Evaluation of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) immobilization

Objective

The butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine fixed-dose combination (BAM, respectively, 30-12-12 mg mL^?1) with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone-atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus).

Clinical differentiation between dogs with benign and malignant spirocercosis

Spirocerca lupi is a nematode infesting the canine oesophagus, where it induces the formation of a nodule that may transform into a malignant sarcoma. The current, retrospective study compared the clinical presentation, haematology, serum albumin and globulin and radiology of benign cases (n=31) and malignant cases (n=31) of spirocercosis. Dogs with spirocercosis-induced sarcoma were significantly older (6.4+/-1.91 years) than benign cases (4.93+/-2.87). In the malignant cases there were significantly (p=0.03) more sterilized females (10/31) and fewer intact males (4/31) compared to 2/31 and 13/31, respectively, in the benign cases. Hypertrophic osteopathy was observed in 38.7% of malignant cases and in none of the benign cases (p=0.0002). Common clinical signs included weight loss, regurgitation, anorexia, pyrexia (T>or=39.5 degrees ), respiratory complications and salivation but did not differ in prevalence between groups. On haematology, the malignant group had significantly (p<0.05) lower haematocrit (0.34+/-0.08 vs. 0.41+/-0.07) and higher white cell count (31.6+/-27.83 vs. 17.71+/-13.18 x 10(3)microl(-1)), mature neutrophil count (26.06+/-26.08 vs. 12.23+/-9.96 x 10(3)microl(-1)) and thrombocyte count (493.15+/-151.61 vs. 313.27+/-128.54 x 10(9)microl(-1)). There were no differences in the mean corpuscular volume and immature neutrophil count. On radiology, the mass length was not significantly different, but the height and the width of the malignant masses were significantly larger (62.59+/-15.15 mm and 73.93+/-20.94 mm) compared to the benign group (46.43+/-23.62 and 49.29+/-25.56, respectively). Spondylitis was more prevalent in the malignant group (67.86% vs. 38.46%, p=0.03). Examining secondary pulmonary changes revealed significantly higher prevalence of bronchial displacement in the malignant group (52% vs. 17%, p=0.008). Hypertrophic osteopathy appeared to be a very specific but relatively rare (poor sensitivity) marker of malignancy. Female gender, anaemia, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, spondylitis and bronchial displacement are significantly more common in malignant cases, but appear in benign cases as well. However, if found together in a specific case, they should increase the index of suspicion for malignancy in a diagnosed spirocercosis case.     

Spirocerca lupi infection in the dog: a review

Spirocercosis is a disease occurring predominantly in Canidae, caused by the nematode Spirocerca lupi. Typical clinical signs are regurgitation, vomiting and dyspnoea. The life-cycle involves an intermediate (coprophagous beetle) and a variety of paratenic hosts. Larvae follow a specific migratory route, penetrating the gastric mucosa of the host, migrating along arteries, maturing in the thoracic aorta before eventually moving to the caudal oesophagus. Here the worm lives in nodules and passes larvated eggs which can be detected using zinc sulphate faecal flotation. Histologically, the mature oesophageal nodule is composed mostly of actively dividing fibroblasts. Spirocerca lupi-associated oesophageal sarcomas may occur and damage to the aorta results in aneurysms. A pathognomonic lesion for spirocercosis is spondylitis of the thoracic vertebrae. Primary radiological lesions include an oesophageal mass, usually in the terminal oesophagus, spondylitis, and undulation of the aortic border. Contrast radiography and computed tomography are helpful additional emerging modalities. Oesophageal endoscopy has a greater diagnostic sensitivity than radiography. Endoscopic biopsies are not sensitive for detecting neoplastic transformation. Doramectin is the current drug of choice, effectively killing adult worms and decreasing egg shedding. Early diagnosis of infection is still a challenge and to date no ideal regimen for prophylaxis has been published.     

