The oxygen uptake capacity of swine

Comprehensive studies into domestic pigs and wild boars together with literature data provided a basis for an assessment of aerobic metabolic capacity (VO2max) of swine. The values quoted, from 20 to 94 ml/min-1/kg, had been due to several factors of methodological approach, growth, training, and nutrition as well as to pathophysiological aspects. For full capacity utilisation of VO2max, untrained pigs can be challenged at belt velocities between 0.8 and 1.8 m/s-1 and trained animals at 5 m/s-1.     

Technetium-99m-HDP uptake characteristics in equine fractures: a retrospective study

Bone scintigraphy is a very sensitive diagnostic tool to detect elevated bone metabolism. In cases of fractures and fissure fractures, the radiopharmaceutical uptake in the bone is said to be increased within a few hours after the injury. In this retrospective study, the scintigraphic uptake characteristics at the fracture site of 36 horses with radiographically confirmed fractures or fissure fractures were evaluated. Uptake ratios between the fracture region and adjacent normal bone or soft tissue activity respectively were calculated and compared to different anamnestic and radiographic data. The overall sensitivity of bone scintigraphy was 94.4% (34 positive cases out of 36). In the 36 horses, no correlation between the age of the fracture and the radiopharmaceutical uptake was found. However, there seems to be a lack of sensitivity in early detection of equine pelvic fractures when a standing bone scintigraphy examination protocol is used.     

Studies of cardiac pathomorphology in swine which died during transport

The following findings were obtained from pathomorphological examination of the myocardium of 100 pigs which had died on transport: Degenerative or necrobiotic changes of certain myocardial fibres were recorded from 73 per cent of all cases, usually in the form of granular degeneration (60 per cent). They were "scattered" in 33 per cent of all cases, "multiple" in 22 per cent, and "frequent" in five per cent. In 26 per cent, the myocardial fibres had undergone coarse granular or hyalin plaque-type decomposition, among them with "scattered" manifestation in 15 per cent, "multiple" in four per cent, "frequent" in five per cent, and "massive" in two per cent. Moderate focal resorptive myositis was recorded from eight per cent, while earlier myocardial scars were exhibited by four per cent. The figure for reactive inflammatory processes was twelve per cent. Prestatic hyperaemia of different degrees had taken place in 75 per cent of all animals, and it had been accompanied by varied congestion. The following results were obtained from comparative checks of 100 hearts of clinically intact pigs after slaughter under normal conditions: Granular degeneration was recorded only from 18 per cent of all cases, with actual manifestations "scattered" in 16 per cent and "multiple" in two per cent. Their myocardial fibres had undergone coarse granular or hyalin plaque-type decomposition of moderate intensity in three per cent only, all of them having been "scattered". Reactive inflammatory changes were not recorded at all and signs of prestatic hyperaemia only in 46 per cent. The degenerative-necrobiotic alterations of myocardial fibres which had been observed in the context of death on transport are interpreted as a result of hypoxaemic or hypoxic conditions accompanying acute shock-type circulatory failure in pigs.     

Plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion of ivermectin (Eqvalan paste) and doramectin (Dectomax, 1%) following oral administration in donkeys

Ivermectin (IVM- Eqvalan paste, 1.87%) and doramectin (DRM-Dectomax 1%) were each administered orally to donkeys at 200 microgkg(-1) bodyweight. Blood and faecal samples were collected at predetermined times over 30 days and plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion determined. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of IVM (23.6 ngml(-1)) and DRM (33.9 ngml(-1)) were obtained at (t(max)) 19.2 and 24h, respectively. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) of DRM (228.9 ngdayml(-1)) was significantly larger than that of IVM (119.3 ngdayml(-1)) and mean residence time (MRT) was 6.5 days for IVM and 9.1days for DRM. The highest (dry weight) faecal concentrations (9.33 microgg(-1) - IVM, 12.12 microgg(-1) - DRM) were detected at 55.9 and 48.0 h, respectively and each compound was detected (0.05 microgg(-1)) in faeces between 11h and 9 days following oral administration in donkeys.     

Computed tomography of the lungs of Indian pythons (Python molurus)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of computed tomography (CT) for detection of pneumonia in snakes. ANIMALS: 8 clinically normal Indian pythons (Python molurus) and 5 pythons with evidence of respiratory tract disease. PROCEDURES: Preliminary examinations (clinical examination, conventional radiography, and microbiologic examination of a transtracheal wash sample) were performed. The lungs of each snake were then examined by use of CT performed in accordance with a standardized protocol. Structures of the lungs were assessed, and thickness and attenuation of the parenchyma were determined. RESULTS: It was possible to assess lung parenchyma in all pythons. Mean +/- SD attenuation in healthy pythons was -744.4 +/- 47.1 Hounsfield units. Significant differences were not evident between the right and left lungs or among measurement areas within a lung. In all Indian pythons with clinical signs of dyspnea and microbiologic detection of pathogens, hyperattenuation of the alveolar tissue was evident. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Analysis of the results revealed the benefit of CT for use in the diagnosis of pneumonia in snakes. A standardized protocol and reference values were established as a basis for CT assessment of the lungs of snakes.     

DNA diagnosis in veterinary medicine: II. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

DNA diagnostic has become very important for genetic and infectious diseases. With a new method, called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), specific pieces of genomes from viruses, bacteria, parasites or even cells can be amplified more than hundred million fold in a very short time period. For the following reasons this opens a new dimension in diagnostics: (1) The technique is so sensitive that a single virus, bacterium, parasite or cell is sufficient to be detected provided part of its nucleic acid sequence is known. (2) The material does neither need to be fresh nor be stored under special conditions since the nucleic acids are much more stable than e.g. enzymes or other proteins. (3) The method is quicker than the usual immunodetection methods. (4) The polymerase chain reaction has been standardized recently so that it can be carried out in diagnostic laboratories. The purpose of this minireview is to give an introduction into the basic technique and to mention possible and already existing applications in veterinary medicine.     

Serum insulin concentrations in horses with equine Cushing's syndrome: response to a cortisol inhibitor and prognostic value

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Serum insulin concentration and its use as a prognostic indicator in horses with equine Cushing's syndrome (ECS) have been poorly documented. OBJECTIVES: To examine daily insulin variations in horses with ECS and the effect of treatment using trilostane, a competitive inhibitor of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Further, we aimed to examine the relationship between baseline serum insulin concentration and survival in horses with ECS. METHODS: Basal serum insulin concentrations were measured in 20 confirmed ECS cases by taking blood at regular 4 h intervals for 24 h (1200, 1600, 2000, 2400, 0400 and 0800 h) before treatment (Day 0) and 10 days, and 30 days and 1-2 years after the onset of trilostane therapy. The temporal pattern of insulin was analysed using a linear mixed model approach, and the prognostic value of measurements on Day 0 assessed using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Horses with ECS showed a diurnal pattern of serum insulin concentration, highest value at 1200 h, and this pattern was not altered by treatment with trilostane. Furthermore, despite a mild increase of serum insulin concentrations after 10 days of trilostane therapy, insulin concentration was unaffected in the long-term. Low serum insulin concentrations at the beginning of the trial were significantly associated with improved survival to 1-2 years. The 1200 h sampling before treatment had the highest prognostic value for prediction of survival with a sensitivity and specificity of at least 90% for serum insulin at < 62 and > 188 microu/ml to predict survival and nonsurvival, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Insulin is a useful prognostic indicator for ECS, but potentially large variations can occur throughout a 24 h period, indicating a single sample may not be representative. Serum insulin concentration did not increase over 1-2 years in horses receiving trilostane therapy.