Background Feline obstructive disease of the lower urinary tract (FLUTD) is a common pathologic condition of cats. It can be related to sterile inflammation, which leads to acute impairment of renal function and the accumulation of electrolytes and acid‐base imbalance. Acute‐phase proteins (APPs) are biomarkers of tissue damage from inflammation that assist in monitoring treatment and prognosis. Objective Monitoring the inflammatory processes of obstructive feline lower urinary tract disease through the determination of plasma fibrinogen concentrations and serum concentrations of the acute‐phase proteins, serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP), and albumin. Methodology Twenty‐five male cats were included in this study. They were divided into two experimental groups: a control group (CG) and an obstruction group (OG). There were 8 healthy cats in the CG group and 17 cats with obstructive FLUTD in the OG group. APP measurements were conducted using ELISA kits. Samples were collected for APP analyses, serum biochemical assays, urinalyses, and urine protein: creatinine ratio calculations at diagnosis, before urethral clearance (H0), and 12 (H12), 24 (H24), and 48 (H48) hours after urethral clearance from cats in the OG group. Samples were collected once from cats in the CG group cats. Results At H0, we found positive correlations of SAA, AGP, and fibrinogen with urea and creatinine, and negative correlations of albumin with hematuria, SAA, and potassium. At H48, we found positive correlations between SAA and AGP, AGP and urea, fibrinogen and urea, fibrinogen and creatinine, fibrinogen and AGP, and fibrinogen and SAA. In addition, a negative correlation of albumin with urea and creatinine was observed. Conclusions Serum amyloid A, AGP, fibrinogen, and albumin could be used as biomarkers of inflammatory processes in cats with obstructive FLUTD.

ResumoObjetivando-se padronizar a técnica transtraqueal para coleta do lavado broncoalveolar não broncoscópico, bem como caracterizar a celularidade e microbiota residente em lavados do trato respiratório inferior (TRI) de cães normais, da região de Presidente Prudente, foram estudados 30 cães saudáveis, machos e fêmeas, sem raça definida, adultos. Os animais foram tranqüilizados e então submetidos à coleta do lavado, pela técnica transtraqueal. Foram isolados microrganismos bacterianos e fúngicos, respectivamente em 46,67% e 16,67% dos animais pesquisados. Em 43,3% das amostras foram isolados dois ou mais microrganismos. As médias de unidades formadoras de colônia (UFC) por mililitro de lavado broncoalveolar, para bactérias e fungos, foram de 21540 ± 55289 e 13,33 ± 43,4, respectivamente. A citologia revelou predominância de macrófagos alveolares e pequenas quantidades de neutrófilos, linfócitos, eosinófilos, células epiteliais e bactérias, além de correlação positiva entre o escore de macrófagos e as contagens de UFC de bactérias. A técnica avaliada mostrou-se adequada e segura. Palavras-chave: Lavado broncoalveolar, cães, cultura qualitativa, citologia AbstractThe aim of this study was to standardize the transtracheal technique to collect the broncoalveolar lavage fluid without broncoscopy and to determine the normal cytologic and microbiologic findings of the lower respiratory tract wash, in healthy dogs. Thirty adult dogs (12 males and 18 females), age from one to eight years old, were submitted to sedation in order to permit the bronchoalveolar lavage. Bacterial and fungal microorganisms were isolated in 46.67% and 16.67 % of the lavage samples, respectively. In 43.3% out of the samples were isolated two or more microorganisms. Mean and standard deviation of colony-forming units (CFU)/ml were 21540±55298 and 13.33±43.4 for bacterial and fungal organisms, respectively. In cytological evaluation, alveolar macrophage was the predominant cell. Small amounts of neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, epithelial cells and bacteria were observed, besides positive correlation between macrophage score and bacteria CFU. The technique was adequated and showed wide margin of security.