The effect of hemolysis on plasma antithrombin activity as determined by a chromogenic method

BACKGROUND: The concentration of free hemoglobin (Hgb) in plasma can markedly affect the outcome of laboratory tests by interfering with the spectrophotometric absorbance of biochemical tests read at wavelengths within the absorbance range of Hgb (400-440 nm). Little is known about the effects of hemoglobinemia on antithrombin (AT) activity in human plasma samples, and we are unaware of data for canine plasma samples. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the degree of interference by Hgb on plasma AT activity and to determine if the interference is proportional to the concentration of plasma Hgb. METHODS: Two pools of test plasma, designated AT100 and AT70, were prepared. Hemolysate was prepared by washing and freeze-thawing packed red cells in a small volume of saline, followed by collection of the filtrate. Solutions of decreasing Hgb concentration were prepared and added to the test plasma pools to create a series of samples with final calculated and measured Hgb concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 g/L. AT activity, expressed as a percentage of normal human plasma, was determined using a functional chromogenic assay. RESULTS: Increasing concentrations of Hgb resulted in a linear decrease in AT activity. Using linear regression analysis on the 70% and 100% plasma pools, the slopes for samples containing <1.5 g Hgb/L were not significantly different from zero. Slopes for samples containing Hgb concentrations >or=1.5 g/L were significantly (P > .0001) different from zero for both plasma pools, indicating interference with the assay. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest it may be possible, using a conversion equation, to accurately determine AT activity in hemolyzed samples, facilitating evaluation of coagulation status in patients with intravascular hemolysis.     

The targeting of nutritionally at-risk children attending a primary health care facility in the Western Cape Province of South Africa

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the practices of primary health care (PHC) nurses in targeting nutritionally at-risk infants and children for intervention at a PHC facility in a peri-urban area of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. METHODOLOGY: Nutritional risk status of infants and children <6 years of age was based on criteria specified in standardised nutrition case management guidelines developed for PHC facilities in the province. Children were identified as being nutritionally at-risk if their weight was below the 3rd centile, their birth weight was less than 2500 g, and their growth curve showed flattening or dropping off for at least two consecutive monthly visits. The study assessed the practices of nurses in identifying children who were nutritionally at-risk and the entry of these children into the food supplementation programme (formerly the Protein-Energy Malnutrition Scheme) of the health facility. Structured interviews were conducted with nurses to determine their knowledge of the case management guidelines; interviews were also conducted with caregivers to determine their sociodemographic status. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-four children were enrolled in the study. The mean age of their caregivers was 29.5 (standard deviation 7.5) years and only 47 (38%) were married. Of the caregivers, 77% were unemployed, 46% had poor household food security and 40% were financially dependent on non-family members. Significantly more children were nutritionally at-risk if the caregiver was unemployed (54%) compared with employed (32%) (P=0.04) and when there was household food insecurity (63%) compared with household food security (37%) (P<0.004). Significantly more children were found not to be nutritionally at-risk if the caregiver was financially self-supporting or supported by their partners (61%) compared with those who were financially dependent on non-family members (35%) (P=0.003). The weight results of the nurses and the researcher differed significantly (P<0.001), which was largely due to the different scales used and weighing methods. The researcher's weight measurements were consistently higher than the nurses' (P<0.00). The researcher identified 67 (50%) infants and children as being nutritionally at-risk compared with 14 (10%) by the nurses. The nurses' poor detection and targeting of nutritionally at-risk children were largely a result of failure to plot weights on the weight-for-age chart (55%) and poor utilisation of the Road to Health Chart. CONCLUSIONS: Problems identified in the practices of PHC nurses must be addressed in targeting children at nutritional risk so that appropriate intervention and support can be provided. More attention must be given to socio-economic criteria in identifying children who are nutritionally at-risk to ensure their access to adequate social security networks.     

Comparison of cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine and thiafentanil administered as sole agents for immobilization of impala (Aepyceros melampus)

