Pharmacokinetic studies on tobramycin in horses

The objective of the study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of tobramycin in plasma and urine in the horse (n = 7) after intravenous administration of a dose of 4 mg/kg b.w. Plasma tobramycin concentrations were assayed microbiologically and by means of HPLC analyses. Pharmacokinetic parameters, calculated on the basis of concentrations determined with the microbiological assay were not statistically different from those obtained when data from HPLC analysis were used, but the microbiological assay was more sensitive in the detection of low plasma and urine values. The values of the total body clearance (Cl(B)) were 101.4 +/- 30.1 and 130.0 +/- 49.9 mL/kg/h, respectively. The overall extraction ratio was 2.9%. The determined capacity of elimination of tobramycin in horses was similar to those for other aminoglycosides. Within 24 h after treatment, 57.6 +/- 12.2% of injected antibiotic was excreted in the urine.     

Epidemiological studies of sarcoptic mange in Tanzanian pig herds

Summary An epidemiological survey of sarcoptic mange in 32 herds with a total herd size of 2,021 pigs was conducted in three representative climatic zones in Tanzania. The disease was present in all zones in varying prevalences. The overall prevalences were 52% and 21% when determined on the basis of clinical examination and mite isolation respectively and 91% of the herds were shown to be harbouring the disease.

---

Estudios Epidemiologicos De Sarna Sarcoptica En Piaras En Tanzania

Resumen Se llevó a cabo un estudio epidemiológico de sarna sarcóptica en 2021 cerdos en piaras de tres zonas climáticas representativas de Tanzania. La enfermedad se detectó en todas las zonas en varios niveles de prevalencia. La prevalencia general fue de 52% y 21% cuando ésta se determinó sobre la base de exámenes clinicos y aislamiento del ácaro, respectivamente; 91% de las piaras estaban infectadas.

---

Etude Epidemiologique De La Gale Sarcoptique Sur Des Troupeaux Porcins En Tanzanie

Résumé Une enquête épidémiologique sur la gale sarcoptique portant sur 32 troupeaux totalisant 2021 porcs a été conduite dans trois zones représentatives de Tanzanie du point de vue climatologique. La maladie a été rencontrée partout à des degrés divers. La prévalence totale des sujets a été de 52 p. 100 et de 21 p. 100 selon qu'elle était déterminée à partir d'un examen clinique ou de l'isolement des parasites respectivement. Enfin, la maladie a été décelée sur 91 p. 100 des troupeaux examinés.

     

Clinical features of psoroptic mange in cattle in England and Wales

The clinical signs, treatments used and spread of psoroptic mange in cattle from October 2007 until March 2011 are described. The disease was first diagnosed in South West Wales, having not been reported in Great Britain since the 1980s. The likely source was identified as a farm that had imported two animals from mainland Europe in the summer of 2006. Since that time, disease has been diagnosed on a further 22 premises, the majority in South West Wales but also in South East and Mid Wales and on one farm in England. Bought in animals harbouring the Psoroptes species mite but not showing clinical signs were considered the greatest risk of introducing the infestation into a herd. This, together with the difficulties of treatment to eliminate the parasite, means that it is unlikely that this outbreak has been controlled. There is also a continuing threat of importing the disease from abroad. The disease is not notifiable in the UK.     

FC-44 The therapeutic effect of selamectin and ivermectin regimens in canine sarcoptic mange

Worldwide, sarcoptic mange in cats is seldom reported, and then only in sporadic individual cases. We describe an epidemic in a household with a dog and 25 cats. From September 2002, the dog was repeatedly treated with ivermectin for sarcoptic mange. The diagnosis was confirmed by skin scrapings. Fifteen months later, cats from the same household were diagnosed with severe sarcoptic mange. Twenty-one of the cats were euthanized and necropsies were performed. Skin samples were taken from all cats from different body sites for histology, and skin scrapings were examined for ectoparasites. Samples for bacterial and dermatophyte culture were taken from six cats. Smears for cytology were made from lesions on four cats with severe mange. Sera from 21 cats and the dog were analysed for specific antibodies to Sarcoptes scabiei . Molecular characterizations of six individual mites were done. Large numbers of S. scabiei were isolated from the infected skin of most of the cats. Two-thirds of the cats showed skin lesions compatible with chronic sarcoptic mange. Macroscopically, internal organs exhibited no obvious pathology. Yeast organisms and coccoid bacteria were found in the smears; penicillinase-negative Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from all samples and Malassezia pachydermatis was identified from four cats. Sarcoptes scabiei was seen histologically in all cats showing chronic skin lesions. No other ectoparasites were found. All analysed cats had specific antibodies against S. scabiei . Twenty-one cats tested negatively for FeLV and FIV. The mites had DNA sequences identical to S. scabiei from naturally infected dogs and Swedish wildlife.
Funding: Self-funded.     

Pharmacokinetic studies of theophylline in horses

Ingvast-Larsson, C, Paalzow, G., Paalzow, L., Ottosson, T., Lindholm, A. & Appelgren, L.E. Pharmacokinetic studies of theophylline in horses. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 8, 76–81.
The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were determined in Standardised trotters after single intravenous and oral administration. A bi-exponential equation was fitted to the intravenous data and a tri-exponential equation to the oral data. The biological half-life of theophylline was found to be 14.8 h, the volume of distribution 1.02 l/kg and the total plasma clearance 0.86 ml/kg/min. The oral absorption of the drug was complete (bioavailability 108%) and rapid (absorption half-life 0.4 h).
Professor L. E. Appelgren, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Biomedicum. Box 573, S-75J 23 X'ppsala, Sweden.     

Observations on demodectic mange in dogs

Abstract— A brief review of the literature on various aspects of demodicosis in dogs is followed by a suggested pathogenesis. Some of the effects of Demodex on hosts other than dogs are then mentioned. Reasons why Demodex canis is easily destroyed in vitro but not in vivo are put forward. Finally it is proposed that demodicosis is capable of eradication in pedigree dogs.     

Clinical experiences with isoflurane in dogs and horses

The inhalational anaesthetic agent isoflurane was administered to 22 dogs and 21 horses undergoing a variety of surgical procedures. Satisfactory anaesthesia was produced in all the animals. The cardiopulmonary changes were similar to those observed with halothane. Rapid changes in the depth of anaesthesia were achieved and recovery from anaesthesia was rapid in both dogs and horses, which was a reflection of the relative insolubility of isoflurane. Recovery from anaesthesia in the horses was particularly smooth and rapid with the animals spending a greater part of their recumbency in the sternal position, as opposed to lateral recumbency, before standing in a well coordinated manner.