Guaifenesin-Ketamine-Xylazine Infusions to Provide Anesthesia in Donkeys

The purpose of this study was to determine a satisfactory combination of guaifenesin, ketamine, and xylazine (GKX) that would produce safe and satisfactory total intravenous anesthesia in donkeys for use under field conditions. Donkeys require higher amounts of ketamine in GKX to achieve satisfactory anesthetic levels without producing excessive depression with guaifenesin. Five adult standard donkeys (average weight, 264 kg) were anesthetized with 1.5 mg/mL ketamine, 0.5 mg/mL xylazine, 50 mg/mL guaifenesin (GKX-1); 2.0 mg/mL ketamine, 0.5 mg/mL xylazine, 50 mg/mL guaifenesin (GKX-2); or 2.0 mg/mL ketamine, 0.75 mg/mL xylazine, 50 mg/mL guaifenesin (GKX-3). For the first trial, two donkeys received GKX-1, two received GKX-2, and one received GKX-3. One donkey received GKX-1, one received GKX-2, and three received GKX-3 for the second trial. In the final trial, two received GKX-1, two received GKX-2, and one received GKX-3. Donkeys were sedated with xylazine (1.1 mg/kg body weight) intravenously, and anesthesia was induced using intravenous GKX-1, GKX-2, or GKX-3. Anesthesia was maintained for 45 minutes; temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, hemoglobin saturation, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO₂), partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial gas (PaCO₂), and pH were measured. There was no significant difference between combinations for temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, hemoglobin saturation, PaCO₂, or pH. At 30 and 45 minutes, GKX-3 produced significantly (P < .05) lower PaO₂ values than GKX-1 and GKX-2. GKX-3 is not recommended for field use in donkeys because of respiratory depression (PaO₂= 48.7 [±5.84] and 46.0 ± 3.11 mmHg at 30 and 45 minutes, respectively), whereas more voluntary movement was apparent with GKX-1. GKX-2 produced satisfactory anesthesia without significant respiratory depression in donkeys and should produce safe and effective anesthesia in donkeys under field conditions.     

Equine coronavirus induces apoptosis in cultured cells

Equine coronavirus (ECoV) was first isolated from a diarrheic foal and was found genetically similar to group II coronaviruses. However, its pathological characteristics were not adequately investigated. In our preliminary in vitro investigation, ECoV-induced cell death was observed in bovine kidney-derived MDBK cells. Based on this finding, we investigated whether the ECoV-induced CPE was apoptosis. Following ECoV infection, MDBK cells showed morphological changes such as cell rounding and detachment from the culture surface. Moreover, syncytium formation was observed as the other type of cytopathic effect in ECoV infection. Morphologic and biochemical features of apoptosis, such as nuclear fragmentation and DNA ladder formation, were also detected in ECoV-infected cells. Moreover, as is commonly observed in coronavirus infection in other animals, the activities of effecter caspases – caspase-3/7 – and initiator caspases – caspase-8 and caspase-9 – that are representative factors in the death receptor-mediated apoptotic pathway and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, respectively, were increased in ECoV-infected MDBK cells. Therefore, it was suggested that ECoV can induce apoptosis in MDBK cells via a caspase-dependent pathway. Apoptotic death of infected cells is detrimental because it causes cell and tissue destruction and inflammatory responses. Although the pathological characteristics of ECoV are largely unknown, apoptosis may be the pathological basis of lesions of the digestive system in ECoV infection.     

Occurrence of Incisional Complications After Closure of Equine Ventral Midline Celiotomies With 2 Polyglycolic Acid in Simple Interrupted Suture Pattern

The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the use of simple interrupted suture pattern for the closure of the abdomen after ventral midline celiotomy in horses and to evaluate the prevalence of resulting incisional complications. Seventy horses undergoing abdominal surgery (2006–2015) and surviving at least 30 days were included in the study. Closure technique of the abdominal wall was performed on three layers. Linea alba was closed with a simple interrupted pattern using number two coated braided absorbable polyglycolic acid suture. Follow-up information was recovered at the 90th day postoperatively. Incisional complications considered included drainage, infection, dehiscence, and herniation. The complications observed in the present study using simple interrupted suture pattern were 4.29% (3 of 70), lower than reported in literature with different suture pattern. Simple interrupted suture pattern could be a valid option for the closure of linea alba after ventral midline celiotomy in horses.     

广州及其周边地区马梨形虫病血清流行病学调查

为广东从化无规定马属动物疫病区建设的顺利进行和了解周边地区马属动物马梨形虫病的存在情况,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)和涂片镜检的方法对广州、东莞和深圳的马属动物进行了马梨形虫病(马巴贝斯虫和驽巴贝斯虫两种虫体)的流行病学调查。结果表明,上述三个地区的马属动物均存在不同程度的马梨形虫病两种虫体的抗体,且出现同一个马场和在同一匹马同时存在两种虫体抗体的情况。对所有抗体阳性马匹进行涂片镜检未发现虫体,也未发现有马梨形虫病临床症状的马属动物。