Perioperative analgesic effects of an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block using bupivacaine in goats undergoing celiotomy.

Introduction: Never has the anatomy, the procedure of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, or the perioperative analgesic effects of a bupivacaine TAP block been described in goats. Methods: This report details the relevant anatomy in a cadaveric study combined with the description/use of a TAP block in a controlled, randomized, prospective, blinded clinical study in which 20 goats with urolithiasis presenting for either ventral midline or paramedian celiotomy were enrolled. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam and maintained with desflurane in oxygen. An ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed using 0.25% bupivacaine (4 sites, 0.4 mL/kg each site) (bupivacaine-TAP, n = 10) or equal volume of saline (control-TAP, n = 10). When indicated, urethral amputation was performed followed by celiotomy with cystotomy or tube cystostomy. Urethrotomy was performed if warranted. Intraoperatively, a 20% increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and/or respiratory frequency was treated with an increase in desflurane concentration of 0.5 Vol.%. Goats received ketamine boluses (0.2 mg/kg IV) when moving spontaneously. At 2, 12, and 24 h post-extubation, pain was scored with a descriptive scale. Data were analyzed with an analysis of variance (ANOVA) or the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Bupivacaine-TAP goats exhibited lower end-tidal desflurane concentration requirements (P = 0.03), lower pain scores at 2-h post-extubation (P = 0.02), shorter anesthetic recovery times (P = 0.03) and decreased HR and MAP during surgical stimulation. Goats receiving a bupivacaine TAP block experienced less intraoperative nociceptive input requiring less inhalant anesthetic leading to faster anesthetic recoveries and decreased postoperative pain. Discussion: Ultrasound-guided TAP block is a simple technique to decrease anesthetic requirement while providing additional postoperative comfort in goats undergoing celiotomy.

Multicenter study of uterine tears and other reproductive complications in periparturient goats presented to veterinary teaching hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Goats are increasingly popular as both production animals and pets. The frequency of and factors associated with periparturient reproductive complications in goats are largely unreported. OBJECTIVES: (1) To report the frequency of periparturient reproductive complications in does presented to university veterinary hospitals and (2) to identify factors associated with uterine tears in the study population. ANIMALS: A total of 198 periparturient does presented to 9 university veterinary hospitals from October 2021 to June 2022. METHODS: Multicenter, cross-sectional study, with data collected from questionnaires completed by attending veterinarians. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with diagnosis of uterine tears. RESULTS: Ninety-three (47%) does had at least 1 periparturient reproductive complication. Periparturient complications included retained fetal membranes (n = 38, 26%), vaginal or perineal trauma (n = 33, 19%), uterine tears (n = 32, 18%), metritis (n = 22, 13%), uterine or vaginal hemorrhage (n = 8, 5%), Cesarean section complications (n = 8, 8%), and uterine prolapse (n = 1, 0.5%). A positive interaction effect was found between small breeds (Nigerian Dwarf and Pygmy) and manipulation on the farm by a layperson upon diagnosis of uterine tears (odd ratios [OR], 5.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41, 21.25; P = .01). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Periparturient reproductive complications were common. Small breed combined with manipulation on the farm by layperson was associated with diagnosis of uterine tears. Clients should be educated that in the event of dystocia, small breed does are at greater risk of uterine tears and prompt veterinary intervention is critical.

