Oesophageal ectasia as a cause of dysphagia and milk regurgitation in a neonatal foal

Dysphagia and milk regurgitation are relatively infrequently observed clinical signs in neonatal foals but, when present, can commonly arise from anatomic or functional disorders of the upper airway. Less commonly, milk regurgitation can be caused by anatomic or neuromuscular disorders of the oesophagus. In the report presented here, a neonatal foal was examined for milk regurgitation at 4 days of age and was diagnosed with transient oesophageal ectasia via oesophagoscopy and contrast radiography. Aspiration pneumonia was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials and the owner was instructed to intermittently elevate the forelimbs to facilitate passage of milk out of the dilated oesophagus. The milk regurgitation resolved and reassessment of the foal at 6 weeks of age documented the absence of oesophageal ectasia and resolution of aspiration pneumonia. The foal was reported to be healthy and consuming food normally 6 months after initial examination and was in good body condition. This case is unique in that the oesophageal ectasia improved with time; furthermore, other potential causes of dysphagia and milk regurgitation of oesophageal origin in neonatal foals are discussed.     

Uterine prolapse in a mare leading to metritis,systemic inflammatory response syndrome,septic shock and death

This Case Report describes severe complications associated with uterine prolapse in a mare. A 6‐year‐old Trakehner mare was examined for depression, moderate pain and vaginal discharge 3 days after correction of a uterine prolapse. The clinical examination and haematology revealed that the mare had an infection with systemic inflammatory response syndrome and shock. Due to the uncontrollable, persistent pain, an exploratory celiotomy was performed which revealed severe metritis. During anaesthesia, the mare developed severe cardiovascular compromise and died in recovery. In previously reported cases of uterine prolapse in the mare, the authors warn of uterine injury, broad ligament haemorrhage, metritis, endotoxaemia and laminitis but often have a successful outcome with conventional therapy. This case describes a mare that developed severe complications and death after uterine prolapse. Mares with uterine prolapse require appropriate treatment and vigilant monitoring post treatment to prevent life threatening complications.     

The effect of intravenous fresh frozen plasma administration on fibrinogen and albumin concentrations in sick neonatal foals

This study investigated the immediate (6 h or less) effects of fibrinogen and albumin contained in transfused equine origin fresh frozen plasma on those proteins when measured in sick neonatal foals. Fibrinogen and albumin concentrations were measured in the administered plasma and in 31 sick foals at admission to a referral neonatal intensive care unit. Additional samples were obtained from the foals at 2 and 6 h following transfusion. No changes in albumin concentration were recognised. The main determinant of fibrinogen concentration following transfusion was the concentration of fibrinogen in the foal at admission. Importantly, intravenous transfusion of equine fresh frozen plasma did not result in immediate (6 h or less) increases or decreases in the fibrinogen concentration in the recipient foals. Fibrinogen from the donor contained within transfused plasma will not directly affect fibrinogen concentrations measured at later times.     

Clinical presentation and surgical repair of traumatic lateral patellar luxation associated with a complete tear of the vastus medialis muscle in a neonatal Cob foal

Patellar luxation associated with traumatic injury is rare in the horse, and surgical correction has not been adequately described. This case report describes the clinical findings associated with traumatic lateral patellar luxation in a 2-day-old cob colt, and the technique used for successful surgical repair. A combination of computed tomography (CT), radiography and ultrasound was used to diagnose lateral luxation of the patella due to a complete tear of the vastus medialis muscle. All patellar ligaments were intact and no congenital abnormalities associated with the patellar luxation were present. Surgical correction of the patellar luxation was achieved using a lateral release of the patella performed by transection of the lateral femoropatellar ligament along with overlying fascia, and stabilisation of the patella by medial imbrication of the medial patellar ligament and parapatellar fascia to the distal tendon of the sartorius muscle. Radiographs at 18 weeks of age showed the patella in a normal position in a well-developed trochlear groove. At 1 year of age the foal was walking and trotting sound, with normal range of motion of the affected stifle.     

Septic arthritis of the first and second cervical vertebral articulations with vertebral osteomyelitis in a foal caused by Salmonella

A case of infectious arthritis of a cervical vertebral articulation and vertebral osteomyelitis in a foal caused by Salmonella is described. Ultrasound images of the cervical facet joints were suggestive of septic arthritis and ultrasound facilitated needle placement for arthrocentesis and joint lavage. Due to the uncommon location of the infection, diagnosis of septic arthritis was not immediate and, despite aggressive intra‐articular lavage and instillation of appropriate intra‐articular antibiotics after hospitalisation, we were unable to resolve the infection in this foal. Radiographs did not show evidence of osseous involvement until later in the course of the infection. Septic arthritis should be suspected in cases with similar clinical and laboratory findings and radiographic changes may not be present early in the course of infection. Ultrasound imaging provided the most useful diagnostic information regarding infection of the cervical joints, facilitating both diagnosis and treatment.     

