Effects of isoxsuprine hydrochloride on electrocardiographic and trace element status in sheeps.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of isoxsuprine hydrochloride on the ischaemic electrocardiographic change and trace element status in sheep. METHODS: This study was conducted from March 16 to 23, 2012, at Istanbul University, Turkey, and comprised sheep aged 6 months. The animals were divided into two equal groups. The control group was fed a standard diet and had free access to water. In the experimental group, isoxsuprine hydrochloride was injected at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg through the intramuscular route. Electrocardiographic changes, including creatine kinase and cardiac troponin-I, and serum levels of selenium, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc were investigated in healthy sheep. SPSS 15 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The 14 sheep were divided into two groups of 7(50%) each. The overall mean weight of the study population was 35±10kg. Selenium, calcium, iron and zinc concentrations did not show any difference in serum samples (p>0.05). However, copper and magnesium concentrations decreased in serum after the administration of the drug (p<0.05). In the experimental group, ST segment depression and abnormal T-wave was found in 6(86%) animals within 60min. CONCLUSIONS: Isoxsuprine hydrochloride increased cardiotoxicity risk in sheep.

Measurement of M-mode echocardiographic parameters in healthy adult Van cats.

Cardiomyopathies are the most common type of cardiac diseases in cats. Although some normal echocardiographic values for cats have been published, there are variations based on breeds and gender. The objective of this study is to determine normal reference values for M-mode echocardiographic parameters in nonsedated healthy adult Van cats and to compare those values with data reported for nonsedated healthy cats of other breeds. A total of 40 clinically healthy Van cats of both sexes belonging to the Van Cat Research and Application Center of Yuzuncu Yil University were used. Body weight (BW) and 16 M-mode echocardiographic variables were measured in 40 healthy Van cats. The effect of gender and age on each echocardiographic parameter was analyzed and the relationship between BW and each parameter investigated. There was a significant relationship between gender and left atrial dimension during ventricular systole (LAD) and aortic root dimension at end-diastole (AOD) as well as between BW and interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSd) and end-systole (IVSs), left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVIDd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWd), LAD, AOD, the left ventricular end diastolic volume (EDV) and the stroke volume (SV). A relationship between age and the SV parameter alone was also established. This present study is the first work on cardiac reference values for Van cats highlighting the differences in some M-mode echocardiographic parameters of healthy adult Van cats and other cat breeds, which should be considered when interpreting echocardiographic findings, in order to draw the correct conclusions regarding cardiac health.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in a spider monkey (Ateles paniscus).

BACKGROUND: A spider monkey with severe dyspnea was referred to our clinic. METHODS AND RESULTS: Radiographs revealed an enlarged cardiac silhouette. Ventricular tachycardia and ST segment depression were also diagnosed after an ECG. These findings coupled with the postmortem examination confirmed dilatative cardiomyopathy. CONCLUSIONS: This case is worthy of presentation since dilatative cardiomyopathy has been rarely encountered in spider monkeys.

M-mode echocardiographic parameters and indices in the normal German shepherd dog.

M-mode echocardiographic measurements were made from 50 healthy German Shepherd dogs (30 males and 20 females). The dogs were awake and unsedated, in right lateral recumbent position. The following parameters were measured on the echocardiographic images: interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSd), interventricular septal thickness at end-systole (IVSs), left ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (LVIDd), left ventricular internal dimension at end-systole (LVIDs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole (LVPWs), left atrial dimension (LAD), aortic root dimension (AOD), left atrial to aortic root ratio (LAD/AOD), right ventricular internal dimension at end-diastole (RVID), amplitude of mitral valve excursion (DE amplitude), velocity of mitral valve opening (D-E slope), and velocity of mitral valve closure (E-F slope). Fractional shortening (FS) was also calculated. The effect of gender and age on each echocardiographic parameter was analyzed and the relationship between body weight (BW) and each parameter was also investigated. There was a significant relationship between gender and LVPW in systole and diastole and FS. Significant association was also found between BW and IVS, LVID, and LVPW in systole and diastole, FS, LAD, AOD, RVID, DE amplitude, and D-E slope of the mitral valve.