EFFECT OF REPRODUCTIVE STATUS ON FELINE RENAL SIZE

Renal length and width dimensions were determined from survey radiography and excretory urography in 28 cats of various sex and reproductive status. Renal dimensions were expressed as a ratio to the length of the second lumbar vertebra. Renal dimensions were not significantly different when males were compared to females. However, significant differences in renal dimensions between intact and neutered cats were identified. Renal length ratios for neutered cats were: left kidney 2.22 +/- 0.14 (mean +/- standard deviation), right kidney 2.29 +/- 0.14. In intact cats, renal length ratios were: left kidney 2.60 +/- 0.19, right kidney 2.65 +/- 0.24. The mean renal length ratios for neutered cats was smaller than previously reported normal values. Thus, reproductive status should be considered when evaluating feline kidneys for alterations in size. Based on this study, normal feline renal length ratios range from 1.9 to 2.6 for neutered cats and 2.1 to 3.2 for intact cats.     

A Biomechanical Evaluation and Assessment of the Accuracy of Reduction of Two Methods of Acetabular Osteotomy Fixation in Dogs

Objective—To compare the accuracy of reduction, biomechanical characteristics, and mode of failure of two methods of acetabular osteotomy repair. Study Design—Acetabular osteotomies were created in 16 paired hemipelves and stabilized with a screw/wire/polymethylmethacrylate composite fixation technique (SWP) or a 2-mm veterinary acetabular plate (VAP). Eight intact hemipelves were used as controls. Sample Population—Twelve canine cadavers. Methods—Accuracy of osteotomy reduction was evaluated grossly and by measurement of articular incongruencies formed in polyvinylsiloxane impression casts. Acetabula were loaded in modified bending until failure using a universal testing machine. Data from load-deformation curves were used to determine the biomechanical characteristics of the repaired and intact acetabula. Mode of failure was evaluated grossly and radiographically. Results—Osteotomy reduction was superior in acetabula stabilized with SWP. Mean values ± standard deviation for load at failure and stiffness of the intact acetabula were 2,796 ± 152.9 N and 267.5 ±61.9 N/mm. Corresponding values for SWP and VAP were 1,192 ± 202.7 N and 136.3 ± 76.5 N/mm, and 1,100.5 ± 331.6 N and 110.0 ± 51.3 N/mm, respectively. The mean load at failure and stiffness of intact acetabula was significantly greater than acetabula stabilized with SWP or VAP. There was no significant difference between SWP and VAP for load at failure or stiffness. Failure of acetabula stabilized with SWP occurred by fracture of the polymethylmethacrylate and ventrolateral bending of the wires. Acetabula stabilized with VAP failed by ventrolateral twisting of the plate and bending of the caudal screws. Conclusions—SWP and VAP provide comparable rigidity, however, the SWP facilitates more accurate osteotomy reduction. Clinical Relevance—These findings support the use of the SWP technique as an alternative method of acetabular fracture repair.     

Effects of feed form on growth and blood glucose in weanling horses

Eight weanling Standardbred horses were used to evaluate the effects on growth and plasma glucose of two differently processed diets with identical ingredients fed at a rate of 3% of body weight, as fed, daily. The daily ration was divided into two equal feedings at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm. The hay and grain diet (diet HG) consisted of 50% alfalfa hay cubes and 50% of a commercial growing horse texturized grain mix fed as is, without any further processing, with each part fed in separate containers. The completely pelleted diet (diet P) consisted of the same proportions of the hay cubes and grain mix that was ground, pelleted, and fed in a single container. Two groups of four horses were fed either diet P or diet HG for two 21-day periods such that each horse consumed each diet for 21 days. On the last day of each feeding period, 7-mL blood samples were drawn into heparinized evacuated blood tubes for determination of plasma glucose concentration. Blood samples were drawn 30 minutes before the afternoon feeding, immediately before, and every 30 minutes thereafter for 5 hours. Analysis of variance found greater (P = .027) average daily gain for horses fed diet P versus diet HG. A nonsignificant difference was seen in feed efficiency (P = .057) for horses fed diet P versus diet HG. Plasma glucose changes were compared across treatments using area under the curve analysis. No difference (P > .05) was found in the postprandial plasma glucose changes between diet treatments.     

Serum concentrations and effects of detomidine delivered orally to horses in three different mediums

Objective To compare the effect of orally delivered detomidine on head posture when administered alone or in combination with two different food items, and to determine the serum concentrations of detomidine after oral delivery. Study Design Prospective randomized experimental study. Animals Fifteen adult grade mares weighing 328–537 kg. Methods The horses were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (five horses each). The groups were given detomidine (0.06 mg kg^?1): alone; mixed with 3 mL of an apple sauce and gum mixture; or mixed with 3 mL molasses. Head droop, measured before treatment and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 minutes after treatment, was used to evaluate sedation. Yohimbine (0.1 mg kg^?1 IV) was administered after the 90‐minute evaluation. Blood samples were collected from the detomidine‐alone group before treatment and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes after treatment. Sera were analyzed for detomidine equivalent concentrations by an ELISA. Head droop percentages were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Results Significant mean head droop developed in each treatment group by 30 minutes and persisted until reversal with yohimbine. After yohimbine administration, head positions returned to 87–91% of pre‐treatment levels. There were no significant differences among the oral treatment groups at any time. Mean serum detomidine equivalents increased slowly until 45‐minute post‐administration, but never exceeded 30 ng mL^?1. Conclusions Orally administered detomidine results in measurable serum drug concentrations using any of the delivery mediums investigated, and can be expected to produce profound head droop in horses approximately 45 minutes after administration.     

