Multiple cutaneous leiomyomas in the perineum of a horse.

Multiple cutaneous masses developed in the perineum of a 14-year-old Saddlebred stallion over a period of approximately 5 years. Clinically, the masses ranged in size from 3- to 9-mm diameter and were not ulcerated, painful, or pruritic. Three of the masses were surgically excised and submitted for microscopic evaluation. The masses were dome shaped to nodular, located in the superficial dermis, and composed of haphazardly arranged bundles of plump spindle-shaped cells. The tumor cells immunoreacted with monoclonal antibodies directed against desmin, muscle-specific actin, and smooth muscle actin, confirming a smooth muscle origin. Multiple cutaneous leiomyomas have not been reported previously in horses.     

The Impact of Egg Ozonation on Hatching Success,Larval Growth,and Survival of Atlantic Cod,Atlantic Salmon,and Rainbow Trout

The direct exposure of fish eggs to ozonated water has generated interest as a means of ensuring pathogen-free eggs without the use of harsh chemicals. However, there are numerous knowledge gaps, including safe contact times, exposure levels, and potential long-term effects on aquaculture species in both freshwater and seawater. The effect of different ozone (O₃) doses (0.5–1.0, 1.5–2.0, and 2.5–3.0 mg of O₃/L for 90 s) on recently fertilized eggs of Atlantic Cod Gadus morhua and eyed eggs of Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar and Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was evaluated in comparison with the effects of two commercial disinfectants: Perosan (0.004 mg/L) and Ovadine (100 mg/L). The impact of ozone application was evaluated based on hatching success, larval nucleic acid concentration, larval growth, and survival. Overall, results indicated that ozonation of Atlantic Cod eggs at a dose less than 3.0 mg/L for 90 s produced no negative effect on the larvae up to 30 d posthatch. Furthermore, ozonation of Atlantic Salmon and Rainbow Trout eggs generated no negative effect on the larvae, based on monitoring until 85% yolk sac re-absorption (16 d posthatch).

Received May 6, 2014; accepted October 24, 2014     

The effect of medetomidine on the regional cerebral blood flow in dogs measured using Technetium-99m-Ethyl Cysteinate Dimer SPECT

Sedatives and anaesthetics are known to cause changes in the regional cerebral blood flow. In dogs intramuscular sedation with medetomidine, a potent sedative frequently used in veterinary medicine, is sometimes indicated prior to intravenous injection of ^99mTechnetium-Ethyl Cysteinate Dimer (^99mTc-ECD) in brain perfusion studies using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Based on the knowledge of the distribution of alpha₂-receptors in the brain, we hypothesized altered regional brain perfusion in dogs receiving medetomidine prior to ^99mTc-ECD. Two conditions were compared in 10 dogs; tracer injection before and after intramuscular sedation with medetomidine. In our study, medetomidine caused a significantly higher tracer uptake in all brain regions. Semi-quantification of brain perfusion rendered a lower perfusion index in the subcortical region and an imbalance between left and right cortical perfusion induced by medetomidine. This study shows that caution is needed when quantifying the brain perfusion indices under medetomidine sedation.     

Incisional complications following exploratory celiotomy: does an abdominal bandage reduce the risk?

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Post operative complications following exploratory laparotomy can be potentially life-threatening, increase post operative morbidity and result in an increase in the length of hospitalisation of the affected individual. No study has evaluated the efficacy of specific strategies to reduce the incidence of post operative incisional complications. HYPOTHESIS: The use of an abdominal bandage following colic surgery through a celiotomy incision would significantly reduce the prevalence of post operative incisional complications. METHODS: A controlled, randomised clinical trial to test the hypothesis was devised. Horses eligible for inclusion in the study were assigned randomly either to the study or control group following recovery from general anaesthesia. Any post operative incisional complications occurring during hospitalisation were recorded. Long-term follow-up was obtained via telephone questionnaires. Absolute risk reduction (ARR) and number needed to treat (NNT) were calculated. Multivariable analyses were conducted for all outcomes of interest. RESULTS: There was an ARR of the likelihood of developing a post operative incisional complication of 45% when using compared to not using an abdominal bandage in the post operative period. Therefore, it would be necessary to treat 2.2 horses with an abdominal bandage in order to prevent one horse developing any post operative incisional complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although incisional complications continue to be a problem following an exploratory celiotomy for colic, the proportion of horses affected was significantly reduced by use of a bandage. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Using an abdominal bandage following an exploratory laparotomy may help reduce the prevalence of post operative incisional complications, and prevent the development of potentially life-threatening complications.     

