Objective--To determine whether larkspur-derived N-(methylsuccinimido) anthranoyllycoctonine (MSAL)-type alkaloids alter heart rate and electrically evoked electromyographic (eEMG) response of the external anal sphincter (EAS) in cattle and whether these effects can be reversed by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Animals--12 beef heifers and 4 cows. Procedures--3 or 4 heifers were used in 1 or 2 of 7 dose-response experiments; heart rate and EAS eEMG response were assessed before and 24 hours after oral treatment with larkspur (doses equivalent to 0.5 to 15 mg of MSAL-type alkaloids/kg). In 3 subsequent experiments, 3 heifers (1 of which was replaced with another heifer in the control experiment) each received 10 mg of MSAL-type alkaloids/kg and were injected IV with physostigmine (0.04 mg/kg), neostigmine (0.04 mg/kg), or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution 24 hours later, prior to assessment. Additionally, EAS eEMG response was measured in 4 cows before and after epidural administration of 2% lidocaine hydrochloride. Results--Larkspur-treated heifers developed dose-related increases in heart rate and decreases in EAS eEMG response. Twenty-four hours after administration of MSAL-type alkaloids, neostigmine decreased heart rate but did not affect eEMG response, whereas physostigmine did not affect heart rate but caused a 2-fold increase in eEMG response. In cows, epidural anesthesia did not alter eEMG response, suggesting that transdermal stimulation of the EAS pudendal innervation did not occur. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--In cattle, cardiac effects and muscle weakness or loss of EAS eEMG response induced by larkspur-derived MSAL-type alkaloids were reversed by neostigmine or physostigmine, respectively. Treatment with anticholinesterase inhibitors may alter the clinical effects of larkspur poisoning in cattle.

Thirty horses were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 groups. All horses were anesthetized and subjected to ventral midline celiotomy, then the large colon was exteriorized and instrumented. Colonic arterial blood flow was reduced to 20% of baseline (BL) and was maintained for 3 hours. Colonic blood flow was then restored, and the colon was reperfused for an additional 3 hours. One of 5 drug solutions was administered via the jugular vein 30 minutes prior to colonic reperfusion: group 1, 0.9% NaCl; group 2, dimethyl sulfoxide: 1 g/kg of body weight; group 3, allopurinol: 25 mg/kg; group 4, 21-aminosteroid U-74389G: 10 mg/kg; and group 5, manganese chloride (MnCl2): 10 mg/kg. Hemodynamic variables were monitored and recorded at 30-minutes intervals. Systemic arterial, systemic venous (SV), and colonic venous (CV) blood samples were collected for measurement of blood gas tensions, oximetry, lactate concentration, PCV, and plasma total protein concentration. The eicosanoids, 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha, prostaglandin E2, and thromboxane B2, were measured in CV blood, and endotoxin was measured in CV and SV blood. Full-thickness biopsy specimens were harvested from the left ventral colon for histologic evaluation and determination of wet weight-to-dry weight ratios (WW:DW). Data were analyzed, using two-way ANOVA for repeated measures, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and cardiac output increased with MnCl2 infusion; heart rate and cardiac output remained increased throughout the study, but mean arterial pressure returned to BL values within 30 minutes after completion of MnCl2 infusion. Other drug-induced changes were not significant. There were significant increases in mean pulmonary artery and mean right atrial pressures at 2 and 2.5 hours in horses of all groups, but other changes across time or differences among groups were not observed. Mean pulmonary artery pressure remained increased through 6 hours in all groups, but mean right atrial pressure had returned to BL values at 3 hours. Mean colonic arterial pressure was significantly decreased at 30 minutes of ischemia and remained decreased through 6 hours; however, by 3.25 hours it was significantly higher than the value at 3 hours of ischemia. Colonic arterial resistance decreased during ischemia and remained decreased throughout reperfusion in all groups; there were no differences among groups for colonic arterial resistance. Colonic venous PO2, oxygen content, and pH decreased, and PCO2 and lactate concentration increased during ischemia but returned to BL values during reperfusion. Compared with BL values, colonic oxygen extraction ratio was increased from 0.5 to 3 hours. By 15 minutes of reperfusion, colonic oxygen extraction ratio had decreased from the BL value in all groups and either remained decreased or returned to values not different from BL through 6 hours. Colonic venous 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha and prostaglandin E2 concentrations increased during ischemia, but returned to BL on reperfusion; there were no changes in thromboxane2 concentration among or within groups. Endotoxin was not detected in CV or SV blood after ischemia or reperfusion. There were no differences among or within groups for these variables. Low-flow ischemia and reperfusion (I-R) of the large colon caused mucosal injury, as evidenced by increases in percentage of surface mucosal disruption, percentage depth of mucosal loss, mucosal hemorrhage, mucosal edema, mucosal interstitial-to-crypt ratio, mucosal neutrophil index, submucosal venular neutrophil numbers, and mucosal cellular debris index. There was a trend (P = 0.06) toward greater percentage depth of mucosal loss at 6 hours in horses treated with dimethyl sulfoxide, compared with the vehicle control solution. There were no differences in the remainder of the histologic variables among groups. Full-thickness and mucosal WW:DW increased with colonic I-R, but there were no differences among groups. There was a trend (P = 0.09) toward neutrophil accumulation, as measured by myeloperoxidase activity, in the lungs after colonic I-R, but there were no differences among groups. There was no change in lung WW:DW after colonic I-R. There were no beneficial effects of drugs directed against oxygen-derived free radical-mediated damage on colonic mucosal injury associated with low-flow I-R. Deleterious drug-induced hemodynamic effects were not observed in this study.

