Tissue distribution of marbofloxacin after 'systemic' administration into the isolated perfused bovine udder

Mammary glands taken at slaughter from healthy lactating cows were perfused in vitro with warmed and gassed Tyrode solution. Marbofloxacin was administered "systemically" via the perfusion fluid at concentrations similar to those measured in plasma following intravenous administration of 2mg/kg marbofloxacin. Samples from the perfusate were taken over a 24h period. Glandular tissue samples at different vertical distances from the teat up to the udder base were gathered from each of the four quarters after 3, 6, 12 and 24h. The marbofloxacin content of the tissue samples was analysed by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. The addition of marbofloxacin to the perfusion fluid produced median concentrations above the MIC90 (0.016microg/mL) against Escherichia coli at all glandular tissue sites measured after 3 and 6h with remarkable variations. Samples taken after 12 and 24h contained marbofloxacin in concentrations (median) of 0.22 (<0.05-0.32)microg/g and 0.13 (<0.05-0.16)microg/g. It is concluded that a systemic administration of marbofloxacin is well suited for the treatment of E. coli mastitis.     

Improvement of dietary protein utilisation in chicks by medium chain triglyceride

1. To improve the influence of variation of ME intake, an experiment was carried out using equalised feeding to investigate the comparative effects on protein and energy utilisation in chicks of diets containing medium chain triglyceride (MCT) and long chain triglyceride (LCT). Experimental diets were given at 3 different food intakes, namely, 100, 120 or 147 g/bird/10 d. The diets contained MCT or LCT on an isoenergetic basis. Maize oil and caprylic acid triglyceride respectively, were used as LCT and MCT sources.

2. Body weight gain and food efficiency of chicks significantly increased with the supplement of dietary MCT compared with dietary LCT at all food intakes. Protein retention and the efficiency of protein utilisation (protein retained/protein intake) at all food intakes also significantly increased with dietary MCT, while body fat and fat retention were significantly reduced. Chicks fed the LCT‐supple‐mented diet, on the other hand, had a lower protein retention, but significantly higher fat retention. The value for energy retention and the efficiency of energy utilisation (energy retained/ME intake) were not significantly different between MCT‐ and LCT‐supplemented diets.

3. It was concluded that supplementing MCT to the chick diet would improve body weight gain and protein utilisation while regulating fat deposition compared to the LCT supplemented diet, under equalised feeding conditions.     

Radioimmunoassay of Bovine,Ovine and Porcine Luteinizing Hormone with a Monoclonal Antibody and a Human Tracer

Forsberg, M., R. Tagle, A. Madej, J.R. Molina and M.-A. Carlsson. Radioimmunoassay of bovine, ovine and porcine luteinizing hormone with a monoclonal antibody and a human tracer. Acta vet. scand. 1993, 255-262.– A radioimmunoassay for bovine (bLH), ovine (oLH) and porcine (pLH) luteinizing hormone was developed using a human ¹²⁵ ILH tracer from a commercial kit and a monoclonal antibody (518B7) specific for LH but with low species specificity. Standard curves demonstrated similar binding kinetics when bLH, oLH and pLH were incubated with tracer and antibody for 2 h at room temperature. A 30-min delay in the addition of the tracer gave sufficient sensitivity when analysing pLH. Separation of antibody-bound LH from free hormone was achieved by using second antibody-coated micro Sepharose beads. The assay was validated and the performance compared with that of an RIA currently in use for determination of bLH and oLH (coefficient of correlation: 0.99 and 0.98). Regardless of the standards used, intra-assay coefficients of variation were <10% for LH concentrations exceeding 1 µg/L. The inter-assay coefficients of variation were <15%. The assay was used for clinical evaluation demonstrating the pre-ovulatory LH surge in two cyclic cows, LH pulsatility in an oophorectomized ewe and LH response to GnRH injection in a boar.     

Creatine monohydrate supplementation and the quality of fresh pork in normal and halothane carrier pigs

The objective of this research was to examine the impact of supplementation with creatine monohydrate (CMH) on the quality of various muscles from normal and heterozygous halothane carrier pigs. Twenty-nine crossbred pigs, 16 normal (NN) and 13 halothane carrier (Nn) genotypes, were supplemented with 0 or 25 g x pig(-1) x d(-1) of CMH for 5 d before slaughter. Supplemented pigs gained 2.26 kg more weight (P < 0.05) during 5 d of supplementation. There were trends (P < 0.10) toward higher objective marbling scores and lower cooking loss for supplemented pigs. The 45-min pH was 0.27 units higher (P < 0.05) for supplemented pigs in the semimembranosus; CMH supplementation did not influence (P > 0.05) drip loss or muscle composition. Supplementation with CMH also resulted in lower L* values in two ham muscles, semitendinosus (5.15 units) (P < 0.05) and semimembranosus (1.95 units) (P < 0.10) for Nn carcasses. Genotype had significant effects on most quality indicators, with Nn carcasses producing lower-quality lean as evidenced by less desirable subjective and objective color and higher drip losses. Genotype also affected the composition of several muscles, with the NN carcasses having more fat and less moisture.     

