Chloramphenicol for oral treatment of canine urinary tract infections.

Chloramphenicol was administered orally for 7 to 14 days to 83 dogs with urinary tract infections. The daily dosage of 99 mg/kg (45 mg/lb) was divided into 3 equal parts and administered at 8-hour intervals. Response to treatment (negative urine culture after treatment) varied from 84% (11 to 13) for infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus to 51% (24 of 47) for those caused by Escherichia coli; 82% (14 of 17) of the infections caused by Streptococcus spp and 63% (7 of 11) of those caused by Proteus mirabilis responded to treatment. These 4 species comprised 88% of the bacteria isolated from the dogs.     

Interactive effect of monocrotophos and ammonium chloride on the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus with reference to lactate/pyruvate ratio

Sublethal effect of monocrotophos (pesticide) and ammonium chloride (fertilizer) was studied in the freshwater fish Oreochromis mossambicus, with reference to carbohydrate metabolism for a period of 96 h. The glycogen content was analysed in liver and muscle, while the lactate and pyruvate were assessed in blood along with liver and muscle. The results revealed that the glycogen content was found to be decreasing. In contrast increase in the tissues lactate and pyruvate level was found in the fishes exposed to pesticide and fertilizer individually and in combinations. The combined effects of these chemicals were more toxic to carbohydrate metabolism than the effect produced by the individual chemicals. The results were tested to search for statistical significance. The calculated lactate and pyruvate ratio (L/P) indicated that the fishes were under chemical stress.     

Rooting response of Brassica oleraceal. var. capitata and bud formation

Summary Rooting responses of cabbage leaves(Bassica oleracea L. var.capitata) were studied. -indolylbutyric acid (I.B.A.) at a concentration of 2.5 p.p.m. was found suitable for the purpose. Very young and old leaves were found to be unsuitable for successful rooting. In the series A (without axillary bud) the sixth leaf was found to be most suitable, while in the B series (with axillary bud) the fifth as well as the sixth leaves were found to be suitable. These leaves showed the best response by producing longer and maximum number of roots in the shortest time interval. The presence of axillary buds shortened the time period required for the initiation of roots however, no such correlation could be observed in connection with lengthening or larger production of roots. In general, the treated leaves initiated roots earlier than the control. From the successfully rooted leaves with or without axillary buds, secondary buds were produced which grew into fairly big, edible cabbage heads. It is suggested that this method of induced rooting might be fruitful in vegetative propagation of cabbage during the growing season.with 1 plate     

Haemophilus somnus-induced IgE in calves vaccinated with commercial monovalent H. somnus bacterins

The ability of commercially available Haemophilus somnus bacterins to elicit an immunoglobulin E (IgE) response was examined in healthy calves using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting techniques. Thirty five calves were utilized in this study. Calves in Group 1 (n=7) did not receive any H. somnus vaccination and served as negative controls. Calves in each of Groups 2-5 (n=7 each) were vaccinated on days 0 (primary) and 14 (booster) with one of four commercially available H. somnus bacterins. Sera were harvested on days 0 and 14 and at weekly intervals for a total of 45 days. Sera were tested for the presence of IgE antibodies using a bovine IgE-specific ELISA.Low levels of H. somnus-specific IgE were detected by ELISA in all animals prior to the initiation of the study. All bacterins induced IgE levels that were significantly higher than control levels. Two bacterins elicited higher IgE levels at all time points. Sera were adsorbed against washed whole cells of either Salmonella typhimurium, P. multocida, or H. somnus or extracts of H. somnus. ELISA absorbance values were significantly decreased by adsorption with washed whole cells or extracts of H. somnus, whereas adsorption with other gram-negative bacteria only minimally decreased ELISA absorbance values. These results indicate that commercially available H. somnus bacterins can induce IgE antibody as early as 14 days post-vaccination. This IgE can be detected 45 days after the primary vaccination. Results also indicate that H. somnus-specific IgE antibodies can be found in serum of some cattle, possibly induced by existing or previous sensitization.     

