Evaluation of a focused assessment with sonography for trauma protocol to detect free abdominal fluid in dogs involved in motor vehicle accidents

OBJECTIVE: To establish a focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) protocol in dogs, determine whether FAST can be performed by veterinary clinicians without extensive ultrasonographic experience, and assess the frequency of free fluid (as determined via FAST) in the abdominal cavity of dogs following motor vehicle accidents (MVAs). DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 100 client-owned dogs evaluated within 24 hours of an MVA. PROCEDURE: Dogs were placed in lateral recumbency for the FAST examination. To detect fluid in the abdomen, 2 ultrasonographic views (transverse and longitudinal) were obtained at each of 4 sites (just caudal to the xiphoid process, on the midline over the urinary bladder, and at the left and right flank regions). RESULTS: In the 100 dogs evaluated via FAST, free abdominal fluid was detected in 45 dogs. In 40 of those 45 dogs, abdominocentesis was performed; hemoperitoneum and uroperitoneum were diagnosed in 38 and 2 dogs, respectively. Compared with dogs that had no free abdominal fluid detected via FAST, dogs that had free abdominal fluid detected via FAST had significantly higher heart rates and serum lactate concentrations and significantly lower PCVs and total solid concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that FAST is a simple and rapid technique that can be performed on dogs in an emergency setting to detect intra-abdominal free fluid and can be performed by veterinary clinicians with minimal previous ultrasonographic experience.     

Characterization of BoHV-1 gE envelope glycoprotein mimotopes obtained by phage display

A phage-displayed peptide library was screened using four mAbs directed against bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) gE glycoprotein to identify peptides mimicking this glycoprotein. The selected mimotopes allowed us to characterize the epitopes corresponding to the mAbs as continuous and proteinic and to consider using these peptides in further studies. One epitope has been clearly located at the C-terminus of the protein (amino-acids 561-569). The three other mAbs enabled us to stress the immunogenic relevance of the proline-rich motifs of gE. Selected peptides showed no clear sequence identity with gE, but there is a clear link between gE proline-rich regions and the amino-acid composition of the mimotopes. The proline-rich motifs of gE are potentially located in flanking regions involved in the gE/gl glycoprotein complex formation. N-terminal fusion to pill or pVIII filamentous phage protein, C-terminal fusion to the T7 phage capsid protein, biotinylated synthetic peptides and insertion between the non-cleaved CX leader sequence and the C-terminal part of Caulobacter crescentus RsaA protein have been tested in order to increase the valency of a model peptide. We have diverted the C. crescentus expression system and proven its usefulness using the RsaA protein as a scaffold displaying the peptides of interest. Comparison between these different display systems in an indirect ELISA, indicates that the C. crescentus expression and the T7 phage display systems have some major advantages.     

CliniTox: the computer-based information system for poisoning in farm animals

Poisonings can cause reduced performance and severe economic loss in farm animals. A swift and targeted action is required from veterinarians. We have established a computer-based decision support system for poisonings in ruminants and pigs. The system offers access to the most recent information available in clinical toxicology of farm animals. Towards this goal, relevant reports from the peer-reviewed literature were evaluated and organised according to the requirements of a structured database. The information provided for each toxic substance includes a summary of its chemical and physical properties, sources, commercial uses or natural occurrences, toxicokinetic data, mechanisms of action, threshold doses, clinical symptoms with brief case reports, sampling and analytical results, post-mortem abnormalities, differential diagnoses, therapeutic guidelines and references to the literature. This decision support system has been programmed with two user-friendly search functions: a search tool that allows the choice of clinical and pathological findings, and another function that serves to find a substance using its chemical name, the class of compounds to wich it belongs, a possible source or one of its main applications. CliniTox can be accessed directly via our webserver (http://www.clinitox.ch).     

Physiological responses in swine treated with water containing sodium bicarbonate as a prophylactic for gastric ulcers

Maintenance of gastric pH above 4.0 aids the prevention of bile acid-mediated ulcerative damage to the pars esophageal tissue in pigs. One means of doing so is the addition of buffering compounds, such as sodium bicarbonate, to the water supply; however, any potential physiological effect of buffer consumption has yet to be determined. Experiment 1 tested the acute effects of buffer addition to the water supply on systemic acid-base and electrolyte balance in swine (BW 40.7 +/- 3.0 kg). Consumption of water calculated to a 200 mOsm solution with sodium bicarbonate for 24 h increased (P < 0.05) blood Na+, HCO3(-), and pCO2, although these effects were all within physiologically tolerable levels. Urine pH and Na+ excretion increased (P < 0.001) following the consumption of NaHCO3, with Na+ concentration almost threefold higher in treated pigs compared with controls. Experiment 2 determined the chronic systemic effects of buffer consumption by measuring blood and urine variables, with pigs consuming NaHCO3-treated water throughout. Water consumption increased (P < 0.001) during buffer consumption, although intake levels remained within normal ranges. Blood pH levels were not affected by long-term consumption of dietary buffer; however, blood HCO3(-) (P < 0.05), Na+, and pCO2 (P < 0.01) increased. Urine pH and urine Na+ concentration increased (P < 0.01) in buffer-treated compared with control animals. Results indicate that sodium bicarbonate can safely be added to the water supply for pigs, with no clinically relevant alterations in acid-base balance because the animals readily compensate for buffer intake.     

