Two techniques for supplementing interlocking nail repair of fractures of the humerus, femur, and tibia: results in 12 dogs and cats

OBJECTIVE: To describe 2 devices for improving stabilization of inadequately stabilized interlocking nail (ILN) repairs of the humerus, tibia, and femur in dogs and cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Twelve client-owned dogs and cats. METHODS: Two devices to further stabilize ILN repair of inadequately stabilized diaphyseal fractures were developed. Device 1 was an axial extension for the ILN that was connected to a conventional type I external skeletal fixator (ESF) with a short connecting bar. Device 2 had hybrid ILN bolt/ESF pins that were used to lock the ILN and serve as the pins for a type I ESF. Devices were used at the initial surgery when the stability of ILN repair was considered inadequate based on palpable fracture segment movement, insufficient medullary canal filling of the ILN at the fracture site, or when the ILN was used in a buttress mode. Outcome was obtained by recheck examinations, radiography, and telephone interview. RESULTS: Device 1 was applicable to fractures of the humerus and femur, but was not used for fractures of the tibia because the ILN extension would have interfered with the stifle. No gross loosening of the ILN/ESF extension connection to the ILN occurred. Device 2 was easily placed and used in the humerus, femur, and tibia. Device 2 allowed removal of the ILN interlock to one or both main fracture segments non-invasively. Clinically, both devices added stability compared with ILN repair alone. Both devices facilitated controlled destabilization of the fracture repair as healing progressed. Complications of pin tract infection, and premature hybrid bolt/ESF pin loosening resulting in premature ESF removal each occurred in 1 patient. Four of 28 hybrid ILN/ESF pins were grossly loose at 4- or 6-week postoperative recheck examinations. Outcomes were excellent (9), good (1), fair (1), and poor (1). CONCLUSIONS: Inadequately stabilized ILN repair of fractures can be stabilized by use of either device, both of which also permit controlled destabilization of the repair during healing. Device 2 can be used when non-invasive removal of the ILN interlock is desired during healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These 2 devices should be considered as alternative methods for stabilization of inadequately stabilized ILN repairs in dogs and cats, or when controlled destabilization of an ILN fracture repair is desired.     

Effects of dietary lysine and energy density on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs fed ractopamine

Two hundred sixteen crossbred barrows and gilts (84.3 kg BW) were used to test the effects of dietary energy density and lysine:energy ratio (Lys:ME) on the performance, carcass characteristics, and pork quality of finishing pigs fed 10 ppm ractopamine. Pigs were blocked by BW and gender, allotted to 36 pens (six pigs per pen), and pens were assigned randomly within blocks to dietary treatments (as-fed basis) arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial design, with two levels of energy (3.30 or 3.48 Mcal/kg) and three Lys:ME (1.7, 2.4, or 3.1 g lysine/Mcal) levels. Pigs were fed experimental diets for 28 d, and weights and feed disappearance were recorded weekly to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. Upon completion of the feeding trial, pigs were slaughtered and carcass data were collected before fabrication. During carcass fabrication, hams were analyzed for lean composition using a ham electrical conductivity (TOBEC) unit, and loins were collected, vacuum-packaged, and boxed for pork quality data collection. Energy density had no (P > 0.22) effect on ADG or ADFI across the entire 28-d feeding trial; however, pigs fed 3.48 Mcal of ME were more (P < 0.02) efficient than pigs fed 3.30 Mcal of ME. In addition, ADG and G:F increased linearly (P < 0.01) as Lys:ME increased from 1.7 to 3.1 g/Mcal. Carcasses of pigs fed 3.48 Mcal of ME were fatter at the last lumbar vertebrae (P < 0.08) and 10th rib (P < 0.04), resulting in a lower (P < 0.03) predicted fat-free lean yield (FFLY). Conversely, 10th-rib fat thickness decreased linearly (P = 0.02), and LM depth (P < 0.01) and area (P < 0.01) increased linearly, with increasing Lys:ME. Moreover, FFLY (P < 0.01) and actual ham lean yield (P < 0.01) increased as Lys:ME increased in the diet. Dietary energy density had no (P > 0.19) effect on pork quality, and Lys:ME did not (P > 0.20) affect muscle pH, drip loss, color, and firmness scores. Marbling scores, as well as LM lipid content, decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as Lys:ME increased from 1.7 to 3.1 g/Mcal. There was a linear (P < 0.01) increase in shear force of cooked LM chops as Lys:ME increased in the finishing diet. Results indicate that 3.30 Mcal of ME/kg (as-fed basis) is sufficient for optimal performance and carcass leanness in pigs fed ractopamine. The Lys:ME for optimal performance and carcass composition seems higher than that currently used in the swine industry; however, feeding very high Lys:ME (> 3.0 g/Mcal, as-fed basis) to ractopamine-fed pigs may result in decreased marbling and cooked pork tenderness.     

