Electrical nerve stimulation as an aid to the placement of a brachial plexus block

Most local anaesthetic blocks are placed blindly, based on a sound knowledge of anatomy. Very often the relationship between the site of deposition of local anaesthetic and the nerve to be blocked is unknown. Large motor neurons may be stimulated with the aid of an electrical current. By observing for muscle twitches, through electrical stimulation of the nerve, a needle can be positioned extremely close to the nerve. The accuracy of local anaesthetic blocks can be improved by this technique. By using the lowest possible current a needle could be positioned with in 2-5 mm of a nerve. The correct duration of stimulation ensures that stimulation of sensory nerves does not occur The use of electrical nerve stimulation in veterinary medicine is a novel technique that requires further evaluation.     

Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex and percutaneous magnetic stimulation of the peripheral nervous structures in the dog

The motor cortex was transcranially and peripheral nervous structures (motor roots, plexus, peripheral nerves) were percutaneously stimulated by magnetic pulses in awake dogs and in dogs awaking from general anesthesia. The compound muscle action potentials were recorded by surface or needle electrodes. The central motor conduction time as an information about central motor tracts was obtained by subtracting the peripheral latency from the corticomuscular latency. The peripheral latency was assessed by high voltage electrical and magnetic stimulation of motor roots and by the F-wave technique. The motor conduction velocity of the tibial nerve was measured by percutaneous magnetic and by electrical stimulation and the resulting values were compared.     

Proximal isovelocity surface area variability during systole in dogs with mitral valve prolapse

The proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) principles and methodology have been described in human and veterinary medicine with special emphasis given to the ease and speed for the quantification of mitral regurgitation. Although limitations have been described in both human and veterinary medicine, in the case of veterinary medicine, clinical examples have not been well defined and in some cases have not been individually presented. The objective of this paper is to illustrate in a qualitative manner the echocardiographic existence of the dynamic behavior and variability of mitral regurgitation in dogs with mitral valve prolapse, a factor to be taken into consideration as a limitation inherent to the PISA technique.     

Treatment of congestive heart failure a neuroendocrine disorder

The understanding of heart failure is no longer based on a supply and demand model of pump failure. Rather, heart failure is seen as a complex pathophysiological process with activation of various neuroendocrine systems. The goals of treatment have changed towards modifying these counterproductive neuroendocrine systems and slowing myocardial maladaptation. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are the only licensed drugs in veterinary practice that have a direct effect on neurohormones in heart failure. The range of drug options in human medicine is greater and some of these drugs are also increasingly being used in veterinary cardiology practice. This review describes the neuroendocrine systems involved in heart failure and discusses the range of drugs available in human and veterinary medicine. In doing so, it concentrates on the evidence available from good quality randomised trials in both the veterinary field and, where relevant, the human medical field.     

血液流变学在兽医临床中的应用

血液流变学是近 2 0年来由生物流变学向医学渗透发展起来的一门新兴学科。它主要研究人和动物体生理、病理条件下血液的流动性、凝固性 ,有形成分的聚积性、变形性 ,心血管的黏弹性和变形性的宏观、微观发生变化的原因及其变化规律。研究表明 ,人和动物的运动、肌肉收缩、神经兴奋与传导 ,各种脏器的活动 ,细胞内外的物质交流 ,尤其是血液的流动 ,细胞的分散与聚积以及变形能力 ,都直接影响着血液的循环流动 ,组织和器官的物质供应 ,内外环境的相对稳定 ,机体免疫功能和体液调节系统等。血液流变学在兽医临床中得到广泛应用 ,并将逐渐发展成为动物医学一门独立学科。文章综述了血液流变学的发展过程、研究概况、以及在兽医临床中的应用     

胶体金免疫层析技术在动物病毒性传染病诊断中的应用

自胶体金标记技术问世以来,已在妊娠检测、传染病、毒品、食品安全和兽医等领域得到了广泛的应用.就兽医领域而言,已应用在动物寄生虫、细菌、病毒以及兽药残留检测等方面.论文总结了胶体金免疫层析技术的基本原理和常见的检测抗原、抗体的方法,对胶体金免疫层析技术在动物病毒抗原和抗体检测中的应用进行了详细的介绍,并对该技术在动物病毒...     

