Retrospective evaluation of the impact of atropine administration on incidence of post-operative colic in healthy, isoflurane-anaesthetised horses.

Background: In anaesthetised horses, bradycardia secondary to high vagal tone can reduce cardiac output and blood pressure. The use of anticholinergics in horses is limited due to concerns about ileus and abdominal discomfort. This retrospective study sought to determine the prevalence of post-operative abdominal discomfort in healthy horses that received atropine under isoflurane anaesthesia.

Red Cabbage Juice-Mediated Gut Microbiota Modulation Improves Intestinal Epithelial Homeostasis and Ameliorates Colitis.

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and can potentially prevent IBD through microbial-derived metabolites, making it a promising therapeutic avenue. Recent evidence suggests that despite an unclear underlying mechanism, red cabbage juice (RCJ) alleviates Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Thus, the study aims to unravel the molecular mechanism by which RCJ modulates the gut microbiota to alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Comparison of lidocaine and lidocaine-xylazine for distal paravertebral anesthesia in dairy cattle.

Objective: To determine the time of onset and duration of action of distal paravertebral blocks (DPB) in dairy cattle using lidocaine and lidocaine plus xylazine (LX).

Animals: 10 healthy adult Holstein cows.

Methods: Unilateral DPB were performed in 6 cows at L1, L2, and L4.

Red cabbage juice-mediated gut microbiota modulation improves intestinal epithelial homeostasis and ameliorates colitis.

Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has therapeutic benefits. Thus, targeting the gut microbiota is a promising therapeutic approach for IBD treatment. We recently found that red cabbage juice (RCJ) ameliorates dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice.

Pelvic limb anesthesia and analgesia in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO): A survey of board-certified anesthesiologists.

Objective: To report the locoregional anesthesia and analgesia preferences of veterinary anesthesiologists for use in dogs undergoing a TPLO and determine any association with specialty college, time from board-certification, or employment sector.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Sample Population: Diplomates of the American (ACVAA) and European (ECVAA) Colleges of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia.

MRI Evaluation of Gene Therapy in the Canine Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established and widely used technique to characterize and quantify skeletal and cardiac muscle changes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recently, MRI has been explored to study disease progression and response to gene therapy in the canine DMD model. Using traditional sequences, delayed gadolinium enhancement, novel sequences, and spectroscopy, investigators have begun to (i) establish the baseline MRI characteristics of the muscles in normal and affected dogs and (ii) evaluate gene therapy outcomes in treated dogs.

Ketosis Ameliorates Renal Cyst Growth in Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Mild reduction in food intake was recently shown to slow polycystic kidney disease (PKD) progression in mouse models, but whether the effect was due to solely reduced calories or some other aspect of the diet has been unclear. We now show that the benefit is due to the induction of ketosis. Time-restricted feeding, without caloric reduction, strongly inhibits mTOR signaling, proliferation, and fibrosis in the affected kidneys in a PKD rat model.

Intravenous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of feline asthma: a pilot study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of serially administered adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an experimental feline asthma model.

Methods: Allergic asthma was acutely induced with Bermuda grass allergen in six purpose-bred cats. Five intravenous infusions of allogeneic MSCs (n = 4; MSC-treated) or saline (n = 2; placebo-treated) were administered over the first 130 days after asthma induction.

Acute neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism fails to dampen airflow limitation or airway eosinophilia in an experimental model of feline asthma.

Objectives: Feline allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lower airways that may manifest with acute, life-threatening clinical signs. Tachykinins released from sensory nerves and immune cells binding neurokinin (NK)-1, NK-2 and NK-3 receptors have been implicated in asthma pathogenesis. Maropitant, an NK-1 receptor antagonist, blocks neuroimmune pathways and may be a viable treatment option for cats in asthmatic crisis.

Chronic neurokinin-1 receptor antagonism fails to ameliorate clinical signs, airway hyper-responsiveness or airway eosinophilia in an experimental model of feline asthma.

Objectives: Feline allergic asthma is a common chronic lower airway disease characterized by clinical signs attributed to eosinophilic inflammation, airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) and airway remodeling. Tachykinins released from sensory nerves and immune cells bind neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors in the lung. The resultant neurogenic airway inflammation has been implicated in asthma pathogenesis.

Injectable gelatin used as hemostatic agent to stop pedicle bleeding in long deformity surgical procedures: does it embolize?

Study Design: Prospective porcine animal model.

Objective: Determine if injecting FloSeal into pedicles for hemostasis causes emboli.

Summary Of Background Data: Bleeding from spinal deformity cases can be substantial, especially when surgical procedures involve bilateral fixation at multiple segments.

The TRPV1 receptor agonist capsaicin is an ineffective bronchoprovocant in an experimental model of feline asthma.

Objectives: Airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR), a key feature of feline asthma, can be measured using bronchoprovocation testing. Limitations of both direct and indirect bronchoprovocants evaluated to date in experimental feline asthma have led to a search for a more specific indirect bronchoprovocant (ie, one which relies on existing inflammatory cells or activated neural pathways in diseased but not healthy airways). We hypothesized that capsaicin, a transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 agonist, would lead to dose-responsive increases in airway resistance as measured by ventilator-acquired pulmonary mechanics in experimentally asthmatic cats.

