Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation on Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Captive Chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger)

Vitamin D is an important hormone in vertebrates, and most animals acquire this hormone through their diet and/or exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. To date, no study has determined how chinchillas (Chinchilla laniger) acquire vitamin D. The objective of this study was to determine whether exposure to UVB radiation had an effect on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in captive chinchillas. Overall, 10 juvenile chinchillas were used for this scientific investigation. Baseline blood samples were collected from the animals while under isoflurane anesthesia to determine their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. The chinchillas were then randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: Group A, 12 hours of UVB exposure per day and Group B, no UVB exposure. At the end of the study (Day 16), a second blood sample was collected from each animal while again under isoflurane anesthesia to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Mean ± standard deviation serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations differed significantly (P = 0.048) between juvenile chinchillas provided supplemental UVB radiation (189.0 ± 102.7 nmol/L) and those not provided supplemental UVB radiation (87.8 ± 34.4 nmol/L). This study found that exposing juvenile chinchillas to UVB radiation significantly increased their circulating serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Because vitamin D is an essential hormone in vertebrates, these findings suggest that the provision of UVB radiation to captive chinchillas may be important. Further research to elucidate the importance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and UVB radiation in captive chinchillas is required.     

EVALUATING THE CLINICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM ULTRAVIOLET B RADIATION ON RABBITS (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS)

Vitamin D is an essential hormone in vertebrates. Most animals acquire this hormone through their diet and/or exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. The objectives for this research were to evaluate the clinical and physiologic effects of artificial UVB light supplementation on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and to evaluate the long-term safety of artificial UVB light supplementation over a 6-month period. Twelve New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: Group A was exposed to 12 hours of artificial UVB radiation daily and Group B received ambient fluorescent light with no UVB supplementation for 12 hours daily. All animals were offered the same diet and housed under the same conditions. Blood samples were collected every 3 weeks over 6 months to measure blood chemistry values, parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25-OHD₃) levels. Serial ophthalmologic examinations were performed at the beginning of the study and every 2 months thereafter. At the end of the study the animals were euthanized and necropsied. Mean ± SD serum 25-OHD₃ concentrations differed significantly (P = 0.003) between animals provided supplemental UVB radiation (83.12 ± 22.44 nmol/L) and those not provided UVB radiation (39.33 ± 26.07 nmol/L). There were no apparent negative clinical or pathologic side effects noted between the groups. This study found that exposing rabbits to UVB radiation long term significantly increased their circulating serum 25-OHD₃ levels, which was sustainable over time.     

Cats discriminate between cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol

A comparison was made of the ability of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol to elevate plasma concentrations of vitamin D and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in cats. Cholecalciferol, given as an oral bolus in oil, resulted in a rapid elevation of plasma concentration of cholecalciferol followed by a rapid decline. In contrast, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in plasma increased until day 3 after administration and remained elevated for a further 5 days. When 337 microg of both cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol in oil were given as an oral bolus to 10 cats, the peak plasma concentrations of cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol occurred at 8 or 12 h after administration. Peak concentrations of cholecalciferol were over twice those of ergocalciferol (570 +/- 80 vs. 264 +/- 42 nmol/l). The area under the curve 0-169 h for cholecalciferol was also more than twice that for ergocalciferol. When ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol were administered in a parenteral oil-based emulsion, higher concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 than 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 were maintained in plasma. When both vitamins were included in the diet in the nutritional range, plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 were 0.68 of those of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Discrimination against ergocalciferol by cats appears to result from differences in affinity of the binding protein for the metabolites of the two forms of vitamin D. These results indicate that cats discriminate against ergocalciferol, and use it with an efficiency of 0.7 of that of cholecalciferol to maintain plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration.     

