No abstract

This study aimed to describe the radiographic anatomy and osteology and to evaluate angular radiographic measurements-Norberg angle, inclination angle and anteversion angle-of the pelvic limbs in free-ranging capybaras. Twenty cadavers of free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), including five adults and 15 subadults, were studied. Ventrodorsal, craniocaudal, dorsoplantar and mediolateral radiographic views of the pelvic limbs were obtained. The radiographic features were described together with bone samples. The hip bone (os coxae), shaped like an isosceles trapezoid, was elongated and narrow with the presence of an oblong obturator foramen, sagittal ilial wing and rectilinear ilial body. The femoral shaft was relatively straight, while the greater trochanter was projected above the femoral head. No sesamoid bones of the gastrocnemius and popliteus muscles were observed radiographically or for those animals used in gross macroscopy. The fibula was located lateral and parallel to the tibia. Eight tarsal bones, four metatarsal bones and three digits were identified. The mean radiographic measurements included Norberg angle of 125.9°; respective angles of femoral inclination by the Hauptman B and Tomlinson methods of 139.9 and 141°; anteversion angle of the femoral head and neck of 29.80°. The bones of the pelvic limbs in capybaras have several anatomical characters and radiological features that are shared with members of the caviomorph superfamily Cavioidea. The radiographic angles measured in this study help characterize the functional morphology of this species.

Exercises involving whole-body vibration are useful for stimulation and physical rehabilitation. However, it is necessary to verify its effects not only on musculoskeletal tissues but also on internal organs. This study aimed to investigate the influence of the whole-body vibration platform on the renal resistive index in healthy dogs. Ten clinically healthy dogs of different breeds, 6 males and 4 females, aged from 1.7-3.5 years (mean 2.1±0.6 SD) and weighing from 20.5-41 kg (mean 32.1±7.1 SD), were used. The dogs were submitted to one session on a whole-body vibration platform (Thera Plate) at 30 Hz frequency for 5 min, followed by 50 Hz for 5 min and finishing with 30 Hz for 5 min. The renal artery resistive index of the left kidney was measured before and immediately after the whole-body vibration platform session, using a spectral doppler ultrasound (Triplex doppler imaging). The mean resistive index values before and immediately after the session were 0.65 (±0.04 SD) and 0.63 (±0.05 SD), respectively. In conclusion, the resistive index is not altered by a single whole-body vibration session using the TheraPlate platform.

No abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise on hematology and serum biochemistry in healthy dogs. Ten intact beagle dogs, 3 females, and 7 males, with a mean age of 3 years, and mean body mass of 14.3kg, body condition score between 4.0/9 and 4.5/9 were evaluated. The WBV sessions were done with the dog standing up on all 4 feet on a vibrating platform. Daily session of 30Hz for 5 minutes, followed by 50Hz for 5 minutes and finishing with 30Hz for 5 minutes was accomplished for 5 days. The velocity and amplitude of the vibrating platform were 12-40m/s and 1.7-2.5mm, respectively. Blood samples were collected, before and immediately after the WBV platform exercise session, and 1 and 6 hours after the end of each session for 5 days. In addition, blood samples were collected 24 hours and 48 hours after the last WBV platform exercise session. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and serum total protein) were the data analyzed. The erythrocytes, hemoglobin, and packet cell volume values decreased, whereas the leukocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils values increased after WBV platform exercise sessions; however, all values were within the reference range. Other hematological and serum biochemical parameters did not show important variations. In conclusion, the WBV exercise sessions attended for 5 consecutive days did not adversely affect the hematology and serum biochemistry of adult healthy dogs.