Gastroprotectants in small animal veterinary practice - a review of the evidence. Part 1: cyto-protective drugs

Diverse drugs with presumed cytoprotective effect have been used therapeutically in small animal veterinary practice for various gastro-intestinal conditions such as oesophagitis, gastric ulceration, gastritis or chronic gastro-enteropathies. Their efficacy has been doubted in human medicine, raising similar questions in the veterinary field. The aim of this review was to assess the current evidence on the efficacy and safety of these drugs in dogs and cats. Through a systematic review of the literature, we identified 37 articles on the use of misoprostol, sucralfate and other gastroprotectants in dogs and cats. There was evidence to support use of misoprostol in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in dogs, and for use of sucralfate in the prevention of acid-induced oesophagitis in cats. However, the overall quality of evidence supporting the use of these drugs in small animal patients was poor. In contrast, there was evidence of important adverse effects, especially drug interaction and gastro-intestinal signs. We therefore recommend prescribing these drugs with caution until further well-conducted studies reveal a useful gastroprotectant effect.

Comparison of pork quality and sensory characteristics for antibiotic free yorkshire crossbreds raised in hoop houses

The objective of this study was to compare pork characteristics and to determine consumer acceptability of pork chops from antibiotic free Yorkshire crossbreds sired by Berkshire (BY), Large Black (LBY), Tamworth (TY) or Yorkshire (YY) boars and reared in hoop houses. The experiments were conducted at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) Farm in Greensboro, NC and the Cherry Research Station Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) Alternative Swine Unit in Goldsboro, NC (source of antibiotic free Yorkshire sows used at both places). Twenty-four sows were artificially inseminated at each location in each of three trials. Litters were weaned at 4 wks old, and reared within deep-bedded outdoor hoop houses. To compare pork characteristics, 104 randomly selected animals were harvested at a USDA-inspected abattoir at approximately 200 d of age. Variables measured included pH, color score, L*, a*, b*, marbling score, drip loss, hot carcass weight, backfat thickness (BF), loin muscle area (LMA), and slice shear force. Sensory panel tests were also conducted at two time periods. The data was analyzed with GLM in SAS 9.01 including location, trial, and sire breed as fixed effects. Backfat thickness, LMA, color score and a* were different among breeding groups (p<0.05). The LBY pigs had thicker backfat and smaller LMA than the other breed types. The TY and YY had less backfat than all other breed groups. Color score was lower for YY than BY and LBY but intermediate for TY. The a* was lower for TY than other breeds except LBY which was intermediate. For one sensory panel test, YY pork was more preferred overall as well as for juiciness and texture compared to BY and LBY (p<0.05), but no impact of breed type was noted for the other test, with values similar for BY, LBY, TY and YY pork. This information may help small farmers make decisions about breed types to use for outdoor production.

Comparison of Growth Performance of Antibiotic-free Yorkshire Crossbreds Sired by Berkshire, Large Black, and Tamworth Breeds Raised in Hoop Structures

The objective of this study was to compare body weight, ADG, and feed:gain ratio of antibiotic-free pigs from Yorkshire dams and sired by Yorkshire (YY), Berkshire (BY), Large Black (LBY) or Tamworth (TY) boars. All the crossbred pigs in each of three trials were raised as one group from weaning to finishing in the same deep-bedded hoop, providing a comfortable environment for the animals which allowed rooting and other natural behaviors. Birth, weaning and litter weights were measured and recorded. From approximately 50 kg to market weight (125 kg), feed intake and body weights were recorded manually (body weight) or using a FIRE (Feed Intake Recording Equipment, Osborne Industries Inc. Osborne, Kansas) system with eight individual feeding stations. Feed intake data for 106 finishing pigs between 140 and 210 d of age and the resulting weights and feed conversion ratios were analyzed by breed type. Least square means for body weights (birth, weaning and to 240 d) were estimated with Proc Mixed in SAS 9.2 for fixed effects such as crossbreed and days of age within the sire breed. The differences within fixed effects were compared using least significant differences with DIFF option. Individual birth weights and weaning weights were influenced by sire breed (p<0.05). For birth weight, BY pigs were the lightest, TY and YY pigs were the heaviest but similar to each other and LBY pigs were intermediate. For weaning weights, BY and LBY pigs were heavier than TY and YY pigs. However, litter birth and weaning weights were not influenced by sire breed, and average daily gain was also not significantly different among breed types. Tamworth sired pigs had lower overall body weight gain, and feed conversion was lower in TY and YY groups than BY and LBY groups (p<0.05), however, number of observations was somewhat limited for feed conversion and for Tamworth pigs. Overall, no convincing differences among breed types were noted for this study, but growth performance in the outdoor environment was satisfactory.

Pancreatic enlargement in alcoholic pancreatitis: prevalence and natural history

We determined the prevalence and natural history of pancreatic enlargement by abdominal ultrasonography or computed tomography in 72 patients with alcoholic pancreatitis. Pancreatic enlargement was observed in 54 patients (75%); it was diffuse in 28 (52%) and focal in 26 (48%). The focal enlargement was frequently cystic (50%), while the diffuse enlargement was only occasionally cystic (7%). Sequential imaging of the pancreas in 29 patients demonstrated partial to total resolution of pancreatic enlargement in greater than 50% during 6 months of follow-up. Determination of serum amylase and p-isoamylase activity was neither sensitive nor specific for pancreatic enlargement in alcoholic pancreatitis.

