Ioannis Savvas

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | AUTH · Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

OBJECTIVE To assess the level of anxiolysis achieved by alprazolam and gabapentin in hospitalized cats prior to elective ovariohysterectomy and to evaluate the sedative effects of these agents. ANIMALS 60 client-owned female cats classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1, admitted for elective ovariohysterectomy at a ve...

Introduction Resistant epileptic episodes, such as refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), are neurological emergencies that require immediate medical treatment. Although inhalational anesthetics, such as isoflurane (ISO), have been proposed as a means of seizure control in dogs, there is currently a lack...

A cytological grading system for canine mast cell tumors (MCTs) has been developed, but its integration into clinical routine has been hindered due to its diagnostic limitations. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of Ki-67 and argyrophilic nucleolar organizing region (AgNOR) markers in cytological MCT samples and to determine...

Objective: We aimed to compare the efficacy of intra-operative lidocaine hematoma block (HB) to ropivacaine HB and to compare the efficacy of different timings of ropivacaine HB in controlling post-operative pain in dogs undergoing the osteosynthesis of long-bone fractures. Study design: We conducted a randomized, blinded, prospective clinical s...

This retrospective cohort study investigated the mortality rate during anaesthesia and possible contributing factors in canine and feline population in an academic institution in Greece. Data on 1187 dogs and 250 cats which underwent general anaesthesia from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019 at the Veterinary Faculty of the Aristotle University of...

Objective: To compare pain perception between gonadectomized and intact dogs. Study design: Blinded, prospective, cohort study. Animals: A group of 74 client-owned dogs. Methods: Dogs were divided into four groups: group 1-female/neutered (F/N), group 2-female/intact (F/I), group 3-male/neutered (M/N) and group 4-male/intact (M/I). Premedica...

The aim of this prospective, non-randomized study was to evaluate the effect of nine different premedication medications on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) in anesthetized dogs. Two hundred and seventy dogs undergoing non-intrathoracic, non-intrabdominal elective surgeries or invasive diagnostic procedures were included in the study,...

This systematic review aimed to assess the effect of prophylactic fenestration (PF) on the recurrence of thoracolumbar (TL) intervertebral disc (IVD) disease in dogs. Three online databases were searched (Web of Science, MEDLINE via PubMed, SCOPUS), 115 relevant studies were thoroughly examined by the authors, 29 of which met the pre-defined inclus...

Scientific background The aim of this prospective study was to assess whether the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score could be indicative of outcome (survival to discharge) in dogs with parvoviral enteritis. Methods In 35 naturally infected dogs, the SOFA score and clinical score were calculated and the presence of systemic inflammato...

Mast cell tumor (MCT) is a frequent cutaneous tumor in dogs, with a variable biological behavior. Studies correlate cytologic and histopathologic features of MCTs with their biological behavior, prognosis, and response to treatment. The use of preoperative opioids is common in canine patients undergoing surgical removal of these tumors. Certain opi...

Surgical procedures can affect host immunity proportionally to the extent of surgical trauma. In cancer cases, surgery-induced immunosuppression can potentially promote tumour metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate, in bitches with malignant mammary tumours, whether major surgery (total unilateral mastectomy or bilateral regional mast...

Objective To investigate if anaesthesia for canine cancer mastectomy further influences host cell-mediated immunity promoting cancer progression. Study design A randomized controlled blinded clinical study. Animals A total of 20 bitches with malignant mammary tumours of clinical stage II or III undergoing the same type of regional mastectomy. Me...

In animals, gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) may occur during anaesthesia, and it can lead to severe consequences such as oesophagitis and oesophageal stricture. This systematic review investigates the effect of fasting duration and anaesthetic and nonanaesthetic drugs on GOR in dogs and cats during general anaesthesia. Fifteen clinical studies met...

This study aimed to investigate the effect of three different preoperative fasting regimens on the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in dogs under general anaesthesia. Ninety dogs undergoing non-abdominal and non-thoracic elective surgery were included in the study and equally allocated to three groups. Dogs received canned food providin...

