A comparison of direct and indirect (oscillometric) measurements of arterial blood pressure in anaesthetised dogs, using tail and limb cuffs

Oscillometric measurements of arterial blood pressure were compared with direct measurements in anaesthetised dogs being monitored during routine surgery. Readings were obtained with tail cuffs and limb cuffs and the reproducibility (precision) of the readings from various cuff sites was also compared in conscious dogs. Tail cuffs gave the best precision in conscious dogs and the closest correlation with direct measurements in anaesthetised dogs, especially for systolic pressure. The proximal hindlimb site gave results with a slightly lower precision.     

Indirect measurement of mean blood pressure in the normotensive and hypotensive horse.

Indirect mean arterial pressure was obtained from the tails of 78 anaesthetised and unanaesthetised normotensive and hypotensive horses. Data were obtained to determine the optimum cuff width in relation to tail circumference. A cuff that is too wide under-estimates and a cuff that is too narrow over-estimates blood pressure. With the optimum cuff width, which is slightly in excess of about one-fifth of the tail circumference, indirect mean blood pressure was obtained consistently in normotensive and hypotensive animals with mean blood pressures of 40 mmHg and frequently in animals with pressure as low as 30 mmHg.     

Neutralizing antibody to bovine rotavirus in various animal species

A total of 288 serum samples were collected from 12 species of animals in various localities of Japan from 1975 to 1977. Neutralizing antibody to bovine rotavirus was found in serum samples from all the species, viz., horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chickens and human beings. The incidence of neutralizing antibody in titers of 1 : 2 or higher ranged from 31 to 100%, and high incidences exceeding 70% were obtained in horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, rabbits and human beings. High titers were most common in horses, cattle, sheep and pigs. These serological results suggest that rotaviruses occur commonly in these species of animals.     

New techniques to measure blood cholinesterase activity in domesticated animals.

A macromethod and a semimicromethod were developed to measure erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase activity in cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs, and swine, and to measure plasma cholinesterase activity in horses, dogs, and swine. Comparison of the 2 methods with erythrocytes of sheep, cattle, goats, and horses indicated both methods gave similar results. They can be done in a shorter time and are more sensitive than Michel's method. Normal deltapH values per minutes, with standard deviations for blood cholinesterase activity of animals of different ages, sexes, breeds, and species, were: 0.76 +/- 0.12/30; 0.65 +/- 0.10/15; 0.69 +/- 0.19/45; 0.78 +/- 0.11/45; 0.63 +/- 0.11/45; and 0.71 +/- 0.06/25 for sheep, cattle, goats, horses, dogs, and swine erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, respectively; and 0.66 +/- 0.18/20; 0.67 +/- 0.20/30, and 0.46 +/- 0.05/60 for horses, dogs, and swine plasma cholinesterase, respectively. It was shown that either the chloride or the iodide salt of acetylcholine can be used as the enzyme substrate. tin blood samples stored at 5 C for 24 hours, there was no significant change of the enzymatic activity.     

A review of the pharmacology and clinical uses of ivermectin

The avermectins were introduced in 1981 and constitute a potent new class of anthelmintic agents. They are naturally-derived products of microbial action displaying an exceptionally wide range of antiparasitic efficacy against internal and external parasites of domestic animals. This paper reviews their isolation and chemistry, mechanism of action, chemical efficacy and safety in cattle, sheep, swine, horses and dogs.     

Agreement of caudal aortic arterial blood pressure with oscillometry using two cuff widths placed on the thoracic or pelvic limbs of sevoflurane-anesthetized rabbits

