Shockwave therapy for treatment of a burn injury in a horse

This article describes a horse that sustained burn injury wounds over the back extending from the withers to the tail head as a result of a fire in a trailer. The extensive nature of the burn prompted investigation into treatment options which may stimulate healing. Based on current applications in human medicine, shockwave therapy was administered. This horse recovered from a substantial burn injury. Shockwave therapy may be a viable supplemental option for treating burn injuries in the horse, with no noted adverse effects.     

Factors affecting the prevalence of foot pad dermatitis, hock burn and breast burn in broiler chicken

1. Standardised data on flock husbandry were recorded on 149 broiler farms during the 4 d prior to slaughter. 2. Birds were examined at the slaughterhouse for contact dermatitis lesions. Foot pad dermatitis score (FPDS) and hock burn score (HBS) were measured on five point scales. Carcase rejection data were also collected. 3. The mean percentage of birds in each flock with: moderate or severe foot lesions was 11.1% (range 0-71.5%); moderate or severe hock burn was 1.3% (range 0-33.3%); and, breast burn was 0.02%. 4. A general linear model was developed to examine factors associated with mean flock FPDS. Assuming a linear relationship, within the range of data collected and with all other factors remaining the same, every 1% increase in the proportion of Genotype A birds in the flock was associated with an increase in mean FPDS of 0.003, every one-point increase in litter score was associated with a 0.326 increase in mean FPDS and every one-point increase in flock mean HBS was associated with a 0.411 increase in mean FPDS. Flock mean FPDS was associated with feed supplier and was higher in winter. 5. The general linear model developed for flock mean HBS, found that every one-point increase in mean FPDS increased mean HBS by 0.090, every one-point increase in litter score increased HBS by 0.119 and, every 1% increase in small/emaciated birds decreased mean HBS by 0.333. Reduced HBS was also associated with increased final litter depth, younger slaughter age and an increased percentage of dietary wheat. For every 1% increase in Genotype A birds, a decrease in flock mean HBS of 0.003 would be expected. 6. An effect of hatchery was also identified.     

Bullet, bite, and burn wounds in dogs and cats.

Veterinarians are frequently presented with bullet, bite, or burn trauma patients. Injuries can vary from simple minor penetrating skin wounds to major life-threatening soft and hard tissue damage with concurrent complex metabolic ramifications. This article reviews the diagnostic and therapeutic options for each type of injury.     

Impacts of calcium and phosphorus concentration,their ratio,and phytase supplementation level on growth performance,foot pad lesions,and hock burn of broiler chickens

Concerns about the environment, nutrition, and farm profits all point to the increasing importance of the phosphorus (P) content of a diet. Animals must now be fed near their P requirements. However, it is very difficult to know the exact P requirements of broilers. The objective of this study was to provide efficacy data of a 6-phytase for use in broilers at different Ca levels and Ca/P ratios. Broilers were randomly assigned to 6 treatments, each with 6 replicates. The treatments comprised diets differing in Ca and P level: 1) normal Ca and total normal phosphorus (Pt) level, 2) normal Ca and low Pt level, 3) low Ca and Pt level, and differing in phytase level (no, normal or high phytase supplementation). During the entire study, lowest BW was obtained when broilers were given the imbalanced (normal Ca and low Pt level) diet with low phytase supplementation. Among the balanced dietary treatments no significant effects on performance were observed. A higher Ca/Pt ratio decreased feed intake, whereas addition of phytase increased feed intake. For the starter period, the most favorable feed conversion was obtained when broilers were fed the imbalanced diet with a high dosage of phytase or the low Ca, low Pt diet supplemented with phytase. For the grower and finisher period, broilers with the highest weight gain had the highest feed intake resulting in comparable feed conversions between treatments. Litter quality was not affected by dietary treatments but prevalence of foot pad lesions and hock burn was significantly influenced by treatments. The highest percentage of both was seen when broilers were given the imbalanced diets. The overall results of this study emphasises the relevance of the Ca/P ratio in modern broiler feeding and P studies. It can be concluded from this study that dietary Ca and P concentrations can be reduced by 20% if done in a balanced way. If done in combination with phytase supplementation, performance results improve even more.     

