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  • Author or Editor: Martin O. Furr x
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Summary

To determine the effects of age on each analyte, csf variables were evaluated in healthy foals from birth through 42 days of age. Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 14 clinically normal, naturally delivered cross-bred foals and was analyzed for glucose, sodium, potassium, magnesium, and total protein concentrations, total and differential wbc counts, rbc count, and lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, and creatine kinase activities. Samples were collected in 3 foals < 48 hours old, and at 11 to 14 days of age in 4 foals, 21 to 22 days of age in 3 foals, and 31 to 42 days of age in 4 foals. Each foal was tested only once, to avoid any effects of csf sample collection on subsequent analysis. Regression analysis confirmed age-related effects on csf glucose, protein, and magnesium concentrations, but did not indicate an effect of age on csf sodium and potassium concentrations or cell counts. Results indicate that csf glucose concentration decreases with age; foals < 2 days old had the highest csf glucose values, 98.8 ± 12.0 mg/dl (mean ± 1 sd). In foals 10 to 14 days old, csf glucose concentration was 67.3 ± 12.0 mg/dl, was 65.3 ± 4.5 mg/dl in foals 21 to 22 days old, was 70.0 ± 5.4 mg/dl in foals 31 to 42 days old, and was 51.1 ± 2.5 mg/dl in adults. Protein values in csf also decreased with age: 109.0 ± 9.7 mg/dl in foals <2 days old, 81.0 ± 22.8 mg/dl in foals 10 to 14 days old, 60.5 ± 22.4 mg/dl in foals 21 to 22 days old, and 58.5 ± 17.0 mg/dl in foals 31 to 42 days old. The csf protein concentration was 60.3 ± 10.8 mg/dl in adult horses. Magnesium concentration in csf increased slightly with age, then decreased after 22 days of life. In foals < 2 days old, the value was 2.43 ± 0.16 mg/dl. Values in older foals and horses were: 2.51 ± 0.08 mg/dl in foals 10 to 14 days old, 2.65 ± 0.05 mg/dl in 21- to 22-day-old foals, 2.55 ± 0.05 mg/dl in 31- to 42-day-old foals, and 2.35 ± 0.09 mg/dl in adult horses.

Mean csf sodium and potassium concentrations were 151.7 ± 3.7 mmol/L and 3.14 ± 0.54 mmol/L, respectively, for all ages. There was no effect of age on these analytes. Values for csf enzymes were considered invalid for the assay technique used and were not further analyzed.

Free access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine effects on anal pressure of horses after local injection of the external anal sphincter with Clostridium botulinum toxin type B.

Animals—11 healthy adult horses.

Procedure—Peak and resting anal sphincter pressures were measured with a custom-made rectal probe that was connected to a pressure transducer. Pressures were measured before treatment and after injection with botulinum toxin type B (BTB) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Dose titration with 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,500 U of BTB was completed. Physical changes, behavior, and anal pressure were recorded for each horse.

Results—Injection of 1,000 U of BTB caused a significant reduction in peak anal pressure from days 2 to 84, compared with pressure in control horses. Maximal effect of the toxin was observed within the first 15 days after injection, followed by a slow return to baseline during the 168-day period. Injection of 2,500 U of BTB in the anal sphincter in 1 horse resulted in lethargy, generalized weakness, and dysphagia for 14 days. Adverse clinical effects were not observed in horses after injections with 500, 1,000, or 1,500 U of BTB.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The effect of focal intramuscular injection of BTB in horses is similar to that reported for other species. However, horses appear to be more sensitive to BTB, compared with other species, and clinical signs of botulism may develop at doses exceeding 1,500 U. Injections of BTB in the external anal sphincter of mares may be useful to reduce incisional dehiscence after repair of perineal lacerations. ( Am J Vet Res 2004;65:26–30)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To quantify peripheral blood neutrophil apoptosis in equine patients with acute abdominal disease (ie, colic) caused by strangulating or nonstrangulating intestinal lesions and compare these values with values for horses undergoing elective arthroscopic surgery.

Animals—20 client-owned adult horses.

Procedures—Peripheral blood was collected from horses immediately prior to and 24 hours after surgery for treatment of colic (n = 10) or elective arthroscopic surgery (10), and neutrophils were counted. Following isolation by means of a bilayer colloidal silica particle gradient and culture for 24 hours, the proportion of neutrophils in apoptosis was detected by flow cytometric evaluation of cells stained with annexin V and 7-aminoactinomycin D. Values were compared between the colic and arthroscopy groups; among horses with colic, values were further compared between horses with and without strangulating intestinal lesions.

Results—Percentage recovery of neutrophils was significantly smaller in preoperative samples (median, 32.5%) and in all samples combined (35.5%) for the colic group, compared with the arthroscopy group (median, 66.5% and 58.0%, respectively). No significant differences in the percentages of apoptotic neutrophils were detected between these groups. Among horses with colic, those with strangulating intestinal lesions had a significantly lower proportion of circulating apoptotic neutrophils in postoperative samples (median, 18.0%) than did those with nonstrangulating lesions (66.3%).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The smaller proportion of apoptotic neutrophils in horses with intestinal strangulation suggested that the inflammatory response could be greater or prolonged, compared with that of horses with nonstrangulating intestinal lesions. Further investigations are needed to better understand the relationship between neutrophil apoptosis and inflammation during intestinal injury.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Summary

The csf creatine kinase (ck) activity was determined in 70 csf samples from 69 horses with cns disease. Abnormal values (≥ 1 IU/L) were determined from 32 csf samples, and normal values (<1 IU/L) were found in 38 samples. Increased ck activity was most frequently associated with a diagnosis of equine protozoal myelitis; ck activity was not increased in 11 horses with cervical compressive myelopathy. Other diagnoses, in which csf ck activity was increased included trauma (n = 1), idiopathic epilepsy (n = 2), botulism (n = 2), articular facet fracture (n = 1), intervertebral disk protrusion (n = 1), and toxemia (n = 1).

