Effects of detomidine on equine oesophageal function as studied by contrast radiography

The effects of sedation with detomidine on oesophageal function were assessed by contrast radiography in 10 healthy adult thoroughbred horses. Barium swallows were monitored by means of image intensification, first without sedation and then after the intravenous administration of detomidine at doses of 10 and 20 micrograms/kg bodyweight. The transit time of contrast agent to the oesophageal hiatus was recorded and each swallow was scored for markers of oesophageal dysfunction. Analysis of the data indicated that there were highly significant dose dependent increases in the transit time, the retention of barium within the longitudinal mucosal folds, and retrograde peristalsis and pooling of contrast agent within the oesophagus at both the thoracic inlet and caudal to the base of the heart. The degree of gastrooesophageal reflux was not affected at either dosage. These changes in oesophageal function were similar to those recorded from cases of grass sickness and indicate that care should be taken in the interpretation of studies of swallowing in animals that have been given detomidine before a radiographic examination.     

Management of oesophageal rupture by tube feeding through the oesophageal wound

This case report describes the management of a perforation of the oesophagus after an obstruction of long duration by creating an oesophagostomy with an indwelling tube through the oesophageal wound. The oesophageal perforation was diagnosed by clinical examination, oesophagoscopy, ultrasonography and contrast radiography. The perforation was managed by insertion of a feeding tube through the original oesophageal wound and careful nutritional and antimicrobial management with a good short-term outcome after closure of the fistula.     

Fatal aortic oesophageal fistula following oesophageal foreign body removal in a dog

An eight-month-old male Pomeranian was presented with hypovolaemic shock 7 days after successful oesophageal foreign body removal. On presentation the dog was anaemic and no coagulation abnormalities were detected. A fluid-filled oesophagus was visible on thoracic radiography and frank blood was aspirated from the oesophagus following oro-oesophageal intubation. Fluid resuscitation and blood transfusions were administered but attempts at stabilisation were unsuccessful and the dog died. At post-mortem examination, a 2-mm aortic oesophageal fistula was identified on the ventral aspect of the aorta at the level of heart base that communicated with the overlying oesophagus. Aortic oesophageal fistula has been reported in human medicine and occurs secondary to a number of conditions including oesophageal foreign bodies. These prove fatal without rapid stabilisation and surgery.     

Oesophagotomy and oesophageal resection

The indications for and the techniques involved in both cervical and thoracic oesophagotomy and oesophageal resection are described and demonstrated. Résumé. On a décrit et démontré les indications pour et les techniques que comprennent et une cesophagotomie cervicale et thoracique et une résection sophagienne. Zusammenfassung. Die Anzeichen und die Arten von Technik die mit beiden zervikaler sowie thorakaler Osophagotomie und ǒsophagealer Resektion verbunden sind, wurden beschrieben und demonstriert.     

多拉菌素浇泼剂对小鼠免疫功能影响的试验

检测多拉菌素浇泼剂对小鼠外周血CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞的影响及对小鼠血清中IgA、IgG、IgM的影响。试验结果显示,多拉菌素浇泼剂在高、中、低3个剂量组时,都可使外周血液中CD4+、CD8+T淋巴细胞的数量发生改变,并且有一定的量-效关联,表明合适剂量的多拉菌素浇泼剂能够改善小鼠特异性细胞免疫功能。给与中、低剂量时,IgA、IgM、IgG均无明显的变化,但在高剂量时,IgA、IgM、IgG均有所降低,但和对照组相比无统计学差异,说明多拉菌素浇泼剂各剂量时对小鼠体液免疫均无显著影响。结果表明,多拉菌素浇泼剂是一种新型的治疗动物寄生虫病较为安全的局部外用药物,适合在兽医临床上广泛推广应用。     

Successful transendoscopic oesophageal mass ablation in two dogs with Spirocerca lupi associated oesophageal sarcoma

This report describes two cases of oesophageal tumours managed by transendoscopic neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser ablation and polypectomy snare electrocautery. In each dog oesophagoscopy revealed caudal oesophageal masses, suspected to be Spirocerca lupi‐induced oesophageal neoplasia. To resect the masses, transendoscopic neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet laser ablation was used in the first case and polypectomy snare electrocautery in the second. Recovery was uneventful. Histopathology was consistent with oesophageal fibrosarcoma and osteosarcoma in each case, respectively. Follow‐up oesophagoscopy revealed apparently healthy oesophageal tissue except for focal scar tissue in the first case. Transendoscopic laser ablation and polypectomy snare electrocautery is a potential non‐invasive, cost effective alternative for surgical oesophageal mass resection.     

