Objective: To compare pharmacokinetics after IV, IM, and oral administration of a single dose of meloxicam to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Animals: 11 healthy parrots. Procedures: Cohorts of 8 of the 11 birds comprised 3 experimental groups for a crossover study. Pharmacokinetics were determined from plasma concentrations measured via high-performance liquid chromatography after IV, IM, and oral administration of meloxicam at a dose of 1 mg/kg. Results: Initial mean ± SD plasma concentration of 17.3 ± 9.0 μg/mL was measured 5 minutes after IV administration, whereas peak mean concentration was 9.3 ± 1.8 μg/mL 15 minutes after IM administration. At 12 hours after administration, mean plasma concentrations for IV (3.7 ± 2.5 μg/mL) and IM (3.5 ± 2.2 μg/mL) administration were similar. Peak mean plasma concentration (3.5 ± 1.2 μg/mL) was detected 6 hours after oral administration. Absolute systemic bioavailability of meloxicam after IM administration was 100% but was lower after oral administration (range, 49% to 75%). Elimination half-lives after IV, IM, and oral administration were similar (15.9 ± 4.4 hours, 15.1 ± 7.7 hours, and 15.8 ± 8.6 hours, respectively). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Pharmacokinetic data may provide useful information for use of meloxicam in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. A mean plasma concentration of 3.5 μg/mL would be expected to provide analgesia in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots; however, individual variation may result in some birds having low plasma meloxicam concentrations after IV, IM, or oral administration. After oral administration, meloxicam concentration slowly reached the target plasma concentration, but that concentration was not sustained in most birds.

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a concentrated combination of tiletamine-zolazepam [TZ, 0.53 mg/kg body weight (BW)], ketamine (Ket, 0.53 mg/kg BW), and detomidine (Det, 0.04 mg/kg BW) in the immobilization of free-range cattle for clinical procedures. The combination was administered intramuscularly to 53 animals. Anesthesia was reversed with the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist atipamezole. Locoregional anesthesia was provided with lidocaine when required. The TZKD combination induced suitable immobilization for minor surgical procedures or medical treatments. Anesthetic onset was rapid, taking a mean of 6.1 min [standard deviation (SD) 2.8 min]. The duration of anesthesia depended on the time of administration of the antagonist; the animals recovered in the standing position in 12.9 ± 8.9 min after the administration of atipamezole. The quality of anesthesia and analgesia were satisfactory. In conclusion, this TZKD combination can be used for both immobilization and minor surgical procedures in free-range cattle.

Objective—To assess the anesthetic efficacy and local tolerance of topically applied 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution to in dogs and compare its effects with those of 1% tetracaine solution. Animals—34 ophthalmically normal Beagles. Procedures—Dogs were assigned to 2 groups, and baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured bilaterally with a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. Dogs of group 1 (n = 22) received a single drop of 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution in one eye and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control treatment) in the contralateral eye. Dogs of group 2 (n = 12) received a single drop of 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution in one eye and 1% tetracaine ophthalmic solution in the contralateral eye. The CTT of each eye was measured 1 and 5 minutes after topical application and then at 5-minute intervals until 75 minutes after topical application. Results—CTT changes over time differed significantly between oxybuprocaine-treated and control eyes. After instillation of oxybuprocaine, maximal corneal anesthesia (CTT = 0) was achieved within 1 minute, and CTT was significantly decreased from 1 to 45 minutes, compared with the baseline value. No significant difference in onset, depth, and duration of corneal anesthesia was found between oxybuprocaine-treated and tetracaine-treated eyes. Conjunctival hyperemia and chemosis were detected more frequently in tetracaine-treated eyes than in oxybuprocaine-treated eyes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Topical application of oxybuprocaine and tetracaine similarly reduced corneal sensitivity in dogs, but oxybuprocaine was less irritating to the conjunctiva than was tetracaine.