Clinical and echocardiographic findings in 10 dogs with vegetative bacterial endocarditis

Ten cases of bacterial endocarditis in the dog were studied by retrospective analysis of case records. Diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis was based on either strict clinical criteria or post mortem examination. A wide spectrum of presenting signs was seen including pyrexia, lameness, epistaxis, haemoptysis and dyspnoea. Haematological and biochemical abnormalities were non-specific and were attributed to the effects of septicaemia, embolism or chronic inflammation. Haemostatic abnormalities and, or, severe dysrhythmias appeared to be associated with a significantly poorer prognosis. Blood cultures were positive in four cases of eight that were cultured. Lesions compatible with bacterial endocarditis were detected in all eight cases that underwent echocardiographic examination. Right-sided vegetations present in two dogs were not detected by echocardiography. Two-dimensional echocardiography is a useful technique for the detection of vegetative endocarditis in the dog and allows rapid therapeutic intervention while blood culture results are pending.     

Mineral Nitrogen in a Crested Wheatgrass Stand: Implications for Suppression of Cheatgrass

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) is an exotic annual grass causing ecosystem degradation in western US rangelands. We investigated potential mechanisms by which crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn., Agropyron desertorum &lsqb;Fisch. {Ex Link} Scult.]) suppresses the growth and invasibility of cheatgrass. Research focused on monthly mineral soil N availability and the proportional concentration of NH₄⁺-N in a crested wheatgrass community by microsite (crested wheatgrass, unvegetated interspace, shrub subcanopy) and soil depth (0–15, 15–30 cm) over a 1-yr period. Mineral soil N in crested wheatgrass microsites ranged from 0.24 to 1.66 mmol · kg^-1 and was not appreciably lower than the other microsites or other ecosystems we have measured in the Great Basin. The molar proportion of NH₄⁺-N in the mineral N pool of crested wheatgrass averaged over 85% for the year and is significantly higher than the other microsites and far greater than other plant communities we have measured in the Great Basin. We conclude that crested wheatgrass does not suppress cheatgrass by controlling mineral N below a threshold level; rather, we hypothesize that it may limit nitrification and thereby reduce NO₃^--N availability to the nitrophile cheatgrass.     

Prevalence of Setaria equina microfilaraemia in horses in Hungary

Peripheral blood samples were collected randomly from 195 horses in various parts of Hungary, and the presence of microfilariae was evaluated by the Knott technique. On the basis of morphological identification 18 of the horses (9.2 per cent) were infected with Setaria equina, and the infection was confirmed in 10 animals by pcr and sequencing. The level of microfilaraemia was between 1 and 1138 larvae in 2 ml of blood. There was no correlation between the time of sampling or the sex of the animals (stallions versus mares) and the prevalence of infection, but the prevalence decreased with age. There was a significant association between the prevalence of microfilaraemia and the presence of still waters; positive samples were collected either in the region of Lake Balaton, the largest lake in the country, or at places with nearby ponds.     

Comparison of the results of abdominal ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy in the dog and cat

Results of preoperative ultrasonography and exploratory laparotomy were reviewed retrospectively in a series of 100 small animals to assess the agreement between ultrasonographic and surgical findings and to identify abdominal lesions likely to be missed by ultrasonography. Good agreement occurred between ultrasound reports and surgical reports in 64% of the animals, which supported the use of ultrasonography in potential surgical candidates. A major discrepancy was observed between the ultrasound report and surgical findings in 25% of the animals. Of the various types of pathology encountered in the study, gastrointestinal ulceration or perforation was the most likely lesion to be missed by ultrasonography.     

Effects of exercise-induced stress and dexamethasone on plasma hormone and glucose concentrations and sedation in dogs treated with dexmedetomidine

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of pretreatment with dexamethasone, physical stress (exercise), or both on sedation and plasma hormone and glucose concentrations in dogs treated with dexmedetomidine (DEX). ANIMALS: 6 healthy purpose-bred Beagles. PROCEDURE: Dogs received 4 treatments each in a randomized order prior to i.v. administration of DEX (5 fLg/kg). Pretreatments were as follows: (1) i.v. administration of saline (0.9% NaCI) solution and no exercise (control group); (2) IV administration of dexamethasone (0.05 mg/kg) and no exercise (DM group); (3) i.v. administration of saline solution and exercise (EX group; 15 minutes of trotting on a treadmill at a speed of 2 m/s); and (4) i.v. administration of dexamethasone and exercise (DM+EX group). RESULTS: Following DEX administration, all dogs had similar times to recumbency and sedation index values, irrespective of pretreatment with values, irrespective of pretreatment with dexam-d ethasone or exercise. Plasma catecholamine concentrations decreased after DEX administration. Compared with control group dogs, plasma cortisol concentrations were higher in EX-group dogs prior to DEX administration and lower in DM- and DM+EX-group dogs following DEX administration. Administration of DEX decreased plasma cortisol concentration in EX-group dogs only. Plasma glucose concentration was not influenced by exercise or dexamethasone administration was lower than baseline concentrations at 30 minutes after DEX administration and returned to baseline values by 90 minutes. Heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperature increased during exercise. After DEX administration, these values decreased below baseline values. The decrease in heart rate was of shorter duration in dogs that underwent pretreatment with dexamethasone, exercise, or both than in control group dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pretreatment with dexamethasone, moderate physical stress (exercise), or both did not influence sedation or cause adverse effects in healthy dogs treated with DEX.