ObjectiveTo compare the cardiopulmonary effects of the opioids etorphine and thiafentanil for immobilization of impala.Study designTwo-way crossover, randomized study.AnimalsA group of eight adult female impala.MethodsImpala were given two treatments: 0.09 mg kg^–1 etorphine or 0.09 mg kg^–1 thiafentanil via remote dart injection. Time to recumbency, quality of immobilization and recovery were assessed. Respiratory rate, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and arterial blood gases were measured. A linear mixed model was used to analyse the effects of treatments, treatments over time and interactions of treatment and time (p < 0.05).ResultsTime to recumbency was significantly faster with thiafentanil (2.0 ± 0.8 minutes) than with etorphine (3.9 ± 1.6 minutes; p = 0.007). Both treatments produced bradypnoea, which was more severe at 5 minutes with thiafentanil (7 ± 4 breaths minute^–1) than with etorphine (13 ± 12 breaths minute^–1; p = 0.004). HR increased with both treatments but significantly decreased over time when etorphine (132 ± 17 to 82 ± 11 beats minute^–1) was compared with thiafentanil (113 ± 22 to 107 ± 36 beats minute^–1; p < 0.001). Both treatments caused hypertension which was more profound with thiafentanil (mean overall MAP = 140 ± 14 mmHg; p < 0.001). Hypoxaemia occurred with both treatments but was greater with thiafentanil [PaO₂ 37 ± 13 mmHg (4.9 kPa)] than with etorphine [45 ± 16 mmHg (6.0 kPa)] 5 minutes after recumbency (p < 0.001). After 30 minutes, PaO₂ increased to 59 ± 10 mmHg (7.9 kPa) with both treatments (p < 0.001).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe shorter time to recumbency with thiafentanil may allow easier and faster retrieval in the field. However, thiafentanil caused greater hypertension, and ventilatory effects during the first 10 minutes, after administration.     

The effects of protein level on cytokines and chemokines in the uterine environment of beef heifers during development

The development of replacement heifers is crucial for breeding success and herd efficiency. Nutritional management can affect not only reproductive development but also the inflammatory status of the uterine environment, which may impact reproductive functions such as pregnancy establishment and development. The study herein evaluated the concentration of cytokines and chemokines in the uterus of heifers supplemented with different levels of protein. Angus heifers (n = 60) were blocked by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments based on protein supplementation level: control of 10% crude protein (CON), 20% crude protein (P20), or 40% crude protein (P40). BW, body condition score, and blood samples were taken every 2 wk for 140 d to monitor development. Uterine flushes were performed monthly and concentrations of cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, VEGF-α, IL-17A, and IL-36RA) and chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1, MIP-1α, and MIP-1β) were quantified via ELISA multiplex. To test if there were mean differences in cytokines between the treatment groups or over time, PROC GLIMMIX (SAS v 9.4) was utilized. Concentrations of all cytokines and chemokines, except IL-1α, changed throughout heifer development (P < 0.05). Heifers in the P40 treatment group displayed reduced concentrations of MCP-1 (P = 0.007) and tended to have decreased concentrations of IFN-γ (P = 0.06). Cytokine IL-36RA tended (P = 0.06) to be affected by protein level, with the lowest concentrations observed in CON heifers. Most cytokines and chemokines increased following the initial month of supplementation (P < 0.05). The increase in concentrations after 1 mo may indicate an adaptive response in the uterus to diet change. Cytokines and chemokines fluctuated due to physiological changes occurring during development. Further research is needed to determine the influence of nutrition on uterine inflammation and long-term impacts on reproductive function.     

Vegetation dynamics after experimental fire disturbance in the arid Succulent Karoo,South Africa

Disturbance by fire in the Succulent Karoo is rare but fire events could increase as a result of an increase in grassiness (alien and indigenous species). This study assessed the effects of fire eight years after an experimentally induced burn in Succulent Karoo vegetation. Post-fire monitoring was conducted using the line intercept method and species counts per plot (1 m²) for each of three fire disturbance treatments: control/unburnt, high and low fuel load. Vegetation cover and abundance were compared across treatments and growth forms. Vegetation cover and abundance on fire-disturbed plots had not returned to pre-fire levels after eight years. Resprouters exhibited a rapid recovery and early dominance on burnt plots. Succulent seedlings established slower, but after eight years occurred at higher densities on the burnt than control plots. Recovery after disturbance of density and cover of long-lived, woody non-resprouter non-succulents was slow relative to resprouting non-succulents and reseeding succulents. This study of vegetation change following fire disturbance in an arid system highlights the slow return of canopy cover, immediate regrowth of only two resprouter species and slower re-establishment by seed of non-resprouter species. In addition, fire disturbance led to the numerical dominance of succulents within the first decade after the fire.