Hormonal response to dobutamine cardiac stress testing in a conscious canine model of early left ventricular dysfunction induced by chronic rate overload

The aims of this study were to investigate (1) hormonal activation before and during dobutamine cardiac stress testing (DST) in a canine model of early left ventricular dysfunction (ELVD) induced by rapid right ventricular pacing (RRVP) and (2) the relationship between this hormonal profile and carnitine concentrations.Before the pacing period, the 6 dogs were assigned to 2 groups according their baseline total plasma carnitine concentration. A DST was performed on each dog before activation of the pacemaker and every 3 to 4 days during development of 3 progressive stages of ELVD (stages 1, 2 and 3). Plasma atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), angiotensin II (ANG II) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were measured at the start and at the end of each DST. Effects of ELVD, DST and plasma carnitine concentration on these measurements were tested.The RRVP induced a significant increase of ANF and ANG II and a non significant trend toward increase of ET-1 in all dogs.Before the pacing period, ANF remained constant during the DST in dogs with normal total plasma carnitine concentration, while it significantly decreased in dogs with low total plasma carnitine concentration. Dobutamine stress testing induced a significant decrease in ANF in all dogs in ELVD. Dobutamine infusion induced a significant increase in ANG II in all dogs before as well as during the pacing period while ET-1 was unchanged.These results suggest that investigation of the hormonal profile before and after a dobutamine challenge might provide important diagnostic information in dogs with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic cardiac dysfunction of different origins.     

Comparison of sedation and mechanical antinociception induced by intravenous administration of acepromazine and four dose rates of dexmedetomidine in donkeys

Objective

To assess and compare the sedative and antinociceptive effects of four dosages of dexmedetomidine in donkeys.

Expression of macrophage CD44 receptor in the course of experimental inflammatory response of bovine mammary gland induced by lipopolysaccharide and muramyl dipeptide

The aim of this study was to investigate development over time of the surface expression of CD44 on macrophages during an inflammatory response of bovine mammary gland. Intramammary instillation of muramyl dipeptide (MDP) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in a significant increase in the total count of CD44+ non-vacuolised macrophages (_NMAC) after 24 h. During resolution of the inflammatory response, there was observed a gradual decrease in the total count CD44+ _NMAC. The lower total count and proportion of CD44 + vacuolised macrophages (_VMAC) was observed as the effect of MDP and LPS at 24 h after induction (P < 0.01). During resolution, the total count and proportion of CD44 + _VMAC increased. We have demonstrated CD44 receptor is expressed during the inflammatory response caused by LPS and MDP and the effect of these components on CD44 expression was particularly evident during initiation of the inflammatory response. High expression of CD44 in resolution of inflammatory response may relate to macrophages´ involvement in the processes leading to restitution of injured tissues.     

The effects of a loading dose followed by constant rate infusion of xylazine compared with romifidine on sedation,ataxia and response to stimuli in horses

ObjectiveTo compare xylazine and romifidine constant rate infusion (CRI) protocols regarding degree of sedation, and effects on postural instability (PI), ataxia during motion (A) and reaction to different stimuli.Study designBlinded randomized experimental cross-over study.AnimalsTen adult horses.MethodsDegree of sedation was assessed by head height above ground (HHAG). Effects on PI, A and reaction to visual, tactile and acoustic stimulation were assessed by numerical rating scale (NRS) and by visual analogue scale (VAS). After baseline measurements, horses were sedated by intravenous loading doses of xylazine (1 mg kg^?1) or romifidine (80 μg kg^?1) administered over 3 minutes, immediately followed by a CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg kg^?1 hour^?1) or romifidine (30 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) which was administered for 120 minutes. Degree of sedation, PI, A and reaction to the different stimuli were measured at different time points before, during and for one hour after discontinuing drug administration. Data were analysed using two-way repeated measures anova, a Generalized Linear Model and a Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p < 0.05).ResultsSignificant changes over time were seen for all variables. With xylazine HHAG was significantly lower 10 minutes after the loading dose, and higher at 150 and 180 minutes (i.e. after CRI cessation) compared to romifidine. Reaction to acoustic stimulation was significantly more pronounced with xylazine. Reaction to visual stimulation was greater with xylazine at 145 and 175 minutes. PI was consistently but not significantly greater with xylazine during the first 30 minutes. Reaction to touch and A did not differ between treatments. Compared to romifidine, horses were more responsive to metallic noise with xylazine.ConclusionsTime to maximal sedation and to recovery were longer with romifidine than with xylazine.Clinical relevanceWith romifidine sufficient time should be allowed for complete sedation before manipulation.