Pesticides and domestic animals.

Domestic animals are quite often poisoned by pesticides despite the considerable effort made through legislation and Ministry recommendations to provide adequate safeguards for the use of agricultural chemicals. All pesticides have to be registered and recommendations and restrictions for use are printed on the labels. But a number of cases involving the misuse of certain poisons as bait for vermin has caused concern recently to both Government and industry. Special problems face the veterinary surgeon who has to treat a pet animal with suspected esticide poisoning. This paper provides possible sources of information from which the veterinary surgeon may obtain help with diagnosis, advice on treatment and laboratory aid.     

The perioperative management of small animals with previously implanted pacemakers undergoing anaesthesia

ObjectiveThere is little information in the veterinary literature about the perioperative management of small animal patients with previously implanted pacemakers undergoing elective or emergency non-cardiac procedures. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature with regard to human patients, with previously implanted pacemakers, undergoing general anaesthesia. Using this and the current information on pacemakers and anaesthesia in dogs and cats, we provide recommendations for small animal patients in this situation.Databases usedGoogle Scholar, PubMed and CAB Abstracts using and interlinking and narrowing the search terms: “dog”, “cat”, “small animals”, “anaesthesia”, “pacemaker”, “perioperative”, “transvenous pacing”, “temporary pacing”. Scientific reports and human and small animal studies from the reference lists of the retrieved papers were reviewed. In addition, related human and veterinary cardiology and anaesthesia textbooks were also included to create a narrative review of the subject.ConclusionsThe best perioperative care for these animals comes from a multidisciplinary approach involving the anaesthetist, cardiologist, surgeon and intensive care unit team. When such an approach is not feasible, the anaesthetist should be familiar with pacemaker technology and how to avoid perioperative complications such as electromagnetic interference, lead damage and reprogramming of the device. The preanaesthetic assessment should be thorough. Information regarding the indication for pacemaker placement, complications during the procedure, location, type and programming of the pacemaker should be readily available. The anaesthetic management of these veterinary patients aims to preserve cardiovascular function while avoiding hypotension, and backup pacing should be available during the perioperative period. Further prospective studies are needed to describe the best perioperative care in small animals with a previously implanted pacemaker.     

Gastrointestinal Disease in Exotic Small Mammals

Exotic small mammal medicine is a relatively new specialty area within veterinary medicine. Ferrets, rabbits, and rodents have long been used as animal models in human medical research investigations, resulting in a body of basic anatomic and physiologic information that can be used by veterinarians treating these species. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of veterinary articles that describe clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options of gastrointestinal (GI) disease as it affects exotic small mammals. Although there is little reference material relating to exotic small mammal GI disease, patients are commonly presented to veterinary hospitals with digestive tract disorders. This article provides the latest information available for GI disease in ferrets (Helicobacter mustelae gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], GI lymphoma, systemic coronavirus, coccidiosis, and liver disease), rabbits (GI motility disorders, liver lobe torsion, astrovirus, and coccidiosis), guinea pigs (gastric dilatation volvulus [GDV]), rats (Taenia taeniaeformis), and hamsters (Clostridium difficile). Both noninfectious diseases and emerging infectious diseases are reviewed as well as the most up-to-date diagnostics and treatment options.     

SURVEY OF THE USE OF RADIOGRAPHY VS. ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN THE INVESTIGATION OF GASTROINTESTINAL FOREIGN BODIES IN SMALL ANIMALS

A question frequently asked by clinicians who are treating small animals suspected of having gastrointestinal foreign bodies is whether one imaging test such as survey radiography or ultrasonography is sufficient to make the diagnosis. A study was undertaken to try and answer this question. Survey abdominal radiography and ultrasonography was performed on 16 small animals (11 dogs, five cats) with clinical signs of an obstruction because of a confirmed gastrointestinal foreign body. The majority of the foreign bodies (14/16) were confirmed by surgical removal and were located in the small intestine. A gastric foreign body was retrieved endoscopically and a colonic foreign body was passed in the feces. Radiographically identifiable foreign bodies were evident in nine animals. Small intestinal overdistension was present radiographically in seven animals. Ultrasonography detected a foreign body in all 16 animals. The foreign bodies were identified by their distal acoustic shadowing and variable degrees of surface reflection. An intestinal perforation was detected sonographically but not radiographically. The value of additional sonographic findings including thickening of the gastrointestinal wall and loss of layering, free peritoneal fluid, and lymphadenopathy in these animals is discussed. The findings in this series suggest that in a small animal with a gastrointestinal foreign body, ultrasonography alone could be used to make the diagnosis and may be a more appropriate choice than survey radiography.     

