Effect of meclofenamic acid on the response of parasite-naive lambs and adult sheep to Ostertagia circumcincta

Meclofenamic acid was used to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in lambs challenged with Ostertagia circumcincta. It lowered the number of parasites which established in treated animals but not significantly. In treated animals plasma pepsinogen values were elevated at the time of parasite emergence but had dropped below the values achieved in control lambs towards the end of the experiment when parasites were at the adult, lumenal dwelling stage. Meclofenamic acid administered to adult immune ewes during challenge with third stage O circumcincta larvae did not significantly affect the establishment of the parasites, nor did it affect the rise in pepsinogen concentration associated with the challenge.     

Pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of a cinchophen and prednisolone combination in the dog

The kinetics and efficacy of a cinchophen prednisolone combination preparation (PLT) were assessed in the dog. Cinchophen administered at a dose rate of 12-5 mg/kg intravenously had a volume of distribution (Vd area) of 0–13 litres/kg, a clearance rate (Cl) of 0–15 litres/h and a half-life (t _1/2β of 7–92 hours. Following oral administration the bioavailability was 87-21 per cent. Prednisolone administered at a dose rate of 0–15 mg/kg intravenously had a Vd area of 2–7 litres/kg, a CI of 0–116 litres/h and a t_1/2β of 1–11 hours. PLT given to dogs with osteoarthritis at a dosage range of between 25 and 44 mg/kg per day cinchophen and between 0–125 and 0–220 mg/kg per day prednisolone for a maximum of 14 days significantly improved lameness (P<0–001), weight bearing (P<0–005), joint mobility (P<0–01) and stiffness (P<0–001) scores and was similar in clinical efficacy to phenylbutazone.     

Pharmacology and therapeutics of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the dog and cat: 2 Individual agents

The general pharmacology of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used in dogs and cats has been described in part 1 of this review (Lees and others 1991). This paper outlines the properties of the individual agents as they are used in small animal practice. The NSAIDs which have been used extensively in small animals include the older agents such as Aspirin, cinchophen and phenylbutazone. These agents have previously been used empirically by extrapolation of dosages from other species and by clinical experience. Studies are now available which provide a scientific rationale for the dosage rate recommended. A number of new drugs have recently been licensed for use in the dog or may be licensed in the near future. These include flunixin, carprofen and tolfenamic acid and the data generated from these products provides very useful information for formulating I effective dosage regimens. There are also some NSAIDs such as piroxicam which have been investigated in the dog because they have particular properties which may be of use in common clinical conditions and others, such as Paracetamol and Ibuprofen, which are readily available to the public and which owners may administer to dogs or cats at toxic doses.     

Monensin controlled-release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows

Monensin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic, is potentially an important agent for bloat relief in dairy cows grazing temperate legume-based pasture. A series of studies was undertaken to determine the effect of monensin, when delivered continuously in the rumen of lactating dairy cows by means of controlled-release capsules (monensin CRC). Such devices release approximately 300 mg/head/day for 100 d. A short-term pilot study made at Ruakura, New Zealand, tested monensin CRC in cows selected for high susceptibility to bloat and grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or red clover (Trifolium pratense). Treatment significantly reduced the incidence of bloat, while milk yield and protein yield were increased. There was no effect on fat yield. Following the pilot study, 6 large-scale field experiments involving a total of 368 lactating dairy cows, were made in Australia and New Zealand to confirm the effectiveness of monensin CRC for bloat control and to measure the effect of such treatment on milk production and composition. A severe bloat problem occurred in 2 experiments, mild bloat occurred in 2 others, while no visual signs of bloat were observed in the remaining 2 experiments. Bloat was significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced by monensin CRC treatment when data was pooled over the 4 experiments in which bloat occurred. Daily milk yield was increased in all experiments from a mean of 17.7 in untreated groups to 18.8 kg/head/day (P less than 0.05) in monensin CRC-treated cows. Protein percentage was not affected by treatment, while there was a decrease from 4.29 to 4.10% fat, although total fat yield was not affected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Rotavirus excretion by village pigs in Papua New Guinea

Cohort studies were conducted on 29 pigs from 3 villages in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Animals ranged in age from 9 d to 5 m old. Three hundred and twenty nine faecal samples were collected from individual pigs followed over 3 to 6 w periods, and were examined for group A rotavirus antigen by ELISA, and rotaviral genomic RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Electron microscopy was also conducted on selected samples. Group A rotavirus was detected in the faeces of 16 pigs with infected individuals coming from all villages. Non-group A rotavirus resembling group C was found in faeces from pigs from 2 villages. All of the group A rotaviruses examined had the same electrophoretype and this was distinct from that of the common type infecting humans in the area at the time of the study. None of the group A positive samples reacted with monoclonal antisera specific for human group A rotaviruses of serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8. The non-group A rotaviruses also all had identical electrophoretypes. In contrast to previous findings in intensive piggeries, rotavirus infection did not occur in all young pigs and was not limited to young animals under 2 m of age. Infected pigs varied in age from 12 days to 20 weeks of age. This pattern of infection was attributed to the non-intensive husbandry situations in the villages, with less opportunity for transmission to occur than in intensive piggeries.