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In diseased animals, laboratory evaluations of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and hemostasis provide important information that contributes to either narrowing the list of potential diagnoses or to determining a specific diagnosis. To adequately interpret the results of these evaluations, normal erythrocyte and leukocyte kinetics and normal hemostatic function must be understood. In addition, knowledge of common diseases resulting in abnormalities of these laboratory tests and of typical changes in these tests caused by these diseases is vital. This article has reviewed normal erythrocyte and leukocyte kinetics and normal hemostatic functions that are clinically significant and has described the laboratory abnormalities expected in common diseases affecting these functions.

Hematopoietic growth factors are cytokines that regulate the growth, development, and function of hematopoetic lineages. These hematopoietic growth factors have great potential for improving the quality of life and for reducing toxicity. This article reviews some of the most clinically relevant hematopoietic growth factors and what is known about their use in veterinary medicine. In particular, the following hematopoietic growth factors are discussed: erythropoietin, stem-cell factor, interleukin-3, interleukin-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and macrophage colony-stimulating factor.

A recombinant Sindbis virus, TE/3'2J/ANTI-S, containing LaCrosse virus small segment cDNA in antisense orientation, was inoculated into Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes. Virus replication and LAC-ANTI-S RNA expression were analysed temporally and spatially. TE/3'2J/ANTI-S virus titre peaked at 5.0 log10 TCID50 in heads 6-9 days post infection (p.i.) and decreased to 3.4 log10 TCID50 by 37 days p.i. Salivary glands contained 4.4 log10 TCID50 of virus 6 days p.i.; titres were lower in other organs. LAC-ANTI-S RNA levels paralleled virus titre. SIN E1 antigen was detected in many mosquito organ systems, but in specific cells and tissues of some organs. TE/3'2J/ANTI-S virus exhibited different cellular tropisms in salivary glands of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes.

Objective: Research was conducted to obtain a profile of nutrition therapy currently in practice for patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia/bulimia (mixed diagnosis) and to identify the areas of dietetics education and research regarding eating disorders that need more attention., Design: A cross-sectional correlational survey was conducted by mailing a questionnaire composed of open- and closed-ended questions to US dietitians who work with patients who have eating disorders., Sample: Of 199 dietitians selected from a list of 495 representing all geographic areas of the United States, 117 responded. The list was obtained from a national referral network for eating disorders., Statistical Analysis: chi 2 Analysis was completed on all closed-ended answers. Pearson's correlation coefficient with a value of P < .05 was considered significant., Results: Nutrition therapy administered varied among dietitians treating inpatients, outpatients, and both. Three community groups were identified as most important to reach for prevention of eating disorders: junior high school students, coaches, and parents. Crucial areas of research were perceived by 94 dietitians to be comparative effectiveness of techniques of medical nutrition therapy (n = 55) and of techniques of prevention (n = 26) and increased understanding of etiology in relation to identification of high-risk groups and prevention (n = 21). Dietitians desired further information on multiple topics related to eating disorders., Application: Medical nutrition therapy for eating disorders is a specialization that requires education and training beyond the minimum required for dietetic registration. Some of the techniques required are unique to this specialization due, in part, to the psychological nature of the disorders. All dietitians, however, must be able to recognize and refer patients with eating disorders; these skills must be included in basic undergraduate programs and internships. This study supports the need for more research concerning the outcomes of nutrition therapy and the effectiveness of prevention programs.

To characterize the effects of isoflurane on gastric motility, gastric electrical and contractile activities were assessed in six healthy adult dogs before and after recovery from anesthesia. Baseline recordings (fasting and fed state) were obtained in unanesthestized dogs 8 days after implantation of serosal electrodes and strain-gauge force transducers. After an overnight fast, dogs were anesthetized with 1.3 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane for 4.5 hours (approximately 6 MAC hours). No other anesthetic or sedative drugs were administered. During anesthesia, ventilation was mechanically controlled to maintain arterial carbon dioxide tension at 36 +/- 4 mm Hg. Gastric electrical and contractile activities (fasting and fed state) were recorded again 18 hours after recovery from isoflurane anesthesia. Recordings were analyzed to determine gastric slow-wave frequency, presence of slow-wave dysrhythmias, slow-wave propagation velocity, coupling of contractions to slow waves, a motility index based on relative contractile amplitudes, and onset and duration of contractions after a standardized meal. The only variable that was significantly decreased 18 hours after 6 MAC hours of isoflurane anesthesia was the gastric motility index during fasting-state phase III. This decrease was not apparent in the fed-state test periods. Our results suggest that, with the exception of gastric motility index during fasting-state phase III, variables for gastric electrical and contractile activities in dogs are unaffected by isoflurane 18 hours after anesthesia.

