B-mode ultrasonography and ARFI elastography of articular and peri-articular structures of the hip joint in non-dysplastic and dysplastic dogs as confirmed by radiographic examination.

BACKGROUND: Canine hip dysplasia is a common orthopedic disease in veterinary practice. The diagnosis is made by radiographic examinations that evaluate bone alterations associated with hip dysplasia. Although radiographic examination is the gold standard for diagnosis, it does not allow a detailed evaluation of soft tissues such as the joint capsule and periarticular muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of B-mode ultrasonography and acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography in assessing the joint capsule and periarticular muscles of dogs using the Orthopedic Foundation of Animals (OFA) classification and the distraction index (DI) in the early and late diagnosis of hip dysplasia. This study sought to propose a protocol for the ultrasonographic evaluation of the structures involved in canine hip dysplasia. METHODS: Radiographic and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed on 108 hip joints of 54 dogs. Thirty dogs were older than 2 years and 24 were aged between 4 and 10 months. RESULTS: It was verified that an increase in pectineus muscle stiffness (cutoff value > 2.77 m/s) by elastography in some dysplastic dogs and an increase in the thickness of the joint capsule (cutoff value > 0.9 mm) in B-mode ultrasonography, were associated with a distraction index > 0.5, with both having a positive correlation. In B-mode ultrasonographic evaluation, the presence of signs of degenerative joint disease, such as irregularities of the cranial edge of the acetabulum and femoral head, were associated with a distraction index > 0.5 in canines, with a specificity of 94%. In adult dogs, the findings of degenerative joint disease on ultrasound were associated with a diseased OFA classification (P < 0.05). Measurement of the joint capsule > 1.10 mm was diagnostic for dysplasia in unhealthy dogs by OFA. CONCLUSIONS: ARFI elastography has shown that the pectineus muscle may experience changes in stiffness in dysplastic animals. Additionally, changes in joint capsule thickness can be identified in B-mode in young and adult dogs with dysplastic joints, which contributes to the diagnosis of hip dysplasia.

Can the training regimen influence night time physical activity in racehorses?

Physical activity has been widely investigated in horses to elucidate locomotion characteristics and behavior. However, research in real environment of training stables is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of training regimen on night time physical activity of racehorses. Physical activities of twenty animals were monitored during the night time using accelerometers. The animals were compared in terms of training regimen: horses subjected to training on continual days, and horses subjected to training on intermittent days; age and sex were also considered. The variables analyzed were: counts per minute, percentage of time in (sedentary, light, moderate and vigorous) physical activity. Statistical analysis was performed by the PROCGLM procedure (ANOVA) and the means were calculated by Tukey's test. The training regimen impacts the physical activity of thoroughbreds. The mean counts per minute showed a higher physical activity in the intermittent trained animals in relation with continuously trained animals. The continuously trained animals presented a greater percentage of time in sedentary physical activity than those intermittent trained. However, intermittently trained horses spent a larger percentage of time in moderate and vigorous physical activity, in comparison with continuously trained animals. In conclusion, racehorses subject to training on continual days have lower physical activity in the night time than those that train on intermittent days.

Comparative Analysis of Vertical Forces in Dogs Affected with Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease and Tibial Plateau Angles Greater or Less than 25 Degrees.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to compare the peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) between dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease and a tibial plateau angle (TPA) greater or less than 25 degrees. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 18 dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease in which kinetic gait data were obtained with a pressure walkway system. Dogs were distributed in two groups: dogs with a TPA ≤ 25 degrees (n = 8) and dogs with a TPA > 25 degrees (n = 10). Mean PVF and VI in per cent of body weight (%BW) were compared between groups with an unpaired t-test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Mean PVF and VI for the cranial cruciate ligament disease limb were 14.39%BW and 3.57%BWs for dogs with a TPA >25 degrees and 14.44%BW and 3.47%BWs for dogs with a TPA ≤ 25 degrees. There was no significant difference in mean PVF and VI between the groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that there is no difference in kinetic data between dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease and a TPA greater or less than 25 degrees. Other factors such as body weight, time of injury or meniscal lesion could be more related to the magnitude of cranial cruciate ligament disease lameness.