Brain injury after head trauma: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Brain injury after impact to the head is due to both immediate mechanical effects and delayed responses of neural tissues. In horses, traumatic brain injury occurs in three main settings: (1) poll impact in horses that flip over backwards; (2) frontal/parietal impact in horses that run into a fixed object, and (3) injury to the vestibular apparatus secondary to temporohyoid osteoarthropathy.Distinct forebrain, vestibular, midbrain, hindbrain, or multifocal syndromes may be encountered in horses with traumatic brain injury. The most important components of treatment are those consistent with principles of "evidence-based medicine". Accordingly,secondary brain injury can most effectively be prevented by establishing normal blood pressure, temperature, blood glucose concentration, and tissue oxygenation. Pain must be controlled and brain swelling may be treated with infusions of hypertonic saline or mannitol. Surgical procedures, including unilateral hyoid bone transaction or elevation of skull fracture fragments, are indicated in selected cases. Optional additional treatments include use of anti-oxidants, conventional doses of corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate and drainage of CSE There is no indication for the use of massive doses of methyl prednisolone sodium succinate.     

Acute kidney injury in dogs: Etiology,clinical and clinicopathologic findings,prognostic markers,and outcome

BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is a common, potentially fatal condition.ObjectivesTo characterize the etiologies, clinical and clinicopathologic findings, hospitalization period, and outcome of dogs with AKI and to identify markers of negative prognosis.AnimalsTwo hundred forty‐nine client‐own dogs diagnosed with AKI and hospitalized at a veterinary teaching hospital.MethodsRetrospective study. Search of medical records for dogs with AKI.ResultsCommon clinical signs included lethargy (225/249, 90%), anorexia (206/249, 83%), and vomiting (168/249, 68%). Etiologies included ischemic/inflammatory (144/249, 58%), infectious (19/249, 8%), nephrotoxicosis (14/249, 6%), or other (13/249, 5%). Hospital‐acquired AKI was diagnosed in 9% (23/249) of the dogs. Median presentation and peak serum creatinine (sCr) concentrations were 4 mg/dL (range, 1.1‐37.9) and 4.6 mg/dL (range, 1.1‐43.1), respectively. Dogs were classified to AKI grades as follows: Grade I, 6 (2%), Grade II, 38 (15%), Grade III, 89 (36%), Grade IV, 77 (31%), and Grade V, 39 (16%). One hundred and sixty‐four (66%) dogs survived. There was a positive association between death and AKI grade (P = .009). The case fatality rate was higher among dogs with anuria compared with dogs without anuria (50% vs 28%, respectively; odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.5 [1.39‐4.6]; P = .002). Forty‐seven (18.8%) dogs underwent hemodialysis, of which 60% survived.Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceTwo‐thirds of dogs with AKI survived. Hospital‐acquired AKI was common. The severity of AKI, as reflected by presence of anuria, AKI grade, and other body organs involvement, was associated with the outcome.     

Ischemia–reperfusion injury: assessment and treatment, part II

Objective: To review the current scientific literature on ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in both human and veterinary medicine and to describe the assessment of IR injury, the available testing methods, and the options available for treatment. Data sources: Data sources include scientific reviews and original research publications in both human and veterinary medicine. Summary: The assessment of IR injury includes measuring products formed by the reaction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with biological membranes, measuring levels of endogenous antioxidants, and measuring ROS themselves. Testing depends on the laboratory used, the test method chosen, the sample submitted (i.e., plasma, urine, tissue, etc.), and the timing of the test in relation to sample collection. For this reason, testing is not standardized and pharmacological data on antioxidant effectiveness are not available. Antioxidants and drugs tested have included single agents as well as ‘cocktails’ consisting of several agents working at different key points in the injury cascade. Conclusions: There are several new testing methods as well as new strategies for attempting to ameliorate the damage inflicted upon reperfusion and this article is intended as a review of the assessment and treatment of IR injury.     

Susceptibility of canine, feline and human erythrocytes to oxidant-mediated injury

e relative susceptibilities of feline, canine and human erythrocytes to in vitro hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation and hemolysis were studied. At 15 minutes following exposure to hydrogen peroxide, cat erythrocytes had higher concentrations of lipid peroxidation by-products and a greater percent hemolysis as compared to dogs and humans. Erythrocytes from cats with induced sterile abscesses had lower concentrations of the antioxidant glutathione, but they did not have detectable concentrations of lipid peroxides nor were they more susceptible to in vitro lipid peroxidation or hemolysis.     

Ischemia–reperfusion injury pathophysiology, part I

Objective: To review the current scientific literature on ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in both human and veterinary medicine. To describe the normal antioxidant defense mechanisms, the pathophysiology of IR injury, and the role of neutrophils in IR injury. Data sources: Data sources include scientific reviews and original research publications in both human and veterinary medicine. Summary: IR injury is a complex pathophysiological process involving numerous pathways and body systems. Normal antioxidant defense mechanisms function to limit oxidative injury during times of health. Ischemia is the period that occurs before oxygenated blood is re‐introduced and the severity of injury has been shown to correlate with the magnitude and length of ischemia in dogs. During ischemia, there is a buildup of substances (i.e., xanthine oxidase, hypoxanthine, etc.) that, upon re‐introduction of oxygen, form reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS, produced in large part upon reperfusion, can cause extensive damage to DNA, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Although mammalian systems are endowed with abundant antioxidant defenses, the generation of large amounts of ROS can overwhelm these mechanisms leading to cell dysfunction and death. Neutrophils play a critical role in IR injury and may mediate the majority of mucosal and microvascular injury that occurs by releasing ROS and proteolytic enzymes. Although experimental studies have been carried out on cats, dogs, and horses there are few clinical studies on companion animals. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of IR injury is complex and involves damage by ROS to all biological membranes. Neutrophils play a major role in IR injury and initiate and propogate much of the damage. This article is intended as a review of the pathophysiology of IR injury.     

The role of glutamate, calcium and magnesium in secondary brain injury

Objective: To review the roles that glutamate, calcium and magnesium play in both normal brain function and in the events following traumatic brain injury. Human data synthesis: Elevated extracellular brain glutamate levels have been well documented in humans following traumatic brain injury. Therapies focusing on glutamate receptor antagonists have not yet been shown to have clinical effectiveness significant enough to outweigh the side effects. Newer strategies are currently being explored focusing on the many secondary cellular cascades interacting to culminate in cell injury and death. Veterinary data synthesis: Derangements in glutamate, calcium and magnesium have been well documented in animals following traumatic brain injury. Research studies using animal models other than small laboratory animals such as rats, mice and rabbits are very limited. Prospective veterinary clinical trials in dogs and cats are needed to determine the potential success that various therapeutic strategies might have in the field of small animal emergency and critical care medicine. Conclusions: Alterations in the levels of glutamate, calcium and magnesium play a critical role in secondary brain injury. The future development of clinically‐tolerated and effective antagonists of glutamate, glutamate receptors, and other downstream mediators has the potential to revolutionize the therapy of traumatic brain injured patients.     

Preliminary study to examine the utility of using foot burn or hock burn to assess aspects of housing conditions for broiler chicken

1. Eleven broiler chicken farms, representing 4 production system types, were visited during the last 5 d of the flock cycle: bird and flock details were recorded. Litter friability was assessed at 9 sites within the house, atmospheric ammonia was measured at three sites and bird cleanliness was assessed on a numerical rating scale. 2. For these flocks, hock burn, foot burn and breast burn were measured at the processing plant by standardised assessors. 3. Significant correlations were identified between the percentage of birds with foot burn and average litter score, average house ammonia concentrations and feather score. 4. No correlation was found between the percentage of birds with hock burn or breast burn and average litter scores, average ammonia concentrations or feather score. 5. No correlation was found between stocking density and foot burn, hock burn or breast burn.6. If confirmed, these findings may have implications for the draft EU Broiler Directive, for which it is proposed that permitted stocking density on farm may be determined by the incidence and severity of contact dermatitis measured on plant.