Clinical value of blood glucose measurement in pet rabbits

Blood glucose was measured with a portable glucose meter in 907 rabbits, including 238 clinically healthy ones. Blood glucose concentrations ranged from 1.2 to 30.1 mmol/l. Diabetes mellitus was not encountered. No significant effect of sex or sedation was found. Hypoglycaemia was seen in 16 rabbits including one with an insulinoma. There was a significant relationship between blood glucose, food intake, signs of stress and severity of clinical disease. Rabbits showing signs of stress had higher blood glucose than rabbits with no signs and rabbits that were totally anorexic had higher blood glucose values than those that were eating normally or those with reduced food intake. Severe hyperglycaemia (>20 mmol/l) was associated with conditions with a poor prognosis. Rabbits with confirmed intestinal obstruction had a mean blood glucose of 24.7 mmol/l (n=18). This was significantly higher than the rabbits with confirmed gut stasis, which had a mean value of 8.5 mmol/l (n=51). The conclusion of the study was that blood glucose is a measurable parameter that can be used to assess the severity of a rabbit's condition and help to differentiate between gut stasis and intestinal obstruction in rabbits that are anorexic.     

Ultrasound and computed tomography of sacculitis and appendicitis in a rabbit

A 9‐month‐old neutered male rabbit was referred for lethargy, anorexia, and gastrointestinal stasis. Routine hematology, serum biochemistry, and diagnostic imaging were performed. Computed tomography revealed a wall thickening of the sacculus rotundus and appendix, which was further confirmed on abdominal ultrasound. Full thickness biopsies were collected with histopathology diagnosing a chronic multifocal heterophilic granulomatous sacculitis and appendicitis. The patient was treated medically and at 6 weeks follow‐up, clinical signs and intestinal changes had completely regressed. Inflammation of the sacculus rotundus and appendix should be considered as a cause of gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits.     

Acid-base-balance status and blood gas analysis in rabbits with gastric stasis and gastric dilation

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the acid-base-balance status and blood gas values in rabbits with gastric stasis and gastric dilation syndrome. Methods: Thirty rabbits with corresponding symptoms and radiographs were sampled before, during, and after treatment and an arterial acid-base-balance status and blood gas analysis was performed. Results: pCO₂, HCO₃, and base excess were significantly lower in animals that were presented 12 hours after the owner had registered signs of illness than animals presented within 6 hours. Of the examined rabbits, 57% had acidosis, 83% of which were of metabolic origin. The pH returned to normal after treatment in 94% of surviving animals (24/30). Conclusions: Gastric stasis and dilation syndrome has a considerable impact on the acid-base-balance status and blood gas analysis in rabbits and its measurement is therefore valuable for assessing the patient's status and adjusting the therapy accordingly to each animal's needs. Clinical relevance: Our findings underline the importance of a swift introduction of rabbits with gastric stasis and dilation syndrome into veterinary care to prevent further impairment of secondary findings such as metabolic acidosis.     

大肠杆菌对仔兔小肠黏膜免疫相关细胞的影响

试验旨在研究大肠杆菌对仔兔小肠黏膜免疫相关细胞的影响,并从肠道黏膜免疫角度比较对该病的治疗效果。将40只仔兔随机平均分为4组,经腹腔注射菌液后不同时期定量观察兔黏膜免疫相关细胞。结果表明,腹腔注射菌液后可引起肠道相关免疫细胞增多,激发黏膜免疫;从黏膜免疫看注射菌液后第5天庆大霉素和乳酸菌素组均与正常对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),说明均取得了好的治疗效果,且两者之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

Review of gastric rupture in the horse

Gastrointestinal rupture is an important cause and complication of equine colic. The stomach is the most commonly affected segment in the gastrointestinal tract involved in gastrointestinal rupture. Gastric rupture can be primary or secondary; however, unless prodromal clinical signs are identified, localised and corrected, the resulting peritoneal contamination with feed, intestinal secretions and bacteria is invariably fatal. Causes for gastric rupture may be known or idiopathic; however, factors that predispose a horse to gastric rupture are poorly understood. Further research is needed to identify underlying causes and pathophysiology of gastric rupture to prevent it from occurring.     

