贵州4个澳洲坚果品种不同树龄期的产量表现

为了解澳洲坚果在贵州的产量表现,以引进的4个澳洲坚果品种为试材,研究初产期不同树龄与产量的表现。结果表明：随着树龄的增长,4个品种的总产量呈快速增长,三年累计总产量表现为O.C＞H2＞HAES 788＞HAES 344,O.C在不同树龄阶段总产量均高于其他品种;平均单株产量品种O.C显著高于其它3个品种,H2在第9年单株产量出现较大增长,HAES 344始终最低;O.C的总产量和平均单株产量的增长率均为最低,H2平均单株产量的增长率最高,且在第9年总产量和平均单株产量的增长量均最高;4个品种单株产量的平均变异度O.C的最小,其次为HAES 788、H2和HAES 344;随树龄增长,O.C低增长（小于50%）的单株比例增加,H2高增长（大于等于200%）的单株比例增加;HAES 788中增长（大于等于50%小于200%）的比例增多,HAES 344低增长的比例增多。在贵州望谟生态条件下,品种O.C在不同树龄阶段总产量、单株产量、稳定性表现均优于其它三个品种。     

Comparison of a method using the HemoCue near patient testing device with a standard method of haemorrhage estimation in dogs undergoing spinal surgery

Objective  To compare an estimate of blood loss obtained using measurements from the Hemocue photometer with a standard estimate in dogs undergoing spinal surgery.
Study design  Prospective clinical study.
Animals  Twenty-nine client-owned dogs.
Methods  During surgery, blood and all lavage fluids were collected in the suction container and on to swabs. To prevent blood clot formation in the suction container, 10 mL citrate-phosphate dextrose adenine (CPDA) was added. At the end of the procedure, the total volume in the suction container was recorded. It was shaken to ensure uniformity and a 5 mL sample tested with the HemoCue photometer. Blood loss in the suction container was calculated as follows: Blood in suction (mL) = volume in bottle (mL) × [suction haemoglobin (Hb) concentration (g dL⁻¹)/pre-operative Hb concentration (g dL⁻¹)]. This volume was added to the estimated volume of blood on the swabs (weight of soaked swabs minus that of dry swabs) to provide the Hemocue estimate of total blood loss. A standard haemorrhage estimate was performed using the volume of fluid in the suction container at the end of surgery in excess of the total volume of lavage fluid available, minus 10 mL CPDA. This volume was added to the estimated volume of blood on the swabs to provide the standard estimate of total blood loss. Data were analyzed with a paired t -test. Retrospective power calculations demonstrated an 80% power to detect a mean difference of 25 mL between the two methods with a level of significance of 0.05.
Results  There was no significant difference in calculated blood loss between the two methods ( p  = 0.8, mean difference: −2 mL, 95% CI: −20 to 16 mL).
Conclusions and clinical relevance  The HemoCue may be used to help estimate blood loss in dogs undergoing spinal surgery.     

The pathogenicity and immunologic relationship of a virulent and a tissue-culture-adapted Babesia bovis

Babesia bovis grown in tissue culture was used to inoculate 12, 2-year-old Holstein steers. All 12 developed serological evidence of infection but only six had a febrile response of greater than or equal to 40 degrees C, and only one had a demonstrable B. bovis parasitemia. An average modest drop of 19% was observed in packed cell volume (PCV) during the period of reaction. All 12 steers were subsequently challenged with virulent B. bovis: seven on day 78 post inoculation (p.i.), two on day 106 p.i., and three on day 251 p.i. No demonstrable clinical response was observed in any of the 12 steers previously exposed to the tissue-culture organism, whereas severe signs of babesiosis occurred in seven 2-year-old, non-vaccinated control steers given a comparably virulent B. bovis challenge. All seven controls showed a febrile response, B. bovis parasitemias, with an average drop of 55% in PCV and a 28% mortality.     

