Comparison of perioperative racemic methadone, levo-methadone and dextromoramide in cats using indicators of post-operative pain

OBJECTIVE: To compare three opioid agonist drugs for perioperative analgesia in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blind, controlled, randomised trial. ANIMALS: Ninety client-owned cats, weighing 3.1 (2.1-4.5) kg, aged 14.6 (6.0-84.0) months, were studied. METHODS: Seventy-six cats, scheduled for ovariectomy, received either 0.6 mg kg(-1) racemic methadone, 0.3 mg kg(-1) levo-methadone, 0.05 mg kg(-1) dextromoramide or a saline placebo IM. Behaviour and body position were assessed and scored 20 minutes later by a single 'blinded' observer. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with halothane. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), Fe'CO2 and SpO2 were recorded during anaesthesia. Post-operatively, pain was categorised as absent, moderate or severe, on the basis of appearance, behaviour and response to palpation of the surgical wound (pain score). Appearance, pain scores and physiological variables were monitored every 30 minutes, for a duration of 4 hours. Differences between time-dependent continuous variables were analysed using mixed models for repeated measurements. Differences in categorical, time-dependent variables were analysed using chi2-tests. Significance was set at p < or = 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in appearance after pre-anaesthetic medication. After surgery, there was no association between appearance and pain score with HR or RR. The assessment of pain depended on comparison with the placebo group, by comparing animals' reactions to wound palpation. Sixteen of the 18 cats in the placebo group and 14 of the 19 cats in the dextromoramide group showed signs of moderate-to-severe pain after surgery. In the levo-methadone group (n = 20), one animal showed pain after 60 minutes and two after 120 minutes. One cat in the racemic methadone group (n = 19) showed pain signs and behavioural changes at 60 minutes. Compared to the two methadone groups, 'rescue' analgesia was required more often in cats treated with dextromoramide or saline. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dextromoramide (0.05 mg kg(-1)) was ineffective, while racemic methadone (0.6 mg kg(-1)) and levo-methadone (0.3 mg kg(-1)) provided effective analgesia in cats following ovariectomy, without behavioural, respiratory or cardiovascular side effects.     

Real-time PCR genotyping assay for feline erythrocyte pyruvate kinase deficiency and mutant allele frequency in purebred cats in Japan

Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is an inherited glycolytic erythroenzymopathy caused by mutations of the PKLR gene. A causative mutation of the feline PKLR gene was originally identified in Abyssinian and Somali cats in the U.S.A. In the present study, a TaqMan probe-based real-time PCR genotyping assay was developed and evaluated for rapid genotyping and large-scale screening for this mutation. Furthermore, a genotyping survey was carried out in a population of four popular purebred cats in Japan to determine the current mutant allele frequency. The assay clearly displayed all genotypes of feline PK deficiency, indicating its suitability for large-scale survey as well as diagnosis. The survey demonstrated that the mutant allele frequency in Abyssinian and Somali cats was high enough to warrant measures to control and prevent the disease. The mutant allele frequency was relatively low in Bengal and American Shorthair cats; however, the testing should still be carried out to prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, PK deficiency should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of anemia in purebred cats in Japan as well as worldwide.     

Influence of the Cumulus and Gonadotropins on the Metabolic Profile of Porcine Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes During In Vitro Maturation

The aim of this work was to examine the influence of the cumulus and gonadotropins on the metabolic profile of porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) during in vitro maturation. Immature COCs were assigned to morphological classes A₁ (with a dense cumulus), A₂ (with a translucent cumulus), B₁ (with the corona radiata), B₂ (with only some remaining cumulus cells) and matured with or without gonadotropins. Glycolysis and ammonia production were higher in the A class COCs; gonadotropins increased both, especially in the A₁ COCs (p < 0.05). The A class COCs had the highest initial protein contents and at the end of in vitro maturation. Furthermore, hormonal stimulation induced a similar increase in protein contents of both A classes (p < 0.05). The neutral lipid content and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were similar in the immature oocytes of the COCs of all classes. A reduction was seen in both these variables when maturation proceeded either in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. The cumulus type surrounding the oocyte is related to the metabolism of carbohydrates and amino acids by the COC during in vitro maturation under gonadotropic stimulation. Oocyte lipolytic activity and ROS production appear to be independent of the surrounding cumulus and the presence of gonadotropins.     

First morphological characterization of 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis' using electron microscopy

At least three haemotropic mycoplasmas have been recognized in cats: Mycoplasma haemofelis (Mhf), 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum' (CMhm) and 'Candidatus M. turicensis' (CMt). The latter was originally identified in a Swiss pet cat with haemolytic anaemia and shown to be prevalent in domestic cats and wild felids worldwide using molecular methods. So far, there has been no confirmatory morphological evidence of the existence of CMt presumably due to low blood loads during infection while CMhm has only been characterized by light microscopy with discrepant results. This study aimed to provide for the first time electron microscopic characteristics of CMt and CMhm and to compare them to Mhf. Blood samples from cats experimentally infected with CMt, CMhm and Mhf were used to determine copy numbers in blood by real-time PCR and for transmission and scanning electron microscopy. High resolution scanning electron microscopy revealed CMt and CMhm to be discoid-shaped organisms of 0.3 μm in diameter attached to red blood cells (RBCs). In transmission electron microscopy of CMt, an oval organism of about 0.25 μm with several intracellular electron dense structures was identified close to the surface of a RBC. CMhm and CMt exhibited similar morphology to Mhf but had a smaller diameter. This is the first study to provide morphological evidence of CMt thereby confirming its status as a distinct haemoplasma species, and to present electron microscopic features of CMhm.     

