Effects of preoperative administration of ketoprofen on whole blood platelet aggregation,buccal mucosal bleeding time,and hematologic indices in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of preoperative administration of ketoprofen on whole blood platelet aggregation, buccal mucosal bleeding time, and hematologic indices in dogs after elective ovariohysterectomy. DESIGN: Randomized, masked clinical trial. ANIMALS: 22 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: 60 minutes before induction of anesthesia, 11 dogs were given 0.9% NaCl solution (control), and 11 dogs were given ketoprofen (2 mg/kg [0.9 mg/lb], IM). Thirty minutes before induction of anesthesia, glycopyrrolate (0.01mg/kg [0.005 mg/lb]), acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg [0.02 mg/lb]), and butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg 10.09 mg/lb]) were given IM to all dogs. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental (5 to 10 mg/kg [2.3 to 4.5 mg/lb], IV) and maintained with isoflurane (1 to 3%). Ovariohysterectomy was performed and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg [0.05 mg/lb], IV) was given 15 minutes before completion of surgery. Blood samples for measurement of variables were collected at intervals before and after surgery. RESULTS: In dogs given ketoprofen, platelet aggregation was decreased 95 +/- 10% and 80 +/- 35% (mean +/- SD) immediately after surgery and 24 hours after surgery, respectively, compared with preoperative values. At both times, mean values in dogs given ketoprofen differed significantly from those in control dogs. Significant differences between groups were not observed for mucosal bleeding time or hematologic indices. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preoperative administration of ketoprofen inhibited platelet aggre gation but did not alter bleeding time. Ketoprofen can be given before surgery to healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, provided that dogs are screened for potential bleeding problems before surgery and monitored closely after surgery.     

Emerging modalities in veterinary rehabilitation.

Many new modalities have been introduced in human and veterinary physical rehabilitation. In many instances, there is sound theory of how they may impact the physiology of various cells, tissues, or organs.This article reviews some of the modalities that have been introduced recently in human and veterinary rehabilitation. Topics include low-level laser, phototherapy, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment.     

Fate of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms during storage of liquid hog manure in Québec

Pathogenic microorganisms in manure represents a potential hazard to human and animal. Few data describing the microbiological content of liquid hog manure intended for spreading are available in the scientific literature. The objective of this project was to verify the presence and estimate the persistence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica and Cryptosporidium spp. in liquid hog manure from storages under conditions typical of commercial swine production in Québec. E. coli content of liquid hog manure taken during the spreading period in the 32 hog operations varied between 0 and 5.52 log₁₀ CFU/g with a 95% confidence interval of 3.16–4.23 log₁₀ CFU/g. Salmonella spp., Y. enterocolitica and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 37%, 9% and 3% samples, respectively. Under the conditions of this experiment, the predicted number of days required to obtain a 90% reduction of E. coli populations varied between 15 and 26 days, while the predicted storage period necessary to reach undetectable levels was 54–114 days. The maximal persistence of Salmonella observed in this study was 88 days. A 73-day storage time was insufficient for the elimination of Y. enterocolitica.     

DEAE cellulose chromatographic characterization of canine serum

Canine serum samples were fractionated on DEAE cellulose using a continuous gradient system to establish a representative chromatographic pattern for normal dog serum. Serum samples were separated using decreasing pH (8.4–4.5) and increasing molarity (0.01–0.3 m) phosphate gradient and the elution pattern was obtained by spectrophotometric (280 nm) analysis of fractions. In preparative separations individual fractions were also analyzed by immunoelectrophoresis to determine the content of IgG immunoglobulins, transferrin and albumin. The results demonstrate a distinctly different chromatographic pattern from that of human serum. The size of the first eluting peak and the position of subsequent peaks of canine serum differ from human serum chromatograms. Fraction analyses demonstrate that this difference is due in part to the content of the various peaks and indicates a difference in electrophoretic mobility of corresponding serum proteins. In addition, canine IgGa was separated free of other immunoglobulins by rechromatographing the first peak using this gradient system.     

