Chondrosarcoma in a simmental cow: Clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and pathological findings

Clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and pathological findings of a chondrosarcoma diagnosed in an 8-year-old Simmental cow are reported. The primary site was located in the cartilage of the right scapula at the angulus cranialis. The tumour had already spread to the lungs at the time of diagnosis. This is the first report of a bovine scapula chondrosarcoma.     

A clinical study of the effects of rocuronium in isoflurane-anaesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the neuromuscular blocking and chronotropic effects of rocuronium bromide in cats anaesthetized for surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: Twenty-two healthy cats of mixed breed presented for ovariectomy (n = 13) or castration (n = 9). Mean body mass (+/-SD) was 3.6 +/- 0.65 kg and mean age was 10.25 +/- 2.63 months. METHODS: Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) midazolam (0.3 mg kg(-1)), ketamine (3 mg kg(-1)) and butorphanol (0.4 mg kg(-1)). Tracheal intubation was performed and anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane delivered in 100% oxygen. Neuromuscular function was monitored using acceleromyography applied at the ulnar nerve. This was stimulated by using the train-of-four (TOF) stimulus pattern (2 Hz) delivered every 15 seconds. The first train was made to establish baseline values for the first twitch (T1) and the TOF-ratio (T4:T1). Rocuronium (0.6 mg kg(-1) IV) was given and the following periods were recorded beginning at the end of injection: (1) lag time (LT) - to the first signs of T1 depression; (2) onset time (OT) - to the total ablation of T1; (3) duration of action (T1(25)) - to 25% recovery of the baseline value for T1; (4) T1(50)- to 50% baseline T1 restoration; (5) to TOF-ratios of 0.7 and 0.9. The time taken for T1 to recover from 75% to 25% depression (T1(25-75)) was also recorded. Heart rate (HR) was taken every minute for 15 minutes, beginning 5 minutes before rocuronium was injected. RESULTS: Rocuronium (0.6 mg kg(-1)) had a mean LT of 15.0 +/- 0 seconds, OT of 46 +/- 11 seconds and T1(25) of 13.2 +/- 2.7 minutes. The mean time for TOF 0.7 and 0.9 was 17.3 +/- 5.4 and 20.7 +/- 5.4 minutes respectively. The mean T1(25-75) was 4.8 +/- 2.4 minutes. No significant changes in HR were observed at any of the time intervals recorded. CONCLUSION: Rocuronium is an effective nondepolarizing muscle relaxant in the cat under the clinical conditions of this study. It has a rapid onset, a short duration of action and did not cause significant changes in HR.     

Endoscopic removal of a bronchial carcinoma in a dog using one-lung ventilation

Objective— To describe anesthetic management of endoscopic electrosurgical removal of a bronchial carcinoma, partially blocking the right main stem bronchus in a Cocker Spaniel.
Study Design— Clinical case report.
Animals— Dog with a bronchial carcinoma.
Methods— To allow sufficient space for the endoscope and to avoid an oxygen-rich gas mixture in the trachea, which carries the risk of an airway fire when electrocautery is used, a 1 lumen endobronchial tube (EBT) was inserted into the left main stem bronchus. One-lung ventilation (OLV) started with a volume-controlled ventilator was switched to pressure-controlled ventilation in combination with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP).
Results— Resection of the bronchial carcinoma was successful. The dog was hypercapnic throughout the procedure and a high alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was measured.
Conclusion— An EBT may be a feasible and safe option to provide OLV for bronchoscopic electrocautery with a closed thoracic cavity in dogs.
Clinical Relevance— EBT intubation for OLV should be considered as part of the anesthetic management of airway diseases treated with bronchoscopic electrocautery.     

Impact of Trendelenburg (head down) and reverse Trendelenburg (head up) position on respiratory and cardiovascular function in anaesthetized horses

Objective

To describe the cardiorespiratory effects of a change in table position in anaesthetized horses.

Escherichia coli septicemia associated with lack of maternally acquired immunity in a bottlenose dolphin calf

Stillbirth and neonatal mortality are substantial problems in captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). The cause of these problems often is unknown. We report a case of Escherichia coli septicemia in a male 3-day-old bottlenose dolphin calf. Lesions included omphalitis, synovitis, and hepatic necrosis associated with the presence of Gram-negative bacilli. E. coli was isolated in pure culture from multiple organs. A serum gammaglobulin level of 1.5 g/L indicated a lack of maternally acquired immunity. The observed failure to nurse may have resulted from brain injury due to perinatal asphyxia. Evidence for perinatal asphyxia was the diffuse presence of a moderate amount of meconium in the lungs.     

