Dispersion of a fluorescein dye-ampicillin mixture after intratracheal administration in calves.

ABSTRACT

The pulmonary and systemic dispersion of a dye mixture after intratracheal (i.t.) administration was characterized in young dairy calves. Five calves were given i.t. injections of a fluorescein and ampicillin mixture, and were then killed at 2, 5 or 15 min after treatment. The respiratory system, nasal pharynx area, nose, liver, kidney, stomach and esophagus were removed and examined. Sections were taken from lung areas for histopathological examinations and all tissues were photographed, using floodlight and ultraviolet light. There was uniform low-grade fluorescence throughout the lung, but the greatest fluorescence followed an anterior ventral dispersion. The dye was readily absorbed from the lung into the bloodstream, causing fluorescence in the liver, bile, kidney and urine. Coughing of the calves during the injection caused some of the mixture to be expectorated and swallowed, resulting in fluorescence in the esophagus, stomach contents, and nasal pharanges, turbinates and nostrils.