Effect of chiropractic manipulations on the kinematics of back and limbs in horses with clinically diagnosed back problems

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Although there is anecdotal evidence of clinical effectiveness of chiropractic in treatment of equine back pain, little scientific work has been reported on the subject. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effect of chiropractic manipulations on back and limb kinematics in horse locomotion. METHODS: Kinematics of 10 Warmblood horses were measured over ground at walk and trot at their own, preferred speed before, and one hour and 3 weeks after chiropractic treatment that consisted of manipulations of the back, neck and pelvic area. Speed was the same during all measurements for each horse. RESULTS: Chiropractic manipulations resulted in increased flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) (P<0.05) at trot in the vertebral angular segments: T10-T13-T17 (0.3 degrees ) and T13-T17-L1 (0.8 degrees ) one hour after treatment, but decreased ROM after 3 weeks. The angular motion patterns (AMPs) of the same segments showed increased flexion at both gaits one hour after treatment (both angles 0.2 degrees at walk and 0.3 degrees at trot, P<0.05) and 3 weeks after treatment (1.0 degrees and 2.4 degrees at walk and 1.9 degrees and 2.9 degrees at trot, P<0.05). The lumbar (L3 and L5) area showed increased flexion after one hour (both angles 0.3 degrees at walk and 0.4 degrees at trot P<0.05), but increased extension after 3 weeks (1.4 degrees and 1.2 degrees , at trot only, P<0.05). There were no detectable changes in lateral bending AMPs. The inclination of the pelvis was reduced at trot one hour (1.6 degrees ) and 3 weeks (3 degrees ) after treatment (P<0.05). The mean axial rotation of the pelvis was more symmetrical 3 weeks after the treatment at both gaits (P<0.05). There were no changes in limb angles at walk and almost no changes at trot. CONCLUSIONS: The main overall effect of the chiropractic manipulations was a less extended thoracic back, a reduced inclination of the pelvis and improvement of the symmetry of the pelvic motion pattern. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Chiropractic manipulations elicit slight but significant changes in thoracolumbar and pelvic kinematics. Some of the changes are likely to be beneficial, but clinical trials with increased numbers of horses and longer follow-up are needed.     

The effect of omeprazole paste on intragastric pH in clinically ill neonatal foals

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Administration of omeprazole paste per os to healthy neonatal foals has been shown to effectively increase intragastric pH, but has not been evaluated in sick neonatal foals. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of orally administered omeprazole paste on intragastric pH in clinically ill neonatal foals requiring nasogastric intubation. METHODS: Intragastric pH was measured continuously for 24 h using an indwelling electrode and continuous data recording system in hospitalised neonatal foals age < or =2 days. Intragastric pH was measured for 12 h prior to (pretreatment period) and 12 h following (post treatment period) treatment with omeprazole paste (4 mg/kg bwt per os). All foals displayed periods of acidity (pH <4) prior to treatment. Statistical analysis compared pre- and post treatment mean and median intragastric pH, and percentage of time below pH 4. RESULTS: Eight foals were evaluated age 1-3 days, a gestational age of at least 320 days or reported to be full term. The mean (3.19 +/- 1.50 vs. 6.20 +/- 0.93) and median (4.6 +/- 1.7 vs. 6.86 +/- 0.89) pH were significantly higher and the percentage of time below pH 4 (32.25 vs. 1.1%) was significantly lower in the post treatment compared to the pretreatment period. CONCLUSION: Omeprazole paste effectively increases intragastric pH in clinically ill neonatal foals after one dose at 4 mg/kg bwt orally.     

