Nasal Plane Research Articles

Utility of facial thermography in the recognition of acute pain in hospitalized cats (Felis catus)

Different clinical conditions have been associated with the presence of pain in animals, so understanding the pathophysiological changes associated with their response is essential in in-hospital clinical monitoring. The objective of this study was to describe the usefulness of facial thermography in the recognition of acute pain in hospitalized cats (Felis catus), for which 71 cats were studied with an average weight of 4.3±1.4 Kg and an age average of 4.4±3.5 years. Facial temperature values were obtained in different region of interest (ROI) and compared according to the values of the Grimace pain scale in cats according to the following subclassification: Group 1, control animals (n=10); Group 2, animals classified with score 0-3 (n=21); Group 3, animals classified with score 4-6 (n=30) and Group 4, animals classified with score 7-10 (n=10). The global average temperature of the facial (F), auricular (A), periocular (PO), nasal (N) and rectal (R) regions was 33.7±1.9; 31.4±3.6; 32.1±0.9; 28.9±4.5 and 38.3±0.8 oC respectively. A difference (p<0.05) was observed between the temperature of A and PO as well as between PO and N, but not between A and N. The present study allowed us to show an increase (p=0.0484) in the temperature mean PO ROI in G4 animals compared to G1 and a correlation with R temperature and peak temperature in the PO region in all groups. It is concluded that the increase in temperature of the periocular region and the nasal plane observed through infrared thermal imaging of the facial surface of hospitalized cats suggests the presence of clinically relevant acute pain. Facial thermography is a safe and non-invasive diagnostic method that complements other methods of identifying pain in cats.

Comparison of head–neck positions and conflict behaviour in ridden elite dressage horses between warm-up and competition

The use of specific head–neck positions (HNPs) in horse riding have been identified to directly affect wellbeing of horses. In the rulebook of the International Equestrian federation (FEI), HNPs with the nasal plane in front of the vertical are mandatory, as well as ensuring horses to be “happy athletes”. Deviations from this should be reflected in the scoring of dressage competitions. We investigated ridden elite dressage horses in warm-up areas and during competition, and hypothesised a relationship between the HNP, behavioural indicators and the scores. Forty-nine starters (83%) of an international dressage competition (Grand Prix Special (CDIO5*) at CHIO (Aachen (Germany) in 2018 and 2019) were examined. We analysed HNPs (angle at vertical, poll angle and shoulder angle) as well as conflict behaviour (CB), e.g. unusual oral behaviour (OB) and tail swishing (TS), in the warm-up area and during competition in 3 min-videos (6571 frames). Conflict behaviour was evaluated using the Observer XT with the focus animal method according to an ethogram. Scores given by judges in the competition were noted. Data were analysed with six linear mixed effects models, where phase of competition and year (both factors with two levels) were fixed effects, and the horse was a random effect. Dependent variables were poll angle, angle at vertical, shoulder angle, TS, OB and total CB. Further, we evaluated another three models to evaluate if the vertical angle affected the response variables (TS, OB or CB). Hereby, angle at the vertical (continuous) and year (factor with two levels) were fixed effects, and the horse was considered as a random effect. The horses’ nasal plane was behind the vertical more often during warm-up than during competition (−11° vs. −5°; P<.01). Further, the poll angle was larger during competition than during warm-up (28° vs. 24°; P<.01). Horses showed more total CB and OB during warm-up than during competition (count: 163 and 107 vs. 120 and 78; P<.01). Horses tended to show more CB and OB when their nasal plane was behind the vertical. Tail swishing was not affected by angle at the vertical. Scores given by the judges correlated with HNPs during competition (R = 0.38; P<.05). These results undermine animal welfare concerns during world class dressage competitions.

Erythematous pemphigus in dog without defined breed: case report

Pemphigus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease without a cure. It has a predisposition to the Collies and Sharpeis breeds, regardless of age and gender. Clinical signs range from nasal plane depigmentation to erosions and ulcerations. Its diagnosis is made by a combination of the clinical signs shown by the animal, as well as by laboratory examinations. Therapy of the disease is done by the use of immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications. The prognosis of the disease is considered good if the disease is adequately controlled. The present report aimed to describe a case of Pemphigus Erythematosus in dog that was attended in the veterinary school clinic of UNICENTRO, in order to clarify the way of diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

A Rotation Alar Fold Flap for Cosmetic Nasal Plane Reconstruction: Description of the Technique and Outcome in Three Dogs.

