Abstract: Abstract Morphometric characteristics of blood cells were examined in 44 (16 males, 28 females) Bolson tortoises (Gopherus flavomarginatus) in Mapimí, Mexico. Blood samples were drawn from the subcarapacial vein, and smear stains were used to differentiate and measure the diameter and surface area of cells. Mature and polychromatophilic erythrocytes were identified, as well as five types of leukocytes (lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes), and thrombocytes. The shape and color of G. flavomarginatus blood cells were similar to those reported for the G. agassizii, and G. polyphemus species. Blood cell sizes fitted related data from other reptile species. The information generated in this study can help monitor the health status of G. flavomarginatus individuals in the wild, thus advancing efforts to protect this endangered species.
Abstract: Abstract Mammary adenocarcinomas with metastases are more common in dogs than in cats. Their incidence is 1 in every 4,000 cats. In routine veterinary practice, laboratory exams for diagnosis of these neoplasms are nonspecific and scarcely used. Even though invasive procedure, biopsy, and histopathological findings are the gold standards that define the clinical approach, the clinical evaluation, and image assessment lead the way to the proper treatment, especially when surgical intervention is a possibility. This study describes the clinical signs, histopathological aspects, radiological and scintigraphic findings of a cat with mammary adenocarcinoma and metastases evaluated one hour after intravenous administration of 99mTc-thymine. Our focus was not to discuss the pathological aspects of the disease but the Nuclear Medicine role in metastases detection. Metastases, when lesser than 4mm, could go unnoticed by radiological exams, whereas scintigraphy may detect them. Using 99mTc-thymine scintigraphy, we successfully detected unsuspected metastases in the lungs, liver, and right kidney. Early diagnosis is the key to a better rate of survival due to the given treatment and prognostic. Hence, we strongly recommend the use of 99mTc-thymine scintigraphy as a complementary tool for breast cancer diagnosis in veterinary care.
Abstract: Abstract The objective was to evaluate the effects of two (2x) vs three (3x) times per day milking on milk production and milk composition in dairy cows. Fourteen scientific papers, containing production data from 16 trials, where dairy cows were milked 2x or 3x, were analysed using meta-analysis with fixed and random-effects with the R statistical program. The degree of heterogeneity and publication bias were measured with the I2 statistic and Begg's test, respectively. In addition, the meta-regression analysis explored other sources of heterogeneity for the response. The estimated effect size of 2x and 3x milkings was calculated for dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and milk composition. Dry matter intake, milk production, and milk fat and protein yields showed substantial heterogeneity (I2>50%). Whereas milk fat-percentage had moderate heterogeneity (I2<50%), and milk protein had no (I2=0%) heterogeneity. The year of publication, trial duration, and cattle breed did not influence production response parameters to milking frequency. We found no evidence of publication bias for the parameters evaluated (Begg's test; P>.05). Cows milked 2x produced less milk (2.23 kg/d), less milk fat (0.06 kg/d), and less milk protein (0.05 kg/d). In contrast, the fat percentage was lower (0.07 units) in 3x, compared with 2x milking frequency. There was no effect of milking frequency on DMI and milk protein percentage. In conclusion, milk production and milk fat and protein yields improves as milking frequency increase from 2x to 3x daily, without affecting DMI. The implementation of 3x milking frequency must consider dairy cow management, labor, and milking parlour infrastructure, particular to each dairy farm.
Abstract: Abstract This study aimed to assess trainee perceptions regarding the usefulness of an intensive hands-on minimally invasive surgery (MIS) training, as well as the subsequent implementation experience. An online questionnaire was emailed to 110 small animal veterinarians who attended the course between 2007 and 2017. The questionnaire comprised three sections: general attendee information, questions pertaining to the received laparoscopic and thoracoscopic training, and finally enquiries on cumulative post-training and current MIS practice. Forty-five veterinarians answered the questionnaire. Most respondents had prior laparoscopy and/or thoracoscopy experience (95.2 %), but close to half (46.7 %), modified their clinical practice as a result of the training. Seventy-five percent of the totally inexperienced participants started practicing MIS within two years of attending the course. A large proportion of respondents indicated their need for additional training for more advanced laparoscopy (71.1%) and thoracoscopy (77.8%) procedures. Accordingly, the main difficulty found by respondents regarding MIS implementation was insufficient training (37.8%). The most frequently encountered difficulty during procedures was bleeding (46.7%), while the most feared complication was related to anesthesia (31.1%). Ovariectomy and ovariohysterectomy were the most frequently performed minimally invasive procedures in trainee working centers. MIS training promotes the introduction of laparoscopy and thoracoscopy into clinical practice and expands the type of surgeries performed with these approaches. Nonetheless, a single intensive program does not comply with the diverse training needs of small animal practitioners.
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