Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery
Volume:5 Issue: 1, Summer-Autumn 2010

To investigate whether 14-3-3 eta protein is detectable in synovial fluid and blood serum of high performance horses and to study whether any significant correlation between this and matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 in horse synovial fluid.Design: Clinical study.Animals: Eleven standard breed horses (seven high performances and four controls). Procedures: Blood serum and fetlock synovial fluid of seven high performance and four control horses were subjected to western blot for detection of 14-3-3 eta, gama, matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 proteins. High level of 14-3-3 eta protein was detected in synovial fluid of high performance horses compare to those of control (P<0.05). 14-3-3 gama protein was detectable in synovial fluid and significant differences was found between high performance and control horses (P<0.05). The level of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 were significantly increased in samples of high performance horses relative to of that control (p<0.05). The results showed that 14-3-3 eta protein was significantly increased in serum samples of high performance horses relative to of that control (P<0.05).Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: 14-3-3 eta isoform can be readily detected in synovial fluid and blood serum of high performance horses and presence of this protein has significant effect on the levels of matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3 in synovial fluid. As the high performance horses are always prone to joint diseases, this protein might be use as an early diagnostic tool in some joint inflammatory conditions.

Investigating of the isolation, culture, differentiation potential and electronic microscopic characterization of canine periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).Design: Experimental in vitro studyAnimals: Four intact, male, mongrel dogs, 8-10 months-old were selected to collect PDLSCs from their teeth.Procedures: The dogs were anesthetized and the first maxillary and mandibular premolars were extracted for the isolation of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). Canine PDLCs were plated and culture expanded through 3 successive subcultures. The resultant cells were then plated at differentiating conditions into bone and adipose cell lineages inorder to confirm their mesenchymal stem cell character. Furthermore for the first time we studied \ PDLSCs ultrastructural morphology by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). based to our observations, isolated canine PDLSCs exhibited mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) characteristics such as fibroblastic appearance, clonogenicity, high proliferation and easily differentiation into osteocyte and adipocyte. This study determined morphologically by electron microscopy a secreted extracellular matrix (ECM) around the PDLSCs and also they contained abundant organelles, such as mitochondria, ribosome, rough endoplasm and collagen fiber as assessed by transmission electron microscopy. Fibroblastic cells from canine PDLCs are capable to be expanded and proliferated in vitro and have differentiation potential into two skeletal lineages; hence they are MSCs that are suitable for cell therapy experimentations.

To evaluate the clinical safety and superiority of monopolar and bipolar electrocauter in laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy in dogs.Design:Elective experimental studyAnimals: Twenty four mixed breed healthy adult female dogs.Procedures:The dogs divided into two equal groups. Laparoscopic ovariohysterectomyperformed using either monopolar (n=12) or bipolar (n=12) electrocoagulation. Under general anesthesia, dorsal recumbency and reverse trendelenburg position a 10 mm portal for camera insertion at the umbilicus. Two other 5 mm portals were placed 5 cm cranial and caudal to umbilicus in both groups. Monopolar electrocauter were used for coagulation and cutting but bipolar electrocauter were used for coagulation only.Following identification of ovaries, suspensory ligament, ovarian vessels, broad ligament and uterine vessels and body were coagulated and cut. The pedicles were checked for any signs of hemorrhage. Ovaries, broad ligament and uterus were removed from the abdomen through umbilical portals.There were no significant differences between surgical time and the amount of hemorrhage in both groups. Significant differences observed in degrees of the released smoke and tissue burning between groups. As a whole we concluded that the bipolar electrocauter was superior to monopolar electrocoagulator in laparoscopic ovariohysterectomy and has the advantages of decreasing released smoke and burnt tissue compare to that of monopolar electrocauter.

