Efficacy of Medical Ozone as an Adjuvant Treatment in Dogs with Intervertebral Disc Protusions-A Retrospective Study.

Ozone-therapy is used in humans as a coadjutant treatment in intervertebral disc diseases due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. References in dogs are scarce and limited to clinical cases (intradiscal/paravertebral infiltrations). The aim of this study was to assess the use of medical ozone (MO) as an adjunctive treatment in dogs with intervertebral disc protrusions (Hansen Type II/Chronic). A retrospective study was conducted in dogs diagnosed with intervertebral disc protrusions by MRI/CT in which MO was used as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medical treatment. Neurological examination and quality of life (QL) at the beginning and end of study were recorded, as well as posology and possible side effects. A total of 21 patients of different breeds and sex with a mean age of 12 years were included in this study. Results showed pain relief (7 ± 3 days) and improvement of neurologic signs (11 ± 9 days) with a consequent increasement in QL (13 ± 9 days). Thirteen out of the twenty-one patients (62%) showed a complete remission of the clinical signs. No serious adverse effects were observed. Medical ozone could be a potential complementary therapy to medical treatment in dogs with intervertebral disc protrusions. Prospective studies are necessary.

Pharmacokinetics of Sativex® in Dogs: Towards a Potential Cannabinoid-Based Therapy for Canine Disorders.

The phytocannabinoid-based medicine Sativex® is currently marketed for the treatment of spasticity and pain in multiple sclerosis patients and is being investigated for other central and peripheral pathological conditions. It may also serve in Veterinary Medicine for the treatment of domestic animals, in particular for dogs affected by different pathologies, including human-like pathological conditions. With the purpose of assessing different dosing paradigms for using Sativex in Veterinary Medicine, we investigated its pharmacokinetics when administered to naïve dogs via sublingual delivery. In the single dose arm of the study, adult Beagle dogs were treated with 3 consecutive sprays of Sativex, and blood samples were collected at 12 intervals up to 24 h later. In the multiple dose arm of the study, Beagle dogs received 3 sprays daily for 14 days, and blood samples were collected for 24 h post final dose. Blood was used to obtain plasma samples and to determine the levels of cannabidiol (CBD), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and its metabolite 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC. Maximal plasma concentrations of both Δ9-THC (Cmax = 18.5 ng/mL) and CBD (Cmax = 10.5 ng/mL) were achieved 2 h after administration in the single dose condition and at 1 h in the multiple dose treatment (Δ9-THC: Cmax = 24.5 ng/mL; CBD: Cmax = 15.2 ng/mL). 11hydroxy-Δ9-THC, which is mainly formed in the liver from Δ9-THC, was almost undetected, which is consistent with the use of sublingual delivery. A potential progressive accumulation of both CBD and Δ9-THC was detected following repeated exposure, with maximum plasma concentrations for both cannabinoids being achieved following multiple dose. Neurological status, body temperature, respiratory rate and some hemodynamic parameters were also recorded in both conditions, but in general, no changes were observed. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that single or multiple dose sublingual administration of Sativex to naïve dogs results in the expected pharmacokinetic profile, with maximal levels of phytocannabinoids detected at 1-2 h and suggested progressive accumulation after the multiple dose treatment.

Retardo en el neurodesarrollo en niños de la Habana Vieja / Retardation in the neurodevelopment of children in Old Havana

Objetivo: evaluar un programa dirigido a los niños con retardo del neurodesarrollo. Métodos: estudio retrospectivo analítico de casos y controles, de la consulta de neurodesarrollo de La Habana Vieja. El universo y muestra estuvo constituido por 170 pacientes con retardo del neurodesarrollo entre los años 2000 y 2006. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente un grupo estudio constituido por 52 niños bajo peso con retraso del desarrollo sicomotor, y un grupo control formado por 118 niños normopesos con retraso del desarrollo sicomotor. Fueron evaluados por un equipo interdisciplinario, y se les realizó seguimiento trimestral, aplicándoles estimulación integral, fisiátrica, sicomotora, logopédica y en el hogar. Se aplicaron programas de estimulación como Isidoro Candell, Bobath y Vojta. Resultados: el grupo estudio presentó el menor por ciento de nivel escolar medio superior (42,31 por ciento) y el mayor por ciento de lactancia materna no exclusiva (20,08 por ciento). Además, presentó hipertonía (10,91 por ciento), trastornos de conducta (10,91 por ciento) y epilepsia-Down (3,64 por ciento). La evaluación motora presentó en el grupo estudio en la categoría normal, un ascenso a un 59 por ciento. El grupo estudio presentó el mayor por ciento de evolución agravada (12 por ciento) y el grupo control presentó un mayor por ciento de evolución favorable (39 por ciento). Conclusiones: la esfera motora presentó una respuesta más positiva que la esfera mental, y la evolución agravada se relacionó con los niños bajo peso con retardo del desarrollo sicomotor, aunque en general la evolución de los niños estimulados en nuestro programa presentó tendencia a la evolución favorable y superada(AU)

