The effects of doxapram hydrochloride (dopram-V) on laryngeal function in healthy dogs

Laryngeal dysfunction is assessed most accurately by direct visualization of the larynx under a light plane of anesthesia. If the plane of anesthesia used is too deep, laryngeal structures may appear paralyzed and remain in a paramedian position. Doxapram hydrochloride is a known respiratory stimulant. We hypothesized that doxapram would significantly increase intrinsic laryngeal motion in healthy anesthetized dogs. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of doxapram on the area of rima glottidis (RG) in healthy dogs. Thirty healthy dogs were studied. Dogs were premedicated with butorphanol tartrate (0.22 mg/kg IV), acepromazine maleate (0.05 mg/kg SC), and glycopyrrolate (0.005 mg/kg SC), followed by induction with propofol (4 mg/kg IV). Intrinsic laryngeal motion observed in each dog was recorded on videotape after induction. Doxapram then was administered (2.2 mg/kg IV) and respirations again were recorded. Representative breaths for each dog were photographed during 4 phases of respiration (inspiration at rest, inspiration with doxapram, expiration at rest, and expiration with doxapram). The area of the RG then was calculated by using a computer-assisted analysis program. Results of each category were compared by using a 1-way analysis of variance; P < or = .05 was considered significant. Doxapram visibly increased respiratory effort, and was associated with increased intrinsic laryngeal motion. Compared to the resting state, the area of the RG was significantly increased after doxapram administration during both inspiration and expiration. We propose the routine use of doxapram during laryngoscopy to increase intrinsic laryngeal motion and aid in the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction.     

Diagnostic survey of bovine abortion in Korea: with special emphasis on Neospora caninum

Causes of bovine abortion were surveyed in Korea within a designated period from the cases submitted to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University. One hundred and eighty aborted fetuses and maternal sera were evaluated by necropsy, histopathology, bacteriology, virology, PCR, and serologic tests. The causes of abortion were identified in 108 (60%) cases, of which 38 (21.1%) were due to the infection with Neospora caninum. None of the 38 cases showed any co-infection with either virus or bacteria. Viral and bacterial causes were diagnosed in 28 (15.5%) and 13 (7.2%) aborted fetuses, respectively. Non-infectious causes such as multiple pregnancy, maternal weakness or torsion of umbilical cord were observed in 22 (12.3%) cases. Results of the present study suggest that N. caninum is believed to be the leading cause of bovine abortion in Korea. Thus, more attention should be paid to this emerging disease in Korea. However, the causes of many aborted fetuses remain undiagnosed in this study. Therefore, this enigma should be clarified through further studies such as chromosomal analysis.     

Effect of oral administration of L-lysine on conjunctivitis caused by feline herpesvirus in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether oral administration of L-lysine to cats would lessen the severity of conjunctivitis caused by feline herpesvirus (FHV-1). ANIMALS: 8 healthy young adult cats. PROCEDURE: Cats received oral administration of lysine monohydrochloride (500 mg, q 12 h) or placebo (lactose) beginning 6 hours prior to inoculation of virus. The left conjunctival sac received a 50-microl suspension of FHV-1 grown in cell culture (1.8 X 10(8) tissue culture infective dose50) on day 1. Cats were evaluated and scores given for clinical signs each day for 21 days. Samples for virus isolation were collected from the eye and throat every third day. Plasma lysine and arginine concentrations were measured prior to the study and on days 3, 14, and 22. RESULTS: Cats that received lysine had less severe conjunctivitis than cats that received placebo. Virus isolation results did not differ between the groups. Plasma lysine concentration was significantly higher in cats that received lysine, compared with control cats, whereas plasma arginine concentrations did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral administration of 500 mg of lysine to cats was well tolerated and resulted in less severe manifestations of conjunctivitis caused by FHV-1, compared with cats that received placebo. Oral administration of lysine may be helpful in early treatment for FHV-1 infection by lessening the severity of disease.     

History of the control of foot and mouth disease

From the many existing documents on the history of foot and mouth disease, it is possible to describe the practical measures adopted for disease surveillance and control from ancient times until the 20th century.

