Loop colostomy for management of rectal tears and small-colon injuries in horses: 10 cases (1976-1989).

Loop colostomy was performed in 10 horses as treatment for grade-III rectal tears (n = 6 horses), small-colon infarction (n = 2 horses), perirectal abscess and stenosis (n = 1 horse), and small-colon stricture (n = 1 horse). In 7 horses, the colostomy was constructed through a single incision low in the left flank, with closure of the incision around the stoma (single-incision technique). In 3 horses, 2 of which had colostomy performed as a standing procedure, the selected segment of small colon was placed from a flank incision into a separate, small incision low in the left flank (double-incision technique). Five horses underwent colostomy reversal (at 18 to 63 days) and 2 of these horses, both with grade-III rectal tears, recovered completely. Of 8 horses that did not survive, 6 died from the primary disease or associated complications. Technical problems associated with colostomy accounted for death of 2 horses. One horse had gastric rupture attributable to suture occlusion of the small intestine after colostomy reversal, and another horse had complications of incisional infection after repair of a peristomal hernia. Small-colon prolapse through the stoma necessitated premature reversal of the colostomy in a horse that was euthanatized because of worsening laminitis. Minor complications of the colostomy procedure were partial stomal dehiscence (n = 4 horses), partial dehiscence of the flank wound after colostomy reversal (n = 2 horses), and small ventral midline hernia after colostomy reversal (n = 1 horse). Loop colostomy may be of benefit to horses with rectal tears, provided it is done soon after the tear occurs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Breeding performance of bulls assigned either to 40 cows per bull or 80 cows per two bulls during the breeding period

The reproductive performance of Angus (A), Polled Hereford (PH) and Santa Gertrudis (SG) bulls was compared when exposed to 40 cows/bull vs 80 cows/two bulls during a 90- to 95-d breeding period on pasture. Cows were A, PH and SG straightbreds and crossbreds of these breeds. Each year, cows were allotted at random within breed composition and age of dam to breeding groups. A replicate consisted of two 40-cow single-sire units with bulls of two breeds and an 80-cow two-sire unit with two bulls of the same breeds and all four bulls of the same age. There were eight replicates of PH and SG bulls and five replicates of PH and A bulls. At breeding time, 20, 16, 12 and 4 bulls were 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-yr-olds, respectively. Reproductive performance of bulls was evaluated in terms of calving rate (CR) of cows exposed to them and number of days (NOD) from the beginning of the breeding period until calf birth. The 80-cow groups calved 3.7 d earlier (P less than .05) in the calving period and had a similar CR compared with the 40-cow groups. The PH-A replicates calved 3.5 d earlier (P less than .05) and had 7.3 percentage units higher (P less than .01) CR than PH-SG replicates. Results of this study indicated that 80-cow two-sire breeding groups had an advantage over the 40-cow single-sire groups in terms of calves born earlier in the calving period, with no reduction in CR.     

Acute and short-term toxicoses associated with the administration of doxorubicin to dogs with malignant tumors

One hundred eighty-five dogs with histologically confirmed, measurable malignant tumors were used in a study to determine the toxicity of the anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, doxorubicin, which was administered once or twice (at a 21-day interval) at the rate of 30 mg/m2 of body surface area, iv. During this study, 7 dogs died as a direct result of doxorubicin-induced toxicosis and 16 died as a direct result of the malignant neoplastic disease. Each dog was evaluated for signs of toxicosis for 3 weeks after the last dose was administered (15 dogs received 1 dose, 170 dogs received 2 doses) or until the dog died, whichever came first. The most common signs of toxicosis were vomiting, diarrhea, colitis, anorexia, and pruritus. The probability of doxorubicin-induced toxicosis decreased significantly (P less than 0.0001) in inverse relationship to body weight. Dogs with signs of toxicosis during the 21-day interval from administration of the first dose of doxorubicin were 17.2 times (P less than 0.01; 95% confidence interval; 5.5, 54.2) more likely to develop signs of toxicosis during the 21-day interval from the second dose of doxorubicin. The performance status of each dog was evaluated using a modified Karnofsky performance scheme; the only time the performance status was adversely affected to a significant extent by doxorubicin-induced toxicosis was during the 21-day period, starting with the second dose (P less than 0.0001).     

Estimation of genetic parameters among reproductive and growth traits in yearling heifers

Growth and reproductive data were obtained on 779 beef heifers at the San Juan Basin Research Center, Hesperus, Co. Genetic parameters were estimated for age of puberty (AOP), age of first calving (AOC), julian day of first calving (DOC), julian day of second calving (DOSC), birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, and average daily gain from weaning to yearling and to cycling weights. The least squares model included birth year, age of dam and breed as fixed effects, sire/breed as a random variable, and day of birth and percent inbreeding as covariates. Day of birth was not included in the analyses of AOC, DOC or DOSC. Paternal half-sib estimates of heritability were: AOP, .10 +/- .17; AOC, .01 +/- .12; DOC, .09 +/- .13 and DOSC, .36 +/- .18. Genetic and phenotypic correlations were generally favorable, but genetic correlations were variable with large standard errors. Inbreeding had a detrimental effect on reproductive traits, and a seasonal effect was present for AOP.     

