Six healthy mature horses were orally administered a single dose of phenobarbital (26 mg/kg of body weight), then multiple doses (13 mg/kg) orally for 42 consecutive days. Seventeen venous blood samples were collected from each horse after the single dose study and again after the last dose on day 42. Plasma phenobarbital concentration was determined by use of a fluorescence assay validated for horses. Additional blood samples (n = 11) were collected on days 8 and 25 to determine peak and trough concentrations, as well as total body clearance. Phenobarbital disposition followed a one-compartment model. Mean kinetic variables after single and repeated orally administered doses (42 days) were: elimination half-life = 24.2 +/- 4.7 and 11.2 +/- 2.3 hours, volume of distribution = 0.960 +/- 0.060 and 0.914 +/- 0.119 L/kg, and clearance = 28.2 +/- 5.1 and 57.3 +/- 9.6 ml/h/kg, respectively. Results indicated that significant (P < 0.05) difference in half-life and oral clearance existed between single and repeated dosing. The significant decrease in half-life after repeated dosing with phenobarbital may be indicative of enzyme induction. Significant difference was not observed between baseline serum enzyme concentration and concentration measured on day 42, except for gamma-glutamyltransferase activity, which was significantly increased on day 42 in 3 of the 6 horses. On the basis of increases in oral clearance observed over 42 days, dose adjustments may be required. By days 25 to 42, pharmacokinetic values indicated that dosages of phenobarbital between 25 and 27 mg/kg administered orally every 24 hours may be needed to maintain steady state plasma concentration of phenobarbital at 20 micrograms/ml of plasma in mature horses.

A Latin square design was used to compare the effects of laxatives and a corresponding volume of water on gastrointestinal tract function in 4 healthy horses. Horses were intragastrically infused with each of the following: dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS; 50 mg/kg of body weight); magnesium sulfate (0.5 g/kg-low dosage); magnesium sulfate (1.0 g/kg-high dosage); and an equal volume of water (6 L) given as a control infusion. From 5 to 33 hours after the high dosage of magnesium sulfate, feces were slightly softer than usual in all horses. In 1 horse, DSS caused mild colic, hyperpnea, and diarrhea from 0.3 to 3 hours after administration. After aH laxative treatments and the control infusion, fecal output, fecal water, number of defecations, and fecal water percentage were greater during the first 6 and 12 hours, compared with each subsequent 6-hour period (P < 0.05). The high dosage of magnesium sulfate had greater effect on fecal output and fecal water than did the low dosage and control infusion (P < 0.05). However, this effect preceded arrival of the liquid transit marker, polyethylene glycol, and magnesium at their highest concentrations in feces by 12 to 18 hours. Compared with the control infusion, none of the laxative treatments affected excretion of polyethylene glycol and plastic particulate markers, nor did they increase water consumption. It was concluded that the response to intragastric infusions may involve reflex mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract and that these responses could be used for treatment of colon impactions. Under conditions of this study, DSS was not a sufficiently effective laxative to outweigh the risk of toxic effects at recommended doses. Although DSS and the low dosage of magnesium sulfate may not provide a greater laxative effect than did an equal volume of water, the high dosage of magnesium sulfate should be more effective.

In each of 5 groups of dogs, 0.05 ml of 1 of the following solutions was injected into the anterior chamber of both eyes: phosphate-buffered saline solution, 0.001 microg of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), 0.01 microg of PGF2 alpha, 0.1 microg of leukotriene D4 (LTD4), and 1 microg of LTD4. A 10% solution of sodium fluorescein was injected IV (14 mg/kg of body weight) at the same time, and pupil size, intraocular pressure, and anterior chamber fluorescence were measured for 1 hour after injections. In a dose-dependent manner, Pgf2 alpha was a potent miotic. A significant effect on intraocular pressure was not detected when the groups given PGF2 alpha were compared with the control group. When compared with LTD4, PGF2 alpha Significantly (P < 0.05) increased the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier, as evidenced by increased fluorescein leakage into the anterior chamber. Leukotriene D4 caused a decrease in pupil size only at 5 minutes, compared with that of the control group. Intraocular pressure was greater (but not significantly) in the group given 1 microg of LTD4.

Concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured in serum samples obtained from 100 dogs. Groups (n = 25/group) consisted of sexually intact and ovariohysterectomized bitches and sexually intact and castrated male dogs. Mean (+/- SD) concentrations of LH in the serum of sexually intact and ovariohysterectomized bitches were 1.2 (+/- 0.9) and 28.7 (+/- 25.8) ng/ml, respectively. Mean concentrations of FSH in the serum of sexually intact and ovariohysterectomized bitches were 98 (+/- 49) and 1,219 (+/- 763) ng/ml, respectively. Mean concentrations of LH in the serum of sexually intact and castrated male dogs were 6.0 (+/- 5.2) and 17.1 (+/- 9.9) ng/ml, respectively. Mean concentrations of FSH in the serum of sexually intact and castrated male dogs were 89 (+/- 28) and 858 (+/- 674) ng/ml, respectively. In addition to history, physical examination results, and other laboratory values, the measurement of serum gonadotropin concentrations may aid in determining whether dogs have been neutered.