In anaesthetized horses, pronounced ventilation/perfusion mismatching often occurs. Several authors have investigated the effect of lower inspired oxygen fractions (FiO2) to reduce formation of absorption atelectasis. This systematic review compared the effects of low (<0.6) and high (>0.8) FiO2 on the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), the alveolar-t...

Objective: To determine whether IV propofol administration at a dose of 2 mg/kg (0.9 mg/lb) could induce food consumption by anorectic female dogs following elective ovariohysterectomy. Animals: 51 healthy female dogs that failed to eat voluntarily when food was offered 6 hours after ovariohysterectomy. Procedures: In a randomized, blinded, co...

Canine angiostrongylosis caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is a life-threatening disease which is emerging in regions of Europe. Thus, there is the merit for a continuous epidemiological surveillance in dog populations. This is the first description of a clinical autochthonous case of canine angiostrongylosis in Greece. A 7-month-old, male, mixed-b...

Progesterone (P4) has a thermogenic effect in the bitch and a decrease in P4 has been associated with a mild transient decrease in body temperature. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence, the extent and the pattern of possible hypothermia after ovariohysterectomy (OHE) in healthy dogs in luteal phase and in bitches with pyometra tha...

Background: Canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders of still largely unknown etiology. Canine IBD diagnosis is time-consuming and costly as other diseases with similar signs should be initially excluded. In human IBD microRNA (miR) expression changes have been reported in GI mucosa and blood. T...

In the last decade, attempts to improve the quality of the services provided to the critically ill patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are of great interest in human medicine. The aim of the majority of the clinical studies is the correlation of the survival rate of a critically ill patient with specific prognostic factors at the time of admi...

The records of 13 dogs with distal esophageal foreign body obstruction not amenable to endoscopic management that had transdiaphragmatic gastrotomy (TG) for the foreign body extraction were reviewed. West Highland white terriers were over-represented. Mean age of the dogs at presentation was 38.6 mo, and mean duration of clinical signs associated w...

Recently, feline cardio-pulmonary nematodes have attracted high scientific interest, as they are increasingly reported from various areas. Most of these parasites have similar transmission patterns and/or host reservoirs, thus they may affect domestic and wild felids living in sympatry. In the present study, a case of multiple cardio-pulmonary para...

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of serum progesterone concentration, either endogenous, during the ovarian cycle and pregnancy, or exogenous, when administered during anestrus, and of its active metabolite allopregnanolone, on anesthetic and analgesic requirements, as well as post-operative pain intensity, for the p...

Purpose Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired acute kidney injury due to the use of iodinated contrast media in various interventional procedures like endovascular aneurysm repair. Its pathophysiology remains mostly unclear. The purpose of the present study was to comparatively study the possible prote...

A four-month-old, male dog underwent surgical repair of femoral and pelvic fracture. The dog was premedicated with acepromazine combined with morphine; anaesthesia was induced with propofol to effect and maintained with isoflurane in 100 per cent oxygen. One hour after induction the dog regurgitated and gastric contents emerged through the nares. A...

The creation of leakage holes in the intestinal wall by four types of swaged-on needles used to close enterotomy incisions in canine cadavers was studied. Twenty-four enterotomies were performed in 10 cm jejunal sections obtained from five dogs following euthanasia. After placement of Doyen intestinal forceps to the ends of each section, a 3 cm ant...

The trans-diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi)is the main indicator of diaphragmatic contractility and the influence of many different drugs on Pdi has already been studied. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aminophylline on Pdi in anaesthetised dogs. Eighteen, healthy, client-owned, male dogs undergoing castration were recruited...

Current concepts in pain on animals suggest that -at least- mammals perceive and experience pain like humans do. Pain receptors are the free nerve endings. Qualitative analysis and interpretation is done in brain cortex (somatosensory area), while nociception may be done in lower centres. Pain may be physiological or clinical. In physiological pain...

A vicious stallion, schedule for castration, became very stressed during the attempts to place a jugular catheter. Finally, xylazine was injected direcdy from the syringe into the jugular vein and immediately the animal fell down and developed seizures. Acepromazine and fluids were administered to successfully treat the condition. No evidence of ha...

