论坛式教学在警犬训练教学中的应用初探

论坛式教学又称课堂讨论,是以论坛的方式达到专题教学的目的。具体来说,它是学生在掌握基本知识的基础上运用正确的观点和方法,通过教师与学员互动,就有探讨性的问题展开广泛而深入的自由讨论和分析而得出结论的一种教学方法。论坛式教学是激发学生学习兴趣和求知欲,培养学生创新意识和创新能力的理想教学法之一。     

Antimicrobial drug use and resistance in dogs

Fifteen years (1984-1998) of records from a Veterinary Teaching Hospital were analyzed to determine whether antimicrobial drug resistance in coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. (S. aureus, S. intermedius) isolated from clinical infections in dogs has increased, and whether there has been a change in the species of bacteria isolated from urinary tract infections in dogs. In coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp., a complex pattern showing both increases and decreases of resistance to different classes of antimicrobial drugs was observed, reflecting the changing use of different antimicrobial drug classes in the hospital over a similar period (1990-1999). In canine urinary tract infections identified from 1984 to 1998, an increase in the incidence of multiresistant Enterococcus spp. was apparent, with marginal increases also in incidence in Enterobacter spp. and in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, both of which, like Enterococcus spp., are innately antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. A survey of directors of veterinary teaching hospitals in Canada and the United States identified only 3 hospitals that had any policy on use of "last resort" antimicrobial drugs (amikacin, imipenem, vancomycin). Evidence is briefly reviewed that owners may be at risk when dogs are treated with antimicrobial drugs, as well as evidence that some resistant bacteria may be acquired by dogs as a result of antimicrobial drug use in agriculture. Based in part on gaps in our knowledge, recommendations are made on prudent use of antimicrobial drugs in companion animals, as well as on the need to develop science-based infection control programs in veterinary hospitals.     

The use of complementary and alternative therapies in dogs and cats with cancer

The use of complementary and alternative medical therapies is becoming widespread. The objective of this study was to examine the use of complementary and alternative therapies in dogs and cats with cancer. The types of modalities used, the intended purpose for each modality, sources of information pet owners used, and the level of interest in these modalities were all evaluated. Information was obtained by written survey, and 254 owners agreed to participate. Complementary and alternative therapy use was commonplace, with 76% of surveyed owners reporting some use. When prayer for health reasons was excluded, the number of owners reporting use dropped to 65%. Nutritional supplements were the most commonly used therapy.     

The use of immunochistochemistry for the diagnosis of neosporosis in cattle and dogs

Abstract Extract A goat anti-Neosporum caninum serum and an avidinbiotin-peroxidase conjugate were used in a retrospective study of paraffin-embedded tissues from aborted calves and CNS tissues from dogs with neurological disease. Labelled cyst-like structures and individual or clusters of zoites were found in the brain of some aborted calves, usually associated with necrotic foci. No protozoa1 organisms could be clearly identified in the placentae of the same animals. Labelled cysts and zoites were found in the brain and spinal cord of three of 15 dogs with CNS lesions. The three dogs had a history of nervous signs and had previously been misdi- agnosed as having toxoplasmosis or granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis.     

The use of immunochistochemistry for the diagnosis of neosporosis in cattle and dogs

Extract

A goat anti-Neosporum caninum serum and an avidinbiotin-peroxidase conjugate were used in a retrospective study of paraffin-embedded tissues from aborted calves and CNS tissues from dogs with neurological disease. Labelled cyst-like structures and individual or clusters of zoites were found in the brain of some aborted calves, usually associated with necrotic foci. No protozoa1 organisms could be clearly identified in the placentae of the same animals. Labelled cysts and zoites were found in the brain and spinal cord of three of 15 dogs with CNS lesions. The three dogs had a history of nervous signs and had previously been misdi- agnosed as having toxoplasmosis or granulomatous meningoencephalomyelitis.     

Public attitudes in New Zealand towards the use of animals for research, testing and teaching purposes

AIM: To investigate the awareness of and interest in the use of animals for research, testing and teaching (RTT) purposes, the levels of support and attitudes towards this use of animals, and the awareness of and opinions on regulations governing it within the public in New Zealand. METHODS: An independent telephone survey was used to collect information including demographics, awareness and interest in the use of animals for RTT, attitudes towards the use of animals for RTT, and awareness of the regulation of the use of animals in RTT and the degree of confidence held in such regulation. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 750 respondents throughout New Zealand. The rim-weighting efficiency figure was 90%, indicating that the sample collected closely matched the population demographics for New Zealand. Overall, 33% of respondents expressed an interest in the issue generally, 39% were interested in the area of animals used for research and testing purposes, and 21% for teaching purposes. A majority of respondents agreed that the use of animals for teaching (72%) and research and testing (68%) purposes was acceptable as long as there was no unnecessary suffering by the animals. Respondents felt animal research was most justified for research into life-threatening and debilitating diseases, and least justified for safety-testing of cosmetics and household chemicals. Only 8% of respondents knew a fair amount (or more) about the legislation pertaining to the use of animals in RTT. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of New Zealanders were neither interested nor concerned about the use of animals in RTT. The largest proportion of respondents fell into a category of accepting this use of animals with conditions such as where there is no unnecessary suffering by the animals or where the research is for a serious disease. However, the responses also indicated that attitudes towards the use of animals in RTT as a general issue may change when that use is given a specific context. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The understanding of public opinion with regard to the use of animals in RTT is an important tool for New Zealand Veterinary Association nominees on animal ethics committees (AECs), for these veterinarians, as well as acting as assessors of the welfare of the animals involved, are also independent of the institutions using animals, so that, along with the other 'external' members, they provide a societal perspective to the deliberations of AECs.     

