The use of porous ceramic cup water samplers to measure solute leaching on chalk soils

Abstract. This paper reports results from a four year study to investigate the suitability of porous ceramic cups to measure solute leaching on shallow chalk soils. Measurements were carried out in one field following surface applications of nitrate and bromide tracers and in two fields after only bromide was applied. Soil water samples were collected from porous cups at 30,60 and 90cm depth after every 25 mm of drainage, and soil samples from 0–30, 30–60 and 60–90 cm were collected monthly eachwinter. Soil matric suctions andvolumetric moisture content were measured in one winter. Leaching losses, measured with ceramic cups were compared with those measured by soil analysis. Porous cups installed in chalk at 60 and 90 cm depth were only able to collect samples regularly when soil matric suctions were less than 15 kPa. Water held at such low suctions is likely to move quickly through relatively large fissures in the chalk. The slow rate of equilibration between solute concentrations in water moving in macrofissures and those in water moving through micropores of the chalk matrix, means that porous cups may not provide good estimates of leaching losses if they are installed in chalk rock.     

HYPERTHERMIA AND RADIATION THERAPY IN CANCER TREATMENT*

Hyperthermia is a field of cancer research of increasing importance to veterinarians and physicians. The thermobiologic studies that are guiding the development of clinical research are reviewed. The interaction of heat, radiation, and drugs on tumors and normal tissues is presented, and the basis for producing a therapeutic gain is discussed. Current methods of inducing local, regional, and systemic hyperthermia in animals and humans are summarized. The areas of clinical research in which veterinary radiologists and oncologists could contribute by studying the effects of heat and radiotherapy on domestic animals with spontaneous tumors are emphasized.     

Results of a web-based health survey of retired racing Greyhounds

BACKGROUND: Adoption of retired racing Greyhounds has become increasingly popular during the past decade. To date, research has focused on the physiologic and clinicopathologic peculiarities of Greyhounds but there is little published information on disease prevalence in the breed. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of disease in retired racing Greyhounds. ANIMALS: In this study, 747 Greyhounds were used. METHODS: A standardized survey method was used, and survey responses were collected by an Internet survey. Owners could answer a survey for every Greyhound that they had owned since January 1, 2005. RESULTS: Of the 692 eligible participants, 441 (63.7% response rate) completed surveys for 747 Greyhounds. The mortality rate for Greyhounds within the 2-year period was 15% (113 of 747 died). The most common cause of death reported was cancer (66 dogs, 58%), and the most common type of cancer listed as the cause of death was osteosarcoma (28 dogs, 25%). The most commonly reported groups of diseases or disorders were skeletal (232 dogs, 33%), skin (197 dogs, 28%), digestive (132 dogs, 18%), cancer (94 dogs, 13%), and endocrine (85 dogs, 11.9%). Forty-five percent of Greyhounds diagnosed with cancer and 6% of the overall population had osteosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The results of this study can be used by veterinary researchers to continue to investigate the most common diseases in this population. As more retired racing Greyhounds enter the pet population, the results of this study will help educate veterinarians and owners about the most prevalent diseases in the breed.     

Comparison of a novel form of zinc with zinc oxide bolus licensed for prevention of facial eczema,and interaction with copper oxide in sheep

To evaluate a novel elemental zinc bolus compared with a registered positive control zinc oxide bolus and assess serum zinc concentrations following concomitant treatment with a capsule containing copper oxide needles. Forty Romney-cross ewes were randomly allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial design study. On Day 0, 20 ewes received novel boluses containing elemental zinc (Investigational Veterinary Product, IVP) while 20 received a zinc oxide bolus (control; CP). Half the animals in each zinc treatment group (n = 10) were treated with a copper oxide needle capsule [Copasure® - Ewe]. Weekly, from Day −7 to 56, all ewes were assessed for signs of photosensitization, and for 10 ewes from each zinc treatment groups, samples were collected for analysis of serum GGT activity, serum zinc concentrations, faecal zinc concentrations and on Days −7 and 56, liver copper concentrations. Multivariable random-effects models assessed the effects of zinc treatment, copper treatment, treatment interactions and time on all analytes. Regression models examined associations between serum and faecal zinc concentrations and GGT activity. Low spore numbers indicated low Pithomyces chartarum challenge. Serum zinc levels were significantly higher in the IVP than in the CP group [p < 0.0001] and varied by time [p < 0.001] and positively associated with faecal zinc concentration [p < 0.001]. Copper treatment did not affect serum zinc [p = 0.82] or faecal zinc [p = 0.92] concentrations. Liver copper concentrations did not differ between zinc treatment groups on Day −7 [p = 0.6] or Day 56 [p = 0.95]. Only the CP/no copper group had no increase in liver copper concentrations.     

Treatment of Ionized Hypercalcemia in 12 Cats (2006–2008) Using PO‐Administered Alendronate

Background

Long‐term treatment of cats with ionized hypercalcemia using alendronate has not been evaluated.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Alendronate is well tolerated in treatment of ionized hypercalcemia in cats.

Animals

A total of 12 cats with ionized hypercalcemia.

Methods

Prospective study of 12 cats with ionized hypercalcemia of idiopathic origin was identified by telephone and email communication with a convenience sample of consulting veterinarians. Cats were treated with alendronate at a dose of 5–20 mg per feline PO q7d. Serum ionized calcium concentration (iCa) was measured before beginning treatment with alendronate, and after 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Alendronate dosage was adjusted according to iCa. Evaluation included physical examination, CBC, biochemistry profile, and diagnostic imaging. The owners and referring veterinarians were questioned about any observed adverse effects. The Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test was used to compare baseline iCa to iCa at different time periods.

Results

Alendronate treatment resulted in a decrease in iCa in all 12 cats. The median percentage change in iCa was −13.2%, −15.9%, and −18.1% (range, −29.6 to +7.6; −30.5 to −1.9; −45.8 to +1.5%) at the 1, 3, and 6 month time points, respectively. Baseline iCa was significantly different from 1 month (P = .0042), 3 months (P = .0005), and 6 months (P = .0015). No adverse effects were reported for any of the cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Alendronate was well tolerated and decreased iCa in most cats for the 6‐month period of observation.