Cutaneous arterial blood supply to the tail was evaluated in 12 dogs. Subtraction radiography of internal iliac artery and distal aorta angiography in 3 of these dogs was used to determine arterial blood supply to the tail from the median sacral and lateral caudal arteries. Dissection of the tail in 8 canine cadavers revealed bilateral subcutaneous location of lateral caudal arteries following tail amputation. An axial pattern flap based on the lateral caudal arteries contributed to the reconstruction of a large caudodorsal cutaneous defect in a dog. An axial pattern flap based on the lateral caudal arteries following tail amputation may be indicated to aid reconstruction of large caudodorsal cutaneous defects of the trunk in dogs.

Sera from cats with naturally acquired and experimentally induced feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infections were tested by immunoblot analysis, radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA), and a complex trapping/ blocking ELISA. In sequentially obtained samples from experimentally inoculated cats, antibodies against the envelope protein gpl20 and the core protein pl5 were the first to appear, as indicated by results of RIPA, using lysates of FIV-infected lymphocytes. Antibodies could be detected as early as 2 weeks after infection, followed by a response against p24, p43, and p50. By immunoblot analysis, p24 and pl5 were the first proteins detectable between postinoculation weeks 3 and 5; an anti-envelope response was never found by use of this assay, but was found by RIPA. Using the latter test, most sera of naturally infected cats were found to recognize the major core protein p24 in addition to 1 or more minor core proteins. All 40 sera tested precipitated the envelope protein; 3 reacted exclusively with it. A complex trapping/blocking ELISA was developed to quantitate the anti-p24 response. Sera from healthy FIV-infected cats were shown to have higher anti-p24 titer than did those from diseased cats.

Effects of analog filter frequency on brain stem auditory-evoked potentials (BAEP) were investigated in 7 non-sedated dogs. The BAEP were recorded successively at various low-pass (LP) and high-pass (HP) filter frequency settings. The analog filters had a rolloff of 6 dB/octave. Decrease of LP filter frequency from 30 khz to 100 Hz caused prolongation of the peak latency and reduction of the peak-to-peak (from a positive peak to the following trough) and absolute (from a positive peak to the baseline) amplitudes for aU peaks, except the peak latency for P5 and the absolute amplitude for P4. Changes in these variables were statistically significant (P < 0.05) at different cutoff frequencies specific for the individual peaks. The inter-peak latency between P1 and P4, and P4/P1 peak to-peak amplitude ratio were not changed significantly. At the lowest LP filter frequency of 100 Hz, positive peaks (fast waves) seemed to be superimposed on a slow positive wave (slow wave). In contrast, increase of HP filter frequency from 0.53 to 160 Hz did not result in significant changes for any peaks, except for reduction in the absolute amplitude of P4. The various effects of LP filter frequency and negligible effects of Hp filter frequency on individual peaks may be attributable to their frequency composition and/or elimination of the slow wave at higher HP filter frequency settings. On the basis of our results, LP filter setting of 3 kHz and HP filter setting of less than or equal to 53 Hz are recommended for recording of BAEP in dogs. These settings sufficiently attenuate unwanted high-frequency artifacts, are adequate for recording of fast and slow waves, and have only slight effects on configurations, peak latencies, and amplitudes.

Dialyzable lymph node extracts (DLE) containing transfer factor prepared from calves sensitized to Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and keyhole-limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were administered to 4 adult cows with chronic paratuberculosis. Cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity, lymphocyte blastogenesis, monocyte migration-inhibition, and lymphoblast proliferative capacity as a reflection of interleukin-2 (IL-2) activity were measured in response to M bovis purified protein derivative, johnin, and KLH before and after treatment with DLE. Change in cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity was not evident after DLE treatment. Alterations in histologic features of pre- and posttreatment sections of ileum and mesenteric lymph nodes were not detected. Lymph node extract treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased IL-2 activity and migration-inhibition in response to johnin and KLH in vitro. Treatment had no effect on lymphocyte blastogenesis. The data indicate that cattle with chronic paratuberculosis may benefit from DLE treatment, by virtue of increased IL-2 activity, and that effects of DLE are at least partially mediated by an increase in IL-2 activity.

