Measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy anesthetized horses during hoisting

Objective

To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses during hoisting after induction of anesthesia.

Pulsed inhaled nitric oxide improves arterial oxygenation in colic horses undergoing abdominal surgery

Objective

To evaluate the effect of pulsed inhaled nitric oxide (INO) on arterial oxygenation in horses during abdominal surgery.

Tonometry in three herbivorous wildlife species

Tonometry was performed to estimate intraocular pressure (IOP) in 12 Nubian ibexes ( Capra ibex nubiana ), 10 Grant zebras ( Equus burchelli  ) and five Arabian oryxes ( Oryx leucoryx ), using both applanation (Tono-Pen) and/or indentation (Schiotz) tonometers. Animals were anesthetized with a mixture of etorphine hydrochloride and acepromazine maleate. Mean (± SD) IOP in the ibex was 17.95 ± 4.78 mmHg (24 eyes, indentation tonometry). In the zebra, indentation tonometry (20 eyes) yielded a mean IOP of 25.30 ± 3.06 mmHg, and applanation tonometry (six eyes) yielded a mean IOP of 29.47 ± 3.43 mmHg. In the oryx, indentation tonometry (five eyes) yielded a mean IOP of 22.68 ± 8.15 mmHg, and applanation tonometry (10 eyes) yielded a mean IOP of 11.76 ± 3.43 mmHg. There were no significant effects of gender, age, weight, side or reading number on the IOP measured in any of the three species. No significant differences were found between the IOP of the three species, nor between the readings of the two instruments, although some of the P -values were close to the significance level.     

INTRAVENOUS ALFAXALONE ANAESTHESIA IN LEOPARD GECKOS (EUBLEPHARIS MACULARIUS)

Intravenous alfaxalone, administered at a dose of 5 mg/kg in the jugular vein, was evaluated in 20 leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) to ascertain its ability to provide anesthesia. The induction time, time to loss of mandibular tone, interval of deep anesthesia, and full recovery time were 27.5 ± 30.7 seconds (10 to 56 seconds), 1.3 ± 1.4 minutes (11 seconds to 4 minutes), 12.5 ± 2.2 minutes (11.11 to 15.39 minutes), and 18.8 ± 12.1 minutes (10.4 to 52.31 minutes), respectively. A significant reduction in heart rate (74 ± 12.9 beats/minute) was recorded between 2 and 24 minutes after alfaxalone administration. A significant decrease in respiratory rate (26.8 ± 10.1 breaths/minute) was recorded 2 minutes after alfaxalone administration, and respiratory rate remained lower than the basal rate (31.4 ± 3.1 breaths/minute) for 24 minutes but without statistical significance. The intravenous administration of alfaxalone in leopard geckos achieved a rapid onset of anesthesia and a suitable recovery time. Based on this investigation, an afaxalone dose of 5 mg/kg intravenously proved to be suitable for sedation before tracheal intubation. Moreover, the administration route via the jugular vein, was acceptable in leopard geckos; a species in which other venipuncture sites can be challenging or inaccessible.     

Evaluation of BAM (butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine) in captive African lion (Panthera leo) immobilization

Objective

The combination of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (BAM) with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone–yohimbine or naltrexone–atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive African lions (Panthea leo).

Ophthalmic examination findings in a colony of Screech owls (Megascops asio)

