Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess the pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of a single administration of oral gabapentin in African cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) at 2 different dosages.
METHODS
Adult cheetahs (n = 16) located at 3 different zoological institutions were prospectively enrolled to receive single doses of gabapentin administered at 2 different dosages (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg). Venipuncture was performed under behavioral restraint at predetermined time points over a 24-hour period using a sparse sampling model. Plasma concentrations of gabapentin were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. A modified domestic felid sedation scoring system was used to assess animals at each time point by 3 masked scorers, and sedation scores were compared between time points.
RESULTS
Mean ± SE maximal plasma concentrations were 24.0 ± 12.8 μg/mL and 31.4 ± 8.57 μg/mL for the 10- and 20-mg/kg dosages, respectively. For both dosages, concentrations remained elevated at the final collection time point of 24 hours (2.39 ± 1.97 and 3.93 ± 3.09 μg/mL for 10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively). Mild sedation was achieved for both doses up to 24 hours postadministration, with no significant differences between dosages.
CONCLUSIONS
Gabapentin was well absorbed following oral administration, and concentrations remained elevated 24 hours postadministration. Gabapentin produces mild sedation at 10 or 20 mg/kg for up to 24 hours.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Gabapentin given to cheetahs at these dosages is a useful tool for improving patient welfare due to its mild sedative effects over a clinically relevant time period.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the presentation, clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of cases of trismus (lockjaw) in cold-stunned sea turtles.
ANIMALS
4 Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and 1 loggerhead (Caretta caretta) sea turtle.
METHODS
Cold-stunned sea turtles that presented with difficulty or inability to open their jaw between 2009 and 2023 were included. Information retrieved from medical records included signalment, physical exam findings, diagnostic information, definitive diagnosis via either advanced imaging or histopathology, treatment, and clinical outcome.
RESULTS
Turtles presented between 4 and 48 days into rehabilitation. Three were diagnosed by advanced imaging (CT or MRI), and 2 were diagnosed based on clinical signs and postmortem histopathology. Treatment was multimodal and consisted of antibiotics (5/5), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (5/5), vitamin E (3/5), intralesional steroid therapy (3/5), acupuncture (3/5), antifungals (2/5), anti-inflammatory parenteral steroids (2/5), physical therapy (2/5), therapeutic laser (2/5), and supportive feeding via either total parenteral nutrition (1/5), or tube feedings (2/5). Two animals were released, 2 died naturally, and 1 was euthanized.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Trismus (lockjaw) is an uncommon finding in stranded cold-stunned sea turtles that can have a significant impact on animal welfare if not diagnosed and treated. This report describes the condition to aid clinical case management and resource allocation in rehabilitation facilities.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Levamisole is a regulated substance sometimes administered to racehorses to treat equine protozoal myelitis. Metabolites include compound II, aminorex, and pemoline. Aminorex and pemoline are Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority–banned substances. Previous studies have examined single doses of the drug. This study examined the disposition of levamisole after 7 days of dosing.
ANIMALS
6 healthy Thoroughbred geldings.
METHODS
Horses were treated with 500 mg (approx 0.91 to 1 mg/kg) of compounded levamisole hydrochloride paste PO every 12 hours for a total of 13 doses over 7 days. Serum and urine samples were analyzed for levamisole and its metabolites over a 28-day period.
RESULTS
The terminal half-life of levamisole in serum was variable between horses. Following the last dose of levamisole on day 7, serum levamisole levels took 3 to 14 days (days 10 to 21) to fall below the limit of detection (LOD) in 5 of 6 horses. Serum from 1 horse remained over LOD on the last testing day (day 28). In urine, following the final dose (day 7), levamisole was below LOD on day 13 (6 days after final dose) and aminorex was below LOD on day 10 (3 days after final dose). Compound II was above LOD in 4 of 5 horses sampled on the last sampling day (day 28).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Levamisole and its metabolites can be detected for variable lengths of time in horses, with detection lasting for days to weeks following multiple doses. This study supports the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium Advisory on levamisole, which suggests that clearance sample testing should be conducted on treated horses to verify elimination of levamisole and its metabolites.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To investigate parasiticide use and describe signalment features in patients with sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS).