To determine the effect of collagen type I on hydroxyproline content inAchilles tendon in dogs.Design: Experimental in vivo study.Animals: A total of 12 adult dogs. Procedure: Under general anesthesia and aseptic condition the dorsal surface of right Achilles tendon was exposed and after complete separation of connective tissue, it was splitted (striking 10 times) in full thickness in longitudinal fashion of 3cm in length in the mid-tendon area using BP blade no 15 in each one. These animals were divided into two groups of control (untreated) and experiment (treated with collagen type I) having 6 animals each. The hydroxyproline concentration was measured by modified spectrophotometer method by collecting samples from mid splitted area of injured and normal tendons of each animal from treated and untreated tendons on 30 in three dogs in each group and 90 days in remaining animals after surgery. The collected data was analyzed using student t-test at P<0.05% significant level. There was significant differences between hyroxyproline contents of treated tendon with that of control ones. The normal values of hydroxyproline content in control group was 97.66mg/g of dry matter (DM), whereas it was 42.33mg/g of DM after one month and 62.06mg/g of DM after end of 3 months.These data were 97.66mg/g of DM for normal tendon and 52mg/g of DM and 83.4mg/g of DM respectively for one and three months in experimental group (P<0.05%). This study suggests using hydroxyproline content as a direct marker of the effect of collagen type I on collagen content in injured tendon.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: The results of this study indicated that addition of collagen type I as a local stimulator on severely injured or extensive lesion of Achilles tendon in dog will be highly useful in enhancing hydroxyproline content in the treated tendon.

to compare the estimated thyroid volume, as determined by two-dimensional(2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography, with real volume.Design: Descriptive StudyAnimals: A total of 7 mixed breed dogs Procedures: On 2D ultrasound, the thyroid volume is estimated by the ellipsoid equation and on 3D ultrasound; it is estimated by outlining the boundaries of the thyroid lobe in image planes and then calculated with the inbuilt software. The real volume was measured after Euthanasia. Correlation between actual and estimated size were computed by using statistical software. All of the dogs must be euthanized because of clinically endstage condition. The study demonstrates that there is a high agreement between 3D ultrasound and real volume measured by graduated cylinder method (r=0.97, P<0.000).Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Evaluation of the size of thyroid gland is useful in diagnosis of several situations and in follow-ups monitoring. Ultrasonography is supposed to provide a reliable estimate of thyroid volume. In this study, 3D ultrasound was a useful image method in the estimating of canine thyroid volume.

This study was performed to investigate the analgesic effects of lidocaine,xylazine and lidocaine/xylazine combination in epidural anesthesia in dromedary camels.Design: Experimental StudyAnimals: Fifteen healthy immature dromedary camels The camels were randomly designed in 3 equal groups. In group L: lidocaine 2% (0.22 mg/kg), in group X: xylazine 2% (0.17 mg/kg), and in group LX: a combination of lidocaine 2% (0.22 mg/kg) and xylazine 2% (0.17 mg/kg) were injected into the first intercoccygeal epidural space. Analgesia, sedation, ataxia, and effect on cardiopulmonary, rectal temperature were recorded at different intervals before (baseline) and after the drug administration. Epidural lidocaine, xylazine and their combination produced analgesia in the tail, anus and perineum. Onset time of perineal analgesia in groups L and LX was significantly shorter than group X. Duration of complete perineal analgesia in group X and LX was significantly longer than group L. Mild to moderate sedation was observed in groups X and LX, whilst the camels in group L were alert and nervous during the study. Ataxia was observed in all test subjects and was more severe in group L and LX. Significant depression in heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature values were observed in groups X and LX in some measurement points of the study.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: According to the results of present study, it could be concluded that a combination of lidocaine and xylazine administered epidurally to dromedaries produces an effective, safe, with more rapid onset of longer perineal analgesia, when compared with either agent alone.