Nasal planum reconstruction is a surgical challenge, and several surgical techniques have been described. The objective of this study was to describe the rotation alar fold flap technique and to report clinical outcomes in a short case series. The feasibility of the technique was first assessed in a canine cadaveric model. The rotation alar fold flap was obtained by a single sharp horizontal incision of the dorsolateral nasal cartilage, preserving the caudal mucosal attachment to the ventral nasal concha. The flap was then rotated ventro-medially for the reconstruction of the ventral aspect of the nasal planum unilaterally or bilaterally. The rotation alar fold flap technique was used following a subtotal or partial planectomy for excision of a squamous cell carcinoma or mast cell tumors in three dogs. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Superficial surgical site infection was reported in two cases and minor dehiscence was reported in one case. However, survival of the flap was not affected. The cosmetic and functional outcomes were considered very satisfactory in all cases. The rotation alar fold flap technique offers a safe, valuable, feasible, functional and aesthetically satisfactory alternative surgical option for selected cases of localized tumor involving the central and ventral planum.

Bluetongue disease in sheep in New South Wales - April 2023.

In 2016, bluetongue virus (BTV), serotype 16 (BTV-16), was detected in New South Wales (NSW) in sentinel cattle for the first time. Over the next 6 years, BTV-16 has been detected regularly and over an increasing area of the BTV zone in NSW. In April 2023, disease was reported in sheep on two farms on the Northern Tablelands of NSW. The consistent clinical signs included reduced exercise tolerance, facial swelling, serous nasal discharges with encrustation of the nasal plane, subcutaneous oedema of the neck and brisket and variable congestion of the coronary band. Affected sheep were mainly mature ewes and rams, with an estimated morbidity of 20% over a period of 6-8 weeks. Although there were several unexpected deaths, no veterinary examination was sought. Predominantly BTV-16 RNA was detected in sick sheep, with an incidence of infection of approximately 40% in a cross section of one flock. These events represent the first confirmation of disease due to bluetongue virus in NSW. As these cases occurred in a region with a high density of sheep, if there is ongoing transmission of BTV-16 during subsequent summers, further disease might be expected.

DISCOID LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS IN DOG

Lupus erythematosus complex is an immune-mediated dermatological disease, mainly represented by the generalized and discoid forms. The last form described is milder, as it is limited to the appearance of lesions, usually on the face and in mucocutaneous regions. Its pathophysiology is considered multifactorial, however, continuous exposure to ultraviolet radiation seems to be very relevant to trigger and/or worsen clinical manifestations. DeÞ nitive diagnosis is obtained by histopathological analysis, and treatment is mainly based on immunosuppression and protection against ultraviolet radiation. The objective of this study was to report the case and clinical evolution of a mixed breed bitch, diagnosed with discoid lupus erythematosus. The bitch presented moderate desquamation, crusts and depigmentation restricted to the nasal plane. No other clinical or laboratory Þ ndings were evidenced in the screening tests. Upon conÞ rmation by histopathology, the initial therapy was started with oral prednisolone. The owners were also instructed to avoid exposure to sunlight, as well as to use topical protectors against ultraviolet radiation. The patient presented good response to therapy, showing remission of signs. Other sporadic recurrences were observed later, however, they were controlled only with topical corticosteroids, but always reinforcing the other precautions of environmental management. This work also addressed the risks, beneÞ ts and need to institute ongoing care to control discoid lupus erythematosus. Therapeutic success can vary among patients, as the intensity of the disease can be manifested in varying degrees. Therefore, in those individuals in which the condition is mild, it may be advantageous to opt for more conservative therapies in order to avoid side effects.

Noseband Fit: Measurements and Perceptions of Canadian Equestrians.

Simple SummaryThere is a concern for the welfare of competition horses and the issues presented by incorrect noseband fit. Nineteen volunteer Stewards used a noseband taper gauge to measure the noseband fit of 551 competition horses during the 2021 season at a variety of Canadian equestrian events. Over 70% of competition horse nosebands measured met the two-finger rule. Stewards agreed that a standardized measure was useful across disciplines although they did not agree that it should be mandatory. Surveys were collected from 27 Stewards and 1528 members of Equestrian Canada to gather perceptions and opinions on noseband use and fit. The most common type of noseband was a cavesson and respondents indicated they used a noseband mostly because it was expected or for safety and control reasons. Riders expressed a desire for the option to not wear a noseband in competition. Professional riders were more distrustful of using a taper gauge to measure noseband fit and did not feel overtightened nosebands were as much of an issue as amateur riders. To advance equestrian practice, more education is needed on the reasons for noseband measurements and appropriate fit.Recent concerns regarding horse welfare during competition has highlighted the occurrence of overtightened nosebands on competition horses. Current rules are often vague—e.g., “nosebands may never be so tightly fixed as to harm the horse.” To investigate the need and acceptance prior to any rule changes Equestrian Canada (EC) launched a pilot noseband measuring project. Nineteen officiating stewards measured noseband fit using the ISES taper gauge (TG) at 32 equestrian events of various disciplines in 2021. Additionally, stakeholder surveys collected data from 1528 EC members and 27 stewards regarding opinions and perceptions on noseband use, fit, measurement and rules. Descriptive and qualitative statistics along with Pearson chi-squared examined relationships between specific variables. Of the 551 horses tested with the TG, 71% passed the 1.5 cm (two-fingers) measurement and an additional 19% passed the 1 cm (one-finger) measurement. Stewards unanimously agreed that overtightened nosebands present a welfare issue although 63% believed this to represent only a small subset of riders. While 60% of stewards believed the current rules were sufficient, 40% did not. Despite the fact that 84% of stewards believe there should be a standardized fit across disciplines, 52% felt the use of the TG should be at their discretion. The top three reasons riders indicated for using nosebands were discipline expectation (41%), requirement for competition (39%) or for control/safety (32%). Open comments referred to an option to not wear a noseband in competition. Professional riders believed overtightened nosebands were less of a welfare issue than amateur riders (76% vs. 88% respectively; p < 0.025) and correspondingly did not feel the TG was a fair method (44% vs. 68% respectively; p < 0.001). Slightly more than half of the respondents (51.5%) believed that measuring noseband fit on the frontal nasal plane was the appropriate location. To advance equestrian practice, more education is needed to inform stakeholders of the reasons for noseband measurements and appropriate fit.