PRELIMINARY EVALUATION OF 99mTECHNETIUM DIETHYLENETRIAMINE PENTAACETIC ACID, 99mTECHNETIUM DIMERCAPTOSUCCINIC ACID, AND 99mTECHNETIUM MERCAPTOACETYLTRIGLYCINE FOR RENAL SCINTIGRAPHY IN CORN SNAKES (ELAPHE GUTTATA GUTTATA)

The efficacy of three radiopharmaceuticals, 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA), 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-DMSA), and 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc-MAG3), for renal imaging was examined in 16 corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata). All snakes received the radiopharmaceutical via an intracardiac injection. The kidneys could not be visualized in the three snakes that received 99mTc-DTPA or in the three snakes that received 99mTc-DMSA, but were well delineated in all 10 snakes receiving 99mTc-MAG3. These snakes were anesthetized and a dynamic frame mode acquisition was obtained for 30 min immediately following injection. A 60 s single static frame mode image was then obtained with the snake in a curled position. Two of the 10 snakes that received 99mTc-MAG3 were removed from further analysis because of suspected pericardial injections. Of the remaining eight snakes, the mean (+/- SD) renal uptake was 25 +/- 9.8% or 24 +/- 9.7%, with or without correction for residual injection site activity, respectively. Correction for remaining radioactivity in the heart does not appear to be necessary if it is less than 10% of the total dose. 99mTc-MAG3 provided consistently high quality images of the kidneys and further studies are warranted to evaluate its sensitivity for detecting decreased function in snakes with renal disease.     

Characterization and cooled storage of semen from corn snakes (Elaphe guttata).

The phylogenetic order Squamata has many representatives that could benefit from the use of semen preservation as a tool for assisting conservation. To date, few studies have been made evaluating the potential for collecting and preserving semen from snakes. The objectives of this study were to characterize semen parameters of the corn snake (Elaphe guttata), including appearance, volume, concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology, and to determine the longevity of corn snake sperm motility stored at 4 degrees C. Single semen samples were collected from 22 adult corn snakes. The appearance of the corn snake semen was generally cloudy, and the color was white to tan. Corn snake spermatozoa initially exhibited a median motility of 92.5%. Corn snakes were found to produce small-volume ejaculates (median 0.01 ml). However, the overall concentration of the snake ejaculate was high (chi = 852 x 10(6) +/- 585 x 10(6) spermatozoa/ml). Morphologically, a mean of 75.7 +/- 9.3% of the sperm cells in an ejaculate were normal. Snake ejaculate with a white appearance had significantly higher sperm concentrations (chi = 1,859 x 10(6) +/- 1,008 x 106 sperm cells/ml; F = 15.74, P = 0.001) than tan ejaculates (chi = 601 x 10(6) +/- 439 x 106 sperm cells/ml). Sperm motility decreased significantly in samples that were stored at 4 degrees C for greater than 48 hr in a refrigerator or Equitainer I. This is the first study to characterize semen volume, appearance, and concentration; sperm motility; and sperm morphology in captive corn snakes. The information derived from this study can be used to develop a model for a collection, cooled storage, and shipping program for semen from endangered or threatened captive and wild snakes.     

Analgesic efficacy of butorphanol and morphine in bearded dragons and corn snakes

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that administration of butorphanol or morphine induces antinociception in bearded dragons and corn snakes. DESIGN: Prospective crossover study. ANIMALS: 12 juvenile and adult bearded dragons and 13 corn snakes. PROCEDURES: Infrared heat stimuli were applied to the plantar surface of bearded dragon hind limbs or the ventral surface of corn snake tails. Thermal withdrawal latencies (TWDLs) were measured before (baseline) and after SC administration of physiologic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (equivalent volume to opioid volumes), butorphanol tartrate (2 or 20 mg/kg [0.91 or 9.1 mg/lb]), or morphine sulfate (1, 5, 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg [0.45, 2.27, 4.5, 9.1, or 18.2 mg/lb]). RESULTS: For bearded dragons, butorphanol (2 or 20 mg/kg) did not alter hind limb TWDLs at 2 to 24 hours after administration. However, at 8 hours after administration, morphine (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly increased hind limb TWDLs from baseline values (mean +/- SEM maximum increase, 2.7+/-0.4 seconds and 2.8+/-0.9 seconds, respectively). For corn snakes, butorphanol (20 mg/kg) significantly increased tail TWDLs at 8 hours after administration (maximum increase from baseline value, 3.0+/-0.8 seconds); the low dose had no effect. Morphine injections did not increase tail TWDLs at 2 to 24 hours after administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with doses used in most mammalian species, high doses of morphine (but not butorphanol) induced analgesia in bearded dragons, whereas high doses of butorphanol (but not morphine) induced analgesia in corn snakes.     

EFFECTS OF NATURAL ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION ON 25-HYDROXYVITAMIN D3 CONCENTRATIONS IN FEMALE GUINEA PIGS (CAVIA PORCELLUS)

Vertebrates have 2 methods of acquiring vitamin D: through the diet and/or secondary to exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Although some species (e.g., dogs) can only acquire vitamin D through their diet, many others also utilize UVB radiation to generate vitamin D. Prior to their extirpation, guinea pigs were naturally exposed to varying levels of sunlight (UVB) in their native habitat; however, in captivity we do not routinely recommend UVB radiation for these animals. Recently, it has been shown that captive guinea pigs can synthesize 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD₃) after exposure to UVB lightbulbs. However, it is not known how natural sunlight impacts 25-OHD₃ concentrations in this species. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 25-OHD₃ concentrations in female guinea pigs exposed to natural sunlight would increase as a result of UVB exposure. Eight adult female guinea pigs were used for this study. The animals were held indoors during winter months and then placed outside in the spring when temperatures were appropriate. Blood samples were collected before the animals were placed outdoors (baseline) and 30 days after being exposed to natural sunlight. There was a significant difference in 25-OHD₃ concentrations over time (P = 0.006) and values collected after the guinea pigs were housed outdoors were 1.8 times higher than baseline. This study confirmed that female guinea pigs can increase 25-OHD₃ concentrations after exposure to natural sunlight. This suggests that these animals have conserved this pathway despite domestication, and supplementation should be considered to optimize captive guinea pig habitats.     

Effects of environmental enrichment, fluorescent and intermittent lighting on injurious pecking amongst male turkey poults

1. Under commercial and experimental conditions domestic turkeys often cause injuries to pen-mates by repeated pecking, sometimes fatally. Environmental enrichment or lighting manipulations might be used to mitigate such injurious pecking. 2. This study examined responses to 4 treatments (2 rooms/treatment) of 8 groups of 100, non-beak trimmed, non-desnooded, male domestic turkeys from 1 to 35 d of age. 3. Birds of 1 treatment were reared under conditions approximating to commercial rearing (12L:12D incandescent, Control) whereas the experimental treatments were 12L:12D incandescent plus supplemental ultraviolet radiation, straw supplementation of litter, pecking substrates and visual barriers (Enriched), 12L:12D fluorescent lighting (Fluorescent), and 2(2L:3D):2L:12D incandescent (Intermittent). 4. Compared to control birds, the incidence of injuries caused by wing or tail pecking were both lower in the Enriched but not significantly different in the Fluorescent or Intermittent. 5. Injuries caused by head pecking did not occur in the Enriched rooms but were observed in at least 1 of the rooms with Control, Fluorescent and Intermittent treatments. 6. Despite considerable environmental differences between treatments, there was remarkable consistency within each type of injurious pecking in age at which injuries were 1st recorded (wing pecking, 9.38+/-1.31 d; tail pecking, 20.43+/-2.42 d; head pecking, 27.8+/-2.13 d). The roles of feather emergence, hierarchy formation in wild turkey poults and appearance of feathers are discussed as possible explanations of these consistencies.     

Effect of vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy on the vitamin D status of ewes and their lambs

Pregnant ewes were injected intramuscularly with 300,000 iu of vitamin D3 in a water miscible vehicle either 10, seven or four weeks before the expected lambing date and the effects on plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were monitored. The concentrations increased quickly and remained high at parturition but at no time were they outside the normal physiological range. The concentrations in the plasma of the newborn lambs were higher than in uninjected controls and were well correlated with the concentrations in their mothers. Dosing pregnant ewes with 300,000 iu of vitamin D3 in a rapidly available form, approximately two months before lambing, provided a safe means of increasing the vitamin D status of the ewe and the newborn lamb by preventing the seasonally low concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.     

Chronic ingestion of high concentrations of cholecalciferol in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether ingestion of 63 times the recommended amount of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) results in renal calcification or damage in cats. ANIMALS: 20 four-month-old kittens, 17 queens, and 20 kittens born to these queens. PROCEDURE: 4-month-old kittens and queens were given a purified diet with 846 microg of cholecalciferol/kg of diet (high vitamin D3 diet) or 118 microg of cholecalciferol/kg of diet (control diet) for 18 months. Kittens born to queens were weaned onto the same diet given to dams. RESULTS: There were no apparent adverse effects of the high vitamin D3 diet. Plasma cholecalciferol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) concentrations of queens and 4-month-old kittens given the high vitamin D3 diet significantly increased with time. At 6 months, plasma cholecalciferol concentrations in these kittens and queens were 140.0+/-7.3 nmol/L and 423.6+/-26.6 nmol/L, respectively (10 times initial values). Corresponding 25-OHD3 concentration in queens was 587.5+/-59.4 nmol/L (2.5-fold increase over initial values). At 3 months of age, kittens born to queens given the high vitamin D3 diet had an increase in serum BUN and calcium concentrations and a decrease in RBC and serum total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin concentrations. By 18 months, these kittens had an increase in plasma cholecalciferol (276.0+/-22.2 nmol/L) and 25-OHD3 (1,071.9+/-115.3 nmol/L) concentrations. However, all indices of renal function and the appearance of renal tissue on histologic evaluation were normal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results indicate that cats are resistant to cholecalciferol toxicosis when the diet is otherwise complete and balanced.     

Vitamin D status of wild Ricord's iguanas (Cyclura ricordii) and captive and wild rhinoceros iguanas (Cyclura cornuta cornuta) in the Dominican Republic.

Calcidiol (25-hydroxyvitamin D) values are reported for 22 wild Ricord's iguanas (Cyclura ricordii) and seven wild rhinoceros iguanas (Cyclura cornuta cornuta). Calcitriol (1,25-hydroxyvitamin D) values are reported for 12 wild Ricord's iguanas and seven wild rhinoceros iguanas. These animals were captured as part of a larger health assessment study being conducted on Ricord's iguanas in Isla Cabritos National Park, Dominican Republic. A total of 13 captive rhinoceros iguanas held outdoors at Parque Zoológico Nacional were also sampled for comparison. Mean concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were 554 nmol/L (222 ng/ml) with a range of 250-1,118 nmol/L (100-448 ng/ml) for wild Ricord's iguanas, 332 nmol/L (133 ng/ml) with a range of 260-369 nmol/L (104-148 ng/ml) for wild rhinoceros iguanas, and 317 nmol/L (127 ng/ml) with a range of 220-519 nmol/L (88-208 ng/ml) for captive rhinoceros iguanas. On the basis of these results, serum concentrations of at least 325 nmol/L (130 ng/ml) for 25-hydroxyvitamin D should be considered normal for healthy Ricord's and rhinoceros iguanas.     

