A retrospective study of pathologic findings in the Amazon and Orinoco river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in captivity.

River dolphins are especially susceptible to negative human impacts. For their conservation, attempts of relocation or procreation ex situ may become important in the future to avoid their extinction. Additional knowledge and medical experiences of river dolphin management in captivity may aid such conservation efforts. The medical records and necropsy and histopathology reports on 123 captive Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) were re-viewed. Of these 123 animals, 105 were necropsied and 70 necropsies were supported with histopathology. Eighteen animals were not necropsied. Among wild-born animals, mortality was highest in the first 2 mo immediately postcapture and transport, accounting for 32 of 123 deaths. Pneumonia and skin lesions (cutaneous and subcutaneous ulcerations and abscesses) were the most common findings, found in 44 of 105 (42%) and 38 of 105 (36%) of gross diagnoses, respectively. At least 10 of 44 cases of pneumonia diagnosed grossly included a verminous component. Cachexia, from a variety of causes, was a major gross finding in 21 animals. Fifteen animals had histologic evidence of significant renal pathology, and this was the primary cause of death in 13 cases. Hepatic pathology was found in 18 cases, and bacterial sepsis was confirmed via histology in 16 cases. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that keys to successful maintenance of this species include 1) prophylactic anthelminthic and antibiotic therapy immediately post-capture; 2) maintenance of animals in larger enclosures than in past attempts, in compatible groups, and in facilities capable of separating aggressive animals; 3) maintenance in microbiologically hygienic water quality at all times; and 4) a proactive program of preventive medicine during the immediate postcapture, quarantine, and maintenance period of captivity.     

Baclofen intoxication in a dog successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion coupled with intensive supportive care

Objective: To describe a case of confirmed baclofen intoxication in a dog that was successfully treated with hemodialysis and hemoperfusion (HD/HP) and to report the serum baclofen kinetics. Case summary: A 2.5‐year‐old, 23 kg, spayed female Brittany Spaniel‐mix was treated after ingesting 21‐52 mg/kg of baclofen. The dog was comatose and was receiving manual ventilation at the time of presentation. Extracorporeal HD/HP was started 10 hours after admission. Within 3 hours of starting HD/HP the dog began initiating breaths and was extubated 18 hours after admission. Serial serum samples that were obtained during the first 24 hours of hospitalization were later analyzed for baclofen concentrations. The dog had elevated creatine phosphokinase and liver enzymes that correlated with an agitated recovery period. The dog had thrombocytopenia that resolved by 10 days after presentation. New or unique information provided: HD/HP shortened the baclofen serum elimination half‐life from 5 to 1.5 hours in the initial 2 hours of treatment. The intrinsic elimination rate constant (K_intr) for this dog was 0.138/hour and the total elimination rate constant (K_tot) during the first 2 hours of HD/HP treatment was 0.458/hour. In this dog, HD/HP was an effective method for rapidly decreasing serum baclofen concentration after an acute overdose.     

Genetic, phenotypic and pathogenic diversity among xanthomonads isolated from pistachio (Pistacia vera) in Australia

Repetitive extragenic palindromic polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR), sequencing of the 16S−23S rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), biochemical and physiological tests, the Biolog microplate system, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of whole-cell proteins, and pathogenicity tests were used to characterize variability among xanthomonads isolated from pistachio trees suffering from bacterial dieback in four regions of Australia. ITS sequencing and rep-PCR revealed two distinct genotypes among the strains. The ITS sequencing suggested that the pistachio strains were closely related to Xanthomonas translucens pathovars, in particular X. translucens pv . poae . Results of physiological and biochemical tests, as well as Biolog microplate analysis and protein profiling, confirmed the existence of two groups. Furthermore, pathogenicity and host-range studies indicated that the two groups were biologically different. There was an association between the two groups and the geographical origin of the strains.     

Comparison of the Sensitivity of Landscape-fire-succession Models to Variation in Terrain, Fuel Pattern, Climate and Weather

