Effects of ketanserin on hypergranulation tissue formation, infection, and healing of equine lower limb wounds

The objective of this multicentre, randomized, controlled field study was to determine the efficacy of ketanserin gel in preventing exuberant granulation tissue formation (hypergranulation) and infection in equine lower limb wounds. Horses and ponies (n = 481) with naturally occurring wounds were randomized to either topical treatment with ketanserin gel (n = 242) or a positive control (Belgium, Germany: ethacridin lactate solution, n = 120; France, United Kingdom: malic, benzoic, and salicylic acid [MBS] cream, n = 119). Treatment continued until the wound healed (success), formed hypergranulation tissue (failure), or became infected (failure). Treatment was terminated after 6 months in all remaining animals. Ketanserin was successful in 88% of cases. Wounds treated with ketanserin were 2 and 5 times more likely to heal successfully than were those treated with MBS or ethacridin lactate, respectively. Ketanserin gel is thus more effective than these standard treatments in preventing hypergranulation tissue and infection of equine lower limb wounds.     

Effect of elevated temperature on development of tocopherolquinones in oils

Studies were conducted to determine the formation of tocopherolquinones (TOCQ) in heated sunflower (SUN) and soybean (SBO) oils with and without enrichment with added alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOC). Samples of the heated oils were extracted with acidified hot methanol and analyzed for changes in TOC contents and TOCQ levels by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the oils without added alpha-TOC, the alpha-TOC in SUN significantly decreased from 829 ppm at 0 h to 183 ppm at 5 h and to 0 ppm by 10 h. In contrast, alpha-TOCQ increased from 0 ppm at 0 h to 87 ppm at 5 h and 104 ppm at 10 h. The level of alpha-TOC in SBO decreased from 138 ppm at 0 h to 99 and 98 ppm after 5 and 10 h, respectively, with an increase in alpha-TOCQ from 0 ppm at 0 h to 29 ppm at 5 h and 53 ppm at 10 h. In the oils with added alpha-TOC, the alpha-TOC in the SUN decreased rapidly from 1128 ppm at 0 h to 225 ppm at 5 h and 28 ppm at 10 h; however, the alpha-TOC in the SBO was 1176 ppm at 0 h, 367 ppm by 5 h, and 242 ppm at 10 h. There was a corresponding increase of alpha-TOCQ in SUN with added alpha-TOC from 0 ppm at 0 h, 127 ppm at 5 h, and 164 ppm at 10 h, whereas the alpha-TOCQ in SBO with added alpha-TOC changed from 0 ppm initially to 159 ppm by 5 h and 187 ppm at 10 h. As expected, SUN with no added alpha-TOC formed significantly more alpha-TOCQ than the SBO. However, SBO with added alpha-TOC had significantly more alpha-TOCQ than the SUN with added alpha-TOC even though the alpha-TOC levels at 0 h were similar. These results indicate that TOCQs are formed easily from the decomposition of alpha-TOC and could be potential antioxidants even as alpha-TOC decomposes.     

Teaching non-technical (professional) competence in a veterinary school curriculum

Data from focused studies and comprehensive surveys suggest that developing or enhancing non-technical (professional) skills will result in a more satisfied and successful veterinary student or veterinary graduate. The College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University has devoted considerable time, effort, and resources to augmenting the non-technical aspects of its curriculum while maintaining the traditional strengths of its DVM program. Here we summarize pertinent research and best-practice recommendations from a variety of sources and outline the steps that have been taken, with the underlying rationales, to integrate the teaching and modeling of non-technical (professional) competence throughout a four-year course of veterinary study.     

The future of training for aquatic animal health veterinarians

This article describes educational approaches for training veterinary students, veterinary graduates, and practicing veterinarians in the area of aquatic animal health and lists a range of general research, training, internship/residency, and continuing-education resources.     

Age-dependent seroprevalence of antibodies against a Helicobacter pylori-like organism and Helicobacter pylori in commercially reared swine

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of antibodies against a swine-origin Helicobacter pylori-like organism (HPLO) and H pylori in conventionally reared swine. ANIMALS: 640 conventionally reared swine of various ages from 16 high-health farms in Canada, 20 sows from Ohio, and 35 gnotobiotic swine. PROCEDURES: Blood was collected from the cranial vena cava. Sera were collected and tested via ELISA for antibodies against antigen prepared from a swine-origin HPLO and human H pylori strain 26695. RESULTS: Antibodies reactive with a swine HPLO, H pylori, or both were detected in 483 of 640 swine from all 16 farms in western Canada. Seroprevalence varied with age and was low (5.6%) in suckling ( 4 weeks old to adulthood. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggested that colonization by a swine-origin HPLO, H pylori, or both and resultant seroconversion, like that of H pylori infection in humans, were common in commercial swine operations. Furthermore, data indicated that gastric infection was acquired at an early age. The relationships to gastric colonization by HPLOs and clinical manifestations of disease such as gastritis and gastroesophageal ulceration remain to be determined.     

Spontaneous retrograde movement of ureteroliths in two dogs and five cats

CASE DESCRIPTION: 2 dogs and 5 cats were evaluated for treatment of ureteroliths. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Spontaneous retrograde movement of 1 or more ureteroliths was detected by radiography, ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, and a combination of fluoroscopy and ultrasonography. The ureteroliths moved retrograde up to 4 centimeters. Retrograde movement of ureteroliths into the renal pelvis resulted in improved renal function in some patients but made complete surgical removal of all uroliths more difficult. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Medical management was not successful, and ureteroliths were surgically removed. Surgical management of ureteroliths was complicated by retrograde movement of ureteroliths in the perioperative period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ureteroliths can move retrograde within the ureter and even back into the renal pelvis. Retrograde movement of ureteroliths may make surgical planning more difficult.     

Serological status of Canadian cattle for brucellosis,anaplasmosis, and bluetongue in 2007–2008

A national bovine serological survey was conducted to confirm that the prevalence of brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis does not exceed 0.02% (95% confidence) in live cattle in Canada. Sampling consisted of a systematic random sample of 15 482 adult cattle slaughtered in federally inspected abattoirs, stratified by province. Samples were tested to detect antibodies for brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis. All samples were negative for brucellosis. Three samples were seroreactors to bluetongue, 2 of which originated from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and 1 from Ontario, which after follow-up, was considered an atypical result. A total of 244 samples were seroreactors to Anaplasma and follow-up identified infection in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. In conclusion, the Canadian cattle population remains free of brucellosis and free of bluetongue outside the Okanagan Valley. Canada is no longer free of anaplasmosis and will be unable to claim freedom until eradication measures are completed.     

The first reported case of rabbit hemorrhagic disease in Canada

In March 2011, rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) was suspected in a 1-year-old male neutered lop-eared rabbit that had acute onset liver failure. Gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, partial nucleic acid sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the major capsid protein (VP60) and animal inoculation studies all supported this diagnosis making it the first confirmed case of RHD in Canada.