Retention and loss of PIT tags and surgically implanted devices in the Eurasian beaver.

BACKGROUND: Passive integrated transponder devices (PIT tags) are a valuable tool for individual identification of animals. Similarly, the surgical implantation of transmitters and bio-loggers can provide useful data on animal location, physiology and behavior. However, to avoid unnecessary recapture and related stress of study animals, PIT tags and bio-loggers should function reliably for long periods of time. Here, we evaluated the retention of PIT tags, and of very high frequency (VHF) transmitters and bio-loggers that were either implanted subcutaneously or into the peritoneal cavity of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber). RESULTS: Over a 21-year period, we implanted PIT tags in 456 individuals and failed to detect a PIT tag at recapture in 30 cases, consisting of 26 individuals (6% of individuals). In all instances, we were still able to identify the individual due to the presence of unique ear tag numbers and tail scars. Moreover, we implanted 6 VHFs, 36 body temperature loggers and 21 heart rate loggers in 28 individuals, and experienced frequent loss of temperature loggers (at least 6 of 23 recaptured beavers) and heart rate loggers (10 of 18 recaptured beavers). No VHFs were lost in 2 recaptured beavers. CONCLUSIONS: Possible causes for PIT tag loss (or non-detection) were incorrect implantation, migration of the tag within the body, a foreign body reaction leading to ejection, or malfunctioning of the tag. We speculate that logger loss was related to a foreign body reaction, and that loggers were either rejected through the incision wound or, in the case of temperature loggers, possibly adhered and encapsulated to intestines, and then engulfed by the gastro-intestinal tract and ejected. We discuss animal welfare implications and give recommendations for future studies implanting bio-loggers into wildlife.

Cyclophosphamide modulated the foreign body inflammatory reaction in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

In order to understand events and mechanisms present in the pathophysiology of tilapia's chronic inflammation and based on the immunomodulatory activity attributed to cyclophosphamide which is widely used to suppress immune responses in human medicine, the present study investigated the effects of cyclophosphamide (CYP) treatment on the modulation of foreign body inflammatory reaction in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with round glass coverslip implanted in the subcutaneous tissue (9 mm of diameter). Forty tilapia (151 ± 10,2 g) were randomly distributed in 5 aquariums (n = 8) with a capacity of 250 L of water each, to compose two treatments (sampled 3 and 6 days post-implantation): implanted/untreated (control) and implanted/treated with 200 mg of CYP kg-1 of b.w., through i.p. route. A fifth group (n = 8) was sampled without any stimulus (naive) to obtain reference values. CYP-treated tilapia showed decrease in macrophage accumulation, giant cell formation and Langhans cells on the glass coverslip when compared to control fish. The treatment with CYP resulted in decrease of leukocyte and thrombocyte counts. Decrease in alpha-2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, albumin and transferrin levels, as well as increase in haptoglobin, complement C3 and apolipoprotein A1 were observed in tilapias during foreign body inflammation. Blood levels of complement C3, alpha-2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were modulated by treatment with CYP. Therefore, the treatment with 200 mg of CYP kg-1 of b.w. in tilapia resulted in an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing the dynamics between leukocytes in the bloodstream and macrophage accumulation with giant cell formation in the inflamed focus, as well as by modulating APPs during foreign body reaction.

