Maricy Apparício

Gonadectomy, the surgical removal of reproductive organs—is commonly practiced in canine management and is often associated with responsible pet ownership. Although advised for preventing unwanted litter and specific health hazards, its effects on canine behavior remain contentious and little studied. This article analyzes the physiological and behavioral effects of gonadectomy in dogs, emphasizing other sexually dimorphic behaviors including mounting, wandering, and urine marking, alongside aggression, fear, anxiety, separation-related issues, and canine cognitive dysfunction. Gonadectomy impacts hormonal equilibrium by modifying the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes, hence affecting stress responses, cognition, and behavior. Certain research indicates that neutering diminishes urine marking and roaming; nevertheless, the results are inconsistent. Conflicting research suggests that gonadectomy may intensify aggression, fearfulness, and anxiety, thus undermining the human-animal bond. The effects of gonadectomy on cognitive impairment remain ambiguous. Alternative methods, including vasectomy, ovary-sparing spay, and chemical castration, provide reproductive regulation while maintaining hormonal function, potentially alleviating negative behavioral consequences. Due to the complex aspects of behavioral development, encompassing heredity, environment, and personal experiences, a general policy on gonadectomy is unsuitable. This review highlights the necessity of personalized assessments when advising gonadectomy for behavioral management in canines. Veterinarians must meticulously evaluate the advantages and disadvantages, considering the unique circumstances of each animal and seeking guidance from veterinary behaviorists, as necessary. Routine desexing should not be universally advocated only for the purpose of mitigating behavioral issues. Additional research is crucial to comprehend the intricate link between gonadectomy and canine behavior.

Background: Perinatal hypoxia is a leading cause of early mortality in canine neonates and accounts for over 90% of early deaths in canine neonates. Respiratory depression may result from dystocia, prolonged labor, or anesthetic protocols used during cesarean delivery, requiring rapid pharmacological support. This study evaluated the effects of aminophylline, caffeine, and doxapram on clinical and biochemical viability parameters in hypoxic neonatal dogs. Methods: Forty-five puppies born via elective or emergency cesarean section were included, of which 35 exhibiting cardiorespiratory depression (heart rate ≤ 180 bpm, respiratory rate < 15 movements per minute, Apgar score < 7, and reflex score < 3) were randomly allocated into aminophylline group (AG; n = 12), caffeine group (CafG; n = 11), or doxapram group (DG; n = 12). Ten clinically healthy neonates constituted the physiological control group (CG). Apgar score, neonatal reflexes, lactate, blood glucose, oxygen saturation, blood gas parameters, and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were evaluated immediately after birth (M1) and 10 min following treatment (M10). Results: No significant differences were observed in laboratory parameters among groups (p > 0.05). Although all evaluated drugs improved clinical status by increasing heart rate, respiratory rate, and reflex scores, caffeine produced the greatest enhancement in vitality. The Δ Apgar score showed a significant difference between CafG and DG (p = 0.0095), while no statistical differences were detected between AG and CafG (p = 0.08) or between AG and GD (p = 0.60). Conclusions: Aminophylline, caffeine, and doxapram supported postnatal resuscitation in hypoxic neonatal puppies; however, caffeine demonstrated superior improvement in Apgar recovery, suggesting its potential as a preferred pharmacological adjunct in neonatal canine resuscitation protocols.