Analgesic Effect of the Transdermal Fentanyl Patch During and After Feline Ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the transdermal fentanyl patch in relieving perioperative pain and stress associated with ovariohysterectomy in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective laboratory trial. ANIMALS: Twenty-four female, purpose-bred cats. METHODS: Each cat was randomly assigned to groups 1-3. Group 1 received a 25-microg/h transdermal fentanyl patch only. Group 2 received the patch and anesthesia. Group 3 received anesthesia only. Patches were left in place for 72 hours. Rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, indirect blood pressure, blood glucose, serum cortisol concentration, plasma fentanyl concentration, pain score, and excitement/sedation score were monitored at prescribed intervals over an 81-hour period. Cats from groups 1-3 were reassigned to groups 4 and 5. Group 4 received the patch, anesthesia, and an ovariohysterectomy. Group 5 received anesthesia and an ovariohysterectomy only. The study period and monitored parameters were the same as for groups 1-3. RESULTS: Serum cortisol concentrations were significantly lower in group 4 than group 5 during the surgical and early postsurgical time periods. A similar effect was noted in blood glucose concentrations during the surgical period. Rectal temperature was significantly higher in group 2 when comparing all anesthetized groups during the early postsurgical period. Pain scores were significantly higher in groups 4 and 5 than in groups 2 and 3 during the early postsurgical period. There was no significant difference in pain scores between groups 4 and 5 during this period, however. CONCLUSIONS: The transdermal fentanyl patch affects biochemical markers of perioperative pain and stress associated with ovariohysterectomy in cats, attenuating rises in serum cortisol and blood glucose concentrations during the surgical and early postsurgical periods. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The transdermal fentanyl patch is effective in alleviating perioperative pain and stress associated with ovariohysterectomy in cats as evidenced by attenuated rises in cortisol and blood glucose concentrations in cats that were operated on and treated with the patch.     

Field comparison of the interferon-gamma assay and the intradermal tuberculin test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis

An extensive field comparison of the gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) assay and the single intradermal tuberculin test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis was conducted in Australia. The specificity of the IFN-gamma assay was determined by testing more than 6000 cattle from tuberculosis-free herds and varied from 96.2% to 98.1%, depending on the cut-off point chosen to define a positive reactor. For the sensitivity trial, cattle from herds being de-populated because of bovine tuberculosis were examined with both assays. The sensitivity of the IFN-gamma assay was shown to be significantly higher than the single intradermal tuberculin test and varied from 76.8% to 93.6% depending on the method of interpretation. A maximum overall sensitivity of 95.2% was obtained by testing with the IFN-gamma and the tuberculin test in parallel. The superior sensitivity of the IFN-gamma assay and the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the system depending on the task involved, will provide the Australian Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign with a valuable additional test to enable it to accomplish its goals.     

When, how and why to perform a double ballooning technique for dogs with valvular pulmonic stenosis

Pulmonic valvuloplasty is a well-established method for the treatment of valvular pulmonic stenosis in people and dogs. In dogs, pulmonic valvuloplasty has been restricted to a single balloon; however, the simultaneous use of two balloons is common in pediatric cardiology. The use of two balloons provides an alternative to the use of a single large balloon in small dogs with a pulmonic anulus size that requires a large dilation catheter and large diameter introducer. Moreover, double balloon valvuloplasty permits dilation in large dogs with large pulmonic anulus sizes for which standard dilation catheters are not available. This report outlines the materials required, describes the technique, gives the advantages and disadvantages encountered when performing percutaneous double balloon valvuloplasty and provides some ‘tips’ for a successful outcome.     

Benefits to foals of feeding soybean meal to lactating broodmares

In order to test the hypothesis that an improvement in the quality of the dietary protein fed lactating mares would improve the growth of their nursling foals, Thoroughbred mares were fed approximately isonitrogenous diets differing slightly in their amino acid compositions during the last 2 weeks of gestation and the first 7 weeks of lactation. The differences in the diets resulted from the substitution of a portion of the complete pelleted feed with soybean meal (SBM). The crude protein content of mares' milk was significantly increased by SBM substitution during the first 5 weeks of lactation. However, SBM did not prevent the gradual decline in protein content typical of mares' milk during the course of lactation. The relative amino acid composition of mares' milk was not changed by SBM substitution, suggesting that more growth-limiting amino acids were provided to the foals suckling from SBM-supplemented mares. The plasma concentrations of lysine, methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine and valine were significantly greater in the foals of SBM-supplemented mares. Those foals grew in withers height about 10% more rapidly during their first 7 weeks of life. These findings indicate that the growth of nursing foals is responsive to the amino acid composition of their dams' diets.