Objective To report ophthalmic findings in the Screech owl (Megascops asio). Sample population Twenty‐three, apparently healthy adult captive Screech owls in Maryland. Procedures OU of all owls underwent complete ophthalmic examination. One randomly assigned eye of each bird was measured by phenol red thread tear test (PRT), and the other eye by Schirmer tear test (STT). TonoVet^® rebound tonometry and TonoPen‐XL^® applanation tonometry were performed in each eye to measure IOP. Conjunctival swabs were cultured from one eye of 10 birds, corneal diameter was measured in OU of eight birds, and streak retinoscopy was performed on OU of seven birds. Ten birds were anesthetized, and A‐scan ultrasonography using a 15‐MHz probe was performed to obtain axial intraocular measurements. Results Ophthalmic abnormalities were noted in 24/46 (52%) of eyes. Median STT result was ≤ 2 mm/min, ranging ≤ 2–6 mm/min, and mean ± SD PRT was 15 ± 4.3 mm/15 s. Mean ± SD IOP were 9 ± 1.8 mmHg TonoVet^®‐P, 14 ± 2.4 mmHg TonoVet^®‐D, and 11 ± 1.9 mmHg TonoPen‐XL^®. Coagulase negative staphylococcal organisms were cultured from all conjunctival swabs. Mean ± SD corneal dimensions were 14.5 ± 0.5 mm vertically and 15.25 ± 0.5 mm horizontally. All refracted birds were within one diopter of emmetropia. Mean ± SD axial distance from the cornea to the anterior lens capsule was 4.03 ± 0.3 mm, from cornea to the posterior lens capsule was 10.8 ± 0.5 mm, and from cornea to sclera was 20.33 ± 0.6 mm. Conclusions This study reports ophthalmic examination findings in Screech owls, and provide means and ranges for various ocular measurements. This is the first report of rebound tonometry and PRT in owls.     

Electroencephalographic assessment of oral meloxicam,topical anaesthetic cream and cautery iron for mitigating acute pain in pigs (Sus scrofa) undergoing tail docking

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of oral meloxicam, topical anaesthetic cream and cautery iron in mitigating acute nociceptive responses of pigs to tail docking.

Hyaluronidase administered with xylazine–tiletamine–zolazepam into adipose tissue shortens recovery from anesthesia in pigs

Objective

To evaluate the effect of hyaluronidase on uptake, duration and speed of elimination of xylazine–tiletamine–zolazepam administered in the subcutaneous fat over the dorsal lumbar region of swine.

Vaccination with a genotype 1 modified live vaccine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus significantly reduces viremia,viral shedding and transmission of the virus in a quasi-natural experimental model

The present study assessed the efficacy of vaccination against genotype 1 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in terms of reduction of the transmission. Ninety-eight 3-week-old piglets were divided in two groups: V (n = 40) and NV (n = 58) that were housed separately. V animals were vaccinated with a commercial genotype 1 PRRSV vaccine while NV were kept as controls. On day 35 post-vaccination, 14 NV pigs were separated and inoculated intranasally with 2 ml of a heterologous genotype 1 PRRSV isolate (“seeder” pigs, SP). The other V and NV animals were distributed in groups of 5 pigs each. Two days later, one SP was introduced into each pen to expose V and NV to PRRSV. Sentinel pigs were allocated in adjacent pens. Follow-up was of 21 days. All NV (30/30) became viremic after contact with SP while only 53% of V pigs were detected so (21/40, p < 0.05). Vaccination shortened viremia (12.2 ± 4 versus 3.7 ± 3.4 days in NV and V pigs, respectively, p < 0.01). The 50% survival time for becoming infected (Kaplan–Meier) for V was 21 days (CI_95% = 14.1–27.9) compared to 7 days (CI_95% = 5.2–8.7) for NV animals (p < 0.01). These differences were reflected in the R value as well: 2.78 (CI_95% = 2.13–3.43) for NV and 0.53 (CI_95% = 0.19–0.76) for V pigs (p < 0.05). All sentinel pigs (10/10) in pens adjacent to NV + SP pens got infected compared to 1/4 sentinel pigs allocated contiguous to a V + SP pen. These data show that vaccination of piglets significantly decrease parameters related to PRRSV transmission.     

Effects of transdermal lidocaine or lidocaine with prilocaine or tetracaine on mechanical superficial sensation and nociceptive thermal thresholds in horses

Objective

To evaluate the transdermal local anaesthetic effect of lidocaine or lidocaine combined with prilocaine or tetracaine in horses.