Effects of Three Different Liquid Additives Mixed with Whole Oats or Rolled Oats on the Generation of Airborne Particles from an Experimental Simulating Horse Feeding

This study was designed to analyze the reduction potential of three different liquid additives (water, rapeseed oil, and molasses) in three different concentrations mixed with cleaned whole or rolled oats on the generation of airborne particles under standardized laboratory conditions. In addition, the influence of two different drop heights (20 and 40 cm) was analyzed. Airborne particle concentrations were detected online with the gravimetrically measuring analyzer TEOM 1400a that was equipped successively with different inlets to measure the particle fractions PM₂₀, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5. The mixing of oats with just 1% (w/w) of each of the liquid additives led to a significant reduction in airborne particle generation in all three particle fractions with respect to the samples without additives (P < .0001). By the addition of 1% oil, a reduction in the PM₂₀ fraction of 90.6% (120.3 μg/m³) could be achieved. The same dosage of water or molasses only resulted in a reduction of 60.4% (504.6 μg/m³) or 69.1% (393.2 μg/m³), respectively. In general, the highest significant reduction in the PM₂₀ fraction was achieved using 3% rapeseed oil: 96.5% as compared with 75.6% for 3% water and 81.9% for 3% molasses. The drop height only had a significant effect on the generation of the PM₁₀ fraction, with it being lower at 20 cm than at 40 cm (P = .0261).     

Effect of Topical 1% Tetracaine Hydrochloride on Intraocular Pressure in Ophthalmologically Normal Horses; a Pilot Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical 1% tetracaine hydrochloride on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in ophthalmologically normal horses. Thirty eyes of 15 clinically normal horses were used for this study. The animals were randomly assigned to two groups (treatment and control). Prior to the instillation of 1% tetracaine or placebo, the baseline IOPs (T0) of each animal were recorded in both groups. Then one drop of tetracaine was instilled randomly into one eye of each horse in the treatment group (8 horses). In the control group (7 horses), one drop of artificial tear was instilled in one randomly selected eye. The measurements were repeated at 2 minutes (T2), 5 minutes (T5), 15 minutes (T15), and 30 minutes (T30) post instillation via a rebound tonometer. There was no significant difference in the treatment group (P = .3). The peak IOP measured at T2 returned to the baseline value at T30. No significant difference was found in the mean IOP values between the treatment and the control groups, or between the males and females on any of the occasions (P > .05). The Results of this study revealed a nonsignificant increase of the IOP 2 minutes post instillation of 1% tetracaine in horses.     

Susceptibility of trypanotolerant West African Dwarf goats and F1 crosses with the susceptible Sahelian breed to experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection and interactions with helminth infections and different levels of diet

Forty pure West African Dwarf (WAD) goats and 35 of its F1 crosses with the Sahelian breed were used in a multifactorial experimental design to evaluate the effects of an experimental Trypanosoma congolense infection and interactions with natural helminth infections and different levels of diet on health and productivity of these two breeds. Trypanosome infection caused a severe drop in packed cell volume (PCV), but this was not significantly affected by breed. Neither deworming nor diet had any effect on the course of anaemia after trypanosome infection. The mean score of parasitaemia tended to be higher in crossbreeds than in WAD goats although this was not significant (P>0.05). Similarly, the antibody response to trypanosome infection was not significantly different between breeds. Parasitaemia level was significantly influenced by the level of diet with the group under high supplementation having a higher mean parasitaemia score than the group under low supplementation. Weight loss due to trypanosome infection tended to be greater in crossbreeds than in WAD goats (P>0.05).During this study, there was no difference in mean helminth egg output between crossbred and WAD goats. However, between weeks 4 and 10 after trypanosome infection (corresponding to a period of heavy rainfall and highly infective pastures), the mean egg output was higher in the crossbreeds.The immunosuppressive effect of trypanosome infections was revealed by a lower antibody response to Haemonchus contortus in infected animals compared to the uninfected controls. Trypanosome infection tended to increase strongyle egg output. This study did no reveal any superior trypanotolerance of WAD goats compared to crossbreeds.     

The effects of age, weaning, drench volume and yarding on ruminoreticulum bypass in sheep, with reference to the anthelmintic efficacy of benzimidazole drenches

