Concentration of total proteins was measured and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel disk electrophoresis was performed on tear and plasma samples obtained from 26 healthy dogs, and the results were compared. Mean +/- SEM concentration of total proteins in tears was 0.63 +/- 0.04 g/dl, and significant effects of age or gender were not found. The protein composition of tears in dogs was complex, and bands from light and heavy chains of immunoglobulins were identified by electrophoresis.

The productivity and well-being of animals can be substantially affected by stress. This is particularly true in the case of beef calves that are subjected to a multitude of stressors over a short period during the first year of life. Perhaps the most often studied stress-responsive variable has been blood corticosteroid concentrations. Factors such as age, gender, genetics, and degree of prior experience, can influence how an animal perceives and responds to a given stressor. Few studies have tried to control these variables, and accordingly, many conflicting results have been published regarding the impact of various stressors on cortisol response. We measured baseline plasma cortisol concentration over a 44-day study in Bos indicus and Bos taurus calves. Plasma cortisol values in Bos indicus calves were higher (32.60 +/- 0.66 ng/ml) than values in calves of Bos taurus (25.81 +/- 0.76) breeding. A precipitous decrease in cortisol concentration was observed 7 days after transport stress in all calves. Baseline cortisol concentration did not provide any indication of the intensity of the various stressors. However, significant differences were readily observed after ACTH administration. On the basis of cortisol secretion, stresses of transport and weaning were similar and were the most stressful to calves, regardless of genotype.

A commercially available Salmonella bacterin was administered to Holstein calves starting at 1 to 19 weeks of age. Serum samples were obtained before administering bacterin and at 2-week intervals thereafter. An ELISA with Salmonella dublin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or S dublin whole cells as antigen, was used to measure specific IgG and IgM responses. Antibody responses to LPS were not detected from calves < 12 weeks old inoculated with killed bacterin. Immunoglobulin responses to whole-cell antigen were detected from all age groups of calves inoculated with the same killed Salmonella bacterin. Calves < 11 weeks old are able to produce immunoglobulins to some whole-cell antigens, but are unable to produce anti-LPS immunoglobulins when inoculated with killed Salmonella bacterin. This age-related response to killed Salmonella antigens may account, in part, for increased susceptibility to salmonellosis in calves < 12 weeks old. In comparison to the response for killed antigen, 8 calves given modified-live aromatic-dependent S dublin bacterin at 1 to 3 weeks of age had detectable anti-LPS immunoglobulin after immunization, although the response was not as rapid and was of a lesser magnitude than that of older calves given killed Salmonella bacterin.

In this study, we described water-insoluble proteins extracted from the germinative regions (stratum internum and coronary band epithelium) and the cornified outer surface (stratum medium) of the equine hoof wall. Two major types of polypeptides were identified: the intermediate filaments (IF) and the IF-associated proteins. The IF, including keratins, composed a major portion of this fraction, had electrophoretic mobilities on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the range of 40 to 80 kDa, and reacted with acidic or basic keratinspecific monoclonal antibodies. Differences in the composition of keratins between germinative layers and the stratum medium were seen. Another less well-characterized group of polypeptides associated with the IF also were extracted with the water-insoluble polypeptide fraction. These associated proteins had an apparent molecular weight between 10 and 30 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and contained a higher percentage of sulfur-containing amino acids than did the IF. Water-insoluble protein fractions compared favorably with those found in other less-specialized keratinizing tissue with respect to size, immunoreactivity with monoclonal antibody, and amino acid composition.

The biomechanical strength and stiffness of 3 fixation techniques used to repair acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis were evaluated in bone specimens from immature dogs. A servohydraulic testing machine was used to create slipped capital femoral epiphysis in 9 pairs of femurs by shearing the capital femoral epiphysis along the physis in a craniocaudal direction. The slip was reduced and repaired with 1, 2, or 3 double-pointed, 1.6-mm (0.062-inch) smooth pin(s) and retested. The strength and stiffness of each intact femur (which served as the control) and repaired femur were compared. Results of the study indicated that differences among the failure strengths of 1- and 2-pin fixations and their respective controls were not significant; however, the 3-pin fixation was 29% stronger than its control and was 60 and 45% stronger than the 1- and 2-pin fixations, respectively. One- and 2-pin fixations were 34 and 24% less stiff than their respective controls, whereas the stiffness of the 3-pin fixation was similar to its control. The 2- and 3-pin fixations were 48 and 76% stiffer, respectfully, than the 1-pin fixation, but were not significantly different, compared with each other.

