Transendoscopic biopsy of the horse's airway mucosa

Transtracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage are diagnostic techniques that have been adopted from human medicine for monitoring inflammatory changes in the airway of the horse. Transendoscopic biopsy has also proven to be a valuable tool for obtaining samples of the airway mucosa in human patients. A transendoscopic technique was developed in this study for obtaining a respiratory mucosal biopsy from standing, sedated horses. Six normal adult horses were sampled at eight-week intervals for a total of three sample periods. Horses were monitored for adverse effects of the technique and none were noted. Sample sites were completely healed after eight weeks with no gross or histologic abnormalities. Biopsy samples were 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter, and 17 of 18 samples provided interpretable histological sections. Methods for handling, staining and evaluating tissue were also developed. The results of this study demonstrated that airway mucosal biopsy is a safe, repeatable technique that can be performed in the sedated, standing horse.     

The role of ear environment in postharvest susceptibility of maize to toxigenic Aspergillus flavus

A kernel screening assay (KSA) was used to assess the genetic and environmental effects on the vulnerability of maize to aflatoxin accumulation. Kernels of 26 inbred lines that had been grown in seven environments, and 190 lines of the Intermated B73xMo17 (IBM) population grown in one location in the United States, were inoculated with a toxigenic strain of A. flavus and incubated in the dark at 30°C for 6 days. Percent kernel colonization (PKC), sporulation and aflatoxin were influenced by the maize genotypes (G), the location (“ear environment” or E) and the GxE interactions. Overall, low broad‐sense heritabilities were observed for PKC, sporulation and aflatoxin. PKC was significantly correlated with sporulation in all environments. Aflatoxin was positively correlated with colonization for two and with sporulation for all ear environments. Higher grain sulphur or magnesium in IBM was associated with less colonization or aflatoxin. Postharvest susceptibility of maize to aflatoxin is thus influenced by factors that are modulated by the ear environment. In a KSA, sporulation could be a proxy test for aflatoxin accumulation.     

Utilization by rainbow trout of diets containing partially rendered hide fleshings

Three groups of rainbow trout were given diets containing different amounts (12–36%) of collagenous by-product derived from partially rendered hide fleshings still containing an appreciable amount of saturated fat. A fourth group of trout were given a control diet containing as protein source a fish protein concentrate, and, as a source of essential fatty acids, a marine oil. The diets were fed for 12 weeks, hide fleshings replacing part of the marine oil and fish protein concentrate in the three test diets. Weight gains and protein utilization of the four groups of rainbow trout were all similar with all four diet treatments. No adverse effects on the fish were observed from the use of hard fat, although an increase in the concentration of some monounsaturated fatty acids occurred in tissues of those fish given hide fleshings. Tests of mitochondrial function gave normal values for both control and test fish. Organoleptic tests demonstrated that trout given diets containing hide fleshings were not distinguishable from normal trout. The results show that provided nutritional requirements are met (especially in the present instance with respect to essential amino acids and essential fatty acids) this by-product can form a useful component in trout rations.     

Spawning success and early life history of longnose suckers in Great Lakes tributaries

Fish eggs and larvae are often subject to very high mortality, and variation in early life survival can be important for population dynamics. Although longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus) are widespread in northern North America, little is known about their early life history. We examined fecundity and early larval survivorship during sucker spawning events in three small Lake Michigan tributaries. Although egg deposition varied 25% among spawning events, estimated larval export to the lake varied over 25,000‐fold from around 1000 to 26 million. Based on variation in environmental conditions across years, it appears that spring flow and temperature may be important determinants of egg survival to larval outmigration. Larval age data suggest that most individuals that survived to outmigration hatched during a 2‐day period despite adult spawning across at least 10 days. Most larvae spent <2 weeks in the stream and emigrated around the time of transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding before substantial growth occurred. In two of three cases, larvae drifted exclusively at night; however, high drift rates occurred during both day and night in the case where larvae were very abundant, suggesting density‐dependent drift behaviour. Our results indicate that survival in tributary streams from egg deposition to larval export is highly variable in longnose suckers. These large differences in early life survival may translate into variability in recruitment, thereby influencing population structure and dynamics.     

The effects of dietary flax oil and antioxidants on ascites and pulmonary hypertension in broilers using a low temperature model

1. Three experiments were conducted using a low temperature model to induce pulmonary hypertension (PH) and ascites in broiler chickens. Diets containing 25 g or 50 g flax oil/kg food and control diets with an equivalent amount of animal/vegetable (A/V) blend oil, with and without supplemental antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) were used. The amount of PH was assessed by the ratio of right ventricle weight to total ventricle weight (RV/TV ratio). Birds were considered to suffer from pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) if the RV/TV ratio was greater than 0.299. 2. In experiment 1, the test diets contained 50 g oil/kg food and were given during the grower period only. Birds fed on the flax oil diet tended to have a lower incidence of PHS, ascites and lower RV/TV ratios than birds fed on the control diet. However, when the flax oil diet was supplemented with antioxidants, the incidence of ascites, PHS, haematocrit and whole blood and plasma viscosity increased compared with birds fed on the flax oil diet without antioxidants. These effects were not seen in experiment 2, when the test diets containing 30 g oil/kg food (25 g flax oil plus 5 g A/V blend oil/kg food compared to 30 g A/V blend oil/kg food) were given during the grower period. However, in experiment 3, when the test diets containing 30 g oil/kg food were given from day 1 to week 8, birds fed on the control diet supplemented with antioxidants had a higher incidence of PHS than those fed on the control diet alone. 3. In all 3 experiments, there was no significant effect of dietary fat source or supplemental antioxidants on total food intake or food conversion. 4. We conclude that diets containing 50 g flax oil/kg food tend to reduce the incidence of PHS and ascites in broilers using a low temperature model but the results were not statistically significant. In some cases, supplementing diets with a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C increased the incidence of ascites and PHS.     

