Search Results

You are looking at 1 - 9 of 9 items for

  • Author or Editor: Alexa M. Bersenas x
  • Refine by Access: All Content x
Clear All Modify Search

Abstract

Objective—To identify the normal gastric acid secretion profile in dogs and determine the degree of gastric acid suppression associated with 4 gastric acid suppressants.

Animals—12 healthy Beagles.

Procedure—Intragastric pH was measured continuously for 24-hour periods with a digital recording system placed via a gastrostomy tube. Baseline measurements were obtained when food was withheld and when dogs were fed a standard diet. Dogs were then treated with ranitidine (2 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h), famotidine (0.5 mg/kg, IV, q 12 h), pantoprazole (1 mg/kg, IV, q 24 h), omeprazole (1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h), or saline solution for 7 days; intragastric pH was recorded on days 0, 2, and 6. Subsequently, the effects of administering famotidine (0.5 mg/kg, IV, q 8 h; 6 dogs) and omeprazole as a suspension (1 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h; 6 dogs) were evaluated. Median 24-hour intragastric pH, percentage of time pH was ≥ 3, and percentage of time pH was ≥ 4 were determined.

Results—Median pH, percentage of time pH was ≥ 3, and percentage of time pH was ≥ 4 were all significantly higher when food was withheld than when dogs were fed. Famotidine, pantoprazole, and omeprazole significantly suppressed gastric acid secretion, compared with saline solution, as determined on the basis of median 24-hour pH and percentages of time pH was ≥ 3 or ≥ 4. However, ranitidine did not. Omeprazole suspension suppressed gastric acid secretion.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that in healthy dogs, famotidine, pantoprazole, and omeprazole significantly suppress gastric acid secretion. Twice daily administration of a suspension of omeprazole, was the only regimen tested that approached the potential therapeutic efficacy for acidrelated disease when assessed by criteria used for human patients. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:425–431)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To describe changes in circulating hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration, a biomarker of endothelial glycocalyx degradation, after administration of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) in critically ill dogs.

ANIMALS

12 client-owned dogs receiving an FFP transfusion due to underlying disease.

METHODS

Plasma samples were collected for HA concentration measurement pre-FFP transfusion (T0) and 10 minutes (T10) and 90 minutes (T90) following completion of FFP transfusion of a minimum volume of 7 mL/kg. Hyaluronic acid was also measured in the transfused FFP units following in-house validation of a commercial HA assay on citrate phosphate dextrose–anticoagulated plasma. Potential associations of the difference between pre-FFP and post-FFP HA plasma concentrations with the volume of FFP transfused, the cumulative volume of IV fluids administered during the study period, and the HA concentration in the transfused unit were explored.

RESULTS

Concentrations of HA were not significantly different between pre- and post-FFP transfusion measurements. The volume of FFP transfused, the cumulative volume of other IV fluids administered during the study time, and the concentration of HA in the FFP units had no significant effect on the change in HA concentration following FFP transfusion in this study.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This pilot study did not demonstrate an association between FFP administration and changes in plasma HA concentration. The results of this study may serve to help design future research. A commercial assay was validated to measure HA in citrate phosphate dextrose–anticoagulated plasma.

Open access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine the effectiveness and safety of 2 sedative-analgesic protocols to facilitate assisted ventilation in healthy dogs.

Animals—12 healthy dogs.

Procedures—Dogs were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Mean dosages for protocol 1 were diazepam (0.5 mg/kg/h [n = 3 dogs]) or midazolam (0.5 mg/kg/h [3]), morphine (0.6 mg/kg/h [6]), and medetomidine (1.0 μg/kg/h [6]). Mean dosages for protocol 2 were diazepam (0.5 mg/kg/h [n = 3]) or midazolam (0.5 mg/kg/h [3]), fentanyl (18 μg/kg/h [6]), and propofol (2.5 mg/kg/h [6]). Each dog received the drugs for 24 consecutive hours. All dogs were mechanically ventilated with adjustments in minute volume to maintain normocapnia and normoxemia. Cardiorespiratory variables were recorded. A numeric comfort score was assigned hourly to assess efficacy. Mouth care, position change, and physiotherapy were performed every 6 hours. Urine output was measured every 4 hours.

