Blood chemistry values of juvenile red pacu (Piaractus brachypomus)

Abstract: Blood samples were collected from 29 juvenile red pacu ( Piaractus brachypomus ), ornamental freshwater fish, to establish baseline blood chemistry values. Mean (minimum-maximum) values, obtained by automated bichromatic analysis and ion selective electrode analysis, were as follows: sodium, 150.4 (146–159) mmol/L; potassium, 3.93 (2.7–5.0) mmol/L; chloride, 138.7 (128–150) mmol/L; total CO₂, 7.5 (6–10) mmol/L; albumin, 0.86 (0.5–1.0) g/dL; lactate dehydrogenase, 237.8 (65–692) IU/L; aspartate aminotransferase, 49.1 (0–125) IU/L; creatinine, 0.31 (0.2–0.4) mg/dL; calcium, 10.80 (9.5–12.5) mg/dL; anion gap, 6.89 (1.2–12.5) mmol/L; and phosphorus, 7.29 (4.1–8.9) mg/dL.     

Effect of administration of a phospholipid emulsion on the initial response of horses administered endotoxin

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a phospholipid emulsion (PLE) on the initial response of horses to administration of endotoxin. ANIMALS: 12 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES: Horses were assigned to 2 treatment groups (6 horses/group). The control group was administered 1 L of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, and the treated group was administered PLE (200 mg/kg, IV); treatments were administered during a period of 120 minutes. An infusion of endotoxin was initiated in both groups starting 1 hour after initiation of the saline or PLE solutions. Physical examination and hemodynamic variables were recorded, and blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-6, thromboxane B2 (TxB2), 6 keto-prostaglandin F (PGF)1alpha, total leukocyte count, and PLE concentrations. An ANOVA was used to detect significant differences. RESULTS: Administration of PLE resulted in significantly lower rectal temperature, heart rate, cardiac output, right atrial pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure and higher total leukocyte counts in treated horses, compared with values for control horses. The TNF-alpha concentration was significantly less in treated horses than in control horses. The TxB2 and 6 keto-PGFF1alpha concentrations were significantly different between treated and control horses at 30 minutes (TxB2) and at 30 and 60 minutes (6 keto-PGF1alpha). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Prior infusion of PLE in horses administered a low dose of endotoxin decreased rectal temperature, heart rate, pulmonary artery pressure, and TNF-alpha concentrations. Results of this study support further evaluation of PLE for use in the treatment of horses with endotoxemia.     

Squamous cell carcinoma associated with a periorbital mass in a veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus)

This report describes a squamous cell carcinoma in a 1-year-old female veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). The lesion developed as a small (1 by 1 mm) left periocular discoloration of a scale never involving the eye. The mass was first diagnosed as an abscess, increased in size (4 by 8 by 3 mm), and recurred after two surgical resections combined with antibiotic therapy. Poor nutritional condition and egg production by the chameleon complicated management of this condition. The mass was removed surgically a third time at which point histopathologic evaluation revealed a locally invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Bacterial culture of the mass isolated a pure culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Ceftazidime was administered at 20 mg/kg IM every 48 h for 20 days. The animal died 3 months later from complications during an ovariohysterectomy for pregnancy toxemia and oviduct inertia. Necropsy showed no local recurrence or metastasis of the tumor.     

Primary epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma in a horse.

A 17-year-old Quarterhorse gelding with a clinical diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy was submitted for necropsy following a 4-5-month duration of weight loss, decreased appetite, and hypoproteinemia. Gross findings included multiple 1-2-cm diameter ulcers on the luminal surfaces of the duodenum and ileum. Histologic examination revealed individual large, round cells infiltrating much of the mucosal epithelium of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon in addition to multifocal areas of ulceration. Similar round cells infiltrated Brunner's glands and expanded the submucosa beneath the foci of ulceration. Immunohistochemical staining indicated the round cell population was of T-lymphocyte origin. Several features of this equine neoplasm bear similarities to enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma in humans.     

