Laparoscopy in small animal medicine

Summary

Laparoscopy is described as a safe, simple, and relatively non‐invasive diagnostic technique for the visualization of abdominal organs. The instruments required, the procedure of laparoscopy, and indications and contra‐indications are described. The advantages of laparoscopy above laparotomy are discussed.     

Experiences with the silicone T‐tube in man and dog

Summary

Silicone T‐tubes are particularly useful for long‐term stenting of the laryngotracheal airway. Silicone is useful when non‐autogenous non‐reactive soft material is wanted for use in the human and animal body. Two case reports illustrate the use of the silicone T‐tube.     

A severe outbreak of respiratory tract disease associated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus probably enhanced by vaccination with modified live vaccine

Summary

A severe outbreak of respiratory tract disease associated with bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) on a large beef‐fattening farm is described. The outbreak started two days after five‐ to seven‐month‐old calves were vaccinated with a modified live BRSV vaccine. The disease ran a very severe course among five‐ to seven‐month‐old vaccinated calves, but disease was absent in eight‐month‐old an older non‐vaccinated calves. The presence of IgM antibodies in sera of non‐vaccinated calves indicated that BRSV was spreading on the farm between two to 15 days before the day of vaccination. The data indicate that vaccination with modified live vaccine during the course of a natural infection may enhance the severity of disease. The possible pathogenesis of the disease is discussed.     

Fluorescein‐diacetate,a fluorescent dye compound stain for rapid evaluation of the viability of mammalian oocytes prior to in vitro studies

Summary

A method for a quantitative measurement of the fluorescence activity of porcine egg cells is described. The non‐polar fluorescein‐diacetate molecules enter the cell, are hydrolyzed by cell esterases, and fluorescein is produced. This polar compound can not leave the cell because it is unable to pass through the intact cell membrane, and it therefore accumulates in the cytoplasm of the cell. Damaged cells however show a distinct loss of fluorescein through the cell membrane. With the aid of a fluorescence microscope, a photometer and a recorder, the amount of radiated light can be measured. The advantages of this method in oocyte research are briefly discussed.     

Arthroscopy of the canine stifle

Summary

Athroscopy is presented as a safe, non‐invasive diagnostic technique in dogs with knee‐joint lesions. Equipment, procedure, and indications are briefly described. Advantages and disadvantages are summarized.     

Cystourethroscopy in the dog

Summary

The cystourethroscopic examination with cold light cystoscopes forms an essential part of a complete urological examination and is useful for diagnostic as well as surgical procedures. The fast and non‐invasive character of the procedure limits the inconvenience to the patient.

With the rigid non‐flexible scope its use is, however, limited to female dogs, unless in the male dog a urethro(s)tomy is performed.     

Avian clinical pathology. General considerations

Summary

General aspects of avian clinical pathology are reviewed. It is concluded that in a clinical setting a volume of blood equivalent to 1 per cent of body weight can be collected safely from avian species for laboratory examinations. The anticoagulant of choice for most laboratory investigations is lithium heparin. In most bird species the right jugular vein is the preferred site for routine blood sampling. The use of a vacuum system greatly facilitates the procedure. The importance of immediately processing blood samples is explained. The many variables that may influence haematological or biochemical parameters are discussed and the reasons for determining blood chemical reference values by non‐parametric methods are emphasised.     

Fever and associated clinical haematologic and blood biochemical changes in the goat and other animal species

Summary

Acute febrile diseases are characterized by specific and non‐specific symptoms. The non‐specific responses are presented under the headings: fever, inflammation and pain, experimental models for investigating febrile reactions, haematologic changes, blood biochemical changes, cardiovascular effects, changes in gastric function, and the effects of fever upon pharmacokinetics of drugs. It was the purpose of this review to describe present concepts of thermoregulation and fever, the associated reactions produced by bacterial pyrogens and the mechanisms of these reactions. The available data illustrate, that many questions have not yet been clearly answered.

However, the entire field of research involving endogenous substances, such as interleukin‐1, is now moving ahead with great speed. Furthermore, there is some evidence which suggests that fever and the associated lower plasma zinc and iron levels act together as a co‐ordinated non‐specific host defence mechanism. Since experimental fever has a distinct effect upon the pharmacokinetics of drugs, more attention should be given to this aspect.     