Objective: to evaluate a program directed to children with neurodevelopment retardation. Methods: a retrospective analytical case-control study was conducted at the neurodevelopment department of Old Havana. The universe and the sample were composed of 170 patients with neurodevelopment retardation from 2000 to 2006. A study group that was made up of 52 low weight children with retardation of the psychomotor development, and a control group that consisted of 118 normoweight children with retardation of the psychomotor development were selected at random. They were evaluated by an interdisciplinary team and they had a quarterly follow-up. They were applied integral, physiatric, psychomotor, logopedic and home stimulation. Stimulation programs such as Isidoro Candell, Bobath and Vojta were used. RESULTS: the study group presented the lowest percent of middle educational level (42.31 percent) and the highest percent of non-exclusive breastfeeding (20.08 percent). It also had hypertony (10.91 percent), behavior disorders (10.91 percent) and epilepsy-Down syndrome (3.64 percent). In the study group, the motor evaluation in the normal category increased to 59 percent. The study group showed the highest percent of aggravated evolution (12 percentr), whereas the control group presented a higher percent of favorable evolution (39 percent). Conclusions: the motor sphere had a more positive response than the mental sphere, and the aggravated evolution was related to low weight children with psychomotor retardation, though in general the evolution of the children stimulated in our program had a trend towards a favorable and improved evolution(AU)

Retardo en el neurodesarrollo en niños de la Habana Vieja / Retardation in the neurodevelopment of children in Old Havana

Objetivo: evaluar un programa dirigido a los niños con retardo del neurodesarrollo. Métodos: estudio retrospectivo analítico de casos y controles, de la consulta de neurodesarrollo de La Habana Vieja. El universo y muestra estuvo constituido por 170 pacientes con retardo del neurodesarrollo entre los años 2000 y 2006. Se seleccionó aleatoriamente un grupo estudio constituido por 52 niños bajo peso con retraso del desarrollo sicomotor, y un grupo control formado por 118 niños normopesos con retraso del desarrollo sicomotor. Fueron evaluados por un equipo interdisciplinario, y se les realizó seguimiento trimestral, aplicándoles estimulación integral, fisiátrica, sicomotora, logopédica y en el hogar. Se aplicaron programas de estimulación como Isidoro Candell, Bobath y Vojta. Resultados: el grupo estudio presentó el menor por ciento de nivel escolar medio superior (42,31 por ciento) y el mayor por ciento de lactancia materna no exclusiva (20,08 por ciento). Además, presentó hipertonía (10,91 por ciento), trastornos de conducta (10,91 por ciento) y epilepsia-Down (3,64 por ciento). La evaluación motora presentó en el grupo estudio en la categoría normal, un ascenso a un 59 por ciento. El grupo estudio presentó el mayor por ciento de evolución agravada (12 por ciento) y el grupo control presentó un mayor por ciento de evolución favorable (39 por ciento). Conclusiones: la esfera motora presentó una respuesta más positiva que la esfera mental, y la evolución agravada se relacionó con los niños bajo peso con retardo del desarrollo sicomotor, aunque en general la evolución de los niños estimulados en nuestro programa presentó tendencia a la evolución favorable y superada.

Objective: to evaluate a program directed to children with neurodevelopment retardation. Methods: a retrospective analytical case-control study was conducted at the neurodevelopment department of Old Havana. The universe and the sample were composed of 170 patients with neurodevelopment retardation from 2000 to 2006. A study group that was made up of 52 low weight children with retardation of the psychomotor development, and a control group that consisted of 118 normoweight children with retardation of the psychomotor development were selected at random. They were evaluated by an interdisciplinary team and they had a quarterly follow-up. They were applied integral, physiatric, psychomotor, logopedic and home stimulation. Stimulation programs such as Isidoro Candell, Bobath and Vojta were used. RESULTS: the study group presented the lowest percent of middle educational level (42.31 percent) and the highest percent of non-exclusive breastfeeding (20.08 percent). It also had hypertony (10.91 percent), behavior disorders (10.91 percent) and epilepsy-Down syndrome (3.64 percent). In the study group, the motor evaluation in the normal category increased to 59 percent. The study group showed the highest percent of aggravated evolution (12 percentr), whereas the control group presented a higher percent of favorable evolution (39 percent). Conclusions: the motor sphere had a more positive response than the mental sphere, and the aggravated evolution was related to low weight children with psychomotor retardation, though in general the evolution of the children stimulated in our program had a trend towards a favorable and improved evolution.