AIMS: To determine the incidence of ruminoreticulum bypass in lambs before and after weaning, following drenching with anthelmintic-equivalent volumes of fluid; to investigate the influence of withholding feed for 24 hours before drenching on the incidence of ruminoreticulum bypass; and to investigate the hypothesis that ruminoreticulum bypass occurs more frequently following drenching with large than with low volumes. The relationship between these factors and the efficacy of benzimidazole anthelmintic drenches has been widely promoted in New Zealand and Australia. METHODS: Video-taped fluoroscopy, using barium sulphate suspension with a specific gravity of 1.38 as a contrast medium, was used to study closure of the reticular groove and ruminoreticulum bypass in sheep. RESULTS: When lambs were drenched with 3 ml of barium sulphate suspension/10 kg liveweight soon after removal from pasture, ruminoreticulum bypass only occurred before weaning and during the first 8 weeks after weaning. However, when a low volume drench (1 ml/10 kg) was used in lambs soon after removal from pasture during the same period, ruminoreticulum bypass was not observed. When recently weaned lambs were yarded for 24 hours before drenching with barium sulphate suspension, substantial (> or = 20%) ruminoreticulum bypass occurred in 25-58% of the animals. When 8-9 month-old hoggets were yarded for 24 hours before drenching, substantial ruminoreticulum bypass occurred in 35% of the animals. Ruminoreticulum bypass was not observed in the same group of hoggets when drenched soon after removal from pasture, in a reversed crossover experiment. This effect of withholding feed for 24 hours on ruminoreticulum bypass was significant (p < 0.0001). In hoggets which had been yarded for 24 hours before drenching with barium sulphate suspension, the incidence of ruminoreticulum bypass was significantly lower (p = 0.0026) following the use of a low volume (1 ml/10 kg) when compared to high volume (3 ml/ 10 kg) of drench. Thus, the effect of withholding feed for 24 hours on ruminoreticulum bypass was largely overcome when the low volume drench was used. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of low volume formulations of benzimidazole drenches for New Zealand pasture-fed lambs less than 6 months old. The results indicate that, in order to obtain the optimum efficacy of benzimidazole anthelmintics in New Zealand pasture-fed sheep, which have been yarded for 24 hours, low volume drench formulations should be used.     

Determination of tear break-up time reference values and ocular tolerance of tetracaine hydrochloride eyedops in healthy horses

Reasons for performing study: Tetracaine hydrochloride (THCl) has been reported to cause irritation in dogs. In man, some topical anaesthetics have been shown to disrupt the tear film. Tear break‐up time (TBUT) is a useful test allowing an assessment of the quality of the precorneal tear film. Only one TBUT value has been reported in horses with no information on the technique used. Objectives: To provide a method for performing the TBUT in horses and to report any side effects of a single application of THCl in clinically normal horses, particularly on the stability of the tear film. Methods: In Study 1, one drop of 0.5 or 1% THCl was applied to one eye of 20 horses divided in 2 groups. Treated eyes were assessed for the development of side effects 2.5 and 5 min after treatment. In Study 2, the TBUT was measured in both eyes of 2 groups of 10 horses, before and 2.5 and 5 min after, instillation of one drop of either 0.5 or 1% THCl. Results: No animals developed any ocular side effect after instillation. Basal TBUT was 8.3 ± 1.3 s. TBUT decreased from baseline 5 and 2.5 min after application of one drop of 0.5% THCl and one drop of 1% THCl, respectively. Conclusions: A technique to measure the TBUT in healthy horses is described and normal range values that could be used as a reference were obtained. Potential relevance: THCl is well tolerated in horses but lowers the TBUT.     

Risk of hemolytic anemia with intravenous administration of famotidine to hospitalized cats

BACKGROUND: Famotidine administered IV has been associated anecdotally with hemolysis in cats, and some veterinarians recommend using injectable famotidine only by the subcutaneous (SC) route for cats. However, the actual risk of such a reaction is not known. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that famotidine, when given IV slowly, would not be associated with a clinically significant drop in packed cell volume (PCV) in hospitalized cats. ANIMALS: One hundred and forty-two hospitalized cats. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was performed for hospitalized cats prescribed famotidine IV (n = 56), famotidine SC (n = 48), or no famotidine (n = 38) at a veterinary medical teaching hospital over the period from January 2004 through December 2006. RESULTS: Baseline signalment, observation times, and famotidine dosage (in treated cats) were similar among groups. Median baseline PCVs were significantly lower in the IV (31.5%) and SC (32.0%) groups compared with the control group (35.0%; P= .04). The median percent drop in PCV (3-4%), however, was no different in cats that received famotidine by either route compared with the control group (P= .90), and no cats in either famotidine group were observed to have any clinical signs of hemolysis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We conclude from this retrospective study that famotidine IV was given to 56 hospitalized cats without evidence of hemolysis, and that the IV route appeared safe when famotidine was administered over 5 minutes. We could not document a safety advantage of SC versus IV administration in this group of cats.     

