Effects of reconcile (fluoxetine) chewable tablets plus behavior management for canine separation anxiety

Canine separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem presented to veterinarians. Associated behaviors are distressing to both dog and owner, have the potential to disrupt the human-companion animal bond, and may lead to euthanasia. The results of this study demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of Reconcile (fluoxetine, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day [0.45 to 0.91 mg/lb/day]), in conjunction with behavior management, for the treatment of canine separation anxiety. The beef flavored chewable formulation was palatable to treated dogs and easy to administer. This study provides to veterinarians and owners valuable information about an effective separation anxiety treatment plan that combines use of Reconcile with behavior modification.     

Prevention of stem growth inhibition and alleviation of intumescence formation in potato plantletsin vitro by yellow filters

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cvs. AC Brador and Shepody grownin vitro exhibit plantlets with a short, rosette-type growth habit, and restricts multi plication rates. In contrast, Russet Burbank develops into plantlets with adequate internode lengthin vitro. Cool-white fluorescent lamps provided irradiation for wooden boxes fitted with yellow plexiglass filters. The resultant irradiation lacked wavelengths from 380 to 525 nm. A box fitted with clear plexiglass was the control. Internode length of plantlets was ca.1.0 cm for all three cultivars when grown in boxes with yellow filters, and was 0.5 cm when clear filters were used. The number of nodes, haulm area, stem length, haulm fresh and dry weight of cvs. AC Brador and Shepody were significantly greater in boxes with yellow filters. Potato cvs. AC Belmont, Eramosa, Hunter, Huron, Mirton Pearl, Raritan and York all have a short growth habitin vitro and stem length was increased by the use of a yellow filter. The incidence of intumescences or oedemas on leaves of potato plantletsin vitro was reduced from 60 to seven percent for AC Brador and from 70 to 10% for Shepody with the use of yellow filters. Blue-green light is therefore putatively involved in the occurrence of intumescences on potato tissuesin vitro.     

Influence of sulfometuron methyl on conifer seedling root development

On three sites in coastal northwestern Oregon, USA, seedling root and shoot development were assessed for Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), and western red-cedar (Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don) container seedlings under varying sulfometuron methyl (Oust XP^®) herbicide application treatments. Treatments consisted of application of 0.16 kg active ingredient (ai) ha^?1 as a site preparation in fall 2003, a release application in fall 2004, or a control treatment with no application. Seedlings were planted in winter 2004 and measurements recorded in summer 2004, winter 2005, and summer 2005. During first season growth, western red-cedar seedlings showed the greatest negative impact to site preparation compared to the control with overall average new root length outside the root plug reduced by 67%. Significant reductions in root length also occurred for western hemlock (47%) and Douglas-fir (40%) seedlings. About 9 months after the release treatment, and 21 months after the site preparation application, there were no significant differences between treatments for any measured parameter. These findings suggest that seedlings under the site preparation treatment recovered from initial damage incurred to the root system. Lack of seedling response under the release treatment may be the result of opposing influences from the herbicide application associated with seedling phytotoxicity and enhanced seedling development resulting from effective vegetation control. Although our study was limited to 21 months following planting, reduced vegetation cover in the site preparation and release treatments suggests that these treatments may benefit future seedling growth.     

Aboveground carbon biomass of plantation-grown American chestnut (Castanea dentata) in absence of blight

Forest management activities may help reduce global net CO₂ concentrations by capturing and storing atmospheric CO₂. Research related to carbon sequestration potential of plantations in North America has focused predominantly on conifers, with relatively little emphasis thus far on temperate deciduous forest tree species. American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.), a former dominant tree species in eastern North America until its demise associated with the introduced chestnut blight (Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr.), is a temperate deciduous species that holds promise for future carbon sequestration programs with expected availability of blight-resistant backcross hybrids. We quantified aboveground biomass and bole carbon of American chestnut interplanted with black walnut (Juglans nirga L.) and northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) across four blight-free experimental sites varying in site quality and/or age (8, 8, 12, and 19 years) isolated from the native American chestnut range in the Coulee Region of southwestern Wisconsin, USA. American chestnut exhibited more rapid growth and greater aboveground biomass and bole carbon than either of the other interplanted species. Aboveground biomass ranged from 46.9, 60.7, 55.0, and 179.9 Mg ha⁻¹ for the 8-, 8-, 12-, and 19-year-old sites, respectively, while bole carbon content ranged from 13.6, 18.6, 14.1, and 60.1 Mg ha⁻¹ for the 8-, 8-, 12-, and 19-year-old sites, respectively. Cross-referencing our data to studies conducted within this same physiographic region using other important forestry species (i.e., Populus tremuloides Michx., Pinus resinosa Ait., and Pinus strobus L.) showed that American chestnut compared favorably in growth and carbon uptake. Incorporating American chestnut into carbon sequestration plantations provides additional ecological and economic benefits associated with consistent production of quality nuts for wildlife, valuable timber, and contribution toward species restoration. Our data lend support to building evidence demonstrating rapid and sustained growth of American chestnut and the potential role of plantation-grown American chestnut in helping to mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.     

