Evaluation Of An Additive Solution For Preservation Of Canine Red Blood Cells

The effect of an additive preservative solution on canine red blood cell posttransfusion viability (PTV) and on selected canine red blood cell biochemical parameters was studied. One unit (450 mL) of blood was collected from 6 clinically normal dogs into the anticoagulant citrate phosphate dextrose, centrifuged, and the plasma removed. The red blood cells were then suspended in 100 mL of a saline, adenine, dextrose, and mannitol solution and stored at 4°C. Aliquots were removed for study at 1, 10, 20, 30, 37, and 44 days. The 24-hour PTV of autologous red blood cells was determined using a sodium chromate (⁶¹Cr) label. Red blood cell concentrations of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP), and pH were also determined. Canine red blood cell PTV, pH, ATP, and 2,3-DPG concentrations decreased during storage ( P < .05). The PTV decreased from 94% using day 1 red blood cells to 80% and 75% using day 37 and day 44 red blood cells, respectively ( P < .05). Although the mean PTV of the day 44 stored units equaled the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) minimum standard for human red blood cells, the PTV was substandard in 75% of the day 44 units. The FDA standard was exceeded in 83% of the day 37 units. It was concluded that 37-day-old canine red blood cells preserved with a saline, adenine, dextrose, and mannitol solution are of acceptable quality for transfusion.     

Evaluation of Fibular Head Transposition for Repair of Experimental Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury in Dogs

Unilateral cranial cruciate ligament excision and fibular head transposition (FHT) were performed on 30 adult dogs. Vertical ground reaction forces were determined using force plate data before and after surgery. Cranial drawer motion, tibial rotation, and varus-valgus motion were measured at monthly intervals. Radiographic, gross, and histological examinations of the stifle joints that had been operated on were performed 3 weeks, 4 months, and 10 months after surgery. A scoring system was used to evaluate lameness, osteophyte formation, and meniscal damage. Rank correlation coefficients were calculated between variables tested in pairs. Cranial drawer motion and abnormal tibial rotation were present in all of the joints that had been operated on. Peak vertical force and associated impulse were not restored during the study time period. Meniscal damage was noted in 25% of the dogs at month 4 and in 50% of the dogs at month 10. Progressive gross and histological deterioration of the articular cartilage was observed in all joints. Positive correlations were noted between the degree of stifle joint instability and meniscal injury or radiographic changes. FHT did not control cranial drawer motion and rotational instability, was not successful in restoring limb function, and did not prevent joint degeneration, especially meniscal damage.     

Repair of a Mandibular Defect With a Free Vascularized Coccygeal Vertebra Transfer in a Dog

Bilateral mandibular defects in a male mongrel dog were repaired. On the left side, a free vascularized coccygeal bone graft that included the median caudal artery and caudal vein was used to correct the defect. On the right side, the defect was bridged with a bone plate and screws. For further immobilization, the muzzle was temporarily taped for 3 weeks and a pharyngostomy tube was used for nutritional support. The dog was able to eat dry commercial food satisfactorily within 2 months of surgery despite mild malocclusion. Radiographs taken 2 months and 18 months postoperatively showed bony union with graft hypertrophy in the left mandible, whereas the right mandibular defect showed protracted nonunion. The results indicate that vascularized coccygeal vertebra transfer provides an alternative for the management of canine mandibular defects.     

RADIOGRAPHICALLY VISUALIZED SKELETAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS VI IN CATS

The radiographic skeletal form and structure of all cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI is described. Common manifestations included epiphyseal dysplasia, generalized osteoporosis, abnormal nasal turbinate development, his subluxation, impaired development of skeletal growth, pectus excavatum, hyoid hypoplasia, aplasia, hypoplasia and fragmentation or abnormal ossification of the dens, and aplasia or hypoplasia of frontal and sphenoid sinuses. The skeletal measurements of two affected cats were compared with those of normal, sex-matched littermates, and the measurements of two affected female cats were compared with those of a normal male littermate.     

Retrospective Evaluation of Repeat Celiotomy in 53 Horses with Acute Gastrointestinal Disease

Fifty-three of 648 horses (8.2%) treated surgically for acute gastrointestinal obstruction were subjected to repeat celiotomy. Forty horses (75%) recovered from anesthesia after repeat celiotomy, and 26 horses (49%) were discharged from the clinic. Excluding two horses lost to follow-up, 10 of 51 horses (20%) survived long term. Horses subjected to repeat celiotomy had a significantly lower long-term survival rate than horses subjected to a single celiotomy. Twenty-eight horses had mechanical obstructions, and 22 had functional obstructions at the second surgery. Significantly more horses with mechanical obstructions recovered from anesthesia, but there was no difference in short-term or long-term survival. Seventy-seven percent of horses were subjected to two celiotomies without being discharged from the clinic between procedures. The intervals between primary and repeat celiotomies ranged from less than 24 hours to 4 years, with 89% of them being less than 2 months. Horses with functional obstructions at the second surgery had a significantly shorter interval between surgeries than horses with mechanical obstructions. Twenty-three horses had sequelae of the primary celiotomy, 19 had progression of their original disease, 8 had recurrence of the same condition, and 3 had unrelated problems. Intestinal ischemic necrosis was the most common diagnosis at repeat celiotomy, and small intestinal obstruction by adhesions was the second most frequent.     

