Clinical, imaging and histopathological characterization of a series of three cats with cerebellar cortical degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Neurological inherited disorders are rare in domestic animals. Cerebellar cortical degeneration remains amongst the most common of these disorders. The condition is defined as the premature loss of fully differentiated cerebellar components due to genetic or metabolic defects. It has been studied in dogs and cats, and various genetic defects and diagnostic tests (including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) have been refined in these species. Cases in cats remain rare and mostly individual, and few diagnostic criteria, other than post-mortem exam, have been evaluated in reports with multiple cases. Here, we report three feline cases of cerebellar cortical degeneration with detailed clinical, diagnostic imaging and post-mortem findings. CASE PRESENTATION: The three cases were directly (siblings, case #1 and #2) or indirectly related (same farm, case #3) and showed early-onset of the disease, with clinical signs including cerebellar ataxia and tremors. Brain MRI was highly suggestive of cerebellar cortical degeneration on all three cases. The relative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) space, relative cerebellum size, brainstem: cerebellum area ratio, and cerebellum: total brain area ratio, were measured and compared to a control group of cats and reference cut-offs for dogs in the literature. For the relative cerebellum size and cerebellum: total brain area ratio, all affected cases had a lower value than the control group. For the relative CSF space and brainstem: cerebellum area ratio, the more affected cases (#2 and #3) had higher values than the control group, while the least affected case (#3) had values within the ranges of the control group, but a progression was visible over time. Post-mortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of cerebellar cortical degeneration, with marked to complete loss of Purkinje cells and associated granular layer depletion and proliferation of Bergmann glia. One case also had Wallerian-like degeneration in the spinal cord, suggestive of spinocerebellar degeneration. CONCLUSION: Our report further supports a potential genetic component for the disease in cats. For the MRI examination, the relative cerebellum size and cerebellum: total brain area ratio seem promising, but further studies are needed to establish specific feline cut-offs. Post-mortem evaluation of the cerebellum remains the gold standard for the final diagnosis.

B- and T-cell lymphocytes and other immune cell infiltration in the duodenal and rectal mucosa of severe asthmatic horses.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to quantify lymphocytes and eosinophils in the mucosa of the duodenum and rectum in asthmatic horses. ANIMALS: 8 healthy and 10 asthmatic horses. PROCEDURES: Asthmatic horses were evaluated in a symptomatic (after 6 weeks of exposure to moldy hay) and asymptomatic status (3 and 7 months after being fed alfalfa pellets [n = 4] or treated with inhaled fluticasone [6]). Duodenal and rectal biopsies were endoscopically (n = 4 to 6) taken in each horse. Eosinophils were counted on slides stained with hematoxylin, eosin, phloxine, and saffron, and immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate T and B lymphocytes using CD3 and CD20, respectively. RESULTS: The duodenal and rectal epithelium of asthmatic and control horses contained exclusively T lymphocytes (CD3). Symptomatic asthmatic horses, compared to controls, had a significantly higher number of T lymphocytes (CD3) in the duodenal epithelium (P = .016) and the adjacent lamina propria of the villi (P = .04). Compared to symptomatic asthmatic horses, the fluticasone-treated group had significantly fewer T lymphocytes in the total lamina propria of the rectal mucosa (P < .01). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Taken together, these results suggest that asthmatic horses have greater infiltration of T lymphocytes in the duodenal and rectal mucosa, indicating a certain degree of inflammation, which could be due to a systemic inflammatory effect and/or a local effect of ingested hay allergens in asthmatic horses. Systemic markers of inflammation have not been investigated to better qualify if the infiltration noted is due to a local and/or systemic effect.

Inter-Rater Reliability of Scoring Systems for Abomasal Lesions in Quebec Veal Calves.