Correlação entre ruptura de ligamento cruzado cranial e lesão de meniscomedial em cães / Correlation between cranial cruciate ligament rupture and meniscal tears in dogs

O presente trabalho correlacionou o tempo de ruptura do ligamento cruzado cranial (RLCCr) à lesão em menisco medial e ao tipo de lesão observada em cães tratados por estabilização dinâmica (osteotomias) ou estática (sutura fabelo-tibial). Este estudo retrospectivo avaliou os registros de 104 cães (117 joelhos). As osteotomias foram realizadas em 98 articulações, a sutura fabelo-tibial em 15 joelhos e, em 4 joelhos, foi realizada apenas artrotomia exploratória. A média de idade foi 4,5 anos, 41% dos cães eram machos e 59%, fêmeas e a média da massa corporal foi 32,7kg. Os tipos de lesão do menisco medial observados foram: tipo 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 e associações dos tipos 1-4, 1-6 e 1-7. O tipo 1 foi o mais prevalente, sendo responsável por 32,5% dos casos. Não foram encontradas correlações entre a presença ou não de lesão de menisco medial e o tempo de ocorrência da RLCCr e entre o tipo de lesão de menisco medial e o tempo de RLCCr.

The study correlated the time of the cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) with medial meniscal tears and the type of injury seen in dogs treated with dynamic stabilization (osteotomies) or static (fabellotibial suture). This retrospective study evaluated the records of 104 dogs (117 stifles). The osteotomies were performed in 98 stifles, fabellotibial suture in 15 stifles and exploratory arthrotomy was perform in 4 stifles. The average age was of 4.5 years, 41% of the dogs were male and 59% female and the mean body mass was of 32.7kg. The medial meniscal tears observed were: type1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and associations of types1-4, 1-6 and 1-7. Type 1 was the most prevalent, accounting for 32.5%of cases. No correlation was found between the presence or absence of medial meniscus injury and the time of occurrence of CCLR and between the type of medial meniscal tears and CCLR time.

Fratura proximal de tíbia após cirurgia extracapsular para correção de ruptura de ligamento cruzado cranial em cão / Tibial fracture caused by complications after an extracapsular suture for the repair of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in a dog

Ruptura de ligamento cruzado cranial (RLCCr) é a afecção ortopédica mais frequente no joelho de cães e a sutura fabelo-tibial é frequentemente utilizada na sua correção. Essa técnica pode estar associada com complicações incisionais, lesão tardia de menisco, edema associado ao material de sutura e infecção. O objetivo desta nota foi relatar a ocorrência de fratura proximal de tíbia em um cão, causada por complicação em sutura fabelo-tibial para correção de RLCCr. Um canino atendido em outro serviço foi submetido à osteossíntese com placa 2,0mm para correção de complicação em técnica extra-capsular, na qual houve fratura da tíbia na região do orifício criado para confecção da sutura fabelo-tibial. Houve falha dos implantes e a placa foi removida. A fratura foi estabilizada com fixador esquelético externo circular, sendo constatada, após 120 dias, consolidação.

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) is one of the most common orthopedic diseases in dogs and extracapsular suture with nylon is often used for its correction. This technique may be associated with incisional complications, post-surgical meniscus injury, swelling associated with suture material and infection. The objective of this study is to report a tibial fracture in a dog, caused by complications after an extracapsular suture for the repair of CCLR. An adult dog, which suffered a tibial fracture after an extracapsular fixation for a CCLR, underwent surgery for the fixation of the fracture with a 2.0mm plate, by a referring veterinarian, but the implant failed. The plate was removed and the fracture was stabilized with a circular fixator. Bone consolidation was observed after 120 days.