Excision of Tumors in the Nasal Vestibule of Two Dogs

Two dogs with tumors in the left nasal vestibule were treated by surgical excision of the affected part of the nose. Radiation and chemopotentiation were used in one dog, which remained tumor-free after 12 months. When recovering from anesthesia, the second dog developed respiratory distress associated with upper airway obstruction and failure to mouth breathe. The dog was successfully treated by temporary tracheostomy and remained tumor-free after 3 months. Surgery preserved the function of the right nostril and gave an acceptable cosmetic result in both cases.     

Chelated mineral supplementation in the barren mare: A preliminary trial

Twenty-four Thoroughbred mares with breeding histories of having been barren for at least the previous 12 months were evaluated in a double-blind feeding trial to determine the effects of chelated mineral supplementation upon subsequent breeding performance. At the start of the trial (Day 0), mares were split into three dietary treatment groups of eight mares each and fed: (a) control diet with macro- and microminerals fed at NRC recommended levels for maintenance of the mature horse, (b) chelated minerals supplementation and (c) inorganic minerals supplementation at levels equal to Group B. Sixty days after initiation of the trial, there were no differences (P>0.05) between age, endometrial biopsy classification, calculated body weight and body condition score for mares between dietary treatment groups. A breeding performance trial was initiated at this time (Day 60). The number of first cycle and cumulative (i.e. over 3 estrous cycles) conceptions, number of first cycle and cumulative pregnancies and the number of total embryonic losses were not different (P>0.05) between the control and either the chelated mineral or the inorganic mineral groups. There were no harmful effects observed from feeding the chelated minerals 60 days prior to, and during, this breeding trial.     

Nasal Septoplasty for Correction of Septal Deviation in a Foal

Objective — This article reports an alternative to septal resection in nasal septal deviations involving the rostral 7 to 10 cm of the nasal septum.
Study Design — Case report.
Sample Population — One client-owned foal.
Methods — A nasal approach with mucosal elevation was used to gain access to the cartilaginous portion of the nasal septum. Once exposed, a series of parasagittal incisions in the cartilage allowed the septum to be repositioned while providing some intrinsic stabilization.
Results — The nasal approach provided good access to the rostral 7 cm of the nasal septum. The technique resulted in minimal hemorrhage from the site. Bleeding was reduced with the use of ephedrine to vasoconstrict the mucosal vessels, and primary closure of the mucosa.
Conclusions — Use of an intrinsically stabilized septoplasty should be considered as a means of decreasing the airway obstruction caused by nasal septal deviation in foals while allowing for normal development of facial contour.     

Hemodynamic Effects of Epidural Ketamine in Isoflurane-Anesthetized Dogs

Objective —The purpose of this study was to determine the hemodynamic effects of epidural ketamine administered during isoflurane anesthesia in dogs. Study Design —Prospective, single-dose trial. Animals —Six healthy dogs (five males, one female) weighing 25.3 ± 3.88 kg. Methods —Once anesthesia was induced, dogs were maintained at 1.5 times the predetermined, individual minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane. Dogs were instrumented and allowed to stabilize for 30 minutes before baseline measurements were recorded. Injection of 2 mg/kg of ketamine in 1 mL saline/4.5 kg body weight was then performed at the lumbosacral epidural space. Hemodynamic data were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 75 minutes after epidural ketamine injection. Statistical analysis included an analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measures over time. All data were compared with baseline values. A P < .05 was considered significant. Results —Baseline values ±standard error of the mean (X ± SEM) for heart rate, mean arterial pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, stroke index, systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, and rate-pressure product were 108 ± 6 beats/min, 85 ± 10 mm Hg, 10 ± 2 mm Hg, 3 ± 1 mm Hg, 5 ± 2 mm Hg, 2.3 ± 0.3 L/min/m², 21.4 ± 1.9 mL/beat/m², 3386 ± 350 dynes/sec/cm⁵, 240 ± 37 dynes/sec/cm⁵, and 12376 ± 1988 beats/min±mm Hg. No significant differences were detected from baseline values at any time after ketamine injection. Conclusions —The epidural injection of 2 mg/kg of ketamine is associated with minimal hemodynamic effects during isoflurane anesthesia. Clinical Relevance —These results suggest that if epidural ketamine is used for analgesia in dogs, it will induce minimal changes in cardiovascular function.     

Neural angiostrongylosis in three captive rufous bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens)

Neurological disease attributed to migration of the rat lungworm ( Angiostrongylus cantonensis ), is described in three captive rufous bettongs ( Aepyprymnus rufescens ). Clinical signs, including ascending paralysis and multifocal neurological deficits, were similar to those seen in other species. Histologically, the severity of meningoencephalomyelitis ranged from mild to moderate. In one animal cerebrospinal fluid contained a high percentage of eosinophils but peripheral blood cell counts were within normal limits. Treatment with dexamethasone, diazepam and vitamin E was unsuccessful. The prognosis for bettongs with this disease is poor. The susceptibility of this species to this disease has implications for enclosure design.