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This study aims to assess ozonized mineral oil ointment application as an antiplaque therapy for dogs. Domestic healthy dogs received dental scaling and polishing under general anesthesia. Under standard feeding and homecare during 7 days, 20 dogs were randomly placed into 2 different groups for dental treatment. The control group (CG) was given a single placebo application and the ozone group (O 3 G) received daily ozonized ointment application. The average age (CG = 4.4; O 3 G = 5.7 years old), body weight (CG = 15.7; O 3 G = 15.3 kg) and the gingivitis index obtained on the first day (D0) allowed initial homogeneity between the groups. The dental plaque index, including clinical and computerized analysis on the seventh day, was obtained from the buccal aspect of specific dental locations. Both analyses revealed significant statistical association between daily application of ozone and antiplaque effect. There was no evidence of toxicity during the study. These results suggest that ozone therapy may be an efficient adjuvant to conventional periodontal treatment in decreasing initial dental plaque formation.

Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm occurring in several animal species, and is the most frequently found tumor in the oral cavity in dogs. Melanomas are classified into two types: melanotic and amelanotic. Prior research suggests that human amelanotic melanomas are more aggressive than their melanotic counterparts. This study evaluates the behavior of canine melanotic and amelanotic oral cavity melanomas and quantifies cell proliferation and the expression of connexins. Twenty-five melanomas (16 melanotic and 9 amelanotic) were collected from dogs during clinical procedures at the Veterinary Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. After diagnosis, dogs were followed until death or euthanasia. Histopathology confirmed the gross melanotic or amelanotic characteristics and tumors were classified according to the WHO. HMB45 or Melan A immunostainings were performed to confirm the diagnosis of amelanotic melanomas. Cell proliferation was quantified both by counting mitotic figures and PCNA positive nuclei. Expressions of connexins 26 and 43 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Dogs bearing amelanotic melanomas presented a shorter lifespan in comparison to those with melanotic melanomas. Cell proliferation was significantly higher in amelanotic melanomas. Expressions of Connexins 26 and 43 were significantly reduced in amelanotic melanomas. The results presented here suggest that oral cavity melanotic and amelanotic melanomas differ regarding their behavior, cell proliferation and connexin expression in dogs, indicating a higher aggressiveness of amelanotic variants.

This study aimed to develop a plate to treat fractures of the mandibular body in dogs and to validate the project using finite elements and biomechanical essays. Mandible proto-types were produced with 10 oblique ventrorostral fractures (favorable) and 10 oblique ventrocaudal fractures (unfavor-able). Three groups were established for each fracture type. Osteosynthesis with a pure titanium plate of double-arch geometiy and blocked monocortical screws of free angula-tion were used. The mechanical resistance of the prototype with unfavorable fracture was lower than that of the favorable fracture. In both fractures, the deflection increased and the relative stiffness decreased proportionally to the diminishing screw number. The finite element analysis validated this plate study, since the maximum tension concentration observed on the plate was lower than the resistance limit tension admitted by the titanium. In conclusion, the double-arch geometry plate fixed with blocked monocortical screws has sufficient resis-tance to stabilize oblique fractures, without compromising mandibular dental or neurovascular structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]