Long‐Term Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports in Dogs and Cats Receiving Chemotherapy

Introduction:  We evaluated the totally implantable subcutaneous vascular access port (VAP) in 16 cancer patients undergoing intermittent chemotherapy for more than 30 months.
Methods:  Ports were surgically placed (The CompanionPort, Norfolk Vet Products, Skokie, Illinois 60076) in the jugular vein of 12 dogs and 4 cats between 1/2002 and 7/2004. Body weight determined polyurethane catheter size (4, 5, 7 fr.). The polysulfone port, surrounded by titanium, was anchored to subcutaneous tissue in the dorsolateral neck and confirmed with C‐arm fluoroscopy. All blood samples were obtained via VAP. Nine anticancer agents, other medications, crystalloids/colloids, and whole blood were administered. Ports were flushed every 4–5 weeks with heparinized saline solution (100 IU/ml). Removed catheters were submitted for bacteriology.
Results:  Seven of 16 animals are still alive. VAP were used for 1.5 to more than 30 months with 4–60 injections/port. Catheter tips were visualized from the left atrium distally into the caudal vena cava. Adverse events included post‐operative subcutaneous bruising and/or hematoma (4/16), difficult aspiration (4/16), catheter malposition (1/16), positional flushing (1/16), and occlusion requiring replacement (1/16). No thrombus formation or extravasation was evident. Bacterial colonization without signs of septicemia was observed in 3/4 catheters.
Conclusions:  VAP are an effective way of achieving long‐term venous access in the dog and cat. Complications are typically minor and infrequent.     

Pathological manifestations observed in dead-on-arrival broilers at a Danish abattoir

1. The mortality of broilers during pre-slaughter handling, including harvesting and transport, is an issue of increasing public concern which has led to the adoption of Council Directive EC/43/2007 implementing abattoir surveillance regarding the number of dead-on-arrival (DOA) broilers.

2. Pathological lesions and causes of death of DOA broilers at a Danish abattoir were investigated in a cross-sectional study comprising 300 DOA broilers (25 broilers from each of 12 randomly selected flocks). Major pathological manifestations of DOA broilers included severe pulmonary congestion (51.5%), lung congestion in combination with trauma (12.5%), trauma (10.2%), nephropathy accompanied by dehydration and/or discolouration (8.8%), morbus cordis (2.0%), septicaemia (1.7%) and suspected septicaemia (1.0%). Lung congestion accompanied by circulatory disturbances in other tissues was suggested to be due to suffocation.

3. Analyses of pathological diagnoses revealed that DOA broilers can be divided into two main categories, lung congestion and trauma, based on the chronicity of the lesions, both of which are primarily related to management and handling procedures. Most DOA broilers examined (74.2%) were estimated to have died as a consequence of events during pre-slaughter handling underlining the importance of increased focus on handling-related factors to reduce DOA rate.     

A retrospective study of pathologic findings in the Amazon and Orinoco river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in captivity.

River dolphins are especially susceptible to negative human impacts. For their conservation, attempts of relocation or procreation ex situ may become important in the future to avoid their extinction. Additional knowledge and medical experiences of river dolphin management in captivity may aid such conservation efforts. The medical records and necropsy and histopathology reports on 123 captive Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) were re-viewed. Of these 123 animals, 105 were necropsied and 70 necropsies were supported with histopathology. Eighteen animals were not necropsied. Among wild-born animals, mortality was highest in the first 2 mo immediately postcapture and transport, accounting for 32 of 123 deaths. Pneumonia and skin lesions (cutaneous and subcutaneous ulcerations and abscesses) were the most common findings, found in 44 of 105 (42%) and 38 of 105 (36%) of gross diagnoses, respectively. At least 10 of 44 cases of pneumonia diagnosed grossly included a verminous component. Cachexia, from a variety of causes, was a major gross finding in 21 animals. Fifteen animals had histologic evidence of significant renal pathology, and this was the primary cause of death in 13 cases. Hepatic pathology was found in 18 cases, and bacterial sepsis was confirmed via histology in 16 cases. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that keys to successful maintenance of this species include 1) prophylactic anthelminthic and antibiotic therapy immediately post-capture; 2) maintenance of animals in larger enclosures than in past attempts, in compatible groups, and in facilities capable of separating aggressive animals; 3) maintenance in microbiologically hygienic water quality at all times; and 4) a proactive program of preventive medicine during the immediate postcapture, quarantine, and maintenance period of captivity.     