The effect of premedication with phenylbutazone on systemic hemodynamic and diuretic effects of furosemide was examined in 6 healthy, conscious, mares. Mares were instrumented for measurement of systemic hemodynamics, including cardiac output and pulmonary arterial, systemic arterial, and intracardiac pressures, and urine flow. Each of 3 treatments was administered in a randomized, blinded study; furosemide (1 mg/kg of body weight, IV) only, phenylbutazone (8.8 mg/kg PO, at 24 hours and 4.4 mg/kg IV, 30 minutes before furosemide) and furosemide, or 0.9% NaCl. Phenylbutazone administration significantly attenuated, but did not abolish, the diuretic effect of furosemide. Phenylbutazone completely inhibited the immediate effect of furosemide on cardiac output, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, and right ventricular peak pressure. Premedication with phenylbutazone did not inhibit equally the diuretic and hemodynamic effects of furosemide, indicating that some of furosemide's hemodynamic effects are mediated by an extrarenal activity of furosemide.

Using radionuclide-labeled 15-micrometer-diameter microspheres injected into the left ventricle, we examined blood flow to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, kidneys, and various gastrointestinal tract tissues in 9 healthy horses while they were standing quietly (rest) and during exercise at 2 work intensities (8 and 13 m/s). Hemodynamic measurements were made during steady-state conditions, as judged by the stability of heart rate as well as aortic, pulmonary, and right atrial pressures. The similarity of blood flow values for the left and the right kidneys during each of the 3 conditions indicated adequate mixing of microspheres with blood. In standing horses, of all tissues examined, the thyroid gland had the highest blood flow (1,655.2 +/- 338.5 ml/min/100 g)--being about threefold that in the kidneys. Adrenal blood flow, by contrast, was only 25% of that in the kidneys (589.5 +/- 50.4 ml/min/100 g). Among the gastrointestinal tract tissues, glandular stomach and pancreas had the highest blood flows (214.3 +/- 21.6 and 197.6 +/- 23.4 ml/min/100 g, respectively). Small intestinal perfusion was not different from that in the ventral colon and cecum, but their values exceeded those for the dorsal and small colons. Exercise at 8 and 13 m/s caused significant increase in adrenal blood flow as vascular resistance decreased significantly. In the kidneys, blood flow was only insignificantly affected during exercise at 8 m/s, but at 13 m/s there was a profound reduction in renal blood flow as intense renal vasoconstriction occurred. Vasoconstriction also caused thyroid and pancreatic blood flow to decrease significantly at both levels of exertion. Significant vasoconstriction occurring in all gastrointestinal tract tissues at 8 and 13 m/s caused blood flow to be diverted away from these vascular beds. Thus, our data indicated that renal, adrenal, and splanchnic organ/tissue blood flow responses of strenuously exercising horses closely resemble those described for exercising ponies.

