Veterinary Research Forum

Abstract Disorders and injuries of the fetlock joint, encompassing both bone and soft tissue, are significant causes of limb pain and lameness in horses. Over time, these conditions can lead to joint dysfunction and a diminished quality of life. This study aimed to identify fetlock joint disorders using radiological examinations conducted during pre-purchase evaluations of horses and to evaluate the influence of age and sex on their incidence rates. 100 horses were selected from equestrian centers in Tehran Province during 2017 - 2020. As part of pre-purchase examinations, standard radiographic projections of the fetlock joints of all four limbs were obtained. Among the 100 horses examined, 28 showed no abnormalities in the fetlock joint, while 72 exhibited at least one disorder. Osteoarthritis was the most frequently observed condition, with an incidence of 26.75%, followed by soft tissue swelling (15.80%), medial and lateral proximal sesamoiditis (6.00%), osteochondritis dissecans (7.50%) and avulsion fractures (1.50%). Other disorders accounted for less than 5.00% of cases. The prevalence of disorders was significantly higher in the forelimbs compared to the hindlimbs, while no significant difference was found between male and female horses. The findings of this study underscored the importance of conducting pre-purchase radiographic examinations, particularly of the fetlock joints in both forelimbs and hindlimbs. These evaluations are crucial for identifying potential bone complications and for assessing the prognosis of a horse athletic performance.

Abstract Bone-marrow derived stem cells (BMSCs) can differentiate into several mesenchymal cell lines and are suitable candidates for bone and dental tissue engineering. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of cell therapy in direct pulp capping (DPC) of canine teeth using autologous BMSCs along with collagen/hydroxyapatite hybrid scaffold in terms of the quantity and quality of calcified bridge formation. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups of DPC with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), hydroxyapatite/collagen hybrid scaffold alone and BMSCs with hydroxyapatite/collagen hybrid scaffold; DPC was performed under general anesthesia in cavities prepared on the buccal surfaces of mandibular and maxillary premolars of the same dogs from which, stem cells had been isolated. All cavities were then restored with light-cure resin modified glass ionomer cement. Histomorphometric assessments after 12 weeks showed formation of dentinal bridge following DPC with BMSCs and MTA. The efficacy of MTA for calcified bridge formation following DPC was significantly higher than that of BMSCs plus hybrid scaffold (P<0.0001). According to present study, we concluded DPC using BMSCs and hybrid scaffold does not provide clinically noticeable results in canine patients.

Abstract The aim of this study was to introduce a new animal model of fecal incontinence (FI) by injecting abobotulinumtoxinA in the external anal sphincter (EAS) muscle of dogs which replaces models based on anal sphincter destructions that are invasive, mostly require surgical procedures, expensive, permanent, and painful to the animals. 4 healthy mongrel dogs were used in this study. First, they were received NaCl 0.09% (as control) injections in EAS muscle and effects were assessed by means of Electromyography (EMG) and clinically evaluated by sphincter pinch test and presence of leakage of feces for 2 weeks. Then, they received abobotulinumtoxinA in EAS muscle and reevaluated for 6 weeks to see short-term and medium-term effects of abobotulinumtoxinA injection. Saline had no significant changes in results obtained from EMG, however, there were significant decreases in amplitudes of action potentials after receiving abobotulinumtoxinA in comparison with no injection or saline injection in EAS muscle. Pinch tests were normal after saline injection assessment period, however, then started to be negative, ranging from two days after abobotulinumtoxinA injection to seven days after receiving abobotulinumtoxinA. Animals also had significant presentations of fecal incontinence (leakage of feces and cage contamination with feces) from the 1^st week after receiving abobotulinumtoxinA until the 6^th week after receiving abobotulinumtoxinA. AbobotulinumtoxinA caused paralysis in the EAS and producd FI conditions in dogs. This animal model was an appropriate substitute to the various invasive, expensive and also complicated procedures with an easy, feasible, noninvasive and non-painful single-stage abobotulinumtoxinA injection.