Differential cell analysis in ovine bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: Effect of different sampling methods and seasons.

Background: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a method for collecting the cellular and fluid components of the airway surface in the lungs. The assessment of differential cell profiles is potentially valuable in the diagnosis of pulmonary diseases, but there is no information about the normal BAL profiles in the Gezel breed. Aim: This study aimed to characterize the normal cryptologic findings of BAL with Gezel sheep. Methods: Twenty healthy sheep (15 females: 5 males, bodyweight: 55-65 kg) were sedated with xylazine (0.02-0.04 mg/kg IV). Two methods; the transtracheal bronchoalveolar lavage technique and the bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage using a scope were evaluated. Sampling was performed in the summer and winter seasons. Results: Normal value (Mean ± SEM) for total cell, macrophage, lymphocyte, neutrophil, epithelial, and bronchial cells in BAL sampled in summer were (343.75 ± 30.23), ) 24.50 ± 2.62), (2.81 ± 0.51), (1.43 ± 0.88), and (3.12 ± 0.32), respectively. The normal values for the total cell, macrophage, lymphocyte, neutrophil, epithelial, and bronchial cells in BAL sampled in winter were (355.55 ± 37.67), (59.11 ± 4.30), (21.33 ± 3.10), (3.88 ± 1.07), (8.88 ± 3.78), and (6.33 ± 1.44), respectively. Conclusion: No significant change in the percentage of neutrophils was detected between seasons, although the percentages of bronchial and epithelial cells in winter were significantly high (p < 0.05). Except for the mentioned cases, neither the total cell number nor the percentage differential cell populations of BAL changed significantly (p < 0.05) in different sampling methods and seasons. Normal BAL profiles in the Gezel breed were determined and could be used in result interpretations. Also, both sampling methods can be used without significantly affecting the results.

Evaluation of the Sedative Effects of Diazepam, Midazolam, and Xylazine After Intranasal Administration in Juvenile Ostriches ( Struthio camelus ).

The sedative effects of diazepam, midazolam, and xylazine after intranasal administration were evaluated in 72 (36 male and 36 female) juvenile healthy ostriches ( Struthio camelus ), weighing 50-61 kg and aged 4-5 months. The birds were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 24), then each group was further subdivided to 4 subgroups (n = 6). For each drug, 4 different doses were chosen and the total calculated dose was equally administered into either naris of the individual bird. The appropriate dose of each drug to produce standing chemical restraint or sternal recumbency was evaluated based on the onset time, the duration of maximum effect, and the duration of sedation. Midazolam showed significantly shorter onset time (2.9 ± 1.2 minutes) compared with xylazine (4.4 ± 1 minute) and diazepam (4.3 ± 0.4 minutes). Longer duration of sedation was also achieved with midazolam compared with xylazine and diazepam. Moderate sedation was achieved with diazepam (0.8 mg/kg), midazolam (0.4 mg/kg), and xylazine (2 mg/kg) for standing chemical restraint, with the maximum duration effects of 7.0 ± 1.4, 17.7 ± 4.1, and 9.2 ± 2.5 minutes, respectively. Deep sedation was also achieved with midazolam (0.8 mg/kg) and xylazine (4 mg/kg), with sternal recumbency duration of 21.7 ± 4.9 and 13.5 ± 2.6 minutes, respectively. The results of the present study show that intranasal administration can be an effective route for delivery of sedatives in juvenile ostriches. Intranasal midazolam and xylazine could be suggested for standing chemical restraint or inducing sternal recumbency in juvenile ostriches.