Effects of capture on hematological values and plasma cortisol levels of free-range koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Eight free-range koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) were captured on Kangaroo Island (South Australia) and later transported to the Adelaide Zoological Gardens. Blood samples were collected at the time of capture and at 6 hr, 24 hr and 7 days later. Routine hematological analyses were performed and plasma cortisol levels determined. Significant differences were observed between sampling times for erythrocyte numbers, hemoglobin concentrations, packed cell volumes, mean cell volumes, mean cell hemoglobin concentrations, numbers of leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and lymphocyte:neutrophil ratio (P less than 0.05). No significant differences were detected between sampling periods in the numbers of monocytes (P = 0.707), eosinophils (P = 0.174) or plasma cortisol levels (P = 0.192).

The occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in South Australia.

Heart, lung and samples of blood from 230 dogs were examined for infections of filarial parasites. Dirofilaria immitis worms and microfilariae were detected in one dog. Blood samples from a further 1428 dogs were examined for microfilariae and 22 were found to be infected. Eighteen dogs were infected with D immitis microfilariae and four with Dipetolonema reconditum microfilariae. The histories were available for 18 of the dogs infected with heartworm and only seven dogs had not travelled outside South Australia. It was concluded that heartworm infection was endemic in South Australia but the apparent prevalence was only about 1%.

Erythrocyte selenium-75 uptake as a measure of selenium status in weaner sheep, and its relationship to erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity.

The relationship between in vitro erythrocyte 75Se uptake (75Se uptake) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (EGSHPx) activity was examined in weaner sheep during periods of selenium depletion and repletion, to determine whether 75Se uptake was better correlated than EGSHPx activity to the development of weaner nutritional myopathy. In the 2 trials conducted, only 3 of 45 Merino wether weaners developed clinical myopathy and histological lesions in skeletal muscles. The 75Se uptake values and EGSHPx activities in these 3 sheep were no different from those in the unaffected sheep. There was a significant negative correlation between 75Se uptake values and EGSHPx activities over the entire period of the trials. It could not be demonstrated that 75Se uptake was any better correlated than EGSHPx activity to the development of nutritional myopathy, and it was concluded that EGSHPx activity indicated selenium status better than 75Se uptake in weaner sheep.

The effects of CT1341, thiopentone and induction- delivery time on the blood gas and acid-base status of lambs delivered by casesarean operation and on the onset of respiration.

Caesarean sections were performed on 18 Romney ewes on day 144 of pregnancy. Anaesthesia was induced in 9 ewes with CT 1341 and in 9 ewes with thiopentone and maintained in both groups with halothane administered with oxygen. Surgery was performed with the ewes in lateral recumbency, with respiration unassisted. Blood samples were collected from the intact umbilical artery at the time of delivery and analysed for PO2, PCO2, pH (base deficit was derived). The intervals between ewe induction and lamb delivery (lD), delivery and the onset of breathing (TSR), and delivery and the lamb standing were recorded. Lambs in the CT 1341 group both breathed and stood sooner than lambs in the thiopentone group. Significant linear relationships were only found in the CT 1341 group between TSR interval and PCO2 and pH. No significant correlations were found between the lD interval and any of the biochemical characteristics. The results of this study suggest that lateral recumbency does not interfere with uteroplacental circulation, that CT 1341 (2.2 mg/kg) is associated with less neonatal depression than thiopentone (10 mg/kg) and that severe neonatal hypercarbia may delay the onset of respiration in lambs with minimal drug depression.