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.

Protein concentration was determined, using the Bradford technique, in tears from cats with normal corneas and from cats with corneal sequestrum. Tears from the former group contained 5.81 +/- 2.29 mg of protein/ml; those from cornmeal sequestrum-affected cats contained 6.21 +/- 2.21 mg/ml. Difference between the 2 values was not significant. Molecular weight determination was made, using 4 to 20% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Molecular mass of proteins ranged from 263 to 14 kDa. There was no detectable difference in the band patterns for the 2 groups.

To evaluate the effect of diet on results obtained by use of 2 commercial test kits for detection of occult blood in feces, 5 dogs were fed 7 diets in randomized sequence. Dry and canned diets with various principal ingredients were evaluated. Each diet was offered twice over a 24-hour period, followed by a 36-hour nonfeeding period. Fecal specimens were collected twice daily, and tests for occult blood were performed within 12 hours. The dietary origin of fecal specimens was confirmed by use of colored markers fed with each diet, and was correlated with estimates of gastrointestinal tract transit time. A modified guaiac paper test and an ortho-tolidine tablet test were performed on each specimen. Of 59 specimens, 4 were positive for occult blood, using the ortho-tolidine tablet test. Three positive results were associated with a mutton-based canned diet, and 1 positive result was associated with a canned beef-based diet. Of 59 specimens, 11 were positive for occult blood, using the modified guaiac paper test. Four positive results were associated with the mutton diet, and 3 positive results were associated with the beef diet. Of the remaining 5 diets, 4 caused 1 positive reaction. Results were inconsistent with the null hypothesis that the distribution of positive occult blood test results is not affected by diet (P < 0.025), and indicate that diet can affect the specificity of peroxidase-based tests for detection of occult blood in canine feces. Diet modification prior to testing is recommended.

Serum concentrations of metronidazole were determined in 6 healthy adult mares after a single IV injection of metronidazole (15 mg/kg of body weight). The mean elimination rate (K) was 0.23 h(-1), and the mean elimination half-life (t1/2) was 3.1 hours. The apparent volume of distribution at steady state was 0.69 L/kg, and the clearance was 168 ml/h/kg. Each mare was then given a loading dose (15 mg/kg) of metronidazole at time 0, followed by 4 maintenance doses (7.5 mg/kg, q 6 h) by nasogastric tube. Metronidazole concentrations were measured in serial samples of serum, synovia, peritoneal fluid, and urine. Metronidazole concentrations in CSF and endometrial tissues were measured after the fourth maintenance dose. The highest mean concentration in serum was 13.9 +/- 2.18 microg/ml at 40 minutes after the loading dose (time 0). The highest mean synovial and peritoneal fluid concentrations were 8.9 +/- 1.31 microg/ml and 12.8 +/- 3.21 microg/ml, respectively, 2 hours after the loading dose. The lowest mean trough concentration in urine was 32 microg/ml. Mean concentration of metronidazole in CSF was 4.3 +/- 2.51 microg/ml and the mean concentration in endometrial tissues was 0.9 +/- 0.48 microg/g at 3 hours after the fourth maintenance dose. Two mares hospitalized for treatment of bacterial pleuropneumonia were given metronidazole (15.0 mg/kg, PO, initially then 7.5 mg/kg, PO, q 6 h), while concurrently receiving gentamicin, potassium penicillin, and flunixin meglumine IV. Metronidazole pharmacokinetics and serum concentrations in the sick mares were similar to those obtained in the healthy mares.

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed in 21 isolated animal lungs, from 4 mammalian species (pigs, rabbits, dogs, sheep). Gross and subgross central and peripheral lung morphology was determined by HRCT. Three distinct types of lungs can be identified, principally based on the extent of interlobular septal development; the relationship of major vessels to airways; and the thickness of the visceral pleura. Type-I lung is found in pigs, sheep, and cattle; type-II lung is found in rabbits, dogs, cats, and monkeys; and type-III lung is found in human beings and horses. These mammalian lungs were compared with human lungs. The potential use of HRCT to investigate specific human lung diseases in the aforementioned species also was considered.

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.