Ectopic Bone as a Nidus for Calcium Oxalate Urocystolithiasis in a Cat

A 7‐year‐old female spayed domestic shorthair cat was referred to the urology service for nonsurgical urocystolith removal. A urolith was attached to the urothelium by ectopic bone. Interventional removal without surgery was successful. Follow‐up evaluation 3 years after urolith removal revealed recurrent uroliths, bladder wall mineralization, and marked renal mineralization. This case illustrates the metaplastic potential of the urothelium and that ectopic bone should be included among the pathological factors that promote lithogenesis.     

Left atrial volume and function in dogs with naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease

Objective

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) induces progressive left atrial (LA) enlargement. The LA modulates left ventricular filling and performance through its reservoir, conduit, and contractile function. Assessment of LA size and function may provide valuable information on the level of cardiac compensation. Left atrial function in dogs with naturally occurring MMVD remains largely unexplored. The objective of this study was to evaluate LA volume and function in dogs with naturally occurring MMVD.

Isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration sparing effects of fentanyl in the dog

Objective

To characterize the isoflurane-sparing effects of a high and a low dose of fentanyl in dogs, and its effects on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR).

Control of the weaning-to-estrus interval in sows using gonadotropins and prostaglandins during lactation.

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effectiveness of various strategies using gonadotropins to induce ovulation during lactation as a means of controlling the weaning-to-estrus interval in sows. The objective of Exp. 1 was to examine the efficacy of various gonadotropin regimens for induction of ovulation during lactation. Primiparous (n = 60) and multiparous (n = 83) crossbred sows were assigned, before farrowing, to one of four treatments: no injection (control); 1,000 IU hCG on d 0 (hCG-0; d 0 = day of farrowing); P.G. 600 + 1,000 IU hCG 4 and 7 d after farrowing, respectively (hCG-7); or P.G. 600 + 1,000 IU hCG 11 and 14 d after farrowing, respectively (hCG-14). Sows were weaned on 18 +/- 2 d after farrowing and monitored daily for estrus via exposure to mature boars. The criterion for determining the induction of ovulation was a sustained increase in serum progesterone concentrations above 4.0 ng/mL. The most consistent response to exogenous gonadotropins was on d 0, with an 80% response in primiparous sows (12/15) and a 71% response in multiparous sows (15/21). Weaning-to-estrus intervals for multiparous sows were longer (P = .05) for hCG-14 and hCG-7 than for control and hCG-0 sows. Weaning-to-estrus intervals for primiparous sows were longer (P = .05) for the hCG-14 than for the hCG-0 treatment. The objective of Exp. 2 was to ascertain the effects of postpartum treatment with hCG (1,000 IU) on d 0 and PGF2alpha (10 mg) at d 14 on the weaning-to-estrus interval in multiparous sows weaned at d 14 after birth. Before farrowing, sows (n = 60) were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: positive control, weaning at d 21; negative control, weaning at d 14; hCG within 24 h after farrowing, weaning at d 14; or hCG within 24 h after farrowing and PGF2alpha at weaning, weaning at d 14. Weaning-to-estrus intervals were longer (P = .05) in sows receiving PGF2alpha than in the other treatments. Results indicate that it is possible to induce ovulation immediately after farrowing, using a single injection of hCG, and this strategy can be used to uncouple weaning from the resumption of reproductive activity. However, the administration of PGF2alpha at 14 d after farrowing did not consistently cause regression of the induced corpora lutea.     

