Radiographic measurements of the hindlimbs in crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous, Linnaeus, 1766).

Life expectancy of crab-eating foxes in captivity is approximately 11 years, which favours the development of diseases including orthopaedic disorders. However, to understand disorders that may affect these animals, it is worth determining a normal range of measurements. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate radiographic measurements of joint angles of the hindlimbs and the ratio of patellar ligament length to patellar length in healthy crab-eating foxes. Fifteen captive crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), eight males and seven females, aged more than 1 year old, weighing 5.5-7.9 kg were used. Anatomic and mechanical femoral joint angles were assessed in ventrodorsal radiographic views, and mediolateral views were taken to measure patellar ligament length and patellar length, and the tibial plateau angle. The right and left hindlimbs were evaluated. All measurements were conducted in triplicate by the same investigator. No statistically significant differences were observed between sides in the radiographic measurements. The anatomic lateral proximal femoral angle and the anatomic lateral distal femoral angle recorded mean values of 95.43° and 92.75°, respectively. The mechanical lateral proximal femoral angle and the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle recorded mean values of 93.39° and 96.75°, respectively. Inclination angles measured according to the Tomlinson, Hauptman A and Hauptman B methods were 133.80°, 147.32° and 128.63°, respectively. The tibial plateau recorded 18.77°, and the ratio of the patellar ligament length to the patellar length was 1.99. In conclusion, the collected data are important to characterize the normal values of crab-eating fox limbs.

Eletrocardiografia computadorizada em cavalos Puro Sangue Lusitano submetidos a exercício físico / Computerized electrocardiography in Lusitano horses submitted to exercise

Foram estudados 24 cavalos atletas hígidos, machos, adultos, da raça Puro Sangue Lusitano, submetidos a esforço físico de trote e galope de rotina do animal, com o objetivo de avaliar a configuração do traçado do eletrocardiograma (ECG) em repouso, mediante eletrocardiografia computadorizada, bem como os efeitos do exercício físico sobre os parâmetros clínicos e eletrocardiográficos destes animais. Foram avaliados exame físico e ritmo cardíaco antes e imediatamente após o exercício físico, assim como as distintas configurações de ondas p e complexos QRS, obtidas ao ECG de repouso. Após o treinamento, ocorreram taquicardia e taquipneia. O ritmo predominante no repouso foi o sinusal e, após o exercício, a taquicardia sinusal. Na morfologia das ondas, encontraram-se quatro configurações distintas para a onda p, e seis para o complexo QRS. Dentre as arritmias cardíacas em repouso, houve uma ocorrência de bloqueio atrioventricular de segundo grau, que desapareceu após exercício. Conclui-se que o traçado do ECG computadorizado de cavalos atletas Puro Sangue Lusitano revela distintas morfologias de ondas p e complexos QRS e baixa ocorrência de arritmias.

In order to assess the configuration of the electrocardiogram (ECG) at rest obtained through computerized electrocardiography and the effects of exercise on clinical and electrocardiographic parameters, 24 healthy male Pure-bred adult Lusitano horses submitted to daily trot and gallop training were studied. Physical evaluation and cardiac rhythm were evaluated before and immediately after exercise, as well the different p waves and QRS complexes, obtained from rest ECG. Tachycardia and tachypnea were observed after training. The predominant rest rhythm was sinus rhythm and, after exercise, sinus tachycardia. In the wave morphology, four distinct configurations were found for the p wave, and six different settings for the QRS complex. Second degree atrioventricular block was observed once during rest, and it disappeared after exercise. In conclusion, computerized ECG in Pure-bred Lusitano horses reveals distinct morphologies of p waves and QRS complexes, and cardiac arrhythmias were rare.

Fenoterol e salbutamol via inalatória em cães: aspectos clínico, hemogasométrico e eletrocardiográfico / Fenoterol and salbutamol inhalation in dogs: clinical, haemogasometric and electrocardiographic aspects

Avaliaram-se, por meio de exame clínico, hemogasométrico e eletrocardiográfico, os efeitos do salbutamol e do fenoterol, administrados por via inalatória em cães. Doze cães foram distribuídos em dois grupos: os do grupo FE receberam fenoterol na dose de 2 gotas/5kg de peso vivo, diluídas em solução de cloreto de sódio 0,9 por cento por aparelho de inalação, e os do grupo SA receberam salbutamol pelo dosador de aerossol, na dose de 100mg. Foram avaliados: frequência cardíaca (FC), frequência respiratória (FR), temperatura retal (TR), pressão arterial sistólica (PAS), hemogasometria e eletrocardiograma antes e após 30min, duas horas e seis horas do uso dos fármacos. Discreta estimulação cardíaca ocorreu nos animais do grupo SA duas horas após sua administração em relação ao momento-controle, e tremores foram predominantes nestes animais. Diminuição da PAS e aumento da FR foram observados nos dois grupos, e não houve alteração significativa da onda T, da hemogasometria e do eletrocardiograma em ambos os grupos. O fenoterol provocou menor estimulação cardíaca e menos tremores comparado ao salbutamol, foi mais seguro e houve maior facilidade, menor custo e menor gasto de tempo na administração do salbutamol por inalador dosimetrado em relação ao fenoterol por nebulização.