Restricted energy intake and elevated calcium and phosphorus intake for gilts during growth. IV. Characterization of metacarpal, metatarsal, femur, humerus and turbinate bones of sows during three parities

The effect of early nutrition on subsequent bone development was studied using gilts that had previously been fed ad libitum or 75% ad libitum intake and 100 or 150% National Research Council-recommended daily Ca and P from weaning to 100 kg. During the three-parity reproductive study, sows were fed a 14% protein diet. Metacarpals and metatarsals were taken from sows culled due to lameness or failure to breed and from sows after completing three parities. Femur and humerus articular cartilage and turbinates were described at necropsy. Metacarpals and metatarsals were heavier and tended to have thicker walls when sows were previously fed ad libitum or fed 150% Ca and P. Energy intake produced the greater response. Metacarpal breaking strength was greatest for sows previously fed ad libitum. Metatarsals were not affected by energy intake. Stiffness, Young's modulus of elasticity (YME) and flexural modulus for metacarpals and metatarsals were not affected by energy intake. Previously fed Ca and P intakes did not affect any of the mechanical bone characteristics. Metacarpals were heavier, had a greater breaking strength, were more elastic and exhibited slightly less resistance to bending than the metatarsals. The ether extract, ash, Ca and P content and the Ca:P ratio of metacarpals and metatarsals were not affected by previously fed energy or Ca and P intakes. The ether extract content tended to decrease and the ash, Ca and P content tended to increase with age. Articular cartilage and turbinate scores were not influenced by previously fed energy or Ca and P intakes. The YME and flexural modulus were the only bone characteristics that were even poorly correlated (average r = .25) with soundness scores, suggesting that high values result in poorer soundness scores. Energy and Ca and P intakes during growth and development had only minimal effects on bone characteristics and no apparent effect on structural soundness and longevity of sows kept for three parities.     

Comparison of tick resistance of crossbred Senepol × Limousin to purebred Limousin cattle

The comparison of resistance to natural tick infestation by Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) of crossbred Senepol?×?Limousin and purebred Limousin cattle was investigated. The Senepol breed, originated from St Croix Island in the Caribbean is considered as a Bos taurus breed adapted to tropical conditions. Despite its B. taurus genetic background, it is believed to have a good tick resistance, but this resistance has never been assessed previously. Tick counts under natural infestation were carried out to investigate the difference of susceptibility between crossbred Senepol?×?Limousin and purebred Limousin cattle. Mixed-effect models were used to assess the effect of the breed on the number of ticks. Results show that Senepol?×?Limousin are five times less infested by ticks than purebred Limousin. These results underline the opportunity to use Senepol cattle for crossing with susceptible B. taurus breeds in tick infested areas, to combine tick resistance with beef production abilities.     

Evaluation of serum values of pancreatic enzymes after endoscopic retrograde pancreatography in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety of endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) in dogs by performing repeated clinical examinations and laboratory analyses of serum amylase, lipase, canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI), and canine pancreatic elastase 1 (cE1) after the procedure. ANIMALS: 7 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES: Clinical examinations were performed and blood samples obtained for serum enzyme determinations before and at intervals (10 minutes; 2, 4, and 6 hours; and 1, 2, and 3 days) after ERP. RESULTS: Repeated clinical examinations revealed no signs of ERP-induced complications in the 7 dogs. Results of repeated laboratory tests indicated a transient increase in serum values of amylase, lipase, and cTLI but not cE1. Mean +/- SD lipase activity increased from 120.7 +/- 116.4 U/L to 423.4 +/- 243.1 U/L at 4 hours after ERP. Median serum cTLI concentration increased from 16.2 microg/L (range, 77 to 26.5 microg/L) to 34.9 microg/L (range, 16.6 to 68.3 microg/L) 10 minutes after ERP. Enzyme values returned to baseline levels at the latest on day 2 in 6 of 7 dogs. Highest values for serum amylase, lipase, and cTLI and their delayed return to baseline values were detected in 1 dog with contrast filling of the pancreatic parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that ERP appears to be a safe imaging technique of pancreatic ducts in healthy dogs, although it induced a transient increase in serum values of pancreatic enzymes. In dogs, repeated clinical examinations and serum enzyme determinations can be used to monitor ERP-induced complications such as acute pancreatitis.     

Detection of early stages of Myxobolus cerebralis in fin clips from rainbow trout (Orynchus mykiss).

A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to detect early stages of Myxobolus cerebralis in caudal and adipose fin samples from rainbow trout (RT). To determine sensitivity, groups of 10 RT were exposed to 2,000 M. cerebralis triactinomyxons/fish for 1 hour at 15 degrees C and subsequently moved to clean recirculating water. Fish were held for 2 and 6 hours and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 30, and 60 days before sampling by nonlethal fin biopsy. Nested PCR performed on fin clips showed that M. cerebralis DNA was detected in caudal fin tissue in 100% of fish up to 5 days postexposure. At days 7 and 10 postexposure, 80% of fish were positive, and at 60 days postexposure, 60% of fish were positive using this technique. Conversely, testing on adipose fin clips proved less sensitive, as positive fish dropped from 80% at day 7 to below 20% at day 10 postinfection. Since detection of M. cerebralis infection using caudal fin samples coupled with nested PCR is an effective method for detection of early parasite stages, use of this technique provides for accurate, nonlethal testing.