Aspecto médico veterinário legal das lesões em aves silvestres promovidas por colisões com aeronaves / Medico-legal veterinary aspect of lesions in bird strike

The objective of this study was to describe lesions in four birds, victims of collisions with aircraft, coming from the International Airport of Recife/Guararapes Gilberto Freyre, Pernambuco, Brazil. Contused wounds were predominant in birds in this study, characterized by the presence of fractures, bruises and hematomas and justified by the blunt action promoted by the type of vulnerant agent involved (aircraft). The analysis under medico-legal veterinary aspect of lesions in bird strike is essential, because in addition to the attempt to establish a standard for differentiating the aircraft lesions, it can guide the bird strike hazard management programs at airports, since the necropsy allows the identification of the species involved or at least facilitates the obtaining biological material for identification.(AU)

Prevalence, clinical presentation, prognosis, and outcome of 17 dogs with spinal shock and acute thoracolumbar spinal cord disease.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence, signalment, clinical features, etiology, and outcome in dogs with acute thoracolumbar disease and suspected spinal shock. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical case study (2005-2010). SETTING: Private specialty practice. ANIMALS: Medical records of 263 dogs with thoracolumbar spinal magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed. If decreased or absent withdrawal reflexes were present in 1 or both pelvic limbs, in the absence of a spinal lesion in the lumbosacral intumescence, dogs were diagnosed with spinal shock. Dogs with suspected or confirmed spinal neoplasia, myelomalacia, or meningomyelitis were excluded. Seventeen of 263 dogs (6%) met inclusion criteria. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thoracic lesions were significantly more likely to result in spinal shock when compared to lumbar lesions (P = 0.03). Fibrocartilaginous embolism was the most commonly diagnosed etiology (7 of 17 dogs), and was more common in the thoracic spine compared to in the lumbar spine (P = 0.10). Six of 17 dogs (35%) were diagnosed with intervertebral disk herniation; 4 of 17 dogs (24%) with suspected acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion. Two dogs were lost to follow-up. Fourteen of 15 (93%) dogs had improved or normal reflexes by 60 days post injury. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of spinal shock was low, it should be considered in any dog presenting with an acute history of thoracolumbar spinal injury with reduced or absent reflexes in the pelvic limbs. The presence of spinal shock should not dissuade a veterinarian from pursuing appropriate diagnostic testing and therapy for the underlying etiology.

Evaluation of a hypertonic sodium chloride/dextran solution for treatment of traumatic shock in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 7% NaCl solution (hypertonic saline) in 6% dextran 70 solution (HSD) with that of lactated Ringer's solution (LRS) for treatment of dogs in traumatic shock. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. ANIMALS: 16 traumatized adult dogs with clinical signs of shock. PROCEDURE: Physical, hemodynamic, blood gas, and clinical chemistry measurements were performed prior to treatment. Initial treatment consisted of HSD (n = 8) or LRS (n = 8) administered as a bolus (5 ml/kg of body weight, IV) over a 3-minute period, followed by administration of additional LRS and other treatments to restore hemodynamic and physical criteria to within reference limits. Measurements were repeated for 3 hours after initial treatment. The volumes of LRS and HSD administered were recorded hourly. Degree of injury was scored by using a trauma severity index. RESULTS: Dogs responded similarly to the treatments, and all but 3 dogs survived to be discharged. The amount of fluid administered to dogs in the HSD group over the final 2 hours of the study was significantly less than that administered to the dogs in the LRS group. Serum sodium concentration and osmolality of the dogs in the HSD group were not significantly greater than those values in the LRS group. Bradyarrhythmias were observed in 2 dogs in the HSD group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Hypertonic sodium chloride/dextran solution is safe and effective for resuscitating dogs in traumatic shock. Seven percent NaCl in 6% dextran 70 may reduce the need for isotonic fluids in the hours after initial resuscitation.

The role of pressure damage in pathogenesis of the downer cow syndrome.

Experimental downer cows were produced by maintaining healthy cows in sternal recumbency for 6, 9, or 12 hours with the right pelvic limb positioned under the body. Halothane anesthesia was used to create this artificial parturient paresis-like position. In 8 of 16 experiments, cows were able to stand within 3 hours after anesthesia, but the others remained recumbent until death or euthanasia. There was no correlation between duration of the treatment and ability to stand after enforced recumbency. The appearance of the right pelvic limb of downer cows resembled the injured limbs of human patients with compartmental/crush syndrome, as well as the limbs of clinical downer cows. The affected limbs were swollen and held in rigid extension. Some animals which were able to stand also had swollen right pelvic limbs. Systemic signs of crush syndrome included dark yellow or brown urine suggestive of myoglobinuria, and marked elevation of serum creatine kinase enzyme levels. Highest creatine kinase levels were observed at 24 hours in the ambulatory group and at 48 hours in the downer group. Necropsy of downer animals revealed ischemic necrosis of the caudal thigh muscles and inflammation of the sciatic nerve caudal to the proximal end of the femur. Evidence of peroneal nerve damage was observed in at least 9 animals.

Management of the severely injured animal.

Initial management of the seriously injured animal involves the immediate recognition of life-threatening abnormalities and prompt resuscitation based on priorities of care. Of equal importance to the ultimate survival of the animal is an aggressive approach to the diagnosis and control of the complications and sequelae of injury. This approach to patient care requires constant attention to details, but offers the most efficient management of these critically ill animals.

Biochemical changes occurring after blunt chest trauma in monkeys.

Anesthetized adult female rhesus monkeys were impacted in the middle of the sternum with a 10 kg stunner traveling at a speed of 22-25 mph to simulate an automobile accident. Blodd was obtained at 10 and 60 min following the impact, and approximately 50 values were measured with an autoanalyzer. Blunt chest shock and trauma produced a biochemical, hematologic, and urinary profile which might be used to aid life saving measures.