OBJECTIVE To determine the amount of negative pressure generated by syringes of various sizes with and without an attached thoracostomy tube and whether composition of thoracostomy tubes altered the negative pressure generated. SAMPLE Syringes ranging from 1 to 60 mL and 4 thoracostomy tubes of various compositions (1 red rubber catheter, 1 polyvinyl tube, and 2 silicone tubes). PROCEDURES A syringe or syringe with attached thoracostomy tube was connected to a pneumatic transducer. Each syringe was used to aspirate a volume of air 10 times. Negative pressure generated was measured and compared among the various syringe sizes and various thoracostomy tubes. RESULTS The negative pressure generated decreased as size of the syringe increased for a fixed volume across syringes. Addition of a thoracostomy tube further decreased the amount of negative pressure. The red rubber catheter resulted in the least amount of negative pressure, followed by the polyvinyl tube and then the silicone tubes. There was no significant difference in negative pressure between the 2 silicone tubes. The smallest amount of negative pressure generated was −74 to −83 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Limited data are available on the negative pressure generated during intermittent evacuation of the thoracic cavity. For the present study, use of a syringe of ≥ 20 mL and application of 1 mL of negative suction volume resulted in in vitro pressures much more negative than the currently recommended pressure of −14.71 mm Hg for continuous suction. Additional in vitro or cadaveric studies are needed.

OBJECTIVE To compare use of a 3-level self-locking suture (3LSLS) technique with use of a previously described modified 3-loop pulley (M3LP) technique to repair rupture of the proximal aspect of patellar tendons in limbs from canine cadavers. SAMPLE Paired hind limbs of 6 adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES A limb from each pair was randomly assigned to be repaired by the 3LSLS technique or M3LP technique with size-2 ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene and size-0 monofilament polypropylene suture, respectively. Limbs were prepared, and each patellar tendon was transected at a site chosen to simulate rupture at the proximal aspect. Tendons were repaired with the assigned techniques and mechanically tested with a biaxial servohydraulic test system; the clamp was distracted until the repair failed. Force at 1 -mm gap formation, 3-mm gap formation, and repair failure and gap size at failure were measured and compared between methods. Mode of failure was recorded. RESULTS There was no significant difference between methods for the force required to produce a 1 - or 3-mm gap in the repair. The 3LSLS technique required a significantly higher load for complete failure; gap formation immediately before failure was significantly greater for this method than for the M3LP technique. Four of 6 repairs with the M3LP technique and 0 of 6 repairs with the 3LSLS technique failed by suture breakage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The 3LSLS technique with size-2 ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene suture was as effective at resistance to 1 - and 3-mm gap formation as the M3LP with size-0 monofilament polypropylene suture.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) for the assessment of prostatic tumors in dogs and to compare results for TRUS with results for other imaging modalities. ANIMALS 10 client-owned male dogs. PROCEDURES Client-owned dogs identified with prostatic carcinoma were enrolled. Fluoroscopy, transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS), TRUS, and MRI were performed on all dogs. Tumor measurements, urethral penetration (identification of abnormal tissue within the urethral lumen), and tumor extension into the urinary tract were recorded for all imaging modalities. Agreement between results for MRI (considered the criterion-referenced standard) and results for other modalities were compared. RESULTS Median body weight of the 10 dogs was 26.3 kg (range, 9.4 to 49.5 kg). No complications were encountered during or after TRUS. Significant moderate to good agreements (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.60 to 0.86) among TAUS, TRUS, fluoroscopy, and MRI were identified for tumor length and height. Assessments of urethral penetration and tumor extension into the bladder with TRUS did not differ significantly from those made with MRI and were superior in terms of absolute agreement with MRI when compared with those for TAUS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE TRUS was successfully and safely used to evaluate prostatic carcinoma in dogs. There was moderate to good agreement with MRI results for tumor height and length measurements, and TRUS was found to be superior to TAUS for some assessments. Transrectal ultrasonography can be considered an adjunctive imaging modality for the performance of prostatic interventional procedures or assessment of response to treatment.