Through physical examination, blood gas and the electrocardiographic effects of salbutamol and fenoterol, administered by inhalation in dogs was assessed. Twelve dogs were distributed into two groups: EF group animals received a fenoterol dose of 2 drops/5kg bodyweight, diluted in sodium chloride 0.9 percent inhalation device and animals in the SA group received salbutamol through aerosol feeder at a dose of 100µg. Rectal temperature (RT), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood gas and electrocardiogram before and after 30min., 2h and 6 h after drug were evaluated. Mild cardiac stimulation occurred in SA group animals 2 hours after its administration compared to the control group, and tremors were predominant in these animals. A decrease in SBP and an increase in RR were observed in both animal groups and no significant alteration of the T wave in the electrocardiogram and blood gas analysis in both groups were observed. The fenoterol caused less cardiac pacing and shivering compared to salbutamol, which was more secure. However, there was more ease, lower cost and less time spent in the administration of salbutamol administered through metered-dose inhaler compared to fenoterol nebulization.

Safety of high-dose intravenous daptomycin treatment: three-year cumulative experience in a clinical program.

BACKGROUND: There are limited safety data for high-dose and long-term daptomycin treatment (16mg/kg administered for >or=14 days). We present our experience in 61 patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review for all patients treated with daptomycin at New York Hospital Queens (Flushing) from 1 January 2004 through 30 April 2007; patients were identified through a computerized hospital pharmacy database. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (29 male and 32 female patients; mean age, 66.6 years) received a mean dose of 8 mg/kg of daptomycin for a median of 25 days (range, 14-82 days). Twelve patients (with bone and skin and softtissue infections) did not have an identified microbiologic isolate. Gram-positive infections included bloodstream infection with or without infective endocarditis (n = 32), skin and soft-tissue infection (n = 14), bone and joint infection (n = 9), and intra-abdominal infection (n = 5), and unidentified infection (n = 1). Prosthetic devices were removed from 11 of 20 patients. Grade 1 adverse events occurred in 22 patients and did not lead to daptomycin discontinuation. Fifty-eight patients underwent creatine phosphokinase (CPK) analysis (34 patients had paired CPK analyses at the beginning of and during therapy, and 13 patients had random CPK analysis performed during treatment). Three patients had constitutional and/or musculoskeletal symptoms accompanying CPK levels 110 times upper limit of normal (grade 3). All occurred after 24 days of treatment and improved after daptomycin treatment was discontinued. Two of 3 patients were morbidly obese (body mass index grade III). CONCLUSIONS: Daptomycin treatment was well tolerated at a mean dose of 8 mg/kg for a median duration of 25 days. The incidence of symptomatic CPK level elevation was within the range reported with lower doses of daptomycin and/or for shorter treatment durations.

Reversible seizures and mental status changes in a dialysis patient on isoniazid preventive therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of reversible seizures and mental status changes in a dialysis patient given preventive isoniazid therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 66-year-old woman on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was given isoniazid prophylaxis following a purified protein derivative (PPD) reaction greater than 20 mm in duration. Oral administration of isoniazid 300 mg/d was started and four days later she was admitted to the hospital for confusion, lethargy, and focal seizures that began 24 hours after initiation of therapy. All medications were discontinued with the exception of oral pyridoxine 50 mg/d. Dialysis was withheld to determine if the seizures were medication induced rather than uremia related. Seizures and mental status changes were reversed with pyridoxine. Dialysis was restarted after the symptoms resolved. CONCLUSIONS: Preventive therapy against tuberculosis with isoniazid should be stressed throughout the medical community. Isoniazid has adverse effects including hepatitis and peripheral neuropathy (common) and convulsions (rare). Our experience suggests that additional supplementation with pyridoxine 50 mg/d should be given routinely to prevent adverse reactions in uremic patients.

Shark oil pneumonia. An overlooked entity.

Nonprescription drugs are often believed to be innocuous. We present a case of lipoid pneumonia from ingestion of squalene, a derivative of shark liver oil, a popular over-the-counter Asian folk remedy.