DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC ESTIMATION OF RENAL AND OCULAR RESISTIVE AND PULSATILITY INDICES IN NORMAL DOGS AND CATS

Resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) are indirect measurements of blood flow resistance that may be used to evaluate vascular changes in renal and ophthalmologic diseases. To our knowledge, no reports are available describing values for renal and ocular PI index in the unsedated dog and ocular RI and PI indices in the unsedated cat. The purpose of this study was to measure normal values for both intrarenal and ocular RI and PI within the same subject in unsedated clinically normal dogs and cats. Twenty-seven dogs and 10 cats were considered healthy by means of physical examination, CBC, biochemical profile, urinalysis, and ultrasonography. Systolic blood pressure was measured by Doppler ultrasonography. Intrarenal and ocular arteries were scanned by pulsed Doppler ultrasonography to calculate RI and PI. No significant differences were noted between the values obtained for the right vs. the left kidney and eye. The upper values of these indices were calculated as mean+2 standard deviations resulting in 0.72 and 1.52 for dog renal RI and PI; 0.7 and 1.29 for cat renal RI and PI; 0.76 and 1.68 for dog ocular RI and PI; and 0.72 and 1.02 for cat ocular RI and PI.     

Observations on the potential of microwaves for weed control

Field tests of a prototype microwave‐based weed killer machine were conducted on Abutilon theophrasti, Panicum miliaceum, lucerne and oilseed rape pure stands. The approach can be considered a thermal weed control method, the microwave radiation causing dielectric heating of plant tissue water that eventually kills the plant. The method could overcome the limitations of other thermal methods, such as fire risk with flaming or the heavy loads required for hot water treatments. Species were effectively controlled by microwave irradiation, but their sensitivity and the evolution of damage symptoms over time differed. Lucerne showed no sigmoidal response and was the least affected by the treatment, while a log‐logistic curve expressed the dose–response relationships of the other species quite well. The estimated microwave dose for a 90% dry weight reduction ranged from 1015 kJ m^?2 in A. theophrasti to 3433 kJ m^?2 in P. miliaceum. Energy cost evaluation indicated that increased efficiency is required for this technique to compete with other thermal methods. Microwave efficiency could be increased by a flux configuration that minimizes soil penetration and maximizes absorption by plants, which, in turn, depends on plant growth form.     

美国杏李不同栽培模式适应性评价

本文通过对不同品种不同栽培模式美国杏李生长和林地土壤含水量动态变化分析表明:栽培模式3抗旱性好,在研究地可广泛应用;栽培模式2在研究地比较适合在有一定灌溉条件的地区应用;栽培模式1抗旱性适中,可在研究地土壤水分条件尚好的地区应用;栽培模式5可在研究地土壤水分条件尚好的地区控制应用;栽培模式4在研究地不宜采用。     

Plasma Concentrations and Cardiovascular Influence of Lidocaine Infusions During Isoflurane Anesthesia in Healthy Dogs and Dogs With Subaortic Stenosis

