Comparison of the performance of linear resistance and ultrasonic pneumotachometers at rest and during lobeline-induced hyperpnoea

The performance of a Fleisch No. 5 pneumotachometer (F), and two commercial ultrasonic pneumotachometers, the BRDL (B) and the Spiroson (S) systems were compared in respect to their use for determination of ventilatory parameters at rest and during lobeline-induced hyperpnoea. Five clinically healthy Thoroughbred horses were tested with the three pneumotachometers in random order. Respiratory airflow, respired gas concentrations, oesophageal pressures, pressures within the mask systems and arterial blood gases were determined before and during lobeline-induced hyperpnoea. Because measured peak expiratory airflow rates exceeded the stated linear range of the Fleisch pneumotachometer ( approximately +/- 25 l s(-1)) differential pressure-flow curves were determined in vitro over the range of flows recorded in vivo. Expired flows greater than the linear range were corrected according to the derived regression equation. No differences in any of the measured variables among the three systems were present at rest. At peak ventilation of lobeline-induced hyperpnoea mask pressures [Delta P(mask)(mean (SEM)): F: 9.6 (2.8) cm H(2)O, B: 0.8 (0.4) cm H(2)O, S: 1.4 (0.8) cm H(2)O] and end tidal carbon dioxide [ ET CO(2)(mean (SEM)): F: 2. 6 (0.1)%, B: 2.1 (0.2)%, S: 2.1 (0.1)%] were significantly higher in system F. Despite a tendency for respiratory frequency and peak inspired and expired flows, to be lower with system F, no significant differences in the measurements of ventilatory mechanics were detected. In conclusion, the ultrasonic flowmeters pose significantly lower resistive loads onto the respiratory system during ventilation above resting levels than Fleisch No 5 pneumotachometers. However, at the flowrates achieved during lobeline-induced hyperpnoea an in vitro calibration of the differential pressure-flow relationship allows correction for expiratory alinearity in system F. In addition, the performance of the Spiroson flowmeter is accurate in determining ventilatory mechanics at rest and during lobeline-induced hyperpnoea.     

Flow cytometric evaluation of canine bone marrow differential cell counts

Abstract: Three flow cytometric techniques were evaluated for determination of differential cell counts on canine clinical bone marrow specimens. Techniques included staining bone marrow specimens with 2'7'-dichlo-rofluorescein (DCF) or 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6) and evaluation of forward-angle light scatter vs. side-angle light scatter plots. Flow cytometric evaluation of bone marrow cells stained with DCF failed to separate bone marrow cells into distinct cell populations. Staining with DiOC6 resulted in separation of bone marrow cells into populations of mature and immature erythroid cells, mature and immature myeloid cells, and lymphocytes. The scatter plot method resulted in identification of mature and immature erythroid cells, immature myeloid cells, metamyelocytes, and bands and segmenters. Lymphocytes could not be differentiated from mature erythroid cells by the scatter plot method. When the results of the DiOC6 method and the scatter plot method were compared with manual bone marrow differential cell counts, the scatter plot method had more similar mean values and higher correlation coefficients. The scatter plot method has the potential of providing rapid semiquantitative assessment of bone marrow differential cell counts in dogs for specimens that contain low numbers of lymphocytes.     

Volume Contents

Volume Contents

Volume Contents     

Microchip-associated leiomyosarcoma in an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

Microchips are commonly used in companion, research, and zoo animal medicine for easy, reliable, and cost-effective identification with relatively low risk of side effects. This report describes development of a metastatic leiomyosarcoma associated with a microchip in an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).     

Diagnostic cytology of fish.

Cytology is an essential part of a diagnostic workup in cases of aquatic animal diseases. It is simple to perform, inexpensive, and can yield quick and valuable results. External parasites, bacterial and fungal diseases, and gastrointestinal infestations are easily determined with wet mount cytology. Because of the relatively small number of nonlethal diagnostic techniques available for aquatic species, cytologic testing should be considered in every case. Early diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment plans, ensuring a better prognostic outcome in our patients.     

End-of-life communication in veterinary medicine: delivering bad news and euthanasia decision making.

Given the expectations of clients and the resultant impact of end-of-life conversations on pet owners and the veterinary team, compassionate end-of-life communication is considered to be an ethical obligation, a core clinical skill, and integral to the success of a veterinary team. End-of-life communication is related to significant clinical outcomes, including enduring veterinarian-client-patient relationships and veterinarian and client satisfaction. Effective techniques for end-of-life communication can be taught and are a series of learned skills. The purpose of this article is to present best practices for delivering bad news and euthanasia decision-making discussions. In this article, the SPIKES six-step model (setting, perception, invitation, knowledge, empathize, and summarize) currently employed in medical curricula is utilized to structure end-of-life conversations in veterinary medicine.     

Expression of receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR-1 (FLT-1), VEGFR-2 (KDR), EGFR-1, PDGFRa and c-Met in canine primary brain tumours

Inhibition of tumour growth and angiogenesis by targeting key growth factor receptors is a promising therapeutic strategy for central nervous system tumours. Characterization of these growth factor receptors in canine primary brain tumours has not been done. Using quantitative real‐time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we evaluated the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for five tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor [VEGFR]‐1, VEGFR‐2, endothelial growth factor receptor [EGFR]‐1, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor a [PDGFRa], and c‐Met) relative to normal cerebral cortex in 66 spontaneous canine primary brain tumours. Increased expression of VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2 mRNA was greatest in grade IV astrocytomas (glioblastoma multiforme) and grade III (anaplastic) oligodendrogliomas. EGFR‐1 mRNA expression was more consistently increased than the other receptors in all tumour types, while increased PDGFRa mRNA expression was mostly restricted to oligodendrogliomas. The similarities in increased expression of these tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors in these canine tumours, as compared to data from their human counterparts, suggest that common molecular mechanisms may be present.     

柑桔衰退病

20世纪90年代以来，广西桂林、柳州、贺州等地一些桔园的温州蜜柑和沙田柚出现了一种春梢叶片扭曲畸形、植株矮化的病害——温州蜜柑矮化病和柚矮化病，近年更有逐年加重的趋势。现已有实验证明，该两病均由茎陷点型衰退病毒引起。而近年广西一些桔园出现的纽荷尔脐橙果实变圆、变扁，个头变小，有时果顶部出现放射状沟，枝条木质部产生严重茎陷点的症状，也是由茎陷点型衰退病毒引起。《柑桔衰退病》一文简明扼要地介绍了柑桔衰退病的“症状、寄主范围、病原、流行病学、诊断检测及防控策略”，对于读者认识和治理温州蜜柑矮化病和柚矮化病可能会有所帮助。因此翻译出来，以供参考。     

Comparison of carprofen and pethidine as postoperative analgesics in the cat

The postoperative analgesia and sedation in cats given carprofen (4·0 mg/kg bodyweight by subcutaneous injection preoperatively) was compared to that in cats given pethidine (3·3 mg/kg bodyweight by intramuscular injection postoperatively) in a controlled, randomised, blinded, multicentre clinical trial. Further dosing with the particular analgesic was allowed if a cat was exhibiting unacceptable pain. In total, 57 carprofen cases and 59 pethidine cases were evaluated. Significantly fewer cats in the carprofen group required additional doses of analgesic, and mean pain scores were significantly lower from four hours after ovariohysterectomy, and at 18 to 24 hours after castration, compared to the pethidine group. In conclusion, carprofen provided as good a level of postoperative analgesia as pethidine, but of a longer duration (at least 24 hours) and was well tolerated. It thus provides an option for 'pre-emptive analgesia' in cats about to undergo surgery.