Hypothermia, anemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hypoglycemia are significant prognostic indicators of death in client-owned ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether rectal temperature, Hct, or blood glucose at presentation were associated with all-cause mortality in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). ANIMALS: 321 client-owned ferrets. METHODS: A medical record database was searched for ferrets from January 2012 through September 2022. Records from 1,189 individual examinations were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were rectal temperature, Hct, and/or blood glucose measured at presentation and data on survival status 7 days postpresentation. Data were included from 321 ferrets from 571 examinations. Rectal temperature in 244 ferrets from 346 examinations, Hct in 181 ferrets from 277 examinations, and blood glucose in 260 ferrets from 420 examinations were available. RESULTS: The odds of death for hypothermic ferrets (< 37.8 °C) were 3.72 times (OR, 3.72; 95% CI, 2.30 to 6.01) the odds of death for normothermic ferrets (37.8 to 40 °C). For every 0.56 °C below normal rectal temperature, the odds of death increased 1.49 times (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.90). The odds of death for anemic ferrets (Hct < 33%) were 4.74 times (OR, 4.74; 95% CI, 1.70 to 13.21) the odds of death for ferrets with a normal Hct (33% to 57%). The odds of death for hyperglycemic ferrets (> 152 mg/dL) were 2.61 times (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.29 to 5.30) the odds of death for normoglycemic ferrets (74 to 152 mg/dL). The odds of death for severely hypoglycemic ferrets (< 40 mg/dL) were 9.45 times (OR, 9.45; 95% CI, 3.18 to 28.12) the odds of death for normoglycemic ferrets. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypothermia, anemia, hyperglycemia, and severe hypoglycemia were significant prognostic indicators of death in ferrets. Further investigation into the causes and management of these derangements is warranted.

Acute Effects of Hypothermia and Inhalant Anesthesia on Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Neuroendocrine Markers in Neonatal Rats.

Neonatal rodents undergo anesthesia for numerous procedures and for euthanasia by anesthetic overdose. However, data regarding whether neonatal anesthesia is humane are limited. Hypothermia (cryoanesthesia) is the most commonly used anesthetic protocol for neonatal rats 10 d of age or younger. However, hypothermia has recently been restricted in several countries due to perceived painful effects, including pain on rewarming. Minimizing the potential pain and distress of neonates in research is imperative, although very challenging. Traditional validated and nonvalidated behavioral and physiologic outcome measures used for adult rats undergoing anesthesia are unsuitable for evaluating neonates. Therefore, we investigated the effects of several anesthetic methods on neonatal rats by using the innovative objective approaches of noninvasive ultrasonic vocalizations and more invasive neuroendocrine responses (i. e., serum corticosterone, norepinephrine, glucose). Our results show that hypothermia leads to heightened acute distress in neonatal rats as indicated by prolonged recovery times, increased duration of vocalizations, and elevated corticosterone levels, as compared with neonates undergoing inhalational anesthesia. We demonstrate that inhalational anesthesia is preferable to cryoanesthesia for neonatal rats, and researchers using hypothermia anesthesia should consider using inhalational anesthesia as an alternative method.

An investigation of the discrepancy between set and actual temperature of neonatal incubators: concern for hypothermia and hyperthermia.

OBJECTIVE: To document any discordance between the set temperature and independently measured temperature of neonatal incubators in order to determine the potential of neonatal incubators to cause hypothermia or hyperthermia in neonatal animals. SAMPLE: 5 different veterinary neonatal incubators from 2 separate manufacturers. METHODS: Internal temperatures of 5 incubators from 2 manufacturers were monitored with both internal and external monitoring devices to determine how much incubator temperatures might vary from what is reported on the incubator thermostat. The study was conducted on May 25, 2022. RESULTS: Increases in temperature as measured by thermocouple and infrared sensors of > 2 °C were detected in 3 of the 5 (60%; 95% CI, 17% to 93%) tested incubators. Temperatures exceeded 41 °C at times, despite the incubator thermostat being set to 35 °C. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Neonatal puppies have a decreased capacity to thermoregulate and are susceptible to both hypothermia and hyperthermia if environmental temperatures are not kept within a proper range. Core temperatures below 35.0 °C lead to bradycardia, dyspnea, loss of suckle reflex, hypoglycemia, gastrointestinal ileus, and multiple organ failure; temperatures above 41.1 °C lead to pulmonary edema, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhage in multiple organs, and death.