The bioavailability and disposition kinetics of genistein in cats

The absorption and disposition kinetics of the soy isoflavone genistein were determined in cats (n = 6). An oral dose of 100 mg/kg was administered, which has previously been demonstrated to be the minimum oral estrogenic dose, and was administered intravenously at a dose of 20 mg/kg, being the largest practical dose that could be safely administered. Plasma free, and total (conjugated + free) genistein concentrations were determined by HPLC following organic extraction. Noncompartmental analysis revealed a half-life of 21.67 +/- 7.9 h (free) and 9.95 +/- 2.7 h (conjugated), volume of distribution 31.94 +/- 10.38 L/kg (free) and 11.82 +/- 3.96 L/kg (conjugated) following intravenous administration. Following oral administration the half-lives were determined to be 17 +/- 4.8 h (free) and 8.56 +/- 4.65 h (conjugated), with tmax = 4.4 +/- 0.6 h (free) and 4.42 +/- 0.99 h (conjugated), and Cmax = 0.276 +/- 0.1 microg/mL (free) and 6.24 +/- 6.58 microg/mL (conjugated). Oral bioavailabilities were 1.379 +/- 0.9% (free) and 29.85 +/- 22.61% (conjugated). The ratio of total:free genistein ranged from 25.9 to 5.5. Poor oral absorption and efficient conjugation explain the low bioavailability of free genistein. Accumulation of genistein in peripheral lipophilic compartments may occur.     

Perinatal hypoxia induces subsequent retinal degeneration in the offspring of ovoviviparous fish, Xiphophorous maculates

OBJECTIVE: This experiment evaluated the perinatal hypoxic effect on the retina of offspring of the ovoviviparous fish. ANIMAL STUDIED: The ovoviviparous fish Xiphophorous maculates was used for the experiment. PROCEDURE: The mothers were kept in a hypoxic environment of 3.5% oxygen for 6 h, starting 30 h before hatching. Subsequently, the retinae of the offspring were fixed, sectioned at 6 microm and evaluated microscopically from the age of 1 to 35 days. RESULTS: Degeneration of the outer nuclear layer of the retina was noted on the 3rd day and severe retinal degeneration was observed on the 35th day. Immunocytochemistry confirmed apoptosis by TUNEL reaction. There was no difference in neovascularization, as revealed by vascular endothelial growth factor, between controls (group 1) and hypoxic fish (group 2). CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal hypoxia could have long-lasting effects on the central nervous system in some species.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY OBSTRUCTION IN 30 CATS

The goals of our study were to review the ultrasonographic features of spontaneous extrahepatic biliary obstruction in cats and to determine whether these features can assist in differentiating tumor, inflammation, and choleliths as the cause of obstruction. Thirty cats with a presurgical ultrasound examination an dconfirmed extrahepatic biliary obstruction were studied. A common bile duct diameter over 5 mm was present in 97% of the cats with extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Gallbladder dilation was seen in < 50% of the cats. Ultrasound identified all obstructive choleliths (calculus or plugs) in the common bile duct. However, neither common bile duct diameter nor appearance or any other ultrasonographic feature allowed differentiation between tumor and inflammation as the cause of obstruction. A short duration of clinical signs (10 days or less) seemed to be associated with obstructive cholelithiasis.     

Spatial analysis of the exposure of dogs in rural north-coastal California to vectorborne pathogens

Between 0 and 50 per cent of the dogs in eight rural villages in far northern California with a high risk of tickborne diseases were seropositive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Bartonella vinsonii subspecies berkhoffii, and between 0 and 10 per cent were seropositive for Borrelia burgdorferi. The odds ratio for the co-exposure of individual dogs to B vinsonii berkhoffii and A phagocytophilum was 18.2. None of the diseases was associated with the sex of the dogs, whether they slept out of doors, or whether tick-preventive measures were taken. When the villages were assessed for landscape risk factors, a particularly high seroprevalence for B vinsonii berkhoffii and A phagocytophilum was observed in a village at a relatively high altitude and greater distance from the Pacific coast, and montane hardwood conifer woodland was most associated with a high seroprevalence for these two pathogens.