Applications of 3-dimensional printing in small-animal surgery: A review of current practices

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, also called rapid prototyping or additive manufacturing, transforms digital images into 3D printed objects, typically by layering consecutive thin films of material. This technology has become increasingly accessible to the public, prompting applications in veterinary surgery. Three-dimensional prints provide direct visualization of complex 3D structures and also haptic feedback relevant to surgery. The main objective of this review is to report current applications of 3D printing in small-animal surgery, including surgical education, preoperative planning, and treatment of tissue defects. The reported uses of 3D prints, their proposed advantages, and current limitations are discussed considering published evidence. Aspects of the manufacturing process specific to each application are described, along with current practices in veterinary surgery.     

New coumarins from Cedrelopsis grevei

Two new coumarins, 7-methoxy-5-prenylcoumarin (isocedrelopsin) (1) and 3',4'-dihydrobraylin (2), were isolated from the trunk bark of Cedrelopsis grevei, along with five known coumarins, microfolicoumarin (6,7-dimethoxy-5-prenylcoumarin, (3), obliquin (4), 8-methoxyobliquin (5), aesculetin (6), cedrelopsin (7) and scoparone (8).     

Potential for CO2 emissions mitigation in Europe through prescribed burning in the context of the Kyoto Protocol

The current paper analyses the potential for prescribed burning techniques for mitigating carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from forest fires and attempts to show quantitatively that it can be a means of achieving a net reduction of carbon emissions in the context of the Kyoto Protocol. The limited number of available studies suggests that significant reductions in CO₂ emissions can be obtained and that prescribed burning can be a viable option for mitigating emissions in fire-prone countries. The present analysis shows that the potential reduction attained by prescribed burning as a percentage of the reduction in emissions required by the Kyoto Protocol varies from country to country. Out of the 33 European countries investigated, only in one the requirements of the Kyoto Protocol could potentially be achieved by applying prescribed burning, while three other nations showed a potential net CO₂ emissions reduction of about 4–8% of the Kyoto requirements and the majority showed a reduction of less than 2%. This implies that prescribed burning can only make a significant contribution in those countries with high wildland fire occurrence. Over a 5-year period the emissions from wildfires in the European region were estimated to be approximately 11 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, while with prescribed burning application this was estimated to be 6 million tonnes, a potential reduction of almost 50%. This means that for countries in the Mediterranean region it may be worthwhile to account for the reduction in emissions obtained when such techniques are applied.     

The productivity of salt marsh vegetation at Tollesbury,Essex, and Stiffkey,Norfolk, England

This study presents data on the biomass and net aerial primaryproductivity (NAPP) of two contrasting East Anglian salt marshes.One site was at Tollesbury, Essex where the marshes are of theestuarine type and are subject to marsh degradation and erosionwhile the other site was 130 km to the north at Stiffkey, Norfolkwhere the barrier-type marshes are still actively developing withno signs of erosion. The NAPP was determined by the method ofSmalley with quadrats being harvested monthly with replacement.At the lowest levels at Tollesbury there was Pioneer Marshwhich was dominated by a mixture of Salicornia spp. and Astertripolium. At higher levels at Tollesbury there was LowerMarsh which was dominated by a mixture of Atriplex portulacoides andPuccinellia maritima. Over the four years of the studyPuccinellia became the dominant species following a markeddecrease in the extent and vigour of Atriplex. At Stiffkey theMiddle Marsh was at a much higher level and the vegetation waspredominantly a short dense sward with Atriplex portulacoides,Puccinellia maritima and Limonium vulgare together with smallerquantities of Armeria maritima and Plantago maritima. The meanNAPPs over three years of the Pioneer and Lower Marsh atTollesbury (467 & 519 g m^-2 yr^-1respectively) were similar butin 1993 the NAPPs recorded at Tollesbury were higher than thoserecorded at Stiffkey (625 & 583 compared with 458 g m^-2yr^-1).Smalleys method is difficult to apply to communities wherespecies dominance is variable, especially when dominance isshared between species with markedly different growth patterns.The results for NAPP obtained from the salt marshes at Tollesburyand Stiffkey are discussed in relation to results obtained byother workers from comparable areas in England and theNetherlands. Attention is also drawn to the possibly largerbelow-ground component of production that is frequentlyoverlooked. The importance of salt marshes in relation to othercoastal communities lies in the export of a proportion of theorganic matter produced and this mainly depends on theabove-ground production.