Results—Use of both protocols maintained dogs within optimal comfort ranges > 85% of the time. The first dog in each group was excluded from the study. Significant decreases in heart rate, oxygen consumption, and oxygen extraction ratio were evident for protocol 1. Cardiac index values in ventilated dogs were lower than values reported for healthy unsedated dogs. Oxygen delivery, lactate concentration, and arterial base excess remained within reference ranges for both protocols.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Use of both protocols was effective for facilitating mechanical ventilation. A reduction in cardiac index was detected for both protocols as a result of bradycardia. However, oxygen delivery and global tissue perfusion were not negatively affected.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To describe the effects of prednisone and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on results of thromboelastography in healthy dogs.

Animals—16 male mixed-breed dogs.

Procedures—Dogs were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (4 dogs/group) that received prednisone (median dose, 2.07 mg/kg), ASA (median dose, 0.51 mg/kg), or both drugs, PO, every 24 hours from days 0 through 6. Another group received no treatment (control dogs; n = 4). Thromboelastography variables (reaction time, clotting time, α-angle, maximum amplitude [MA], global clot strength, coagulation index, and percentage of clot lysis at 60 minutes [CL60]) were evaluated in blood samples collected (prior to drug administration in treated dogs) on days 0 (baseline), 2, 4, and 6.

Results—Administration of ASA alone did not alter TEG variables. For treatment effect, mean global clot strength was increased in the prednisone and drug combination groups, compared with values for control dogs; MA was also increased in the prednisone and drug combination groups, compared with that of controls. For treatment-by-time effect, median CL60 was increased in the prednisone group on day 6, compared with baseline value in the same dogs and with median CL60 of the control group on day 6. Median CL60 was also increased in the drug combination group on day 6, compared with the baseline value and with that of the control group on day 6.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Prednisone administered at approximately 2 mg/kg/d, PO, for 7 days with or without concurrently administered ASA increased clot strength and decreased clot lysis in healthy dogs.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To compare electroencephalography (EEG) artifact associated with use of the subdermal wire electrode (SWE), gold cup electrode (GCE), and subdermal needle electrode (SNE) over an 8-hour period in sedated and awake dogs.

Animals—6 healthy dogs.

Procedures—8 EEG channels were recorded during 20-minute video-EEG recording sessions (intermittently at 0.5, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours) with and without chlorpromazine sedation. Nonphysiologic artifacts were identified. Duration of artifact was summed for each channel. Number of unaffected channels (NUC) was determined.

Results—NUC was significantly affected by electrode type and sedation over time; median for SWE (2.80 channels; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84 to 5.70 channels) was significantly different from medians for GCE (7.87 channels; 95% CI, 7.44 to 7.94 channels) and SNE (7.60 channels; 95% CI, 6.61 to 7.89 channels). After 4 hours, NUC decreased in awake dogs, regardless of electrode type. In awake dogs, duration of artifact differed significantly between SWE and GCE or SNE; medians at 8 hours were 61.55 seconds (95% CI, 21.81 to 173.65 seconds), 1.33 seconds (95% CI, 0.47 to 3.75 seconds), and 21.01 seconds (95% CI, 6.85 to 64.42 seconds), respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The SWE had a significant duration of artifact during recording periods > 2 hours, compared with results for the GCE and SNE, in awake dogs. The GCE, SNE, and sedation resulted in significantly more channels unaffected by artifact. For longer recordings, caution should be exercised in selecting EEG electrodes and sedation state, although differences among electrodes may not be clinically relevant.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To describe daily changes in serum concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA), a biomarker of endothelial glycocalyx degradation, in dogs with septic peritonitis and to determine whether relationships exist among serum concentrations of HA and biomarkers of inflammation and patient fluid status.

