Diphenhydramine Intoxication in a Dog1

We report a case of diphenhydramine intoxication in a dog. A five month old intact male Labrador Retriever was presented after ingesting approximately 36 diphenhydramine tablets (50 mg/tablet; approximate ingested dose of 1800 mg or 67 mg/kg). Physical examination findings included severe ataxia, profound disorientation, severe continuous spastic muscle tremors, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hyperesthesia. The dog was unresponsive to intravenous diazepam and phenobarbital, but rapidly responded to an intravenous bolus and subsequent continuous infusion of guaifenesin and supportive fluid therapy. The serum diphenhydramine level on admission was 537 ng/ml. The toxic level is not reported for dogs, but is considered>60 ng/ml in people. The dog was discharged 24 hours after admission with no apparent residual effects.     

Combinations of high-moisture harvested sorghum grain and dry-rolled corn: effects on site and extent of digestion in beef heifers

To determine the effects of blends of high-moisture harvested sorghum grain (HMS) and dry-rolled corn (DRC) on site and extent of digestion, high-grain diets were fed to Angus-Hereford heifers (315 kg) in a 5 x 5 latin square. The grain portion consisted of ratios (HMS:DRC) of 0:100, 25:75, 50:50, 75:25 and 100:0. Heifers were equipped with ruminal, duodenal and ileal T-type cannulas. Digestibilities of OM (P less than .05) and non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN; P less than .01) in the total tract declined linearly as HMS replaced DRC. Chyme flow (liters/d) through the duodenum increased linearly (P less than .01), and true ruminal OM disappearance tended to decline linearly (P less than .10) as HMS replaced DRC. A quadratic response (P less than .05) in extent of starch disappearance (g/d) in the rumen was noted; blends were lower than either individual grain. Ruminal escape of feed N tended to be quadratic (P less than .10); values for individual grain types were greater than blends. Microbial efficiency increased linearly (P less than .05) as HMS replaced DRC. Extent of starch digestion in the rumen averaged 82.7% compared to only 2.9% in the small intestine and 5.7% in the large intestine. Altering the ratio of HMS to DRC appeared to have more effect on ruminal fermentation than on digestion in the small intestine; most starch and nitrogen responses were quadratic. Increases in ruminal pH and chyme flow, potentially caused by increased salivary flow, may cause non-linear changes in the solubility of proteins in HMS and DRC, when fed as blends, altering the digestibility of protein and starch from values predicted from the individual grains.     