Nicarbazin stimulates intestinal transport of L-leucine in rabbit

Nicarbazin is an anticoccidial drug used mainly in birds, but also in rabbits. Besides the anticoccidial activity, riicarbazin has shown several other effects such as inhibition of growth and feed efficiency in poultries, and stimulation o f sugar intestinal absorption in rabbits. The present work has been performed in order to check whether nicarbazin also affects L-leucine intestinal absorption. The results obtained show that nicarbazin decreases L-leucine accumulation in the jejunal tissue, and increases mucosal to serosal transepithelial fluxes o f this amino acid in a dose-dependent way, without modifying its diffusion across the intestinal epithelium. The drug stimulates the amino acid uptake in brush-border and basolateral membrane vesicles, thus suggesting that nicarlxizin increases the absorption of L-leucine mediated by carriers.     

Hyperammonemia associated with urethral obstruction in a dog

Hyperammonemia was documented in a 10-week-old male Lhasa Apso referred for urethral obstruction and rupture. Results of liver function tests were normal. Staphylococcus sp was isolated from urine. Anomalies of the portal vascular system and hepatic insufficiency are the most common causes of hyperammonemia in the dog. Hyperammonemia, however, in the absence of recognizable concurrent hepatic disease, also may result from urinary stasis and infection with urea-splitting organisms.     

Effects of nicarbazin on sugar intestinal absorption in rabbits.

Nicarbazin is an anticoccidial drug, used mainly in birds, which can also be used in rabbits. It has been shown to produce several effects, such as inhibition of growth and feed efficiency in poultry. The aim of the present work was to determine whether nicarbazin alters intestinal absorption of sugar. Results obtained show that nicarbazin decreases D-galactose accumulation in the jejunal tissue and increases mucosal to serosal transepithelial fluxes of this sugar, in both cases in a dose-dependent way. Furthermore, nicarbazin seems not to modify the sugar diffusion across the intestinal epithelium. The drug also stimulates the sugar uptake in brush border and basolateral membrane vesicles. The results suggest that in rabbits nicarbazin increases sugar intestinal absorption mediated by carriers.     

Enterocecocolitis associated with intraepithelial Campylobacter-like bacteria in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

We examined 28 suckling, weanling, and young adult rabbits with lethargy, inappetence, and mucinous, semifluid feces. Sixteen of the rabbits had intestinal lesions. In eight of these rabbits, the primary changes were multifocal to diffuse epithelial proliferation and accumulation of lymphocytes, macrophages, or both in the lamina propria of the small intestine, cecum, and sacculated colon. In two of these rabbits, the accumulation of macrophages in the lamina propria was extensive. The other eight rabbits had erosive and suppurative cecocolitis, and four of the rabbits with proliferative lesions also had suppurative cecocolitis. In Warthin-Starry-stained sections of affected intestine, curved or spiral bacteria were visible within degenerated or hyperplastic epithelium, in luminal exudate, or in both. Such organisms were sparse or not found in the other 12 rabbits, which did not have intestinal lesions. The bacteria ultrastructurally resembled intraepithelial Campylobacter-like bacteria previously observed in proliferative enteritis in a variety of species and in acute typhlitis in young rabbits. In immunofluorescence tests, Campylobacter-like bacteria in epithelial cells, crypt lumina, and in luminal exudates in both proliferative and erosive lesions bound monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antisera prepared against intracellular bacteria found in proliferative enteritis in pigs, hamsters, and ferrets. These observations indicate that a condition similar to proliferative enteritis of swine, hamsters, and other species also occurs in laboratory rabbits.     

日粮NDF水平对断奶獭兔血液免疫细胞与肠道特性的影响

研究日粮中性洗涤纤维(NDF)水平对断奶獭兔血液免疫细胞、小肠分泌型免疫球蛋白A(sIgA)、盲肠微生物及盲肠pH的影响,为揭示日粮NDF和肠道健康关系和断奶獭兔日粮的配制提供理论依据。选择35日龄体重差异不显著的断奶獭兔56只,随机分成4组,每组14只(每只为一个重复)。分别饲喂NDF水平为29%,33%,37%,41%的日粮。预试7 d,正式试验28 d。试验结束后各组随机选取6只屠宰采样,测量血液及肠道各项指标。结果表明,随着日粮NDF水平提高,断奶獭兔白细胞数无显著差异 (P>0.05);血液淋巴细胞数上升(P<0.05);十二指肠和空肠sIgA+细胞数显著增加(P<0.05);盲肠总细菌数无显著差异(P>0.05);拟杆菌数先增加后减少,33%组显著高于其他各组(P<0.05);乳酸菌和大肠杆菌数降低,且乳酸菌29%组显著高于37%组和41%组(P<0.05),大肠杆菌41%组显著低于29%和33%组(P<0.05);盲肠pH值升高;腹泻率和死亡率降低。日粮NDF 水平提高对断奶獭兔的肠道健康有利,NDF 41%组断奶獭兔肠道最健康。     