Pharmacokinetics of mequindox and its metabolites in rats after intravenous and oral administration

Pharmacokinetics of mequindox (MEQ) and its metabolites were determined in rats after intravenous (i.v.) and oral (p.o.) administration of MEQ at a single dose of 10 mg kg⁻¹ bodyweight. After both administrations, MEQ and five of its metabolites were quantified, except M4, whereas M1 and M2 were the predominant ones. The areas under the concentration–time curves (h ng mL⁻¹) of MEQ, M1, M2, M3, M5 and M10 after i.v. administration were 7559 ± 495, 6354 ± 2761, 5586 ± 2337, 1034 ± 160, 2370 ± 791 and 1813 ± 622, respectively, whereas after p.o. administration, remained as 2809 ± 40, 4361 ± 3544, 4351 ± 1046, 1444 ± 814, 3864 ± 305 and 1213 ± 569, respectively. The elimination half-lives (h) of these compounds after i.v. administration were 3.48 ± 0.80, 4.20 ± 0.76, 6.25 ± 2.41, 4.77 ± 1.54, 4.69 ± 1.62 and 16.89 ± 5.15, respectively, and were 3.21 ± 0.40, 3.66 ± 1.06, 4.20 ± 1.03, 8.91 ± 5.99, 4.20 ± 2.02 and 20.84 ± 10.85 after p.o. administration, respectively. After p.o. administration, the bioavailability of MEQ was 37.16%. The results showed that MEQ was extensively metabolized in rats and rapidly absorbed after p.o. administration.     

Comparison of the rebound tonometer (ICare) to the applanation tonometer (Tonopen XL) in normotensive dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained by recently introduced rebound tonometer (ICare) and the well-known applanation tonometer Tonopen XL in normal canine eyes. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, single-center study, IOP measurements by ICare and Tonopen XL tonometers were compared in 160 nonpathologic canine eyes (80 dogs). Complete slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy were performed on each dog. Rebound tonometry was performed first and immediately after topical anesthetic drops were instilled in both eyes. One minute after the application of the topical anesthetic, applanation tonometry was performed in both eyes. The intraocular pressures obtained by use of both techniques were compared by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean IOP readings were 9.158 mmHg (SD 3.471 mmHg) for the ICare tonometer (x) and 11.053 mmHg (SD 3.451 mmHg) for the Tonopen XL readings (y). The mean difference in intraocular pressures (-1.905 mmHg) was within clinically acceptable limits. The correlation coefficient (r2) of the relationship within both tonometers was r2=0.7477. The corresponding linear regression between the tonometers readings was y=0.6662x+4.942. CONCLUSIONS: Intraocular pressures obtained with the ICare rebound tonometer were concordant with the IOP readings obtained by applanation Tonopen XL, but ICare values were significantly (P<0.0001) lower. Rebound tonometry could be an appropriate tonometry method for routine clinical use after its calibration for canine eyes.     

Age and Body Condition of Goats Influence Consumption of Juniper and Monoterpene-Treated Feed

Redberry juniper (Juniperus pinchotii Sudworth) is an invasive, evergreen tree that is rapidly expanding throughout western and central Texas. Goats will consume some juniper on rangelands; however, intake is limited. The objective of our research was to determine how the age and body condition of goats influence their consumption of juniper and an artificial feed containing 4 monoterpenes. Two separate experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 examined the intake of redberry juniper foliage and used 39 goats either young (2 yr) or mature (> 6 yr). One-half of each age group was fed appropriate basal rations to reach either a high (HBC) or low body condition (LBC). Goats in LBC ate more (P < 0.01, 8.6 g · kg⁻¹ body weight [BW] ± 0.7 SE) juniper than those in HBC (2.3 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 0.3 SE), and young animals consumed more (P < 0.05, 7.2 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 0.7 SE) juniper than mature goats (3.9 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 0.5 SE) across body condition treatments. In experiment 2, 36 goats, either young (2 yr) or mature (> 6 yr) and in either HBC or LBC, were offered a synthetic ration treated with 20.8 g · kg⁻¹ of 4 monoterpenes found in redberry juniper. Goats in LBC ate more (P < 0.01, 25.3 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 1.0 SE) of the terpene-treated feed than those in HBC (17.5 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 0.7 SE), and young animals ate more (P < 0.05, 22.5 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 0.8 SE) than mature goats (20.3 g · kg⁻¹ BW ± 0.8 SE) across body condition treatments. Total intake as a proportion of body weight was also affected by body condition. Age and body condition are important factors that influence intake of chemically defended plants. A better understanding of how these attributes affect diet selection will aid livestock producers in improving grazing management.     

