Bacterial isolates from plaque and from blood during and after routine dental procedures in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the association between dental procedures and bacteremia in dogs, including a comparison of bacteria isolated from plaque and blood, severity of the bacteremia versus the severity of dental disease, and the longevity of bacteremia. STUDY DESIGN: Bacteria cultured from the blood over time were compared with those isolated from the plaque and crevicular fluid and in relation to severity of dental disease. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty adult greyhounds. METHODS: Blood samples were collected for culture before induction of general anesthesia, immediately after intubation, 20 minutes after initiation of the dental procedure, and at 10-minute intervals until 10 minutes after the dental procedure was completed. Samples of plaque were taken for microbiological culture. RESULTS: Sixty to ninety percent of the bacterial genera isolated from the plaque were present in the blood. Dogs classified according to severity of dental disease showed no difference in the total number of different species or number of different Gram-negative, Gram-positive, or anaerobic bacteria isolated from plaque or blood (P < .05). Bacteremia was present in all of the dogs studied, within 40 minutes from the initiation of the dental procedure, regardless of the severity of oral disease. CONCLUSIONS: Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and anaerobic bacteria are present in blood during dental procedures; the bacteremia can persist beyond the dental procedure, and is not associated with the severity of dental disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The nature and extent of bacteremia occurring during routine dental procedures is important in understanding a potential risk to dogs.

Cardiopulmonary responses in healthy dogs during endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

Cardiopulmonary responses were evaluated in 12 dogs undergoing endoscopy (gastroscopy and enteroscopy). Constant endoscopic insufflation was used to distend the stomach and small intestine for 30 minutes in groups of small (< 10 kg; n = 4), medium (10 to 20 kg; n = 4), and large (> 20 kg; n = 4) dogs. Cardiopulmonary measurements within groups prior to gastric distention (preendoscopy) were compared with postendoscopy measurements and with those made during endoscopy. After distending the stomach and small intestine, increased luminal pressure within the body of the stomach and in the descending duodenum (P < 0.05) and increased abdominal girth (P < 0.05) were observed, with the greatest changes in small dogs. Caudal vena cava pressures and mean arterial and pulmonary artery pressures increased (P < 0.05) during endoscopy. Cardiac index varied, with small dogs having greater cardiac index (P < 0.05) during endoscopy, compared with that in medium and large dogs. Minute volume remained unchanged during insufflation, despite a decrease in tidal volume (P < 0.05), because of an increase in respiratory rate (P < 0.05). Arterial blood gas analysis revealed a mild, mixed metabolic/respiratory acidosis in all groups. Although cardiopulmonary changes associated with gastrointestinal tract endoscopy were common, the changes were often small and of little clinical significance.

Right-to-left patent ductus arteriosus with dysplastic left ventricle in a dog.

A 6-week-old Siberian Husky pup had an unusual group of congenital heart anomalies that included a right-to-left patent ductus arteriosus, a small left ventricular chamber and ascending aorta, and a dysplastic mitral valve that may have been stenotic. Anomalies were diagnosed, using cardiac catheterization, angiocardiography, and blood gas determinations. Findings were confirmed by postmortem examination.

Unusual response following use of succinylcholine in a horse anesthetized with halothane.

A syndrome similar to malignant hyperthermia developed in a 545-kg Quarter Horse while anesthetized with halothane for cataract removal. Succinylcholine administration caused prolonged, severe muscle fasciculations followed by tachycardia, and an elevated blood pressure. Later, while the horse was still under anesthesia, its body temperature rose 2 degrees C, and respiratory acidosis developed. Myositis developed after surgery, but the horse recovered.