Equine conflict behaviors in dressage and their relationship to performance evaluation

In the equestrian discipline of dressage, the behavior encouraged through judging should be based on correct and welfare-centered training techniques. Certain behaviors in the ridden horse result from unclear or conflicting cues from the rider and can be referred to as conflict behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of these behaviors during Preliminary, Novice and Elementary level British Dressage (BD) tests, and to examine their relationship with performance evaluation by the judge. Data were collected from 75 dressage tests in November and December 2019. Each test was filmed, and the judges’ scores were collected. Between five and seven movements (i.e., small numbered sections into which dressage tests are divided) within each test were analyzed and the frequency of conflict behaviors displayed used to derive a behavior score for each movement. These behaviors were recorded in six subsections: head, ears, mouth, tail, auditory and whole body. Conflict behaviors were seen in 97.6% of the movements analyzed, with horses displaying two or more such behaviors in 83% of movements. There was no significant association found between judge score and overall behavior score but there was a negative correlation between whole-body scores and judge score (Spearman's rank correlation: P<0.001). Horses with their nasal plane in front of the vertical were awarded lower judge scores than those with their nasal plane either vertical (Wilcoxon rank sum test: P<0.01), or less than 30° behind the vertical (P<0.001). Judge scores were significantly higher for movements in which horses had their ears forward compared to those in which ears were held back (Wilcoxon rank sum test: P<0.05) or to the side (P<0.05). No association was found between judge score and mouth or tail behavior. Significantly higher mouth behavior scores were seen within downwards transitions (e.g., canter to trot) compared to movements that involved changing the rein (Wilcoxon rank sum test: P<0.05) or circling to the right (P<0.05). Conflict behaviors occurred in almost all the dressage movements analyzed, but the only association with performance score was when the behavior involved the horse's whole body and/or the head and neck. Behavioral signs of conflict are indicative of compromised welfare in ridden horses and the results of this study suggest that a greater focus on such behavior should be included in dressage judge training and performance evaluation.