ObjectiveTo evaluate agreement with central systemic arterial pressure of an oscillometer and two cuff widths placed on the thoracic or pelvic limbs.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA group of nine New Zealand White rabbits weighing 3.5 ± 0.3 kg.MethodsRabbits were sedated with dexmedetomidine and midazolam, then anesthetized with ketamine and sevoflurane. The femoral artery was surgically exposed and a 20 gauge, 5 cm catheter inserted to measure systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) blood pressure at the iliac artery and caudal aorta junction. Adjustments of vaporizer dial and dobutamine infusion provided a range of invasive blood pressure (IBP). Two measurements of IBP were recorded during the oscillometer cycling phase, and the mean value was used in analyses. Oscillometer cuffs of bladder width 2.0 cm (S1) and 2.5 cm (S2) were placed proximal to the carpus and tarsus. Cuff width to circumference ratio was calculated. Oscillometer SAP, MAP and DAP were paired with corresponding IBP values. Agreement was assessed using linear mixed models (p < 0.05).ResultsCuff ratios for both limbs were 41% (S1 cuff) and 50% (S2 cuff) and 122–139 paired observations were obtained. There was significant limb × cuff interaction with SAP and MAP. The oscillometer overestimated SAP and MAP on the pelvic limb and underestimated SAP and MAP on the thoracic limb. For SAP, the oscillometer overestimated by constant bias (–19 ± 2 mmHg) and proportional bias (0.28 ± 0.02 mmHg per 1 mmHg increase). For MAP, the oscillometer underestimated by constant bias (4 ± 2 mmHg) and was worse with S2 on the thoracic limb. Overestimation was similar between cuffs on the pelvic limb. For DAP, the oscillometer underestimated by constant bias (15 ± 2 mmHg).Conclusions and clinical relevanceCuff S1 on the thoracic limb provided best estimation of MAP.     

The occurrence of animal sarcocystiosis in Algeria

Investigations to occurrence of Sarcocystiosis of domestic animals in Algeria were carried out by different methods--Immunofluorescence (IFAT), macroscopic and microscopic examinations of muscle, coproscopia. Positive results could be found in intermediate hosts--362 of 537 cattle, 188 of 292 sheep, 13 of 57 horses and in the final hosts dogs and cats. Muscle-probes from cattle contained S. cruzi (58.7 respectively 61.0%), S. hirsuta (48.9 respectively 35.0%), from sheep S. tenella (61.0 respectively 59.6%, S. arieticanis (38.8 respectively 40.3%), from horses S. bertrami (24.5%). IFAT-data of extensy: 64.5% in cattle, 60.5% in sheep. First time in Algeria could be found S. hominis (2.3 respectively 3.9%).     

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in domestic animals

In domestic animals, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is mainly in the kidneys, the pancreas and the intestine; its liver activity is relatively high in cows, horses, sheep and goats and very low in dogs, cats and birds. The use of plasma reference values can help to interpret the variations of serum GGT mainly in hepatobiliary diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and cholestatic disorders of dogs. Urinary GGT is a good test of kidney toxic damage.     

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase in domestic animals

In domestic animals, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase is mainly in the kidneys, the pancreas and the intestine; its liver activity is relatively high in cows, horses, sheep, and goats and very low in dogs, cats and birds. The use of plasma reference values can help to interpret the variations of serum GGT mainly in hepatobiliary diseases of cattle, sheep, goats and cholestatic disorders of dogs. Urinary GGT is a good test of kidney toxic damage.     

河南省南阳地区黄牛狂犬病防制研究

由河南省南阳地区患“怪叫病”黄牛脑组织分离鉴定了5株狂犬病病毒,建立了检测狂犬病病毒抗原的夹心间接斑点酶联免疫吸附试验、检测狂犬病病毒抗体和中和抗体的夹心阻断酶联免疫吸附试验和微量免疫酶试验.应用所建立的方法,结合小鼠中和试验,对疫区牛、马、猪、羊、犬、猫、鸡、鼠和蝙蝠9种动物的1138份血清标本进行了检测,结果发现阳性率达12.65%,其中疫点内牛、猪、犬、猫和鼠的阳性率更高,为20%左右.根据动物群中较高阳性率,亦即隐性感染动物的存在,提出了南阳地区黄牛狂大病除因疯犬或带毒犬咬伤所致者外,可能还有因其他动物如鼠等咬伤甚至非咬伤感染途径的存在.在确定病性以及上述流行病学调查的基础上,实施了以管(制)、免(疫)、灭(扑杀)为中心的综合防制措施,经3年的工作,收到了明显的防制效果.     

Comparative studies on serum arginase and transaminases in hepatic necrosis in various species of domestic animals

Serum concentrations of arginase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) in dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep and pigs were determined before and after oral administration of CCl(4) at doses known to cause hepatic necrosis. Following CCl(4) administration, serum concentration of arginase and SGOT increased to a level of diagnostic significance in all animals. SGPT increased markedly in dogs and cats and marginally in 1 of 3 cattle and 2 of 3 pigs. In the surviving animals, the serum concentration of arginase returned to normal range much earlier than SGPT or SGOT. Based on the CCl(4) experimental toxicity results of this study, an elevated level of serum arginase would appear to be a reliable indicator of hepatic necrosis in both small and large animals whereas SGPT would be a reliable indicator of hepatic necrosis only in dogs and cats.     