Pathological analysis of batch safety testing of veterinary vaccines using small laboratory animals

Batch safety tests (BSTs) of veterinary vaccines are conducted using small laboratory animals to assure the safety of vaccines according to several criteria, including clinical signs and change in body weight. Although the latter is used as an evaluation index in BSTs, there have been no reports on the internal changes that affect body weight during the test period. Therefore, we analyzed BST via pathological examination of the tested animals. Here, BSTs were performed for 176 batches using mice and 126 batches using of guinea pigs. Most of the gross findings could be classified into four lesion types (nodules, adhesions, ascites, no apparent signs), with only one vaccine inducing lesions that could not be classified into any of these four types. Histopathological examination revealed that the reactions caused by BST were pyogenic and/or granulomatous inflammation. Nodular or adhesive lesions comprised more severe pyogenic granulomatous inflammation than ascites or cases with no apparent gross lesions. These nodular or adhesive lesions were more frequently induced by vaccines that contained an adjuvant than by vaccines that did not contain an adjuvant. The cases with “exceptional” gross findings histologically presented severe necrosis of the hematopoietic system. Additional testing showed that these “exceptional” lesions were induced when a specific type of light liquid paraffin was injected along with other vaccine additives. Our results show that body weight loss and/or lesions during BST were induced by proinflammatory properties of the tested vaccines and that BST is a sensitive method for detecting unexpected effects of vaccine components.     

动物源性食品中多种兽药残留种类及检测方法

动物源食品中多种兽药残留主要是动物在生长和加工中额外添加。该种残留现象具有水平低、种类多、机制效应复杂的特点。针对该种动物制品在进行兽药残留检测中应综合运用新技术新方。目前在动物源食品中多种兽药残留检测中常用的技术为高效液相色谱质谱联合使用技术,该项技术具有检测灵敏度高,数据获取精准的特点,能对多种兽药残留情况进行定性定量的分析,在动物源食品多种兽药残留检测过程中应用较为广泛。该文主要论述动物源食品中多种兽药残留的种类及兽药残留检测技术。     

A literature review of reports of the stability and storage of common injectable chemotherapy agents used in veterinary patients

Many chemotherapy drugs used in human patients are discarded after single use or within 24 h of reconstitution, as per the manufacturer's product label recommendations. This can be wasteful and costly to veterinary clients. This report reviews the published stability and storage data for 19 injectable chemotherapy drugs commonly used in veterinary medicine. Based on these data, storage procedures are presented, assuming aseptic technique and a closed system drug transfer device (CSDTD) are used for drug preparation and handling. Further studies on the risk of microbiological contamination of chemotherapeutics using a CSDTD, and validated high quality drug assays such as stability‐indicating high‐performance liquid chromatography, are required. The authors' intent is not to supersede product label recommendations, but to suggest that longer storage without significant loss of drug efficacy may be possible, thus reducing the costs of chemotherapeutics to some veterinary clients.     

基于文献计量分析的我国黄芪、当归、党参在畜牧与动物医学领域的研究

目的：了解国内黄芪、当归、党参等3类中草药在＂畜牧与动物医学＂领域的研究状况,为后续研究提供参考。方法：运用文献计量学与计算机统计分析的研究方法,以国内3种中草药在＂畜牧与动物医学＂领域研究的期刊文献为样本,进行文献学特征、文献主题内容的分析与研究。结果：当归是3种中草药中＂畜牧与动物医学＂领域研究最早、时间跨度最大的中药材;3种中草药的主要饲喂或治疗对象有鸡、猪、牛、鼠、犬等;主要饲喂或用药类型有单药、组方、提取物、注射液、散剂、汤剂等;主要对症有增强免疫机能、生长性能、生产性能、治疗前胃疾病等。结论：在国内,高校是3种中草药＂畜牧与动物医学＂领域研究最主要机构,3种中草药在＂畜牧与动物医学＂领域应用范围较广、应用技术日趋成熟,普遍遵循着扶正祛邪、调节阴阳平衡的中兽医治疗原则。     

Privatization of Veterinary Services in Developing Countries: A Review

Increasing fiscal constraints on the government, a lackadaisical performance by public sector animal health and breeding services and pressure from donor partners have prompted the governments of various developing countries to rethink the role of the public sector in the provision of veterinary services. Various countries have started to implement, or have already implemented, privatization of some veterinary services. The results are mixed. It is established that private provision alone is not optimal, and a blend of private and public sector veterinary services is required to utilize the virtues of both.The privatization process has also begun in India. Certain state governments in India are pursuing a cost recovery approach and are encouraging private practitioners to cope with the financial constraints and to deliver broad and effective animal health and breeding services. This paper considers the global aspects of the privatization of veterinary services as well as the scenario in India, so as to gain an insight into the very complex and debatable issue of privatization of veterinary services.     

