A tracheoscopic technique for obtaining uncontaminated lower airway secretions for bacterial culture in the horse

Transtracheal aspirate (TTA) aerobic microbiology culture results from 30 ponies were compared to protected catheter brush (PCB) culture results obtained from the same ponies. The PCB procedure resulted in significantly fewer (P less than 0.05) isolates than those obtained by the TTA procedure and the PCB procedure resulted in significantly more samples with no bacteria growth than the TTA procedure. To address the possibility that the volume of tracheobronchial secretion obtained by PCB was insufficient as a microbiological sample, a sterile, double-sheathed, protected aspiration catheter (PAC) was developed. Comparisons were made between TTA and PAC aerobic microbiology culture results from 18 pneumonic foals and weanlings. There were no significant differences between the PAC and TTA procedures with respect to the number of bacteria isolates. It was concluded that the PAC technique may be used as an alternative to TTA for isolation of equine pulmonary bacteria and may be the preferred procedure because of the reduced risk of complications associated with the TTA.     

Enteric Function in Cats after Subtotal Colectomy for Treatment of Megacolon

The enteric function of four cats that had undergone subtotal colectomy for megacolon was compared with that of four normal cats. All cats were fed the same diet before and during the study. History, physical condition, body weight, blood chemistry panel, fasting and postprandial serum bile acids, serum cobalamin concentration, serum folate concentration, fecal weight, fecal water content, fecal fat content, fecal osmolality and electrolyte concentration, quantitative anaerobic fecal bacterial culture, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, breath hydrogen concentration, urinary calcium, phosphorus and electrolyte concentrations, and abdominal radiographic examination with air contrast studies (pneumocolon) were examined. The four cats treated surgically were healthy and thriving and, in general, enteric function was similar to the controls. Bowel movements occurred only slightly more frequently with no significant differences in fecal volume or water content. Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly higher in cats treated surgically. Fecal sodium concentrations were high and fecal potassium concentrations were low. Results of this study did not show any significant subclinical evidence of abnormal bowel function in cats after subtotal colectomy.     

Polycystic kidney disease in a family of Persian cats

A 6-year-old Persian cat was determined to have polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Because of 3 previous clinical reports of PKD in Persian cats, the offspring were examined by use of ultrasonography, which provided evidence of PKD in 3 of the 4 offspring. Because of the genetic transmission of this disease, breeders should be advised not to breed PKD-positive Persian cats.     

乳汁中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性测定方法的研究

乳汁不但营养价值高，而且具有一定的医疗保健作用。其中含有的SOD，不但对哺育下一代是不可缺少的，而且对乳的本身也起到抗氧化的保鲜作用。水试验对影响邻苯三酚自氧化法测定SOD活性的诸因素进行了探讨，摸索出了适合于乳汁中SOD活性测定方法，为深入研究乳汁中SOD提供了重要的实验手段。     

Gastroprotectants in small animal veterinary practice – a review of the evidence. Part 1: cyto‐protective drugs

Diverse drugs with presumed cytoprotective effect have been used therapeutically in small animal veterinary practice for various gastro‐intestinal conditions such as oesophagitis, gastric ulceration, gastritis or chronic gastro‐enteropathies. Their efficacy has been doubted in human medicine, raising similar questions in the veterinary field. The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of these drugs in dogs and cats. Through a systematic review of the literature, we identified 37 articles on the use of misoprostol, sucralfate and other gastroprotectants in dogs and cats. There was evidence to support use of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin‐induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in dogs, and for use of sucralfate in the prevention of acid‐induced oesophagitis in cats. However, the overall quality of evidence supporting the use of these drugs in small animal patients was poor. In contrast, there was evidence of important adverse effects, especially drug interaction and gastro‐intestinal signs. We therefore recommend prescribing these drugs with caution until further well‐conducted studies reveal a useful gastroprotectant effect.     

北极狐白介素-18基因的克隆与序列分析

根据GenBank中登录的犬白介素-18（IL-18）基因序列,设计了1对特异性引物。将北极狐外周血淋巴细胞经植物血凝素（PHA）诱导,用TRIzol裂解,提取总RNA,通过反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）扩增狐狸IL-18基因,连接pMD18-T载体,转化DH5d感受态细胞,获得阳性重组质粒。核苷酸测序结果显示,获得的基因序列全长590bp,含582bp的开放阅读框,编码193个氨基酸,与已知犬IL-18序列的同源性高达98．7％,氨基酸同源性为96．4％。     

Self-expanding nitinol stents for the treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs: 12 cases (2001-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term outcome following nitinol stent placement in dogs with tracheal collapse. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 client-owned dogs with endoscopically diagnosed tracheal collapse refractory to medical management. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for 12 dogs in which 1 or more self-expanding nitinol stents were placed for the treatment of endoscopically diagnosed tracheal collapse. A total of 17 stents were placed. RESULTS: Survival times after stent placement ranged from 1 to 48 months. Three of 12 dogs died within 6 months after stent placement. Nine dogs survived > 1 year after stent placement, and 7 dogs survived > 2 years. Of the deceased dogs, 5 of 9 succumbed to tracheal disease. Other causes of death included congestive heart failure, cerebral neoplasia, cerebrovascular accident, and renal failure. Material failure (stent fracture) was a common complication (5/12 dogs). Other complications reported included excessive granulation tissue within the stent lumen, tracheitis, and pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Placement of an intraluminal stent with self-expanding nitinol stents was a successful palliative treatment for tracheal collapse in dogs that did not respond to medical management. Disease progression is inevitable, but substantial improvement in respiratory function may be achieved for a period of months to years.