The correlation between 24-hour urinary excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) with urine NAG and GGT/creatinine ratios was assessed in dogs with gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicosis. Eighteen 6-month-old male Beagles with normal renal function were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6. Each group was fed a different concentration of protein (high protein, 27.3%; medium protein, 13.7%; and low protein, 9.4%) for 21 days. After dietary conditioning, gentamicin was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg IM tid for 8 days and each group was continued on its respective diet. Endogenous creatinine clearance and 24-hour urinary excretion of NAG and GGT were determined after dietary conditioning (day 0) and on days 2, 4, 6, and 8 of gentamicin administration. In addition, urine NAG and GGT/creatinine ratios (IU/L divided by mg/dL) were determined from catheterized spot urine samples obtained between 7 and 10 AM on the same days. The correlation between 24-hour urinary enzyme excretion and urine enzyme/creatinine ratio in the spot urine samples was evaluated by simple linear regression analysis. Spot sample urine enzyme/creatinine ratios were significantly correlated with 24-hour urinary enzyme excretion through day 4 for dogs on low dietary protein, through day 6 for those on medium protein, and through day 8 for those on high dietary protein. Mean +/- SD baseline values for urine NAG/creatinine ratio and 24-hour urinary NAG excretion were 0.06 +/- 0.04 and 0.19 +/- 0.14 IU/kg/24 hr, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Financial management has emerged as a critical component in the long-term viability of today's ranches and farms. Proper and timely financial reporting and analysis of financial statements are valuable tools that agricultural producers can use to monitor, coordinate, and plan their operational production and marketing schemes and strategies. A side note to preparation of financial statements. With the concerns over lender liability issues associated with statements either assisted with or prepared by a lending officer, agricultural producers will be responsible for preparing their own statements. The lending institutions may prepare their own statements in their assessment of the financial condition of a business and or individual, but, ultimately, the responsibility of financial statements is the borrower's. Some of the material presented in this article provides important input for use in such analytical programs as the National Cattlemen's Association, Integrated Resource Committees, and Standard Performance Analysis (SPA). SPA techniques and associated software have been or currently are under development for cow-calf, stocker, seedstock, and sheep enterprises. Critical to the analysis is having complete and correct financial statements. These analytical programs build on the financial statements. These analytical programs build on the financial statements as recommended by the FFSTF. Proper financial reporting is critical not only to a SPA assessment but also to the overall financial management of today's farms and ranches. Recognizing the importance of financial management in production agriculture is not enough, taking a proactive stance in one's financial plan is paramount to success. Failure to do so will only enhance the exit rates of producers from production agriculture.

Bilateral palmar and plantar digital neurectomies were completed in 10 horses (a total of 80 neurectomies) using one of three methods: (1) simple transection (guillotine method); (2) epineural capping; (3) n-butyl cyanoacrylate injected into the epineural sheath to act as a nerve sealant. Horses were regularly evaluated clinically for tenderness in and around the surgical site, as well as skin sensation at the coronary band in the heel region, during the 12-week course of the study. None of the surgical sites exhibited any signs of drainage or infection. Horses were then euthanatized, the nerve stumps were dissected from surrounding tissues, and the length and width of the tissue mass that had formed on the end of the nerve was recorded. Longitudinal and transverse sections of the nerve endings were examined histologically for numbers of proliferating axon sprouts (neuroma formation); whether the axons had penetrated the epineurium; degree of Schwann cell proliferation; degree of chronic inflammation; extent of foreign body reaction; extent of retrograde degeneration of the nerve bundles; and amount of fibrovascular proliferation. The proportion of legs exhibiting tenderness or heel sensation did not differ significantly between the three different treatments at any of the six different times they were examined. There was no difference between the three treatments in the length or width of the fibrous tissue scar on the ends of the nerves or in the number of sprouting axons from the ends of the nerves. Of 80 nerves examined, only two nerves were not confined to the epineurium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) process can be an important business analysis activity. This article outlines the important considerations in terms of the process, necessary data, and interpretations and limitations of SPA measures of performance. A case ranch example is used to illustrate the SPA process.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is relatively straightforward; however, there are important differences in clinical presentation and the incidence of stress-induced hyperglycemia in cats compared with dogs. This article discusses the pathophysiology that leads to the clinical signs of diabetes mellitus in cats and dogs, compares and contrasts the presenting clinical signs of diabetes mellitus in these animals, and reviews the latest developments in differentiating stress-induced hyperglycemia from diabetes mellitus in cats.