Intranasal dexmedetomidine as premedication for magnetic resonance imaging examinations in dogs with neurological disorders mitigates hypotension and hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine as a premedication for preventing hypotension and hypothermia in canine patients undergoing MRI examinations. ANIMALS: Dogs undergoing MRI examinations for neurological disorders were enrolled in this study. The dogs were randomly assigned: 15 to the N-Dex group (without premedication) and 13 to the Dex group (125 µg/m2 of dexmedetomidine, intranasally, as a premedication). METHODS: During the examination, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial blood pressure were recorded every 5 minutes for the first 30 minutes. Body temperature was measured before and after the examination. Any adverse events during the procedure were documented. RESULTS: Significant changes in pulse rate during the examination were not distinguishable. Although blood pressure and body temperature decreased in both groups under anesthesia, dogs in the Dex group had a significantly smaller drop in blood pressure and body temperature and fewer hypotension events than those in the N-Dex group MRI examinations of 1 hour's duration. Two dogs in the Dex group exhibited bradycardia at 45 and 60 minutes of MRI examination, which resolved after receiving atipamezole. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results indicate that intranasal administration of 125 µg/m2 of dexmedetomidine as premedication is safe and can potentially mitigate hypothermia and hypotension in dogs with neurological disorders during MRI examinations.

Correlation of opioid antinociception and hypothermia in dogs-An animal welfare refinement.

The purpose of this study was to assess antinociception and correlation of antinociception and hypothermic effects after intravenous opioids in dogs. Nine healthy male Beagles were enrolled in the study. They were acclimated to a thermal nociceptive device, then received three IV treatments (saline, butorphanol 0.4 mg/kg and methadone 0.5 mg/kg) in a randomized complete block design. Rectal temperature and thermal withdrawals were assessed prior to and 0.5-6 h after drug administration. One dog was excluded due to lack of withdrawal to thermal stimuli. Rectal temperatures were not significantly different between treatments at time 0, but significantly decreased from 0.5 to 5 h for both opioids compared to saline. Withdrawals were significantly decreased, compared to saline, from 0.5 to 4 h for butorphanol and 0.5-5 h for methadone. A significant (p = .0005) and moderate (R2 = .43) correlation between antinociception and hypothermia occurred. Based on these data, intravenous butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg) and methadone (0.5 mg/kg) provided 4 and 5 h of antinociception, respectively. Opioid hypothermia can serve as an easy, noninvasive and humane manner for preclinical assessment of opioid antinociception in dogs prior to evaluation in clinical trials. This is a major refinement in animal welfare for assessing novel opioids, opioid doses and dose intervals in dogs.

Deaths due to suspected hypothermia in sheep and alpacas on a Manawatu farm in New Zealand in mid-summer.

CASE HISTORY: In mid-summer (February), 42 of a flock of 68 ram hoggets (approximately 5 months of age) and two of a group of 14 alpacas on a farm in the Manawatu region of New Zealand were found recumbent or dead following a period of persistent rain, strong winds and relatively low temperatures. The hoggets and alpacas had been shorn 4 and 53 days previously, respectively, and were in adequate to good body condition with access to ad libitum pasture. Post-mortem and histological examinations were undertaken on four hoggets and two alpacas. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Apart from hypothermic body temperatures from four recumbent hoggets, nothing of significance was identified on clinical or gross pathological examination. Histological changes of vacuolar hepatopathy, renal tubular degeneration and pulmonary congestion were present in all animals examined. DIAGNOSIS: Based on the history and clinical and pathological findings, hypothermia was highly probable to have been the cause of the deaths. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These cases emphasise the importance of shelter for recently shorn sheep and alpacas regardless of the season.

