Complications associated with the use of vascular access ports in dogs receiving external beam radiation therapy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the perioperative and postoperative complications associated with use of vascular access ports (VAPs) in the jugular and lateral saphenous veins of dogs requiring frequent anesthetic episodes for radiation therapy. DESIGN: Cohort study. ANIMALS: 40 dogs referred to a veterinary teaching hospital. PROCEDURES: VAPs were used in 23 dogs, and intravenous catheters inserted in a peripheral vein were used in 17 dogs. The frequency of perioperative and postoperative complications associated with VAP use and the frequency of infection associated with intravenous catheter use were recorded. Results of bacterial culture of VAP tips and amount of time required for VAP placement and removal and for anesthetic induction were also recorded. RESULTS: VAP-associated perioperative complications included malposition of the catheter tip in 4 of 23 (17.4%) dogs. The VAP-associated postoperative complications included seroma formation in 7 (30.4%) dogs, breakage of port-anchoring sutures in 3 (13.0%) dogs, suspected fatal catheter-related septicemia in 1 (4.3%) dog, and temporary partial withdrawal occlusion in 18 of 255 (7.1%) anesthetic episodes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Placement of VAPs provided ready access in dogs receiving radiation therapy. Most complications were minor and self-limiting; however, a low risk of serious complications existed. Use of fluoroscopy to assess position of the catheter tip is recommended to decrease the risk of malposition. Immediate removal of a VAP is recommended when clinical signs of infection develop. Removal of a VAP at the completion of radiation therapy should be performed unless the benefit of continued vascular access outweighs the risks.     

Immunoglobulin A multiple myeloma with cutaneous involvement in a dog

An 8-year-old rottweiler, diagnosed with multiple myeloma and multiple sites of cutaneous involvement, was treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The diagnostic criteria for canine multiple myeloma, limitations of diagnostic testing for light chain proteinuria in dogs, and the role of radiation therapy in multiple myeloma patients is discussed.     

A study of the discrete and interactive effects of different polysaccharides on the digestibility of diets fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

This study examined the single, paired and combined inclusion effect of a range of different polysaccharide types on the dry matter, protein and energy digestibility of diets fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The different polysaccharides included pregelled starch, cellulose, lignin and pectin. There were significant differences among the digestibility parameters of the diets with the different inclusion levels of each of the different polysaccharide types. Using a manova analysis, effects were noted for polysaccharide type, inclusion level and interaction terms on the digestibilities of dry matter, protein and energy. Cellulose addition resulted in a reduction in both dry matter and energy that was largely commensurate with its inclusion level, but its effect on protein digestibility was marginal. Starch had the least effect on any of the digestibility parameters of all the polysaccharide types examined. Pectin had the largest effect on dry matter, while lignin had the greatest impact on diet protein and energy digestion. In the diets with paired combinations of polysaccharides, lignin and pectin were responsible for negatively synergistic interactions in all digestibility parameters. These results show that different polysaccharide classes can have distinctly different effects on diet digestibility parameters.     

Dietary astaxanthin levels affect colour,growth, carotenoid digestibility and the accumulation of specific carotenoid esters in the Giant Tiger Shrimp,Penaeus monodon

The carotenoid astaxanthin (Axn) plays a vital role in shrimp pigmentation, with direct influence on product quality, and forms a significant cost component of shrimp aquaculture feeds. However, the effects of dietary Axn on other measures of shrimp physiological performance are varied, and the efficiency of carotenoid uptake from the diet and deposition in shrimp tissues is poorly defined. This study fed juvenile shrimp (Penaeus monodon) diets that contained 0, 25, 50 or 100 mg kg^?1 Axn for 6 weeks. Shrimp fed carotenoid‐free diets had significantly reduced colour and growth than those fed carotenoids, but survival was unaffected. Carotenoid digestibility improved as dietary carotenoid levels increased, and was 98.5% in shrimp fed 100 mg kg^?1 Axn. After 6 weeks, whole body carotenoid levels were significantly depleted in 0 or 25 mg kg^?1 fed shrimp, compared with those fed 50 or 100 mg kg^?1 or compared with initial shrimp. This study also showed that Axn monoesters were enriched with saturated fatty acids, whereas Axn diesters were enriched with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Combined, these studies demonstrate that a total dietary carotenoid intake of between 25 and 50 mg kg^?1 Axn is required for normal shrimp growth and health in P. monodon. Evidence suggests that there is a functional role for the accumulation of carotenoids and the formation of specific Axn fatty acid esters, and these may be linked to the metabolism, storage, mobilization or deposition of Axn within various tissues.     

