OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of dexmedetomidine, doxapram, and dexmedetomidine plus doxapram on ventilation (e), breath frequency, and tidal volume (Vt) in ball pythons (Python regius) and of doxapram on the thermal antinociceptive efficacy of dexmedetomidine. ANIMALS 14 ball pythons. PROCEDURES Respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine and doxapram were assessed with whole-body, closed-chamber plethysmography, which allowed for estimates of e and Vt. In the first experiment of this study with a complete crossover design, snakes were injected, SC, with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, dexmedetomidine (0.1 mg/kg), doxapram (10 mg/kg), or dexmedetomidine and doxapram, and breath frequency, e, and Vt were measured before and every 30 minutes thereafter, through 240 minutes. In the second experiment, antinociceptive efficacy of saline solution, dexmedetomidine, and dexmedetomidine plus doxapram was assessed by measuring thermal withdrawal latencies before and 60 minutes after SC injection. RESULTS Dexmedetomidine significantly decreased breath frequency and increased Vt but did not affect e at all time points, compared with baseline. Doxapram significantly increased e, breath frequency, and Vt at 60 minutes after injection, compared with saline solution. The combination of dexmedetomidine and doxapram, compared with dexmedetomidine alone, significantly increased e at 30 and 60 minutes after injection and did not affect breath frequency and Vt at all time points. Thermal withdrawal latencies significantly increased when snakes received dexmedetomidine or dexmedetomidine plus doxapram, versus saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Concurrent administration of doxapram may mitigate the dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of breathing frequency without disrupting thermal antinociceptive efficacy in ball pythons.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of microwave ablation (MWA) with cooling urethral perfusion and with no perfusion (MWA-UP and MWA-NP, respectively) for prostate gland ablation in canine cadavers. ANIMALS Cadavers of 18 sexually intact male dogs. PROCEDURES After technique refinement in 2 cadavers, laparotomy with ultrasound-guided MWA-UP (n = 8) or MWA-NP (8) of the prostate gland was performed in 16 cadavers. Normograde cystourethroscopy was performed before and after treatment; recorded images were reviewed in a blinded manner for scoring of urethral mucosal discoloration and loss of integrity. Difficulty with cystoscope insertion was recorded if present. Excised prostate glands were fixed for serial sectioning, gross measurements, and calculation of percentage ablation. Percentages of prostate tissue necrosis from MWA, denuded urethral mucosa, and depth of epithelial surface loss in an adjacent section of the colon were estimated histologically. Variables of interest were statistically analyzed. RESULTS Difficulty with cystoscope insertion after treatment was significantly more common and scores for urethral mucosal discoloration and loss of integrity were significantly higher (indicating more severe lesions) for the MWA-NP group than for the MWA-UP group. The histologically assessed percentage of denuded urethral mucosa was also greater for the MWA-NP group. Overall median percentage prostate gland ablation was 73%; this result was not associated with prostate gland volume or chronological order of treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE MWA-UP induced subtotal thermal necrosis of prostate glands in canine cadavers while limiting urethral mucosal injury. Further study is required to optimize the technique and evaluate its safety and efficacy in vivo as a future curative-intent treatment for prostatic tumors in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of using ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine for sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in dogs. ANIMALS 7 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES In phase 1, dogs received each of the following 3 treatments in random order: perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine (0.4 mL/kg) mixed with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.04 mL/kg; DEX0PN), 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1PN), and 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg; DEX2PN). In phase 2, dogs received perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine and an IV injection of diluted dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1IV). For perineural injections, the dose was divided equally between the 2 sites. Duration of sensory blockade was evaluated, and plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were measured. RESULTS Duration of sensory blockade was significantly longer with DEX1PN and DEX2PN, compared with DEX0PN; DEX1IV did not prolong duration of sensory blockade, compared with DEX0PN. Peak plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were reached after 15 minutes with DEX1PN (mean ± SD, 348 ± 200 pg/mL) and after 30 minutes DEX2PN (816 ± 607 pg/mL), and bioavailability was 54 ± 40% and 73 ± 43%, respectively. The highest plasma dexmedetomidine concentration was measured with DEX1IV (1,032 ± 415 pg/mL) 5 minutes after injection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that perineural injection of 0.5% ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) for locoregional anesthesia in dogs seemed to balance the benefit of prolonging sensory nerve blockade while minimizing adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE To compare pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (PAG1) concentrations in maternal (jugular vein) and fetal (uterine vein) circulations and amniotic fluid samples between pregnant ewes that were and were not experimentally infected with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). ANIMALS 11 healthy pregnant yearling ewes. PROCEDURES Before study initiation, all ewes were naïve to BVDV and confirmed pregnant by transabdominal ultrasonography at approximately 60 days of gestation. At 65 days of gestation, ewes were intranasally inoculated with a noncytopathic BVDV type 1b strain (concentration, 107 TCID50/mL; 2 mL/nostril; n = 6) or an equal volume of BVDV-free viral culture medium (control; 5). A blood sample was collected for measurement of PAG1 concentration before inoculation. At 80 days of gestation, each ewe was anesthetized and underwent an ovariohysterectomy. While sheep were anesthetized, blood samples from the jugular and uterine veins and an amniotic fluid sample were collected for measurement of PAG1 concentration. Fetal tissues underwent real-time PCR analysis for BVDV RNA, and placental specimens underwent histologic evaluation and immunohistochemical staining for BVDV antigen. RESULTS At 80 days of gestation, BVDV RNA in fetal tissues and mild placentitis were detected in 5 of 6 BVDV-inoculated ewes. Mean PAG1 concentrations in the maternal and fetal circulations of BVDV-inoculated ewes were significantly less than those in control ewes. Mean amniotic fluid PAG1 concentration did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Concentration of PAG1 in the maternal circulation may be a useful biomarker for determining placental health in sheep after viral infection of the reproductive tract.