The objective of this study was to determine the inter-rater reliability of current scoring systems used to detect abomasal lesions in veal calves. In addition, macroscopic lesions were compared with corresponding histological lesions. For this, 76 abomasa were retrieved from veal calves in a slaughterhouse in Quebec and scored by four independent raters using current scoring systems. The localisations of the lesions were separated into pyloric, fundic, or torus pyloricus areas. Lesions were classified into three different types, i.e., erosions, ulcers, and scars. To estimate the inter-rater reliability, the coefficient type 1 of Gwet's agreement and Fleiss κ were used for the presence or absence of a lesion, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was used for the number of lesions. All veal calves had at least one abomasal lesion detected. Most lesions were erosions, and most of them were located in the pyloric area. Overall, a poor to very good inter-rater agreement was seen for the pyloric area and the torus pyloricus regarding the presence or absence of a lesion (Fleiss κ: 0.00-0.34; Gwet's AC1: 0.12-0.83), although a higher agreement was observed when combining all lesions in the pyloric area (Fleiss κ: 0.09-0.12; Gwet's AC1: 0.43-0.93). For the fundic area, a poor to very good agreement was also observed (Fleiss κ: 0.17-0.70; Gwet's AC1: 0.90-0.97). Regarding the inter-rater agreement for the number of lesions, a poor to moderate agreement was found (ICC: 0.11-0.73). When using the scoring system developed in the European Welfare Quality Protocol, a poor single random rater agreement (ICC: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.31-0.56) but acceptable average random rater agreement (ICC: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.64-0.83) was determined. Microscopic scar lesions were often mistaken as ulcers macroscopically. These results show that the scoring of abomasal lesions is challenging and highlight the need for a reliable scoring system. A fast, simple, and reliable scoring system would allow for large scale studies which investigate possible risk factors and hopefully help to prevent these lesions, which can compromise veal calves' health and welfare.

Effects of azithromycin on bronchial remodeling in the natural model of severe neutrophilic asthma in horses.

Steroid resistance in asthma has been associated with neutrophilic inflammation and severe manifestations of the disease. Macrolide add-on therapy can improve the quality of life and the exacerbation rate in refractory cases, possibly with greater effectiveness in neutrophilic phenotypes. The mechanisms leading to these beneficial effects are incompletely understood and whether macrolides potentiate the modulation of bronchial remodeling induced by inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine if adding azithromycin to ICS leads to further improvement of lung function, airway inflammation and bronchial remodeling in severe asthma. The combination of azithromycin (10 mg/kg q48h PO) and inhaled fluticasone (2500 µg q12h) was compared to the sole administration of fluticasone for five months in a randomized blind trial where the lung function, airway inflammation and bronchial remodeling (histomorphometry of central and peripheral airways and endobronchial ultrasound) of horses with severe neutrophilic asthma were assessed. Although the proportional reduction of airway neutrophilia was significantly larger in the group receiving azithromycin, the lung function and the peripheral and central airway smooth muscle mass decreased similarly in both groups. Despite a better control of airway neutrophilia, azithromycin did not potentiate the other clinical effects of fluticasone.

Airway remodeling in horses with mild and moderate asthma.

BACKGROUND: There is a remodeling of the central airways in horses with severe asthma but whether a similar process occurs in horses with the mild or moderate asthma (MMA) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate lesions affecting the central airways of horses with MMA. ANIMALS: Twelve horses with MMA and 8 control horses. METHODS: Case-control retrospective study of horses classified as MMA affected or controls based on history and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology. Endobronchial biopsies were analyzed using histomorphometry and a semiquantitative histologic scoring system. RESULTS: Histomorphometry identified epithelial hyperplasia (47 µm2 /µm [34-57 µm2 /µm]; P = .02), a thickened lamina propria (166 µm [73-336 µm]; P = .04), and smooth muscle fibrosis (42% [33%-78%]; P = .04) in horses with MMA when compared to controls horses (24 µm2 /µm [21-80 µm2 /µm]; 76 µm [36-176 µm]; and 33% [26%-52%], respectively). The semiquantitative score results indicated, in horses with MMA, the presence of epithelial hyperplasia (7 of the 12 horses with MMA and only 1 of the 8 control horses had a score of 1/1), and submucosal inflammatory leucocytes in the central airway (11 of the 12 horses with MMA and only 4 of the 8 control horses had a score ≥ 1/2). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tissue remodeling of the bronchial lamina propria, epithelium, and smooth muscle was present in horses with MMA.