Free access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that individuals in clinical residency training programs consider when making a choice for or against a career in academic clinical medicine.

SAMPLE

207 veterinarians in clinical residency programs.

PROCEDURES

An online survey was distributed to 1,053 veterinarians participating in clinical residency training programs overseen by organizations recognized by the AVMA American Board of Veterinary Specialties. Results were compiled and decision factors were analyzed by means of principal component analysis to identify latent factors from the set of survey items. These factors were then used to construct a decision tree to predict respondents’ choice of whether to enter academic medicine or private clinical practice.

RESULTS

207 (20%) responses were analyzed. Ninety-three of 194 (48%) respondents reported a desire to pursue a career in academic medicine, and 101 (52%) reported a desire to pursue a career in private clinical practice. Principal component analysis identified 14 items clustered on research, clinical teaching, classroom teaching, and clinical practice. A decision tree was constructed that resulted in an overall accuracy of 82% in predicting a resident's career choice of academic medicine versus private clinical practice. The construct of professional benefits had a negative effect on desiring a career in academic medicine, whereas the construct of professional priorities and having had a positive residency training experience had a positive effect on desiring a career in academic medicine.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Understanding factors that attract and encourage residents who might have an aptitude and interest in academic medicine holds important implications for addressing the shortage of veterinarians entering academic medicine.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To compare clinical, clinical pathology, and outcome variables between geriatric and nongeriatric horses.

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—690 horses (345 horses ≥ 20 years old and 345 horses > 1 and < 20 years old) examined at a referral hospital.

Procedures—Medical records were examined, and data collected included horse description, diagnosis, outcome, and CBC and serum biochemical analysis results. Cases were horses ≥ 20 years old, and controls were horses > 1 and < 20 years old.

Results—Mean ± SD age was 23.9 ± 4.6 years for cases and 9.2 ± 3.6 years for controls. Arabian and pony breeds were significantly overrepresented in the geriatric group, compared with the control group. Diagnoses related to the digestive system, musculoskeletal system, and respiratory system were most common in this hospital population overall (cases and controls). Colic was the most common health problem overall. Digestive system disorders were significantly more prevalent among cases. Short-term survival rates for most categories of colic were no different for cases than for controls, with the exception of the category idiopathic colic. Considering all conditions, cases were significantly more likely to be nonsurvivors than were controls. Minor differences in serum biochemical results were found in some disease subcategories. Geriatric horses with colic were not more commonly euthanized than were adult nongeriatric horses.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that in this population of horses in a referral hospital, age was associated with the prevalence of specific disease conditions. Few differences between cases and controls were found in serum biochemical values.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Author:

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To identify factors that may have influenced veterinarians’ decisions to not pursue careers in clinical academic veterinary medicine.

SAMPLE

363 board-certified veterinarians.

PROCEDURES

An online survey, open from July 7 to July 21, 2015, was used to gather data from board-certified veterinarians who were members of ≥ 1 of the 22 specialty organizations recognized by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties of the AVMA. Responses from those who reported never to have held an academic appointment were included in the study. Results were compiled and analyzed by gender and clinical discipline.

RESULTS

Approximately 10,000 board-certified veterinarians were solicited to participate in the survey, and 1,314 (13.1%) responded. Among those, 363 (27.6%) reported never having held an academic position. Females more commonly reported no interest in teaching (44/185 [23.8%]) and disagreement with the statement that compensation in academic medicine was too low (39/164 [23.8%]), compared with responses by males (24/158 [15.2%] and 22/148 [14.9%], respectively). The strongest magnitude of interrater agreement was for the paired survey statements regarding too much bureaucracy and excessive expectation for committee and administrative work (weighted κ, 0.569).

CONCLUSIONS

Many factors contribute to veterinarians’ decisions about whether to pursue careers in academic medicine, and results indicated that some factors may vary depending on gender or clinical discipline. Recognition of these factors may help guide academic leaders in devising strategies and programs to enhance veterinarians’ interest in clinical academic medicine careers.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To identify factors associated with outcome (ie, survival and return to function) following treatment of horses with septic tenosynovitis.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—51 horses with septic tenosynovitis.

Procedures—Information was obtained from medical records and through follow-up conversations with owners. Factors analyzed for an association with outcome included affected limb, etiology, duration of clinical signs prior to examination, presence of complications, primary treatment, secondary treatments, number of surgical procedures, and hospitalization time.

Results—Concurrent complications were identified in 41 (80%) horses. The primary treatment consisted of through-and-through lavage in 26 (51%) horses, tenoscopy in 20 (39%), and tenosynoviotomy combined with lavage in 5 (10%). Forty (78%) horses were discharged, and 37 (73%) survived at least 1 year after surgery; 21 of the 37 (57%) returned to their previous or a higher level of performance. Percentages of horses that survived 1 year after discharge and percentages that returned to their intended use did not vary significantly among treatments. Horses with tendon rupture or sepsis of an adjacent joint were significantly less likely to survive. Horses with tendon injury or pannus were significantly less likely to return to their intended use.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that various factors were associated with outcome in horses with septic tenosynovitis. However, surgical technique was not found to be associated with survival rate or rate of return to intended use.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association