The effect of various confinement conditions on physical fitness in dogs was evaluated. Eighteen 9.5- to 10-month-old female purpose-bred Beagles were maintained individually for 3 months at a time in 1 of 6 confinement conditions: Condition A--an outdoor housing area with a conventional dog house and free access to a 6.1 X 9.1-m pen; condition B--outdoor kennel with a conventional dog house and free access to a 1.8 X 6.1-m run; condition C--indoor environmentally controlled 1.2 X 3.66-m run; condition D--0.9 X 1.2 X 0.84-m conventional laboratory cage in an indoor environmentally controlled room; condition E--0.9 X 1.2 X 0.84-m conventional laboratory cage in an indoor environmentally controlled room with treadmill exercise (7 km/h at a 10% grade) for 30 min/d, 5 d/wk; condition F--0.71 X 0.86 X 0.69-m conventional laboratory cage in an indoor environmentally controlled room. During the final week of each 3-month interval, muscle succinate dehydrogenase enzyme activities and submaximal exercise heart rates (during treadmill exercise) were determined to estimate physical fitness. Also, 5 days after being moved into a different housing condition, blood samples were collected for plasma cortisol determination. The type of confinement condition for dogs had little effect on muscle succinate dehydrogenase activity, but had a modest effect on submaximal exercise heart rates of dogs. At the fifth and tenth minutes of the treadmill exercise period, heart rates of dogs maintained in the smallest cages (condition F) were higher than those of dogs maintained in outside pens and runs (conditions A and B), indicating decreased fitness in the dogs maintained in the smallest cages. Differences in heart rates were not detected among dogs in other conditions. The confinement conditions used in this study had no detectable effect on plasma cortisol concentrations. We concluded that neither cage or pen size nor a regular mandatory exercise program substantially impacted on physical fitness of laboratory confined dogs, as long as the cages complied with federal standards and guidelines. Dogs maintained in substandard cages did have modest decreases in fitness.

Ten foals of various breeds were deprived of colostrum from birth to 36 hours of age, then were allotted to 2 groups. Foals of group 1 (n = 6) were given 20 g (200 ml) of purified equine IgG IV in a 10% solution, and foals of group 2 (n = 4) were given 30 g (300 ml) of the same preparation. Total administration time for each 10 g of IgG in 100 ml was approximately 10 minutes. Serum IgG concentration in foals was assessed prior to, between 24 and 48 hours, and at 7 and 14 days after IgG administration. Between 24 and 48 hours after IgG administration, mean serum IgG concentration in group-1 foals was 425 mg/dl (range, 350 to 480 mg/dl). Mean body weight for this group of foals was 50.3 kg (range, 43.3 to 54.7 kg). For group-2 foals, mean serum IgG concentration was 768 mg/dl (range, 640 to 920 mg/dl) between 24 and 48 hours after administration of IgG. Foals of this group had mean body weight of 43.2 kg (range, 36.5 to 47.5 kg). Serum IgG concentration in group-2 foals at 24 to 48 hours was significantly (P = 0.005) greater than that in group-1 foals. Mean total IgG recovery at 24 to 48 hours, calculated on the basis of 94.5 ml of plasma volume/kg of body weight, was approximately 100%. Values of IgG measured in all foals 1 and 2 weeks after administration of the IgG concentrate were equivalent to values expected after normal decay of passively acquired IgG. Mild, adverse reactions occurred in 3 of the treated (1 group-1 foal and 2 group-2 foals).

Gentamicin sulfate-induced nephrotoxicosis was compared in 2 groups of horses fed different rations. Four horses were fed only alfalfa hay, and 4 other horses were fed only whole oats. Seven days after initiation of the diet, all horses were given gentamicin IV (5 mg/kg of body weight) every 12 hours for 22 days. Urinary gamma-glutamyltransferase to urinary creatinine (UGGT:UCr) ratio was calculated daily, and serum concentration of gentamicin was measured at 1 and 12 hours after drug administration. Results indicated that horses fed oats had greater renal tubular damage than did horses fed alfalfa. Mean UGGT:UCr for horses fed alfalfa was 47.1 +/- 18.8 and was 100.0 +/- 19.0 for horses fed oats (P = 0.007). The UGGT:UCr in horses fed oats was > 100 for a total of 54 days; horses fed alfalfa had UGGT:UCr > 100 for only 7 days. Two horses not given gentamicin were fed only oats and 2 were fed only alfalfa. These horses had mean UGGT:UCr of 17.6 +/- 2.2 and 30.5 +/- 3.0, respectively. Mean peak and trough concentrations of gentamicin were statistically different for horses fed oats and those fed alfalfa (peak 23.16 +/- 1.87 and 14.07 +/- 1.79 microgram/ml, respectively [P = 0.0001], and trough, 1.81 +/- 0.69 and 0.71 +/- 0.70 microgram/ml, respectively [P = 0.02701)]. Mean half-lives of gentamicin (estimated from peak and trough concentrations) for horses fed alfalfa (2.58 +/- 0.26 hours) and horses fed oats (2.88 +/- 0.27 hours) were not significantly different. Horses fed only oats had greater degree of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicosis than did those fed only alfalfa.