A Liquid Hydrogel to Restore Long Term Corneal Integrity After Perforating and Non-Perforating Trauma in Feline Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term in vivo functionality of corneas regenerated using a cell-free, liquid hydrogel filler (LiQD Cornea) after deep corneal trauma in the feline model. Methods: Two healthy cats underwent 4 mm diameter stepwise 250/450 µm deep surgical corneal ablation with and without needle perforation. The filler comprising 10% (w/w) collagen-like peptide conjugated to polyethylene glycol (CLP-PEG) and 1% fibrinogen and crosslinked with 2% (w/w) 4-(4,6-dimethoxy-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-4-methylmorpholinium chloride (DMTMM), was applied to the wound bed previously coated with thrombin (250 U/ml). In situ gelation occurred within 5 min, and a temporary tarsorrhaphy was performed. Eyes were examined weekly for 1 month, then monthly over 12 months. Outcome parameters included slit-lamp, Scheimpflug tomography, optical coherence tomography, confocal and specular microscopy, and immunohistochemistry studies. Results: The gelled filler was seamlessly incorporated, supporting smooth corneal re-epithelialization. Progressive in-growth of keratocytes and nerves into the filler corresponding to the mild haze observed faded with time. The regenerated neo-cornea remained stably integrated throughout the 12 months, without swelling, inflammation, infection, neovascularization, or rejection. The surrounding host stroma and endothelium remained normal at all times. Tomography confirmed restoration of a smooth surface curvature. Conclusion: Biointegration of this hydrogel filler allowed stable restoration of corneal shape and transparency in the feline model, with less inflammation and no neovascularization compared to previous reports in the minipig and rabbit models. It offers a promising alternative to cyanoacrylate glue and corneal transplantation for ulcerated and traumatized corneas in human patients.

Use of a biopolymer delivery system to investigate the influence of interleukin-4 on recruitment of neutrophils in equids.

OBJECTIVE: To use a biopolymer delivery system to investigate the ability of interleukin (IL)-4 to recruit neutrophils into subcutaneous tissues of equids. ANIMALS: 16 horses and 2 ponies. PROCEDURES: Animals were assigned to 3 experiments (6/experiment). Effects of recombinant equine (Req) IL-4 (100, 250, or 500 ng/site) versus a positive control (ReqIL-8; 100 ng, 250 ng, or 1 µg/site) and a negative control (Dulbecco PBSS or culture medium) on neutrophil chemotaxis were assessed after SC injection into the neck with an injectable biopolymer used as the vehicle. Tissue samples including the biopolymer plug were collected by biopsy at various time points from 3 hours to 7 days after injection. Neutrophil infiltration was evaluated by histologic scoring (experiments 1, 2, and 3) or flow cytometry (experiment 3). RESULTS: Histologic neutrophil infiltration scores did not differ significantly among treatments at most evaluated time points. On flow cytometric analysis, log-transformed neutrophil counts in biopsy specimens were significantly greater for the ReqIL-8 treatment (1 µg/site) than the negative control treatment at 3 but not 6 hours after injection; results did not differ between ReqIL-4 and control treatments at either time point. Negative control treatments induced an inflammatory response in most equids in all experiments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Flow cytometry was a more reliable method to estimate neutrophil migration than histologic score analysis. The ReqIL-4 treatment did not induce a detectable neutrophil response, compared with the negative control treatment in this study. Evidence of inflammation in negative control samples suggested the biopolymer is not a suitable vehicle for use in equids.

Medical and behavioral evaluation of 8 cats presenting with fabric ingestion: An exploratory pilot study.