Cross‐sectional observational survey of serum biochemistry values in a population of 69 adult female alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in South Australia

Blood samples were collected from 69 ‘healthy’ female alpacas aged ≥12 months from 11 properties in South Australia. The 10–90 percentile ranges of the 16/19 analytes measured in this sample population were within the published ranges of four healthy alpaca populations from other geographic locations. Marginal exceptions were glutamate dehydrogenase and bicarbonate. Potassium was notably elevated, probably because of haemolysis of some samples. The sample size was insufficient to provide the appropriate statistical power to define diagnostic references ranges according to international standards. The health status of the sample population of alpacas was presumptive based on a physical examination.     

Effect of desmopressin acetate administration on primary hemostasis in Doberman Pinschers with type-1 von Willebrand disease as assessed by a point-of-care instrument

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate primary hemostasis following administration of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) to Doberman Pinschers with type-1 von Willebrand disease (vWD). ANIMALS: 16 nonanemic Doberman Pinschers with type-1 vWD. PROCEDURE: Closure time (CT), defined as time required for occlusion of an aperture by a platelet plug assessed within the point-of-care instrument, plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) concentration, and buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) were determined before and 1 hour after administration of DDAVP (1 microg/kg, SC). RESULTS: Baseline closure times measured with adenosine diphosphate ([ADP-CT], 108 to > 300 seconds; reference range, 52 to 86 seconds) and epinephrine ([EPI-CT], 285 to > 300 seconds; 97 to 225 seconds) as platelet agonists were prolonged in all dogs. Following DDAVP administration, ADP-CT (59 to 186 seconds) was significantly shortened from baseline, but there was no decrease in EPI-CT. Although mean plasma vWF concentration increased significantly after DDAVP administration, only 1 dog had an increase of > 35 U/dL. There was no correlation between increase in plasma vWF concentration and shortening of the ADP-CT. Baseline BMBT was prolonged in 12 of 14 dogs, with significant shortening of BMBT after DDAVP administration in 6 of 7 dogs. In vitro replacement of vWF-deficient plasma with plasma from an unaffected dog shortened the ADP-CT whereas in vitro addition of DDAVP had no effect. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of DDAVP to Doberman Pinschers with type-1 vWD resulted in improved hemostatic function, as assessed by the point-of-care instrument and shortening of BMBT, despite minimal increase in plasma vWF concentration.     

A survey of veterinarian and producer perceptions of herd health services in the Saskatoon milkshed.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the availability, rates of adoption, and producer perceptions of veterinary services in five areas of dairy production medicine: reproduction, milk quality, nutritional consulting, infectious disease control, and heifer rearing. Questionnaires were completed by all veterinary clinics and 86% of the dairy producers in the Saskatoon milkshed. Veterinary perceptions of services offered were compared with farmer perceptions of services received. The veterinary clinics appeared to overestimate their services in the areas of nutritional consulting and heifer rearing. The primary determinant of a producer's perception of being on a herd health program was the occurrence of regularly scheduled reproduction visits. Producers who perceived themselves as being on a herd health program also believed that they received more services in the other four main areas of production medicine. Grouping of producers, based on whether or not herd records were analyzed by their veterinarian, showed a clustering of adopters of more comprehensive herd health services as clients of two practices. This suggests that comprehensive herd health services are not readily available from all veterinary clinics in the Saskatoon milkshed.     

Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in warmblood horses with heart valve regurgitations

ObjectivesThis study measured plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in horses with heart valve regurgitations (HVR) with and without atrial and ventricular dilatation.BackgroundIn humans and small animals, plasma ANP concentration is increased in heart disease and correlates with the severity of clinical signs and heart enlargement.Animals, materials and methodsTen healthy horses (control) and 36 horses with HVR were evaluated by auscultation, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and determination of plasma ANP.ResultsControl horses demonstrated mean plasma ANP concentration of 21 ± 5.4 pg/mL. Of the 36 horses with HVR, 17 horses possessed normal echocardiographic heart size (group 1), 10 horses had a left atrial dilatation (group 2) and 9 horses had both left atrial and ventricular dilatation (group 3). Mean plasma ANP concentration of groups 1, 2 and 3 was 20.1 ± 5.6 pg/mL, 22.9 ± 11.0 pg/mL and 27.6 ± 17.4 pg/mL, respectively. The plasma ANP concentrations of HVR and control horses were not significantly different. The highest ANP concentrations were observed in horses with atrial and ventricular dilatation. No correlation between left atrial or ventricular size, weight, or sex and the plasma ANP concentration was found.ConclusionsNo significant differences in plasma ANP concentration was observed between groups. Further study, especially in horses with clinical signs of heart failure is needed.