OBJECTIVE To determine whether stored (cooled or frozen-thawed) jejunal segments can be used to obtain dependable leak pressure data after enterotomy closure. SAMPLE 36 jejunal segments from 3 juvenile pigs. PROCEDURES Jejunal segments were harvested from euthanized pigs and assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups (n = 12 segments/group) as follows: fresh (used within 4 hours after collection), cooled (stored overnight at 5°C before use), and frozen-thawed (frozen at −12°C for 8 days and thawed at room temperature [23°C] for 1 hour before use). Jejunal segments were suspended and 2-cm enterotomy incisions were made on the antimesenteric border. Enterotomies were closed with a simple continuous suture pattern. Lactated Ringer solution was infused into each segment until failure at the suture line was detected. Leak pressure was measured by use of a digital transducer. RESULTS Mean ± SD leak pressure for fresh, cooled, and frozen-thawed segments was 68.3 ± 23.7 mm Hg, 55.3 ± 28.1 mm Hg, and 14.4 ± 14.8 mm Hg, respectively. Overall, there were no significant differences in mean leak pressure among pigs, but a significant difference in mean leak pressure was detected among treatment groups. Mean leak pressure was significantly lower for frozen-thawed segments than for fresh or cooled segments, but mean leak pressure did not differ significantly between fresh and cooled segments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fresh porcine jejunal segments or segments cooled overnight may be used for determining intestinal leak pressure, but frozen-thawed segments should not be used.

OBJECTIVE To biomechanically compare modified and standard laryngoplasty constructs in monotonic load to failure and cyclic loading. SAMPLES 41 equine cadaveric larynges. PROCEDURES Laryngoplasty constructs were created by use of a standard technique on one side and a modified technique (with a toggle to anchor suture to the arytenoid cartilage) on the other side. For monotonic loading, laryngoplasty constructs were prepared and suture ends attached to a load frame; constructs then were loaded until mechanical failure. Mean load at failure and failure modes were compared between constructs. For cyclic loading, arytenoid cartilages were maximally abducted and constructs were circumferentially loaded for 10,000 cycles. Loss of arytenoid abduction was evaluated every 500 cycles with a subjective grading scale and objective change in rima glottidis cross-sectional area. RESULTS In monotonic loading, modified laryngoplasty constructs failed at a significantly higher mean ± SD load (191 ± 29 N) than did standard laryngoplasty constructs (91 ± 44 N). None of the modified laryngoplasty constructs failed by suture pull-through of the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage, whereas most of the standard laryngoplasty constructs failed in that manner. In cyclic testing, 11 of 20 standard laryngoplasty constructs failed or achieved Dixon grade 3 abduction, whereas 0 of 20 modified laryngoplasty constructs failed. Modified laryngoplasty constructs lost significantly less rima glottidis cross-sectional area in circumferential testing, compared with loss for standard laryngoplasty constructs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The modified laryngoplasty technique was biomechanically superior to the standard laryngoplasty technique in this ex vivo study.