The aims of this pilot study were to: i) conduct a thorough behavioral and medical evaluation of cats presenting for chronic fabric ingestion; and ii) implement specific treatments for conditions identified and evaluate the outcome of treatment on fabric ingestion. Eight cats which ingested fabric at least weekly were recruited. Cat owners recorded daily baseline frequency of pica and gastrointestinal signs for 1 month prior to the behavioral and medical investigation and again during a follow-up period. Diagnoses were made and response to treatment was monitored and modified as needed. Abnormalities included mild hypercholesterolemia (n = 7), gastric or intestinal eosinophilic infiltrates (n = 6), suspected delayed gastric emptying (n = 4), suspected gastric reflux (n = 1), and Giardia spp. (n = 1). Four of the eight cats responded partially to treatments. Treatment of fabric ingestion in cats remains a challenge and further investigation is needed.

Évaluation médicale et comportementale de huit chats ingérant des tissus: une étude pilote. Les objectifs de cette étude pilote étaient: i) d'entreprendre une évaluation médicale et comportementale chez des chats présentant un comportement chronique d'ingestion de tissus; et ii) de mettre en place des traitements spécifiques pour les conditions identifiées et d'évaluer les résultats sur le comportement d'ingestion de tissus. Huit chats qui ingéraient hebdomadairement du tissu furent recrutés. Les propriétaires compilèrent la fréquence quotidienne de pica et les autres signes digestifs pendant un mois avant le début de l'étude puis de nouveau lors du suivi. À la suite du diagnostic posé, la réponse aux traitements de chaque chat fut suivie et les traitements étaient modifiés au besoin. Les changements observés incluaient une légère hypercholestérolémie (n = 7), une infiltration gastrique ou intestinale éosinophilique (n = 6), une suspicion de retard de vidange gastrique (n = 4), une suspicion de reflux gastrique (n = 1) et la présence de Giardia spp. (n = 1). La moitié des chats ont répondu partiellement aux traitements instaurés. Le traitement d'ingestion de tissus demeure un défi et de la recherche future s'avère nécessaire.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Randomised study of the immunomodulatory effects of azithromycin in severely asthmatic horses.

Neutrophilic inflammation is believed to contribute to the airway obstruction and remodelling in equine asthma. Azithromycin, an antibiotic with immunomodulatory properties, reduces pulmonary neutrophilia and hyper-responsiveness in human asthmatics and decreases airway remodelling in rodent models of asthma. It was therefore hypothesised that azithromycin would improve lung function, mucus accumulation and central airway remodelling by decreasing luminal neutrophilia in severe equine asthma. The effects of a 10-day treatment with either azithromycin or ceftiofur, an antimicrobial without immune-modulating activity, were assessed using a blind, randomised, crossover design with six severe asthmatic horses in clinical exacerbation. Lung function, tracheal mucus accumulation, tracheal wash bacteriology, bronchial remodelling, airway neutrophilia and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-8, IL-17A, IL-1ß, tumour necrosis factor-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were evaluated. Azithromycin decreased the expression of IL-8 (P=0.03, one-tailed) and IL-1ß (P=0.047, one-tailed) but failed to improve the other variables evaluated. Ceftiofur had no effect on any parameter. The reduction of neutrophilic chemoattractants (IL-8, IL-1ß) justifies further efforts to investigate the effects of a prolonged treatment with macrolides on airway neutrophilia and remodelling. The lack of efficacy of ceftiofur suggests that severe equine asthma should not be treated with antibiotics at first-line therapy.

