Benzimidazole Toxicosis in Rabbits: 13 Cases (2003 to 2011)

The objective of this study was to evaluate both clinical and histologic anomalies associated with suspected benzimidazole toxicosis in rabbits. Histopathologic records were reviewed from rabbit cases that were diagnosed with suspected benzimidazole toxicosis at 2 specialty pathology services. Medical records were also solicited from veterinarians who treated rabbits with suspected benzimidazole toxicosis. In all, 13 cases were included in this retrospective study. Histologically, presumed radiomimetic lesions of benzimidazole toxicosis were noted in 3 cases. An additional 10 cases exhibited lesions suggestive of benzimidazole toxicosis. Common clinical signs observed in the study of rabbits included inappetence, lethargy, hemorrhage, and death. One rabbit with suspected benzimidazole toxicosis survived. Benzimidazoles should be used judiciously in rabbits at published doses only after the owners are knowledgeable of the potential health risks associated with this class of drugs. The prognosis for rabbits with suspected benzimidazole toxicosis is poor, but supportive care resulted in the survival of 1 suspected case in this study.     

坏死梭杆菌致家兔肝脓肿模型的建立

采用梅花鹿源坏死梭杆菌HNFnf分离株以不同浓度菌量于家兔耳缘静脉注射,尝试建立家兔感染坏死梭杆菌肝脓肿模型。通过观察家兔临床症状、剖检病变和病理组织学观察,建立了坏死梭杆菌分离株家兔感染模型。攻毒家兔7 d内全部死亡,死亡前家兔表现为采食减少、喜卧、后肢无力、消瘦等。尸体进行病理剖检可见明显病理变化,肺脏表面大量出血,且伴有结节样病变;肝脏质地较软,出现均匀的灰黄脓肿;脾脏严重肿大,呈暗紫色;肾脏多处出血斑;严重的肠道胀气,膀胱积尿。病理组织学观察可见肾脏近曲小管与远曲小管之间有少量的粉红色纤维素渗出;肝脏中形成明显的染色深蓝的脓肿结构,其周围有大量细胞核深染的炎性细胞浸润,肝脏肝小叶固有结构消失,肝细胞脂肪变性;肺泡和支气管内有大量红染的纤维素渗出。采取耳缘静脉攻毒方式,该细菌对家兔的最低致死量为1.2×10¹⁴ CFU。     

Use of contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography in the diagnosis of a liver lobe torsion in a rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

A 1‐year‐old male French Lop rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was presented with a sudden onset of hyporexia. Physical examination revealed cranial abdominal discomfort. Liver enzymes were elevated on serum biochemistry profile. Abdominal radiographs showed diffusely gas‐dilated small intestinal loops. On abdominal ultrasound, a lobe in the right aspect of the liver was hypoechoic with rounded margins and was surrounded by hyperechoic fat and anechoic fluid. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography showed complete lack of perfusion in the abnormal right liver lobe. Exploratory laparotomy revealed torsion of the quadrate liver lobe. Diffuse coagulation necrosis was noted on histopathologic examination. The rabbit fully recovered after surgery.     

A composite scale to recognize abdominal pain and its variation over time in response to analgesia in rabbits