Although cats are very popular pets, pain in this species is often underestimated. The reasons for this may include difficulties in pain recognition, unfamiliarity with the use of opioids or non-steroidal analgesic drugs, and with the application of local analgesic techniques. Proper pain management should always be undertaken mainly for medical an...

Lactate is produced in cells under anaerobic conditions. Hyperlactatemia is the increase of the plasma lactateconcentration and lactic acidosis is the elevation in lactate concentration with a decrease in arterial pH. Hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis are common in shock, but may also occur in many other clinical syndromes. Clinical studies in hu...

Mechanical ventilation is the process of supporting respiration by manual or mechanical means. When normal breathing is inefficient or has stopped, mechanical ventilation is life-saving and should be applied at once. The ventilator increases the patient's ventilation by inflating the lungs with oxygen or a mixture of air and oxygen. Ventilators pla...

The primary idea for intensive care unit stemmed from the appreciation that patients are better served and have better survival rates when treated in a separated and specialized area of the hospital. In Europe, the number of small animal ICUs is increasing, however, most of them are located in Universities due to their high cost and the numerous an...

Despite the fact that mechanical ventilation is an integral part of anaesthesia practice, its widespread use in veterinary medicine has yet to be established. The increasing needs and advances in animal pain management, being associated with anaesthetic protocols that can cause hypoventilation, make the use of mechanical ventilation more necessary...

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules with gene regulatory function. MiRs appear to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases in humans, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Furthermore, recent studies suggest that miRs have altered expression profiles in the serum of humans with IBD, suggesting they co...

Objective: To test the efficacy of intraoperative intrafragmentary administration of bupivacaine (haematoma block) in controlling postoperative pain in dogs undergoing osteosynthesis of long-bone isolated diaphyseal fractures. Study design: Randomized, 'blinded', placebo-controlled, prospective study. Animals: A total of 23 client-owned dogs w...

CASE REPORT A 1-year-old, neutered, female Domestic Shorthair cat was referred with a history of a skin defect of the dorsal pelvic and perineal region associated with a thermal burn. Clinical examination revealed a large skin defect, partially covered by necrotic and pale granulation tissue. The wound was debrided and lavaged under general anaesth...

Objective: To compare the maximum force and displacement to failure of 4 different types of thoracostomy tube connecting devices. Study design: Experimental in vitro study. Study population: Four types of thoracostomy tube connecting devices (n = 10 each). Methods: Four different connecting device configurations (10 constructs each) were tes...

Cancer-bearing patients are often immunosuppressed. In dogs with mammary or other cancers, various alterations in blood cell populations involved in host cellular immunity have been reported; among these cell populations some T-lymphocyte subsets play an important role against cancer. The purpose of the present study was to investigate any alterati...

Emerging evidence from veterinary and medical clinical research shows that reducing preoperative fasting time may reduce the incidence of gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) intraoperatively. In order to evaluate the effect of two different preoperative fasting times on the incidence of GER during general anesthesia, 120 dogs were randomly assigned to t...

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether an increased frequency of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is more common in large-sized, deep-chested dogs undergoing spinal surgery in sternal recumbency than in small-sized, barrel-chested dogs. Study design: Prospective, cohort study. Animals: Nineteen small-sized, barrel-chested d...

Background: Regenerative medicine has become one of the most promising therapies of equine osteoarthritis. Platelet lysate (PL) is rich in bioactive proteins and growth factors that play a crucial role in tissue healing. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articularly injected autologous PL in equine athletes with naturally occurring oste...

We have previously reported that the neocortex is selectively vulnerable to injury in an acute porcine model of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) at 18°C. In view of recent evidence showing that pharmacologic preconditioning with a single dose of erythromycin induces tolerance against transient global cerebral ischemia in rats, we hypothesized t...

Second intention wound healing may be impaired by wound and host factors and thus more advanced therapies are required for a fast and satisfactory outcome. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP), rich in growth factors and cytokines essential for tissue repair, could improve wound healing. The purpose of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of lo...

