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Background In metabolically stable horses, alpha‐2‐agonists suppress insulin secretion with transient hyperglycemia and rebound hyperinsulinemia. In horses with insulin dysregulation (ID), the effect of alpha‐2‐agonists has not been investigated; however, both the alpha‐2‐agonist‐induced suppression of insulin secretion and rebound hyperinsulinemia could have clinical relevance. Hypothesis/Objectives In horses with ID, alpha‐2‐agonists will alter insulin and glucose dynamics. Animals Seven horses with ID and 7 control horses. Methods In this randomized crossover study, xylazine hydrochloride (1.1 mg/kg) or detomidine hydrochloride (30 μg/kg) were administered IV, and blood was collected for glucose and insulin concentrations at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 300 minutes after administration. Horses received each drug in a random order with a 24‐hour washout period between drugs. Percent change in glucose and insulin concentrations was compared between groups, drugs, and over time with P

Background Information pertaining to clinical presentation and outcome of neonatal New World camelids (NWC) is limited when compared to calves and foals. Hypothesis Values of variables at admission and subsequent treatment would predict survival in sick neonatal NWC. Animals Fifty-six client-owned sick neonatal NWC presented over a 10-year period to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Methods A retrospective study was performed. Inclusion criteria were NWC less than 30 days of age with complete medical records that presented between 2000 and 2010. Results The median age at presentation was 1 day (range 1–20). The most common diagnoses were systemic inflammatory response syndrome (50%), congenital defects (41%), ophthalmic lesions (21%), sepsis (16%), and gastrointestinal diseases (16%). Sixty-six percent of NWC survived to discharge. Clinicopathologic findings on admission were variable and not specific for disorders. Factors associated with survival were absence of choanal atresia (P = .001, OR: 55.9 [2.5–1,232]), administration of llama plasma (P = .013, OR: 4.9 [1.4–17.7]), and antimicrobial treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS) (P = .016, OR: 6.5 [1.3–32.2]). Conclusions and Clinical Importance The use of antibiotics, particularly TMS, and llama plasma are recommended in sick neonatal NWC. Results from this study could contribute toward defining a NWC-specific sepsis scoring system.

Background Arsenic toxicosis is uncommon in cattle and successful treatment is rarely reported. Objectives This analysis reviews all cases of acute arsenic toxicosis in cattle reported in the literature and describes cases from Purdue University that had a favorable outcome. Clinical presentation of the disease, treatments, and variables associated with survival are described. Animals One hundred and fifty-six cattle with arsenic toxicosis from 16 outbreaks. Methods Meta-analysis. Results The most common clinical signs were sudden death (68%), diarrhea (33%), ataxia (29%), dehydration (22%), and respiratory distress (4%). The most common clinicopathologic abnormalities included azotemia (100%), hematuria (100%), increased liver enzyme activity (86%), and increased hematocrit (60%). One percent of cattle survived and the survival time for nonsurvivors ranged from 20 hours to 21 days. None of the clinical signs or clinicopathologic findings was associated with survival. Treatment was attempted in 24% of cases and was not associated with survival (P = .055), but administration of an antidote and administration of fluids were associated with better outcome (P = .036 and P = .009, respectively). In the animals presented to Purdue University, treatment with IV fluids and sodium thiosulfate resulted in decreased blood arsenic concentrations in all animals (P = .009) and a survival rate of 50%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Although acute arsenic toxicosis has a poor prognosis, survival is possible if aggressive fluid therapy and antidotes are administered.