Starling forces and hemodynamics in the digits of 5 horses were studied during early laminitis induced by oral administration of an aqueous extract of black walnut (Juglans nigra). The black walnut extract was prepared from heartwood shavings and was administered by nasogastric tube. Heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, central venous and arterial pressures, digital pulses, and signs of lameness were monitored. Blood samples were collected for determination of WBC count, hemoglobin concentration, and PCV and for endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor assays. Total WBC count and central venous pressure were monitored until they decreased by 30 or 20%, respectively. These decreases in WBC count and central venous pressure were observed 2 to 3 hours after dosing with black walnut extract. Respiratory and heart rates, body temperature, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, PCV, and hemoglobin concentration did not change significantly. Anesthesia was induced, heparin (500 IU/kg of body weight) was administered IV, and a pump-perfused extracorporeal digital preparation was established. Digital arterial and venous pressures were maintained at 100 and 30 mm of Hg, respectively. Blood flow, capillary pressure, lymph and plasma protein concentrations, and weight of the isolated digit during rapid increase in venous pressure were measured. Isogravimetric capillary filtration coefficient, vascular compliance, vascular and tissue oncotic pressures, tissue pressure, osmotic reflection coefficient, and precapillary and postcapillary resistances were calculated. Mean digital blood flow was 14 ml/min/100 g, capillary pressure was 52 mm of Hg, and vascular compliance was 0.06 ml/mm of Hg. The vascular and tissue oncotic pressures were 21.49 and 4.93 mm of Hg, respectively. The osmotic reflection coefficient was 0.71, and tissue pressure was 41 mm of Hg. The precapillary and postcapillary resistances were 7 and 2 mm of Hg/ml, respectively. Capillary permeability to proteins was not significantly different from that previously measured in healthy horses, suggesting that the increased capillary filtration coefficient reflected increased capillary hydrostatic pressure and perfusion of previously nonperfused capillaries. Neither endotoxin nor serum tumor necrosis factor activity was detected in any samples. The hemodynamic and Starling forces observed in this study were similar to those observed after laminitis was induced by administration of a carbohydrate gruel. Significant differences between the 2 models were detected for total vascular resistance, postcapillary resistance, and capillary filtration coefficient. It is likely that these differences were identified because the horses administered the black walnut extract were at an earlier stage in the disease process. The findings of this study suggest that the increase in capillary pressure causes transvascular fluid movement, resulting in increased tissue pressure and edema. We hypothesize that further increases in tissue pressure may collapse capillary beds and lead to tissue ischemia.

Effects of differential ventilation on gas exchange were studied in 7 isoflurane-anesthetized, laterally recumbent horses, and were compared with effects of conventional ventilation, using similar minute volume. A tracheal tube-in-tube intubation technique allowed each lung to be connected separately to an anesthetic circle system with a ventilator. Two distribution patterns of tidal volume were investigated; half the tidal volume was distributed to each lung and two-thirds the tidal volume was distributed to the dependent lung. Effects of the combination of these patterns with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 10 and 20 cm of H20 to the dependent lung were investigated. Differential ventilation maintained PaCO2, but significantly increased PaO2, from 180 to 270 mm of Hg (+44%) and decreased shunt perfusion from 22 to 19% (-15%), regardless of the distribution pattern used. Mean airway pressure was lower than the value detected during conventional ventilation. The combination of differential ventilation with selective PEEP was followed by a decrease in PaCO2 and further increase of PaO2 and decrease of shunt, which were similar for both distribution patterns. Effects of PEEP of 20 cm of H2O were more pronounced than those of PEEP of 10 cm of H2O. Owing to the combined effects of differential ventilation and selective PEEP, PaO2 increased to 399 mm of Hg and shunt decreased to 15%. This represents increase of 112% and decrease of 33% respectively, compared with values for conventional ventilation. Mean airway pressure increased maximally to 23 cm of H2O, which was 11 cm of H2O greater than the value for conventional ventilation. During differential ventilation, alveolar dead space in the dependent lung became greater than that in the nondependent lung and maximum was 39%. There were no significant changes in arterial blood pressure. Beneficial effects on gas exchange can be explained by improved matching of ventilation and perfusion, possibly attributable to reopening of previously dosed units in the dependent lung.