Neoplasia of the tubular genital tract in 42 goats.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of tubular genital tract neoplasia in does evaluated at 2 veterinary teaching hospitals; describe the main clinical, surgical, and histopathologic or necropsy findings in affected does; and assess factors potentially associated with short-term prognosis in these animals. ANIMALS: 42 does. PROCEDURES: Medical records of 2 veterinary teaching hospitals were searched to identify does with neoplasia of the tubular genital tract. Signalment; history; physical and diagnostic imaging results; biopsy, surgery, and necropsy findings; and short-term outcome were recorded. Age and breed frequencies for the sample were compared with those of the overall hospital population, and variables of interest were tested for associations with a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and with short-term outcome by statistical methods. RESULTS: Median age at hospital admission (10 years) was greater for the study sample than for the general hospital population (2 years). Pygmy goats were overrepresented (22/42 [52%]). Common reasons for evaluation were bloody vaginal discharge or hematuria and abdominal straining. Adenocarcinoma (13/42 [31%]), leiomyoma (13 [31%]), and leiomyosarcoma (11 [26%]) were the most common tumors. Does with distant metastasis had greater odds of a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (OR, 40.5) than does without distant metastasis. In the analysis adjusted for hemorrhagic discharge, odds of euthanasia for does with straining were 13 times those for does without straining. In the analysis adjusted for straining status, does with hemorrhagic discharge had almost 7 times the odds of euthanasia for does without this finding. The survival-to-discharge rate was low (13/42 [31%]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The frequency of adenocarcinomas in the study sample was unexpectedly high. Further research is needed to confirm the study findings.

Clinical Findings, Treatments and Outcomes in Farm Animals with Vertebral Fractures or Luxations: 22 Cases (2006-2017).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the signalment, clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, medical and surgical treatment and outcome of 22 farm animals diagnosed with a vertebral fracture or luxation. STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 22 farm animals (7 goats, 6 alpacas, 5 cattle, 3 sheep and 1 deer) were reviewed for signalment, history, presenting clinical signs and neurological examination findings, clinicopathological results, diagnostic imaging, final diagnosis, medical and surgical management, clinical progression and outcome. RESULTS: Animals' age ranged from 1 day to 15 years. Neurological examination findings included decreased motor function (20/22), recumbency (14/22), altered mentation (13/22), cranial nerve deficits (4/22) and lack of nociception (3/22). Lesions were localized to the atlanto-occipital region (2/22), C1 to C5 (7/22), C6 to T2 (4/22), T3 to L3 (3/22), and L4 to S1 (6/22). Diagnoses included vertebral fracture only (4/22), luxation only (5/22) or both vertebral fracture and luxation (13/22). In five cases, no therapy was attempted, while 12 cases were treated medically and five cases were treated surgically. Surgical interventions included manual reduction (n = 1); arthrodesis (n = 2); laminectomy (n = 1); and laminectomy with pin fixation, cerclage wire and polymethylmethacrylate bridging (n = 1). Five of the 22 cases survived to hospital discharge; two of these were treated surgically. CONCLUSION: The cervical region was most commonly affected. Prognosis for these injuries in farm animals is guarded.

Urethrotomy in combination with or after temporary tube cystostomy for treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in male goats.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical findings, outcome, and complications associated with urethrotomy performed in combination with or after temporary tube cystostomy for treatment of obstructive urolithiasis in male goats. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: Castrated male goats (n = 15). METHODS: The medical records of male goats admitted for obstructive urolithiasis were reviewed. Goats that underwent aurethrotomy performed in combination with or after a temporary tube cystostomy were included in the study population. Follow-up information was obtained through hospital records and telephone communication. RESULTS: Thirteen of 15 goats were discharged from the hospital a median of 13 days (range, 7-25) after urethrotomy. Complications related to the urinary system occurred in 5 goats and included recurrent obstruction, urination from open urethrotomy, uroabdomen and intra-abdominal adhesions after removal of the Foley catheter, and incisional infection. Five of 7 goats with long-term follow-up (2-24 months after surgery) were healthy, with normal urinary function. The remaining 2 goats returned to the hospital with signs of reobstruction that were attributed to uroliths at necropsy in 1 goat. CONCLUSION: Goats treated with urethrotomy for persistent urethral obstruction after temporary tube cystostomy generally survived the procedure. Normal long-term urinary function was obtained in some goats, although recurrence was the most common complication. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Urethrotomy is a surgical option for male goats with persistent urethral obstruction due to urethral calculi after temporary tube cystostomy.

Gastrointestinal spindle cell tumor of the rumen with metastasis to the liver in a goat.

