Paired blood samples were collected from the postoccipital venous plexus and jugular vein of desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) for hematologic and plasma biochemical analyses. Comparison of hematologic values revealed significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) lower PCV, RBC count, WBC count, and hemoglobin values for samples obtained from the occipital site. When comparisons were made between plasma biochemical values for the 2 sites, significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) differences were measured for: glucose, potassium, chloride, uric acid, calcium, phosphorous, total protein, albumin, globulin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and total cholesterol. Significant differences between hematologic and plasma biochemical values from the occipital region samples vs jugular vein samples were attributed to hemodilution of the occipital region samples with extravascular fluid or lymph or both.

Effects of selenium (Se) deficiency and supplementation on production of colostral immunoglobulins by beef cows and transfer of antigen-specific and nonspecific immunoglobulins to their calves were examined. Eighty beef cows, with marginal to deficient Se status (blood Se concentration, 50 micrograms/L), were allotted by breed and age to 1 of 4 Se treatment groups (n = 20/group): no supplemental Se; parenteral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg of body weight; ad libitum consumption of 120 mg of Se/kg of salt-mineral mix (SMM); and parenteral administration of 0.1 mg of Se and 1 mg of vitamin E/kg plus ad libitum consumption of 120 mg of Se/kg of SMM. All cows were inoculated IM with lysozyme. Cows consumed Se-deficient pastures or hay (21 to 62 micrograms/kg) during the study that began at mid-gestation and ended at postpartum hour 24. Although the concentration of specific lysozyme antibodies was not affected, cows given 120 mg of Se/kg of SMM (treatments 3 and 4) had higher colostral IgG concentration (P < 0.002) than did Se-deficient cows (treatments 1 and 2). Calves from cows in treatments 3 and 4 had higher postsuckle serum concentrations of IgG (P < 0.01) than did calves from cows in treatments 1 and 2. Colostral IgM and calf serum IgM concentrations did not differ among treatments.

Once-daily administration of aminoglycosides may be a safe and effective therapeutic regimen, on the basis of the microbiologic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of these antibiotics. This study was designed to determine serum and tissue concentrations following IV administration of gentamicin, at dosages of 6.6 mg/kg of body weight, every 24 hours, and 2.2 mg/kg, every 8 hours, for 10 days in adult horses. Nephrotoxicosis from these dosage regimens also was compared, and microbiologic effects, including postantibiotic effects, were determined with various concentrations of gentamicin against an equine clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treatment at the 6.6-mg/kg dosage resulted in maximal serum concentrations (77.93 +/- 19.90 micrograms/ml, mean +/- SEM) and area under the concentration-vs-time curves (83.79 +/- 14.97 micrograms.h/ml) that were significantly (P < 0.05) greater than those following treatment at the 2.2-mg/kg dosage (5.05 +/- 0.50 micrograms/ml and 6.03 +/- 0.66 micrograms.h/ml, respectively). Nephrotoxicosis was not induced with either dosage regimen, and postantibiotic effects were prolonged with a higher gentamicin concentration. This study provided evidence to support the use of once-daily gentamicin treatment in adult horses.

The effects of short-term restraint stress, by means of snaring, on plasma concentrations of catecholamines, beta-endorphin, and cortisol were studied in 6 gilts. A catheter was inserted into the jugular vein, and 2 blood samples were collected before onset of stress. Thereafter, a hog snare was applied, and blood samples were collected at 0.5, 2, and 3.5 minutes after the start of snaring. Plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations increased (P < 0.001) within 0.5 minute after start of restraint and decreased thereafter. Plasma concentration of beta-endorphin increased (P < 0.05) within 2 minutes after start of restraint, whereas that of cortisol increased (P < 0.05) 3.5 minutes after start of restraint. Taken together, short-term stress, such as snaring, may increase the plasma concentration of catecholamines, beta-endorphin, and cortisol in pigs.

