Use of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound of the Testes after Non-Surgical Sterilization of Male Dogs with CaCl(2) in Alcohol

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography (CEUS) in Imaging of the Reproductive System in Dogs: A Literature Review

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has been widely reported for reproductive imaging in humans and animals. This review aims to analyze the utility of CEUS in characterizing canine reproductive physiology and pathologies. In September 2022, a search for articles about CEUS in canine testicles, prostate, uterus, placenta, and mammary glands was conducted on PubMed and Scopus from 1990 to 2022, showing 36 total results. CEUS differentiated testicular abnormalities and neoplastic lesions, but it could not characterize tumors. In prostatic diseases, CEUS in dogs was widely studied in animal models for prostatic cancer treatment. In veterinary medicine, this diagnostic tool could distinguish prostatic adenocarcinomas. In ovaries, CEUS differentiated the follicular phases. In CEH-pyometra syndrome, it showed a different enhancement between endometrium and cysts, and highlighted angiogenesis. CEUS was shown to be safe in pregnant dogs and was able to assess normal and abnormal fetal-maternal blood flow and placental dysfunction. In normal mammary glands, CEUS showed vascularization only in diestrus, with differences between mammary glands. CEUS was not specific for neoplastic versus non-neoplastic masses and for benign tumors, except for complex carcinomas and neoplastic vascularization. Works on CEUS showed its usefulness in a wide spectrum of pathologies of this non-invasive, reliable diagnostic procedure.

Effect of Pinus taeda Hydrolyzed Lignin on Biochemical Profile, Oxidative Status, and Semen Quality of Healthy Dogs

Sub-fertility represents a frequent challenge in canine reproduction. The use of micronutrients and/or additives was investigated as an approach to improve sperm quality, which are the main constraints on reproduction in canine species. Although some information is available about the effect of daily supplementation with substances presenting antioxidant/antioxidative activity on semen quality, this study aimed to observe the effect of a polyphenolic mix of substances derived from hydroxylation of Pinus taeda lignin (PTHL). For the trial, 40 male dogs were involved, 20 received PTHL for 90 days and 20 were left untreated, serving as a control group. Every 30 days, blood and semen samples were collected and analyzed. The biochemical profile of both groups was not affected by treatment and time (p > 0.05). Differently, dogs that received PTHL showed higher blood superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (p < 0.01). Moreover, the dietary addition of PTHL can significantly increase the semen volume, concentration, and spermatozoa motility (p < 0.01) in healthy dogs. PTHL supplementation represents a good way to enhance the semen quality of dogs and improve the antioxidant status of animals.

Analgesic comparison between topical irrigation (splash block) versus injection of lidocaine on the ovarian pedicle in canine ovariectomy

Objectives

The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of topical irrigation versus injection of lidocaine on the ovarian pedicle to provide analgesia in bitches ovariectomy. In the current study were monitored: increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate to identify an acute intraoperative nociceptive response. These parameters were registered at six times during the surgical procedure: grasping of the ovary (time 1), dissection of the mesosalpinx (time 2), tightening of the first loop ligature (time 3), tightening of the second loop ligature (time 4), transection of the ovarian pedicle (time 5) and release of the ovary (time 6).

Material and Methods

Forty healthy bitches were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 20) to receive topical irrigation (splash block) of 2% lidocaine (C group) on both ovarian pedicle (2 mg/kg each), or an equal volume of lidocaine was injected at the same sites (R group).

Results

The results of the present study suggest that splash block may provide intraoperative analgesic effects equivalent to injection in the ovarian pedicle in dogs that have undergone ovariectomy. The lidocaine improved surgical analgesia during canine ovariectomy in both groups, and this action is not affected by the inoculation technique.

Clinical significance

Pain management in veterinary patients is a crucial component of appropriate patient care. Therefore, the need for achieving safer anaesthesia for surgical intervention is gaining much attention. Ovariectomy is a common surgical procedure in bitches with medium level of pain. This study concluded that considering its relative simplicity, low cost, and safety, both techniques could be used in daily clinical practice.

The ultrasound-guided funicular block in cats undergoing orchiectomy: ropivacaine injection into the spermatic cord to improve intra and postoperative analgesia

BACKGROUND

The orchiectomy in cats is a common surgical procedure with medium level of pain and for this reason requires intra and postoperative analgesia management. The aim of this study was to compare intra and postoperative pain in two groups of cats undergoing orchiectomy. Sixty healthy cats were randomly assigned in two groups (n = 30) to receive pre surgery ropivacaine hydrochloride (0.2 mL/kg at 0.5%) (R Group) or NaCl 0.9% (C group) into the spermatic cord. The intraoperative evaluation was carried out using the cardiorespiratory stability parameters and eventually administration of rescue analgesia. A rescue analgesia (fentanyl 2 µg/kg) was administered during orchiectomy in case of considerable increase of blood pressure, heart rate or respiratory rate. The postoperative evaluation was been done using scores following a UNESP-Botucatu multimodal scale for 6 h post-surgery.

RESULTS

As result, cats in R group responded better to surgical procedure, maintaining lower postoperative pain scores than C group.

CONCLUSIONS

The ultrasound-guided funicular block used in this study, as already demonstrated in dogs, is a good method to protect the cats from surgical pain and ensure a good level of surgical analgesia.