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An 8-year-old female spayed German Shepherd cross was presented for acute onset of respiratory distress. Four days before presentation, the owner noticed a reduced appetite and reluctance to move. Clinical examination identified muffled lung sounds and a left base, diamond-shaped systolic murmur graded 4/6. Echocardiography identified pleural and pericardial effusion, ascites and a myxoid mass (39 mm/18.9 mm) obstructing the right ventricular outflow tract and interfering with the pulmonary valve function. Given the poor prognosis, the dog was euthanatised, and a postmortem examination was performed. Grossly, a mass with a heterogeneous appearance was identified below the pulmonary valve leaflets. Based on histopathological and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of intracardiac myxosarcoma affecting the subvalvular region of the pulmonary artery was made. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of right ventricle out flow tract myxosarcoma in the canine species.

Despite recent advances in disease management and prevention, heart failure (HF) prevalence is still high. Hypertension, inflammation and oxidative stress are being investigated as important causative processes in HF. L. barbarum L. polysaccharides (LBPs) are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of LBPs on inflammation and oxidative stress markers in a pressure overload-induced HF rat model, surgically induced by abdominal aorta banding in Wistar rats (AAB) (n = 28). Also, control rats (n = 10) were subjected to a sham operation. After echocardiographic confirmation of HF (week 24), AAB rats were divided into three groups: rats treated with LBPs for 12 weeks: 100 mg/kg body weight /day (AAB_100, n = 9), 200 mg/kg body weight /day (AAB_200, n = 7) and no-treatment group (control AAB, n = 12). After 12 weeks of treatment with LBPs, the decline of cardiac function was prevented compared to the control AAB rats. Treatment with 200 mg/kg body weight /day LBPs significantly reduced the inflammation as seen by cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-&alpha, ) and the plasma lipid peroxidation, as seen by malondialdehyde levels. These results suggest that LBPs present anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects with utility in a HF animal model and encourage further investigation of the cardioprotective effects of these polysaccharides.

Despite recent advances in disease management and prevention, heart failure (HF) prevalence is still high. Hypertension, inflammation and oxidative stress are being investigated as important causative processes in HF. L. barbarum L. polysaccharides (LBPs) are widely used for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of LBPs on inflammation and oxidative stress markers in a pressure overload-induced HF rat model, surgically induced by abdominal aorta banding in Wistar rats (AAB) (n = 28). Also, control rats (n = 10) were subjected to a sham operation. After echocardiographic confirmation of HF (week 24), AAB rats were divided into three groups: rats treated with LBPs for 12 weeks: 100 mg/kg body weight /day (AAB_100, n = 9), 200 mg/kg body weight /day (AAB_200, n = 7) and no-treatment group (control AAB, n = 12). After 12 weeks of treatment with LBPs, the decline of cardiac function was prevented compared to the control AAB rats. Treatment with 200 mg/kg body weight /day LBPs significantly reduced the inflammation as seen by cytokine levels (IL-6 and TNF-α) and the plasma lipid peroxidation, as seen by malondialdehyde levels. These results suggest that LBPs present anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects with utility in a HF animal model and encourage further investigation of the cardioprotective effects of these polysaccharides.

Introduction: PDA represents one of the most frequently diagnosed type of congenital heart disease. Ductus arteriosus is a normal structure in foetal life, which permits shunting of oxygenated blood from the pulmonary artery into the aorta. Failure of sealing after birth is an abnormal condition and is called patent ductus arteriosus. In normal PDA, due to fact that systemic pressure is fivefold higher than pulmonary circulation, blood is shunted from the aorta into the pulmonary artery. In reverse PDA, pulmonary artery pressure does not drop after birth, and blood will be shunted form right to left. Aims: We want to evaluate clinical, haematological, ECG and echocardiographic changes in case of reverse PDA. Materials and Methods: Two-year old female Bichon Frise was referred to our clinic with signs of effort intolerance and dyspnoea for more than a year. ECG was performed in the right lateral recumbency using a digital device and echocardiography was done with Esaote MyLab40 Vet with a phased array transducer matched with the size of the dog (7.5 MHz). Results: We identified a dog with a good body score, quite alert and without any sign of illness. Haematological investigation underlined polycythaemia and very high PCV. The ECG revealed a normal sinus rhythm with a deep S wave, changes consistent with right ventricle enlargement.  Right atrial dilation and right ventricle hypertrophy were found on cardiac ultrasonography. The right ventricle free wall was hypertrophied and interventricular septum was flattened, changes consistent with increased pressure on the right side of the heart. The left heart was small. Positive diagnosis was done, performing “bubble study” and identification of contrast bubble within the abdominal aorta.  Conclusion: Reverse PDA is a rarely diagnosed congenital heart disease. Polycythaemia in young dogs could raise the suspicion of reverse PDA.  For positive diagnosis, echocardiography and bubble study are required. ECG is not a sensitive tool for diagnosis.