Molecular characterization of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis C-type and S-type isolated from sheep and goats by using a combination of MIRU-VNTR loci.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) is the etiological agent of paratuberculosis of domestic and wild ruminants. Map strains are segregated into 2 main groups or strain types referred to as sheep (S) type and cattle (C) type. Few small ruminant Map strains have been genetically characterized to date. The present study was undertaken to genetically characterize a panel of 30 small ruminant Map strains in the province of Quebec, Canada. Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Units - Variable-Number Tandem Repeat analysis (MIRU-VNTR) were used as genetic markers in addition to IS1311 PCR-REA. S-type and C-type strains were found in both sheep and goats, although C-type strains were more frequently isolated from goats and S-type strains were more common in sheep. A total of 12 distinct Map genotypes were uncovered in the present collection of strains using these markers. Considering the genetic diversity reported here, molecular characterization of Map stains in small ruminants using MIRU-VNTR markers represent an interesting avenue for both epidemiological investigations regarding the sources of herd infection and association studies between Map strains and their virulence, persistence and host-specific adaptation characteristics.

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) est l'agent étiologique de la paratuberculose affectant les ruminants sauvages et domestiques. Les souches de Map se répartissent dans deux grands groupes ou types appelés 'sheep (S)' et 'cattle (C)'. Très peu de souches de Map provenant des petits ruminants ont été caractérisées génétiquement jusqu'à présent. Cette étude a été initiée afin de caractériser un ensemble de 30 souches de Map provenant de 5 troupeaux de moutons et 8 troupeaux de chèvres situés dans la province de Quebec, Canada, et d'évaluer leur diversité génétique. Une analyse répétée en tandem des unités répétitives alternées des mycobactéries (MIRU-VNTR) a été utilisée comme marqueurs génétiques en plus du marqueur IS1311 PCR-REA. Les souches de type S et C ont été retrouvées chez les isolats ovins et caprins, avec une prédominance des souches de type C chez les isolats provenant de chèvres tandis que les souches de type S étaient plus fréquentes chez les moutons. Un total de 12 génotypes distincts de Map ont été retrouvés parmi les isolats d'après les marqueurs utilisés. Considérant la diversité génétique observée, la caractérisation moléculaire des isolats de Map représente une avenue intéressante pour investiguer les sources potentielles d'infection des troupeaux et pour étudier les associations entre les caractéristiques génétiques et pathogéniques des isolats.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Validation of an in-house real-time PCR fecal assay and comparison with two commercial assays for the antemortem detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection in culled sheep.

Paratuberculosis is a chronic infectious enteritis of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). In sheep, the antemortem detection of the infection is challenging given the slow progression of the disease and the lack of sensitive, specific, and cost-effective validated tests. We adapted an in-house real-time PCR (rtPCR) assay targeting the multi-copy IS 900 element of MAP. The sensitivity and specificity of this essay for the detection of MAP infection were estimated in a convenience sample of culled ewes from 7 infected flocks and compared to a commercial fecal rtPCR, a commercial ELISA, and fecal culture. An infected ewe was defined as a ewe with a positive culture of the ileum and/or mesenteric lymph node. A non-infected ewe was defined as a ewe negative in intestinal tissue culture, negative in fecal culture, and with no lesions consistent with paratuberculosis. The in-house rtPCR had a sensitivity estimate of 84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59%, 97%) among the 44 infected ewes, which was significantly higher ( p ⩽ 0.05) than the sensitivity of a commercial fecal rtPCR (52%, 95% CI: 27%, 76%; or 63%, 95% CI: 35%, 87% depending on the cutoff used), an ELISA (14%, 95% CI:2.0%, 41%), and fecal culture (21%, 95% CI: 2.7%, 59%). No statistical difference in assay specificities was observed for the 30 non-infected ewes. The in-house rtPCR is a promising tool that could be used advantageously for the antemortem detection of MAP infection in sheep.

Chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the middle ear in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

A 3-year-old intact female guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was presented for acute anorexia. Medical and surgical treatments for cystitis and ovarian cysts, respectively, did not prevent continuous weight loss. Computed tomography and histopathological analysis revealed a chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the right middle ear, which has not been reported in this species.