Objective—To determine the plasma concentrations and cardiovascular changes that occur in healthy dogs and dogs with aortic stenosis that are given an infusion of lidocaine during isoflurane anesthesia. Study Design—Phase 1, controlled randomized cross-over trial; Phase 2, before and after trial Animals—Phase 1, 6 healthy dogs (4 female, 2 male) weighing 23.8 ± 7.4 kg; Phase 2, 7 dogs (4 female, 3 male) with moderate to severe subaortic stenosis (confirmed by Doppler echocardiography) weighing 31.1 ± 14.5 kg. Methods—After mask induction, intubation, and institution of positive pressure ventilation, instrumentation was performed to measure hemodynamic variables. After baseline, measurement at an end-tidal isoflurane concentration of 1.9% (phase 1) or 1.85% (phase 2), a loading dose infusion of lidocaine at 400 μg/kg/min was given. Phase 1: Maintenance doses of lidocaine were administered consecutively (40, 120, and 200 μg/kg/min) after the loading dose (given for 10, 10, and 5 minutes, respectively) in advance of each maintenance concentrations. Measurements were taken at the end of each loading dose and at 25 and 35 minutes during each maintenance level. The same animals on a different day were given dextrose 5% and acted as the control. Phase 2: Dogs were studied on a single occasion during an infusion of lidocaine at 120 μg/kg/ min given after the loading dose (10 minutes). Measurements occurred after the loading dose and at 25 and 35 minutes. A blood sample for lidocaine concentration was taken at 70 minutes. Data were compared using a one-way ANOVA for phase 1, and between phase 1 and 2. Statistical analysis for phase 2 was performed using a paired r-test with a Bonferroni correction. A P value ± .05 was considered significant. Results—Phase 1: Plasma lidocaine concentrations achieved with 40, 120, and 200 μg of lidocaine/kg/min were 2.70, 5.27, and 7.17 μg/mL, respectively. A significant increase in heart rate (HR) (all concentrations), central venous pressure (CVP), mean pulmonary areterial pressure (PAP), and a decrease in stroke index (SI) (200 μg/kg/min) were observed. An increase in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and mean PAP, and a decrease in SI also followed the loading dose given before the 200 μg/kg/min infusion. No other significant differences from the control measurements, during dextrose 5% infusion alone, were detected. Phase 2: Plasma lidocaine concentrations achieved were 5.35, 4.23, 4.23, and 5.60 μg/mL at 10, 25, 35, and 70 minutes, respectively. They were not significantly different from concentrations found in our healthy dogs at the same infusions. A significant but small increase in CVP compared with baseline was noted after the loading dose. There were no significant differences from baseline shown in all other cardiovascular data. There were no statistically significant differences in any measurements taken during the lidocaine infusion between the dogs in phase 1 and phase 2. Dogs with aortic stenosis tended to have a lower cardiac index than healthy dogs at baseline (88 v 121 mL/kg/min) and during lidocaine infusion (81 v 111 mL/kg/min). A small, statistically significant difference in systolic PAP was present at baseline. Conclusions—There does not appear to be any detrimental cardiovascular effects related to an infusion of lidocaine at 120 μg/kg/min during isoflurane anesthesia in healthy dogs or dogs with aortic stenosis. The technique used in this study resulted in therapeutic plasma concentrations of lidocaine. Clinical Relevance—Methods shown in the study can be used in clinical cases to achieve therapeutic lidocaine levels without significant cardiovascular depression during isoflurane anesthesia.     

THE USE OF A BARIUM MEAL TO EVALUATE TOTAL GASTRIC EMPTYING TIME IN THE DOG

Total gastric emptying time was determined in nine mongrel dogs using a barium meal contrast procedure. Within the group, total gastric emptying time ranged from 7.0–15.0 hours. Comparison of the population mean showed a statistical difference (p − 0.01) from previously published values. Individual dogs showed consistent total gastric emptying time over three trials. The technique can be used to test the effect of a procedure on total gastric emptying time when a normal value has been established for the dog. Due to the wide range of normal values observed, evaluation of clinical patients could be difficult unless there is a gross abnormality in function.     

Advances in wound healing in small animal practice: current status and lines of development

