Role of the tendons of the biceps brachii and infraspinatus muscles and the medial glenohumeral ligament in the maintenance of passive shoulder joint stability in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To objectively evaluate the effect of transecting the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle (BBT), tendon of the infraspinatus muscle (IFS), or medial glenohumeral ligament (MGHL) on shoulder joint stability in canine cadavers. SAMPLE POPULATION: 81 forelimbs from mature dogs. PROCEDURE: Cadaver forelimbs were placed in a testing frame and axially preloaded with 4 kg of weight. Shoulder joint stability was tested in neutral joint position, flexion, and extension before and after transection of the BBT (n = 37), IFS (37), or MGHL (7). Humeral translation relative to the glenoid was induced by applying a 3-kg load in each of 3 directions (cranial, lateral, and medial) and quantitatively measured by use of an electromagnetic motion tracking system. Peak translational data were compared in each joint position before and after transection of the BBT, IFS, or MGHL. RESULTS: When tested in neutral position, the cranial, lateral, and medial translation of the humerus was significantly increased after BBT transection. In the flexed position, translation of the humerus in the cranial and lateral directions was significantly increased after BBT transection. In the extended position, the medial translation of the humerus was significantly increased after BBT transection. Complete medial luxation of all humeral heads occurred following transection of the MGHL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The BBT contributes to passive shoulder joint stability in dogs, particularly in the neutral and flexed positions. It also provides medial stability during shoulder joint extension. Complete luxation of the joint occurs when the MGHL is transected.     

Anaesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of intramuscular morphine, medetomidine and ketamine administered to telemetered cats

The quality and duration of anaesthesia, cardiorespiratory effects and recovery characteristics of a morphine, medetomidine, ketamine (MMK) drug combination were determined in cats. Six healthy, adult female cats were administered 0.2 mg/kg morphine sulphate, 60 microg/kg medetomidine hydrochloride, and 5 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride intramuscularly. Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly at 120 min after MMK administration. Time to lateral recumbency, intubation, extubation and sternal recumbency were recorded. Cardiorespiratory variables and response to a noxious stimulus were recorded before and at 3 min and 10 min increments after drug administration until sternal recumbency. The time to lateral recumbency and intubation were 1.9+/-1.2 and 4.3+/-1.2 min, respectively. Body temperature and haemoglobin saturation with oxygen remained unchanged compared to baseline values throughout anaesthesia. Respiratory rate, tidal volume, minute volume, heart rate, and blood pressure were significantly decreased during anaesthesia compared to baseline values. One cat met criteria for hypotension (systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg). End tidal carbon dioxide increased during anaesthesia compared to baseline values. All but one cat remained non-responsive to noxious stimuli from 3 to 120 min. Time to extubation and sternal recumbency following atipamezole were 2.9+/-1.1 and 4.7+/-1.0 min, respectively. MMK drug combination produced excellent short-term anaesthesia and analgesia with minimal cardiopulmonary depression. Anaesthesia lasted for at least 120 min in all but one cat and was effectively reversed by atipamezole.     

Comparison of hematologic and biochemical values for blood samples obtained via jugular venipuncture and via vascular access ports in cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether hematologic and serum biochemical values for blood samples obtained from cats via vascular access ports (VAP) are comparable to those for samples obtained by direct venipuncture. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 14 healthy cats. PROCEDURE: A VAP was surgically implanted in a jugular vein in each cat. Blood samples were obtained from the VAP and by direct venipuncture of the contralateral jugular vein 10 weeks after VAP placement. Results of hematologic and serum biochemical analyses were compared by use of a paired t-test. The Pvalue to reject the null hypothesis was adjusted to account for multiple comparisons by using the Bonferroni procedure in which the nominal P-to-reject value is divided by the number of comparisons (0.05/24 = 0.002). RESULTS: Paired samples (VAP and venipuncture) obtained 10 weeks after VAP placement were evaluated for each cat. Of the 24 measured analytes, only potassium, total protein, and albumin concentrations differed significantly (P< 0.001 for all 3) between VAP and venipuncture samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that samples obtained from VAP are suitable for routine hematologic monitoring of feline cancer patients. Sample hemolysis may account for a slight increase in potassium, total protein, and albumin concentrations obtained from VAP samples. However, the values of variables most critical for monitoring of patients receiving chemotherapy (ie, mature neutrophil and platelet counts) are comparable. If proper techniques are used, VAP may be used for administration of chemotherapy as well as for blood collection in cats undergoing cancer treatment.     

Palatal erosion and oronasal fistulation following covered nasopharyngeal stent placement in two dogs

Treatment options for dogs with nasopharyngeal stenosis include fluoroscopic placement of metallic stents. Reported complications include entrapment of hair and food, obstruction and persistent nasal discharge. Two toy breed dogs were examined for persistent nasal discharge and halitosis at 4 and 20 months after placement of permanent metallic stents for acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis. Full thickness defects were found in the palate of both dogs, with extensive communication between the mouth and the nasal passages. Portions of the metal stent were observed within the lesion in both patients. Additional treatment was declined by the owner of one dog; the stent was removed through the fistula in the other dog. Palatal erosion with secondary oronasal fistulation is a potential complication of nasopharyngeal stent placement in dogs.     

Drivers,challenges and opportunities of forage technology adoption by smallholder cattle households in Cambodia

Forage technology has been successfully introduced into smallholder cattle systems in Cambodia as an alternative feed source to the traditional rice straw and native pastures, improving animal nutrition and reducing labour requirements of feeding cattle. Previous research has highlighted the positive impacts of forage technology including improved growth rates of cattle and household time savings. However, further research is required to understand the drivers, challenges and opportunities of forage technology for smallholder cattle households in Cambodia to facilitate widespread adoption and identify areas for further improvement. A survey of forage-growing households (n = 40) in July–September 2016 examined forage technology adoption experiences, including reasons for forage establishment, use of inputs and labour requirements of forage plot maintenance and use of forages (feeding, fattening, sale of grass or seedlings and silage). Time savings was reported as the main driver of forage adoption with household members spending approximately 1 h per day maintaining forages and feeding it to cattle. Water availability was reported as the main challenge to this activity. A small number of households also reported lack of labour, lack of fencing, competition from natural grasses, cost of irrigation and lack of experience as challenges to forage growing. Cattle fattening and sale of cut forage grass and seedlings was not found to be a widespread activity by interviewed households, with 25 and 10% of households reporting use of forages for these activities, respectively. Currently, opportunities exist for these households to better utilise forages through expansion of forage plots and cattle activities, although assistance is required to support these households in addressing current constraints, particularly availability of water, if the sustainability of this feed technology for smallholder cattle household is to be established in Cambodia.     

Calf welfare.

Many factors contribute to the well-being of calves on the commercial dairy including housing and environment; nutritional and health programs; handling and caretaker interactions; herd dynamics; and the common management practices of transportation, euthanasia, dehorning, and teat removal. Ensuring and assessing the welfare of calves on commercial dairies is a complex challenge, especially because the terminology and factors contributing to assessing animal welfare in agricultural animals, such as dairy calves, has not been clearly defined within the scientific community.