To study the effect of over dosages of dexamethasone on eye rabbits; a total of 20healthy adult rabbits were used. Rabbits were equally divided in to 4 groups, therabbit in each group wastreated with dexamethasone intramuscular twice daily for 30days. The dexamethasone doses were10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg/day, for group 1, 2, 3,and 4 respectively. After that the animals were sacrificed, histological sections ofcornea samples were prepared using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The entireexperiment was completed in the animal facility at Veterinary Medicine College,University of Basrah. Rabbits in Group 1 and 2 remain healthy and there are no sideeffects of dexamethasone while group 3 and 4 the side effects of dexamethasone werecataract and emaciation. The cataract was clear clinically and histologically. Thedevelopment of dexamethasone-induced cataract need much work to elucidate themechanism

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of repeatedadministration of ivermectin alone or with the combination of Vitamin C on kidneyfunction and histopathological effects on kidney and lung of rabbits. Total of 48mature female rabbits were used in this study. The rabbits were divided into eightgroups of equal number (6). The 1st group was administered 0.9% Nacl whichconsiders as control. The 2nd , 3rd , and 4th groups were administered (0.5mg, 1mg,and 2mg/Kg B.W Ivermectin) respectively. While the 5th group was administered50mg/Kg B.W vitamin C only. The 6th , 7th , and 8th groups were given 50mg/Kgvitamin C in combination with Ivermectin (0.5mg, 1mg, and 2mg/Kg B.W )respectively. The ivermectin therapy was given S/C weekly, while the vitamin C wasgiven daily and orally. The treatment in all groups were prolonged for 8 weeks.The results showed significant increase (P˂ 0.05) in uric acid level in the 4thgroup. Also the level of urea and blood urea nitrogen were revealed significantdecrease (P˂ 0.05) in 7th group. While the creatinine level clarified significantincrease (P˂ 0.05) in the 3rd and 8th groups as compared with control group.The histopathological changes as a results of ivermectin treatment in kidneyincluded vacuolation of subcapsular tubules, atrophy of glomeruli. The lung showeddilated alveoli, bronchioles were aggregated with lymphocyte, dilatation ofbronchioles, as well as, folding and thickening of bronchial epithelium. Theadministration of vitamin C with combination of Ivermectin ameliorate the harmfuleffect of ivermectin treatment. It can be conclude that the repeated administration ofivermectin causes hazardous effects on kidney function and many ofhistopathological changes were demonstrated in kidney and lung structure. Thechanges were increased proportionally with the dose. The administration of vitaminC can acts as protective agent.

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of external hernias in ruminantsin Dohuk governorate in relation to the species, age, and sex of the animals. During aperiod of seven years, fifty eight cases of external hernias were presented for surgicalcorrection. Eighty one percent of the hernia cases were in ovine species, 15.6% were incaprine; bovine constituted only 3.4% of the cases. High incidence of hernias wasrecorded in females; the sex distribution was 72.4% females and 27.6% males.Umbilical hernias constituted 44.8% of all hernias, followed, in reducing frequency, byventral (31%), scrotal (13.8%) and inguinal hernias (10.4%).Clinical and surgical findings which include the size of the hernial rings, reducibility ofthe contents, the condition of the peritoneum, suture patterns and materials used andsurgical outcome were described.