Effects of supplemental protein type on intake, nitrogen balance, and site, and extent of digestion in whiteface wethers consuming low-quality grass hay

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of supplementing ruminally degradable intake protein (DIP) or ruminally undegradable intake protein (UIP) on N balance (Exp. 1; n = 6 wethers; initial BW = 48.7 +/- 4.6 kg) and site and extent of digestion (Exp. 2; n = 5 wethers; initial BW = 36.9 +/- 3.1 kg) in whiteface wethers consuming (as-fed basis) 69% blue grama and 31% love grass hay (mixture = 7.5% CP, 73.0% NDF, 36.0% ADF [DM basis]). Treatments were 1) no supplement (Control), 2) a supplement (219 g/d, as-fed basis) low in UIP (70 g/d of CP; 24.8 g/d of UIP), and 3) a supplement (219 g/d, as-fed basis) high in UIP (70 g/d of CP; 37.1 g/d of UIP). Both experiments were replicated 3 x 3 Latin square designs, with identical feeding and supplementation. Wethers had ad libitum access to the forage mixture and fresh water, and received supplement once daily. In Exp.1, forage intake (percentage of BW) was greatest (P = 0.04) for control, but total DMI (g/d) was greatest (P = 0.05) for lambs consuming supplement. Apparent total-tract OM digestibility was numerically greater (P = 0.11) for supplemented wethers than for controls, whereas total-tract ADF digestibility tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for control wethers. Lambs fed supplements consumed and retained more (P < or = 0.01) N (% of N intake) compared with controls, but no difference (P = 0.22) was observed between low and high UIP treatments. Similar to Exp. 1, forage intake (percentage of BW) tended (P = 0.06) to be greater for control than for supplemented wethers in Exp. 2. Ruminal NDF digestibility was 16.3% greater (P = 0.02) for supplemented wethers than for controls. Postruminal NDF and N digestibilities were greatest (P < or = 0.03) for controls, but apparent OM digestibility did not differ among treatments at all sites. Duodenal N flow was greatest (P = 0.05) for high UIP and least for control wethers. Nonmicrobial N flow was greater (P = 0.02) for high UIP compared with low UIP or controls. Control wethers had greater (P = 0.05) microbial efficiency. Ruminal ammonia concentration tended (P = 0.08) to be greatest for wethers fed low UIP and least for controls, with high-UIP wethers having intermediate ammonia concentrations. Results from these experiments suggest that in lambs fed low-quality forage there was no difference in apparent total-tract digestion or N balance (percentage of N intake) between lambs fed supplements that had the same CP but differed in the proportion of UIP and DIP; however, supplementing protein (regardless of UIP:DIP ratio) to wethers consuming low-quality forage increased N balance.     