Surgical reconstruction of chronic coronary band avulsions in three horses

Three adult horses were admitted with chronic coronary band avulsions of 2-, 3-, and 46-month durations, respectively. The hoof had a typical appearance in all 3 horses, with a spur of coronary band and associated horn growing at right angles to the hoof wall. Each horse was anesthetized, and the coronary band was reconstructed. Follow-up evaluation of the 3 horses (12, 15, and 23 months after surgery, respectively), revealed healing of all 3 avulsed coronary bands. Mild roughening of the hoof wall distal to the previous avulsion site was observed.     

Relationships of sire scrotal circumference to offspring reproduction and growth

Reproductive and growth data were obtained on 779 and 564 yearling beef heifers and bulls, respectively, that had sires with yearling scrotal circumference data at the San Juan Basin Research Center, Hesperus, CO. Partial regression coefficients of reproductive and growth traits on inbreeding (FXC) and age of the individual and adjusted scrotal circumference of sire (SCSI) were obtained. Growth and reproductive traits of heifers and growth and breeding soundness traits of bulls were analyzed. Separate analyses for each sex were performed, but least squares models were similar. Models included fixed effects of breed, birth year (BY), age of dam (AOD) and the covariates FXC, age (day of birth in heifer analyses) and SCSI. Scrotal circumference of sire was adjusted for age, FXC, AOD and BY using values obtained in a separate analysis. Seminal traits improved as age increased, and there was a seasonal effect present for age of puberty. Inbreeding had a detrimental effect on reproductive traits. Partial regression coefficients for the reproductive traits on SCSI were: age of puberty, -.796 d/cm; age of first calving, -.826 d/cm; julian day of first calving, -.667 d/cm; julian day of second calving, .597 d/cm; most probable producing ability, .132 %/cm; percent sperm motility, -.74 %/cm; percent primary sperm abnormalities, .08 %/cm; percent secondary sperm abnormalities, .92 %/cm; percent normal sperm, -1.28 %/cm; total breeding soundness examination score, .28 units/cm and scrotal circumference, .306 cm/cm. A heritability of .39 was obtained for scrotal circumference.     

Ibuprofen Ingestion in Ferrets: 43 Cases January 1995–March 2000)

Objective: To summarize typical clinical signs, characterize the anticipated course of action, and give treatment recommendations for ibuprofen ingestion in ferrets.
Design: Retrospective study
Patients: Records of 43 cases of ibuprofen ingestion in ferrets that were reported between January 1996-March 2000, to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC).
Measurements and Main Results: Twenty-seven (93.1%) ferrets that had ingested ibuprofen developed neurologic signs, such as depression, coma, ataxia, recumbency, tremors, and weakness. In addition, 16 cases (55.2%) had one or more GI effects including anorexia, vomiting, retching or gagging, diarrhea, and melena. Polydipsia, polyuria, dysuria, renal failure, weight loss, shallow breathing, metabolic acidosis, dehydration, and hypothermia were also reported. Death was reported in 4 cases. The lowest dose associated with death was 220 mg/kg.
Conclusion: Data in this study indicate that clinical signs of ibuprofen toxicosis in ferrets are more severe than those expected at similar dosages in dogs. The reason for this difference is poorly understood since the pathophysiology of ibuprofen is relatively unknown in ferrets. The onset of clinical signs appeared to occurr soon after ingestion and the toxic effects in ferrets typically involve the CNS, GI and renal systems. Treatment for ibuprofen toxicosis in the ferret includes stabilization, gastrointestinal decontamination, fluid diuresis, GI protection, and supportive care.(J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2001; 11(1):53–59)     

Bone scintigraphy as an aid in the diagnosis of occult distal tarsal bone trauma in three horses

History, physical examination, and bone scintigraphy were used to diagnose central and/or third tarsal bone trauma in 3 acutely lame horses. In all 3 cases, the results of initial radiographic examination were negative. Bone scintigraphy revealed focal, intense radioisotope uptake at the level of the distal tarsal bones in the 3 horses. Radiographs obtained 4 weeks after injury in one horse demonstrated a slab fracture of the central tarsal bone. Conservative management of the tarsal bone disease resulted in acceptable return to function in all 3 horses.     

Umbilical cord remnant abscess in a yearling colt

An abscess of the external umbilical remnant and umbilical vein remnant was diagnosed in a 16-month-old colt, using ultrasonography. Because of the colt's size, primary closure of the surgical incision after umbilical cord resection was not complete. Vertical mattress stainless steel sutures and stents were used, and healing was by second intention. Intervening gas-filled viscera made it impossible to visualize ultrasonographically the bladder of umbilical artery remnants in a colt of this age.