Pharmacokinetics of phenylbutazone in beef steers

Phenylbutazone was administered intravenously to a group of 11 beef steers at a dosage of 6 mg/kg of body weight. Whole plasma and protein-free plasma were analyzed for phenylbutazone residues. Pharmacokinetic parameters of total and free phenylbutazone in plasma were calculated using a noncompartmental method. In regards to whole plasma data, the mean volume of distribution at steady state (Vss), was 140 mL/kg body weight, with a mean (+/-SEM) terminal elimination half-life (t1/2) of 34 +/- 9 h. The mean clearance was 3.2 mL/h/kg body weight. The Vss, as determined from the protein-free plasma fraction, was 54093 mL/kg body weight. This larger Vss of free phenylbutazone compared with total plasma phenylbutazone was attributed to a high degree of plasma protein binding, as well as the greater penetration of free phenylbutazone into tissues. The mean t1/2 of free phenylbutazone was 35 +/- 12 h. This similarity to the t1/2 estimated from total plasma phenylbutazone data is attributed to an equilibrium between free and plasma phenylbutazone during the terminal elimination phase. The pharmacokinetic parameters of free and total plasma phenylbutazone in beef steers are statistically similar to those previously reported for lactating dairy cows.     

Effect of perioperative oral carprofen on postoperative pain in dogs undergoing surgery for stabilization of ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments

A randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of oral carprofen for the control of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing knee surgery for stabilization of ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments. Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment with carprofen (n = 10) or placebo (n = 9). Pain was assessed at 1, 2, 4, 6, 24, and 48 hours and 10 and 21 days postoperatively. Eight of 10 dogs treated with carprofen and five of nine dogs treated with placebo were given at least one dose of morphine as rescue therapy. The mean relative dose of morphine given at 1 hour (P =.01) and 24 hours (P =.02) after surgery was greater for dogs treated with carprofen than for dogs given a placebo. There were no significant postoperative differences in cortisol levels or any measured variable. It appears that the scoring system used was not sensitive enough to detect differences in pain between a known analgesic and a placebo.     

Pulmonary vascular pressures of thoroughbred horses exercised 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after furosemide administration

Furosemide premedication of horses 4 h prior to exercise significantly attenuates exercise-induced pulmonary capillary hypertension which may help diminish the severity of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage. As pulmonary hemodynamic effects of furosemide may be mediated via a reduction in plasma volume (which is most pronounced 15-30 min postfurosemide administration, with plasma volume recovering thereafter), we hypothesized that administration of furosemide at intervals shorter than 4 h before exertion may be more effective in attenuating the exercise-induced rise in pulmonary capillary blood pressure. Thus, our objective was to determine whether furosemide-induced attenuation of exercise-induced pulmonary arterial, capillary and venous hypertension would be enhanced when the drug is administered at intervals shorter than 4 h before exercise. Using established techniques, right atrial, and pulmonary arterial, capillary and wedge (venous) pressures were ascertained in seven healthy, sound, exercise-trained Thoroughbred horses in a randomized split-plot experimental design. Measurements were made at rest and during exercise performed at maximal heart rate (217 +/- 3 beats/min) in the control (no medications) experiments and following furosemide administration (250 mg intravenously (i.v.)) at 1, 2, 3 and 4 h before exercise. Sequence of treatments was randomized and 7 days were allowed between experiments on each horse. Although furosemide administration in the four treatment groups caused only insignificant changes in the pulmonary arterial, capillary and wedge pressures of standing horses, furosemide-induced reduction in mean right atrial pressure achieved statistical significance in the 2 h postfurosemide experiments. In the control studies, exercise was attended by statistically significant increments in mean right atrial, as well as pulmonary arterial, capillary and wedge pressures. Although exercise in each of the four furosemide experiments was also attended by significant increments in right atrial as well as pulmonary vascular pressures, in the 1, 2 and 3 h postfurosemide experiments, mean right atrial pressure increased to a significantly lower value than in the control study. Exercise-induced changes in pulmonary vascular pressures in the 1 h postfurosemide experiments were not different from the pressures in the control study. There was a significant attenuation of exercise-induced pulmonary capillary and venous hypertension in the 2, 3 and 4 h postfurosemide experiments, but significant differences among these treatments were not found. Thus, these data did not support the contention that administration of furosemide at intervals shorter than 4 h before exercise is more effective in attenuating exercise-induced pulmonary capillary or venous hypertension in Thoroughbred horses.     