Changes in Placental Hormone Secretion After Dexamethasone Treatment in Cattle

Contents Catheters were surgically placed in the uterine artery and vein of four control and four dexamethasone (DXMS)-treated cows on days 248 or 249 of gestation; at the same time the corpus luteum was removed and all animals were treated with 10 mg chlormadinone acetate i.m. daily to maintain pregnancy. After one day of blood sampling which began on day 250, animals received either 20 mg DXMS crystalline suspension i.m. or only the vehicle solution. Blood sampling was then continued for five additional days. Plasma was assayed for unconjugated estrone (E1), progesterone (P4), and pregnenolone (P5). Concentrations of El were higher in the venous samples (p < 0.02) and increased over time (p < 0.02). There was a site x time interaction (p < 0.05) and a significant effect of DXMS-treatment on the linear component (p < 0.02) of the slope values for the El concentrations for both sampling sites. Concurrently, there was an effect of time on P4 concentrations (p lt; 0.01), the venous P4 concentrations were higher (p < 0.01), and there was also a site x time interaction (p < 0.01) but not treatment effect. There was no significant effect on concentrations of P5 between treatment goups or sampling sites. It is concluded that DXMS activates the synthetic system(s) involved in production of estrone in the cow during late pregnancy. This change in estrone synthesis occurred at an increasing rate during the 5 day sampling period. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the placenta must be capable of utilizing precursors in the cholesterol or pregnenolone group for estrone synthesis and that the major pathway could be the delta-5 pathway. Inhalt: Veränderungen in der placentären Hormonsekretion beim Rind nach Behandlung mit Dexamethason. Bei insgesamt 8 Kühen wurden am 248./249. Tag der Trächtigkeit Katheter in die Vena und Arteria uterina eingelegt, gleichzeitig wurde das Corpus luteum entfernt und zur Aufrechterhaltung der Gravidität wurden 10 mg Chlormadinonacetat täglich während der gesamten Versuchsdauer i.m. verabreicht. Nach einer ersten Blutentnahmeperiode am Tag 250 erhielten jeweils 4 Tiere entweder 20 mg Dexamethason (kristalline Suspension) bzw. das Vehikel (Kontrollguppe) i.m. verabreicht. Die Blutentnahmen erfolgten über weitere 5 Tage, erfaßt wurde der Verlauf von freiem Estron, Progesteron und Pregnenolon. Die in der Vena uterina gemessenen Estronkonzentrationen lagen jeweils höher (p < 0,02) als in der entsprechenden Arterie und stiegen bis zum Ende des Experiments an (p < 0,02). Weiterhin zeigte sich eine Interaktion zwischen dem Ort der Blutentnahme und dem Zeitpunkt (p < 0,05), der Anstieg der Estronkonzen-trationen nach der Behandlung mit Dexamethason war – bezogen auf die lineare Komponente – sigifikant erhöht (p < 0,02). Für P4 ergab sich ein deutlicher Abfall (p < 0,01), wobei in der Vena uterina stets höhere Werte gemessen wurden als in der Arteria uterina (p < 0,01). Auch hier war eine Interaktion zwischen dem Zeitpunkt und dem Ort der Blutentnahme gegeben (p < 0,01), allerdings konnte ein Behandlungs-effekt nicht dargestellt werden. Für Pregnenolon ergaben sich keine Unterschiede zwischen Arteria und Vena uterina sowie den Behandlungsgruppen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß eine einmalige Behandlung mit Dexamethason zu einer zunehmenden Steigerung der Estronproduktion führt, im Hinblick auf die unveränderte Progesteronsekretion wird geschlossen, daß dabei eher der Delta-5-Syntheseweg zugrundeliegen könnte und daß die entsprechenden Precursoren auf der Ebene des Cholesterins oder Prepenolons zu suchen sind.     

Serological prevalence of bovine babesiosis in Mali

Summary A serological survey of cattle in Mali was carried out to determine the prevalence of antibody activity toBabesia bovis andB. bigemina. It was found that the level ofB. bovis infection as indicated by antibody activities was too low to be of immediate concern. However, the serological prevalence ofB. bigemina was high and this may indicate a potential disease problem. It was also found that when zebu and N'Dama cattle grazed together the N'Dama were twice as likely to have positive titres toBabesia as were the zebus.

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Prevalencia Serologica De Babesiosis Bovina En Mali

Resumen Se llevó a cabo un análisis serológico en Malí, para detectar la prevalencia deBabesia bovis yBabesia bigemina. Se encontró, que la prevalencia serológica deB. bovis es baja para considerar la enfermedad una amenaza inmediata. Sinembargo, la prevalencia deB. bigemina fué alta, un problema potencial. Tambien se encontró, que cuando el ganado Cebu y N'Dama pastorea junto, el N'Dama presenta el doble de títulos serológicos deB. bigemina.

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Frequence Serologique De La Babesiose Bovine Au Mali

Résumé Une enquête sérologique sur le bétail au Mali a été effectuée pour déterminer la fréquence de l'activité des anticorps àBabesia bovis etB. bigemina. On a trouvé que le degré d'infection àB. bovis tel qu'indiqué par les réactions anticorps était trop faible pour constituer un souci immédiat. Cependant la fréquence sérologique deB. bigemina était élevée, ce qui peut indiquer un problème pathologique potentiel. On a aussi noté que lorsque les zébus et les N'Dama broûtaient ensemble, les N'Dama avaient deux fois plus de chance d'avoir des titres positifs àBabesia que ne l'avaient les zébus.

     

Small intestinal foreign body in an adult Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus)

A 14-month-old female Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) was presented with a 4-week history of bloody diarrhea and depression. No additional information could be gained from physical examination. Only selected diagnostic tests (faecal examination, haematocrit, aspartate aminotransferase, and uric acid) could be performed due to financial constraints, but all where within reference range. Unspecific antibiotic treatment was started and the bird responded well initially, but had to be readmitted 2.5 weeks after initial presentation. Four weeks after initial presentation the owner finally consented to taking whole body radiographs and a diagnosis of an intestinal foreign body could be made. The foreign body was surgically removed 2 days later. The bird recovered uneventfully after surgery and was still in good health 1 year after surgery. This article emphasises the importance of diagnostic imaging in the avian patient. A brief review of avian gastrointestinal foreign bodies is given (concentrating on the psittacine patient) and the importance of distinguishing metallic from non-metallic gastrointestinal foreign bodies are discussed.     

