Dystocia in an injured common eastern long-necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis).

Dystocia in the class Reptilia is a common problem. In turtles, it is often difficult to distinguish between a normal gravid state and dystocia. This case report describes nonobstructive dystocia in a free-living freshwater chelonian, Chelodina longicollis, complicated by traumatic injuries to the head, bridge, and plastron. Medical treatment of the dystocia and external fixation of the facial injuries provided a successful outcome.     

Effects of intravenous butorphanol on cardiopulmonary function in isoflurane-anesthetized alpacas

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of intravenous (IV) butorphanol on the cardiopulmonary system and on the bispectral index (BIS) in isoflurane-anesthetized alpacas. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, blinded cross-over experimental trial. ANIMALS: Eight healthy, young (3 +/- 1 SD years) adult female alpacas weighing 64 +/- 9 SD kg. METHODS: Alpacas were anesthetized with isoflurane by mask followed by tracheal intubation and maintenance of anesthesia with isoflurane in oxygen and intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Animals were assigned to two treatments, butorphanol (0.1 mg kg(-1), IV) and saline (0.01 mL kg(-1), IV) in a randomized manner allowing a 2-week interval between treatments. Cardiovascular variables included systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP), central venous pressure, cardiac output, and pulmonary temperature (TEMP). Cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) were calculated. Bispectral index was also measured. Arterial and mixed venous blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis. All variables were recorded at baseline (time 0) and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes following injection and were analyzed by using repeated-measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). PAOP, PVR, and BIS were analyzed by paired t-tests. RESULTS: Butorphanol decreased SVR at all times when compared with the baseline, but no difference was detected between treatments. TEMP decreased with time in both treatments, but they were not different from each other. Other cardiovascular, BIS, and blood gas variables were not different between groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We conclude that butorphanol had minimal effects on the cardiovascular system of the alpacas, causing a mild decrease in SVR.     

Triple antimicrobial therapy and acid suppression in dogs with chronic vomiting and gastric Helicobacter spp

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a common cause of gastritis and peptic ulcers in humans. Many dogs, including those with gastritis and chronic vomiting, are infected with Helicobacter spp. HYPOTHESIS: Triple antimicrobial therapy will eradicate Helicobacter infection, improve gastritis, and reduce clinical signs. The addition of acid suppression medication will not improve results. ANIMALS: Twenty-four pet dogs with chronic vomiting and gastric Helicobacter spp. METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to triple antimicrobial therapy with or without famotidine. Gastroduodenoscopy was performed 4 weeks and 6 months after therapy. Helicobacter spp status was determined by histologic assessment of gastric mucosal biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Eradication rates for each treatment were not significantly different and combined were 75 and 42.9% at 4 weeks and 6 months, respectively. A greater improvement in gastritis scores occurred in dogs that became Helicobacter spp negative. Overall, the frequency of vomiting was reduced by 86.4%, but there were no differences between treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Eradication rates of Helicobacter spp with both treatments were not significantly different. Eradication rates at 6 months were modest, and more effective treatments should be developed. Acid suppression is not a necessary component of treatment protocols for dogs. Eradication of gastric Helicobacter spp was associated with improvement in gastritis scores. Dramatic reduction of the vomiting frequency occurred with both treatment protocols. Gastric Helicobacter spp may cause or contribute to chronic vomiting and gastritis in some dogs.     

Comparison of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes for antemortem diagnosis of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antemortem core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes could be used to distinguish between inflammation and lymphosarcoma in cattle. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 25 cattle with enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. PROCEDURES: Antemortem biopsies of the selected lymph nodes were performed with an 18-gauge, 12-cm core needle biopsy instrument. Fine-needle aspirates were performed with a 20-gauge, 4-cm needle. Specimens were analyzed by pathologists who were unaware of clinical findings and final necropsy findings, and specimens were categorized as reactive, neoplastic, or nondiagnostic for comparison with necropsy results. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of core needle biopsy ranged from 38% to 67% and from 80% to 25%, respectively. Sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration ranged from 41% to 53%, and specificity was 100%. Predictive values for positive test results ranged from 77% to 89% for core needle biopsy and were 100% for fine-needle aspiration. Predictive values for negative test results were low for both core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration can aid in the antemortem diagnosis of bovine enzootic lymphosarcoma. Results of fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes were more specific and more predictive for a positive test result than were results of core needle biopsy.     