Ostéosarcome chondroblastique de l'oreille moyenne chez un cobaye(Cavia porcellus). Un cobaye (Cavia porcellus) femelle de 3 ans a été présentée pour une anorexie d'apparition aiguë. Malgré la prise en charge médicale et chirurgicale d'une cystite et de kystes ovariens, l'individu continuait de perdre du poids. L'examen tomodensitométrique et l'analyse histologique ont mis en évidence un ostéosarcome chondroblastique de l'oreille moyenne, ce qui n'a jamais été rapporté dans cette espèce.(Traduit par Dre Ophélie Cojean).

Retrobulbar malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a golden retriever dog: A challenging diagnosis.

A 9-year-old golden retriever dog was diagnosed with a left retrobulbar mass. Fine-needle aspirations and incisional biopsies resulted in discordant diagnoses: myxosarcoma/myxoma or rhadomyosarcoma, respectively. Immunohistochemistry following exenteration allowed definitive diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with fibromyxomatous differentiation. Fifteen weeks after surgery, an aggressive recurrence resulted in euthanasia.

Tumeur rétrobulbaire maligne des gaines nerveuses périphériques chez un Golden Retriever : un défi diagnostique. Une masse rétrobulbaire gauche a été diagnostiquée chez une Golden Retriever de 9 ans. Des aspirations à l'aiguille fine et des biopsies incisionnelles ont établi des diagnostics discordants : un myxosarcome/myxome ou un rhabdomyosarcome, respectivement. Suite à l'exentération, l'immunohistochimie a permis un diagnostic définitif de tumeur maligne des gaines nerveuses périphériques avec différenciation fibro-myxomateuse. Quinze semaines après la chirurgie, une récidive agressive a conduit à l'euthanasie de la chienne.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Acute hepatic steatosis: a helpful diagnostic feature in metallic phosphide-poisoned horses.

Metal phosphides, particularly zinc and aluminum phosphide, occasionally poison horses and other equids following their use as rodenticides and insecticides. Grain-based aluminum phosphide baits are used to control rodents such as prairie dogs. The clinical course in intoxicated horses is short (<24-48 h), and animals may be found dead. Hepatic lesions caused by phosphine poisoning are not well described. Laboratory confirmation depends on detecting phosphine gas in gastric contents. Eight horses and a mule were exposed to zinc phosphide used to control prairie dogs on a Wyoming ranch. Three of 9 exposed equids developed some combination of sweating, ataxia, anxiety, and colic; 2 died acutely, and 1 recovered. A diagnosis of zinc phosphide was made by detecting phosphine in stomach contents from a horse and a mule. The liver was pale and swollen in the affected horse, which died after a clinical course of ~12 h. Other changes were generalized congestion and edema, pulmonary edema, and acute cerebrocortical edema. There was diffuse hepatocellular microvesicular steatosis. Similar histologic lesions were present in 7 equine livers from 2 previously published episodes of metallic phosphide poisoning. Older lesions (>24 h of clinical signs) had centrilobular hepatic necrosis with congestion and a mixture of microvesicular and macrovesicular steatosis. Phosphine poisoning should be considered in horses that die acutely and are found to have steatosis, either with or without hepatocellular necrosis.

Effects of fentanyl on pain and motor behaviors following a collagenase-induced intracerebral hemorrhage in rats.

