Minimally invasive wireless motility capsule to study canine gastrointestinal motility and pH.

The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility of using a gastrointestinal tract wireless motility capsule (WMC) that measured intraluminal pressure, pH and transit time through the gastrointestinal tract, in dogs in their home environment. Forty-four adult healthy dogs, eating a standard diet, were prospectively enrolled. The WMC was well tolerated by all dogs and provided data from the different sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Median gastric emptying time was 20h (range, 6.3-119h), demonstrating a large range. The gastric pressure pattern and pH depended on the phase of food consumption. The small bowel transit time was 3.1h (range, 1.6-5.4h) with average contraction pressures of 6.5mmHg (range, 1.1-21.4mmHg) and pH 7.8 (range, 7-8.9). The large bowel transit time was 21h (range, 1-69h) with average contractions pressures of 0.9mmHg (range, 0.3-2.7mmHg) and pH 6.4 (range, 5.3-8.2). There was considerable individual variation in motility patterns and transit times between dogs. No difference was observed between the sexes. No relationships between any transit time, bowel pH or pressure pattern and bodyweights were identified. The WMC likely represents movement of a large non-digestible particle rather than normal ingesta. Due to its large size, the WMC should not be use in smaller dogs. The WMC is a promising minimally invasive tool to assess GIT solid phase transit times, pressures and pH. However, further studies are necessary due to the current limitations observed.

Information prescriptions: A tool for veterinary practices.

The Internet has become a major source of health information and has the potential to offer many benefits for both human and animal health. In order for impact to be positive, however, it is critical that users be able to access reliable, trustworthy information. Although more pet owners are using the Internet to research animal health information than ever before, there remains limited research surrounding their online activities or the ability to influence owners' online search behaviors. The current study was designed to assess the online behaviors and perceptions of pet owners after receiving either general or topic-specific information prescriptions as part of their veterinary appointment. Results indicate that nearly 60% of clients accessed the suggested websites and nearly all of these clients reported positive feelings about this addition to their veterinary services. These results suggest that offering information prescriptions to clients can facilitate better online searches by clients and positively impact both animal health and client satisfaction.

Marbofloxacin for the treatment of experimentally induced Mycoplasma haemofelis infection in cats.

BACKGROUND: Administration of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones is associated with improvement in clinical and laboratory abnormalities in cats infected with Mycoplasma haemofelis. No treatment protocol has consistently eliminated the organism, and antimicrobial susceptibility may vary among M. haemofelis isolates. Continued search for effective therapies is warranted. HYPOTHESIS: Marbofloxacin administered at the onset of clinical illness will be safe and effective for the treatment of M. haemofelis. ANIMALS: Fourteen young adult, laboratory-reared cats housed together in a specific pathogen-free facility. METHODS: Twelve cats were inoculated IV with 2.0 mL of blood from 2 M. haemofelis positive cats. Clinical parameters were assessed daily. CBC and hemoplasma polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay were performed before inoculation, weekly for 1-3 weeks postinoculation (PI) and twice weekly 3-6 weeks PI. Treatment with marbofloxacin (2.75 mg/kg PO daily for 14 days) was initiated in 6 randomly selected cats when PCV was <30% or fever was >102.5 degrees F (39.2 degrees C). Cats that were PCR positive on day 7 of therapy were treated for 28 days. Cats that were PCR negative on day 42 PI were treated with 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone acetate IM on day 50 PI. RESULTS: Significant differences between groups on some days after inoculation included higher PCV and red blood cell counts, lower mean cell volume, and higher mean cell hemoglobin content in marbofloxacin-treated cats. No differences in PCR assay results were noted between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Marbofloxacin was safe and resulted in more rapid hematologic improvement in M. haemofelis-infected cats, but did not change clinical scores and did not consistently eliminate infection.