Evaluation of a Midhumeral Block of the Radial,Ulnar, Musculocutaneous and Median (RUMM Block) Nerves for Analgesia of the Distal Aspect of the Thoracic Limb in Dogs

Objective: To evaluate a technique for midhumeral peripheral nerve blockade in the dog. Study Design: Cadaveric technique development; in vivo placebo‐controlled, prospective crossover study. Animals: Canine cadavers (n=38) and 8 clinically healthy, adult hound dogs. Methods: A technique for peripheral block of the radial, ulnar, musculocutaneous, and median nerves (RUMM block) was evaluated using cadaver limbs. Eight purpose‐bred, research dogs were anesthetized; a RUMM block was performed on each thoracic limb. One limb from each dog randomly received 0.5% bupivacaine and the opposite limb was assigned to receive sterile saline solution as a control. After recovery from anesthesia, skin sensation at selected dermatomes was evaluated for 24 hours using a mechanical stimulus. Weight‐bearing, conscious proprioception, and withdrawal reflex were also evaluated. One month after initial testing, each dog was reanesthetized and each limb received the opposite treatment. Results: Sensory thresholds were significantly increased over baseline measurements when compared with control limbs for all nerves. Complete sensory block was achieved in radial (15/16), ulnar (3/16), musculocutaneous (8/16), and median (11/16) nerves, using a mechanical stimulus of analgesia. Complete simultaneous block of all nerves was only obtained in 1 of 16 limbs. Conclusion: RUMM block resulted in desensitization of the skin in the associated dermatomes for 4–10 hours. Complete sensory block of the dermatomes supplied by the radial nerve was most consistent. Clinical Relevance: RUMM block may be an effective technique to provide adjunctive analgesia for dogs undergoing surgery of the distal aspect of the thoracic limb.     

Natural infection of a horse with Fascioloides magna.

A 25-year-old Quarterhorse mare was euthanized for a variety of medical reasons. At necropsy, 7 liver flukes, identified as Fascioloides magna, were recovered from the liver. This is the first report of F. magna in a horse.     

Effects of Dietary Protein Concentration on Growth, Survival, and Body Composition of Muskellunge Esox musquinongy and Tiger Muskellunge Esox masquinongy × E. luscius Fingerlings

Growth rate, survival and body composition of muskellunge Esox musquinongy (initial mean total length = 125 mm) and tiger muskellunge E. masquinongy × E. lucius (initial mean total length = 115 mm) fed semi-purified diets differing in protein level from 31 to 40% and 34 to 45%, respectively, were evaluated in 8-wk trials. The minimum protein level that yielded satisfactory growth rates for muskellunge was 37%, whereas tiger muskellunge growth rates were highest for fish fed a 45% protein diet. Growth differences were caused by changes in protein quantity, not quality, as amino acid ratios were similar for test diets and showed no imbalances among diets. Condition factors for both fishes increased with dietary protein. Survival of muskellunge (73%) and tiger muskellunge (97%) was not pffected by diet type. Body protein increased and fat content decreased in both fishes when fed higher dietary protein. Results suggest that both fishes respond similarly to dietary changes, but that substantial differences exist in protein requirements.     

NOCTURNAL ACTIVITY OF BIRDS ON SHRIMP MARICULTURE PONDS

Birds can reduce production of shrimp in mariculture grow-out ponds through predation and competition for feed. This study involved weekly nocturnal enumeration of bird populations and observation of nocturnal avian habits on a series of 0.1 ha experimental ponds at the Texas A&M University Shrimp Mariculture Facility at Corpus Christi, Texas. Observations were conducted hourly from sunset to sunrise during October through December 1980. The rate of predation was evaluated every three hours by comparing the number of feeding attempts to the number of successful prey captures over a known time period. Gulls (Family Laridae) acted primarily as competitors for feed. Active feeding by gulls was restricted to daylight hours, consequently feed loss decreased when the feed was distributed at or after dusk. Major preadatory birds included herons and egrets (F. Ardeidae), migratory ducks (F. Anatidae), and, to a lesser extent, grebes (F. Podicipedidae) and shorebirds (Order Charadriiformes). Bird predation decreased pond production by 75% in some ponds.     