Comparison of ophthalmic measurements obtained via high-frequency ultrasound imaging in four species of snakes

OBJECTIVE: To measure the dimensions of the eyes of living snakes by use of high-frequency ultrasound imaging and correlate those measurements with age, length, and weight. Animals-14 clinically normal snakes. PROCEDURES: Species, age, length, weight, and horizontal spectacle diameter were recorded, and each snake underwent physical and ophthalmic examinations; ultrasonographic examination of both eyes was performed by use of a commercially available ultrasound unit and a 50-MHz transducer. Ultrasonographic measurements included spectacle thickness, subspectacular space depth, corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous cavity depth, and globe length. All measurements were made along the visual axis. RESULTS: 2 corn snakes, 5 California king snakes, 1 gopher snake, and 6 ball pythons were examined. There were no significant differences within or between the species with regard to mean spectacle thickness, corneal thickness, or subspectacular space depth. However, mean horizontal spectacle diameter, anterior chamber depth, and axial globe length differed among the 4 species; for each measurement, ball pythons had significantly larger values than California king snakes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Spectacle thickness, subspectacular space depth, and corneal thickness were similar among the species of snake examined and did not vary significantly with age, length, or weight. Measurements of these dimensions can potentially serve as baseline values to evaluate snakes of these species with a retained spectacle, subspectacular abscess, or subspectacular fluid accumulation. Anterior chamber depth and axial length appeared variable among species, but axial length did not vary with age, length, or weight in the species studied.     

Use of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and dietary calcium to improve tenderness of beef from the round of beef cows

The objective of this trial was to determine how 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-OH D(3)) supplementation, altering supplemental dietary calcium, or their combination influence postmortem biochemical and tenderness changes in muscles from the round of mature cows. Twenty-seven Angus cows (3 to 7 yr old) were allotted randomly to 9 pens with 3 cows per pen. Treatments were arranged in a 3 x 3 factorial design with 3 dosages of 25-OH D(3) (0, 250, or 500 mg of 25-OH D(3) administered as a 1-time oral bolus 7 d before slaughter) and 3 percentages of supplemental limestone (0.5, 0.75, and 1.0%) replenished in the diet for 3 d before slaughter and after a 2-wk limestone withdrawal. Plasma samples were obtained during the feeding period. Upon slaughter, adductor, gracilus, pectineus, sartorius, semimembranosus, vastus intermedius, and vastus lateralis muscles were obtained and aged for 1, 3, or 7 d. Calcium concentrations were increased in plasma when 250 or 500 mg of 25-OH D(3) were administered (P 相似文献   

Effect of parenteral vitamin D3 on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration in sheep

Vitamin D3 ranging in total amount from 10(5) iu (2.5 mg) to 9 X 10(5) iu (22.5 mg) was given intramuscularly either as a single injection or in three aliquots at three-weekly intervals to housed nonpregnant ewes on a vitamin D deficient diet. The effects on plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3), the major metabolite of vitamin D, were monitored. The increase in plasma 25-OHD3 showed a large variation between animals and was related to, but not proportional to, the dose. None of the treatments produced 25-OHD3 concentrations greater than those in grazing sheep in summer. Repeated dosing provided for more efficient use of the injected vitamin D3.     

Snake care and husbandry.

The snake has long been a contradictory species; you either love them or hate them. In the United States, these reptiles are popular pets.There is also a significant amount of energy placed into developing captive breeding programs to produce different color morphs for many species. In some cases, such as the ball pythons (Pythonregius), these color morphs can sell for 20,000 dollars to 30,000 dollars each. In comparison to domestic mammals, snakes are long-lived. It is not uncommon for corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata) to live for 15 to 25 years and for ball pythons to live 35 to 45 years. Because of the longevity and value of these animals, more snakes are being presented to the veterinarian to manage medical and surgical problems,as well as for routine medical care. Veterinary personnel working with snakes should familiarize themselves with the specific husbandry and medical requirements of these animals so that they can make informed decisions regarding their management.     

