Adaptation of thermal threshold analgesiometry for NSAIDs in cats: effects of ketoprofen

Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used to provide analgesia in clinical veterinary medicine, but there are few objective data evaluating this effect under controlled conditions in cats. Analgesia is more difficult to detect with acute analgesiometry after NSAIDs than after opioids. This investigation aimed to adapt the feline thermal analgesiometry method previously employed with opioids ( Dixon et al. 2002 ) for use with NSAIDs. Ketoprofen, a COX1 inhibitor licensed for cats was chosen. Six cats (2 neutered, four entire females, weighing 2.2–5.4 kg) were studied in two blinded randomized crossover trials each at least 2 weeks apart. Thermal thresholds (TT) were measured using the thermal threshold‐testing device previously developed for cats. A heater element and temperature sensor in a small probe were held at constant pressure against the cats' shaved thorax with an elasticized band. Skin temperature was recorded before each test, then the heater activated. When the cat responded by flinching, turning or jumping the heater was turned off and the temperature recorded. In the first study TT were measured following subcutaneous (SC) injection of ketoprofen (2 mg kg^?1) or a similar volume of saline. In the second study, prior to TT, and under isoflurane restraint, a mild inflammatory focus was produced at the probe site by five SC injections of 5 mg kaolin in 0.1 mL saline at each corner and in the center of a 1.5‐cm square. Saline or ketoprofen as in the first study were injected at the same time. Three baseline temperatures were recorded before any injections were given. Thermal thresholds were measured at 1 and 2 hours and then two‐hourly for 24 hours. Data were analysed using anova . Baseline skin temperature increased (37.3 ± 0.5–38.1 ± 0.8 °C) 24 hours after saline injection in study 2 (p < 0.05) but did not change after any other treatment. Thermal thresholds decreased (40.0 ± 1.3 to 39.1 ± 0.4 °C) 16 hours after ketoprofen in study 1 (p < 0.05) and increased (41.6 ± 1.5–44.8 ± 6.1 °C) 16–24 hours after ketoprofen in study 2 (p < 0.05), with no significant changes after saline. No obvious increase in sensitivity to thermal stimulation after kaolin injection was detected although obvious inflammation was present for up to 36 hours and the cats responded to digital pressure at the treated site. The method detected some effects of a COX1 selective NSAID and may be suitable for future NSAID studies in cats. However, a pressure stimulus ( Dixon et al. 2000) may prove better than thermal, and it requires investigation.     

Thermodynamics of calcite growth: baseline for understanding biomineral formation

The complexity of biomineralized structures suggests the potential of organic constituents for controlling energetic factors during crystal synthesis. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the thermodynamic controls on carbonate growth and to measure the dependence of step speed on step length and the dependence of critical step length on supersaturation in precisely controlled solutions. These data were used to test the classic Gibbs-Thomson relationship and provided the step edge free energies and free energy barriers to one-dimension nucleation for calcite. Addition of aspartic acid, a common component in biomineralizing systems, dramatically affected growth morphology and altered the magnitude of the surface energy.     

Serum cobalamin concentrations in healthy cats and cats with non-alimentary tract illness in Australia

Objective   To determine a reference range for serum cobalamin concentration in healthy cats in Australia using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and to prospectively investigate the prevalence of hypocobalaminaemia in cats with non-alimentary tract disease.
Design   Prospective study measuring serum cobalamin concentrations in clinically healthy cats and cats with non-alimentary tract illness.
Procedure   Blood was collected from 50 clinically healthy cats that were owned by staff and associates of Veterinary Specialist Services or were owned animals presented to Creek Road Cat Clinic for routine vaccination. Blood was collected from 47 cats with non-alimentary tract illness presented at either clinic. Serum cobalamin concentration was determined for each group using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.
Results   A reference range for Australian cats calculated using the central 95th percentile in the 50 clinically healthy cats was 345 to 3668 pg/mL. Median serum cobalamin concentration in 47 cats with non-alimentary tract illness (1186 pg/mL; range 117–3480) was not significantly different to the median serum cobalamin of the 50 healthy cats (1213 pg/mL, range 311–3688). Using the calculated reference range one sick cat with non-alimentary tract illness had a markedly low serum cobalamin concentration.
Conclusion   Although hypocobalaminaemia is uncommon in sick cats with non-alimentary tract illness in Australia, its occurrence in this study warrants further investigation.     

Australian surveillance for avian influenza viruses in wild birds between July 2005 and June 2007

Objective   To identify and gain an understanding of the influenza viruses circulating in wild birds in Australia.
Design   A total of 16,303 swabs and 3782 blood samples were collected and analysed for avian influenza (AI) viruses from 16,420 wild birds in Australia between July 2005 and June 2007. Anseriformes and Charadriiformes were primarily targeted.
Procedures   Cloacal, oropharyngeal and faecal (environmental) swabs were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the AI type A matrix gene. Positive samples underwent virus culture and subtyping. Serum samples were analysed using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for influenza A virus nucleoprotein.
Results   No highly pathogenic AI viruses were identified. However, 164 PCR tests were positive for the AI type A matrix gene, 46 of which were identified to subtype. A total of five viruses were isolated, three of which had a corresponding positive PCR and subtype identification (H3N8, H4N6, H7N6). Low pathogenic AI H5 and/or H7 was present in wild birds in New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Antibodies to influenza A were also detected in 15.0% of the birds sampled.
Conclusions   Although low pathogenic AI virus subtypes are currently circulating in Australia, their prevalence is low (1.0% positive PCR). Surveillance activities for AI in wild birds should be continued to provide further epidemiological information about circulating viruses and to identify any changes in subtype prevalence.     

