Pharmacokinetics after oral and intravenous administration of a single dose of tramadol hydrochloride to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis)

Objective-To determine pharmacokinetics after IV and oral administration of a single dose of tramadol hydrochloride to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Animals-9 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (3 males, 5 females, and 1 of unknown sex). Procedures-Tramadol (5 mg/kg, IV) was administered to the parrots. Blood samples were collected from -5 to 720 minutes after administration. After a 3-week washout period, tramadol (10 and 30 mg/kg) was orally administered to parrots. Blood samples were collected from -5 to 1,440 minutes after administration. Three formulations of oral suspension (crushed tablets in a commercially available suspension agent, crushed tablets in sterile water, and chemical-grade powder in sterile water) were evaluated. Plasma concentrations of tramadol and its major metabolites were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography. Results-Mean plasma tramadol concentrations were > 100 ng/mL for approximately 2 to 4 hours after IV administration of tramadol. Plasma concentrations after oral administration of tramadol at a dose of 10 mg/kg were < 40 ng/mL for the entire time period, but oral administration at a dose of 30 mg/kg resulted in mean plasma concentrations > 100 ng/mL for approximately 6 hours after administration. Oral administration of the suspension consisting of the chemical-grade powder resulted in higher plasma tramadol concentrations than concentrations obtained after oral administration of the other 2 formulations; however, concentrations differed significantly only at 120 and 240 minutes after administration. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Oral administration of tramadol at a dose of 30 mg/kg resulted in plasma concentrations (> 100 ng/mL) that have been associated with analgesia in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots.     

Reproductive disruption in Fasciola hepatica associated with incomplete efficacy of a new experimental formulation of triclabendazole

The objective of the present study was to analyse the reproductive viability (using histopathologic studies) of Fasciola hepatica from cattle artificially infected and treated subcutaneously with a new experimental formulation of triclabendazole (8mg/kg b.w.). The results of the efficacy controlled test, which only takes into account the presence of live adult flukes, indicated that, whilst in the control group (n=7) 533 live specimens were recovered, in the test groups (doses of 8 and 12mg/kg b.w.) only 195 and 47 adults were recovered, respectively. These numbers indicate efficacies of 69% and 95.6%, respectively. It was observed in that dose of 8mg/kg b.w. some specimens remained viable, but they were infertile, which severely compromises the biological cycle of the trematode. In the testis tubules of flukes treated with the low dose of TCBZ (8mg/kg), very few cells were present and the vitelline follicles were markedly reduced in size and each follicle contained very few cells. This would have direct implications for the pathogenesis of the parasitosis since the remaining parasites would produce little clinical-productive manifestations, would stimulate the immune response and would find it difficult to establish future re-infestations/re-infections. Consequently, these observations will also prompt a review of certain methodological and interpretative aspects related to efficacy tests, where the only discriminative factor is the reduction of the adult parasite load. On one hand, histopathological studies could be complementary to the efficacy controlled test for TCBZ or other BZD formulations.     

Effects of ultraviolet radiation on plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations in corn snakes (Elaphe guttata)

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether corn snakes exposed to UVB radiation have increased plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentrations, compared with control snakes. ANIMALS: 12 corn snakes (Elaphe guttata). PROCEDURES: After an acclimation period in individual enclosures, a blood sample was collected from each snake for assessment of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration. Six snakes were provided with no supplemental lighting, and 6 snakes were exposed to light from 2 full-spectrum coil bulbs. By use of a radiometer-photometer, the UVA and UVB radiation generated by the bulbs were measured in each light-treated enclosure at 3 positions at the basking surface and at 2.54 cm (1 inch) below each bulb surface; the arithmetic mean values for the 3 positions at the basking surface and each individual bulb surface were calculated immediately after the start of the study and at weekly intervals thereafter. At the end of the study (day 28), another blood sample was collected from each snake to determine plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD plasma concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in snakes that were provided with supplemental lighting (196 +/- 16.73 nmol/L) differed significantly from the value in control snakes (57.17 +/- 15.28 nmol/L). Mean exposure to UVA or UVB did not alter during the 4-week study period, although the amount of UVA recorded near the bulb surfaces did change significantly. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings have provided important insight into the appropriate UV radiation requirements for corn snakes. Further investigation will be needed before exact husbandry requirements can be determined.     