In-vitro immunosuppression of canine T-lymphocyte-specific proliferation with dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and the active metabolites of azathioprine and leflunomide in a flow-cytometric assay.

A high rate of mortality, expense, and complications of immunosuppressive therapy in dogs underscores the need for optimization of drug dosing. The purpose of this study was to determine, using a flow-cytometric assay, the 50% T-cell inhibitory concentration (IC50) of dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and the active metabolites of azathioprine (6-mercaptopurine) and leflunomide (A77 1726) in canine lymphocytes stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A). Whole blood was collected from 5 privately owned, healthy dogs of various ages, genders, and breeds.

Quantitative assessment of the canine pupillary light reflex.

Purpose: To develop instrumentation and methods for thorough quantitative assessment of the pupillary light reflex (PLR) in dogs under varying stimulus conditions.

Methods: The PLR was recorded in normal Dachshunds using a custom system allowing full user control over stimulus intensity, color, and duration. Chemical restraint protocols were compared to determine which protocol provided for optimal baseline stability of pupil size and appropriate eye positioning.

Nebulized lidocaine blunts airway hyper-responsiveness in experimental feline asthma.

Nebulized lidocaine may be a corticosteroid-sparing drug in human asthmatics, reducing airway resistance and peripheral blood eosinophilia. We hypothesized that inhaled lidocaine would be safe in healthy and experimentally asthmatic cats, diminishing airflow limitation and eosinophilic airway inflammation in the latter population. Healthy (n = 5) and experimentally asthmatic (n = 9) research cats were administered 2 weeks of nebulized lidocaine (2 mg/kg q8h) or placebo (saline) followed by a 2-week washout and crossover to the alternate treatment.

Endotracheal nebulization of N-acetylcysteine increases airway resistance in cats with experimental asthma.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic and antioxidant, is speculated to cause bronchoconstriction in cats when delivered via aerosol. We hypothesized that in cats with experimental asthma, aerosol delivery of NAC (400mg cumulative dose) via an endotracheal tube would increase airflow limitation as measured by ventilator-acquired mechanics. After endotracheal drug delivery, airway resistance and inspiratory plateau pressure (Pplat) measurements were obtained in six mechanically ventilated asthmatic cats.

Effects of intracameral administration of α-chymotrypsin on intracapsular lens extraction and postoperative outcome in clinically normal dogs.

Objective: To assess the intraoperative and postoperative clinical effects and histologic effects of intracameral administration of α-chymotrypsin in clinically normal dogs undergoing standard intracapsular lens extraction (ICLE).

Animals: 6 young adult male dogs without evidence of systemic or ocular disease.

Procedures: All dogs underwent bilateral ICLE 7 minutes following injection of 75 U of α-chymotrypsin or an identical volume (0.

Immunomodulatory effects of opioids.

Objective: To review the immunomodulatory effects of opioids.

Data Sources: Original research publications and review articles using the PubMed search engine with the following keywords--opioids, morphine, immuomodulation, and immunosuppression. VETERINARY AND HUMAN DATA SYNTHESIS: Opioids have been shown to modulate the immune system in animal models by affecting both the acquired and innate arms of the immune system.

Comparison of ultrasonic Doppler flow monitor, oscillometric, and direct arterial blood pressure measurements in ill dogs.

Objective: To compare blood pressure measurements obtained via ultrasonic Doppler flow monitor (DOP) and 2 oscillometric noninvasive blood pressure monitors (CAR and PAS) to invasive blood pressure (IBP) in hospitalized, conscious dogs with a range of blood pressures.

Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Effects of subanesthetic doses of ketamine on hemodynamic and immunologic variables in dogs with experimentally induced endotoxemia.

Objective: To determine the effects of ketamine hydrochloride on hemodynamic and immunologic alterations associated with experimentally induced endotoxemia in dogs.

Animals: 9 mixed-breed dogs.

Procedures: In a crossover study, dogs were randomly allocated to receive ketamine (0.

Parenteral nutrition: formulation, monitoring, and complications.

Because decreased caloric and nutrient intake can complicate the course of both mild and serious illness, parenteral nutrition (PN) is an important feeding modality for patients unable to receive adequate enteral nutrition. Although the effectiveness of PN has not been proven in animals, human studies have shown that using PN in appropriately selected cases can improve clinical outcome, reduce hospitalization time, and even reduce the overall cost of patient care. PN formulations for animals are readily available through pharmacies.

Parenteral nutrition: uses, indications, and compounding.

Decreased caloric and other nutrient intake can complicate the course of both mild and serious illness. With proper case selection, providing parenteral nutrition (PN) can improve clinical outcome, reduce hospitalization time, and reduce the cost of patient care. Many pharmacy facilities can compound PN formulations; with proper staff training and patient monitoring resources, PN can be administered in many veterinary practices.

Comparison of three methods of temperature measurement in hypothermic, euthermic, and hyperthermic dogs.

Objective: To assess the reliability and accuracy of a predictive rectal thermometer, an infrared auricular thermometer designed for veterinary use, and a subcutaneous temperature-sensing microchip for measurement of core body temperature over various temperature conditions in dogs.

Design: Prospective study.

Animals: 8 purpose-bred dogs.