Bacterial colonization of intravenous catheters in young dogs suspected to have parvoviral enteritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of bacterial colonization of IV catheters among young dogs suspected to have parvoviral enteritis, to identify the organisms responsible for catheter colonization, and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms that were obtained. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 100 dogs. PROCEDURE: Catheters were aseptically removed when fluid therapy was discontinued, the catheter was replaced, or the dog died. The distal tip of the catheter was cut off, split open, and vortexed with sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. The saline solution was plated on culture plates, which were then incubated and examined for bacterial growth every 24 hours for 72 hours. All bacteria cultured were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from 22 catheters. Most bacteria that were isolated were of gastrointestinal tract or environmental origin (Serratia odorifera, S. liquefaciens, S. marcescens, Acinobacter anitratus, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter spp). Only 2 gram-positive organisms were isolated (Staphylococcus intermedius and Streptococcus spp). High percentages of organisms were resistant to penicillin, lincomycin, cloxacillin, erythromycin, and cephalexin. Percentages of organisms resistant to amikacin, enrofloxacin, chloramphenicol, potentiated sulfonamides, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid were low. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that IV catheters may be colonized with bacteria in 22% of young dogs suspected to have parvovirus infection.     

Effect of electrocardiographic filters on the R-amplitude of canine electrocardiograms

Lead II electrocardiograms (ECGs) were recorded in 88 dogs ranging in weight from 3 to 50 kg. A commercial direct-writing electrocardiograph was used to record the ECGs, first with manual HUM filter (notch filter at 50/60 Hz) and EMG filter (cut-off frequency of -3 dB at 35 Hz) on, immediately followed by a recording with both filters off. The mean (sd) reduction in R-amplitude with the filters on was 53(18) per cent with a range from 22 to 100 per cent and a median value of 51 per cent. The R-amplitude with the filters off was related to the R-amplitude with the filters on, making it possible to correct for the effect of the filters. The reduction in R-amplitude was inversely correlated with the weight of the dog and with the duration of the QRS-complex. Other known changes induced by filters, such as the elimination of notches and the slurring of the junction between the QRS-complex and the ST-interval were also observed. The inverse relationship between the weight of the dog and the magnitude of the reduction in R-amplitude by the filters indicates that ECG machines with different characteristics should ideally be used to record ECGs in dogs of different sizes.     

Effects of general anesthesia and surgery on renal function in healthy dogs

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate renal function in healthy dogs undergoing general anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy without concurrent IV administration of fluids. ANIMALS: 35 healthy client-owned dogs. PROCEDURE: Dogs were medicated with promazine hydrochloride (0.05 mg/kg of body weight, SC) approximately 45 minutes before induction of anesthesia with thiopental sodium (10 to 15 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was maintained with 2% halothane in oxygen. Ovariohysterectomies were performed by senior veterinary students under the direct supervision of a veterinary surgeon. Renal function was assessed (serum urea and creatinine concentrations, fractional clearance of sodium, urine alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT] activities, urine specific gravity, and enumeration of renal tubular epithelial cells in urine sediment) prior to and 24 and 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Duration of general anesthesia ranged from 80 to 310 minutes. Urine specific gravity and ALP activity and serum urea and creatinine concentrations did not change over time. Fractional clearance of sodium decreased 24 and 48 hours after surgery, whereas urine GGT activity and the ratio of urine GGT activity to urine creatinine concentration increased 24 hours after surgery, compared with presurgery values. Renal tubular epithelial cells increased in number in urine sediment from 11 of 35 (31.4%) dogs and 5 of 35 (14.3%) dogs 24 and 48 hours after surgery, respectively. However, this increase was not clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous administration of fluids to healthy dogs undergoing general anesthesia and elective surgery may not be necessary for maintenance of renal homeostasis.     

Feline babesiosis: signalment, clinical pathology and concurrent infections

Fifty-six cats with naturally occurring Babesia felis infection were studied. No breed or sex predilection could be identified, but there was an apparent predilection for young adult cats less than 3 years of age. Macrocytic, hypochromic, regenerative anaemia was present in 57% of the cats and in-saline agglutination tests were positive in 16%. No characteristic changes were observed in total or differential leukocyte counts. Thrombocyte counts were variable and thrombocytopaenia was an inconsistent finding. Hepatic cytosol enzyme activity and total bilirubin concentrations were elevated in the majority of cats. Serum protein values were mostly normal, but increased values were occasionally observed and polyclonal gammopathies were observed in all cats with increased total globulin concentrations. No remarkable changes in renal parameters were observed. A variety of electrolyte abnormalities occurred in a number of cats, but no consistent pattern of change could be identified. A close correlation was evident between peripheral and central parasite counts. Concurrent infections with Haemobartonella felis, feline immunodeficiency virus and/or feline leukemia virus were identified in a number of cats.     

