Search Results

Abstract

Objective—To characterize the change of pH in the abomasal lumen throughout a 24-hour period, to determine whether pH of the abomasal body differs from pH of the pyloric antrum, and to determine whether oral administration of cimetidine and ranitidine alters pH of the abomasal lumen in milk-fed calves.

Animals—5 male dairy calves (4 Holsteins-Friesian, 1 Ayrshire), 5 to 15 days old.

Procedure—Cannulas were surgically positioned in the abomasal body and pyloric antrum of each calf. Calves received the following treatments in a randomized crossover design: milk replacer (60 ml/kg of body weight, q 12 h [untreated control calves]), milk replacer and cimetidine (50 or 100 mg/kg, q 8 h), or milk replacer and ranitidine (10 or 50 mg/kg, q 8 h). The pH of the abomasal body and pyloric antrum was measured for 24 hours, using miniature glass pH electrodes.

Results—Suckling of milk replacer immediately increased abomasal luminal pH from 1.4 to 6.0, followed by a gradual decrease to preprandial values by 6 hours. Preprandial and postprandial pH values were not significantly different between the abomasal body and pyloric antrum, indicating lack of pH compartmentalization in the abomasum of milk-fed calves. Administration of cimetidine and ranitidine caused a significant dose-dependent increase in mean 24-hour abomasal luminal pH.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Abomasal acid secretion in milk-fed calves is mediated in part by histamine type-2 receptors. Cimetidine and ranitidine may be efficacious in the treatment of abomasal ulcers in milk-fed calves. (Am J Vet Res 2001;62:1531–1538)

Abstract

Objective—To determine the effects of a commercially available orally administered antacid agent containing aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide on abomasal luminal pH in clinically normal milkfed calves.

Design—Randomized trial.

Animals—5 male dairy calves.

Procedure—Throughout the study, calves were fed milk replacer at 7:30 AM and 7:30 PM. Cannulae for pH electrodes were placed in the abomasal body and pyloric antrum. Treatments consisted of oral administration of a high (50 ml) or low (25 ml) dose of the antacid agent and oral administration of milk replacer alone (control). Antacid was given at 7:30 AM, 3:30 PM, and 11:30 PM, and luminal pH was monitored continuously for 24 hours, beginning 15 minutes before administration of the first dose of antacid.

Results—Administration of the first dose of antacid at the time of the morning feeding resulted in an increase in mean abomasal body luminal pH of < 1 pH unit, whereas administration of the second and third doses of the antacid caused transient (< 3 hours) increases in mean luminal pH of approximately 1.5 (low dose) and 2.5 (high dose) pH units.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that clinically normal milk-fed calves given a commercially available antacid agent, PO, will have a transient increase in abomasal luminal pH. Such agents may, therefore, have a role in the treatment of abomasal ulceration in calves; however, the long-term effects of orally administered antacid agents in milkfed calves and the clinical efficacy of such agents in treating abomasal ulceration remain to be determined. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2002;220:74–79)

Abstract

Objective—To determine the effects of 3 commercially available, orally administered electrolyte solutions (OAEs) on abomasal luminal pH and emptying rate in dairy calves, compared with the effect of orally administered milk replacer.

Design—Randomized crossover study.

Animals—6 male dairy calves (age, 12 to 31 days).

Procedures—Calves were surgically instrumented with an abomasal cannula and were administered 4 treatments in randomized order: all-milk protein milk replacer, high-glucose high-bicarbonate OAE, high-glucose high-bicarbonate OAE containing glycine, and low-glucose OAE containing acetate and propionate. Abomasal luminal pH was measured with a miniature glass pH electrode prior to treatment administration and every second afterward for 24 hours.

Results—Feeding of orally administered milk replacer resulted in a rapid increase in mean abomasal luminal pH from 1.3 to 5.8, followed by a gradual decrease to preprandial values by 8 hours afterward (mean 24-hour pH, 3.2). High-glucose high-bicarbonate OAEs caused a large and sustained increase from 1.3 to 7.5 (mean 24-hour pH, 4.1 for the solution without glycine and 3.5 for the solution with glycine). In contrast, feeding of the acetate-containing OAE was followed by only a mild and transient increase (mean 24-hour pH, 2.1); luminal pH returned to preprandial values by 3 hours after ingestion.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Ingestion of a bicarbonate-containing OAE resulted in sustained abomasal alkalinization in dairy calves. Because persistently high abomasal luminal pH may facilitate growth of enteropathogenic bacteria, administration of OAEs containing a high bicarbonate concentration (> 70mM) is not recommended for calves with diarrhea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate reproductive performance and productive longevity of dairy cows treated for left displaced abomasum (LDA) with 1 of 2 surgical techniques (omentopexy vs pyloro-omentopexy).