Hemodynamic and analgesic effects of medetomidine (15 microgram/kg of body weight, IM) and etomidate (0.5 mg/kg, IV, loading dose; 50 micrograms/kg/min, constant infusion) were evaluated in 6 healthy adult Beagles. Instrumentation was performed during isoflurane/ oxygen-maintained anesthesia. Before initiation of the study, isoflurane was allowed to reach end-tidal concentration less than or equal to 0.5%, when baseline measurements were recorded. Medetomidine and atropine (0.044 mg/kg) were given IM after recording of baseline values. Ten minutes later, the loading dose of etomidate was given IM, and constant infusion was begun and continued for 60 minutes. Oxygen was administered via endotracheal tube throughout the study. Analgesia was evaluated by use of the standard tail clamp technique and a direct-current nerve stimulator. Sinoatrial and atrial-ventricular blocks occurred in 4 of 6 dogs within 2 minutes after administration of a medetomidine-atropine combination, but disappeared within 8 minutes. Apnea did not occur after administration of the etomidate loading dose. Analgesia was complete and consistent throughout 60 minutes of etomidate infusion. Medetomidine significantly (P < 0.05) increased systemic vascular resistance and decreased cardiac output. Etomidate infusion caused a decrease in respiratory function, but minimal changes in hemodynamic values. Time from termination of etomidate infusion to extubation, sternal recumbency, standing normally, and walking normally were 17.3 +/- 9.4, 43.8 +/- 14.2, 53.7 +/- 11.9, and 61.0 +/- 10.9 minutes, respectively. All recoveries were smooth and unremarkable. We concluded that this anesthetic drug combination, at the dosages used, is a safe technique in healthy Beagles.

Seven adult mares were used to determine the analgesic, CNS, and cardiopulmonary effects of detomidine hydrochloride solution after epidural or subarachnoid administration, using both regimens in random sequence. At least 1 week elapsed between experiments. A 17-gauge Huber point (Tuohy) directional needle was used to place a catheter with stylet into either the epidural space at the first coccygeal interspace or the subarachnoid space at the lumbosacral intervertebral junction. Catheters were advanced so that the tips lay at the caudal sacral (S5 to S4) epidural space or at the midsacral (S3 to S2) subarachnoid space. Position of the catheter was confirmed radiographically. A 1% solution of detomidine HCl was injected into the epidural catheter at a dosage of 60 micrograms/kg of body weight, and was expanded to a 10-ml volume with sterile water to induce selective caudal epidural analgesia (CEA). A dose of 30 micrograms of detomidine HCl/kg expanded to a 3-ml volume with spinal fluid was injected into the subarachnoid catheter to induce caudal subarachnoid analgesia (CSA). Analgesia was determined by lack of sensory perception to electrical stimulation (avoidance threshold > 40 V, 0.5-ms duration) at the perineal dermatomes and no response to superficial and deep muscular pinprick stimulation at the pelvic limb and lumbar and thoracic dermatomes. Maximal CEA and CSA extended from the coccyx to spinal cord segments T15 and T14 at 10 to 25 minutes after epidural and subarachnoid drug administrations in 2 mares. Analgesia at the perineal area lasted longer after epidural than after subarachnoid administration (142.8 +/- 28.8 minutes vs 127.1 +/- 27.7 minutes). All mares remained standing. Both CEA and CSA induced marked sedation, moderate ataxia, minimal cardiopulmonary depression, increased frequency of second-degree atrioventricular heart block, and renal diuresis. All treatments resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) decreased heart rate, respiratory rate, systemic arterial blood pressure, PCV, and plasma total solids concentration. To the contrary, arterial carbon dioxide tension, plasma bicarbonate, and standard base excess concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased. Arterial oxygen tension, pH, and rectal temperature did not change significantly from baseline values. Results indicate that use of detomidine for CEA and CSA in mares probably induces local spinal and CNS effects, marked sedation, moderate ataxia, mild cardiopulmonary depression, and renal diuresis.