Conserving rangeland resources die bewaring van veldhulpbronne

Abstract

The aims of the paper are to (1) identify the properties of conservation, (2) explain its poor implementation, and (3) propose remedies.

The main characteristics of conservation are that it (1) is altruistic, (2) expresses a value judgement, and (3) is literally non‐falsifiable.

Conservation is not widely practised because (1) its altruism, being non‐Darwinian, will not be performed spontaneously, (2) there is a mistaken attempt to consider phenomena absolutely rather than recognise the value‐driven and theory‐laden nature of all human activities, (3) its ethic, if taken literally, cannot be written operationaly, and (4) there is a dependence on poorly‐falsifiable ecological theories (e.g. neo‐Clementsianism).

Proposed remedies are to (1) define our ultimate frames of reference, (2) enthuse the public of the chosen core‐values, (3) develop operational conservation goals, (4) assess the degree of goal‐attainment, (5) try to correct departures, and (6) align individual and societal interests by manipulating market‐forces.     

Characterization of bovine neutrophil β2‐adrenergic receptor function

LaBranche, T. P., Ehrich, M. F., Eyre, P. Characterization of bovine neutrophil β₂‐adrenergic receptor function. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2885.2009.01143.x. This study compares bovine leukocyte β‐adrenergic receptor densities to that of the rat, demonstrates for the first time a functional β₂‐adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in steer neutrophils, and investigates the effect of an inflammatory stimulus on that signaling pathway. The β₁‐/β₂‐adrenergic antagonist ^[3H]CGP‐12177 demonstrated that rat lymphocyte specific binding‐site density was highest, followed by steer and dairy cow lymphocytes, and lastly steer and dairy cow neutrophils. The β₂‐adrenergic agonist terbutaline stimulated steer neutrophil adenosine 3,5‐cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) production, an effect increased by inclusion of ≥1 × 10^?8 m phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C. Both terbutaline and the nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX) independently decreased steer neutrophil superoxide anion production in a concentration‐dependent manner, with 1 × 10^?4 m IBMX enhancing both the potency and efficacy of the terbutaline effect (up to 74% reduction in superoxide anion production). Superoxide anion production was also reduced by the synthetic cAMP analog 8‐bromo‐cAMP, which increased the potency of the IBMX effect on superoxide anion production. Taken together, these data demonstrate the presence of a β₂‐adrenergic receptor signaling pathway in bovine neutrophils much like that described in other animal species, as well as the potential for an inflammatory stimulus to alter its function.     

An immunohistochemical study of bovine antral follicles,with special attention to non‐atretic follicles with and without atypical granulosa cells

Summary

Inhibin and oxytocin were immunohistochemically demonstrated in all non‐atretic and light‐atretic follicles >2 mm from untreated and pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG)‐treated heifers and cows. Immunostaining for luteinizing hormone (LH) and oestradiol was observed in all non‐atretic follicles >4 mm, but only in follicles from PMSG‐treated cows. Inhibin and oestradiol immunoreactivity was restricted to the granulosa. Oxytocin and LH immunoreactiviity was visualized in both the theca interna and the granulosa. Within the granulosa, LH immunoreactivity was mainly present in cells that were located near the basement membrane. Normal granulosa cells differed from atypical granulosa cells (AGCs) with respect to their ability to bind LH and oestradid It is concluded that immunostaining for α‐inhibin, oxytocin, oestradiol and LH cannot be used as a marker of follicle quality to discriminate between non‐atretic follicles with AGCs and non‐atretic follicles without AGCs in mid‐luteal bovine ovaries.     

The diagnostic value of plasma proteins and non‐protein nitrogen substances in birds

Summary

This paper summarises current knowledge of the diagnostic value of avian plasma proteins and non‐protein nitrogen substances.

Reference values for total protein, the albumin: globulin ratio, uric acid, creatinine, and urea for various avian species are presented. The importance of the albumin:globulin ratio and the urea:uric acid ratio is emphasised.     