OBJECTIVE To determine plasma concentrations of lidocaine after laryngeal administration or laryngeal and intratesticular administration in cats. ANIMALS 14 healthy adult sexually intact male cats (7 cats/treatment). PROCEDURES Cats were randomly allocated to receive 0.1 mL of 2% or 10% lidocaine hydrochloride solution (treatments L2 and L10, respectively) sprayed on the larynx for laryngeal desensitization, followed by endotracheal intubation and isoflurane anesthesia. After a 7-day washout period, cats were again randomly allocated to receive treatment L2 or L10, and castration was performed under isoflurane anesthesia following intratesticular administration of 2% lidocaine solution (0.1 mL/kg). In both experiments, a blood sample for measurement of plasma lidocaine concentration was obtained before (0 minutes) and 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 75 minutes after laryngeal administration of lidocaine solution. Anesthesia was discontinued at 60 minutes. Plasma lidocaine concentrations were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS After treatments L2 and L10, median maximum plasma lidocaine concentrations were 34.1 ng/mL (range, 0 to 279.4 ng/mL) and 93.6 ng/mL (range, 79.3 to 182.2 ng/mL), respectively. Time to maximum plasma concentration was 10 minutes (range, 0 to 20 minutes) for each treatment. When cats received intratesticular lidocaine administration following L2 or L10 treatment, median maximum plasma concentration was 181.0 ng/mL (range, 103.7 to 600.2 ng/mL) and 301.2 ng/mL (range, 265.8 to 1,770.0 ng/mL), respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE On the basis of these data, combined laryngeal and intratesticular administration of lidocaine solution at a total dose of approximately 5 mg/kg appears to be safe for use in healthy adult cats.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of stacked wedge pads and chains applied to the forefeet of Tennessee Walking Horses on behavioral and biochemical indicators of pain, stress, and inflamation. ANIMALS 20 Tennessee Walking Horses. PROCEDURES Horses were randomly assigned to 2 treatment groups: keg shoes (control; n = 10) or stacked wedge pads and exercise with chains (10). Ten days before treatment application, an accelerometer was attached at the left metatarsus of each horse to record daily activity. Horses were exercised for 20 minutes daily, beginning on day -7. On day 0, exercise ceased, the forefeet were trimmed, and the assigned treatment was applied. From days 1 through 5, horses were exercised as before. Blood samples for measurement of plasma cortisol, substance P, and fibrinogen concentrations were collected on days -5, 1, and 5 before and after exercise and every 30 minutes thereafter for 6 hours. RESULTS No significant differences in plasma concentrations of cortisol, substance P, and fibrinogen were detected between groups. Although lying behaviors changed after shoes were applied, these behaviors did not differ significantly between groups. Shoeing appeared to have altered behavior to a greater extent than did the type of treatment applied. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Application of stacked wedge pads and chains to the forefeet of horses for a 5-day period as performed in this study evoked no acute or subacute stress or nociceptive response as measured. Although these findings should not be extrapolated to the long-term use of such devices in Tennessee Walking Horses performing the running walk, the data should be considered when making evidence-based decisions relating to animal welfare and the use of stacked wedge pads and chains.

OBJECTIVE To compare the pharmacokinetics of 2 commercial florfenicol formulations following IM and SC administration to sheep. ANIMALS 16 healthy adult mixed-breed sheep. PROCEDURES In a crossover study, sheep were randomly assigned to receive florfenicol formulation A or B at a single dose of 20 mg/kg, IM, or 40 mg/kg, SC. After a 2-week washout period, each sheep was administered the opposite formulation at the same dose and administration route as the initial formulation. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at predetermined times for 24 hours after each florfenicol administration. Plasma florfenicol concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by noncompartmental methods and compared between the 2 formulations at each dose and route of administration. RESULTS Median maximum plasma concentration, elimination half-life, and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to the last quantifiable measurement for florfenicol were 3.76 μg/mL, 13.44 hours, and 24.88 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation A and 7.72 μg/mL, 5.98 hours, and 41.53 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation B following administration of 20 mg of florfenicol/kg, IM, and 2.63 μg/mL, 12.48 hours, and 31.63 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation A and 4.70 μg/mL, 16.60 hours, and 48.32 μg•h/mL, respectively, for formulation B following administration of 40 mg of florfenicol/kg, SC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that both formulations achieved plasma florfenicol concentrations expected to be therapeutic for respiratory tract disease caused by Mannheimia haemolytica or Pasteurella spp at both doses and administration routes evaluated.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate colonization of Streptococcus suis and Streptococcus parasuis on pig farms in Japan and to identify sources of infections. SAMPLE Saliva, feces, and vaginal swab samples from 84 healthy pigs of several growth stages on 4 farms and swab samples of feed troughs and water dispensers at those farms. PROCEDURES Samples were collected from August 2015 to June 2016. Two quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays (one for S suis and the other for S parasuis) were designed for use in the study. The novel qPCR assays were used in combination with previously described qPCR assays for S suis serotype 2 or 1/2 and total bacteria. Relative abundance of bacteria in each sample was evaluated. RESULTS Streptococcus suis was detected in all saliva samples and some of the other samples, whereas S parasuis was not detected in any of the samples, including saliva samples, which indicated a difference in colonization preference. The ratio of S suis to total bacteria in saliva appeared to increase with age of pigs. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 or 1/2 was detected in a few saliva samples and feed trough swab samples at 2 farms where S suis infections were prevalent. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Saliva, especially that of sows, appeared to be a reservoir and source of S suis infection for pigs. The qPCR assay described here may provide an effective way to monitor for S suis in live pigs, which could lead to effective disease control on pig farms.