Cataracts form in diabetic dogs because of the disruption of normal lens metabolism. The pathophysiology seems to be a combination of increased lens cell membrane permeability, reduced cell membrane function, damage from accumulating osmotic products (polyols), glycosylation of lens proteins, and oxidative injury. Lens-induced uveitis must be recognized and managed in presurgical preparation of dogs with diabetes cataracts. Phacoemulsification is the current treatment of choice for diabetic cataracts in dogs and can be performed at an earlier time than traditional extracapsular lens extraction. This may allow for greater success rates after surgery.

Home management of the insulin-dependent diabetic pet can be confusing and frustrating for many pet owners. This article addresses many of the common concerns of pet owners, as well as issues of interest for the veterinarian regarding insulin therapy and client communication.

Insulin therapy is the most important treatment aspect of diabetes mellitus. Since the discovery of insulin in 1921, a variety of insulin formulations have been developed. The purpose of this article is to describe the current sources, formulations, and types of insulins available for therapy of diabetes mellitus in small animals and to provide the veterinarian with guidelines for insulin therapy in dogs and cats.

Management of diabetic dogs or cats requires the use of all available monitoring technology (Fig. 6). First, one should ask questions about the clinical control of DM. Are the clinical signs of DM resolved, and is the owner satisfied with insulin therapy? Other important questions would include: Is the dog or cat developing long-term complications of diabetes such as neuropathies or cataracts? Is body weight remaining stable? Is the dog or cat showing any signs of hypoglycemia? One should determine if the blood glucose curves are close to ideal for the type of insulin being administered. Urine glucose and ketones should be negative or trace as assessed by the at-home monitoring by the owner. In the problem diabetic, long-term glucose control can be assessed by serum fructosamine or glycosylated hemoglobin determinations. Regulation of the diabetic patient is accomplished when the owner is satisfied with the therapy and when the serum glucose monitoring parameters are acceptable.

Copper-associated hepatotoxicity in certain breeds has been identified for almost 20 years, and the list of affected breeds is growing. The importance for copper analysis of liver specimens is emphasized by the realization that copper accumulation occurs in many hepatic disease states, and it may become pathologic. Many treatment possibilities exist. It is important that therapy be tailored to the needs of the animal and the severity of accumulation. To determine efficacy of treatment and when an endpoint has been reached, follow-up liver biopsies are essential.

Research suggests that adolescents' family communication patterns should predict their reactions to anti-drug messages. The authors propose that the impact of such patterns is contingent upon the extent of adolescent rebelliousness. Fifty-one adolescents saw six anti-drug PSAs, and assessed whether they considered the messages believable and likely to persuade them and people they knew. Respondents were split into high/low groups with respect to conformity-orientation (authoritarian family communication patterns), conversation-orientation (open family communication patterns), and rebelliousness. As predicted, rebellious adolescents from the more authoritarian, conformity-oriented families considered the messages relatively less believable than did the non-rebellious adolescents from authoritarian, conformity-oriented families. Predicted negative relationships between family conversation-orientation and assessments of anti-drug PSA believability and persuasiveness were not found. Youth who had experimented with drugs, as predicted, did assess the anti-drug PSAs as less persuasive than those who did not.

Cadavers were compared with live anesthetized dogs for their effectiveness as models for surgical training of veterinary medical students. One group of students was trained using cadavers, and a peer group was trained using live anesthetized dogs. Both groups then performed an intestinal anastomosis using a live subject. The time to completion of the procedure was recorded. The anastomoses and celiotomy closures were evaluated. Each anastomosis was isolated and pressure tested. Reviewers blindly scored each surgical team's performance based on actual inspection of the surgical site and on viewing videotapes of the procedure. The participants' attitudes toward the use of live animals in teaching and research were documented before and after training. No statistically significant differences could be detected between the two groups. The results suggest that some substitution of cadavers for live dogs in surgical training might be feasible.