Evaluation of iodophor skin preparation techniques and factors influencing drainage from ventral midline incisions in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To document natural bacterial flora on the ventral aspect of the equine abdomen, to compare 2 preparation techniques, and to identify potential risk factors that may contribute to incisional drainage. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 53 horses undergoing exploratory celiotomy. PROCEDURE: Group-1 horses (n = 26) were prepared with povidone-iodine and alcohol. Group-2 horses (27) were prepared with a film-forming iodophor complex. Numbers of bacterial colony-forming units (CFU) were measured before and after surgical scrub, following skin closure, and after recovery from general anesthesia. Swab specimens to identify normal skin bacterial flora and potential pathogens were obtained by swabbing a 4 x 4-cm area. Variables that might affect incisional drainage were also investigated. RESULTS: For both techniques, there was a significant reduction in bacterial numbers after skin preparation. Incisional drainage was observed in 14 (26%) horses (8 group-1 and 6 group-2 horses). Preexisting dermatitis, poor intraoperative drape adherence, high number of bacterial CFU obtained after recovery from anesthesia, and high number of CFU obtained from the surgery room environment were the main risk factors associated with subsequent incisional drainage. Bacillus spp, nonhemolytic Staphylococcus spp, Micrococcus spp, Corynebacterium spp, Streptomyces spp, other nonenteric genera, and nonhemolytic Streptococcus spp were the most common isolates obtained before surgical scrub. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both skin preparation techniques were equally effective in reducing numbers of bacterial CFU by 99%, and a significant difference was not found in incisional drainage rate between groups. Protection of the wound during recovery from anesthesia and the immediate postoperative period may reduce incisional drainage after abdominal surgery in horses.     

Characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dogs in Korea.

Twelve strains of the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) recovered from hospitalized dogs were analyzed for in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence, and were genetically characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Antibiotic susceptibility test showed that nearly all isolates were resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics tested and all the strains were fully susceptible to glycopeptides. There were no inhibitory activities among the aminoglycosides. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) was determined by intraperitoneal injection of cell suspensions and estimated by the Spearman-K?rber method. The mouse lethality of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) was not significantly different in both normal and cyclophosphamide-treated mice (p>0.05), indicating that they were equally virulent. There was a great difference in the incidence of toxin production between the MRSA and MSSA group; 83.3% (10 of 12) of the MRSA and 14.3% (1 of 7) of the MSSA were toxin producers. The predominant types produced by MRSA was B. All the MRSA strains were capsular type 5 producers, while of 7 MSSA strains, four were type 5, one for type 8, and two were nontypeable. Based on the PFGE analysis, the 12 MRSA isolates generated 9 to 11 fragments in the size range of <48.5 to 630.5 kb, and yielded 6 different patterns. The results indicated that production of toxin and capsule type do not play a role in the pathogenicity to mouse and PFGE is a valuable tool for the characterization of MRSA. This report is the first such cases in the veterinary literature in Korea and may indicate the frequent emergence of MRSA in veterinary clinic hereafter.     

The mammary gland and neonate mucosal immunity

The passive mucosal protection of neonate mammals is dependent on the continuous supply until weaning of maternally dimeric IgA (monogastric) and IgG1 (ruminants). This lactogenic (humoral) immunity is linked to the gut, the so-called entero-mammary link, because of the translocation of Ig (IgA and IgG1) or the emigration of IgA lymphoblasts from the gut into the mammary gland (MG); on the other hand, studies on the lymphocyte subsets in the MG of artiodactyls sustained the view of a true local immune response, depending on the MG stage development. Accordingly, the increase of the lactogenic immunity may focus on (1) inductor sites (gut and, possibly, the MG), (2) increase in cell traffic from the gut into the MG, and (3) enhancement at the effector site of the Ig production and excretion in milk. A specific mucosal environment (interleukins and hormones) is responsible for IgM/IgA switch, the induction of mucosal homing receptor onto lymphoblasts and mucosal vascular addressins; very few data are available for the mechanism of lymphoblasts recruitment, either IgA or IgG1, although lactogenic hormones have been implicated in the IgA-blasts homing into the mice MG. After weaning, the neonate is able to mount a gut immune response, but the shortage of the suckling period did not seem to be detrimental for its onset. In soyabean allergy, both piglet and calf exhibited gut villus atrophy, gut accumulation of IgA (swine) and IgG1 (cattle) immunocytes, sustaining the view that a specific environment in ruminant is responsible for both IgA and IgG1 production.     