A packed-bed filtration system for collection of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons

Information on the distribution and abundance of Myxobolus cerebralis triactinomyxons in natural systems is limited because direct and accurate sampling methods for this life stage have not been developed. Existing methods are based on indirect measures of triactinomyxon densities and are therefore confounded. Direct estimation of triactinomyxon concentrations would more exactly pinpoint the ambient infection risk to wild fish and allow evaluation of management strategies designed to mitigate the effects of the disease. We developed a mobile packed-bed filtration system that quickly, accurately, and precisely collects, concentrates, and quantifies triactinomyxons. The system includes pumping, prefiltration, two rounds of packed-bed filtration, and centrifugation. Laboratory tests of the completed system using known quantities of triactinomyxons resulted in a mean recovery rate of 91% with a minimum detectable concentration of triactinomyxons of 0.04/L. We subsequently field-tested the system at a site known to be positive for the parasite and recovered triactinomyxons at densities of 0.7-1.4/L. The packed-bed filtration system has the potential to quickly determine the temporal and spatial variation in infection risk and to test the efficacy of various management strategies.     

Influence of cobalt concentration on vitamin B12 production and fermentation of mixed ruminal microorganisms grown in continuous culture flow-through fermentors

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary concentrations of Co on vitamin B12 production and fermentation of mixed ruminal microbes grown in continuous culture fermentors. Four fermentors were fed 14 g of DM/d. The DM consisted of a corn and cottonseed hull-based diet with Co supplemented as CoCO3. Dietary treatments were 1) control (containing 0.05 mg of Co/kg of DM), 2) 0.05 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM, 3) 0.10 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM, and 4) 1.0 mg of supplemental Co/kg of DM. After a 3-d adjustment period, fermentors were sampled over a 3-d sampling period. This process was repeated 2 additional times for a total of 3 runs. Ruminal fluid vitamin B12 concentrations were affected by Co supplementation (P < 0.01), and there was a treatment x day interaction (P < 0.01). By sampling d 3, cultures fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.10 mg of Co/kg had greater (P < 0.05) vitamin B12 concentrations than those supplemented with 0.05 mg of Co/kg of DM, and increasing supplemental Co from 0.10 to 1.0 mg/kg of DM increased (P < 0.01) ruminal fluid vitamin B12 concentration. Ruminal fluid succinate also was affected (P < 0.10) by a treatment x day interaction. Cobalt supplementation to the control diet greatly decreased (P < 0.05) succinate in ruminal cultures on sampling d 3 but not on d 1 or 2. Molar proportions of acetate, propionate, and isobutyrate, and acetate:propionate were not affected by the addition of supplemental Co to the basal diet. However, molar proportions of butyrate, valerate, and isovalerate increased (P < 0.05) in response to supplemental Co. The majority of long-chain fatty acids observed in this study were not affected by Co supplementation. However, percentages of C18:0 fatty acids in ruminal cultures tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for Co-supplemented diets relative to the control. Methane, ammonia, and pH were not greatly affected by Co supplementation. The results indicate that a total (diet plus supplemental) Co concentration of 0.10 to 0.15 mg/kg of dietary DM resulted in adequate vitamin B12 production to meet the requirements of ruminal microorganisms fed a high-concentrate diet in continuous-flow fermentors.     