Objective--To determine the relative role of endogenous prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) secretion in cloprostenol-induced abortion in mares that no longer require luteal progesterone secretion for maintenance of pregnancy, and to evaluate the ability of a prostaglandin cyclooxygenase inhibitor (flunixin meglumine) to prevent cloprostenol-induced abortion. Design--The effect of flunixin meglumine on PGF2 alpha secretion and outcome of pregnancy was compared between mares treated with cloprostenol only and mares treated with cloprostenol plus flunixin meglumine. Animals--Five pregnant mares, aged 4 to 15 years, of light-horse type. Procedure--Cloprostenol (250 micrograms) was administered at 24-hour intervals to 5 pregnant mares. Flunixin meglumine (500 mg, IV) was administered at 8-hour intervals starting 15 minutes before the first cloprostenol administration. Hourly blood samples were analyzed for 15-ketodihydro-PGF2 alpha, progesterone, and estrogen concentrations. Previously reported data on cloprostenol-induced abortion in 6 pregnant mares treated daily with cloprostenol only were used as historic controls. Results--The mean (+/- SEM) interval from first cloprostenol administration to fetal expulsion 56.4 (+/- 13.7) hours and number of cloprostenol administrations 3.2 (+/- 0.6) in the 5 flunixin meglumine-treated mares were not significantly different, compared with values for 6 pregnant mares treated daily with cloprostenol only, 48.6 (+/- 5.6) hours and 2.8 (+/- 0.2) cloprostenol administrations. Flunixin meglumine did not inhibit endogenous PGF2 alpha secretion. Prostaglandin F2 alpha secretion rates on the day before and day of fetal expulsion were similar in both groups. Conclusion--Flunixin meglumine at a dosage of 500 mg/animal, administered IV every 8 hours, is ineffective in modulating uterine PGF2 alpha secretion during cloprostenol-induced abortion. Clinical Relevance--Flunixin meglumine is ineffective in the modulation of prostaglandin-induced uterine PGF2 alpha secretion and, therefore, does not offer a viable alternative for the prevention of abortion in mares at risk of abortion because of systemic illness.

A cross-over study was performed in 6 healthy mixed-breed dogs and 4 healthy Beagles. Diazepam was administered per rectum to Beagles (0.5 mg/kg of body weight) and mixed-breed dogs (2 mg/kg), and IV (0.5 mg/kg) to both groups of dogs. Each dog received the drug by both routes, with a 1-week washout period between dosages. After diazepam administration, blood samples were collected to measure plasma concentration of diazepam and its active metabolites, desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam, by use of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Systemic availability was assessed by comparing the area under the curve for diazepam metabolites for each route of administration. Mean (+/- SD) diazepam concentrations in plasma after rectal administration were low in comparison with those obtained after IV administration, with systemic availability of only 7.4 (+/- 5.9) and 2.7 (+/- 3.2)% for the high and low dose, respectively. However, diazepam was converted to its metabolites within minutes after administration. Accounting for the total concentration of benzodiazepines (diazepam plus desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam) in plasma, systemic availability was 79.9 (+/- 20.7) and 66.0 (+/- 23.8)% for the high and low dosage, respectively. After IV administration, diazepam concentration decreased, with a half-life of only 14 to 16 minutes, but desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam concentrations decreased more slowly, with a half-life of 2.2 to 2.8 hours and 3.5 to 5.1 hours, respectively. Each of the metabolites is reported to have anticonvulsant activity. After rectal administration of the high dose, mean total benzodiazepine concentration was above 1.0 micrograms/ml within 10 minutes and was maintained above this concentration for at least 6 hours. We conclude that diazepam is absorbed after rectal administration in dogs, and that the pharmacologic effects are probably caused by the active metabolites, not the parent drug. Samples also were analyzed by use of a nonspecific commercial benzodiazepine fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Correlation between the FPLA and HPLC assay was strongest for diazeparn (R2 = 0.84), weak for desmethyldiazepam (R2 = 0.09), and nonexistent for oxazepam. We conclude from a comparison of assays that HPLC is preferred over the FPLA method for measuring benzodiazepines in dogs.