ObjectiveTo refine a composite scale for pain evaluation in rabbits and evaluate it for pain variations over time. To determine the differences between objective-Centro Animali Non Convenzionali Rabbit Scale (CANCRS) and subjective-Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in assessing abdominal pain.Study designObservational case–control study.AnimalsA total of 86 rabbits, 47 healthy animals and 39 animals with gastrointestinal stasis syndrome (RGIS), participated in the study; of 39 animals with RGIS, 32 animals participated in the second part of the study.MethodsIn part 1, rabbits underwent pain assessments with VAS and CANCRS. In part 2, the animals underwent four pain assessments with three CANCRS. The first assessment was performed prior to pain management, the others after 30, 60 and 90 minutes. Statistics included Mann–Whitney U test for in-between group comparisons and analysis of variance to assess differences over time. Sensitivity and specificity for each variable of CANCRS were calculated to obtain weighting factors.ResultsCANCRS showed differences between healthy and diseased rabbits (p = 0.0001), and median scores were 5 [interquartile range (IQR): 4–6) and 9 (IQR: 7–11), respectively. VAS showed differences between healthy and diseased rabbits (p = 0.02), and median scores were 4 (IQR: 2–5.35) and 5.3 (IQR: 2.65–6.45), respectively. The cut-off scores for CANCRS and VAS for differentiation between healthy and diseased rabbits were 7 (specificity 89%, sensitivity 79%) and 4.4 (specificity 59%, sensitivity 69%), respectively. Internal validity testing of CANCRS was significant at each time point.Conclusions and clinical relevanceSome variables should be excluded from CANCRS when assessing abdominal pain. CANCRS performed better than VAS, and it detected variations in pain in response to analgesia.     

Clinical Techniques: Successful Management of Liver Lobe Torsion in a Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by Surgical Lobectomy

This article describes the management of a case of liver lobe torsion in a domestic rabbit, which was presented with lethargy, abdominal pain and a palpable abdominal mass. Laboratory investigations showed anemia, hypoalbuminemia and raised liver enzymes. An exploratory laparotomy revealed torsion and necrosis of the caudate liver lobe. The affected lobe was removed by lobectomy. The rabbit made a rapid recovery and was in good health at a follow-up examination three months later.     

Feline Hemoperitoneum 16 Cases (1986-1993)

Sixteen cases of feline, non-traumatic hemoperitoneum were evaluated retrospectively. The median age was 5.75 years (range 1.5 - 16 years). There were eight male and eight female cats. Common presenting complaints (n=13) were anorexia (37%), lethargy (31%), and recumbency (31%). Physical examination findings (n=11) included depressed mentation (100%), hypothermia (89%), pale mucous membranes (82%), and poor quality pulses (80%). The median initial peripheral packed cell volume (n=11) was 24% (range 17-55%). In four out of six cases where abdominocentesis was performed, the packed cell volume of the abdominal fluid ranged from 18% to 24%, and matched the peripheral packed cell volume (range 15 - 26%). Some common abnormalities in the serum chemistry screens 9n=6) were elevated alanine aminotransferase in 83% (5/6) of the cats (range 55-5828 U/l) and elevated alkaline phosphatase in 50% (3/6) of the cats (range 18-402 U/l). Ten cats (63%) were euthanized, three (19%) were presented dead on arrival, two (12%) are still alive, and one (6%) were euthanized, three (19%) were presented dead on arrival, two 912%) are still alive, and one (6%) died. The causes of hemoperitoneum were hepatic neoplasia (31%), hepatic necrosis (19%), hepatic amyloidosis (13%), non hepatic neoplasia (13%), hepatopathy (6%), hepatic rupture (6%), necrotic/hemorrhagic cystitis (6%), and ruptured bladder (6%).     

The Comparative Effects of Subchronic Administration of Triphenyltin Acetate (TPTA) on the Hepatic and Renal Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes in Rabbits and Lambs

Nebbia, C., Dacasto, M., Ceppa, L., Gennaro Soffietti, M., Spinelli, P., Bergo, V. and Di Simplicio, P., 1997. The comparative effects of subchronic administration of triphenyltin acetate (TPTA) on the hepatic and renal drug-metabolizing enzymes in rabbits and lambs. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (2), 117-125The purpose of this study was to determine whether subchronic (70 days) oral exposure to moderate to high levels of triphenyltin acetate (TPTA), an organotin derivative used worldwide, would affect the microsomal hepatic and renal drug-metabolizing enzymes in rabbits and lambs. Rabbits were offered a diet containing 0, 15, 75 or 150 ppm TPTA, while lambs were daily given 0, 1.5 or 7.5 mg TPTA per kg bw. The tin content in the liver and kidneys was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. In the rabbits' livers, TPTA failed to affect the cytochrome P450 content, or the oxidative, hydrolytic (carboxylesterase) or conjugative (UDPG-transferase) enzyme activities studied. In contrast, a striking dose-related increase in both P450 content and carboxylesterase activity (up to 280%) was detected in the rabbits' kidneys, but the ECOD and EROD activities were respectively unchanged or moderately depressed. None of the enzymes studied showed statistically significant changes in the ovine hepatic or renal subfractions. The results suggest that repeated exposure to TPTA could lead to the induction of a particular P450-isoenzyme in rabbit kidneys which is concerned with the metabolism of endogenous compounds (e.g. steroids, prostaglandins, thromboxanes). The lack of significant tissue- and species-related differences in the concentration of tin supports the hypothesis that the changes observed in the rabbits' kidneys may not have been caused solely by the accumulation of the metal in the tissues.     