DESIGN Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS 87 Holstein cows that underwent omentopexy or pyloro-omentopexy for LDA during a 5-year period.

PROCEDURES For each cow with LDA, the most recent date of calving, age at time of surgery, and surgical procedure were recorded. Dairy records of cows treated for LDA in the 5-year period were reviewed to determine their reproductive performance. Records available for up to 4 years after the last surgery (ie, when all treated cows had left the herd) were reviewed to determine cull dates and reasons for treated and untreated cows in the herd.

RESULTS Of the 87 cows with LDA, 58 underwent pyloro-omentopexy and 29 underwent omentopexy. Cows in the 2 treatment groups did not significantly differ in age. Fifty-six cows completed > 1 subsequent lactation cycle after surgery. The median time that cows with LDA remained in the herd was 566 days (range, 24 to 1,838 days); the times for the 2 treatment groups did not significantly differ. For treated and untreated cows, cull rates for reproductive failure or other problems were similar. Four (14%) omentopexy–treated cows and no pyloro-omentopexy–treated cows had a reoccurrence of LDA.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that cows with LDA that underwent omentopexy or pyloro-omentopexy had similar cull rates and reasons as unaffected herd mates over their productive time in the herd. Between the 2 treatment groups, only the LDA reoccurrence rate differed.

Abstract

Objective—To compare plasma disposition of alkaloids after lupine challenge in cattle that had given birth to calves with lupine-induced arthrogryposis and cattle that had given birth to clinically normal calves and determine whether the difference in outcome was associated with differences in plasma disposition of anagyrine.

Animals—6 cows that had given birth to calves with arthrogryposis and 6 cows that had given birth to clinically normal calves after being similarly exposed to lupine during pregnancy.

Procedure—Dried lupine (2 g/kg) was administered via gavage. Blood samples were collected before and at various time points for 48 hours after lupine administration. Anagyrine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, and lupanine concentrations in plasma were measured by use of gas chromatography. Plasma alkaloid concentration versus time curves were generated for each alkaloid, and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined for each cow.

Results—No significant differences in area under the plasma concentration versus time curve, maximum plasma concentration, time to reach maximum plasma concentration, and mean residence time for the 3 alkaloids were found between groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Because no differences were found in plasma disposition of anagyrine following lupine challenge between cattle that had given birth to calves with arthrogryposis and those that had not, our findings do not support the hypothesis that between-cow differences in plasma disposition of anagyrine account for within-herd differences in risk for lupine-induced arthrogryposis. (Am J Vet Res 2004;65:1580–1583)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To investigate protein kinase CK2 (CK2) expression in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of cats and to examine effects of CK2 downregulation on in vitro apoptosis and viability in SCC.

SAMPLE Biopsy specimens of oral mucosa and testis and blood samples from clinically normal cats, biopsy specimens of oral SCC from cats, and feline SCC (SCCF1) and mammary gland carcinoma (K12) cell lines.

PROCEDURES Immunohistochemical labeling for CK2α was performed on biopsy specimens. Sequences of the CK2α subunit gene and CK2α’ subunit gene in feline blood and feline cancer cell lines were determined by use of PCR and reverse-transcription PCR assays followed by direct Sanger sequencing. Specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were developed for feline CK2α and CK2α'. The SCCF1 cells were treated with siRNA and assessed 72 hours later for CK2α and CK2α’ expression and markers of apoptosis (via western blot analysis) and for viability (via 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-5-[3-carboxymethoxyphenyl]-2-[4-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium assays).

RESULTS CK2α was expressed in all feline oral mucosa samples and 7 of 8 oral SCC samples. Expression of CK2α and CK2α’ was successfully downregulated in SCCF1 cells by use of siRNAs, which resulted in decreased viability and induction of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this study, CK2 appeared to be a promising therapeutic target for SCCs of cats. A possible treatment strategy for SCCs of cats would be RNA interference that targets CK2.