Search Results

Abstract

Objective—To determine effects of leukotriene (LT) C₄ on ion transport across equine tracheal epithelium.

Sample—Tracheal epithelium from cadavers of 24 horses considered free of respiratory tract disease.

Procedures—Mucosae were mounted into Ussing chambers, and short-circuit current (I_sc) was monitored over time. Effects of LTC₄ were examined for various conditions, including addition of amiloride (10μM) to the mucosal bath solution, addition of bumetanide (10μM) to the serosal bath solution, addition of barium (1mM) to the serosal bath solution, and substitution of gluconate for chloride and HEPES for bicarbonate in bath solutions. Electrolyte transport was assessed via ²²Na and ³⁶Cl isotope fluxes.

Results—Addition of LTC₄ (50nM) to the serosal bath solution caused an increase in I_sc for basal conditions and a larger increase after pretreatment with amiloride. The increase was negated in part by the addition of bumetanide to the serosal bath solution and further reduced by substitution of HEPES for bicarbonate in bath solutions. Remaining current was reduced to values less than those before treatment with LTC₄ by the addition of barium to the serosal solution. There was a small increase in I_sc after the addition of amiloride and substitution of gluconate for chloride. Radioisotope flux indicated that addition of LTC₄ to the serosal bath solution increased chloride secretion and reduced sodium absorption.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—LTC₄ stimulated chloride secretion through a predominately bumetanide-sensitive pathway, with a smaller contribution from a bicarbonate-dependent pathway. Thus, LTC₄ appears to be a potential mediator of airway hypersecretion in horses.

Abstract

Objective—To compare the effects of oral administration of omeprazole and ranitidine on gastric squamous ulceration in Thoroughbreds in race training.

Design—Modified crossover study.

Animals—60 Thoroughbreds in race training with gastric squamous mucosal ulceration.

Procedure—Horses were randomly allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 received no treatment for 28 days followed by administration of omeprazole (4 mg/kg [1.8 mg/lb], PO, once daily) for 28 days; group 2 received omeprazole (4 mg/kg, PO, once daily) for 28 days followed by no treatment for 28 days; and group 3 received ranitidine (6.6 mg/kg [3.0 mg/lb], PO, q 8 h) for 28 days followed by administration of omeprazole (4 mg/kg, PO, once daily) for 28 days. Ulceration was assessed endoscopically at days 0, 28, 42, and 56. Lesions were scored from 0 (no ulceration) to 3 (severe ulceration).

Results—After the initial 28 days of treatment, the decrease in ulcer severity was significantly greater after omeprazole treatment than after ranitidine treatment. Ulcer severity decreased significantly in group 3 horses after 14 days of treatment with omeprazole. Discontinuation of omeprazole resulted in worsening of ulcer scores; however, ulcer scores at completion of the study were less than at day 0. Horses that received omeprazole after 28 days of ranitidine treatment had a further reduction in ulcer severity.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Omeprazole was more effective than ranitidine in healing gastric squamous ulcers in Thoroughbreds in race training. Improvement was detected by 14 days and persisted in most of the group 2 horses for at least 28 days after omeprazole treatment was discontinued. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;227:1636–1639)

Abstract

Objective—To compare secretory responses to prostaglandin (PG) E₂ in mucosa obtained from the proximal and distal portions of the colon of dogs.

Sample—Colonic mucosa from cadavers of 18 clinically normal adult dogs.

Procedures—Short-circuit current (I_SC) and maximum change in I_SC (ΔI_sc) in response to administration of 1μM PGE₂ were measured across mucosa obtained from the proximal and distal portions of the colon. Responses were evaluated in mucosa (n = 6 dogs) incubated in Ussing chambers with or without 1 mM amiloride or without chloride in the Ringer's bathing solution. Responses were also evaluated in mucosa (n = 9 dogs) incubated with or without pretreatment with 1 μM indomethacin, with or without amiloride in the subsequent bathing solution. Histologic changes in mucosa from 3 dogs were assessed over time.

Results—I_SC and ΔI_SC were significantly reduced when chloride was removed from, but not when amiloride was added to, the bathing solution and were significantly reduced after pretreatment with indomethacin. The ΔI_SC was significantly greater in mucosa from the distal portion of the colon than in the proximal portion of the colon. Histologic changes after incubation for 3 hours were minimal.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—I_SC and ΔI_SC resulted from electrogenic chloride secretion. Chloride secretion was reduced when release of PGs was prevented by indomethacin and was induced by administration of PGE₂. Chloride secretion in response to PGE₂ was greater in mucosa from the distal portion of the colon than in mucosa from the proximal portion of the colon.

