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Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):506-513

Objective: To determine whether exposure to UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) reduces concentrations of viable aerosolized microorganisms (attenuated strains of common veterinary pathogens) in a simulated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

Sample: 42 air samples seeded with bacteriophage MS2 or attenuated strains of , feline calicivirus, feline herpesvirus-1, canine parvovirus, or canine distemper virus (6/microorganism) or with no microorganisms added (6).

Procedures: A simulated HVAC unit was built that included a nebulizer to aerosolize microorganisms suspended in phosphate-buffered water, a fan to produce airflow, 2 UVGI bulb systems, and an impinger for air sampling. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):514-520

Objective: To evaluate the time and number of laser beam passes required to make full-thickness skin incisions and extent of laser-induced tissue artifacts following use of a CO laser at various settings.

Sample: 24 skin specimens from six 5-month-old porcine carcasses.

Procedures: 4 full-thickness skin specimens were harvested from the flank regions of each carcass within 30 minutes after euthanasia and randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):471-478

Objective: To evaluate IM injection of oxytetracycline as an experimental model to induce pain and assess the analgesic efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FM) in dairy cows.

Animals: 15 healthy nonlactating Jersey (n = 10) and Holstein (5) cows.

Procedures: In the first of 2 experiments, 5 Jerseys were administered oxytetracycline (10 mg/kg, IM), divided between the right side of the neck and left hind limb. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):463-470

Objective: To compare the efficacy and duration of desensitization of oral structures following injection of various volumes of lidocaine-bupivacaine via an infraorbital approach in dogs.

Animals: 6 healthy adult hound-type dogs.

Procedures: In a randomized crossover study, each dog received 1, 2, and 3 mL of a 2% lidocaine-0. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):479-487

Objective: To compare the extent of inflammation and catabolic collagen response in the middle carpal joints (MCJs) of healthy horses following intra-articular injection of 2% lidocaine, 2% mepivacaine, lactated Ringer solution (LRS), or 1% methyl parahydroxybenzoate.

Animals: 17 adult horses.

Procedures: In the first of 2 experiments, the left middle carpal joint (MCJ) of each of 12 horses was injected with 10 mL of 2% lidocaine (n = 3), 2% mepivacaine (3), or LRS (control; 6). Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):456-461

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):499-505

Objective: To assess the effect of packed RBC (pRBC) transfusion on thromboelastographic (TEG) tracings in dogs with naturally occurring anemia.

Animals: 22 clinically anemic dogs that received a pRBC transfusion.

Procedures: For each dog, a blood sample was collected before and within 3 hours after completion of the pRBC transfusion for a CBC, nonactivated TEG analysis, and measurement of blood viscosity. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):488-498

Objective: To examine potential relationships between ECG characteristics and echocardiographic measures of cardiac structure in chimpanzees ().

Animals: 341 chimpanzees (175 males and 166 females) from 5 sanctuaries and 2 zoological collections.

Procedures: Chimpanzees were anesthetized for routine health examinations between May 2011 and July 2017 as part of the International Primate Heart Project and, during the same anesthetic events, underwent 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiographic assessments. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jun;81(6):521-526

Objective: To establish a method for evaluation of the efficacy of a classical swine fever virus (CSFV) subunit vaccine in rabbits as determined via humoral immune responses to the virus.

Animals: 40 specific pathogen-free rabbits.

Procedures: Rabbits were randomly assigned to 4 groups (10 rabbits/group) for SC injection of 0. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):390-393

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):406-415

Objective: To identify radiographic locations of soft tissue attachments in the tarsal region of horses and describe any variability in the gross anatomy of those attachments.

Sample: 15 cadaveric limbs from 8 adult horses.

Procedures: 8 limbs were used for dissection and radiography of soft tissue structures, with metallic markers used to identify radiographic locations of soft tissue attachments. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):428-436

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel fluorescence tracer agent, MB-102, for conducting ocular angiography in dogs.

Animals: 10 ophthalmologically normal dogs (2 to 4 years old) and 10 dogs with retinal degeneration or primary open-angle glaucoma (< 6 years old).

Procedures: While anesthetized, all dogs received sodium fluorescein (20 mg/kg, IV) or MB-102 (20 or 40 mg/kg, IV) first and then the other dye in a second treatment session 2 days later in a randomized crossover design. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):416-421

Objective: To determine whether cell-free DNA (cfDNA) was detectable in CSF samples from dogs, whether CSF sample volume impacted CSF cfDNA concentration measurement, and whether CSF cfDNA concentration was associated with CNS disease category or CSF RBC count (RBCC), nucleated cell count (NCC), or protein concentration, which could aid in the diagnosis of neurologic diseases in dogs.

