Maneuvers to activate the equine's core can make a difference in their physical and psychic health. Although these activities are recommended and practiced, there is little research proving their effectiveness. This article aims to describe, through surface electromyography, the occurrences, durations and sequences activity of longissimus dorsi, rectus abdominis and gluteus medius during thoracolumbar flexion (TLF), lumbar and lumbosacral flexion (LLSF), global flexion (GF), which is the combination of TLF and LLSF, and tail traction (TT). Seven healthy adult horses of three different breeds performed five repetitions of these movements for five seconds (sec). Electromyographic activity was captured with non-invasive superficial sensors positioned in the skin regions covering these muscles. The sequence was performed once per animal, muscle activity captured by surface electromyography, data from two replicates of each animal were selected, analyzed on matLab software and data tabulation were described during each maneuver. These maneuvers provoked punctual and transient activation of muscles mentioned above, confirming the ability to activate equine core muscles. However, responses were not standardized, which means there were variations of occurrence, duration and sequence, suggesting that for practical application of those maneuvers it is necessary to perform more repetitions with longer durations to activate more muscles.

The thyroid of dogs has not been extensively studied in 2D shear-wave elastography, making it challenging to apply this technique in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases in a non-invasive manner. The aim of this study is to evaluate the thyroid glands of healthy dogs using 2D shear-wave elastography in order to establish qualitative and quantitative parameters of tissue stiffness in dogs in different age groups. A total of 31 dogs of various breeds, sexes, and sizes were evaluated. Animals with clinical signs or ultrasound findings indicative of endocrine disease or thyroid lesions were excluded from the study. The shear-wave velocity data in meters per second (m/s) and color elastograms were evaluated and calculated using QelaXto™ 2D software. A healthy thyroid exhibits a blue-color elastogram, indicative of low stiffness. The reference range for the shear-wave velocity of thyroid tissue assessed by 2D shear-wave elastography can be between 1.6 and 2.0 m/s, with a variation of ±0.889 in adult and senior dogs.

Sixty adrenals of 30 dogs were evaluated, divided into three groups, according to age: Group 1 = healthy youngsters (10 animals) - from one to three years old; Group 2 = healthy adults (10 animals) - four to nine years old; and Group 3 = healthy senile animals (10 animals) - older than ten years old. The experimental design was randomized, with a significance of 5%. There was a significant difference (P=0.017) in length between young and elderly dogs. The thickness of the cranial pole showed a significant difference (P=0.001) between young and adults when compared with the elderly group. The thickness of the caudal pole was not significant for adults when compared to elderly and young people. Between elderly and young, the difference was significant (P=0.024). The mean speeds differed between the groups of young and adult animals regarding the left adrenal and its cranial pole. The hardness pattern and its measurements can vary in healthy dogs of different ages, being more rigid in the cranial pole of the left adrenal in young dogs.