PURPOSE: Intracerebral hemorrhage (IH) and cephalalgia are common consequences of traumatic brain injury. One of the primary obstacles for patient recovery is the paucity of treatments to support an appropriate analgesic protocol. The present study aimed to assess pain and motor behaviors following different doses of fentanyl on a rat model of IH. METHODS: Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats underwent a stereotaxic surgery to produce a collagenase-induced IH in the right caudoputamen nucleus. The control group (n=6) received saline subcutaneously (SC), and experimental groups received either 5 (n=6), 10 (n=6), or 20 (n=3) µg/kg of fentanyl SC, 2 hours following surgery and on 2 subsequent days. Only 3 animals received 20 µg/kg because this dose caused catalepsy for 15-20 minutes following the injection. The rat grimace scale, a neurological examination, balance beam test, and rotarod test were performed for 5 consecutive days postoperatively to evaluate pain and motor performance. At the end of the experimentation, the brains were evaluated to determine hematoma volume, and the number of reactive astrocytes and necrotic neurons. RESULTS: When compared to controls, the grimace scale showed that 5 µg/kg fentanyl significantly alleviated pain on day 2 only (P<0.01) and that 10 µg/kg alleviated pain on days 1 (P<0.01), 2 (P<0.001), and 3 (P<0.01). For the rotarod test, only the 10 µg/kg group showed significant decreases in performance on days 5 (P<0.05) and 6 (P<0.02). The neurological examination was not significantly different between the groups, but only the hopping test showed poor recuperation for the 5 and 10 µg/kg fentanyl group when compared to saline (P<0.01). No differences were found between the groups for the balance beam test, the histopathological results. CONCLUSION: Fentanyl, at a dose of 10 µg/kg SC, provides substantial analgesia following a collagenase-induced IH in rats; however, it can alter motor performance following analgesic treatments.

Physiological and pharmacokinetic effects of multilevel caging on Sprague Dawley rats under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia.

While the cage refinement is a necessary step towards improving the welfare of research rats, increasing the complexity and surface area of the living space of an animal may have physiological impacts that need to be taken into consideration. In this study, ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) caused a short duration anesthesia that was significantly decreased in Sprague-Dawley rats housed in multilevel cages (MLC), compared to rats housed in standard cages (SDC). The withdrawal reflex, the palpebral reflexes and the time-to-sternal all occurred earlier in MLC housed rats, suggesting an effect of housing on the physiology of the rats. In addition, during anesthesia, cardiac frequencies were increased in animals housed in the smaller SDC. Respiratory frequencies, the blood oxygen saturation and rectal temperatures during anesthesia did not vary between conditions during the anesthesia. While xylazine pharmacokinetics were unchanged with caging conditions, the clearance and half-lives of ketamine and its metabolite, norketamine, were altered in the rats housed in MLC. Finally, while no difference was ultimately seen in rat body weights, isolated liver and adrenal gland weights were significantly lighter in rats housed in the MLC. Increasing cage sizes, while having a positive impact on wellbeing in rats, can alter anesthetic drug metabolism and thus modify anesthesia parameters and associated physiological processes.

Pathology of ear hematomas in swine.

The objectives of our study were to describe the pathology of ear hematomas in swine and to add to the comprehension of the pathogenesis of this condition. The pathogenesis of aural hematomas has been studied mainly in dogs; however, disagreements exist about the precise anatomic location of the hemorrhage. Sixteen pigs with ear hematoma at various stages of development were included in this study. The pigs were submitted for routine autopsy for various and unrelated reasons over a period of several years. Based on gross examination, the 16 cases of aural hematomas were subjectively classified as acute (n = 6), subacute (n = 3), and chronic (n = 7). The age of the animals at the time of autopsy ranged from 2 weeks to adulthood, with all acute cases being <7 weeks of age. Morphologic examination of all acute cases revealed that the hematoma developed predominantly in a subperichondral location on both sides of the cartilaginous plate simultaneously. Within these same cases, there were also some areas in which blood-filled clefts had formed within the cartilage itself. Besides fibroplasia, neoformation of cartilage was found to represent a significant part of the repair process. All chronic cases were characterized on cross-section of the ear by the presence of at least 2 distinct, wavy, focally folded, and roughly parallel plates of cartilage separated from each other by fibrous tissue.

Cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid acquired by bronchoscopy in healthy ferrets: A pilot study.