Abstract In the past 5 years advances in the management of wounds in dogs and cats have included the development of materials and techniques used to enhance the healing of both open and closed wounds. New topical and locally injected medications as well as new bandaging materials have been evaluated. The use of omental flaps to enhance wound healing has been found to be promising. Ultrasonography has been found useful in assessing wound tissues to guide treatment. Because tension is a major factor in dealing with wound closure, skin expanders, skin stretchers, presutures and adjustable horizontal mattress sutures have been described as means of overcoming tension. Recently completed research projects at the Scott-Ritchey Research Center studied the woundhealing effects of fibrin sealants, topical bovine collagen, omega-3 fatty acid-enriched diets and magnetic field therapy. Projects underway are evaluating the healing effects of a new biological tissue adhesive, a macrophage stimulant and a thromboxane synthestase inhibitor. Parameters for evaluating wound healing have included histopathology, tensiometry, planimetry, laser Doppler image scanning, biochemistry and immunohistochemistry. Resumen En los últimos 5 años, algunos de los avances en la curación de heridas en perros y gatos ha incluido el desarrollo de materiales y técnicas utilizados para mejorar la curación tanto de heridas cerradas como abiertas. Se han evaluado nuevas medicaciones tópicas y sistémicas asi como nuevos marteriales de vendaje. El us0 de injertos omentales para estimular la curación de heridas ha mostrado resultados prometedores. La ecografia es un método éutil en la valoración de los tejidos lesionados para guiar el tratamiento. Debido a que la tensión es un factor importante en el caso de cerramiento de heridas, se describen como métodos de evitar la tensión productos como expansores cutáneos, estiradores cutáneos, presuturas y suturas cutáneas horizontales acolchonadas ajustables. Algunos proyectos de investigación recientemente finalizados en el Centro de Investigación Scott-Ritchey estudiaron los efectos sobre la curación de heridas de selladores de fibrina, colágeno tópico bovino, dietas enriquecidas con ácido graso omega-3 y terapia de campo magnético. Otros proyectos en realización están evaluando los efectos curativos de un nuevo adhesivo tisular biológico, un estimulante de macrófagos y un inhibidor de la tromboxano-sintetasa. Los parámetros para evaluar la curación de herida han incluido la histopatología, la tensiometría, la planimetría, el scanner por imágen doppler laser, bioquímica e inmunohistoquímica. [Swaim, S.F. Advances in wound healing in small animal practice: current status and lines of development (Avances en la curcion de heridas en pequeños animales: estado actual y lineas de desarrollo). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 249–257] Zusammenfassung In den letzten 5 Jahren wurden Fortschritte in der Wundversorgung bei Hund und Katze unter anderem durch die Entwicklung von Materialien und Techniken erzielt, die zur besseren Heilung von offenen und geschlossenen Wunden verwendet werden. Neue lokale und systemische Medikamente sowie neue Verbandsmaterialien wurden untersucht. Die Verwendung von Omentumlappen zur Verbesserung der Wundheilung scheint vielversprechend zu sein. Ultraschalluntersuchungen waren von Nutzen, um Wundgewebe zu beurteilen und die Behandlung zu lenken. Spannung ist ein wesentlicher Faktor im Wundverschluss, Hautexpander, Hautdehner, vorbereitende Nähte und regulierbare, horizontale Matratzennähte wurden zur Überwindung der Wundspannung beschrieben. Kürzlich fertiggestellte Forschungsprojekte am Scott-Ritchie Research Center erforschten die Effekte von Fibrindichtungsmitteln, lokalem bovinen Kollagen, Futtermitteln mit Omega-3 Fettsäurenzusatz und Magnetfeldtherapie. Gegenwärtige Forschungsprojekte bewerten die Heilungseffekte eines neuen, biologischen Gewebehaftmittels, eines Makrophagenstimulans und eines Thromboxansynthetasehemmers. Parameter zur Bewertung der Wundheilung waren Histopathologie, Tensiometrie, Planimetrie, Laser Doppler, physiologische Chemie und Immunhistochemie. [Swaim, S.F. Advances in wound healing in small animal practice: current status and lines of development (Fortschritte bei der Wundheilung in der Kleintierpraxis: Derzeitiger Stand und Entwicklung). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8: 249–257] Résumé Durant les 5 dernières années, le progrés dans le traitement des plaies chez les chiens et les chats ont inclus le développement de matériaux et de techniques utilisés pour augmenter la cicatrisation des plaies ouvertes et fermées. De nouvelles médications topiques et systémiques ainsi que de nouveaux matériaux de bandages ont étéévalués. L'utilisation de lambeaux d'éplipon s'est révélée prometteuse dans l'amélioration de la cicatrisation des plaies. L'ultrasonographie s'est montrée utile dans le traitement de guidance de l'évaluation des plaies tissulaires. La tension étant un facteur major lors de la fermeture de plaies, expansseurs cutanés, étireurs cutanés et surjets de matelassier ajustables ont tous été décrits comme moyens permettant de vaincre la tension. Récemment des projets de recherche achevés au Scott-Ritchey Research Center ont étudiés les effets des joints de fibrine, du collagène bovin topique, des régimes enrichis en acides gras omega-3 et de la thérapies de champs magnétiques sur la cicatrisation des plaies. Les projets mis en route sont l'évaluation des effets sur la cicatrisation d'un nouvel adhésif tissulaire biologique, d'un stimulant de macrophages et d'un nouvel inhibiteur de la thromboxane synthase. Les paramètres intervenant dans l'évaluation de la cicatrisation des plaies ont inclus l'histopathologie, la tensiométrie, la planimétrie, le laser Doppler, l'imagerie, la biochimie et l'immunohistochimie. [Swaim, S.F. Advances in wound healing in small animal practice: current status and lines of development (Progres de la cicatrisation en pratique des petits animaux: etat actuel et lignes de developpement). Veterinary Dermatology 1997; 8 : 249–257]