P‐36 Juvenile idiopathic nasal scaling in three Bengal cats

Affected cats were three Bengals, one male and two females, whose age at onset of lesions ranged from 13‐ to 20‐weeks old. Nasal planum scaling progressed to thick crusting, consequent exfoliation and exposure of underlying erosions. No signs of pruritus or pain were present but mild respiratory signs were noticed. In all cats, haematology and biochemistry were normal, they were FIV and FeLV negative, PCR for herpesvirus, calicivirus and Chlamydia were negative, and viral isolation for calicivirus and herpesvirus was negative. Wood's lamp examination was negative, as were bacterial and fungal cultures. Cytology showed exfoliating keratinocytes. A skin biopsy taken from one case showed no significant changes. Biopsies from the nasal planum of four dead cats with nondermatological conditions (controls) were collected for comparative studies. Morphometry to record the percentage of the granular layer (GL) and stratum corneum (SC) on the total thickness of the epidermis of the nasal planum was performed. The GL and SC accounted for 10.2 and 21.7% of the epidermal thickness in the affected cat, compared to 18.3 and 20.2%, respectively, in the controls. A significant reduction (P < 0.02) of the SC thickness was detected in the affected cat compared to controls. No treatment was instituted as all cats underwent complete (two cats) or nearly complete (one cat) resolution. The reported cases share the same breed, age at onset, type of lesions and a similar outcome. A reduction of the SC thickness in one of the affected cats was recorded. Therefore, an underlying congenital condition is suspected that manifests with high epidermal cell turnover and normal keratinization. Funding: Self‐funded.     

Daily and alternate day supplementation of urea or biuret to ruminants consuming low-quality forage: I. Effects on cow performance and the efficiency of nitrogen use in wethers

Two experiments were conducted to determine the influence of supplemental nonprotein N (NPN) provided daily (D) or every other day (2D) on ruminant performance and N efficiency. Treatments included an unsupplemented control (CON) and a urea (28.7% CP) or biuret (28.6% CP) supplement provided D or 2D at 0700. In Exp. 1, five wethers (39 +/- 1 kg BW) were used in an incomplete 5 x 4 Latin square with four 24-d periods to determine the influence of supplemental NPN source and supplementation frequency (SF) on the efficiency of N use in lambs consuming low-quality grass straw (4% CP). The amount of CP supplied by each supplement was approximately 0.10% of BW/d (averaged over a 2-d period). In Exp. 2, 80 Angus x Hereford cows (540 +/- 8 kg BW) in the last third of gestation were used to determine the effect of NPN source and SF on cow performance. The NPN treatments were formulated to provide 90% of the estimated degradable intake protein requirement. The supplemented treatments received the same amount of supplemental N over a 2-d period; therefore, the 2D treatments received double the quantity of supplemental N on their respective supplementation day than the D treatments. In Exp. 1, total DM, OM, and N intake; DM, OM, and N digestibility; N balance; and digested N retained were greater (P < 0.03) for supplemented than for CON wethers, with no difference (P > 0.05) between NPN sources or SF. Plasma urea-N (PUN) was increased with N supplementation compared with CON (P < 0.01), and urea treatments had greater PUN than biuret (P < 0.01). In addition, PUN was greater (P = 0.02) for D than for 2D treatments. In Exp. 2, pre- and postcalving (within 14 d and 24 h after calving, respectively) cow weight and body condition score change were more positive (P < 0.05) for supplemented groups than for CON. These results suggest that supplements containing urea or biuret as the primary source of supplemental N can be effectively used by lambs and cows consuming low-quality forage, even when provided every other day.     

Preweaning efficiency for mature cows of breed crosses from tropically adapted Bos indicus and Bos taurus and unadapted Bos taurus breeds