Effect of prewarmed crystalloid fluids and an in-line fluid warming device on fluid outflow temperatures at ambient temperatures of 21-22°C and 3.5°C.

Equine veterinarians frequently treat patients in non-climate-controlled (i.e., hospitalized) settings. In colder environments, intravenous (IV) fluid administration can contribute to patient hypothermia. The objective of this study was to evaluate three IV fluid warming mechanisms to determine their effect on fluid outflow temperatures at ambient temperatures of 21-22°C and 3.5°C. In this study, fluid outflow temperatures were measured using three warming mechanisms: (1) pre-warmed fluids at 42°C, (2) an in-line warming device placed 163 cm away from the Luer-lock fluid line adaptor (location 1) on the fluid line, and (3) an in-line warming device placed 88 cm away from the Luer-lock fluid line adaptor (location 2) on the fluid line. These warming mechanisms were compared to outflow temperatures measured using no warming mechanism at ambient temperatures of 21-22°C and 3.5°C with flow rates of ∼12 L/hour (gravity flow bolus) and 999 mL/hour. All outflow temperatures were measured with a thermistor. At ∼12L/hour, the use of pre-warmed fluids increased outflow temperatures at both ambient temperatures of 21-22°C and 3.5°C ambient temperatures and an in-line warming device placed at location 1 significantly increased outflow temperatures in 3.5°C ambient temperatures. At 999 mL/hour, use of pre-warmed fluids or an in-line warming device, placed at either location, increased outflow temperatures at ambient temperatures of 21°C or 3.5°C.

Continuous digital hypothermia for prevention and treatment of equine acute laminitis: A practical review.

Laminitis is a severely debilitating and life-threatening condition that occurs as a consequence of different primary triggering factors. Continuous digital hypothermia (CDH) is recommended in horses at risk of, or diagnosed with, acute laminitis due to its several physiological and biochemical alterations that may be positive for the prevention and early treatment of the condition, representing a low risk of adverse effects. Modulation of the inflammatory response, profound vasoconstriction, and prevention of tissue damage are the most notable protective effects of cryotherapy on the lamellae. This practical review aims to summarize the published literature evaluating CDH efficacy in the prevention and early treatment of acute laminitis in horses, highlighting the most important clinical findings and discussing the best methods to provide cryotherapy. Nineteen publications evaluated different CDH methods, including the use of commercially available ice boots or fluid bags filled with iced water or crushed ice, as well as alternatives to immersion in ice, e.g., frozen gel packs and a perfused cuff prototype. Although some techniques were effective for cooling and maintaining the hooves below the optimal temperature of 10 °C, relevant limitations such as labor intensiveness, reliance on an ice source and price make its use impractical in some clinical situations. Twelve experimental studies assessed the efficacy of CDH on the prevention or early treatment of laminitis, finding multiple positive effects in terms of clinical improvement, immunological and inflammatory modulation, and histological protection. After the analysis of the literature, the clinical importance of CDH in different stages of laminitis remains clear. However, it also highlights the need for a safer, more user-friendly, and more effective method of cryotherapy that can be used both in a hospital and an ambulatory setting.

The effect of adding a heated humidified breathing circuit on body temperature in healthy anesthetized dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of a circulating warm water blanket (WWB) in combination with a heated humidified breathing circuit (HHBC) heated to 45 °C on rectal temperature (RT) in dogs undergoing general anesthesia for elective ovariohysterectomies. ANIMALS: 29 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs in the experimental group (n = 8) and dogs in the control group (21) were connected to an HHBC and a conventional rebreathing circuit, respectively. All dogs were placed on a WWB in the operating room (OR). The RT was recorded at baseline, premedication, induction, transfer to OR, every 15 minutes during maintenance of anesthesia, and extubation. Incidence of hypothermia (RT < 37 °C) at extubation was recorded. Data were analyzed using unpaired t tests, the Fisher exact test, and mixed-effect ANOVA. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. RESULTS: There was no difference in RT during baseline, premedication, induction, and transfer to OR. The overall RT was higher for the HHBC group during anesthesia (P = .005) and at extubation (37.7 ± 0.6 °C) compared with the control group (36.6 ± 1.0 °C; P = .006). The incidence of hypothermia at extubation was 12.5% for the HHBC group and 66.7% for the control group (P = .014). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of HHBC and WWB can reduce the incidence of postanesthetic hypothermia in dogs. Use of an HHBC should be considered in veterinary patients.

