Further studies on the antinociceptive activity and respiratory effects of buprenorphine in sheep

The thermal and mechanical analgesic profile of buprenorphine at a dose rate of 1.5 micrograms/kg i.v. was investigated in five sheep. This dose produced significant analgesia for 40 min against the thermal stimulus, but no mechanical antinociception. A higher dose rate of 12 micrograms/kg also failed to produce antinociception to a mechanical stimulus. In addition, the effect of the drug (6 micrograms/kg) on respiratory gas tensions was determined and no significant changes were observed.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of butorphanol in llamas after intravenous and intramuscular administration.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate disposition of butorphanol after i.v. and i.m. administration, effects on physiologic variables, and analgesic efficacy after i.m. administration in llamas. DESIGN: Nonrandomized crossover study. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult male llamas. PROCEDURE: Butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb] of body weight) was administered i.m. first and i.v. 1 month later. Blood samples were collected intermittently for 24 hours after administration. Plasma butorphanol versus time curves were subjected to pharmacokinetic analysis. Two months later, butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg) was administered i.m., and physiologic variables and analgesia were assessed. RESULTS: Extrapolated peak plasma concentrations after i.v. and i.m. administration were 94.8 +/- 53.1 and 34.3 +/- 11.6 ng/ml, respectively. Volume of distribution at steady state after i.v. administration was 0.822 +/- 0.329 L/kg per minute and systemic clearance was 0.050 +/- 0.014 L/kg per minute. Slope of the elimination phase was significantly different, and elimination half-life was significantly shorter after i.v. (15.9 +/- 9.1 minutes) versus i.m. (66.8 +/- 13.5 minutes) administration. Bioavailability was 110 +/- 49% after i.m. administration. Heart rate decreased and rectal temperature increased. Somatic analgesia was increased for various periods. Two llamas became transiently sedated, and 2 became transiently excited after butorphanol administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although i.v. administration of butorphanol results in a short half-life that may limit its analgesic usefulness, the elimination half-life of butorphanol administered i.m. is likely to be clinically useful. The relationship among plasma butorphanol concentration, time, and analgesia differed with the somatic analgesia model; clinically useful analgesia may occur at lower plasma concentrations than those reported here.     

Capnographic documentation of nasoesophageal and nasogastric feeding tube placement in dogs

Objective: To evaluate the ability of capnography to document proper placement of nasoesophageal (NE) and nasogastric (NG) feeding tubes. This study was conducted in 3 phases. Phase I of this study was designed in order to test the efficacy of capnography to distinguish placement of a feeding tube in the alimentary tract versus the respiratory tract. Phase II was designed in order to document that carbon dioxide (CO₂) could be measured through a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) feeding tube. Phase III was performed in order to evaluate the technique of continuous monitoring during insertion of the feeding tube into the esophagus and stomach as would be performed during a clinical‐tube placement. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Research laboratory. Animals: 24 adult dogs. Interventions: In Phase I, sedated dogs were instrumented with an intratracheal catheter and an 8 French feeding tube placed nasally into the distal esophagus and later advanced into the stomach. In Phase II, dogs were anesthetized and an 8 French feeding tube was placed down the endotracheal tube, then into the esophagus and later advanced into the stomach. In Phase III, sedated dogs were instrumented with an 8 French feeding tube inserted intranasally and then advanced to the level of the nasopharynx, distal esophagus and, lastly, the stomach. Fluoroscopy was used in order to determine location of the feeding tube. Measurements and main results: Phase I measurements included respiratory rate and CO₂ from the trachea, esophagus, and stomach and pH of gastric fluid sample. Phase II measurements included respiratory rate and CO₂ from the endotracheal tube, feeding tube in the endotracheal tube, feeding tube in the distal esophagus, and feeding tube in the stomach. Phase III data collection included respiratory rate and CO₂ as the tube was passed through the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, esophagus and stomach. Phase I fluid samples were collected from 5 of the 9 dogs and had pH values from 1.68 to 4.20. In both phases, values for the respiratory rate and CO₂ from the esophagus and stomach were 0 ± 0, significantly lower (P < 0.001) than the values from the trachea. In Phase II, there was no significant difference between the respiratory rates (P = 0.886) and CO₂ (P = 0.705) readings obtained from the endotracheal tube compared to readings from the feeding tube in the endotracheal tube. In Phase III, there was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the respiratory rates and CO₂ readings obtained from the nasal cavity and the nasopharynx when compared to those readings obtained from the esophagus and stomach. Measurement of CO₂ and respiratory rate resulted in a reading of 0 every time the feeding tube was in the esophagus or stomach. Conclusions: Capnography may be used in order to detect airway placement of NE and NG tubes.     

0–7–21 Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Canine Oral Melanoma

Eighteen dogs with malignant melanoma of the oral cavity were treated with high-dose per fraction (0–7–21) radiation therapy. Eight hundred cGy was administered on days 0, 7, and 21 for a total dose of 2,400 cGy in 3 weeks. Of 17 dogs evaluated, 9 (53%) had a complete remission and 5 (30%) achieved a partial remission with an overall response rate of 83%. Local failure occurred in 2 of the 9 dogs where a complete response was initially observed. One dog died of intercurrent disease, and one died of metastatic disease without evidence of local recurrence. Five dogs are alive and free of disease 9 to nineteen months from the initiation of therapy. The 0–7–21 protocol was well-tolerated, and acute radiation reactions were low-grade and limited to the skin. The results of this study demonstrate that oral melanomas in dogs are responsive to radiation. 0–7–21 radiation therapy offers a viable alternative to radical excision, especially when tumor volume or location would require cosmetically or functionally debilitating surgery.     

