A decision-analytic approach to the optimal allocation of resources for endangered species consultation

The resources available to support conservation work, whether time or money, are limited. Decision makers need methods to help them identify the optimal allocation of limited resources to meet conservation goals, and decision analysis is uniquely suited to assist with the development of such methods. In recent years, a number of case studies have been described that examine optimal conservation decisions under fiscal constraints; here we develop methods to look at other types of constraints, including limited staff and regulatory deadlines. In the US, Section Seven consultation, an important component of protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, requires that federal agencies overseeing projects consult with federal biologists to avoid jeopardizing species. A benefit of consultation is negotiation of project modifications that lessen impacts on species, so staff time allocated to consultation supports conservation. However, some offices have experienced declining staff, potentially reducing the efficacy of consultation. This is true of the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (WFWO) and its consultation work on federally-threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus). To improve effectiveness, WFWO managers needed a tool to help allocate this work to maximize conservation benefits. We used a decision-analytic approach to score projects based on the value of staff time investment, and then identified an optimal decision rule for how scored projects would be allocated across bins, where projects in different bins received different time investments. We found that, given current staff, the optimal decision rule placed 80% of informal consultations (those where expected effects are beneficial, insignificant, or discountable) in a short bin where they would be completed without negotiating changes. The remaining 20% would be placed in a long bin, warranting an investment of seven days, including time for negotiation. For formal consultations (those where expected effects are significant), 82% of projects would be placed in a long bin, with an average time investment of 15 days. The WFWO is using this decision-support tool to help allocate staff time. Because workload allocation decisions are iterative, we describe a monitoring plan designed to increase the tool’s efficacy over time. This work has general application beyond Section Seven consultation, in that it provides a framework for efficient investment of staff time in conservation when such time is limited and when regulatory deadlines prevent an unconstrained approach.     

Effects of Pentoxifylline on Equine Epididymal Sperm

This study evaluated whether pentoxifylline (PTX) present in the flushing extender influenced the function of equine epididymal spermatozoa after recovery and after thawing. For this experiment, 58 testicles from 29 Brazilian Jumping Horses were used. Cauda epididymides of each stallion were separated and flushed with a skim milk extender, with or without 7.18 mM PTX and then subjected to the freezing process. Samples flushed with the extender containing PTX showed a significant increase in total motility, progressive motility, straight line velocity, curvilinear velocity, and percentage of rapid sperm immediately after the recovery of epididymal sperm and after 15 minutes of incubation at 37°C (P < .05). However, the presence of PTX in the flushing extender did not affect the post-thaw motility parameters or plasma membrane integrity (P > .05). The results of this study showed that the PTX present in the flushing extender improved motility parameters of recently recovered epididymal sperm and had no deleterious effects on plasma membrane integrity and freezability of equine epididymal sperm.     

Surgical Correction of Uterine Torsion and Mare–Foal Survival in Advance Pregnant Equine Patients

This article describes the surgical management of uterine torsion by midline celiotomy and cesarean section on 12 mares presented with signs of colic to a teaching veterinary hospital. The mares were either in full term of gestation (n = 7) or in advanced stage of pregnancy (n = 5). Six mares were in first parity. Uterine torsion was diagnosed by per rectal and per vaginal examinations. For surgical intervention, mares were anesthetized using a combination of xylazine (1.1 mg/kg) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg), intravenously. After intubation, the animals were maintained on halothane (n = 4) or isoflurane (n = 8) inhalation anesthesia. Midline celiotomy was performed, and foals were delivered by cesarean section. In 11 mares, before closing the abdominal wound, the uterus was detorted manually and confirmed for its normal position. Both anesthetic protocols using halothane and isoflurane were found satisfactory for surgical correction of uterine torsion. After long-term follow-up, the study reported 75.0% (9/12) survival rate for mares. One mare was euthanized because of devitalized, necrosed, and adhered uterus to the abdominal wall. Of the nine surviving mares, seven were successfully bred. Three foals were born alive, and only one could survive on long-term basis. Of the nine dead foals, two had umbilical cord torsion.     