Disposable skin staplers for closure of linear gastrointestinal incisions in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features and outcomes of linear gastrointestinal incisions closed with skin staples in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Historical cohort study. ANIMALS: 333 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records from 1 private referral hospital were searched for dogs that underwent gastrointestinal surgery between November 1999 and October 2015. Cases were included if skin staplers were used to close linear gastrointestinal incisions. Information regarding preoperative, surgical, and postoperative factors was collected. RESULTS: Complications were diagnosed in 8 of 245 (3.27%) dogs, including 3 of 245 (1.22%) dogs that died or were euthanized, 3 of 245 (1.22%) dogs with incisional dehiscence, and 2 of 245 (0.81%) dogs with attachment of a linear foreign body to the staples at the intestinal lumen. Dehiscence was noted at the enterotomy sites in 3 dogs at a mean time of 44 hours after surgery (SD ± 6.93). Two dogs presented with another linear foreign body that was attached to the staples in the intestinal lumen at postoperative days 24 and 42. The risk factors associated with incisional dehiscence included multiple gastrointestinal incisions performed in 1 surgery (χ2 , P < .001) and the presence of a linear foreign body (χ2 , P = .02253). No associations were detected between dogs' age, sex, weight, surgery time, indication for surgical intervention, surgery location in the gastrointestinal tract, or surgeon experience and incisional dehiscence. CONCLUSION: Skin staplers provide safe and effective closure of gastrotomies, enterotomies, and colonotomies in dogs. This method is reliable, efficient, and affordable in the hands of veterinary surgeons with varying skill levels.

Inflammatory response to therapeutic gold bead implantation in canine hip joint osteoarthritis.

Inflammatory changes associated with periarticular pure gold bead implants were studied in dogs involved in a clinical trial investigating motor dysfunction and chronic pain owing to hip joint dysplasia and osteoarthritis. Gold beads were percutaneously implanted via a needle into different locations surrounding the greater trochanter of the femur. Nine dogs with implants were necropsied. In all examined animals, characteristic histologic lesions were observed in the tissue surrounding the gold implants--namely, a fibrous capsule composed of concentric fibroblasts intermixed with a variable number of inflammatory cells and a paucicellular innermost layer of collagen with a few fibrocyte-like cells in empty lacunae. Lymphocytes dominated the inflammatory infiltrate, with rarely observed macrophages present in close proximity to the implant site. No giant cells were observed. Immunohistochemistry showed mixed populations of lymphocytes, both CD3 positive (T cells) and CD79a positive (B cells), which in some cases formed lymphoid follicles. Diffuse inflammatory changes were present to a minor extent in the perimysium and surrounding fascia. The inflammation observed in dogs is similar to that observed with gold implants in humans. It is possible that the clinically beneficial effect of gold beads for chronic osteoarthritis depends on sustained localized inflammation with localized release of soluble mediators. The encapsulation of the implant by a paucicellular and poorly vascularized fibrous capsule may help prevent an exaggerated inflammatory reaction by sequestering the gold bead from the surrounding tissue.

Mouse barley awn (Hordeum murinum) migration induced cystolithiasis in 2 male dogs.

Two male dogs were presented with cystic uroliths composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate (struvite). Each had an atypical nidus, a mouse barley awn (Hordeum murinum). To our knowledge, this is the first report of grass awns located in the bladder lumen of dogs. The composition of uroliths and the pathophysiology of grass awn migration to the urinary bladder are discussed.

Foreign body reaction to ruptured follicular cysts in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous cysts are common in dogs, and surgical resection is the recommended treatment. However, additional therapy may be required for ruptured follicular cysts with severe cutaneous complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old neutered male Samoyed was presented with multifocal masses on the forelimbs. A 5-year-old neutered female Maltese was also presented with multiple masses and ruptured lesions, which were ulcerative and painful, around the parotid and submandibular glands. The lesions were examined cytologically. In addition, bacterial and fungal cultures and histopathologic examination were performed. Cutaneous multifocal nodules in the Samoyed could not be diagnosed via cytological examination or bacterial/fungal culture. Histopathology revealed numerous follicular cysts with multiple pyogranulomas of various sizes, some of which contained central keratin debris. In the Maltese, cytologic examination revealed central keratins or enucleated ghost cells in the intact cysts and few keratinized squamous cells mixed with neutrophils, mucus and metachromatic cells in the ruptured cysts. Histopathologic examination revealed severely dilated follicular cysts. Oral steroid and cyclosporine therapy resulted in marked improvement in the aseptic pyogranulomas after 2 weeks in formal case and combined with a surgery for residual cysts in latter case. CONCLUSIONS: We have reported two canine cases of ruptured follicular cysts causing foreign body-like aseptic pyogranulomas around cutaneous tissues and their successful management with pharmacological therapy and surgery.