Introductions of non-native plant pathogens into Great Britain, 1970–2004

An analysis of records of plant pathogens first identified in Great Britain from 1970 to 2004 (inclusive) was undertaken to determine the numbers of new species that have become established over time. Results show that the numbers of newly recorded pathogens have not varied significantly. Of the 234 pathogens recorded for the first time between 1970 and 2004, 157 were fungi, 27 were oomycetes, 26 were viruses, 23 were bacteria, and one was a phytoplasma. Approximately 53% of pathogens were found on ornamental crops, 16% on horticultural crops, 15% on wild native species, 12% on agricultural crops, 2% on pasture plants and 2% on exotic forestry tree species. Where the origin of introductions was known or strongly suspected, 47% came from the Netherlands. About 38% of newly recorded pathogens with information on the location of first record were discovered in the South East region of England. Plant Pathologists regarded 19% of all new pathogens as important because of actual or potential economic/environmental losses. The results indicate that the numbers of new or important pathogens establishing in recent years are not increasing and that most new findings are associated with ornamental plants.     

Snake bites recorded by veterinary practices in Australia

Objective To determine the extent of the snake bite problem in domestic animals, its regional significance and the effects of antivenom treatment.
Design A questionnaire was designed seeking information on the number and type of domestic animals referred, whether treated or untreated, type of snakes and management of the bite.
Procedure The survey form was sent to 10% of veterinary surgeons, selected at random throughout Australia.
Results The response of 106 veterinary surgeons revealed that snake bite in domestic animals is frequent, with an estimated 6200 cases reported annually. Bites were more prominent in rural (78%) than urban areas (22%) with brown, tiger and black snakes accounting for 76%, 13% and 6% of cases, respectively. Cats and dogs were the most frequently reported victims. Ninety-one percent of cats and 75% of dogs survived following the administration of antivenom whereas 66% of cats and 31% of dogs survived without antivenom. Overall, in 33% of cases antivenom was not used, and venom detection kits were used in only 1% of cases. A number of drugs were used in various combinations with or without antivenom and intravenous fluids in the treatment of animals with snake bite, but their role in reducing the severity of envenomations was not assessed.
Clinical implications Antivenom significantly improves the chances of survival of domestic animals bitten by snakes.     

Evaluation of ovum storage techniques for reproductive studies of fishes

Abstract– We compared dry masses of mature oocytes and ripe eggs from Etheostoma lynceum and Etheostoma caeruleum that were stored in varying concentrations of either formalin or isopropyl alcohol. In comparison to 10% formalin, alcohol significantly reduced the weights of both mature oocytes and ripe eggs, with 25% isopropyl alcohol resulting in much smaller reductions than 50% isopropanol. Three percent formalin resulted in smaller decreases in the masses of oocytes and eggs than the alcohol treatments, and not all comparisons with 10% formalin were significantly different. We recommend fixing specimens and storing them and gametic cells removed from them in 10% formalin. In cases where specimens or eggs in alcohol must be used in addition to material in formalin, correction factors (to formalin standard) should be developed, but the correction should not be made uncritically due to the varying effects alcohol may have among samples.     

Serologic studies of bovine respiratory syncytial virus in Minnesota cattle

Serum antibody titers to bovine respiratory syncytial virus were determined for 559 cattle. Serum samples were obtained through the Minnesota State-Federal Brucellosis Laboratory and were collected over a 1-year period. Results of this study revealed an antibody prevalence of 65.5% to bovine respiratory syncytial virus. The distribution of antibody titers is presented, as well as analysis of titers based on breed, sex, and age of the cattle.