Randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of short-term amitriptyline administration for treatment of acute,nonobstructive, idiopathic lower urinary tract disease in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether short-term amitriptyline administration would be efficacious in the treatment of acute, nonobstructive, idiopathic lower urinary tract disease in cats. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 31 untreated male and female cats with acute, nonobstructive, idiopathic lower urinary tract disease. PROCEDURES: Cats were treated with amitriptyline (5 mg/d; n = 16) or a placebo (15) for 7 days and monitored for pollakiuria, hematuria, and adverse events. Cats were reexamined 1 month after treatment, and owners were interviewed by telephone 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. RESULTS: 2 amitriptyline-treated cats were excluded from analyses because of acquired urinary tract infection. Clinical signs resolved by day 8 in 8 amitriptyline-treated and 10 control cats. There were no apparent differences in likelihood or rate of recovery from pollakiuria or hematuria between groups. Overall, clinical signs recurred significantly faster and more frequently in amitriptyline-treated than control cats. However, after excluding recurrences within 21 days of treatment, risk of recurrence was similar in both groups. Increasing age was significantly associated with increased likelihood and rate of recovery from hematuria and with decreased risk of recurrence of signs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that short-term amitriptyline treatment has no benefit in terms of resolution of pollakiuria and hematuria in cats with idiopathic lower urinary tract disease and may be associated with an increased risk of recurrence.     

A review of anhidrosis in horses

Horses with anhidrosis are defined by signs of impaired thermoregulation caused by sweating that is inadequate for the ambient conditions. Anhidrosis has been recognised since the early twentieth century; affected horses have been variably described as nonsweaters, drycoats, blowers or puffers. The condition affects horses of all age groups, breeds, coat colours, genders and activities and is common among horses in hot, humid environments. Despite the enormous financial and emotional costs of anhidrosis, the causes and pathogenesis of the condition are largely unknown and no consistently effective treatment has been found.     

Vulnerability of national economies to the impacts of climate change on fisheries

Anthropogenic global warming has significantly influenced physical and biological processes at global and regional scales. The observed and anticipated changes in global climate present significant opportunities and challenges for societies and economies. We compare the vulnerability of 132 national economies to potential climate change impacts on their capture fisheries using an indicator-based approach. Countries in Central and Western Africa (e.g. Malawi, Guinea, Senegal, and Uganda), Peru and Colombia in north-western South America, and four tropical Asian countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan, and Yemen) were identified as most vulnerable. This vulnerability was due to the combined effect of predicted warming, the relative importance of fisheries to national economies and diets, and limited societal capacity to adapt to potential impacts and opportunities. Many vulnerable countries were also among the world's least developed countries whose inhabitants are among the world's poorest and twice as reliant on fish, which provides 27% of dietary protein compared to 13% in less vulnerable countries. These countries also produce 20% of the world's fish exports and are in greatest need of adaptation planning to maintain or enhance the contribution that fisheries can make to poverty reduction. Although the precise impacts and direction of climate-driven change for particular fish stocks and fisheries are uncertain, our analysis suggests they are likely to lead to either increased economic hardship or missed opportunities for development in countries that depend upon fisheries but lack the capacity to adapt.     

PERFORMANCE AND VITAMIN A STATUS OF SHEEP GRAZING HIGH-NITRATE PASTURES

Nitrogen levels of 0,184 and 368 Ib (0,83.47 and 166.94 kg) were applied, as calcium ammonium nitrate, in six dressings throughout the grazing season to a perennial ryegrass/white clover sward. Herbage samples taken, periodically from each treatment and analysed nitrate for, indicated that the latter increased with increasing levels of applied nitrogen. Herbage nitrate levels were higher towards the end of the grazing season than at any other time. There was no consistent relationship between applied nitrogen and total plant nitrogen, although the latter tended to run parallel with applied nitrogen levels during the early part of the year.
Sheep performance was significantly increased with the first increment of 184lb (83.47 kg) of nitrogen; a second increment of 1841b resulted in a further, but non-significant, increase. High-nitrate pastures did not significantly reduce liver vitamin A storage in sheep. It is suggested that approximately 350 Ib (158.79 kg) of nitrogen, applied uniformly throughout the grazing season, results in pasture nitrate levels which have no adverse affect on sheep performance.     

World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP) guidelines for evaluating the efficacy of anticoccidial drugs in chickens and turkeys

These guidelines have been written to aid in the design, implementation and interpretation of studies for the assessment of drug efficacy against Eimeria species in chickens and turkeys. The information provided deals with many aspects of how to conduct controlled studies in battery cages (dose determination), floor pens (dose confirmation), and commercial facilities (field effectiveness studies), the selection of birds, housing, feeding, preparation of medicated rations, record keeping, diagnostic techniques, and methods for the preparation, maintenance and use of parasites. These guidelines are also intended to assist investigators in conducting specific studies, provide specific information for registration authorities involved in the decision-making process, assist in the approval and registration of new anticoccidial drugs, and facilitate the world-wide adoption of standard procedures.     

Nervous disease associated with coccidiosis in young cattle

Four cases are described of nervous disease associated with coccidiosis in young cattle. Prodromal nystagmus, ventromedial strabismus, sternal or lateral recumbency with contortions of the head and neck, near normal interictal periods and palpable proctitis were common findings. Differentiation from other nervous disorders in young cattle and the pathogenesis of the nervous signs associated with coccidiosis are discussed. It is suggested that the clinical picture is sufficiently distinctive to allow a diagnosis to be made on clinical grounds alone.