Treatment with omeprazole, metronidazole, and amoxicillin in captive South African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with spiral bacteria infection and gastritis.

Six captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) with severe gastritis diagnosed by gastric endoscopy and mucosal histopathology were treated with omeprazole, metronidazole, and amoxicillin for 3 wk. Endoscopic biopsies were performed before therapy, immediately after treatment, and 3, 7, and 19 mo after treatment. Macroscopic appearance of the stomach, histologic scoring of gastric inflammation, and the presence or absence of spiral bacteria were recorded. Spiral bacteria were absent histologically immediately after treatment but reappeared in endoscopic biopsies by 3 mo after treatment. Gastritis scores fluctuated widely during the trial but improved in five of six cheetahs by 3 mo after treatment. By 19 mo after treatment, scores were close to the pretreatment scores. Therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin, and metronidazole was associated with temporary improvement in the degree and distribution of gastritis in some cheetahs with gastritis, suggesting that treatment may be warranted once severe gastric inflammation has been diagnosed.     

Electrocardiographic changes and cardiac pathology in canine babesiosis

The main purpose of this study was to describe electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in canine babesiosis, and to relate these to clinical severity, outcome and cardiac pathology.Four groups of dogs with babesiosis were studied: mild to moderate anemia, severe anemia, concurrent autoagglutination and concurrent complications. Lead II ECG was recorded at admission for 1 minute in all dogs (121). A six lead ECG was recorded in 88 dogs. Full necropsy was performed on 16 dogs (5 died on arrival, 11 had ECG recording).The following ECG changes were recorded in relatively high prevalence: sinoatrial blocks or sinus arrest (7%), ventricular premature complexes (7%), low R-amplitude (23%), prominent Q (13%), axis deviations (40%), prolonged QRS (32%), ST depression and coving (28%), large T (42%), and notched R (28%). Differences between groups were minor. There was a significantly higher prevalence of sinus bradycardia and irregular rhythm in the non-survivors. Gross pathological changes were pericardial effusion and hemorrhages. Histological changes were hemorrhages, necrosis, inflammation and fibrin microthrombi. The only correlation between pathology and ECG was low R-amplitude and pericardial effusion.The ECG changes were similar to the pattern described for myocarditis and myocardial ischemia, and together with the histopathological findings indicated that the heart suffers from the same pathological processes described in other organs in canine babesiosis, namely inflammation and hypoxia. As the clinical application of the ECG changes found in this study was limited, cardiovascular assessment should be based on functional monitoring rather than ECG.     

Changes in the serum urea: creatinine ratio in dogs with babesiosis, haemolytic anaemia, and experimental haemoglobinaemia

The purpose of this study was to determine serum urea and creatinine concentrations, the derived urea : creatinine (UC) ratios, haemoglobin concentrations and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) in dogs with haemolytic anaemia and those with experimentally induced anaemia and/or haemoglobinaemia. There were 25 dogs with babesiosis (group 1), 13 control animals (group 2), six dogs with induced haemoglobinaemia and anaemia (group 3), six with induced haemoglobinaemia (group 4), and 14 with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) (group 5). The median serum urea concentration was 11.18 mmol/L (group 1), 4.3 mmol/L (group 2), 4.3 mmol/L (group 3), 4.35 mmol/L (group 4), and 8.5 mmol/L (group 5). Median serum creatinine was 67 μmol/L (group 1), 75 μmol/L (group 2), 78.5 μmol/L (group 3), 84 μmol/L (group 4), and 82 μmol/L (group 5). Median serum haemoglobin was 1.3g/L (group 1), 0.8 g/L (group 2), 9 g/L (group 3), 3g/L (group 4), and 1.3g/L (group 5). The median UC ratio was 41.35 (group 1), 15.36 (group 2), 14.18 (group 3), 13.6 (group 4), and 14.15 (group 5). GFR was normal in all five groups. Serum urea concentration and the UC ratio were significantly greater in dogs with babesiosis than in those with IMHA, experimentally induced anaemia and/or haemoglobinaemia.     

