Dogs were treated with the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors flunixin meglumine IV or flurbiprofen topically. Acute inflammation was induced in the eyes by disruption of the anterior lens capsule, using a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser. Pupil diameter and intraocular pressure were measured before and after inducing ocular inflammation. Both drugs maintained mydriasis and increased intraocular pressure in the inflamed eyes, compared with untreated controls.

In an attempt to ablate the laryngeal saccule as an alternative method of sacculectomy (conventially done through a laryngotomy incision for laryngeal hemiplegia) a neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser was used transendoscopically in noncontact fashion in 6 horses. The procedure was easy, quick, and labor-saving, with few complications. Endoscopically, the lased sacculectomy site appeared healed at postsurgical day 42. On postsurgical day 42, microscopic examination revealed mucosal remnants under the granulation bed. Laser energy caused thermal damage to tissues adjacent to the lased saccule. Additional work must be done to refine the technique before it can be recommended for clinical applications.

Perfusion and viability of island axial pattern skinflaps were tested in 37 healthy New Zealand white rabbits, using laser Doppler monitoring of blood flow in the capillary loops and the subpapillary plexus of the dermis. Skin flaps, selected on the basis of the caudal superficial epigastric vein and artery, were lifted and replaced in their original locus after selective occlusion of their vascular pedicles. Subjects were allotted into groups: control group (n = 10); arterial occlusion (n = 7); venous occlusion (n = 10); and arterial and venous occlusion (n = 10). The rabbits were monitored from 48 hours before surgery until euthanasia 48 to 72 hours after replacement of the flap. Flap viability was assessed on a clinical basis, using a comparative scoring method based on a numeric scale. The degree of necrosis in histologic sections was evaluated, using a scoring system. Laser Doppler measurements were obtained on 3 consecutive days before surgery, to establish the normal basal blood flow in the skin. Postsurgical measurements were obtained at 2-hour intervals for the first 8 hours and at 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Measurements of basal blood flow varied significantly (P < 0.05) from site to site on the surface of individual flaps and over time. When laser Doppler flowmetric (LDF) measurements from 6 sites on a flap were used as a measure of laser Doppler flow for the total flap, there was no significant difference between contralateral flap areas outlined on the abdomen of the rabbits. Temporal variations over 3 days for each rabbit or among rabbits were not significant. The LDF measurements detected acute vascular occlusion when compared with the controls, and were able to differentiate between control and arterial occlusion groups, control and venous occlusion groups, control and arterial and venous occlusion groups, arterial and venous occlusion groups, venous and arterial and venous occlusion groups (P < 0.05), but not between arterial and arterial and venous occlusion groups. Evaluation of LDF values at 4 hours proved to be a better predictor than clinical assessment at 4 or 8 hours in evaluating skin flap viability.

Objective: To evaluate use of a diode laser to induce tendinopathy in the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of horses. Animals: 4 equine cadavers and 5 adult horses. Procedures: Cadaveric SDFT samples were exposed to a diode laser at various energy settings to determine an appropriate energy for use in in vivo experiments; lesion size was assessed histologically. In vivo experiments involved laser energy induction of lesions in the SDFT (2 preliminary horses [0, 25, 75, and 87.5 J] and 3 study horses [0 and 125 J]) and assessment of lesions. Study duration was 21 days, and lesions were assessed clinically and via ultrasonography, MRI, and histologic evaluation. Results: Lesion induction in cadaveric tissues resulted in a spherical cavitated core with surrounding tissue coagulation. Lesion size had a linear relationship (R2 = 0.9) with the energy administered. Size of in vivo lesions in preliminary horses indicated that larger lesions were required. In study horses, lesions induced with 125 J were ultrasonographically and histologically larger than were control lesions. At proximal and distal locations, pooled (preliminary and study horses) ultrasonographically assessed lesions were discrete and variable in size (mean ± SEM lesion percentage for control lesions, 8.5 ± 3%; for laser lesions, 12.2 ± 1.7%). Ultrasonography and MRI measurements were associated (R2 > 0.84) with cross-sectional area measurements. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: In vivo diode laser–induced lesions did not reflect cadaveric lesions in repeatable size. Further research is required before diode lasers can reliably be used for inducing tendinopathy.

Once daily for 3 days, laser Doppler flowmetry was used in 5 healthy, nonsedated adult horses to evaluate coronary band and laminar microcirculatory blood flow (MBF) in both forelimbs, The coronary band had significantly (P < 0.05) higher MBF than did the laminae on the days evaluated. Significant variation in MBF was not found over the 3-day measurement period in any one site. Significant (P < 0.05) variation was found in coronary band MBF among horses. This variation was not observed in laminar MBF. On occlusion of the digital arteries at the level of the fetlock, marked decrease in coronary band and laminar MBF was observed. Twenty minutes after IV administration of acetylpromazine, marked increase in coronary band and laminar MBF was observed. The technique was easily performed in standing nonsedated horses, did not inflict discomfort, lacked complications, and measurements were repeatable. This technique provides an index of digital MBF, either intermittently or continuously, avoiding introduction of invasive variables associated with other techniques.

Aqueous outflow from cannulated canine eyes was determined, using a constant-pressure perfusion technique. The effect of topically applied flurbiprofen, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, on outflow in eyes with or without neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet laser-induced inflammation was measured. Flurbiprofen caused decrease in aqueous outflow that was more marked in the inflamed eyes.

For the induction of arthropathy, 4% hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was injected for 4 weeks into the intra-articular space of the 25 New Zealand white rabbits to damage articular cartilage. The verification of arthropathy induction and the effect of scan-bio laser treatment were determined by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, by observing gross and histopathologic findings. The SOD activity increased by about 40% in arthropathy group, as compared to controls.

The main objective of this investigation was to evaluate the improvement in skin wound healing in cats with the use of soft laser (diodes) Ga-As-SHLD radiation (904 nm). Ovariohisterectomised cats were divided into a control group and a laser-treated group. Anatomopathological observations were taken on days 2, 4 and 8, post-surgery along with macroscopic evaluation. We concluded that laser diode Ga-As-SHLD application ameliorated the surgical wound healing process by increasing its tensile strength. | Verificou-se o valor do emprego do laser diodo Ga-As-SHLD para auxiliar o processo de cicatrizarão cutânea em felinos. Utilizaram-se 21 animais que foram submetidos à ovariohisterectomia, 9 pertencendo ao grupo controle e 12 submetidos à laserterapia. Os exames anatomopatológicos foram realizados nos dias 2, 4 e 8 de pós-operatório, juntamente com avaliação macroscópica. Concluiu-se que a aplicação do laser diodo Ga-As-SHLD auxiliou o processo cicatricial da ferida cirúrgica por aumento de resistência à tensão.