Comparison of three fish-loading systems to harvest food-size channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Three fish-loading systems were used to harvest food-size channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). Loading rates of equipment and their effect on post-harvest fish survival and weight gain during cool and warm weather were studied.

The turbine pump loading rate (300·7 kg/min) was greater than the lift net (158·00 kg/min) and vacuum pump (54·1 kg/min), while the lift net was greater than the vacuum pump (p < 0·05).

Mean survivals (± SD) for catfish loaded by lift net, turbine pump and vacuum pump from earthen ponds during cool and warm weather were 96·6% (±2·8), 93·9% (±7·4) and 97·7% (±1·1) and 94·0% (±5·7), 85·3% (±8·6) and 89·0% (±12·5), respectively. Mean weight change (± SD) per catfish loaded by the same equipment during cool-and warm-weather tests were −8·2 g/fish (±31·1), −12·4 g/fish (±15·2) and −17·5 g/fish (±19·9), and 67·6 g/fish (±60·6), 33·9 g/fish (±137·4) and 32·4 g/fish (±142·1), respectivley. There were no significant differences among loading systems for survival or mean weight change per fish. The turbine pump is a possible alternative to the traditional life net as a means of loading food-size channel catfish. Further testing on commercial catfish farms is required.     

Bartonella henselae infection in a dog with recalcitrant ineffective erythropoiesis

Ineffective erythropoiesis was diagnosed in an 8‐year‐old male castrated Labrador Retriever. Despite treatment with immunosuppressive therapy for suspected immune‐mediated erythrocyte maturation arrest, resolution of the nonregenerative anemia was not achieved. Following documentation of Bartonella henselae bacteremia by Bartonella alpha proteobacteria growth medium (BAPGM) enrichment blood culture, immunosuppressive therapy was discontinued, and the anemia resolved following prolonged antibiotic therapy. Bartonella immunofluorescent antibody testing was negative, whereas B henselae western blot was consistently positive. The contribution of B henselae bacteremia to ineffective erythropoiesis remains unknown; however, the potential role of B henselae in the pathophysiology of bone marrow dyscrasias warrants additional investigation.     

Comparison of plasma benzodiazepine concentrations following intranasal and intravenous administration of diazepam to dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether plasma concentrations of benzodiazepines (BDZ) in dogs following intranasal (IN) administration of diazepam are comparable to concentrations following IV administration. ANIMALS: 6 (4 male, 2 female) healthy adult Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly assigned to 2 groups of 3 dogs in a crossover design. Diazepam (0.5 mg/kg of body weight) was administered intravenously to dogs in group 1 and intranasally to dogs in group 2. Blood was collected from the jugular vein of each dog into tubes containing lithium heparin before and 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 minutes following diazepam administration. After a 4-day washout period, dogs in group 1 received diazepam intranasally, dogs in group 2 received diazepam intravenously, and blood was again collected. Plasma concentration of BDZ was determined by use of a fluorescence polarization immunoassay. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) peak plasma concentration of BDZ following IV administration (1,316 +/- 216 microg/L) was greater than that following IN administration (448 +/- 41 microg/L). Time to peak concentration was < or = 3 minutes following IV administration and 4.5 +/- 1.5 minutes following IN administration. Mean bioavailability of BDZ following IN administration was 80 +/- 9%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Diazepam is rapidly and efficiently absorbed following IN administration of the parenteral formulation. Plasma concentrations match or exceed the suggested therapeutic concentration (300 microg/L). Intranasal administration of diazepam may be useful for treatment of seizures in dogs by owners or when intravenous access is not readily available.     

Bacterial sepsis resulting in severe systemic illness and euthanasia in a dog with cutaneous angiomatosis

A Labrador retriever dog was euthanized after unsuccessful treatment for severe, progressive, lethargy, gastroenteritis, icterus, and swelling of a previously diagnosed cutaneous angiomatosis lesion. The body was submitted for necropsy. This is the first report that suggests that cutaneous angiomatosis lesions may have caused life-threatening systemic complications in a dog.     

Immune-mediated vasculitis in five dogs

Vasculitis was diagnosed in 5 dogs. Clinical signs varied, but all 5 dogs had signs of systemic illness. Inflammation and fibrinoid necrosis of small blood vessels were consistent findings. The skin and mucous membranes were the main tissues involved in 3 dogs; polyarthropathy and myopathy were diagnosed in 1 dog and myopathy in 1 dog. Good response to corticosteroid therapy was achieved in 3 dogs; in 2 dogs, immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide was necessary and the dogs responded well.     

Effect of mild restriction of food intake on the speed of racing Greyhounds

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether mild restriction of food intake affects clinicopathologic variables, body composition, and performance of dogs undertaking intense sprint exercise. ANIMALS: 9 trained healthy adult Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were offered food free choice once daily for 9 weeks until body weight and food intake stabilized. Dogs were then randomly assigned to be fed either 85% or 100% of this quantity of food in a crossover study (duration of each diet treatment period, 9 weeks). Dogs raced a distance of 500 m twice weekly. Clinicopathologic variables were assessed before and 5 minutes after racing; food intake, weight, body composition, body condition score, and race times were compared at the end of each diet period. RESULTS: Compared with values associated with unrestricted access to food, there were significant decreases in mean body weight (by 6%) and median body condition score (from 3.75 to 3.5 on a 9-point scale) and the mean speed of the dogs was significantly faster (by 0.7 km/h) when food intake was restricted. Body composition and most clinicopathologic variables were unaffected by diet treatment, but dogs given restricted access to food had slightly fewer neutrophils, compared with values determined when food intake was unrestricted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicate that the common practice among Greyhound trainers of mildly restricting food intake of racing dogs to reduce body weight does improve sprint performance. A body condition score of approximately 3.5 on a 9-point scale is normal for a trained Greyhound in racing condition.     

Dieldrin residues in soybeans in Illinois, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, and 1974

The Illinois soybean crop was monitored in 1965, 1966, 1967, 1971, and 1974 for dieldrin residues resulting from aldrin applied to corn in the years before soybean cultivation. Residue levels of dieldrin in soybeans increased between 1965 and 1974. The percent of fields which had soybeans with a dieldrin level above 0.03 ppm increased between 1965 and 1974. Dieldrin residue levels in soybeans grown in Illinois are expected to decline now that the use of aldrin has diminished and will soon cease. No significant correlation was evident between the dieldrin levels in soybeans and the area of the State where they had grown, the date of planting, or the variety.     

SIMULTANEOUS CONGENITAL AND ACQUIRED EXTRAHEPATIC PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNTS IN TWO DOGS

Two dogs with simultaneous congenital and acquired portosystemic shunts are reported. The first dog was an eight-month-old, male Golden Retriever with a history of peritoneal effusion, polyuria/polydipsia, and stunted growth. The dog had a microcytic, hypochromic anemia, a mildly elevated AST, and a moderate to severely elevated preprandial and postprandial serum bile acids. Transcolonic portal scintigraphy confirmed the presence of a portosystemic shunt. An intraoperative mesenteric portogram was performed. Two conjoined congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts and multiple acquired extrahepatic portosystemic shunts were identified. The second dog was a five-month-old, mixed breed with two week history of peritoneal effusion. Abdominal ultrasound and transcolonic scintigraphy were used to diagnose a portosystemic shunt. A single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt, portal hypertension, and multiple acquired collateral shunts were identified at surgery. The histologic alterations observed in these dogs were consistent with a portosystemic shunt. In these dogs, the presence of congenital and acquired portosystemic shunts and histopathologic findings are considered to represent a combination of congenital portosystemic shunts and noncirrhotic portal hypertension or portal vein hypoplasia.