Sample: 80 CSF samples collected from dogs with (n = 60) and without (20) clinical neurologic disease between February 2017 and May 2018.

Procedures: Results for CSF RBCC, NCC, protein concentration, and cfDNA concentration were compared across CSF groups established on the basis of whether they were obtained from dogs with (case groups) or without (control group) clinical signs of neurologic disease In addition, 5 paired CSF samples representing large (3. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):394-399

Objective: To compare the speed of onset and analgesic effect of mepivacaine deposited within or immediately outside the neurovascular bundle at the base of the proximal sesamoid bones in horses.

Animals: 6 horses with naturally occurring forefoot-related lameness.

Procedures: In a crossover study design, horses were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 2 treatments first, with the second treatment administered 3 to 7 days later. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):384-389

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):442-447

Objective: To assess the effect of transrectal palpation (TRP) performed with the fetal membrane slip (FMS) technique for early pregnancy diagnosis on the proportion and type of associated pregnancy losses (PLs) in dairy cattle.

Animals: 580 healthy pregnant cattle.

Procedures: Data for artificially inseminated females with 1 or 2 viable embryos detected by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) at approximately 30 days of gestation were retrospectively assessed. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):422-427

Objective: To determine values of F-wave parameters for the tibial nerve in clinically normal Miniature Dachshunds and those with thoracolumbar intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH).

Animals: 53 Miniature Dachshunds (10 clinically normal and 43 with various clinical grades of thoracolumbar IVDH).

Procedures: F-waves were elicited in the interosseous muscles of 1 hind limb in each dog by stimulation of the tibial nerve. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):400-405

Objective: To determine the efficacy and duration of effect for liposomal bupivacaine following perineural administration to the medial and lateral palmar digital nerves of horses.

Animals: 9 nonlame mares.

Procedures: For each horse, 2 mL of liposomal bupivacaine (13. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):437-441

Objective: To evaluate the effects of 3 electrolyte solutions administered SC to experimentally dehydrated inland bearded dragons ().

Animals: 9 inland bearded dragons.

Procedures: In a randomized, complete crossover study, experimental dehydration was induced by means of furosemide (10 mg/kg, SC, q 12 h for 4 doses), and then lactated Ringer solution, Plasma-Lyte A, or reptile Ringer solution (RRS; 1:1 mixture of 5% dextrose solution and isotonic crystalloid solution) was administered SC in a single 50-mL/kg dose in 3 treatments sessions separated by a minimum of 14 days. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 May;81(5):448-452

Objective: To evaluate a novel 2-catheter technique for urethral catheterization in female cats and small dogs and compare the time required for and success rates achieved by use of the novel technique versus traditional methods (blind technique in cats and digital palpation in dogs) as performed by personnel (catheter placers [CPs]) with different levels of experience in urinary catheter placement.

Animals: 39 healthy sexually intact female animals (24 cats and 15 dogs weighing < 10 kg).

Procedures: 2 CPs were board certified in veterinary surgery, 1 of whom had experience with the novel technique, and the other did not. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):309-316

Objective: To evaluate agreement in results obtained with an MRI-based grading scheme and a macroscopic observation-based grading scheme when used to assess intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration in cats.

Sample: 241 MRI and 143 macroscopic images of singular IVDs in 44 client-owned cats (40 cadaveric and 4 live).

Procedures: Singular images of IVDs were obtained of live cats admitted for treatment of suspected neurologic disease (MRI images of IVDs) and of cadavers of cats euthanized for reasons unrelated to spinal disease (MRI and macroscopic images of IVDs) at the Small Animal Hospital, Vetsuisse Faculty, Zurich, Switzerland, between January 12, 2015, and October 19, 2015. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):361-366

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics of hydromorphone hydrochloride after IV and IM administration in guinea pigs ().

Animals: 8 healthy adult guinea pigs (4 sexually intact females and 4 sexually intact males).

Procedures: In a crossover study, hydromorphone (0. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):375-380

Objective: To establish a reference interval for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) determined by measuring serum clearance of a single IV dose of inulin in clinically normal cheetahs () and compare serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentration in cheetahs with GFR.

Animals: 33 cheetahs housed at 3 institutions.