Efficiency assessment of a swift method to enhance substandard viability ram ejaculates

Semen availability in ram semen processing facilities is of great importance for the genetic improvement of sheep. Accordingly, any method that would increase sperm viability in low viability ejaculates could be useful. In this study, the possibility of a glass beads filtration method by estimating the beads total surface provided (TSP) for adhesion of spermatozoa, was evaluated. Initially, two different TSP (102 and 154 cm(2)) achieved by various sizes of beads (1500, 2000 and 3000 microm) were tested and no significant difference in sperm viability improvement was noticed for the same TSP by different beads (p > 0.05). Next optimization tests were performed in which three different funnels were used for filtration at a standard TSP (154 cm(2)). The pear-shaped funnel was found to be the most appropriate for filtration, as semen volume recovery and sperm viability improvement were more pronounced (p < 0.05). Finally, filtration tests were conducted with pear-shaped funnels with different TSP (102 and 154 cm(2)) obtained by the aforementioned beads sizes (1500, 2000 and 3000 microm) in equal aliquots. Total surface provided of 102 cm(2) proved to be the more appropriate for filtration than 154 cm(2), as shown by the significant improvement of sperm viability (p < 0.01) and the significantly higher filtrate semen volume (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ram sperm viability improvement by more than 20% of its initial value and semen volume recovery by more than 60%, along with the fact that the total filtration time did not exceed 6 min in any case, suggest that through further development this method could be successfully used during ram semen processing.     

Antibody responses in ostriches (Struthio camelus) vaccinated with commercial live and killed Newcastle disease vaccines

Three ostriches (Struthio camelus) were immunized with commercially available live and killed Newcastle disease (ND) vaccines for chickens and the antibody responses to the ND vaccines were evaluated by a virus-neutralization (VN) test. Primary vaccination with the live vaccine, B1, by eye drop was followed with two shots of alum-precipitated killed vaccine via subcutaneous injection in the neck. As a final booster, another live vaccine, Clone 30, was used by eye drop. A VN antibody titer, more than 1:10 was observed for 6 months. This is the first report on the use of a live vaccine by eye drop as a booster in ostriches as well as evaluating responses to ND vaccines using the VN test in this avian species.     

Pigs orally inoculated with swine hepatitis E virus are able to infect contact sentinels

The purpose of the present study was to explore the most likely natural route of infection of swine hepatitis E virus (HEV) by oral inoculation of pigs and to investigate the potential infection by direct contact exposure. A preliminary experiment was performed to assess the infectiousness of the bile used as source of virus. Once confirmed, 16 pigs were inoculated via oral drop with an HEV positive bile suspension containing 2 × 10⁵ genome equivalents per pig. Nine animals were kept as contact sentinels and 12 more pigs were used as negative controls. A number of pigs from the three groups were euthanized at 16, 32 and 64 days post-inoculation. From the HEV inoculated group, three pigs shed virus in faeces, two had virus RNA in bile at necropsy and two seroconverted. In the contact group, two animals showed presence of HEV RNA in bile. This study demonstrates that pigs orally inoculated with a single HEV dose got infection, although few animals had evidence of infection. Moreover, the virus was successfully transmitted to direct contact exposed pigs.     

Effect of superficial harrowing on surface properties of sand with rubber and waxed-sand with fibre riding arena surfaces: a preliminary study

A recent epidemiological study identified various aspects of arena surfaces and arena surface maintenance that were related to risk of injury in horses and that arena maintenance is important in reducing injury risk. However, there has been little research into how properties of arena surfaces change with harrowing. This study aimed to compare the properties of different arena surface types pre- and post-harrowing. The Orono Biomechanical Surface Tester fitted with accelerometers and a single- and a three-axis load cell was used to test 11 arenas with two different surfaces types, sand with rubber (SR) and waxed-sand with fibre (WSF). Three drop tests were carried out at 10 standardised locations on each arena. Mixed models were created to assess the effect of surface type, pre- or post-harrowing, and drop number on the properties of the surface, including maximum horizontal deceleration, maximum vertical deceleration, maximum vertical load and maximum horizontal load.Post-harrowing, none of the parameters were altered significantly on SR. On WSF, maximum vertical deceleration and maximum vertical load significantly decreased post-harrowing. The differences in the effects of superficial harrowing on SR and WSF could be attributed to the different compositions and sizes of the surface material. The results suggest that different maintenance techniques may be more suitable for different surface types and that the effects of superficial harrowing are short-lived due to the rapid re-compaction of the surface with repeated drops on WSF. Further work is required to determine the effects of other maintenance techniques, and on other surface types.     

