Successful euthanasia of a juvenile fin whale

A stranded juvenile fin whale was successfully euthanized with an intravenous injection of sedative and cardioplegic drugs. Veterinarians may face a number of serious difficulties if called to perform this task, and advance preparation is required for successful euthanasia of these animals.

Nonsurgical videolaparoscopy for determination of reproductive status of the Arctic charr

The efficient commercial production of Arctic charr is hampered by the limited and subtle sexual dimorphism shown by this species. This project examined the feasibility of low-cost videoendoscopy through the genital pore to determine sex, stage of maturity, and safety for 80, randomly selected, anesthetized Arctic charr. The sensitivity and specificity for correct assignment of male sex were 90% and 100%, respectively, among 3 observers in a single-blind design. Sensitivity and specificity for relative sexual maturity in the same fish were 96% and 54%, respectively. The observed mortality rate of 7% at the end of 3 weeks was confounded by the presence of unrelated disease. We conclude that the technique holds promise for application by producers to improve production efficiency.

Silicone ocular prosthesis in horses: 11 cases (1983-1987)

Horses experience a number of ophthalmic diseases and injuries that may result in loss of function of the eye. In the treatment of end-stage ophthalmic disease or injury that precludes salvage of the eye, the use of an inert, silicone prosthetic implant is a cosmetic alternative to simple enucleation. Eleven horses treated either by enucleation and insertion of an intraorbital prosthesis (n = 9) or by evisceration and insertion of an intraocular prosthesis (n = 2) were evaluated for postoperative complications and for long-term cosmetic results. Of the 11 horses treated, complication rate was low; during hospitalization, 1 horse with an intraorbital implant developed a localized incisional infection that resolved in response to antimicrobial therapy. Nine horses were available for follow-up evaluation. Cosmetic appearance was rated as excellent in 5 horses and good in 4 horses. Insertion of an intraocular implant had the best cosmetic result. Complications were not reported by any owner or caretaker. Routine use of intraorbital and intraocular implants is encouraged because of their modest cost and ease of insertion.

Outpatient arteriography: its safety and cost effectiveness

An 11-year experience with 2,029 outpatient arteriograms in a 500-bed community hospital with active vascular and cardiovascular services is reported. During this period 3,864 inpatient arteriograms were also obtained. The major complication rate has been lower for the outpatient procedures than for the inpatient procedures, and no malpractice claims have been made as a result of outpatient arteriography. There were considerable cost savings with the outpatient arteriography. Since conventional arteriography can be done safely and economically on an outpatient basis, and provides images of superior quality, it is considered highly competitive with digital subtraction angiography.