Septic synovitis is a potentially debilitating and life-threatening disorder in horses. We hypothesized that a universal bacterial real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay would have improved sensitivity and decreased turn-around time for detection of bacteria in synovial fluid (SF) samples. Forty-eight SF samples were collected from 36 horses that presented to two referral institutions with suspected septic synovitis. Universal RT-PCR, bacterial culture and SF analysis were performed on all samples, and an interpretation on the sample being septic or not was derived by three board certified specialists from the history, clinical assessment and SF characteristics. RT-PCR results were compared to a composite standard comprised of positive culture and interpretation by all three specialists of samples as “septic”. For 41 of 48 samples (85%), culture and RT-PCR results were concordant. Compared to the composite standard, 83% of samples were correctly classified by RT-PCR (turn-around time of approximately 4 hours). Relative sensitivity and specificity of RT-PCR were 87% and 72% respectively, and 56% and 86% for culture. Hence, universal RT-PCR was a rapid and highly sensitive test, which may accelerate diagnosis and improve outcome for horses with septic synovitis.

Objective-To quantitatively and qualitatively compare electroretinography (ERG) recordings in awake, sedated, and anesthetized dogs. Animals-Six 6-month-old Beagles. Procedures-A brief ERG protocol for dogs was used. Following 1-minute and subsequent 5-minute dark adaptation, mixed rod-cone responses were recorded bilaterally with a handheld multispecies ERG device with dogs in each of 3 states of consciousness: awake, sedated (dexmedetomidine and butorphanol), and anesthetized (atropine and hydromorphone, followed by propofol and midazolam and anesthetic maintenance with isoflurane). Low- and high-frequency noise levels were quantified via Fourier analysis, and the effect of consciousness state on signal amplitude, implicit time, and noise was analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA. In addition, 13 veterinary ophthalmologists who were unaware of the dogs' consciousness states subjectively graded the ERG recording quality, and scores for each tracing were compared. Results-ERG amplitudes were highest in awake dogs and lowest in anesthetized dogs. Implicit times were shortest in awake dogs and longest in anesthetized dogs. Differences in b-wave amplitudes and a-wave implicit times were significant. Neither low- nor high-frequency noise levels differed significantly among consciousness states. Furthermore, no significant differences were identified among observers' scores assigned to ERG tracings. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Anesthesia and sedation resulted in significant attenuation and delay of ERG responses in dogs. Chemical restraint of dogs had no consistently significant effect on low- or high-frequency noise levels or on observer perception of signal quality.

A temporal study was carried out to determine Salmonella prevalence, trends, major serovars, and their clusters from environmental samples, in poultry breeder flocks in Ontario between January 1998 and December 2008. Surveillance data were obtained from the Ontario Hatchery and Supply Flock Policy. Logistic regression with a random effect for flock was used to identify factors [poultry type, year (trend) and season] associated with the prevalence of Salmonella. A cluster detection test was used to identify clusters of common serovars. The period prevalence of Salmonella was 47.4% in broiler-breeder, 25.7% in layer-breeder, and 19.6% in turkey-breeder flocks. The overall trend in the prevalence of Salmonella was decreasing for all breeder types, due primarily to decreasing trends of Salmonella Heidelberg. The seasonal effects varied by year with the highest probability of Salmonella occurring in different seasons. The 4 most common serovars identified were Salmonella Heidelberg, Kentucky, Hadar, and Typhimurium in broiler-breeders; Salmonella Heidelberg, Brandenburg, Thompson, and Typhimurium in layer-breeders; and Salmonella Heidelberg, Saintpaul, Brandenburg, and Muenster in turkey-breeders. Salmonella Enteritidis was infrequently isolated in all poultry breeder types. Temporal clusters of different serovars were identified in all poultry breeder types. Clusters of Salmonella Heidelberg, Typhimurium, and Hadar from environmental samples from breeder flocks were detected during a similar period to clusters from hatchery fluff samples from the same population. Therefore, interventions at the breeder flock-level might help to reduce transmission of Salmonella from breeder flocks to hatcheries and possibly, to lower levels of the poultry production chain.

