Comparison of peripheral and core temperatures in anaesthetized hypovolaemic sheep

OBJECTIVE: To compare rectal (C(R) degrees ), coronary band (P(CB) degrees ) and ear base (P(E) degrees ) temperatures with pulmonary arterial temperature (C(PA) degrees ), and to investigate the relationship between core-peripheral temperature difference ([C - P]t degrees ) and cardiac output (Qt) in an acute ovine trauma model (PIL 60/9064). STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: Thirteen mixed-breed male sheep, body mass (mean +/- SD) 45.50 +/- 4.21 kg, aged approximately 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous etomidate 0.5 mg kg(-1) and midazolam 0.5 mg kg(-1) and following endotracheal intubation maintained with halothane in a 2:1 N(2)O:O(2) mixture. The lungs were mechanically ventilated to maintain normocapnia. Core temperature was measured using a pulmonary arterial thermistor. Rectal temperature and peripheral temperatures at the thoracic limb coronary band and ear base were recorded using thermistor probes with a multi-channel recorder. Cardiac output was measured by continuous thermodilution. Recordings were taken hourly over a 24-hour period. After baseline data collection, hypovolaemia was induced by haemorrhage from bilateral femoral fractures. The development of hypovolaemic shock was confirmed by falling Qt, central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure and urine output. Resuscitation was attempted using intravenous fluids, inotropes and vasoconstrictors. Nine sheep received lumbosacral extradural bupivacaine. RESULTS: The rectal temperature correlated closely with pulmonary arterial temperature in all sheep (r(c) = 0.924). There was no consistent statistically significant relationship between Qt and [C - P]t degrees . CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Rectal temperature accurately reflected core temperature in anaesthetized sheep but [C - P]t degrees was unrelated to Qt, under the conditions described in this study.     

CASE REPORT: Iridociliary melanoma with secondary lens luxation: distinctive findings in a long‐horned cowfish (Lactoria cornuta)

This report describes a long‐horned cowfish, which was diagnosed with buphthalmia and lens sub‐luxation in the right eye, conditions that progressed to complete anterior lens luxation and secondary keratoconus. Three months after the initial evaluation, a pigmented mass was observed protruding from the vitreous. An enucleation was performed under general anesthesia. Ocular histopathology revealed an iridociliary melanoma. Reports of intraocular melanomas are extremely rare in fish. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of an iridociliary melanoma that led to buphthalmia, lens luxation, and keratoconus in a fish. Histological findings of lens luxation are also demonstrated. Due to the presence of a complex suspensory apparatus involving the teleost lens, this report speculates that lens luxation is a more devastating disease process in teleosts than in mammals.     

Clinical management of potential ibuprofen toxicosis in a South American red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria).

This article describes the clinical management of potential ibuprofen toxicosis in South American red-footed tortoise (Geochelone carbonaria). A 2.5-year-old, 0.78-kg Geochelone carbonaria tortoise was presented to the emergency clinic after ingesting solubilized ibuprofen (200 mg) in a gelatin capsule. Treatment on initial presentation consisted of esophagostomy tube placement for gastric lavage and activated charcoal administration, intravenous and intraosseous fluid therapy, and administration of gastrointestinal protectants (sucralfate and famotidine). The tortoise was discharged to the owners. Although follow-up diagnostic monitoring was minimal because of owner compliance, the patient was noted to be alive and in reasonable health 1 year after initial presentation. This is the first report on the management of potential nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug toxicosis in any chelonian species.     

Agri-environment schemes as a tool for reversing declining populations of grassland waders: Mixed benefits from Environmentally Sensitive Areas in England

Agri-environment schemes (AES) are a key tool in attempts to reverse long-term declines in farmland biodiversity within the European Union (EU). Approximately 20% of EU farmland is under AES agreement, at a cost of over €24 billion between 1994 and 2003. Despite this huge investment, few studies have investigated the effectiveness of schemes and those studies that do exist have often been inadequately designed or analysed. In southern England, repeat censuses of lowland breeding waders provide a rare opportunity to evaluate effectiveness of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme (ESA), an AES designed with broad environmental objectives, including the maintenance or enhancement of the populations of these birds. The censuses provide a quasi-experimental approach, allowing a comparison to be made of breeding population trends of three species, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe, on scheme and non-scheme land. The results show mixed success. For all three species, population trends were most favourable (increasing or declining less rapidly) in the more expensive ESA options aimed at enhancing habitat; the less expensive, habitat maintenance options, appear to have little benefit for Lapwing and Snipe, although Redshank has benefited. The results also show the increasing importance of nature reserves for these species in southern England. We suggest that although AES can result in significant benefits, especially when monetary investment is high, delivery of biodiversity targets are by no means guaranteed.     

