Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of phenylbutazone in the cow

Phenylbutazone was administered orally and intravenously at a dose of 5 mg/kg to healthy cows and to cows positive for bovine leukaemia virus (BLV). Pharmacokinetic parameters and bioavailability were investigated. No differences were seen in the parameters between the healthy and BLV positive animals. The biological half-lives ranged from 31.4 to 82.1 h after intravenous administration and from 38.6 to 78.2 h after oral administration. The mean value of the apparent volume of distribution was 0.09 litres/kg. Total body clearance ranged from 0.78 to 1.94 ml/kg/h. The average systemic availability was 67.5% with a wide variation among the animals (range 41.9–95.5%). Based on the disposition kinetics and on the therapeutic concentration range suggested in man, an oral loading dose ranging from 10 to 20 mg/kg and a daily maintenance dose ranging from 2.5 to 5 mg/kg can be proposed.     

Cardiovascular complications of chronic catheterization of the jugular vein in the dog

Cardiovascular changes associated with indwelling catheters were evaluated in 51 adult beagle dogs catheterized for 4 to 9 weeks. Pathologic changes consistent with traumatic injury were in the vena cava and endocardium of the right atrium of 88% of cannulated dogs. Lesions were characterized by surface denudation and diffuse intimal thickening due to myointimal hyperplasia and deposition of extracellular matrix. Affected intima was lined by hyperplastic, poorly differentiated endothelial cells and contained round to oval cells with characteristics of smooth muscle cells. After 9 weeks, thickened intima was vascularized and composed of spindle-shaped cells and fibrillar stroma. Intimal sclerosis and localized proliferative papillary projections in the vena cava cranial to areas of myointimal hyperplasia occurred infrequently. Traumatic lesions, regardless of location or severity, did not extend below the internal elastic membrane. Inflammatory cellular responses, when present, were minimal. The location, distribution, and morphogenesis of catheter-related cardiovascular lesions distinguishes them from those induced by chemical toxicity or pharmacotoxicity.     

Pathogenesis of experimental Leptospira interrogans serotype icterohaemorrhagiae infection in the guinea pigs: possible role of endotoxin of intestinal bacteria in the development of lesions.

Germ-free guinea pigs were infected with a virulent strain of Leptospira interrogans serotype icterohaemorrhagiae to evaluate the possible role of endotoxin of intestinal bacteria in the development of hemorrhages and hepatic and renal failure. Clinical manifestations, necropsy findings and histological lesions were similar to those seen in control animals. In the second part of the experiment, endotoxin was not detected by the Limulus test in the blood of ten guinea pigs during the five day course of leptospirosis.     

Immunization of mice against Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections using a live avirulent strain.

In this study, the IgG response of mice injected with two virulent strains and one avirulent Streptococcus suis capsular type 2 strain was compared by Western blotting. The serum from mice immunized against the avirulent strain could recognize most proteins of the various strains tested and similar results were obtained with serum from mice injected with virulent strains. The live avirulent strain was injected twice (days 0 and 10) to groups of five mice, and four virulent strains from different geographical origins were used to challenge the animals. All mice, except one in one group, survived the challenge. These results suggest that a live avirulent strain could be used for immunization of swine, the natural host.     

Fibrocartilaginous emboli as the cause of ischemic myelopathy in a dog.

Acute hemiplegia and Horner's syndrome developed in a 6-year-old female black Labrador Retriever 24 hours after a day of exercise. Radiographic, cerebrospinal fluid, and electromyographic studies did not detect the site or nature of the suspected cervical lesion. The dog showed no improvement after evaluation for 5 days on corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy. Gross and microscopic examination revealed the presence of an ischemic infarct in the C6 segment of the cervical spinal cord and associated fibrocartilaginous emboli. The nature of the clinical signs and the pathologic findings in this case are similar to previous reports of human and canine cases.     

Bacterial and fungal flora in healthy eyes of birds of prey.

Birds of prey are often affected with external ocular injuries that are routinely treated with antimicrobial agents used for small animals. The resident ocular bacterial and fungal flora is still unknown in birds of prey and this knowledge would be very useful in assessing the accuracy of treatments. In a study involving 65 raptors with healthy eyes, swabs were taken from both eyes to identify the resident bacterial and fungal flora. Fifty-five birds had a positive culture in one or both eyes. Both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms were isolated, with a predominance of Staphylococcus spp., which were found in 52.3% of cultures. Only two fungal species, Aspergillus spp. and Cladosporium spp. were found. The overall results of this study are similar to previous studies carried out in humans and other animals.     

Fiber Types Distribution in the Digastric Muscle of Tufted Capuchin Monkey (Cebus apella)

Fiber types distribution in the diagastric muscle of tufted capuchin monkey was studied by means of NADH-TR, myosin-ATPase, after alkaline and acid preincubations and SDH histochemical reactions. Three different types of fibers were found presenting an equal distribution. The percentage and types of fibers were as follow: 18.2 % SO (Slow Oxydative), 38.4 % FOG (Fast Oxydative Glycolytic) and 43.4 % FG (Fast Glycolytic). FG fibers revealed the largest area. The relatively high concentration of fast twitch (81.2 %) seems to indicate this muscle is involved with the acceleration and fast speed of jaw movements. Aerobic metabolism represented by SO + FOG fibers (56.6 %) suggestes that this muscle possesses an additional role than that related to the lowering of the jaw.