Background The aim was to assess the effects of periodontal disease in promoting liver fibrosis in a rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (CTRL), experimental periodontitis group at day 7 (PER7), at day 14 (PER14), at day 21 (PER21). Experimental periodontitis was induced by the placement of a silk ligature around mandibular incisors. The following parameters were assessed: gingival index, tooth mobility; liver status, and portal vein caliber by ultrasound examination; bone retraction, bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) by micro-CT analysis; aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT); oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione/oxidative glutathione ratio [GSH/GSSG]), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels; and histopathological evaluation of periodontal and liver tissues. Results Periodontal parameters showed the development of periodontitis in experimental groups. Micro-CT results indicates an increase of bone retraction and BMD values and a decrease of BV/TV value in PER groups. Liver fibrosis could not be diagnosed with ultrasound examination in any of the groups. Elevated levels of ASAT and ALAT in PER groups compared with CTRL group were found. MDA have indicated elevated levels and a decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio in PER group compared with the CTRL group. Levels of MMP-8 have indicated high values in PER21 compared with the other groups. Histological analysis of the periodontal and liver tissues sustains the link between periodontal and hepatic injury. Conclusion This study demonstrates a positive correlation between periodontal lesions and liver disease. Periodontitis may be an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis.

Background Double chambered right ventricle (DCRV) is a congenital heart anomaly where the right ventricle is divided into two chambers. We describe, for the first time, an unusual combination of DCRV combined with some other congenital heart defects. Case presentation A 1.2-year-old Golden Retriever was presented with lethargy, exercise intolerance and ascites. Physical examination revealed an irregularly irregular pulse and a grade V/VI, systolic, right cranial murmur. Electrocardiography revealed widened and splintered QRS complexes with a right bundle-branch block pattern. Radiography demonstrated right-sided cardiomegaly. Two-dimensional echocardiography identified a DCRV with tricuspid valve dysplasia. The patient died despite abdominocentesis and 4 days of oral pharmacotherapy, and necropsy revealed an anomalous fibromuscular structure that divided the right ventricle into two compartments. Another finding was tricuspid valve dysplasia with hypoplasia of the posterior and septal leaflets. The anterior leaflet was prominent, being part of the anomalous structure that divided the right ventricle. Necropsy also identified a perimembranous ventricular septal defect and mild subaortic stenosis. Histopathological examination of the fibromuscular band that separated the right ventricle identified longitudinally oriented layers of dense fibrous connective tissue and myocardial cells arranged in a plexiform pattern. The muscular component was well represented at the ventral area of the fibromuscular band, and was absent in the central zone. Superficially, the endocardium presented areas of nodular hyperplasia covering mainly the fibrous part of the abnormal structure. The nodules were sharply demarcated and were composed by loosely arranged connective tissue with myxoid appearance, covered by discrete hyperplastic endocardium. Conclusions Concomitant cardiac malformations involving DCRV, tricuspid valve dysplasia, perimembranous ventricular septal defect and mild subaortic stenosis have not been previously described in veterinary medicine, and are reported here for the first time. Moreover, this is the first report of a canine patient with tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) and DCRV where the anterior leaflet is part of an anomalous structure dividing the right ventricle (RV) into two separate compartments.

Nowadays, endoscopy represents one of the most useful tools in the diagnosis of digestive pathologies in human beings and animals. Whether we are talking about upper or lower gastrointestinal tract endoscopies, these procedures dramatically increase the capacity to diagnose digestive disorders in dogs and cats. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of endoscopy in the diagnosis of digestive pathologies.This paper represents our 5 years’ experience in digestive endoscopy. During this period we performed more than 150 digestive procedures in dogs and we diagnosed a heteromorphic digestive pathology. Clinical cases were represented by client-owned dogs that were referred to our clinic with a suspicion of digestive pathology.. We diagnosed erosive esophagitis and esophageal foreign bodies, hemorrhagic gastritis and ulcers, gastric and intestinal tumors, infiltrative enteritis, cecal intussusception, and colorectal carcinoma. It must be stressed that these diagnoses were missed using other investigative methods, and we can sustain that endoscopy dramatically increases our diagnostic capacity. Moreover in some conditions (for e.g. esophageal or gastric foreign bodies) endoscopy could also be used as a therapeutic tool.We recommend endoscopy in every case where there is a suspicion of digestive pathology and where other diagnostic tools did not reveal any abnormalities. The main disadvantages of endoscopy were the need for anesthesia in case of upper G.I. series and the cost of the procedure. We did not encounter any complications related to anesthesia or the procedure itself.