Chronic cold stress-induced myocardial injury: effects on oxidative stress, inflammation and pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia is a crucial environmental factor that elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying effect is unclear. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the role of cold stress (CS) in cardiac injury and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: In this study, a chronic CS-induced myocardial injury model was used; mice were subjected to chronic CS (4°C) for three hours per day for three weeks. RESULTS: CS could result in myocardial injury by inducing the levels of heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70), enhancing the generation of creatine phosphokinase-isoenzyme (CKMB) and malondialdehyde (MDA), increasing the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) interleukin1b (IL-1ß), IL-18, IL-6, and triggering the depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Multiple signaling pathways were activated by cold exposure, including pyroptosis-associated NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3)-regulated caspase-1-dependent/Gasdermin D (GSDMD), inflammation-related toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as oxidative stress-involved thioredoxin-1/thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) signaling pathways, which play a pivotal role in myocardial injury resulting from hypothermia. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide new insights into the increased risk of cardiovascular disease at extremely low temperatures.

Retrospective investigation of decreasing body temperature trends during anaesthesia in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia during the perianaesthetic period may lead to an increased risk of morbidity in veterinary patients. However, the timeline of the decrease in body temperature during general anaesthesia has been minimally investigated. METHODS: Anaesthetic records of 1097 client-owned dogs were examined. Change in body temperature (ΔBT = baseline temperature - time point temperature) was plotted over time for all dogs. The slope of ΔBT was calculated for each 15-minute interval, and the magnitude of the largest ΔBT and the time point at which the largest ΔBT occurred were determined for each record. RESULTS: A rapid decline in ΔBT occurred from 0 to 15 minutes, a slower decline occurred from 15 to 60 minutes and a plateau occurred from 60 to 240 minutes. The largest ΔBT occurred at 75 (15-240) minutes from baseline, with a maximum ΔBT of -2.06°C (-0.06°C to -8.72°C). LIMITATIONS: This is a retrospective study. As such, there were missing data points and potential confounding factors could not be controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: Anaesthetised dogs exhibited a distinct pattern of decrease in body temperature, with the most rapid reduction occurring within the first 15 minutes. The effects of procedures and anaesthetic agents on the timeline and pattern of heat loss warrant further investigation.

Sepsis and survival in critically ill calves: Risk factors and antimicrobial use.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a life-threatening disease for which critically important antimicrobials (CIA) frequently are used. Diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines for sepsis and critically ill calves are largely lacking. OBJECTIVES: Identify factors associated with mortality in critically ill calves and describe bacteria obtained from blood cultures of critically ill calves with sepsis and their antimicrobial resistance. ANIMALS: Two-hundred thirty critically ill calves, mainly Belgian Blue beef cattle. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study. Logistic regression, survival analysis, and decision tree analysis were used to determine factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Of the critically ill calves, 34.3% had sepsis and 61.3% died. The final survival model indicated that calves with sepsis (hazard risk [HR]: 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-2.5; P = .05), abnormal behavior (HR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.3-4.0; P = .005), and hypothermia (HR: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72-0.95; P = .01) had a significantly higher mortality risk. In a second survival model, hypothermia (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.78-0.96; P = .004) and hypoglycemia (HR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.5-3.3; P < .001) were risk factors for mortality. Decision tree analysis emphasized the importance of behavior, hypochloremia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, and lung ultrasonography for mortality risk. Escherichia coli (30.6%) was most frequently isolated from blood cultures, of which 90.9% were multidrug resistant. Inappropriate use of antimicrobials was frequent for penicillin, amoxicillin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, but less for CIA. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Many critically ill calves have sepsis, which increases mortality risk. Bacteria involved are often resistant to first-intention antimicrobials but less resistant to CIA. The other identified risk factors for mortality can support therapeutic decision-making.