日粮ADF水平对生长肉兔氮平衡、免疫及消化酶活性的影响

选用100只体重相近的35日龄断奶新西兰肉兔,随机分为5组,分别饲喂5种酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)水平(13%、16%、19%、22%和25%)的日粮,探讨我国生长肉兔适宜的ADF需要量。结果表明:日粮ADF水平对2月龄肉兔氮沉积、氮表观消化率和利用率影响显著(P<0.05),对可消化氮及可消化氮转化为沉积氮的效率无显著影响(P>0.05)。随ADF水平升高,试兔胸腺指数先增加后降低(P>0.05),脾脏指数呈不断增大趋势(P>0.05)。日粮ADF水平对十二指肠淀粉酶和盲肠纤维素酶活性影响显著(P<0.05),对胰蛋白酶和胰凝乳蛋白酶活性无显著影响(P>0.05)。综合分析,断奶至2月龄肉兔适宜的ADF水平为19%。     

Radiographic techniques and interpretation of the acute abdomen

Radiography is a familiar and available imaging modality for the evaluation of patients with acute abdominal distress. Potential causes for acute abdominal distress include the hepatobiliary system, spleen, urogenital tract, and gastrointestinal tract. Radiographic signs associated with specific conditions are described, including gastric-dilation volvulus, urinary bladder rupture, ureteral rupture, urethral rupture, pancreatitis, and small intestinal obstruction. Additionally, contrast procedures that can be beneficial in evaluating the patient with acute abdomen, including positive contrast cystography, urethrography, excretory urography, and peritoneography, are described.     

Dynamics and responsiveness of T-lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs of rabbits developing immunity to Eimeria intestinalis

Primary infection with Eimeria intestinalis confers very effective immunity against further infections in rabbits. This study was designed to determine the onset of the immune response in primary-infected rabbits and to characterise the immune status of protected rabbits. Variations in kinetics of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subpopulations were followed after primary infection at the intestinal sites of penetration (duodenum) and development (ileum), in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and in the spleen. The response against the parasite was measured by specific lymphocyte proliferation in the spleen and MLN and by determining specific IgG titres in serum. The mucosal immune response was strong after primary infection and was characterised by (i) transient increase in the percentages of intestinal CD4+ lymphocytes and MLN CD8+ lymphocytes 14 days PI and (ii) strong increase in the percentages of intestinal CD8+ lymphocytes from 14 days PI persisting throughout further infections. Extensive infiltration of the lamina propria with CD8+ lymphocytes was observed 14 days PI. The specific proliferative response started between 7 and 14 days PI in MLN but remained undetectable in spleens for up to 21 days, in contrast to “immunised” rabbits. The fact that systemic immune responses were low after primary infection, in contrast to indicators of mucosal immune responsiveness, suggests that protection of rabbits against E. intestinalis infection is due to an effective mucosal immune response, and that systemic responses that increase after successive infections are only reflections of repeated encounters with parasite antigens.     

Diagnostic value of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in horse serum

Antiserum directed against equine intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) was produced in rabbits and used to develop a sensitive and quantitative assay for the detection of intestinal ALP in equine serum. This assay was then used to measure the half-life of intravenously injected intestinal ALP and to determine if the intestinal ALP was present in normal horse sera, sera from horses presented for lesions not involving the gastrointestinal tract and sera from horses presented with lesions involving the gastrointestinal tract. The results suggest that intestinal ALP is not likely to appear in equine serum even when gastrointestinal disease is present and, therefore, appears to be of no diagnostic value.     

