Obstructed portal venous flow and portal vein thrombus in a dog

A young adult Doberman Pinscher had clinical signs and laboratory data consistent with the copper-associated hepatopathy commonly found in Doberman Pinschers. Hepatic biopsy and hepatic copper analysis did not support this diagnosis. Furthermore, changes seen in the hepatic biopsy specimen did not explain the acquired portosystemic shunting or the portal hypertension that the dog had. A mesentery venoportagram revealed markedly delayed filling of one portal vein, and necropsy revealed a small thrombus partially occluding that hepatic vein. It was not determined whether obstructed portal venous flow caused the portal vein thrombus or vice versa; however, it was theorized that the portal vein thrombus, once formed, contributed to further portal hypertension and/or delayed portal vein filling.     

Systemic antibacterial drug use in dogs in Australia

A survey of veterinarians' use of antibacterial drugs was conducted by distributing a questionnaire to Australian practitioners. Respondents were asked to indicate their general patterns of use of various systemic antibacterial drugs and drug combinations in dogs and their approach to certain specified clinical disorders. Overall, antibacterials of the p-lactam type (penicillins and cephalosporins) were most commonly used. Other antibacterials with substantial use were doxycycline, sulphonamide-trimethoprim, metronidazole, fluoroquinolones and clindamycin. Drug selection for different disorders was generally appropriate when compared with recommendations in recent texts, although inappropriate use was evident in some circumstances.     

Factors associated with long-term survival in dogs undergoing liver lobectomy as treatment for liver tumors

The objectives of the study were to describe clinicopathologic findings in dogs that underwent surgical treatment of liver tumors and to define outcome-associated variables in this canine population. Medical records of 118 dogs that underwent liver lobectomy were reviewed. Variables were assessed via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Hazard ratios, median survival times (MSTs), and Kaplan-Meier Survival curves (KMSCs) were created for significant variables. Of the dogs with surgically addressed hepatic tumors, 93% survived to discharge. The MST was not reached. Lethargic dogs had a mortality risk 10.2 times that of non-lethargic dogs. Non-tachypneic dogs had a mortality risk 4.3 times that of tachypneic dogs. Dogs that experienced anesthetic complications had a mortality risk 100 times that of dogs that did not. We conclude that the prognosis associated with liver tumors is good. Lethargy, respiratory rate, and anesthetic complications were associated with outcome.     

CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN IN FERRETS

Vertebral column pathologies requiring surgical intervention have been described in pet ferrets, however little information is available on the normal vertebral formula and congenital variants in this species. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe vertebral formulas and prevalence of congenital vertebral anomalies in a sample of pet ferrets. Radiographs of 172 pet ferrets (96 males and 76 females) were included in this retrospective study. In 143 ferrets (83.14%), five different formulas of the vertebral column were recorded with normal morphology of vertebrae (rib attachment included) but with a variable number of thoracic (Th), lumbar (L), and sacral (S) vertebrae. The number of cervical (C) vertebrae was constant in all examined animals. Observed vertebral formulas were C7/Th14/L6/S3 (51.74%), C7/Th14/L6/S4 (22.10%), C7/Th14/L7/S3 (6.98%), C7/Th15/L6/S3 (1.74%), and C7/Th15/L6/S4 (0.58%). Formula C7/Th14/L6/S4 was significantly more common in males than in females (P < 0.05). Congenital spinal abnormalities were found in 29 ferrets (16.86%), mostly localized in the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral regions. The cervical region was affected in only one case. Transitional vertebrae represented the most common congenital abnormalities (26 ferrets) in the thoracolumbar (13 ferrets) and lumbosacral regions (10 ferrets) or simultaneously in both regions (three ferrets). Other vertebral anomalies included block (two ferrets) and wedge vertebra (one ferret). Spina bifida was not detected. Findings from the current study indicated that vertebral formulas may vary in ferrets and congenital abnormalities are common. This should be taken into consideration for surgical planning.     

Echocardiographic evaluation of dogs receiving 1:1 thiopental/propofol in a clinical setting

The purpose of this study was to compare the echocardiographic Doppler blood pressure and heart rate effects of 1:1 thiopental/propofol with thiopental and propofol, when used as anesthesia‐induction agents. Seven healthy dogs (six Beagles and one Pembroke Welsh Corgi), ranging in age from 1 to 9 years and weighing 14.2 ± 2.4 kg (mean ± SD), were used during the study. In a cross‐over study design with a minimum drug interval of 3 days, each dog received propofol, thiopental, or a mixture of propofol–thiopental IV until each dog received all the three anesthetic agents. An initial dose (propofol 4.9 ± 0.8 mg kg^?1; thiopental 12.9 ± 2.4 mg kg^?1; propofol–thiopental 2.3 ± 0.3 mg kg^?1 (P)?5.7 ± 0.8 mg kg^?1 (T)) of each anesthetic agent was titrated IV until intubation was accomplished. Echocardiographic Doppler blood pressure and heart rate variables were recorded prior to anesthesia and at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. anova and the Bonferroni's t‐test were used to evaluate the groups for differences. Alpha was <0.05. There was no significant effect of treatment on systolic or diastolic ventricular wall thickness, septal thickness, left atrial diameter, or systolic left ventricular diameter. There was a tendency for diastolic left ventricular diameter to decrease over time. There was a tendency for heart rate to increase with a significant difference at the 10‐minute time period between propofol (109 ± 26 beats minute^?1) and thiopental (129 ± 23 beats minute^?1). At the 10‐minute recording period, heart rate following the propofol/thiopental mixture (110 ± 34 beats minute^?1) was closer to that following propofol than to that following thiopental. With all induction agents, indirect blood pressure tended to decrease over time (p = 0.005); however, there was no difference between the groups. The changes observed were not considered to be of clinical significance. The propofol/thiopental mixture produces similar changes in echocardiographic variables when compared to propofol or thiopental, and could be substituted for propofol for induction of anesthesia in dogs.     

Temperature effect on Chalara fraxinea: heat treatment of saplings as a possible disease control method

Ash dieback is an emerging disease caused by the fungus Chalara fraxinea that severely affects Fraxinus excelsior and F. angustifolia stands in Europe. Previous studies have shown that this pathogen prefers temperatures around 20°C, while its growth in pure cultures at 30°C proved to be very limited. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of temperature on the development and growth of C. fraxinea in pure cultures and in plant tissues, as well as to test the heat tolerance of F. excelsior saplings. The sensitivity of fungus to heat in ash tissues was higher than in pure cultures. Low isolation success rate from diseased ash tissue after a five‐hour hot water treatment at 36°C and the relatively high survival rate of ash saplings after hot water treatments at 36°C and 40°C indicate possibilities for the development of a C. fraxinea eradication method in ash saplings. Field monitoring showed that in hot weather periods, thermal conditions inside the ash tissues can be extreme enough to markedly decrease the viability of C. fraxinea in infected plant tissues.