Effect of flunixin meglumine on Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin-induced diarrhea in calves

In a study to evaluate the effect of flunixin meglumine on secretory diarrhea, 11 calves were assigned to 3 groups: group 1 (n = 3) served as controls, group-2 calves (n = 4) were given 2.2 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg, IM at 7 AM and 3 PM, and group-3 calves (n = 4) were given 2.2 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg, IM at 7 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM. All calves were given approximately 200 micrograms of heat-stable Escherichia coli enterotoxin (STa) orally at 8 AM. Mean cumulative fecal output for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 1,331.0 +/- 317.2 g, 1,544.3 +/- 154.4 g, and 785.5 +/- 276.5 g, respectively. There was a significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in mean fecal output in group-3 calves, compared with that in groups 1 and 2. Calves in group 2 tended to have a delay, but not a reduction, in their fecal output. At 12 hours, hemoconcentration was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater in group-1 calves than in group-2 or group-3 calves.     

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on long-term pain in calves castrated by use of an external clamping technique following epidural anesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To compare efficacy of flunixin meglumine versus carprofen in controlling pain under field conditions following castration by use of an external clamping technique in calves that received epidural anesthesia. ANIMALS: 40 male 5- to 6-month-old calves. PROCEDURES: Calves were allocated to 4 groups: castrated only (control calves; n=8); castrated 5 minutes after epidural injection of 2% lidocaine (epidural-alone treated calves; 8), castrated after epidural anesthesia and s.c. administration of flunixin meglumine (epidural-flunixin treated calves; 12), and castrated after epidural anesthesia and s.c. administration of carprofen (epidural-carprofen-treated calves; 11 [1 calf not included]). Plasma cortisol concentration was measured before and 6, 24, and 48 hours after castration. Time of arrival at the feed trough at 24 and 48 hours was observed. Calves were observed at 24 and 48 hours for 4 pain-related behaviors. RESULTS: At 6 hours, control calves had significantly higher plasma cortisol concentrations, compared with baseline values and those of epidural-flunixin- and epidural-carprofen-treated calves. At 24 hours, epidural-carprofen-treated calves had significantly lower plasma cortisol concentrations, compared with control calves. At 48 hours, epidural-carprofen-treated calves had plasma cortisol concentrations that were similar to baseline values and significantly lower than epidural-flunixin- and epidural-alone-treated calves. At 24 and 48 hours, epidural-carprofen-treated calves were first to arrive at the feed trough and had fewer pain-related behaviors. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: s.c. administration of carprofen in combination with epidural injection of lidocaine may improve the welfare of calves castrated by use of an external clamping technique for up to 48 hours.     

Comparison of carprofen and flunixin meglumine asadjunctive therapy in bovine respiratory disease

In an open, controlled, multi-centre clinical field trial, seven ‘naturally occurring’ outbreaks of acutefebrile (rectal temperature ≥ 39·5°C) respiratory disease in housed calves were treated with a single antimicrobial agent, and either the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) carprofen (n=95) or flunixin meghunine (n=92) on an alternate basis. Carprofen was administered as a single subcutaneous injection at a mean dosage of 1·4 mg kg⁻¹ (range 1·2 to 1·9 mg kg⁻¹) body weight on the first day and flunixin meglumine by intravenous injection at a mean dosage of 2·0 mg kg⁻¹ (range 1·2 to 2·6 mg kg⁻¹) body weight on the first 3 consecutive days. All calves were examined clinically immediately prior to initial treatment and on three occasions up to 1 week after the end of treatment. There were no statistically significant differences between NSAID groups in reduction of clinical parameters between examinations, or in overall efficacy. This trial demonstrated that a single dose of carprofen was equally effective as three daily closes of flunixin meglumine as adjunctive therapy to antimicrobial treatment in acute respiratory disease in calves.     

Netobimin in drinking water for treatment of bovine parasitic bronchitis: a field experiment

Lungworm-infected seeder calves were used on four 1.41 ha paddocks to ensure that groups of 11 calves would be exposed to a heavy challenge with Dictyocaulus viviparus. By the 39th day after turnout there was a serious episode of respiratory disease and a diagnosis of parasitic bronchitis was confirmed by post mortem and faecal examination. One group of trial calves was treated with netobimin administered in the drinking water at 2.8 mg/kg/day for seven consecutive days; another group received the same treatment supplemented with flunixin meglumine at 2.2 mg/kg/day for three days; a third group was given a single oral dose of 7.5 mg netobimin/kg; only emergency treatments were given to calves in the control group. The clinical response to the drinking water treatments was highly satisfactory and better than the response to the single oral treatment.     