The in vitro antibacterial/synergistic activities of Withania somnifera extracts

The methanol, hexane and diethyl ether extracts from both leaves and roots of Withania somnifera were evaluated for the antibacterial/synergistic activity by agar plate disc-diffusion assay against Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Different concentrations of Tibrim, a combination of rifampicin and isoniazid, were tested to find out the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which came out to be 0.1 mg/ml for S. typhimurium and E. coli. From the six extracts tested, only methanol and hexane extracts of both leaves and roots were found to have potent antibacterial activity. A synergistic increase in the antibacterial effect of Tibrim was noticed when MIC of Tibrim was supplemented with these extracts.     

Estimation of acute fluid shifts using bioelectrical impedance analysis in horses

BACKGROUND: Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) has been used to evaluate extracellular fluid volume (ECFV), but not fluid fluxes associated with fluid or furosemide administration in horses. If able to detect acute changes in ECFV, MF-BIA would be useful in monitoring fluid therapy in horses. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of MF-BIA to detect acute fluid compartment changes in horses. We hypothesized that MF-BIA would detect clinically relevant (10-20%) changes in ECFV. ANIMALS: Six healthy mares were used in the study. METHODS: This is an original experimental study. Mares were studied in 3 experiments: (1) crystalloid expansion of normally hydrated subjects, (2) furosemide-induced dehydration followed by crystalloid administration, and (3) acute blood loss followed by readministration of lost blood. MF-BIA measurements were made before, during, and after each fluid shift and compared to known changes in volume calculated based on the intravenous fluids that were administered in addition to urinary fluid losses. Mean errors between MF-BIA estimated change and known volume change were compared using nonparametric analysis of variance. Estimated ECFV pre- and post-fluid administration similarly were compared. The level of statistical significance was set at P < .05. RESULTS: Results of the study revealed a statistically significant change in ECFV and total body water during crystalloid expansion and dehydration. Statistically significant changes were not observed during blood loss and administration. Mean errors between MF-BIA results and measured net changes were small. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: MF-BIA represents a practical and accurate means of assessing acute fluid changes during dehydration and expansion of ECFV using isotonic crystalloids with potential clinical applications in equine critical care.     

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the diaphragm in a dog

An 11-year-old, castrated male greyhound was referred to the Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for surgical removal of a thoracic mass. Thoracic radiographs revealed a smoothly marginated mass obscuring the diaphragm in the left caudal thorax. Ultrasonographic and computed tomographic imaging modalities demonstrated a mass originating from the left hemidiaphragm. The mass was surgically removed and submitted for histopathological evaluation. Histopathology and immunohistochemical staining confirmed a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.     

Suspected case of hypersplenism as a cause of anaemia,thrombocytopenia and leucopenia in a Miniature Horse gelding

A 23-year-old Miniature Horse gelding was presented to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center with a 3-week history of decreased appetite, lethargy and mild intermittent colic. A complete blood count revealed leucopenia, characterised by neutropenia and lymphopenia, as well as anaemia, thrombocytopenia and hyperproteinaemia whereas hypertriglyceridaemia was noted on serum biochemistry profile. Bone marrow evaluation was nondiagnostic and the horse was negative for antiplatelet antibody testing, Coombs test, equine infectious anaemia virus and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The horse was hospitalised for 36 days and received supportive care, antibiotics, corticosteroids, dextrose-containing fluids and a whole blood transfusion. Following initial improvement and stabilisation, the horse became severely anaemic and acutely recumbent on Day 36 and was subjected to euthanasia. Post-mortem examination provided a diagnosis of hypersplenism with a markedly enlarged spleen along with histiocytic phagocytosis of erythrocytes and platelets. Examination of bone marrow showed appropriate erythroid hyperplasia and no evidence of myelopthisis or neoplasia. This report describes the first presumptive case of primary hypersplenism in an equid as a cause of pancytopenia.