Comparison of pentobarbital-phenytoin alone vs propofol prior to pentobarbital-phenytoin for euthanasia in 436 client-owned dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To report the incidence of adverse events during euthanasia of client-owned dogs administered either intravenous pentobarbital/phenytoin (PP) or PP after propofol delivery. DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective, observational, multi-site study. ANIMALS: Four hundred thirty-six dogs undergoing client-elected euthanasia over a 1-year period. INTERVENTIONS: Interventions included placement of an IV catheter and delivery of euthanasia agents (PP for the PP group, propofol followed by PP for the propofol group). Seven pre-determined adverse events were recorded: agonal breaths, urination, defecation, vocalization, muscle activity, dysphoria, and catheter complications. Euthanasia scores for each patient were defined as the sum of all adverse events (0-7) the patient exhibited. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-six dogs were in the PP group and 200 dogs were in the propofol group. No significant differences were detected in the dose of PP administered (166.9 ± 105.6 mg/kg for PP group, 182.6 ± 109.8 mg/kg for propofol group). Propofol dogs received 4.5 ± 2.9 mg/kg propofol. The incidence of ≥ 1 adverse event was 35.2% in the PP group and 26.5% in the propofol group (P = 0.052). Mean euthanasia scores (0.47 PP group, 0.32 propofol group) were not significantly different (P = 0.08). Propofol significantly reduced the incidence of muscle activity (6% vs. 14%, odds ratio 0.39; P = 0.0079). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the likelihood of the studied adverse events during client-elected euthanasia in dogs when propofol was used prior to PP. There was a significant reduction in perimortem muscle activity if propofol was given prior to PP.

Opisthotonos and unilateral internal hydrocephalus associated with aberrant migration of Serratospiculum sp. or Serratospiculoides sp. in a prairie falcon.

A juvenile, wild-caught prairie falcon ( Falco mexicanus) kept for falconry was presented to a veterinary hospital for intermittent opisthotonos and torticollis. Clinical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, and fecal analysis were unremarkable. Clinical signs did not resolve, and the bird was euthanized 6 mo after the appearance of clinical signs. Autopsy revealed a mild, unilateral hydrocephalus and nematodes within the thoracic air sac. Histopathology demonstrated mild, unilateral hydrocephalus; scattered glial nodules; meningeal nematode sections; and meningeal and intraventricular embryonated eggs. Morphology and molecular characterization were consistent with the air sac nematode Serratospiculum or Serratospiculoides spp. Air sac nematode infection can be associated with air sacculitis or pneumonia in falcons. Aberrant migration of air sac filariid nematodes Serratospiculum or Serratospiculoides spp. into the nervous system resulting in clinical disease is rare, but should be included in the differential diagnosis of neurologic diseases in falcons.

A case study utilizing myofascial release, acupressure and trigger point therapy to treat bilateral "Stringhalt" in a 12 year old Akhal-Teke horse.

"Stringhalt" is a horse condition that causes one or both hind legs to spasm when walking, trotting or backing. The condition is thought to be related to a neurological cause from either plant toxicity or peripheral nerve injury. The prognosis is poor and the horse's performance and quality of life can be affected. Treatment has included surgically cutting the digital extensors with varied results. The objective of the study is to utilize soft tissue release via acupressure, trigger point and myofascial release to decrease symptoms of stringhalt. The case study is a 12 year old Akhal-Teke horse of excellent pedigree. In 2011, she was caught in barbed wire overnight and sustained lacerations to the bone in her hindlimbs. Shortly after the injury the horse was placed in a stall for several months and was unable to walk or run, developing stringhalt. Currently, her condition is aggravated by stress and alleviated by certain types of massage (myofascial, acupressure, and trigger point release). The incidence of stringhalt occurs every 3-5 min, with more frequent and severe symptoms on the right hindlimb. The horse is unable to run or back up. Six 1 to 1½ hour bi-weekly treatments were performed. The treatments consisted of myofascial release at the cervical, sacrum and iliums, acupressure of the bladder meridian (including c-spine, t-spine, l-spine, and hamstring), and trigger point release of the iliacus. The stringhalt symptoms were monitored for 30 min prior to each of the 6 treatment sessions. After 6 treatments, the horse was observed running and standing in a position that promotes hip extension. She has not been able to do either since the injury. The frequency and severity of the spasms have decreased to every 10-20 min. The horse's owners report that her disposition, stress and quality of life are much improved. The results suggest that myofascial release, acupressure and trigger point therapy may be utilized to provide a positive treatment outcome in the case of stringhalt. However, please note that the scope of practice varies by state and special training is needed to work with the equine population.