Vomiting frequently is reported after xylazine administration in cats. This study evaluates prophylactic antiemetic efficacy of ondansetron in cats sedated with xylazine HCl.Design: Experimental study.Animals:Six healthy adult cats from both genders were selected for the study. Interventions: Intramuscular injection of normal saline was administered an hour before intramuscular injection of xylazine (0.66 mg/kg) on day 0 (control treatment).Ondansetron was injected in three increasing dosages (0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg) an hour prior to administration of xylazine on days 7, 14 and 21, respectively (experimental treatments). All the cats were fed with commercial food after ondansetron or saline injection.Measurements and Main They were monitored after injection of xylazine for thirty minutes to record the onset of first emetic response, frequency of emetic episodes and the onset of recumbency. All data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.Prior treatment with each dosage of ondansetron significantly reduced the frequency of emetic episodes (p<0.05). Ondansetron administration prior to xylazine injection didn’t increase the time until onset of the first emetic episode and also onset of recumbency at any of mentioned dosages.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Ondansetron may be used as a prophylacticantiemetic in cats sedated with xylazine HCl.

Recently, Red-Eared turtles are kept as pets in Iranian houses; however, because of lack of knowledge about their caring, they are in risk of lots of diseases.Turtles of all ages should be fed with a diet that contains a wide variety of both animal and plant based items but they are usually fed by one item diet which may make gastrointestinal (GI) sickness. They are also several bacterial and viral diseases which interfere with the GI system. These facts have made the turtles very susceptible to Enteritis and Gastritis. Radiography can be a good technique to diagnosis these abnormalities.Design: Retrospective studyAnimals: A total of 22 Red-Eared turtles have been referred to the Veterinary RadiologyDepartment of University of Tehran to be evaluated for their GI system.Procedure: Lateral and dorsoventral (DV) radiographs were taken from their whole body.Results and On the DV radiographs of 13 turtles, an annular-shaped radiolucency was visible in the left half of the plastron where the stomach is located.Accumulation of gas in the stomach is a typical finding for gastritis. Therefore, the prevalence of gastritis in the cases was 15.2 %; on the DV radiograph of 9 cases, gas in the celomic cavity and gaseous distention of the intestines were detectable which are good signs for enteritis diagnosis in turtles. Therefore, the prevalence of enteritis, diagnosed by radiology, in the referred cases was 10.5%.Clinical Relevance: The study revealed that the prevalence of GI system involvement detectable by radiology in Red-Eared turtles is high and it must be taken into consideration of the owners.

Perturbation of the normal process of testicular descent results in the condition of cryptorchidism. Spermatogenesis is generally impaired in cryptorchid testes because of high intratesticular temperature. It seems that the main mechanisms underlying the process of spermatozoa demise is apoptosis by overgeneration of free radicals. So, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of zinc sulfate as a potent antiapoptic and antioxidant agent on histopathological changes of rat testes after experimental cryptorchidism.Design: Experimental studyAnimals: Forty five male adult Sprague–Dawley rats Procedures: Animals were divided into three experimental groups each containing fifteen rats. Control group (Con) which did not undergo any surgical procedure. Animals in the first treatment group (Cry, cryptorchid operated group without any treatment) were rendered unilaterally cryptorchid in the left testes without any drug administration. Rats in the second treatment group (Zth, cryptorchid operated group with zinc therapy) were rendered unilaterally cryptorchid in the left testes and treated with 10 mg/kg zinc sulfate every other day for 60 days. The control and treated animals were sacrificed on days 15, 30 and 60 after operation and both testes were removed for histopathological evaluations. Cryptorchidism (Cry group) caused a complete depletion of spermatozoa from the lumen of seminiferous tubules and zinc administration (Zth group) could not improve spermatogenesis and meiotic index except slightly for meiotic index at 60 days compared with the control group (1.21 ± 0.009 vs. 3.38 ± 0.014, P<0.05). Induction of cryptorchidism significantly decreased the diameter and epithelial height of seminiferous tubules compared to the control group and also affected contralateral (right) testes (P<0.05). However administration of zinc (Zth group) significantly improved the epithelial height in each evaluated time points. Although a significant decrease in the mean diameter of spermatogonia and sertoli cells were observed at each evaluated time points post operation (P<0.05) but zinc therapy significantly increased the mean diameter of spermatogonia cells from 30 days and improved the mean diameter of sertoli cells from15 days post operation compared with the Cry group in ipsilateral testes (5.13 ± 0.05 vs.4.69 ± 0.05 and 28.84 ± 0.71 vs. 23.17 ± 0.29, respectively). In contralateral testes, all above mentioned parameters were affected and zinc therapy significantly improved them (P<0.05).Conclusion and clinical relevance: These finding clearly demonstrates that zinc is able to decrease detrimental effects of cryptorchidism on spermatogonia and sertoli cells and improves spermatogenesis process specially in contralateral (scrotal) testes. Therefore it may be useful for treatment of cryptorchidism outcomes in male animals.