Atypical Transmissible Venereal Tumor in Dogs

Background: The Transmissible Venereal Tumor (TVT), classified as a round cell tumor, is considered one of the oldest existing tumors. It affects dogs all over the world and has a contagious characteristic. Despite the good response to clinical treatment in most cases, it can sometimes have non-classical presentations and even different behavior. Thus, the present study aims to report 3 cases of atypical TVT treated at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the State University of Maringá (UEM) in Umuarama, Paraná, aiming to describe the epidemiology and clinical-pathological aspects, focusing on the diagnostic method used, the treatment of choice and the clinical follow-up of each case.Cases: Case records of 3 intact male mongrel dogs with atypical Transmissible Venereal Tumor (case 1: intranasal; case 2: intra-abdominal and case 3: cutaneous with lymph node metastasis) were reviewed regarding history, clinical signs, duration of clinical signs, examination findings, results and findings of complementary exams (hematological, biochemical, radiographic, ultrasonographic and cytological), treatment, follow-up and final result. Case 1: had an ulcerated mass in the nasal plane causing significant airway obstruction and respiratory difficulty. Case 2: had a lesion in a typical location (penile mucosa in the glans area) but with a large intra-abdominal mass in the lumbar paravertebral region, causing compression of important structures. Case 3: on the other hand, had cutaneous TVT with several ulcerated plaque lesions all over the skin, in addition to popliteal lymph node enlargement due to metastasis later confirmed by microscopy. All dogs reported were mixed breed, intact males with free access to the street. Despite the fact that each patient had their own anatomical tumor characteristics, they were all diagnosed through cytological examination and all classified as lymphocytic TVT. The standard treatment for this neoplasm was instituted; the chosen chemotherapy was vincristine sulfate at a dose of 0.75 mg/m2 intravenously every 7 days for 5-7 weeks. In addition, all 3 animals needed supportive treatment due to anorexia, bacterial contamination secondary to injuries, dehydration and pain.Discussion: Usually, TVT is not considered malignant, not causing metastasis, however it is now known that its behavior has changed a lot and more and more cases of metastatic or highly infiltrative TVT have been reported. The 3 cases presented in this report had epidemiological characteristics as mentioned in the literature, but the location, macroscopic and radiographic characteristics are uncommon for this neoplasm, that is, with an atypical tumor presentation. This demonstrates the importance of a good clinical evaluation and, especially, of the cytological exam, which was essential for the definitive diagnosis for the three cases presented. It is speculated that more “aggressive” cases of TVT may be correlated with the plasmacytic cytological type, however none of the patients described here had this cytological presentation. Thus, the clinician must be aware of the risk factors associated with this neoplasia, because even in non-classical presentations, the lymphocytic cell morphological characteristic was present and the patients responded well to the classic treatment, not requiring a change in chemotherapy protocols, however a special attention must be paid to the particularities involved in each presentation of the same tumor in different patients. Keywords: TVT, canine, neoplasm, metastasis, cytology.

Feline Sporotrichosis in the periocular region - Successful Treatment with Itraconazole

Background: Sporotrichosis is a zoonotic disease caused by a dimorphic fungi of the Sporothrix schenckii complex. It is an emerging zoonosis with worldwide distribution, thus of great importance to public health. The infection occurs from traumatic inoculation of the fungus in the human skin from contaminated plants and soils and through bites or scratches of infected animals. The occurrence of sporotrichosis has been related to zoonotic transmission, especially by domestic felines. This work aims to report the successful use of itraconazole as monotherapy in a case of localized feline sporotrichosis and highlight the effectiveness of cytology in its diagnosis.Case: A 1-year-and-4-month-old spayed female cat undefined breed, weighing 3.1 kg, was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Universidade Estadual de Maringá (UEM), city of Umuarama, presenting a serosanguinous ulcerative lesion located in the left periocular region The clinical picture of the patient progressed over 3 months. Treatments with antibiotic therapy, corticosteroids, and surgical procedures were conducted, without clinical improvement. A new lesion in the distal portion of the thoracic limb emerged, proving that the disease remained in progression. Hematological exams were performed, among them hemogram, renal and hepatic biochemical analyses, SNAPS to identify the feline immunodeficiency virus feline leukemia virus (FIV/FeLV), and cytology of the lesion through imprints. The hematological results were all within the normal standards for the species. Cytology showed a large amount of oval and fusiform structures phagocyted by polymorphonuclear cells, free at the bottom of the slide, compatible with Sporothrix spp. The treatment administered was itraconazole (100 mg/cat), orally administered every 24 h, cefovecin sodium 8 mg/kg, subcutaneous, single dose, topical use of antifungal ointment based on ketoconazole, twice a day. The animal underwent periodic physical and hematological evaluations throughout the treatment period, without significant changes. Complete remission of the lesion was observed after 25 weeks of treatment.Discussion: Cutaneous lesions caused by Sporothrix spp. are mainly located in the head, specifically in the nasal plane, pinna, and periocular regions, presenting ulcerative characteristics and exudate. The dissemination of the fungus through the animal's body may occur through autoinoculation while the feline scratches or licks itself. The cytology presents high sensitivity for diagnosing feline sporotrichosis due to the high fungal load found in the cutaneous lesions. In addition, it is a technique easy to perfom and presents immediate results, favoring an early beginning of the therapy. Itraconazole is considered the drug of choice for the treatment of sporotrichosis because of its efficacy and safety compared to that of other antifungal drugs. The average time of treatment is 4 to 9 months in cats, and it must be maintained for another month after complete remission of the clinical signs to prevent the reactivation of the lesions. FIV and FeLV are not predominant factors for the development of the disease. The use of itraconazole as monotherapy proved to be effective, with no side effects throughout the treatment. Cytology was satisfactory as a diagnostic method and allowed immediate initiation of therapy. Awareness regarding the forms of transmission and prevention of this zoonosis is instrumental.Keywords: Sporothrix spp., zoonosis, monotherapy, itraconazole, cytology.Título: Esporotricose felina na região periocular - eficácia do tratamento com itraconazol.Descritores: Sporothrix spp., zoonose, monoterapia, itraconazol, citologia.

