Comparative evaluation of net digestive and absorptive efficiency in dogs and cats fed a variety of contrasting diet types

Comparative net digestive and absorptive efficiency was assessed with adult Beagles and domestic cats by apparent digestibility assays. Eight foods were used comprising two canned dog foods; canned cat foods; two samples of semipurified diet; and single samples of experimental dry cat food and fresh mince. Apparent digestibility percentages of crude protein, fat, nitrogen-free extract (NFE) and gross energy were all significantly higher in dogs than cats. Mean values obtained for dogs were (per cent): crude protein 87; fat 92; NFE 70 and energy 89. Respective values for cats were 82, 76, 67 and 79. On average, dogs obtained 11 and 9 per cent more digestible energy and protein per unit food eaten than cats. Most digestibility characteristics of foods measured in cats were significantly correlated with those for dogs and regression equations are presented predicting digestibility in cats from dog data.     

The diagnosis of injuries to the intestines, gallbladder and bile ducts in the dog

Clinical and radiographic findings in three dogs with intestinal ruptures and four dogs with rupture of the gallbladder or bile ducts are described. In both types of injuries the onset of clinical signs was insidious, and the initial signs were masked by acute disorders such as bruises, fractures, pneumothorax or abdominal haemorrhage. With rupture of the gallbladder or bile ducts, there was listlessness, abdominal enlargement, icterus and clay-coloured stool. Diffuse peritonitis was seen radiographically. Paracentesis an danalysis of the abdominal fluid for bilirubin substantiated the diagnosis. Radiographically, ruptures of the intestine showed localized peritonitis and abnormal arrangement of the loops. Adhesions between intestines and omentum sealed off the ruptures, and only small amounts of intestinal contents leaked into the abdomen. Little or no free gas was seen on abdominal radiographs. Gas was sometimes trapped in pouches formed by the adhesions. In these rare injuries, prolonged observation of the patients and awareness of the clinical and radiographic findings are necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. Résumé. Résultats des examens cliniques et radiologiques de trois chiens de rupture intestinale et de quatre animaux présentant une rupture de la vésicule biliaire ou des voies biliaires. Dans les deux types de lésion le début des signes cliniques était insidieux et le tableau clinique masqué par les manifestations aiguës: contusions, fractures, pneumothorax ou hémorragie abdominale. Dans le cas de rupture de la vésicule ou des voies biliaires, on observe de l'apathie, une augmentation de volume de l'abdomen, de l'ictère et des selles de couleur argile. Les radiographies montrent une péritonite diffuse. La paracentèse et l'examen du liquide péritonéal (recherche de bilirubine) confirment le diagnostic. La rupture de l'intestin se traduit radiologiquement par une péritonite localisée et des anomalies de disposition des anses intestinales. Les adhérences entre celles-ci et l'épiploon assurent l'occlusion des ruptures, une quantité réduite de liquide s'épanchait ainsi dans la cavité abdominale; les radiographies de l'abdomen ne montrait que peu, ou pas du tout de gaz libre, qui parfois se localisait dans les poches formées par les adhérences. Au cours de ces lésions traumatiques une observation prolongée des sujets et la connaissance des signes cliniques et radiologiques sont nécessaires pour poser un diagnostic correct. Zusammenfassung. Klinische und radiographische Befunde an drei Hunden mit Eingeweiderissen und an vier Hunden mit Rissen der Gallenblase oder der äusseren Gallenwege werden beschrieben. Bei beiden Typen von Verletzungen war das Einsetzen der klinischen Merkmale insidiös, und die ersten Anzeichen wurden durch akute Erscheinungen wie Quet-schungen, Frakturen, Pneumothorax oder abdominale Blutungen verdeckt. Beim Riss der Gallenblase oder der Gallengänge wurden Mattigkeit, Hervortreten des Bauches, Ikterus und lehmfarbener Kot beobachtet. Radiographisch wurde diffuse Peritonitis festgestellt. Paracentese und die Analyse der Bauchflüssigkeit auf Bilirubin bestätigten die Diagnose. Radiographisch zeigten Eingeweiderisse lokalisierte Peritonitis und anomale Anordnung der Darmschlingen. Adhäsionen zwischen Därmen und Omentum verschlossen die Rupturen, und nur kleine Mengen des Darminhalts gelangten in die Bauchhöhle. Die Röntgenaufnahmen der Bauchhöhle zeigten wenig oder kein freies Gas. Manchmal wurde Gas in den von den Adhäsionen geformten Taschen festgehalten. Bei diesen seltenen Verletzungen sind längere Beobachtung der Patienten und die Kenntnis der klinischen und radiographischen Befunde für eine genaue Diagnose notwendig.     