What is your diagnosis? Intra-abdominal mass aspirate from a spayed dog with abdominal pain.

An 8-year-old, spayed female Labrador Retriever was presented for evaluation of unwillingness to exercise. On clinical examination abdominal pain was elicited, and a midabdominal mass was detected in survey radiographs. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of the intra-abdominal mass was done. The cytologic findings indicated chronic granulomatous inflammation with reactive fibroplasia, cholesterol crystals, and extracellular foreign material. The foreign material consisted of opaque, basophilic fragments of uniform width (5-10 mum) and variable length (30-180 microm) and was observed extracellularly and within macrophages. The material was birefringent under polarized light. Histologic examination of the excised mass confirmed the cytologic findings and a diagnosis of gossypiboma (textiloma) was made, consistent with retention of a surgical sponge. This case provides a unique example of the utility of fine-needle aspiration for the diagnosis of gossypiboma.

Cutaneous sterile granulomas/pyogranulomas, leishmaniasis and mycobacterial infections.

Cutaneous "sterile" granulomas represent a group of uncommon skin disorders of unknown aetiopathogenesis. Many diseases are included in this group (for example, sterile granuloma/pyogranuloma syndrome and reactive histiocytosis). The definition of sterile is based on the exclusion of other possible aetiological agents (for example, microorganisms or foreign body). Many techniques are used to rule out a microbial aetiology including cytology, histology, immunohistochemistry and culture. However, some organisms are "fastidious" and difficult to culture or to identify with routine methods, and molecular studies are necessary. This is particularly true for mycobacteria (for example, canine leproid granuloma syndrome) and Leishmania. Recently, studies in human and veterinary medicine have proved the presence of microorganisms (mycobacteria and Leishmania) using a polymerase chain reaction technique in specimens previously diagnosed as sterile. Therefore, it is very important, with the development of new technologies, to use a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach to definitively rule out any microorganism before declaring a disease sterile.

Remoção endoscópica de corpo estranho ventricular em gallus gallus domesticus da raça brahma: relato de caso / Endoscopic removal of a ventricular foreign body in a brahma gallus domesticus: case report / Extracción endoscópica de un cuerpo extraño ventricular en un brahma gallus domesticus: informe de un caso

Relatos de ingestão de corpos estranhos dos mais diferentes materiais são comuns em aves, especialmente nas mais jovens. Os corpos estranhos podem causar intoxicação (dependendo da composição do material) ou mesmo perfuração do canal alimentar ou obstrução gastrintestinal. Quando há suspeita de ingestão de corpos estranhos, exames de imagem como a radiologia, ultrassonografia e endoscopia são ferramentas valiosas para o diagnóstico. Objetivou-se relatar um caso de uma ave da espécie Gallus gallus domesticus, raça Brahma, sete meses de idade, macho, pesando 4,3 Kg com quadro de sensibilidade na cavidade corporal e histórico de regurgitação, hiporexia e prostração há cinco dias. As radiografias simples indicaram a presença de corpo estranho radiopaco (parafuso) alojado na região do ventrículo (moela). Após tratamento clínico com lavagens gástricas por cinco dias sem êxito, optou-se por realizar uma endoscopia digestiva alta sob anestesia geral com quetamina e isoflurano. O corpo estranho foi satisfatoriamente removido com pinça de alça de polipectomia e a ave apresentou rápida melhora clínica sem complicações. A endoscopia mostrou-se um procedimento pouco invasivo e eficaz para a resolução do presente caso. Os clínicos veterinários de aves devem considerar a possibilidade de usar a endoscopia como ferramenta para diagnóstico e resolução de corpos estranhos no canal alimentar das aves.(AU)

