Prostatic abscess in a neutered cat

A 6-year-old, male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, and constipation. Physical examination revealed an elevated body temperature and an extramural colonic mass. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a hypoechoic mass measuring 2.2 cm in maximum dimension immediately caudal to the bladder. Cytological evaluation of a fine-needle aspirate confirmed the mass was a prostatic abscess. Abdominal celiotomy and prostatic omentalization were successful in resolving clinical abnormalities. Feline prostatic abscessation is a rare condition that has not been previously reported and may have a good outcome if treated early and appropriately.     

An estimate of the methionine requirement and its variability in growing pigs using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique

Although AA requirements for the mean of a population of growing pigs have been established using traditional methods, there are no estimates of the variability within the population and whether this variation differs among AA. With the increased use of supplemental Lys in pig diets, there will be an increased need to supplement Met, commonly the second or third limiting AA in corn-soybean diets. The indicator AA oxidation method allows repeated measurements in a short period of time so that the AA requirement can be determined for individual pigs at a similar physiological stage. The objective of this study was to determine the mean Met requirement in individual gilts and to estimate the related variability. Six individually housed female pigs (initial BW = 8.8 kg, SD 1.5) each received diets providing 6 levels of dl-Met. The isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets contained 0.187, 0.250, 0.290, 0.320, 0.350, and 0.377% Met (analyzed, as-fed basis). Cysteine (0.48%) and Lys (1.44%) concentrations were similar for all diets. Pigs were adapted for 6 d to the basal corn-soybean meal diet (0.187% Met), which was offered at 95 g/kg(0.75) of BW to ensure complete consumption of the test diets. During 4-h oxidation studies, 313.4 kBq, (SD 35.6) of L-[1-(14)C]Phe was mixed with each of 8 half-hourly meals, and expired CO(2) was collected. The breakpoint in Phe oxidation, representing the Met requirement, and its variability, was determined using 2-phase linear regression. Phenylalanine oxidation decreased as the Met content increased from 0.187 to 0.29%. Phenylalanine oxidation was not different (P > 0.2) for diets ranging from 0.320 to 0.377% Met. The dietary Met requirement varied from 0.320 to 0.373% for individual pigs. The mean Met requirement for individual pigs was determined to be 0.340% of diet (SD = 0.024%, CV= 7.1%), with 0.340, 0.364, and 0.388% covering the requirement of 50, 66, and 95% of the population, respectively. The present mean population estimate was similar to the recommended dietary Met concentration of 0.325% for pigs of this BW and feed intake. To maximize profitability, Met levels in starter pig diets should be determined, depending on the cost of crystalline Met and the fraction of the population whose requirement is to be met.     

A dog with squamous cell carcinoma in the middle ear

An 8-year-old, castrated male golden retriever was referred for lethargy and inappetance. Severe pain was elicited on palpation of the left temporomandibular joint region. Computed tomography revealed aggressive bone destruction of the left bulla. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. Malignant tumor in the canine middle ear is rare.     

Pseudomonas and Aeromonas isolates from domestic reptiles and study of their antimicrobial in vitro sensitivity

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cefquinome in healthy piglets

A study on bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of cefquinome in piglets was conducted after intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administrations of 2.0 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. Plasma concentrations were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography assay with UV detector at 268‐nm wavelength. Plasma concentration–time data after i.v. administration were best fit by a two‐compartment model. The pharmacokinetic values were distribution half‐life 0.27 ± 0.21 h, elimination half‐life 1.85 ± 1.11 h, total body clearance 0.26 ± 0.08 L/kg·h, area under curve 8.07 ± 1.91 μg·h/mL and volume of distribution at steady state 0.46 ± 0.10 L/kg. Plasma concentration–time data after i.m. administration were also best fit by a two‐compartment model. The pharmacokinetic parameters were distribution half‐life 0.88 ± 0.42 h, elimination half‐life 4.36 ± 2.35 h, peak concentration 4.01 ± 0.57 μg/mL and bioavailability 95.13 ± 9.93%.     

Radiosensitivity of canine osteosarcoma cells transfected with wild‐type p53 in vitro*

The p53 gene is one of the important tumour suppressor genes that are involved with the cell survival signal pathway. One of the major functions of the p53 protein is to organize cell cycle regulation and induction of apoptosis for cellular genetic stability. It has been documented that more than 50% of all human cancers include a p53 mutation. We evaluated the difference in radiosensitivity between upregulating the expression of canine wild‐type p53 (cp53) in cultured osteosarcoma (D17) cells and naive D17 cells in vitro. We found that upregulating transfected cp53 D17 cells increased their radiation sensitivity in vitro, and there was a significant decrease (P < 0.009) in survival between cp53‐transfected D17 cells and naive D17 cells. In this experiment, a p53 enhancement ratio (p53ER) reached approximately 3.0 at high doses. The transfected cp53 D17 cells were significantly more radiosensitive at all doses evaluated than naive D17 cells, except at 1 Gy where too few data points were available. The p53ER increased rapidly at doses less than 4 Gy, achieving a maximum of about 3.0 for doses of 4 Gy and above. This study shows the enhanced radiosensitivity of the transfected p53 at clinically relevant doses.     

Aspergillus flavus keratomycosis in a cat treated with topical 1% voriconazole solution

An 8-year-old male castrated Domestic Short-haired cat was examined for a 1-week history of blepharospasm and mucoid ocular discharge OS. Examination revealed ulcerative keratitis with stromal loss, stromal infiltrate, corneal edema, perilimbal vascularization and miosis. Cytology of the cornea revealed multiple dichotomously branching, septate fungal hyphae and severe, predominantly neutrophilic inflammation. PCR of the cytology samples confirmed the presence of Aspergillus flavus while fungal and bacterial cultures were negative. Treatment with topical 1% voriconazole solution was successful in resolving the keratomycosis.     

Effects of dobutamine on cardiac index and arterial blood pressure in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses under clinical conditions

Volatile agent-induced hypotension may contribute to anaesthetic-related morbidity and mortality in horses. Dobutamine is commonly used to support arterial blood pressure (ABP) but little is known about its cardiovascular effects under clinical conditions. The aim of this clinical study was to elucidate the relationship between cardiovascular function and dobutamine infusion in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses. Forty-four horses anaesthetized for a variety of surgical procedures were studied. Premedication with acepromazine, methadone and detomidine was followed by induction of anaesthesia with ketamine and midazolam. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane vaporized in oxygen. Routine anaesthetic monitoring was applied and cardiac output was measured by lithium dilution. Dobutamine was infused to maintain mean ABP above 70 mmHg. The relationship between dobutamine infusion rate, heart rate (HR), ABP and cardiac index was investigated immediately prior to ( T ₀) and 15 min ( T ₁) after dobutamine infusion started, followed at 30 min intervals ( T ₂, etc.). Arterial blood pressure increased significantly after dobutamine infusion started, HR and cardiac index increased significantly only with dobutamine infusion in combination with surgical stimulus. Although isoflurane decreases blood pressure mainly by vasodilation, dobutamine is an effective treatment for hypotension under clinical conditions in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses. The effect of dobutamine is not directly proportional to dose and surgical stimulus probably contributes to the cardiovascular improvement.