Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic reference values in healthy adult Saanen goats

Echocardiography has become a routine non-invasive cardiac diagnostic tool in most species. Accurate measurement of cardiac dimensions requires reference values, which are poorly documented in goats. The aim of the present study was to test the inter-day repeatability and to establish the reference values of two-dimensional (2D-) and time-motion (M-) mode echocardiographic variables in healthy adult Saanen goats. Six goats were investigated three times by the same observer at one-day interval using a standardised 2D- and M-mode echocardiographic protocol. The intra-observer inter-day repeatability was tested using analysis of variance, calculation of the coefficient of variation and confidence intervals. A single echocardiographic examination was performed in six other goats, and values obtained in the 12 goats were used to establish the 2D- and M-mode echocardiographic reference values in healthy adult female Saanen goats. Statistical analysis revealed a good inter-day repeatability of the echocardiographic cardiac measurements. Echocardiographic reference values obtained in healthy adult Saanen goats seemed slightly higher than those reported in healthy Swedish domestic goats and were similar to those reported in healthy adult sheep.     

Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic measurements of cardiac dimensions in healthy standardbred trotters

The aim of the study was to establish normal echocardiographic values of healthy Standardbred trotters not published previously. Twenty-three clinically normal horses weighing between 350 and 490 kg were examined in the same manner: first a thorough physical and then detailed echocardiographic examination were performed. Standardised two-dimensional (2D) and guided M-mode echocardiographic imaging techniques were used to measure interventricular septal thickness (IVS), left ventricular internal diameter (LVID), left ventricular wall thickness (LVW), left atrial internal diameter (LAID) in end-systole (s) and end-diastole (d) and aortic diameter (AOD) in end-diastole. Mean, range and standard deviation of the different parameters were calculated. The mean values (in centimetres) were as follow (2D/M-mode): IVSs: 4.6/4.7; IVSd: 3.1/3.0; LVIDs: 7.0/7.0; LVIDd: 10.7/10.7; LVWs: 3.9/3.9; LVWd: 2.7/2.7; LAIDs: 10.4/-; LAIDd: 11.3/-; AODd: 7.2/-. Results of two-dimensional and M-mode measurements were compared to each other and to normal values obtained from other breeds.     

牛二维与M型超声心动图研究

应用ＳＣ－４００型超声扫描仪对２０头牛（黄牛１０头、水牛６头、乳牛犊４头）的超声心科反复试验，结果表明可显示出牛的左心室壁、左心室腔、室中隔、右心室腔、右心室壁、右心房、主动脉根、肺动脉、二尖瓣、三尖瓣及肺动脉瓣等心内结构的形态和运动功能。Ｍ型和二维超声心动图２种方法所测得的左心结构数据相关非常显著（Ｐ〈０．０１）；重复试验结果显示，Ｍ型和二维超声心动图对左心室壁厚、左心室内径、室中隔厚等数据的测     

M-mode,two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings in 40 healthy domestic pet rabbits

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to report normal two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiographic findings from a large cohort of healthy, manually restrained, adult pet rabbits.Animals and methodsForty healthy pet rabbits [22 Dwarf Lops (DL), 14 French Lops (FL) and 4 Alaskan (AL)] underwent a full physical examination and conscious two-dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography.ResultsThe median age of the rabbits was 21.5 months, the median weight was 2.9 kg (DL: 2.4 kg, AL: 4.35 kg, FL: 6.0 kg). Echocardiography with ECG monitoring was feasible in all rabbits. Left atrial and ventricular dimensions were significantly larger in FL as compared to DL; overall, a positive correlation with weight was present. No significant differences between breeds were identified for flow velocities. Trace regurgitation was detected at the aortic valve in 7/40 (17.5%) rabbits, at the tricuspid valve in 5/40 (12.5%) and at the pulmonic valve in 1/40 (2.5%) rabbits. Mitral inflow E and A waves were summated in 60% of cases.ConclusionsThe results of this study can be used as echocardiographic values in FL and DL for comparison with clinical cases, and may also be applicable for other breeds of similar sizes. Breed specific values should be used when measuring left atrial and ventricular sizes. However, no breed or size differences were found for the rest of the echocardiographic parameters, which may therefore be applicable for the general pet rabbit population.     

Thromboelastography in healthy, sick non-septic and septic neonatal foals

Objectives To evaluate citrated recalcified thromboelastography (TEG) in healthy newborn foals, and to determine intra‐assay, inter‐individual and intra‐individual (at 12 h, 24 h and 7 days after birth) variations. Additionally, to compare TEG variables, haematological values and conventional coagulation profiles from healthy, sick non‐septic, and septic foals. Design Prospective study. Methods The study group comprised 18 healthy, 15 sick non‐septic and 17 septic foals. Two citrated (3.2%; 1 : 9 anticoagulant : blood ratio) blood samples were submitted for haemostatic evaluation using a TEG analyser and conventional coagulation profile. TEG values (R time (R), K time (K), angle (α), maximum amplitude (MA) and G value (G)), complete blood count (CBC) and conventional coagulation profile (prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen concentration (Fib) and antithrombin (AT)) were evaluated. Signalment, presenting complaint, sepsis scores, blood culture results and outcome were taken from the medical records of the sick foals. Results Mean values ± SD for TEG variables in healthy neonatal foals were: R = 11.82 ± 5.35 min, K = 3.06 ± 1.34 min, α= 51.19 ± 12.66 degrees, MA = 55.06 ± 6.67 mm and G = 6361 ± 1700 dyn/cm². Mean coefficients of variation for intra‐assay/inter‐individual/intra‐individual in healthy foals were: R = 3.5/45.2/43.1%; K = 5.3/58.7/28.7%; α= 1.5/24.7/11.9%; MA = 0.3/12.1/6.1%; G = 1.6/26.7/14.7%. Septic foals had significantly greater α, MA and G values than sick non‐septic foals, and significantly greater MA and G than healthy foals, changes that are consistent with hypercoagulability. Weak correlations were detected between TEG variables and haematological or haemostatic values. Conclusions TEG could be used to provide additional information about the haemostatic system in equine neonates.     

Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic predictors of disease severity in dogs with congenital subaortic stenosis

Echocardiographic studies from 50 dogs with congenital subaortic stenosis were examined. The degree of concentric, left-ventricular hypertrophy as assessed by M-mode measurement demonstrated a positive relationship (P<0.05) to disease severity. However, the clinical utility of these measures is hindered by a large amount of individual variation (r2=0.243 to 0.473). Two-dimensional ultrasound was used to compare the cross-sectional area of the left-ventricular outflow tract to the cross-sectional area of the aortic root. The ratio of these two areas demonstrated a strong inverse relationship (P=0.001; r2=0.778) with disease severity. This ratio provides a method of estimating severity of disease by two-dimensional echocardiography.     

Rib osteomyelitis in three foals

Three foals aged between 21 and 44 days were presented for evaluation of pyrexia and lameness. Each had subcutaneous abscessation associated with osteomyelitis of a rib at the costochondral junction and pathological fracture of the affected rib; one foal had more than one rib affected. Other localised sites of infection included other sites of osteomyelitis, omphalophlebitis, uveitis, enterocolitis, and calcaneal bursitis. The subcutaneous abscessation and rib osteomyelitis was treated surgically in two foals. Salmonella typhimurium was isolated from the subcutaneous abscess in one foal and from the faeces of another. Two of the three foals were euthanased. Ultrasonography was a more useful modality than radiography for establishing the diagnosis of costal osteomyelitis.     

Measurement of M-mode echocardiographic parameters in healthy adult Maine Coon cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine reference values for M-mode echocardiographic parameters in nonsedated healthy adult Maine Coon cats and compare those values with data reported for nonsedated healthy adult domestic cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 105 healthy adult Maine Coon cats. PROCEDURE: Over a 3-year period, M-mode echocardiographic examinations (involving a standard right parasternal transthoracic technique) were performed on Maine Coon cats as part of prebreeding evaluations; values of M-mode parameters in healthy individuals were collected, and mean values were calculated for comparison with those reported for healthy adult domestic cats. RESULTS: The mean +/- SD weight of Maine Coon cats was significantly greater than that of domestic cats. Mean values of left ventricular internal dimension at end diastole and end systole (LVIDd and LVIDs, respectively), interventricular septal thickness at end systole (IVSs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end systole (LVPWs), left atrial dimension at end systole (LADs), and aortic root dimension (Ao) in Maine Coon cats differed significantly from values in healthy domestic cats. The greatest differences detected between the 2 groups involved values of LVIDd, LADs, and Ao. Linear regression analysis revealed a weak but significant correlation between weight and each of LVIDd, LVPWs, IVSs, Ao, LADs, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end diastole. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Values of several M-mode echocardiographic parameters in Maine Coon cats differ from those reported for domestic cats; these differences should be considered during interpretation of echocardiographic findings to distinguish between cardiac health and disease in this breed.     

Profiling training preparation in young Australian Thoroughbred racehorses

Objective To describe the impact of age, sex, and musculoskeletal (MS) injury on three preparation‐level measures of performance: (i) the duration of preparation, (ii) time from the beginning of the preparation until the first start in a race or barrier trial, and (iii) time from the first start until the end of the preparation. Methods Daily training and injury data for 2‐ and 3‐year old Thoroughbred racehorses were collected fortnightly from 14 trainers in NSW, Australia. Training data were aggregated into units referred to as ‘preparations’. Univariate and multivariate analytical methods were used to examine the associations between the explanatory variables and each of the measures of performance. Results There were 1274 preparations recorded in 451 horses. Younger horses had a shorter interval from the first start in a race or barrier trial to the end of the preparation. MS injury was not conditionally associated with any of the outcomes. Conclusion MS injuries in young racehorses have limited impact on long‐term performance, although care must be taken in interpreting the results because they could be confounded by variables not considered in this analysis. This study also begins to unravel the complicated relationship between age and previous exposure to training, with results supporting the hypothesis that the intensity of training increases with increasing age.     

Observations on the placentae of eight Thoroughbred foals born with flexural limb deformities

Congenital flexural deformities are relatively common in newborn Thoroughbred foals. This paper reports on the physical and morphological examination of 8 placentae from foals with varying degrees of the condition. All the placentae showed one or more of the following characteristics: a reduction in their linear dimensions; folding of the allantochorion over the course of major blood vessels; oedema. Although the changes observed in the placentae were indicative of uterine narrowing, it remains unclear if they are the cause of, an effect of or unrelated to the deformities.     

Analysis of factors influencing prognosis in foals with septic arthritis

The purpose of this paper was to identify factors that would positively or negatively affect the short-term survival rate of foals with septic arthritis. Medical records of 81 foals (≤seven months of age) with a clinical diagnosis of septic arthritis, referred to the equine hospital at Cornell University Hospital for Animals, between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed. Signalment, age at presentation, number of affected joints, joint fluid parameters, bacterial agents, treatment modalities and year of treatment were compared between survivors and nonsurvivors. Sixty-two of 81 foals (77%) were discharged from the hospital and classified as 'survivors'. Multiple joint involvement and detection of intra-articular Gram-negative, mixed bacterial infection and degenerate neutrophils were negatively associated with short-term survival. Initiation of treatment within 24 hrs of onset of clinical signs and combination of treatment modalities were positively correlated with survival. Further investigation is needed to determine if these two factors have a similar influence on athletic performance.