To evaluate effect of chitosan conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration using sciatic nerve transection model in ratDesign: Experimental in vivo study.Animals: Sixty healthy male Wistar rats.Procedures:The rats were divided into four experimental groups (n=15) randomly. Insham group the left sciatic nerve was exposed through a gluteal muscle incision and after careful homeostasis the wound was sutured. In transected control group the left sciatic nerve was exposed the same way, transected proximal to the tibio-peroneal bifurcation leaving a 10 mm gap and the nerve ends were sutured to the adjacent muscles. In silicone or chitosan groups the left sciatic nerve was transected the same way and proximal and distal stumps were each inserted into a silicone or chitosan tube. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups of five animals each and were studied 4, 8, 12 weeks post operatively. Functional and electrophysiological analyses showed significant improvement of nerve function in chitosan than in silicone group (P < 0.05). Morphometric indices and immuohistochemistry indicated that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) between chitosan and silicone with transected control groups 12 weeks after surgery.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance: Chitosan conduit could be considered clinically as an effective biodegradable tube for peripheral nerve regeneration in the least harmful way that is available, easily performed and affordable. It also averts the need for foreign materials that are likely to provoke a foreign body reaction.

To evaluate if epidural administration of xylazine could decrease the effective dose of intravenous ketamine for maintenance of general anesthesia in laparoscopic procedures and assessment of related complications during anesthesia.Design: Experimental Study.Animals: 20 Female dogs with 21.0 ± 3.0 kg weight and 18.0 ± 1.2 months age. Animals randomly divided into two groups (n=10). All dogs premedicated with acepromazine. Anesthesia induced by combination of ketamine and diazepam. In one group xylazine injected epidurally then all of them spayed by same laparoscopic method and repeated doses of ketamine for maintenance of anesthesia. Cardiopulmonary parameters such as SpO2 and ETCO2 during operation were recorded. There were no significant differences in weight and age between two groups. Mean of ketamine administration in group 1 was 640 mg and in group 2 (have epidural administration of xylazine) was 270 mg.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Data analysis showed that epidural administration of xylazine, decreases the amount of ketamine needed to maintain anesthesia (P<0.05) with no significant difference in cardio-pulmonary parameters during laparoscopic operation. Epidural injection of Xylazine could be used as a concurrent medication in general anesthesia without complication. Analgesic effects of xylazine decreased the use of ketamine (P<0.05) by repeated dose based on intra operative pain reflex during anesthesia.

Case description: A two-year-old intact Golden Retriever was affected with the 6-monthsprevious history of blastomycosis and treatment was performed using fluconazole.Clinical Cough, fever, nasal discharge, dry and harsh lung sounds with peripheral lymphadenopathy was observed. Emphysematous change and large pulmonary bulla was reported in computed tomography of the thorax.Treatment and outcome:Under general anesthesia using hydromorphone, combination of ketamine and diazepam and isoflurane the dog was prepared for the surgery. Right lateral thoracotomy thorough 5th intercostal space was performed. Following releasing of the pleural and pulmonary adhesions, right cranial lobe was resected. Chest tube was placed and Bupivaciane was injected as costal nerve block to control the post-operative pain. Cefazolin and NSAID were also administered for an overnight. In follow up nasal discharge and lymphadenopathy was resolved and the pulmonary pattern appeared normal in radiographs.Clinical Relevance:Blastomycosis is a systemic fungal disease that may affect skin and lungs. Surgical treatment and pulmonary lobectomy is recommended in case of pulmonary bulla formation due to blastomycosis.