Feline pancreatic Islet cell hyalinosis associated with diabetes mellitus and lowered serum-insulin concentrations

A case of feline spontaneous diabetes mellitus with an absolute deficiency of insulin is presented. The characteristic hypertrophy of the Islets and hyalinosis is described and compared to the disease in dogs.
Résumé. On présente un cas de diabète sucré spontané chez un chat, avec une insuffisance totale d'insuline. L'hypertrophie caractéristique des îlots et l'hyalinose sont décrites et comparées avec les lésions observées chez le chien.
Zusammenfassung. Ein Fall von spontanem Diabetes mellitus mit absolutem Insulinmangel wird beschrieben. Die charakteristische Hypertrophie der Inseln und Hyalinose werden beschrieben und mit der Krankheit bei Hunden verglichen.     

Use of Computed Tomography in Standing Position to Identify Guidelines for Screw Insertion in the Distal Phalanx of Horses: An Ex Vivo Study

Objectives— To compare the precision of radiography and computed tomography (CT) preoperatively in the standing position for identification of guidelines for screw insertion in the distal phalanx, and to identify whether standing CT might improve operative time compared with preoperative radiographic planning.
Study Design— Experimental ex vivo study.
Animals— Cadaveric equine thoracic limb pairs (n=10).
Methods— Insertion of a 4.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion into an intact distal phalanx was evaluated in 2 groups (n=10) of cadaveric equine thoracic limbs. In 1 group, the site, direction, and length of the implant were determined by radiography, and in the other group, by CT. Accuracy of screw placement was verified by specimen dissection. Outcomes were (1) absence of penetration of the articular surface, the solar surface, or the semilunar canal (2) appropriate length and direction of the screw. Surgical time was also measured.
Results— No screw penetrated the articular surface, the solar surface, or the semilunar canal in either group. CT was more accurate to identify guidelines for screw insertion (U=23.50, P =.049). With CT, surgical time (mean, 7.7 minutes) was significantly shorter (U=0.000, P =.000) than with radiography (mean, 12.7 minutes).
Conclusion— Standing CT can be used to accurately determine anatomic landmarks for screw insertion in lag fashion in sagittal fractures of the distal phalanx.
Clinical Relevance— This study has a clear clinical relevance for improved internal fixation of sagittal fractures of the distal phalanx.     

Comparison of the Diagnostic Value of Ultrasonography and Standing Radiography for Pelvic–Femoral Disorders in Horses

Objective— To assess agreement between ultrasonography (transcutaneous and transrectal) and standing radiography in horses with fractures in the pelvic region and disorders of the coxofemoral joint.
Study Design— Case series.
Animals— Warmblood horses (n=23) and 2 ponies.
Methods— Medical records (1999–2008) of equids with pelvic or coxofemoral disorders that had pelvic radiography and ultrasonography were retrieved and results of both techniques compared.
Results— Radiography and ultrasonography each identified equal numbers of fractures of the tuber coxa (n=4), ilial shaft (2), ischium (3), femoral neck (2), and osteoarthritis/osis of the coxofemoral joint (6). Fractures of the ilial wing (4) were only identified by ultrasonography not by standing radiography. Of 9 acetabular fractures, 3 were identified on radiographs only, 5 were identified with both modalities. One pubic fracture was identified using ultrasonography and radiography. One acetabular and 1 pubic fracture were only diagnosed on necropsy.
Conclusions— We found reasonable agreement (73%; 24/33) between ultrasonography and standing radiography for diagnosis of pelvic–femoral disorders. Ultrasonography was more useful for ilial wing fractures and radiography for acetabular fractures.
Clinical Relevance— Ultrasonography is a rapid, safe imaging technique for detecting disorders of the pelvic region with a high diagnostic yield and is a preferred initial approach in horses with severe hindlimb lameness.     