Liposome‐encapsulated chemotherapy: Current evidence for its use in companion animals

Cytotoxic drugs encapsulated into liposomes were originally designed to increase the anticancer response, while minimizing off‐target adverse effects. The first liposomal chemotherapeutic drug was approved for use in humans more than 20 years ago, and the first publication regarding its use in a canine cancer patient was published shortly thereafter. Regardless, no general application for liposomal cytotoxic drugs has been established in veterinary oncology till now. Due to the popularity of canines as experimental models for pharmacokinetic analyses and toxicity studies, multiple publications exist describing various liposomal drugs in healthy dogs. Also, some evidence for its use in veterinary cancer patients exists, especially in canine lymphoma, canine splenic hemangiosarcoma and feline soft tissue sarcoma, however, the results have not been overwhelming. Reasons for this may be related to inherent issues with the enhanced permeability and retention effect, the tumour phenomenon which liposomal drugs exploit. This effect seems very heterogeneously distributed in the tumour. Also, it is potentially not as ubiquitously occurring as once thought, and it may prove important to select patients for liposomal therapy on an individual, non‐histology‐oriented, basis. Concurrently, new developments with active‐release modified liposomes in experimental models and humans will likely be relevant for veterinary patients as well, and holds the potential to improve the therapeutic response. It, however, does not resolve the other challenges that liposomal chemotherapy faces, and more work still needs to be done to determine which veterinary patients may benefit the most from liposomal chemotherapy.     

Inductively coupled plasma mass‐spectrometric determination of platinum in excretion products of client‐owned pet dogs

Residues of antineoplastic drugs in canine excretion products may represent exposure risks to veterinary personnel, owners of pet dogs and other animal care‐takers. The aim of this study was to measure the extent and duration of platinum (Pt) excretion in pet dogs treated with carboplatin. Samples were collected before and up to 21 days after administration of carboplatin. We used validated, ultra‐sensitive, inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry assays to measure Pt in canine urine, faeces, saliva, sebum and cerumen. Results showed that urine is the major route of elimination of Pt in dogs. In addition, excretion occurs via faeces and saliva, with the highest amounts eliminated during the first 5 days. The amount of excreted Pt decreased over time but was still quantifiable at 21 days after administration of carboplatin. In conclusion, increased Pt levels were found in all measured excretion products up to 21 days after administration of carboplatin to pet dogs, with urine as the main route of excretion. These findings may be used to further adapt current veterinary guidelines on safe handling of antineoplastic drugs and treated animals.     

畜产品中兽药残留原因及危害

在畜禽饲养管理过程中使用违禁药物或滥用药物,使用饲料添加剂或超量用药,不遵守休药期规定等均可引起畜产品兽药残留。同时饲养环境遭到污染也能致使药物残留,并且我国关于食品安全的法律法规不健全、监管力度不够等,致使畜产品中药物残留问题更加严重。人体摄入存在药物残留的食品后,不仅会引起急性、慢性或蓄积性中毒,还会致使机体细菌产生耐药性,甚至污染整个生活环境等。     

我国高校公立动物医院的重要性、发展困局及破解之辩

高校教学动物医院是兽医学科和动物医学专业、兽医硕(博)士教学、临床医疗的必备场所,是人才培养质量的基本保障,是办学水平的重要体现,同时也是我国动物疫病防控体系的重要组成部分,不可或缺。随着我国经济社会的快速发展,动物医院面临的环境和形势均发生了显著变化,现行制度和管理体系已不能助力新时代高校教学动物医院的生存和发展,亟待改革和创新。针对高校教学动物医院的发展困局,应当重新定位公立动物医院的性质和功能,改革和完善现有兽医师职称评价体系,提高动物医院的科学化管理水平。如此,高校动物医院才可能实现跨越发展。     

Poisonings in reptiles.

Reptiles are increasingly being kept as pets in American households. The basic principles of emergency medicine are the same for all species, but reptilian species present special diagnostic challenges to veterinary clinicians when they become ill. Reptiles in captivity can become accidentally poisoned in a variety of ways. Veterinarians treating small animal emergencies must make an effort to familiarize themselves with the large body of literature and resources that are developing regarding both nontraditional exotic companion species and advances in toxicology.     