The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in different breed of goats based on age, sex, seasonal variation and vaccination status at Upazilla Veterinary Hospital, Pirojpur Sadar, Bangladesh during the period from January 2015 to December 2015. A total of 319 cases of different breed of goats were recorded in which 43 (13.48%) were infected by Peste des Petits Ruminants. The diagnosis of Peste des Petits Ruminants was performed based on clinical history, clinical signs and some laboratory techniques. The major clinical signs were high fever, nasal discharge, rapid breathing, mouth lesions and bloody diarrhea.The prevalence was highest in Black Bengal goat (6.90%) compare to Jamunapari (3.76%) and crossbreds (2.82%). Female goats were more susceptible (60.47%) than the male goats (39.53%). 5 months to 11 months aged goats showed highest prevalence (48.84%) followed by 1 to 3 years aged goats (27.91%) and 0 to 4 months aged goats (23.26%). In winter season, the prevalence was highest (55.81%) compare to summer (25.58%) and rainy season (18.60%). The non-vaccinated goats were more susceptible (90.91%) than the vaccinated goats (9.09%).Those prevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in different breed of goats based on age, sex, seasons and vaccination will help clinician to know the occurrence of Peste des Petits Ruminants in this area and will help them to take proper preventive measures.

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the presence and the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from the urine and stool samples. A total of 500 routine urine and feces samples were used for testing as the study materials, and a total of 349 Enterococcus spp. were collected for investigation. For the isolation, blood agar and bile esculin agar were used. DNA isolations of the 24-hour growth cultures of possible enterococci were carried out using a DNA isolation kit.Out of 350 routine urine and 150 stool samples taken with the approval of the patients, 235 (67.1%) and 114 (76%) Enterococcus spp. were isolated respectively. Using the multiplex PCR method with species specific primers, 136 (57.8%) of urine and 22 (19.2%) of stool originated enterococcal strains were identified as Enterococcus faecalis; on the other hand, 17 (7.2%) of urine and 61 (53.5%) of stool originated enterococci were identified as Enterococcus faecium.As a result of the study in Van, Turkey, the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium strains were found to be lower than other regions.

Infection with Neospora caninum in a dog is described. The predominant clinical findings were proprioception deficit, involuntary and continuous contracture of the pelvic extremity muscles. N. caninum is structurally similar to Toxoplasma gondii, but it is immunologically distinct. Therefore, infections had been misdiagnosed as toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by an immunofluorescence antibody test. The parasite is sensitive to clindamycin and trimethoprim/sulphonamide, however the prognosis is poor especially if the muscle contractures have occurred.

In this study, normal values of important blood parameters in the clinical direction of blood samples of Van cats living in Van and around Van were investigated.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of glucose, total cholesterol, total lipid, total protein, total bilirubine, urea, creatinine quantities, α-Amylase, GOT, GPT, γGT, CK, ALP, LDH, α-HBDH, Che, SDH enzyme activities, GOT/GPT, γGT/GOT, CK/GOT, LDH/GOT, HBDH/LDH ratios and serum protein fractions in 10 Van cats; albumin, α-1globulin, α-2 globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin and albumin / globulin ratio were determined.In order for Van cats that are an important cultural asset and protected rather not to become extinct but to provide them with healthy conditions for living and breeding, we believe that the values we identify will contribute to practice associated with Van cats and generate collective reference values in scientific studies and will help veterinary clinicians.