Comparison of three intraoperative patient warming systems

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of three patient warming devices (i.e., circulating water blanket, forced-air, and warming panels) used either alone or in combination on patients undergoing surgeries lasting >60 min. In total, 238 dogs were included and divided into either the celiotomy or nonceliotomy group. Dogs in each group were further divided into one of three subgroups. Dogs in subgroup 1 (n=39) were placed on a circulating water blanket with a forced-air warming blanket placed over the trunk. Subgroup 2 dogs (n=40) were placed on a forced-air warming blanket only. Subgroup 3 dogs (n=40) were placed on warming panels. Significant temperature drops occurred from time of induction (38.1°C±0.64°C) to the start of surgical procedures (36.7°C±0.95°C). Although body temperature was maintained once the warming units were started in all groups, there were significant differences in temperatures for the type of surgical procedures (i.e., celiotomies versus nonceliotomies) performed over time except for subgroup 3. The warming panels and forced-air devices were equally effective in preserving body temperature in anesthetized patients.     

Antagonistic effect of indigenous skin bacteria of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) against Flavobacterium columnare and F. psychrophilum

Industrial fish production exposes fish to potentially stressful conditions, which in turn may induce infections by opportunistic pathogens. Probiotics appear to be a promising way to prevent opportunistic infections in aquaculture. In this study, we tested the inhibitory potential of endogenous bacterial communities found in the mucus of brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) against two major pathogens Flavobacterium columnare and Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Nine bacterial strains were isolated from brook charr skin mucus and tested for potential antagonistic activity. Results from both agar diffusion assays and broth co-culture assays showed the presence of antagonism. We identified seven bacterial strains, collected from unstressed fish, which exerted strong antagonism against F. psychrophilum and/or F. columnare. These strains were mixed and used to treat columnaris disease in an in vivo experiment in which four distinct fish families were tested. This treatment resulted in a decrease of mortality (54-86%) across fish families indicating that candidates from the host microbiota are potentially suitable for probiotic development. This would allow for the efficient (ability to adhere and colonize the host mucus) and durable management (antagonistic effect against pathogens which would be harmless for the host and safe for its environment) of opportunistic diseases in aquaculture.     

Involvement of Parachlamydia in bovine abortions in Scotland

Bovine abortion represents a major animal welfare issue and a cause of substantial economic loss yet the rate of successful diagnosis remains low. Chlamydia-related organisms including Parachlamydia have recently emerged as putative cattle abortifacients. Placental tissue samples and fetal lung from bovine abortion submissions across Scotland in Spring 2011 were investigated by histopathology for the presence of suspect Chlamydia-related organisms. Evidence of Chlamydia-related organisms was observed in 21/113 (18.6%) placenta samples. Thirteen of the suspect cases and 18 histopathology negative cases were analysed by molecular and immunohistochemical methods. All samples were PCR positive for Parachlamydia but sequencing revealed high homology between identified environmental 16S sequences in all but three cases. Parachlamydial antigen was detected in 10/31 placental samples (32.2%) with pathology consistent with chlamydial infection. This work supports the need for further surveillance investigations and experimental studies to determine the role of Parachlamydia in bovine abortion.     

Chemical immobilization of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) using a combination of detomidine and ketamine

Objective To determine if a combination of detomidine and ketamine can be used for effective chemical immobilization of chimpanzees. Study design Observational study. Animals Twenty‐one adult captive chimpanzees (12 males, nine females), age 8–46 years, weighing 40.4–68.4 kg. Methods The chimpanzees were immobilized with intramuscular (IM) detomidine and ketamine by a darting system. Based on estimated weights, doses administered were 50 μg kg^?1 detomidine and 4 mg kg^?1 ketamine in groups 1 and 2, and 60 μg kg^?1 and 5 mg kg^?1 respectively in group 3. Eight minutes in group 1 and 15 minutes in groups 2 and 3 were allowed from the time of apparent immobilization before removing the animals from their enclosures. Body temperature, arterial haemoglobin saturation and pulse rate were measured. The time from injection to induction (recumbency and absence of voluntary movement), total anaesthetic and recovery times (with or without atipamezole) were recorded. Results Immobilization occurred within 5 minutes after darting in most animals. Early handling of the chimpanzees often resulted in arousal and required further doses of ketamine IM. Most animals were hypoxaemic and hypothermic. Occasionally, bradycardia was observed. Atipamezole resulted in an acceptable quality of recovery 10 minutes after IM injection. The duration of immobilization varied widely when no antagonist was administered. Conclusions and clinical relevance The combination detomidine (60 μg kg^?1) and ketamine (5–6 mg kg^?1) can be used for the immobilization of chimpanzees for non‐ to minimally invasive procedures. A period of 15 minutes should be allowed before handling to avoid unwanted arousal. Oxygen administration is recommended to reduce hypoxaemia. Administration of atipamezole is justified to hasten recovery.     

