Kinematics and ground reaction forces in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis

OBJECTIVE: To measure and correlate kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data in horses with superficial digital flexor tendinitis. ANIMALS: 6 sound horses. PROCEDURE: Horses were evaluated before (sound evaluation) and after (lame evaluation) induction of superficial digital flexor tendinitis in 1 forelimb (randomized) by injection of collagenase. As each horse trotted, kinematic data were collected by use of an optoelectronic system, and GRF data were measured by use of a force plate. Three-dimensional kinematic and GRF data were projected onto a 2-dimensional sagittal plane. RESULTS: Lame limbs had significantly lower peak vertical GRF, less flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint, and less extension of the metacarpophalangeal joint, compared with compensating limbs. Carpal joint kinematics did not change. Compensating limbs had a more protracted orientation throughout the stance phase and higher braking longitudinal force and impulse; however, total range of rotation from ground contact to lift off did not change. Transfer of body weight from lame to compensating limbs was smooth, without elevation of the body mass into a suspension phase. Propulsive components of longitudinal GRF did not differ between limbs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In horses with experimentally induced superficial digital flexor tendinitis, changes in vertical GRF were reflected in angular excursions of the distal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints, whereas changes in longitudinal GRF were associated with alterations in the protraction-retraction angle of the entire limb.     

Cervical spinal kinematics: a comparison between foals and adult horses

A photographic method was used to measure axial rotation, dorsoventral flexion and extension and lateral bending at each intervertebral joint complex from the occiput to the first thoracic vertebra in spinal segments from 19 foals under 12 months of age and 14 horses over three years of age. Comparisons between the two groups showed that there was a general reduction in cervical spinal mobility with age. For the three types of movement at the eight joints tested, adults' mobility exceeded that of foals in only three cases (axial rotation and lateral bending at the A-O joint, and lateral bending at C7-T1). These differences were not significant (P greater than 0.05). In the remaining 21 cases the amplitude of movement was greater in the foals, the differences being significant (P less than 0.05) in 16 cases. With regard to overall mobility of the cervical spine the foals exceeded the adults by 17.3 per cent for axial rotation, 22.0 per cent for dorsoventral flexion and extension and 18.7 per cent for lateral bending.     

Comparison of two injectable anesthetic regimes in feral cats at a large-volume spay clinic

Same‐day mass sterilization of feral cats requires rapid onset, short‐duration anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to compare our current anesthetic protocol, Telazol–ketamine–xylazine (TKX) with medetomidine–ketamine–buprenorphine (MKB). Feral female cats received either IM TKX (n = 68; 0.25 mL cat^?1; tiletamine 12.5 mg, zolazepam 12.5 mg, K 20 mg, and X 5 mg per 0.25 mL) or MKB (n = 17; M 40 µg kg^?1, K 15 mg kg^?1, and B 10 µg kg^?1). Intervals measured included time from injection to recumbency, time to surgery, duration of surgery, and time from reversal of anesthesia (TKX: yohimbine 0.50 mg cat^?1 IV; MKB: atipamezole 0.50 mg cat^?1 IM) to sternal recumbency. Following instrumentation (Vet/Ox 4403 and Vet/BP Plus 6500), physiological measurements were recorded at 5‐minute intervals, and included rectal temperature, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), SpO₂ (lingual or rectal probes), and indirect mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) (oscillometric method). Nonparametric means were compared using Mann–Whitney U‐tests. Parametric means were compared using a two‐factorial anova with Bonferroni's t‐tests. The alpha‐priori significance level was p < 0.05. Values were mean ± SD. Body weight (TKX: 2.9 ± 0.5 kg, MKB: 2.7 ± 0.7 kg), time to recumbency (TKX: 4 ± 1 minutes, MKB: 3 ± 1 minutes), time to surgery (TKX: 28 ± 7 minutes, MKB: 28 ± 5 minutes), and duration of surgery (TKX: 11 ± 7 minutes, MKB: 8 ± 5 minutes) did not differ between groups. In contrast, MKB cats required less time from reversal to sternal recumbency (TKX: 68 ± 41 minutes, MKB: 7 ± 2 minutes) and were recumbent for shorter duration (TKX: 114 ± 39 minutes, MKB: 53 ± 6 minutes). Temperature decreased during the study in both groups, but overall temperature was higher in MKB cats (38.0 ± 0.95 °C) than in TKX cats (37.5 ± 0.95 °C). RR, HR, and SpO₂ did not change during the study in either group. However, overall HR and RR were higher in TKX cats (RR: 18 ± 8 breaths minute^?1, HR: 153 ± 30 beats minute^?1) compared to MKB cats (RR: 15 ± 7 breaths minute^?1, HR: 128 ± 19 beats minute^?1). In contrast, overall SpO₂ was lower in the TKX group (90 ± 6%) compared to the MKB group (94 ± 4%). MAP was also lower in the TKX group (112 ± 29 mm Hg) compared to that in the MKB group (122 ± 20 mm Hg). However, MAP increased in the TKX group during surgery compared to pre‐surgical values, but did not change in the MKB group. The results of this study suggested that MKB might be more suitable as an anesthetic for the purpose of mass sterilization of feral female cats.     

