Surgical removal of a seminoma from a black sea bass

An adult black sea bass was examined because of abdominal distention and decreased appetite. A large abdominal swelling was evident and was firm on palpation. Differential diagnoses included neoplasia, abscess or granuloma, hematoma, or swim bladder abnormality. Diagnostic tests included survey radiography, positive-contrast radiography, and computed tomography. The sea bass was anesthetized with tricaine methanesulfonate. A ventral midline abdominal incision was made, and adhesions to the mass were gently dissected. The fish recovered without complications. Radiography was repeated 8 weeks after surgery, and there was no evidence of mass regrowth. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a barium enema being performed in a fish. Although surgical procedures are performed more commonly on fish for research, a few reports of clinical surgical cases have been described. Our experience supports the conclusions of other reports that certain surgical procedures can be performed safely in fish.     

Malignant hyperthermia in a dog: case report and review of the syndrome

Malignant hyperthermia occurred in an adult Greyhound 24 hours after narcotic anesthesia and surgery. Stress was considered the most likely cause. Treatment with dantrolene, in conjunction with cooling techniques and other symptomatic and supportive therapy, was successful.     

Acupuncture analgesia.

Acupuncture-produced surgical analgesia has been demonstrated in a wide variety of species under experimental and clinical circumstances. The main advantage is that no depressant drugs need to be used. The disadvantages of its use are unfamiliarity, the need for special equipment, inconsistent effects, and lack of restraint.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of xylazine in dogs.

Effects of the drug xylazine were determined on arterial pH, arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), aortic blood pressure, aortic flow, heart rate, pulse pressure, stroke volume, and peripheral resistance of dogs. The drug was given intravenously (IV) with and without atropine and was given intramuscularly (IM) without atropine. After IV administration of xylazine (1.1 mg/kg), arterial pH, PaO2, and PaCO2 values were not changed from control values. However, the drug did produce a statistically significant decrease in heart rate, decrease in aortic flow, initial increase in blood pressure followed by decrease, and increase in peripheral resistance. Stroke volume and pulse pressure were not significantly changed. Atropine (0.02 mg/kg, IV) did not significantly change any of the effects produced by xylazine. Intramuscular administration of xylazine (2.2 mg/kg) did not produce significant changes in arterial pH, PaO2, or PaCO2. Heart rate and aortic flow decreased significantly, but statistically significant changes did not occur in aortic blood pressure or peripheral resistance; however, the changes in these last 2 values were in the same direction and were of similar magnitude as those which occurred afger IV administration of xylazine.     

Evaluation of isoflurane and sevoflurane vaporizers over a wide range of oxygen flow rates

OBJECTIVE: To examine the accuracy and precision of isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthetic vaporizers. SAMPLE POPULATION: 5 identical isoflurane and 5 identical sevoflurane vaporizers. PROCEDURES: Oxygen flow rates from 0.02 to 10 L/min were used with different vaporizer dial settings. Agent concentrations were measured at the common gas outlet by use of a refractometer. Accuracy was defined as the difference between measured agent concentrations, and dial settings were expressed as a percentage of the applied dial settings. Precision was defined as SD of the measured agent concentrations for each combination of dial setting and flow. RESULTS: Isoflurane values were generally greater than the dial settings. Accuracy of the isoflurane vaporizer was > 20% when 0.6% and 1% was dialed. Accuracy of the sevoflurane vaporizer was always within +/- 20% but decreased at 0.02 L/min flow and at combinations of high flow and high dial settings. Overall precision of the isoflurane vaporizer was better than that of the sevoflurane vaporizer. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A possible explanation for the inaccuracy of the isoflurane vaporizer may be that it was manufactured to be accurate with air but not oxygen, which must be accounted for when using the vaporizer with oxygen, especially with nonrebreathing systems. The sevoflurane vaporizer may not deliver accurate agent concentrations at high flow and high dial settings. Both vaporizers are suitable for clinical use with a wide range of oxygen flow rates if these precautions are properly addressed.     

The case for out of circuit vaporizers.

Out of circuit vaporizers have some characteristics that differ from in circuit vaporizers. When these are understood, out of circuit vaporizers offer some advantages.     

Overriding vertebral spinous processes in the extinct horse, Equus occidentalis

Lumbar and thoracic vertebrae of the extinct horse, Equus occidentalis, were examined for gross and radiographic evidence of overriding spinous processes. Of 2,661 vertebrae examined, 580 had intact spinous processes. Thirty-six intact spinous processes, which appeared grossly similar to overriding spinous processes in the modern domestic horse, E caballus caballus, were radiographed. Of these 36 vertebrae, 2 had radiographic signs compatible with a radiographic diagnosis of overriding spinous processes, ie, radiographically observed lysis and/or sclerosis. Seemingly, weight bearing or other stresses imposed by human beings may not have induced the signs of overriding spinous processes.