Objective To investigate the potential association of increased blood progesterone (P4) concentrations and/or late pregnancy with the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR), in healthy bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy under general anaesthesia during anoestrus or dioestrus or during the second half of pregnancy.Study designProspective ob...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of skin-stretching devices on the closure of defects on the extremities of dogs. Antebrachial skin defects were created on limbs of 24 dogs randomly allotted in 3 groups. Regarding skin stretchers, staples and sutures passing through them (group A), sutures and hypodermic needles (group...

Objectives: Distal flap necrosis remains a major complication in subdermal plexus (random) skin flaps. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to improve the survival of ischemic random skin flaps in rats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of locally injected autologous PRP on the survival of long (5:1 length-to-width ratio)...

Objective To compare pulmonary function and gas exchange in ponies during maintenance of anaesthesia with isoflurane or by a total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) technique.Study designExperimental, cross–over study.AnimalsSix healthy ponies weighing mean 286 (range 233–388) ± SD 61 kg, age 13 (9−16) ± 3 years.Methods The ponies were anaesthetized t...

Objectives To investigate the influence of two inspired oxygen fractions (Fi′O2) on the arterial oxygenation in horses anaesthetized with isoflurane.Study DesignRetrospective, case-control clinical study.AnimalsTwo hundred equine patients undergoing non-abdominal surgery (ASA class 1-2), using a standardized anaesthetic protocol and selected from a...

Objective To compare breathing patterns and transdiaphragmatic pressure during total intravenous (TIVA) and isoflurane anaesthesia in ponies. Study designExperimental, cross-over study. AnimalsSix healthy ponies weighing 286 (233-388)61kg, age 13 (9-16)3years. Methods Following premedication with romifidine [80gkg(-1) intravenously (IV)], general a...

The diaphragm is the main inspiratory muscle and the main indicator of diaphragmatic contractility is the trans-diaphragmatic pressure (Pdi). The aim of this clinical study was to determine the effect of four different anaesthetic protocols on Pdi in anaesthetized healthy dogs. Eighty client-owned dogs were recruited in this clinical study. All the...

To measure trans-diaphragmatic pressures, as an indication of diaphragmatic contractility, in anaesthetized dogs breathing normally, or during inspiratory obstruction (Mueller's manoeuvre) in order to assess if the method is practicable for use in clinical circumstances. Pilot study. Twenty eight client-owned dogs, ASA I or II, 1-10 years old, 5-30...

The influence of an anaesthetic protocol, which included medetomidine, propofol, carprofen and halothane on tear production in the dog. There are no previous studies on the effects of this combination on tear production in dogs or in any other species. The present study included 39 dogs, which underwent non-ophthalmic surgery in our clinic. Preanae...

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that has numerous consequences both locally and systemically The aim of this study was to assess whether periodontal disease causes systemic inflammatory response in otherwise healthy, adult dogs. We estimated the total mouth periodontal score (TMPS), measured the concentration of C-reactive protein (C...

Increased lipid peroxidation due to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress has been demonstrated in the neoplastic mammary tissue of dogs with malignant mammary tumors. Dietary factors implicated in ROS production may influence mammary cancer incidence or prognosis. Balanced diets (as commercial dog food is considered) may be more p...

Although left- or right-sided pneumonectomy is tolerated by normal dogs, complications impacting the respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems are not uncommon. Pneumonectomy in dogs results in secondary changes in the remaining lung, which include: decreased compliance and vital capacity; and increased pulmonary vascular resistance...

Remifentanil is a synthetic opioid with direct action on μ opioid receptors. It has an ultrashort duration of action, and its elimination is independent of hepatic or renal function. The anesthetic management of five dogs with nonuniform liver disease and requiring liver biopsy via celiotomy is described. Remifentanil and isoflurane were used for i...

The primary idea for intensive care unit stemmed from the appreciation that patients are better served and have better survival rates when treated in a separated and specialized area of the hospital. In Europe, the number of small animal ICUs is increasing, however, most of them are located in Universities due to their high cost and the numerous an...