Evaluation of surveillance and sample collection methods to document freedom from infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in cattle populations

OBJECTIVES: To assess the sensitivity of the current surveillance program used in Denmark for detecting outbreaks of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) at the herd level and to evaluate the impact of alternative sample collection strategies on the sensitivity of the system in an acceptable time frame. SAMPLE POPULATION: Data from the Danish Central Husbandry Register on cattle of 24,355 and 25,233 beef herds and on 13,034 and 12,003 dairy herds in the years 2000 and 2001, respectively. PROCEDURES: Surveillance programs were evaluated under current sample collection conditions and under 3 alternative scenarios by use of simulation modeling. Data from the current detection component of the surveillance system were used as input, taking into consideration the sensitivity and specificity of bulktank milk and serologic testing. RESULTS:The current system identifies infected dairy herds within a 3-month period with desired accuracy largely because of the test characteristics and number of bulk-tank milk samples. The system is less likely to detect infected beef herds in a timely manner because surveillance in beef herds depends solely on serologic testing at the time of slaughter. The efficiency of surveillance in dairy cattle herds was not decreased substantially when the slaughter-surveillance component was omitted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Geographically targeted sample collection during the high-risk season (winter) was predicted to increase the probability of rapid detection of IBR infection in cattle. This approach can be used for assessing other surveillance systems to determine the best strategies for detection of infected herds.     

Effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome and effect of surgical technique on limb function after surgery for rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament (RCCL) and injury to the medial meniscus in Labrador Retrievers. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 131 Labrador Retrievers with unilateral RCCL and injury to the medial meniscus and 17 clinically normal Labrador Retrievers. PROCEDURE: Affected dogs had partial or complete medial meniscectomy and lateral suture stabilization (LSS), intracapsular stabilization (ICS), or tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Limb function was measured before surgery and 2 and 6 months after surgery. Treated dogs were evaluated to determine the probability that they could be differentiated from clinically normal dogs and tested to determine the likelihood that they achieved improvement. RESULTS: No difference was found between LSS or TPLO groups, but dogs treated with ICS had significantly lower ground reaction forces at 2 and 6 months. Compared with clinically normal dogs only, 14.9% of LSS-, 15% of ICS-, and 10.9% of TPLO-treated dogs had normal limb function. Improvement was seen in only 15% of dogs treated via ICS, 34% treated via TPLO, and 40% treated via LSS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical technique can influence limb function after surgery. Labrador Retrievers treated via LSS, ICS, or TPLO for repair for of RCCL and medial meniscal injury managed with partial or complete meniscectomy infrequently achieve normal function. Results of LSS and TPLO are similar and superior to ICS.     

Transstadial and intrastadial experimental transmission of Ehrlichia canis by male Rhipicephalus sanguineus

The acquisition and transmission of rickettsial pathogens by different tick developmental stages has important epidemiological implications. The purpose of this study was to determine if male Rhipicephalus sanguineus can experimentally acquire and transmit Ehrlichia canis in the absence of female ticks. Two trials were performed where nymphal and male R. sanguineus were simultaneously acquisition fed on the same infected donor hosts, and transstadially or intrastadially exposed male ticks were fed on separate pathogen-free dogs as a test for transmission. A single-step p30-based PCR assay was used to test canine and tick hosts for E. canis infections before and after tick feeding. E. canis was detected after either intrastadial or transstadial passage in male ticks, the organism remained detectable in both tick groups after transmission feeding, and both tick groups transmitted the rickettsia to susceptible dogs. Infection of dogs via tick feeding resulted in milder clinical signs and lower antibody titers than intravenous inoculation of carrier blood, but further investigation is needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for this observation. These results demonstrate that male R. sanguineus can take multiple feedings, and that they can both acquire and transmit E. canis in the absence of female ticks. This tick development stage could be important in transmission of E. canis, and perhaps related pathogens, between vertebrate hosts under natural and experimental conditions.