ANIMALS
Retrospective case-control study of dogs with (n = 71) and without (136) SARDS.
METHODS
Parasiticide use, presentation season, weight, body condition, and signalment were compared between dogs diagnosed with SARDS and the reference population by use of descriptive statistics and logistic regression.
RESULTS
Animals with SARDS were at a 5.99 times higher odds of having previously used imidacloprid (95% CI, 1.6 to 22.2; P = .003). However, time of last imidocloprid administration was > 6 years prior to diagnosis in 6 SARDS-affected individuals and 15, 26, or 42 months before diagnosis (n = 1 each). No other class of parasiticide had a significant association with SARDS. Seasonal variation was observed with a negative association identified between incidence of SARDS and tick season (October to January; P < .001). Overweight and obese dogs were 4.42 (95% CI, 1.9 to 10.4) and 4.96 (95% CI, 2.1 to 11.6) times more likely to have SARDS (P ≤ .001). History of polyphagia or weight gain was not associated with an increased likelihood of being overweight or obese within the SARDS-affected population (P > .108).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
While a statistically significant association was found between imidacloprid use and SARDS, this is unlikely to be clinically significant given the lack of a temporal association, sparse exposure numbers, and low point estimate of the OR. A positive association between being overweight or obese and a diagnosis of SARDS was found independent of polyphagia and weight gain, suggesting that it may be a risk factor for the development of SARDS.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To understand antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and infection prevention and control (IPC) activities in veterinary schools.
METHODS
An online survey was completed by representatives from American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges–accredited veterinary schools in the US and Caribbean prior to attending the Inaugural Small Animal Antimicrobial Stewardship Workshop for US Veterinary Schools. Responses were examined to identify patterns among AS and IPC activities and adherence to the AVMA core principles.
RESULTS
Half (12 of 24) of the surveyed schools had an AS committee and most (79% [19 of 24]) had an IPC committee. Lack of dedicated staff time was a common barrier to AS (88% [21 of 24]) and IPC (75% [18 of 24]) reported by schools both with and without AS and IPC committees. Eleven of 24 schools (46%) reported performing at least 1 activity focused on each of the AVMA’s 5 core principles of AS. Although 79% (19 of 24) of schools incorporate AS into preclinical curricula, training of clinical faculty (17% [4 of 24]), veterinary technicians and support staff (21% [5 of 24]), and house officers (42% [10 of 24]) is less common, despite these individuals engaging in teaching clinical-year veterinary students.
CONCLUSIONS
Veterinary schools varied in established AS education and AS and IPC practices, though financial and human resources were a common barrier.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
A collaborative and cohesive approach to AS and IPC among schools to create sustainable frameworks for practice improvement will help combat the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. This is a critical action for settings where future veterinarians are trained.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
Upper respiratory infections are a frequent problem in pet rabbits and rodents, and Mycoplasma pulmonis is 1 of the most common causes of respiratory infections in pet rats. M pulmonis was detected in 1967 in laboratory rabbits via culture of the nares and oropharynx, but overall, Mycoplasma is not commonly identified in the upper airway of rabbits. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of Mycoplasma sp detection via next-generation DNA sequencing on nasal swabs obtained from healthy and unhealthy rabbits.
METHODS
The results of nasal swabs from both healthy and unhealthy rabbits submitted for next-generation DNA sequencing from January 2022 to February 2023 were reviewed. Data gathered included signalment, whether or not Mycoplasma sp was detected, and the cell count and relative predominance of Mycoplasma sp compared to other organisms.
RESULTS
91 rabbits met the inclusion criteria, of which 49 were healthy and 42 were unhealthy. Overall, 52 of 91 (57.1%) rabbits were positive and 39 of 91 (42.8%) were negative for Mycoplasma sp. Mycoplasma positivity was significantly (P < .001) more common in healthy rabbits (37/49 [75.5%]) compared to unhealthy rabbits (15/42 [35.7%]).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The fact that Mycoplasma positivity was common in both groups of rabbits, and particularly common in rabbits without upper respiratory signs, suggests that Mycoplasma may be normal nasal flora in rabbits. Further research is needed to determine whether Mycoplasma could function as an opportunistic pathogen in rabbits.