The use of the nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug cis-atracurium in dogs

Objective This clinical trial attempted to evaluate the potency, onset and duration of action of cis‐atracurium in dogs. Animals Twenty dogs aged between 1 and 15 years and weighing between 15 and 85 kg admitted for a variety of elective, surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Materials and methods Following induction of general anaesthesia, the effects of an intravenous loading dose of cis‐atracurium (0.1 mg kg^?1) were evaluated by counting visual responses to train of four (TOF) nerve stimulation. Incremental doses of 0.02 or 0.04 mg kg^?1 cis‐atracurium were administered when the first of four responses to TOF stimulation was present. Results An initial dose of 0.1 mg kg^?1 eliminated all four TOF responses in 18 out of 20 dogs. The same dose, repeated 10 minutes later in two animals in which blockade was incomplete, abolished all responses. In dogs receiving 0.1 mg kg^?1 cis‐atracurium neuromuscular blockade lasted 27.2 ± 9.3 minutes. Up to six incremental doses were given in individual animals; incremental doses appeared to be noncumulative. No untoward side‐effects were observed with the use of this drug. There was considerable variation between individuals in response to cis‐atracurium. Conclusions Cis‐atracurium is an effective neuromuscular blocking agent in the dog, although its potency varies. Clinical Relevance Further studies are required to determine whether observed differences in potency are related to age, breed or sex. Cis‐atracurium may prove useful in dogs with impaired renal and or hepatic function.     

The clinical use of the neuromuscular blocking agent rocuronium in dogs

Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the onset and duration of action of the aminosteroid muscle relaxant rocuronium in dogs under clinical conditions. Study design Prospective single dose trial. Animals Twenty‐three dogs aged between 6 months and 12 years, weighing between 5.5 and 61.5 kg admitted to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Hospital between January and March 2000, and undergoing elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Materials and methods Following induction of general anaesthesia, neuromuscular function was evaluated using train‐of‐four (TOF) stimulation. An initial dose of 0.4 mg kg^?1 rocuronium was administered intravenously (IV) and neuromuscular blockade was monitored by visually assessing the number of responses (twitches) to TOF stimulation (train‐of‐four count: TOFC). Incremental doses of 0.16 mg kg^?1 rocuronium were administered as indicated, when at least two twitches of the TOFC had returned. Results Rocuronium (0.4 mg kg^?1) abolished all responses to TOF stimulation in all dogs. The mean time to onset of neuromuscular blockade (complete abolition of all twitches) was 98 ± 52 seconds. Neuromuscular blockade (absence of all twitches to return of all four) lasted 32.3 ± 8.2 minutes. Incremental doses of 0.16 mg kg^?1 had a mean duration of action of 20.8 ± 4.9 minutes and up to seven increments were shown to be noncumulative. The effects of rocuronium were readily antagonized with neostigmine and atropine. Small transient increases in arterial blood pressure, which occurred in three dogs after the administration of rocuronium, were the only cardiovascular side‐effects observed. Conclusions Rocuronium is an effective nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent in the dog, with a rapid onset of neuromuscular block after intravenous administration and an intermediate duration of action. Clinical relevance Rocuronium produced a neuromuscular block with similar characteristics to those obtained with vecuronium, thus apparently offering little advantage over vecuronium. However, its availability in aqueous solution and a longer shelf‐life increases convenience.     

Serosurvey of Babesia canis, Babesia gibsoni and Ehrlichia canis in pound dogs in California, USA

The seroprevalence of three canine tick-transmitted parasites, Babesia gibsoni, Babesia canis and Ehrlichia canis, was estimated in selected regions of California. Blood smears and sera were obtained from 971 dogs in seven animal shelters: four in Los Angeles County, one in Yolo County, one in El Dorado County in California and one in Minden, Nevada. Seroprevalence in Los Angeles County shelters were 0–13%, 0–2.6% and 0% for B. canis, B. gibsoni and E. canis, respectively. Seroprevalences of the same three parasites in Yolo County and El Dorado County Shelters were 0% except for a 1% seroprevalence of B. canis in dogs from Yolo County Shelter.

Potential risk factors (breed, age, sex and evidence of ticks on the dogs) for B. canis seropositivity were evaluated. Dogs 3 years of age or older had a significantly higher risk (odds ratio 5.04) of being seropositive to B. canis compared with dogs less than 1 year old. Breed, sex and evidence of ticks were not associated with seropositive reactions to B. canis. Of 29 coyotes captured in Los Angeles County, three (10.3%) were seropositive for B. gibsoni, with titers of 1280 to 2560. This study indicated that dogs in Los Angeles County were at higher risk of being seropositive and potentially infected with canine babesial parasites than dogs in Yolo and El Dorado Counties. Movement of chronically infected dogs from Los Angeles County into other areas could contribute to the spread of these important pathogens.