A subcutaneous soft tissue infection model in calves was used to study the in vivo response of Pasteurella haemolytica to erythromycin and dexamethasone. Two tissue chambers were implanted SC in each of 12 calves. At 45 days after implantation, all tissue chambers were inoculated with an erythromycin-sensitive strain of P haemolytica. Starting 24 hours after inoculation, calves were allotted to 4 groups of equal size and a 2 X 2-factorial arrangement of treatments was applied: 3 calves were given erythromycin (30 mg/kg of body weight, IM, for 5 days), 3 calves were given dexamethasone (0.05 mg/kg, IM, for 2 days), 3 calves were given erythromycin and dexamethasone, and the remaining calves served as nontreated controls. Chamber fluids were tested daily, and the response to treatment was measured. Neither erythromycin nor dexamethasone affected viability or growth of bacteria within tissue chambers. Dexamethasone had no effect on the influx of neutrophils into infected chambers. Despite repeated administration of a high dose of erythromycin and attainment of adequate concentration in serum, erythromycin concentration in chamber fluids did not exceed the minimal inhibitory concentration established in vitro. These results indicate that the clinical efficacy of erythromycin against P haemolytica sequestered in consolidated pneumonic lesions may not be well correlated with predictions based on serum pharmacokinetic and in vitro susceptibility data.

The aerobic bacterial flora of the genital tract was characterized in 59 bitches in an 18-month study. The bitches represented 4 breeds and were from 3 kennels. Collection of vaginal swab specimens for bacterial culturing was performed every month, except during estrus when specimens were collected every week (n = 826). The capsule of the swab containing transport media was broken before specimen collection to moisten the tip, which helped to reduce the number of negative cultures. All bitches whelped at least once during the study and, thus, had known reproductive functions. Pregnancy rates, litter sizes, and pup mortality were within normal limits. Pasteurella multocida, beta-hemolytic streptococci group G, and Escherichia coli were the most common bacteria isolated. Although these species generally were isolated from mixed cultures, pure cultures were obtained from 18% of the specimens. There was a tendency for the various breeds to differ in their vaginal bacterial flora. The flora also varied during the reproductive cycle. Pasteurella multocida was isolated significantly more often during proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and pregnancy, than during anestrus and the postpartum period, and beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated significantly more often during proestrus than during estrus, pregnancy, or the postpartum period. Staphylococcus intermedius was almost exclusively found after parturition. Culture results were negative for only 5.2% of specimens cultured. On the basis of our findings, bacterial culturing of vaginal swab specimens from bitches without signs of genital disease is of little value.

The relation of the glycated serum protein, fructosamine, to serum protein, albumin, and glucose concentrations was examined in healthy dogs, dogs with hypo- or hyperproteinemia, and diabetic dogs. Fructosamine was determined by use of an adaptation of an automated kit method. The reference range for fructosamine in a composite group of control dogs was found to be 1.7 to 3.38 mmol/L (mean +/- SD, 2.54 +/- 0.42 mmol/L). Fructosamine was not correlated to serum total protein, but was highly correlated to albumin in dogs with hypoalbuminemia. To normalize the data with respect to albumin, it is suggested that the lower limit of the reference range for albumin concentration (2.5 g/dl) be used for adjustment of fructosamine concentration and only in hypoalbuminemic dogs. In 6 hyperglycemic diabetic dogs, fructosamine concentration was well above the reference range. It is concluded that although fructosamine may be a potentially useful guide to assess the average blood glucose concentration over the preceding few days in dogs, further study is required to establish its value as a guide to glucose control in diabetic dogs.

The effects of administration of a commercially available extract of Gingko biloba (EGB) on bromethalin-induced brain lipid peroxidation and cerebral edema in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was determined. Gingko biloba extract was given (100 mg/kg) by gavage immediately after bromethalin (1.0 mg/kg) administration. Rats were euthanatized at 24 hours after dosing. Brain lipid peroxidation was determined by measurement of brain malonaldehyde-thiobarbituric acid chromophore (MDA-TBA) concentration, brain sodium concentration, and brain water content. Treatment of bromethalin-dosed rats (10/group) with EGB was associated with a statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease in clinical sign severity, compared with bromethalin-dosed saline solution-treated rats. All rats given bromethalin and saline solution developed clinical signs of toxicosis including CNS depression, hind limb weakness, ataxia, paralysis, and coma. Some rats given bromethalin and EGB developed clinical signs, however, none developed hind limb paralysis. The brain MDA-TBA concentration (2.4 +/- 0.5 delta MDA-TBA concentration/mg of protein), percentage of water in brain tissue (80.3 +/- 0.30%), and brain sodium concentration (6.68 +/- 0.21 mg/g of dry weight) were significantly increased in rats given bromethalin and saline solution, compared with control rats given saline solution (1.0 +/- 0.1 delta MDA-TBA concentration/mg of protein; 78.1 +/- 0.33% water in brain tissue; 4.83 +/- 0.30 mg of brain Na+/g of dry weight) and rats given bromethalin and EGB (1.6 +/- 0.2 delta MDA-TBA concentration/mg of protein; 79.3 +/- 0.31% water in brain tissue; 5.37 +/- 0.34 mg of brain Na+/g of dry weight). The MDA-TBA concentration (1.2 +/- 0.2 delta MDA-TBA concentration/mg of protein), percentage of water in brain tissue (78.7 +/- 0.40%), and brain sodium concentration (4.93 +/- 0.26 mg/g of dry weight) increased slightly in control rats given EGB.

Conflicting findings exist among studies on the effect of pneumonia on growth in pigs. We determined the extent of pneumonia in market-weight pigs by use of an objective, volumetric method and linear regression analyses of mean daily gain and days-to-slaughter weight on the percentage of pneumonic lung. In a range of extent of pneumonia between 1.33 and 70.44%, a 10% increase in the volume of pneumonic lung was associated with a decrease in mean daily gain by 41.1 g and a 16.7-day increase in number of days to a slaughter weight of 104.5 kg.