In this study, thirty female dogs, aged one to five years and varying in weight, in the last week of gestation were evaluated. The animals were divided into two groups: GC, which comprised twenty-two bitches undergoing elective cesarean section, and GD, which consisted of eight dogs requiring therapeutic cesarean section as a treatment to dystocia. We found that cortisol levels in the amniotic fluid were significantly higher in pups delivered via elective cesareans (mean: 9.86 ng/mL) compared to those from therapeutic c-sections (mean: 4.11 ng/mL). This observation contrasted with previous studies that reported lower cortisol levels in elective procedures, suggesting complexities in the physiological responses to different delivery methods that warrant further investigation. Notably, our study observed no significant association between amniotic fluid meconium presence and other distress markers, indicating that meconium may be more closely associated with fetal maturation rather than distress (p > 0.05). Neonatal viability (Apgar score) revealed that 92.86% of the neonates from elective procedures demonstrated no distress shortly after delivery, contrasting with 56.25% in therapeutic c-section. Fetal distress can be a direct consequence of dystocia caused by various stressors, such as pain and hypoxia. These factors can impair the fetus’ ability to adapt to extrauterine life, often leading to lower Apgar scores. Notably, neonatal weight was directly related to fetal cortisol levels, while no significant associations were noted between the litter size or birth order and cortisol concentrations, irrespective of the delivery type. These findings underscore the need for ongoing investigation into the relationships between cesarean delivery types, maternal and neonatal stress markers, and resultant health outcomes, aiming to enhance care strategies for expectant canine mothers and their puppies.

Anencephaly is a congenital condition characterized by incomplete brain development and malformations of cranial bones and cerebral hemispheres. Such defects arise from improper neural tube closure during embryogenesis. Although well documented in humans, they are infrequently reported in veterinary medicine. The etiology of anencephaly in dogs is not fully understood, but a strong genetic predisposition has been observed, particularly among brachycephalic breeds. In addition, studies in humans have implicated factors such as folic acid deficiency, hypervitaminosis A, and exposure to teratogens as potential contributors. Using diagnostic imaging techniques, including radiography and ultrasonography, it is possible to detect intrauterine modifications indicative of malformation. Unfortunately, there are no known corrections or treatments for anencephaly, and affected fetuses are typically stillborn or die within hours after birth. This case report presents observations of 2 neonatal puppies with anencephaly, acalvaria, exophthalmia, and palatoschisis, providing further insights into these puzzling brain malformations in canines. Key clinical message: The present report highlights the importance of prenatal monitoring for diagnosis of anencephaly in dogs. It describes radiographic and ultrasonographic findings and compares morphological changes in 2 affected puppies of different breeds and clinical histories.

Congenital defects are among the leading causes of neonatal mortality in small animals. Among them, cleft palate is one of the most commonly found malformations in dogs. Appropriate clinical management and surgical correction are determining factors for the survival of puppies affected by this alteration. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe 10 clinical cases of successful clinical management of cleft palate, highlighting the therapeutic strategies used, the results obtained, and the evolution of patients after treatment. Ten neonatal dogs of three breeds were treated by the Small Animal Reproduction Service of FMVZ, Unesp—Botucatu: French Bulldog (6), Pug (3), and American Bully (1) presented with cleft palate at birth or during the first week of age. Patients underwent clinical and nutritional management, in addition to immunological support. At four months of age, the patients underwent medially positioned flap repair. The animals were fed via an esophageal tube for 10 days after surgery. The clinical management proved to be effective since, throughout the follow-up, the animals showed good development and did not present complications arising from the cleft palate, and the surgical procedures were successful, restoring the quality of life of the animals.

This study aimed to scrutinize variations in the intestinal microbiota of neonatal dogs born through natural birth versus elective cesarean section, focusing on evaluating the influence of vaginal seeding on the microbiota of cesarean-born neonates. Samples were collected from cesarean-sectioned females before anesthesia and from naturally birthing females during prodrome signs, along with neonates at eight time points from birth to 15 days of age. In the cesarean section group, seeding was performed in half of the neonates (cesarean section seeding group; seeding consisted of gently rubbing the gauze, obtained from the mother’s vagina, onto the mouths, faces, and bodies of the newborns), while the other half underwent microbiological sample collection without seeding (cesarean section group). Another group (normal birth group) consisted of naturally born neonates. Microbiota analysis included counting for enterobacteria, Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus spp. The results suggested that vertical transmission played a crucial role, but the method of birth did not emerge as the primary determinant of observed differences. Under study conditions, vaginal seeding failed to effectively modulate the microbiota of neonates born through elective cesarean section. Further investigations into the gut–brain axis are suggested for understanding factors influencing the initial development of the canine intestinal microbiota in neonates born through different delivery routes.