Vestibulotoxic and ototoxic effects often are seen after long-term, high-dose systemic treatment with gentamicin, but toxic effects after topical use have not been reported in animals, to the authors' knowledge. Vestibular and auditory effects of twice daily otic gentamicin treatment for 21 days were evaluated in 10 dogs with intact tympanic membranes and in the same 10 dogs after experimental bilateral myringotomy. Each dog served as its own control; 7 drops of gentamicin sulfate (3 mg/ml in a buffered aqueous vehicle) were placed in 1 ear, and 7 drops of vehicle were placed in the opposite ear. Treatment and control ears were reversed after myringotomy. Vestibular function was evaluated daily by neurologic examination and behavioral assessment Auditory function was evaluated twice weekly by determination of brain stem auditory evoked potentials. Gentamicin sulfate placed in the ear of clinically normal dogs with intact or ruptured tympanic membranes, in the quantities used in this study, did not induce detectable alteration of cochlear or vestibular function. Serum gentamicin concentration after 21 days of treatment was detectable in only 2 dogs and was an order of magnitude below documented toxic concentrations.

Objective--To study whether end products of 2 pathways of anaerobic energy metabolism, lactate and purines, that accumulate in the blood after intense exercise indicate any relation to exercise performance. Design--Venous blood samples were taken within 1 and 15 minutes after a trotting race of 2,100 m. Animals--16 Clinically healthy Standardbred trotters. Procedure--Blood and plasma lactate concentrations were measured by enzymatic analyzer, and purines, uric acid and allantoin, were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentrations of metabolites were then correlated to racing time and individual performance indexes that are annually calculated from the percentage of winnings, placings, and starts rejected, average earnings per start, and the racing record. Results--Blood lactate concentration immediately and calculated cell lactate concentration immediately and 15 minutes after the race correlated positively (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) with the individual performance indexes. Plasma lactate concentration was not correlated to the individual performance indexes. Uric acid concentration, immediately and 15 minutes after the race, was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) to the individual performance indexes, and a positive relation (P < 0.05) was found between the highest concentration of uric acid and the racing time. Concentration of allantoin immediately or 15 minutes after the race did not have any significant correlation to the individual performance indexes. Conclusions--Accumulation of lactate in the blood, which was greater in the superior performing horses, may prove to be an useful predictor of anaerobic capacity. The results also indicate that the loss of purine nucleotides was less in the superior performing horses, although further studies are needed to confirm this.

A monoclonal antibody (MAB) against equine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Eq TNF) was used to investigate the role of TNF in cytokine, eicosanoid, and metabolic responses of Miniature Horses given endotoxin. Plasma concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), lactate, thromboxane A2 metabolite, and prostacyclin metabolite (6-keto-PGF(1 alpha)) were measured in 10 Miniature Horses given 0.25 micrograms of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; Escherichia coli O55:B5)/kg of body weight. Five horses were given Eq TNF MAB and 5 were given isotype-matched MAB as control. All horses were given 1.86 mg of antibody/kg by IV infusion, 5 minutes before LPS was given IV. Blood samples were taken 20 minutes before and at multiple intervals for 24 hours after LPS was given. Interleukin 6 bioactivity in plasma was measured, using IL-6-dependent cell line (B9). Eicosanoid activities were assessed by enzyme immunoassay, and plasma lactate concentration was determined enzymatically. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's honest significant difference test for significant (P < 0.05) effect of treatment. Horses given Eq TNF MAB had significantly (P < 0.050) lower peak mean +/- SEM IL-6 (59 +/- 29 U/ml), lactate (16 +/- 2.00 mg/dl), and 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) (254 +/- 79 pg/ml) values then did horses given control MAB (880 +/- 375 U/ml for IL-6; 26 +/- 0.04 mg/dl for lactate; and 985 +/- 290 pg/ml for 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha)). There was no effect of anti-TNF treatment on LPS-induced thromboxane A2 metabolite production. Tumor necrosis factor mediated IL-6, lactate, and prostacyclin responses, without affecting thromboxane production in horses given LPS.

In Zimbabwe, ocular squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was frequently observed in 5 breeding herds of Simmental cattle, a Bos taurus breed originating from Switzerland. In these herds, initial signs of OSCC were already noticeable in cattle about 3 years old. Gradually, OSCC prevalence increased, and 36 to 53% of cattle over 7 years old had 1 or more tumors. More tumors developed in Simmental cattle with periorbital white skin than in cattle with periorbital pigmented skin. Other breeds of cattle (eg, Friesian) also are partly white-faced and live in Zimbabwe in a comparable environment; yet, OSCC prevalence was lower in those breeds.