Viability of Oryza sativa L. seeds stored under genebank conditions for up to 30 years

Germination ability, equilibrium relative humidity (eRH), and moisture content of ‘control’ seed samples representing 183 rice accessions stored in the active (2–4 °C) and base (?10 °C until 1993, then ?20 °C) collections of the T. T. Chang Genetic Resources Center were determined after storage for 20.5–30.5 years. Germination of seeds that had been stored in the base collection was generally high (>70 %), whereas germination was more variable for seeds stored in the active collection. Samples with lower viability after storage in the active collection were likely to have lower viability after storage in the base collection. There were significant differences in the moisture content-eRH relationship of the seeds depending on whether the seeds had been stored in the active or base collection. Based on re-test data for regular seed samples regenerated in 1979–1980 and stored in the active collection for up to 31 years, estimates of the time for ability to germinate to fall to 50 % (p ₅₀) ranged from 54 to 997 years. For the same seed samples stored in the base collection for approximately 31 years, ability to germinate has been maintained and germination increased due to improved procedures. The ability to germinate of base collection samples was also generally higher than that of ‘safety duplicate’ samples of the same seed lots that had been sent to the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, USA in 1981 and stored at ?18 °C. This may have been due to uptake of moisture either during processing for dispatch or as a consequence of poor packaging material. The results are discussed in relation to long-term seed storage and genebank management.     

Carbon Life Cycle Assessment for Prairie as a Crop in Reclaimed Mine Land

A life cycle assessment with carbon (C) as the reference unit was used to balance the benefits of land preparation practices of establishing tall‐grass prairies as a crop for reclaimed mine land with reduced environmental damage. Land preparation and management practices included disking with sub‐soiling (DK‐S), disking only (DK), no tillage (NT), and no tillage with grazing (NT‐G). To evaluate the C balance and energy use of each of the land preparations, an index of sustainability (I_s = C_O/C_I, Where: C_O is the sum of all outputs and C_I is the sum of all inputs) was used to assess temporal changes in C. Of the four land preparation and management practices, DK had the highest I_s at 8·53. This was due to it having the least degradation of soil organic carbon (SOC) during land‐use change (−730 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) and second highest aboveground biomass production (9,881 kg ha⁻¹). The highest aboveground biomass production occurred with NT (11,130 kg ha⁻¹), although SOC losses were similar to DK‐S, which on average was 2,899 kg ha⁻¹ y⁻¹. The I_s values for NT and DK‐S were 2·50 and 1·44, respectively. Grazing from bison reduced the aboveground biomass to 8,971 kg ha⁻¹ compared with NT with no grazing, although stocking density was low enough that I_s was still 1·94. This study has shown that converting from cool‐season forage grasses to tall‐grass prairie results in a significant net sink for atmospheric CO₂ 3 years after establishment in reclaimed mine land, because of high biomass yields compensating for SOC losses from land‐use change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of an extended‐release formulation of ceftiofur crystalline‐free acid in koi (Cyprinus carpio)

The use of an extended release ceftiofur crystalline‐free acid formulation (CCFA, Excede For Swine^®, Pfizer Animal Health) in koi was evaluated after administration of single intramuscular (i.m.) or intracoelomic (i.c.) doses. Twenty koi were divided randomly into a control group and four treatment groups (20 mg/kg i.m., 60 mg/kg i.m., 30 mg/kg i.c., and 60 mg/kg i.c.). Serum ceftiofur‐free acid equivalents (CFAE) concentrations were quantified. The pharmacokinetic data were analyzed using a nonlinear mixed‐effects approach. Following a CCFA injection of 60 mg/kg i.m., time durations that serum CFAE concentrations were above the target concentration of 4 μg/mL ranged from 0.4 to 2.5 weeks in 3 of 4 fish, while serum CFAE concentrations remained below 4 μg/mL for lower doses evaluated. Substantial inter‐individual variations and intra‐individual fluctuations of CFAE concentrations were observed for all treatment groups. Histological findings following euthanasia included aseptic granulomatous reactions, but no systemic adverse effects were detected. Given the unpredictable time vs. CFAE concentration profiles for treated koi, the authors would not recommend this product for therapeutic use in koi at this time. Further research would be necessary to correlate serum and tissue concentrations and to better establish MIC data for Aeromonas spp. isolated from naturally infected koi.     

Tropical fish medicine. Bacterial culture and evaluation of diseases of fish

Bacteria are ubiquitous in nature. Fish are constantly exposed to bacteria, and usually only succumb to an infection after having been exposed to prolonged periods of stress. Before making a diagnosis of a bacterial disease, it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of environmental or parasitic problems. Environmental factors may act as stressors and can predispose a fish to bacterial disease while affecting the fish simultaneously. Clinical signs caused by the various bacterial pathogens are very similar. Therefore, to make a definitive bacterial diagnosis, it is necessary to culture and identify the organisms involved.     

A survey of cats and dogs for fleas: with particular reference to their role as intermediate hosts of Dipylidium caninum

Three species of fleas, viz. Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, and Pulex irritans were found in an examination of 81 cats and 48 dogs in Wellington. C. felis was the most prevalent flea in cats, and C. canis predominated in dogs. It is speculated that C. felis, and its primary host the cat, may assume greater medical and veterinary significance than C. canis. In an examination of 1578 fleas for cysticercoids of the dog tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum, all were found negative. These results do not necessarily reflect the availability of cysticercoids in the environment, and the reasons for this are discussed.