Ophthalmic manifestations of herpes virus infection in dogs

This article describes the main aspects of the epizootology and pathogenesis of Cahv-1 (canine herpesvirus), also, the clinical forms of manifestations of pathology in dogs of different ages and physiological status are described. Particular attention is paid to ocular pathologies developing at Cahv-1, such as herpetic conjunctivitis, blepharitis, ulcerative and stromal keratitis. The features of the diagnosis and differentiation of these pathologies are described. The systematic and local medicines used by us in the practice of treating dogs with herpetic eye, the principles and algorithms of their prescription are presented. The difficulties of diagnostics Cahv-1 are described, and the reasons for frequent false-negative results during PCR explained in the article. Besides additional laboratory verification methods for Cahv-1 as well as methods of prevention of herpetic infection of dogs are indicated.

Trazodone succinate — new opportunities for pharmacological correction of situational behavioral abnormalities in dogs and cats

Currently, the interest of veterinarians and owners in the pharmacological correction of situational behavioral disorders in companion animals has increased significantly. To quickly correct deviant behavior in dogs and cats, veterinarians use some of the psychotropic drugs used in humane medicine, in particular, trazodone, an antidepressant antagonist / serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Based on the analysis of literature sources, data on the history of creation and pharmacological properties, assessment of the safety and efficacy of drugs based on trazodone hydrochloride in behavioral medicine of small pets are provided. The data on the prerequisites for the development, pharmaco-toxicological and clinical evaluation of a new drug for the modification of abnormal behavior in dogs and cats, Express Uspokoin® tablets based on trazodone succinate, which, with a high efficiency of the target action, made it possible to achieve the absence of side effects and significantly increase the tolerance of the dosage form by animals, are analyzed. compared with preparations based on trazodone hydrochloride.

Retrospective review: congenital pulmonary artery stenosis in dogs (prevalence forms)

Objective: to determine the occurrence and clinical characteristics of different types of PS (pulmonary stenosis) in dogs Reseach tasks: to identify the breed predisposition to PS, to study the clinical, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic characteristics of various types of PS and to analyse their dependence on the severity of the heart defect. Materials and methods: a retrospective analysis of Biocontrol veterinary clinic medical records throughout six years (2014–2020). Cardiological examination of dogs presented to the primary ambulatory appointment included physical examination, echocardiography using the Philips HD15 ultrasound system, radiography and electrocardiography. Animals: 31 dogs with isolated pulmonary artery stenosis (17 males and 14 females). Breeds: French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Yorkshire Terrier, German Spitz, American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Toy Terrier, Cane Corso, Whippet, Biewer Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Entlebucher, German Boxer, East European Shepherd, American Bully. Results and discussion: 43 dogs with a PS were examined from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020. Of these, 31 dogs (72 %) with isolated PS and 12 dogs (28 %) with a combination of PS with other congenital heart defects. The most common combinations were PS with aortic stenosis (25 %) and PS with ventricular septal defect (25 %). The most common form of isolated PS was type A valve stenosis (68 %). Severe stenosis prevailed (58 %). The most common breeds were French Bulldogs (22.6 %), English Bulldogs (16.1 %) and Yorkshire Terriers (9.7 %). Males were more prevalent (55 %). 61 % of animals from the group of dogs with severe PS visited clinic because of signalment, and syncope was the most frequently reported symptom (28 %). The symptoms associated with congenital heart defect were not identified in the group of animals with moderate and mild degrees of PS. ECG showed that 100 % of dogs were diagnosed with sinus rhythm. Electrical right axis deviation of the heart was detected in 45 % of dogs. Direct dependency was between the severity of the stenosis and the severity of electrical right axis deviation. According to echocardiographic studies — 100 % of animals with severe and moderate stenosis and 14% with mild stenosis were diagnosed with concentric, eccentric or mixed forms of right ventricle myocardial hypertrophy, enlargement of the right atrial. Direct dependency is founded between the severity of stenosis, the type of right ventricle hypertrophy and the size of the right atrium. The more severe stenosis, the more mixed form of hypertrophy; increase of the right atrium was recorded in dogs with mixed right ventricular hypertrophy. Post-stenotic dilatation of the trunk and branches of the pulmonary artery was determined in all dogs with single right coronary artery type R2A. Conclusions: PS is most commonly found in French Bulldogs. The most common type of PS is type A valvular stenosis in the form of an isolated defect. Severe PS is prevalent. There is direct dependency is between the severity of the defect and the severity of right ventricular myocardial hypertrophy, the large size of the right atrium and electrical right axis deviation of the heart.