Serological survey of adenovirus antibodies in domestic animals in Nigeria

Serum samples collected from 1,197 goats, 586 sheep, 254, cattle, 55 dogs and 44 horses were examined for antibodies to adenovirus by the agar-gel precipitation test. Results show that 17.7% of the goats, 18.4% of the sheep, 4.3% of the cattle, and 4.5% of the horses had precipitating antibodies. None of the dog sera examined was positive. The results seem to indicate a moderate level of previous exposure to adenovirus infection especially among goats and sheep in Nigeria.     

Mechanisms of infection in the respiratory tract

Related to its potential vulnerability the respiratory tract has a very complex and effective defence apparatus. The interaction between these defence mechanisms and certain characteristics of aetiological agents results in a pattern in which initial infections by these agents tend to occur at specific sites in the tract. Infections in which the primary portal of entry is in the upper respiratory tract include Bordetella bronchiseptica and Haemophilus spp in pigs; Pasteurella spp in cattle, sheep, pigs; Mycoplasma spp in cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry; equine herpesvirus 1 in horses; infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in cattle; parainfluenza 3 in cattle and sheep; infectious laryngo-tracheitis and infectious bronchitis in poultry; feline viral rhinotracheitis and calicivirus in cats; Aujeszky's disease virus and swine influenza in pigs; and equine influenza in horses. Infections in which the primary portal of entry is in the lower respiratory tract include Aspergillus fumigatus in poultry and mammals, respiratory syncytial virus in cattle, distemper virus in dogs and adenovirus in cattle and dogs. A fuller understanding of the interactions between an agent and the host at the point of entry would make it much easier to develop effective vaccines and therapeutic agents.     

Microtechnique for quantitative platelet isolation from blood enabling electronic counting and sizing of animal and human platelets

A technique for rapidly separating platelets from small quantities of whole blood is described. The isolation method allowed for counting and sizing platelets by electronic means, and counts with this new method were closely correlated with those obtained by phase microscopy. Platelet sizing was possible because of the inert and isotonic nature of the density-gradient medium used in the procedure. The technique was applicable to samples of blood from persons, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The isolation of platelets from whole blood of various species of animals was necessary for electronic counting because of the great variation in sizes of platelets and erythrocytes and the variable sedimentation properties of animal blood.     

Congenital infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a calf in northern Germany

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a Gram-negative, obligate intracellular tick-transmitted bacterium that replicates in neutrophils. It causes tick-borne fever (TBF) in sheep and cattle, but also elicits febrile disease in humans as well as in other domestic animals such as dogs, horses, and cats. Although increasingly recognized in Europe, the first laboratory-confirmed case of TBF in cattle from Germany has been published only recently. We here present the unusual case of an intrauterine transmission of A. phagocytophilum in a calf from northern Germany. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such an event occurring under field conditions in cattle.     

Evaluation of an Oscillometric Blood Pressure Monitor on Anesthetized Cats and the Effect of Cuff Placement and Fur on Accuracy

Objectives — (1) To determine the usefulness of one specific oscillometric monitor for making indirect measurements of arterial pressure in cats. (2) To determine the difference between two specific cuff placement sites. (3) To determine if clipping the hair beneath the cuff has an affect on the accuracy of oscillometric blood pressure determination.
Study Design — Prospective study comparing the accuracy of the Datascope Passport (Data-scope Corp, Paramus, NJ) with concurrent invasive measurements.
Animals — Six anesthetized domestic felines weighing 4.5 to 5 kg.
Methods — The direct arterial pressure was measured using a cannula placed in the right common carotid artery. Oscillometric cuffs of appropriate size were placed on both thoracic limbs distal to the elbow and both pelvic limbs distal to the stifle. The hair in the areas of cuff placement on the right limbs was clipped circumferentially. Measurements of systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were taken for each site during normotension, hypotension, and hypertension. Comparisons between indirect and direct measurements were made using a parametric analysis of method comparison.
Results — No significant differences were noted when die clipped limbs were compared with the corresponding limbs which were left undipped ( P >.378) or when the thoracic limb measurements were compared widi those of the pelvic limb ( P >.088). There were significant differences ( P <.002) between the two pressure measurement methods for the systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures over all three pressure ranges.
Conclusions — The Datascope Passport did not accurately estimate the invasively measured arterial pressure.
Clinical Relevance — Use of noninvasive blood pressure monitoring equipment is increasing in use in veterinary medicine, and the accuracy of one specific monitor is reported.     

