Oral meloxicam given as an ancillary treatment at respiratory disease diagnosis was not associated with growth, clinical scores, or ultrasound scores in preweaned dairy calves.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a single dose of oral meloxicam as an ancillary therapy to an antibiotic given at the time of respiratory disease identification on average daily gain (ADG), behavioral attitude, clinical respiratory, and lung ultrasound scores in preweaned dairy calves. Animals: 215 male and female Holstein, Jersey, and crossbred preweaned calves enrolled between 1 and 14 days of age at study enrollment on a single commercial dairy in the western US. Methods: The study took place from March 4, 2021, to November 21, 2021. In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, calves were given an antibiotic (1.1 mL of tulathromycin/kg, SC, once) and either a placebo (1 mg of lactose monohydrate/kg, in a gelatin capsule) or oral meloxicam (1 mg/kg) at the time of respiratory disease identification. Behavioral attitude, clinical respiratory, and lung ultrasound scores and ADG were assessed in preweaned dairy calves at different time points including the next health examination, 1 week later, or at weaning. Results: There was no association between treatment (placebo vs meloxicam) on ADG or respiratory disease status at weaning (P > .05). There was no effect of treatment on behavioral attitude, clinical respiratory, or lung ultrasound scores at the next health examination or 1 week later (P > .05). Clinical Relevance: The present study did not provide evidence that oral meloxicam given once is beneficial for growth, behavioral attitude, or clinical or lung ultrasound scores.

Ureteropyeloscopic removal of a nephrolith from a 19 year old Hanoverian gelding.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the ureteropyeloscopic removal of a nephrolith in a horse. ANIMALS: A 19 year old Hanoverian gelding with history of urolithiasis requiring surgical intervention. STUDY DESIGN: Case report METHODS: The horse presented with signs of abdominal straining and stranguria. A proximal urethral calculus was palpable externally within the perineal urethra. Perineal urethrostomy (PU) at the location of the urethral calculi was performed to remove the urethral obstruction. Left nephrolithiasis was then treated by endoscopic retrieval, inserting the endoscope through the PU. The procedures were performed over 2 consecutive days, with the horse standing and sedated. Medical therapy included antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatment. RESULTS: The ureteropyeloscopic removal of a nephrolith from the left renal pelvis was completed. No complications were appreciated following the procedure, and the horse was able to return to athletic activity within 2 weeks. The horse had no further clinical signs referable to urinary dysfunction 7 months later. CONCLUSION: Ureteropyeloscopic removal of a nephrolith from the renal pelvis is technically feasible in the equine patient and preserves function of the affected kidney. The availability of a treatment that maintains renal function is a distinct benefit over unilateral nephrectomy, particularly when treating a condition that frequently involves both kidneys.

Evaluation of the 4-point regional nerve block using 2% lidocaine in sheep.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a single 4-point regional nerve block using 2% lidocaine administered distal to the fetlock of sheep with a single distal limb lameness will result in analgesia of the digits. ANIMALS: Eighteen adult ewes with a single limb lameness originating from distal to the metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joint were enrolled in the study. PROCEDURES: Digital lameness was confirmed and scored based on clinical examination. Pain associated with digital lesions was assessed in triplicate using a pressure algometer to quantify mechanical nociceptive threshold. The same procedure was repeated on the contralateral limb as a control, and maximum force and time to response recorded. A 4-point regional nerve block was performed using 8 mL of 2% lidocaine. Mechanical nociception was again applied in triplicate to both limbs as described above, by a blinded investigator. Following appropriate medical treatment, the ewe was released and lameness scoring repeated.Median values for pressure and time to withdrawal were determined for affected and control limbs, and differences between pre- and post-lidocaine block measures were compared using Friedman's ANOVA test. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to compare lameness score pre- and post-block. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. MAIN FINDINGS: Application of the 4-point block resulted in a change in pressure required to elicit withdrawal (F-value 17.7; P < 0.0001) as well as time to withdrawal (F-value 20.4; P < 0.0001), for the affected limb as compared to the control limb. Lameness scores decreased following the block (Signed-rank statistic 85.5; P < 0.0001). PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION: The 4-point nerve block resulted in anesthesia of the distal limb in sheep in this clinical model.

