Acidification and other (Lutra lutra) distribution in Scotland

The influence of acidification on otters (Lutra lutra) was assessed in three regions of Scotland. A total of 72 stretches of 1000 m of riverbank were searched for all signs of otters on three occasions. Water chemistry was determined and habitat was assessed for its suitability to otters. A further series of water samples were collected after a period of very heavy rain in midwinter; conductivity and pH were measured and total Al was determined on a filtered, acidified sample. Otters were recorded at all sites. There were highly significant correlations between use by otters of stretches (measured in terms of marking intensity) and both pH and conductivity, with pH accounting for the greatest proportion of variation in otter signs in a stepwise multiple regression. The relation between otter signs and water quality was greatest in Galloway, the region with significantly more acid waters. There were significantly fewer signs of otters in stretches with minimum pH thought to be detrimental to fish populations for two regions, Galloway and Sutherland.     

Radioactivity in otter scats in Britain following the chernobyl reactor accident

Radioactivity was determined in samples of otter (Lutra lutra) faeces (scats) collected from various regions of Great Britain in 1986 and 1987, following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor accident, and compared with a sample of scats collected in 1985 from central Wales. Samples of scats were also collected from the seashore adjacent to the Dounreay nuclear power station, northern Scotland, and compared with a control site, 40 to 60 km distant. Samples collected in 1986 from central Wales, Galloway and northern Scotland all contained significantly higher amounts of radioactivity than the 1985 sample from central Wales, with Galloway (mean 13 000 Bq kg^?1 dry weight) having significantly more radioactivity than other regions. A sample collected in central Wales in January 1987 had returned to the 1985 level of radioactivity, but a sample from Galloway in January 1987 remained high; this difference in response may be related to the acidic nature of Galloway rivers. No significant differences were found between samples collected from near Dounreay and the control site, though fallout from Chernobyl may have masked the effects of local discharges of radioactivity. The significance of the results to otter populations is discussed.     

Comparison of a central and a peripheral (cephalic vein) injection site for the measurement of cardiac output using the lithium-dilution cardiac output technique in anesthetized dogs

The objective of this study was to determine the agreement between cardiac output measured by central (cranial vena cava) versus peripheral (cephalic vein) venous injection of lithium chloride for lithium-dilution cardiac output (LiDCO) determination in the dog. Five dogs (2 males, 3 females), anesthetized with halothane, were used. With each dog, 12 alternating central and peripheral LiDCO measurements were made, resulting in 10 paired comparisons. A total of 50 comparisons were obtained, the cardiac output measurements ranging from 1.11 to 2.76 L/min. The LiDCO measurement from the cephalic vein was similar to that obtained from the recommended central venous site: the difference between the central and cephalic vein determinations for all measurements was 0.098 ± 0.336 L/min (mean ± 2 standard deviations). Linear regression analysis demonstrated a slope of 1.050 (95% confidence interval 0.904 to 1.196) and a y intercept of 0.005 (r = 0.902). Therefore, although the central venous site is recommended by the manufacturer, the cephalic vein can be used instead in the dog, eliminating the need for central venous catheterization and thus reducing time and expense.     

Antibiotic pressure and nosocomial disease

Nosocomial infection control programs of various types have been implemented in human hospitals since the staphylococcal pandemic of the 1950s. The prevalence of hospital infections is expected to increase in veterinary medicine with the advent of sophisticated invasive monitoring techniques, lengthier patient hospital stays, and the widespread use of antimicrobial agents. In order to monitor and control nosocomial infection outbreaks, the hospital staff must make strategic measures a priority. We propose the establishment of a nosocomial infection control committee, especially at the larger teaching and referral centers, to oversee such activities as hospital and personnel hygiene protocols, patient handling, antisepsis of surgical and critical care instruments, and surveillance. We have described a hospital pharmacy antibiotic restriction policy similar to those used with success in several human hospitals. It is apparent that the careless use of antibiotics adds significantly to the emergence of resistant hospital microflora and predisposes hospitalized patients to nosocomial infections. Judicious use of antibiotics not only helps to curtail such risks and lower health costs but encourages the clinician to fully evaluate his or her therapeutic rationale. As with any new program, continued staff education is the paramount requirement for its success.     

Atresia of the nasolacrimal orifice in two thoroughbreds.

Two cases of bilateral atresia of the nasolacrimal orifice are described. The presenting sign was a persistent ocular discharge, clear in the one case and purulent in the other. Treatment by the creation of a fistula between the distal extremity of the blind ending duct and the nasal cavity was successful in both cases.     

Observations on blood coagulation after snakebite in dogs and cats

Blood samples from 13 cases of snakebite, 6 in dogs and 7 in cats, were tested for activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT) and fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP). Four cases were tested for fibrinogen concentration. Based on the results of a commercially available ELISA test, 9 cases were caused by tiger snakes (Notechis scutatus) and 1 case by a brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis). Three other cases had clinical signs and increased creatine phosphokinase values which suggested tiger snake envenomation. Although the period post-envenomation varied, results indicated a marked prolongation of the APTT and PT in 5 of 6 dogs. Three of these 5 dogs also had increased FDP values and 3 (of 3 examined) were hypofibrinogenaemic. Clinical manifestations of this coagulopathy were: haematoma formation after venepuncture (3 cases), gingival petechiae (1 case) and hyphaema (1 case). In contrast, there was minimal or no prolongation of the APTT and PT values, and no increase in FDP, in all 7 cats. Furthermore, no cat exhibited clinical signs of a coagulopathy.