Production data were collected on mature cows produced by mating Angus and Hereford (pooled AH), Brahman (Bh) and Boran (Br), and Tuli, a tropically adapted Bos taurus, sires by AI or natural service to Angus and Hereford cows. These cows were mated to Charolais bulls for the purpose of this study. Within each sire breed of cow, cows were assigned randomly to one of three feeding rates, 49 or 76 g of DMI/ BW0.75 or ad libitum (10 to 12 cows/feeding rate group), with weekly individual animal feed consumption recorded. Lactation yields were recorded via the weigh-suckle-weigh protocol at approximately 14, 28, 56, 84, 112, 140, 168, and 196 d postpartum for each cow/calf pair. Means for milk yield at peak lactation, total milk yields, calf birth weight, age-adjusted weaning weights, preweaning daily gain, and feed efficiency were estimated. Peak yield (kg/d) for Bh (10.3 +/- 0.36) was greater (P < 0.05) than for Tuli (9.0 +/- 0.31). Total yield (kg, 212 d) for Bh (1802 +/- 68) was greater (P < 0.05) than for Tuli (1532 +/- 59). Birth weight of AH (44 +/- 0.9) was heavier than for Bh and Br (P < 0.05). Preweaning daily calf gain (g/d) and adjusted weaning weight (kg) of Bh (813 +/- 28, 212 +/- 6.1) and Br (766 +/- 24, 202 +/- 5.1) differed (P < 0.05) from AH (589 +/- 24, 169 +/- 5.2) and Tuli (634 +/- 24, 176 +/- 5.3). Efficiency estimates (grams of adjusted weaning weight/kilograms DMI of the cow) for Bh (88 +/- 2.5) and Br (85 +/- 2.1) exceeded (P < 0.05) those for Tuli (74 +/- 2.1) and AH (73 +/- 2.1). Bos indicus breed crosses exhibited greater peak and total yield, lower birth weight, greater daily gain and adjusted weaning weight, and higher feed efficiency than did Bos taurus breed crosses (P < 0.05). Total yield, daily gain, adjusted weaning weight, and feed efficiency were higher (P < 0.05) for cows sired by bulls from tropically adapted breeds, and the peak yield was less (P < 0.10). Tuli exhibited lower total yield and birth weight than did Angus/Hereford (P < 0.05). The efficiency of crossbred Tuli cows did not differ from Angus/Hereford F1 females, but neither equaled the efficiency of crossbred cows produced using Bos indicus breeds.     

Effects of feeding blends of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on brain regional neurochemistry of starter pigs and broiler chickens

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of feeding a blend of grains naturally contaminated with Fusarium mycotoxins on brain regional neurochemistry of starter pigs and broiler chickens. A polymeric glucomannan mycotoxin adsorbent (GM polymer) was also tested for its efficacy in preventing Fusarium mycotoxicoses. In Exp. 1, a total of 150 starter pigs (initial weight = 9.3+/-1.1 kg) were fed five diets (six pens of five pigs per diet) for 21 d. Diets (as-fed basis) included control, 17% contaminated grains, 24.5% contaminated grains, 24.5% contaminated grains + 0.2% GM polymer, and a pair-fed control for comparison with pigs receiving 24.5% contaminated grains. In Exp. 2,360 1-d-old male broiler chicks were fed for 56 d one of four diets containing the same source of contaminated grains as was fed to pigs. The diets included control, 37% contaminated grains, 58% contaminated grains, and 58% contaminated grains + 0.2% GM polymer (as fed). Neurotransmitter concentrations in the cortex, hypothalamus, and pons were analyzed by HPLC. The following brain neurotransmitter alterations (P < or = 0.05) were observed. In pigs, inclusion of contaminated grains in the diet 1) linearly increased cortex 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT, serotonin) concentrations, while linearly decreasing hypothalamic tryptophan concentrations; 2) quadratically increased hypothalamic and pons 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA):5HT ratios, whereas the ratio decreased linearly in the cortex; and 3) linearly increased the ratio of hypothalamic 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid:dopamine (DA) concentrations, whereas hypothalamic norepinephrine (NRE) and pons DA and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations linearly decreased. In broiler chickens, inclusion of contaminated grains in the diet 1) linearly increased concentrations of 5HT and 5HIAA in the pons and 5HT concentrations in the cortex; 2) linearly decreased 5HIAA:5HT ratio; and 3) linearly increased pons NRE, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol, DA, and HVA concentrations. Supplementation of GM polymer to the contaminated diet decreased (P < 0.05) 5HT and 5HIAA concentrations in the cortex of pigs. It was concluded that the differences in alterations of brain neurochemistry might explain the species differences in the severity of Fusarium mycotoxin-induced feed refusal.