二甲苯胺噻唑在羊、兔体内的药动-药效同步模型的研究

以气相色谱（ＧＣ）、高效液相色谱（ＨＰＬＣ）、荧光分析与放射免疫（ＰＩＡ）等方法为检测手段,提供药动学数据;以脑电、心电、肌电等数据作药效学定量指标,经计算机拟合后,获得二甲苯胺噻唑（ＸＬ）的药动－药效（ＰＫ－ＰＤ）同步模型参数。血药动力学与脑电拟合同步模型参数为Ｎ（Ｈｉｌｌ系数）＝０．１０１２３,ｋｅｏ（效应室消除速率常数）＝０．２２０９ｍｉｎ＾－１,ｔ１／２ｋｅｏ（血药浓度－药效平衡半衰期）＝     

鹿源坏死梭杆菌毒力菌株FN（AB）94实验动物感染模型的建立

将坏死梭杆菌FN（AB）94分离株以10^6,10^7,10^8,10^9 个/mL等不同菌量，于耳后根颈部皮下分别接种于4组的健康实验家兔，每组3只，逐日观察感染家兔的发病情况，结果，10^8,10^9个／mL，菌量感染组家兔，在接种后9－68 d内先后死亡，68d死亡家兔的病理变化明显，并从死亡家兔内脏及脓法叶，应用触片及分离培养均检到长丝状及小杆状等形态典型的坏死梭杆菌，10^7个/mL感染家兔仅表现体重减轻，10^6个／mL感染家兔无明显临床表现，由此表明，坏死梭杆菌FN（AB）94分离株具有很强的感染毒力，对家兔的最小致死量为10^8个／mL，耳后板颈部皮下接种是适宜的感染途径，从而建立了坏死梭杆菌分离株实验动物感染模型。     

日粮锌水平对生长肉兔生产性能、血清肝脏抗氧化酶活性和金属硫蛋白-1基因表达的影响

本文旨在探讨日粮不同锌添加水平和锌源对2～3月龄生长肉兔生产性能、血清肝脏抗氧化酶活性和金属硫蛋白-1(MT-1)基因表达的影响.选用2月龄新西兰肉兔70只,随机分为7个处理,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验组在基础日粮中分别以硫酸锌和蛋氨酸锌形式添加40、80和120 mg/kg锌,预试期7 d,正试期23 d.结果表明:日粮锌添加水平对生长肉兔平均日增重(ADG)和料重比(F/G)无显著性影响(P>0.05),对平均日采食量(ADI)影响显著(P<0.05);不同锌水平对血清铜锌超氧化物歧化酶(CuZn-SoD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活性影响显著(P<0.05),对肝脏CuZn-SoD和GSH-Px活性影响极显著(P<0.01);随日粮锌水平的增加,肝脏、肾脏MT-1mRNA相对表达丰度呈先升高后降低趋势(P<0.01),80 mg/kg添加水平时2种锌源MT-1mRNA相对表达丰度均达到最高.MT-1mRNA相对表达丰度可以作为评价动物机体锌营养状况的敏感指标.     