Reports of ingestion of foreign bodies from most different materials are common in birds, especially younger ones. Foreign bodies can cause intoxication (depending on the composition of the material) or even perforation of the alimentary canal and gastrointestinal obstruction. When foreign body ingestion is suspected, imaging tests such as radiology, ultrasound, and endoscopy are valuable diagnostic tools. The objective of this paper was to report a case of an avian of the species Gallus gallus domesticus, Brahma breed, seven months old, male, weighing 4.3 kg, with sensitivity in the body cavity, and a history of regurgitation, hyporexia, and prostration for five days. Plain radiographs indicated the presence of a radiopaque foreign body (screw) lodged in the ventricle region (gizzard). After clinical treatment with gastric lavages for five days without success, it was decided to perform an upper digestive endoscopy under general anesthesia with ketamine and isoflurane. The foreign body was satisfactorily removed with polypectomy loop forceps, and the bird showed rapid clinical improvement without complications. Endoscopy proved to be a minimally invasive and effective procedure for resolving the present case. Avian veterinary practitioners may consider using endoscopy to diagnose and resolve foreign bodies in the alimentary canal of birds.(AU)

Los informes de ingestión de cuerpos extraños de los más diferentes materiales son comunes en las aves, especialmente en las más jóvenes. Los cuerpos extraños pueden causar intoxicación (dependiendo de la composición del material) o incluso perforación del tubo digestivo u obstrucción gastrointestinal. Cuando se sospecha la ingestión de un cuerpo extraño, las pruebas de imagen como la radiología, la ecografía y la endoscopia son valiosas herramientas diagnósticas. El objetivo fue reportar un caso de un ave de la especie Gallus gallus domesticus, raza Brahma, de siete meses de edad, macho, con un peso de 4,3 kg, con sensibilidad en la cavidad corporal y antecedentes de regurgitación, hiporexia y postración de cinco días de evolución. Las radiografías simples indicaron la presencia de un cuerpo extraño radiopaco (tornillo) alojado en la región del ventrículo (molleja). Tras tratamiento clínico con lavados gástricos durante cinco días sin éxito, se decide realizar endoscopia digestiva alta bajo anestesia general con ketamina e isoflurano. El cuerpo extraño se extrajo satisfactoriamente con pinzas de asa de polipectomía y el ave mostró una rápida mejoría clínica sin complicaciones. La endoscopia demostró ser un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo y efectivo para la resolución del presente caso. Los veterinarios aviares deberían considerar la posibilidad de utilizar la endoscopia como herramienta para el diagnóstico y resolución de cuerpos extraños en el tubo digestivo de las aves.(AU)

Use of cryopoor plasma for albumin replacement and continuous antimicrobial infusion for treatment of septic peritonitis in a dog.

OBJECTIVE: To report the successful management of a dog with septic peritonitis and septic shock secondary to enterectomy dehiscence using novel techniques for identification of intestinal dehiscence and for septic shock treatment. CASE SUMMARY: A 5-year-old castrated male Bernese Mountain Dog presented for lethargy 6 days following enterotomy for foreign body obstruction. Septic peritonitis was identified due to dehiscence of the enterotomy site, and resection and anastomosis were performed using a gastrointestinal anastomosis and thoracoabdominal stapling device. Postoperatively the patient experienced severe hypotension, which responded to norepinephrine constant rate infusion (CRI) after failing to improve with fluid therapy or dopamine CRI. Further treatment included antimicrobial CRI and supportive care including careful fluid therapy. Due to low effective circulating volume paired with intersititial fluid overload and large volume abdominal effusion, fluid therapy consisted of a combination of human serum albumin, canine albumin, synthetic colloids, and isotonic crystalloids. Cryopoor plasma (CPP) was used as a source of canine albumin and intravascular volume. On Day 4, food dye was given through a nasogastric tube due to suspicion of dehiscence of the anastomosis site. Dehiscence was confirmed during abdominal exploratory, and a second resection and anastomosis was performed. Abdominal partial closure with vacuum-assisted closure device was performed. Supportive care was continued with CPP CRI and imipenem CRI. Planned relaparotomy to change the vacuum-assisted closure device was performed 48 hours later, with abdominal closure 96 hours after anastomosis. The patient was discharged on Day 15. Recheck 12 months later was normal. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case includes novel techniques such food dye via nasogastric tube to identify anastomosis dehiscence, use of CPP as a source of canine albumin, and antimicrobial CRI in a dog with septic peritonitis.