Abstract

Objective—To identify factors associated with short-term survival in bacteremic neonatal foals, evaluate the racing performance of Thoroughbred survivors, and evaluate changes in causative organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibility.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—423 bacteremic foals.

Procedures—Medical records of foals that were hospitalized in 1982 through 2007 were reviewed, and those with bacteremia were included in the study. Data retrieved included signalment, physical examination and clinicopathologic findings at admission, localized infections, concurrent illnesses, duration of hospitalization, and outcome (survival to discharge from the hospital vs nonsurvival). The number, identity, and antimicrobial susceptibility of organisms isolated from blood samples were also obtained. Racing records for surviving Thoroughbred foals and maternal siblings were examined.

Results—Of 423 bacteremic foals, 254 survived. Odds of survival were negatively associated with age at admission, septic arthritis, band neutrophil count, and serum creatinine concentration and positively associated with year of admission, diarrhea, rectal temperature, neutrophil count, and arterial blood pH. Overall, microbial culture of blood samples yielded 554 isolates; Escherichia coli was consistently isolated most frequently. Percentage of isolates susceptible to enrofloxacin, but no other antimicrobial, decreased over time. Surviving Thoroughbred foals did not differ from siblings with regard to percentage of starters, percentage of winners, or number of starts; however, surviving foals had significantly fewer wins and total earnings.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—During the study period, microbial resistance to antimicrobials commonly used to treat bacteremic foals did not develop. Surviving bacteremic Thoroughbred foals were as likely to start races as their siblings but earned less money.

Abstract

Objective—To determine the effect of pH with or without pepsin or taurocholic acid on the bioelectric properties of gastric squamous mucosa in horses.

Sample Population—Gastric tissues obtained from 16 adult horses that did not have evidence of gastric disease.

Procedure—Bioelectric properties of squamous mucosa were determined, using modified Ussing chambers. Tissues then were exposed to mucosal pepsin (1 mg/ml) or taurocholic acid (2.5 mM) under neutral (pH 7.4) or acidic (pH 1.7) conditions.

Results—Exposure of mucosal sheets to an acidic pH resulted in an immediate and sustained decrease in transmembrane potential difference and calculated tissue resistance. Pepsin or taurocholic acid did not significantly affect bioelectric variables when added to a mucosal bath solution of pH 7.4. A synergistic effect between pepsin or taurocholic acid and mucosal acidification was not detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Mucosal acidification with or without pepsin or taurocholic acid resulted in reduced tissue resistance. These data support the contention that squamous erosions or ulcers in horses are mediated, in part, by prolonged exposure of gastric squamous mucosa to luminal acid. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:744–749).

Abstract

Objective—To characterize intragastric pH profiles in critically ill foals and determine whether administration of ranitidine altered pH profiles.

Design—Prospective observational study.

Animals—23 hospitalized neonatal foals ≤ 4 days of age.

Procedure—Intragastric pH was measured continuously for up to 24 hours by use of an indwelling electrode and continuous data recording system. In 21 foals, ranitidine was administered IV.

Results—10 foals had predominantly or exclusively alkaline profiles, 10 had profiles typical of those reported for healthy foals, with periods of acidity (hourly mean pH < 5.0 at least once), and 3 had atypical profiles with periods of acidity. All 10 foals that had intragastric pH profiles typical of healthy foals survived, whereas only 2 foals with alkaline profiles survived, and none of the foals with atypical profiles survived. The effects of ranitidine administration could not be assessed in 13 foals because of a high baseline intragastric pH. In 7 of the remaining 9, ranitidine administration resulted in an alkalinizing response, but this response was often of blunted duration. Ranitidine administration did not appear to alter the intragastric pH profile in the remaining 2 foals.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that hospitalized critically ill foals often have intragastric pH profiles different from those reported for healthy foals and may respond differently to ranitidine administration than do healthy foals. Many critically ill foals have continuously alkaline intragastric pH profiles, questioning the need for prophylactic administration of ranitidine in all critically ill foals. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:907–911)

Abstract

Objective—To determine factors associated with development of postoperative ileus (POI) in horses undergoing surgery for colic.

Design—Prospective case-control study.

Animals—251 horses undergoing colic surgery, of which 47 developed POI.

Procedure—Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, pre- and postoperative treatments, lesions, complications, costs, and outcome were recorded for all horses during hospitalization.

Results—Variables associated with increased odds of POI included small intestinal lesion, high PCV, and increased duration of anesthesia. There was modest evidence that pelvic flexure enterotomy and intraoperative administration of lidocaine may have reduced the odds of developing POI.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings during the preoperative and intraoperative periods can be used to identify horses at increased risk of POI. Reducing surgical and anesthetic duration should decrease the incidence of POI. ( J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004;225: 1070–1078)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of acepromazine maleate premedication on cardiovascular function before and after infusion of dobutamine hydrochloride for 30 minutes in isoflurane-anesthetized horses.

