Diet and lifestyle variables as risk factors for chronic renal failure in pet cats

A case-control study examining diet and lifestyle variables to generate hypotheses of potential risk factors for chronic renal failure in pet cats was conducted in five private practices in Texas, USA and at the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. A telephone questionnaire was used to gather information from owners of 38 cats newly diagnosed with CRF between December 1994 and 1995 and from owners of 56 control cats. Factor analysis was used to determine whether composite variables should be constructed to summarize the nutritional predictors adequately. The composite variables and other lifestyle variables were analyzed with logistic-regression. Three final exploratory models were developed: ad libitum feeding with fiber; ad libitum with Factor-2 (a composite variable composed of fiber, magnesium, protein, sodium and ash); and fiber alone. Ad libitum feeding and increased ash intake were associated with increased odds of CRF; increased dietary fiber, magnesium, protein and sodium were associated with decreased odds of CRF.     

An improved TLC method for the detection of flunixin in equine serum

A method for flunixin detection in equine serum extracts involving thin layer chromatography, spraying the chromatogram with alkaline sodium hypochlorite solution and heating with a detection limit of 50 ng ml-1 is described.     

Jupiter's nightside airglow and aurora

Observations of Jupiter's nightside airglow (nightglow) and aurora obtained during the flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft show an unexpected lack of ultraviolet nightglow emissions, in contrast to the case during the Voyager flybys in 1979. The flux and average energy of precipitating electrons generally decrease with increasing local time across the nightside, consistent with a possible source region along the dusk flank of Jupiter's magnetosphere. Visible emissions associated with the interaction of Jupiter and its satellite Io extend to a surprisingly high altitude, indicating localized low-energy electron precipitation. These results indicate that the interaction between Jupiter's upper atmosphere and near-space environment is variable and poorly understood; extensive observations of the day side are no guide to what goes on at night.     

Results of a survey of small-animal practitioners on the perceived clinical efficacy and safety of an oral nutraceutical

A mail survey of 3080 practitioners from two sampling frames was used to determine the perceived clinical efficacy and safety of an oral nutraceutical for the treatment of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in small animals. Overall response rate was 82%, of which 64% reported that they were recommending the oral nutraceutical to their clients. There was a high variability reported between the severity of DJD and response to treatment. Sixty-eight percent of practitioners reported lame dogs older than five years to be the most responsive to treatment. Most practitioners (83%) believed response to treatment with the studied product occurred within four weeks. Practitioners using the product rated the clinical efficacy of the product to be either 'good' or 'excellent' in improving mobility, alleviating pain and improving attitude in the majority of the treated animals. No practitioner reported a worsening of pain, mobility or attitude. Self-reported adverse effects were 2% (the most common was gastrointestinal upset). The results of this survey indicated that perceived clinical efficacy of the studied nutraceutical in the treatment of DJD was regarded to be 'good' or 'excellent' by most of the practitioners who use this product and was considered to be safe with minimal side effects. This provides additional information on the product for use in planning future clinical trials.     

Cardiovascular effects of doxacurium chloride in isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs

The cardiovascular effects of doxacurium were studied in 6 isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs. Each dog was anaesthetised twice, receiving doxacurium (0.008 mg/kg bwt) or placebo iv. Dogs were ventilated to normocapnia. Heart rate, cardiac index, systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures, stroke volume, pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and pulmonary arterial pressure were determined. Neuromuscular blockade was assessed using the train-of-four technique. After recording baseline values, dogs randomly received either doxacurium or placebo iv, and data were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 min. At 120 min, dogs treated with doxacurium received edrophonìum (0.5 mg/kg bwt iv) to antagonise neuromuscular blockade; dogs treated with placebos received saline iv. No statistically significant differences were detected after doxacurium compared to placebo. In both the doxacurium and placebo groups, significant increases in systolic arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, and stroke volume and a significant decrease in systemic vascular resistance occurred with time. Doxacurium depressed twitch tension 100% in all dogs (time to maximal twitch depression, 11 ± 7 min). First twitch tension was less than 10% of baseline values in all dogs at the time (120 min) of edrophonium administration. Additional edrophonium (1.0 ± 0.4 mg/kg iv) was required to obtain a fourth twitch to first twitch ratio of greater than 0.70. In conclusion, doxacurium is a long-acting neuromuscular blocking agent with no significant cardiovascular effects in isoflurane-anesthetised dogs. In dogs, doxacurium is indicated primarily for long surgical procedures requiring neuromuscular blockade and cardiovascular stability.