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Giardia duodenalis causes enteric infections in humans and animals worldwide. Inefficiency of metronidazole is commonly reported in the veterinary clinic routine in the treatment of giardiasis in dogs and cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of secnidazole in the control of infection caused by G. duodenalis in naturally infected cats. For this purpose two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment seven cats were infected with G. duodenalis and treated orally with a single dose of secnidazole (30 mg kg(-1)). In the second experiment a total of 16 cats were used, 11 naturally infected with G. duodenalis and five negative for the parasite. Animals were divided into three groups: group A (n=5) was composed by non-infected animals (negative control), group B (n=5) consisted of infected but untreated animals and group C (n=6) was composed by cats treated orally with a single dose of secnidazole (30 mg kg(-1)). Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after treatment. The first experiment reached 100% of efficacy because no cysts were found in the feces after treatment. However, doubts about intoxication and interference with hematological and biochemical parameters came to light. No side effects were observed, and the biochemical and hematological parameters of treated animals remained within physiological range, except for one feline which had elevation of liver enzymes. Based on these results, the utilization of secnidazole could be suggested for the treatment of giardiasis in cats. The main advantage of this treatment is that only a single dose is required, which is interesting in animals hard to handle like cats., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate total intravenous anesthesia with propofol alone or in combination with S(+)-ketamine in rabbits undergoing surgery., Study Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded trial., Animals: Nine 6-month-old New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5-3 kg., Methods: Animals received acepromazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and buprenorphine (20 microg kg(-1)) IM, and anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg kg(-1)) and S(+)-ketamine (1 mg kg(-1)) IV. Rabbits received two of three treatments: propofol (0.8 mg kg(-1) minute(-1)) (control treatment, P), propofol (0.8 mg kg(-1) minute(-1)) + S(+)-ketamine (100 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)) (PK100) or propofol (0.8 mg kg(-1) minute(-1)) + S(+)-ketamine (200 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)) (PK200). All animals received 100% O(2) during anesthesia. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured every 5 minutes for 60 minutes. Blood-gas parameters were measured at zero time and 60 minutes. Additional propofol injections, if necessary, and recovery time were recorded., Results: An increase in heart rate was observed in P and PK200 up to 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Blood pressure decreased from baseline values during the first 10 minutes in P and PK200, and during the first 15 minutes and between 45 and 55 minutes in PK100. A reduction in respiratory rate was observed after 5 minutes in all treatments. Respiratory acidosis was observed in all treatments. Six (2.8) [median (interquartile range)] further propofol injections were necessary in P, which differed statistically from PK100 [1 (0.2)] and PK200 [2 (0.6)]. Recovery time was shorter in P compared with PK100 and PK200, being [7.5 minutes (4.11)], [17.5 minutes (10.30)], and [12 minutes (10.30)], respectively., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: S(+)-ketamine potentiates propofol-induced anesthesia in rabbits, providing better maintenance of heart rate. All of these techniques were accompanied by clinically significant respiratory depression.

Purpose: Describe a technique of emergency pericardiotomy, named as Ligament Traction (LT), to reduce the necessary time to begin the Internal Cardiac Massage. To perform the ICM an emergency toracotomy and pericardiotomy are necessary, both in remote time. The technique usually employed is the "T" pericardiotomy, whose execution depends on the apprehension of the pericardium with an Allis forceps. This apprehension is difficult and complicates the reanimation of the patient., Methods: Twenty canine corpses were divided into two groups: Group I--"T" pericardiotomy (n=10), and Group II--the LT technique (n=10). The LT consisted on the traction of the pericardiumphrenic ligament and the section of the pericardium next to its apex. The incision was elongated with the introduction of the fingers, also allowing the positioning of the heart in the hand of the operator and the immediate beginning of the ICM., Results: Group I presented an execution period of 21.79 +/- 0.88 second, and Group II of 8.58 +/- 1.38, with p<0.0001 (highly expressive)., Conclusion: The technique of pericardiotomy by Ligament Traction concur to outliving, because it avoids a larger time of cerebral ischemia, due to the early beginning of the circulation.

1. Lectins labeled with colloidal gold particles were used for the ultrastructural evaluation of the biological effects of GaAs softlaser irradiation on the healing of dog tendon wounds. 2. Six dogs were submitted to tenotomy and tenorrhaphy on the right and left hind legs. All animals received laser irradiation (4 J/cm2) daily for ten days only on the left leg, and the right leg of the same animal was used as control. Biopsies were taken 11, 22 and 40 days after surgery. 3. Laser-irradiated and control tendon tissues were embedded in L.R. White resin and thin sections were incubated in the presence of gold-labeled Arachis hypogaea (PNA), Canavalia ensiformes (Con A) and Triticum vulgare (WGA). 4. In general, the control and laser-irradiated tissues presented homogeneous and similar labelling of heterochromatin, rough endoplasmic reticulum and extracellular matrix. 5. We conclude that GaAs softlaser irradiation does not produce significant changes in the glycosylation of healing tendons.