Thrombelastography in 26 healthy horses with and without activation by recombinant human tissue factor

Objectives – To develop a standardized technique for thrombelastography (TEG) analysis in healthy adult horses, with and without the ex vivo addition of tissue factor (TF) as an activator. To determine reference intervals for TEG parameters in the horse, and to determine if traditional coagulation tests correlate with TEG. Design – Prospective, observational. Setting – Veterinary teaching hospital. Animals – Twenty‐six healthy adult horses. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Thrombelastography with (TF‐TEG) and without (TEG) the addition of TF performed by 4 operators. Coagulation profiles (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, platelet count, fibrinogen, antithrombin, and fibrinogen degradation products) were assessed in a subset of horses. Mean values (SD) for TEG parameters in healthy horses were: reaction time (R)=17.0 minutes (3.0 min), K time (K)=5.8 minutes (2.3 min), clotting rate (Ang)=42° (14°), maximum clot strength (maximum amplitude [MA])=60.3 mm (5.7 mm), CL30=97.0% (2.0%), LY30=0.8% (0.6%), CL60=92% (5.9%), LY60=3.2% (2.5%). Mean values (SD) for TF‐TEG parameters were: R‐TF=6.6 minutes (1.4 min), K‐TF=3.1 minutes (1.0 min), Ang‐TF=50.9° (9°), MA‐TF=62.3 mm (5.1 mm), CL30‐TF=97.8% (1.6%), LY30‐TF=0.6% (0.5%), CL60‐TF=90.8% (4.2%), and LY60‐TF=3.6% (1.9%). The addition of TF decreased R and K and increased Ang. TF‐TEG had a narrower SD for R, K, Ang, CL60 and LY60 compared with TEG. Interoperator differences were reduced by the addition of TF. Regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between MA and fibrinogen concentrations (P=0.02) and R‐TF time and prothrombin time (P=0.03). Conclusion – TF‐TEG using the described protocol may minimize variability in data obtained across institutions or users. However, due to the variability associated with different operators, it is recommended that each laboratory set up individual reference intervals with the personnel who will perform the assay, and that the assay protocols and data obtained are compared on a regular basis.     

THE NORMAL UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL EXAMINATION IN THE FERRET

Upper gastrointestinal examinations were performed in 11 unsedated ferrets and 4 ferrets sedated with ketamine and diazepam. Each animal received a 8-13 mL/kg body weight dosage of barium liquid (30% weight:volume). Radiographs were made immediately and at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 90, 120 and 150 min (mins) after the barium was administered. Gastric emptying began immediately. Mean total gastric emptying was longer in sedated ferrets (130 +/- 40 min versus 75 +/- 54 min); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Small intestinal transit time was less than 2 h in all ferrets. The barium-filled small bowel was best visualized on the 20- and 40-min radiographs and did not exceed 5-7 mm in width. Flocculation of barium in the small intestine and adherence of barium to the stomach mucosa was seen in almost all animals. The longitudinal colonic mucosal folds in the colon were well visualized in the normal upper gastrointestinal study and aided in distinguishing small intestine from large intestine. The use of ketamine and diazepam sedation did not significantly affect the parameters evaluated in the upper gastrointestinal study series.     

Clinical comparison of the Welch Allyn SureSight™ handheld autorefractor vs. streak retinoscopy in dogs

Objective To compare the Welch Allyn SureSight? wavefront autorefractor with retinoscopy in normal dogs. Animals studied Fifty privately owned dogs (100 eyes) of 20 breeds, free of ocular disease. Mean ± SD age: 5.7 ± 3.25 years (range: 6 months–13 years). Procedures The refractive error was determined in each eye by two experienced retinoscopists using streak retinoscopy as well as by an autorefractor operated by two different examiners. Measurements were performed before and approximately 30–45 min after cycloplegia was induced by cyclopentolate 0.5% and tropicamide 0.5% ophthalmic solutions. Results Mean ± SD noncyclopleged retinoscopy net sphere was ?0.55 ± 1.14 (range: ?3.75 to 3.5) diopters (D). Mean cyclopleged retinoscopy net sphere was ?0.52 ± 1.18 (range: ?4.25 to 2) D. Mean ± SD noncyclopleged autorefractor spherical equivalent (SE) was ?0.42 ± 1.13 D (range: ?3.36 to 2.73) D. Mean cyclopleged autorefractor SE was 0.10 ± 1.47 (range: ?5.62 to 3.19) D. Noncyclopleged autorefraction results were not significantly different from streak retinoscopy (whether noncyclopleged or cyclopleged, P = 0.80 and P = 0.26, respectively). Cyclopleged autorefraction results were significantly different from noncyclopleged or cyclopleged streak retinoscopy (P < 0.0001 in both states). There was no significant difference between noncyclopleged and cyclopleged streak retinoscopy (P = 0.97). Conclusions Noncyclopleged autorefraction shows good agreement with streak retinoscopy in dogs and may be a useful clinical technique. Cycloplegia does not significantly affect streak retinoscopy results in dogs.     

Ultrasonographic and Endocrine Characterization of Follicular Waves in Llamas with a Special Reference to the Overlapping Phenomenon During Successive Waves

Ovarian follicular growth in non‐mated llamas occurs in successive waves that generally superimpose their origin on the regression of the preceding wave (overlapping), originating prolonged sexual receptivity in the species. The aim of this study was to perform an ultrasonographic and endocrine characterization of individual and successive waves in non‐mated llamas with a special interest on the overlapping phenomenon. Twelve llamas were examined daily by transrectal ultrasonography for at least two consecutive waves. In six females, blood samples were collected daily at the end of each examination. The development of the largest follicle (F) showed a wavelike pattern with a mean duration of 25 days. All waves evaluated were partially overlapped on the preceding wave and emerged at a mean interval of 15.8 ± 0.5 days. This interwave interval determines a mean overlapping degree of 32% of the wave length. Similarly, mean plasma oestradiol‐17β (E₂) concentrations followed a wavelike pattern. However, E₂ concentrations started to decline before the structural regression of the F was observed. Mean basal E₂ concentrations remain higher than 10.9 ± 0.6 pmol/l. In conclusion, follicular activity in non‐mated llamas is characterized by continuous emergence of successive waves that always overlap the preceding wave with variable degrees. E₂ production during the follicular wave is shorter in duration than the morphological development of the F. Finally, the overlapping phenomenon maintains increased plasma E₂ concentrations persistently and this could explain the prolonged periods of sexual receptivity registered in llamas.     

Meloidogyne ethiopica parasitizing melon fields in Rio Grande do Sul State,Brazil

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Samples of melon plants with aerial symptoms that represented yellowing of leaves and stunting, and below-ground galls on the roots from two growing areas...