Retrospective analysis of detomidine infusion for standing chemical restraint in 51 horses

Objective To assess the effectiveness of a detomidine infusion technique to provide standing chemical restraint in the horse. Design Retrospective study. Animals Fifty‐one adult horses aged 9.5 ± 6.9 years (range 1–23 years) and weighing 575 ± 290.3 kg. Methods Records of horses presented to our clinic over a 3‐year period in which a detomidine infusion was used to provide standing chemical restraint were reviewed. Information relating to the types of procedure performed, duration of infusion, drug dosages and adjunct drugs administered was retrieved. Results Detomidine was administered as an initial bolus loading dose (mean ± SD) of 7.5 ± 1.87 µg kg^?1. The initial infusion rate was 0.6 µg kg^?1 minute^?1, and this was halved every 15 minutes. The duration of the infusion ranged from 20 to 135 minutes. Twenty horses received additional detomidine or butorphanol during the procedure. All horses undergoing surgery received local anesthesia or epidural analgesia in addition to the detomidine infusion. A wide variety of procedures were performed in these horses. Conclusions Detomidine administered by infusion provides prolonged periods of chemical restraint in standing horses. Supplemental sedatives or analgesics may be needed in horses undergoing surgery. Clinical relevance An effective method that provides prolonged periods of chemical restraint in standing horses is described. The infusion alone did not provide sufficient analgesia for surgery and a significant proportion of animals required supplemental sedatives and analgesics.     

Assessment of smooth muscle function in Sesbania drummondii toxicosis in Gallus domesticus

An in vitro assessment based on tissue responsiveness to 2 agonists-histamine and carbachol-was made on smooth muscle activity in chickens experimentally poisoned with sesbania. Crude extracts of Sesbania drummondii were prepared and 2 dosage levels, 0.25% and 0.5% of body weight, were used. The birds were dosed orally with the extract for 3 consecutive days, and on the 4th day segments of ileum and lung were collected from each bird. The isometric contractions of each tissue, produced by the addition of histamine or carbachol in graded concentrations, were recorded. The cumulative concentration-effect curves for the tissues to the agonists were constructed and compared with respective control curves. The results indicated the responsiveness of the tissues in the treated groups was significantly decreased, compared with that of tissues in the controls. Responses of both intestinal and parenchymal strips in the chickens given the higher dosage (0.5%) were decreased significantly, whereas in those given the smaller dosage (0.25%), only parenchyma had a significant response. This indicates that the activity of smooth muscles in general was depressed by sesbania. The effect was more evident in the lung than in the intestine. Therefore, an active principle in the extract which affects smooth muscle, rather than causing direct irritation, may exist. This assessment of smooth muscle activity is sensitive and was effective in detecting changes in tissues from sesbania-treated birds which had not shown any clinical signs. The results also support the possibility that smooth muscle involvement could be a primary cause of toxicity in sesbania poisoning.     

Effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs

Administration of morphine before anesthesia leads to gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in over 50% of dogs during the subsequent anesthetic. This GER is clinically silent but can lead to aspiration pneumonitis, esophagitis and esophageal stricture. In this prospective clinical study we aimed to determine the effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs were admitted to the study if they were healthy, and had no history of vomiting or dysphagia. Dogs were fasted for an average of 18.2 ± 4.3 (mean ± SD) hours prior to induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia in all dogs included acepromazine, morphine, thiopental and isoflurane in oxygen. By random allocation, half the dogs received metoclopramide (M) as an IV bolus (0.4 mg kg^–1) and then infusion (0.3 mg kg^–1hour^–1), the others received equivalent volumes of saline (S). To measure esophageal pH a sensor-tipped catheter was placed with the tip 5–7 cm cranial to the lower esophageal sphincter, and connected to a computer for continual data collection. The pH of any fluid running from the mouth or nose was measured. Gastro-esophageal reflux was defined as a decrease in esophageal pH below 4 or an increase above 7.5. Fisher's Exact test was used to test significance of differences in incidence between groups. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were created for each outcome to assess the effects of risk factors on outcome. There were seven cases of GER in 16 dogs receiving M and 8/14 in those receiving S. There were no significant differences between M and S treated dogs in age, weight, duration of anesthesia and fasting, thiopental dose or incidence of vomiting. The administration of metoclopramide at this dose did not significantly reduce the incidence of GER in these anesthetized dogs.     

Unexpected newcastle disease virus in day old commercial chicks and breeder hen

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) specific antigen in the gut contents and NDV specific antibody in blood circulation were seen in day old chicks belonging to nine different commercial hatcheries of Tamil Nadu, India. Antigen disappeared by 4th week and antibody by 6th week of age. Fourteen NDV isolates obtained from the gut contents of day old chicks of different commercial hatcheries, one NDV isolate from dead in shell eggs and one NDV isolate from breeder hen were characterized and grouped under velogenic, mesogenic and lentogenic pathotypes. Four isolates were grouped under F and another four isolates were grouped under E based on reaction with monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) but found to be velogenic based on pathogenicity tests. In one particular flock velogenie NDV was isolated from breeder hen, dead in shell embryos and day old chicks and they all belong to Mabs group E. Vertical transmission of velogenic, mesogenic and lentogenic NDVs and role of NDVs in the gut contents have been discussed.     

Sedative and analgesic effects of medetomidine in beagle dogs infected and uninfected with heartworm

The sedative and analgesic effects of medetomidine were evaluated in heartworm-infected (HW+) and uninfected (HW–) beagle dogs by intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration of 30 µg/kg and 40 µg/kg doses, respectively. Posture, response to noise and the pedal reflex were monitored. A procedure for mock radiographic positioning was performed to evaluate its overall clinical use. Observation times were 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min. In addition, the times from injection until the dog could not stand on its feet (down time), from lateral to sternal recumbency (sternal recumbency time), and from sternal recumbency to rising again (rising time) were also noted.Medetomidine produced rapid sedation and analgesia by both routes. Down times for the IM and IV routes were similar, which verified the manufacturer's recommended doses. The HW+ dogs had shorter down times, probably owing to increased blood flow to the brain caused by adrenergic alpha-2 activity. Sternal recumbency and rising times did not differ between the groups, suggesting a similar metabolism. Sedation and analgesia were adequate for performing the procedure in all dogs. HW– dogs showed less resistance to handling during the procedure than HW+ dogs. Overall, medetomidine seems to be a suitable agent for short-term chemical restraint in dogs, even with subclinical heartworm infestation.     

ISOLATION OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE VIRUS FROM AN INDIAN HOUSE CROW

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

Potentiation of immune response of live lentogenic Newcastle disease vaccine using adjuvant

Tropical Animal Health and Production -