Effect of boar presence before and after weaning on estrus and ovulation in sows

Two hundred sixty-two sows were used to investigate the effects of boar exposure during the last week of nursing (BPRE) and after weaning (BPOST) on the return to estrus. Because approximately one-half of the sows were weaning their first litter, a third factor, primiparous vs multiparous (LITT), was considered in the statistical analysis. To evaluate the effect of treatment on ovarian activity, the sows were also blood-sampled twice weekly for 3 wk after weaning for the measurement of plasma progesterone concentrations as an index of ovulation. Boar exposure after weaning was the most important stimulus of early ovulation and estrus after weaning (P less than .001). A greater proportion of first-litter sows exhibited estrus later (P less than .02) and ovulated later (P less than .09) than did multiparous sows. First-litter sows were unaffected (P greater than .10) by boar exposure before weaning. Multiparous sows were sensitive to boar exposure during nursing. Maximal boar exposure for these sows (BPRE + BPOST) resulted in 95% of sows in estrus and ovulating within 20 d of weaning. No boar exposure resulted in 45% and 38% anestrus and anovulatory sows. Boar exposure, either before or after weaning, was effective in reducing the number of anestrus and anovulatory sows to between 15 to 30%. The effects of BPRE and BPOST on return to ovulation were additive and approximately equal.     

Comparative diagnostic test characteristics of oscillometric and Doppler ultrasonographic methods in the detection of systolic hypertension in dogs

Comparison of test characteristics allows a clinician to choose the optimal diagnostic test method for an individual patient. This study assessed the comparative test characteristics of noninvasive (NI) blood pressure measurement methods (oscillometric and Doppler) and used this information to develop optimal cutoff values for diagnosis of systolic hypertension in dogs by these NI methods. Simultaneous NI (oscillometric or Doppler methods) and invasive (arterial puncture [AP]) systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurements were obtained prospectively from normal dogs and dogs suspected of having systemic hypertension based on clinical signs. Oscillometric SBP readings were obtained from the distal hind limb (Osc-L, n = 54) or the proximal tail (T. n = 27). Doppler BP measurements were obtained using a forelimb cuff (n = 57). AP-SBP was categorized as hypertensive if > or = 160 mmHg, and sensitivity (Se). specificity (Sp), and likelihood ratios (LR) were calculated for diagnostic cutoff values ranging from 130 to 220 mmHg. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves were analyzed to determine optimal cutoff values for diagnosis of AP-SBP > or = 160 mmHg. Optimal NI SBP cutoff values considered to reflect AP values > or = 160 mmHg were: Osc-L = 160 mmHg (Se: 65%, Sp: 85%. LR = 4.33: 1), Osc-T = 150 mmHg (Se: 84%, Sp: 75%, LR = 3.36: 1), and Doppler = 160 mmHg (Se: 71%,     

Intralesional administration of formalin for treatment of epidermal inclusion cysts in five horses

Five horses with unilateral epidermal inclusion cysts located in the nasal diverticula were sedated and treated with intralesional injection of neutral-buffered 10% formalin (volume range, 2 to 4.5 mL). After aspiration of the cyst, formalin was injected intralesionally until leakage of fluid around the needle was observed. After several weeks, desiccation of the cyst was evident; it was excised 2 weeks after treatment in 3 horses, digitally removed by the owner of 1 horse, and never removed in 1 horse, because the owner declined further treatment after resolution of the original swelling of the nasal diverticulum. Swelling of the cyst after treatment was observed in all horses; nasal discharge (2 horses) and a mild episode of epistaxis (1 horse) were the only other complications of the treatment. Intralesional administration of formalin appears to be a simple and effective treatment for epidermal inclusion cysts in the nasal diverticula of horses.     

Use of low doses of ketamine administered by constant rate infusion as an adjunct for postoperative analgesia in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare indicators of postoperative pain and behavior in dogs with and without a low-dose ketamine infusion added to usual perioperative management. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded clinical study. ANIMALS: 27 dogs undergoing forelimb amputation. PROCEDURE: Dogs were anesthetized with glycopyrrolate, morphine, propofol, and isoflurane. Thirteen dogs were treated with ketamine IV, as follows: 0.5 mg/kg (0.23 mg/lb) as a bolus before surgery, 10 microg/kg/min (4.5 microg/lb/min) during surgery, and 2 microg/kg/min (0.9 microg/lb/min) for 18 hours after surgery. Fourteen dogs received the same volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. All dogs received an infusion of fentanyl (1 to 5 microg/kg/h [0.45 to 2.27 pg/lb/h]) for the first 18 hours after surgery. Dogs were evaluated for signs of pain before surgery, at the time of extubation, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, and 18 hours after extubation. Owners evaluated their dogs' appetite, activity, and wound soreness on postoperative days 2, 3, and 4. RESULTS: Dogs that received ketamine infusions had significantly lower pain scores 12 and 18 hours after surgery and were significantly more active on postoperative day 3 than dogs that received saline solution infusions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that perioperative administration of low doses of ketamine to dogs may augment analgesia and comfort in the postoperative surgical period.