The objective of this study was to investigate the normal cytological evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in healthy adult ferrets (N = 12). These ferrets underwent bronchoscopy and BAL using sterile saline [1.5 mL/kg body weight (BW)]. Percentage of fluid recovered, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, and cell count of the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) were determined. The mean percentage of lavage volume recovered from the right lung and left lung were 67.8 ± 14.9% and 69.7 ± 20.0%, respectively. Gender (P = 0.12) and weight (P = 0.17) did not significantly affect the mean percentage of recovered volume. The mean percentage of recovered volume (P = 0.47) and the mean leukocyte count (P = 0.17) from the right and left lung were not significantly different. Macrophages were the main leukocyte component of the lavages, followed by neutrophils, lymphocytes, and eosinophils. The mean proportion of ELF in BAL fluid was 9.3 ± 3.7% v/v. Bronchoscopy is clinically useful for collecting good quality BAL samples for cytological analysis in ferrets. The leucocyte differential was established, which may help veterinarians to make better clinical decisions when treating respiratory disease. Further studies are required with a larger group in order to establish the healthy reference intervals for BAL values in ferrets.

L'objectif de la présente étude était d'examiner l'évaluation cytologique normale de fluide de lavage bronchoalvéolaire (LAB) de furets adultes en santé (N = 12). Ces furets ont subi ne bronchoscopie et un LAB avec de la saline stérile [1,5 mL/kg de poids corporel (PC)]. Le pourcentage de fluide recouvré, le nombre total de leucocytes, un comptage différentiel de leucocytes, et un compte cellulaire du liquide sécrété par l'épithélium respiratoire ont été déterminés. Les pourcentages moyens de volume de lavage recouvrés du poumon droit et du poumon gauche étaient de 67,8 ± 14,9 % et 69,7 ± 20,0 %, respectivement. Le sexe (P = 0,12) et le poids (P = 0,17) n'ont pas affecté significativement le pourcentage moyen du volume recouvré. Le pourcentage moyen de volume recouvré (P = 0,47) et de comptage leucocytaire moyen (P = 0,17) provenant du poumon droit et du poumon gauche n'étaient pas significativement différents. Les macrophages étaient les principaux leucocytes retrouvés dans les lavages, suivis par les neutrophiles, lymphocytes et éosinophiles. La proportion moyenne d'ELF dans le fluide de LBA était de 9,3 ± 3,7 % v/v. La bronchoscopie est utile cliniquement pour prélever des échantillons de LAB de bonne qualité pour l'examen cytologique chez les furets. Le différentiel des leucocytes a été établi, ce qui pourrait aider les vétérinaires à prendre de meilleures décisions cliniques lors du traitement de maladies respiratoires. Des études supplémentaires sont requises avec un plus grand groupe afin d'établir les intervalles des valeurs de référence des LAB de furets en santé.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Physiological, pharmacokinetic and liver metabolism comparisons between 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia.

The main objective of this study was to compare the physiological changes (withdrawal and corneal reflexes, respiratory and cardiac frequency, blood oxygen saturation, and rectal temperature) following intraperitoneal administration of ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) to 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats (n=6/age group). Plasma pharmacokinetics, liver metabolism, and blood biochemistry were examined for a limited number of animals to better explain anesthetic drug effects. Selected organs were collected for histopathology. The results for the withdrawal and corneal reflexes suggest a shorter duration and decreased depth of anesthesia with aging. Significant cardiac and respiratory depression, as well as decreased blood oxygen saturation, occurred in all age groups however, cardiac frequency was the most affected parameter with aging, since the 6-, 12-, and 18-month-old animals did not recuperate to normal values during recovery from anesthesia. Pharmacokinetic parameters (T1/2 and AUC) increased and drug clearance decreased with aging, which strongly suggests that drug exposure is associated with the physiological results. The findings for liver S9 fractions of 18-month-old rats compared with the other age groups suggest that following a normal ketamine anesthetic dose (80 mg/kg), drug metabolism is impaired, leading to a significant increase of drug exposure. In conclusion, age and related factors have a substantial effect on ketamine and xylazine availability, which is reflected by significant changes in pharmacokinetics and liver metabolism of these drugs, and this translates into shorter and less effective anesthesia with increasing age.