Differentation of Brucella abortus and Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 09 infections in cattle: The use of specific lymphocyte transformation and brucellin skin tests

Summary

The lymphocyte transformation test (using an in vitro whole‐blood lymphocyte stimulation procedure) and the Brucellin skin test were applied to five heifers infected with virulent Brucella abortus strain 544, five cows inoculated with Yersinia enterocolitica serotype 09, and four non‐exposed cows. Lymphocytes from Brucella‐inoculated animals persistently gave very high blastogenic reactions indicative of active Brucella infection. The test was persistently negative in Yersinia‐infected and non‐exposed cattle. Four of thefive cowsinfected with Yersinia enterocolitica type 09 and allfour control cattle were persistently negative to the delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction with brucellin. All cattle infected with Yersinia enterocolitica type 09 were strongly positive to the Rose Bengal, Serum agglutination, Complement fixation and Antibovine globulin tests using Brucella abortus antigens. One lactating cow infected with Yersinia enterocolitica type 09 was positive to Brucella milk ring test. These results indicate that standard Brucella serological tests are unreliable in differentiating the two infections in cattle and that both the Lymphocyte transformation and brucellin skin tests could be used to differentiate bovine brucellosis from yersiniosis.     

The reaction of imported British Shire horses to African Horse Sickness: A case report

Summary

Twelve (12) heavy horses of the Shire breed imported into Nigeria in 1974 died within two months after importation. This was because of inclement weather and non‐availability of AHS vaccine.     

Effects and bioassay of Escherichia coli enterotoxin (heat-stable fraction) on smooth muscle

Heat-stable E. coli and V. cholerae enterotoxins and E. coli endotoxin were tested on the following smooth muscle preparation: vascular; rabbit aorta; rat mesenteric arterioles, and intestinal, rabbit jejunum; pig duodenum; dog jejunal lamina propria smooth muscle. The results indicated that in most preparations used, the prime action of heat-stable enterotoxin from pathogenic strains of E. coli consisted in neutralizing the effects of both alpha or beta adrenergic agonists. In this respect the effect of enterotoxin appeared similar to that of alpha or beta adrenergic blockers. Using the same models, it was found that this enterotoxin did not interfere with the effects of cholinergic agonists or of biogenic amines. Control heat-stable enterotoxin preparations and other tested substances proved inactive, suggesting that different receptor sites might exist for these agents in our models. It appears that smooth muscle preparations are well suited for bioassay of active heat-stable E. coli enterotoxin.     

The response of pigs experimentally infected with trypanosoma brucei to isometamidium chloride therapy and the relation to nutrition

Summary

Growing pigs were placed on feeds with high (Group A), medium (B) and low (C) dietary energy and were infected with a virulent stock of T. brucei. Eight weeks later, the infected pigs were treated with isometamidium chloride at 1mg/kg live weight and all pigs were subsequently placed on a high energy diet to investigate their response to therapy.

Clearance of T. brucei from blood was completed 72h after treatment. There was no evidence of relapsed infection up to eight weeks after treatment. Red blood cell parameters returned to normal four to six weeks after treatment with responses being fastest in Group A, B and C had gained about two‐thirds of the live weight gains of their non‐infected pair‐fed controls.

It appears that the retarded weight gain as a result of the infection persisted after therapy since drug‐treated pigs did not gain as much weight as their non‐infected controls.     

Comparison of opioid and alpha-2 adrenergic receptor binding in horse and dog brain using radioligand autoradiography