In modern veterinary medicine, like in human medicine all major surgery procedures must be performed under balanced anaesthesia. This protocol contained substances that insure: neurovegetativ protection, analgesia, miorelaxation, hypnosis. Rocuronium represent a nondepolarizing agent, intermediate acting ( 60-120 seconds), with relative long effects ( 40-90 minutes), and with the posibility of effect reversal ( agents-Sugammadex). Â The aim of this study was monitorization of clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters perioperative in dogs scheduled for orthopedic procedures. This study was performed on five canine patients (different breed, with age between 4 months to 11 years), scheduled for femoral had resection procedure. In this dogs balanced anaesthesia was performed: induction with propofol to effect, maintained with sevoflurane 2.5%; analgesic component: fentanyl 3I¼g/kg b.w.-bolus followed by CRI 5 I¼g/kg b.w./min, the neuromuscular blocking agent was represented by rocuronium 0.4 mg/kg b.w. Haematological analysis were performed with Abacus Junior Vet 3 diff analyzer, biochemical parameters with UV-VIS Screen Master Touch Hospitex Diagnostic spectrophotometer, and electrolytes with GEM Premier 2000 analyzer. The majority of biochemical and mineral parameters suffered only small changes, without statistical importance. After the surgery we determined only a slight reduction of erythrocyte number, haemoglobin and PCV, a mild increase of I³-globulin. Regarding the clinical parameters only internal temperatures was modified. We recommend the use of rocuronium in orthopedic procedures for the advantages offered in the surgical act (profound miorelaxation) without any major biochemical, haematological, electrolytes alteration.

Introduction Aortic stenosis is a congenital heart disorder that occurs mainly in large breed dogs. Many large breed dogs were diagnosed with this congenital heart disorder, but Golden Retriever, Rottweiler, Boxer, German shepherd and Newfoundland seem to be overrepresented. Aortic stenosis may manifest itself as supravalvular, valvular and subvalvular. The subvalvular form (subaortic stenosis) is the most common form in the dog. With this defect, a fibrous band or ring located just below the aortic semilunar valves impedes left ventricular emptying. Aims: We want to underline clinical and paraclinical abnormalities associated with this disease. Matherials and methods: Four month old pure German shepherd female was brought for specific cardiac evaluation at our unit. Clinical investigation was performed after a specific algorithm (evaluation of precordial thrill, pulse and murmur, assessment of lung problems). Paraclinical investigations included electrocardiography and echocardiography. Results: Clinically point of view we identified a precordial thrill on the left thorax. On auscultation we identified a systolic murmur located cranially, at the base of the heart, area which corresponds with aortic orifice location. The murmur’s grade was 6/6. Electrocardiographically we observed high amplitude of R waves with supraventricular and ventricular (bigeminy) rhythm abnormalities. On echography we underlined an increase of myocardium echogenity with hyperechoic foci, localized mainly in left ventricular free wall, decreased left ventricular chamber with thickness of interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall. Doppler echography identified a turbulent jet through aortic orifice with 5.5 m/s velocity. Based on clinical and paraclinical tests diagnostic is severe aortic stenosis. Conclusion: Congenital aortic stenosis implies a severe diagnostic. Doppler investigation is the most important tool in aortic stenosis diagnostic.

Background Despite the increasing number of reports of autochthonous cases of ocular thelaziosis in dogs in several European countries, and the evident emergence of human cases, the distribution and spreading potential of this parasite is far for being fully known. In Romania, despite intensive surveillance performed over recent years on the typical hosts of T. callipaeda, the parasite has not been found until now. Methods In October 2014 a German Shepherd was presented for consultation to a private veterinary practice from western Romania with a history of unilateral chronic conjunctivitis. Following a close examination of the affected eye, nematodes were noticed in the conjunctival sac. The specimens collected were used for morphological examination (light microscopy) and molecular analysis (amplification of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, followed by sequencing). Results Thirteen nematodes were collected, all identified morphologically as T. callipaeda. The history of the dog revealed no travel outside Romania, and during the last year, not even outside the home locality. The BLAST analysis of our sequence showed a 100% similarity T. callipaeda haplotype h1. Conclusions This is the first report of T. callipaeda in Romania, which we consider to be with autochthonous transmission. These findings confirm the spreading trend of T callipaeda and the increased risk of emerging vector-borne zoonoses.