Table ducks: Meat content and skeletal development

In an attempt to develop a method of estimating the lean meat content of live meat‐type ducklings, measurements were made on 378 birds of the lengths of the wing‐bones and the gaps between them, using X‐ray photographs, and were correlated with measurements of the weight of the wing muscles, obtained at dissection. Associations with live and eviscerated weight were also examined. Findings are:

1. in birds photographed at 48 d of age there were high phenotypic correlations among the skeletal measurements

2. the skeletal measurements were correlated with breast‐muscle weight at 49 d of age;

3. nevertheless, the correlations between skeletal and breast‐muscle measurements were not sufficiently high to form a basis for selection in breeding programmes.

     

酶制剂在粪便处理中的应用前景

任何可影响养分消化率的饲料添加剂都能减少饲喂养分的损失并改善饲料利用率。这样的添加剂还能实际减少粪便的产量,这对许多集约化养猪生产地区有巨大的好处,因为这些地区大量的猪粪可成为生产发展的制约因素。最近在加拿大和美国进行的研究表明,在于包含蛋白酶在内的“多酶制剂”,再辅以饲料加工手段,可以影响粪便的量和成分。     

Cinematographic analysis of the gait of lame horses

The gait characteristics of a horse with a non-articular fracture of the right supraglenoid tubercle are described. On physical examination, protraction of the injured limb was painful and limited in extent. Observation at the trot indicated that the horse was transferring weight onto the sound (left) diagonal by lowering the head, neck and trunk during the diagonal stance phase. There was little angular rotation of the shoulder and elbow joints present in the injured limb and consequently the toe barely cleared the ground during the swing phase.Analysis of high speed cinematography films was used to measure the stride parameters and quantify the gait asymmetries. The stance phase and the anterior phaseof the stride were significantly shorter in the right forelimb than the left (p<0.01) and the single support phase was minimized by increasing the overlap of the rightforelimb with the other limbs. Kinematic analysis showed a redistribution of body weight to relieve the load on the injured limb. During the right diagonal (RF- LH) stance phase the poll and withers sunk to their lowest point and the whole trunksegment advanced cranially over the left forelimb. In contrast during the left diagonal (LF-RH) stance phase the poll and withers were elevated and the trunk segment was shifted more caudally to transfer a greater proportion of the body weight onto the left hind limb rather than the painful right forelimb.     

Amphibian emergency medicine.

General concepts of amphibian emergency medicine are presented, including a review of patient selection, appropriate history, and helpful equipment. Physical examination procedures, general treatment, and diagnostic techniques are discussed. This is followed by a review of conditions commonly observed in amphibians and specific treatment options.     

Emergency and critical care of fish.

Most fish emergencies are the result of inappropriate environmental conditions and primary or secondary infectious disease or trauma. The immediate response should be to increase aeration, provide suitable water, and decrease stressors. A thorough history, evaluation of the fish and their environment, and some rapid diagnostic tests (particularly direct and stained cytology) often provide the information needed to make a diagnosis and render appropriate treatment. When cohorts are at risk and the patient is unlikely to recover, euthanasia and necropsy are recommended to reach a definitive diagnosis. Some common emergencies include ammonia and nitrite toxicity; low dissolved oxygen; copper and chlorine toxicity; gas supersaturation; and certain bacterial, protozoal, and viral diseases.