Use of wound soaker catheters for the administration of local anesthetic for post-operative analgesia: 56 cases

Objective  To describe the administration of local anesthetic through wound soaker catheters for post-operative veterinary patients and to characterize complications.
Study design  Retrospective study of hospital records.
Animals  Records of patients in which a wound soaker catheter was placed post-operatively between November 1, 2004 and July 1, 2006 at a veterinary teaching hospital. Records in which a limb amputation was performed between January 1, 2002 and August 1, 2007 and in which a wound soaker catheter was not placed were reviewed for historic control.
Results  A total of 56 cases were identified in which a wound soaker catheter was placed post-operatively including 52 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 goats. Twenty canine cases were identified in which limb amputation was performed and no wound soaker catheter was placed. The majority of surgical procedures for which a wound soaker catheter was placed included thoracic limb amputation (46.4%) and pelvic limb amputation (35.7%). Wound soaker catheters remained in place for an average of 1.6 ± 0.5 days. Feline and caprine patients received intermittent bupivacaine boluses every 6 hours. Canine patients received continuous lidocaine infusions. Complications included disconnection of the catheter from the infusion (7.7%), one seroma, and one suspected lidocaine neurotoxicity. Incisional infections were noted in 3/56 (5.3%) limb amputations with wound soaker catheters placed which was not higher than the incisional infection rate found in the historic control cases 3/20 (15%).
Conclusion and clinical relevance  Use of the wound soaker catheter was a viable means of providing local analgesia in post-operative veterinary patients. Studies are needed to evaluate efficacy of pain management, and to further investigate techniques for catheter placement and maintenance which may help to optimize the analgesia achieved using this technique.     

THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE PULMONARY VASCULATURE IN THE CAT

The purpose of this study was to determine the dimensions of the pulmonary arteries and veins in the cat, both in normal animals and those with evidence of intrathoracic disease. The radiographs of 50 normal cats, 35 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and 15 cats with other intrathoracic disease were assessed. The normal range for the right cranial lobar artery compared with the proximal third of the fourth rib was 0.5-1.0, with a mean artery-to-rib ratio of 0.70 (standard deviation +/- 0.13). Normal cats had a mean vein diameter of (0.20 +/- 0.03 cm) (P = 0.034) compared with cats with HCM, which had a significantly greater mean vein diameter (0.22 +/- 0.04 cm).     

Biomechanical Comparison of Six Suture Configurations Using a Large Diameter Polyester Prosthesis in the Muscular Process of the Equine Arytenoid Cartilage

Objective— To compare biomechanical properties of 6 suture configurations using a large diameter polyester prosthesis in the muscular process (MP) of the arytenoid cartilage and to determine failure mode.
Study Design— Experimental study.
Sample Population— Cadaveric equine larynges (n=121).
Methods— Suture configurations (4 single, 2 double) were inserted, and then constructs were tested in a single-cycle to failure at a 100 mm/min distraction. Load deformation curves were generated to assess the biomechanical properties of each construct. A 1-way ANOVA was used to compare the mean differences in construct failure force, cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) disarticulation force, and energy stored at failure. A 2-sample t-test was used to compare single versus double suture patterns and a Fisher's exact test was used to compare failure mode.
Results— Both construct and CAJ failure force were significantly greater ( P <.05) for double suture patterns compared with single suture patterns; however, there were no significant differences in energy stored at construct failure. Failure at the MP accounted for ≥50% of construct failures for 3 of the single suture patterns and 1 of the double suture patterns tested. The remaining 2 patterns had an increased frequency of clamp failures as well as failure of the cricoid cartilage.
Conclusions— Sutures that sufficiently engage the spine of the MP alone or in conjunction with a second suture were found to be biomechanically superior.
Clinical Relevance— Engaging the spine of the MP appears to result in the most biomechanically sound laryngeal construct.     

Liver Size,Bodyweight, and Tolerance to Acute Complete Occlusion of Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Dogs

Objective— To investigate the relationship between preoperative liver size, bodyweight, and tolerance to shunt occlusion in dogs with congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt(s) (CPSS). Study Design— Longitudinal cohort study. Animals— Dogs with CPSS (n=35). Methods— Ultrasonography was used to measure preoperative maximum transverse dimension of the liver (TS) of each dog. Intraoperative portal pressures were measured, before and after CPSS occlusion, via a jejunal vein catheter. Tolerance to shunt occlusion was judged on gross visceral observations, and on changes in portal pressure, central venous and mean arterial pressures. Results— TS was significantly related to bodyweight (P<.05). Mean ratios for TS/bodyweight were calculated for dogs tolerant and intolerant of acute complete shunt occlusion. Dogs tolerant to occlusion had significantly higher TS/bodyweight ratios than dogs intolerant to occlusion (P=.025). Dogs with a TS/bodyweight ratio of >7 were more likely to tolerate CPSS occlusion than dogs with a TS/bodyweight ratio of <5 (P=.036). A model was generated to predict portal pressure rise after shunt occlusion, based on liver dimensions and bodyweight (R=0.668). Intestinal oxygenation did not correlate significantly with tolerance to CPSS occlusion (P=.29). Conclusion— In dogs with CPSS, liver size (relative to bodyweight) is significantly greater (P=.025) in dogs that are tolerant of full ligation than intolerant of occlusion. Clinical Relevance— Preoperative measurement of bodyweight and liver size help indicate the likelihood of tolerance to acute complete occlusion of CPSS in dogs.     

改善管理方法控制猪的传染性疾病

20世纪90年代在英国出现新的猪病如PMWS／PDNS,迫使人们开始重新评估现有的生产系统,疫苗已经不能解决所有问题,养猪场必须采用改进管理方法来控制疾病。如PRRS,离开了综合饲养管理,疫苗仍然不起作用。本文涵盖各种控制疾病的基本饲养管理方法,每个场则须针对各自情况采用合适的方法。     

Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Modified Oxylipins from the Shipworm Symbiont Teredinibacter turnerae

The bioactivity-guided purification of the culture broth of the shipworm endosymbiont Teredinibacter turnerae strain 991H.S.0a.06 yielded a new fatty acid, turneroic acid (1), and two previously described oxylipins (2–3). Turneroic acid (1) is an 18-carbon fatty acid decorated by a hydroxy group and an epoxide ring. Compounds 1–3 inhibited bacterial biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis, while only 3 showed antimicrobial activity against planktonic S. epidermidis. Comparison of the bioactivity of 1–3 with structurally related compounds indicated the importance of the epoxide moiety for selective and potent biofilm inhibition.     

Intracapsular Prostatic Omentalization: A New Technique for Management of Prostatic Abscesses in Dogs

Twenty dogs with abscessation of the prostate gland were treated by celiotomy, drainage, and digital exploration of the gland through bilateral capsulectomy wounds. Omentum was introduced through the capsulectomy wounds and packed into the abscess cavities around the prostatic urethra. Most dogs were discharged from the hospital within 48 hours of the surgery. Long-term resolution of the problem (no recurrence within 12 months) was achieved in 19 dogs. One dog had recurrent abscessation that was managed by the placement of dependant Penrose drains. Temporary tube cystostomy was performed postoperatively in one dog for the management of transient dysuria. One dog with septic peritonitis resulting from preoperative abscess rupture was managed by concurrent open peritoneal drainage. Intracapsular prostatic omentalization was a simple and effective means of managing prostatic abscessation with minimal requirement for postoperative hospitalization of the patient. The frequency of serious complications, including postoperative urinary incontinence, was low.