Phase I Dose Escalation of Single‐Agent Vinblastine in Dogs

Background: Vinblastine (VBL) is commonly used in dogs at a dosage of 2.0 mg/m². The minimal toxicity observed at this dosage indicates that higher dosages might be well tolerated. Hypothesis: The maximum tolerated dosage (MTD) for a single VBL treatment is higher than the previously published dosage of 2.0 mg/m². Animals: Twenty‐three dogs with lymphoma or cutaneous mast cell tumors. Methods: Dogs received 1 single‐agent VBL treatment IV. The starting dosage was 3.0 mg/m², and dosages were increased in increments of 0.5 mg/m² in cohorts of 3 dogs. Hematologic toxicity was assessed with weekly CBCs. Gastrointestinal toxicity was assessed from medical histories from owners. Once the MTD was determined, additional dogs were treated with VBL at that dosage. Dogs whose cancers responded to VBL continued to receive treatments q2–3 weeks. Results: VBL dosages ranged from 3.0 to 4.0 mg/m². Neutropenia was the dose‐limiting toxicity, with the nadir identified 7 days after treatment and resolving by 14 days after treatment. The MTD was 3.5 mg/m². Sixteen dogs were treated at this dosage, and 3 experienced severe toxicity characterized by asymptomatic grade 4 neutropenia, febrile grade 4 neutropenia, and death. Gastrointestinal toxicity was mild and self‐limiting. Preliminary evidence of antitumor activity was identified in 2 of 12 dogs with lymphoma treated at the MTD. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: In dogs, single‐agent VBL is well tolerated at a dosage of 3.5 mg/m² IV. At this dosage, the minimum safe treatment interval is q2 weeks, and adjunct treatment with prophylactic antibiotics should be considered.     

肉牛呼吸系统疾病的诊断与防治

肉牛呼吸系统疾病是由环境因素(如断奶、运输、混群、阉割、拥挤和通风不良)、宿主自身因素和病原体等诸多因素相互作用引发的呼吸系统综合症。罹病牛日增重减少、饲料转化率降低、胴体质量下降和防治成本增加。在肉牛养殖业中,该病发病率和死亡率均较高,对世界肉牛养殖业造成巨大经济损失。文章介绍了发达国家和我国对肉牛呼吸系统疾病诊断、治疗和预防的近期研究进展,旨在为其有效防治提供参考。     

A long-term study of apicoectomy and endodontic treatment of apically infected cheek teeth in 12 horses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of apicoectomy and retrograde endodontic treatment in 12 horses with apical cheek teeth infections. The affected apices were removed using a diamond bur mounted on a dental drill, and after pulp removal the root canals were filed with Hedstrøm files and then alternately flushed with sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. The pulp canals were dried and filled with endodontic cement and gutta-percha points. An undercut was made in the apical aspect of the root canals that were then sealed with self-curing glass ionomer cement.Follow up information was obtained 38–67 months following treatment and indicated that the treatment had been successful in 7/12 horses (58%), partially successful in 2 horses (17%) and unsuccessful in 3 (25%). With good case selection, apicoectomy can preserve a proportion of apically infected cheek teeth. The use of advanced imaging techniques and improved surgical techniques could increase the success rate.     

限饲模式下宁乡花猪商品猪的生长肥育性能分析

为探索限饲模式下宁乡花猪商品猪生长肥育性能以适应品牌猪肉具备风味性、安全性需要,在初生重(0.98±0.02)kg饲养(99.69±2.48)d的基础上,相应于25~35 kg、35~60 kg、60~75 kg等3个体重阶段,采用精料重分别占90%、80%、70%,青料重分别占10%、20%、30%配制饲粮,并按8.5成饱模式饲喂。结果表明:1)试猪由体重(24.79±0.64)kg饲养至出栏日龄(243.77±2.67)d、出栏体重(78.22±1.76)kg,该生长肥育全程(144.03±0.23)d、日增重(370.50±9.50)g、料重比(3.51±0.03),充分体现出限饲模式可行性;2)在≤240 d、240~260 d、>260 d的日龄梯级下分别以初生重(1.02±0.02)kg、(0.94±0.04)kg、(0.99±0.08)kg所求取的日增体重百分率曲线与日龄梯级呈负相关态势,显现日龄低梯级明显优于高梯级,反映出生长强度与日龄负相关的必然性;3)自起运至屠宰分别间隔5 h、29 h的胴体率、白条率的相差值达5.04和5.05个百分点,屠宰间隔直接造成胴体损失。     

Courses for horses: Rethinking the use of proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of equine gastric ulcer syndrome

Oral omeprazole has been the cornerstone of equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) treatment for nearly 20 years. However, approximately 15–30% of equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) cases and 75% of equine glandular gastric disease (EGGD) cases fail to heal within current treatment guidelines. Recently, a number of factors that may affect the efficacy of oral omeprazole have been highlighted and the pharmacodynamics of a number of novel proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been described in the horse. The purpose of this article is to review the factors that affect oral omeprazole efficacy, with the goal of maximising therapeutic response, and the novel PPIs recently described.     