Enterolithiasis in a cat.

An 8-year-old female Persian cat was brought in for evaluation of chronic vomiting. The presence of opaque enteric foreign bodies and intestinal obstruction along with azotaemia, hyperphosphataemia, moderate anaemia and peritoneal fluid were revealed following appropriate diagnostic work-up. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed jejunoileal dilation, ileocaecal stenosis, and numerous foreign objects in the jejunoileum. These foreign objects and ileocaecal stenosis were surgically removed, and intestinal resection and anastomosis was performed. The patient recovered favourably. Analysis revealed that the foreign objects were composed of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Intestinal inflammation and stenosis secondary to enterolithiasis may have developed following ingestion of cat litter or a previous unrelated surgical intervention. We were unable to delineate the inciting pathogenesis in this particular case.

Clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, and anatomopathological aspects of 30 cases of traumatic reticulosplenitis in cattle / Aspectos clínicos, laboratoriais, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos de 30 casos de reticulo-esplenite traumática em bovinos

Ingestion of metallic and/or sharp foreign bodies triggers cases of traumatic reticuloperitonitis and its sequelae in cattle. Among these sequelae, we can highlight traumatic reticulosplenitis, that has high mortality, although its frequency in the ruminant medicine is low. Therefore, based on the scarcity of information on this disease, the current study aimed to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, and pathological findings of 30 adult cattle diagnosed with traumatic reticulosplenitis. Clinical, ultrasound, and anatomopathological findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and laboratory data were evaluated using measures of central tendency. Clinically the animals presented dehydration and alterations in behavior, appetite, and ruminal motility. Hematological findings revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis (37077.17±25004.59cell/µL) with regenerative left shift and hyperfibrinogenemia (1130±364.98mg/dL). The ultrasound examination enabled visualization of mobile and echogenic filaments that corresponded to the presence of fibrin adhesions. Displacement of the reticulum and irregularity in its contour, as well as alterations in the quantity, pattern, and amplitude of reticular contractions were also observed. Splenic alterations such as abscesses were found, characterized as circular structures of varying sizes delimited by capsules containing variable echogenicity. Splenic vein thrombosis and spleen folding were also observed. The results obtained in the current study indicated that traumatic reticulosplenitis causes nonspecific clinical signs, severe laboratory alterations and, mainly, that ultrasound is an efficient method for the diagnosis of this disease, since the anatomopathological lesions confirmed the ultrasound findings.(AU)

A ingestão de corpos estranho de origem metálica e/ou pontiagudos desencadeia em bovinos, quadros de Reticuloperitonite Traumática e suas sequelas. Dentre as quais podemos destacar a retículo esplenite traumática cuja letalidade é elevada, embora a mesma apresente uma baixa frequência na clínica de ruminantes. Portanto, baseado na escassez de informações sobre esta enfermidade, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar os achados clínicos, laboratoriais, ultrassonográficos e anatomopatológicos de 30 bovinos adultos diagnosticados com retículo esplenite traumática. Os achados clínicos, ultrassonográfico e anatomopatológico foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, e os dados laboratoriais foram avaliados utilizando-se as medidas de tendência central. Clinicamente os animais apresentaram desidratação e alterações no comportamento, apetite e na motilidade ruminal. Os achados hematológicos revelaram leucocitose (37077.17±25004.59cell/µL) por neutrofilia com desvio à esquerda regenerativo e hiperfibrinogenemia (1130±364.98mg/dL). O exame ultrassonográfico possibilitou a visualização de filamentos móveis e ecogênicos que corresponderam à presença de aderências fibrinosas, observou-se também, deslocamento do retículo e irregularidade no seu contorno além das alterações na quantidade, padrão e amplitude das contrações reticulares. Permitiu ainda, a constatação de alterações esplênicas como abscessos que foram caracterizados como estruturas circulares de variados tamanhos delimitada por capsula contendo no seu interior conteúdo de ecogenicidade variável. Trombose da veia esplênica e dobramento do baço. Os resultados obtidos nesse trabalho, indicaram que a retículo esplenite traumática causa sinais clínicos inespecíficos, severas alterações laboratoriais e principalmente que a ultrassonografia é um método eficiente para o diagnóstico dessa enfermidade uma vez que as lesões anatomopatológicas confirmaram os achados ultrassonográficos.(AU)