Objective-To evaluate the righting reflex after topical application of a sevoflurane jelly in cane toads (Bufo marinus). Animals-8 cane toads. Procedures-Toads were 6 to 8 months of age and weighed (mean +/- SD) 142.0 +/- 25.2 g. Sevoflurane jelly was applied to the dorsum of each toad at a dose of 25 μL/g in trial 1 and 37.5 μL/g in trial 2. Toads were placed in dorsal recumbency every 30 seconds until loss of the righting reflex. Jelly was then removed by rinsing the toads with tap water. Toads were then left undisturbed in dorsal recumbency until return of the righting reflex. Chamber sevoflurane concentration was measured to determine vaporization. Results-6 of 8 toads in trial 1 and 8 of 8 toads in trial 2 lost the righting reflex. Mean +/- SD time to loss of the reflex was 8.2 +/- 1.3 minutes for trial 1 and 8.3 +/- 0.9 minutes for trial 2; this difference was not significant. Mean +/- SD time to return of the reflex was 25.6 +/- 26.2 minutes for trial 1 and 84.4 +/- 47.2 minutes for trial 2; this difference was significant. Chamber sevoflurane concentration did not change significantly, compared with baseline (time 0) concentration, at any time in trial 1; however, there was a significant change in chamber sevoflurane concentration from baseline (time 0) concentration in trial 2. Chamber sevoflurane concentrations were not significantly different between trial 1 and trial 2 at any time. Mean +/- SD chamber sevoflurane concentration was 0.46 +/- 0.2% for trial 1 and 0.57 +/- 0.28% for trial 2. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Sevoflurane jelly applied topically at a dose of 37.5 μL/g induced a more reliable loss of righting reflex and longer recovery time than when applied at a dose of 25 μL/g in cane toads

Although bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is common in post-weaning cattle, BRDC prediction models are seldom analyzed. The objectives of this study were to assess the ability to predict cumulative cohort-level BRDC morbidity using on-arrival risk factors and to evaluate whether or not adding BRDC risk classification and daily BRDC morbidity and mortality data to the models enhanced their predictive ability. Retrospective cohort-level and individual animal health data were used to create mixed negative binomial regression (MNBR) models for predicting cumulative risk of BRDC morbidity. Logistic regression models were used to illustrate that the percentage of correctly (within |5%| of actual) classified cohorts increased across days, but the effect of day was modified by arrival weight, arrival month, and feedlot. Cattle arriving in April had the highest (77%) number of lots correctly classified at arrival and cattle arriving in December had the lowest (28%). Classification accuracy at arrival varied according to initial weight, ranging from 17% (< 182 kg) to 91% (> 409 kg). Predictive accuracy of the models improved from 64% at arrival to 74% at 8 days on feed (DOF) when risk code was known compared to 56% accuracy at arrival and 69% at 8 DOF when risk classification was not known. The results of this study demonstrate how the predictive ability of models can be improved by utilizing more refined data on the prior history of cohorts, thus making these models more useful to operators of commercial feedlots.

Objective-To determine whether soybean oil emulsion has an in vitro effect on platelet aggregation and thromboelastography in blood samples obtained from healthy dogs. Animals-12 healthy adult dogs. Procedures-Blood samples were collected from each dog into tubes containing EDTA, hirudin, or sodium citrate for a CBC, collagen- and ADP-induced impedance aggregometry, or thromboelastography, respectively. Whole blood platelet aggregation, determined with ADP or collagen agonists, was measured in blood samples containing hirudin and final lipid concentrations of 0, 1, 10, and 30 mg/mL. The thromboelastographic variables R (reaction time), K (clotting time), α angle, and maximum amplitude were evaluated in blood samples containing sodium citrate and final lipid concentrations equivalent to those used for assessment of platelet aggregation. Results-Median maximum ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in blood samples containing 1, 10, or 30 mg of lipid/mL did not differ significantly from the value for the respective lipid-free blood sample. Maximum amplitude determined via thromboelastography was significantly reduced in blood samples containing 10 and 30 mg of lipid/mL, compared with findings for lipid-free blood samples. Values of other thromboelastographic variables did not differ, regardless of lipid concentrations. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Maximum amplitude determined via thromboelastography in canine blood samples was significantly affected by the addition of lipid to final concentrations that are several orders of magnitude higher than clinically relevant lipid concentrations in dogs. Lipid treatment appears to have no significant effect on hemostatic variables in dogs, although clinical studies should be performed to confirm these in vitro findings.