The clinical utility of the right lateral intercostal ultrasound scan technique in dogs

When performing abdominal ultrasonography in dogs, the right aspect of the liver, porta hepatis, right kidney, right adrenal gland, pancreas, and duodenum are often not fully visible from a ventral, or subcostal, approach. The right lateral intercostal plane is an alternative approach that allows evaluation of these structures. This report provides multiple case examples that demonstrate the sonographic anatomy via the right intercostal approach. Other cases are included to demonstrate indications for this approach. Animals in which the right intercostal approach may prove most useful include large- and giant-breed dogs; deep-chested dogs; dogs with gas distention of the stomach, duodenum, and colon; dogs with microhepatia; and those with abdominal effusion and pain.     

Metastatic immune infiltrates correlate with those of the primary tumour in canine osteosarcoma

Our lack of understanding of the immune microenvironment in canine osteosarcoma (cOSA) has limited the identification of potential immunotherapeutic targets. In particular, our ability to utilize readily available tissue from a dog's primary tumour to predict the type and extent of immune response in their pulmonary metastatic lesions is unknown. We, therefore, collected 21 matched pairs of primary tumours and pulmonary metastatic lesions from dogs with OSA and performed immunohistochemistry to quantify T‐lymphocyte (CD3), FOXP3+ cell, B‐lymphocyte (Pax‐5), and CD204+ macrophage infiltration. We found that T‐lymphocytes and FOXP3+ infiltrates in primary tumours positively correlated with that of metastatic lesions (ρ = 0.512, P = 0.038 and ρ = 0.698, P = 0.007, respectively), while a strong trend existed for CD204+ infiltrates (ρ = 0.404, P = 0.087). We also observed T‐ and B‐lymphocytes, and CD204+ macrophages to be significantly higher in a dog's pulmonary metastasis compared to their primary tumour (P = 0.018, P = 0.018, P = 0.016, respectively), while FOXP3+ cells were only significantly higher in metastases when all primary tumour and metastasis lesions were compared without pairing (P = 0.036). Together, these findings suggest that the metastatic immune microenvironment may be influenced by that of the primary cOSA, and that primary tumour immune biomarkers could potentially be applied to predict immunotherapeutic responses in gross metastatic disease. We, therefore, provide a rationale for the treatment of cOSA pulmonary metastases with immunotherapeutics that enhance the anti‐tumour activity of these immune cells, particularly in dogs with moderate to high immune cell infiltration in their primary tumours.     

Smoke Water and Heat Shock Influence Germination of Shortgrass Prairie Species

Smoke or heat from fire can act as a cue that affects seed germination. We examined germination responses of 10 plant species (six forbs, two shrubs, two grasses) native to the southern High Plains in the United States, to smoke, heat, and their interaction in a laboratory experiment. Smoke treatments were applied by soaking seeds in 1∶5, 1∶10, or 1∶100 (v/v) Regen 2000® smoke solution for 20 h. Heat treatments were applied by placing seeds in an oven at 50°C or 80°C for 5 min. Nine species responded to smoke, heat, or both. Results showed that smoke can enhance, inhibit, or not affect seed germination. Germination capacities of Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby and Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. were promoted by 1∶5 and 1∶100 dilutions of smoke water, respectively; Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt., G. sarothrae, Salvia reflexa Hornem., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler, and Panicum virgatum L. were inhibited by high and/or moderate concentrations of smoke water either in germination percentage or in mean germination time. Germination percentage of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. increased following an 80°C heat treatment. Interaction effects between smoke and heat on germination also were detected. Smoke and heat treatments might be useful as management tools for promoting or suppressing specific target species of shortgrass prairie communities in future habitat management.