Using radiopaque particles mixed with food, gastric emptying was assessed in healthy dogs not subjected to surgery, in healthy dogs 9 to 35 days after circumcostal gastropexy, and, in dogs 1 to 54 months after surgical treatment and recovery from gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Circumcostal gastropexy surgery did not alter the 90% gastric emptying time for radiopaque particles in healthy dogs. However, 90% gastric emptying time was significantly (P < 0.05) increased after circumcostal gastropexy in dogs with GDV, compared with healthy dogs after the same surgical procedure and recovery period. These results imply that dogs with GDV have delayed gastric emptying of solid particles. Whether delayed gastric emptying of markers detected in affected dogs after surgical treatment and recovery was the result or the cause Of GDV was not determined. Results indicate that circumcostal gastropexy could be recommended as a prophylactic procedure for GDV in large breeds with deep thorax, because delayed gastric emptying of markers secondary to the surgical procedure is unlikely.

The microvascular circulation of the descending colon was studied in 5 adult horses, using microangiography and light microscopy combined with gross studies and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas. After heparinization, horses were euthanatized, and 3 segments of the descending colon and its mesentery containing 1 vascular arcade were removed from each horse. The fecal bars were gently massaged from the lumen, and the blood was flushed free of the circulation with isotonic NaCl. In 5 segments, the vascular system was injected with a modified radiopaque medium and evaluated radiographically. Specimens examined radiographically also were prepared for histologic examination, using standard methods. Ten segments were injected with 1 of 2 types of plastics and studied grossly or by scanning electron microscopy. Arcuate arteries gave rise to a descending colonic rete that surrounded the vein and supplied numerous descending colonic lymph nodes. The rete also supplied the mesocolon and the descending colonic tissue. Short filamentous vessels arising from the rete directly penetrated the mesenteric tenia to supply an intermuscular plexus between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the muscularis externa. Larger vessels arising from either side of the rete divided into the long- and short-terminal arteries that supplied an extensive submucosal plexus, which was continuous around the circumference. The submucosal plexus supplied the mucosa, the tunica muscularis, and the serosa. Vessels running centrifugally from the submucosal plexus formed an intermuscular plexus between the longitudinal and circular muscle layers of the muscularis externa. The intermuscular plexus at the mesenteric angle also was supplied by vessels branching from the short-terminal arteries as they penetrated the muscularis externa. At the antimesenteric tenia, the submucosal plexus gave rise to larger vessels that formed a subserosal loop. From this loop, 5 vessels penetrated the longitudinal muscle layer to contribute to the intermuscular plexus. Vessels within the longitudinal and circular muscles of the muscularis externa ran parallel to the muscle fibers and, consequently, perpendicular to each other. Arteries supplying the mucosa penetrated the muscularis mucosa and branched into a capillary network at the base of the descending colonic glands. These capillary networks anastomosed with the networks around adjacent glands at the luminal surface, forming a honeycomb-like pattern. Drainage was facilitated by more sparsely distributed venules that united with venules from adjacent areas and descended to the submucosal plexus. These veins were characterized by regular, helical, smooth muscle constrictions.

We investigated the influence of parasympathetic tone on the arrhythmogenicity of graded dobutamine infusions in horses anesthetized under clinical conditions. Six horses were used in 9 trials. Two consecutive series of graded dobutamine infusions were given IV; each continuous graded dobutamine infusion was administered for 20 minutes. The dobutamine infusion dosage (5, 10, 15, and 20 microgram/kg of body weight/min) was increased at 5-minute intervals. Isovolumetric saline solution vehicle (v) or atropine (A; 0.04 mg(kg) was administered IV, or bilateral vagotomy (VG) was performed as a treatment before the second series of dobutamine infusions. Treatment was not administered prior to the first dobutamine infusion. Significant interaction between treatment and dosage of dobutamine infusion existed for differences from baseline for mean arterial pressure, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, heart rate, and cardiac index at dosages of 5 and 10 micrograms of dobutamine/kg/min, given IV and for heart rate at dosage of 15 micrograms of dobutamine/kg/min, given IV. Results for group-V horses were different from those for group-A and group-VG horses, but were not different between group-A and group-VG horses in all aforementioned cases, except for heart rate and cardiac index at dosage of 5 micrograms of dobutamine/kg/min, given IV. Normal sinus rhythm, second-degree atrioventricular block, and bradyarrhythmias predominated during low dobutamine infusion rates during the first infusion series (nontreated horses) and in group-V horses during the second infusion series. Only tachyarrhythmias were observed during the second infusion series in the horses of the A and VG groups. The modulating influence of parasympathetic nervous system activity on hemodynamics and development of arrhythmia was conspicuous during low dobutamine infusion rates. Significant differences were not observed in hemodynamic responses to dobutamine, with respect to parasympathetic influence at high dobutamine infusion rates.

