Use of abdominal thrusts is associated with improved rates of successful emesis induction in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of abdominal thrusts as a synergistic procedure to IV apomorphine administration on the occurrence and rate of onset of successful induction of emesis in dogs. ANIMALS: 31 client-owned dogs. METHODS: Dogs in which induction of emesis via IV apomorphine was prescribed by the attending clinician were prospectively randomized to either receive abdominal thrusts performed by a nurse or clinician or to have no physical interventions performed following IV apomorphine administration. Data collected included signalment, weight, reason for emesis, time from suspected ingestion to presentation, time from the dog's last meal to presentation, dose of apomorphine administered in milligrams, and time from apomorphine administration to emesis. RESULTS: Emesis induction was successful in 14 of 14 (100%) of the dogs in the abdominal thrust group and 13 of 17 (76.5%) in the control group (P = .02). In dogs with successful emesis, median time to emesis was 90.5 seconds (range, 36 to 348 seconds) in the abdominal thrust group and 106 seconds (range, 37 to 360 seconds) in the control group (P = .29). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Abdominal thrusts were associated with an increased frequency of successful emesis in dogs following IV apomorphine, but did not shorten the rate of onset of emesis in dogs that vomited. Application of abdominal thrusts may be beneficial in dogs in which emesis is indicated and that do not have a clear contraindication.

A Hybrid Auricular Framework of Autologous Rib Cartilage and a Porous Polyethylene Implant for Reconstruction of Congenital Microtia: A Modification of Nagata's Technique.

Background: An implant (porous polyethylene) is an alternative to rib cartilage for microtia reconstruction but carries a risk of extrusion. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of a hybrid framework of implant with rib cartilage for microtia reconstruction. Methods: Patients who underwent Nagata's technique for microtia reconstruction were reviewed for complications and aesthetic score. In stage 1, a rib cartilage framework or a hybrid framework of implant with rib cartilage was used. In stage 2, the framework was elevated and supported by an implant for projection. Postoperative outcomes were reported for both groups. Results: Forty-four ears of 40 patients underwent surgery. Eleven ears received a rib auricular framework and 33 ears a hybrid auricular framework. The mean postoperative follow-up for the rib and hybrid groups was 76.3 and 43.1 months, respectively. No supporting postauricular implant extruded, whereas stainless-steel wires extruded in seven ears (15.9%). Five (15.2%) hybrid frameworks were removed due to infection or extrusion. Mean operating time was 2 h shorter in the hybrid group. Aesthetic outcomes were similar for both groups. Conclusion: A hybrid framework of rib and implant that requires less harvested cartilage is feasible for microtia reconstruction, but caution should be used due to its higher explantation rate.

Aromatase inhibition rapidly affects in a reversible manner distinct features of birdsong.

Recent evidence has implicated steroid hormones, specifically estrogens, in the rapid modulation of cognitive processes. Songbirds have been a useful model system in the study of complex cognitive processes including birdsong, a naturally learned vocal behavior regulated by a discrete steroid-sensitive telencephalic circuitry. Singing behavior is known to be regulated by long-term actions of estrogens but rapid steroid modulation of this behavior has never been examined. We investigated if acute actions of estrogens regulate birdsong in canaries (Serinus canaria). In the morning, male canaries sing within minutes after light onset. Birds were injected with fadrozole, a potent aromatase inhibitor, or vehicle within 2-5 minutes after lights on to implement a within-subjects experimental design. This single injection of fadrozole reduced the motivation to sing as well as song acoustic stereotypy, a measure of consistency over song renditions, on the same day. By the next day, however, all song measures that were affected had returned to baseline. This study indicates that estrogens also act in a rapid fashion to regulate two distinct features of song, a learned vocal behavior.