ANIMALS 6 healthy adult horses.

PROCEDURES Each horse was anesthetized once following premedication with acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg, IV) administered 30 minutes prior to anesthetic induction (ACP+ treatment) and once without premedication (ACP– treatment). Anesthesia was induced with IV administration of xylazine hydrochloride (0.8 mg/kg), ketamine hydrochloride (2.2 mg/kg), and diazepam (0.08 mg/kg). Horses were positioned in right lateral recumbency, and anesthesia was maintained via inhalation of isoflurane delivered in oxygen. End-tidal isoflurane concentration was adjusted to achieve a target mean arterial blood pressure of 60 mm Hg (interquartile range [25th to 75th percentile], 57 to 63 mm Hg) for at least 15 minutes. Cardiac index, oxygen delivery index, and femoral arterial blood flow indices were determined 60 minutes after anesthetic induction (baseline). Dobutamine was then infused to achieve a target mean arterial blood pressure of 80 mm Hg (interquartile range, 76 to 80 mm Hg). Data collection was repeated 30 minutes after the start of dobutamine infusion for comparison with baseline values.

RESULTS Complete data sets were available from 5 of the 6 horses. Dobutamine administration resulted in significant increases in oxygen delivery and femoral arterial blood flow indices but no significant change in cardiac index for each treatment. However, at baseline or 30 minutes after the start of dobutamine infusion, findings for the ACP+ and ACP– treatments did not differ.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In isoflurane-anesthetized horses, dobutamine administration increased oxygen delivery and femoral arterial blood flow indices, but these changes were unaffected by premedication with acepromazine.

Abstract

Objective—To evaluate the reliability of a method for inducing colic via small intestinal distention in horses and to examine the analgesic potential of bilateral electroacupuncture (EAP) at the Guan-yuan-shu (similar to BL-21) acupoint.

Animals—5 healthy adult horses, each with a gastric cannula.

Procedure—A polyester balloon connected to an electronic barostat was introduced into the duodenum via the gastric cannula. At 2 specified intervals (before and after commencement of EAP), the balloon was inflated to a barostat-controlled pressure that induced signs of moderate colic. Each inflation was maintained for 10 minutes. Heart and respiratory rates were continuously recorded. Frequency of various clinical signs of colic was recorded by 2 trained observers during various combinations of balloon inflation and EAP. Each horse received each of 5 treatment protocols (EAP at 20 Hz, sham EAP at 20 Hz, EAP at 80 : 120 Hz dense:disperse, sham EAP at 80 : 120 Hz dense:disperse, no treatment). Sham EAP was at a point located 2 cm lateral to the Guan-yuan-shu acupoint.

Results—Duodenal distention consistently induced a significant increase in frequency of signs of colic. None of the EAP protocols caused a significant reduction in frequency of these clinical signs during distention.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The method described is reproducible and highly controllable method for inducing colic that involved duodenal distention that should be useful in evaluating the efficacy of various analgesic strategies. Bilateral EAP at the Guan-yuan-shu acupoint was ineffective in reducing signs of discomfort induced by this method. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1006–1011)

Abstract

Objective—To determine prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in cyathostome nematodes of horses in the southern United States.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—786 horses on 44 farms and stables in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, and Louisiana.

Procedure—Fecal egg count (FEC) reduction tests were performed on 44 large farms and stables. Horses on each farm were treated with an oral paste formulation of fenbendazole, oxibendazole, pyrantel pamoate, or ivermectin at recommended label dosages. A mixed linear model was fitted to the percentage reduction in FEC, accounting for differences among farms, states, ages, treatments, and treatment by state interactions.

Results—By use of a conservative measure of resistance (< 80% reduction), the percentage of farms with anthelmintic-resistant cyathostomes was 97.7%, 0%, 53.5%, and 40.5% for fenbendazole, ivermectin, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate, respectively. Mean percentage reductions in FEC for all farms were 24.8%, 99.9%, 73.8%, and 78.6% for fenbendazole, ivermectin, oxibendazole, and pyrantel pamoate, respectively. Pairwise contrasts between states for each treatment revealed that in almost all instances, there were no significant differences in results between states.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The prevalence of resistance found in this study was higher than that reported previously, suggesting that anthelmintic resistance in equine cyathostomes is becoming a major problem. Furthermore, data from these 5 southern states, which are geographically and physiographically distinct, were remarkably similar. This suggests that drug resistance in cyathostomes is highly prevalent throughout the entire southern United States and probably nationwide. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2004;225:903–910)