Many neoplasms have been reported in goats; however, neoplasia of the rumen is rarely reported. A 9-y-old castrated male pygmy goat was presented with a history of respiratory stertor, fever, and anorexia. A respiratory diagnostic work-up including skull and thorax radiographs and endoscopy revealed minor enlargement of the arytenoids but no other abnormal findings. After a month of little improvement on symptomatic treatment and worsening general health, the goat was euthanized. On autopsy, the forestomachs, liver, spleen, diaphragm, and the ventral and lateral aspects of the cranial third of the walls of the peritoneal cavity were adhered to one another by fibrinous and fibrous adhesions. Numerous firm, white, up to 2 cm diameter nodules were found throughout the liver. A large sessile mass extended from the rumen wall into the lumen. The rumen mass was a gastrointestinal stromal tumor with metastasis to the liver.

Paratuberculosis in Cattle.

Paratuberculosis remains one of the most important diseases of cattle worldwide. In cattle, the disease is debilitating and is characterized by weight loss and chronic diarrhea in the later stages of infection. However, cattle in the subclinical stages of the disease often show decreased milk production and are at higher risk for development of other common production diseases. Infections with Mycobacterium avium ssp paratuberculosis are difficult to control because of long incubation periods, the absence of clinical signs until advanced stages of the disease, and the lack of completely reliable diagnostic methods in the preclinical stages of the disease.

Dysbiosis of the Fecal Microbiota in Cattle Infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis.

Johne's disease (JD) is a chronic, intestinal infection of cattle, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). It results in granulomatous inflammation of the intestinal lining, leading to malabsorption, diarrhea, and weight loss. Crohn's disease (CD), a chronic, inflammatory gastrointestinal disease of humans, has many clinical and pathologic similarities to JD. Dysbiosis of the enteric microbiota has been demonstrated in CD patients. It is speculated that this dysbiosis may contribute to the intestinal inflammation observed in those patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity patterns of fecal bacterial populations in cattle infected with MAP, compared to those of uninfected control cattle, using phylogenomic analysis. Fecal samples were selected to include samples from 20 MAP-positive cows; 25 MAP-negative herdmates; and 25 MAP-negative cows from a MAP-free herd. The genomic DNA was extracted; PCR amplified sequenced on a 454 Roche platform, and analyzed using QIIME. Approximately 199,077 reads were analyzed from 70 bacterial communities (average of 2,843 reads/sample). The composition of bacterial communities differed between the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.001; Permanova test). Taxonomic assignment of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) identified 17 bacterial phyla across all samples. Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes constituted more than 95% of the bacterial population in the negative and exposed groups. In the positive group, lineages of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria increased and those of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes decreased (P < 0.001). Actinobacteria was highly abundant (30% of the total bacteria) in the positive group compared to exposed and negative groups (0.1-0.2%). Notably, the genus Arthrobacter was found to predominate Actinobacteria in the positive group. This study indicates that MAP-infected cattle have a different composition of their fecal microbiota than MAP-negative cattle.

Serum and tissue concentrations of gallium after oral administration of gallium nitrate and gallium maltolate to neonatal calves.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum and tissue concentrations of gallium (Ga) after oral administration of gallium nitrate (GaN) and gallium maltolate (GaM) to neonatal calves. ANIMALS: 8 healthy neonatal calves. PROCEDURES: Calves were assigned to 1 of 2 groups (4 calves/group). Gallium (50 mg/kg) was administered as GaN or GaM (equivalent to 13.15 mg of Ga/kg for GaN and 7.85 mg of Ga/kg for GaM) by oral gavage once daily for 5 days. Blood samples were collected 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after Ga administration on day 1; 4 and 24 hours after Ga administration on days 2, 3, and 4; and 4, 12, and 24 hours after Ga administration on day 5. On day 6, calves were euthanized and tissue samples were obtained. Serum and tissue Ga concentrations were measured by use of mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Data were adjusted for total Ga dose, and comparisons were made between the 2 groups. Calves receiving GaM had a significantly higher dose-adjusted area under the curve and dose-adjusted maximum serum Ga concentration than did calves receiving GaN. Despite receiving less Ga per dose, calves receiving GaM had tissue Ga concentrations similar to those for calves receiving GaN. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this study, calves receiving GaM had significantly higher Ga absorption than did calves receiving GaN. These findings suggested that GaM might be useful as a prophylactic agent against Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis infection in neonatal calves.

