Excitatory phenomena following the use of propofol in dogs

Over a two month period, 148 dogs presented for surgery had general anaesthesia induced and sometimes maintained with propofol. Excitatory phenomena were recorded on 12 occasions. Signs included muscle twitching, opisthotonus and limb hyperextension (nine cases), and panting with associated activity of the brachiocephalicus muscle and tongue retraction (three cases). The records for a similar two month period were examined for data and observations relating to thiopentone. During this period anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone in 71 dogs and no excitatory phenomena were recorded.     

Oat cells in the pathology of ovine pneumonia-pleurisy

Light microscope observations on oat cells in the ovine pneumonia-pleurisy complex are presented. This study is based on the experimental production of the disease by viruses and Pasteurella haemolytica. Oat cells appeared only in necrotic lesions associated with large numbers of P. haemolytica in the pneumonic lung. It is suggested that oat cells originate from blood monocytes, which transform into the oat shape when developing in the necrotic, hypoxic environment created by P. haemolytica. They were not, however, observed to be phagocytic. Oat cells are characteristic of pneumonic pasteurellosis but are not pathognomonic because they can also be found in extrapulmonary locations and in other pathological conditions of the lungs.     

Threatened deer of the world: Research programmes for conservation

This paper is the sequel to an earlier publication (see Biological Conservation, Vol. 5, No. 4 pp. 243–250, October 1973) on the conservation status of deer and describes an IUCN programme for the conservation of world-threatened deer. Research requirements for conservation of deer that are currently threatened with extinction are discussed. The immediate conservation objective is to ensure the species' or subspecies' survival, and the long-term objective is to restore their productive status in the wild. A framework for research to provide data to guide conservation practices is outlined. It comprises a set of research questions, to aid the planning of studies, and statements of the conservation action potential of the results of these investigations. The proposed organization of the IUCN programme and its current status is described. University and other research institutions that would be interested in participating or co-operating in the programme are invited to write to IUCN.     

THE POTENTIAL OF LOTUS spp. FOR HILL LAND IN WALES

Thirty-four introductions of Lotus corniculatus and L. uliginosus , obtained from Europe, North America and New Zealand, were grown in plots with Aberystwyth S23 ryegrass at three centres in Wales (230–400 m a. s. 1.) to assess their potential as legumes for poor acid hill soils. The control white clover varieties were generally successful in these difficult conditions, whereas all the Lotus introductions were poor in two experiments and in the third experiment gave way to volunteer white clover by the third harvest year. These results indicate that none of the numerous Lotus varieties tested would be a useful addition to pasture seeds mixtures for hill lands in Wales.     

THE YIELDS AND COMPOSITION OF LUCERNE, GRASS AND CLOVER UNDER DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT

The mean yields of 4 varieties of lucerne were compared under 5 methods of growing: broadcast with and without grass; drills 2 ft apart; alternate lucerne/grass drills 1 ft apart; spaced plants. One cut was harvested in the sowing year and 3 cuts a year for the next 3 years.
The alternate lucerne/grass drills yielded 20% less dry matter than the comparable broadcast plots. Broadcasting and sowing in alternate drills had the same effect on the pattern of lucerne/grass competition. The meadow fescue companion produced its highest yield at the first cut and there was a marked drop during each year and from year to year. There was little evidence of nitrogen transfer from the lucerne to the grass.     

MRI has limited agreement with CT in the evaluation of vertebral fractures of the canine trauma patient

Complete assessment of vertebral trauma in dogs currently requires CT and MRI for evaluation of the osseous and soft tissue structures that contribute to vertebral stability. Some studies in people have suggested that MRI may be sensitive and specific at detecting vertebral fractures making this potentially a single modality that could be used in spinal trauma evaluation. This study aimed to assess the ability for observers to evaluate vertebral fractures using MRI when compared to CT, which was used as the reference standard. Twenty‐nine dogs with previously diagnosed acute vertebral fractures and four dogs with no vertebral fracture that had undergone sequential CT and MRI were included into the study. One hundred twenty‐eight vertebrae were evaluated for the presence of fractures. Imaging studies were read by two observers blinded to the history. While both observers had similarly high sensitivity and specificity for simple detection of any fractured vertebrae, interobserver agreement was only moderate (κ = 0.584). When evaluations were specifically limited to detection of structurally unstable fractured vertebrae both observers showed improved specificity and interobserver agreement became substantial (κ = 0.650). Complete agreement for exact fracture location between MRI and CT results was only achieved in 14.3‐32.6% of fractured vertebra with up to 79% of fractures being missed in some vertebral structures. This suggests that although MRI may be able to detect the presence of fractured vertebrae, it is not able to replace CT for the complete evaluation of the traumatized spine and documentation of fracture morphology.     

Bayesian estimation of variance partition coefficients adjusted for imperfect test sensitivity and specificity

The variance partition coefficient (VPC) measures the clustering of infection/disease among individuals with a specific covariate pattern. Covariate-pattern-specific VPCs provide insight to the groups of individuals that exhibit great heterogeneity and should be targeted for intervention. VPCs should be taken into consideration when planning study designs, modeling data and estimating sample sizes. We present a Bayesian discrete mixed model for the estimation of covariate-pattern-specific VPCs when measurement of the infection/disease is based on an imperfect test. The utility of the presented model is demonstrated with three applications. In all cases, imperfect tests biased VPC estimates towards the null but corrected estimates could be obtained by modeling the sensitivity and specificity of the test procedure with beta distributions. The comparison of adjusted VPCs between the intercept only and the fitted models with higher level covariates explained the portion of heterogeneity in the data that was accounted for by the covariates.     

Orbital apex syndrome secondary to an orbital sarcoma in a dog

A 12-year-old castrated male cocker spaniel dog was presented with a 4-week history of left episcleral injection and pawing at the face. Clinical examination findings included left internal and external ophthalmoplegia, left dorsal strabismus, pain opening the mouth, and intermittent amaurosis. Imaging studies revealed a left orbital apex mass with adjacent sphenoid bone lysis and extension into the cranial cavity. A left exenteration was performed and histopathology confirmed an orbital soft tissue sarcoma.Key clinical message:This report describes an orbital tumor causing orbital apex syndrome. This condition should be differentiated from cavernous sinus syndrome as the latter does not course with optic neuropathy.