Pharmacokinetics of multiple oral doses of acetaminophen in equine neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pharmacokinetics and clinical safety of acetaminophen after oral administration of 40 mg/kg q 12 hours or 60 mg/kg q 24 hours for 14 days. ANIMALS: 12 healthy light-breed neonatal foals. PROCEDURES: 6 foals received acetaminophen at 40 mg/kg q 12 hours and 6 foals received 60 mg/kg q 24 hours for 14 days. The study dates were January 31 to April 15, 2023. Physical examinations were performed daily. Plasma disposition of acetaminophen was determined after the first, mid-point drug administration. Hematology and biochemistry analysis was performed before the study, day 7, and the last day of drug administration. Plasma acetaminophen concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using noncompartmental analysis. RESULTS: No statistically significant changes occurred on hematology or biochemistry profiles. Elevations in γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) were noted in 4 foals at various time points. The maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) occurred within 2 hours for both doses. The 60 mg/kg dose resulted in a larger median Cmax (range) at 28 µg/mL (22-32) than the 40 mg/kg dose at 23 µg/mL (19-27). The median area under the concentration-vs-time curve from 0 to 8 hours (AUC0-8 hour [range]) was 100 h•µg/mL (82-100) at 40 mg/kg and 128 h•µg/mL (120-168) for 60 mg/kg. Trough concentrations decreased over time for both regimens. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Foals tolerate oral acetaminophen at 40 mg/kg q 12 hours or 60 mg/kg q 24 hours. Further analgesic and antipyretic studies will help to delineate optimal dosage regimens of acetaminophen to treat foals.

Case Report: Trochlear Wedge Sulcoplasty, Tibial Tuberosity Transposition, and Lateral Imbrication for Correction of a Traumatic Patellar Luxation in a Miniature Companion Pig: A Case Report and Visual Description.

The objective of this case report was to describe successful surgical and post-operative management of a medial patellar luxation in a Vietnamese Potbellied Pig. A two-year old, castrated, Vietnamese Potbellied Pig presented to a veterinary teaching hospital for right pelvic limb lameness of 2 weeks duration. Upon physical examination a grade 3 patellar luxation was diagnosed on the right pelvic limb. Surgical repair included a trochlear wedge sulcoplasty, tibial tuberosity transposition, and lateral imbrication as described for canine patellar luxation. The pig was managed post-operatively with meloxicam and a physical therapy regimen of seven weeks duration. At recheck examination the pig was sound, no complications were observed, and the owners were satisfied with the outcome. As miniature companion pigs, such as Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs are currently increasing in popularity as pets, this case demonstrated that comparative techniques from other veterinary species should be considered when considering a treatment plan for a pig with a medial patellar luxation.