Objective-To determine whether dilution of blood samples from healthy dogs with 2 hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions, HES 130/0.4 and HES 200/0.5, would result in platelet dysfunction as measured by closure time (Ct) beyond a dilutional effect. Sample-Citrated blood samples from 10 healthy dogs with a Ct within reference limits (52 to 86 seconds). Procedures-Blood samples were diluted 1:9 and 1:3 with 6% HES 130/0.4 and 10% HES 200/0.5 solutions and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Dilutions at 1:9 and 1:3 mimicked 10 mL/kg and 30 mL/kg doses, respectively, ignoring in vivo redistribution. Closure time was measured with a platelet function analyzer and compared among dilutions. Results-A dilutional effect on Ct was evident for the 1:3 dilution, compared with the 1:9 dilution, but only HES 200/0.5 increased the Ct beyond the dilutional effect at the 1:3 dilution, to a median Ct of 125 seconds (interquartile range, 117.5 to 139.5 seconds). No effect of HES or dilution on Ct was identified at the 1:9 dilution. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-1:3 dilution of blood samples from healthy dogs with HES 200/0.5 but not HES 130/0.4 significantly increased Ct beyond the dilutional effect, suggesting that IV administration of HES 200/0.5 in dogs might cause platelet dysfunction.

Objective-To compare the efficacy of gamithromycin with that of tulathromycin for the treatment of undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) in feedlot calves. Animals-1,049 weaned crossbred beef calves. Procedures-At each of 6 feedlots, newly arrived calves with BRDC were administered a single dose of gamithromycin (6.0 mg/kg, SC; n = 523) or tulathromycin (2.5 mg/kg, SC; 526). Case-fatality and BRDC retreatment rates during the first 120 days after treatment, final body weight, and average daily gain (ADG), were compared between treatments. At 2 feedlots, calves were assigned clinical scores for 10 days after treatment to determine recovery rates for each treatment. Bioequivalence limits for gamithromycin and tulathromycin were calculated for outcomes for which there was no significant difference between treatments. Results-Mean BRDC retreatment rate (17.7%) for calves administered gamithromycin was greater than that (9.0%) for calves administered tulathromycin. Mean case-fatality rate, final body weight, ADG, and clinical score 10 days after treatment did not differ significantly between treatments. Limits for mean differences within which gamithromycin was bioequivalent to tulathromycin were +/- 2.4% for case-fatality rate, +/- 13 kg for final body weight, and +/- 0.1 kg/d for ADG. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Calves administered gamithromycin had a higher BRDC retreatment rate than did calves administered tulathromycin; otherwise, the clinical efficacy did not differ between the 2 treatments for the treatment of BRDC in feedlot calves.

Objective-To evaluate the duration of effects on movement patterns of horses after sedation with equipotent doses of xylazine hydrochloride, detomidine hydrochloride, or romifidine hydrochloride and determine whether accelerometry can be used to quantify differences among drug treatments. Animals-6 healthy horses. Procedures-Each horse was injected IV with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (10 mL), xylazine diluted in saline solution (0.5 mg/kg), detomidine diluted in saline solution (0.01 mg/kg), or romifidine diluted in saline solution (0.04 mg/kg) in random order. A triaxial accelerometric device was used for gait assessment 15 minutes before and 5, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 minutes after each treatment. Eight variables were calculated, including speed, stride frequency, stride length, regularity, dorsoventral power, propulsive power, mediolateral power, and total power; the force of acceleration and 3 components of power were then calculated. Results-Significant differences were evident in stride frequency and regularity between treatments with saline solution and each α2-adrenoceptor agonist drug; in speed, dorsoventral power, propulsive power, total power, and force values between treatments with saline solution and detomidine or romifidine; and in mediolateral power between treatments with saline solution and detomidine. Stride length did not differ among treatments. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Accelerometric evaluation of horses administered α2-adrenoceptor agonist drugs revealed more prolonged sedative effects of romifidine, compared with effects of xylazine or detomidine. Accelerometry could be useful in assessing the effects of other sedatives and analgesics. Accelerometric data may be helpful in drug selection for situations in which a horse's balance and coordination are important.

Objective-To determine pharmacokinetics after oral administration of a single dose of terbinafine hydrochloride to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Animals-6 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. Procedures-A single dose of terbinafine hydrochloride (60 mg/kg) was administered orally to each bird, which was followed immediately by administration of a commercially available gavage feeding formula. Blood samples were collected at the time of drug administration (time 0) and 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after drug administration. Plasma concentrations of terbinafine were determined via high-performance liquid chromatography. Results-Data from 1 bird were discarded because of a possible error in the dose of drug administered. After oral administration of terbinafine, the maximum concentration for the remaining 5 fed birds ranged from 109 to 671 ng/mL, half-life ranged from 6 to 13.5 hours, and time to the maximum concentration ranged from 2 to 8 hours. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Analysis of the results indicated that oral administration of terbinafine at a dose of 60 mg/kg to Amazon parrots did not result in adverse effects and may be potentially of use in the treatment of aspergillosis. Additional studies are needed to determine treatment efficacy and safety.