Secnidazole for the treatment of giardiasis in naturally infected cats.

Giardia duodenalis causes enteric infections in humans and animals worldwide. Inefficiency of metronidazole is commonly reported in the veterinary clinic routine in the treatment of giardiasis in dogs and cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of secnidazole in the control of infection caused by G. duodenalis in naturally infected cats. For this purpose two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment seven cats were infected with G. duodenalis and treated orally with a single dose of secnidazole (30 mg kg(-1)). In the second experiment a total of 16 cats were used, 11 naturally infected with G. duodenalis and five negative for the parasite. Animals were divided into three groups: group A (n=5) was composed by non-infected animals (negative control), group B (n=5) consisted of infected but untreated animals and group C (n=6) was composed by cats treated orally with a single dose of secnidazole (30 mg kg(-1)). Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after treatment. The first experiment reached 100% of efficacy because no cysts were found in the feces after treatment. However, doubts about intoxication and interference with hematological and biochemical parameters came to light. No side effects were observed, and the biochemical and hematological parameters of treated animals remained within physiological range, except for one feline which had elevation of liver enzymes. Based on these results, the utilization of secnidazole could be suggested for the treatment of giardiasis in cats. The main advantage of this treatment is that only a single dose is required, which is interesting in animals hard to handle like cats.

Modificações do fixador externo para osteossíntese umeral em pombos domésticos / Two types of external fixators to correct humeral fracture in domestic pigeons

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar duas modificações no fixador externo para osteossíntese umeral em pombos. Após realização de fratura umeral diafisária, esta foi reduzida com um pino intramedular e outro perpendicular, inserido no segmento distal (Grupo A - GA); no grupo B (GB), utilizou-se um pino adicional no fragmento proximal. Todas as aves foram avaliadas clínica e radiograficamente por 60 dias, exceto quatro de cada grupo, que, aos 15, 22, 29 e 36 dias, foram submetidas a eutanásia, para exame macro e microscópico. Quanto ao vôo, todos os animais avaliados obtiveram êxito, sendo o tempo médio e o desvio padrão de 32.25 ± 6,5 dias no GA e de 39.8 ± 3,83 no GB. Observou-se presença de calo ósseo ao exame radiográfico somente nos animais do GA; o tempo médio e o desvio padrão para a consolidação da fratura foram de 36 ± 0 dias no GA e de 34 ± 3,4 no GB. Os estudos microscópicos revelaram que a consolidação óssea no GB foi mais precoce que no GA. Conclui-se que os fixadores são eficazes, sendo que o com dois pinos promove maior estabilização do sítio da fratura, embora necessite tempo cirúrgico superior para confecção.

This paper was aimed at evaluating two changes in the external fixators for osteosynthesis of the humeral fracture that induce the correction of the humeral fracture in pigeons. The reduction of diaphyseal fracture was made with an intramedulary pin associated to another perpendicular one inserted into the distal segment (Group A - GA); in the Group B (GB) an additional pin was used in the proximal fragment. All the pigeons were evaluated clinically and radiographically up to 60 days, except for four of each group which were submitted to euthanasia at 15, 22, 29 and 36 days for the macro and microscope exams. The flight test was successful in all pigeons. The bone calus was radiografically visible only in the GA; the mean time and the standard deviation for flight was 32.25 ± 6.5 days for the GA and 39.8 ± 3.83 for the GB. The mean time and standard deviation for fracture healing was 36 ± 0 days in the GA and 34 ± 3.4 in the GB. The two types of external fixator evaluated were efficient to stabilized the fracture site allowing complete consolidation and return to function. The use of the external fixator with two perpendicular pins provides more stability at the fracture site although it is necessary more time for the surgery procedure.

Osso bovino esponjoso inorgânico liofilizado em bloco no reparo de fístula oronasal induzida em cães / Lyophilized inorganic bovine bone cancellous block for iatrogenic oronasal fistula repair in dogs

O reparo de fístulas oronasais representa um desafio para o cirurgião, devido à freqüente ocorrência de recidivas. Com o intuito de avaliar o emprego de osso bovino esponjoso inorgânico liofilizado em bloco (OBEILB) no tratamento dessa afecção, foi realizado um experimento utilizando dez cães sem raça definida, fêmeas com peso variando entre 8-17kg, submetidos à indução de fístulas oronasais após exodontia dos caninos. O procedimento cirúrgico foi realizado em duas etapas: na fístula do lado esquerdo, foi feito reparo imediato após realização do defeito, e, no lado direito, o reparo foi efetuado após sete dias, ambos preenchidos com OBEILB e recobertos com retalho de mucosa de origem gengival. Os animais foram avaliados clínica e radiograficamente, semanalmente, entre sete e 120 dias. O material usado é eficaz no reparo de fístulas oronasais do alvéolo do dente canino maxilar, não apresentando evidências de rejeição e recidivas.

The oronasal fistula repair still represents a challenge to the surgeons, due to the high incidence of recidivation. An experiment using 10 adult mongrel dogs weighting between 8 and 17 kilograms was performed in order to evaluate the in block lyophilized inorganic bovine bone cancellous (BLIBBC) in the treatment of this disease. Each dog had an exodontic procedure of both canine teeth, in order to produce an oronasal fistula. The surgical procedure realized consisted in two different surgical steps: the left side defect was repaired right after the defect have been produced, while the right side defect was repaired seven days after the fistula induction; both sides were repaired using BLIBBC and covered with gengival flap. The animals were radiological and clinicaly evaluated every week for 120 days. The material used was effective in the repair of both fistulas, without rejection or recurrence.