Experimental study of induced inflammation in the Brazilian Boa (Boa constrictor constrictor).

The objective of this work was to identify the cellular types present in inflammatory processes in the Brazilian snake, Boa constrictor constrictor. Blood smears were first made from three normal snakes and stained by several methods to identify the cell types present, thus facilitating the identification of cells in inflammatory processes induced in 16 further snakes by the subcutaneous implantation of cotton suture threads and circular coverslips. Implanted threads induced migration of heterophils and monocytes after 4 h, more intense monocyte migration after 24 h, an intense granulocytic migration inside and around the thread after 48 h, heterophilic granulocytes, macrophages and giant cells after 7 days, and giant cells with a typical granuloma response and persistence of heterophilic cells after 15, 69 and 117 days. The cell population attached to the implanted coverslips after 4 h was composed of heterophils, thrombocytes, erythrocytes and macrophages; after 24 and 48 h heterophils predominated, and after 7 days heterophils, macrophages and giant cells predominated.

Histological evaluation of canine deciduoma induced by silk suture.

Deciduoma was induced in 5 bitches by introducing a silk suture into their uteri which were in the nonpregnant luteal stage of their estrous cycles. The histological changes in the uteri were characterized by the cystic glandular hyperplasia of the endometrium, although, this condition varied according to the positional relations between the endometrium and the inserted suture. As notable histological features in these variations, regulated proliferation and dilatation of the uterine glands were seen in all the animals and these had a very similar structure to normal differentiation of the glands in the early placentation. These histological findings suggested that silk suture might act as a similar biological stimulus to fertilized ova and thus could induce a deciduoma which was closed to normal implantation "decidual reaction".

Clinical and pathologic effects of spiral and total ring prostheses applied to the cervical and thoracic portions of the trachea of dogs.

This study compared the short-term clinical and pathologic effects of spiral and total ring prostheses, applied to the cervical and thoracic portions of the trachea of dogs via a combined intercostal thoracotomy and ventral cervical midline approach. The effect of intraluminal placement of synthetic monofilament nonabsorbable suture also was evaluated. Eleven small-breed dogs were randomly allotted to 3 groups. Group 1 (n = 3) were controls that had been treated by sham operation, group 2 (n = 4) had polypropylene spiral prostheses applied to the cervical and thoracic portions of the trachea, and group 3 (n = 3) had total ring prostheses applied to the cervical and thoracic portions of the trachea. All dogs were euthanatized and necropsied 8 weeks after surgery. Clinical complications were minimal and limited to mild, short-term lameness and coughing. Three and 6 weeks after surgery, radiographs were within normal limits in all dogs. Tracheoscopy confirmed maintenance of tracheal lumen diameter and integrity of the mucosal epithelium in all dogs. Gross and microscopic postmortem findings were similar in groups 2 and 3. Mild adhesions were present between prostheses and adjacent structures. Similar adhesions were present where prostheses had been applied and subsequently removed in group-1 dogs. Histopathologic abnormalities included mild to moderate adventitial and periprosthetic fibrosis and mild advential inflammation associated with polypropylene spiral prostheses and total ring prostheses. The majority (70%) of intratracheal sutures evaluated were covered by microscopically normal ciliated mucosal epithelium by 8 weeks after surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of whole blood clots, time, and implant size on vascularization and collagen deposition along Teflon-ensheathed carbon fibers implanted in ewes.

