Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and transdermal fentanyl in alpacas

The purpose of the study was to determine pharmacokinetics of fentanyl after intravenous (i.v.) and transdermal (t.d.) administration to six adult alpacas. Fentanyl was administered i.v. (2 μg/kg) or t.d. (nominal dose: 2 μg kg^?1 hr^?1). Plasma concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Heart rate and respiratory rate were assessed. Extrapolated, zero‐time plasma fentanyl concentrations were 6.0 ng/ml (1.7–14.6 ng/ml) after i.v. administration, total plasma clearance was 1.10 L hr^?1 kg^?1 (0.75–1.40 L hr^?1 kg^?1), volumes of distribution were 0.30 L/kg (0.10–0.99 L/kg), 1.10 L/kg (0.70–2.96 L/kg) and 1.5 L/kg (0.8–3.5 L/kg) for V₁, V₂, and V_ss, respectively. Elimination half‐life was 1.2 hr (0.5–4.3 hr). Mean residence time (range) after i.v. dosing was 1.30 hr (0.65–4.00 hr). After t.d. fentanyl administration, maximum plasma fentanyl concentration was 1.20 ng/ml (0.72–3.00 ng/ml), which occurred at 25 hr (8–48 hr) after patch placement. The area under the plasma fentanyl concentration‐vs‐time curve (extrapolated to infinity) after t.d. fentanyl was 61 ng*hr/ml (49–93 ng*hr/ml). The dose‐normalized bioavailability of fentanyl from t.d. fentanyl in alpacas was 35.5% (27–64%). Fentanyl absorption from the t.d. fentanyl patch into the central compartment occurred at a rate of approximately 50 μg/hr (29–81 μg/hr) between 8 and 72 hr after patch placement.     

Propofol–medetomidine–ketamine total intravenous anaesthesia in thiafentanil–medetomidine-immobilized impala (Aepyceros melampus)

Objective

To characterize a propofol–medetomidine-ketamine total intravenous anaesthetic in impala (Aepyceros melampus).

Evaluation of intravenous fluorescein in intradermal allergy testing in psittacines

This study was designed to improve the clinical feasibility of intradermal skin testing of psittacine birds using intravenous fluorescein stain. Twenty-five healthy, anaesthetized Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) were injected intravenously with 10 mg kg-1 fluorescein-sodium 1% followed by intradermal injections of 0.02 mL phosphate-buffered saline, histamine phosphate (1:100,000 w/v) and codeine phosphate (1:100,000 w/v) at the sternal apteria. Wheal diameters of reaction sites were measured grossly and under illumination with a Wood's lamp after 5 and 10 min. Fluorescence-enhanced injection sites were scored between 0 and 2, with 0 equivalent to normal skin and 2 equivalent to a plucked feather follicle. The presence of a fluorescent halo around intradermal injections was also recorded. Under Wood's light illumination at 10 min, histamine and saline were evaluated as positive and negative controls, respectively, based on a positive test having a halo and a score of 2. Sensitivity and specificity were each 76% for halo, 84 and 42% for score and 64 and 77% for combination of score and halo, respectively. Further, mean histamine reactions were significantly larger than codeine phosphate and saline (8.8 +/- 0.4 mm; 7.2 +/- 0.3 mm; 5.9 +/- 0.6 mm); however, this finding was not consistent in individual birds. Wheal size, halo presence and score were affected by site location independent from the injected compound. Intravenous fluorescein improved the readability of avian skin tests; however, the compounds tested raised inconsistent reactions in wheal size, score or halo presence. The compound-independent site effect raises concern on the validity of avian skin testing and warrants investigation of other techniques such as in vitro allergy testing. Based on our findings, intradermal allergy testing in psittacines with or without fluorescein is unreliable and cannot be recommended for practical clinical use.     

