Establishing a standardized dental record-keeping system for a small investigational colony of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

BACKGROUND: Dental hygiene is becoming an increasingly important component of quality health care for laboratory animals, especially non-human primates (NHPs). One key to a successful health care program is an effective and efficient record-keeping system. METHODS: To standardize a dental hygiene program for a small colony of NHPs, we developed a dental recording chart specific for rhesus monkeys. This dental chart was developed using the modified Triadan system. This system numbers teeth across species according to location. RESULTS: An illustrative case report was presented to demonstrate the accurate record keeping and spatial relationship generated from this Old World NHP dental chart design. CONCLUSION: The development and implementation of a standardized dental chart, as part of a dental hygiene program will help minimize variables that may affect research data.

Dose-response relationships of chronic adriamycin toxicity in rabbits.

Doxorubicin was administered chronically to 55 female New Zealand White rabbits in order to determine a chronic dose-response relationship for doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy, skeletal myopathy and nephropathy. Systolic time interval recording as a measure of cardiac function in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy in the rabbit is compared to histologic grading of the cardiomyopathy. Histologic evidence of cardiomyopathy was not seen at cumulative doses less than 100 mg/m2 but incidence and severity of cardiomyopathy increased with increasing doxorubicin dosage. The most severe lesions were seen at cumulative doses in excess of 400 mg/m2. The dose-response of skeletal myopathy paralleled that of cardiomyopathy but the severity of histologic abnormalities and the incidence of skeletal myopathy was less than half that of cardiomyopathy at all dose levels. Nephropathy was a consistent finding at cumulative doses of doxorubicin in excess of 100 mg/m2.

Systolic time interval recordings in rabbits with congestive cardiomyopathy induced by chronic anthracycline administration.

Systolic time interval recordings were performed serially on 104 healthy female New Zealand White rabbits and 51 rabbits with congestive heart failure (CHF) induced by chronic anthracycline drug therapy. The results were analyzed and the comparisons were made with studies of systolic time interval recordings of CHF in persons. In the rabbit, CHF is manifested by prolongation of the isovolumic contraction time, the preejection period (PEP), and by shortening of the left ventricular ejection time (LVET). The ratio of PEP/LVET was a sensitive indicator of left ventricular failure, with values in excess of 0.466 reflecting significant cardiac dysfunction at the 95% confidence level. The mean PEP/LVET = 0.337 +/- 0.66 in healthy rabbits and PEP/LVET = 0.502 +/- 0.075 in rabbits with CHF. The PEP index increased from 0.057 +/- 0.007 in healthy rabbits to 0.074 +/- 0.007 in rabbits with heart failure. The LVET index decreased from 0.173 +/- 0.007 in healthy rabbits to 0.166 +/- 0.010 in rabbits with CHF.

Systolic time interval recordings as a measure of cardiac function in the healthy rabbit: reference values.

Results of systolic time interval recordings obtained serially on 104 female New Zealand White rabbits were analyzed for reproducibility, variation with respect to changes in heart rate (HR), and interrelationship of the various systolic time intervals. A table of values for systolic time intervals in the healthy rabbit was constructed. The preejection period (PEP), left ventricular ejection time (LVET), and PEP/LVET ratio were 0.040 +/- 0.008 s, 0.119 +/- 0.014 s, and 0.337 +/- 0.066 respectively. The major systolic time intervals, PEP and LVET, varied with respect to HR according to the regression equations: PEP = 0.057--0.000078 HR and LVET = 0.175--0.000251 HR. The QS2 interval, S1S2 interval and isovolumic contraction time also varied with changes in HR.

A comparison of synthetic absorbable suture with synthetic nonabsorbable suture for construction of tracheal anastomoses.

This study compares the use of synthetic absorbable suture (SAS, Vicryl) with that of synthetic nonabsorbable suture (SNS, Ticron) for construction of cervical tracheal anastomoses in the dog. Fourteen mongrel dogs underwent resection of one to four tracheal rings. Paired tracheal anastomoses were constructed, using 10 SAS or 10 SNS. After two months each anastomosis was removed and analyzed. All animals survived with intact anastomoses. There were no visible reactions to the SAS. Twenty-six of 70 SNS developed gross suture granulations. Significant stenosis developed in one of seven SAS and in four of seven SNS anastomoses. Histologic examination revealed no residual inflammatory reaction in the SAS specimens, while the SNS demonstrated a spectrum of inflammatory response that directly correlated in intensity with the gross appearance. These findings support the continued evaluation for the use of SAS in clinical tracheobronchoplastic procedures.

Edema disease in a California sea lion.

Edema disease, similar to that occurring in swine, was diagnosed in a california sea lion (Zalophus californianus). The prominent features included a thickened, edematous stomach wall and generalized fibrinoid necrosis of arterioles. A beta-hemolytic Escherichia coli, serotype 0147:K . :H52, was the predominant organism isolated from the gastrointestinal tract. The organism caused fatal infection when administered orally and intraperitoneally to mice.

Metastatic squamous-cell carcinoma in a gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

A 3 year old pet male gerbil developed a squamous-cell carcinoma in close proximity to the caudal border of the sebaceous ventral marking gland. The neoplasm invaded locally and metastasized to the lung and right axillary lymph node.

Neoplasm of the mammary papilla in a male dog.

A 7-year-old male Afghan Hound had a mammary neoplasm. The mass was surgically removed and a histologic diagnosis of ductal papillary adenoma of the mammary papilla (nipple) was made. The literature on male canine mammary neoplasia was reviewed and a similar disease in men was compared with the canine lesion.

Clinical utilization of mechanical sutures for intestinal anastomosis in Macaca mulatta.

Using three mechanical stapling instruments that employ stainless steel wire staples, a Mann-Bollman fistula was created on the terminal ileum in 27 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). Two functional end-to-end anastomoses were accomplished and an ileostium constructed. Staples of various sizes were used; it was found that pediatric-sized staples were necessary for the intestinal tissue of these primates. Six months after surgery, microscopic examination revealed encapsulation of the staples by granulomatous inflammatory tissue. When staples of the proper size were selected, mechanical suturing provided rapid and consistent anastomoses, and wound closures had less edema, inflammation and necrosis than with conventional suturing methods.

Survival of red blood cells in rabbits after acute administration of unlabeled stannous pyrophosphate: Concise communication.

We investigated the possibility that acute administration of unlabeled stannous pyrophosphate may adversely affect red blood cells in the rabbit. Our method was similar to the in vivo labeling of RBCs with technetium-99m for blood-pool scanning. The investigation showed that dosages recommended in the literature produce no demonstrable difference between pre- and postdose RBC survival, which strongly suggests that the stannous content of the pharmaceutical is not harmful to red blood cells.