动物福利教育与兽医专业发展

动物福利教育是动物保护的基本内容,是动物福利立法的基础。我国传统的兽医专业并没有系统开展动物福利的教育,但随着兽医专业实践的新发展,兽医职业不仅限于动物的健康和保护,更期望实践高标准的动物福利。国际上越来越多的兽医专业本科及研究生教育开展动物福利教育课程,并且建立了一些福利组织。在兽医专业开展动物福利教育可促进兽医专业的国际化、职业化和社会化,加快动物福利立法的进程。     

A multi-centre prospective evaluation of internet research habits among owners seeing a veterinary oncologist

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the internet-use among pet owners seeing a veterinary oncologist. Over a two-month period, 137 questionnaires were collected at three specialty hospitals around a large urban city. Approximately 85% of respondents reported using the internet to research their pet's condition and/or treatment. A search engine was the most employed means however veterinary university websites were considered to provide the most accurate information. The odds of owners who researched their own health condition online researching their pet's condition was 4.3 (95% CI: 1.2–23.1, p < .021) times as high as owners who did not research their own health condition. The odds of owners who have been to their oncologist previously to research their pet's condition was 4.7 (95% CI: 26.9.3, p < .001) times as high than owners who have not been to an oncologist previously. Oncologists should be aware internet use among pet owners appears common and further research to assess the accuracy and readability of veterinary medical websites appears indicated.     

《家畜环境卫生学》课程内容的扩展

家畜环境卫生学是我国高等农林院校动物科学专业的一门专业基础课。我国畜牧业发展过程中畜产品安全事件层出不穷、畜禽公共卫生安全防御体系薄弱以及动物福利差等一系列问题极为突出,结合世界畜牧业发展注重环境保护和动物福利保障等方面的大趋势,必须对原有的家畜环境卫生学课程内容进行改革。本文结合我国畜牧业发展实际,将畜产品安全事件、畜禽公共卫生安全防御体系以及家畜福利等内容引入本科生家畜环境卫生学课程,以期培养具有现代先进养殖理念的新型畜牧业人才。     

《活兽慈舟》在现代兽医治疗中的应用

《活兽慈舟》（清·李南晖）是继《元享疗法马集》之后,受到我国畜牧兽医界普通重视的一部清代中兽医专著,也是我国现存中兽医古书中内容比较全面的一部著作。《活兽慈舟》继承和发扬了中医药事业,辩证正确,立法恰当,遵循自然规律,集诊治牛、马、羊、猪、犬、猫等六畜疾病和它们的正确饲养方法,及相牛和相马常识于一体,主要流传于四川南部,甘肃通渭县乃至全国,为畜牧养殖生产发展保驾护航,一直为中兽医爱好者和学者提供兽疾病治疗的思路和方法。     

Review of hypocalcemia in septic patients

Objective: To review the occurrence and etiologies of hypocalcemia in septic human and veterinary patients. Data sources: A thorough search was conducted using CAB abstracts and MEDLINE and the keywords hypocalcemia, ionized calcium, sepsis, and procalcitonin (proCT). Human data synthesis: Ionized hypocalcemia (iHCa) is a common finding in septic human patients. The cause is unknown but is likely multifactorial. Low ionized calcium (iCa²⁺) concentrations coincide with increased severity of illness and increased mortality. Recent studies show that iHCa has a strong correlation with elevated calcitonin precursor concentrations. Veterinary data synthesis: There is a paucity of publications in the veterinary literature pertaining to iHCa in septic animals. Experimental models of sepsis indicate that iHCa exists in animals. iHCa has also been investigated in horses with enterocolitis and endotoxemia. Prospective studies are needed to determine the prevalence of iHCa among septic small animals, and to determine whether iHCa correlates with increased mortality and severity of disease. Indications for the treatment of iHCa in septic small animals also need to be investigated. Conclusions: iHCa is well documented in septic human patients, but little is known about iHCa in septic veterinary patients. Future veterinary studies should focus on documenting the presence of iHCa in septic patients and steps should be taken to determine the cause. proCT concentrations may show promise for predicting sepsis and mortality in critically ill veterinary patients.     

Veterinary Randomized Clinical Trial Reporting: A Review of the Small Animal Literature

The randomized clinical trial (RCT) is a valuable research method for the evaluation of new treatment and prevention regimens in veterinary medicine. Reporting of clinical trials in other disciplines has not been complete. Without complete information on the conduct and results of a clinical trial, readers cannot optimize their use of the information presented. This report represents an objective review of randomized clinical trials in the veterinary small animal literature from 1986 to 1990. Results indicate that RCT reports in the small animal veterinary literature are incomplete. The importance of reporting on particular aspects of RCT research is described.