Examining alternatives to the harmful use of animals in biomedical education

Although few controlled studies have been published comparing learning outcomes of traditional methods that require the terminal use of animals with outcomes obtained with alternative teaching methods, results of those that have been published support more widespread adoption of alternative teaching methods in biomedical education.

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Use of epidural bupivacaine-opioid combinations in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

In humans, combining a local anesthetic with an opioid for epidural administration has synergistic effects. To evaluate the effects of similar combinations in dogs, 30 healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy were anesthetized with propofol and given bupivacaine, alone or in combination with fentanyl or sufentanil, epidurally. Cardiovascular, systemic, and analgesic effects were monitored. All 3 anesthetic techniques provided sufficient analgesia with acceptable neuroendocrine modulation of pain and minimal adverse effects.

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Response of feral cats to vaccination at the time of neutering

Many trap-neuter-return programs do not vaccinate feral cats at the time of neutering because of concerns that the stress associated with capture, transport, anesthesia, and surgery would make administration of a single dose of vaccine ineffective. In contrast, a study of 61 feral cats given vaccines against feline panleukopenia virus, herpesvirus, calicivirus, and rabies virus at the time of neutering found that most cats had an excellent immune response (determined as serum antiviral antibody titers approx 10 weeks later). Following vaccination, proportions of cats with protective serum antibody titers against panleukopenia virus, herpesvirus, calicivirus, and rabies virus were 90%, 56%, 93%, and 98%, respectively.

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Computed tomography in a cat with open-mouth jaw locking

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Long-term positive-pressure ventilation in dogs and cats

Although it has been well established that animals can be maintained on PPV for short periods, there is limited information regarding long-term use of PPV in dogs and cats. A review of the medical records of 124 dogs and 24 cats that received PPV for ≥ 24 hours revealed that animals that underwent PPV because of inadequate ventilation were more likely to have a positive outcome than were animals that underwent PPV because of inadequate oxygenation or because of inadequate oxygenation and ventilation. Cats were less likely to be successfully weaned from PPV than were dogs, but duration of PPV was not associated with outcome.

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Factors associated with outcome in dogs with tetanus

Dogs are more resistant to tetanus than are humans, and the clinical course, complications, and mortality rate in dogs with tetanus have not been described. A review of the medical records of 38 dogs with tetanus revealed that younger dogs had a more severe clinical course and that dogs that progressed to recumbency or developed abnormal (ie, excessively high or low) heart rates or blood pressures were significantly less likely to survive. Early initiation of wound management, antimicrobial administration, and antitoxin administration were not significantly associated with progression of signs or 28-day survival rate. The overall 28-day survival rate was 77% (among 35 uncensored dogs).

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Molecular identification of Phialophora oxyspora as the cause of mycetoma in a horse

In horses with mycetomata, identification of the causative fungal agent can be critical for selection of optimal treatment. Molecular methods may permit definitive identification when results of standard phenotypic-based identification methods are inconclusive.

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Effect of prophylactic midlactation hoof care on incidence of late-lactation lameness in dairy cows

Lameness is one of the most important causes of premature culling of dairy cows in the United States. Hoof health examinations and hoof trimming are commonly performed at the end of lactation to reduce the incidence of lameness during the subsequent lactation period. A field trial involving 333 cows randomly assigned to undergo hoof care procedures during mid-lactation (treatment) or that were not examined (control) found that the incidence of lameness during late lactation was 24% for control cows and 18% for cows in the treatment group. However, these percentages were not significantly different.

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Eimeria macusaniensis infection in 15 llamas and 34 alpacas

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Serum biochemical abnormalities in goats with uroliths

Laboratory abnormalities commonly seen in most nonruminant species with obstructive urolithiasis include azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis. Cattle have similar abnormalities, except that potassium and phosphorus concentrations may be normal or high, and metabolic alkalosis may be seen. A review of laboratory abnormalities in 107 male goats with urolithiasis and 94 male goats with various nonrenal diseases revealed that goats with urolithiasis were more likely to have azotemia, hypophosphatemia, hypochloridemia, and high total CO₂ concentration. Prevalences of hyponatremia and hyperkalemia were higher in goats with rupture of the urinary tract.

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