Novel treatment of equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis of incisor teeth in a 22-year-old Arabian mare

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis is a rarely reported condition in the incisor and canine teeth of older horses. Histologically, there is internal and external resorption of the tooth with formation of excessive cementum. Once lesions become infected or supragingival this condition is very painful. The clinical manifestation, diagnosis and treatment of hypercementosis in an Arabian mare are described.     

Infectious canine hepatitis associated with prednisone treatment

An 11-week-old, female Alaskan husky dog housed outdoors in the Yukon, Canada, was diagnosed with infectious canine hepatitis. The predisposing factors in this puppy for such a rare disease included inappropriate vaccination program, potential contact with endemic wildlife, and immunosuppression due to prednisone treatment.     

Thermoregulation and performance of British Anglo-Nubian and Saanen goats reared in an intensive system in Trinidad

Anglo-Nubian and Saanen goats were imported into Trinidad and Tobago to form the nucleus of the goat expansion and improvement programme. Thermoregulation and performance of the parent stock and the F1 were evaluated under intensive housing and management. Rectal temperature in the a.m. irrespective of breed or season ranged from 38.5°C to 38.7°C and p.m. ranged from 38.8°C to 39.0°C. After 2 h of exposure outdoors without shade, Saanen parent stock (SAPS) respiration rate (105 br/min) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than Saanen F1 (SAF1, 76 br/min), Anglo-Nubian parent stock (ANSP, 65 br/min) and Anglo-Nubian F1 (ANF1, 51 br/min). Rectal temperature over the same period showed significant differences (p < 0.042) between SAF1 (39.8°C) and SAPS (39.4°C), and ANF1 (39.4°C); the value for ANSP was 39.7°C. Age at first kidding showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between breeds or between the parent stock and the F1 generations, ranging from 638 to 686 days. The ANPS were the most prolific of all groups (p < 0.05); the mean for this group was 1.86 ± 0.07 kids/kidding. Saanen F1 was the least prolific among the group, with mean number of kids at 1.23 (±0.11) kids/kidding. Kidding interval showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the groups, ranging from 319 to 521 days. It was concluded that the Anglo-Nubian appears to be more suitable than the Saanen for the tropical humid environment in Trinidad as indicated by their thermoregulation, prolificacy and kidding interval.     

Crusted scabies (sarcoptic mange) in four cats due to Sarcoptes scabiei infestation

Four new cases of sarcoptic mange in cats are described. Two cats resided in areas known to be frequented by foxes, another cohabited with a dog recently diagnosed with sarcoptic mange, while the final cat lived with a mixed breed dog that had been treated for sarcoptic mange 7 months previously. Three cases were diagnosed on the basis of characteristic mite size and morphology in skin scraping from representative lesions, situated on the head (two cases) or head and distal hind limbs (one case). Mites were highly mobile and abundant in all instances, and easily detected also in skin biopsy specimens procured from two cases. Eosinophilic inflammation, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis were prominent in the tissue sections. In the remaining case, the diagnosis was presumptive, based on characteristic lesions, cohabitation with a canine scabies patient and positive response to scabicide therapy. Pruritus was not a prominent clinical feature in any patient and was considered to be absent in three of the four cases. Lesions in three cats with long-standing disease were reminiscent of crusted scabies (synonym: Norwegian scabies, parakeratotic scabies) as seen in human patients. In three cases, in-contact human carriers developed itchy cutaneous papular lesions. Two cases responded promptly to therapy with systemic avermectin drugs, while one responded to topical treatment with lime sulphur and the remaining cat received both a lime sulphur rinse and ivermectin. Sarcoptic mange should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cats with non-pruritic crusting skin diseases, especially when there is contact with foxes or dogs, and when owners have itchy papular lesions.