Diagnosis of Pemphigus associated with canine Leishmaniosis: a Case Report

Pemphigus is an autoimmune dermatological condition that affects dogs and has in its clinical aspects a similarity to leishmaniasis, in which a differential diagnosis by means of histopathological examination is necessary. The present study sought to report a case of a dog, male, mixed breed, 10 years old, diagnosed with pemphigus and, later, diagnosed with leishmaniosis. Upon diagnosis, the animal presented only a lesion in the nasal plane, without apathy and without systemic changes, as evidenced by hematological and biochemical tests. After performing histopathological examination, the animal was diagnosed with pemphigus and underwent immunosuppressive treatment, obtaining significant improvement of the lesion. Under clinical suspicion of leishmaniasis, the animal was subjected to serological exams RIFI and ELISA resulting in an indeterminate result in ELISA and 1/40 reagent in the RIFI. As this is not a very relevant result, it was decided to perform another histopathological examination of the lesion where the presence of Leishmania spp. In this new exam it was not possible to obtain a diagnosis of pemphigus again, since the animal was under immunosuppressive treatment. Therefore, it is concluded that, in cases of co-infection of autoimmune diseases, such as pemphigus and canine leishmaniasis, the differential diagnosis by means of histopathological examination is extremely relevant to the patient's therapeutic success and prognosis. Thus, it is necessary to note that the diagnosis of pemphigus does not exclude the diagnosis of leishmaniosis.

Noseband and poll pressures underneath bitted and bitless bridles and the effects on equine locomotion

There is an increasing trend towards the use of bitless bridles within the equine industry, but a lack of quantitative literature on their effects. This study aimed to measure the pressures underneath the noseband and headpiece of two designs of bitless bridle in comparison to a bitted snaffle bridle, and to measure trot kinematics in all three bridles. Five horses were each ridden in three different bridles, a snaffle bridle with cavesson noseband (SN), a side pull bitless bridle (SP), and a cross under bitless bridle (CU), over three days in a Latin square design. The SP bridle showed a significantly higher average noseband pressure (4.42 ± 1.52 N/cm2; median ± IQR) than the SN (2.67 ± 1.00 N/cm2) with the CU sitting between the two (2.96 ± 1.00 N/cm2). The pressures exerted by the SP design could be capable of causing tissue damage if sustained for long periods of time. The pressure increase is likely due to the attachment of the reins directly to the noseband in the SP bridle, meaning rein tension is concentrated on the frontal nasal plane, rather than being distributed more evenly across the head. There was no significant difference in headpiece pressures between the bridles. In the CU bridle a significant reduction in carpal flexion (98.10 ± 7.98o) and a more extended head and neck angle (112.04 ± 3.01o) were seen compared to the SN (93.58 ± 7.32o and 105.94 ± 6.98o respectively). These changes are associated with an extended back posture and reduced performance, and may be a result of avoidance behaviors arising from pressures underneath the jaw due to this bridle design. Removal of the bit from the horse's mouth means that rein tension forces are distributed to other facial structures. This study demonstrates that these forces are sufficiently high to possibly have detrimental effects. The design and use of bitless bridles should be carefully considered in light of this finding.

Skeletal and dentoalveolar contributions during ClassII correction with Forsus™ FRD appliances : Quantitative evaluation.

Primary objective of the study is to quantify and evaluate the skeletal and dental contributions during sagittal ClassII correction with the Forsus™ fatigue resistant device (FRD; 3M Unitek Corp., Monrovia, CA, USA). Secondary objective is to evaluate the overall vertical, soft tissue and chin-throat relation changes with the Forsus™ appliance. Aretrospective sample of 27ClassII patients treated with the Forsus™ FRD appliance was compared to 20untreated control subjects who were matched according to age and craniofacial morphology. Pre-Forsus™ (T0) and Post-Forsus™ (T1) cephalograms were subjected to composite cephalometric analysis. Growth changes were subtracted from the treatment changes to obtain the treatment effects of the appliance. The data were analyzed using Student's t‑test and independent ttest. Significant differences were found between the treated and the control group in 16of 29measured variables. The overjet and molar relation improved by 4.23 mm and 4.49 mm, respectively. This was mainly achieved by backward movement of maxillary incisors (1.4 mm) and molars (1.22 mm) and forward movement of mandibular incisors (2.26 mm) and molars (2.70 mm). Overbite decreased by 2.24 mm with no changes in mandibular and nasal plane angles. The Forsus™ FRD was effective in correcting ClassII malocclusion mainly at the dentoalveolar level. The net skeletal and dentoalveolar contributions towards both overjet and molar correction was 13% and 87%, respectively. The improvement in soft tissue profile and chin-throat configuration was statistically insignificant.

