Tetanus in cats: 3 case descriptions

Three cats with spasticity on one leg or on all four limbs were presented between 1996 and 1998 at the Department of clinical veterinary medicine, Section of neurology, Vetsuisse-Faculty of Bern. The presumptive diagnosis was tetanus. A focal form was present in two cases and generalised tetanus in one cat. All cats had a history of injury at the affected legs respectively at the neck. The first clinical signs were seen between two days and three weeks after injury. The bacteriologic examination of serous fluid from the site of injury revealed an infection with Clostridium. EMG in one cat during anaesthesia showed motor united potentials (MUPs) on the spastic leg. All patients received antibiotics (Penicillin, respectively Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid and Metronidazol). Supportive aid were initially sedation, wound revision and in one cat nutrition through oesophageal sonde. In a second phase physiotherapy was performed. All three animals were significantly better after a couple of weeks, two cats were without symptoms after eight and five weeks respectively.     

The Gastroduodenal Effects of Buffered Aspirin, Carprofen, and Etodolac in Healthy Dogs

Twenty-four healthy mixed-breed dogs were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received a placebo p.o. q12h, group 2 received an average of 16.5 (15.1-17.8) mg/kg buffered aspirin p.o. q12h, group 3 received an average of 2.2 (2.0-2.4) mg/kg carprofen p.o. q12h, and group 4 received an average of 12.8 (11.7-13.8) mg/kg etodolac p.o. q24h (with a placebo in the PM). All treatments continued for 28 consecutive days. Gastroduodenal endoscopy was performed on days -9, 0, 5, 14, and 28. Multiple gastric biopsies were obtained endoscopically on day -9 to determine each dog's Helicobacter infection status. Four regions in the stomach and 1 region in the proximal duodenum were evaluated endoscopically, and each was assigned a score from 1 to 11. Scores for each region then were summed to give a total score for each endoscopic evaluation. Erosions and submucosal hemorrhages were seen in all dogs receiving aspirin. Only minor gastric lesions were observed in the carprofen, etodolac, and control groups. No adverse clinical signs were noted in any dog given any treatment. Median total score on days 0, 5, 14, and 28, respectively, were as follows: group 1: 5.0, 5.0, 5.0, 5.0; group 2: 5.0, 27.0, 26.0, 27.5; group 3: 5.0, 5.0, 6.0, 5.0, group 4: 5.0, 7.0, 5.0, 5.0. There was no significant difference among dogs receiving carprofen, etodolac, or placebo. The administration of carprofen, etodolac, or placebo to healthy dogs resulted in significantly less gastroduodenal lesion development than in dogs receiving buffered aspirin.     

Long-term outcome of cats treated conservatively or surgically for peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia: 66 cases (1987-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine long-term outcome of cats treated conservatively or surgically for peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 67 cats with PPDH. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats with a diagnosis of PPDH made from 1987 through 2002 were reviewed. Information regarding long-term outcome was obtained from owners. RESULTS: Prevalences of PPDH in domestic longhair and Himalayan cats were significantly greater and prevalence of PPDH in domestic shorthair cats was significantly lower than prevalence of PPDH in the hospital cat population over the 15-year study period. Historical problems most commonly related to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia was the primary diagnosis in 40 cats and an incidental finding in 27 cats. One cat died prior to arrival at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Thirty-seven of 66 cats were treated surgically, and 29 were treated conservatively. The postoperative mortality rate was 14%. Postoperative complications developed in 29 of 37 cats, the most common of which was hyperthermia. Two of 22 conservatively treated cats had progression of clinical signs necessitating surgical intervention or resulting in death. Owner satisfaction with treatment choice and long-term outcome was rated as very satisfied by 88% of owners of surgically treated cats and 68% of owners of conservatively treated cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cats with overt clinical signs attributable to PPDH are good candidates for surgical herniorrhaphy. Postoperative complications may develop but are generally minor and self-limiting. Long-term outcome of cats treated conservatively or surgically was rated as very good by most owners.     

Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in Horses: New Perspectives

Forty-one horses were treated for atrial fibrillation (AF) with 22 mg/kg quinidine sulfate via nasogastric tube every 2 hours until conversion to sinus rhythm, a cumulative dose of 88 to 132 mg/kg had been administered in 2-hour increments, or the horse had adverse or toxic effects from the drug. Treatment intervals were prolonged to every 6 hours if conversion had not occurred. Digoxin was administered before treatment if the horse had a fractional shortening ≤ 27% (3 horses), was prone to tachycardia (resting heart rate ≥ 60 beats/min) (1 horse), or had a previous history of sustained tachycardia of over 100 beats/min during prior conversion (3 horses). Digoxin was administered during day 1 of quinidine sulfate treatment if the horse developed a sustained tachycardia of over 100 beats/min during treatment (11 horses) or on day 2 if conversion had not occurred (7 horses). Plasma quinidine concentrations within 1 hour of conversion of AF to sinus rhythm ranged from 1.7 to 7.5 μg/mL (mean, 4.05± 1.6) and ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 μg/mL in 97% of horses. Most horses (92%) with plasma quinidine concentrations > 5 μg/mL exhibited an adverse or toxic effect of quinidine sulfate (clinical or electrocardiographic). There was no statistical association between plasma quinidine concentrations and sustained tachycardia (> 100 beats/min), diarrhea, or colic. Ataxia and upper respiratory tract stridor were significantly associated with plasma quinidine concentrations. In most instances (98%) conversion did not occur while toxic or adverse effects of quinidine sulfate were present or when plasma quinidine concentrations were > 5 μg/mL.     

Transport of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through a partly urbanized river basin

The PAH-pollutant loads resulting from storm runoff to a receiving stream are associated with high concentrations of suspended sediments. This is explained by the sorption coefficients and isotherms on street dust, suspended solids, bedload and other sorbents. Pollutographs for a stream with storm runoff mainly from storm water overflows from a combined sewered medium sized town show strong ‘first-flush’ phenomena. Rainfall and bedload contribute only to a lesser extent to the overall transport which stems from street dust washoff. High correlation between total PAH load and maximum flow, but no relation between total PAH load and the number of days since the previous storm, indicates a ‘low washoff case’ under ‘transport limited’ conditions. 3.4-Benzopyrene load was modeled by a pollutant washoff function analoguous to that of the EPA storm water model.     

Clinical outcomes of 30 cases (1997-2004) of canine gastrointestinal lymphoma

In 30 cases of canine gastrointestinal lymphoma, each case was localized to the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, or two or more sites. Treatments consisted of surgery alone (n=4), surgery with chemotherapy (n=8), chemotherapy alone (n=15), or supportive care (n=3). Four dogs died, 24 were euthanized, and two are currently alive. Median survival time for all cases was 13 days. In both surviving dogs, the site of lymphoma was the large intestine. Canine gastrointestinal lymphoma is a severe disease that warrants a poor to grave prognosis. However, cases of colorectal origin may have longer survival times.     

Unusual urethral calculi in two male dogs

The clinical presentation and advanced size of the two calculi described in this report are both atypical and noteworthy. Both dogs were presented initially with signs of hematuria, stranguria, and perineal discomfort. Each calculus was visible on survey abdominal radiographs and was present in the region of the ischial arch. Both dogs underwent a perineal urethrotomy to retrieve the calculus. Resolution of clinical signs was obtained in one case, which was referred within 2 months of the onset of clinical signs. The second dog was medically managed for approximately 2.5 years before referral. Surgical intervention failed to restore urinary continence in this second dog. Early detection of similar cases may be important in optimizing clinical outcome following appropriate treatment.     

Sulfur Isotopes in Swaziland System Barites and the Evolution of the Earth's Atmosphere

Sedimentary barites from the Swaziland System of South Africa (more than 3000 million years old) have sulfur-34 ratios that are enriched by only 2.5 per mil with respect to contemporary sulfides. To explain this small fractionation, it is proposed that oxygen pressure in the earth's atmosphere was very low and that local oxidation occurred in a photosynthetic layer of the ocean.     

Equine Farm Operators: An Underserved Target Audience for Conservation Practice Outreach?

Equine farms account for an increasing proportion of land use in many areas of the United States. Despite this, equine farm operators have often been neglected by researchers and resource professionals when land management decisions are concerned and little is understood of this community's awareness and use of conservation practices. This study assessed the prevalence of conservation messages in equine-related trade magazines using content analysis. In-depth interviews were also conducted with equine farm operators to assess their understanding and use of conservation practices. Conservation-related material in equine media is relatively rare when compared with traditional livestock magazines. Equine and stable owners are generally motivated to protect on-farm resources but are not very aware of the off-farm effects of their operations. Several common livestock conservation practices are being used by many facilities, but the motivation for their use is not based on environmental concern, and operators are generally unaware of the environmental benefits of these practices. More outreach and education directed at equine farm operators is needed.