Évaluation du bloc nerveux régional en quatre points avec de la lidocaïne à 2 % chez le mouton. OBJECTIF: Déterminer si un seul bloc nerveux régional en quatre points utilisant de la lidocaïne à 2 % administrée distalement du boulet d'un mouton présentant une boiterie d'un seul membre distal entraînera une analgésie des doigts. ANIMAUX: Dix-huit brebis adultes avec une boiterie d'un seul membre provenant de la partie distale de l'articulation métacarpo/métatarsophalangienne ont été incluses dans l'étude. PROCÉDURES: La boiterie digitale a été confirmée et notée sur la base d'un examen clinique. La douleur associée aux lésions digitales a été évaluée en triple à l'aide d'un algomètre à pression pour quantifier le seuil nociceptif mécanique. La même procédure a été répétée sur le membre controlatéral en tant que témoin, et la force maximale et le temps de réponse ont été enregistrés. Un bloc nerveux régional en quatre points a été réalisé avec 8 ml de lidocaïne à 2 %. La nociception mécanique a de nouveau été appliquée en triple exemplaire aux deux membres comme décrit ci-dessus, par un chercheur en aveugle. Suite à un traitement médical approprié, la brebis a été relâchée et le score de boiterie répété.Les valeurs médianes de la pression et du temps de retrait ont été déterminées pour les membres affectés et les membres témoins, et les différences entre les mesures du bloc avant et après le bloc de lidocaïne ont été comparées à l'aide du test ANOVA de Friedman. Le test de Wilcoxon (signed-rank) a été utilisé pour comparer le score de boiterie avant et après le bloc. Le seuil de signification statistique a été fixé à α = 0,05. PRINCIPAUX RÉSULTATS: L'utilisation du bloc à quatre points a entraîné une modification de la pression requise pour déclencher le retrait (valeur F 17,7; P < 0,0001) ainsi que du temps de retrait (valeur F 20,4; P < 0,0001), pour les membres affectées par rapport au membres témoins. Les scores de boiterie ont diminué après le bloc (statistique de Signed-rank 85,5; P < 0,0001). CONCLUSION PRINCIPALE: Le bloc nerveux en quatre points a entraîné une anesthésie du membre distal chez le mouton dans ce modèle clinique.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Brief Report: Case Comparison of Therapy With the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Vorinostat in a Neonatal Calf Model of Pulmonary Hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an incurable condition in humans; driven by pulmonary vascular remodeling partially mediated by epigenetic mechanisms; and leading to right ventricular hypertrophy, failure, and death. We hypothesized that targeting chromatin-modifying histone deacetylases may provide benefit. In this Brief Report we describe case comparison studies using the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat (suberanilohydroxamic acid, 5 mg/kg/day for the first 5 study days) in an established model of severe neonatal bovine PH induced by 14 days of environmental hypoxia. Echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and pharmacokinetic data were obtained in hypoxia-exposed (one each, vorinostat-treated vs. untreated) and normoxic vorinostat-treated control animals (n = 2). Echocardiography detected PH changes by day 4 and severe PH over 14 days of continued hypoxic exposure. RV dysfunction at day 4 was less severe in vorinostat-treated compared to untreated hypoxic calves. Cardioprotective effects were partially maintained following cessation of treatment through the duration of hypoxic exposure, accompanied by hemodynamic evidence suggestive of reduced pulmonary vascular stiffening, and modulated expression of HDAC1 protein and genes involved in RV and pulmonary vascular remodeling and pathological RV hypertrophy. Control calves did not develop PH, nor show adverse cardiac or clinical effects. These results provide novel translation of epigenetic-directed therapy to a large animal severe PH model that recapitulates important features of human disease.

Combined tube cystostomy and urethrotomy for the treatment of urethral obstruction due to urolithiasis in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the treatment of goats with urethral obstruction secondary to urolithiasis by combining tube cystostomy and urethrotomy. ANIMALS: Eight male goats. STUDY DESIGN: Short case series. METHODS: Medical records (September 2012-September 2017) of male goats treated for obstruction secondary to urolithiasis with tube cystostomy and urethrotomy were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, history, physical examination findings, diagnostic results, perioperative treatments, operative details, hospitalization duration, intraoperative and postoperative complications, urolith analysis, and time to restoration of urethral patency. Long-term follow-up (>12 months) was obtained by email or telephone interviews of owners or by clinical examination. RESULTS: Seven of eight goats were castrated males of various of breeds. All goats were tachycardic with urethral pulsation at admission. Uroliths were composed of calcium carbonate in four goats and silica in one goat. All goats regained urethral patency during hospitalization, and all were discharged alive from the hospital. Seven goats were alive at long-term follow-up. Postoperative complications included persistent urethral obstruction requiring a second urethrotomy 2 days postoperatively, premature dislodgement of the bladder catheter and jejunal obstruction secondary to adhesions, and recurrence of obstructive urolithiasis within the proximal perineal urethra requiring a second surgery 8 months later (1 each). Long-term outcome was good, with urethral patency beyond 12 months in six of eight goats. CONCLUSION: Combining tube cystostomy and urethrotomy restored urethral patency in goats with urethral obstruction from uroliths. Although none of the complications seemed directly related to the urethrotomy, formation of abdominal adhesions and recurrence of urolithiasis affected long-term outcomes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Uroliths that do not dissolve in acidic urine may be more frequent in some practices. The combined approach of tube cystostomy and urethrotomy appears to successfully restore urethral patency with promising long-term outcomes.

Thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis in a goat: case report and brief literature review.

A Rock Alpine doe (Capra aegagrus hircus) was presented to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital because of scaling and ulceration over the withers, coronary bands, and dewclaws. The doe was euthanized because of poor prognosis associated with a radiographically identified cranial mediastinal mass, increased respiratory effort, and discomfort. Autopsy revealed a cranial mediastinal mass, and scaling-to-ulcerative lesions affecting the dorsum, ventrum, pinna, neck, teats, coronary bands, and dewclaws. Histologically, the mediastinal mass was an epithelial neoplasm with admixed non-neoplastic T lymphocytes, consistent with a lymphoepithelial (mixed) thymoma. Sections of affected skin were characterized by hyperkeratotic cell-rich interface dermatitis with transepidermal and follicular apoptosis. Thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis has been recognized in cats and a rabbit, but has not been reported previously in a goat, to our knowledge. Given that thymomas are not uncommon in goats, thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis should be considered a clinical differential in goats with dermatologic disease.

Temporary Rumenostomy for the Treatment of Forestomach Diseases and Enteral Nutrition.

Temporary rumenostomy is a useful procedure for the treatment, management, and support of patients with forestomach disease of various types. The rumenostomy provides a mechanism for relief of chronic rumen tympany or distention, removal of rumen contents and lavage of the rumen, removal of some rumen foreign bodies, administration of rumen fluid transfaunation, and administration of enteral nutrition or other medications. When the rumenostomy is no longer necessary, it can be allowed to close by second intention or by surgical resection.