Ten colostrum-deprived calves were assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups (5 calves/group), and fed colostrum that had either low (naturally infected cows) or high (immunized cows) antibody titers to bovine coronavirus (BCV). All calves were inoculated orally and intranasally with virulent BCV when they were 24 to 48 hours old and challenge exposed 21 days later. Blood, feces, nasal secretions, tears, saliva, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids were collected weekly from each calf for 5 weeks after inoculation. The titers to whole BCV or the relative amounts of isotype-specific antibodies to BCV structural proteins were evaluated in these samples by ELISA or immunoblotting, respectively. Both pools of colostrum contained primarily IgG1, IgG2, and IgA antibodies to the E2 and E3 BCV proteins. Calves fed the high-titer colostrum had correspondingly higher amounts of passive IgG1 and IgA antibodies to whole BCV and to the E2 and E3 BCV proteins in serum, feces, and BAL fluid at postinoculation week 1 than those calves fed low-titer colostrum. Active IgG1, IgA and IgM antibody responses in serum and active IgA and IgM antibody responses in most mucosal secretions to whole BCV and to the E2 and E3 proteins were lower or delayed in calves fed high-titer colostrum, compared with responses in calves fed low-titer colostrum. In contrast, increased responses to the BCV N protein were observed in all samples (except in serum and BAL fluid) in the calves fed high-titer colostrum, compared with calves fed low-titer colostrum. Upon challenge exposure, responses to E2 and E3 BCV proteins in serum and BAL fluid were lower in the group fed high-titer colostrum, compared with those in the group fed low-titer colostrum. Our findings indicate that the level of passive immunity in calves at the time of BCV inoculation can influence the development of active antibody responses in serum, feces, and mucosal secretions to whole BCV and to some BCV proteins individually.

The influence of induced chronic renal failure on 24-hour urinary excretion and fractional excretion of sodium and potassium was studied in cats. Induction of chronic renal failure significantly increased fractional excretion of potassium (P < 0.0001) and sodium (P < 0.05); however, 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium and potassium decreased slightly following induction of chronic renal failure. Fractional excretion and 24-hour urinary excretion of sodium and potassium were compared by linear regression in clinically normal cats, cats with chronic renal failure, and clinically normal and affected cats combined. In clinically normal cats, linear regression revealed only moderate correlation between fractional excretion and 24-hour urinary excretion for sodium and potassium. Linear regression of these same relationships in cats with chronic renal failure, and in clinically normal cats and cats with chronic renal failure combined, indicated low correlation. Fractional excretions of sodium and potassium were not reliable indicators of 24-hour urinary excretion of these electrolytes in cats with chronic renal failure or unknown glomerular filtration rate. Fractional excretion of potassium and sodium correlated only moderately with urinary excretion in clinically normal cats.

The effects of single IV injections of sodium bicarbonate (0.5 mEq/kg of body weight, 1 mEq/kg, 2 mEq/kg, and 4 mEq/kg) on serum osmolality, serum sodium, chloride, and potassium concentrations, and venous blood gas tensions in 6 healthy cats were monitored for 180 minutes. Serum osmolality increased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) increased for 120 minutes in cats given 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg. Serum sodium was increased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 30 minutes in cats given 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg. Serum sodium decreased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased for 120 minutes in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg, and serum osmolality was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased at 30 and 60 minutes. Serum chloride decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 10 minutes in cats given 1 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg, and was significantly decreased for 30 minutes in cats given 2 mEq and 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg. Serum chloride decreased and remained significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased for 30 minutes in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg. Serum sodium and serum osmolality did not change significantly (P less than 0.05) in cats given 4 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride/kg. Serum potassium decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) for 10 minutes in cats given 1 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg, and for 120 minutes in cats given 2 mEq/kg or 4 mEq/kg. There was a significantly (P less than 0.05) greater decrease in serum potassium that lasted for 30 minutes after giving sodium bicarbonate at the dosage of 4 mEq/kg, compared with other dosages given. Serum potassium did not change significantly in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg, but was significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased 10 minutes following 4 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride/kg. Sodium bicarbonate infusion significantly (P less than 0.05) increased venous blood pH and plasma bicarbonate concentration in all cats. The magnitude and duration of these changes were significantly greater following administration of sodium bicarbonate at dosages of 2 mEq/kg and 4 mEq/kg. Significant (P less than 0.05) increases in PCO2 were associated only with the highest dosage of sodium bicarbonate (4 mEq/kg). Base excess increased significantly (P less than 0.05) in all cats following sodium bicarbonate infusion. There were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater increases in base excess lasting 30 minutes following administration of sodium bicarbonate at dosages of 2 mEq/kg and 4 mEq/kg. Significant (P less than 0.05) changes in venous blood pH, PCO2, or bicarbonate were not observed in cats given 4 ml of 0.9% sodium chloride/kg, or in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg. Base excess was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased for 10 minutes in cats given 1 g of 20% mannitol/kg. As expected, 4 mEq of sodium bicarbonate/kg induced the most time- and dosage-related effects. Caution should be used when administering sodium bicarbonate IV to cats at dosages greater than 2 mEq/kg, because of the potential for important acid-base and electrolyte changes.