Use of force plate analysis to compare the analgesic effects of intravenous administration of phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumine in horses with navicular syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To use force plate analysis to evaluate the analgesic efficacies of flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone administered i.v. at typical clinical doses in horses with navicular syndrome. ANIMALS: 12 horses with navicular syndrome that were otherwise clinically normal. PROCEDURE: Horses received flunixin (1.1 mg/kg), phenylbutazone (4.4 mg/kg), or physiologic saline (0.9% NaCI; 1 mL/45 kg) solution administered IV once daily for 4 days with a 14-day washout period between treatments (3 treatments/horse). Before beginning treatment (baseline) and 6, 12, 24, and 30 hours after the fourth dose of each treatment, horses were evaluated by use of the American Association of Equine Practitioners lameness scoring system (half scores permitted) and peak vertical force of the forelimbs was measured via a force plate. RESULTS: At 6, 12, and 24 hours after the fourth treatment, subjective lameness evaluations and force plate data indicated significant improvement in lameness from baseline values in horses treated with flunixin or phenylbutazone, compared with control horses; at those time points, the assessed variables in flunixin- or phenylbutazone-treated horses were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses with navicular syndrome treated once daily for 4 days, typical clinical doses of flunixin and phenylbutazone resulted in similar significant improvement in lameness at 6, 12, and 24 hours after the final dose, compared with findings in horses treated with saline solution. The effect of flunixin or phenylbutazone was maintained for at least 24 hours. Flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone appear to have similar analgesic effects in horses with navicular syndrome.     

Modulation by colostrum-acquired maternal antibodies of systemic and mucosal antibody responses to rotavirus in calves experimentally challenged with bovine rotavirus

The effect of colostral maternal antibodies (Abs), acquired via colostrum, on passive protection and development of systemic and mucosal immune responses against rotavirus was evaluated in neonatal calves. Colostrum-deprived (CD) calves, or calves receiving one dose of pooled control colostrum (CC) or immune colostrum (IC), containing an IgG1 titer to bovine rotavirus (BRV) of 1:16,384 or 1:262,144, respectively, were orally inoculated with 105.5 FFU of IND (P[5]G6) BRV at 2 days of age. Calves were monitored daily for diarrhea, virus shedding and anti-BRV Abs in feces by ELISA. Anti-rotavirus Ab titers in serum were evaluated weekly by isotype-specific ELISA and virus neutralization (VN). At 21 days post-inoculation (dpi), all animals were euthanized and the number of anti-BRV antibody secreting cells (ASC) in intestinal and systemic lymphoid tissues were evaluated by ELISPOT. After colostrum intake, IC calves had significantly higher IgG1 serum titers (GMT=28,526) than CC (GMT=1195) or CD calves (GMT<4). After BRV inoculation, all animals became infected with a mean duration of virus shedding between 6 and 10 days. However, IC calves had significantly fewer days of diarrhea (0.8 days) compared to CD and CC calves (11 and 7 days, respectively). In both groups receiving colostrum there was a delay in the onset of diarrhea and virus shedding associated with IgG1 in feces. In serum and feces, CD and CC calves had peak anti-BRV IgM titers at 7 dpi, but IgA and IgG1 responses were significantly lower in CC calves. Antibody titers detected in serum and feces were associated with circulation of ASC of the same isotype in blood. The IC calves had only an IgM response in feces. At 21 dpi, anti-BRV ASC responses were observed in all analyzed tissues of the three groups, except bone marrow. The intestine was the main site of ASC response against BRV and highest IgA ASC numbers. There was an inverse relationship between passive IgG1 titers and magnitude of ASC responses, with fewer IgG1 ASC in CC calves and significantly lower ASC numbers of all isotypes in IC calves. Thus, passive anti-BRV IgG1 negatively affects active immune responses in a dose-dependent manner. In ileal Peyer's patches, IgM ASC predominated in calves receiving colostrum; IgG1 ASC predominated in CD calves. The presence in IC calves of IgG1 in feces in the absence of an IgG1 ASC response is consistent with the transfer of serum IgG1 back into the gut contributing to the protection of the intestinal mucosa.     

