Trauma In Dogs Research Articles

Determination of plasma lysosomal enzyme activity and its relationship to severity of injury following blunt vehicular trauma in dogs

AbstractObjective: To determine plasma β‐d‐glucuronidase (βG) activity in the first 4 hours following injury in dogs struck by a motor vehicle, and to evaluate whether the degree of enzyme activity is correlated with the severity of injury.Design: A prospective clinical study.Setting: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.Animals: Thirteen client‐owned dogs that were presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between June and August 1999 for blunt vehicular trauma. Ten healthy student and staff‐owned dogs served as controls.Interventions: None.Measurements: Plasma was analyzed for βG enzyme activity at the time of presentation (n=13), and 1 and 4 hours (n=7) following presentation to the Emergency Service for blunt vehicular trauma. The results were compared with enzyme activity from healthy controls evaluated serially over 4 hours. Fluorometric analysis using 96‐well microtiter plates was used to perform the enzyme assays. The relationships between presentation (n=13) and 4 hours (n=7) of enzyme activity and 3 indices of metabolic and physical disturbance (serum pH, serum lactate and Animal Trauma Triage (ATT) score) at the time of presentation were also investigated.Main results: Of the 13 dogs, 7 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for comparison of enzyme activity of the trauma over time. A statistically significant difference in βG activity was found in the trauma group (mean 75.6±10.4 U) at 4 hours following presentation compared with controls (mean 48.0±6.4 U). This difference was suggested by 1 hour following presentation (trauma group, mean 70.4±10.9 U; control group, mean 49.8±5.5 U), although it did not reach statistical significance. Thirteen dogs fulfilled the inclusion criteria for comparison of only presentation enzyme activity with trauma severity score, serum lactate, and serum pH. No statistically significant relationship was found between the βd‐glucuronidase activity and the presenting ATT score, serum lactate concentration, or serum pH at either presentation or 4 hours, although the power of these analyses was low.Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the activity of βG, a lysosomal enzyme, increases significantly in the systemic circulation in dogs 4 hours following blunt trauma. Additional research to include more severely injured dogs, a larger number of dogs, and to follow the course of injury for a longer period of time would be beneficial to further characterize βG activity following blunt trauma.

Apoptotic lymphocytes induced by surgical trauma in dogs.

An investigation was made of the population and function of lymphocytes in canine peripheral blood, in animals with or without laparotomy under inhalation anesthesia. Fourteen healthy beagles were allocated to two experimental groups: laparotomy (group A) and without laparotomy (group B). Induction of anesthesia in both groups was carried out with an intravenous injection of thiopentone, and was maintained by isoflurane inhalation. Ten blood samples, consisting of 10 ml of venous blood withdrawn by venipuncture into syringes containing 200 units of preservative-free heparin, were taken, from before anesthesia to the 28th postoperative day. The blood samples were collected, and the number of lymphocytes, the lymphocyte subpopulations, the proportion of apoptotic lymphocytes, and plasma cortisol level were measured, and the blastoid transformation of lymphocytes was observed. Lymphopenia was observed in both groups after anesthesia. Flow cytometry indicated a greater reduction in the proportion of T lymphocytes than of B lymphocytes. Blast transformation was also depressed in both groups. Progression of apoptosis after anesthesia was demonstrated in both groups, with a higher percentage of apoptotic cells being observed in group A at 12 h after anesthesia (28.5 +/- 3.2% by TUNEL assay). Plasma levels of cortisol were elevated to a greater extent in group A at the end of anesthesia (10.3 +/- 0.8 microg/dl) than in group B (7.8 +/- 1.9 microg/dl). These results indicate that surgical trauma concomitant with anesthesia could impair immunocompetence by reducing the number and function of lymphocytes.