Histologic evaluation of the immediate effects of diamond burr debridement in experimental superficial corneal wounds in dogs

Purpose To evaluate the corneal changes immediately after diamond burr debridement of superficial corneal wounds in dogs. Spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs) are the most common form of canine recurrent corneal ulcers. The diamond burr has been used in the management of corneal lesions in humans since 1983. Recently, it has been successfully used in the treatment of SCCEDs in dogs; however, little has been documented as to its mechanism of action. Methods Five adult female research dogs euthanized for reasons unrelated to the study were included, providing 10 normal eyes. An excimer laser spatula was used for epithelial removal after delineation with an 8 mm punch biopsy trephine. Diamond burr debridement was performed for 30 and 45 s in five eyes each (groups 1 and 2 respectively). The procedure was performed on the ventral half of the experimental defect as well as ventral normal cornea, immediately after euthanasia, and prior to enucleation. Samples were processed routinely for histologic evaluation and stained with periodic acid–Schiff. Results No stromal defects could be identified under light microscopy. In experimental corneal wounds, multi‐focal areas remained covered by the epithelial basement membrane (BM) after diamond burr treatment in both groups (group 1 = 48%±16SD, group 2 = 26%±12SD). Removal of BM on group 2 was significantly higher than group 1 (P < 0.05). Conclusions The diamond burr allows a safe method of debridement and does not create defects beyond the epithelial BM in corneal wounds in normal dogs. Evaluation of the diamond burr debridement in cases of SCCEDs is warranted.     

Evaluation of selected food attributes of four advanced lines of ungerminated and germinated Nigerian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.)

The chemical composition and functional properties of ungerminated and germinated seeds of four advanced lines of cowpeas (IT81D-699, IT82E-18, IT84S-2246-4 and TVx 3236) were investigated. Ungerminated seeds contained 20.1 to 25.8% crude protein, 2.0 to 2.2% lipid, 115.1 to 210.0 mg phyticacid/100 g and 8.9 to 9.6 mg iron/100 g. The polyphenol contents of the brown- and cream-colored beans were similar (192.0 to 196.0 mg/100 g) but were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the amount (99.8 mg/100 g) found in the white beans. Germination increased the crude protein content, total phosphorus content, nitrogen solubility, fat absorption capacity and foam capacity but decreased ether extract, polyphenol and phytic acid contents, water absorption capacity, bulk density and foam stability of all cowpea lines. Incorporation of up to 0.2 M NaCI improved foam volume. Ungerminated seeds had high water (2.3–3.2 g/g) absorption capacities, while germinated seeds had high fat (3.1–3.6 g/g) absorption capacities. TVx 3236 and IT81D-699 might be selected for combining such characteristics as high crude protein, low phytic acid content and good foaming properties into a single cowpea line through breeding.     

Absence of a vitamin B12 weight gain response in two trials with growing red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Abstract

Extract

Madam:- Cobalt deficiency has long been recognised in New Zealand as a disease in sheep and cattle which may occur when they graze pastures of low cobalt content <0.08 mg/kg DM and >0.04 mg/kg DM respectively. (2 Clark, R.G. and Millar, K.R. 1983. “Cobalt”. In The Mineral Requirements of Grazing Ruminants, Edited by: Grace, N.D. 27–37. NZ Society of Animal Production. Occasional publication No. 9 [Google Scholar]) In recent years the farming of red deer (Cervus elaphus) on soil types known to be marginally, moderately or severely deficient(1 Andrews, E.D. 1971. Cobalt deficiency in sheep and cattle, New Zealand Department of Agriculture. Bulletin 180 [Google Scholar]) has raised the question of how susceptible these species are to cobalt deficiency. To the authors' knowledge there is no published information on the susceptibility of red deer to cobalt deficiency.     

Suspected renal tubular acidosis in two dogs

Clinical signs of hyperventilation, muscle weakness and lethargy were recognised in a one-year-old female Bichon Frise and a three-year-old male Poodle. One dog was also hyperexcitable and pyrexic. The diagnosis of renal tubular acidosis was confirmed by demonstrating the tendency to an elevated urine pH, a low blood pH and low blood bicarbonate level, and by eliminating other causes of metabolic acidosis. Both dogs were treated with oral sodium bicarbonate resulting in improvement in their clinical condition and a return to near normal blood pH and bicarbonate levels.     

Radio-iodine treatment of hyperthyroid cats

Thirty-two elderly domestic shdrthaired cats (mean age 12.9 years) were treated with radioiodine (¹³¹I). The dose of ¹³¹I administered ranged from 39 mBq to 134 mBq. Twenty-eight cats became euthyroid after treatment, one became hypothyroid and three remained hyperthyrox-aemic. Two of the hyperthyroxaemic cats were successfully re-treated with ¹³¹I. Five cats died from concurrent diseases within one year of treatment. The administration of a dose of ¹³¹I selected by assessing the severity of the clinical signs, the size of the thyroid gland(s) and the serum level of thyroxine was an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism.