Therapeutic value of bovine saliva in wound healing: a histomorphological study.

Biopsies were collected from the control (normal saline solution treated) and saliva treated wounds (back and loin region) of calves on 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days post-wounding. A faster connective tissue and epidermal regeneration was observed in saliva treated group. The inflammatory response was subdued as early as on 3rd day. On the 14th day the test wounds were covered with a dense layer of fibroblast and collagen and epidermal growth started. On 21st day the condensation of collagen and vascularization of the scar tissue was further augmented. By 28th day, the wounds were completely filled and nearly 85% of the wound surface was covered with epidermis.

Studies on intravenous regional analgesia of the hind limb in the bovine.

Twenty-five buffalo calves (age: 14 +/- 1.9 months; body weight: 102 +/- 9.4 kg) were subjected to intravenous regional analgesia (IRA) of the hind limb with 2% lignocaine HCl (4 mg/kg b.w.), infused through the dorsal digital vein. In control animals 15 ml of normal saline was infused. The effect of tourniquet release after 35 (8 calves) and 65 min (7 calves) on EEG, ECG, arterial and venous pressures, blood gases and pH, respiration and temperature were studied. A detectable concentration of lignocaine occurred before the release of tourniquet. The lignocaine concentration recorded in the systemic circulation did not produce any significant nervous or cardiovascular changes before or after release of tourniquet. Transient EEG and ECG changes were seen in six (tourniquet release after 35 min) and three (tourniquet release after 65 min) IRA animals, respectively. No significant changes were seen in heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature, systolic, diastolic, mean arterial and central venous pressures. Arterial blood pH, PCO2 and HCO3- concentration showed no significant differences. Animals receiving IRA did not show hypoxaemia typical to postural changes.

Haemodynamic and blood gas changes in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the supine position following thiopentone anaesthesia with premedication.

Studies were undertaken on seven adult female buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) premedicated with triflupromazine hydrochloride (0.3 mg/kg) and chloral hydrate (30 mg/kg). Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone sodium (10 mg/kg) and animals were kept under intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Measurements were made for 30 min in the lateral position, for 20 min in the supine position and subsequently for 40 min again in the lateral position. Regurgitation during anaesthesia was avoided by evacuation of the rumen by rumenotomy two days prior to the experiment. When animals were in the lateral position there were minimal changes in arterial pressure and heart rate but central venous pressure rose. These changes were related to intermittent positive pressure ventilation. In the supine position, increase in heart rate (28%) was associated with profound hypotension (56%) and decrease in central venous pressure (171%) in these animals. There was a fall in venous oxygen tension and a marked increase (91%) in oxygen extraction ratio. Restoration to the lateral position ameliorated all these changes rapidly. It was suggested that a 'low pressure-low flow' circulatory state exists in anaesthetised adult buffaloes in the supine position.

Effects of limb tourniquet ischemia on local and systemic acid-base and blood gases of cattle.

Effects of forelimb tourniquet ischemia of 90 minute duration were investigated in six bulls aged two to three years. Studies were also conducted up to 150 minutes after release of the tourniquet. Parameters investigated were pH, PCO2, PO2, oxygen saturation and HCO3. In systemic circulation no variations in different parameters were observed during 90 minutes of ischemia. However, significant increase in arterial and venous pH were observed after 30 and 45 minutes of the release of tourniquet, respectively. These increases were accompanied by an increase in HCO3. In the affected limb, ischemia resulted in severe acidosis with a significant increase in PCO2 and a nonsignificant decrease of HCO3. There was a significant fall in PO2 and oxygen saturation. After release of the tourniquet, limb venous pH increased significantly due to a significant fall in PCO2 and a nonsignificant increase in HCO3. A significant increase in the limb venous PO2 and oxygen saturation post tourniquet was observed up to the end of the experiments. There was evidence of very poor oxygen exchange and utilization up to 150 minutes after release of the tourniquet. These results demonstrated that tourniquet ischemia of 90 minutes duration of the limb of cattle may not be safe.

Anesthetic and hemodynamic effects of ketamine hydrochloride in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis).

Ketamine HCl was evaluated as a general anesthetic alone and in combination with chlorpromazine HCl on the basis of sedative and cardiovascular effects in 40 buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis). Calves were rapidly immobilized after IV administration of ketamine HCl (2 mg/kg of body weight). Preanesthetic treatment of calves with chlorpromazine increased the duration of analgesia, standing and recovery times, and the degree of muscle relaxation. The duration and degree of analgesia obtained were adequate for short-term surgical procedures. All animals survived the anesthetic trials, and recovery was smooth and rapid. Hemodynamic studies revealed increases in heart rate, mean blood pressure, cardiac output, and peripheral vascular resistance during maximal depth of anesthesia. The venous pressure decreased initially and then increased progressively. Increases and decreases in these measurements were transient, and the measurements returned to base-line values within 30 minutes after ketamine administration. Definite trends were not seen on ECG tracings, except for elevations and depressions of ST segment, T-wave changes, and wandering pacemaker in a few animals, and sinus tachycardia in all animals.

Incidence of foot disorders in cattle.

A clinical survey of foot lameness in cattle indicated incidence of 9.2% (432/4695), with 365 cases (84.5%) occurring in hot humid zones having high rainfall. Of the 432 affected animals, 399 (92.4%) were females; most were Jerseys and Friesians 3-7 years old. Scissor claw (32.6%), overgrown hoof (27.2%) and corkscrew claw (18.2%) were the most common foot abnormalities. Other less frequently observed conditions included beak claw, bruising of sole, interdigital growth, claw hypoplasia and arthritis. More forefeet (238) than hindfeet (104) were affected.

Double contrast gastrography in dogs.

For experimental evaluation of double contrast gastrography in 9 dogs, sodium iothalamate and air were used for positive and negative contrast, respectively, to delineate the gastric mucosa. The technic was simple and reasonably safe. Results were satisfactory when the stomach was empty, and appropriate volumes of contrast materials were evenly distributed.

Patho-anatomy of herniation of the reticulum through the diaphragm in the bovine.

Dissection of embalmed and untreated water buffalo carcasses (n=10) revealed that hernias had occurred at the musculotendinous junction of the diaphragm, ventral to the foramen venae cavae and slightly lateral to the median plane. The diameter of the hernial ring varied from 7 cm to 20 cm. Herniation was more common in the right thoracic cavity with the reticulum firmly adherent to the hernia ring. Adhesions between the herniated portion of the reticulum and pleura, lung, pericardium or thoracic wall were present, while in a few cases thick fibrous tracts concealing metallic bodies were found. In two cases, involvement of esophageal groove with malalignment of cardia and reticulo-omasal opening was observed. Displacement and compression of the heart was observed in four animals.

Radiographic evaluation of bovine skull disorders.

Among 109 bovine animals referred for radiographic examination of the head, 31 cattle and 12 buffaloes had various disorders of the skull, accounting for 2.2% of cases. The more common disorders were mandibular fracture, osteomyelitis, rhinitis and neoplasia. Others included nasal polyps, hydrocephalus and foreign body in intermandibular space.

Radiographic diagnosis of bovine thoracic disorders.

Various thoracic disorders were radiographically diagnosed in 362 cattle and buffaloes, which accounted for 18.7% of total cases involving these 2 species. Of these 362 cases, diaphragmatic hernia accounted for about 42%, tuberculosis 18% and bronchopneumonia 15%. Other disorders included metastatic neoplasia, pericarditis with or without foreign-body involvement, hydrothorax and foreign bodies.

Evaluation of xylazine in camels.

When xylazine was given intramuscularly to 12 apparently healthy adult camels (Camelus dromedarius) at the rate of 0.4 mg/kg of body weight, mean values for onset of weak time, down time, and time until recovery were 8.6 +/- 1.1, 10.5 +/- 0.6, and 150 +/- 56.9 minutes, respectively. Mild salivation, drooping of lower lips, and relaxation of neck were observed at meant times of 15.3 +/- 4.9, 11.0 +/- 1.7, and 22.7 +/- 3.9 minutes, respectively. Analgesic effects remained for 60 to 90 minutes. Hemocytologic changes were not statistically significant. Marked hyperglycemia was observed at 30 minutes after xylazine administration. Hypotension from 30 to 60 minutes after xylazine administration was not correlated with elevated central venous pressure or with bradycardia. Electrocardiography revealed 1st-degree atrioventricular block, sinoatrial block, sinus arrhythmia, and wandering pacemaker in sinoatrial node, which were attributed to vagal stimulation. Primary T-wave changes and ST segment elevation also were observed. When xylazine was used at the same dosage in 13 clinical cases involving surgery of short duration, it proved to be a satisfactory sedative, analgesic, and muscle relaxant.

XY gonadal dysgenesis in a heifer.

The anatomical and histological features of the genital tract of a six-year-old Haryana heifer, which had failed to show oestrus, are described. The heifer had a 60 XY karyotype in the leucocyte culture. The external genital organs were absent and a small opening at the ventral perineal border acted as the external urogenital opening. The ovaries were completely hypoplastic and a uterus didelphys opened into a single cervix. No male sex organs or their rudiment were observed.

Radiography of bovine esophageal disorders.

In 16 cattle and buffalo with suspected esophageal disorders, radiographic diagnoses included cervical diverticulum, dilation, cervical or thoracic obstruction, and extraesophageal lesions. Contrast radiography was the preferred method of diagnosis except in very large animals.

Radiography of bovine foot disorders.

In a radiographic study of 104 clinical cases of bovine foot disorders, 84 (80.8%) of the affected animals were males, and most were larger than or equal to 4 years old. Phalangeal fractures accounted for 38.5%, arthritis 34.6%, periostitis/exostosis 18.3%, dislocation 5.8% and solar penetration 2.9% of cases. Phalangeal fractures were most common in hindfeet (34/40 cases), with higher incidence in P1 (18) and P3 (15). The incidence of arthritis was higher in hindfeet (24) than in forefeet (12), with the fetlock, pastern and pedal joints being involved in 11, 15 and 10 animals, respectively. Pedal arthritis was usually septic in nature.