The Prognostic Value of the Modified Glasgow Coma Scale in Head Trauma in Dogs

A clinical coma scale modified from the Glasgow Coma Scale used for humans has been suggested as a useful predictor of outcome in the head trauma patient. The objective of this study was to correlate the modified Glasgow Coma Scale (MGCS) score of dogs with head trauma with their probability of survival. Thirty‐eight dogs with head trauma were selected and retrospectively evaluated. The information retrieved from the medical record of each dog included signalment, body weight, cause of head trauma, MGCS, presence of concurrent neck pain, and outcome (dead or alive) after 48 hours. Logistic regression was used to model survival in the 1st 48 hours as a function of MGCS, gender, weight, and calvarial fractures. The MGCS ranged from 5 to 18. Seven dogs died within 48 hours of the head trauma. The MGCS could predict the probability of survival in the 1st 48 hrs after head trauma with 50% probability in a patient with a score of 8. Gender, weight, and presence of skull fractures did not predict survival. In conclusion, the MGCS is a useful index for prediction of outcome in dogs with head trauma.

Hyperglycemia in dogs and cats with head trauma: 122 cases (1997-1999).

To determine whether hyperglycemia is associated with head trauma in dogs and cats and whether the degree of hyperglycemia corresponds to severity of neurologic injury or outcome. Retrospective study. 52 dogs and 70 cats with head trauma and 122 age- and species-matched control dogs and cats. Severity of head trauma was classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Blood glucose concentrations recorded within 1 hour after admission were compared between case and control animals and among groups when case animals were grouped on the basis of severity of head trauma or outcome. Blood glucose concentration was significantly associated with severity of head trauma in dogs and cats and was significantly higher in dogs and cats with head trauma than in the control animals. However, blood glucose concentration was not associated with outcome. Results suggest that dogs and cats with head trauma may have hyperglycemia and that degree of hyperglycemia was associated with severity of head trauma. However, degree of hyperglycemia was not associated with outcome for dogs and cats with head trauma. Because hyperglycemia can potentiate neurologic injury, iatrogenic hyperglycemia should be avoided in patients with head trauma.

ABSTRACT

Journal of Small Animal PracticeVolume 37, Issue 3 p. 137-137 ABSTRACT Contamination and infection of fractures resulting from gunshot trauma in dogs: 20 cases (1987–1992) First published: March 1996 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.1996.tb02363.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume37, Issue3March 1996Pages 137-137 RelatedInformation

Contamination and infection of fractures resulting from gunshot trauma in dogs: 20 cases (1987-1992)

Summary Medical records of 20 dogs with gunshot fractures were reviewed to determine the prevalence of preoperative contamination and postoperative osteomyelitis. Fractures were repaired primarily by application of a bone plate (n = 16) or external fixator (n = 2) in buttress fashion or application of interfragmentary screws and pins (n = 2). In 17 dogs, an autogenous bone graft was also used. Results of bacteriologic culture of swab specimens obtained intraoperatively for 15 of the 16 dogs that received antimicrobials preoperatively and for all 4 dogs that did not receive antimicrobials preoperatively were negative. Three dogs developed osteomyelitis at 6, 8, and 10 weeks following surgery; for all 3, results of bacteriologic culture of specimens obtained intraoperatively had been negative. Fracture healing was uncomplicated in the remaining dogs (mean follow-up time, 23 months; range, 2 to 58 months). Despite the potential for contamination associated with gunshot trauma, results indicated a low prevalence of preoperative fracture contamination and postoperative osteomyelitis. These results imply either a low contamination rate or treatable contamination of the perifracture area.

Spinal trauma in dogs and cats: a review of 51 cases.

The clinical and radiographical features, and the results of treatment of 41 dogs and 10 cats with traumatic injuries of the spine are reviewed. There was a poor correlation between the degree of vertebral displacement and the neurological condition of the animals. Eighteen cases were treated conservatively, 16 were treated surgically and 17 were destroyed. Surgery was reserved for animals with either severe or progressive neurological dysfunction, and vertebral body plating and hemilaminectomy were the commonest procedures. Of the cases treated conservatively 94.4 per cent showed significant neurological improvement compared with 87.5 per cent of those treated surgically.

The incidence of thoracic trauma in dogs with skeletal injury

ABSTRACTOne hundred dogs with skeletal injury were evaluated for co‐existing thoracic abnormalities. Parameters used to assess thoracic trauma were physical examination, thoracic radiographs, electrocardiograms and arterial blood gas PaO2. Thoracic abnormalities were found in 57 per cent of the dogs. Within this group, 77 per cent had abnormal thoracic radiographs, 44 per cent had abnormal low PaO2, and 30 per cent had cardiac arrhythmias. No clinical signs suggestive of thoracic injury were found on physical examination in 79 per cent of the dogs with thoracic lesions.