Treatment of cervical oesophageal rupture in horses

Oesophageal rupture in horses has only been previously described in detail in isolated case reports. The objectives of this study were to describe the clinical findings, specific treatment and outcome of oesophageal rupture in horses. Medical records of horses diagnosed with oesophageal rupture between 1994–2008 were reviewed. Clinical findings, treatment and outcome were recorded. Seven horses with cervical oesophageal perforations were included in the study. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia without treatment and 5 were treated surgically. Treatment involved a fasciotomy of the cervical musculature and oesophageal tube placement. Three of 5 horses survived long‐term (>one year). Our study showed that surgical treatment of cervical oesophageal rupture involving fasciotomy and oesophagostomy tube placement can be successful with 3/5 of treated horses surviving more than one year.     

Studies of rumen function in an in vitro continuous culture system

An in vitro continuous culture system to simulate processes in the rumen is described. This comprises a culture vessel (Fig. 2) fed continuously with pelleted solid feed (Fig. 1); artificial saliva also enters the vessel while effluent leaves it continuously in two streams, one is filtered and the other simply overflows (Fig. 1). In this way liquid and solid turnover times may be manipulated independently; in a trial experiment the former and latter were 6.3% and 3.4% per hour respectively. In four replicated experiments a steady-state was achieved in 5-6 days with a feed of barley, tapioca, fishmeal, urea and straw and maintained for a further 7 to 14 days. During a steady-state period, rumen characteristics in terms of protozoal count, pH, redox potential, total volatile fatty acid concentration and ammonia concentration were stable and similar to those found in the rumens of animals given similar diets. Flows of microbial N compounds were assessed by infused Na2H32PO4 with the artificial saliva and estimating the 32P label incorporated in bacterial fractions. The system demonstrably provided a satisfactory means for studying many aspects of rumen function.     

Balloon dilation of oesophageal strictures in two horses

Oesophageal strictures in 2 horses with chronic recurrent oesophageal obstruction or choke was diagnosed by endoscopy and contrast radiography. Balloon dilation of the strictures was performed under endoscopic and fluoroscopic guidance. Follow‐up endoscopic and radiological examinations performed 6 weeks after the procedure showed clear dilation of the strictures. Both horses did not have any recurrence during follow‐up periods of 10 and 12 months.     

Chronic oesophageal foreign body in a cat

An 11-year-old cat was presented with an approximately 2-month history of dysphagia, intermittent regurgitation and weight loss. An oesophageal foreign body was identified on plain radiographs, and an oesophagotomy was performed to remove a large V-shaped bone from the caudal cervical oesophagus. A gastrostomy feeding tube was placed to allow nutritional support postoperatively. Medical treatment for oesophagitis was initiated after surgery. No complications were encountered and the cat was discharged 4 days after surgery.     

Pyloric and oesophageal dysfunction in the cat

The paper describes the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of pyloric stenosis in thirteen cats, associated in some animals, with megalo-oesophagus.     

Congenital oesophageal hiatal hernia in a pug

Congenital sliding, oesophageal or type I hiatal hernia was diagnosed in a five-month-old pug puppy presented for evaluation of dyspnoea post feeding. The diagnosis was confirmed using plain film radiography. Surgical reduction of the hernia followed by plication of the oesophageal hiatus, oesophagopexy and left flank gastropexy permitted restoration of normal function. At 12 months of age, the dog was asymptomatic. This article describes the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital type 1 oesophageal hiatal herniation with unusual clinical presentation.