A field study on reproductive efficiency of mares maintained predominately on native pasture

A field study utilizing 145 mares of various age and breeding status was conducted to determine reproductive performance under native range conditions with only limited supplemental feeding. All mares had an average initial body condition score of 4.5 and a final score of 5.1 by the time breeding was completed and mares returned to pasture. Average foaling rate was 80%, and mares that had not conceived during the previous breeding season had a foaling rate of 94%, which was higher (P<.05) than 74% for lactating mares. Mares 16 years and older had a significantly lower foaling rate (P<.05) than younger mares. Old mares that were lactating at time of breeding had only a 37% foaling rate, which was less (P<.05) than for young lactating mares. The 94 mares bred by natural cover or artificial insemination that actually foaled required 1.43 cycles per conception. Lactating mares in the oldest age group required more cycles per conception (P<.05) than open mares, and these older, lactating mares also required more cycles per conception than younger mares with foals at side. Those mares diagnosed as pregnant or open at 45 days post breeding had a pregnancy rate of 97%. Average pregnancy loss for all mares was 7.7%. These data indicate that lactating mares in moderate body condition tended to skip a breeding season and that a body condition score of 5 was only marginally acceptable, especially in the case of lactating mares. Authors' address: Equine Science Program, Department of Animal Science, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Technical Article Number 30023, Texas Agr. Exp. Sta.     

Toxoplasmosis in Pallas' cats (Otocolobus felis manul) at the Denver Zoological Gardens.

In May 1996 the Denver Zoological Gardens obtained two male and two female Pallas' cats (Otocolobus felis manul) that were wild-caught in the Ukraine. These animals were part of a group of 16 wild-caught adults (eight male and eight female) imported to the United States and Canada between 1995 and 1996. The Denver Zoological Gardens cats were quarantined at the zoo hospital for approximately I mo. During the quarantine period they were immobilized for physical examination, and sera were obtained from them to evaluate for exposure to Toxoplasma gondii. All cats were positive for T. gondii antibodies by latex agglutination (titers from 1:512 to 1:1,024). After being paired for breeding, one pair produced two litters, and another pair produced four litters, a total of 17 kittens between 1997 and 2001. Four kittens and two young adults died from a disseminated granulomatous and necrotizing inflammation consistent with toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii infection was confirmed in all six deceased cats by polymerase chain reaction performed on formalin-fixed tissues. An additional five kittens disappeared and were not available for necropsy. The fatality rate from toxoplasmosis was 35.3% (6/17) for cats that were available for necropsy and could have been as high as 64.7% (11/17) if it were assumed that the disappeared kittens were also affected. The Pallas' kitten survival rate at the Denver Zoological Gardens was 35.3%. This article describes the clinical and pathologic features of toxoplasmosis in a group of Pallas' cats at the Denver Zoological Gardens.     

Hyperlipemia and Ketonuria in an Alpaca and a Llama

An alpaca and a llama in late stages of gestation were evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and recumbency. Both camelids had cloudy, white, turbid serum, elevated serum triglyceride (1564, 5658 mg/dL, respectively) and cholesterol (158, 297 mg/dL, respectively) concentrations, and ketonuria. Signs of fetal stress were evident ultrasonographically in the alpaca, and a live cria was delivered by Cesarean section performed under general anesthesia. The alpaca developed severe metabolic acidosis, hepatic lipidosis, and acute renal failure secondary to renal lipidosis and died 36 hours after admission despite medical therapy. Histopathology revealed renal and hepatic lipidosis and neutrophilic pancreatitis. The cria died 72 hours after birth. The llama responded to IV electrolyte, dextrose, and regular crystalline insulin therapy. The pregnancy was maintained, and the llama was discharged from the hospital 20 days after admission. Two months after discharge, the llama gave birth to a live, 5 kg cria. Findings of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, elevated sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, metabolic acidosis, azotemia, and ketonuria occurred in these two camelids. Based on this report, camelids appear to be similar to both horses and cattle in their response to severe energy imbalances in late gestation.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF ALIMENTARY LYMPHOSARCOMA IN THE CAT

Clinical, radiological and ultrasonographic findings from 22 cats with gastrointestinal lymphosarcoma were reviewed. The most common clinical findings were anorexia, weight loss, vomiting, lethargy, depression, fever, anemia and a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal radiographs of 12 cats revealed a mass associated with the gastrointestinal tract and/or mesentery, and decreased serosal detail, suggestive of peritoneal effusion. The most common ultrasonographic finding was transmural gastric or intestinal thickening associated with loss of normal wall layering, reduced wall echogenicity and localized hypomotility. As is noted in people, other patterns such as transmural-segmental, transmural-nodular, transmural-bulky and mucosal infiltration were represented. In 3 cats, mesenteric lymph-adenopathy was responsible for most of the mass-effect. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy, automated microcore biopsy, endoscopic biopsy or necropsy confirmed the diagnosis of lymphosarcoma in all cats. Chemotherapy was instituted in 19 cats. Only 6 cats had a complete response to treatment. The results of this study indicate that ultrasonography is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of feline alimentary lymphosarcoma and that biopsies can be obtained under ultrasonographic guidance.