Effects of a return chewing gum/packaging material mixture on in situ disappearance and on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and ruminal characteristics of growing steers

In situ and in vivo digestibility experiments were conducted to determine the acceptability, digestibility, and safety of a return chewing gum/packaging (G/P) material mixture when fed to steers. In the in situ experiment, both ruminal and intestinal disappearances were measured. Two ruminally and duodenally cannulated steers, which were given free access to alfalfa hay (AH), were used in this study. Duplicate Dacron bags containing the G/P were incubated in the rumen for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. After ruminal incubation, the 12-, 24-, and 48-h bags were placed in the duodenum and collected in the feces to determine intestinal disappearance. In situ ruminal DM disappearance was greater than 70% for all substrates tested at 0 h, indicating high solubility of the substrates in water, and began to reach a plateau after 12 h of incubation. Intestinal in situ disappearance was not different (P>.25) from zero. In the digestion trial, four ruminally cannulated steers (337+/-21.3 kg BW; mean +/- SD) were used in a 4x4 Latin square design with the following treatments: 0) 50% corn (C), 50% AH; 10) 45% C, 45% AH, 10% G/P; 20) 40% C, 40% AH, 20% G/P; 30) 35% C, 35% AH, 30% G/P. Steers fed G/P-containing diets had greater (P<.01) DMI than the control steers. Increasing the G/P resulted in a linear (P<.05) increase in DMI. Apparent DM digestibility tended to be higher (P<.10) for the G/P-containing diets than for the control. A quadratic effect (P<.05) on digestible DMI was observed, with greater (P<.01) digestible DMI values for G/P-containing diets (4.8 vs. 5.8 kg/d). Digestible organic matter and total nonstructural carbohydrate intakes followed trends similar to those of DM. Apparent aluminum digestibility of G/P-containing diets was not different (P>.13) from zero. The level of G/P in the diet had no effect (P>.2) on total VFA concentration or ruminal pH. There was a linear decrease (P<.01) in the molar percentage of isobutyrate and isovalerate in addition to a linear increase (P<.01) in butyrate and valerate with increasing levels of G/P. There was a quadratic effect (P<.01) on molar proportions of acetate and propionate and on the acetate:propionate ratio. Results of both experiments suggest that G/P may be fed to safely replace up to 30% of corn-alfalfa hay diets for growing steers with advantages in improving DMI and digestibility.     

Performance, serum characteristics, carcase traits and lipid metabolism of broilers as affected by supplement of chromium picolinate.

1. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with chromium picolinate on the performance, serum and carcase traits and lipid metabolism of broilers. In trial 1, 120 1-day-old broilers with an equal number of males and females were assigned at random to 4 groups with 3 replicates. Four treatments with dietary supplements of 0 (control), 800, 1600 and 3200 microg/kg of chromium picolinate were used. In trial 2, 6-week-old broilers (20) were used to determine how supplements of 0, 200, 400 and 800 microg/kg chromium in an incubation medium influence their hepatocyte lipogenic capacity and adipocyte lipolysis, in vitro. 2. Dietary supplements of 1600 and 3200 microg/kg chromium in broiler diets significantly increased food consumption (P<0.05); 1600 microg/kg markedly improved weight gain (P<0.05); 1600 and 3200 microg/kg groups showed increased liver lipid content (P<0.05). However, the abdominal fat content tended to decrease in these 2 groups. 3. Dietary supplements of 1600 and 3200 microg/kg of chromium decreased serum glucose and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations while increasing serum phospholipid content (P<0.05). Insulin concentration decreased only in birds receiving 3200 ppb chromium (P<0.05). Serum triacylglycerol (TG) clearance rate in chromium-supplemented groups was markedly enhanced (P<0.05). 4. In addition, chromium supplemented groups had increased serum HDL contents and also reduced serum VLDL and LDL contents (P<0.05). 5. Trial 2 indicated that lipogenesis from [U-14C]glucose by isolated hepatocytes was significantly enhanced by 400 ppb chromium (P<0.05). 6. The results from this study demonstrate that a supplement of 1600 microg/kg of chromium picolinate in the ration influences the growth, carcase, serum traits and lipid metabolism of broilers.