Sheets of mucosa from the jejunum of healthy horses were mounted in incubation chambers and bathed with Krebs-ringer bicarbonate solution. Changes in tissue function and histologic appearance were compared after the following conditions: (1) control conditions for 30 minutes with 95% O2/5% CO2 in the gas phase; (2) same conditions as control, except incubation with superoxide dismutase (300 U/ml) during the last 18 minutes; (3) anoxia for 15 minutes with 95% N2/5% CO2, followed by reoxygenation for 15 minutes; (4) same conditions as 3, except incubation with superoxide dismutase during reoxygenation; and (5) anoxia for 30 minutes. Anoxia reduced the accumulation of radiolabeled L-alanine and caused cell swelling, as indicated by an increase in tissue water and tissue Na contents. Reoxygenation improved the tissue's ability to accumulate L-alanine, but tissue swelling continued after this treatment. Tissue Na content and L-alanine accumulation were restored to control values by reoxygenation with superoxide dismutase in the bathing medium. The grade of structural damage, as indicated by separation of eptihelial cells from villi, was equally severe after all, but control, conditions. Superoxide dismutase had no effect on the tissue control conditions. Results of this study suggest that superoxide radicals are involved in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury in equine jejunal mucosa and that this may be of clinical importance in cases of small intestinal strangulation obstruction.

Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS), an anticaking agent for agricultural feeds, was added to aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated diets of 3 lactating dairy cows and evaluated for its potential to reduce aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) residues in milk. During phase I, cows were fed alternating diets that consisted of 200 microgram of AF/kg of feed for 7 days, 0.5% HSCAS plus 200 microgram of AF/kg of feed for 7 days, and feed with the HSCAS removed for a final 7 days. The AFM1 milk concentrations from the intervals with HSCAS added to diets were compared with those times when HSCAS was absent. The presence of 0.5% HSCAS in feed containing 200 microgram of AF/kg reduced AFM1 secretion into the milk by an average of 0.44 microgram/L (from pretreatment of 1.85 microgram/L to 1.41 microgram/L with HSCAS, a 24% reduction). Following a 10-day period of noncontaminated feed consumption and no AFM1 residues in the milk, phase II of the study was begun. The same experimental design as phase I was used, but the dosages of HSCAS and AF were changed to 1.0% and 100 microgram/kg of feed, respectively. The addition of 1.0% HSCAS in feed containing 100 microgram of AF/kg decreased AFM1 content in the milk by an average of 0.40 microgram/L (from a pretreatment of 0.91 microgram/L to 0.51 microgram/L when HSCAS was present, a 44% reduction). These findings suggest that HSCAS, a high-affinity sorbent compound for AF in vitro, is capable of reducing the secretion of AFM1 into milk.

A protocol for performing slit-lamp fluorophotometry of the anterior chamber in dogs was established. The technique was then used to develop a model of blood-aqueous barrier disruption that can be used for comparative testing of ophthalmic anti-inflammatory drugs. It was determined that barrier disruption induced by a slow, controlled paracentesis of a small volume of aqueous humor may provide the most reliable model for drug testing. Additionally, fluorophotometry proved to be a sensitive and accurate means of detecting breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier.

Techniques for the measurement of breath hydrogen excretion have been evaluated in dogs and the breath hydrogen test has been shown to be useful for clinical diagnosis and as a research tool. A simple method was developed for collection of expired air and measurement of breath hydrogen concentrations in cats, which enabled demonstration of carbohydrate malassimilation. Breath hydrogen concentrations were measured in healthy cats after food was withheld and after xylose and lactulose administration. Breath samples were collected by use of an open flow system with the cat confined in an acrylic plastic chamber. Breath hydrogen excretion did not exceed 0.53 ml of hydrogen/h in cats not fed. Breath hydrogen concentrations after the ingestion of xylose, a pentose sugar given orally at 0.75 g/kg of body weight, were not significantly higher from those of cats not fed. After ingestion of 3.35 g of lactulose, a nonabsorbable disaccharide, breath hydrogen excretion increased and breath hydrogen concentrations were significantly higher by 45 minutes (P < 0.05) and 60 minutes (P < 0.01) from breath hydrogen concentrations measured in cats not fed and after xylose administration. Administration of lactulose at an increased dosage resulted in further significant (P < 0.01) increases in breath hydrogen excretion. In this study, mouth-to-cecum transit times were variable. A mean +/- SEM mouth-to-cecum transit time of 86 +/- 6 minutes was calculated from measurement of breath hydrogen excretion after oral administration of 3.35 g of lactulose. Measurements of breath hydrogen concentrations after breath collection by open-flow and closed-flow sampling systems were highly correlated and both variables followed log-normal distributions. The dilution of expired air by the open flow sampling system was not excessive and the results of this correlation study suggested that differences in the assimilation of xylose in healthy cats and dogs may well exist.