Effect of north and south exposure on weathering rates and clay mineral formation in Alpine soils

A comparison was made between two soil climosequences on north- and south-facing slopes in northern Italy to determine the influence of slope aspect on soil processes. The climosequences span an elevational gradient ranging from moderate (1200 m a.s.l.) to high alpine (2420 m a.s.l.) climate zones on surfaces having an age of about 15 000 years. The soils were investigated with respect to organic C, oxalate and dithionite extractable Fe, Al and Si, elemental losses (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Al, Si, Mn) and clay minerals. The stocks of soil org. C as well as of oxalate-extractable Fe and Al was greatest in the subalpine zone near the timberline. There are no clear differences in organic C content between the soils on north- and south-facing sites. Fe-oxalate and to a lesser extent Al_o-stocks were, however, greater on north-facing sites, indicating that weathering is greater there. Eluviation and illuviation of Al and Fe within the soil profile, typical for podzolisation, was more distinctly expressed on the N slopes. The probability of ITM (Imogolite-type-material) formation in the soil seemed to be greater on south-facing sites. On the north-facing sites, element leaching was most intense in the subalpine zone close to the timberline while on the south-facing sites this was only the case for the base cations. The N slopes exhibited higher leaching of elements which generally indicates a higher weathering intensity. On south-facing sites, typical podzolisation processes were measurable only above 2000 m a.s.l. The development of smectites is also a reflection of the weathering intensity; smectite was discernible in the surface horizon at all sites on N slopes but the highest amount was detected in the sub-alpine climate zone. For the south-facing sites only in the alpine climate zone could smectite be detected. Higher temperatures and an increased number of freeze-thaw cycles on south-facing slopes should theoretically enhance rates of chemical weathering. This could, however, not be confirmed with our measurements. The degree of chemical weathering increases from the south- to the north-facing sites that are characterised by lower temperatures, lower evapotranspiration and consequently by a higher humidity. Although precipitation in Alpine regions is abundant, the availability and flux of water through the soil is the prime factor in weathering intensity.     

The prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in Dachshunds with intervertebral disc prolapse

Endoscopy was used to determine the prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in 30 Dachshunds undergoing decompressive surgery for acute intervertebral disc prolapse. The endoscopy was performed on the day of admission and on the 3rd or 4th day after surgery. Three regions of the stomach (cardia, corpus and pylorus) and the proximal duodenum were visually inspected and biopsy samples were taken for histopathology. The combination of visual and microscopic changes were then used to determine the prevalence of subclinical gastroduodenal ulceration in this population. An overall prevalence of 76% was calculated from these findings. Ulcerogenic medication administered prior to admission did not appear to influence the prevalence. This result identifies a need for veterinarians to be aware of this potentially severe complication and warrants the use of prophylactic anti-ulcer medication in spinal surgery patients.     

Effect of administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before surgery on renal function in clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVES: To investigate renal function in clinically normal dogs undergoing general anesthesia for ovariohysterectomies that received nonsteriodal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) before surgery. ANIMALS: 40 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURE: After induction of anesthesia, dogs were given an analgesic. Renal function was assessed before surgery and 24 and 48 hours after surgery by means of serum urea and creatinine concentrations, fractional clearance of sodium (FC(Na)), urine gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, and urine analysis. Ten dogs in each of 4 groups received ketorolac tromethamine (0.5 mg/kg of body weight), ketoprofen (1 mg/kg), carprofen (4 mg/kg), or morphine (0.1 mg/kg; control group). RESULTS: Duration of general anesthesia ranged from 1.75 to 5 hours, with a mean of 3 hours. Two ketorolac- and 2 ketoprofen-treated dogs had transient azotemia. A significant decrease in the FC(Na) between before surgery and 24 hours after surgery, and between before surgery and 48 hours after surgery, was found in ketoprofen- and carprofen-treated dogs. Ketorolac-, ketoprofen-, and morphine-treated dogs had a decrease in urine specific gravity. Two ketorolac, 1 ketoprofen-, 1 carprofen-, and 4 morphine-treated dogs had increases in renal tubular epithelial cells on urine sediment examination 24 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In clinically normal dogs undergoing general anesthesia and elective surgery, the use of NSAID as analgesics is not contraindicated. Compared with ketorolac or ketoprofen, carprofen had the least effect on renal function and integrity.