Surgical Outcomes of Laminectomy, Durotomy and a Non-Synthetic Dura Substitute Application in Ten Dogs with a Spinal Subarachnoid Diverticulum.

This retrospective study aimed to report the surgical treatment and outcomes of laminectomies followed by durotomy and the application of a non-synthetic collagen matrix dura substitute (Durepair) in ten dogs with a spinal subarachnoid diverticulum (SAD). The medical records of these ten client-owned dogs with SAD diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed. All patients had chronic and progressive deficits.

Retrospective evaluation of surgical outcomes after closure of durotomy in eight dogs affected by spinal subarachnoid diverticulum.

Background: Canine spinal subarachnoid diverticulum has been studied since 1968 and a few advancements have been made with regard to the treatment of this disease. Several surgical techniques have been proposed which include durectomy, fenestration, and/or marsupilization with the latter two regarded as the more favorable surgical treatments.

Aim: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the closure of the durotomy incision in the treatment of canine spinal subarachnoid diverticulum.

Evaluation of Sheep Anticipatory Response to a Food Reward by Means of Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.

Anticipatory behaviour to an oncoming food reward can be triggered via classical conditioning, implies the activation of neural networks, and may serve to study the emotional state of animals. The aim of this study was to investigate how the anticipatory response to a food reward affects the cerebral cortex activity in sheep. Eight ewes from the same flock were trained to associate a neutral auditory stimulus (water bubble) to the presence of a food reward (maize grains).

Analgesic effects of intravenous flunixin and intrafunicular lidocaine or their combination for castration of lambs.

Objective: To analyse the effectiveness of intrafunicular lidocaine and intravenous flunixin for reducing pain and signs of stress in lambs undergoing surgical castration.

Design: Randomised controlled trial.

Setting: One university teaching hospital in Italy.

Illness as a source of variation of laterality in lions (Panthera leo).

Brain asymmetry--i.e. the specialisation of each cerebral hemisphere for sensorimotor processing mechanisms and for specific cognitive functions-is widely distributed among vertebrates.

Preliminary study on the effect of parenteral naloxone, alone and in association with calcium gluconate, on bone healing in an ovine "drill hole" model system.

Background: Several diseases affect bone healing and physiology. Many drugs that are commonly used in orthopaedics as "analgesics" or anti-inflammatory agents impair bone healing. Stressful conditions are associated with decreased serum osteocalcin concentration.