Objective To test the hypothesis that the distribution, density, and subtype of opioid and alpha (α)‐2 adrenergic receptors within the central nervous system (CNS) are significantly different between horse and dog. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Three dogs (3 years of age) and three horses (2–5 years of age). Animals were opioid‐ and α‐2 agonist‐free at the time of euthanasia. Methods Brain tissue was obtained at 126 days post‐surgery from dogs and 72 days post‐surgery from horses. The brains were removed, sectioned coronally into 1‐cm slabs, frozen in methylbutane, which was cooled by liquid nitrogen, and stored at ?70 °C. Receptor autoradiography was performed using established techniques. [³H]DAMGO, [³H]U‐69593, and [³H]RX821002 were used for mu (µ)‐opioid, kappa (κ)‐opioid, and α‐2 adrenergic‐binding assays, respectively. Species differences were analyzed separately for each major brain region by repeated measures anova for subregions followed by Fisher's protected Latin square design (LSD). p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results There was higher binding of µ‐opioid receptors in the frontal cortex, left somatosensory cortex, colliculus (mid‐brain), and granule cell layer of the cerebellum of horses than that of dogs. There was higher binding to κ‐opioid receptors in the frontal cortex of dogs compared to horses, whereas binding to κ‐opioid receptors in the cerebellum was higher in horses. Binding to α‐2 adrenergic receptors in the mid‐brain was significantly higher in dogs than in horses. There was higher binding of α‐2 adrenergic receptors in the dorsomedial and dorsolateral periaqueductal grey of dogs as compared to that of horses. Conclusion The results of this study show that the distribution of these receptors is different between horses and dogs. Further work is needed to understand the relevance of these differences to clinical responses to opioids and α‐2 adrenergic agonists in these species.     

Influence of ante‐ and peri‐mortem factors on biochemical and physical characteristics of turkey breast muscle

Summary

The course of post‐mortem breakdown of glycogen and ATP in turkey pectoralis major muscle was markedly influenced by several ante‐ and peri‐mortem variables. Application of a proper stunning procedure was highly effective in preventing peri‐ and post‐mortem muscle stress reactions.

The physiological level of glycogen and ATP was not significantly affected by road transportation covering 260 km. Birds which rested for 24 hrs following transportation had lower glycogen and ATP levels at the moment of slaughter than non‐rested birds.

According to the changes in the rate and extent of post‐mortem biochemical reactions, several meat characteristics such as water‐holding capacity, colour, and tenderness were significantly changed.

Furthermore, the results also indicate that turkey breast muscle is susceptible to a PSE‐like condition as described in pork.     

Use of a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor as an adjunctive analgesic in a horse with laminitis

HistoryA 4‐year old, 500 kg Thoroughbred female horse diagnosed with bilateral forelimb laminitis and cellulitis on the left forelimb became severely painful and refractory to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory therapy (flunixin meglumine on days 1, 2, 3 and 4; and phenylbutazone on days 5, 6 and 7) alone or in combination with gabapentin (days 6 and 7).Physical examinationPain scores assessed independently by three individuals with a visual analog scale (VAS; 0 = no pain and 10 = worst possible pain) were 8.5 on day 6, and it increased to 9.5 on day 7. Non‐invasive blood pressure monitoring revealed severe hypertension.ManagementAs euthanasia was being considered for humane reasons, a decision was made to add an experimental new drug, trans‐4‐{4‐[3‐(4‐Trifluoromethoxy‐phenyl)‐ureido]‐cyclohexyloxy}‐benzoic acid (t‐TUCB), which is a soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor, to the treatment protocol. Dose and frequency of administration were selected based on the drug potency against equine sEH to produce plasma concentrations within the range of 30 nmol L^?1 and 2.5 μmol L^?1. Pain scores decreased sharply and remarkably following t‐TUCB administration and blood pressure progressively decreased to physiologic normal values. Plasma concentrations of t‐TUCB, measured daily, were within the expected range, whereas phenylbutazone and gabapentin plasma levels were below the suggested efficacious concentrations.Follow upNo adverse effects were detected on clinical and laboratory examinations during and after t‐TUCB administration. No new episodes of laminitis have been noted up to the time of writing (120 days following treatment).ConclusionsInhibition of sEH with t‐TUCB was associated with a significant improvement in pain scores in one horse with laminitis whose pain was refractory to the standard of care therapy. No adverse effects were noticed. Future studies evaluating the analgesic and protective effects of these compounds in painful inflammatory diseases in animals are warranted.     

Severe extrapyramidal syndrome in a dog caused by a Haloperidol (Serenase®) intoxication

Summary

The case history of a one‐year‐old male mongrel dog intoxicated with 120 mg haloperidol is described. The dog showed a coma with a severe extrapyramidal syndrome and was treated with orphenadrine.

Symptoms, occurrence, and therapy of the extrapyramidal syndrome are discussed. Emphasis is laid on the importance to differentiate this syndrome from epilepsy and other neurological disorders.