Psoas compartment and sacral plexus block via electrostimulation for pelvic limb amputation in dogs

Objective

To assess the efficacy of psoas compartment and sacral plexus block for pelvic limb amputation in dogs.

Effects of constant rate infusions of dexmedetomidine or MK-467 on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

Objective

To determine the effects of low and high dose infusions of dexmedetomidine and a peripheral α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist, MK-467, on sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) in dogs.

Comparison between the effects of postanesthetic xylazine and dexmedetomidine on characteristics of recovery from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses

Objective

To compare postanesthetic xylazine and dexmedetomidine on recovery characteristics from sevoflurane anesthesia in horses.

Foraging of Iberian fattening pigs grazing natural pasture in the dehesa

Two different herds of Iberian pigs have been studied in the montanera fattening period (from November first to end of December) in the dehesa agrosystem (clear forest of evergreen oaks, Quercus rotundifolia) during two different autumns and winters (2003 and 2004) without any supplementary feed. A direct in situ observation method has been used, with continuous observation of ingestive bites taken by continuously monitored pigs (10 uninterrupted hours, from 08:30 to 18:30) to calculate intake. 95 grazing days have been studied corresponding to different randomly chosen pigs. The obtained results show grass and acorns as the main resources with 56.5 and 43.3% of bites respectively. 14 other resources different from grass and acorns were registered, but only 9 resources (berries, bushes, inorganic rubbish, woods, roots, earth and sand, charcoal and ashes, carrion and straw) were consumed at a frequency ≥ 0.01%. The percentage distribution for daily bites showed no significant difference between years. However daily grazing times were significantly affected by year, and were associated with available drinking water from rain. Lack of water in second montanera forced pigs to return to shelters to drink and, in consequence, reduced daily mean grazing time (from 427 ± 14 min in montanera 1 to 368 ± 8 in montanera 2; P < 0.001) and kernel acorn dry matter intake (from 3.6 ± 0.3 kg in montanera 1 to 3.1 ± 0.1 in montanera 2; P < 0.05); however, it did not significantly influence either daily grass dry matter intake (0.38 ± 0.04 kg in montanera 1 versus 0.49 ± 0.04 kg in montanera 2) or total daily dry matter intake calculated from bite number (4.0 ± 0.3 kg in montanera 1 versus 3.6 ± 0.1 in montanera 2).     

Experimental evaluation of four airway devices in anaesthetized New Zealand White rabbits

Objective

To compare airway management during induction of anaesthesia, spontaneous ventilation (SV) and controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV), using an endotracheal tube (ETT), laryngeal mask (LM), rabbit-specific supraglottic airway device (v-gel) or facemask (FM).

The impact of MK-467 on sedation,heart rate and arterial blood pressure after intramuscular coadministration with dexmedetomidine in conscious cats

Objective

To study the effects of MK-467, a peripheral α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist, on sedation, heart rate and blood pressure after intramuscular (IM) coadministration with 25 μg kg^?1 of dexmedetomidine in cats.

DIAGNOSIS AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF A TRANSITIONAL CELL CARCINOMA IN THE BLADDER APEX OF A PET RABBIT (ORYCTOLAGUS CUNICULUS)

A 6-year-old, 1.9-kg female spayed lop-eared European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) was evaluated for acute hematuria and inappropriate urination and defecation of less than 12-hours duration. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a suspected bladder mass. Ultrasound-guided cystocentesis was performed and the results of the urinalysis were unremarkable. An abdominal exploratory surgery revealed a nodular cystic mass at the cranial ventral apex of the bladder wall which measured 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm. Based on histopathologic evaluation, excision of the neoplasm was complete and the mass was diagnosed as transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. This case suggests that urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma should be considered in pet rabbits presenting with similar clinical signs.