Feline cryptococcosis attended in the municipality of Sinop: Case report

Cryptococcosis is a non-contagious systemic mycosis caused by yeasts of the Cryptococcus genus, which can affect humans, domestic and wild animals. Transmission occurs through the inhalation of these airborne yeasts from contaminated environments. In domestic cats, it stands out for infection of the upper respiratory tract, of the cutaneous system, which can reach the central nervous system and still present itself in a disseminated form. Treatment is carried out through the use of antifungals such as fluconazole, itraconazole and amphotericin B for long periods. This article rehearses a case of cryptococcosis in a 10-year-old mixed breed feline with free access to the street. The animal has an ulcerative lesion in the nasal plane, nasal discharge, depression and anorexia. The diagnosis was identified through microbiological culture. Link the severity of the patient's condition to a conduct adopted for euthanasia. Early diagnosis is essential for the establishment of adequate treatment and a favorable prognosis since cryptococcosis, although rare, can be potentially fatal.

Growth and sexual dimorphism of the hyoid bone and its relationship to the mandible from birth to 19 years: A three-dimensional computed tomography study.

The hyoid bone and the hyomandibular complex subserve the functions of respiration, deglutition, and speech. This study quantified the growth of the hyoid bone and the hyomandibular relationships in males and females from birth to 19 years. Using 97 computed tomography (CT) scans, from a previous study (Kelly et al., 2017) on mandibular growth from 49 individuals (16 with longitudinal scans), landmarks were placed on 3D CT models and used to calculate four distance, and three angular measurements. A general increase in growth trend was observed in hyoid bone linear measurements-length, width, and depth-as well as relational mandible-to-hyoid distance, throughout the developmental ages examined in both males and females, with most variables having larger measurements for females up to age 10 years. A general decrease in all three angular measurements was observed in both males and females up to approximately age 12 years, at which time male angular measurements gradually increased with significant sexual dimorphism emerging after age 15 years. As expected, postpubertal males had greater hyoid angle than females; they also had greater hyoid angle of inclination than mandible body inclination (with inclination relative to the anterior-posterior nasal plane), likely related to hyo-laryngeal descent. This study contributes to normative data on hyoid bone and hyomandibular relational growth in typically developing individuals and provides a baseline against which structural and functional influences on anatomic growth may be examined by clinical disciplines that address the aerodigestive and speech functions, as well as the fields of anatomy, forensics, and anthropology.

Histiocitoma fibroso maligno en el plano nasal de un perro: Reporte de caso

One dog, female, poodle, 8 years old, presented the main complaint of ulcerated lesion in the nasal plane, with evolution of approximately six months. The animal was submitted to anesthesia to remove the 0.5 cm diameter nodule. The material was sent for routine histopathological examination with Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Histopathological examination showed a nodular mass, with ill-defined edges, consisting of rounded cells of sparse cytoplasm and condensed nuclear chromatin that extended from the superficial dermis and dissected part of the epidermis. These cells had a high pleomorphism pattern and a high nucleus: cytoplasm ratio. Intermingling the stroma, a large number of vascular structures were observed, ranging from the basal surface to the superficial dermis. Immunohistochemical examination revealed strong marking for the main MHCII histocompatibility complex that strongly stains lymphocytes and histiocytes that correspond to the tumoral and proliferative structure of the tumor's neoplastic cells. Histiocytic tumors as well as histiocytomas are relatively common in young dogs and fibrous histiocytomas are more rarely diagnosed in dogs, occurring more commonly in humans. In this report, the pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics that allowed the diagnosis are described, enabling the differentiation between non-fibrotic histiocytomas and other common canine neoplasms.

