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.

The incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the UnitedKingdom is now declining at a significant rate, indicating that the 1988 ban on feeding ruminant-derived meat and bone meal to cattle is having the anticipated effect. The question now is whether or not BSE can be completely eradicated. At present there is no evidence of lateral or maternal transmission, the occurrence of which would complicate the eradication process. Eradication therefore seems to be achievable, especially now that meat and bone meal has been recently banned from the diets of all farmed animals in the UK. In this review the aetiological role of meat and bone meal in the causation of BSE is discussed together with the epidemiological data and the results of studies on genetic susceptibility. The controversial theories relating to the nature of the causal agent, and strain-typing studies on BSE agent, are described. Current information on pathogenesis and diagnosis is presented. The occurrence of BSE in cattle outside the United Kingdom, and BSE-related disease in species other than cattle is also discussed.