Evaluation of Active Warming and Surgical Draping for Perioperative Thermal Support in Laboratory Mice.

Surgical procedures are commonly performed using mice but can have major effects on their core body temperature, including development of hypothermia. In this study, we evaluated active perioperative warming with and without surgical draping with adherent plastic wrap to refine practices, improve animal welfare, and optimize research experiments. Mice were randomized into treatment groups (n = 6; 8 CD1 mice per group). Treatments included placement within a small-animal forced-air incubator at 38 ° C for 30 min before surgery (Pre), after surgery (Post), or before and after surgery (Both). To explore the effect of surgical draping, one group received incubator warming before and after surgery in addition to surgical draping (Both/ Drape), whereas another group received surgical draping only without incubator warming (Control/Drape). The final group of mice received neither warming nor draping (Control). Subcutaneous temperature transponders were placed in all mice. Approximately 5 d after transponder placement, mice were anesthetized with ketamine-xylazine and underwent laparotomy. Subcutaneous body temperatures were collected perioperatively from transponders, and rectal temperatures were taken every minute during surgery. For recovery from anesthesia, mice were placed either in a standard cage on a warm water blanket set to 38 °C (100.4 °F) or in the incubator. Subcutaneous body temperatures were significantly higher in mice prewarmed for 30 min (Pre, Both, Both/Drape) as compared with mice that were not prewarmed. Anesthetic recovery times were significantly longer for mice placed in the incubator (Pre, Post, Both, Both/Drape) than for those that did not receive incubator warming (Control, Control/Drape). Mean intraoperative rectal temperatures of Both/Drape mice tended to be greater than those of mice in the Both group, suggesting a warming benefit of surgical draping. Using a forced air incubator and adherent plastic draping mitigated body temperature loss in mice during both surgery and postoperative recovery.

Supplemental reflective blankets and wool socks help maintain body temperature in dogs undergoing celiotomy procedures: a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare results for body (esophageal) temperature measurements obtained during celiotomy in normothermic (presurgical) canine patients receiving routine heat support versus routine heat support plus supplemental support (consisting of covering the thorax in a reflective blanket and placing reflective blankets plus wool socks on 3 limbs) in a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 44 dogs requiring celiotomy that were presented sequentially to an emergency and specialty referral veterinary hospital. PROCEDURES: The 44 dogs undergoing celiotomy were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The control group received routine intraoperative heat support consisting of a circulating warm water blanket and either a towel or blanket. The supplemental group received the same routine heat support plus a reflective blanket covering the cervical and thoracic regions and reflective blankets wrapped around 3 limbs and covered with wool socks from the digits to the axillary or inguinal region. RESULTS: Mean esophageal temperature for both the control and supplemental groups dropped throughout celiotomy. Esophageal temperature measurements at several time points were significantly higher for the supplemental group than for the control group. The lowest temperature measurement for the supplemental group, adjusted for initial esophageal temperature and procedure duration, was significantly higher by 0.8 °C than that for the control group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Covering the cervical and thoracic regions with a reflective blanket and wrapping limbs in reflective blankets and wool socks is an affordable adjunctive method to provide passive heat support and minimize perioperative hypothermia in canine patients undergoing celiotomy.

Mild hypothermia and vitrification increase the mRNA expression of cold-inducible proteins in bovine oocytes and cumulus cells.

The cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRBP) assists cells in adapting to new environmental conditions stabilizing specific mRNAs and promoting their translation. CIRBP participates in anti-apoptotic and anti-senescence processes, and its expression is induced by mild hypothermia, which may be advantageous to oocytes during vitrification. Several newly discovered small molecules, like zr17-2, mimic the effects of cold temperatures by increasing the expression of CIRBP at normothermia. This study aimed to evaluate the mRNA changes of a group of cold-inducible protein-encoding and apoptotic genes in response to exogenous supplementation of zr17-2 (experiment 1) or CIRBP (experiment 2) in vitro matured bovine oocytes and their cumulus cells. In experiment 1, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were randomly exposed to three concentrations of zr17-2 (1, 10, and 100 µM) during 24 h of in vitro maturation (IVM) under normothermia (38.5 °C) or mild hypothermia (34 °C) culture conditions. In experiment 2, COCs were randomly exposed to three concentrations of CIRBP (2, 4, and 6 µg/mL) or subjected to mild hypothermia (34 °C), followed by oocyte vitrification/warming after 20 h of IVM. The quantification of the selected gene transcript expression was performed separately in oocytes and cumulus cells by quantitative real-time PCR. We show that oocytes and cumulus cells exhibited similar mRNA expression responses to mild hypothermia and vitrification. However, minor differences were observed when COCs were exposed to exogenous supplementation with zr17-2 and CIRBP. In conclusion, the alterations observed in the mRNA expression in these experimental conditions may impact the quality of the cumulus-oocyte complexes in terms of vitrification and sublethal hypothermia challenges. In this sense, our results should complement other oocyte quality assessments for its application in future assisted reproductive techniques in the bovine species, including improving oocyte cryotolerance to vitrification.

Recommended doses of medetomidine-midazolam-butorphanol with atipamezole for preventing hypothermia in mice.

A non-narcotic anesthetic combination (Me/Mi/Bu) of medetomidine (Me), midazolam (Mi), and butorphanol (Bu) has been recommended as the injectable anesthesia in mice. An original dose of Me/Mi/Bu (0.3/4.0/5.0 mg/kg) has provided sufficient anesthetic duration of 40-50 min in mice. In addition, atipamezole is available for reversal of Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia. As an adverse effect of Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia, however, severe hypothermia has been also observed in mice. In the present study, we investigated 1) the main agent in Me/Mi/Bu to cause of hypothermia, 2) the effects of the differential doses of atipamezole on hypothermia induced by Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia and on the plasma levels of creatinine phosphokinase and transaminases, and 3) those recommended doses for preventing hypothermia induced by Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia in mice. The results suggested that 1) the α2-agonist medetomidine is most likely to induce hypothermia in mice under Me/Mi/Bu anesthesia, 2) the antagonism of atipamezole within proper dose range is effective in promoting the recovery from Me/Mi/Bu-induced hypothermia, and 3) Me/Mi/Bu at the recommended dose of 0.2/6.0/10.0 mg/kg enable to provide anesthetic effects for 40 min and is more considerable to prevent the hypothermia than that at the original dose of 0.3/4.0/5.0 mg/kg.

Clinical, surgical, and pathological findings in client-owned rabbits with histologically confirmed appendicitis: 19 cases (2015-2019).

OBJECTIVE: To report clinical, surgical, and pathological findings in client-owned rabbits with histologically confirmed appendicitis. ANIMALS: 19 rabbits. PROCEDURES: Medical records for client-owned rabbits that had a histologic diagnosis of appendicitis were reviewed. RESULTS: Median age of the rabbits at presentation was 24.0 months (range, 4 to 84 months). Seventeen cases occurred during the summer and fall seasons. Decreased appetite (17/19 rabbits), abnormal rectal temperature (hyperthermia, 9/16 rabbits; hypothermia, 4/16 rabbits), hypocalcemia (8/11 rabbits), and hypoglycemia (7/15 rabbits) were common signs. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT findings were suggestive of appendicitis in 6 of 8 rabbits and in 1 of 2 rabbits, respectively. Of the 6 rabbits that received medical treatment, 3 died at 48 hours, 1 died at 24 hours after hospitalization, and 1 died at 10 days after presentation; 1 rabbit was alive at 1,030 days after presentation. Of the 8 rabbits that underwent appendectomy, 3 died before discharge from the hospital and 1 died 113 days after surgery; 4 rabbits were alive at 315, 334, 1,433, and 1,473 days after presentation. The remaining 5 rabbits either died or were euthanized before treatment could be instituted. In each of the 19 rabbits, the appendix had evidence of severe inflammation with mucosal ulceration, heterophilic inflammation, and necrotic debris. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For rabbits with decreased appetite and an apparently painful abdomen, hyperthermia, hypocalcemia, or hypoglycemia, appendicitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis. Further comparisons of medical and surgical treatments are required to establish treatment recommendations for rabbits with appendicitis.

