Treatment of peritonitis.

In summary, peritonitis in the horse is a potentially life-threatening disease that must be treated promptly and aggressively. Therapy should be aimed at reducing systemic shock and hypovolemia, correction of the primary cause, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory therapy, and abdominal drainage and lavage. The prognosis depends on the ability to diagnose and treat the underlying cause and prevent the development of complications. Mortality rates can be as high as 59.7%, with horses developing postoperative peritonitis having a 56% mortality rate. Long-term complications like adhesion formation or internal abscesses may further reduce the survival rate. The prognosis is best determined by an early and quick response to aggressive treatment.     

Evaluation of Transmittance and Reflectance Pulse Oximetry in a Canine Model of Hypotension and Desaturation

Ten, anesthetized dogs were instrumented with three pulse oximeter probes; two lingual transmittance probes and one rectal reflective probe. Arterial oxygen desaturation was produced by decreasing the inspired oxygen concentration. Hypotension was produced with an infusion of nitroprusside. Simultaneous pulse oximeter readings (SpO₂) were compared to co-oximeter measured arterial saturation (SaO₂) collected over a range of SaO₂ (50–100%) and mean arterial pressures (40–100mmHg). Each of the monitors and means of evaluating SpO₂ studied provided accurate SpO₂ measurements over a range of mean arterial pressure from 40–100mmHg. All of the monitors tested tended to overestimate the SaO₂ when the arterial saturation was less than 70%.     

New and unusual causes of acute renal failure in dogs and cats.

This article provides a source for easy reference, summarizing in one location newly recognized and unusual causes of acute renal failure (ARF) in dogs and cats. Several of the causes discussed in this article have been described previously. New or unusual causes of ARF in dogs and cats include infectious diseases (leptospirosis,borreliosis, and babesiosis), nephrotoxicants (aminoglycosides,vitamin D, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and plant material (lilies and raisins/grapes).     

Variability in response to toosendanin in a laboratory colony of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoplusia ni</Emphasis>

Laboratory rearing of insects for scientific research ensures a constant supply of insects. However, laboratory colonies may diverge genetically and/or phenotypically from wild populations due to selection pressures in their artificial environment. This study examined how variation in a colony ofTrichoplusia ni influenced reproducibility over time of bioassays of toosendanin (a limonoid extracted from the bark ofMelia azedarach). In four of five experiments insect growth was reduced significantly (P=0.05) by the presence of toosendanin in the diet. The fifth experiment showed the same trend, but the effect was not significant. Mean larval mass of both control and treated insects also varied greatly among experiments. The considerable variability observed in this population highlights the importance of replicating experiments in time, and not just space, to confirm reproducibility of treatment effects. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Jan. 23, 2007.     

Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with visceral metastases in a White Carneau pigeon and literature review

Cutaneous leiomyosarcomas are malignant mesenchymal tumors of smooth muscle origin and are reported occasionally in avian species. A 14-y-old male laboratory White Carneau pigeon (Columba livia) was presented for surgical excision of a cervical soft tissue mass. Ultrasonography with color flow Doppler imaging revealed multiple cavitations of mixed echogenicity within the mass and vascularization. Histologically, the dermis and subcutis were expanded by a densely cellular multinodular mass comprised of fusiform cells forming haphazardly arranged broad streams and short interwoven bundles, often surrounding blood vessels and variably sized cavitations. Neoplastic cells were strongly immunopositive for desmin and α–smooth muscle actin, and negative for pancytokeratin, S100, and von Willebrand factor. Based on histopathology and IHC findings, the cutaneous mass was diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma (LMS). The pigeon died 312 d post-operatively. Postmortem examination revealed masses infiltrating the left and right pulmonary airways and one hepatic nodule, but no regrowth at the surgical site. Histologic and IHC evaluation of the pulmonary and hepatic masses were consistent with LMS, representing metastatic foci from the primary cutaneous LMS. Our case highlights the malignant behavior and histomorphologic features of cutaneous LMS in an avian species.