The effect of UV-blocking contact lenses as a therapy for canine chronic superficial keratitis

Objective To evaluate the effect of UV‐blocking soft contact lenses in treatment for chronic superficial keratitus (CSK). Methods Twenty six dogs with CSK were treated continuously with UV‐blocking contact lenses for 6 months. A contact lens was placed on one eye of each dog; the other eye remained without a lens as a control eye. After this primary study, five of the dogs were further treated and they wore then contact lenses in both eyes. Continuously, all patients were concurrently treated topically with cyclosporine. The contact lenses were changed every 4 weeks and an ophthalmic examination performed. Evaluation criteria included corneal alterations as pigmentation, edema, pannus and vascularization. To determine the transmittance characteristics of the contact lenses before and after use, 32 contact lenses were measured with a UV‐vis‐NIR spectrophotometer. Results Pigmentation increased in eyes wearing lenses and in control eyes over the evaluation period of 6 months. Corneal edema increased in the eyes wearing lenses, but remained unaffected in the control eyes. A significant difference in the incidence of pannus and the extent of corneal vascularisation could not be evaluated. Adverse effects were noted in six cases (corneal edema and vascularisation, conjunctivitis, blepharospasm). All new lenses studied reduced UV‐radiation to a safe level, whereas used lenses did not maintain their transmittance characteristics. Conclusions No positive effect of UV‐blocking contact lenses could be proven with the study design used.     

EFFECT OF SEVOFLURANE ANESTHESIA AND BLOOD DONATION ON THE SONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE SPLEEN IN 60 HEALTHY CATS

The aims of this prospective study were to describe the normal sonographic size and appearance of the feline spleen, and to test effects of sevoflurane anesthesia and blood collection on sonographic characteristics. Sonographic evaluations were performed in 60 healthy blood donor cats prior to anesthesia and blood collection (baseline), after anesthesia induction, after completion of blood collection while under anesthesia, and 7–10 days after blood collection. Transverse sonographic images of the splenic mid‐body were made. Splenic height, width, cross‐sectional area, echogenicity relative to the left renal cortex, and echotexture were recorded. Height, width, and cross‐sectional area were compared across time periods using linear‐mixed effects models. Holm's method was applied to adjust for multiplicity and control the overall Type 1 error rate at α = 0.05. Normal transverse sonographic splenic measurements (mean ± standard deviation) at baseline were: height 8.2 ± 1.4 mm; width 26.7 ± 4.4 mm; and CSA 1.6 ± 0.5 cm². While there were statistically significant differences in splenic height, width, and cross‐sectional area after sevoflurane anesthesia and/or blood collection, differences were of low magnitude. The spleen was diffusely homogenous and subjectively isoechoic or mildly hyperechoic relative to the left renal cortex. In 77% of castrated male cats, the spleen was isoechoic to the left renal cortex. We conclude that sevoflurane anesthesia and blood donation do not subjectively alter splenic dimensions, echogenicity and echotexture in normal cats.     

Semen parameters and testicular dimensions in small breed dogs below ten‐kilogram bodyweight

Because of few available data on semen parameters in small breed dogs, the study aimed to analyse semen and measure testes of dogs ≤10.0 kg bodyweight. Semen was collected from 41 fertile stud dogs, which were divided based on bodyweight: group 1 ≤ 5.0 kg and group 2 between 5.1 and 10.0 kg. Median values for ejaculate volume (group 1: 1.2 ml; group 2: 2.2 ml), total sperm output (group 1: 110.7 × 10⁶; group 2: 215.1 × 10⁶) and testicular volume (group 1: left testicle 2.8 ml, right testicle 2.7 ml; group 2: left testicle 5.5 ml, right testicle 5.0 ml) were lower in group 1 compared to dogs of group 2 (p = .001; p = .001; both testes: p < .001). There was no difference in sperm concentration (p = .985). Based on these results, introduction of an additional weight group to the commonly used reference values is recommended, since values for ejaculate volume, total sperm output and testicular dimensions for dogs ≤5.0 kg bodyweight differed significantly from values of dogs with a bodyweight from 5.1 to 10.0 kg.     

重新评估母猪妊娠期日粮的纤维营养

养猪生产者有机会通过给妊娠母猪饲喂富含纤维的日粮来维持和改善其繁殖性能。 概述：笔者查阅了1975～2007年发表的24篇报告,以确定给妊娠母猪饲喂高水平纤维型日粮所产生的总体影响。母猪及其产仔性状通过每个试验内各个处理的母猪窝数来权衡。总体而言,母猪妊娠阶段可以安全地采食高纤维日粮,而几乎不会带来的有害影响。母猪采食高水平纤维型日粮后产生的积极影响可明显地反映在窝产仔数（提高0.2～0.6头/窝）和哺乳期的采食量（提高0.5～0.8lb/d）上,但在母猪持续采食高水平纤维型日粮后的第2个繁殖周期前,这些影响并不是非常显著。通过饲喂高水平纤维型日粮,可能有助于确保母猪及其所产仔猪的生产性能得到改善,但纤维类饲料必须在母猪配种之前加入所喂的日粮中。     

Retrospective comparison between minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and open plating for tibial fractures in dogs

Objectives: To compare fracture healing in diaphyseal tibial fractures stabilized using either minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Methods: Dogs in each group were matched for type of fracture, age and body weight. Stage of healing was measured blindly every four weeks postoperatively until complete healing. Outcome variables including fracture length, plate length, plate bridging ratio, plate working length, healing grading, and fracture reduction were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney test. Significant difference was set at p <0.05. Results: Based on the definition of clinical union, at 30 days five out of eight dogs managed with MIPO had healed, while two of the eight of dogs managed with ORIF had healed. We did not find any significant differences in the other outcome measures. No complications were reported in the MIPO group whereas one major complication was reported in the ORIF group. Clinical significance: All dogs treated by MIPO healed rapidly without any complications, nevertheless the difference in radiographic healing between the two groups was not significant.     

RADIOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PRESUMED PLATE‐LIKE ATELECTASIS IN 75 NONANESTHETIZED DOGS AND 15 CATS

Discrete discoid or linear areas of increased soft opacity have been observed within the pulmonary parenchyma in thoracic radiographs of dogs and cats. Similar radiographic findings have been described in humans and termed plate‐like atelectasis. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe locations and characteristics of presumed plate‐like atelectasis, presence of concurrent thoracic disease(s), and presence of persistent pulmonary changes on recheck thoracic radiographic studies in a cohort of dogs and cats. Hospital records between 2004 and 2011 were searched and a total of 90 cases were included (75 dogs and 15 cats, 2–17 years of age). Plate‐like atelectasis was most commonly found in left lateral radiographs. Plate‐like atelectasis was observed in the cranial thorax and was oriented in a dorsocranial to ventrocaudal direction in 68 (75%) patients. Plate‐like atelectasis averaged 29.6 ± 14.4 mm in length and 2.6 ± 1.3 mm in width. In 57 of the 90 patients (63%), plate‐like atelectasis was the only abnormality found. Plate‐like atelectasis was present in 7 of 22 cases where follow‐up radiographs were available. Findings from the current study indicated that, while the etiology of plate‐like atelectasis remains unknown, anatomic variations in sublobar pulmonary anatomy might account for pleural areas of atelectasis. The authors propose that the presence of plate‐like atelectasis may represent areas of atelectasis that track along sublobar lung lobe separations, an area of hypoventilation or decreased collateral ventilation, and/or area of decreased localized surfactant deficiency.