Comparison of the antimicrobial activities of gallium nitrate and gallium maltolate against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in vitro.

Johne's disease (JD) is an enteric infection of cattle and other ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). This study compared the antimicrobial activities of gallium nitrate (GaN) and gallium maltolate (GaM) against two field MAP isolates by use of broth culture. The concentrations that resulted in 99% growth inhibition of isolates 1 and 2 were, respectively, 636 µM and 183 µM for GaN, and 251 µM and 142 µM for GaM. For both isolates, time to detection was significantly higher for GaM than GaN. These results suggest that GaM is more efficient than GaN in inhibiting MAP growth in vitro.

Persistence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in soil, crops, and ensiled feed following manure spreading on infected dairy farms.

The goal of this study was to determine the persistence of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in soil, crops, and ensiled feeds following manure spreading. This bacterium was often found in soil samples, but less frequently in harvested feeds and silage. Spreading of manure on fields used for crop harvest is preferred to spreading on grazing pastures.

Persistance deMycobacterium aviumssp.paratuberculosisdans le sol, les récoltes et l'ensilage après l'épandage de fumier dans des fermes laitières infectées. Le but de cette étude était de déterminer la persistance de Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) dans le sol, les récoltes et l'ensilage après l'épandage de fumier. Cette bactérie se trouvait souvent dans des échantillons de sol, mais moins fréquemment dans les récoltes d'aliments pour le bétail et l'ensilage. L'épandage de fumier dans les champs utilisés pour la récolte des cultures est préféré à l'épandage dans les pâturages.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Long-bone fractures in llamas and alpacas: 28 cases (1998-2008).

Treatment and outcome of camelids with long-bone fractures are described. Medical records (1998-2008) of camelids (n = 28) with long-bone fractures were reviewed for signalment, time to presentation, fracture type, method of repair, duration of hospitalization, and post-operative complications. Follow-up information was obtained via telephone interviews with owners. Mean age and weight at presentation were 3.4 years and 56.3 kg, respectively. Twenty-six fractures were treated with internal fixation (n = 11), external fixation (n = 10), combination of internal and external fixation (n = 3), amputation (n = 1), and external fixation followed by amputation (n = 1). Long-term follow-up information was obtained for 19 of the 26 animals. The post-operative complication rate was 23% and owner satisfaction was high. Animals with open fractures were more likely to experience complications. Internal fixation was associated with superior alignment and outcome. Internal fixation techniques should be recommended for camelids.

Treatment and chemoprophylaxis for paratuberculosis.

There is no definitive cure for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infections, but several therapeutic agents may be used to alleviate clinical signs of Johne's disease (JD) in ruminants of significant value. Treatment has to be maintained for the life of the animal and treated animals usually continue to shed MAP. No drugs are approved for treatment of JD in the United States; any drug use is "extra-label." Isoniazid, rifampin, and clofazimine are most commonly used for treatment. Monensin, may aid in the prevention of infection in calves and to lower MAP fecal shedding in infected adult cattle.

Evaluation of the in vitro activity of gallium nitrate against Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the in vitro susceptibility of various field isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (MAP) to gallium nitrate. SAMPLE: 10 isolates of MAP, including 4 isolated from cattle, 2 isolated from bison, 1 isolated from an alpaca, and 3 isolated from humans. PROCEDURES: The in vitro susceptibility to gallium nitrate was tested by use of broth culture with detection of MAP growth by means of a nonradiometric automated detection method. For each MAP isolate, a series of 7 dilutions of gallium nitrate (concentrations ranging from 200 to 1,000 µM) were tested. Gallium nitrate was considered to have caused 90% and 99% inhibition of the MAP growth when the time to detection for culture of the MAP stock solution and a specific concentration of gallium nitrate was delayed and was similar to that obtained for culture of the MAP stock solution (without the addition of gallium nitrate) diluted 1:10 and 1:100, respectively. RESULTS: Gallium nitrate inhibited MAP growth in all 10 isolates. The susceptibility to gallium nitrate was variable among isolates, and all isolates of MAP were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the concentration that resulted in 90% inhibition ranged from < 200 µM for the most susceptible isolates to 743 µM for the least susceptible isolates. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gallium nitrate had activity against all 10 isolates of MAP tested in vitro and could potentially be used as a prophylactic agent to aid in the control of MAP infections during the neonatal period.

