The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding tramadol to lidocaine for brachial plexus block in sheep. Six healthy, adult ewes weighing 41.7 ± 3.82 kg were used. Using an electrical stimulator, brachial plexus block was performed with lidocaine (4 mg/kg) (LID), lidocaine (4 mg/kg)-tramadol (2 mg/kg) (LTL), and lidocaine (4 mg/kg)-tramadol (4 mg/kg) (LTH). All sheep received the three treatments with one-week interval. The final volume of administered solutions was adjusted to 0.3 mL/kg. Time to the onset and duration of anesthesia as well as changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were determined. Time to the onset of sensory blockade and motor blockade was not significantly different among groups. The duration of sensory blockade and motor blockade were significantly longer in LTH (128.3 ± 9.7 and 151.5 ± 21.5 min, respectively) compared with those of LID (88.6 ± 6.5 and 110.5 ± 21 min, respectively) and LTL (51.6 ± 11.8 and 89.6 ± 22.7 min, respectively). Although the onset of sensory blockade was longer than that of motor blockade in the three treatments, the difference was only significant in LTL. No significant differences were observed in heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature among and within treatments. It was concluded that addition of tramadol (4 mg/kg) to lidocaine, without altering the onset, can provide more prolonged anesthesia than that of lidocaine in brachial plexus block in sheep.

The changes in serum fructosamine concentration of dairy Saanen goats during late pregnancy and early lactation and its relationship to serum glucose, total protein, and albumin concentrations was investigated. Eleven Saanen goats were selected for the study. Blood samples were collected by the jugular vein in 30, 15 and 7 days before the expected time of parturition (D-30, D-15, and D-7, respectively) and also 12 hours and 3, 7, 13, and 42 days post-partum (H+12, D+3, D+7, D+13, and D+42, respectively). The serum concentrations of fructosamine, glucose, albumin, and total protein were measured. The maximum concentration of fructosamine was at 12 hours post-partum and decreased thereafter. Serum concentration of glucose significantly increased from D-15 up to 12 hours post-partum and then decreased and stayed at the same level. The serum concentrations of albumin and total protein significantly increased during post-partum period. There were significant correlations between fructosamine and glucose concentrations at post-partum period and overall time of the study. Linear regression analysis between each sampling amount of glucose and three consecutive fructosamine concentrations revealed significant positive correlation between glucose of each sampling time with the fructosamine of first sampling time thereafter. According to the correlation between glucose and fructosamine amounts during the study, especially post-partum period in Saanen goat, fructosamine measurement could be used as a useful indicator of energy economy and probably stress in Sannen goat; but controversy between reports in ruminants needs further studies for better understanding of fructosamine as energy biomarker in ruminants.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro acaricidal effect of aqueous ozone against Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae) under laboratory conditions. For this purpose, aqueous ozone at concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 ppm were prepared, and five replicate experiments were carried out using 400 μl of each concentration sprayed on every treatment batch of mites (plus a distilled water control). The mortality rate of mites in treatment and control groups were assessed 24 h post exposure. The mortality rate obtained by concentrations of 4, 5, and 10 ppm were significantly different from the control group (p< 0.05). The highest mortality rate (63.99%) was observed at concentration of 10 ppm. In this study, aqueous ozone showed a dose-dependent acaricidal potency against D. gallinae.

Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a major cause of anemia in newborn foals. However, there are no documented data regarding the occurrence of neonatal isoerythrolysis in Arabian horses of Iran, which are mostly raised in Khouzestan province. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of neonatal isoerythrolysis in Arabian horses of Khouzestan and assess the hematologic and serum biochemical profile of affected foals. A total of 20 neonatal foals, under one week of age, and their dams were involved in this study. Clinical examinations revealed no abnormality except in one foal with icteric mucous membranes, lethargy, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypothermia and hemoglobinuria which led to death. The diagnosis of neonatal isoerythrolysis was made based on erythrocyte agglutination in cross-match test between the mare serum and foal erythrocytes with the titer of 1:128, while other studied cases were assumed negative according to the test results. In the laboratory assessment, the foal with hemolytic anemia showed a major decline in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and erythrocyte count along with considerable leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Serum total and direct bilirubin concentrations in the NI case was about ten times higher than in the rest of the foals. This study revealed that neonatal isoerythrolysis can occur in Arabian foals of Khouzestan and is associated with severe anemia and icterus which may lead to death. These findings can be beneficial in the establishment of preventive measures in Arabian horse breeding industry in the region, as well as improving therapeutic methods.