Experimentally induced canine toxocariasis: laboratory examinations and pathologic changes, with emphasis on the gastrointestinal tract.

Eght dogs were orally superinfected for 1 month with 50,000 embryonated Toxocara canis ova. Results of laboratory examinations during inoculation and for 2 weeks postinoculation revealed moderate leukocytosis, marked absolute eosinophilia, hypoalbuminemia, increased concentrations of serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase, and in 2 dogs, precipitating humoral antibodies. Other changes were moderate ascites, hepatomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and focal lesions (0.5 to 3.0 mm) in liver, lung, kidney, intestine, abdominal lymph node, heart, diaphragm, and spleen. Microscopically, focal eosinophilic gastroenteritis was produced. Eosinophils and globule leukocytes were increased throughout the intestinal mucosa. Eosinophil-infiltrated and granulomatous lesions were in the same organs listed as having focal lesions, as well as in the pancreas. The importance of serum beta-globulin content as a potential diagnostic tool was emphasized, and the experimentally induced infection was compared with naturally occurring eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the dog.     

Geographical variation of skull morphology and its functional significances in the red-cheeked squirrel

Skulls of the red-cheeked squirrel (Dremomys rufigenis) from various geographical locations: Malaysia (peninsular area), Vietnam (south district)-Laos, and Thailand (north district) were osteometrically examined. The skull size of the squirrels in the southern (Malaysia) population was fundamentally larger than that in the northern (Vietnam, Laos and Thailand) populations. The proportion indices indicated that the splanchnocranium was relatively longer in the Malaysia population, and that the interorbital space was narrower in Vietnam-Laos, and Thailand populations. We suggest that the long nose and laterally-oriented orbits in the skull may be better adapted for terrestrial-insectivorous life in the Malaysia population and the binocular sense facilitated by rostrally-oriented eyes contributes to the arboreal-fruit eating behavior in the two northern populations. The Malaysia population was clearly distinguished from the other populations by the principal component analysis. We suggest that the geographical barrier of the Isthmus of Kra influences the morphological variation of the skull among the squirrel populations.     

Safety of a modified-live combination vaccine against respiratory and reproductive diseases in pregnant cows

A combination vaccine (Bovi-Shield FP4 + L5, Pfizer Animal Health) containing modified-live virus (MLV) components against bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus BVDV), parainfluenza virus-3 (PI3), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), and inactivated cultures of Leptospira canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona was evaluated for safety in pregnant beef and dairy animals. Heifers vaccinated prebreeding with the minimum immunizing dose (lowest antigen level initiating immunizing effects) of the vaccine's MLV BHV-1 or BVDV components and during pregnancy (approximately 200 days of gestation) with vaccine containing 10x doses of the same BHV-1 and BVDV components delivered live, healthy calves that were determined to be serologically negative (titer less than 1:2) for neutralizing antibodies to BHV-1 and BVDV prior to nursing. Additionally, in three field safety studies, previously vaccinated cows and heifers that received a field dose (vaccine containing antigen levels required for commercial sale of the MLV combination vaccine during either the first, second, or third trimester of pregnancy had abortion rates similar to those of pregnant cows and heifers vaccinated during the same stage of pregnancy with sterile water diluent.     

Use of a hydroxyapatite orbital implant in a cosmetic corneoscleral prosthesis after enucleation in a horse

A hydroxyapatite orbital implant was used after enucleation of an eye from a 5-year-old performance horse. A custom-made corneoscleral prosthesis was made and fitted over the hydroxyapatite implant. The implant and surgery were well tolerated. Placement of a cosmetic prosthesis is desired after enucleation of equine eyes to allow horses to return to competition. Synthetic spheres consisting of methylmethacrylate or silicone have been used, although reported complications have included extrusion, infection, and poor cosmetic results. Hydroxyapatite orbital implants made from marine coral allow vascular and fibrous tissue growth from the host orbit into the implant, which decreases the possibility of implant extrusion or infection and allows enhanced healing of defects in the overlying conjunctiva. Extraocular muscle fixation onto the implant permits motility and assists in the prevention of implant extrusion.