A study for about a 30-month period was done to compare strongyle control programs, using per os treatments of ivermectin (IVE) paste exclusively or alternation of 4 antiparasitic paste compounds: IVE, oxfendazole (OFZ), oxibendazole (OBZ), or pyrantel pamoate (PRT). Every 8 weeks, 1 group of horses (barn C; n = 14 to 16) was given IVE paste exclusively, and a second group (barn E; n = 16) was given the 4 antiparasitic pastes on an alternating schedule. Worm eggs and larvae per gram of feces (epg and lpg, respectively) values were determined every 2 weeks during the investigation. This study in grazing horses (mares and fillies), naturally infected with internal parasites, was conducted during the period between Oct 22, 1987 and Feb 8, 1990, with an additional observation on Mar 28, 1990. For barn-C horses, treated exclusively with IVE (200 micrograms/kg of body weight) 14 times, 2-week posttreatment mean strongyle epg and lpg (small strongyle) values were reduced 99 to 100%. Mean strongyle epg and lpg (small strongyle) values for each 2-week sample period remained low (< 20) throughout the study period, except for 1 moderate transient increase in July 1988. For the entire study period, the aggregate mean strongyle epg value was 12 and the lpg value was 6. Two-week posttreatment mean strongyle epg and lpg (small strongyle) values for barn-E horses, treated alternately with therapeutic (approx) dosage of IVE (200 micrograms/kg, 4 times), OFZ (10 mg/kg; 5 times), OBZ (10 mg/kg; 4 times), or PRT (6.6 mg base/kg; 2 times), varied within and between compounds. Posttreatment (2-week) mean epg values were reduced 100% by IVE, 0 to 100% by OFZ, 74 to 100% by OBZ, and 92 to 100% by PRT. Mean small strongyle lpg values at 2 weeks after treatment indicated reduction of: 100% for IVE, 0 to 76% for OFZ, 43 to 100% for OBZ, and 97 to 100% for PRT. For the entire study period, the aggregate mean strongyle epg value was 54 and the lpg value was 64. The epg and lpg reduction values for the 2 benzimidazoles indicated an increase in the benzimidazole-resistant segment of small strongyles. Fecal cultures for horses in both groups contained larvae of large strongyles (Strongylus vulgaris and S edentatus) only at the time of initial treatment. Treatment program evaluations included necropsy of 9 foals (56 to 203 days old), 7 born to barn-C mares and 2 born to barn-E mares. Generally, low numbers of bots (Gasterophilus intestinalis) and Habronema muscae were found in foals of both groups. Intestinal stages of immature and mature ascarids (Parascaris equorum) were also found in foals born to both groups of mares. Mature pinworms (Oxyuris equi) were found in 1 barn-C foal. Only barn-E foals had Strongyloides westeri. Small strongyles were detected in foals of both groups, up to several thousand in some. The latter finding indicates, in particular, that although barn-C mares had low small strongyle epg and lpg values throughout the study, eggs and larvae built up on pasture in sufficiently high numbers for major transmission to foals born there. Small strongyles in foals were composed of 3 genera and 10 species for barn-C foals and of 3 genera and 8 species for barn-E foals. Seasonal transmission of parasites also was observed.

We compared the effects of bilateral vs unilateral tibial nerve stimulation of percutaneously recorded spinal evoked potentials (SEP) in the lumbar and caudal thoracic area in dogs. The overall amplitude of the SEP is increased by this means. Use of this method could improve legibility of the recordings. Amplitudes of root and interneuronal components of the SEP are doubled as are cranially transmitted depolarizations. However, the amplitude of the SEP component arising from the primary afferents' depolarization was less than doubled. Latencies of the components were unaffected by bilateral stimulation. Careful observation of the latencies disclosed a 0.9-ms delay in transmission of the fastest component in the midlumbar area. This delay was consistant with results of previous cordotomy experiments, and could influence precision of conduction velocity measurement.