Clinical efficacy of diclofenac sodium and flunixin meglumine as adjuncts to antibacterial treatment of respiratory disease of calves

Objective To compare the efficacy of the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, diclofenac sodium and flunixin meglumine as adjuncts to the antibiotic treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Procedure We randomly allocated 80 Holstein calves with BRD to three groups. All the calves received a dose of 2.5 mg/kg tulathromycin by single subcutaneous injection and two of the groups received, in addition, either 2.5 mg/kg diclofenac sodium as a single intramuscular injection (diclofenac group, n = 30) or 2.2 mg/kg flunixin meglumine as an intravenous injection on the first three consecutive days after tulathromycin administration (flunixin group, n = 30). All calves were given a clinical score prior to initial treatment (day 0) and after treatment (days 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14) by observing appetite, demeanour, rectal temperature, the rate and type of respiration, presence or absence of coughing, and nasal discharge. Results During the first 48 h, improvement of adverse signs of respiratory disease, such as pyrexia and elevated respiratory rate, and of a high clinical index score was significant in the two adjunct groups compared with the calves receiving antibiotic alone. The reduction in pyrexia was greatest in the diclofenac group. There were no statically significant differences between treatment groups with regard to eventual perceived recovery from respiratory disease in 14 days. Conclusion In this trial, a single intramuscular dose of diclofenac sodium was equally effective as three intravenous injections of flunixin meglumine given on consecutive days as adjunctive therapy for BRD.     

Serum IgG and total protein concentrations in dairy calves fed two colostrum replacement products

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of 2 commercially available colostrum replacement products on serum IgG and total protein concentrations in dairy calves. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 84 Holstein bull calves from a single dairy. PROCEDURES: Calves were randomly assigned to be given 4 quarts of colostrum (group 1; n = 21), 2 packages of a colostrum replacement product (product A; group 2; 21), 1 package of a different colostrum replacement product (product B; group 3; 21), or 2 packages of product B (group 4; 21). Treatments were given within 3 hours after birth, and blood samples were collected 24 hours later and submitted for determination of serum total protein and IgG concentrations. RESULTS: Group 1 calves had significantly higher serum total protein and IgG concentrations than did calves in the other 3 groups. However, the percentage of calves with adequate passive transfer (ie, serum IgG concentration > 1,000 mg/dL) was not significantly different among groups 1 (90%), 3 (81%), and 4 (95%). In contrast, only 10% of calves in group 2 had adequate passive transfer. It was predicted that calves fed product B that had serum total protein concentrations > 5.2 g/dL would have serum IgG concentrations > 1,000 mg/dL at least 90% of the time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that product B could be considered as an alternative to colostrum in dairy calves, but product A failed to routinely provide adequate serum IgG concentrations when fed according to label directions.     

Efficacy of florfenicol for treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of florfenicol for treatment of calves with naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). DESIGN: Randomized controlled field trial. ANIMALS: 63 beef calves and 80 dairy calves between 4 and 12 months of age. PROCEDURE: Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Calves in the SC treatment group received a single dose of florfenicol (40 mg/kg [18.2 mg/lb of body weight), SC, on day 0. Calves in the IM treatment group received florfenicol (20 mg/kg [9.1 mg/lb]), IM, on days 0 and 2. Calves in the control group received injections of saline solution (0.9% NaCl), IM, on days 0 and 2. Calves were reevaluated every other day for 20 days after treatment. RESULTS: Corneal ulcers healed by day 20 in 48 of 49 (98%) calves treated with florfenicol IM, 39 of 42 (93%) calves treated with florfenicol SC, and 33 of 52 (63%) control calves. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Florfenicol administered SC (1 dose) or IM (2 doses 48 hours apart) was effective for treatment of calves with naturally occurring IBK.     

Hemodynamics, plasma eicosanoid concentrations, and plasma biochemical changes in calves given multiple injections of Escherichia coli endotoxin

Twelve male neonatal calves (39 to 50 kg) were allotted to 3 groups of 4 calves each. All calves were anesthetized with halothane, and then Escherichia coli endotoxin was given intravenously (3 times) and intraperitoneally (3 times) during a 6-hour period. Group-1 calves were untreated, group-2 calves were pretreated with a low dose of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg of body weight), and group-3 calves were pretreated with a high dose of flunixin meglumine (4.4 mg/kg). In calves of group 1, the mean systemic arterial blood pressure (MABP) and cardiac output (CO) decreased, but pulmonary arterial pressure increased after the initial intravenous and intraperitoneal injections of endotoxin. In calves of this group, these changes were accompanied by increased plasma thromboxane B2 (TxB2) concentration. During this period, increased plasma TxB2 concentration or hemodynamic changes were not detected in calves of groups 2 and 3. Only calves of group 1 had altered hemodynamics early in the experiment; however, after 6 hours, calves of all 3 groups had similarly decreased CO and MABP. In calves of the untreated group, plasma 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F1 alpha concentration increased steadily from the beginning of the experiment until 3 hours later. The CO and MABP were low at the time when serum 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration was high; however, these 2 measurements also were low in treated calves who did not have correspondingly high plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha concentration. Regional blood flow analysis did not reveal correlations between prostanoid concentrations and altered blood flow to selected tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Flunixin meglumine in calves with natural bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection

Twenty-three calves (three to eight months of age) with serological evidence of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection were used in this study. The calves originated from four herds with respiratory tract disease. In a double blind trial the calves were injected intravenously with either flunixin meglumine (2 mg/kg body weight) or with a placebo. The effect on the course of disease was measured using the PO2 in capillary blood samples from the ears of the calves and by the effect on body temperature and respiratory rate. Mean body temperature fell significantly in the flunixin meglumine treated group. Statistically significant differences were not found between the treated and control group during the seven-day examination period.     

Low dose flunixin meglumine: effects on eicosanoid production and clinical signs induced by experimental endotoxaemia in horses

The efficacy of low doses of flunixin meglumine in reducing eicosanoid generation and clinical signs in response to experimentally induced endotoxaemia was investigated. Thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha were measured in serum and plasma by radioimmunoassay. Plasma flunixin concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography and pharmacokinetic parameters derived non-compartmentally. In horses administered flunixin meglumine before endotoxin challenge, a significant suppression in plasma thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha generation was observed. Elevations in blood lactate were significantly suppressed in horses pretreated with 0.25 mg/kg bodyweight flunixin meglumine. Reduction of the clinical signs of endotoxaemia by flunixin meglumine was dose dependent. Low doses of flunixin inhibited eicosanoid production without masking all of the physical manifestations of endotoxaemia necessary for accurate clinical evaluation of the horse's status.     

Effects of flunixin and flunixin plus prednisone on the gastrointestinal tract of dogs

Flunixin meglumine has been reported to induce gastrointestinal lesions in dogs when administered at therapeutic dosages. We administered flunixin meglumine to dogs daily for 10 days to assess the effect of this drug on the gastrointestinal tract. We also evaluated the possibility of corticosteroid potentiation of gastrointestinal toxicosis by concurrent administration of prednisone to 1 group of dogs. Dogs were monitored for gastrointestinal toxicosis by means of serial endoscopic evaluation, measurement of fecal occult blood, PCV, and total solid concentration, and by physical examination. There were 3 treatment groups of 5 dogs each. Group-1 dogs were given 2.2 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg daily, in 2 divided doses IM; group-2 dogs were given 4.4 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg daily, in 2 divided doses IM; and group-3 dogs were given 2.2 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg daily, in 2 divided doses IM plus 1.1 mg of prednisone/kg/d orally, in 2 divided doses. A fourth group of 5 dogs served as a control group. Endoscopically visible gastric mucosal lesions developed in all treated dogs within 4 days of initiating treatment. Lesions first developed in the gastric pylorus and antrum and lesions at these sites were more severe than those observed elsewhere. Dogs treated with flunixin meglumine plus prednisone developed the earliest and most severe lesions; lesion scores in group-2 dogs were higher than those in group-1 dogs. All dogs treated had occult blood in their feces by day 5 and its presence appeared to correlate more closely with endoscopic findings than did physical examination findings or changes in values for PCV or total solids.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Development of nasal, fecal and serum isotype-specific antibodies in calves challenged with bovine coronavirus or rotavirus