Surgical Treatment of Mineralized and Nonmineralized Supraspinatus Tendinopathy in Twenty-four Dogs

Objective— To report and compare the clinical diagnosis, surgical treatment, histopathologic changes, and outcomes of dogs with mineralized and nonmineralized supraspinatus tendinopathy (ST).
Study Design— Case series.
Animals— Dogs (n=24) with ST.
Methods— Medical records (1995–2006) of dogs with ST that had surgical treatment were reviewed. Results of clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, surgery, histopathology of resected tendon tissue, and outcome were compared between dogs with mineralized and nonmineralized ST.
Results— There were 15 dogs with mineralized ST and 9 with nonmineralized ST. Chronic, unilateral, intermittent or waxing-waning lameness, and pain elicited on palpation of the cranial aspect of the shoulder were the most consistent findings. On ultrasonographic or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 35 shoulders, enlargement of the supraspinatus tendon (54%), increased fluid content (63%), and medial displacement of the biceps tendon (60%) were observed. Eleven of 12 dogs with bilateral abnormalities only had unilateral lameness. Surgery was performed in 30 shoulders. Resected tendon specimens had myxomatous degeneration and/or cartilaginous metaplasia in 11 of 13 dogs in the mineralized group and all 9 dogs in the nonmineralized group. Functional outcome after surgery was poor in 3 dogs and good-to-excellent in 16.
Conclusions— Mineralized and nonmineralized ST have many similarities. Although lameness is usually unilateral, the supraspinatus tendon may be affected bilaterally.
Clinical Relevance— Ultrasonography and MRI are good imaging techniques for detection of ST especially the nonmineralized form. Surgical treatment results in good recovery of limb function. Nonmineralized ST is a recently described disorder in dogs and evaluation of more cases is necessary to determine outcome after surgical or medical treatment.     

Cross-reactivity of anti-chicken IgY antibody with immunoglobulins of exotic avian species

Background: A major challenge in the serologic diagnosis of infectious diseases in exotic birds is the limited availability of species-specific antibodies. Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to determine if there is cross reactivity between commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies and immunoglobulins of several avian species, with particular emphasis on psittacines. Methods: To quantitate the reactivity with anti-chicken IgY, Western blot analysis was performed using plasma samples from many different avian species. Results were compared with gamma globulin fraction quantitation obtained by protein electrophoresis. Results: By Western blot, 2 protein bands corresponding to the heavy and light chains of chicken IgY were identified in species from 21 avian orders using 1 of 2 rabbit anti-chicken IgY antibodies. Densitometric analysis showed that the amount of immunoglobulin estimated from Western blots correlated strongly with data from protein electrophoresis assays. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that some commercially available anti-chicken IgY antibodies exhibit good cross-reactivity with most avian species.     

The Use of Colonic Irrigation to Control Fecal Incontinence in Dogs With Colostomies

OBJECTIVE: To determine if once-daily colonic irrigation results in fecal continence for a 24-hour period in dogs with colostomies and if colonic volume increased in response to the irrigation. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective controlled experimental study. ANIMALS: Four intact male and one intact female mixed breed dogs. MATERIALS: All dogs received left end-on paralumbar colostomies. Four dogs received once-daily colonic irrigation for 8 weeks, whereas the control dog did not. Daily fecal weights were recorded for the length of the study in all dogs. Barium enema studies and volumetric studies were used to determine colonic volumes. RESULTS: Daily fecal weights were significantly decreased in treatment dogs compared with the control dog. Colonic volume increased in irrigated dogs in response to daily irrigation over the 8 week period of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic irrigation resulted in significantly decreased fecal production over a 24-hour period. Therefore management of dogs with colostomies would be more practical and cost effective. It did not result in complete fecal continence in this study. Further clinical studies are indicated to determine if longer periods of irrigation would result in complete continence.