Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a myocardial disease of dogs and humans characterized by progressive ventricular dilation and depressed contractility and it is a frequent cause of heart failure. Conventional pharmacological therapy cannot reverse the progression of the disease and, in humans, cardiac transplantation remains the only option during the final stages of cardiac failure. Cytoprotective gene therapy with the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-B167 (VEGF-B167) has proved an effective alternative therapy, halting the progression of the disease in experimental studies on dogs [1,2]. The aim of this work was to test the tolerability and feasibility of intracoronary inoculation under fluoroscopic guidance of VEGF-B167 carried by adeno-associated viral vectors in canine DCM patients. Ten patients underwent the gene delivery procedure. The intraoperative phase was well tolerated by all dogs. Clinical and echocardiographic assessment at 7 days post-procedure in all dogs showed stable clinical conditions that could be superimposed to those pre-procedure. The results of this work indicate that intracoronary gene delivery is feasible and tolerated in dogs with DCM. Further monitoring/investigations are ongoing to evaluate the effects of this procedure on disease progre

Aim of this study was to document the normal computed tomographic tenography findings of digital flexor tendon sheath. Six ex vivo normal equine forelimbs were used. An axial approach was used to inject 185 mg/mL of iopamidol in a total volume of 60 mL into the digital flexor tendon sheaths. Single-slice helical scans, with 5 mm thickness, spaced every 3 mm, for a pitch of 0.6, and with bone algorithm reconstruction, were performed before and after injections of contrast medium. To obtain better image quality for multiplanar reconstruction and 3D reformatting, postprocessing retroreconstruction was performed to reduce the images to submillimetre thickness. Computed tomographic tenography of digital flexor tendon sheaths could visualize the following main tendon structures for every forelimb in contrast-enhanced images as low densities surrounded by high densities: superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, manica flexoria, mesotendons, and synovial recess. Results of this study suggest that computed tomographic tenography can be used with accuracy and sensitivity to evaluate the common disorders of the equine digital flexor tendon sheath and the intrathecal structures.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a recruiting maneuver (RM) on the effects of PEEP on lung function in healthy horses under general anaesthesia. Fifteen horses were sedated with acepromazine (0.02 mg kg-1 IV) and detomidine (0.005 mg kg-1 IV), general anaesthesia was intravenously induced with midazolam (0.1 mg kg-1) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg-1) and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. After intubation all horses lungs were mechanically ventilated in a volume controlled mode: Vt (12 ml kg-1) and I:E (1:2) were unchanged during the study while RR was titrated to maintain the PE’CO2 between 40 and 45 mmHg. Three different ventilatory strategies were applied in all horses during the same anaesthetic episode: zero PEEP (ZEEP), 10 cmH2O of PEEP (PEEP) and a RM followed by the application of 10 cmH2O of PEEP (RMPEEP). The RM was performed applying 50 cmH2O for 20 seconds to the respiratory system. Thirty minutes after each ventilatory strategy was initiated, HR and MAP were recorded, an arterial blood sample was collected [PaO2, P(A-a)O2], static compliance of the respiratory system (CRSstat) and the PEEP recruited lung volume (RLV) (Grasso S et al 2005) were calculated. Data were compared with the ANOVA test (P<0.05). The PaO2 and Crsstat were higher while P(A-a)O2 lower at RMPEEP (60.7 ± 6.8 kPa, 473.5 ± 89.1 ml cmH2O-1 and 23.8 ± 7.5 kPa) compared to ZEEP (40.8 ± 16.9 kPa, 339.7 ± 81.9 ml cmH2O-1 and 44.5 ± 16.8 kPa) and PEEP (41.2 ± 17.8 mmHg, 360.9 ± 54.9 ml cmH2O-1 and 44.4 ± 17.6 mmHg). The RLV was larger at RMPEEP (5.5 ± 2.4 L) than at PEEP (2.6 ± 1.6 L). A RM significantly improved the effects of 10 cmH2O of PEEP on lung function in horses under general anaesthesia.

This report details a bubble echocardiographic study carried out during the surgical treatment of a congenital single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PSS) in a Labrador Retriever. After celiotomy, agitated saline was injected through a jejunal vein and microbubbles appeared rapidly in the right cardiac chambers. The test confirmed the presence of a PSS, helping the surgeon to identify the vessel concerned and to rule out a second shunt. Successively, portography confirmed what the exploratory celiotomy had revealed before with the aid of the bubble study: a single shunt was located between the portal vein and the right renal vein. It was completely ligated, as all the criteria for this solution were met. Intraoperative contrast echocardiography (ICE) was easy to perform, helpful and undemanding. It is proposed here as an intraoperative ancillary test to diagnose all PSS and to confirm successful treatment when complete shunt closure is possible.