Cross-linking new technologies application in the treatment of severe corneal pathologies of various etiologies in dogs and cats

The article presents the results of the clinical application of new technology — UV-corneal collagen cross-linking procedure, which we use in the complex therapy of severe corneal pathologies for dogs and cats: septic ulcers complicated by keratomalacia, keratectasias of various origins, endothelial-epithelial corneal dystrophies. The UV cross-linking method is often performed by us as a stage in the preparation of a donor graft during keratoplasty operations in dogs and cats. The effect of the cross-linking treatment procedure is achieved by photopolymerizing collagen fibers of corneal stroma under the combined action of photosensitizer (riboflavin solution) and ultraviolet radiation with a certain wavelength. After cross-linking, it is possible to achieve increase in the biomechanical and biochemical stability of the cornea, to observe dehydration and antimicrobial effects. The article contains information about the stages and results of several methods of UV-corneal collagen cross-linking, which we successfully use in clinical practice in dogs and cats: A-CXL method, PACK-CXL, M-CXL, method of cross-linking modification of donor heterologous graft as a stage in performing keratoplasty surgery to recipient. Based on our clinical results, we can conclude that corneal cross-linking in dogs and cats has a high therapeutic potential and is a promising method for treating severe keratopathies in cases of weak effectiveness of traditional drug therapy regimens.

Incomplete ossification of the atlas in cats: seven cases detected on computed tomography

Defects of the ventral arch of the atlas were detected on computed tomography in nine cats aged 3…12 months with signs of upper cervical injury including paina and ataxia. Seven cats have an ambulatory tetraparesis, and two cats have a nonambulatory tetraparesis. The bone defects were consistent with the normal location of the ventral arch growth areas of the atlas. In all observed cats, the pattern of ossification abnormalities was similar — the lateral portion of the arch was completely absent in seven cats on the left and in two cats on the right. The structure of the ventral tubercle was traceable in 8 of 9 cats. Also, in 8 of 9 cases an isolated bone fragment was observed lateral to the dens of the axis, the exact origin of which was not determined. This fragment was observed in 6 cases on the right, in two cases on the left, and only in two cases it corresponded to the side of the undeveloped arch. In 7 out of 9 cats, the dorsal arch was not fused; in 2 cats with complete fusion, the dorsal arch was deformed. An dens fracture was visualized in 3 cases, no hypoplasia of the dens was visualized, and one cat have atlantoaxial subluxation. Seven cats received conservative treatment and 2 cats received surgical treatment. Clinical improvement was observed in all cats. Disorder the ossification of the ventral arch of the atlas should be considered as the differential diagnosis in young cats with suspected atlanto-axial instability and trauma of the cervical spine. The authors were unable to find publications describing this atlas developmental abnormality in cats, so the authors believe that this is the first mention of incomplete ossification of the atlas in cats.

Leptospirosis in cats: misconceptions and reality

The present article addresses issues related to feline leptospirosis. The causative agent of the infection is reviewed, alongside its morphology and up-to-date taxonomic classification including the concepts of serogroup and serovar. The fact that leptospirae can infect cats is confirmed. Reservoirs and sources of the infection are listed, as well as transmission routes represented as schemes courtesy of the world’s leading institutions specialising in research into human and animal leptospirosis. Taking into account current statutory regulations and scientific knowledge on leptospirosis, the present article offers an analysis of common myths and misconceptions regarding leptospirae, clinical manifestation of the infection in cats and pertinent issues related to the diagnosis of leptospirosis, including differential diagnosis. Cats’ resistance to leptospirosis on the level of the species is reviewed, and data are presented substantiating that treating leptospirosis in cats is unnecessary and might have detrimental impact on their welfare. Additionally, the absence of tools for the specific prophylaxis of feline leptospirosis worldwide is highlighted.