Spinal Cord Hamartomatous Myelodysplasia in 2 Horses With Clinical Neurologic Deficits.

Two horses euthanized for neurologic deficits were diagnosed with hamartomatous myelodysplasia of the spinal cord. One was a 5-week-old Holsteiner colt exhibiting spasms of muscle rigidity in the extensor muscles of the limbs and epaxial muscles, and the other was a 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt exhibiting progressive ataxia and hypermetria in the pelvic limbs. Each had focal disorganization of the white and gray matter of the spinal cord forming a mass interspersed with neurons, glial cells, and disoriented axon bundles. In the Holsteiner colt, the mass was at the level of C5 and included islands of meningeal tissue contiguous with the leptomeninges. The mass occluded the central canal forming hydromyelia cranial to the occlusion. In the Thoroughbred colt, the mass was at the level of L1 on the dorsal periphery of the spinal cord and did not involve the central canal.

Intoxicação por metronidazol em um cão / Intoxication metronidazole in a dog

Relata-se o caso de intoxicação de uma cadela da raça dálmata tratada cronicamente com o metronidazol, onde o diagnóstico foi baseado no histórico de administração, que pode ser de doses normais a aumentadas, e na resolução dos sinais clínicos após a suspensão da droga e instituição do tratamento de suporte, conforme cita a literatura (KIM et al, 2011; HECKLER et al, 2012). Nesses casos o prognóstico geralmente é favorável, mas alguns cães podem morrer ou desenvolver lesões hepáticas (HECKLER et al, 2012).

Changes in electromyography and F wave responses in two cats with presumed local tetanus: implications for diagnosis and prognosis.

Two cases of focal tetanus in the cat are described. Clinical findings included severe muscular spasms of the pelvic limbs in one cat, and involvement of the thoracic limbs and muscles of the neck and face in the other. Electromyography in both cats showed spontaneous activity characterised by the presence of motor unit potentials. F waves, never previously reported in focal tetanus in animals, showed significantly increased F/M amplitude ratio in both cats and increased F wave duration in one cat. The electrodiagnostic findings provided relevant diagnostic and, possibly, prognostic information.

Complex partial cluster seizures in cats with orofacial involvement.

Seventeen cats were presented with acute onset of complex partial seizures with orofacial involvement (salivation, facial twitching, lip smacking, chewing, licking or swallowing), motor arrest (motionless starring) and behavioural changes. In 11 cats hippocampal necrosis (HN) was confirmed by histopathology. In a further six cats hippocampal changes were suggested by magnetic resonance imaging. The mean monitoring time of eight cats which were not euthanased in the acute phase of the disease, was 408 days (60-908): four cats are still alive. In all surviving cases, the owners reported a good quality of life. We conclude that an acute cluster of complex partial seizures with orofacial involvement are often associated with HN and that HN is not necessarily a fatal condition. Supportive and antiepileptic therapy can result in remission. The long-term outcome can be good to excellent; therefore, euthanasia should be avoided in the acute phase of the signs.

Dibucaine toxicosis in a dog.

INTRODUCTION: Dibucaine is a potent, long-lasting local anesthetic (LA). Topical dibucaine ointments are marketed directly to consumers in the USA without prescription. Dibucaine ointment is intended to treat discomfort associated with sunburn, eczema, minor rashes, minor scratches, insect bites, and poison ivy and is used alone or in combination with other active ingredients to treat pain associated with hemorrhoids or other anorectal disorders. Oral dibucaine toxicosis has been reported in children and includes gastrointestinal upset and neurologic and cardiovascular dysfunction. CASE REPORT: An 18-month-old, female, Parson Russell terrier ingested approximately 23 g of 1% dibucaine ointment (approximately 38 mg/kg dibucaine) recommended to the owner for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Onset and resolution of clinical signs were relatively rapid, 5 min and 60 min, respectively. Clinical signs included vomiting, ptyalism, whole-body muscle fasciculations, disorientation, and severe ataxia. DISCUSSION: Oral dibucaine toxicosis in dogs is similar to oral dibucaine toxicosis in children. Dibucaine ointment poses a real and potentially serious toxicological risk to pets and thus should be stored in a safe location.

