ectopic tissue, a pigtail urinary catheter was correctly placed inboth ureters...(AU)

Corneal angiogenesis based on different protocols of alkaline cauterization in murine models

Purpose: To establish and compare protocols of alkaline cauterization for inducing corneal angiogenesis in murine models. Methods: Twenty-four adult Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (G1, G2, G3, and G4). The right eye cornea from each rat was cauterized using filter paper (3 mm), soaked in a solution of silver and potassium nitrates (3:1). Cauterization times were 10 (G1 and G4), or 20 seconds (G2 and G3). Cauterized corneas were washed with Ringers lactate solution. The filter paper was either removed before washing (G1 and G2), or kept on the corneas (G3 and G4). Corneas were photographed at multiple time points (2, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, and 15 days after the procedure), and neovascularization parameters were assayed. Results: Neovascularization was observed in 66% of G1 corneas, and 100% of G2, G3, and G4 corneas. On day 15, G1 corneas showed smaller vascularized areas (12.63 ± 12.59%) compared to those in the G3 (41.95 ± 17.32%) and G4 (33 ± 11.74%) (P 0.05) groups. Conclusions: The silver and potassium nitrate solution effectively induced corneal angiogenesis. The G2, G3, and G4 protocols showed excellent reproducibility, and induced vascularization in 100% of corneas.(AU)

Estudo retrospectivo do tratamento clínico da úlcera indolente em cães da raça Boxer / Retrospective study on clinical management of indolent ulcers in Boxer dogs

Indolent ulcers are superficial corneal ulcers secondary to several changes on the corneal surface. They are frequently observed in middle-aged Boxer dogs, cause pain of acute onset and requires appropriate treatment. Aiming to evaluate the efficacy of clinical managements on the rate of healing of indolent ulcers, a retrospective study was conducted (1997-2008). Results demonstrated that proteinase inhibitors were the most often prescribed medication, and its administration did not interfere on the healing rate, as well as observed in dogs that received 1 percent atropine, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Healing was delayed in dogs administered orally with vitamin C, but the healing process was faster on those dogs that went through corneal debridement/cauterization. In conclusion, to know the various types of treatments seems to be fundamental for the rapid resolution of the disease. It is suggested that debridement/cauterization, administration of proteinase inhibitor eye drops, prophylactic topical antibiotics and oral vitamin C, should be considered as an effective clinical management for indolent ulcers in Boxer dogs.(AU)

Úlceras indolentes são úlceras corneais superficiais e espontâneas, que apresentam curso prolongado e que tendem a recidivar. Comumente observadas em cães de meia idade da raça Boxer, provoca dor de início agudo e necessita de tratamento específico, já que este, quando não realizado corretamente, pode prolongar o curso da lesão por semanas a meses. Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia dos tratamentos clínicos quanto à rapidez na resolução do quadro, realizou-se estudo retrospectivo (1997 a 2008). Observou-se que os inibidores das proteinases foram as medicações mais frequentemente prescritas e que sua administração não interferiu no tempo de cicatrização corneal, o que também foi observado nos casos em que se administrou antibióticos e antinflamatórios tópicos e sistêmicos e/ou atropina 1 por cento. A administração de vitamina C retardou, de maneira estatisticamente significante, o tempo de cicatrização. Por outro lado, a realização do debridamento/cauterização corneal acelerou, significativamente, o processo. Conhecer os diversos tipos de tratamentos parece ser fundamental no sucesso e rapidez da resolução da doença. Os autores sugerem que a realização do debridamento/cauterização corneal, administração de inibidores das proteinases e antibióticos tópicos, associados à vitamina C por via oral, seja considerado um tratamento clínico efetivo na rápida resolução da doença.(AU)

Modelo de angiogênese inflamatória em córnea de coelho induzida pela cauterização alcalina pontual / Model of inflammatory angiogenesis in rabbit cornea induced by punctual alkaline cauterization

OBJETIVO: Estabelecer um modelo de angiogênese em córnea de coelho, induzida pela cauterização pontual com hidróxido de sódio. MÉTODOS: Seis coelhos foram submetidos a uma cauterização pontual na córnea direita, utilizando-se uma peça circular (3 mm) de papel filtro, previamente embebida em NaOH 1 M, a qual foi posicionada a 1mm do limbo superior durante 2 minutos. Os animais foram avaliados nos dias 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 e 21, após a cauterização. A quantificação da angiogênese foi realizada de acordo com 4 métodos: comprimento vascular radial (V), índice angiogênico (I), área do triângulo (T) e do setor de coroa circular (S), ambas medidas aproximadas da área de neovascularização. RESULTADOS: A análise das curvas dos quantificadores revelou que a resposta angiogênica seguiu um padrão bifásico: crescente até o 12º dia (proliferação), estável do 12º ao 21º dia (maturação). Comportamento também observado na taxa de crescimento vascular, que foi 16 vezes maior no período de 0 a 12 dias do que no intervalo entre o 12º e o 21º dia. Foi constatada, ainda, uma correlação linear positiva estatisticamente significante entre os 4 quantificadores de angiogênese. CONCLUSAO: A cauterização alcalina pontual da córnea de coelho induz e mantém neovascularização corneana, podendo, assim, ser utilizada como modelo de angiogênese. (AU)