Objective: To assess the effects of dopamine and dobutamine on the blood pressure of isoflurane-anesthetized Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Animals: 8 Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. Procedures: A randomized crossover study was conducted. Each bird was anesthetized (anesthesia maintained by administration of 2.5% isoflurane in oxygen) and received 3 doses of each drug during a treatment period of 20 min/dose. Treatments were constant rate infusions (CRIs) of dobutamine (5, 10, and 15 μg/kg/min) and dopamine (5, 7, and 10 μg/kg/min). Direct systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure measurements, heart rate, esophageal temperature, and end-tidal partial pressure of CO2 were recorded throughout the treatment periods. Results: Mean ± SD of the systolic, mean, and diastolic arterial blood pressures at time 0 (initiation of a CRI) were 132.9 ± 22.1 mm Hg, 116.9 ± 20.5 mm Hg, and 101.9 ± 22.0 mm Hg, respectively. Dopamine resulted in significantly higher values than did dobutamine for the measured variables, except for end-tidal partial pressure of CO2. Post hoc multiple comparisons revealed that the changes in arterial blood pressure were significantly different 4 to 7 minutes after initiation of a CRI. Overall, dopamine at rates of 7 and 10 μg/kg/min and dobutamine at a rate of 15 μg/kg/min caused the greatest increases in arterial blood pressure. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Dobutamine CRI at 5, 10, and 15 μg/kg/min and dopamine CRI at 5, 7, and 10 μg/kg/min may be useful in correcting severe hypotension in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots caused by anesthesia maintained with 2.5% isoflurane.

Objective: To determine the ultrasonographic features of the coelomic organs of healthy snakes belonging to the Boidae and Pythonidae families. Animals: 16 ball pythons (Python regius; 7 males, 8 females, and 1 sexually immature), 10 Indian rock pythons (Python molurus molurus; 5 males, 4 females, and 1 sexually immature), 12 Python curtus (5 males and 7 females), and 8 boa constrictors (Boa constrictor imperator; 4 males and 4 females). Procedures: All snakes underwent complete ultrasonographic evaluation of the coelomic cavity; chemical restraint was not necessary. A dorsolateral approach to probe placement was chosen to increase image quality and to avoid injury to the snakes and operators. Qualitative and quantitative observations were recorded. Results: The liver, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas, small and large intestines, kidneys, cloaca, and scent glands were identified in all snakes. The hemipenes were identified in 10 of the 21 (48%) male snakes. The spleen was identified in 5 of the 46 (11%) snakes, and ureters were identified in 6 (13%). In 2 sexually immature snakes, the gonads were not visible. One (2%) snake was gravid, and 7 (15%) had small amounts of free fluid in the coelomic cavity. A significant positive correlation was identified between several measurements (diameter and thickness of scent glands, gastric and pyloric walls, and colonic wall) and body length (snout to vent) and body weight. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The study findings can be used as an atlas of the ultrasonographic anatomy of the coelomic cavity in healthy boid snakes. Ultrasonography was reasonably fast to perform and was well tolerated in conscious snakes.

Objective: To evaluate the use of midazolam, ketamine, and xylazine for total IV anesthesia (TIVA) in horses. Animals: 6 healthy Thoroughbred mares. Procedures: Horses were sedated with xylazine (1.0 mg/kg, IV). Anesthesia was induced with midazolam (0.1 mg/kg, IV) followed by ketamine (2.2 mg/kg, IV) and was maintained with an IV infusion of midazolam (0.002 mg/kg/min), ketamine (0.03 mg/kg/min), and xylazine (0.016 mg/kg/min). Horses underwent surgical manipulation and injection of the palmar digital nerves; duration of the infusion was 60 minutes. Additional ketamine (0.2 to 0.4 mg/kg, IV) was administered if a horse moved its head or limbs during procedures. Cardiopulmonary and arterial blood variables were measured prior to anesthesia; at 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes during infusion; and 10 minutes after horses stood during recovery. Recovery quality was assessed by use of a numeric (1 to 10) scale with 1 as an optimal score. Results: Anesthesia was produced for 70 minutes after induction; supplemental ketamine administration was required in 4 horses. Heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressures, and cardiac output remained similar to preanesthetic values throughout TIVA. Arterial partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation of arterial hemoglobin were significantly decreased from preanesthetic values throughout anesthesia; oxygen delivery was significantly decreased at 10- to 30-minute time points. Each horse stood on its first attempt, and median recovery score was 2. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Midazolam, ketamine, and xylazine in combination produced TIVA in horses. Further studies to investigate various dosages for midazolam and ketamine or the substitution of other α2-adrenoceptor for xylazine are warranted.