Surveillance was based on diagnosis or post-mortem examination, and also on knowledge of the conditions under which infection occurred: aetiology, pathogenesis, mode of infection, susceptible species, virulent material, etc. The historical facts are assembled and compared, with comments on each of these points.

Control was based upon the application of isolation, then slaughter or aphtisation, then vaccination. A study of these various procedures makes it possible to compare their efficacy.

Résumé

D'après les nombreux documents existant sur l'histoire de la fièvre aphteuse il est possible de décrire les mesures adoptées pour suivre l'évolution de la maladie et la maîtriser, depuis l'Antiquité jusqu'au XXème siècle.

La surveillance de la maladie était fondée sur le diagnostic clinique ou l'examen des lésions, mais aussi sur la connaissance des condition de l'infection: étiologie, pathogénie, mode de transmission du contage, matières virulentes, etc. Les faits historiques concernant ces différents points sont rassemblés, comparés et commentés.

La maîtrise de la fièvre aphteuse a été assurée soit par des mesures d'isolement, puis d'abattage sanitaire, soit par des opérations d'aphtisation puis de vaccination. L'étude de ces différentes stratégies permet de comparer leur efficacité respective.     

Adventitious shoot formation from sections of sweet potato grown in vitro

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam.) root sections were obtained from the cultivars ‘Centennial’, ‘Redmar’ and ‘Jewel’ with a No. 6 cork borer. These sections were cut into 2–3-mm discs and explanted on to modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium consisting of MS high mineral salts, myo-inositol (100 mg l^?1), Staba vitamins, 6-benzyl-aminopurine (2.0 mg l^?1), naphthaleneacetic acid (0.1 mg l^?1), sucrose (30 g l^?1) and agar (10 g l^?1). Root discs from internal regions of the tuberous roots gave rise to calli and meristematic bud-like centers (MBLC's). A small percentage of ‘Centennial’ MBLC's burst open to reveal plantlets which grew and rooted well on the medium. Some of the ‘Jewel’ MBLC's contained only roots, while those of ‘Redmar’ did not differentiate. MBLC-formation occurred most often on discs taken from fresh (unstored) roots of ‘Centennial’. Petiole sections taken from in vitro-cultured plants of all 3 cultivars developed plants quite readily on the medium. Shoots of all 3 cultivars grew rapidly, to yield whole rooted plants which could easily be moved to soil and grown in the greenhouse and field.     

Clinical and electrocardiographic characterization of cattle with atrial premature complexes

Atrial premature complexes (APC) were identified in 16 cows over a 2-year period. Fourteen cows had concurrent gastrointestinal disease. Variation in the intensity of the first heart sound and an occasionally irregular heart rhythm were evident during thoracic auscultation. Neither cardiac murmurs nor pulse deficits were detected in any cows, and clinical signs of heart failure were lacking. Three cows had APC immediately prior to or after development of atrial fibrillation. The heart rate when APC were diagnosed ranged from 48 to 124 beats/min (mean, 77 +/- 20 beats/min), and the APC frequency ranged from less than 1 to 23/min (mean 9.4 +/- 8.0). The P-wave morphologic characteristics in 4 cows with APC was abnormal. The coupling index of the APC varied between 0.44 and 0.95, with a mean of 0.73. Aberrant ventricular activation was usually associated with a short coupling interval (coupling index less than 0.60) and was observed in 3 cows. Ten cows were determined to be hypocalcemic and 4 cows hypokalemic when APC were identified. Atrial ectopic activity could not be detected in 12 cows after resolution of the concurrent gastrointestinal disorder or electrolyte abnormality. Atrial premature complexes may be a functional cardiac disorder in cattle, unrelated to structural heart disease. The potential for APC to progress to sustained atrial arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation should be considered.     

Maintenance energy requirements of grazing sheep: A detailed comparison between models

Energy requirements for maintenance of grazing sheep, as calculated in a number of sheep grazing system models, as well as in reviews of sheep nutrient requirements, are compared. The treatments of mobilization of body energy when energy from feed is in deficit are also compared. A composite calculation, which is logically consistent and based as far as possible on experimental data, is suggested, and estimates of the uncertainties in the parameters are presented.