OBJECTIVE To compare IV doses of alfaxalone and ketamine needed to facilitate orotracheal intubation and assess effects of each treatment on selected physiologic variables in goats undergoing orthopedic surgery with isoflurane anesthesia. ANIMALS 18 healthy adult goats. PROCEDURES Behavior was assessed before and after sedation with midazolam (0.1 mg/kg, IV) for IV catheter placement. Anesthesia was induced with additional midazolam (0.1 mg/kg, IV) and alfaxalone (n = 9) or ketamine (9) at 2 mg/kg, IV, over 30 seconds. An additional dose of alfaxalone or ketamine (1 mg/kg) was given IV if needed for intubation; anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and IV fluids with ketamine (0.5 to 1 mg/kg/h). Direct systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressures; heart rate; and respiratory rate were recorded before induction, immediately after intubation, and during surgery. Qualitative anesthetic induction and recovery characteristics were assessed. Variables were compared within and between groups by statistical methods. RESULTS No preinduction variables differed significantly between groups. Postintubation and 30-minute intraoperative SAP, DAP, and MAP were higher for the ketamine group than for the alfaxalone group; within the alfaxalone group, postintubation SAP, MAP, and respiratory rate prior to mechanical ventilation were lower than respective preinduction values. All alfaxalone-group goats were intubated after 1 dose of the induction agent; 5 of 9 ketamine-group goats required an additional (1-mg/kg) dose. Postoperative recovery was good to excellent for all animals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both drugs were suitable for induction of anesthesia after sedation with midazolam, but most goats required higher doses of ketamine to allow intubation. For situations in which alfaxalone administration is appropriate, the potential for decreased arterial blood pressures and respiratory rate should be considered.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different dry period lnghts (DPLs) on the udder health and fertility during the subsequent lactation. The impact of subclinical mastitis (SCM) and clinical mastitis (CM) on the reproductive efficiency were also investigated. Holstein-Friesian cows (n=894) were included in the study of udder health, of which only multiparous cows (n=499) were included in the investigation of the impact of different DPLs on the udder health and reproductive efficacy in the subsequent lactation. Cows were classified according to the DPLs into 3 groups: Short (SDPL, <40 d), Traditional (TDPL, 40-60 d) and Long (LDPL, >60 d). A limit of 200,000 somatic cell/mL milk was established to separate between healthy and mastitic udder status. Accordingly, samples with 500,000-1,000,000 cell/ml were referred to cows affected with SCM and samples with >1,000,000 cells/ml were mentioned to cows affected with CM. A higher proportion of infected udder was detected in cows with LDPL (39.19%) Moreover, a higher proportion of SCM was recorded for cows with LDPL (17.57%) compared with that recorded for cows with SDPL (8.0%) and TDPL (6.13%). A higher proportion of CM was recorded for cows with a long dry period (LDP, 8.11%) compared with that recorded for cows with SDPL (4.0%) or with TDPL (4.8%). Cows with SDPL showed the best intervals reproductive indices compared with that recorded for both TDPL and LDPL. Furthermore, LDPL was found to be associated with significantly lower CR (33.11±2.91%), lower PR (50.39±3.97%) and higher NSPC (1.98±0.37) compared with values that recorded for either SDPL or TDPL. Cows with either SCM or CM showed the longest interval reproductive indices, less CR and PR and number of inseminations to become pregnant compared with healthy udder cows. A lower proportion of affected udder was recorded for Primiparous cow (24.3%) compared with that showed by multiparous cows (32.46%). Cows affected with mastitis during the voluntary waiting period (VWP) showed longer intervals to the first detected estrus and first services while those affected during the service period (SP) showed longer calving to conception intervals, lower CR and lower PR especially when the SCC exceed 500,000 cell/ml milk. Cows experienced udder infection during the SP showed the lowest PR (32.54% & 36.44%) and required more NSPC. In conclusion, a significant linkage among different dry period lengths and both the incidence of mastitis and fertility were recorded, with the best results were recorded for cows with TDPL and SDPL. Extending the dry period above 60 days increased the incidence of both clinical and subclinical mastitis and exerted a negative impact on the reproductive performance. The occurrence of mammary infection during the VWP increased the calving to first estrus and first service intervals, while its occurrence during the SP prolonged the days open, and extremely reduced the conception and pregnancy rates.

No abstract available.