Clinical observations on changes in concentrations of hormones in plasma of two stallions with thermally-induced testicular degeneration

To investigate effects of thermally-induced testicular degeneration on hormonal and seminal parameters in stallions, the scrotum was insulated for 36 hours in two mature (5-year-old mixed breed and 11-year-old Throughbred) stallions. Semen was collected daily for 10 days (DSO) prior to, and at intervals after, scrotal insulation. When DSO determinations were not being made, semen was collected 3 times weekly. Jugular blood samples were collected at 15-minute intervals for 6 hours from each stallion prior to, and at intervals after, scrotal insulation. A mouse interstitial cell testosterone assay was modified to quantify biologic activity of equine luteinizing hormone (BLH) in plasma samples. Immunoactive luteinizing hormone (ILH) and testosterone (T) concentrations were determined in plasma samples by routine RIA procedures. Percentages of progressively motile and morphologically normal spermatozoa began to decrease by 1 to 2 weeks postinsulation, reached nadir values at 3 to 3-1/2 weeks postinsulation, and returned to preinsulation values by 7 weeks postinsulation. Total number of spermatozoa and total number of progressively motile, morphologically normal spermatozoa in ejaculates at DSO returned to normal by 8 weeks postinsulation in stallion 2 and 12 weeks postinsulation in stallion 1. Concentrations of BLH and ILH increased, and while T concentrations decreased, immediately postinsulation. The increase in ILH concentrations was greater than the increase in BLH concentrations, resulting in a decrease in the BLH:ILH (B:I) ratio. Following the peak in LH secretion immediately postinsulation, LH concentrations gradually decreased while T concentrations increased. The B:I ratio was elevated from 1 to 13 weeks postinsulation compared to immediately postinsulation. In addition to changes in spermatozoal quality in ejaculates, stallion response to scrotal insulation included increased secretion of luteinizing hormone and impaired Leydig cell function (as determined by reduced testosterone concentration in circulating plasma). The proportion of biologically active LH secreted in response to thermal testicular injury increased during the recovery phase.     

Pasteurella multocida isolation in a horse with retropharyngeal infection

Retropharyngeal infections in horses normally induce local painful swelling of the retropharyngeal area, which may lead to dyspnea, dysphagia, and systemic manifestations. Differential diagnosis of local painful swelling of the retropharyngeal area includes retropharyngeal lymph node infection, neoplasm, cellulitis, hematoma, guttural pouch empyema, parotiditis, and jugular thrombosis. Apart from Streptococcus equi ssp. equi, other bacteria are rarely reported as a cause of retropharyngeal abscesses. The reason for this might be a lack of specific sampling to identify the causative agent. This work deals with a case of retropharyngeal infection in an 11-year-old Standardbred stallion with acute depression, fever, tachycardia, asymmetric painful swelling in the throat area, ptyalism, and respiratory distress. Endoscopy, radiography, ultrasonography, blood analysis, and cytological examination of a puncture sample taken from the throat mass were consistent with a pyogenic to pyogranulomatous retropharyngeal inflammation. The clinical evolution was initially satisfactory in response to treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics, but clinical signs relapsed twice, each time a few weeks after cessation of antibiotic therapy. The bacteriologic finding in this case was unusual and consisted of the isolation of a Pasteurella multocida strain that was obtained after the second relapse (ie, 79 days after initial admission), using a brain heart infusion (BHI) medium, and after two successive negative bacteriological cultures performed on day one of clinical signs and at the first relapse of clinical signs, respectively.     

Holding Power of Different Pin Designs and Pin Insertion Methods in Avian Cortical Bone

Objective —To measure pullout strength of four pin types in avian humeri and tibiotarsi bones and to compare slow-speed power and hand insertion methods.
Study Design —Axial pin extraction was measured in vitro in avian bones.
Animal Population —Four cadaver red-tailed hawks and 12 live red-tailed hawks.
Methods —The pullout strength of four fixator pin designs was measured: smooth, negative profile threaded pins engaging one or two cortices and positive profile threaded pins. Part 1: Pins were placed in humeri and tibiotarsi after soft tissue removal. Part 2: Pins were placed in tibiotarsi in anesthetized hawks using slow-speed power or hand insertion.
Results —All threaded pins, regardless of pin design, had greater pullout strength than smooth pins in all parts of the study ( P < .0001). The cortices of tibiotarsi were thicker than the cortices of humeri ( P < .0001). There were few differences in pin pullout strengths between threaded pin types within or between bone groups. There were no differences between the pullout strength of pins placed by slow-speed power or by hand.
Conclusions —There is little advantage of one threaded pin type over another in avian humeri and tibiotarsi using currently available pin designs. There were few differences in pin pullout strengths between humeri and tibiotarsi bones. It is possible that the ease of hand insertion in thin cortices minimizes the potential for wobbling and therefore minimizes the difference between slow-speed drill and hand insertion methods.
Clinical Relevance —Threaded pins have superior bone holding strength in avian cortices and may be beneficial for use with external fixation devices in birds.     

A comparison of three combinations of injectable anesthetics in miniature donkeys

Objective To compare three combinations of injectable anesthetics in miniature donkeys for quality of induction, recovery, muscle relaxation, cardiopulmonary changes during anesthesia and duration of recumbency. Design Prospective, randomized experimental study. Animals Six miniature donkeys (< 90 cm in height at the withers) weighing 92–127 kg were used. Materials and methods The drug combinations were: xylazine?butorphanol?ketamine (XBK), xylazine?butorphanol?tiletamine?zolazepam (XBT) and xylazine?propofol (XP). Each miniature donkey was anesthetized with each combination at 1‐week intervals in random order. Heart and respiratory rates, indirect blood pressure and temperature were measured before and at 5‐minute intervals during recumbency. Arterial blood samples were drawn for blood‐gas analysis before and at 5, 15 and 30 minutes of anesthesia when samples could be collected. Recumbency time to sternal and time to standing were recorded and a subjective evaluation of induction, muscle relaxation and recovery were made. Results Mean recumbency time ± SD was 14.7 ± 9.4, 33.8 ± 6.3 and 14.6 ± 1.9 minutes with XBK, XBT and XP, respectively. Mean time to standing ± SD was 28.4 ± 11.3, 43.7 ± 7.2 and 26.3 ± 2.9 minutes with XBK, XBT and XP, respectively. Heart and respiratory rates and blood pressures varied from baseline but were always within normal ranges. Hemoglobin saturation, pH and PaO₂ tended to be lower with these doses of XBT and XP. Conclusions and clinical relevance Overall quality of anesthesia was poor with XBK. At the doses used this combination did not provide sufficient anesthesia compared with the combinations of XBT and XP, which appeared to provide acceptable anesthesia of short duration in miniature donkeys.