OBJECTIVE To compare intraosseous pentobarbital treatment (IPT) and thoracic compression (TC) on time to circulatory arrest and an isoelectric electroencephalogram (EEG) in anesthetized passerine birds. ANIMALS 30 wild-caught adult birds (17 house sparrows [Passer domesticus] and 13 European starlings [Sturnus vulgaris]). PROCEDURES Birds were assigned to receive IPT or TC (n = 6/species/group). Birds were anesthetized, and carotid arterial pulses were monitored by Doppler methodology. Five subdermal braided-wire electrodes were used for EEG. Anesthetic depth was adjusted until a continuous EEG pattern was maintained, then euthanasia was performed. Times from initiation of euthanasia to cessation of carotid pulse and irreversible isoelectric EEG (indicators of death) were measured. Data (medians and first to third quartiles) were summarized and compared between groups within species. Necropsies were performed for all birds included in experiments and for another 6 birds euthanized under anesthesia by TC (4 sparrows and 1 starling) or IPT (1 sparrow). RESULTS Median time to isoelectric EEG did not differ significantly between treatment groups for sparrows (19.0 and 6.0 seconds for TC and IPT, respectively) or starlings (88.5 and 77.5 seconds for TC and IPT, respectively). Median times to cessation of pulse were significantly shorter for TC than for IPT in sparrows (0.0 vs 18.5 seconds) and starlings (9.5 vs 151.0 seconds). On necropsy, most (14/17) birds that underwent TC had grossly visible coelomic, pericardial, or perihepatic hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that TC might be an efficient euthanasia method for small birds. Digital pressure directly over the heart during TC obstructed venous return, causing rapid circulatory arrest, with rupture of the atria or vena cava in several birds. The authors propose that cardiac compression is a more accurate description than TC for this procedure.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in domestic hens and duration and quantity of drug residues in their eggs following PO administration of a single dose (1 mg of meloxicam/kg). ANIMALS 8 healthy adult White Leghorn hens. PROCEDURES Hens were administered 1 mg of meloxicam/kg PO once. A blood sample was collected immediately before and at intervals up to 48 hours after drug administration. The hens' eggs were collected for 3 weeks after drug administration. Samples of the hens' plasma, egg whites (albumen), and egg yolks were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS The half-life, maximum concentration, and time to maximum concentration of meloxicam in plasma samples were 2.8 hours, 7.21 μg/mL, and 2 hours, respectively. Following meloxicam administration, the drug was not detected after 4 days in egg whites and after 8 days in egg yolks. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that meloxicam administered at a dose of 1 mg/kg PO in chickens appears to maintain plasma concentrations equivalent to those reported to be therapeutic for humans for 12 hours. The egg residue data may be used to aid establishment of appropriate drug withdrawal time recommendations.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the use of canine whole blood (WB) for measurement of ammonia concentration by use of a point-of-care ammonia meter and to compare results of measuring ammonia concentrations in WB, EDTA-anticoagulated WB, and plasma. ANIMALS 40 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURES A blood sample (2 mL) was obtained from each dog. One drop of WB was immediately applied to a test strip for evaluation with an ammonia meter. The remainder of the blood sample was placed in an EDTA-containing tube, and 1 drop of EDTA-anticoagulated WB was applied to a test strip. The remaining EDTA-anticoagulated WB sample was centrifuged, and the plasma was harvested and placed on ice. One drop of plasma was applied to a test strip; the remainder of the plasma sample was transported on ice and used for ammonia measurement with a reference laboratory instrument. All samples were tested within 1 hour after sample collection. Results were evaluated to detect significant differences in ammonia concentration. RESULTS Ammonia concentrations did not differ significantly between WB and EDTA-anticoagulated WB and between plasma samples measured with the meter and reference laboratory instrument. However, median ammonia concentration was significantly higher in plasma than in WB or EDTA-anti-coagulated WB. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Anticoagulant-free WB was a valid sample for measurement by use of the ammonia meter. Plasma samples had higher ammonia concentrations than did WB samples. Results for each sample type should be interpreted by use of specimen- and method-specific reference intervals.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the maternal and fetal cardiopulmonary effects of a low-dose infusion of dexmedetomidine without a loading dose in pregnant ewes anesthetized with sevoflurane. ANIMALS 11 pregnant ewes. PROCEDURES Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Ewes and fetuses were instrumented with arterial and venous catheters, and thermodilution–pulmonary arterial catheters were placed in the ewes. Baseline measurements were obtained at an end-tidal sevoflurane concentration of 3.4%, then dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg/h, IV) was infused for 90 minutes without a loading dose. Cardiovascular and blood gas variables were measured at predetermined time points. RESULTS Dexmedetomidine infusion resulted in approximately 30% decreases in maternal systemic vascular resistance, blood pressure, and heart rate. Maternal cardiac index, oxygenation variables, and acid-base status remained unchanged, whereas pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and stroke volume increased, compared with baseline values. Uterine blood flow decreased by approximately 30% to 36%. Fetal heart rate and blood pressure remained unchanged, but significant increases in fetal plasma glucose and lactate concentrations were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Pregnant ewes receiving a combination of sevoflurane and an infusion of dexmedetomidine without a loading dose had cardiac index in acceptable ranges and maintained normoxia. This balanced anesthesia did not produce significant changes in fetal blood pressure or heart rate. However, the increase in fetal plasma lactate concentration and changes in maternal pulmonary vascular resistance and uterine blood flow require further investigation to better elucidate these effects.