ResumoMegaesôfago é uma causa comum de regurgitação sendo uma das possíveis etiologias a miastenia grave caracterizada por uma desordem neuromuscular que resulta em fraqueza dos músculos esqueléticos, do esôfago, da laringe e da faringe. O presente relato descreve um caso de uma cadela da raça Pastor Alemão, com histórico de fraqueza muscular e vômitos freqüentes, que foi diagnosticada como megaesôfago secundário à miastenia grave. A radiografia do animal apresentou um acentuado megaesôfago cervical e torácico. Após a instituição do protocolo terapêutico recomendado o animal apresentou melhora visível ao caminhar, porém as regurgitações pioraram e começou a apresentar tosse. Foi realizado novo exame radiográfico com presença, além de megaesôfago, de pneumonia aspirativa. A proprietária optou pela eutanásia do animal e a necropsia revelou severa pneumonia e dilatação acentuada da porção caudal do esôfago, caracterizando um megaesôfago de grande dimensão, colaborando com subsídios para um prognóstico desfavorável do caso. Palavras-chave: Miastenia grave, megaesôfago, cão AbstractMegaesophagus is a common cause of regurgitation being one of the possible etiologies the myasthenia gravis characterized by a neuromuscular disorder that result in weakness of the skeletal muscles, of the esophagus, of the larynx and of the pharynx. The present report describes a case of a female German shepherd dog, with report of muscles weakness and frequent vomits, which was diagnosed as a megaesophagus secondary to myasthenia gravis. The radiograph of the animal presented an accentuated cervical and thoracic megaesophagus. After the institution of the recommended therapeutic protocol the animal presented visible improvement when walking, however the regurgitations worsened and it began to present cough. New radiograph was accomplished with presence, besides megaesophagus, of aspiration pneumonia. The owner opted for the euthanasia of the animal and the necropsy revealed severe pneumonia and an accentuated dilation of the posterior portion of the esophagus, collaborating with subsidies for an unfavorable prognostic of the case.

Background: Bothropic envenomation represents the most common ophidic accident worldwide, compared to other snakebites of medical interest. Bothropic venom has proteolytic, vasculotoxic, clotting and/or hemorrhagic actions in animals and humans. Mikania glomerata is a plant found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest with interesting medical properties that may be useful in ameliorating the effects of ophidic venom, and thus, improving response and outcome. Although Mikania is known to act through inhibition of cytolysins in the venom, there is a lack of consistent research data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of M. glomerata in bothropic envenomation treatment. Materials, Methods & Results: Clinical, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations were performed following Bothropoides jararaca experimental envenomation in three groups of 18 Wistar rats each. Group VS was inoculated in the pelvic limb via intramuscular injection of bothropic venom and received specific anti-venom serum via intraperitoneal injection. Group VSM was similarly inoculated; it received anti-venom serum and a 10% aqueous extract of the Mikania glomerata plant orally. Group C was the control group and received saline solution alone. Evaluations were performed at 0.5 h (M1), 6 h (M2), and 24 h (M3) after venom inoculation. Animals from both inoculated groups (VS and VSM) showed significant clinical alterations (P < 0.05) manifested as discomfort, uneasiness, pain, and severe edema compared to control animals. Animals from inoculated groups also exhibited statistically significant leukocytosis with neutrophilia, and elevation of blood urea nitrogen and creatine kinase until 6 h after inoculation (P < 0.05 compared to control animals). An acute drop in body temperature was observed 6 h after inoculation (P < 0.05). High levels of creatinine were observed at 6 and 24 h, and plasma protein reduction at almost all evaluation time points (P < 0.05) in both groups compared to that in control. Histopathological evaluation of venom-inoculated animals (groups VS and VSM) showed significant renal hydropic degeneration, acute tubular necrosis, congestion, and hemorrhage (P < 0.05 compared to control). In contrast, animals administered plant extract in addition to anti-venom (group VSM) showed milder muscular fiber regeneration and absence of hemorrhage in the inoculated limb, compared to those that received anti-venom alone (group VS). Overall, there were no statistically significant differences between the inoculated groups (P > 0.05) in terms of edema reduction, pain relief, hematological, biochemical, or histopathological alterations. Discussion: Clinical envenomation symptoms can be explained based on previous reports of bothropic events, where cytolysins such as hyaluronidase, phospholipase A2, and esterases are associated with alterations in cell membrane permeability and release of vasoactive agents. Rhabdomyolysis and muscular necrosis are the main causes of muscular and renal alterations in inoculated grou...

RESUMO O amitraz é um inseticida do grupo das formamidinas muito utilizado como acaricida e carrapaticida em medicina veterinária. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar as alterações induzidas com o uso do