ANIMALS

8 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURES

Serum samples that had been collected for a previous study and stored at −80°C were used. Blood samples were collected at admission and daily thereafter during hospitalization and were analyzed for concentrations of HA and interleukins 6, 8, and 10. Patient data including acute patient physiologic and laboratory evaluation score, type and amount of fluids administered daily, and daily CBC and lactate concentration results were recorded. To determine the significant predictors of HA concentration, a general linear mixed model for repeated measures was developed.

RESULTS

All dogs survived to discharge. Concentrations of HA ranged from 18 to 1,050 ng/mL (interquartile [25th to 75th percentile] range, 49 to 119 ng/mL) throughout hospitalization. Interleukin-6 concentration was a significant predictor of HA concentration as was total administered daily fluid volume when accounting for interleukin-6 concentration. When fluid volume was analyzed independent of inflammatory status, fluid volume was not a significant predictor. Concentrations of HA did not significantly change over time but tended to increase on day 2 or 3 of hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results supported the theory that inflammation is associated with endothelial glycocalyx degradation. Dogs recovering from septic peritonitis may become more susceptible to further endothelial glycocalyx damage as increasing fluid volumes are administered.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Case Description—Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated from the tracheostomy tube of an 18-month-old castrated male Golden Retriever in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Ontario Veterinary College. This prompted an investigation of MRSA colonization in other animals in the ICU.

Clinical Findings—On day 1 of the investigation, MRSA was isolated from nasal swabs obtained from 2 of 10 animals (2/7 dogs and 0/3 cats), including the index case. Subsequently, MRSA was isolated from 3 of 12 animals on day 9; 3 of 9 animals on day 13; and none of 14, 5, and 6 animals on day 20, 27, and 78, respectively. Overall, MRSA was isolated from 6 of 26 (23%) animals during the outbreak period (4/22 dogs and 2/4 cats). The apparent incidence of MRSA acquisition in the ICU from days 1 through 13 was 20% (5/25 animals). No clinical signs of MRSA infections developed. All isolates were indistinguishable from one another.

Treatment and Outcome—Infection-control measures including active surveillance of all animals in the ICU, barrier precautions, and hand hygiene were used to control the apparent outbreak.

Clinical Relevance—Methicillin-resistant S aureus is an emerging problem in veterinary medicine. Intensive care units may be at particular risk for periodic outbreaks of colonization and disease. The outbreak of this report highlights the potential for clinically inapparent transmission of MRSA within a facility; infection-control measures that might facilitate MRSA eradication should be considered in ICU settings.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To evaluate peripheral blood and abdominal fluid variables as predictors of intestinal surgical site failure in dogs with septic peritonitis following celiotomy and closed-suction abdominal drain (CSAD) placement.

DESIGN Prospective study.

ANIMALS 26 dogs with septic peritonitis that underwent celiotomy and CSAD placement.

PROCEDURES Abdominal fluid and blood samples were collected prior to surgery and daily thereafter until CSAD removal. Abdominal fluid was collected through the CSAD. Analysis of all samples included pH, PCO2, PO2, PCV, WBC count, and total solids, glucose, lactate, and electrolyte concentrations. Abdominal fluid samples also underwent cytologic evaluation and bacterial culture, and the volume of fluid removed through the drain was recorded daily. The blood-to-fluid glucose and lactate differences, fluid-to-blood lactate ratio and blood-to-fluid WBC and neutrophil ratios were determined daily. Dogs were categorized into 2 groups on the basis of whether they had an uneventful recovery (UR) or developed postoperative septic peritonitis (POSP).

RESULTS 23 dogs had a UR and 3 developed POSP. On the third day after surgery, the abdominal fluid WBC count was significantly lower and the blood-to-fluid WBC and neutrophil ratios were significantly higher for dogs in the POSP group, compared with those for dogs in the UR group. None of the other blood and abdominal fluid variables assessed differed significantly between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results failed to identify any objective predictive indicators for POSP in dogs with CSADs. Use of blood-to-fluid WBC and neutrophil ratios as predictive indicators for POSP requires further investigation.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association