Use of medetomidine and ketamine for immobilization of free-ranging giraffes

OBJECTIVE: To develop a dosage correlated with shoulder height (SH) in centimeters for effective immobilization of free-ranging giraffes, using a combination of medetomidine (MED) and ketamine (KET) and reversal with atipamezole (ATP). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 23 free-ranging giraffes. PROCEDURE: The drug combination (MED and KET) was administered by use of a projectile dart. Quality of induction, quality of immobilization, and time to recovery following injection of ATP were evaluated. Physiologic variables measured during immobilization included PaO2, PaCO2, oxygen saturation, end-tidal CO2, blood pH, indirect arterial blood pressure, heart and respiratory rates, and rectal temperature. RESULTS: Sixteen giraffes became recumbent with a dosage (mean +/- SD) of 143 +/- 29 microg of MED and 2.7 +/- 0.6 mg of KET/cm of SH. Initially, giraffes were atactic and progressed to lateral recumbency. Three giraffes required casting with ropes for data collection, with dosages of 166 +/- 5 microg of MED and 3.2 +/- 0.6 mg of KET/cm of SH. Four giraffes required administration of etorphine (n = 2) or were cast with ropes (2) for capture but remained dangerous to personnel once recumbent, precluding data collection. In giraffes successfully immobilized, physiologic monitoring revealed hypoxia and increased respiratory rates. Values for PaCO2, end-tidal CO2, and heart rate remained within reference ranges. All giraffes were hypertensive and had a slight increase in rectal temperature. Atipamezole was administered at 340 +/- 20 microg/cm of SH, resulting in rapid and smooth recoveries. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Medetomidine and KET was an effective immobilizing combination for free-ranging giraffes; however, at the dosages used, it does not induce adequate analgesia for major manipulative procedures. Quality of induction and immobilization were enhanced if the giraffe was calm. Reversal was rapid and complete following injection of ATP.     

Peripheral neuropathy in a turkey vulture with lead toxicosis

Clinical, electromyographic, and pathologic findings characteristic of lead toxicosis were detected in a turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). The bird had generalized lower motor neuron dysfunction that progressed over 5 days. Electromyography revealed diffuse denervation potentials and a presumed decrement in the sciatic-tibial nerve conduction velocity. Histologic examination of peripheral nerves obtained at necropsy revealed changes that could be compatible with lead-induced neuropathy. Lead toxicosis was confirmed by determination of blood lead concentrations. Lead toxicosis causing neurologic disorders in birds has been described. However, this report emphasizes the effects of lead on the peripheral nervous system and demonstrates the use of electromyography for diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy in birds.     

Age-related changes in carbohydrate tolerance in healthy neonatal calves

Calves at 3 to 4 days of age had higher plasma glucose concentrations during glucose and lactose tolerance tests (orally administered glucose and lactose) than when the calves were 8 to 9 days old. These observations may be accounted for by decreased insulin secretion and/or insulin sensitivity of the target tissues. Lower hepatic glucokinase activity in neonates also may allow increased passage of splanchnic glucose to the system circulation.     

Isolation of Salmonella houtenae from a cockateel

Salmonella houtenae (43:Z4,Z23:-), a biochemically aberrant serotype, was isolated from the liver and air sac of a male cockateel. This serotype is a member of Salmonella subgenus IV, which is dulcitol-negative, salicin-positive, and KCN-positive. To our knowledge, this is the first report of isolation of this serotype from an avian species.     

The transmission of Mycobacterium bovis infection to cattle

The prevalence of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle is increasing rapidly in some countries, including the UK and Ireland. The organism infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, and eradication of the disease is difficult if there is an extensive reservoir in the wildlife population. Existing evidence suggests that wildlife vectors include the European badger in the UK and Ireland, the brush-tailed possum and ferret in New Zealand and ungulates in some other countries. Cattle grazing field boundaries or short swards are at particularly high risk, since the chance of contact with the intermediate host or their excreta is increased. There is evidence that the transmission of the disease between cattle following movement accounts for 10-15% of outbreaks in the British Isles and that transmission can occur across farm boundaries. The prevalence the prevalence of single reactors in herds suggested that within-herd transmission was not common. In herds with infected cattle, spreading slurry is a risk factor, which can be minimised by prolonged storage of the slurry, by spreading it on fields not used for grazing or by soil injection. M. bovis also survives in water and may enter the respiratory tract during drinking. It is concluded that M. bovis infection in cattle can be transmitted by a number of routes, some of which can be controlled by appropriate husbandry, but that circumstantial evidence suggests that the existence of a widespread intermediate host is the greatest contributor to infection in cattle.     

Study of the clinical effects of postoperative parenteral nutrition in 15 horses

Several clinical variables were compared in two groups of 15 horses recovering from resection and anastomosis of a strangulated small intestine; 15 were treated with parenteral nutrition and 15 were starved routinely. There was some evidence that parenteral nutrition had a short-lived adverse effect on both the catheter sites and gastric emptying, but there were no marked adverse clinical effects and no evidence of any improvement in the horses' condition.     

Cystic thyroid and parathyroid lesions in cats

Reports of cystic thyroid and parathyroid masses in cats are uncommon. Herein, the authors describe a series of four cats with cystic ventral cervical lesions, among them thyroid cyst (n=1), thyroid cystadenoma (n=2), and parathyroid adenocarcinoma (n=1). Presentations ranged from completely asymptomatic cervical swellings to signs related to local compression of adjacent structures (e.g., trachea). Ultrasonographic evaluation was helpful in localization of the mass in two cases. Hormone analysis and concentration of cystic fluid were performed in one cat. Surgical excision was performed successfully in three cases. Histopathological examination was performed in all four cases. Long-term prognosis was excellent for those cases in which follow-up was available.