Characterization and comparison of the bacterial microbiota in different gastrointestinal tract compartments in horses.

The advance of new sequencing technologies has allowed more comprehensive characterization of complex microbial communities, including the ones inhabiting the intestinal tract. The presence of extreme environmental filters, such as low pH, digestive enzymes and anaerobic conditions along the tract, acts on the selection of unique bacteria in each compartment. The intestinal microbiota has an enormous impact on the maintenance of health. However, data about the bacteria present in the different intestinal compartments of horses are sparse. In this study, high throughput sequencing was used to characterize and compare bacterial profiles from different intestinal compartments of 11 horses scheduled for euthanasia for reasons other than gastrointestinal problems. Marked differences among compartments even at high taxonomic levels were found, with Firmicutes comprising the main bacterial phylum in all compartments. Lactobacillus spp. and Sarcina spp. predominated in the stomach and a marked increase of Streptococcus spp. occurred in the duodenum. Actinobacillus and Clostridium sensu stricto were the most abundant genera in the ileum and '5 genus incertae sedis', a genus from the Subdivision 5 class of the Verrucomicrobia, was the most abundant from the large colon through feces. There was a significant increase in diversity towards the distal gut with similar profiles observed from the cecum through feces at the class level. The bacterial population comprising the equine intestinal tract varies greatly among compartments and fecal samples may be useful as representative of changes occurring in the distal compartments.

Management and complications of anaesthesia during balloon valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis in dogs: 39 cases (2000 to 2012).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to report the management and complications of anaesthesia in dogs undergoing balloon valvuloplasty. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records of dogs that were diagnosed with pulmonic stenosis and undergoing balloon valvuloplasty between 2000 and 2012. RESULTS: Thirty-nine cases were identified (28 males and 11 females). Median (range) age and bodyweight was 6 (4 to 48) months and 11·5 (2·0 to 30·3) kg, respectively. The most commonly represented breeds included mixed breed (n = 7, 17·9%) and English bulldog (n = 6, 15·3%). Anaesthesia was induced most commonly with intravenous administration of ketamine-diazepam (n = 8, 20·5%), propofol-diazepam (n = 8, 20·5%), or propofol-midazolam-lidocaine (n = 6, 15·4%), and maintained with isoflurane in combination with fentanyl or lidocaine. Anaesthetic and surgery times (mean ± sd) were 268·5 ±54 minutes and 193·2 ±50 minutes, respectively. The most common intraoperative complications were hypotension (n = 19, 48·7%), bradycardia (n = 8, 20·5%) and desaturation (n = 7, 17·9%). Cardiac arrhythmias were observed in 21 (53·8%) dogs. Death occurred in one (2·6%) dog due to severe hypotension after ballooning followed by cardiac arrest. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Successful anaesthesia can be performed in young dogs with pulmonic stenosis undergoing balloon valvuloplasty. Management of anaesthesia requires intense monitoring and immediate treatment of complications. Anaesthetic risk increases during ballooning and may result in cardiac arrest.