Reference ranges and reliability of transabdominal ultrasonographic renal dimensions in thoroughbred horses

The aims of this study were to establish a normal reference range (mean ± 2 SD) and assess reliability of renal dimensions obtained using transabdominal ultrasonography in Thoroughbred horses (n = 7). A minimum of three ultrasonographic cineloops were obtained from each intercostal space and the left paralumbar fossa by two observers daily for three consecutive days. Renal length, width, and thickness and cortex, medulla, and pelvic dimensions were obtained. Measurements were undertaken by both observers, who were unaware of prior measurements, to assess reproducibility and measured on three separate occasions to evaluate short-term measurement repeatability. Measurements from images obtained by both operators were compared to evaluate image repeatability. The left kidney was consistently identified in the left 15th-17th intercostal space and the paralumbar fossa with maximal length in the 16th intercostal space (12.7 ± 2.0 cm) and maximal width in the paralumbar fossa (7.9 ± 1.1 cm). The right kidney was consistently identified in the right 15th-17th intercostal space with maximal length and maximal width in the 15th intercostal space (16.0 ± 0.7 cm and 7.9 ± 1.0 cm). Reproducibility, image repeatability, measurement repeatability were good to excellent, although were less good for the smaller structures. There were no differences in renal dimensions between horses. Overall renal ultrasonography was reliable and a normal reference range for Thoroughbred horses was established. Renal dimensions vary between rib spaces. As repeatability and reproducibility were excellent for renal length and width, it may be prudent to use those measurements in rib spaces where parameters were maximal.     

Concurrent medical conditions and long-term outcome in dogs with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage

Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage is bleeding originating from the brain or surrounding structures. It results from blood vessel rupture and may be primary or secondary in origin. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of 75 dogs with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage were reviewed to determine signalment; intracranial compartment involved, size and number of lesions; type and prevalence of concurrent medical conditions; and long‐term outcome. Hemorrhagic lesions were intraparenchymal (n = 72), subdural (n = 2) or intraventricular (n = 1). Thirty‐three of 75 dogs had a concurrent medical condition. A concurrent condition was detected in 13 of 43 dogs with a single lesion ≥5 mm and included Angiostrongylus vasorum infection, intracranial lymphoma and meningioma. Of the 20 dogs with multiple lesions ≥5 mm, 7 had A. vasorum infection, 2 had hemangiosarcoma metastasis, 5 had suspected brain metastasis, and 1 was septicemic. Of the 12 dogs with multiple lesions, 2 had hyperadrenocorticism, 2 had chronic kidney disease, and 1 had hypothyroidism. Of these five dogs, all were hypertensive and four died within 12 months. No dog had a single lesion <5 mm. Long‐term outcome was favorable in 26 of 43 dogs with single lesions ≥5 mm, 6 of 20 dogs with multiple lesions ≥5 mm, and 8 of 12 dogs with multiple lesions <5 mm. A. vasorum infection was the most common concurrent condition in dogs with nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage (16/75), with an excellent outcome in 14 of 16 dogs. Prognosis in nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage is reported in terms of concurrent medical conditions and the number and size of lesions. © 2012 Crown copyright. This article was written by M. Lowrie, F. Llabrés‐Diaz and L. Garosi of Davies Veterinary Specialists and L. De Risio and R. Dennis of the Animal Health Trust. It is published with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland     

Evaluation of Three Treatment Modalities against Isospora amphiboluri in Inland Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps)

The inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is an economically important lizard in herpetoculture, with an annual estimate of 500,000 juvenile bearded dragons produced in the United States. Within the last few years, Isospora amphiboluri has been recognized as an important disease-causing parasite of bearded dragons; this is associated with significant mortalities in juvenile dragons. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 3 different treatment modalities (a probiotic, a sulfonamide, and an herbal extract) against I. amphiboluri in bearded dragons. Sixty juvenile bearded dragons that were positive for I. amphiboluri were used in this study. Each group was treated daily for 21 consecutive days with 1 of 4 treatments: isotonic saline solution, sulfadimethoxine, a probiotic, or essential oil of oregano. Fecal samples were collected during this period and screened for the presence of I. amphiboluri. There was no significant difference in the positive status of the control (P = 0.99), probiotic (P = 0.39), or oregano (P = 0.11) groups over time. There was a significant difference in the positive status of the sulfadimethoxine group over time (P = 0.0001). The results of this study demonstrate that sulfadimethoxine may be used to eliminate or significantly reduce oocyst shedding in a majority of bearded dragons after a 21-day treatment period. Additional testing with other sulfonamides, higher doses of sulfadimethoxine, and/or longer treatment duration with sulfadimethoxine may also prove useful. Because some changes in oocyst numbers were observed in the other 3 treatment groups, it is possible that parasite control through the other treatment modalities tested in this study may also have value.     

The Elusive Promise of Social-Ecological Approaches to Rangeland Management

Resilience-based frameworks for social-ecological systems (SES) are prominent in contemporary scientific literatures, but critics suggest these approaches may promise more than they deliver. A fundamental premise underlying the SES approach is that, because of the scope of human activities worldwide, we cannot separate ecological and human elements of nature when tackling our biggest challenges. Proponents argue that managers should not seek optimal solutions, but instead build capacity to adapt and transform systems to thrive within unpredicted or novel ecological states. If the range profession is to take advantage of resilience ideas, we need better tools and concepts for understanding interconnected systems. SES research and management strategies will pose practical difficulties, most notably finding ways to bridge differences between the methods of social and natural sciences. Also needed are institutions that involve scientists, managers, and stakeholders in analysis and informed governance, thereby addressing a key tenet of “resilience thinking” while accounting for the “wicked” nature of problems that, like many facing rangeland managers today, do not have a single best solution but only more or less feasible responses. In hopes of guiding managers toward more feasible options, I offer a model of rangeland social-ecological systems describing how management choices are influenced by, and may affect, human and natural systems at local and regional-to-global scales through both top-down and bottom-up processes.