OBJECTIVE To fluoroscopically evaluate the effects of head posture and sedation on the laryngopharyngeal anatomic structures in dogs. ANIMALS 6 clinically normal Beagles (mean age, 6.2 years; mean weight, 10.4 kg). PROCEDURES Each dog was sedated and placed in right lateral recumbency, and fluoroscopic examinations were performed with flexed, neutral, and extended head postures (FHP, NHP, and EHP, respectively). During 3 respiratory cycles, the angle between the basisphenoid bone and nasopharyngeal dorsal border (ABN), thickness of the soft palate, diameter of the nasopharyngeal lumen (DNL), overlapping length between the epiglottis and soft palate, and distance between the epiglottis and tympanic bulla (DET) were measured and percentage difference in the DNL (PDNLD) during a respiratory cycle was calculated. RESULTS For the FHP, NHP, and EHP, median ABN was 91.50° (interquartile range [IQR], 86.75° to 95.00°), 125.00° (IQR, 124.50° to 125.50°), and 160.00° (IQR, 160.00° to 163.50°), respectively, with no significant differences between ABN and posture angle. For the FHP, median DNL and DET significantly decreased, compared with values for the NHP, and median thickness of the soft palette significantly increased. For the EHP, the minimal DNL and DET significantly increased, and the median overlapping length between the epiglottis and soft palate significantly decreased, compared with values for the NHP. The PDNLD significantly increased and decreased with FHP and EHP, respectively, compared with the PDNLD with NHP. Sedation did not affect upper airway structure changes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that head posture significantly affected the laryngopharyngeal structures in dogs. Fluoroscopic examination of the upper respiratory tract of a dog should be performed with an NHP to minimize posture-induced changes in measurements.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate with CT the characteristics of brain tissue disruption and skull damage in cadaveric heads of adult horses caused by each of 6 firearm-ammunition combinations applied at a novel anatomic aiming point. SAMPLE 53 equine cadaveric heads. PROCEDURES Heads placed to simulate that of a standing horse were shot with 1 of 6 firearm-ammunition combinations applied at an aiming point along the external sagittal crest of the head where the 2 temporalis muscles form an inverted V. Firearm-ammunition combinations investigated included a .22-caliber long rifle pistol firing a 40-grain, plated lead, solid-core or hollow-point bullet (HPB); a semiautomatic 9-mm pistol firing a 115-grain, jacketed HPB; a semiautomatic .223-caliber carbine firing a 55-grain, jacketed HPB; a semiautomatic .45-caliber automatic Colt pistol firing a 230-grain, jacketed HPB; and a 12-gauge shotgun firing a 1-oz rifled slug. Additional heads placed in a simulated laterally recumbent position were shot with the semiautomatic 9-mm pistol–HPB combination. All heads underwent CT before and after being shot, and images were evaluated for projectile fragmentation, skull fracture, and cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem disruption. RESULTS Computed tomography revealed that all firearm-ammunition combinations caused disruption of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem that appeared sufficient to result in instantaneous death of a live horse. Hollow-point ammunition was as effective as solid-core ammunition with regard to brain tissue disruption. Brain tissue disruption was not affected by head positioning. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that the examined firearm-ammunition combinations, when applied at a novel aiming point, appear to be reasonable options for euthanasia of horses.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the oxidative damage caused by lipid peroxidation due to renal coccidiosis by histopathological and immunohistochemical methods. Material-The material of this study was made up of tissue samples taken from 139 geese whose average age was 10 weeks, who were brought to our department dead between 2013-2020. Tissue samples taken were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde solution. 5 µm-thick sections were taken from the paraffin blocks prepared after routine tissue follow-up procedures. Hematoxylin & Eosin staining was applied to the sections in order to detect histopathological changes. Sections were examined and photographed under a light microscope.Various clinical signs such as fever, respiratory distress, weakness, anorexia, tremors, inability to get up from the ground, balance disorders, rotational movement, diarrhea, wheezing were detected in geese. In systemic necropsies of geese, large and small white nodular structures were detected in the kidney. In histopathological examinations, coccidiosis agents (E. truncata) were found in the tubular epithelium of the kidney. Necrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration were observed in the tubules due to the presence of E. truncata. In addition, edema and hyperemia in the lungs, multifocal necrosis in the liver, cell infiltration in the portal spaces and enteritis were other important histopathological findings. In one case, aspergillosis was detected together with renal coccidiosis. We observed that MDA expression was more severe in oocyst stages, which is the mature form of the parasite, compared to other parasitic life stages.Based on the results obtained from this study, it was revealed that renal coccidiosis in geese caused lipid peroxidation / oxidative damage through the increase in MDA expression.

