Objectives To determine the concentrations of total protein (TP), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (TIMP‐1) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in amniotic membranes (AMs) harvested from placentas of bitches of different ages and cryopreserved for different time points. The outcomes of complicated corneal defects of dogs repaired with AMs stored for the same time points were also evaluated. Procedures Ten cryopreserved canine AMs were stored for short term (2–50 days), middle term (92–210 days), or long term (256–357 days). TP was quantified by Bradford’s test, whereas TIMP‐1 and HA were quantified by ELISA. Twenty‐one dogs that had an AM transplantation to restore deep or perforating corneal wounds were selected. Results TIMP‐1 levels were lower in AMs cryopreserved for middle term (p = .02) and long term (p = .0009), when compared to AMs stored for short term. TP (p = .39) and HA (p = .18) concentrations in AMs did not differ among the storage time. TIMP‐1 concentration in AMs correlated with storage time (R = −.65, p < .0001), while TP (R = −.33, p = .07) and HA concentrations did not (R = −.15, p = .41). The age of donors did not correlate with the components evaluated in the AMs. Corneal defects repaired with AMs stored for short term healed sooner than the ones repaired with AMs stored for middle (p < .01) and long term (p = .02). Additionally, TIMP‐1 levels in AMs correlated negatively with the epithelization time (R = −.62, p = .002). Graft opacity was severe in 55% of cases. However, the HA levels in AMs correlated negatively with the opacification score (R = −.47, p = .03). Vision was observed in more patients who presented deep ulcers and descemetoceles, than in the ones with perforations (p = .004). Conclusions TIMP‐1 concentration in canine AMs significantly decreased over a year storage time, while TP and HA concentrations did not change during the same period. The age of donors did not correlate with the components evaluated in the AMs. Complicated corneal defects repaired with AMs cryopreserved for short term healed sooner and tended to be less opaque; however, satisfactory to optimal outcomes were achieved even in the eyes repaired with AMs stored for up to a year.

RESUMOO presente trabalho reporta as características clínicas e cirúrgicas de oito casos de cadelas portadoras de leiomioma vaginal, com histórico de aumento de volume na região perineal, aparecimento de massa pela vulva, disquezia, tenesmo e disúria. As pacientes foram submetidas à cirurgia de episiotomia para ressecção da massa neoplásica, e em quatro casos foi necessária a ovariossalpingo-histerectomia. Porém, uma delas apresentou recidiva, e, no segundo procedimento cirúrgico de exérese de neoformação, o histopatológico diagnosticou leiomiossarcoma. A paciente ainda apresentou mais duas recidivas, até o proprietário optar pela eutanásia. Decorridos quatro meses, as sete cadelas diagnosticadas com leiomioma não apresentaram recidiva, e os proprietários relataram ausência de sinais relacionados com a doença descrita. Conclui-se que a episiotomia para ressecção da massa vaginal e a ovariossalpingo-histerectomia nas cadelas inteiras nos casos de tumores vaginais benignos são tratamentos satisfatórios, com bom prognóstico, ao contrário do leiomiossarcoma.

Control of oral lesions contributes directly to the health, survival and welfare of captive animals. In order to investigate the occurrence of oral diseases in neotropical wild carnivores kept at the zoo at the Federal University of Mato Grosso -Cuiabá, we evaluated 31 oral cavities from three families of carnivores (Felidae, Canidae and Procyonidae) between July 2012 and June 2013. Twelve coatis (Nasua nasua), three raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus), two maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), six crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), one hoary fox (Pseudalopex vetulus), three ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), one cougar (Puma concolor) and three wild cats (Puma yagouaroundi, Leopardus wiedii and Leopardus colocolo) were reviewed. The most frequent lesions were dental absences 21/31 (67.7%), dental fractures 20/31 (64.5%) and tooth wear 19/31 (61.3%), which were suggestive of trauma caused from stress. Of lesser importance, we also observed occurrence of dental calculus grade I in 18/31 (58%), caries 1/31 (3.2%), foreign bodies 2/31 (6.4%), orofacial fistulas 1/31 (3.2%), hyperplasia in the oral mucosa 1/31 (3.2%), dental dimming 3/31 (9.7%) and chafing of the soft tissue 5/31 (16.1%). Therefore, it was concluded that environmental enrichment strategies and oral routine evaluation must be implemented to ensure the welfare of these animals, reducing local and systemic adverse effects of oral lesions. The diet has been successful in preventing periodontal disease, suggesting that this diet for the captive animals in the institution should be maintained.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OSA) is a malignant neoplasm of mesenchymal tissue that exhibits various histological features and a differentiated biological clinical behavior. The combination of clinical, radiological, and histopathological features is important for diagnosis. Surgical treatment of neoplasms with pelvic involvement is a challenge. Primary bone tumors are rare in cats and are mostly reported in older animals. The objective of this paper was to report the case of a feline subjected to total hemipelvectomy as primary treatment of pelvic OSA; the surgical technique and histological analysis of the tumor are described. No signs of recurrence were seen during seven months of follow-up.Case: A 4-year-old female mixed breed cat weighing 3 kg was presented with a one year history of increased volume on the hip joint region. Palpation of the increased volume on the hip showed a firm, adhered, and painful mass. Radiographic examination of the pelvis in the dorso ventral projection exhibited a severe osteoblastic bone reaction on the proximal femur, as well as marked periosteal reaction of the hip joint with involvement of the acetabulum. A ventral approach total hemipelvectomy technique was adopted for excision of the tumor. The animal was placed on a lateral position and a circumferential skin incision was performed on the ipsilateral limb of the affected hemipelvis, on the medial portion of the femur, and was extended cranially up to the thoracolumbar region. The pubic symphysis was exposed with a periosteal elevator and a pubic symphysiotomy was performed on the midline using a Liston bone cutter; next, the sacroiliac junction was resected. No drain was used after surgery, only compressive bandages. The patient was hospitalized for post-operative monitoring which included opioids for pain management and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a cephalosporin class antibiotic. The wound was cleaned with saline, rifamycin spray (Rifocina Spray®) was applied, and dressing was changed every 12 h. The excised bone was submitted for pathological analysis. Gross examination revealed a 4.2 cm hardened increase in volume on the area of the femoral head and acetabulum, with irregular surface; cut surface was hard and white with black and red spots. Histology revealed osteoblastic OSA with intense and solid fusiform and stellate cells distributed in a solid pattern with no capsular border, with marked infiltration of the bone tissue, marked osteolysis, moderate proliferation of osteoclasts, and moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis.Discussion: Bone tumors in cats are rare and develop spontaneously. They exhibit aggressive behavior and promote local bone destruction. Firm consistency and local swelling usually occur in more advanced cases when there is a delay between the onset of clinical signs and the veterinary consultation. Radiological findings such as bone destruction and bone formation are commonly seen in this type of tumor. Hemipelvectomy is considered an aggressive surgical technique, but necessary in many cases, especially when tumors are located in the pelvis and nearby tissues. In the case presented here, this surgery was the most viable and advised therapeutic option because of tumor location. No incidents (i.e. hemorrhage) occurred during the perioperative period. After surgery, the patient continued to perform all custom functions. The hind limb, which was affected in this case, is commonly reported to be affected in the literature; however, it is unusual to have involvement of both bones (pelvis and femur) since vascularization of these bones are independent. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology in which a characteristic malignant mesenchymal tumor of primitive bone cells was present, with production of osteoid of variable shapes and quantity with the presence of osteoclastic giant cells.

Método não invasivo para avaliação da movimentação embrionária de Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802) [Non-invasive method for evaluation of embrionic moviment of Caiman yacare (Daudin, 1802)]