Changes in taurine levels in response to repeated administration of the β2-agonist salbutamol in lambs

Repeated oral administration of salbutamol to lambs for 28 days was found to decrease levels of taurine significantly in the serum and heart, and the mean excretion of taurine into urine was significantly less than in controls. Serum urea, low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein were also significantly reduced. Consistent with these changes, fat content in muscle was reduced, whereas protein content was not significantly changed. Body weight was not significantly changed by salbutamol treatment but heart and kidney weights (relative to body weight) were significantly increased. Salbutamol excretion in urine was relatively constant and residues were detected in certain organs and tissues, notably liver, bile and kidney. Changes in urinary and serum taurine level may reflect subtle changes in protein metabolism not detectable as changes in body weight or gross protein content.     

Determinants and Utility of the Anion Gap in Predicting Hyperlactatemia in Cattle

The objectives of this study were to investigate the determinants of the anion gap (AG) in cattle and to evaluate the utility of AG in detecting hyperlactatemia in sick neonatal calves and adult cattle. The AG was calculated as AG = ([Na+] + [K+]) - ([Cl^-] + [HCO₃]), with all values in mEq/L. The AG of healthy neonatal calves (n = 16) was 29.6 ± 6.2 mEq/L (mean ± SD), and the blood L-lactate concentration ranged from 0.5 to 1.2 mM/L. The AG was significantly (P > .05) correlated with serum phosphate (r = .66) and creatinine (r = .51) concentrations. The AG of neonatal calves with experimentally induced diarrhea (n = 16) was 28.6 ± 5.6 mEq/L, and the blood L-lactate concentration ranged from 1.1 to 2.9 mM/L. The AG was significantly correlated with blood L-lactate concentration (r = .67), serum phosphate concentration (r = .63), creatinine concentration (r = .76), and blood pH (r = -.61). The AG of adult cattle with abomasal volvulus (n = 41) was 20.5 ± 7.8 mEq/L, and the blood L-lactate concentration ranged from 0.6 to 15.6 mM/L. The AG was significantly correlated with blood L-lactate concentration (r = .60), serum phosphate concentration (r = .71), creatinine concentration (r = .65), albumin concentration (r = .47), total protein concentration (r = .54), blood pyruvate concentration (r = .67), and blood pH (r = -.41) but not plasma β-OH butyrate concentration. The results indicate that the AG in cattle is only moderately correlated with blood L-lactate concentration and is similarly correlated with serum phosphate and creatinine concentrations in neonatal calves and adult cattle, as well as with serum albumin and total protein concentrations in adult cattle. Anion gap determination is of limited usefulness in predicting blood L-lactate concentration in sick cattle, whereas the correlation between AG and serum creatinine concentration in sick cattle suggests that an increased AG should alert the clinician to the potential presence of uremic anions.     

Variation in the colour of broiler breast fillets in the UK

1. The normal range in colour of broiler breast muscle was assessed using an objective (instrumental) measure of colour in portioned breast fillets at a commercial processing plant. In addition, the relationship between colour and ultimate muscle pH (pH(ult)) was also examined. 2. Considerable variation in colour was evident although minimal inter-flock variation was found. The exceptions were 2 free range flocks which produced breast fillets significantly lighter and less red. 3. Extremes of colour are likely to be discriminated against at the point of purchase. 4. A clear relationship between pH(ult) and L* values was found which provides more evidence for the existence of a PSE like condition in broiler breast meat.     

Resolution of skin lesions and long-term survival in a dog with superficial necrolytic dermatitis and liver cirrhosis

A nine-year-old, neutered female Shetland sheepdog was presented with crusted, ulcerative skin lesions affecting the footpads, commissures of the lips and the lateral canthi of the eyes. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies revealed changes consistent with superficial necrolytic dermatitis and biochemical analysis demonstrated elevated liver enzymes. Abdominal radiography revealed a small liver which, on ultrasonography, appeared diffusely mottled and showed changes suggestive of periportal fibrosis. On exploratory laparotomy, the pancreas appeared normal, but the liver was small and had multiple nodules throughout the parenchyma. This appearance was confirmed as cirrhosis on histopathological examination. The dog was placed on a hepatic support diet and treated with colchicine, essential fatty acid supplementation and raw egg yolks. After four weeks, the skin lesions had resolved and the dog remained free of clinical signs over a 22-month follow-up period.     

Therapeutics of companion exotic marsupials.

