Contribution to the morphology and biochemistry of mustelide blood. 1. Blood specimen collection in various mustelides with special reference to the use of the tissue adhesive "Fimomed"]

An account is given of various techniques of blood sampling in the context of certain mustelids, including cardiopuncture, amputation of tail tip, talon cutting, incision of the ear vein, puncture of the jugular or femoral vein, and catheterisation of the abdominal aorta. Reference is made to details of use of all techniques, characteristics, advantages and potential setbacks, and preferable use of some of the tested methods to collect blood from mustela and martes species. Blood collection from the abdominal aorta may be helpful in obtaining no-haemolysis and no-additive plasma for biochemical multi-screening. Biochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological follow-up checks may be feasible under certain conditions following surgical exposure of the external jugular vein. The use of "Fimomed" (n-butylcyano-acrylate), a tissue adhesive, may help to reduce effort in terms of time and material and consequently, rationalise veterinary hygiene action as a whole, provided that the conditions for its application are observed. The skin adhesive is properly applicable to skin lesions of mustelids. A combination of suturing with adhesive should be used to close laparotomy wounds for better mechanical strength of the abdominal wall. Possible applications of "Fimomed" should be tested with other species as well.     

Computed tomography of the lungs of Indian pythons (Python molurus)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) for detection of pneumonia in snakes. ANIMALS: 8 clinically normal Indian pythons (Python molurus) and 5 pythons with evidence of respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES: Preliminary examinations (clinical examination, conventional radiography, and microbiologic examination of a transtracheal wash sample) were performed. The lungs of each snake were then examined by use of CT performed in accordance with a standardized protocol. Structures of the lungs were assessed, and thickness and attenuation of the parenchyma were determined. RESULTS: It was possible to assess lung parenchyma in all pythons. Mean +/- SD attenuation in healthy pythons was -744.4 +/- 47.1 Hounsfield units. Significant differences were not evident between the right and left lungs or among measurement areas within a lung. In all Indian pythons with clinical signs of dyspnea and microbiologic detection of pathogens, hyperattenuation of the alveolar tissue was evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the results revealed the benefit of CT for use in the diagnosis of pneumonia in snakes. A standardized protocol and reference values were established as a basis for CT assessment of the lungs of snakes.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion of ivermectin (Eqvalan paste) and doramectin (Dectomax, 1%) following oral administration in donkeys

Ivermectin (IVM- Eqvalan paste, 1.87%) and doramectin (DRM-Dectomax 1%) were each administered orally to donkeys at 200 microgkg(-1) bodyweight. Blood and faecal samples were collected at predetermined times over 30 days and plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion determined. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of IVM (23.6 ngml(-1)) and DRM (33.9 ngml(-1)) were obtained at (t(max)) 19.2 and 24h, respectively. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) of DRM (228.9 ngdayml(-1)) was significantly larger than that of IVM (119.3 ngdayml(-1)) and mean residence time (MRT) was 6.5 days for IVM and 9.1days for DRM. The highest (dry weight) faecal concentrations (9.33 microgg(-1) - IVM, 12.12 microgg(-1) - DRM) were detected at 55.9 and 48.0 h, respectively and each compound was detected (0.05 microgg(-1)) in faeces between 11h and 9 days following oral administration in donkeys.     

Metastatic transmissible venereal tumour in dogs

This report presents six cases of canine transmissible venereal tumour (TVT) in the genital organs with metastasis to extragenital locations. These extragenital sites were the skin, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, liver and lung. Foci of metastasis were found in six different organs in one case, two organs in another case and one organ in the remaining four cases. Multiple tumour nodules were, however, found in certain organs such as the skin and spleen. The extragenital tumours were identified as TVT on the basis of their histological similarity to the primary genital tumours. Metastasis appeared to be mainly by lymphatic pathways and by oral implantation. Résumé. Ce rapport présente six cas de tumeur vénérienne transmissible (TVT) dans les organes génitaux avec métastase aux endroits extragénitaux. Ces endroits extragénitaux étaient la peau, les nouds lymphatiques, la rate, les amygdales, le foie et les poumons. Des foyers de métastase ont été trouvés dans six organes différents dans un cas, dans deux organes dans un autre cas et dans un organe dans les quatre cas restant. On a, cependant, trouvé des tumeurs multi-nodulaires dans certains organes tels que la peau et la rate. Les tumeurs extragénitales ont été identifiées comme TVT en se basant sur leur similarité histologique aux tumeurs génitales primaires. La métastase semblait ětre principalement par voies lymphatiques et par implantation orale. Zusammenfassung. Dieser Bericht stellt sechs Fǎlle dar von ùbertragbar venerischem Hunde-Tumor (TVT) in den Geschlechtsorganen mit Métastase an extragenitalen Stellen. Dièse extragenitalen Stellen waren die Haut, Lymphknoten, Milz, Mandeln, Leber und Lunge. Herden von Metastasen fand man in sechs verschiedenen Organen in einem Fall, zwei Organen in einem anderen Fall und in einem Organ in den ùbrigen vier Fǎllen. Zahlreiche Tumorknǒtchen (Noduli) wurden jedoch in gewissen Organen wie Haut und Milz gefunden. Die extragenitalen Tumoren waren als TVT identifiziert auf Grund ihrer histologischen ǎhnlichkeit mit den primaren Geschlechtstumoren. Metastasen traten hauptsàchlich durch lymphatische Bahnen und durch orale Einpflanzung ein.