Use and reliability of the Delvo-P-test

The Delvo-P-test (Gist-brocades nr, Delft, The Netherlands) is based on biological detection of antibiotics in the milk. According to the procedure of the manufacture the test is suited for bulk milk processing factories. Problems arise when the test is used on milk samples of a single cow. Buffers, cells, bacteria, cell contents, and desinfection without using antibiotics may give false positive and false negative results. An error up to 44.8% was detected on single cow milk samples. The test is well suited for bulk milk, where the processing of milk follows a biological procedure as for cheese. The use on single cow milk samples to prove absence of antibiotics is not recommended.     

Radiation synovectomy with holmium-166 ferric hydroxide macroaggregate in equine metacarpophalangeal and metatarsophalangeal joints

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of radiation synovectomy (RSYN) with holmium-166 ferric hydroxide macroaggregate (Ho-166 FHMA) on synovium and synovial fluid in normal metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal joints of horses and to determine intraarticular distribution of radioactivity after Ho-166 FHMA treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Either Ho-166 FHMA or nonradioactive Ho-165 FHMA was injected into metacarpo- or metatarsophalangeal joints. ANIMALS: Six adult mixed-breed horses without any clinical evidence of metacarpo- or metatarsophalangeal joint disease. METHODS: Joints were injected with a single high dose of Ho-166 FHMA (mean, 1,000 MBq/joint) or a nonradioactive Ho-165 FHMA preparation (controls). Clinical examination, arthroscopy, synovial fluid analyses, and histologic studies were performed to detect effects of RSYN. Scintigraphy was used to localize intraarticular distribution of Ho-166 FHMA. RESULTS: Ho-166 FHMA treatment induced joint inflammation leading to regional edema, effusion, and scar tissue formation. Scintigraphy revealed the highest intensity of radioactivity in the proximal plantar joint pouch, at which the Ho-166 FHMA treatment caused multifocal necrosis. In the dorsal joint pouch, however, arthroscopic study and histologic analysis showed very little effect of RSYN. There was no regeneration of synovium evident within 2 months. Synovial fluid protein concentration was significantly (P <.01) elevated, and some residual radioactivity remained for 5 days after Ho-166 FHMA injection. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of a single high dose of Ho-166 FHMA caused multifocal necrosis of synovium and deep, soft-tissue injury in equine fetlock joints. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Inflamed equine joints with synovial lining hyperplasia could benefit from Ho-166 FHMA-induced radiation synovectomy if excessive scar tissue formation can be avoided.     

Accuracy of heart rate obtained by auscultation in atrial fibrillation

The accuracy of heart rate estimation by cardiac auscultation over a 15-second period, and the influence of clinical experience on accuracy were evaluated in a dog with chronic atrial fibrillation by test subjects of varying experience. Only 30% of all test subjects provided accurate heart rate estimates. Board-certified specialists, medicine residents, and experienced nurses were significantly more accurate in their estimates than surgery residents and students. Accurate estimates were provided by 12.5% of surgery residents and students, as opposed to 64% of the other test subjects. Auscultatory estimates of heart rate in atrial fibrillation may be significantly inaccurate, and under some circumstances they may not provide a sound basis for making clinical decisions.     

Evaluation of the perioperative stress response in dogs administered medetomidine or acepromazine as part of the preanesthetic medication

OBJECTIVE: To compare the perioperative stress response in dogs administered medetomidine or acepromazine as part of the preanesthetic medication. ANIMALS: 42 client-owned dogs that underwent elective ovariohysterectomy. PROCEDURE: Each dog was randomly allocated to receive medetomidine and butorphanol tartrate (20 microgram/kg and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively, IM) or acepromazine maleate and butorphanol (0.05 and 0.2 mg/kg, respectively, IM) for preanesthetic medication. Approximately 80 minutes later, anesthesia was induced by administration of propofol and maintained by use of isoflurane in oxygen. Each dog was also given carprofen before surgery and buprenorphine after surgery. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, and beta-endorphin were measured at various stages during the perioperative period. In addition, cardiovascular and clinical variables were monitored. RESULTS: Concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol were significantly lower for dogs administered medetomidine. Concentrations of beta-endorphin did not differ between the 2 groups. Heart rate was significantly lower and mean arterial blood pressure significantly higher in dogs administered medetomidine, compared with values for dogs administered acepromazine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that for preanesthetic medications, medetomidine may offer some advantages over acepromazine with respect to the ability to decrease perioperative concentrations of stress-related hormones. In particular, the ability to provide stable plasma catecholamine concentrations may help to attenuate perioperative activation of the sympathetic nervous system.     

Facet joint geometry and intervertebral disk degeneration in the L5-S1 region of the vertebral column in German Shepherd dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the possible association between facet joint geometry and intervertebral disk degeneration in German Shepherd Dogs. ANIMALS: 25 German Shepherd Dogs and 11 control dogs of similar body weight and condition. PROCEDURE: Facet joint angles in the caudal portion of the lumbar region of the vertebral column (L5-S1) were measured by use of computed tomography, and the intervertebral discs were evaluated microscopically. The relationship between facet joint geometry and disk degeneration was evaluated by use of statistical methods. RESULTS: German Shepherd Dogs had significantly more facet joint tropism than control dogs, but an association with disk degeneration was not found. However, German Shepherd Dogs had a different facet joint conformation, with more sagittally oriented facet joints at L5-L6 and L6-L7 and a larger angle difference between the lumbar and lumbosacral facet joints, compared with control dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A large difference between facet joint angles at L6-L7 and L7-S1 in German Shepherd Dogs may be associated with the frequent occurrence of lumbosacral disk degeneration in this breed.     

Use of human intravenous immunoglobulin in dogs with primary immune mediated hemolytic anemia

Immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) in dogs is a severe disease with a high mortality rate. As human immunoglobulin (HIG) was reported to be beneficial for the treatment of IMHA in dogs we examined the influence of HIG on the course of the disease in our dogs with IMHA. Of 22 dogs with primary IMHA 9 dogs received in addition to routine immunosuppressive therapy HIG at a dose of 0.19 to 0.68 g/kg (median 0.35 g/kg), 13 dogs did not receive HIG (-HIG group). Both groups were similar in terms of age, weight, the presence of autoagglutination, spherocytosis, positive Coombs' test, icterus and pigmenturia. The lowest hematocrit measured during the disease was significantly lower in the +HIG group compared to the -HIG group and dogs in the +HIG group received significantly more transfusions than those of the -HIG group. This is an indication for more severe disease signs of the +HIG group dogs. Although mortality during hospitalization and the time from hospital admission to release or death was not significantly different between the two groups, we interpret this similar course of the IMHA despite more severe signs of the +HIG group dogs as a potential positive effect of the HIG therapy.