OBJECTIVE To determine titers of serum antibodies against 3 genotypes of bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPI3V) in unvaccinated ungulates in Alabama. ANIMALS 62 cattle, goats, and New World camelids from 5 distinct herds and 21 captured white-tailed deer. PROCEDURES Serum samples were obtained from all animals for determination of anti-BPI3V antibody titers, which were measured by virus neutralization assays that used indicator (reference) viruses from each of the 3 BPI3V genotypes (BPI3V-A, BPI3V-B, and BPI3V-C). The reference strains were recent clinical isolates from US cattle. Each sample was assayed in triplicate for each genotype. Animals with a mean antibody titer = 2 for a particular genotype were considered seronegative for that genotype. RESULTS Animals seropositive for antibodies against BPI3V were identified in 2 of 3 groups of cattle and the group of New World camelids. The geometric mean antibody titer against BPI3V-B was significantly greater than that for BPI3V-A and BPI3V-C in all 3 groups. All goats, captive white-tailed deer, and cattle in the third cattle group were seronegative for all 3 genotypes of the virus. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that BPI3V-A may no longer be the predominant genotype circulating among ungulates in Alabama. This may be clinically relevant because BPI3V is frequently involved in the pathogenesis of bovine respiratory disease complex, current vaccines contain antigens against BPI3V-A only, and the extent of cross-protection among antibodies against the various BPI3V genotypes is unknown.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of cardiac output (CO) estimated by use of ECG-gated multidetector CT (MDCT) and 1-, 2-, and 3-D echocardiography and by use of thermodilution. ANIMALS 6 healthy hound-cross dogs. PROCEDURES Electrocardiogram-gated contrast-enhanced 64-slice MDCT and 1-, 2-, and 3-D echocardiography were performed on each dog. The CO for ECG-gated MDCT was calculated as volumetric measurements of stroke volume multiplied by mean heart rate. Echocardiographic left ventricle end-diastolic volumes and end-systolic volumes were measured by use of the Teichholz method (1-D echocardiography) and a single-plane method of disks (2-D echocardiography). Real-time 3-D echocardiographic left ventricle volumes were measured with 3-D functional analysis software on right long-axis and left apical views. The CO of each dog was measured in triplicate by use of thermodilution. Mean CO values, correlations, and limits of agreement for MDCT, echocardiographic modalities, and thermodilution were compared. RESULTS CO measured by use of MDCT, 2-D echocardiography, and 3-D echocardiography had the strongest correlations with CO measured by use of thermodilution. No significant difference in CO was detected between MDCT, any echocardiographic method, and thermodilution. Bland-Altman analysis revealed a systematic underestimation of CO derived by use of MDCT, 2-D echocardiography, and 3-D echocardiography. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of MDCT, 2-D echocardiography, and 3-D echocardiography to measure CO in healthy dogs was feasible. Measures of CO determined by use of 3-D echocardiography on the right long-axis view were strongly correlated with CO determined by use of thermodilution, with little variance and slight underestimation.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of gadoxetic acid (contrast) dose on biliary tract enhancement, determine the optimal time after contrast injection for CT image acquisition, and assess the feasibility of CT cholangiography in sedated dogs. ANIMALS 8 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES The study had 2 parts. In part 1, 4 dogs were anesthetized and underwent CT cholangiography twice. Gadoxetic acid was administered IV at a low dose (0.025 mmol/kg) for the first procedure and high dose (0.3 mmol/kg) for the second procedure. Serial CT scans were obtained at predetermined times after contrast injection. In part 2, 4 dogs were sedated and underwent CT angiography 85 minutes after IV administration of the high contrast dose. Contrast enhancement of the biliary tract on all scans was objectively assessed by measurement of CT attenuation and qualitatively assessed by use of a subjective 4-point scoring system by 3 independent reviewers. All measurements were compared over time and between contrast doses for the dogs of part 1. Subjective measurements were compared between the sedated dogs of part 2 and anesthetized dogs of part 1. RESULTS Enhancement of the biliary tract was positively associated with contrast dose and time after contrast injection. Optimal enhancement was achieved 65 minutes after contrast injection. Subjective visualization of most biliary structures did not differ significantly between sedated and anesthetized dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated CT cholangiography with gadoxetic acid was feasible in sedated dogs. The high contrast dose provided better visualization of biliary structures than the low dose; CT scans should be obtained 65 minutes after contrast injection.

A recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA)-based method was developed for rapid and specific detection of African swine fever virus (ASFV), the etiologic agent of African swine fever, a devastating disease of swine. Primers and the exo probe targeting the conserved region of the P72 gene of ASFV were designed and the reaction was run on the Genie III scanner device. Using recombinant plasmid DNA containing the P72 gene as template, we showed that the amplified product could be detected in less than 10 min and that the detection limit was 102 copies DNA/reaction [same detection limit as real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]. The RPA assay did not cross-detect CSFV, PCV-2, PRV, PRRSV, or FMDV, common viruses seen in pigs. Tests of recombinant plasmid-spiked serum samples revealed that RPA and real-time PCR had the same diagnostic rate. The RPA assay, which is simple, cost-effective, and fast, is a promising alternative to real-time PCR for ASFV detection.

Varroa destructor is the most damaging ectoparasite to the beekeeping economy. The mite has different haplotypes. It is aimed to determine which haplotype is present by examining the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene region of V. destructor found in honey bees in Siirt region. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism(RFLP) methods were applied in the analysis of the COI gene region of V. destructor in Siirt region. To do this,V. destructor samples were collected from 387 enterprises in the Siirt region. DNA extraction followed the PZR.Subsequently, 1.5% agarose gel images were obtained by electrophoresis. The PCR products were then subjectedto XhoI and SacI restriction enzymes and 2% agarose gel images were obtained. 38 of the samples (10%) weresent to a private enterprise for sequencing. The obtained sequences were blasted and compared with thecorresponding reference sequences in GenBank.According to the results of PZR and RFLP obtained from the 387 V. destructor samples in the studytowards the COI gen region, all of the samples were found to be Korean haplotypes and Japanese haplotypeswere not found in any of 387 samples. At the same time, it was also confirmed that the 38 sequenced sampleswere Korean haplotypes.The results obtained from this study are significant in terms of forming a groundwork for futurestudies.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of administration of a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant on egg laying in healthy cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). ANIMALS 52 cockatiels. PROCEDURES 26 breeding pairs (a female and its respective male in each pair) were selected on the basis of their history of egg laying. Female birds were sedated and received a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant (n = 13) or placebo implant (13) in the subcutaneous tissues between the scapulae. Male and female birds of each breeding pair were placed in separate but adjacent cages. Birds were exposed to 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. A nest box was placed in cages of female birds to stimulate reproductive activity. Egg production and quality were monitored daily for 365 days. RESULTS Deslorelin acetate implants significantly suppressed egg laying in cockatiels, compared with effects for the placebo implants. Eleven of 13 placeboimplanted birds laid eggs between 12 and 42 days after implantation. None of the deslorelin-implanted birds laid eggs within 180 days after implantation, and only 5 of 13 deslorelin-implanted birds laid an egg during the study period (first egg laid between 192 and 230 days after implantation). No differences in egg quality or number of eggs per clutch were observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Insertion of a 4.7-mg deslorelin acetate implant suppressed egg laying in healthy cockatiels for at least 180 days. Studies are necessary to evaluate effects of a deslorelin acetate implant in other avian species or in association with reproductive disorders.