Effect of intravenous propofol and remifentanil on heart rate, blood pressure and nociceptive response in acepromazine premedicated dogs

ObjectiveTo investigate the cardiorespiratory, nociceptive and endocrine effects of the combination of propofol and remifentanil, in dogs sedated with acepromazine.Study designProspective randomized, blinded, cross-over experimental trial.AnimalsTwelve healthy adult female cross-breed dogs, mean weight 18.4 ± 2.3 kg.MethodsDogs were sedated with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (0.05 mg kg^?1) followed by induction of anesthesia with IV propofol (5 mg kg^?1). Anesthesia was maintained with IV propofol (0.2 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) and remifentanil, infused as follows: R1, 0.125 μg kg^?1 minute^?1; R2, 0.25 μg kg^?1 minute^?1; and R3, 0.5 μg kg^?1 minute^?1. The same dogs were administered each dose of remifentanil at 1-week intervals. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (f_R), end tidal CO₂ (Pe′CO₂), arterial hemoglobin O₂ saturation, blood gases, and rectal temperature were measured before induction, and 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 120 minutes after beginning the infusion. Nociceptive response was investigated by electrical stimulus (50 V, 5 Hz and 10 ms). Blood samples were collected for plasma cortisol measurements. Statistical analysis was performed by anova (p < 0.05).ResultsIn all treatments, HR decreased during anesthesia with increasing doses of remifentanil, and increased significantly immediately after the end of infusion. MAP remained stable during anesthesia (72–98 mmHg). Antinociception was proportional to the remifentanil infusion dose, and was considered satisfactory only with R2 and R3. Plasma cortisol concentration decreased during anesthesia in all treatments. Recovery was smooth and fast in all dogs.Conclusions and clinical relevanceInfusion of 0.25–0.5 μg kg^?1 minute^?1 remifentanil combined with 0.2 mg kg^?1 minute^?1 propofol produced little effect on arterial blood pressure and led to a good recovery. The analgesia produced was sufficient to control the nociceptive response applied by electrical stimulation, suggesting that it may be appropriate for performing surgery.     

贵州黑山羊胚胎移植手术不同麻醉方法比较

为了筛选适合于贵州黑山羊胚胎移植手术的麻醉方法,试验以贵州黑山羊为试验动物,比较了速眠新Ⅱ注射液2种麻醉方法（肌肉麻醉和静脉麻醉）对山羊生理指标,麻醉山羊的诱导期、麻醉期、苏醒期,麻醉苏醒后山羊的采食、反刍及精神状况的影响。结果表明：2种麻醉方法下,麻醉效果优、良的山羊数量和生理指标无明显差异;速眠新Ⅱ注射液静脉注射麻醉时,山羊的诱导期、麻醉期和苏醒期均较短,在苏醒后0.5 h,90.0%的山羊可以采食,83.3%的山羊可以反刍,93.3%的山羊精神状况良好;苏醒后1 h基本上全部可以恢复正常;采用静脉注射麻醉山羊进行胚胎移植手术,速眠新Ⅱ注射液用药剂量小,且安全、有效,明显优于肌肉注射。     

体层低张静脉尿路造影术

用体层低张静脉尿路造影技术，对１１０例有泌尿系统疾病患者作了检查，成功率为９８％。本法的优点不但有效地解决了传统操作中因腹部加压不当造影易失败和给病人带来的痛苦，且对肾脏，膀胱像显示加清晰。本法对提高泌尿系统疾病的诊断水平有重要价值。     

Hormone interactions confer specific proliferative and histomorphogenic responses in the porcine mammary gland

Mammary gland growth and morphogenesis are regulated by interactions between hormones as much as by their individual actions. The effect of these interactions on the mammary gland phenotype in species other than rodents is relatively undefined. We investigated the individual and combined effects of estrogen (E), progestin (P), and prolactin (PRL) on mammary gland development in gilts. Pigs were shown to have a ductal-lobular parenchyma that underwent hormone-stimulated progression of terminal ductal lobular unit (TDLU) morphogenesis similar to that in the human breast. Ovariectomy plus hypoprolactinemia abolished mammary gland growth. Estrogen alone stimulated mammary epithelial cell proliferation, terminal bud formation, and the progression of TDLU1 structures to a TDLU2 morphotype. Maximal epithelial cell proliferation, DNA content, parenchymal area, and morphological development of the porcine mammary gland were realized following treatment with E + PRL or E + P + PRL. In contrast, P alone did not promote epithelial cell proliferation, TDLU type progression, mammary gland growth, or morphogenesis. These data indicate that interactions between E and PRL are the main determinants of growth and morphogenesis in the porcine mammary gland.