Veterinární medicína, 2014 (vol. 59), issue 3

Protection of animals used in experiments in Polish law - history, present day and perspective: a reviewReview

M.Z. Felsmann, J. Szarek, M. Felsmann, E. Strzyzewska

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):117-123 | DOI: 10.17221/7378-VETMED  

The aim of EU legislators with respect to experiments on animals was to reduce to an absolute minimum both the number of animals used in experiments and their suffering. This study presents, from a historical point of view, expectations related to the coming into force on 1 January 2014 of Directive 2010/63/EU adopted on 22 September 2010. At the same time, it points out that, in some situations, carrying out experiments on animals in practice is different than in theory. The study calls attention to the issue of mere literal conformity of the Polish law with EU directives, illustrating it with examples and takes a critical view of the omission of...

The use of shape memory NiTi alloy clips in small bowel anastomosis in pigsOriginal Paper

P. Holak, M. Jalynski, Z. Adamiak, Z. Lekston, H. Morawiec, I. Otrocka-Domagala, P. Przyborowska, K. Pazdzior

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):124-128 | DOI: 10.17221/7379-VETMED  

The usefulness of compression anastomotic clips (CAC) for small bowel anastomosis in animals was evaluated. Implants made of nickel-titanium alloy (NiTi) in the form of elliptical double-coil springs with one-way and two-way shape memory were applied. The studied animals were subjected to jejunal resection and side-to-side bowel anastomosis with the use of CACs. The experiment was conducted on 10 pigs divided into three groups. The speed and ease of the surgical procedure, implant excretion time and leak tightness were evaluated by macroscopic observations and X-ray examinations. Tissue samples from the anastomotic site were subjected to histopathological...

Molecular prevalence and risk factors for the occurrence of canine monocytic ehrlichiosisOriginal Paper

Milanjeet, Harkirat Singh, N.K. Singh, N.D. Singh, Chanchal Singh, S.S. Rath

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):129-136 | DOI: 10.17221/7380-VETMED  

Evaluation of blood samples collected from 214 dogs from Ludhiana, Punjab (India) was performed for the presence of Ehrlichia canis using PCR-based assays targeting a portion of the 16S rRNA gene. Of the total samples subjected to routine blood smear examination, the morulae of E. canis were detected in 2.34% samples. Nested PCR assay produced amplicons of expected size (389 bp) specific for E. canis in 41.59% (89/214) of samples. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the prevalence of E. canis was higher in the summer as compared to the winter season (P = 0.031) and in dogs younger than six-month-old...

Equine grass sickness in the Czech Republic a case reportCase Report

P. Melkova, P. Cizek, E. Ludvikova, B. Bezdekova

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):137-140 | DOI: 10.17221/7381-VETMED  

Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a degenerative polyneuropathy affecting postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic neurons. The major clinical signs relate to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract and the condition is frequently fatal. EGS has been reported in different parts of the world including Europe. This paper describes the first case of equine dysautonomia in the Czech Republic. The ante mortem diagnosis was based on typical clinical signs and a positive phenylephrine eye-drop test and was confirmed at necropsy following observation of pathognomic histopathological lesions in the enteric neural system of the ileum.

Surgical correction of bilateral polydactyly in a dromedary camel: a case reportCase Report

A.F. Ahmed

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):141-145 | DOI: 10.17221/7382-VETMED  

The following case report describes the diagnosis and surgery of bilateral polydactyly of unknown origin in a dromedary camel. A two-year-old, 290 kg, intact female camel was admitted for surgical removal of bilateral supernumerary digits associated with the medial aspects of the metacarpi and proximal to the fetlock joints. Radiographic examination revealed bilateral polydactyly with complete fusion of metacarpal bones. Surgery consisted of an osteotomy of surplus metacarpal bones combined with amputation of the supernumerary digits. The follow-up at 12 months after surgery revealed a sound camel with an excellent cosmetic outcome.

Diagnosis of a brachial plexus tumour using magnetic resonance imaging assisted by fine-needle aspiration biopsy in a dog: a case reportCase Report

Y. Zhalniarovich, Z. Adamiak, P. Holak, P. Przyborowska, A. Pomianowski

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):146-149 | DOI: 10.17221/7383-VETMED  

This study describes a case of a six-year-old female crossbreed dog that had a three months history of progressive right thoracic limb lameness. Palpation revealed muscle atrophy of the scapular and humeral area and painfulness in this region. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed in T1- and T2-weighted and STIR (short inversion recovery) sequences in sagittal and transverse planes. The masses around the scapula and humerus were heterogeneously hyper-intense in STIR and measured about 9 cm. The tumour was heterogeneously iso-intense relatively to the surrounding tissues in T-2 weighted Gradient Echo and Spin Echo sequences. After MRI fine needle...

Combined surgical and endoscopic approach for the reduction of a congenital hiatal hernia in a cat: a case reportCase Report

L. Pisoni, S. Del Magno, F. Cinti, M. Baron Toaldo, M. Joechler, M. Pietra

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):150-156 | DOI: 10.17221/7385-VETMED  

A case of surgical resolution of type I or "sliding" hiatal hernia is reported. A seven-month-old kitten was presented because of abdominal discomfort, accelerated breathing after eating and chronic vomiting. The clinical examination was unremarkable. Thoracic radiographs and gastroscopy led to the diagnosis of type I hiatal hernia. The surgical resolution consisted of hiatal plication, oesophagopexy and left-flank incisional gastropexy. All procedures were carried out using a 6 mm videoendoscope positioned in the stomach to evaluate the right oesophago-gastric junction reduction. One week after surgery there was a recurrence of symptoms and a second...

Dura mater marsupialisation and outcome in a cat with a spinal subarachnoid pseudocyst: a case reportCase Report

L. Pisoni, F. Cinti, A. Gallucci, A. Diana, S. Del Magno, E. Bellei, G. Gandini

Vet Med - Czech, 2014, 59(3):157-161 | DOI: 10.17221/7386-VETMED  

A six-month-old male domestic shorthair cat was referred with a history of acute-onset paraplegia, over the previous two months. The neurological examination revealed a thoracolumbar lesion. After myelography and myelo-computed tomography (myelo-CT), the diagnosis of a T13-L1 subarachnoid pseudocyst potentially related to a previous L1 vertebral body fracture or malformation was made. Surgical decompression consisted in dorsal laminectomy followed by durotomy and marsupialisation. Immediately after surgery the cat improved neurologically and showed progressive improvement of his neurological signs over the next few months, until he died, from unrelated...