Effect of urea-molasses block supplementation on grazing weaner goats naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes

The influence of feeding urea-molasses blocks (UMB) on growth and gastrointestinal (GI) nematode parasitism of weaner goats grazing the same pasture was investigated on a farm in Nyandarua District, Kenya. Thirty female Small East African goat kids at an average age of 5 months were initially treated with albendazole orally (5 mg kg(-1) body mass) and randomly assigned into one of two groups: group I were fed UMB prepared using a cold process and group II kids (controls) received no block supplementation (NBS). The UMB were given in the evening when the animals returned from grazing and were consumed during the night at a rate of 95.0 g head(-1) day(-1). Supplementation was undertaken for 3 consecutive months from July to September 2001 and January to March 2002. Body mass of the kids and faecal egg counts were measured monthly and larval cultures were performed on positive faecal samples of kids of each group. Five goats from each group were randomly selected for slaughter and total counts and identification of worms at the end of June 2002. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in cumulative mass gains of kids in group I from September compared with those in group II. On termination of the study kids in group I had gained an average of (+/- SD) 20.4 +/- 1.4 kg while those in group II had gained 11.8 +/- 1.1 kg. From January 2002, faecal egg counts of the kids in the UMB group differed significantly (P < 0.05) from those of the NBS group and at slaughter, the mean (+/- SD) worm counts for the UMB group was 482 +/- 299 while that of the NBS group was 1 302 +/- 410. In all the goats, Haemonchus contortus was the predominant nematode recovered. These results indicate that UMB had significant effects in the control of GI nematode parasitism and enhanced growth of the young goats.     

Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Genotypes from Human and Animal Sources from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

To compare the genotypes of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates of human and animal origin collected in Rio de Janeiro City, 30 C. jejuni and 35 C. coli isolates from animal sources (n = 45) and human patients with gastroenteritis (n = 20) were genotyped by PCR-based techniques, namely random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus sequence (ERIC-PCR). RAPD-PCR identified 50 types and ERIC-PCR identified 22 genotypes, among the 65 Campylobacter isolates. Both PCR methods discriminated the C. jejuni and C. coli groups of isolates. Combining the results of both methods, no single genotype was shared between isolates from human and animal sources. Two groups of two C. coli isolates each with identical genotypes were found among poultry and pig isolates. A high level of genetic diversity observed among the Campylobacter isolates suggests lack of overlap between isolates from different sources.     

Use of haloperidol and azaperone for stress control in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) captured by means of drive-nets

The physical capture of wild ungulates is performed for different purposes when anaesthesia in field conditions is not possible or advisable. The use of tranquilizers may contribute to improved welfare of captured animals. We studied the effect of haloperidol and azaperone on the stress response of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) through the study of physiological, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Thirty one roe deer were drive-net captured and randomly injected with haloperidol (0.30 ± 0.04 mg/kg IM; n = 13), azaperone (0.43 ± 0.07 mg/kg IM; n = 11) or saline (0.5 mL IM; n = 7), and restrained for 3 h. The interindividual variability of heart rate was lower in the treated deer, suggesting a calming effect, and erythrocyte and biochemical parameters indicated vasodilation, splenic sequestration, hemodilution, improvement of renal perfusion and a protective effect on muscle. These results support the suitability of using either azaperone or haloperidol in capture operations of roe deer, in order to reduce stress and prevent its adverse effects.     

Haemoplasma infection is not a common cause of canine immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in the UK

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate whether the two canine haemoplasma species, Mycoplasma haemocanis and “Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum,” are commonly associated with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) in UK dogs. Methods : Three groups of dogs were recruited to the study: anaemic dogs with primary IMHA (n=37); anaemic dogs not meeting the inclusion criteria for primary IMHA (n=77) and non-anaemic dogs (n=113). DNA was extracted from 100 μl of blood and subjected to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays for both species of Mycoplasma. Each assay incorporated co-amplification of canine glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as an endogenous internal control. Results : Canine GAPDH was successfully amplified by qPCR from all 227 canine blood samples but none contained M. haemocanis or “Candidatus M. haematoparvum” DNA. Clinical Significance : Haemoplasma infection is uncommon in dogs in the UK and no evidence was found that these organisms act as triggers for IMHA.     

An anatomical and clinical review of cricopharyngeal achalasia in the dog

Cricopharyngeal achalasia is a rare cause of dysphagia in the dog. However it must be differentiated from other causes of dysphagia as it is treatable with surgery. It is a disruption of the cricopharyngeal phase of the oropharyngeal phase of deglutition. There appears to be an incoordination in the swallowing process between the relaxation of the rostral, middle pharyngeal muscles and the caudal pharyngeal muscles. It is seen as a primary condition in young animals presenting soon after weaning onto solid food. The dogs appear clinically healthy unless there is secondary aspiration pneumonia or emaciation. These dogs may present as respiratory emergencies and require intensive support and treatment prior to corrective surgery. The diagnosis is made on videofluoroscopy. The condition carries a good prognosis for cure with surgical myectomy of the cricopharyngeal muscle and the thyropharyngeal muscle, which make up the upper oesophageal sphincter. Temporary relief prior to surgery can be achieved by injection of the cricopharyngeal muscle with botulism toxin. Surgical treatment for dysphagia secondary to an underlying neurological, neuromuscular or pharyngeal weakness carries a guarded prognosis and will make aspiration pneumonia worse.