Secure pacemaker fixation critical for prevention of Twiddler's syndrome

A two year old, female spayed border collie presented three weeks after permanent pacemaker implantation for weakness, lethargy and collapse. Electrocardiogram documented complete (3^rd degree) atrioventricular (AV) block, the absence of pacing and a ventricular escape rhythm. Thoracic radiographs revealed retraction and dislodgement of the passive fixation lead from the right ventricular apex. During a procedure to reposition the lead, it was noted that lead retraction had resulted from rotation of the generator with twisting and entanglement of the lead on itself and around the generator, a complication recognized in human patients as “Twiddlers syndrome”. The pacemaker lead was removed, a new lead securely placed at the right ventricular apex, and the generator was secured into a revised subcutaneous pocket. Pacing was re-established and the Twiddler's syndrome has not reoccurred.     

Effect of information on attitudes towards offshore marine finfish aquaculture development in northern New England

Abstract

Social science can make important contributions to understanding the prospects for offshore marine aquaculture development because many of the potential barriers that may restrict its development are social and institutional rather than biological or technical. This study collects baseline data on attitudes towards offshore marine aquaculture held by a key stakeholder group. It also investigates the influence of information on attitudes towards marine aquaculture. Data reported in this study were collected from visitors to a seafood festival in coastal New Hampshire. The formal objectives of this research were to determine what effect, if any, two‐sided information on the potential advantages and disadvantages of marine aquaculture has on attitudes towards marine aquaculture and how prior familiarity with aquaculture moderates the effect of information. The findings from this study indicate that two‐sided information has a negative effect on attitudes, especially among individuals who are unsure of their level of familiarity with the issue.     

Ammonia-oxidizing bacterial and archaeal communities in tropical bioaugmented zero water exchange shrimp production systems

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Ammonia oxidation is an important process in the removal of ammonia generated from feed and metabolic wastes in aquaculture systems. Considering the biogeochemical...     

The Effects of n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Bleeding Time, Plasma Fatty Acid Composition, and In Vitro Platelet Aggregation in Cats

Dietary supplementation with fish and fish oils rich in the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid ( EPA ) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been shown to alter eicosanoid metabolism and impair platelet function in several species. As an initial step in evaluating the antithrombotic effect of these n-3 fatty acids in cats, purified EPA and DHA were administered daily to 8 clinically normal cats for 2 months. Platelet function was evaluated biweekly by determining mucosal bleeding time and in vitro platelet aggregation parameters. Plasma fatty acid profiles were obtained before fish oil supplementation and at the termination of the study. In spite of significant increases ( P < .0001) in the plasma concentrations of EPA and DHA after n-3 fatty acid supplementation, there were no significant changes in platelet aggregation or bleeding times. Although it is tempting, based on extrapolation of data from other species, to recommend dietary supplementation with fish oil for cats prone to arterial thromboembolism, these results indicate that administration of large doses of purified EPA and DHA once daily does not inhibit platelet function in normal cats and is unlikely to prevent thrombosis in cats with cardiovascular disease. Additional studies are recommended to ascertain whether more frequent administration of these purified n-3 fatty acids or continual feeding of diets high in n-3 fatty acid content will impair platelet function.     

Comparison of effects of cimetidine and omeprazole on mechanically created gastric ulceration and on aspirin-induced gastritis in dogs.

A double-blind study was conducted to compare gastric ulcer healing time in nontreated dogs with that in dogs treated with either cimetidine or omeprazole. Single ulcers were created in the gastric antrum by use of a suction biopsy capsule. Each dog was given 25 mg of aspirin/kg of body weight orally for 20 days after ulcer induction. Five control dogs were given aspirin only (no anti-ulcer medication) during the 20-day study. Six dogs were given cimetidine at dosage of 10 mg/kg orally every 8 hours, and 6 dogs were given omeprazole orally at dosage of 2 mumol/kg (0.7 mg/kg) once daily. All dogs were examined endoscopically on days 5, 10, 15, and 20 and were given a score for the size of the mechanically created ulcer and a score for the degree of aspirin-induced gastritis. All dogs were euthanatized on day 21, and gastric lesions were examined histologically. Significant differences were not evident in ulcer healing scores or degree of aspirin-induced gastritis among treated and nontreated dogs on days 5, 10, 15, and 20. However, aspirin-induced gastritis was less severe in dogs of the omeprazole group than in dogs of the cimetidine or control group on each day observations were made. The effect of omeprazole given once daily was comparable with that of cimetidine given every 8 hours in lessening aspirin-induced gastritis.     

Chronic diarrhoea in a dog with regional granulomatous enteritis

A seven-year-old, male, intact samoyed with chronic diarrhoea was diagnosed as having a regional granulomatous enterocolitis confined primarily to the distal ileum and caecum. Radiographic and histopathological findings revealed that the most severe inflammatory changes involved the caecum. Long-term corticosteroid management, a short course of metronidazole, and a three-month period of treatment with azathioprine failed to adequately control the diarrhoea. Surgical resection of the caecum eventually helped resolve the condition.     

SPONTANEOUS PNEUMOPERITONEUM SUBSEQUENT TO GASTRIC VOLVULUS IN TWO DOGS

In two dogs spontaneous pneumoperitoneum developed following gastric volvulus. The pneumoperitoneum resulted from splenic necrosis and Klebsiella pneumoniae peritonitis in one and from a gastric perforation near the gastroesophageal junction in the other. The first dog was successfully treated by splenectomy, abdominal lavage, and systemic antibiotic therapy; the other was treated by closure of the perforation, tube gastrostomy, abdominal lavage, and systemic antibiotic therapy. One dog was euthanized four weeks after surgery because of metastatic cancer, and the other was euthanized six weeks after surgery due to recurrence of abdominal distention and peritonitis.