Hemodynamic effects of sevoflurane in spontaneously breathing cats

Sevoflurane has recently been introduced in feline anesthesia. However, its cardiovascular effects have not, to our knowledge, been reported in this species. Six healthy cats, aged 1.81 ± 0.31 years (mean ± SEM) and weighing 3.47 ± 0.11 kg, were studied. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen. Body temperature was maintained between 38.5 and 39.55 °C. After instrumentation, end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration was randomly set at 1.25, 1.5, and 1.75 times the individual minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), determined in a previous study, according to a Latin Square Design. Thirty minutes of stabilization was allowed after each change of concentration. ECG and heart rate, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, central venous pressure (CVP), and core body temperature were continuously monitored and recorded. Inspired and end‐tidal oxygen, carbon dioxide, and sevoflurane concentrations were measured using a Raman spectrometer, calibrated every 80 minutes with three calibration gases of known sevoflurane concentration (1, 2, and 5%). Moreover, at selected times, pulmonary artery occlusion pressure and cardiac output (thermodilution) were measured, and arterial and mixed venous blood samples were collected for pH and blood gas analysis, hemoglobin concentration, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein determination, and lactate concentration measurement. Cardiac index (CI), stroke index (SI), systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance indices, rate‐pressure product, left and right ventricular stroke work indices (LVSWI and RVSWI, respectively), arterial and mixed venous oxygen contents, oxygen delivery, oxygen consumption, and oxygen utilization ratio were calculated. Data were analyzed by a Repeated Measure Latin Square Design followed by a Tukey's test for 2 × 2 comparisons. Arterial pH significantly decreased from 7.40 ± 0.05 to 7.29 ± 0.07 with the administration of increasing concentrations of sevoflurane. Similarly, LVSWI decreased from 3.72 ± 0.60 to 2.60 ± 0.46 g m^?2. Mean arterial pressure, PaO₂, mixed venous pH, CI, SI, and oxygen delivery tended to decrease dose‐dependently, whereas CVP, PaCO₂, Pv CO₂, PCV, and arterial and mixed venous hemoglobin concentrations tended to increase dose‐dependently with the administration of sevoflurane. However, these trends did not reach statistical significance, possibly because of the limited number of animals studied. Sevoflurane seemed to induce dose‐dependent cardiovascular depression in cats.     

Foliar fungal pathogens of European woody plants in Siberia: an early warning of potential threats?

In this article, we report observations made during thirteen years on foliar fungal pathogens attacking European and Eurasian woody broadleaved species in Siberian arboreta and cities and discuss the possibility of using such data for detecting exotic pathogens that may represent a danger for European tree and shrub species, should these pathogens be introduced into Europe. A total of 102 cases of symptomatic infections (fungus‐host plant associations) involving 67 fungal species were recorded on 50 of the 52 European and Eurasian woody plant species. All but four of the fungi found during the surveys were previously reported in Europe. However, 29 fungus–host plant associations are apparently new to science, suggesting that complexes of cryptic species differing in their host range and geographic range may occur. Seventeen percentage of associations were given a high damage score, that is, more than 50% of plant area was attacked, for at least some localities. In nearly half of the cases, fungus–host plant associations were found to be very frequent, that is, occurring every year and at all locations where the plant was inspected. A list of pathogen–host associations in Siberia deserving further investigation is provided, either because the pathogen is not yet recorded in Europe or because the pathogen–host association has not yet been reported, and the damage is high or, finally, because the damage and infestation level is unusually high in known associations. Further studies should involve molecular characterization of these foliar pathogens and their host range testing.     

Myophosphorylase deficiency (glycogen storage disease Type V) in a herd of Charolais cattle in New Zealand: Confirmation by PCR-RFLP testing

AIM: To describe a disease of muscle in Charolais calves and confirm the putative diagnosis of inherited myophosphorylase deficiency.

METHODS: Variously stained paraffin sections of muscle prepared from affected calves were used to describe the lesions. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) test was developed and applied to affected calves, their sires, dams and other individuals.

RESULTS: The lesions were those of rhabdomyolysis of skeletal muscles and sub-sarcolemmal spaces in normal fibres. The PCR-RFLP test confirmed the expected mutation for phosphorylase deficiency of Charolais cattle in two affected calves. In addition, sires, dams and other closely-related individuals of four affected calves tested as heterozygous for the mutation. Other apparently unrelated animals also tested as heterozygous.

CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of myophosphorylase deficiency was confirmed. The PCR-RFLP test is suitable for use in controlling this recessively-inherited disorder as it can diagnose heterozygous individuals that are otherwise clinically normal.     