Exposure of young dairy cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) through intensive grazing of contaminated pastures in a herd positive for Johne's disease.

This study investigated the susceptibility of 1- to 2-year-old cattle to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) on pasture previously grazed by infected cattle. The exposure of yearling cattle to pastures contaminated with MAP resulted in infection with MAP, showing that age resistance to infection can be overcome by pressure of infection.

Eastern equine encephalitis in 9 South American camelids.

BACKGROUND: Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus is a mosquito-borne togavirus (alphavirus) that causes severe (often fatal) encephalitis in many mammalian species, but it has not been reported previously in South American camelids. HYPOTHESIS: South American camelids can become naturally infected with EEE virus and show encephalitic signs similar to those observed in other affected species. ANIMALS: Nine cases (8 alpacas and 1 llama, aged 3.5 weeks to 12 years) were identified; 4 of 9 were 510 weeks old. All cases were from the East Coast of the United States and presented in late summer and fall. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed to include confirmed cases of EEE in camelids in North America before 2006. RESULTS: Eight of nine (89%) camelids died or were euthanized in extremis, with the mean time to death of 2 days. Clinical signs were consistent with encephalitis and included fever, lethargy, ataxia, seizures, recumbency, torticollis, opisthotonus, and vestibular signs. No consistent hematologic abnormalities were identified, and cerebrospinal fluid contained an increased protein concentration in the single camelid analyzed. No successful therapy was identified. EEE was confirmed by alphavirus detection by using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the central nervous system (CNS) and by serology. Findings included polioencephalitis with lymphocytic perivascular cuffing; neutrophil infiltration; gliosis; neuron satellitosis; necrosis; and edema, with intracytoplasmic alphavirus within neurons and glial cells. No virus was detected in extraneural tissues. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: In endemic areas, EEE should be considered a differential diagnosis for young and adult camelids with CNS disease. Brain histopathology with indirect IHC or PCR is diagnostic.

Efficacy of ceftiofur for treatment of experimental salmonellosis in neonatal calves.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic efficacy of a high extralabel dose of ceftiofur for treatment of experimental salmonellosis in neonatal calves. ANIMALS: Forty-two 1- to 4-day-old Holstein bull calves. PROCEDURE: 36 calves were orally challenged with Salmonella enteritica serovar Typhimurium (6.5 x 10(8) colony-forming units). Six additional calves were retained as nonmedicated nonchallenged control calves. Four days following Salmonella challenge, surviving calves were randomly allocated to ceftiofur-treated (5 mg/kg, IM, q 24 h) or nonmedicated control groups. Calves assigned to the treated group were medicated daily for 5 days starting on day 4 after challenge. Calves were monitored for 18 days following Salmonella challenge. Outcome assessments included clinical parameters (attitude, appetite, fecal characteristics, and rectal temperature), mortality rate, and quantitative Salmonella culture of fecal samples, mesenteric lymph nodes, and cecal contents. RESULTS: Ceftiofur treatment was associated with a significant decrease in rectal temperature and diarrhea. Three of 15 medicated calves and 4 of 14 non-medicated calves died or were euthanatized between days 4 and 18. A significant decrease in fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms was observed in treated calves, compared with nonmedicated calves. Salmonella organisms were isolated from all 10 non-medicated calves at necropsy, whereas no Salmonella organisms were isolated from 5 of 12 medicated calves. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Treatment of salmonellosis in neonatal calves with a high extralabel dose of ceftiofur (5 mg/kg, IM, q 24 h) promotes animal welfare, reduces fecal shedding of Salmonella organisms, and may promote clearance of Salmonella infections when plasma ceftiofur concentrations are maintained above minimal inhibitory concentrations.