Journal of the South African Veterinary Association最新文献

Urethral cutaneous fistulas are rarely reported in dogs. Several techniques have been described to treat urethrocutaneous fistulas with different degrees of success. This case report is on a four-year-old male intact German shepherd diagnosed with urethrocutaneous fistulas after two weeks of dysuria. The urethra was repaired using an autologous tunica vaginalis pedicle flap after open castration and scrotal ablation. The dog was catheterised for two weeks after which a positive contrast urethrogram revealed a healed urethra with no stricture or leakage into surrounding tissue. The dog was discharged the following day after normal urination. Follow-up examination with the referring veterinarian at five months confirmed that the dog was clinically healthy and urinating normally. Literature about urethrocutaneous fistulas is lacking in the small animal field. To our knowledge there are no reports in the literature describing the use of an autologous tunica vaginalis pedicle flap for the repair of a urethral defect in dogs. This case report describes a novel technique to treat urethrocutaneous fistulas in an intact male dog.

African wildlife species are increasingly being immobilised with combinations of a low dose of potent opioids combined with medetomidine and azaperone. The physiological effects of these combinations in comparison to conventional potent opioidazaperone combinations have scarcely been evaluated. In this cross-over study conducted on eight captive blesbok, we compared the physiological variables of blesbok immobilised with 2 mg of thiafentanil + 10 mg of azaperone (TA); 0.5 mg thiafentanil + 1.5 mg medetomidine (TM), and 0.5 mg thiafentanil + 1.5. mg medetomidine + 10 mg azaperone (TMA). Thiafentanil's effects were antagonised with naltrexone at 10 mg naltrexone per mg thiafentanil, and the medetomidine effects with atipamezole at 5 mg atipamezole per mg medetomidine. The physiological variables were compared between treatment groups using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA. The TA combination resulted in the shortest induction and recovery times, higher heart rates, respiratory rates, PaO₂, SpO₂, and lower MAP and A-a gradients, but with less muscle relaxation. The TM and TMA combinations caused marked bradycardia and hypoxaemia. The hypoxaemia was most severe in animals immobilised with TMA, and four of eight blesbok immobilised had a PaO₂ < 35 mmHg at the 10- or 15-minute sampling point. These blesbok were provided supplementary oxygen, which corrected the hypoxaemia. The TA combinations caused the lowest degree of physiological compromise. All three combinations were effective for the immobilisation of blesbok, but as the low-dose thiafentanil and high-dose medetomidine combinations caused marked hypoxaemia, supplementary oxygen is recommended when using these combinations.

Veterinary and para-veterinary professionals working in the animal research sector are critical to ensure scientific quality and the humane care and use of animals. However, there are few focused education and training opportunities available for these professionals in South Africa. A survey of veterinarians working in animal research, undertaken by the South African Association for Laboratory Animal Science, identified the need for more advanced education and training opportunities beyond the routine Day 1 Skills currently provided for in undergraduate education. These could be broadly categorised into knowledge and skills relating to species-specific husbandry, procedures and clinical approaches, research-related biosecurity and biosafety, and study-specific ethical and animal welfare considerations. A subsequent workshop, attended by 85 veterinary and para-veterinary professionals in the animal research sector, identified 53 life-long learning needs, each with an associated learning outcome, for this professional community. These were grouped into five overarching themes: Personal development (9); Leadership and management skills (12); Education and training skills (5); Welfare, ethics and clinical skills (20); and Regulations and quality-assurance (7). Of the 53 learning outcomes, 14 were knowledge-based, ten were competencies, and 29 both knowledge and competence. These life-long learning opportunities, if available and implemented, will address important needs of veterinary and paraveterinary professionals in the animal research sector in South Africa. This would empower these professionals, assist in improving animal and human wellbeing, support high-quality ethical science, and maintain public confidence in the sector, thus enabling a more satisfactory career environment.

Myxosarcomas are rare malignant neoplasms of soft connective tissues, and there are no reports of hepatic myxosarcomas in cats. An eight-year-old male, neutered, domestic shorthair cat presented with progressive hyporexia, lethargy, and weight loss. An ultrasonography study showed a large abdominal mass connected to the liver. The cat underwent a laparotomy and the mass was removed. Histopathological evaluation of the mass supported the diagnosis of a myxosarcoma. Tumour cells were positive with vimentin and alcian blue stain, and negative with PAS, pan-cytokeratin, s100, epithelial membrane antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin. The Ki-67 index by immunohistochemistry was 6%. The cat was euthanased due to severe lethargy and recumbency. Myxoid soft tissue neoplasms are very rare in cats, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a hepatic myxosarcoma in a cat. In the present case, the diagnosis was made based on histopathological and immunohistochemical findings and an alcian blue-positive supporting matrix.