In this study, the effects of three different ozonated oils (Sesame, Nigella sativa and Hypericum perforatum) on wound closure rate, healing process and possible complications were examined macroscopically and microscopically. Twenty-one adult Wistar albino female rats were used in the study. Subjects were divided into three groups, early wound healing, (7 days), medium wound healing, (14 days) and late wound healing (21 days). Four full-thickness skin wounds of equal size (10 mm in diameter) were formed on the back regions of all rats. This region was chosen for preventing self-inflicted injuries and reducing external irritation. The wound was left open during the healing process. While the first wound (control) received no treatment in the second wound, ozonated Sesame oil, in the third wound ozonated Nigella sativa oil and in the fourth wound ozonated Hypericum perforatum oil were used. No group obtained parenteral drug administration. First, second and third main groups were euthanized on days 7, 14 and 21, respectively. The wound healing was assessed macroscopically daily. Wound sizes of individual rats were measured with a caliper and digitally photographed every day from the day of injury. After euthanasia, all wound sites of the subjects were evaluated histopathologically.There were no significant differences in wound healing between treatments in the first day 7. On they 14, it was found that the healing was better in the group applied Nigella sativa and Sesame oils (p≤0.05). On day 21 wound healing was completed in all subjects with a resultant of better outcome in Nigella sativa oil treatment compared with others (p≤0.01).In this study the best wound healing outcome was achieved with Nigella sativa oil and Sesame oil where three different minced oils were used.

To compare the effect of intraperitoneal administered Carvacrol with bevacizumab in an oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) model in rats. Twenty-eight newborn rats were included in the study and the OIR model was created with the 50/10% oxygen style. The study consisted of 4 groups and each rat in the groups received an intraperitoneal injection of 0.01 mL once on the postnatal 14th day. While the OIR model was not created in Group I (control group), it was created for Groups II, III, and IV. Groups I and II were injected with 0.9% NaCl solution, Group III with bevacizumab, and Group IV with carvacrol. The rats were sacrificed on the postnatal 18th day.Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies showed that the number of retinal vascular endothelial cells (RVECs) and nuclear factor (NF)-κB levels decreased similarly in Group III and Group IV compared to Group II. RVECs values for Group I, Group II, Group III and Group IV were measured as 1.26±0.80, 27.10±3.63, 7.54±1.38, and 6.22±1.22, respectively and it differed significantly between groups (p<0.001). Likewise, NF-κB levels were recorded as 0.61 ± 0.30, 4.36±0.65, 2.68±0.44, and 2.85±0.58, respectively and it differed significantly between groups (p<0.001). On the other hand, RVECs and NF-κB levels were similar between Group III, and Group IV (p values were 0.58 and 0.91, respectively).The study demonstrated that carvacrol significantly reduced retinal pathological neovascularizations, RVECs, and NF-κB levels. Moreover, the observed effects were comparable to those of bevacizumab.

This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the distribution of the Activating Transcription Factor 6 (ATF6) and the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the duodenum tissue of diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Eighteen female Sprague dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups as thecontrol, sham and diabetes groups. Routine histological and immunohistochemical methods were appliedon the duodenum tissues collected at the end of the study.Results: It was determined that the villus length measurements showed a statistically significant differencebetween the control and diabetes groups. There was NGF immunoreactivity which was moderate anddiffuse cytoplasmic in the villus intestinalis and muscularis layer in all groups, weak in the crypts andglands in the control and sham groups and moderate and diffuse cytoplasmic in the diabetes group. ATF6immunoreactivity was determined moderate in the villus intestinalis, crypts, glands and muscularis layerin the control and sham groups and strong diffuse cytoplasmic in the diabetes group. It wasdetermined that both NGF and ATF6 immunoreactivity increased in the duodenum tissue of the rats onwhich diabetes was induced experimentally.