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Hepatoprotective effect of plant drugs against hepatic tissue injury induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was assessed on Beagle dogs. The adverse effects of carprofen and robenacoxib on the hepatic tissue were evaluated on the basis of histopathological examination of liver sections. It was demonstrated that the use of NSAIDs with liquorice and composed plant remedy Pectosol¯ caused a reduction of hepatic adverse effects induced by the administration of NSAIDs. This fact indicates a hepatoprotective effect of the tested plant remedies during the treatment with NSAIDs. However, the results require further studies on a larger group of animals. Liquorice and Pectosol¯ reduce the hepatic side effects, which develop after the treatment with carprofen and, to a lesser extent, robenacoxib in young Beagles. Such studies allow to investigate the negative and positive effects of using robenacoxib and carprofen in dogs and, therefore, help to limit the NSAID-induced side effects on the liver in these animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tumors of the skin and subcutaneous tissue are the largest group of canine neoplasms. Total excision is still the most effective method for treatment of these skin tumors. For its universal properties the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser appears to be an excellent surgical instrument in veterinary surgery. Laser techniques are alternatives to traditional methods for the surgical management of tumors. The aim of this study was to compare various types of laser techniques in skin oncologic surgery: excision, ablation and mixed technique and to suggest which technique of CO2 laser procedure is the most useful in particular case of tumors in dogs. Findings The study was performed on 38 privately-owned dogs with total number of 40 skin tumors of different type removed by various CO2 laser operation techniques from 2010-2013. The treatment effect was based on the surgical wound evaluation, the relative time of healing and possible local recurrence of the tumor after 3 months post surgery. Local recurrence was observed in two cases. The study showed that in 30 cases time needed for complete resection of lesions was less than 10 minutes. Time of healing was longer than 12 days in 6 cases (42.8%) with tumor excision and in 14 cases (87.5%) where excision with ablation technique was performed. Conclusions The advantages of the CO2 laser surgery were better hemostasis, precision of working, noncontact dissection, less instruments at the site of operation and minimum traumatization of the surrounding tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral melanomas commonly occur in elderly dogs resulting in darkly pigmented areas of the mouth, tongue and gums. The main object of this study was a severe melanoma diagnosed in the jaw of a 15-year-old dog and its palliative treatment with electrochemotherapy. The tumour spread throughout the jaw including bones. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) with bleomycin and calcium solution (CaCl2) was combined with standard and CO2 laser surgeries. The treatment resulted in good local control of the tumour mass after one ECT session with bleomycin and a second ECT session with calcium ions solution. ECT significantly reduced bleeding and enhanced success of the surgery. The combination of ECT with surgical debulking resulted in rapid recovery and regaining of physiological activities, including normal feeding by the dog. This case demonstrates that the protocol combining ECT and surgery is promising in palliative melanoma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser biostimulation involves applying a laser beam to the tissue to facilitate healing and regenerative processes. Laser therapy is one of the most important physical methods used in human physiotherapy. In veterinary medicine, laser therapy is a new and so far poorly examined method. The results of studies conducted so far are very promising, yet the positive effect of laser light, especially that of class IV, has yet to be confirmed. This article presents an overview of the available literature on the effect of laser treatment on the human and animal organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]