Effect of poll flexion and dynamic laryngeal collapse on tracheal pressure in Norwegian Coldblooded Trotter racehorses

Reason for performing study: Dynamic laryngeal collapse (DLC) associated with poll flexion is a newly diagnosed upper respiratory tract obstructive disorder that causes poor racing performance. Objectives: To determine if Norwegian Coldblooded Trotters (NCTs) affected with DLC associated with poll flexion differ from normal, elite NCTs based on simple airway mechanics measurements. Methods: Five normal elite NCTs and 6 NCTs diagnosed previously with DLC underwent treadmill videoendoscopy while tracheal pressures were measured continuously. Alternating head positions were used such that horses were exercised with free head carriage and induced poll flexion at heart rates >200 beats/min. Results: Peak inspiratory tracheal pressures were significantly more negative for horses with DLC compared to the elite horses. This difference was only significant during the exercise phases when the poll region was flexed, P = 0.0015. Head position significantly affected peak inspiratory pressure for both elite and affected horses, P<0.0001. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Induced poll flexion significantly affected peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) in all horses; however, PIPs were significantly more negative in those affected with DLC. Based upon the tracheal pressure measurements recorded in this study, DLC in NCTs is a severe obstructive upper respiratory tract disorder that is induced by poll flexion.     

Radical surgical resection of locally invasive oro-cutaneous tumors in the buccal region of 2 horses

OBJECTIVE: To report treatment and wound healing after radical surgical mass excision in the equine buccal region. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case reports. ANIMALS: An 11-year-old Warmblood gelding and a 9-year-old Norwegian Trotter gelding. METHODS: Large tumoral masses were removed from the buccal region by radical electrosurgery, creating large defects into the oral cavity. Wound ultimately healed by second intention. RESULTS: Buccal defects in both horses healed well by second intention without tumor recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Locally invasive tumors involving the cheek region of the horse can be successfully treated by radical electroexcision alone, creating transmural defects up to 14 cm length x 8 cm height. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Large transmural defects in the cheek region of the horse, formed by radical surgery can heal satisfactorily by second intention healing without undue discomfort to the patient or major complications.     

Assessment of current and proposed nature reserves of Mexico based on their capacity to protect geophysical features and biodiversity

Mexico currently has 144 nature reserves covering approximately 9.1% of its land area. These reserves were established for a variety of reasons—often unrelated to the protection of biodiversity. In 2000 in response to a growing concern about the lack of organized conservation reserve planning to protect the important threatened biological and physical features of Mexico, the Mexican Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) proposed the establishment of 151 new reserves for Mexico covering 51,429,500 ha. We compiled a GIS analysis using digital thematic maps of physical and biological features to examine how the existing and proposed reserves serve to protect the biodiversity and physical features of the country. Using a conservation target of placing a minimum of 12% of the land area of each important biophysical feature in nature reserves, we found that the 144 existing nature reserves covering 18 million ha (9% of the country) only meet that target for elevation ranges >3000 m and areas with poor soils. These mountainous areas represent less than 1% of the country. The gaps in the existing nature reserves network occur mainly at lower and intermediate elevations (<3000 m) areas with xeric, tropical, and temperate ecosystems, and high productivity soils. The areas proposed by CONABIO increase the proportion of protected lands in the country to over 27% and most of the conservation targets for geophysical features, and land cover, categories are met. Whether this area would be sufficient to maintain viable populations and ecological integrity of species and ecosystems is unknown. Even with the new reserves, low elevation coastal lands would be below the conservation target in the nature reserves. To include a representative sample of these lands would be difficult as these are the same areas where the majority of people live.     

A model strategy for the simulation of chlorinated hydrocarbon distributions in the global environment

A model strategy that can be used for the study of global distributions of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the environment is presented. In this first approach the number of compartments and processes are kept on a minimum level by only considering the atmosphere, ocean and soil. Important processes are simulated or replaced by simple parameterizations, while processes believed to be less important are temporally omitted. The transport in the atmosphere is simulated by a simple two-dimensional zonally averaged model with a rather coarse resolution of 6 equally spaced latitude zones and 4 vertical layers. The soil is included in the model by dividing the continents into the same latitude zones as the atmosphere, and the land area in each zone into an uncultivated part and a cultivated part where pesticides may be incorporated. A model for tracer transport in the ocean which combines the features of the box and box-diffusion models has been modified for use in this study. Material is exchanged between the compartments by the processes believed to be most important in the real environment. The model is tested by simulating the life cycle of the α and γ isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane in the environment. The emissions of the two isomers are estimated from the total world consumption of HCH, and it is assumed that a fraction of 50% is lost to the atmosphere for long range transport during application or during the first days therefore. Comparison with observations indicates that in spite of the many assumptions and uncertain parameters the model is able to reproduce the atmospheric and oceanic concentration levels of εHCH. The HCH simulation indicates that the presented model strategy is usable when the aim is to increase the understanding of chlorinated hydrocarbons in the global environment. For the prediction of concentration levels in specific areas on the other hand, the present model strategy does not apply. The resolution of the model is too coarse and the simplifications are too extensive for such estimates to be valid.     

Production responses to internal parasite control in dairy cattle

A significant increase in milk production, averaging 164 litres per cow per lactation (a 4.8% increase), was seen after cows infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, paramphistomes and Fasciola hepatica were treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintics. Three hundred and ninety pairs of cows from eight herds with year-round calving were studied. One cow in each matched pair was given 7.5 mg/kg fenbendazole, 7.5 mg/kg levamisole hydrochloride and 15 mg/kg oxyclozanide in March, May and August of one year; the other cow in the pair received no anthelmintic. The number of nematode and trematode eggs was significantly decreased in the faeces of treated cows.     

Resuscitation of an anaesthetised foal with uroperitoneum and ventricular asystole

A 2‐day‐old male Quarter Horse foal was diagnosed with uroperitoneum and ruptured bladder. Intravenous fluid therapy was initiated prior to anaesthesia and repeated unsuccessful attempts were made to drain the abdomen of accumulated urine. Prior to anaesthesia the foal exhibited clinical signs of abdominal compartment syndrome. When anaesthetised the accumulated urine was drained by free flow through a small abdominal stab incision after aseptic site preparation. A few minutes later electrocardiography indicated second degree atrioventricular block which progressed into third degree atrioventricular block and ventricular asystole. The foal was resuscitated by closed chest compressions, mechanical ventilation, sympathomimetic and antimuscarinergic drugs. When anaesthetising these neonatal patients one must be prepared to handle potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias and, prior to surgery, the danger posed by increased intra‐abdominal pressure should be weighed against the need for diluting plasma potassium.