Objective-To determine the effect of dexmedetomidine, morphine-lidocaine-ketamine (MLK), and dexmedetomidine-morphine-lidocaine-ketamine (DMLK) constant rate infusions on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane and bispectral index (BIS) in dogs. Animals-6 healthy adult dogs. Procedures-Each dog was anesthetized 4 times with a 7-day washout period between anesthetic episodes. During the first anesthetic episode, the MAC of isoflurane (baseline) was established. During the 3 subsequent anesthetic episodes, the MAC of isoflurane was determined following constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg/kg/h), MLK (morphine, 0.2 mg/kg/h; lidocaine, 3 mg/kg/h; and ketamine, 0.6 mg/kg/h), or DMLK (dexmedetomidine, 0.5 μg/kg/h; morphine, 0.2 mg/kg/h; lidocaine, 3 mg/kg/h; and ketamine 0.6 mg/kg/h). Among treatments, MAC of isoflurane was compared by means of a Friedman test with Conover posttest comparisons, and heart rate, direct arterial pressures, cardiac output, body temperature, inspired and expired gas concentrations, arterial blood gas values, and BIS were compared with repeated-measures ANOVA and a Dunn test for multiple comparisons. Results-Infusion of dexmedetomidine, MLK, and DMLK decreased the MAC of isoflurane from baseline by 30%, 55%, and 90%, respectively. Mean heart rates during dexmedetomidine and DMLK treatments was lower than that during MLK treatment. Compared with baseline values, mean heart rate decreased for all treatments, arterial pressure increased for the DMLK treatment, cardiac output decreased for the dexmedetomidine treatment, and BIS increased for the MLK and DMLK treatments. Time to extubation and sternal recumbency did not differ among treatments. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Infusion of dexmedetomidine, MLK, or DMLK reduced the MAC of isoflurane in dogs.

Objective-To determine whether oxidative stress could be induced in canine chondrocytes in vitro. Sample-Chondrocytes obtained from healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. Procedures-Harvested chondrocytes were maintained at 37°C with 5% CO2 for 24 hours. To assess induction of oxidative stress, 2 stimuli were used: hydrogen peroxide and a combination of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). To determine the effect of hydrogen peroxide, a set of chondrocyte-seeded plates was incubated with control medium alone or hydrogen peroxide (100, 200, or 300μM) for 24 hours. For inhibition of oxidative stress, cells were incubated for 24 hours with N-acetylcysteine (NAC; 10mM) before exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Another set of chondrocyte-seeded plates was incubated with control medium alone or with IL-1β (10 ng/mL) and TNF-α (1 ng/mL) for 24 hours. Supernatants were obtained for measurement of prostaglandin E2 production, and cell lysates were used for measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced-glutathione (GSH) concentration. Results-Chondrocytes responded to the oxidative stressor hydrogen peroxide with a decrease in SOD activity and GSH concentration. Exposure to the antioxidant NAC caused an increase in SOD activity in hydrogen peroxide-stressed chondrocytes to a degree comparable with that in chondrocytes not exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Similarly, NAC exposure induced significant increases in GSH concentration. Activation with IL-1β and TNF-α also led to a decrease in SOD activity and increase in prostaglandin E2 production. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Canine chondrocytes responded to the oxidative stress caused by exposure to hydrogen peroxide and cytokines. Exposure to oxidative stress inducers could result in perturbation of chondrocyte and cartilage homeostasis and could contribute to the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis. Use of antioxidants, on the other hand, may be helpful in the treatment of arthritic dogs.

Objective: To determine whether the concentrations of airborne virulent Rhodococcus equi in stalls housing foals during the first 2 weeks after birth are associated with subsequent development of R equi pneumonia in those foals. Sample: Air samples collected from foaling stalls and holding pens in which foals were housed during the first 2 weeks after birth. Procedures: At a breeding farm in Texas, air samples (500 L each) were collected (January through May 2011) from stalls and pens in which 121 foals were housed on day 1 and on days 4, 7, and 14 after birth. For each sample, the concentration of airborne virulent R equi was determined with an immunoblot technique. The association between development of pneumonia and airborne R equi concentration was evaluated via random-effects Poisson regression analysis. Results: Some air samples were not available for analysis. Of the 471 air samples collected from stalls that housed 121 foals, 90 (19%) contained virulent R equi. Twenty-four of 121 (20%) foals developed R equi pneumonia. Concentrations of virulent R equi in air samples from stalls housing foals that developed R equi pneumonia were significantly higher than those in samples from stalls housing foals that did not develop pneumonia. Accounting for disease effects, air sample concentrations of virulent R equi did not differ significantly by day after birth or by month of birth. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Exposure of foals to airborne virulent R equi during the first 2 weeks after birth was significantly (and likely causally) associated with development of R equi pneumonia.