Procedures: A single bolus of inulin (3,000 mg/m) was administered IV, and 5 serial blood samples were collected and analyzed for serum inulin concentration with the anthrone technique. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 04;81(4):288-293

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):299-308

Objective: To determine whether concurrent vatinoxan administration affects the antinociceptive efficacy of medetomidine in dogs at doses that provide circulating dexmedetomidine concentrations similar to those produced by medetomidine alone.

Animals: 8 healthy Beagles.

Procedures: Dogs received 3 IV treatments in a randomized crossover-design trial with a 2-week washout period between experiments (medetomidine [20 μg/kg], medetomidine [20 μg/kg] and vatinoxan [400 μg/kg], and medetomidine [40 μg/kg] and vatinoxan [800 μg/kg]; M20, M20V400, and M40V800, respectively). Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):344-354

Objective: To use a biopolymer delivery system to investigate the ability of interleukin (IL)-4 to recruit neutrophils into subcutaneous tissues of equids.

Animals: 16 horses and 2 ponies.

Procedures: Animals were assigned to 3 experiments (6/experiment). Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):355-360

Objective: To measure expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma and in extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from plasma for dogs with glioma and dogs with other brain diseases.

Sample: Plasma samples from 11 dogs with glioma and 19 control dogs with various other brain diseases.

Procedures: EVs were isolated from plasma samples by means of ultracentrifugation. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):367-374

Objective: To investigate the effects of intervertebral distraction screw (IDS) fixation of the lumbosacral joint (LSJ) on the intervertebral foraminal area (IFA) and intervertebral stabilization of the LSJ and adjacent lumbar segments in dogs.

Animals: 7 healthy Beagles.

Procedures: Dorsal laminectomy was performed at the LSJ in each dog to expose the intervertebral disk. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):334-343

Objective: To develop methods to identify and characterize activity monitor (AM) data signatures for jumps performed by cats.

Animals: 13 healthy, client-owned cats without evidence of osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease.

Procedures: Each cat was fitted with the same AM, individually placed in an observation room, then simultaneously recorded by 3 video cameras during the observation period (5 to 8 hours). Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):326-333

Objective: To determine optimal sample preparation conditions with potassium triiodide (IKI) and optimal imaging settings for microfocus CT (micro-CT) of excised cat hearts.

Sample: 7 excised hearts (weight range, 10 to 17.6 g) obtained from healthy adult cats after euthanasia by IV injection of pentobarbital sodium. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Apr;81(4):317-325

Objective: To determine whether a dose-response relationship exists between short-term oral prednisone administration and common clinicopathologic variables, cardiovascular biomarkers, and systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP) in healthy dogs.

Animals: 8 healthy Beagles.

Procedures: Dogs underwent five 5-day experiments (no prednisone treatment [control condition] and prednisone administration at 0. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):227-232

Objective: To investigate whether lung ultrasonography (LUS) performed around the heart, where the lungs are in contact with the pericardium (ie, pericardial LUS), could be used for the diagnosis of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD).

Animals: 15 control dogs with healthy hearts and 26 dogs with DMVD.

Procedures: In a prospective multicenter study design, dogs with DMVD were assigned to 2 groups: those with CPE (n = 11) and those without CPE (15). Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):205-209

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of tulathromycin for prevention of abortion in pregnant ewes when administered within 24 hours after experimental inoculation with

Animals: 20 pregnant ewes between 72 and 92 days of gestation.

Procedures: All ewes were inoculated with a field strain of (8.5 × 10 to 10. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):267-275

Objective: To compare a ventral and a left lateral endoscopic approach to coelioscopy in bearded dragons ().

Animals: 18 adult bearded dragons.

Procedures: In a randomized crossover design involving 2 surgical approaches, anesthetized bearded dragons first underwent coelioscopy with a ventral approach (left lateral of midline next to the umbilicus; animal positioned in dorsal recumbency) or left lateral approach (intercostal; animal positioned in right lateral recumbency) and then with the alternate approach. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 03;81(3):202-204

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):243-253

Objective: To quantify acute immunologic and metabolic responses of beef heifers following topical administration of transdermal flunixin meglumine (TDFM) at various times relative to bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) and challenges.

Animals: 32 beef heifers (mean body weight, 170 kg).

Procedures: Heifers were assigned to 1 of 4 groups. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):210-219

Objective: To develop a 3-D kinematic model to measure truncal motion in dogs and assess changes in truncal motion in dogs when wearing each of 2 service vests.

Animals: 5 adult mixed-breed dogs.

Procedures: 27 reflective markers were placed on the pelvis, trunk, and scapula of each dog. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):276-284

Objective: To evaluate histologic changes and gene expression patterns in body and limb wounds in horses in response to bacterial inoculation.