Background: Calcium carbide has been used not only in industry, but it is also present in the domestic environment. Thissubstance goes through chemical reactions that lead to the release of acetylene gas and heat being capable of causing burns, damage to mucous membranes, eyes and skin, central nervous system depression and also described as an anesthetic agent. It is lethal in concentrations of 35 % for humans and 80 % for dogs. Although reports that involve this substance in animals as scarce, emergency calls related to intoxication are part of the small animal clinical routine. This report aims to describe laboratory and ultrasonography findings in a case of carbide poisoning in a dog.Case: A 8-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier with a history of emesis, bloody diarrhea, hiporexy, oligodipsy and ingestion of calcium carbide for 3 days was admitted for medical care at the University Veterinary Hospital of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM). The patient had a previous diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism which was treated with sodium liothyronine 800 mg prescribed by another professional and whose dose was reduced to 600 mg by the owner without veterinary indication. Physical examination showed a high body score, evident lameness of the hind limbs, hyperemic mucosa with elevated time of capillary perfusion and an increase of mandibular and popliteal lymph nodes. Dehydration, fever, elevated heart and respiratory rates and skin lesions of the front limbs were also noted. The main possible differentiate diagnosis based on these clinical signs and history presented by the patient were poisoning calcium carbide intoxication, diabetes mellitus and hypoadrenocorticism. The dog was hospitalized to receive initial treatment and undergo further examination The first treatment instituted was dipyrone [Dipyrone Ibasa 50%® - 15 mg/kg, i.v, TID, for 3 days], tramadol hydrochloride [3 mL/kg, i.v, TID, for 2 days], sucralfate [Sucrafilm® - 5 mg/mL, v.o, TID, for 2 days],maropitant citrate [Cerenia® - 0.1 mg/kg, sc, SID, for 3 days], omeprazole [1 mg/kg, i.v, SID, for 3 days], levothyroxine [300 mg, ½ (half) tablet, v.o, BID, for 2 days]. Blood results have shown leukocytosis (19,600; reference 5,700-14,200) e lymphopenia (196/μL; reference 900/μL-4,700/μL) and in the biochemical tests, there was an increase in triglycerides (175 mg/L; reference 23 mg/L-102 mg/L), without signs of renal or hepatic lesions. In the ultrasonography exam, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly with a heterogeneous parenchyma were noticed. Alteration of the gastrointestinal tract with a thickened wall was also noticed associated with gas in the digestive tract and hyperechoic area in mucous layer. These findings are compatible with reports of mucosal irritation associated with this substance. The pancreas parenchyma was slightly heterogeneous and hyperechoic with enlargement of the body and small disperse hyperechoic focuses. Left adrenal images were compatible with clinical suspicions of hyperadrenocorticism.Discussion: All the alterations found in the imaging exam were compatible with the clinical signs due to direct contact with the substance in question. Dystrophic mineralization focuses found in spleen and pancreas can be due to the alterations of phosphorus and calcium even if not described in literature associated with calcium carbide poisoning. In conclusion, the clinical signs presented, and the image findings of this patient confirmed the danger and potentially lethal effects of the contact and ingestion of calcium carbide. The literature about this subject is scarce and deeply in need of more attention associated with new measures for prevention, instruction to owners and development of diagnose and treatment emergency protocols of these animals. Keywords: ultrasonography, dog, intoxication, toxicity.

This study assessed the feasibility of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for evaluating renal perfusion in horses and compared perfusion parameters between age groups. In a prospective study, eight healthy horses were divided into young (3–5 years, n = 4) and old (16–17 years, n  = 4) groups. All animals underwent B‐mode, Doppler ultrasonography, and CEUS of the right kidney after an intravenous bolus of SonoVue (0.02 mL/kg). Qualitative analysis assessed contrast kinetics, whereas quantitative parameters (peak intensity, time to peak [TP], area under the curve, and wash‐out time) were obtained from time–intensity curves in the renal cortex and medulla. The technique was safely performed in all horses, and the 0.02 mL/kg dose proved optimal for achieving adequate renal enhancement and consistent quantitative measurements. Quantitative analysis revealed a significantly longer TP in the renal cortex of older horses compared to young ones ( p  = 0.03), suggesting an age‐related reduction in perfusion velocity. No other parameters showed significant differences. CEUS proved to be a feasible and safe method for assessing renal perfusion in horses. The prolonged cortical TP in older animals indicates that CEUS may be a sensitive tool for detecting early, subclinical perfusion changes associated with aging, warranting further investigation in horses with renal disease.

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of fetal heart rate variability (FHRvar%), umbilical artery resistivity index (RI-UmbArt), and maternal body temperature (Temp, °C) for predicting parturition in bitches. Fifteen bitches (1-6 years old) were included. Gestational age was estimated using fetal biometry (inner chorionic cavity or biparietal diameter), and during the last week of pregnancy the animals were evaluated twice daily until parturition. Data were retrospectively grouped according to the hours before parturition (HBP). The evaluated parameters were FHRvar% (measured over 5-10 minutes using pulsed Doppler abdominal ultrasonography), RI-UmbArt (assessed by triplex Doppler in three fetuses per session), and Temp (rectal thermometry). Data were statistically compared and correlated with HBP. FHRvar% showed a gradual increase (P = 0.010) beginning at 84 HBP, reaching a peak between 24 and 12 HBP, whereas Temp significantly decreased during the last 24 HBP (P < 0.001). Both FHRvar% and Temp were significantly correlated with HBP (P < 0.001); however, these correlations were weak (Pearson’s r = −0.338 and −0.491, respectively). RI-UmbArt showed no significant variation across HBP (P = 0.711). An FHRvar% > 31.5% predicted parturition within 24 hours with a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 67%, whereas a Temp < 37.5°C predicted parturition with 69.6% sensitivity and 77.8% specificity. In conclusion, although FHRvar% and maternal body temperature are influenced by the proximity of parturition, they may not be reliable predictors of parturition timing, while RI-UmbArt appears to remain unchanged close to delivery.