Streptococcus suis is an important pathogen in the swine industry. This article is the first to report the occurrence, risk factors, serotype distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. suis recovered from employees and environmental samples of swine slaughterhouses in Brazil. Tonsillar swabs from all 139 pig-slaughtering employees and 261 environmental swabs were collected for detection of S. suis and serotyping by monoplex and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the disk-diffusion method. Although S. suis was not detected in any of the tested employees, it was isolated from 25% of the environmental samples. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in the occurrence of S. suis were observed between slaughterhouses and between areas of low, medium, and high risk. The most frequent serotypes were 4 and 29, each accounting for 12% of the isolates, followed by 5, 12, 21, and 31, each accounting for 6%. High rates of susceptibility to the antimicrobials doxycycline (100%), ceftiofur (94%), ampicillin (81%), and cephalexin (75%) were observed. However, multidrug resistance was observed in all the isolates. Because S. suis is present in the environment of swine slaughterhouses, on carcasses and knives, as well as on the hands of employees in all areas, all employees are at risk of infection.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate use of serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin concentrations as prognostic indicators for horses with inflammatory disease in regard to euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost. ANIMALS 20 clinically normal horses and 53 horses with inflammatory disease. PROCEDURES Total WBC count, neutrophil count, and fibrinogen, SAA, and haptoglobin concentrations were determined for clinically normal horses and horses with suspected inflammatory disease. Clinicopathologic values at admission were compared to test the use of SAA and haptoglobin concentrations in predicting euthanasia, complications, and hospitalization duration and cost. Haptoglobin and SAA concentrations of 22 horses were monitored during hospitalization to test the use of serial measurements in predicting survival and complications. RESULTS Neutrophil count and SAA and haptoglobin concentrations were significantly different at admission for horses with inflammatory disease, compared with those for clinically normal horses. Horses with colitis and peritonitis had significantly higher SAA and haptoglobin concentrations than clinically normal horses. A moderate positive correlation (r = 0.355) between hospitalization duration and haptoglobin concentration was identified. Horses with an increase in SAA concentration between 24 and 72 hours after admission, compared with admission SAA concentration, were significantly more likely (OR, 7.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 45.9) to be euthanized or develop complications. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Concentrations of SAA and haptoglobin at admission were not significantly correlated with outcome in horses with inflammatory conditions. Acute-phase proteins likely have more utility in serial analysis rather than testing at a single time point for horses with inflammatory conditions.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether plasma ACTH concentrations vary following administration of a thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) solution prepared for research purposes and stored at −20°C (rTRH) or prepared by a compounding pharmacy and stored at room temperature (approx 22°C; cTRH). ANIMALS 34 adult horses. PROCEDURES The study consisted of 2 experiments. In experiment 1, each horse underwent 2 TRH stimulation tests separated by 24 hours; 10 horses were administered cTRH for the first test and rTRH for the second test (group 1), 10 horses were administered rTRH for the first test and cTRH for the second test (group 2), and 10 horses were administered rTRH for both tests (group 3). Plasma ACTH concentrations were measured at 0 (baseline) and 30 minutes after TRH administration and the delta ACTH responses (change in ACTH concentration after TRH administration) were calculated. In experiment 2, the design was the same as that for experiment 1 except there were 14 days between tests, ACTH was measured at 0 and 10 minutes after TRH administration, and 11, 9, and 10 horses were assigned to groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. RESULTS Adverse effects associated with TRH administration included transient coughing and yawning. In experiment 1, the median delta ACTH response for the second test was significantly lower than that for the first test for all groups. In experiment 2, the median delta ACTH response did not differ significantly between the first and second tests for any group, ACTH concentrations after rTRH administration were positively correlated (rs = 0.95) with those after cTRH administration, and the mean ± SD bias in post-TRH ACTH concentration between rTRH and cTRH was 2.9 ± 12.4 pg/mL. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that the TRH stimulation test should not be repeated within 24 hours, and cTRH solution stored at room temperature could be used to effectively perform TRH stimulation testing in horses.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of screw position on strength and stiffness of a combination locking plate–rod construct in a synthetic feline femoral gap model. SAMPLE 30 synthetic long-bone models derived from beechwood and balsa wood. PROCEDURES 3 constructs (2 locking plate–rod constructs and 1 locking plate construct; 10 specimens/construct) were tested in a diaphyseal bridge plating configuration by use of 4-point bending and torsion. Variables included screw position (near the fracture gap and far from the fracture gap) and application of an intramedullary pin. Constructs were tested to failure in each loading mode to determine strength and stiffness. Failure was defined as plastic deformation of the plate or breakage of the bone model or plate. Strength, yield angle, and stiffness were compared by use of a Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Placement of screws near the fracture gap did not increase bending or torsional stiffness in the locking plate–rod constructs, assuming the plate was placed on the tension side of the bone. Addition of an intramedullary pin resulted in a significant increase in bending strength of the construct. Screw positioning did not have a significant effect on any torsion variables. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results of this study suggested that, in the investigated plate-rod construct, screw insertion adjacent to the fracture lacked mechanical advantages over screw insertion at the plate ends. For surgeons attempting to minimize soft tissue dissection, the decision to make additional incisions for screw placement should be considered with even more caution.

OBJECTIVE To compare stability of hemostatic proteins in canine fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) thawed with a modified commercial microwave warmer (MCM) or warm water bath (37°C; WWB) or at room temperature (22°C). SAMPLE Fresh-frozen plasma obtained from 8 canine donors of a commercial blood bank. PROCEDURES A commercial microwave warmer was modified with a thermocouple to measure surface temperature of bags containing plasma. The MCM and a WWB were each used to concurrently thaw a 60-mL bag of plasma obtained from the same donor. Two 3-mL control aliquots of FFP from each donor were thawed to room temperature without use of a heating device. Concentrations of hemostatic proteins, albumin, and D-dimers; prothrombin time (PT); and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were determined for all samples. RESULTS Significant decreases in concentrations of factors II, IX, X, XI, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, antithrombin, protein C, and albumin and significant increases in PT and aPTT were detected for plasma thawed with the MCM, compared with results for samples thawed with the WWB. Concentrations of factors VII, VIII, and XII were not significantly different between plasma thawed with the MCM and WWB. Concentrations of D-dimers were above the reference range for all thawed samples regardless of thawing method. No significant differences in factor concentrations were detected between control and WWB-thawed samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Significant differences in hemostatic protein concentrations and coagulation times were detected for plasma thawed with an MCM but not between control and WWB-thawed samples. Clinical importance of these changes should be investigated.

OBJECTIVE To compare effects of training on conventional and underwater treadmills on fiber properties and metabolic responses of the superficial digital flexor (SDF) and gluteal muscles to high-speed exercise in horses. SAMPLE 6 unconditioned Quarter Horse–type horses. PROCEDURES 6 horses were walked on underwater and conventional treadmills for 5 d/wk (maximum, 40 min/d) for 8 weeks in a randomized crossover design (60-day detraining period). Horses underwent a standardized exercise test (SET) at high speed before and after training. Analyte concentrations and fiber characteristics were measured in muscle biopsy specimens obtained from horses before and after each SET. RESULTS Lactate concentration increased 2- to 3-fold in SDF and gluteal muscle after SETs. No training effect was identified on muscle fiber type composition, type II fiber diameter, muscle analyte concentrations, blood lactate concentration, or heart rate responses. Maximum diameters of type I fibers decreased significantly in gluteal muscle with conventional treadmill training and decreased in SDF muscle with both types of training, with maximum diameters greater for horses after underwater versus conventional treadmill training. No change was identified in minimum fiber diameters. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE SETs involving near-maximal exertion resulted in an anaerobic response in SDF and gluteal muscles of horses. Eight weeks of conventional or underwater treadmill training resulted in minor changes in type I muscle fiber sizes, with no effect on muscle metabolic or heart rate responses to SETs. After rehabilitation involving underwater treadmills, training at progressing speeds is recommended for horses to develop the required fitness for speed work.