Non-Epitheliotropic Cutaneous Lymphoma with Systemic Dissemination in a Dog

Background: Cutaneous lymphoma is a highly malignant neoplasm, which can originate in the epidermis or dermis, as well as be disseminated to other organs such as lung, heart, arm, liver and bone marrow. It comes in the form of nodes of various sizes, erythematous and alopecic, itching may or may not occur. The diagnosis is made by cytological and histopathological examination of the compromised tissue. However, it is important to perform complementary tests for clinical staging and prognostic characterization. The objective is to report a case of non-epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma with systemic dissemination in a dog.Case: A female mixed bred adult canine was attended at the Veterinary Hospital of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul with a history of progressive weight loss and the presence of alopecic and non-pruritic subcutaneous nodules in the torso, nasal plane and pelvic limbs, starting 4 months ago. After approximately 20 days, the presence of rapidly evolving ulcerated nodules was noted. On physical examination, generalized lymphadenomegaly was observed and among the dermatological findings were multiple nodules of varying sizes with the presence of ulceration in the center of the lesions, alopecia, erythema and raised edges, in the region of the nasal sinus, pelvic and thoracic limbs, tail, thoracolumbar and abdominal region. The animal also presented right pelvic limb edema with painful sensibility to manipulation CBC and biochemical tests (albumin, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, urea, alkaline phosphatase, globulins, total proteins and fractions) were performed, being observed as normocytic normochromic type anemia alteration (erythrocytes: 2.78 106/µL; hemoglobin: 6.8 g/µL; globular volume: 18.8%), leukopenia (4,000/mm³) with presence of metamyelocytes (120/mm³) and rods (1,080/mm³) and lymphopenia (80/mm³). Three samples of the nodules were collected for histopathological examination and a definitive diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma was obtained. The material was then submitted to immunohistochemical examination, which showed that it was a non-epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma of T immunophenotype. Due to the compromised quality of life and unfavorable prognosis, the owner opted for euthanasia of the animal. In the necropsy examination, lymph nodes, subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, heart, pericardial sac, tongue and multifocal infiltrate of neoplastic cells were observed, findings suggestive of multicentric lymphoma or infiltrations by dissemination of cutaneous lymphoma.Discussion: Non-epitheliotropic skin lymphomas exhibit rapid progression and infiltration into lymph nodes and subsequent systemic involvement. The diagnosis is based on clinical-dermatological signs, fine needle cytology, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Normocytic normochromic anemia is the most observed alteration in patients with lymphoma, followed by leukocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, neutrophilia and leukoerythroblastic reactions. Dogs with T-cell lymphoma have a worse prognosis for life span and disease-free intervals than those with B-cell lymphoma, so immunophenotyping is critical to determine prognosis. In the present report, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were decisive for the diagnosis of the present report, because the expression CD3 and the negativity for CD79a proved that the neoplasm is of T lymphocyte lineage. The definitive diagnosis was obtained by histopathology, however, immunohistochemistry determined the immunophenotype of the neoplasia as non-epitheliotropic T lymphocyte.

Occurrence of Cutaneous Neoplasia in Dogs with Actinic Dermatitis in a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital - UFRGS, Brazil

Background: Actinic dermatitis is an environmental skin disease resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet light irradiated by the sun. This phototoxic reaction affects dogs and cats, particularly with short hair and lightly pigmented skin, exposed to sun light. Primary lesions are typical from a sunburn and chronic exposure, and may induce to a premalignant lesion known as actinic keratosis, which may develop to neoplasms. The aim of the present study was to describe a retrospective study of actinic dermatitis and the occurrence of cutaneous neoplasia in dogs presented to a Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (HCV/UFRGS) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil in a period of 10 years.Materials, Methods &amp; Results: A retrospective review of medical records from January 2009 to December 2019 was performed to identify dogs with actinic dermatitis. Twenty-eight dogs were diagnosed based on a history of sun exposure and skin lesions including erythema, scaling, comedones, thickened skin, hyperpigmentation, ulceration and/or secondary infections on poorly pigmented skin. In addition, in twelve dogs (42.8%) the disease was also confirmed by histopathology. Cutaneous lesions locations were previously defined as head, limbs, neck and trunk. The head was subdivided in chin, ears, face, lips and nasal plane; the limbs in pelvic and thoracic; and the trunk, in abdomen, dorsal pelvis, perianal and thorax. All 28 dogs diagnosed with actinic dermatitis in the study had been chronically exposed to solar radiation and had light skin and coat. Dogs were between 3 and 20 years old, mean 7.6 years and median 7 years, mostly female dogs (64.2%) and neutered or spayed (64.2%). The most affected breeds were American Pitbull Terrier (35.7%) and Boxers (28.5%). Other breeds were Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, Dogo Argentino and Scottish Terrier. In 15 cases, tumors were confirmed by cytopathology or histopathology, resulting in 9 different skin tumors and two types of cysts (epidermoid and follicular). Among these, the most prevalent malignant neoplasm was squamous cell carcinoma (66.7%), followed by mast cell tumor (40%), hemangiosarcoma (26.6%), and basal cell carcinoma (6.6%). Five benign tumors were identified: hemangioma (13.3%), fibroma (6.6%), lipoma (6.6%), sebaceous adenoma (6.6%) and trichoepithelioma (6.6%). The most prevalent location for actinic lesions was the trunk (92.8%), being more prevalent on the ventral abdomen (82.1%). Actinic lesions were also present on head, neck and limbs. In 13/15 patients (86.6%), actinic lesions and at least one neoplasia location matched.Discussion: Actinic dermatitis tends to occurs in mid-aged to senile dogs because of the disease progressive and chronic behavior and owners delay to detect early clinical signs. In fact, actinic dermatitis was diagnosed at the average age of 7.6 years in the present study. The skin lesions were mostly located on light hair areas and were not observed on pigmented skin. The trunk (mainly the abdomen) had higher frequency of skin lesions compared to other anatomic areas, possibly because some dogs like to sunbathe at dorsal or lateral recumbency, some floor types can reflect sunlight, and some ventral abdomen are hairless. Ultraviolet radiation causes important local and systemic immunogenic changes. The impairment of the immune system and antigen recognition can influence cutaneous susceptibility to develop neoplasm. In conclusion, approximately 50% of the dogs with actinic dermatitis were associated with different skin neoplasm. The most prevalent was squamous cell carcinoma, mast cell tumor and hemangiosarcoma. Actinic lesions and neoplasm matched location in almost all patients with both conditions, however it was not possible to define if solar radiation had predisposed the occurrence of all observed neoplasms. Further studies are needed to prove the influence of ultraviolet radiation in the development of different cutaneous neoplasms.