Sample: Wound biopsy specimens from 6 horses collected on days 7, 14, 21, and 27 after excisional wounds (20 wounds/horse) were created over the metacarpal and metatarsal region and lateral thoracic region (body) and then inoculated or not inoculated on day 4 with and .

Procedures: Specimens were histologically scored for the amount of inflammation, edema, angiogenesis, fibrosis organization, and epithelialization. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):254-259

Objective: To compare muscle condition scores (MCSs) and muscle ultrasonographic measurements in cats with and without muscle loss and to evaluate repeatability and reproducibility of MCS assessment.

Animals: 40 cats of various ages, body condition scores (BCSs), and MCSs.

Procedures: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):233-242

Objective: To evaluate the performance of 2 assays for measurement of serum fructosamine (SF) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values in dogs and to compare the usefulness of the 2 glycated proteins for assessment of glycemic control in dogs with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Sample: Blood samples from 40 healthy dogs, 13 diabetic dogs, and 23 anemic normoglycemic nondiabetic dogs and results of 200 assessments of glycemic control in 46 diabetic dogs.

Procedures: Colorimetric and immunoturbidimetric methods were used for measurement of SF and HbA1c values, respectively. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):220-226

Objective: To evaluate the effect of presurgical storage conditions on leakage pressures of enterotomy sites closed with unidirectional barbed suture material in fresh, chilled, and frozen-thawed cadaveric canine jejunal specimens.

Sample: 36 grossly normal jejunal segments obtained from 4 dog cadavers.

Procedures: 9 jejunal segments were harvested immediately from each euthanized dog and randomly assigned to be tested within 4 hours after collection (fresh segments), stored at 4°C for 24 hours before testing (chilled segments), or stored at -20°C for 7 days and thawed at 21°C for 6 hours before testing (frozen-thawed segments). Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 03;81(3):196-201

Am J Vet Res 2020 Mar;81(3):260-266

Objective: To compare the efficacy of 0.05% difluprednate ophthalmic emulsion and 1% prednisolone acetate ophthalmic suspension for controlling aqueocentesis-induced breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier in healthy dogs.

Animals: 34 healthy dogs. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Feb;81(2):180-189

Objective: To characterize transcription of profibrotic mediators in renal tissues of cats with ischemia-induced chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Sample: Banked renal tissues from 6 cats with experimentally induced CKD (RI group) and 8 healthy control cats.

Procedures: For cats of the RI group, both kidneys were harvested 6 months after ischemia was induced for 90 minutes in 1 kidney. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Feb;81(2):103-115

Objective: To characterize antimicrobial prescribing patterns of clinicians and clinical services at a large animal veterinary teaching hospital and identify factors associated with antimicrobial prescribing.

Animals: All large animals (ie, equids, bovids, sheep, goats, camelids, swine, and cervids) evaluated at the New Bolton Center hospital at the University of Pennsylvania from 2013 through 2018.

Procedures: In a cross-sectional study design, data on antimicrobial use by clinicians and clinical services were collected from administrative and billing records. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Feb;81(2):147-152

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of measuring heart rate variability (HRV) in horses with colic at the time of admission to a referral hospital.

Animals: 51 horses > 1 year of age with colic (41 that survived [survivors] and 10 that died or were euthanized [nonsurvivors]).

Procedures: HRV was recorded within 1 hour after admission by use of heart rate sensors with horses restrained in stocks. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 02;81(2):96-101

Am J Vet Res 2020 Feb;81(2):159-171

Objective: To examine the effects of imidazoline and nonimidazoline α-adrenergic agents on aggregation of feline platelets.

Sample: Blood samples from 12 healthy adult cats.

Procedures: In 7 experiments, the effects of 23 imidazoline and nonimidazoline α-adrenoceptor agonists or antagonists on aggregation and antiaggregation of feline platelets were determined via a turbidimetric method. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Feb;81(2):116-121

Objective: To determine the effects of 2 augmentation techniques on the mechanical properties of titanium cannulated bone screws.

Sample: 33 titanium cannulated bone screws (outer diameter, 6.5 mm; guide channel diameter, 3. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Feb;81(2):139-146

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of intestinal biomarkers in determining the presence of intestinal epithelial damage in neonatal calves with diarrhea caused by 4 etiologic agents.

Animals: 40 neonatal calves that were healthy (n = 10) or had diarrhea (30).

Procedures: The study was a cross-sectional study. Read More