Unsuckled specific pathogen free calves were inoculated at 3-4 weeks of age, either intranasally (IN) or orally (O) with bovine coronavirus or O plus IN (O/IN) or O with bovine rotavirus. Shedding of virus in nasal or fecal samples, and virus-infected nasal epithelial cells were detected using immunofluorescent staining (IF), ELISA or immune electron microscopy (IEM). Isotype-specific antibody titers in sera, nasal and fecal samples were determined by ELISA. Calves inoculated with coronavirus shed virus in feces and virus was detected in nasal epithelial cells. Nasal shedding persisted longer in IN-inoculated calves than in O-inoculated calves and longer than fecal shedding in both IN and O-inoculated calves. Diarrhea occurred in all calves, but there were no signs of respiratory disease. Calves inoculated with rotavirus had similar patterns of diarrhea and fecal shedding, but generally of shorter duration than in coronavirus-inoculated calves. No nasal shedding of rotavirus was detected. Peak IgM antibody responses, in most calves, were detected in fecal and nasal speciments at 7-10 days post-exposure (DPE), preceeding peak IgA responses which occurred at 10-14 DPE. The nasal antibody responses occurred in all virus-inoculated calves even in the absence of nasal shedding of virus in rotavirus-inoculated calves. Calves inoculated with coronavirus had higher titers of IgM and IgA antibodies in fecal and nasal samples than rotavirus-inoculated calves. In most inoculated calves, maximal titers of IgM or IgA antibodies correlated with the cessation of fecal or nasal virus shedding. A similar sequence of appearance of IgM and IgA antibodies occurred in serum, but IgA antibodies persisted for a shorter period than in fecal or nasal samples. Serum IgG1 antibody responses generally preceeded IgG2 responses and were predominant in most calves after 14-21 DPE.     

Incidence of diarrhea among calves after strict closure and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in a dairy herd.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether strict closure of a dairy herd and eradication of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection would decrease incidence of diarrhea in calves during the first 31 days after birth, whether specific risk factors were associated with incidence of diarrhea in calves, and whether diarrhea was associated with weight gain of the calves. DESIGN: 2-year cohort study. ANIMALS: 448 calves. PROCEDURE: Calves were monitored from birth to 31 days of age. Fecal samples were tested for rotavirus, blood samples were tested for BVDV and antibodies to BVDV, and serum samples were tested for IgG concentration. Risk factors were evaluated by means of survival analysis. RESULTS: Incidence of diarrhea in calves decreased significantly after strict closure of the herd and eradication of BVDV infection. Risk factors for diarrhea in calves interacted in a multifactorial way. Rotavirus infection and low serum IgG concentration increased the risk that calves would develop diarrhea. Calves that developed diarrhea gained significantly less weight than calves that did not develop diarrhea. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: To control diarrhea among calves in a dairy herd, emphasis should be on maintaining a strictly closed herd free from BVDV infection. However, other measures, such as measures to prevent rotavirus infection and to ensure that calves receive an appropriate amount of colostrum after birth, should also be taken.     

Mechanism of protection from primary bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. I. The effects of dexamethasone.

A series of investigations was designed to study the role of cellular immunity and passive antibody in protecting neonatal calves from primary bovine viral diarrhea virus infection. Administration of corticosteroids (dexamethasone) in doses capable of suppressing cellular immunity markedly potentiated systemic bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in calves which lacked bovine viral diarrhea passive neutralizing antibody. Immunosuppressed calves did not form neutralizing antibody to bovine viral diarrhea virus and developed a fatal viremia. Calves with high levels of passive bovine viral diarrhea neutralizing antibodies were protected from the effect of corticosteroids. The results suggest an essential role for humoral passive antibody, but not for cellular immunity, in protection from primary systemic bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in calves.     

The efficacy of dexamethasone and flunixin meglumine in treating endotoxin-induced changes in calves

Eicosanoids have been implicated in the pathophysiology of endotoxic shock. Drugs which alter eicosanoid production such as corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are beneficial in treating endotoxic shock. Experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, and/or flunixin meglumine, a NSAID, in treating endotoxin-induced changes in calves.Fourteen male calves were assigned to one of four treatment groups: group 1, endotoxin-untreated; group 2, endotoxin-flunixin meglumine treated; group 3, endotoxin-dexamethasone-treated; group 4, endotoxin-flunixin meglumine and dexamethasone-treated. Each calf was given three intravenous and intraperitoneal injections of E. coli endotoxin. Hemodynamic, blood gas, blood chemical and eicosanoid level determinations were obtained.Thirty minutes after endotoxin injection, pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) increased and cardiac output (CO) decreased compared with baseline, corresponding to increased thromboxaneB₂ levels in groups 1 and 3. These groups exhibited a decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) at three and five hours corresponding to increased 6-keto-prostaglandinF_lalpha. The MAP, PAP and CO of group 4 remained near baseline for the entire six hours, except for a late drop in MAP. Lactic acid levels were significantly increased and arterial bicarbonate levels were reduced by six hours in all groups except for group 4. These results indicate that the combination treatment of flunixin meglumine and dexamethasone prevents many of the metabolic derangements observed during endotoxic shock in calves.     

