Use of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone acetonide or ozone gas in the treatment of induced osteoarthritis in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the intra-articular application of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone acetonide, and ozone gas in the treatment of induced osteoarthritis in rabbit's stifles. METHODS: Twenty-one Norfolk rabbits were submitted to cranial cruciate ligament transection of the left stifle. After six weeks of the surgery, the rabbits were randomized assigned into three groups: G1 (control) - saline solution (0.9%); G2 - hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone; G3 - ozone gas, submitted to three intra-articular applications every seven days. RESULTS: Significant differences occurred: osteophytes at medial femoral condyle (G2 > G1, G2 > G3) on radiography exam; thickening of the medial condyle (G1 > G3, G2 > G3) on ultrasound exam; osteophytes at lateral tibial condyle (G2 > G1, G2 > G3), and medial femoral condyle (G1 > G2, G3 > G1) on computed tomography. Histologically, mean values of chondrocytes in the femur and tibia in G3 and G2 were statistically lower. CONCLUSIONS: The intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone accentuated degenerative joint disease by imaging and macroscopic evaluations, and by histological findings, this treatment and the ozone gas treatment showed similar effects and were inferior to the saline solution (0.9%).

Effect of uterine ozone therapy and anticoagulant sampling on oxidative stress parameters in mares.

With the purpose of assessing the effects of uterine ozone therapy and anticoagulant sampling on oxidative stress (OS) parameters in mares, ten mares underwent three consecutive days of uterine ozone therapy by flushing the uterus with ozonated lactated Ringer's solution followed by insufflation with ozone­oxygen gas. Serum samples were obtained at baseline and days 3, 6, 10 and 17 to determine the effect of ozone therapy on OS markers. Plasma obtained with anticoagulants citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and heparin were at baseline and 6 days following therapy to determine the effect of anticoagulant on OS parameters. Antioxidants albumin and uric acid, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) using four different methods, total oxidant capacity (TOC) and lipid peroxidation were determined through photocolorimetry. Statistical analyses comprised repeated measures ANOVA followed by Dunnett's test or Friedman followed by Dunn's post-hoc test. Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05. Uterine ozone therapy significantly decreased uric acid, TAC in all four different methods, concomitantly with an increase on TOC at days 3 and 6 following therapy. No changes were observed on albumin and lipid peroxidation levels. Anticoagulants prevented the detection of oxidative stress induced by uterine ozone therapy depending on the method of analysis. In conclusion, uterine ozone therapy causes systemic oxidative stress in mares and the choice of anticoagulant sampling interferes with laboratory tests.

Chronic pain and gait analysis in dogs with degenerative hip joint disease treated with repeated intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma or allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells.

This prospective, comparative, randomized, horizontal, and double-blind clinical study investigated the clinical efficacy of leucocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (PRP, n=8) or allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC, n=8) in dogs with bilateral degenerative hip joint disease (DHJD). Sixteen dogs were treated with two intra-articular injections of PRP or ADSCs, within a 30-day interval. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI), the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI), and Visual Analogue Scales for pain (VAS-pain) and locomotion (VAS-loc) were assessed by the dog owners. Analysis-of-gait using a force plate, response to palpation (VAS-palp), and the descriptive numerical scale for pain (DNS) were measured by a veterinarian. The assessments were performed before (baseline), 30 and 60 days after the first treatment. Data were analyzed using the unpaired t test, paired Wilcoxon test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann-Whitney and Friedman tests (P<0.05). Compared with baseline HCPI, CBPI, VAS-pain, and VAS-palp scores reduced 41%, 52%, 51%, and 48% (P=0.0001-0.03) at 60 days in the ADSC group. In PRP-treated dogs, CBPI, VAS-loc, and DNS scores decreased by 43%, 43%, and 33% at 60 days, respectively (P=0.0003-0.011). Based on CBPI data, the rate of success at 60 days was 75% and 25% in the ADSC and PRP groups (P=0.13), respectively. Both therapies were apparently safe and effective to reduce chronic pain in dogs with bilateral DHJD during a 60-day period. However, a trend towards greater improvement was provided by the ADSC treatment.