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of modelled area burned to environmental factors across a range of independently-developed landscape-fire-succession models. The sensitivity of area burned to variation in four factors, namely terrain (flat, undulating and mountainous), fuel pattern (finely and coarsely clumped), climate (observed, warmer & wetter, and warmer & drier) and weather (year-to-year variability) was determined for four existing landscape-fire-succession models (EMBYR, FIRESCAPE, LANDSUM and SEM-LAND) and a new model implemented in the LAMOS modelling shell (LAMOS(DS)). Sensitivity was measured as the variance in area burned explained by each of the four factors, and all of the interactions amongst them, in a standard generalised linear modelling analysis. Modelled area burned was most sensitive to climate and variation in weather, with four models sensitive to each of these factors and three models sensitive to their interaction. Models generally exhibited a trend of increasing area burned from observed, through warmer and wetter, to warmer and drier climates with a 23-fold increase in area burned, on average, from the observed to the warmer, drier climate. Area burned was sensitive to terrain for FIRESCAPE and fuel pattern for EMBYR. These results demonstrate that the models are generally more sensitive to variation in climate and weather as compared with terrain complexity and fuel pattern, although the sensitivity to these latter factors in a small number of models demonstrates the importance of representing key processes. The models that represented fire ignition and spread in a relatively complex fashion were more sensitive to changes in all four factors because they explicitly simulate the processes that link these factors to area burned. The US Government's and the Canadian Government's right to retain a non-exclusive, royalty-free license is acknowledged     

Relationship between physiological factors and clinical pain in dogs scored using a numerical rating scale

A study was designed to investigate the association between heart rate, respiratory rate and pupil dilation and a subjective pain score allocated using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Four groups of dogs (n = 17 to 20 per group) were included: orthopaedic surgery cases, soft tissue surgery cases, dogs with medical conditions and healthy dogs. Each dog was examined by five veterinary surgeons within a four-hour period. When examining each dog, the observers recorded heart rate, respiratory rate, pupil dilation (present or absent) and a pain score using a NRS (range 0 to 10). For surgical cases, all study assessments were carried out between 21 and 27 hours following the end of surgery. The correlation coefficients between physiological parameters and NRS score were small but, depending on the analysis, were significant for heart rate and NRS score (P < 0·05). However, the size of the coefficient, 0·168, indicated that the relationship was not biologically significant. There was no association between respiratory rate and NRS score. Analysis of the relationship between NRS score and pupil dilation indicated that there was an association between this factor and pain, depending on the analysis. This was significant for the surgical groups (P < 0·05) but not for the other groups.
These findings indicate that heart rate and respiratory rate are not useful indicators of pain in hospitalised dogs. It is also unlikely that pupil dilation will be a useful tool in the assessment of pain.     

Economic Impact of Double‐Crested Cormorant,Phalacrocorax auritus,Depredation on Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus,Aquaculture in Mississippi,USA

The Yazoo River Basin of Mississippi, USA, supports the largest concentration of hectares devoted to channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, aquaculture production in North America. The Yazoo Basin also supports large numbers of resident, wintering and migrating fish‐eating birds, with the Double‐crested Cormorant, Phalacrocorax auritus, implicated as the most serious depredating species. We used data from aerial surveys of numbers and distribution of cormorants in the Yazoo Basin and on commercial catfish ponds during winters (November–April) 2000–2001 and 2003–2004 to refine estimates of regional economic losses due to cormorant depredation. In both periods, the greatest monthly estimates of cormorant foraging occurred from 1 January to 31 March. Losses in terms of biomass, number, and dollar value were greater for foodfish ponds than fingerling ponds. Monthly weighted estimates of catfish consumed were 1775.3 and 1346.6 m.t. over winters 2000–2001 and 2003–2004, respectively. Total estimated losses for foodfish and fingerling ponds in 2000–2001 were $11.56 and $0.48 million, respectively, and in 2003–2004 were $5.22 and $0.40 million, respectively. Maximum dollar loss occurred during March in 2000–2001 and during February in 2003–2004. In this study, the volatility in variable production costs and nominal sales price, and distribution of cormorants on pond types and regionally were key factors in resulting economic loss estimates.     

Hemilaminectomy for the treatment of thoracolumbar disc disease in the dog: a follow-uo studv of 40 cases

A study was made of dogs with Hansen type I thoracolumbar disc extrusions that had been treated by hemilaminectomy and fenestration of the affected disc. Follow-up information was available for 40 dogs undergoing treatment over a five-year period. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 72 months (mean 34 months). The case details and the results of treatment of these 40 dogs are presented. All dogs were graded according to the degree of neurological dysfunction at the time of initial presentation and at the conclusion of the study period. Twenty-seven dogs (68 per cent) had no detectable signs of neurological dysfunction or thoracolumbar pain at the final assessment and a further eight dogs (20 per cent) had mild ambulatory paraparesis but were regarded by their owners as functional pets. Recurrence of neurological signs consistent with thoracolumbar disc disease was seen in five dogs (13 per cent) and was successfully resolved completely in one of three dogs that were treated.