Field testing of a fenbendazole treatment combined with hygienic and management measures against a natural Giardia infection in calves

The need of a combination of animal treatment and environmental measures against a natural Giardia infection in calves between the age of 1 and 6 months was emphasized and evaluated. Ten commercial farms with a total of 94 calves suffering from chronic diarrhea, ill thriving and impaired growth, were included in two subsequent studies. The first study indicated that treatment of all animals with fenbendazole at 15 mg/kg during 3 consecutive days combined with environmental measures on the final day of treatment, which were either removal of bedding, thorough cleaning and ammonia 10% disinfection or relocation of the treated animals to a Giardia free environment, resulted in a total reduction in cyst excretion for at least 2 weeks. In the second study, the immunofluorescence assay (Merifluor Cryptosporidium/Giardia; Meridian Diagnostics Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio) was used quantitatively and confirmed that the combination of treatment and environmental measures resulted in a total reduction of cyst excretion during 2 weeks and in a significant (P<0.05; >or=98.0%) reduction of the cyst excretion until at least 4 weeks after treatment. Furthermore, there was a noticeable improvement of the clinical symptoms in all animals towards day 28 after treatment and 4 months after treatment health in all calves was normal.     

MEASUREMENT OF NORMAL MIDDLE EAR CAVITY VOLUME IN MESATICEPHALIC DOGS

Water-filling and serial computed tomographic (CT) imaging techniques were used to measure normal middle ear cavity volume (MECV) in 18 dogs (10 live dogs, eight cadavers; 36 ears in total). The specific aims of this study were to (1) compare MECV measurements by water-filling and CT techniques and (2) define a model of MECV vs. body weight (BW) from CT values. There was a significant difference between the two techniques (P = 0.02). The volume obtained by water filling was consistently greater than that obtained by computed tomography. MECV (expressed in ml) increased with BW (expressed in kg) according to the following formula: MECV = -0.612 + 0.757 (In BW) (P<0.01, R2 = 0.74).     

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic evaluation of grapiprant in a carrageenan‐induced inflammatory pain model in the rabbit

Grapiprant is the novel selective EP4 receptor inhibitor recently issued on the veterinary market for dogs affected by osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was twofold: to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of grapiprant in the induced inflammatory pain model in the rabbit after a single IV injection of 2 mg/kg; to compare the thermal antinociception effect after 2 mg/kg IV grapiprant, with that generated by 0.5 mg/kg meloxicam SC injected. Rabbits (n = 12) were randomly assigned to two crossover studies (single‐dose, two‐period crossover). The first study group A (n = 3) received a single IV dose of grapiprant at 2 mg/kg dissolved in ethanol. Group B (n = 3) received a single IV injection of ethanol (equivalent volume to grapiprant volume) at the same site. The second study group C (n = 3) received a single SC dose of meloxicam at 0.5 mg/kg. Group D (n = 3) received a single SC injection of 15% ethanol (equivalent volume to grapiprant volume) at the same site. After a 2‐week washout period, the groups were rotated and the experiments repeated. Blood samples (0.7 mL) were collected from the right ear artery at assigned times and grapiprant plasma concentrations determined by a validated HPLC‐FL method. Three hours prior to administration of the drugs, inflammation was induced by SC injection of lambda carrageenan (200 μL, 3% in physiological saline) under the plantar surface of the right hind paw. At a similar time to the blood collection, an infrared thermal stimuli (40 °C) was applied to the plantar surface of the rabbits’ hindlimbs to evaluate the thermal withdrawal latency (TWL). The thermal antinociceptive effect was expressed as maximum possible response (% MPR). Grapiprant plasma concentrations were detectable up to the 10‐h time point (concentration range 17–7495 ng/mL). The grapiprant‐treated group showed a significant increase in TWL from 1 h and up to 10 h after drug administration compared to the control. In contrast, the meloxicam group showed a significant increase in TWL from 4 up to 10 h after drug administration, compared to control. The maximal MPR% was not statistically different between the grapiprant and meloxicam group from 4 to 8 h, while significant differences were shown at 1, 1.5, 2, 10 and 24 h. Given these findings, grapiprant appears to be an attractive option for antinociception in rabbits, due to its rapid onset and extended duration of effect.     

