Effect of inhaled nitric oxide on experimentally induced pulmonary hypertension in neonatal foals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in anesthetized healthy newborn foals with experimentally induced pulmonary hypertension. ANIMALS: Five 1- to 3-day-old foals. PROCEDURE: Anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol, and foals were intubated and mechanically ventilated. Systemic pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure (P(PA)) were recorded every 30 seconds. Hypertension was induced via a hypoxic gas mixture or chemical vasoconstriction, using the thromboxane mimetic U46619. Nitric oxide was added at a concentration of 80 parts per million (ppm) for 6 minutes under baseline conditions and during pulmonary hypertension-induced alveolar hypoxia (inspired oxygen concentration = 0.08). Nitric oxide (20, 40, 80, and 160 ppm) was evaluated during U46619-induced hypertension. Samples for determination of arterial blood gas tensions were collected before and after each NO treatment. RESULTS: Inhaled NO (approx 80 ppm) did not have an effect on baseline variables. Infusion of U46619 (0.35 +/- 0.04 microg/kg of body weight/min) or alveolar hypoxia resulted in increased P(PA) and decreased arterial oxygenation (PaO2) and hemoglobin saturation (HbSat). The increase in P(PA) was attenuated, in a dose-dependent manner, by NO during U46619 infusion and reversed by NO during induced hypoxemia. The PaO2 and HbSat were significantly improved at all NO doses during U44619 infusion but not during alveolar hypoxia. For all inhaled NO concentrations, nitrogen dioxide and methoglobin values were < 5 ppm and 3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nitric oxide is a potent, selective vasodilator of the pulmonary circulation in healthy newborn foals. Inhaled NO may have value as a therapeutic agent in foals with pulmonary hypertension.     

Immunohistochemical detection of canine distemper virus in haired skin, nasal mucosa, and footpad epithelium: a method for antemortem diagnosis of infection.

A reliable antemortem diagnostic method is needed for determining infection with canine distemper virus (CDV). The utility of immunohistochemical detection of CDV antigen was examined was examined for samples of nasal and footpad epithelium and haired skin in dogs with and without detectable CDV antigen in the lung and/or brain. Tissues from 57 dogs at risk of CDV infection were tested. Viral antigen was found in the lung and/or brain of 28 dogs. Among these dogs, viral antigen was demonstrated in the epithelial cells of the nasal mucosa in 24 of 27 dogs, in the footpad epithelium in 24 of 26 dogs, and in the haired skin of the dorsal neck in 26 of 27 dogs. Among the 29 dogs without CDV antigen in either the lung or brain, 1 dog had positive staining for viral antigen in the skin and nasal mucosa. Biopsies of haired skin of the dorsal neck, which is relatively simple to sample, can be used for immunohistochemical testing for acute and subacute infection with CDV.     

Retrospective study of cecocolic intussusception (cecal inversion) in nine horses (1982–1998)

We retrospectively evaluated the medical records and obtained follow-up information for nine horses which had been treated for cecocolic intussusception (CCI) between January 1982 and April 1998. During the 16-year study period, CCI was diagnosed in nine of 748 horses in which exploratory celiotomy was undertaken for abdominal pain, representing an incidence of 1.2%. Most affected horses (78%) were less than four years of age (median age was 12 months, age range was five months to 15 years). Cecocolic intussusception affected male horses (78%) more commonly than female horses. The most common clinical presentation was abdominal pain of a severe, acute nature or milder but recurrent signs of abdominal pain persisting in spite of conservative treatment for several days. Correction of CCI by either simple reduction or reduction followed by partial typhlectomy was successful if compromise of the intestine by devitalization and adhesion formation was not found at surgery. Definitive diagnosis of CCI necessitates exploratory celiotomy, although an ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen may confirm the diagnosis in some cases. When recognized early during the course of disease, surgical correction of CCI is associated with a favorable outcome; of the eight horses which underwent surgery in our series, five horses (63%) survived surgical correction of CCI. Handling of compromised gut during reduction of CCI necessitates extreme caution because the risk of intestinal tearing is quite high.     

Neurogenic inflammation in the upper digestive tract of the mule duck: effect of a chemical algogen and force-feeding

1.?The objectives were to quantify the presence of neurogenic inflammation in 4 regions of the upper digestive tract of anaesthetised ducks (post-pharynx, pseudo-crop, transition between the pseudo-crop and the proventriculus, and proventriculus) after application of HCl stimulation of up to 4?M in the pseudo-crop.

2.?The second objective was to quantify the presence of neurogenic inflammation in the same digestive tract regions as mentioned above during 4 feeding periods of foie gras production (rearing, preparation to force-feeding, and second and last meals of the force-feeding period).

3.?Extravasation increased above a HCl stimulation threshold of 2?M. Furthermore, more extravasation was observed in the proventriculus compared to the other regions (P?

