The surgical veterinary clinic at MAPS conducts research in a variety of directions. Ophthalmology and dermatology are among areas of study to evaluate new treatments and assess their efficacy and potential application in the real world. Anaesthesiology research at MAPS focuses on new methods of ache therapy and the efficacy of these, and pharmacological containment of wild fauna and zoo animals through tele narcosis too. Neurological research is also conducted, especially magnetic resonance (MR) and its benefits for diagnosis, and the consequent efficacy that could be important for treating patients affected by different pathologies. Orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery is also studied, along with the applications of innovative materials such as biomaterials and research into the execution of the different operations and treatments as those attributable.

Research fields

Veterinary ophthalmology and regenerative medicine
This research area studies and evaluates corneal cross-linking, a minimally invasive para-surgical treatment consisting of cornea strengthening to treat collagen ulcers that are experimentally provoked in porcine corneas. Biomechanics and efficacy of the treatments are evaluated to obtain the correct alignment of collagen fibres to improve the structure of repaired tissue. Other research is being conducted into cytology impressions to evaluate the ocular surface in dogs and cats to identify pathologies present.

Regenerative medicine of the veterinary integumentary system
This research area studies sheep and companion animals to evaluate the effectiveness of treatments, experimental or otherwise, for skin lesions.

Anaesthesia and sedation
The purpose of this is to evaluate and improve various anaesthesiologic approaches in both clinical and research frameworks. The aim is to find the right combination of techniques that guarantee the preservation of the subjects’ physiological function and their safety during sedation and/or general anaesthesia.

Ache recognition and analgesic therapy
The aim of this is to study new methods to better identify the pain status of animals. Related to this group is study to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of different drugs used in pain therapy.

Pharmacological containing of wild fauna and zoo animals
Remote sedation (telenarcosis) is an anaesthesiologic approach used to stop the physiological functions of exotic animal species in zoos, fauna parks and in the wild.

High and low magnetic fields in MRI in veterinary neurology
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in veterinary neurology to reach diagnosis and assess appropriate treatments. Here, veterinarians study the articular and muscular structures of patients that suffer from meningitis and/or arthritis using MRI. Substantially they compare high RM and low MR magnetic fields results and they evaluate them using fat suppression sequence. Further observations are made comparing balanced susceptibility weight imaging and gradient echo T2, which contribute to the identification of intra-cranial neurological pathologies in different ways. RM imaging is used on patients with regular neurologic examinations to show intra-cranial pathologies. This approach allows the identification of underestimated risk cerebral areas. The final application field of this branch is high-magnetic-field MRI in unintegrated disc material in compressive myelopathies.

Biomaterial recognitions
Biomaterial refers to the connection of biological systems. In this case, the research field studies and identifies new and innovative biomaterials that can achieve better healing processes from trauma or degenerative pathologies of bones and cartilage.

Limb alignment
These studies are related to morphological alteration (inborn or gained) that are responsible for orthopaedic pathologies such as cruciate ligament tears, knee-cap dislocation and others.

Treatment of broken bones
This is the study of the appendicular skeleton of companion animals.

Other research fields and interests
Other research fields include the usage of disinfectant sponges for the skin in preparation for surgery and in routine procedures. The study of clinic management during an emergency and in long period of patients with thoracic trauma or suspected pulmonary contusion.