疑核在下丘脑外侧区微量注射IL-6调节机体细胞免疫过程中的作用

为探索外源性ＩＬ－６可否通过反馈作用调节机体的免疫反应,选用３～４月龄、体重１．５～２．５ｋｇ的健康青紫蓝家兔,麻醉后固定于脑立体定位仪上。试验组Ⅰ动物（ｎ＝８）在下丘脑外侧区注射２．５ｐｍｏｌ／ＬＩＬ－６２μＬ;试验组Ⅱ动物（ｎ＝５）在疑核处注入２％盐酸利多卡因０．５μＬ后,再在下丘脑外侧区注射２．５ｐｍｏｌ／ＬＩＬ－６２μＬ;对照组动物（ｎ＝４）在下丘脑外侧区注射人工脑脊液２μＬ。分别在注射前及注射后不同时间无菌采血作细胞免疫指标测定。结果：试验组Ⅰ动物的Ｔ细胞百分率和ＰＨＡ诱导的淋巴细胞转化率,在注射ＩＬ－６后６０ｍｉｎ显著升高;试验组Ⅱ动物的Ｔ细胞百分率和ＰＨＡ诱导的淋巴细胞转化率,在注射ＩＬ－６后１２０ｍｉｎ出现显著升高;对照组动物在注射前后无明显变化;由此证明,下丘脑外侧区一定量的ＩＬ－６具有增强机体细胞免疫功能的作用,而这种细胞免疫的调节作用至少有一部分是通过疑核到达免疫系统的。疑核是下丘脑外侧区ＩＬ－６调节机体细胞免疫的通路之一。     

Congenital Cardiac Defects in Neonatal Foals: 18 Cases (1992–2007)

Background: Literature available regarding congenital cardiac defects in foals is limited to reports of individual cases or small case series.
Objective: To describe the clinical, echocardiographic, and necropsy findings and breed predilection of congenital cardiac defects in neonatal foals.
Animals: Eighteen foals <15 days of age with 1 or more congenital cardiac defects.
Methods: Medical records of foals diagnosed with congenital cardiac defects at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital were reviewed. Data collected included history, signalment, clinical signs, laboratory data, diagnostic and necropsy results, and outcome.
Results: Arabian foals represented 39% of cases with congenital cardiac defects and were significantly ( P = .004) overrepresented (OR = 4.7 [CI: 1.8–12.4]) compared with the general hospital population. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) (14/18), tetralogy of Fallot (5/18), and tricuspid valve atresia (4/18) were the most common defects identified. A ≥3/6 heart murmur (14/14) accompanied by tachycardia (14/17), tachypnea (17/17), and cyanosis of mucous membranes (7/16) were the most common clinical signs. Concurrent congenital defects were common (9/18). Two foals, both with VSD, survived for ≥ 8 years after diagnosis and 1 was a successful performance horse.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Arabian horses appear to have a predisposition for cardiac defects. The presence of a loud murmur (≥ 3/6), cyanotic membranes, and tachycardia or tachypnea in a neonatal foal should warrant thorough evaluation of the heart for congenital defects. Foals with cardiac defects should be closely evaluated for concurrent congenital defects in other body systems.     

动物肝组织中西维因残留的检测--HPLC法研究

以高效液相色谱(HPLC)法建立了猪、羊、鸡肝组织中西维因残留量的检测方法。采用ODS色谱柱，二极管阵列检测器，甲醇／水(65／35)为流动相，222nm检测波长下进行检测。西维因对照品溶液的最低检测限为0．1mg／L，线性范围为0．1～20mg／L，标准曲线回归方程为：y=-22459．83 454684．31x，线性关系良好(r=0．9999)。样品以乙腈提取，并加入无水硫酸钠和正已烷，过滤后去除杂质，乙腈层在45～50℃下水浴氮气吹干，残渣用甲醇溶解后，进样分析。平均回收率均大于80％，日间和日内变异系数均小于10％。符合药物残留痕量分析要求。本方法简便，并有很好的选择性、重现性和灵敏度。