Oviduct adenocarcinoma in some species of captive snakes

This article reports 5 cases of oviduct adenocarcinoma in adult captive snakes from Smithsonian's National Zoological Park. This neoplasm was found in 1 of each of the following species: emerald tree boa (Corallus caninus), Amazonian tree boa (Corallus enydris enydris), Burmese rock python (Python molurus bivittatus), Northern pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus), and corn snake (Elaphe guttata). Grossly, tan to red firm masses were found within oviducts in 3 cases. In an additional 2 cases, the primary tumor was detected only histologically. Microscopically, neoplasms were papillary, and often extended transmurally. The neoplastic cells were polygonal and organized in acini or cords, with often abundant fibrovascular stroma. Hemorrhages and necrosis were present in all cases. Inflammation, myxomatous material, desmoplasia, and bacteria were often observed. Histologic evidence of metastasis was present in all cases. Solid metastases were seen in all animals except the Northern pine snake and involved several organs including the liver, lung, and heart. Emboli of neoplastic cells were observed in all animals but the Burmese rock python and corn snake.     

Evaluation of an implanted osmotic pump for delivery of amikacin to corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata).

The risk of accidental envenomation to the handler of venomous snakes during drug administration limits the ability to treat these animals. One commercially available osmotic pump is a miniature self-contained cylindrical implant that operates on the basis of an osmotic pressure difference between the extracellular fluid and the osmotic agent in the pump. Osmotic pumps loaded with amikacin were surgically placed into the coelomic cavity of five adult corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata) (group A). Four snakes (group B) received an intramuscular injection of amikacin at 5 mg/kg followed by 2.5 mg/kg q 72 hr for a total of four injections. Plasma concentrations of amikacin were measured in both groups. Renal function was evaluated pre- and posttreatment via scintigraphy with 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc-MAG3) and measurement of plasma uric acid concentrations. Mean (+/- SD) steady state amikacin concentration for group A was 6.9 +/- 1.7 microg/ml (predicted = 8.0 microg/ml), and the measured pump rate was 0.134 +/- 0.017 microl/hr (predicted = 0.130 microl/hr). Mean (+/- SD) peak and trough plasma amikacin concentrations for group B were 22.7 +/- 8.5 microg/ml and 14.3 +/- 7.0 microg/ml, respectively. While neither scintigraphy nor plasma uric acid concentrations indicated toxicity in either group, continuous administration of aminoglycosides may cause nephrotoxicity, and it is unknown whether this delivery method of amikacin would be efficacious in treating bacterial infections in snakes. In addition, due to migration of one pump into the trachea causing asphyxiation and death, these pumps may not be appropriate for intracoelomic placement in corn snakes. Nonetheless, the pumps delivered the drug at a predictable rate and were efficacious in achieving a constant plasma concentration of amikacin at the predicted level. Osmotic pumps may offer a safer alternative to periodic intramuscular injections for drug delivery in venomous or aggressive snakes.     

Optimal filling solution for silicone Foley catheter balloons

We assessed whether saline, sterile water, or air better maintained filling volume and diameter in a veterinary silicone Foley bulb. The bulbs of 45 8-French silicone Foley catheters were inflated: 15 with 5 mL of sterile water (SW bulbs), 15 with 0.9% saline (S bulbs), and 15 with air (A bulbs). The bulbs were submerged in 30 mL of synthetic urine in a 50 mL conical tube in a 38°C water bath. Five catheters from each group were removed on days 3, 5, and 10 to measure bulb volume and diameter. On days 3 and 5, volume and diameter of SW or S bulbs were significantly greater than those of A bulbs, but were not significantly different from one another. At day 10, only 1 S bulb remained intact, 4 of the 5 SW bulbs were intact, the average volume of the SW bulbs was 2.8 mL, and the A bulbs were all deflated. We conclude that sterile water and 0.9% saline are both acceptable for Foley bulb inflation of 5 d or less, but sterile water might be preferred if bulb inflation must be maintained for more than 5 d.