Use of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone acetonide or ozone gas in the treatment of induced osteoarthritis in rabbits

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of the intra-articular application of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone acetonide, and ozone gas in the treatment of induced osteoarthritis in rabbit’s stifles.Methods: Twenty-one Norfolk rabbits were submitted to cranial cruciate ligament transection of the left stifle. After six weeks of the surgery, the rabbits were randomized assigned into three groups: G1 (control) – saline solution (0.9%); G2 – hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone; G3 – ozone gas, submitted to three intra-articular applications every seven days. Results: Significant differences occurred: osteophytes at medial femoral condyle (G2 > G1, G2 > G3) on radiography exam; thickening of the medial condyle (G1 > G3, G2 > G3) on ultrasound exam; osteophytes at lateral tibial condyle (G2 > G1, G2 > G3), and medial femoral condyle (G1 > G2, G3 > G1) on computed tomography. Histologically, mean values of chondrocytes in the femur and tibia in G3 and G2 were statistically lower. Conclusions: The intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid associated with triamcinolone accentuated degenerative joint disease by imaging and macroscopic evaluations, and by histological findings, this treatment and the ozone gas treatment showed similar effects and were inferior to the saline solution (0.9%).

Goniometric Assessment in French Bulldogs.

Goniometry is a low-cost, user-friendly and widely available technique used by different veterinary medicine professionals to estimate joint range of motion (ROM). Studies providing breed-specific reference ranges for goniometric measurements are scarce and there is a lack of information regarding joint angles in French Bulldogs. This prospective study set out to determine normal ROM for the carpus, elbow, shoulder, tarsus, stifle and hip joints in healthy, adult French Bulldogs using goniometry. We hypothesized ROM would be similar in this and other dog breeds. Twenty dogs met the inclusion criteria. Sample size was calculated using power analysis based on previous studies. Goniometric measurements were made by a single examiner. Limbs were measured in random order and three measurements made per joint. Dogs were not sedated. Joint angles measured in French Bulldogs in this study were similar to those reported in Labrador Retrievers (shoulder, carpal, and tarsal flexion), Rottweilers (shoulder, carpus, and hip flexion), and Dachshunds (hip, stifle, and tarsal flexion). Similar flexion angles and ROM were detected in right and left limb joints. Findings of this study suggest similar ROM in French Bulldogs and other dog breeds. Lack of radiographic assessment and the fact that goniometric measurements were made by a single examiner were the major limitations of this study.

Outcome of 119 dogs and cats treated at the acupuncture unit of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo State, Botucatu city, Brazil

O serviço de acupuntura veterinária foi iniciado no ano de 2000 na Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia - Universidade Estadual de São Paulo, Brasil. Durante os anos de 2001 e 2002, 119 pacientes veterinários foram tratados incluindo cães (112) e gatos (7), machos (64) e fêmeas (55) com idade média de 5,9 anos. Os tratamentos incluíram o uso de acupuntura, eletroacupuntura, moxibustão, implante de ouro, homeopatia, ervas chinesas e suas associações. A maioria dos animais era sem raça definida e de raças de pequeno porte como teckels, pinschers e poodles. Os casos foram encaminhados por colegas do Hospital Veterinário para tratamento de vários problemas, tais como neurológicos, musculoesqueléticos, dermatológicos, gastrointestinais, neoplasias, doenças hepáticas, renais, pulmonares, auditivas, oftalmológicas, sangüíneas e reprodutivas. Ao todo, os animais tiveram uma taxa de recuperação de 63% após 7,6 sessões semanais de acupuntura em média, 10% vieram a óbito por causas não relacionadas ao motivo do tratamento, 38% não continuaram com as sessões e 14% ainda estão sob tratamento. As doenças mais tratadas foram neurológicas (63%) e/ou musculoesqueléticas (7 e 10%, respectivamente). Nas doenças neurológicas, 65,8% dos animais tratados melhoraram, 15% ainda estão sob tratamento e 18% não continuaram. Nas doenças musculoesqueléticas, 75% dos animais melhoraram e 8,3% ainda estão sob tratamento. Estes dados nos mostram que as principais indicações para o uso da acupuntura em nossa rotina são doenças neurológicas e musculoesqueléticas; e que nós obtivemos uma taxa média de recuperação desses pacientes de 79,6%.