The Right Angle: Validating a standardised protocol for the use of infra-red thermography of eye temperature as a welfare indicator

AbstractInfra-red thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive tool for measuring eye temperature as an indicator of stress and welfare in animals. Previous studies state that images are taken from 90° but do not specify a reference point or method of standardisation. The aims of the current study were to determine whether the position of the IRT camera has an impact on recorded temperature and which camera position is optimal for indicating stress in a mammal with anterolateral eyes. IRT images were taken from 90° to the nasal plane, eye and sagittal plane on the left side of the horses’ faces (n = 14) at eye level before and after exposure to a novel object. Distance and angle of measurement was standardised using ground markers. Temperature at each point of measurement was compared against heart rate variability. A significant difference was found between recorded temperature at all three of the points of measurement, both before and after the novel object test, suggesting that IRT camera position has an impact on eye temperature results. There was a significant strong positive correlation between eye temperature taken from 90° to the sagittal plane and heart rate variability, but no such correlation was observed from 90° to the nasal plane or eye. This suggests that a 90° angle in relation to the sagittal plane is the optimal position for taking eye temperature measurements using IRT, whereas 90° to the eye is commonly used. This study offers a validated protocol for using IRT to measure stress and welfare in mammals with anterolateral eyes.

Use of Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis

Background: Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a worldwide zoonosis, with dogs being the main urban reservoirs. It is caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania spp. and is transmitted to mammals through a vector belonging to the phlebotomines family. Its treatment aims to reduce the parasitic load preventing these animals from being transmitters. Immunotherapy has been shown to be efficient in stimulating the patient's immune response, improving the general condition and preventing recurrence. This report describes the case of a dog diagnosed with canine visceral leishmaniasis submitted to immunotherapy and drug protocol, noting significant general improvement.Case: An 8-year-old female dog was treated with ulcerated lesions on the paw pads, nasal plane and lip region, onychogryphosis and ungeitis, in addition, hypertrophied popliteal lymph nodes and erosive lesions in the elbows, without improvement with previous treatments. Serological examination was then performed to diagnose leishmaniasis by the immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique with negative results. In addition, was performed puncture of the popliteal lymph node, sample in which amastigote forms of Leishmania were observed and blood sample analysis by immunochromatographic rapid test showing reagent result, confirming the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis. The treatment protocol with marbofloxacin, allopurinol, prednisolone and domperidone was initiated. Thirty days later, there was a total improvement of the lesions and healing of the paw pads. Immunotherapy was then initiated by applying three double doses of recombinant vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniasis. The applications were made subcutaneously, with an interval of 21 days between them, still maintaining allopurinol. After six months a fourth double dose of the vaccine was applied and ten days later a new serological examination was performed using the Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (IIFR) technique with total dilution, with the result not reagent. Four months later, the patient was reevaluated and a new serological test was performed through the IIFR technique with total dilution and the result was reagent with high titration (1: 320). Then began the use of milteforan and domperidone. After two months, the patient received a new vaccination booster and the use of domperidone was discontinued. After ten days a new serological examination was performed using the IIIRF technique with total dilution, with reagent result, but with minimal titration (1:40).Discussion: Canine visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic zoonosis of major public health importance. The dog, due to its proximity to humans, is considered the main reservoir of the disease. Although clinical signs are nonspecific, skin lesions such as nasal hyperkeratosis, ulcers and hyperpigmentation, as well as clinical manifestations such as lymphadenopathy, fever, epistaxis and ophthalmic changes are frequently observed. In this case, the patient presented most of the lesions described in the literature. Laboratory abnormalities in blood count and serum biochemistry, commonly observed, were not observed in the animal. The ELISA serological test, despite being used as a screening test, due to its ability to detect low antibody titers, was negative in this case. The diagnosis was confirmed by lymph node cytology, described in the literature as a confirmatory test despite being considered invasive by most authors and positive result in rapid immunochromatography test. With the protocol used, the animal showed improvement, being observed negative results or with low titration of anti-leishmania antibodies in a serological test performed using the IFAT technique, indicating a decrease in parasitic load.