Ultrasonographic diagnosis of non-palpable Sertoli cell tumours in infertile dogs

Three previously fertile dogs were examined with a history of recent infertility. Semen evaluation revealed marked spermatozoal abnormalities, including lesions of the mid-piece region, poor spermatozoal motility and a low total spermatozoal output. The mean number of live normal spermatozoa was 21·1 ± 17·4 × 10⁶ spermatozoa. Examination of the testes with diagnostic B-mode ultrasound demonstrated solitary mass lesions which in each case were not palpable. Plasma oestrogen concentrations were elevated (mean, 43·0 ± 8·s 5 pg/ml), and histologically the masses were shown to be Sertoli cell tumours. Several months after unilateral orchidectomy there was an increase in the percentage of normal spermatozoa and an increase in the spermatozoal motility and total spermatozoal output. The mean number of live normal spermatozoa was 149·8 ± 22·9 × 10⁶ spermatozoa and all the dogs subsequently returned to fertility. Ultrasonographic examination of the testes should be considered part of the routine investigation of the male reproductive tract.     

Sedative effects of romifidine in the dog

The sedative and physiological effects of intravenous romifidine at 0, 20, 40, 80 and 120 μg/kg were investigated in five clinically normal adult male beagle dogs in a blind study using a Latin square design. Following the injection of romifidine, the dogs became ataxic and stood with a wide-based stance, they exhibited signs of skeletal muscle relaxation and their heads were lowered. All the dogs became recumbent and there was a reduction in the heart and respiratory rates. Increasing the dose from 20 to 40 μg/kg, or higher, produced a significant reduction in heart rate. There was an increase in the sedation score following even low doses of romifidine, and although measures of sedation showed no differences among romifidine doses, subjectively, the higher doses produced a more consistent effect. Dogs given lower doses of romifidine regained a standing position more rapidly than following the higher doses, although this effect was not significantly different. A second blind study compared the sedative effects of intravenous romifidine, at 40 and 80 μg/kg, with mede-tomidine at 10 μg/kg in six adult beagles. The cardiopulmonary and sedative effects were not significantly different between all regimens, although medetomidine at 10 μg/kg appeared to be intermediate in effect between romifidine at 40 and 80 μ/kg. The sedative and physiological effects of romifidine in dogs appear to be similar to other α₂-adrenoceptor agonists. Intravenous administration provided sedation which might be clinically useful.     

A COMPARISON OF THE SEDATIVE EFFECTS OF MEDETOMIDINE AND XYLAZINE IN THE HORSE.

The sedative effects in horses of the new α₂-agonist medetomidine were compared with those of xylazine. Four ponies and one horse were treated on separate occasions with two doses of medetomidine (5 mμ/kg bodyweight and 10 μg/kg bodyweight) and with one dose of xylazine (1 μg/kg bodyweight) given by intravenous injection. Medetomidine at 10 μg/kg was similar to 1 mg/kg xylazine in sedative effect but produced greater and more prolonged ataxia. Ataxia was so severe following 10 μg/kg of medetomidine that one animal fell over during the study. Medetomidine (5 μg/kg) produced less sedation but a similar degree of ataxia to 1 mg/kg xylazine.     

Hydrops fetalis diagnosed by real-time ultrasonography in a bichon frise bitch

Hydrops fetalis was diagnosed in a near term bichon frise bitch using real-time ultrasonography. The affected fetus was identified by the presence of intrathoracic and subcutaneous fluid. It was delivered by caesarean operation with five normal fetuses. The ultrasound findings were confirmed post mortem although the fetus also had ascites.     

Improving sow efficiency by management to enhance opportunity for nutritional intake by neonatal piglets

Starvation, primarily during the first week postpartum, is the direct or indirect cause of at least one-half of preweaning mortalities in healthy herds. Causes of starvation originate from characteristics of the dam, of the litter and of individual piglets. A major cause of starvation is congenital weakness associated with birth weights less than 1000 g. Increasing energy during late gestation shows inconsistent effects on birth weight; some dietary component energy sources appear to improve stamina of newborn and(or) energy content of sow's milk with favorable effects on survival. Total or partial supplemental nutrient intake supplied by caretakers, automated feeding devices or transfer of piglets to foster dams are the primary means of providing enhanced nutrient intake opportunity. Nutrient intake from non-dam sources ranges from temporary tube-feeding, administered by caretakers to excessively small or weak pigs, to self-feeding by pigs from simple or sophisticated dispensers of sow milk substitutes. Transfer of piglets to foster dams as a nutrient intake source is most successful when characteristics such as size of dam, size of teats, stage of lactation and temperament are in harmony with characteristics affecting pigs' needs. If other dams are not available, sows 2 to 3 wk into lactation can serve as foster dams for large and strong newborn piglets after resident litters are removed. Planning for availability of appropriate foster dams, based on prior or projected prolificacy and other sow and litter traits, should be done at time of assembling each mating group. Research results show that, on a weight-to-weight basis, pigs requiring artificial or foster dam rearing perform similarly to other pigs and thus justify management to secure their survival.