Cardiopulmonary and behavioral responses to detomidine, a potent alpha 2-adrenergic agonist, were determined at 4 plasma concentrations in standing horses. After instrumentation and baseline measurements in 7 horses (mean +/- SD for age and body weight, 6 +/- 2 years, and 531 +/- 48.5 kg, respectively), detomidine was infused to maintain 4 plasma concentrations: 2.1 +/- 0.5 (infusion 1), 7.2 +/- 3.5 (infusion 2), 19.1 +/- 5.1 (infusion 3), and 42.9 +/- 10 (infusion 4) ng/ml, by use of a computer-controlled infusion system. Detomidine caused concentration-dependent sedation and somnolence. These effects were profound during infusions 3 and 4, in which marked head ptosis developed and all horses leaned heavily on the bars of the restraining stocks. Heart rate and cardiac index decreased from baseline measurements (42 +/- 7 beats/min, 65 +/- 11 ml.kg of body weight-1.min-1) in linear relationship with the logarithm of plasma detomidine concentration (ie, heart rate = -4.7 [log(e) detomidine concentration] + 44.3, P < 0.01; cardiac index = -10.5 [log(e) detomidine concentration] + 73.6, P < 0.01). Second-degree atrioventricular block developed in 5 of 7 horses during infusion 3, and in 6 of 7 horses during infusion 4. Mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly from 118 +/- 11 mm of Hg at baseline to 146 +/- 27 mm of Hg at infusion 4. Similar responses were observed for mean pulmonary artery and right atrial pressures. Systemic vascular resistance (baseline, 182 +/- 28 mm of Hg.ml-1.min-1.kg-1) increased significantly during infusions 3 and 4 (to 294 +/- 79 and 380 +/- 58, respectively). Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration was significantly increased with increasing detomidine concentration (20.4 +/- 3.8 pg/ml at baseline to 33.5 +/- 9.1 at infusion 4). There were few significant changes in respiration rate and arterial blood gas and pH values. We conclude that maintenance of steady-state detomidine plasma concentrations resulted in cardiopulmonary changes that were quantitatively similar to those induced by detomidine bolus administration in horses.

Cardiorespiratory effects of abdominal insufflation were evaluated in 8 dogs during isoflurane anesthesia. Each dog was studied 3 times, in 1 of the following orders of insufflation pressures: 10-20-30, 20-30-10, 30-20-10, 10-30-20, 20-10-30, and 30-10-20 mm of Hg. Anesthesia was induced by use of a mask, dogs were intubated, and anesthesia was maintained by isoflurane in 100% oxygen. After instrumentation, baseline values were recorded (time 0), and the abdomen was insufflated with nitrous oxide. Data were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 minutes after insufflation. The abdomen was then desufflated, with recording of data continuing at 35 and 40 minutes. Mean arterial pressure increased at 5 minutes during 20 mm of Hg insufflation pressure, and from 20 to 30 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Tidal volume decreased from 5 to 30 minutes during 10 and 20 mm of Hg pressures, and from 5 to 40 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Minute ventilation decreased at 10 and 20 minutes during 20 mm of Hg pressure. End-tidal CO2 concentration increased from 5 to 30 minutes during 20 and 30 mm of Hg pressure. The PaCO2 decreased at 40 minutes during 10 mm of Hg pressure, at 30 minutes during 20 mm of Hg pressure, and from 10 to 40 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Values for pH decreased from 10 to 30 minutes during 20 and 30 mm of Hg pressures. The PaO2 decreased from 20 to 40 minutes during 10 mm of Hg pressure, at 30 minutes during 20 mm of Hg pressure, and from 10 to 40 minutes during 30 mm of Hg pressure. Percentage decrease in tidal volume was greater at 5 and 15 minutes with 30 mm of Hg pressure. Differences in percentage increase in end tidal CO2 concentration were observed among the 3 pressures from 5 to 30 minutes. Although significant, these changes do not preclude use of laparoscopy if insufflation pressure > 20 mm of Hg is avoided.