Electrodiagnostic evaluation of peripheral nerve function in rheas and barred owls

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for electrodiagnostic evaluation of peripheral nerve function in birds. ANIMALS: 6 rheas and 6 barred owls. PROCEDURE: Birds were anesthetized with propofol or isoflurane in oxygen. Using a computer-based electromyograph system and needle electrodes for stimulation and recording, electromyography (EMG) was performed on the pectoral, biceps brachialis, and gastrocnemius muscles, and evoked EMG was performed on the tibial and ulnar nerves. Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) was calculated. Repetitive stimulation was performed on these 2 nerves. Late F waves were recorded for each nerve, when possible. RESULTS: Activity was evident during insertion of the electrodes, but muscles tested were electrically quiescent after spontaneous EMG. Motor nerve conduction velocity was faster in the tibial nerve than ulnar nerve but did not differ significantly between species. Mean +/- SEM MNCV was 132.3+/-7.8 m/s for the tibial nerve and 59.7+/-7.8 m/s for the ulnar nerve. A significant difference was not observed in responses at the fourth or ninth stimulation during repetitive stimulation. Subsequent to the initial stimulation, amplitudes were +/-22.7% of the initial motor potential amplitude. Recorded F waves were inconsistent, which may have been associated with technique. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reference range (mean +/-2 SEM) for MNCV was 34.1 to 75.3 m/s for the ulnar nerve and 116.7 to 147.9 m/s for the tibial nerve in barred owls and rheas. After repetitive stimulation, motor potential amplitudes may be +/-22.7% of the initial amplitude response.     

超高效液相色谱技术在兽药分析领域应用的研究进展

超高效液相色谱技术是近年来迅速发展的基于小颗粒填料的液相色谱技术,具有快速、灵敏、准确、高效等众多优点,已成为药物检测和分析领域的研究热点之一。随着该技术的不断发展,其已在兽药研究开发和兽药残留检测等领域得到了较为广泛的应用。文章就超高液相色谱的技术特点及其实际应用进行综述,并对该项技术在未来兽药分析领域广阔的应用前景进行了展望。     

Electrically elicited blink reflex in horses with trigeminal and facial nerve blocks

OBJECTIVE: To reassess reference values for the components of the electrically induced blink reflex, document reference values for facial motor nerve conduction velocity, and demonstrate usefulness of the blink reflex as a diagnostic tool in peripheral facial and trigeminal nerve dysfunction in horses. ANIMALS: 10 healthy adult horses (8 males, 2 females) without neurologic abnormalities. PROCEDURE: Blink reflex tests were performed by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve and facial (auriculopalpebral) nerve. Reflex and direct muscle-evoked potentials of the orbicularis oculi muscles were recorded from concentric needle electrodes inserted bilaterally in these muscles. Supraorbital and auriculopalpebral nerve blocks were performed by lidocaine hydrochloride injections. RESULTS: Supraorbital nerve stimulation elicited 2 or 3 ipsilateral and 1 contralateral reflex muscle potential in the orbicularis oculi muscles. Auriculopalpebral nerve stimulation elicited a direct and a reflex potential in the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle. After left supraorbital nerve block, no responses could be elicited ipsilaterally or contralaterally upon stimulation of the blocked nerve, but bilateral responses were obtained upon stimulation of the right supraorbital nerve. After right auriculopalpebral nerve block, no responses were recorded from the right orbicularis oculi muscle upon stimulation of left or right supraorbital nerves. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reference values for the components of the blink reflex and facial motor nerve conduction velocity will allow application of these tests to assist in the diagnosis of equine neurologic disorders involving the trigeminal and facial nerves, the brainstem, and the cranial end of the cervical segment of the spinal cord. This study reveals the usefulness of the blink reflex test in the diagnosis of peripheral trigeminal and facial nerve dysfunction in horses.     