Objective-To evaluate antinociceptive and selected effects associated with IM administration of xylazine hydrochloride in combination with tiletamine-zolazepam in llamas. Animals-8 adult male llamas. Procedures-Each llama received tiletamine-zolazepam (2 mg/kg) combined with either xylazine (0.1, 0.2, or 0.4 mg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution IM (treatments designated as TZ-Xy0.1, TZ-Xy0.2, TZ-Xy0.4, and TZ-Sal, respectively) at 1-week intervals. Selected cardiorespiratory variables were assessed during lateral recumbency and anesthesia, and recovery characteristics were recorded. Duration of antinociception was evaluated by clamping a claw every 5 minutes. Results-Interval between treatment administration and lateral recumbency for TZ-Xy0.4 was shorter than that for TZ-Xy0.1 or TZ-Sal. Mean ± SEM duration of antinociception was longer for TZ-Xy0.4 (51.3 +/- 7. 0 minutes), compared with findings for TZ-Xy0.2 (31.9 +/- 6.0 minutes), TZ-Xy0.1 (8.1 +/- 4.0 minutes), and TZ-Sal (0.6 +/- 0.6 minutes). Interval between treatment administration and standing was longer for TZ-Xy0.4 (112 +/- 9 minutes) than it was for TZ-Xy0.2 (77 +/- 9 minutes) or TZ-Sal (68 +/- 9 minutes). Mean heart and respiratory rates during the first 30 minutes for TZ-Sal exceeded values for the other treatments. Administration of TZ-Xy0.2 and TZ-Xy0.4 resulted in Pao2 < 60 mm Hg at 5 minutes after llamas attained lateral recumbency, and values differed from TZ-Sal findings at 5, 10, and 15 minutes; Paco2 was greater for TZ-Xy0.2 and TZ-Xy0.4 than for TZ-Sal at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Xylazine (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) increased the duration of antinociception in llamas anesthetized with tiletamine-zolazepam.

The obligatory intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is a major world wide cause of infectious ovine abortion. In some different diagnostic techniques that are being used to detect this pathogen in ovine fetuses, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a very sensitive and expensive one. Histopathology is not truly a specific and sensitive test for Toxoplasma infection but it can be helpful to choose some suspected tissues for IHC. In this study 9.5% of 200 samples (aborted ovine fetuses internal organs such as brain, liver, heart, lung, kidney, spleen) (4.6~14.4% with 95% CI) were positive in IHC with a very good logical agreement among different diagnostic techniques (κ = 0.73, 0.8) and with no significant difference among different fetal age groups (p 0.05).

In this study, to understand the pathogenesis of new rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDVa) serotype, we carried out to administrate RHDVa to rabbits, and to examine sequential electron microscopic changes and relationship between pathogenesis and apoptosis. TUNEL-positive cells began to be observed from 24 hours after inoculation (HAI) and the number of positive cells was slightly increased with the course of time. Whereas marked increase of positive cells was seen in the liver from the rabbits died acutely. Typical viral particles with cup-like projections and a diameter of 30~40 nm were detected in homogenized liver samples and tissues at 36 and 48, and 48 HAI, respectively. Ultrastructurally, glycogen deposition was observed from the first stage of hepatocellular degeneration by RHDVa infection and then, swelling and disruption of cristae of mitochondria by viral particles, swelling of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vacuoles and vesicles were detected. Condensation, margination and fragmentation of chromatin were observed in degenerative hepatocytes at 36 and 48 HAI, indicating apoptotic bodies. These data offer that hepatocytic apoptosis by RHDV infection could be closely related with mitochondrial impairment in the hepatocytes.

To investigate the transmission pattern of geographical area and temporal trends of the 2010~2011 footand- mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Korea, and to explore temporal intervals at which spatial clustering of FMD cases space-time analysis based on georeferenced database of 3,575 burial sites, from 30 November 2010 to 23 February 2011, was performed. The cases represent approximately 98.1% of all infected farms (n = 3,644) during the same period. Descriptive maps of spatial patterns of the outbreaks were generated by ArcGIS. Spatial Scan Statistics, using SaTScan software, was applied to investigate geographical clusters of FMD cases across the country. Overall, spatial heterogeneity was identified, and the transmission pattern was different by province. Cattle have more clusters in number but smaller in size, as compared to the swine population. In addition, spatiotemporal analysis and the comparison of clustering patterns between the first 7 days and days 8 to 14 of the outbreak revealed that the strongest spatial clustering was identified at the 7-day interval, although clustering over longer intervals (8~14 days) was also observed. We further discussed the importance of time period elapsed between FMD-suspected notice and the date of confirmation, and emphasized the necessity of region-specific and species-specific control measures.