Enhanced freezability of goat spermatozoa collected into tubes containing extender supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of semen collection into tubes containing extender supplemented with BSA on the cryosurvival of goat spermatozoa. Semen was collected from two goats into empty tubes or tubes containing 10 ml extender supplemented with 0, 0.1, 1, or 5% BSA, and the washed spermatozoa were frozen as pellets in egg yolk-trehalose extender with the addition of 0.04% SDS and 4% glycerol. Sperm motion parameters were evaluated after post-thawing and during a thermal resistance test. The acrosome status of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was also observed using FITC-PNA staining. In frozen semen that was collected into tubes containing extender supplemented with 5% BSA, the post-thawed spermatozoa exhibited a significant improvement in motion parameters and maintained high motility throughout incubation and acrosome integrity, as compared with semen collected into tubes containing extender supplemented with lower concentrations of BSA. In conclusion, semen collection into tubes with a large volume of extender containing high concentrations of BSA dramatically improves the motility and acrosome integrity of frozen-thawed spermatozoa. This suggests that the in vitro functional freezability of spermatozoa is abruptly modified by reducing contact with seminal plasma and by flash contact with BSA at ejaculation.     

Distribution of new methylene blue injected into the caudal epidural space in cattle

To investigate the distribution of solutions injected into the first intercoccygeal epidural space, 24 adult, standing cattle were randomly assigned to 5-, 10- and 20-mL groups and injected with 0.12% new methylene blue (NMB) in 0.9% saline. Ten heifers received 1 mL NMB solution/100 kg of body weight. There was a significant correlation between the injected volume and the number of cranially stained spinal segments in three adult cattle groups (correlation coefficient R2=0.46; P<0.0001). In three cattle, NMB solution did not distribute more than one spinal segment cranially from the injection site due either to fibrosis of the epidural tissue or to inadvertent intravenous administration into the epidural vein. The study showed that the larger the volume of solution injected, the greater the spread with increased individual variation. The results could form the basis for determining the volume of injection required and for evaluating the pharmacokinetics of anaesthetics used in caudal epidural anaesthesia.     

Anthelmintic usage on goat farms in New Zealand: results of a postal survey

A nationwide postal survey in New Zealand of about 3850 goat farmers was conducted in 1988 to determine gastrointestinal nematode control practices. The analysis of 848 replies revealed that at least 16.9%, 20.0% and 34.4% were drenching their adults, yearlings and kids respectively 10 or more times per year. During 1987-88, 42.0% used only ivermectin, 9.0% only a benzimidazole and 1.9% only levamisole or morantel; 42.7% used anthelmintics from two different action families and 3.5% used all three action families. In total, 85.8% had used ivermectin at some stage during the preceding 12 months. Ivermectin was used by 46.5% during the 1987-88 season and also for the 3 preceding years. Sixty percent estimated the weight of their goats only by eye. Twenty-seven percent set the dose volume of the drench gun for the average weight of the goats in the mob, not the heaviest. Drenching frequency was positively correlated with the ratio of goat stock units to total stock units and also with the actual stocking rate of kids and yearlings.     

DIURETIC RENAL SCINTIGRAPHY IN NORMAL DOGS

Diuretic renal scintigraphy is commonly used in human medicine to differentiate obstructive from nonobstructive pyelectasia. In order to determine normal parameters, 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigraphy was performed twice in 20 healthy adult Mongrel dogs. Each dog was injected with either 3.0 mg/kg furosemide or an equivalent volume of saline 4.5 min following injection of the radiopharmaceutical. The following parameters were evaluated: (1) global and individual glomerular filtration rate (GFR); (2) time of peak (TOP) of the time-activity curve (TAC); (3) shape of the TAC; (4) individual kidney excretion half-time (T1/2); (5) proportion of maximum activity measured at end of study (8 min); (6) time of onset; and (7) duration of the effect of the diuretic. Most TAC in the diuretic renography group showed a steep drop in the curve following administration of the diuretic compared with a gradual slope in the saline control group. There was a statistically significant difference in T1/2 between the control renograms (median 10.25 min, range 4.41-18.07 min) and the diuretic renograms (median 4.16 min, range 3.62-5.90 min). There was a statistically significant difference in percentage maximum activity between the control renograms (median 65.25%, range 48.27-93.68%) and the diuretic renograms (median 48.54%, range 35.64-58.76%). Median time of onset of the diuretic effect was 1.10 min (0.20-2.40 min), and median duration was 0.83 min (0.30-2.35 min).