Objective: To compare the bursting strength of a vessel sealant device (VSD) with that of an encircling suture on uterine horns and bodies from dogs. Sample: Uteri from 24 shelter dogs with unknown reproductive histories. Procedures: Uterine horns and bodies were allocated to groups to be sealed with suture or a VSD. Uteri were then infused with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution until the seals burst or the uteri reached a maximal pressure of 300 mm Hg. Variables recorded included dog age, uterine body and horn diameter, and maximal pressure. Results: The median (range) bursting pressure reached in sealed uterine horns was 300 (0 to 300) mm Hg for the VSD group and 300 (200 to 300) mm Hg for the suture group. Within the VSD group, seals of 2 of 3 uterine horns with a diameter ≥ 9 mm burst before intraluminal pressure reached 100 mm Hg, compared with 1 of 21 uterine horns with a diameter < 9 mm. The median bursting pressure for uterine bodies was 237 (0 to 300) mm Hg for the VSD group versus 300 (175 to 300) mm Hg for the suture group. Within the VSD group, seals in uterine bodies with a diameter ≥ 9 mm failed at a significantly lower pressure (125 [0 to 125]) mm Hg than those with a diameter < 9 mm (275 [125 to 300]) mm Hg. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The failure pressure for both sealing techniques was high, which indicated that the VSD may be a safe instrument for sealing the uterine horn in dogs. Given the low mean bursting pressure for seals in uterine bodies with large diameters, the VSD cannot be recommended for sealing uterine bodies ≥ 9 mm in diameter.

Histochemical patterns of lectin binding during development of the rat vomeronasal organ (VNO) were studied to determine whether glycoconjugates are differently expressed after birth. Three types of lectins, Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), and Ulex europaeus agglutinin I (UEA-I), were studied histochemically in the rat VNO at various stages post-birth: postnatal days 1 and 7, the preweaning period (4 weeks after birth), and at sexual maturity (8 weeks after birth). The free border of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium was positive for both WGA and UEA-I in rats of all ages; whereas, VNO receptor cells and supporting cells were positive only for both WGA and UEA-I from 4 weeks after birth. DBA reactivity was detected in the free border but less so in receptor cells and supporting cells. WGA and UEA-I, but not DBA, showed similar patterns in various ages. In the Jacobson's gland, WGA, UEA-I and DBA were detected in some acini from 4 weeks after birth but not at postnatal days 1 or 7. Collectively, reactivity for three lectins, WGA, UEA-I and DBA, increased in receptor cells and gland acini during postnatal development, possibly contributing to the enhanced chemoreception in rats.

Rabies is a major zoonotic disease that causes approximately 55,000 human deaths worldwide on an annual basis. The nucleocapsid protein and glycoprotein genes of the Korean rabies virus (RABV) have been subjected to molecular and phylogenetic analyses. Although the phosphoprotein (P) has several important functions in viral infection and pathogenicity, the genetic characterizations of the P of Korean RABV isolates have not yet been established. In the present study, we conducted genetic analyses of P genes of 24 RABV isolates circulating in the Republic of Korea (hereafter, Korea) from 2008 to 2011. This study revealed that the P genes of Korean RABVs are genetically similar to those of RABV strains of lyssavirus genotype I including V739 (dogs, Korea), NNV-RAB-H (humans, India), NeiMeng925 (raccoon dogs, China), and RU9.RD (raccoon dogs, Russia). Among Korean isolates, the RABV P genes showed low variability in the variable domains among Korean isolates; they had specific consensus sequences and amino acid substitutions capable of identifying geographic characteristics and retained specific sequences thought to be important for viral function. These results provide important genetic characteristics and epidemiological information pertaining to the P gene of the Korean RABV.