Treatment of mechanically-induced vasospasm of the carotid artery in a primate using intra-arterial verapamil: a technical case report.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements in the safety and efficacy of endovascular procedures, considerable morbidity may still be attributed to vasospasm. Vasospasm has proven amenable to pharmacological intervention such as nitrates, intravenous calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and intra-arterial papaverine, particularly in small vessels. However, few studies have focused on medium to large vessel spasm. Here we report the use of an intra-arterial CCB, verapamil, to treat flow-limiting mechanically-induced spasm of the common carotid artery (CCA) in a primate. We believe this to be the first such report of its kind. CASE PRESENTATION: As part of a study assessing the placement feasibility and safety of a catheter capable of delivering intra-arterial cerebroprotective therapy, a female 16 kg baboon prophylaxed with intravenous nitroglycerin underwent transfemoral CCA catheterization with a metallic 6-Fr catheter without signs of acute spasm. The protocol dictated that the catheter remain in the CCA for 12 hours. Upon completion of the protocol, arteriography revealed a marked decrease in CCA size (mean cross-sectional area reduction = 31.6 +/- 1.9%) localized along the catheter length. Intra-arterial verapamil (2 mg/2cc) was injected and arteriography was performed 10 minutes later. Image analysis at 6 points along the CCA revealed a 21.0 +/- 1.7% mean increase in vessel diameter along the length of the catheter corresponding to a 46.7 +/- 4.0% mean increase in cross-sectional area. Mean systemic blood pressure did not deviate more than 10 mm Hg during the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Intraluminal CCBs like verapamil may constitute an effective endovascular treatment for mechanically-induced vasospasm in medium to large-sized vessels such as the CCA.

Tapeworm infection is a significant risk factor for spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in the horse.

The association between the equine intestinal tapeworm Anoplocephala perfoliata and specific types of intestinal disease was investigated by matched case-control study using coprological and serological diagnosis. We have previously shown that the host IgG(T) response to 12/13 kDa antigens of A. perfoliata correlates well with infection intensity, therefore this antibody response was used to investigate the risk of colic at different levels of parasite infection intensity. One hundred and three spasmodic colic cases with an equal number of controls matched for age, breed and gender, and 20 ileal impaction cases each with 2 similarly matched controls were obtained. Cases of spasmodic colic were much more likely (odds ratio = 8.0) to be associated with A. perfoliata infection detected coprologically than controls. Serological diagnosis revealed an increasing risk of spasmodic colic with increasing infection intensity. Calculation of an aetiological fraction suggests that 22% of spasmodic colic cases in this study were tapeworm associated. No significant association was found between colic and strongyle egg count. Conditional logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the relationship between colic and A. perfoliata infection intensity was not confounded by strongyle egg count and there was a linear relationship between infection intensity and the log-odds of spasmodic colic. For cases of ileal impaction, a strong association was found between colic and A. perfoliata as diagnosed by coprological means (odds ratio of 34.0). Serological diagnosis also revealed a strong association that increased with higher levels of infection intensity (odds ratio = 26.0). The aetiological fraction for the ileal impaction data suggests that 81% of the ileal impaction cases in this study were tapeworm associated. This study concludes that A. perfoliata is a significant risk factor for spasmodic colic and ileal impaction colic in the horse; and that the risk of spasmodic colic increases with infection intensity.

Evaluation of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride for anesthesia in horses.

The cardiopulmonary effects resulting from the combination of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride were evaluated in the adult horse. Xylazine (1.1 mg mg/kg) administered intravenously prior to or simultaneously with ketamine hydrochloride (2.2 mg/kg; intravenous) provided excellent analgesia and light anesthesia in all horses. Cardiac output, arterial blood pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, central venous pressure, and pulmonary arterial wedge pressure remained within normal limits for the adult horse. Evidence of respiratory acidosis developed with time during the anesthetic period. Induction and recovery from anesthesia appeared smooth and excitement-free. In the horse, larger dosages of ketamine hydrochloride (6.6 mg/kg) following sedation with xylazine (1.1 mg/kg; intravenous) were accompanied by muscular tremor and rigidity, mydriasis, oculogyric movements, sweating, hypertension, tachycardia, and increased rectal temperature during recovery from anesthesia. Providing there is good sedation from xylazine, the combination of xylazine and ketamine hydrochloride as a short-term intravenous anesthetic technique in the horse appears safe and acceptable providing reasonably stable cardiopulmonary function. If the sedative properties of xylazine are not apparent or if excessive dosages of ketamine hydrochloride are used, the drug combination results in serious side effects precluding its use for anesthesia in the horse.

Symposium on back problems in the horse. (3) Diseases of the horse's spine-"comparative aspects".

The structural differences in the spine of the horse and man are compared. These, together with the different uses to which the spine is put, explain the different patterns of disease. Impingement of the spinous processes is discussed in detail including surgical treatment. Comments are also made on sacroiliac strain and manipulation of the spine.