Seventy-two subcutaneous implants were examined to evaluate connective tissue response to Teflon-ensheathed carbon fibers and whole blood clots. Carbon fibers significantly (P less than or equal to 0.001) increased vascularization and collagen formation within the Teflon sheath. Carbon fibers provide a potentially strong scaffold that would physically support cell migration during wound healing. However, obvious foreign body reactions occurred, which indicate that further studies on the biologic features of carbon fiber are needed before carbon fibers become entirely acceptable for long-term implantation. Compared with no-clot controls, Teflon tubes containing only whole blood clots stimulated a significant (P less than or equal to 0.001) wound-healing response, including organized collagen fiber formation. Other variables tested in this study such as length and diameter of the Teflon tubes did not significantly influence connective tissue responses.

Long-term cannulation of the vena cava of rats for blood sampling: local and systemic effects observed by histopathology after six weeks of cannulation.

A cannulation system with fixation by a metal cuff around the tail was used for blood sampling. The cannula was guided subcutaneously and positioned in the vena cava after entering the body via the femoral vein. Histopathology was performed after long-term cannulation of up to 35 and 45 days. The presence of the cannula in the vena cava induced endothelial hypertrophy and hyperplasia accompanied by stromal hypertrophy. The endothelial activation was not limited to the vena cava but was also observed in both the cannulated vena iliaca and the contralateral control vena iliaca, the latter showing only minor alterations. In the lung, thrombi were noted in the larger lung arteries; and foreign body emboli, probably situated in the alveolar septi, could be detected occasionally. Inflammatory reactions in the tail at the site of cuff fixation consisted of a mixture of acute and chronic inflammatory responses. The chronic inflammation extended into the tail muscles, as shown by the presence of fibrous tissue associated with muscle degeneration. In conclusion, prolonged venous cannulation in rats resulted in local alterations in the veins, small emboli in the lungs and a moderate to marked inflammation in the tail. However, the procedure itself was well tolerated by the animals.

Squamous-cell carcinoma and oral, pharyngeal and nasal lesions caused by foreign bodies in feed. Cases from a long-term study in rats.

In a carcinogenicity study 443 out of 956 rats had chaff from oat and barley in the mouth between the molars and the gingiva. These foreign bodies caused chronic irritation and inflammation. In 173 animals disruption of tissue caused by the foreign bodies led to pathological communication between the mouth, pharynx and nose. Carcinomas in the oral, pharyngeal or nasal cavity were found in 101 of the 443 animals. Twenty-two animals died and 96 were killed because of intestinal gaseous distension. The intestinal distension was related significantly to the pathological communication between the mouth and pharynx/nose. The study shows that the foreign body-induced chronic irritation and inflammation in the epithelium of the mouth, pharynx and nose can lead to formation of squamous-cell carcinomas. The pathogenesis of the intestinal distension is discussed.

Treatment of urinary incontinence in dogs by endoscopic injection of Teflon.

Twenty-two dogs with urethral sphincter incompetence, nonresponsive to phenylpropanolamine administration, were treated by urethral submucosal injection of Teflon. Urinary continence was achieved in all dogs for at least 2 months. Urinary incontinence recurred in 14 dogs (64%) and was controlled by a second Teflon injection in 11 of 12 dogs (92%). Minor complications included transient stranguria, with or without hematuria, after 4 of 35 injection procedures. One dog had temporary partial urethral obstruction after treatment.

Experimental and clinical investigations of the use of carbon fiber sutures in equine tendon repair.

Braided carbon fiber sutures were used to repair surgically transected or lacerated digital flexor tendons of 20 mature horses (10 experimental and 10 clinical cases). In addition, 4 experimental horses had tenectomies that were not surgically repaired; these served as controls for the horses with carbon-implanted tendons. Six of the 10 clinically affected horses were returned to their intended use; 2 were euthanatized because of complications and 2 were still recuperating. The experimental horses were euthanatized at 12 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 months. Tendon scars were structurally and functionally similar in all of these horses. The main histologic difference between the controls and principals was the more extensive remodeling in the latter group at 8 months.