Frequency and risk factors for urinary tract infection in cats with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Identification and control of infections are important in the management of diabetic cats. Urinary tract infections have not been well characterized in diabetic cats. This retrospective study was performed to review and characterize urinary tract infections in diabetic cats. HYPOTHESIS: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats. ANIMALS: A review was made of the medical records of 141 diabetic cats that had had urine obtained for culture by antepubic cystocentesis and that had not been treated with antibiotics, undergone urinary tract catheterization or urinary tract surgery within 2 weeks of urine collection or had urethral obstruction at the time of urine collection. METHODS: A review of medical records. RESULTS: Urinary tract infection was identified in 18 of 141 diabetic cats. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (67%). Female cats were at increased risk (prevalence odds ratios [POR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 10.2; P = .013). Clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and findings on urine sediment examination were good predictors of positive urine cultures. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats regardless of status of diabetic control, suggesting routine monitoring with urine sediment exams or urine culture is warranted.     

Residues of fluoroquinolone drugs in the cloacal gland and other tissues of Japanese quail

1. In this study we investigated the residues of fluoroquinolone drugs (ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin) in the cloacal gland (a site of foam synthesis) and other tissues such as breast muscle, testes, brain, kidney and plasma. 2. Fifty-four healthy male Japanese quail were selected at random from a flock, maintained under uniform husbandry conditions and divided into three groups, each of 18 birds. Group I (control) received 1 ml vehicle (normal saline 0.9% (w/v) NaCl) daily for 12 d through the intraperitoneal route. Birds of groups II and III received ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin by the same route at the rate of 10 and 12 mg/kg body weight, respectively, every day for a similar period. 3. Birds from each group were killed, at 1, 5 and 10 d after the cessation of treatment, to collect the cloacal gland together with other tissues that were analysed for residual drugs. 4. Cloacal gland retained the maximum drug residues of ciprofloxacin (60%) and pefloxacin (80%) on d 10 compared with that on d 1 after drug withdrawal. The drug residues were found 60 and 80% in ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups, respectively, in the cloacal gland tissue even on d 10 after withdrawal of the treatment. 5. In the ciprofloxacin-treated group, all tissues except cloacal gland contained very small amounts of the drug residues on d 10 after treatment ended. In the pefloxacin group the cloacal gland, breast muscle and kidney retained a fairly high amount of drug even on d 10 after treatment ceased. No residues of pefloxacin were detectable in testes and brain throughout. 6. In conclusion, the cloacal gland in Japanese quail acted as the largest sink for the fluoroquinolone drugs. Ciprofloxacin was more widely distributed in different tissues and persisted for a shorter period than pefloxacin.     

Differences in polymorphonucleocyte function and local inflammatory response between horses and ponies

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Wound healing proceeds faster in ponies than in horses and complications during healing, such as wound infection, occur less frequently in ponies. Earlier studies suggested that this difference might be related to differences in the initial post traumatic inflammatory response. HYPOTHESIS: That polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) function and profiles of humoral factors in local inflammatory processes are different in horses and ponies. METHODS: PMNs were isolated from venous blood of horses and ponies. Chemotaxis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined. Tissue cages were implanted in limbs and necks of horses and ponies and injected with carrageenan and, 3 weeks later, with LPS. In sequential samples of inflammatory exudate, the numbers of macrophages and PMNs and the production of PGE2, TNFalpha, IL-1, IL-6 and chemoattractants were determined. RESULTS: In vitro ROS production of PMNs was significantly higher in ponies than in horses, whereas in vitro PMN chemotaxis was significantly lower in ponies. In the tissue cages for both stimuli, the production of IL-1 and chemoattractants was significantly higher in ponies than in horses and remained so towards the end of the observation period in ponies. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a higher production of various inflammatory mediators by pony leucocytes. Despite the lower in vitro chemotaxis of pony PMNs, this higher in vivo production resulted in a stronger initial inflammatory response in ponies, as has been reported in studies on wound healing, through the attraction of leucocytes and triggering of the production of other cytokines. A stronger initial inflammation may promote healing by more rapid elemination of contaminants and earlier transition to repair. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Modulation of the initial inflammatory response might therefore be a valid option for therapeutic intervention in cases of problematic wound healing. Further, the intraspecies differences in leucocyte function may have an impact on many fields in equine medicine.