The effects of extubation with an inflated versus deflated endotracheal tube cuff on endotracheal fluid volume in the dog

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of extubation with the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff inflated versus deflated on endotracheal fluid volume in normal canine cadavers. Study Design Prospective randomized blinded controlled cadaver study. Animals Sixteen adult Beagle cadavers weighing 10.7 ± 1.7 kg (mean ± SD) and <2 years of age. Methods Cadavers were orotracheally intubated in lateral recumbency, and the ETT cuffs were inflated to a closing pressure of 20 cm H₂O before barium was introduced orad to the cuff. The dogs were randomly assigned to an ETT cuff extubation condition of deflated or unchanged from the original closing pressure. After extubation, lateral thoracic radiographs of the cadavers were obtained and scored by three independent blinded reviewers. Each reviewer ordered all 16 lateral radiographs from most to least intratracheal contrast and also estimated residual intratracheal contrast volume. Results Dogs extubated with a deflated ETT cuff had a median rank of 13 and dogs extubated with an inflated ETT cuff had a median rank of 4.5 (p < 0.0001). Dogs extubated with a deflated ETT cuff had an estimated intratracheal volume of fluid of 1.8 mL ± 0.7 mL (mean ± SD) and dogs extubated with an inflated ETT cuff had an estimated volume of 0.9 mL ± 0.5 mL (p < 0.0001). Fleiss Kappa for agreement among evaluators was 0.875. Conclusions and clinical relevance Extubation with the cuff inflated removed more liquid contents from the trachea than extubation with the cuff deflated and may assist in the prevention of pulmonary aspiration when fluid is present in the proximal trachea. The technique did not remove all fluid so the potential for pulmonary damage remains.     

Seroprevalence of Borna disease virus in domestic animals in Xinjiang, China

To investigate the animals infected with Borna disease virus (BDV) in Xinjiang, China, we examined for BDV antibodies in the sera from groups of 20 horses, sheep and cattle, and from 165 wild rodents (18 species) by ELISA and immunoblot. The serological study disclosed the presence of antibodies to both BDV-p24 and -p40 in the horses (20%) and sheep (25%), whereas no apparent positive reaction was detected either in cattle or rodents. The results suggested that BDV is prevalent in horses and sheep in the district investigated.     

Negative contrast electron microscopic techniques for diagnosis of viruses of veterinary importance

Negative contrast electron microscopy (NCEM) was utilized as a routine tool in the diagnosis of viral infections of domestic and wild animals. Viruses identified by this technique were observed in infected culture systems or clinical specimens from several species including horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, pigs, deer, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, antelope, and several avian species. Viruses were identified by NCEM based on their size, morphology, and symmetry and consisted of adenoviruses, herpesviruses, paramyxoviruses, myxoviruses, picornaviruses, parvoviruses, coronaviruses, reoviruses, rotaviruses, and poxviruses. Mixed populations were also readily demonstrable by this technique: the most common mixed infections consisted of coronaviruses and rotaviruses, and picorna- or parvo-viruses with coronaviruses, rotaviruses, herpesviruses, or adenoviruses. Immunoelectron microscopy was also used to serotype viral agents present in the specimens examined. Viruses identified by this technique were bovine rotaviruses, coronaviruses, and herpesviruses, and bovine and equine adenoviruses.     

Adaptation of human oscillometric blood pressure monitors for use in dogs

Two digital oscillometric human blood pressure measuring devices were modified and evaluated as blood pressure monitors in 12 healthy anesthetized dogs. Direct arterial pressures were measured via cannulation of the dorsal pedal artery and were correlated with indirect measurements through an inflatable cuff placed over the dorsal pedal artery below the hock joint of the contralateral limb. Direct and indirect measurements were compared for systolic, diastolic, and calculated mean arterial pressures. Blood pressure ranges between 215/145 mm of Hg and 65/30 mm of Hg were obtained, using combinations of halothane, phenylephrine, calcium, and IV administered fluids. Machine A was found to be insufficient for clinical application, on the basis of correlation coefficients between direct and indirect pressures of 0.78, 0.65, and 0.74 for systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures, respectively. Higher correlation coefficients between direct and indirect pressures (0.77, 0.87, and 0.87, respectively) were obtained with machine B. The results of the study reported here suggest machine B may be an effective blood pressure monitoring device in anesthetized dogs.