4.?Highest extravasation responses were observed in the proventriculus and the pseudo-crop at the end of the preparation period, and in the proventriculus after the second forced meal, compared with the rearing period (P?

5.?Such a kinetic could be indicative of a relative mildness of the irritant components associated with this feeding practice.     

Additivity of effects from dietary copper and zinc on growth performance and fecal microbiota of pigs after weaning

Four experiments were conducted to determine the interactive effects of pharmacological amounts of Zn from ZnO and Cu from organic (Cu-AA complex; Cu-AA) or inorganic (CuSO(4)) sources on growth performance of weanling pigs. The Cu was fed for 4 (Exp. 1) or 6 (Exp. 2, 3, and 4) wk after weaning, and Zn was fed for 4 (Exp. 1) or 2 (Exp. 2, 3, and 4) wk after weaning. Treatments were replicated with 7 pens of 5 or 6 pigs per pen (19.0 ± 1.4 d of age and 5.8 ± 0.4 kg of BW, Exp. 1), 12 pens of 21 pigs per pen (about 21 d of age and 5.3 kg of BW, Exp. 2), 5 pens of 4 pigs per pen (20.3 ± 0.5 d of age and 7.0 ± 0.5 kg of BW, Exp. 3), and 16 pens of 21 pigs per pen (about 21 d of age and 5.7 kg of BW, Exp. 4). In Exp. 1 and 2, Cu-AA (0 vs. 100 mg/kg of Cu) and ZnO (0 vs. 3,000 mg/kg of Zn) were used in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Only Exp. 1 used in-feed antibiotic (165 mg of oxytetracycline and 116 mg of neomycin per kilogram feed), and Exp. 2 was conducted at a commercial farm. In Exp. 3, sources of Cu (none; CuSO(4) at 250 mg/kg of Cu; and Cu-AA at 100 mg/kg of Cu) and ZnO (0 vs. 3,000 mg/kg of Zn) were used in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. In Exp. 4, treatments were no additional Cu, CuSO(4) at 315 mg/kg of Cu, or Cu-AA at 100 mg/kg of Cu to a diet supplemented with 3,000 mg/kg of Zn from ZnO and in-feed antibiotic (55 mg of carbadox per kilogram of feed). In Exp. 1 and 2, both Zn and Cu-AA improved (P < 0.001 to P = 0.03) ADG and ADFI. No interactions were observed, except in wk 1 of Exp. 2, where Zn increased the G:F only in the absence of Cu-AA (Cu-AA × Zn, P = 0.04). A naturally occurring colibacillosis diarrhea outbreak occurred during this experiment. The ZnO addition reduced (P < 0.001) the number of pigs removed and pig-days on antibiotic therapy. In Exp 3, ADFI in wk 2 was improved by Zn and Cu (P < 0.001 and P = 0.09, respectively) with no interactions. In wk 1, G:F was reduced by ZnO only in the absence of Cu (Cu × Zn, P = 0.03). Feeding Zn decreased fecal microbiota diversity in the presence of CuSO(4) but increased it in the presence of Cu-AA (Cu source × Zn, P = 0.06). In Exp. 4, Cu supplementation improved the overall ADG (P = 0.002) and G:F (P < 0.001). The CuSO(4) effect on G:F was greater (P < 0.001) than the Cu-AA effect. Our results indicate that pharmacological amounts of ZnO and Cu (Cu-AA or CuSO(4)) are additive in promoting growth of pigs after weaning.     

Ultrasonographic assessment of maternal cardiac function and peripheral circulation during normal gestation in dogs

The aim of this study was to describe changes in cardiac morphology, systolic function and some peripheral hemodynamic parameters during normal pregnancy in dogs. Twenty healthy bitches, 10 pregnant (PG) and 10 non-pregnant controls (CG), were evaluated every 10 days using echocardiography from day 0 of the estrus cycle to parturition or to day 65 for the PG and CG groups, respectively. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and uterine artery resistance index (RI) were also assessed. Throughout the study, the shortening fraction and cardiac output increased up to 30% vs. 5% (P<0.01) and 45% vs. 2% (P<0.01) in the PG and CG groups, respectively. In contrast, SBP and RI diminished up to 20% vs. 1% (P<0.01) and 29% vs. 0% (P<0.01) in the PG and CG groups, respectively. In conclusion, a decrease in afterload, an increase in cardiac output and cardiac hypertrophy appear to be the result of the hemodynamic modifications occurring during pregnancy in dogs.     