Performance and nutrient dynamics of holm oak (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus ilex</Emphasis> L.) seedlings in relation to nursery nutrient loading and post-transplant fertility

Holm oak (Quercus ilex L.) seedlings were exponentially (E) nutrient loaded using incremental increases in fertilizer addition or conventionally (C) fertilized using a constant fertilizer rate during nursery culture. The fertility treatments (mg N plant⁻¹) were control (0), 25E, 100E, and 100C. Subsequently, 1-year-old plants were transplanted under simulated soil fertility gradients in a greenhouse to evaluate effects of nutrient loading and post-transplant fertility on seedling performance. Post-transplant fertility consisted of fertilizing plants at two rates (0 vs. 200 mg N plant⁻¹). A water-soluble fertilizer 20-20-20 was supplied in both nursery and post-transplant experiments. Nutrient loading increased plant N content by 73% in 100E and by 75% in 100C relative to controls, although no significant differences were detected between constant and exponential fertilization regimes at the 100 mg N plant⁻¹ rate. When transplanted, nutrient loading promoted post-transplant root growth relative to shoot, implicating potential to confer competitive advantage to loaded holm oak seedlings after trans-planting. In contrast, post-transplant fertility increased new shoot dry mass by 140% as well as N, P and K content relative to controls. Results suggest that holm oak seedlings can be successfully nutrient loaded in the nursery at higher fertility rates, improving its potential to extend new roots, but alternative fertilization regimes and schedules that better fit nutrient availability to the growth rhythm and conservative strategy of this species must be tested.     

Soil pH,organic matter,and nutrient content change with the continuous cropping of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cunninghamia lanceolata</Emphasis> plantations in South China

Purpose

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) is an important native tree species in China. Consecutive cropping traditionally occurs in Chinese fir plantations (CFPs), but this practice has resulted in productivity declines in subsequent rotations. This study was designed to better understand the change of soil properties in the continuous cropping CFPs.

Materials and methods

We investigated soil pH, soil organic matter (SOM), and nutrient contents in different soil layers and in rhizosphere soil (RS) and non-rhizosphere soil (NRS) under CFPs of different ages and in different rotations.

Results and discussion

In the upper (0–20 cm) soil layer, soil pH decreased, while SOM increased, beneath mature CFPs with consecutive rotations. Total nitrogen (TN), available potassium, and available phosphorus contents in the upper soil layers did not differ significantly with consecutive rotations. Soil pH in RS was significantly lower than in NRS under mature plantations of the third rotation. Soil organic matter, TN, and available nitrogen did not differ between RS and NRS. Available phosphorus in RS was consistently lower than in NRS, and was highly deficient in the third rotation.

Conclusions

We conclude that no severe soil nutrient degradation occurred in the continuous cropping CFPs examined in this study, with soil acidification and phosphorus deficiency being two primary problems observed.

     

Intra-articular therapy to treat septic arthritis in a dog

A 6 yr old female spayed Labrador retriever was examined for severe pain and a nonweight-bearing right forelimb lameness due to swelling and wounds with direct communication into the elbow joint. The medical management of β hemolytic Streptococcus septic arthritis with needle lavage of the joint, systemic and local antibiotic therapy, and analgesic therapy is described. This case provides information on the need to address septic arthritis in the dog as an emergency situation and the treatment with intra-articular medication. Earlier medical management for septic joints could be considered in dogs to help decrease the long-term complications that can result from septic arthritis.     

RADIOGRAPHIC AND ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF EGG RETENTION AND PERITONITIS IN TWO GREEN IGUANAS (IGUANA IGUANA)

The radiographic technique and radiographic and sonographic findings in two green iguanas with egg retention and peritonitis are described. Neither radiography nor ultrasound provided for identification of free eggs within the coelomic structure secondary to presumed oviduct rupture. Gravidity and coelomic effusion were confirmed by both radiography and ultrasound. Radiography and ultrasound are valuable tools in the diagnosis of egg retention and peritonitis in the green iguana.     

RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF AORTIC BULB/VALVE MINERALIZATION IN 20 DOGS

The radiographic features of aortic bulb/valve mineralization in 20 dogs were reviewed. Extent, shape, number, and location of mineralization were recorded. Five of the dogs had additional alternate imaging examinations, including bone scintigraphy, echocardiography, and thoracic computed tomography. A necropsy was done on one dog, and the area of mineralization was evaluated using routine histology. The median age was 10 (mean 9.7; SD +/- 2.7) years. There were five males, seven neutered males, one female, and seven neutered females. The breeds were: Irish setter (6); rottweiler (7); chow-chow (1); miniature dachshund (1); borzoi (1); English setter (1); English springer spaniel (1); great Dane (1); and greyhound (1). Dogs with both right and left lateral radiographs (n = 17) had mineralization visible on both views, more conspicuously on the right lateral radiograph (n = 12). Aortic bulb mineralization was identified on the ventrodorsal radiograph of only one dog. On lateral radiographs, the aortic bulb mineralization was localized within the 4th intercostal space and in the craniodorsal quadrant of the cardiac silhouette. In nine of the dogs, there were complex or multiple mineralizations and in 11 dogs, there was a single curvilinear mineral opacity oriented in a caudoventral to craniodorsal direction. In all radiographs, the mineralization was in the expected position of the aortic bulb, and echocardiography (n = 4), spiral computed tomography (n = 2), and necropsy (n = 1) confirmed that the mineralization was within the aortic bulb. Clinical pathologic data of the dogs suggested no reason for metastatic mineralization. Exact etiopathogenesis of the lesions were not determined in this study. Based on the histologic findings in one dog, the mineralization seen in the aortic root is similar to a form of dystrophic mineralization called Monckeberg's calcific arteriosclerosis in humans. No clinical signs attributable to the mineralization were observed.