Extrinsic compression of the coronary arteries following cardiac trauma in dogs.

The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of extrinsic coronary artery compression following nonpenetrating cardiac trauma. Direct impact on the anterior surface of the heart was produced by a blunt air-pressurized impactor in 34 open-chest anesthetized dogs. Sections from the left anterior descending coronary artery and the left circumflex coronary artery were obtained for microscopic examination from each of the 17 dogs that survived the duration of observation (90 minutes). Gross examination of the external surface of the heart showed contusions over the anterior surface and prominent extravascular hemorrhage that followed the course of the left anterior descending coronary artery, showed no contusion or extravascular bleeding. In most instances, light microscopy showed narrowing of the lumen of the left anterior descending coronary artery with concave deformation resulting from compression by blood around the vessel. The cross-sections of the circumflex coronary artery, although sometimes oblong, showed no concave deformation. These observations suggest that extrinsic compression of the coronary artery may cause coronary narrowing following nonpenetrating cardiac trauma.

Trauma in Dogs and Cats: An Overview

Trauma is an important health hazard for dogs and cats. About 13 per cent of all patients seen in two large veterinary hospitals were for evaluation of injuries. Approximately 35 per cent of dogs and cats were injured severely, with an overall mortality rate of about 9 per cent from either spontaneous death or euthanasia. The major factor that influences an animal's chances of being injured is the owner's management of the animal's environment. Factors that influence the outcome of a traumatic event include the cause of injury, the amount of distribution of kinetic energy discharged into the animal, and the anatomic location of the injury. The veterinarian's role in dealing with trauma should be not only emergency resuscitation and definitive treatment of injured animals but also education of pet owners to the common environmental hazards that all too frequently affect their pets.

Regional blood volume changes of the lungs in response to the vegetative nerves stimulation.

Significant regional differences in the values of blood volume change response within one lobe of the lung upon the cervic sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves electrical stimulation have been demonstrated through the use of regional lung electroplethysmography method under the conditions of a minimal surgical trauma in dogs, cats, and rabbits kept in a supine position. The vascular component of the reaction has been isolated. It consists in blood volume increase in the lungs during the vagus stimulation and blood volume decrease during the sympathetic nerves stimulation. This response is very well manifested in central portions of the lung lobes and decreases progressively in peripheral direction. Blood volume changes due to different body positions relative to the gravitation direction have been demonstrated. Mechanisms of regional differences in blood volume changes have been discussed. The gravitation factor has been suggested to be also responsible for the formation of the neurogenic vasomotoric reaction in lungs.

A METHOD FOR COMPARING ENDOTRACHEAL CUFFS: A controlled study of tracheal trauma in dogs

Damage to the trachea produced in dogs by large and small residual volume cuffs during 6 h of IPPV was compared using a specially designed endotracheal tube. The cuffs under evaluation were adjusted to exert similar average pressures on the tracheal wall, so that many of the variables believed responsible for tracheal injury were controlled. The true compliance of the cuff was measured with the tube inside and outside the trachea of the anaesthetized dogs. The maximum estimated pressure transmitted to the tracheal wall, derived from these compliance curves, was found to equal the peak airway pressure in the presence of a small air leak past each cuff. At various tracheal wall pressures there were only very minor differences in tracheal damage between the large and small residual volume cuffs tested.

THE EFFECTS OF SHORT-WAVE DIATHERMY ON BONE REPAIR

1. Diathermy in repeated clinical doses causes a delay in the healing of fractures in rabbits and in the union of bone grafts in dogs. The new-hone new-bond formation and callus are of poor structural quality. 2. Diathermy causes a decrease in the formation of osteoporosis following bone trauma in dogs and rabbits. 3. the continued use of diathermy in clinical closes causes oedema of the skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscles in rabbits. 4. There is marked stimulation of hair growth in rabbits within four days following the use of diathermy. 5. Theuse of diathermy causes a marked delay in the healing of sutgical wounds in dogs and rabbits.