制剂新技术在兽药研发中的应用

作者系统阐述了固体分散技术、包合技术、微型包囊技术、纳米技术、脂质体制备技术、乳化技术及中药超微粉碎技术等制剂新技术在兽药领域的应用。     

Veterinary Neurologic Rehabilitation: The Rationale for a Comprehensive Approach

The increase in client willingness to pursue surgical procedures, the heightened perceived value of veterinary patients, and the desire to provide comprehensive medical care have driven the recent demand of using an integrative treatment approach in veterinary rehabilitation. Physical therapy following neurologic injury has been the standard of care in human medicine for decades, whereas similar rehabilitation techniques have only recently been adapted and utilized in veterinary medicine. Spinal cord injury is the most common neurologic disease currently addressed by veterinary rehabilitation specialists and will be the primary focus of this review; however, research in other neurologic conditions will also be discussed. Of particular interest, to clients and veterinarians are techniques and modalities used to promote functional recovery after neurologic injury, which can mean the difference between life and death for many veterinary patients.The trend in human neurologic rehabilitation, often regardless of etiology, is a multimodal approach to therapy. Evidence supports faster and improved recoveries in people after neurologic injury using a combination of rehabilitation techniques. Although the primary neurological disorders researched tend to be spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathies, allodynia, multiple sclerosis, and strokes—many correlations can be made to common veterinary neurological disorders. Such comprehensive protocols entail gait training activities in combination with neuromuscular electrical stimulation and directed exercises. Additionally, pain-relieving and functional benefits are bolstered when acupuncture is used in addition to rehabilitation. Studies, both laboratory and clinical, support the use of acupuncture in the management of neurologic conditions in small animals, specifically in cases of intervertebral disc disease, other myelopathies, and neuropathic pain conditions. Acupuncture’s ability to promote analgesia, stimulate trophic factors, and decrease inflammation, including neuroinflammation, make it an alluring adjunct therapy after neurologic injury.Although there is limited research in veterinary medicine on physical techniques that expedite recovery after neurologic injury, there are sparse publications on clinical veterinary research suggesting the benefits of acupuncture, rehabilitation, and LASER in dogs with intervertebral disk disease. Accordingly, due to the relative lack of evidence-based studies in veterinary neurologic rehabilitation, much of the data available is human or laboratory-animal based, however, evidence supports the utilization of an early, comprehensive treatment protocol for optimal neurologic recovery. The rationale for why an integrative approach is critical will be detailed in this review; in addition, literature on specific physical rehabilitation techniques that have evidence of improved recoveries after neurologic injury, will be addressed.     

Electrophysiological evidence of peripheral nerve dysfunction in six dogs with botulism type C

In six dogs with botulism type C electrophysiological examinations showed: fibrillation potentials and prolonged insertional activity; low amplitude of the evoked muscle action potential; decrease in amplitude of the compound muscle action potential with slow repetitive stimulation; slowing of motor and sensory velocities in the peripheral nerve; and restoration of velocity and amplitude corresponding to clinical improvement. These findings indicate peripheral nerve dysfunction which cannot be explained adequately by current knowledge of the action of botulinum toxin on cholinergic nerve endings. It is therefore suggested that botulinum toxin also interferes with peripheral nerve conduction.     

Nosocomial infections.

Nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance are topics that have been intensely studied in human medicine because of their significant impact on human health. In recent years, concerns have been raised that the use of antibiotics in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, and agriculture may be contributing to the development of resistance in common bacterial species affecting human beings. Although there is inadequate proof at this time that the resistance is transmitted from animals to people, if antibiotics continue to be used indiscriminately in veterinary medicine, veterinarians may find themselves facing regulations restricting the use of some antibiotics. Nosocomial infections have been reported in veterinary medicine and are likely to increase in prevalence with the increase in intensive care practices in many hospitals. Prolonged hospitalization and the use of invasive devices and procedures increase the risk of nosocomial disease. As in human medicine, organisms isolated in the nosocomial infections reported in veterinary patients have an increasingly broad spectrum of antimicrobial resistance. Despite these findings, the use of empiric and prophylactic antibiotic therapy is still widespread in veterinary medicine. Nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance may have a serious impact on the future of [table: see text] veterinary medicine, because the cost and ability to treat our patients may be affected by the loss of access to or effectiveness of antimicrobial drugs. Despite the millions of dollars spent on research to reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections in human patients, the strategies that have consistently proven successful are simple and inexpensive to implement. The most important factor in preventing nosocomial infections is improving the hygiene practices of health care providers. Hand-washing or the use of disposable gloves can dramatically reduce the transmission of bacteria between patients. Aseptic technique should be used in the placement and management of all invasive devices. All staff members should be educated on the risks and symptoms associated with nosocomial infections so that cases can be detected early and treated appropriately. We in the veterinary profession have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of the human medical profession and can take steps to prevent the escalation of nosocomial infections and their impact on our profession.     

Environmental and animal hygiene--an indispensable subject for veterinary education?

Based on conference reports, publications, and personal experiences in the field of veterinary environmental hygiene in Germany and abroad, the question is discussed whether the subjects environmental and animal hygiene have to be considered as indispensable subjects for the curricula in veterinary education or only play a secondary role as a fringe area of veterinary medicine. The analysis and evaluation of the relevant literature have shown that this subject has gained an extraordinary significance for science and practice during the last 4-5 decades. Due to its close interconnections with related fields of science like agriculture, human medicine, biology, ecology, engineering sciences and economics the veterinary environmental and animal hygiene has reached such a high standing that it is now an indispensable component of veterinary education in Germany.     

Non-selective computed tomography angiography of a vascular ring anomaly in a dog

Non-selective computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an emerging imaging technique that will have continued application in veterinary medicine because of its short scan time, use of a single, peripheral venous injection and availability of more detailed anatomic information—including 3-dimensional reconstructions. The improved anatomic detail may facilitate veterinary students' learning of complex aortic arch malformations and details relative to the surgical approach. Herein we describe application of its use in a dog with a vascular ring anomaly due to a persistent right fourth aortic arch and left ligamentum arteriosum. Additionally, we compare images with a normal dog.     

Limitations to veterinary applications of new technologies in treatment and diagnostics.

Technology promises to improve the lifestyle and life quality of humankind. As a rule, wherever human medicine goes, veterinary medicine is sure to follow. Nevertheless, the promise of technologic advances does not shine as bright for veterinarians as for human physicians. This trend is echoed in the business of animal health as pharmaceutic company after pharmaceutic company spins off or otherwise eliminates their animal health division. Instead, a small group of strictly animal health-oriented companies compete for the animal health dollar, promising that fewer and fewer expensive technologies are likely to be incorporated into the standard of veterinary practice. All is not lost, however, because as progress is made in the field of human biotechnology, the cost of the technology should eventually come down, permitting at least some of the advances in human medicine to become available to the veterinarian.     

Can Flush and Lock Solutions Used in Human Medicine Be Applied to Large Animal IV Therapy: A Systematic Review

A recent shortage of prepackaged heparinized saline (HS) syringes has led to the question of whether or not normal saline (NS) can be used to both flush and lock IV catheters in large animal medicine (LAM). Moreover, several known medication incompatibilities exist with IV heparin administration. This is of particular concern in veterinary medicine where limited to no compatibility data exists between “veterinary only” (non-Food and Drug Administration approved) medications and heparin. Most of the literature on this subject is in human medicine where flushing of peripheral IV lines (PIVL) is done safely and effectively with NS. The jugular lines inserted in LAM have characteristics that are more similar to PIVLs versus most central venous access devices used in human patients. In addition, LAM catheters are of larger diameter than those typically used in human medicine thereby reducing the risk of occlusion. Based on the data evaluated, flushing and locking all LAM catheters with of NS is a reasonable alternative method for maintaining IV patency and eliminating problems associated with medication-related incompatibilities or shortages of prepackaged HS syringes.