Genetic analyses of piglet survival and individual birth weight on first generation data of a selection experiment for piglet survival under outdoor conditions

Genetic parameters of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated on the first generation data of a selection experiment aimed at improving piglet survival using a multiple trait linear and threshold model. Data on 5293 piglets for survival at birth, at day one after birth and during the entire nursing period, as well as individual birth weight and litter size, were recorded in an outdoor production system. Genetic effects of piglet survival traits and birth weight were estimated based on threshold and Gaussian models, respectively, using a Bayesian approach. The statistical model included as fixed effects selection group, parity, gender, fostering, gestation length and month of farrowing and, alternatively, an adjustment for litter size. Direct genetic effects (i.e. the piglet's genetic potential) for piglet survival and birth weight were estimated separately, whereas maternal genetic and environmental effects could only be estimated for the given data structure in a combined litter effect. Posterior means of heritabilities for direct genetic effects of survival at birth, at first day after birth and the entire nursing period, as well as birth weight, were 0.08, 0.07, 0.08 and 0.20, respectively. Genetic correlations among survival traits were in the range of 0.29 to 0.40 and indicate that these traits were mainly attributable to different genetic effects. Genetic correlations between direct effects of survival traits and birth weight ranged between 0.18 and 0.23 and were reduced when weights of stillborn piglets were omitted in the analysis or the traits were adjusted for litter size. The magnitudes of direct genetic effects of survival traits are substantially higher than estimates in the literature, which may indicate that these traits have a higher genetic influence under outdoor conditions. The use of birth weight in the multiple trait estimation provided important information for the estimation of survival traits due to its favourable genetic correlations with survival, its high heritability and its high information content as a continuously measured trait.     

Multiply-primed rolling-circle amplification (MPRCA) of PCV2 genomes: Applications on detection, sequencing and virus isolation

Multiply-primed rolling-circle amplification (MPRCA) was used to amplify porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) genomes isolated from tissues of pigs with signs of post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Two of the amplified PCV2 genomes were cloned in prokaryotic plasmids and sequenced. Both were nearly identical (1767 nt) except for one silent substitution in the region coding for the capsid protein (ORF2). In addition, they showed high nucleotide sequence similarity with PCV2 isolates from others countries (93–99%). To investigate whether the MPRCA amplified PCV2 genomes could be used to produce infectious virus, the cloned genomes were isolated from the plasmids, recircularized and used for transfection in PK-15 cells. This procedure led to the production of infectious virus to titres up to 10^5.55 TCID₅₀/mL. It was concluded that MPRCA is a useful tool to amplify PCV2 genomes aiming at sequencing and virus isolation strategies, where particularly useful is the fact that it allows straightforward construction of PCV2 infectious clones from amplified genomes. However, it was less sensitive than PCR for diagnostic purposes.     

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and thermal antinociceptive pharmacodynamics of 20 µg kg−1 buprenorphine administered sublingually or intravenously in cats

Little is known about the analgesic action of buprenorphine (BUP) in cats. Relative to man, the cat has a more alkaline oral pH, which may make this an effective route for administering BUP in this species. This study aimed to assess and compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sublingual (S‐L) and IV administration of BUP. Thermal threshold (TT) was measured and blood samples were collected following IV or S‐L administration (20 µg kg^?1) of the injectable formulation. Six cats (five spayed females, one castrated male, 4.1–6.6 kg) were used. Each cat received both treatments in a randomized cross‐over study design with 1 month between experiments. Twenty‐four hours prior to each study, the lateral thorax of each of the cats was shaved, cephalic and jugular catheters placed, and oral pH measured. On the day of the study, TT was measured using a ‘thorax‐mounted’ thermal threshold‐testing device specifically developed for cats. The cats were free to move around. Skin temperature was recorded before each test, then the heater activated. When the cat responded by flinching, turning, or jumping, the stimulus was terminated and the threshold temperature was recorded. The thermal threshold cut‐off point was 55.5 °C. Three baseline thresholds were recorded before treatment with S‐L or IV (via cephalic catheter) BUP (20 µg kg^?1). Blood was withdrawn (jugular) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours post‐administration. TT was measured every 30 minutes?6 hours, 1–12 hours, and at 24 hours post‐administration. Plasma was immediately separated, stored at ?20.5 °C, and assayed within 4 months using a commercially available ¹²⁵I radioimmunoassay. Threshold data were analyzed using anova with a repeat factor of time. No adverse effects were noted. Pupils were dilated for up to 9 hours post‐BUP. Behavioral changes were calm euphoria. Measured oral pH was 9 in each cat. Pre‐treatment mean threshold (±SD) was 41.2 ± 0.9 °C in the S‐L group and 40.8 ± 0.85 °C in the IV group. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to thresholds over time (p = 0.72). Thresholds were significantly increased from 30 to 360 minutes in both the groups (>44.615 °C). Peak plasma BUP (C_max) was lower (11 ± 6.7 ng mL^?1vs. 92.9 ± 107.9 ng mL^?1) and occurred later (T_max) (30 minutes vs. 1 minute) after S‐L compared to IV administration, respectively. BUP (20 µg kg^?1)‐administered S‐L or IV provided antinociception between 30 and 360 minutes after administration. Plasma levels did not correspond to TT.