Trophic niche overlap between native freshwater mussels (Order: Unionida) and the invasive Corbicula fluminea

1. Freshwater mussels (Order Unionida) are highly threatened. Interspecific competition for food sources with invasive alien species is considered to be one of the factors responsible for their decline because successful invaders are expected to have wider trophic niches and more flexible feeding strategies than their native counterparts.
2. In this study, carbon (δ¹³C: ¹³C/¹²C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N: ¹⁵N/¹⁴N) stable isotopes were used to investigate the trophic niche overlap between the native freshwater mussel species, Anodonta anatina, Potomida littoralis, and Unio delphinus, and the invasive bivalve Corbicula fluminea living in sympatry in the Tua basin (south-west Europe).
3. The species presenting the widest trophic niches were C. fluminea and A. anatina, which indicate that they have broader diets than U. delphinus and P. littoralis. Nonetheless, all the species assimilated microphytobenthos, sediment organic matter, and detritus derived from vascular plants, although with interspecific variability in the assimilated proportions of each source. The trophic niche of the invasive species overlapped with the trophic niche of all the native species, with the extent varying between sites and according to the species.
4. From the three native species analysed, Potomida littoralis may be at a higher risk for competition for food with C. fluminea in the Tua basin, if food sources become limited, because this native mussel presented the narrowest trophic niche across sites and the highest probability of overlapping with the trophic niche of C. fluminea.
5. Given the global widespread distribution of C. fluminea, the implementation of management measures devoted to the control or even eradication of this invasive alien species should be a conservation priority given its potential for competition with highly threatened native freshwater mussels.

     

Improved method for the analysis of organic acids and new derivatization of alcohols in complex natural aqueous matrixes: application to wine and apple vinegar.

An improvement in the procedure for investigation of organic acids and a new derivatization method, amenable to gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric detection of alcohols, are presented. The latter is based on the formation of phenacetyl esters. The simultaneous application of the two methods also allows data to be obtained on some volatile neutrals present in complex natural aqueous fluids. Application to wine and cider vinegars allowed detection of a number of previously unreported components, among which are interesting partially esterified polycarboxylic esters.     

Anatomical variations of the thoracic duct in the dog

Anatomical variations can be frequently found in the lymphatic system, which is also true for the shape and course of the thoracic duct (ductus thoracicus), the biggest lymph vessel in the body. From 2012 to 2019, the thoracic duct was successfully dissected in 43 dog carcasses that were used in the anatomy course at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb. The thoracic duct originated from the cranial border of the cisterna chyli as one lymph vessel in 36 dogs (83.7%), as two vessels in six dogs (14%) and as three vessels in one dog (2.3%). We divided the observed thoracic duct variations into six groups according to their anatomical similarities. Considering the specific embryonic development, we can conclude that all observed variations are the result of minor deviations from the standard ontogenesis. However, the importance of thoracic duct variations is significant in surgical procedures done in the thoracic cavity to prevent or cure the chylothorax. Since this research showed variations in 39 out of 43 dogs (90.7%) throughout the whole course of the thoracic duct, great care must be taken while performing the ligation or embolization of the thoracic duct.     

Variation in syringes and needles dead space compared to the International Organization for Standardization standard 7886-1:2018

ObjectiveTo measure the dead space of various syringe volumes and brands and a range of needles gauges commonly used in clinical practice, and to compare the results to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 7886-1:2018.Study designProspective observational study.MethodsSyringes of five brands and seven volumes: 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 mL, 10 of each, 10 1 mL low dead space syringes and 10 23, 21 and 18 gauge needles were analysed. Syringe dead space was estimated by weighing each syringe, drawing up and expelling its rated volume of water for injection and re-weighing the syringe. The difference in mass between the two measurements was calculated and converted to a volume based on the density of water. The dead space of the needles was estimated using a similar technique: each needle was attached to a 1 mL syringe of known dead space. A Mettler electronic balance was used for the measurements. Mean dead space was calculated for each syringe volume and needle gauge. Data were compared to the ISO standard.ResultsSyringe dead space for 1 and 2.5 mL was less than 0.07 mL. For 5 mL syringes four of five brands, and for 10 mL syringes one of five brands failed to comply with the ISO; the dead space was greater than 0.075 and 0.1 mL, respectively. For the 20, 30, 60 mL syringes the dead space was less than 0.2 mL. Needle dead space was 0.05 mL for 23 and 21 gauge, and 0.07 mL for 18 gauge, similar in order of magnitude to syringe dead space.ConclusionsThe dead space of syringes differs between brands, and some do not meet the ISO standard. When calculating the amount of drug lost due to dead space, both that of the syringe and needle used should be considered.