Treatment response and long term follow up in nineteen dogs diagnosed with chronic enteropathy in Australia

Chronic enteropathy (CE) in dogs is common worldwide, but little data is available from Australia. The aim of this study was to describe treatment response and long‐term outcome in a cohort of dogs with CE. Dogs were prospectively enrolled at Murdoch University and the University of Melbourne. After diagnostic investigation to rule out diseases other than CE, dogs underwent sequential therapeutic trials until achieving a clinical response (diet then antibiotics, and finally immunosuppressants). Success was defined as 75% reduction of clinical severity for a minimum of five weeks. A total of 21 dogs were enrolled, and 19 completed the study. One dog was euthanised for lack of response to treatment and one excluded for lack of owner compliance. Most dogs responded to diet (n = 10), followed by antibiotics (n = 7) and immunosuppressants (n = 2). Long‐term remission (median 21.1 months, [3.0‐44.7]) was achieved in eight out of ten dietary responders without additional treatment. In contrast, only two dogs with antibiotic response remained in long‐term remission, of which one needed on‐going antibiotic treatment. Longer term remission was achieved in the two dogs treated with immunosuppressants with on‐going low dose therapy. This study concludes that most dogs referred for CE in Australia respond to dietary treatment (even after previous dietary interventions), and remission is long‐term compared to dogs treated with an antibiotic. Furthermore, the need for long‐term antibiotics in some dogs to maintain response may lead to antibiotic resistance. This study supports adequate dietary trials for CE in dogs, and a need for alternative second‐line treatments.     

水煮和提取处理对中草药干物质消化率和小肠可消化蛋白质的影响

研究水煮和提取处理对中草药干物质消化率和小肠可消化蛋白质的影响,揭示提取过程对营养价值影响的作用机理,对于客观评定中草药提取残渣的营养价值具有重要意义。采用尼龙袋试验分别测定黄芪、麦芽和甘草3种原料及其经水煮和提取处理后产物的瘤胃降解动力学参数,并分别估算其主要养分在瘤胃的有效降解率(effective degradability,ED);采用移动尼龙袋试验分别测定3种原料及其经水煮和提取处理后产物瘤胃未降解干物质(nondegradable dry matte,UDM)和未降解蛋白质(nondegradable protein,UDP)的小肠消化率(intestinal digestibility,Idg),在此基础上分别估算其干物质消化率(dry matter digestibility,DDM)和小肠可消化粗蛋白质(intestinal digestible crude protein,IDCP)含量。结果表明:1)3种中草药经水煮和提取处理后产物的EDDM(effective degradability of dry matter)和EDCP(effective degradability of crude protein)均分别显著低于其未处理原料(P<0.05),但EDNDF(effective degradability of NDF)和EDADF(effective degradability of ADF)均分别显著高于其未处理原料(P<0.05);2)3种中草药经水煮和提取处理后产物的IdgUDM(intestinal digestibility of UDM)和IdgUDP(intestinal digestibility of UDP)均显著高于其未处理原料(P<0.05);3)水煮处理显著提高了3种中草药处理后产物的DDM(P<0.05),显著提高了麦芽处理后产物的IDCP和IDCP/CP,提取处理显著提高了麦芽提取残渣的DDM、IDCP和IDCP/CP(P<0.05),显著降低了甘草提取残渣的IDCP和IDCP/CP和黄芪的IDCP(P<0.05)。在无特殊需求时完全没有必要对饲料进行水煮处理;麦芽提取残渣具有作为优质精饲料的营养潜力;黄芪和甘草提取残渣具有作为优质粗饲料的营养潜力。