Germanium biotite, a natural mineral, has been used as a feed supplement to reinforce innate immune ability. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of germanium biotite on the adsorptive and inhibition of growth abilities against Escherichia (E.) coli and Salmonella spp. in vitro. Two strains of enterotoxigenic E. coli and four strains of two Salmonella serotypes (Salmonella Derby and Salmonella Typhimurium), major bacterial diarrheal pathogens, were used for this experiment. The absorptive ability of germanium biotite against most Salmonella used in present experiment was observed weakly. The germanium biotite, however, showed significant effect of bacterial growth inhibition in most experiment bacteria. These results suggest that the use of the germanium biotite as feed supplement could alleviate diarrhea following inhibition of bacteria growth. It is also presumed that antibiotics usage for farm animals, considered as causes of antibiotic residue in meat and emerging antibiotic resistance, could be reduced through the use of germanium biotite as a feed supplement, in place of antibiotics used for the prevention of diarrhea.

A multiplex PCR was developed for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae and M. hyorhinis in clinical samples. Improved sensitivity is advantage of this technique over the previously reported multiplex assay. It was capable of detecting as little as 125 fg genomic DNA from M. hyopneumoniae and 62.5 fg genomic DNA from M. hyorhinis. Application of this multiplex PCR method to field isolates showed that M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyorhinis were present in 29% (107 of 370) of lung specimens and no mycoplasmas were detected in 56% (208 of 370) of the slaughtered pigs' lungs. At the farm level, M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyorhinis were detected in 34 of 36 (94.4%) randomly selected farms. We conclude that this assay would prove itself a value tool for monitoring these mycoplasmal infections and both M. hyopneumoniae and M. hyorhinis have been widely spread in swine herds of Korea.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of barley and barley bran contaminated with Fusarium spp on growth performance and feed efficiency of fattening and growing pigs. In experiment 1, total 48 fattening Landrace pigs were used in a fattening trial for 71 days. Pigs weighing around 75 kg were allocated into different substitution groups containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% of barley contaminated Fusarium spp. In experiment 2, total 16 growing Landrace pigs were used in a growing trial for 45 days. Pigs weighing around 29.4 kg were allocated into different substitution groups containing 0, 5, 10 and 20% of barley bran contaminated Fusarium spp. Mycotoxin concentrations of barley and barley bran contaminated with 30% Fusarium spp were 0.452 and 1.049 ppm for deoxynivalenol, 8.125 and 17.646 ppm for nivalenol and 0.023 and 0.029 ppm for zearalenone, respectively. In experiment 1, no differences were found in weight gain and feed intake between control group (0%) and 10 or 20% substitution groups, but in 30% substitution group, weight gain and feed intake were significantly lower (p less than 0.05) than those in control group. After slaughtering, the extended haemorrhage of the fundus region in stomach was observed in 20 or 30% substitution groups. In experiment 2, weight gain and feed intake were not significantly different among treatment groups. After slaughtering of experimental pigs, the extended haemorrhage of the fundus region in stomach was observed in pigs fed diet with 20% substitution group. These results suggest that the feeding of diet with contaminated highly levels of Fusarium spp was negative effect on growth and feed efficiency in growing and fattening pig.

Dirofilaria (D.) immitis is an important canine parasitic nematode in dogs. D. immitis parasitizes the right ventricle and pulmonary artery of dogs. An ivermectin and pyrantel pamoate compound (IPPC) was administered to dogs naturally infected with this parasite. IPPC is composed of 68.0, 136.0 and 272.0 ㎍ of ivermectin and 57.0, 114.0 and 227.0 mg pyrantel pamoate for small, middle, and large animals. Ivermectin has activity against nematodes and ectoparasites in dogs. Pyrantel pamoate is also effective against nematodes in dogs. Our results showed that this drug combination has good efficacy in D. immitis infected dogs.