Use of the scrotum as a transposition flap for closure of surgical wounds in three dogs

OBJECTIVE: To describe use of the scrotum as a pedicle flap to cover defects created by tumor excision in the perineum or caudal and medial aspect of the thigh. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study. ANIMALS: Three dogs. METHODS: After tumor excision and prescrotal castration, an incision was made around the base of the scrotum, leaving a pedicle on the side opposite the skin defect. After removal of the tunica dartos and abdominal fascia, the scrotal skin was stretched and shaped to the defect, then sutured in position with a simple interrupted pattern. Bandages that were changed every 48 hours compressed the flaps, and healing was observed until sutures were removed. RESULTS: Two dogs had first intention healing in 15 days, whereas 1 dog developed necrosis of 10% of the flap, and this area healed by second intention. CONCLUSION: In male dogs, the scrotal skin can be used as a pedicle flap for reconstructive surgery of wounds in the perineum and the proximomedial and caudal aspect of the thigh. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The perineal region remains a surgical challenge because of the lack of the available skin for reconstruction of surgical wounds. The scrotal skin should be considered for use as a transposition flap to cover skin defects in this region.     

Preservation of cadavers for surgical technique training

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a technique for preservation of organoleptic tissue characteristics (color, odor, texture, and flexibility) in cadavers used for surgical instruction. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Forty-three canine cadavers. METHODS: Cadavers were preserved with a modified Larssen solution of the Hospital Cochim, Paris and cryopreservation. Tissue handling qualities were evaluated in surgical laboratory sessions. RESULTS: All cadavers kept texture and tissues consistency, especially skin and muscle, similar to those of live animals. Some skin desquamation and pallor of the mucous membranes occurred with repetitive freeze-thaw cycles. CONCLUSIONS: This preservation technique provides acceptable cadaver quality and tissue handling for use in surgical instruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preparation of patient cadavers by intravascular injection of modified Larssen solution yielded suitable instructional models for surgical training.     

D-lactate production and excretion in diarrheic calves

The origin of D-lactate, the most important acid contributing to metabolic acidosis in the diarrheic calf, is unknown. We hypothesized that because D-lactate is produced only by microbes, gastrointestinal fermentation is the source. The objective of this study was to determine whether D-lactate production occurs in the rumen, colon, or both, and to measure D- and L-lactate concentrations in urine. Fecal, rumen, blood, and urine samples were obtained from 16 diarrheic and 11 healthy calves. Serum electrolyte concentrations were measured in both groups, and blood gas analyses were performed for diarrheic calves. All samples were analyzed for D- and L-lactate by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Diarrheic calves were generally hyperkalemic with high serum anion gap, depressed serum bicarbonate, and low blood pH. L-lactate was markedly higher in rumen contents (22.7 mmol/ L [median]) and feces (8.6 mmol/L) of diarrheic calves than healthy calves (0.5 mmol/L and 5.1 mmol/L, respectively), but not different in serum or urine. Rumen, fecal, serum, and urine D-lactate concentrations were all significantly higher (P < .05) in diarrheic calves (17.0, 25.4, 13.9, and 19.2 mmol/L, respectively) than in healthy calves (0.5, 9.1, 1.4, and 0.5 mmol/L, respectively). Higher D-lactate concentrations in the rumen and feces of diarrheic calves suggests these sites as the source of D-lactate in blood and urine.     

Pilot study to evaluate the efficiency of insecticide-treated mosquito net fences for the protection of horses against nuisance insects in northern Brandenburg

A fence of black mosquito netting of 100 cm height, pre-treated with 80 mg/m2 of deltamethrin and UV-protected, was used to shelter horses from nuisance and biting insects on pasture in northern Brandenburg. The netting material was attached to the surrounding poles of the existing fences at a height of 15 cm above ground. Three trial groups were selected grazing in spatially separated areas with comparable densities of insect populations. One paddock was completely fenced apart from a wall of 170 cm height and 70 m length. The second pasture had only partial protection with 126 m (13.4%) of fence out of a total perimeter of 942 m. The third pasture served as control. Trap catches outside the fully or partially protected pasture were by at least 60% lower than those recorded for the control pasture. Digital pictures from five different anatomical regions indicated fewer flies on horses kept at the completely or partially protected areas as compared to the control area. The average attack rate in the protected areas amounted to 4.4 and 7.6 flies per horse at the completely or partially protected areas, respectively, as opposed to horses on the control pasture with 172.1 flies. In comparison to the control pasture the horses grazing on the protected areas showed fewer defensive movements, grazing in an undisturbed manner.     

Laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy for urolith removal in geldings

OBJECTIVE: To describe a technique for laparoscopic-assisted removal of cystic calculi in geldings and report outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical report. ANIMALS: Four geldings with cystic calculi. METHODS: Laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy and urolith retrieval was performed in 4 anesthetized geldings positioned in dorsal recumbency. With a laparoscope portal located at the umbilicus, the abdomen was insufflated and then the surgical table was tilted (30 degrees head-down position) before an instrumental portal was created parallel and 2-3 cm medial to the left external inguinal ring. Laparoscopic grasping forceps were inserted to grasp the cranial aspect of the bladder and elevate it to the ventral abdominal wall. With the instrumental portal as mid-point, the parainguinal skin incision was longitudinally extended cranial and caudal (approximately 8-10 cm) to accommodate the size of the urolith. The apex of the bladder was exteriorized and sharply incised, the urolith extracted, and after cystotomy closure, the bladder was repositioned. The mini-laparotomy and trocar incisions were closed in layers. RESULTS: There were no intra- or post-operative complications. All horses had minor incisional swelling for 3-4 days. No signs of abdominal or incisional pain were observed. Hematuria and slight stranguria occurred until the 3rd or 4th day. Surgical time (skin incision to skin closure) was 35-40 minutes. On long-term follow-up (up to 12 months) no recurrence of clinical signs associated with cystic calculi occurred. CONCLUSION: Uroliths (6-8 cm diameter) can be removed by laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy in geldings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Laparoscopic-assisted cystotomy combines the advantages of the parainguinal laparocystotomy with laparoscopic technique for removal of cystic calculi while avoiding their disadvantages.     

Teaching non-technical (professional) competence in a veterinary school curriculum

Data from focused studies and comprehensive surveys suggest that developing or enhancing non-technical (professional) skills will result in a more satisfied and successful veterinary student or veterinary graduate. The College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University has devoted considerable time, effort, and resources to augmenting the non-technical aspects of its curriculum while maintaining the traditional strengths of its DVM program. Here we summarize pertinent research and best-practice recommendations from a variety of sources and outline the steps that have been taken, with the underlying rationales, to integrate the teaching and modeling of non-technical (professional) competence throughout a four-year course of veterinary study.     

Fell Pony syndrome in a pony in North America

A 5-week-old Fell Pony colt was examined for fever, lethargy, and anemia. The colt had been lethargic for 1 week before examination, had continued to nurse, had a temperature of 104°F (40°C), and was treated with ceftiofur (5 mg/kg IM q12h). Approximately 36 hours before examination, the colt developed watery diarrhea. Blood work performed by the referring veterinarian on the day of admission revealed a PCV of 10%.     

Diversity of Paenibacillus durus strains isolated from soil and different plant rhizospheres evaluated by ARDRA and gyrB-RFLP analysis

Strains belonging to Paenibacillus durus isolated from the rhizosphere of various grasses and from bulk soil were previously divided into five phenotypic groups (A1–A5) based on the fermentation pattern of six carbohydrates (A1: sorbitol (+), A2: dulcitol and tagatose (+), A3: starch and glycogen (+), A4: starch, glycogen and d-arabitol (+) and A5: negative for these carbohydrates). This study aimed to assess whether plant types select for specific P. durus phenotypic groups. For that purpose, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of part of genes encoding 16S rRNA (ARDRA) and DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB-RFLP) were used to produce genetic fingerprints. ARDRA and gyrB-RFLP data were clustered together to generate a dendrogram and two main clusters were observed. Cluster I showed a predominance of strains isolated from wheat, maize and sugarcane rhizospheres. Strains isolated from maize were distributed among the five patterns of carbohydrate metabolism, while strains isolated from sugarcane showed to be predominantly able to metabolize starch and glycogen. Neither sorbitol- nor arabitol-metabolizing strains were found in cluster II, which consisted of strains isolated from soil and from all plant species used. Our results suggest that the plants influenced the diversity of P. durus in their rhizospheres.     

Heterotic orientation of tropical maize inbred lines towards populations ZM523 and Suwan-1 under downy mildew infestation

Development of top cross varieties with downy mildew (DM) resistance is one approach to enhance maize productivity in tropical lowland environments. The objective of this study was to determine heterotic orientation of 18 advanced maize inbred lines towards popular open pollinated synthetic populations ZM523 and Suwan-1 under the prevalence of DM. The 36 top crosses, four hybrid check varieties and two testers, ZM523 (Z) and Suwan-1 (S) were evaluated in a 6 × 7 α-lattice design with two replications across three environments. General combining ability effects were significant (P ≤ 0.05) for DM resistance and grain yield, suggesting that genes with additive effects were important in controlling the traits. Specific combining ability (SCA) effects were not significant for DM suggesting small influence of DM resistance by the genes with non-additive effects; but SCA effects were significant for grain yield, indicating that non-additive gene effects played a significant role in governing the grain yield. Based on the SCA data, ten lines were grouped with Suwan-1 and eight lines with ZM523. Using the heterosis data, the lines were fitted into three groups that were designated as S, Z and SZ orientation. The lines ML2, ML30 and ML42, which displayed positive heterosis with both testers for grain yield, were allocated to the SZ-group. The lines ML8, ML10, ML25, ML45, and ML48 exhibited positive heterosis with Suwan-1 and were therefore, classified in the Z-group, and line ML19 that showed positive heterosis with ZM523 was fitted in the S-group. The remaining eight lines did not show any significant and positive heterosis with both testers hence they could not be classified based on heterosis data, suggesting that hybrid breeding efficiency could be improved by expanding the number of testers. Line ML42 displayed the highest level of heterosis with both Suwan-1 (32 %) and ZM523 (29 %) and outperformed all the standard check varieties qualifying it as a potential candidate for further testing. Generally, there was consistency of heterotic grouping of the lines using SCA and heterosis data.