Risk factors before hepatectomy, hepatic function after hepatectomy and computed tomographic changes as indicators of mortality from hepatic failure

The mortality rate from hepatic failure after extensive resection should be negligible in the presence of normal results from preoperative liver function tests in patients without pre-existing hepatitis and cirrhosis. Despite conventionally acceptable results from preoperative hepatic function tests in 56 patients undergoing extensive hepatic resection for tumours (47 metastatic, six hepatomas and three adenomas), however, five patients died of hepatic failure. Among the many preoperative and intraoperative risk factors studied, the important factors in the group with hepatic failure were very high levels of serum alkaline phosphatase (p less than 0.05) in the presence of normal levels of bilirubin and large tumor, preoperative administration of chemotherapy, the presence of hepatomas rather than metastatic carcinoma (p = 0.083) and intraoperative blood loss of greater than 5,000 milliliters (p = 0.03). The patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy or those with hepatoma showed a minimal rise of alkaline phosphatase (p less than 0.03) and a minimal regeneration of liver on computed tomographic (CT) scan after hepatic resection. In the group with hepatic failure, a consistent postoperative pattern of increasing bilirubin with normal or subnormal alkaline phosphatase levels corresponded with lack of regeneration of liver on repeated CT scans. Conversely, the pattern of decreasing bilirubin with reciprocal increase in alkaline phosphatase corresponded with hepatic regeneration on CT scan in the group of survivors. Thus, we observe that alkaline phosphatase is a good indicator of hepatic regeneration in the absence of jaundice in patients after hepatectomy. To avoid postoperative hepatic failure, we recommend more discriminant tests than conventional hepatic function tests in patients with large tumors associated with high alkaline phosphatase levels, preoperative chemotherapy and hepatoma even without pre-existing cirrhosis or hepatitis.

Multicystic dysplasia and crossed renal ectopia

Multicystic renal dysplasia in a crossed fused or nonfused ectopic kidney is a rare occurrence that produces unusual imaging findings. In four such cases in neonates, three presented with a palpable abdominal mass and one was discovered in utero with maternal sonography. In three cases, sonography showed a multicystic mass, contiguous with the lower pole of the orthotopic kidney. In the fourth infant, a crossed, tiny dysplastic kidney was not visualized, but its markedly dilated ectopic ureter was seen traversing the spine on CT. Ureteropelvic junction obstruction was present in the three fused orthotopic kidneys. The characteristic imaging findings of multicystic dysplasia and crossed renal ectopia include a multicystic mass of variable size that is contiguous with the lower pole of a hydronephrotic, malrotated kidney; ureteral displacement and/or dilatation; and contralateral absence of the kidney and its renal artery.

Use of computed axial tomography to diagnose vascular ring in an infant

Computed axial tomography was performed in an infant with severe respiratory distress. A right aortic arch and paratracheal density was visualized, suggesting a vascular ring. Angiography confirmed a right aortic arch, mirror-image branching, and a left patent ductus arteriosus.

Use of the computed tomographic whole body scanner to stage and follow patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma

Advanced ovarian carcinoma continues to be a difficult tumor to evaluate noninvasively. Recent developments in chemotherapy have enhanced response rates in this disease, thus improving the likelihood of tumor regression. Computed Tomography (CT) allows the noninvasive estimation of tumor extent in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Seventeen patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma had 22 whole body CT scans performed either just prior to or following laparotomy. For determination of tumor involvement, when the CT was positive, a high pathologic correlation was found at liver, ascitic, peritoneal, mesenteric, and omental sites (sensitivity). When the cT was negative, high pathologic correlation was found at ascitic and mesenteric sites (specificity). Lower and negative correlation at other disease sites is attributed to difficulty of CT detection of small (1 cm) tumor nodules on visceral surfaces. Eighteen patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma were followed prospectively during treatment with repetitive CT scans. CT results were compared with physical examination, other radiologic studies, and clinical status. In 83% (15/18) of patients and 88% (59/67) of CT scans performed, CT was found to contribute useful management information. Clinical decisions were made on the basis of CT alone in 43% (29/67) of scans performed. These data suggest that CT scanning is very useful in the staging and follow-up of patients with ovarian carcinoma and can replace other radiologic procedures, but it is not completely accurate and needs to be correlated with physical examination and in cases without tumors visible with CT, with laparotomy.

The first coital experience of one hundred women

A retrospective survey of the first coital experience of 100 women, with emphasis on the incidence of bleeding and pain, is reported. Eleven of the women interviewed had vaginismus on pelvic examination. The article includes a discussion of the etiology and treatment of vaginismus, as well as possible applications of survey findings in teaching and counseling patients.

Preparation for breastfeeding: a one-year followup of 34 nursing mothers

A retrospective survey of 34 breastfeeding mothers was undertaken. From the data the following hypotheses have been suggested for further study: 1) Class preparation for breastfeeding favors a longer duration of nursing. 2) Nipple rolling and breast massage with manual expression of colostrum during pregnancy are not associated with a longer duration of nursing, nor do they prevent sore nipples or breast engorgement postpartum. 3) Mothers with multiple complications are at high risk for lactation failure. 4) Limiting nursing time for the first few days postpartum does not prevent sore nipples.