Evaluation of von Willebrand Factor During Pregnancy,Lactation and Oestrous Cycle in Bitches Affected and Unaffected by von Willebrand Disease

Plasmatic concentrations of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) increase during pregnancy in humans and dogs; however the mechanism of such increase is still not well defined. The aims of this study were: (i) to evaluate changes in vWF concentration during pregnancy and during the subsequent oestrous cycle in bitches affected and unaffected by von Willebrand Disease (vWD); (ii) to correlate the vWF levels and cortisol levels in both groups. Seven vWD affected (GI) and nine unaffected (GII) bitches were used. The animals were assessed during pregnancy, parturition, lactation and non‐gestational oestrous cycle in 11 moments (Pregnancy 1, Pregnancy 2, Parturition, Lactation 1, Lactation 2, Lactation 3, Anestrus, Proestrus, Oestrus, Diestrus 1, and Diestrus 2). The following tests were performed; measurement of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), albumin and cortisol. In both groups, vWF concentration remained stable during the non‐gestational oestrous cycle, but increased during pregnancy, with the highest value observed at parturition. Increases of 70% and 124% in vWF were seen in GI and GII, respectively, compared to anestrus. No correlation was found between vWF and cortisol. Values of vWF:Ag changed during pregnancy, with a peak at parturition, both in vWD affected and unaffected animals. Values of vWF were not altered in the different phases of the oestrous cycle following pregnancy in both groups. Evaluation of vWF during pregnancy can cause false negative results for vWD, but assessment can be performed at any point in the oestrous cycle of non‐pregnant bitches.     

Laparoscopic cauterisation of the testicular arteries to manage haemoperitoneum in a gelding

A Thoroughbred gelding had chronic episodic intra‐abdominal haemorrhage following standing castration, presumed to originate from a testicular artery. No coagulopathy could be detected and resolution of haemorrhage was achieved by laparoscopic electrocoagulation of both testicular arteries 6 weeks after castration. Blood drained from the abdomen during surgery was filtered then auto‐transfused. Post operative complications included pigmenturia, incisional pain and large colon impaction.     

A comparison of four dietary assessment methods in materially deprived households in England

OBJECTIVES: Low-income households in the UK concentrate factors associated with poor record-keeping such as lower literacy, numeracy and English language skills. The present study aimed to (1) compare the validity and acceptability of three dietary survey methods against appropriate reference measures and (2) identify a method which was both valid and acceptable in low-income households. DESIGN: Cross-sectional design comparing three 4-day dietary survey methods (multiple-pass 24-hour recall, food checklist and semi-weighed method) against a 4-day weighed inventory and other reference measures within subjects. SETTING: London, UK, 2001. SUBJECTS: Low-income households were selected using a doorstep screening questionnaire in 18 of the 60 most deprived neighbourhoods in London. Results are based on 384 respondents (159 males, 225 females) aged 2-90 years in 240 households. Respondents were mainly White (48%), Black or Black British (31%) or Asian or Asian British (9%). RESULTS: The dietary survey method preferred by interviewers was the 24-hour recall. Most respondents preferred the food checklist. Compared with the weighed inventory, repeat 24-hour recalls and the food checklist yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. The semi-weighed method was least liked and yielded the lowest estimates of intake. CONCLUSIONS: Based partly on evidence presented here and partly on evidence to be presented in later publications, four multiple-pass 24-hour recalls were recommended as the most appropriate method for a national study of diet and nutrition in low-income households in the UK.     

Granulocytopenia associated with thymoma in a domestic shorthaired cat

A 5-year-old, spayed female cat was referred because of a mass in the cranial mediastinum noted on thoracic radiographs. A thymoma was diagnosed following ultrasound and biopsy of the mass. Treatment was initiated with coarse-fraction radiation therapy using external-beam therapy (four fractions of 5 Gy). The mass responded, but granulocytopenia developed. Bone marrow examination showed a myeloid to erythroid ratio of approximately 1:1, with a left shift within the myeloid line. These findings, as well as the lack of toxic changes within the peripheral blood neutrophils, suggested immune-mediated destruction of peripheral granulocytes. Immune suppression with prednisone and cyclosporine was instituted. After 7 weeks, the neutrophil count returned to normal. The tumor was removed, and cyclosporine was reduced and eventually discontinued 3 weeks postsurgery.     

A review of the potential impact of increased use of housing on the health and welfare of dairy cattle in New Zealand

AIM: To assess the likely impact on the health and welfare of dairy cattle in New Zealand of increased use of housing. METHODS: Published data on the effect of housing on the welfare of dairy cattle were reviewed to determine whether, under New Zealand conditions, housing was likely to increase or reduce welfare. The focus of this review was on permanent housing, and the welfare outcomes assessed were primarily those associated with biological function rather than behaviour. The five areas of focus were shelter, feeding, calving, lameness, and other diseases, and were based on the welfare concerns expressed by dairy farmers of large herds. RESULTS: The shelter provided by housing dairy cattle would appreciably improve welfare under a relatively small range of conditions. For feeding and calving, both advantages and disadvantages of housing were identified. For lameness and mastitis, published research and comparisons of disease levels in New Zealand with those in other developed dairying countries strongly suggest that increased use of housing will increase the risk of these diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Under New Zealand conditions, housing dairy cattle is likely to have both significant welfare benefits (protection from environmental conditions) and drawbacks (increased risk of mastitis and lameness). New Zealand-based research suggests that in most areas of the country the benefits of protection from extremes of temperature and wind and rain are likely to be apparent on only a few days a year, insufficient to justify the costs associated with housing cattle. Thus, dairy cattle are likely to be housed for longer than required for shelter purposes, increasing the risk of deleterious effects without a balancing welfare advantage from environmental protection. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increases in lameness and mastitis are likely to be associated with the increased use of housing and are likely to be accompanied by changes in the aetiology and presentation of these diseases, requiring better detection techniques, such as measurement of comfort or locomotion score, and new preventive regimes, such as pre-milking teat spray and routine corrective hoof-trimming.