British Veterinary Journal最新文献

Perforated teat wounds in eight lactating Holstein-Friesian cows wereclosed by four suture patterns with or without low level laser therapy (LLLT). Wound healing was evaluated by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), tensiometry and hydroxyproline analysis, and compared with histopathological examination. The three-layer pattern provided the best healing of the entire teat. Mucosal hyperplasia was observed in Gambee and continuous two-layer pattern while eversion of the skin, presence of suture tracts and a greater amount of granulation tissue were observed with the continuous and interrupted two-layer patterns. The epidermis in LLLT groups more closely resembled the normal epidermis, and collagen fibres were denser, thicker and better arranged in LLLT than in non-LLLT groups. LDF, tensiometry and hydroxyproline analysis correlated well with histopathological examination. The results suggest that LDF, a more rapid, less invasive and painless procedure, can replace tensile strength measurement or hydroxyproline analysis to assess the progress of teat wound healing.

Medetomidine is a relatively new sedative analgesic in dogs and cats but some precautions are required when using it. It is a potent α₂-adrenoceptor agonist and stimulates receptors centrally to produce dose-dependent sedation and analgesia and receptors centrally and peripherally to cause marked bradycardia and decrease the cardiac output. While hypotension occurs frequently, higher doses of the sedative can raise the blood pressure due to an affect on peripheral receptors. Slowing of the respiratory rate is a frequent effect of medetomidine with some dogs showing signs of cyanosis. Other actions that follow medetomidine use are slowing of gastrointestinal motility, hypothermia, changes to endocrine function and, occasionally, vomiting and muscle twitching. The clinical use of medetomidine in dogs and cats is discussed. Recommended dose rates are presented along with precautions that should be taken when it is used alone for sedation, as an anaesthetic premedicant or in combination with ketamine, propofol or opioids. Hypoxaemia occurs frequently in dogs given medetomidine and propofol. The actions of medetomidine can be rapidly reversed with the specific α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist, atipamezole, which is an advantage because undesirable and sedative actions of medetomidine can be terminated.

A controlled study was carried out to investigate the physiological effectsof road transport on sheep. Animals (n=10; body weight 38.9±1.3 kg), previously with catheters in their jugular veins, were rounded up and loaded onto a vehicle where they were held in a communal pen with eight other lambs. Blood samples were taken at 30 min intervals during the next 15 h while the vehicle remained stationary or was driven a distance of 548 miles (876 km). Measurements were made of plasma concentrations of cortisol, prolactin, creative phosphokinase and lactase dehydrogenase isozymes and also of plasma osmolality, haematocrit and body weight; heart rate was also recorded in one animal. Loading and the start of driving produced large increases in cortisol and prolactin concentrations. Heart rate also increased whereas osmolality and haematocrit decreased. The major changes in hormone release occurred in the first 3 h period while, during the remaining 12 h, the stimulatory effect of transport was present but small. Body weight loss was similar under both stationary and driven conditions.