Effects of repeat fenbendazole treatment in dairy calves with giardiosis on cyst excretion, clinical signs and production

In this 90-day study, 60 male Holstein dairy calves were experimentally infected with Giardia duodenalis. Calves were randomly blocked by weight into treatment (N=30) and placebo (N=30) groups. Beginning on study Day 0, calves in the treatment group were administered an oral dose of 5mg/kg of fenbendazole once daily for three consecutive days. Calves in the placebo group received a daily oral treatment of 5 ml of saline for 3 days. These treatments were repeated on Days 30 and 60 of the study. Fecal samples were collected from calves once per week and examined for the presence of Giardia cysts. Calves were monitored daily for clinical signs of intestinal disease and all episodes of diarrhea recorded. Calves were weighed once per week and total feed intake, on a dry matter basis, was calculated daily. Following each treatment, the number of calves shedding Giardia cysts in the fenbendazole group was reduced (p<0.001) compared to the saline group. Also, calves in the fenbendazole group had fewer cysts (p<0.05) detected in their feces following treatment compared with calves that received saline. Within 2 weeks post treatment, the number of infected animals and fecal Giardia cysts returned to placebo levels. This pattern of reinfection was consistent after every treatment period. Calves receiving fenbendazole had fewer total days with diarrhea (p<0.01) and the average number of days each calf had diarrhea was reduced (p<0.05), compared to the placebo group. There were no differences in mean body weight, average daily gain, or feed intake between the treatment or placebo groups. This study demonstrates that fenbendazole is an effective treatment for giardiosis, resulting in a clinical benefit and reducing the number of infective cysts shed by calves. However, this treatment regime had no impact on production parameters and reinfection occurred rapidly in these calves.     

Nephrotoxicity in dogs associated with methoxyflurane anesthesia and flunixin meglumine analgesia

Uremia unexpectedly developed in five dogs 24 hours after undergoing thoracotomy in a student laboratory. In all dogs general anesthesia had been maintained with methoxyflurane, muscle relaxation had been induced with gallamine, and each dog received a single intravenous dose of 1.0 mg/kg flunixin meglumine for analgesia upon termination of anesthesia. In a subsequent group of dogs undergoing an orthopedic procedure, we assessed the effects on renal function of methoxyflurane anesthesia plus oxymorphone, or of methoxyflurane or halothane anesthesia in combination with a single IM 1.0 mg/kg dose of flunixin meglumine. Significant elevations in serum urea and creatinine values, and necrosis of collecting ducts and loops of Henle, were noted only in the dogs receiving methoxyflurane and flunixin meglumine.

We conclude that the use of combination of methoxyflurane and flunixin meglumine is contraindicated in dogs.

     

Attenuation of ischaemic injury in the equine jejunum by administration of systemic lidocaine

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Absorption of endotoxin across ischaemic-injured mucosa is a major cause of mortality after colic surgery. Recent studies have shown that flunixin meglumine retards mucosal repair. Systemic lidocaine has been used to treat post operative ileus, but it also has novel anti-inflammatory effects that could improve mucosal recovery after ischaemic injury. HYPOTHESIS: Systemic lidocaine ameliorates the deleterious negative effects of flunixin meglumine on recovery of mucosal barrier function. METHODS: Horses were treated i.v. immediately before anaesthesia with either 0.9% saline 1 ml/50 kg bwt, flunixin meglumine 1 mg/kg bwt every 12 h or lidocaine 1.3 mg/kg bwt loading dose followed by 0.05 mg/kg bwt/min constant rate infusion, or both flunixin meglumine and lidocaine, with 6 horses allocated randomly to each group. Two sections of jejunum were subjected to 2 h of ischaemia by temporary occlusion of the local blood supply, via a midline celiotomy. Horses were monitored with a behavioural pain score and were subjected to euthanasia 18 h after reversal of ischaemia. Ischaemic-injured and control jejunum was mounted in Ussing chambers for measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and permeability to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). RESULTS: In ischaemic-injured jejunum TER was significantly higher in horses treated with saline, lidocaine or lidocaine and flunixin meglumine combined, compared to horses treated with flunixin meglumine. In ischaemic-injured jejunum LPS permeability was significantly increased in horses treated with flunixin meglumine alone. Behavioural pain scores did not increase significantly after surgery in horses treated with flunixin meglumine. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with systemic lidocaine ameliorated the inhibitory effects of flunixin meglumine on recovery of the mucosal barrier from ischaemic injury, when the 2 treatments were combined. The mechanism of lidocaine in improving mucosal repair has not yet been elucidated.