Remoção de pino de Steinmann intra-abdominal por videolaparoscopia em um cão / Laparoscopic removal of a Steinmann pin from the peritoneal cavity in a dog

Durante a avaliação radiográfica aos 60 dias de pós-operatório de estabilização vertebral em um cão, foi observada a presença de um pino de Steinmann intra-abdominal. Foi realizada cirurgia laparoscópica para inspeção cavitária e remoção do objeto. O implante estava envolvido pelo omento, não sendo observados sinais de infecção. O procedimento foi executado em 15 minutos e permitiu mínimo trauma. Os autores não encontraram relatos da migração desse tipo de implante para a cavidade peritoneal em cães com sucessiva remoção videocirúrgica.

An intra-abdominal Steinmann pin was detected during a radiographic assessment of the 60th post- operative day of a vertebral stabilization in a dog. Laparoscopic inspection and retrieval of the foreign body were performed. The implant was surrounded by omentum with no noticeable signs of infection. The procedure was performed within 15 minutes with minimal trauma. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of this kind of implant migration to the peritoneal cavity followed by laparoscopic removal in dogs.

Aterogênese em artéria ilíaca comum de suínos submetidos à homocisteinemia induzida pela ingestão de metionina / Atherogenesis in swine iliac artery with homocystinemia induced by methionine ingestion

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos da homocisteinemia induzida na artéria ilíaca de suínos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Realizou-se estudo experimental comparativo em dois grupos homogêneos de sete suínos da raça Macau, com peso entre 20 e 30 kg durante 30 dias. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo um deles alimentado com metionina adicionada à dieta por um período de 4 semanas. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue para a dosagem de colesterol, triglicerídeos, HDL e homocisteína. Os animais foram submetidos à arteriografia para avaliação da perviedade das artérias ilíacas e, posteriormente, sacrificados. As artérias ilíacas foram enviadas para análise histológica. RESULTADOS: Os animais sobreviveram ao experimento, e não houve alterações significativas nos níveis de colesterol total, triglicerídeos e HDL nos dois grupos. O exame microscópico do grupo-controle não apresentou alterações patológicas e foi semelhante em todas as preparações examinadas. No grupo da dieta com metionina, as placas eram formadas por macrófagos espumosos, mas não foram observadas células musculares lisas, cristais de colesterol ou células inflamatórias. A túnica média apresentava-se com lâmina elástica interna íntegra. No grupo-controle, não houve alteração nos níveis de homocisteína durante o experimento. No grupo-metionina, houve aumento dos níveis séricos da homocisteína, com valor médio de 59,80 µmol/l após 30 dias de dieta rica em metionina. CONCLUSÃO: A homocisteinemia induzida pela metionina causa aterogênese nas artérias ilíacas de suínos.

Modelo experimental de aneurisma sacular de artéria ilíaca comum com pericárdio bovino em suínos / Experimental model of saccular aneurysm of the common iliac artery with bovine pericardium in pigs

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver um novo modelo experimental de pseudoaneurisma sacular de artéria ilíaca comum com o uso de remendo de pericárdio bovino em suínos. MÉTODO: Foram utilizados dois suínos da raça Landrace, com peso de 30 kg e do sexo feminino. Os animais foram submetidos a anestesia geral e a laparotomia com acesso extraperitoneal da aorta infra-renal e artérias ilíacas. Após heparinização sistêmica e pinçamento, foram efetuadas arteriotomia longitudinal e sutura do pericárdio bovino em formato de bolsa previamente confeccionada. Os animais permaneceram confinados por 3 semanas e então foram submetidos a arteriografia para avaliação da perviedade do aneurisma e, posteriormente, sacrificados. RESULTADO: Os animais sobreviveram ao experimento e apresentaram aneurismas pérvios no momento do sacrifício. Não houve ocorrência de ruptura de aneurismas. CONCLUSÃO: O modelo proposto é viável e tem potencial para ser utilizado no estudo e desenvolvimento de novas próteses endovasculares.