Exotic marsupials are becoming popular companion pets, yet little pharmacologic information is available to the practitioner. Species include sugar gliders (Petarus breviceps), South American (Brazilian) short-tailed opossums (Monodelphis domestica), brushtail possum or "phalanger" (Trichosurus vulpecula), and wallabies: Bennett's (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus) and Tammar or Dama (Macropus eugenii). Guidelines for logical choices of medications based on allometric scaling, gastrointestinal tract anatomy and physiology, and liver metabolism are given. An example of scaling and a formulary based on anecdotal, published medications are provided.     

Normal bacterial flora from vaginas of Criollo Limonero cows

In order to describe the normal bacterial flora in vaginas of Criollo Limonero cows, 51 healthy multiparous cows, at least 90-day postpartum, were selected. Duplicated swabs (N = 102) were taken from the vaginal fornix of cows to perform aerobic and anaerobic cultures as well as conventional biochemical tests. Out of 102 swabs, bacterial growth was obtained in 55 (53.9%) while the remaining 47 (46.1%) did not exhibited any bacterial growth. Of the 55 bacterial growths, 23 (41.8%) were aerobic whereas 32 (58.1%) were anaerobic. Likewise, 29 (52.72%) of bacterial growths were pure and 26 (47.27%) were mixed. Under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, Gram positive bacteria were predominant (81.82% and 73.08%, respectively) over Gram negative bacteria (18.18% and 26.92%, respectively). Isolated bacteria were Arcanobacterium pyogenes (22.92%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.63%), Staphylococcus coagulase negative (17.71%), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (6.25%), Bacteroides spp. (13.54%), and Peptostreptococcus spp. (7.29%). In conclusion, normal vaginal bacterial flora of Criollo Limonero cows was predominantly Gram positive and included A. pyogenes, S. aureus, coagulase negative Staphylococcus, E. rhusiopathiae, Bacteroides spp., and Peptostreptococcus spp. In Criollo Limonero cattle, adaptive aspects such as development of humoral and physical mechanisms for defense, and bacterial adaptation to host deserve research attention.     

A critical assessment of antimicrobial treatment in uncomplicated Salmonella enteritis

The human and veterinary literature on the effect of antimicrobials on the clinical and bacteriological cure in uncomplicated Salmonella gastroenteritis is reviewed. Comparison of data on the efficacy of conventional antimicrobials (chloramphenicol, neomycin, ampicillin, amoxycillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim/sulfonamide combinations) and the newer fluoroquinolones indicate that quinolones may shorten the course of clinical disease in contrast to the conventional antimicrobials. Postconvalescent excretion of Salmonella was not affected by the conventional antimicrobials whereas the data on the fluoroquinolones in this respect are conflicting. The fluoroquinolones are the drugs of choice in human medicine for severe Salmonella infections and for the elimination of the carrier state. These drugs have not been evaluated in this respect in veterinary medicine. Well designed prospective placebo-controlled studies regarding the effect of antimicrobials, especially the fluoroquinolones, on the clinical cure and the postconvalescent shedding of Salmonella in animals are imperative to develop optimal therapeutic strategies.     

Metabolic and mitogenic activities of insulin-like growth factor-1 in interleukin-1-conditioned equine cartilage

OBJECTIVE: To determine response of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha)-conditioned equine articular cartilage explants to insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Sample Population-Cartilage from the trochlea and condyles of the femur of a clinically normal 4-year-old horse. PROCEDURE: Effects of IGF-1 (0 to 500 ng/ml) after addition of IL-1alpha were evaluated by assessing matrix responses, using a sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) assay, matrix 35SO4 GAG incorporation, and release of GAG. Mitogenic response was assessed by 3H-thymidine incorporation into DNA and fluorometric assay of total DNA concentration. RESULTS: Human recombinant IL-1alpha (40 ng/ml) increased the amount of labeled GAG released and decreased labeled and total GAG remaining in explants, and IL-1alpha decreased mitogenic response. Addition of IGF-1 counteracted effects seen with IL-1alpha alone. In general, IGF-1 decreased total and labeled GAG released into the medium, compared with IL-1alpha-treated explants (positive-control sample). Values for these variables did not differ significantly from those for negative-control explants. A significant increase in total and newly synthesized GAG in the explants at termination of the experiment was observed with 500 ng of IGF-1/ml. Labeled GAG remaining in explants was greater with treatment at 50 ng of IGF-1/ml, compared with treatment with IL-1alpha alone. Concentrations of 200 ng of IGF-1/ml abolished actions of IL-1alpha and restored DNA synthesis to values similar to those of negative-control explants. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IGF-1 at 500 ng/ml was best at overcoming detrimental effects associated with IL-1alpha in in vitro explants. These beneficial effects may be useful in horses with osteoarthritis.