Objective: The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol recommends limiting tidal volume and plateau pressure; it also recommends increasing respiratory rate to prevent hypercapnia. We tested a strategy that combines the low tidal volume with lower respiratory rates and minimally invasive CO2 removal. Subjects: Ten lung-damaged pigs (instilled hydrochloride). Interventions: Two conditions randomly applied in a crossover fashion: the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol and the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol plus lower respiratory rate plus minimally invasive Co2 removal. A similar arterial Co2 partial pressure was targeted in the two conditions. Measurements and Main Results: Physiological parameters, computed tomography scans, plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage concentrations of interleukin-1[beta], interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, interleukin-18, and tumor necrosis factor-[alpha]. During the lower respiratory rate condition, respiratory rate was reduced from 30.5 +/- 3.8 to 14.2 +/- 3.5 (p < 0.01) breaths/min and minute ventilation from 10.4 +/- 1.6 to 4.9 +/- 1.7 L/min (p < 0.01). The extracorporeal device removed 38.9% +/- 6.1% (79.9 +/- 18.4 mL/min) of CO2 production. During the lower respiratory rate condition, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] concentrations were significantly lower in plasma; interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-[alpha] concentrations were lower in bronchoalveolar lavage, whereas the concentrations of the other cytokines remained unchanged. Conclusion: The strategy of lower respiratory rate plus minimally invasive extracorporeal CO2 removal was feasible and safe and, as compared with the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network protocol, reduced the concentrations of some, but not all, of the tested cytokines without affecting respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and hemodynamics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a single-portal endoscopic desmotomy of the PAL with the use of Arthrex - Centerline™. Ten horse distal front limbs from horses free of PAL disease were prepared for tenoscopy of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS). A dual-port endoscopic desmotomy with a hook knife was performed in 5 specimens (Group A) and single port Arthrex-Centerline™ Desmotomy was performed in another 5 specimens (Group B). The performing time, judgments of the surgeon, number of blade passages, and gross anatomy were evaluated. The performing time and surgeon judgments were significantly lower in Group B. No significant differences were assessed in number of passages to achieve a complete PAL resection and a gross anatomy evaluation. The use of Arthrex-Centerline™ is feasible for a PAL desmotomy procedure. It was faster with more handling ease compared with the free-hand double-portal desmotomy and allowed the same results in terms of number of passages to complete the release evaluated at gross anatomy.

The purpose of this case series was to describe the historical, clinical, radiographic details, outcome and histhopathological findings of 2 cases of NSH in pony. CASE 1 A 3 years old, male pony was referred in 2003 for severe dyspnoea and deformity of the bones of the skull. At clinical examination, the pony had general fatigue, severe dyspnea and inspiratory breath sounds. X‐ray examination showed signs of severe thinning of the cranial bones with loss of definition of the plot medullary and cortical thinning cancellous bone. The results of parathyroid hormone by radioimmunological showed an increase in the values of PTH .Treatment has been provided using tiludronate (TILDREN 1mg/kg‐ ®‐Ceva Vetem SpA, Milan). The patient's clinical condition showed significant improvements, the clinical symptoms (inability to maintain the station, lameness and respiratory sounds) had resolved. The pony was dismissed. CASE 2 In October of 2012 was referred a 5 years old Shetland male pony, and the owners permanent recumbency since 3 days.General clinical examination showed persistent recumbency , slight enlargement of facial bones and pain at flexion of hindlimbs. Based on the clinical symptoms, X‐rays and laboratory tests, the diagnosis was of NSH related to fibrous osteodystrophy. The clinical condition of the horse showed no improvement and the subject was not able to take quadrupedal station. The owner disagrees with Tiludronate therapy and pony was euthanized, and some bone samples were harvested in order to deepen the diagnostic picture. Microradioghaphs of frontal serial sections show modifications of bone tissue arrangement and mineralization.. The trabecular network appears rarefied owing to a thinning of the trabeculae or their total erosion. Both spongy and compact bone frequently exhibit large osteocytic lacunae. On the other hand new bone, less mineralized, is exthensively present. The deposition fronts show a wide osteoid with voluminous osteoblast, but sometimes exhibit numerous preosteoblasts with a fibroblasts morphology. In many area, fibrous connective tissue covers the trabecular surfaces and replaces part of the marrow reticular stroma. The appearance of micro X‐ray, never described in the horse, and the histological evidence and confirm the diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy. Bisphosphonate therapy is a therapeutic option, and it is valid for the possible remission of clinical symptoms but not certain deformities of the disease. The association of such therapy with a balanced diet can be part of the treatment protocol in the course of NSH of dietary origin. David et all., the bisposphonate Tiludronate is a potent inhibitor of the osteoclast vacuola hatpase, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 11, 1498‐1507, 1996 Estepa, J. C., Aguilera‐Tejero, E., Mayer‐Valor, R., Almeden, Y., Felsenfeld, A.J. & Rodriguez, M. Measured of parathyroid hormone in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal 30, 476‐481, 1998

Objective: The aim of this study was to track the survival and efficacy of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) marked with red fluorescent protein (BM-MSCRFP) in an ovine model of collagenaseinduced tendinopathy. Methods: Bone marrow was harvested from one donor sheep and BM-MSC were isolated, cultivated and transfected with red fluorescent protein (BM-MSCRFP). Collagenase was injected into both Achilles tendons in the remaining nine sheep. After two weeks the left tendon was injected with a solution of 6 × 106 BM-MSCRFP and fibrin glue, while only fibrin glue was administered to the contralateral tendon in each sheep. After three, four and six weeks the tendons were harvested and evaluated for morphology, collagen I deposition, presence of CD34+ cells, and fluorescent labelled BM-MSC. Results: We demonstrated that delivery of BM-MSC into tendon lesions had positive effects on the injured tendons. The BM-MSCRFP survived at three, four and six weeks after treatment, leading to better quality healing of tendons as compared to the controls, where no labelled cells were detected. Interestingly, we demonstrated high expression of CD34+ cells in tendons that had been treated with BM-MSCRFP. Clinical relevance: Mesenchymal stem cell allografts have a positive effect on tendon healing and local injection of BM-MSC directly into the tendon allows the homing of BM-MSC for good efficiency of engraftment.