PERITONITIS IN HORSES ASSOCIATED WITH ACTINOBACILLUS EQUULI

Actinobacillus equuli was the cause of peritonitis in 5 horses. In 3 the onset was sudden with intestinal stasis and acute abdominal pain as predominant findings. Two others presented with chronic disease and weight loss. Characteristically the peritoneal fluid had a high nucleated cell count with non-degenerate neutrophils as the predominant cell type. Four horses were treated and recovered.     

谷氨酰胺对断奶肉兔肠道发育的影响

本试验旨在研究谷氨酰胺对肉兔肠道发育的影响。试验选择28日龄断奶新西兰白兔360只,随机分成4个组,每个组9个重复,每个重复10只(公母各占1/2)。4组试验兔分别饲喂在基础饲粮基础上添加0(对照)、0.4%、0.8%和1.2%谷氨酰胺的试验饲粮,试验期为4周。结果表明:饲粮添加谷氨酰胺对肉兔35、42和56日龄时的胃重、盲肠重和小肠长度以及56日龄时的小肠重无显著影响(P0.05),但饲粮添加0.8%谷氨酰胺可以显著提高肉兔35和42日龄时的小肠重(P0.05);饲粮添加0.8%和1.2%谷氨酰胺可以显著提高肉兔35和42日龄时的十二指肠和空肠绒毛高度(P0.05),同时饲粮添加0.8%谷氨酰胺还可以显著提高肉兔35和42日龄时的回肠绒毛高度以及56日龄时的十二指肠和空肠绒毛高度(P0.05);饲粮添加0.8%谷氨酰胺可以显著降低肉兔35和42日龄时的十二指肠和空肠隐窝深度以及35日龄时的回肠隐窝深度(P0.05)。由此可见,饲粮添加谷氨酰胺可以促进肉兔断奶后1~2周的肠道发育,本试验条件下,肉兔饲粮中谷氨酰胺适宜添加水平为0.8%。     

仔兔肠道菌群早期定植特征及其调控的研究进展

仔兔在断奶期的肠道菌群结构极易发生紊乱,从而引起腹泻造成大量死亡,严重阻碍了兔养殖业的发展。因此,建立健康稳定的兔肠道菌群对于降低兔腹泻的发生率具有极其重要的意义。本文系统综述了仔兔肠道菌群早期定植规律及其调控措施的研究进展,以期为缓解和阻止仔兔断奶腹泻提供理论参考。     

Ketamine-paraldehyde anesthesia for rabbits.

Combination of ketamine hydrochloride (50 mg/kg) and paraldehyde (0.5 ml/kg), both administered intramuscularly, was found to be safe and effective for induction and maintenance of anesthesia for prolonged major surgical procedures in rabbits. Time of induction of deep surgical anesthesia was 20 to 30 minutes. Surgical procedures (creation of intestinal loops for perfusion studies) lasting 3 to 4 hours were performed, with an additional dose of ketamine (25 mg/kg) occasionally being given after 2 hours. At the end of the experiments, rabbits were killed. Another group of rabbits was maintained in a deep surgical plane of anesthesia for 5 hours without any surgical operation being done. Rabbits were then allowed to recover and, on the next day, were again anesthetized and allowed to recover without the performance of surgical operation. Finally, after a day's hiatus, the same rabbits were used in intestinal perfusion experiments. The use of 2 complementary anesthetics, each with a wide margin of safety for respiratory centers, provided safe anesthesia. The ability to administer a relatively fixed dose obviated the need for inordinate expertise to anesthetize rabbits for long periods.     

纤维素酶对兔日增重、肠绒毛结构、胃内容物及肝、睾丸内无机元素含量的影响

选用雄性日本大耳白兔20只,随机分为试验组和对照组,每组10只。结果表明,饲喂纤维素酶(3g/头·日)的兔日增重明显增加(P<0.05),通过电镜观察试验组兔空肠肠绒毛结构比较完整,而对照组则比较紊乱。另外,纤维素酶还能提高兔胃酸度和胃蛋白酶的活力(P<0.01);使肝脏中Cu(P<0.01)及睾丸内无机元素的含量增加,而使肝脏中Mn的含量下降(P<0.01)。     

家兔营养对肠道健康的影响

本文综述了日粮纤维、淀粉、蛋白质、脂肪、饲料添加剂对幼兔肠道健康的影响。