Study of the parameters of absorption into the bloodstream and excretion of the drug Gamavit after a single administration to laboratory mini-pigs

A pharmacokinetic study of the absorption into the bloodstream, bioavailability and excretion of Gamavit from the body after intramuscular administration to laboratory mini-pigs was conducted. Quantitative determination was carried out by HPLC using a fluorimetric detector, for which Gamavit was labeled with Cy5 dye, which was then used for mini-pigs inoculation. The developed methods for determining Gamavit in the blood and feces were validated according to the following validation parameters: selectivity, calibration curve, accuracy, precision, limit of quantitative determination, sample transfer, and sample stability. The confirmed analytical range of the method for Gamavit detection in blood plasma and feces was 1.00…50.0 mcg/ml. Maximum concentration of Gamavit in the blood of mini-pigs after a single intramuscular injection was 30.97 mcg/ml and was reached on average 15 minutes after administration. 24 hours following administration, Gamavit was still detected in the blood in insignificant amounts. The average half-life of Gamavit in the blood is 8.64±3.50 hours. After administration at a dose of 0.1 ml/kg, the clearance of the drug is 1.27 l/kg * h, the excretion rate at an effective concentration of 30 mg/l is 38 mg/kg*h, and the maintenance dose when using the drug 1 time a day is 0.9…1.0 ml. The detection of the label in the feces of the studied animals indicates that one of the ways Gamavit removal is excretion with the help of bile acids, as well as partial excretion with feces.

Comparative efficacy of antioxidant drugs in an in vitro experiment

The aim of this work was to study the antioxidant activity of 3-hydroxypyridine derivatives: Mexidol-Vet® and Emycidin in a model oxidation system. Using the chemiluminescence method, it was found that the introduction of Mexidol-Vet® into the test system at a dose of 1 mg reliably suppresses the amplitude of a fast flash and decreases the formation of photons (light sum value), compared with the test system / placebo and the test system / Emicidin. The antioxidant activity of Mexidol-Vet® is significantly higher than Emicidin by 28.1%.

Post-vaccination immunity in dogs vaccinated and treated against the parvovirus enteritis

In this article we present the results of studies aimed at establishing the level of post-vaccination antibodies to parvovirus enteritis. The work was performed on dogs 1.5…2 months old. The animals were divided into two groups. In the first group, dogs were vaccinated and treated against endoparasites according to all instructions. Dogs of the second group were also vaccinated, but were not exposed to anthelmintic treatments. Further, the state of the experimental animals was monitored with the methods of clinical examination, coproscopic, hematological, biochemical and serological researches. Dogs not treated against endoparasites showed symptoms of parvovirus enteritis by the 6th day of the experiment. Coproscopic research indicated an invasion of Toxocara canis by nematodes. Hematological research showed a decrease in the level of hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets. The results of biochemical research showed a decrease in the level of albumin and total protein. During a serological research (ELISA), the development of extremely low antibody titers was noted. The dogs of the first group did not show any signs of deterioration in health. Indicators of hematology and biochemistry were within the physiological norm. The ELISA results indicated the development of antibodies to parvovirus enteritis. This research confirms the need for anthelmintic treatments before vaccinations.

Therapeutic correction of ischemic brain injuries in brachycephaly dogs

The article presents data on the features of cerebral circulation disorders in dogs of brachycephalic breeds. The anatomical breed prerequisites that overload the small circulatory system and, as a result, increase the state of hypoxia are listed. Data from neurological examinations and laboratory studies of such animals are presented. The effectiveness and expediency of using the drug Mexidol-Vet® in animals of this group have been proved. Recommendations for taking the drug to prevent relapses are given.