Collection of cerebrospinal fluid in 50 adult healthy donkeys (Equus asinus): clinical complications, and cytological and biochemical constituents.

BACKGROUND: Diseases of the central nervous system are a well-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality in equine. Collection and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) give information about the type and stage of degenerative and inflammatory diseases in central nervous system (CNS). The present research aimed to assess the clinical complications of CSF collections and to establish range values of cytological and biochemical parameters of CSF in adult healthy donkeys (Equus asinus). The CSF samples were collected from fifty healthy donkeys at the lumbosacral (LS) and atlanto-occipital (AO) sites. RESULTS: Hypothermia, tachycardia, ataxia and recumbency may develop post-puncture. Erythrocytes were noticed in 35 of 50 CSF samples. Total nucleated cell counts ranged from 0 to 6 cells/µL, and lymphocytes predominated the cells (61%). The concentration of glucose (1.2 to 5.3 mmol/L) was lower than that of serum (P < 0.05). The CSF sodium concentration (123 to 160 mmol/L) was approximately like that of serum, but potassium (1.5-3 mmol/L) was lower than that of serum (P < 0.01). Urea concentrations (1.1-2.9 mmol/L) were markedly lower than serum (P < 0.001). Concentrations of CSF total proteins, and albumin ranged from 0.1 to 0.6 g/dL, and from 0.002 to 0.013 g/dL, respectively. The albumin quotient ranged from 0.06 to 0.56. CONCLUSIONS: Transient hypothermia, tachycardia, ataxia and recumbency may develop as clinical complications of CSF puncture procedures. The collection site has no impact on the constituents in CSF. Furthermore, this study presented the range values for normal cytological and biochemical constituents of CSF in donkeys (Equus asinus) that can provide a basis in comparison when evaluating CSF from donkeys with neurologic diseases.

Continuous digital hypothermia reduces expression of keratin 17 and 1L-17A inflammatory pathway mediators in equine laminitis induced by hyperinsulinemia.

The euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp model (EHC) of equine endocrinopathic laminitis induces rapid loss of lamellar tissue integrity, disrupts keratinocyte functions, and induces inflammation similar to natural disease. Continuous digital hypothermia (CDH) blocks tissue damage in this experimental model, allowing identification of specific genes or molecular pathways contributing to disease initiation or early progression. Archived lamellar tissues (8 horses, 48 h EHC treatment, including CDH-treated front limbs) were used to measure relative expression levels of genes encoding keratin 17 (KRT17), a stress-induced intermediate filament protein, and genes upregulated downstream of keratin 17 and/or interleukin 17A (IL-17A), as mediators of inflammation. Compared to front or hind limbs at ambient temperature, CDH resulted in significantly lower expression of KRT17, CCL2, CxCL8, PTGS2 (encoding COX2), IL6, TNFα, S100A8 and MMP1. By immunofluorescence, COX2 was robustly expressed in lamellar keratinocytes from ambient limbs, but not in CDH-treated limbs. Genes not significantly reduced by CDH were IL17A, DEFB4B, S100A9 and MMP9. Overall, 8 of 12 genes were expressed at lower levels in the CDH-treated limb. These 8 genes are expressed by wounded or stress-activated keratinocytes in human disease or mouse models, highlighting the role of keratinocytes in equine laminitis.

Wischnewski Spots and Black Oesophagus in Suspected Fatal Hypothermia in a Brown Howler Monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) and a Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Fatal hypothermia represents a diagnostic challenge in veterinary pathology. Wischnewski spots (WS) and black oesophagus (BO) have been described in human cases of fatal hypothermia but rarely in animals. We now describe WS and BO in suspected fatal hypothermia in a free-ranging brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) and a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Both animals had dark spots resembling WS on the gastric mucosa and the monkey also had BO with haematin deposition. In both cases, stress factors and relatively cold environmental conditions were present prior to death.