Osteoma of the oral and maxillofacial regions in cats: 7 cases (1999-2009)

Objective-To describe clinical features of oral and maxillofacial osteomas in cats. Design-Retrospective case series. Animals-7 cats with oral or maxillofacial osteoma or both. Procedures-Medical records were reviewed for information on signalment, history, clinical signs, physical examination findings, diagnostic imaging findings, results of serum biochemical analyses and histologic testing, surgical procedures performed, and perioperative complications. Outcome was determined on the basis of follow-up telephone interviews of owners. Results-Cats ranged from 1 to 23 years of age. Clinical signs were observed in 5 cats and were attributed to the presence of the mass. Diagnostic imaging (radiography and computed tomography) and histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteoma. Three cats were euthanatized; 1 cat was treated by mandibulectomy, 1 was treated by maxillectomy, and 2 were treated by debulking. At the time of follow-up at least 1 year after surgery, all 4 treated cats were alive, with owners reporting an acceptable quality of life. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Osteoma of the oral and maxillofacial regions is an uncommon tumor in cats. Most cats are examined during an advanced stage of the disease, when treatment options may be limited. Although osteoma is a benign tumor, the recommendation is to perform a clinical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, biopsy, and treatment early in the disease process, when less invasive surgical approaches may be feasible.     

Technical note: Use of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to predict intake and digestibility in bulls and steers

Multiple fecal samples were collected from growing Angus bulls (264 to 419 kg of BW, 3.0 to 11.4 kg/d of DMI) to predict DMI of a corn-silage-based diet. Contemporaneous digestion trials were conducted with the same diet in 12 steers in yr 1 to 3 and bulls in yr 4. Near-infrared spectra from fecal samples (n = 730 from 282 growing bulls, n = 240 from 36 steers and 12 bulls for digestion trials) were obtained from dried and ground fecal samples, and modified partial least squares regression was used to develop equations to predict DMI and DM digestibility (DMD). Although mean predicted DMI of the growing bulls (7.52 ± 0.04 kg/d or 22.4 ± 0.1 g/kg of BW) was within 2% of mean measured DMI (7.63 ± 0.06 kg/d or 22.7 ± 0.1 g/kg of BW), the mean of paired differences within samples (0.11 ± 0.04 kg/d or 0.3 ± 0.1 g/kg of BW) was greater (P < 0.01) than zero. Measured DMD (72.3 ± 0.5%) was identical (P < 0.97) to predicted DMD (72.3 ± 0.5%), and DMD for bulls in the digestion trial did not differ (P < 0.27) from DMD for steers. Prediction of intake requires incorporation of some measured values from the set of fecal samples to be predicted. Lack of similarity between spectra of fecal grab samples from the growing bulls and daily fecal collection of steers and bulls in the digestion trials in this study indicates the need for further verification before prediction of DMD with fecal grab samples.     

Ciclosporin A therapy is associated with disturbances in glucose metabolism in dogs with atopic dermatitis

The effect of ciclosporin A (CsA) on glucose homeostasis was investigated in 16 dogs with atopic dermatitis by determining plasma glucose, serum fructosamine and insulin concentrations, and serial insulin and glucose concentrations following a glucagon stimulation test, before and 6 weeks after CsA therapy at 5 mg/kg once daily. All dogs completed the study. Following CsA treatment, the median serum fructosamine concentrations were significantly higher (pretreatment 227.5 μmol/L; post-treatment 246.5 μmol/L; P = 0.001; reference range 162-310 μmol/L). Based on analyses of the areas under concentration-time curves (AUC) pre- and post-CsA treatment, plasma glucose concentrations were significantly higher (AUC without baseline correction 31.0 mmol/L/min greater; P = 0.021) and serum insulin concentrations were significantly lower (AUC without baseline correction 217.1 μIU/mL/min lower; P = 0.044) following CsA treatment. Peak glucose concentrations after glucagon stimulation test were significantly higher following CsA treatment (10.75 versus 12.05 mmol/L; P = 0.021), but there was no significant difference in peak serum insulin (52.0 versus 35.0 μIU/mL; P = 0.052). There was a negative correlation between baseline uncorrected insulin AUC and trough serum log CsA concentrations (r = -0.70, P = 0.005). The administration of CsA to dogs with atopic dermatitis leads to disturbances in glucose homeostasis. The clinical significance of this is unclear, but it should be taken into account when considering CsA treatment in dogs that already have such impairments.     

Prevalence of Bartonella species, haemoplasmas and Toxoplasma gondii in cats in Scotland

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence rates for select infectious agents of cats presented to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Whole blood, serum, and oral mucosal and nail bed swabs were collected. While Ehrlichia species, Anaplasma species or Rickettsia felis DNA were not amplified from any cat, 44.2% of the cats had evidence of infection or exposure to either a Bartonella species (15.3% were seropositive and 5.8% polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive), a haemoplasma (28.6% PCR positive), and/or Toxoplasma gondii (19.2% seropositive). No Bartonella species DNA was amplified from the nail or oral mucosal swabs despite a 5.8% amplification rate from the blood samples. This finding likely reflects the absence of Ctenocephalides felis infection from our study population, as this organism is a key component for Bartonella species translocation in cats. The results from this study support the use of flea control products to lessen exposure of cats (and people) to Bartonella species and support discouraging the feeding of raw meat to cats and preventing them from hunting to lessen T gondii infection.