Mechanical ventilation is the process of supporting respiration by manual or mechanical means. When normal breathing is inefficient or has stopped, mechanical ventilation is life-saving and should be applied at once. The ventilator increases the patient's ventilation by inflating the lungs with oxygen or a mixture of air and oxygen. Ventilators pla...

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) represents the most commonly acquired cause of spinal cord dysfunction among individuals over 55 years old. The pathophysiology of the disease involves static and dynamic mechanical factors, which are the result of chronic degeneration. The clinical course of the disease remains unpredictable. In the past, many...

Medical records of six dogs admitted with acute hypoadrenocorticism were reviewed. All 6 animals were bradycardic and had prolonged capillary refilling time. Hypothermia was detected in 5/6 animals. Clinicopathological evaluation on admission revealed anemia (3/6 dogs), increased (2/6) and normal (2/6) lymphocyte and eosinophil counts, azotemia and...

The enantiomeric naphthoquinones alkannins and shikonins (A/S) have been established as potent wound healing agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an A/S based ointment for humans on second intention wound healing in the dog, as compared to wound flushing with Lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). Ten mixed breed dogs,...

The aim of this study is to investigate if sufficient analgesia may be achieved within 10 minutes after application of a eutectic mixture of lidocaine 2.5% and prilocaine 2.5% on the rabbit external ear pinna. Sixty research rabbits of various ages wre used A commercially available local anaesthetic cream (EMLA) was used in all cases. The skin ovet...

Paired skin incisions were made in 6 cats and closed intradermally with the copolymer of glycolide,-caprolacton, and trimethylene-carbonate, or polypropylene suture. The macroscopic and histologic appearance of the incisions was compared. Polypropylene suture compared favorably to glycolide,  -caprolacton, and trimethylene- carbonate suture for...

The potential of computed tomography indirect lymphography (CT-indirect lymphography) and radiographic indirect lymphography to demonstrate the draining lymphatic vessels and sentinel lymph node of normal mammary glands was tested in 31 healthy female cats. The lymphatic drainage of each mammary gland was studied initially by CT-indirect lymphograp...

It is common in small animal clinical practice to administer fluids in order to replace water deficits or to treat diseases. One of the indications of the fluid therapy is treatment of low intravascular volume, which begins with crystalloid administration. Colloids, however, are more effective in maintaining intravascular volume than crystalloid so...

ABSTRACT. Current concepts in pain on animals suggest that -at least- mammals perceive and experience pain like humans do. Pain receptors are the free nerve endings. Qualitative analysis and interpretation is done in brain cortex (somatosensory area), while nociception may be done in lower centres. Pain may be physiological or clinical. In physiolo...

Despite the fact that mechanical ventilation is an integral part of anaesthesia practice, its widespread use in veterinary medicine has yet to be established. The increasing needs and advances in animal pain management, being associated with anaesthetic protocols that can cause hypoventilation, make the use of mechanical ventilation more necessary...

Animal use in experiments is a sensitive aspect of biomedical research which frequently creates ethical dilemmas. National and European legislation have established rigorous rules applicable to all research where animals are involved. During experimentation pain or suffering may develop, or euthanasia may be required. It is essential for a point to...

Objective: To investigate the effect of pre-anaesthetic fasting time and variety of food on gastric content (GC) volume and pH in dogs. Study design: Randomized, cross-over, prospective experimental study. Animals: Fifteen mongrel dogs (nine females and six males 1-4 years old, weighing 10-24.5 kg). Methods: Each dog received the same seven...

Lactate is produced in cells under anaerobic conditions. Hyperlactatemia is the increase of the plasma lactate concentration and lactic acidosis is the elevation in lactate concentration with a decrease in arterial pH. Hyperlactatemia and lactic acidosis are common in shock, but may also occur in many other clinical syndromes. Clinical studies in h...

Thoracic surgery in small animals is considered a painful procedure, resulting in alterations in pulmonary function and respiratory mechanics. Modifications in surgical approach and technique and selection of the appropriate analgesic protocol may improve outcomes in dogs and cats after thoracic surgery. Systemic administration of opioids and other...