CEREBROSPINAL FLUID SIGNAL-VOID SIGN IN DOGS

The cerebrospinal fluid signal-void sign is an observable signal loss from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), especially on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. In people, this sign is attributed to rapid CSF flow or turbulence from arterial pulsations and occurs more frequently with reduced intracranial compliance. The purposes of this study were to describe the CSF signal-void sign, document whether a similar sign occurs in dogs and investigate associations between it and other conditions. The sample population consisted of 327 dogs admitted for neurocranium evaluation using a 0.2 T system. Review of the medical records and MR images was performed to characterize the presence and location of a CSF signal-void sign, ventricular size, syringomyelia, and other lesions. A CSF signal-void sign was detected in at least the mesencephalic aqueduct in 59/327 (18.0%) dogs, including some with no morphologic brain abnormality. The majority of these dogs (45/59% or 76%) weighed <15 kg. In two other dogs, a CSF signal-void sign was detected only in a cervical syrinx. In dogs weighing >15 kg, a CSF signal-void sign was seen with various conditions. In 137/327 (41.9%) dogs weighing <15 kg, the presence of a CSF signal-void sign in the aqueduct (45 dogs) was associated with syringomyelia ( P =0.0468) and increased ventricular size ( P =0.0054): syringomyelia also was associated with increased ventricular size ( P =0.0009). In conclusion, a CSF signal-void sign was seen in dogs with various conditions. In small-breed dogs, a CSF signal-void sign in the aqueduct was associated with ventricular enlargement and syringomyelia.     

Comparison of Three Methods of Ulnar Fixation in Horses

Objective- This study compares the mechanical properties of three methods of equine ulnar fixation: dynamic compression plating, pins and wires tension band, and a prototype grip system.
Study Design- The mechanical properties of dynamic compression plating, pins and wires tension band, and a prototype grip system repair of equine ulnar fractures were evaluated in a cadaveric osteotomy model.
Animals or Sample Population- Fifteen pairs of the radius and ulna from equine cadavers.
Methods- The three repair techniques were evaluated to mimic the pull of the triceps brachii muscle in single cycle to failure and in cyclic fatigue loading. Single cycle results were evaluated as the axial and angular displacement. Cyclic fatigue results were evaluated as the number of cycles to failure.
Results- Dynamic compression plate fixation and pins and wires tension band had significantly less axial displacement of the proximal fragment than the grip system ( P <.05). No significant difference in angular rotation of the proximal fragment was present between the three techniques. Dynamic compression plating had significantly greater fatigue resistance than the grip system ( P <.05). Cyclic failure was characterized by screw loosening or breakage and wire breakage.
Conclusions- Dynamic compression plates were better than the other techniques at maintaining compression of a transverse ulnar osteotomy at the level of the anconeal process just proximal to the trochlear notch.
Clinical Relevance- Knowledge of fixation technique mechanical properties is essential for surgeons to select the proper method of fracture repair.     

Colonic Luminal Pressure in Horses With Strangulating and Nonstrangulating Obstruction of the Large Colon

Colonic luminal pressure (median, range) measured during ventral midline celiotomy in 69 horses with strangulating obstruction (SO) of the large colon (SO; ≥ 270° large colon volvulus; 27 cm H₂O: 2 to 80 cm H₂O) was greater ( P =.0023) than that measured in 37 horses with nonstrangulating obstruction (NSO) of the large colon (NSO; ≤ 180° volvulus or a nonstrangulating displacement; 18 cm H₂O; 6 to 46 cm H₂O). Sixty-five percent (45 of 69) of horses with SO and all horses with NSO survived. Survival analysis was restricted to 59 horses with large-colon SO that survived to hospital discharge or met the criteria specified for classification as nonsurvivors. Colonic luminal pressure in nonsurvivors (48.5 cm H₂O; 34 to 80 cm H₂O) was higher ( P =.0001) than that measured in survivors (18 cm H₂O; 2 to 50 cm H₂O) of SO. From response operating characteristic curves, a luminal pressure of 38 cm H₂O optimized the distribution of horses with SO into survivor and nonsurvivor groups. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for a colonic luminal pressure greater than 38 cm H₂O in predicting nonsurvival were 0.89, 0.91, 0.72 and 0.97, respectively. Measurement of colonic luminal pressure may be useful for predicting survival in horses with colonic volvulus.     

Benefit Transfer: A Comparison of Approaches

ABSTRACT Benefit transfer has become increasingly important for policy researchers as a low‐cost approach for assigning benefits to environmental amenities. To gain insights on how to best perform benefit transfer, this study analyzes estimates from both the travel cost (TC) and contingent valuation (CV) methods. The analysis compared the point estimate approach with the benefit function approach for transferring economic benefits between a study site and a policy site. Data from the 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife‐Associated Recreation for deer hunting was used to provide both the CV willingness‐to‐pay and the TC consumer surplus estimates. The study found that when focusing on a nonsite‐specific activity such as deer hunting, benefits transferred fairly well, with the average error being slightly less than 30 percent for CV estimates and just under 35 percent for TC estimates. In addition, the empirical results suggest that the more precise benefit function approach provide some improvement to the more general point estimate approach, with the CV methods showing moderate gains while the TC method showing only minimal gains. The study also found that the closer the distance between the policy and research sites was, the more the precision of the benefit transfer increased.