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This study compares the effects of two different doses of propofol administered intravenously (IV), in the jugular vein, to red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans). In this crossover study, 5 or 10 mg/kg propofol was administered to six Trachemys scripta elegans after cannulation of the jugular vein. Each turtle received each dose, G1 (5 mg/kg IV) and G2 (10 mg/kg IV), after a 7-day washout period. The parameters evaluated were heart rate, palpebral reflex, cloacal reflex, muscle relaxation, ease of handling, sensitivity to anterior and posterior pinch stimuli, and possibility of intubation. Additionally, respiratory rate was measured when possible, and the times from propofol administration to full recovery and from intubation to extubation were recorded. None of the turtles in G1 could be intubated, and this dose provided little relaxation and ease of handling, with a duration of effect until full recovery of 12.16 ± 8.32 (SD) min for this group. In G2, five out of the six turtles could be intubated, and the duration of effect was 32.33 ± 5.85 (SD) min. Heart rates were influenced by manipulation for catheter placement. There were statistically significant differences (p value ≤ 0.05) between the two groups in muscle relaxation degree, handling, cloacal reflex, and possibility of intubation. The 5 mg/kg propofol dose was not sufficient to induce anesthesia, even when administered in the jugular vein, in red-eared sliders. A dose of 10 mg/kg IV or higher should be used.

Most companion birds have no distinct sexual dimorphic traits. The aim of this study was to identify the CHD genes from sexual chromosomes of birds (ZW) from various tissue samples. Feathers, oral swabs, blood and various tissues (by necropsy) were collected from four companion bird species (Gallus gallus domesticus, Melopsittacus undulatus, Psittacus erithacus, Ara ararauna). Feathers were processed mechanically using the Tissue Lyser II. DNA isolation was performed using the Isolate II Genomic DNA, Bioline kit. PCR was performed according to Griffiths et al. (1998) using P2/P8 primers. Chicken whose DNA sexing was identified based on phenotypic characters, was confirmed by PCR. Budgerigars whose DNA sexing identified a male and female have been confirmed based on necropsy results. African Grey Parrot whose sex was identified by DNA sexing as female was confirmed based on a genetic sexing previously performed. The Blue and Yellow Macaw, whose sex was determined as male by DNA sexing, was confirmed based on necropsy results. DNA concentration was higher in blood samples than in oral swabs or feathers. Blood collection is considered an invasive procedure in birds. For feather samples, mechanical denaturation before DNA extraction is recommended. Oral swab samples are suitable for isolating and amplifying DNA in birds.

Most lovebirds (Agapornis spp.) have no distinct sexual dimorphic traits. The objective of the paper was to compare the results of two sexing methods, surgical sexing by celioscopy and DNA sexing by PCR from blood samples, in order to evaluate their effectiveness. Materials used to carry out the studies were a 2.7 mm telescope and endoscopy unit, surgical instruments and DNA sampling kits provided by Exomed.cz laboratory. Forty-two lovebirds were included in this study. The endoscopic sexing procedure was performed by the method described by Divers. Blood sampling for DNA testing by PCR method was performed from the metatarsal vein. The results were different in the case of one lovebird, endoscopic sexing revealed it as male, compared to DNA testing, where it was identified as female. DNA sexing is a non-invasive method that might be more accurate than celioscopy in this species, and bird owners have easier access to it.

The early age determinism of the sex in case of monomorphic birds is very important, because most companion birds have no distinct sexual dimorphic traits. Molecular genetic sexing was proved to be one of the most accurate sex determinations in monomorphic birds. The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained by PCR performed on isolate genomic DNA from paired samples of feathers and oral swabs collected from the same individuals. Samples of oral swabs (n = 101) and feathers (n = 74) were collected from 101 companion birds from four different species (Columba livia domestica, Psittacula krameri, Neophema splendida and Agapornis spp.). The PCR was performed for the amplification of the CHD1W and CHD1Z genes in females and the CHD1Z gene in males. The overall PCR success rate of sex determination was significantly higher from oral swabs than from feathers. The PCR success rate from oral swabs was higher in juveniles and from feathers was significantly higher in adults. The similarity between the oral swab and feathers was obtained in 78.38% of the birds. Oral swabs proved to be a more reliable sample for genetic sex determination in the species tested in this study.

In a clinical setting, we tested the hypothesis of whether hypercapnia developed during carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum is associated with changes in blood electrolytes. This prospective study involved ten female cats that underwent elective laparoscopic ovariectomy. Venous blood samples for assessment of electrolytes were collected in the following sequence: T1- before anaesthesia induction, T2 - 10 minutes after anaesthesia induction, T3 - 30 minutes of pneumoperitoneum and T4 - at the end of pneumoperitoneum. Statistical analysis revealed AB disturbances associated with general anaesthesia and pneumoperitoneum, manifested with decreased blood pH, whereas blood PvCO2, PO2 and BE were increased. A constant increase of K+ concentration was recorded in all animals during pneumoperitoneum (P

The present study focused on evaluation of induction, maintenance and emergence of inhaled anesthesia and comparison of these anesthetics times for isoflurane and sevoflurane. The biological material consisted of 12 Wistar rats divided into 2 groups, each containing a number of 6 rats. One group was anesthetized with isoflurane and the other with sevoflurane. We monitorized the rats during all stages of anesthesia, observing how the induction established, the state of the rats throughout the anestesia and the moment of the first recovery signs, the moment the rats became active as well as the moment of full recovery from anesthesia. Both isoflurane and sevoflurane rapidly induced the anesthesia, without excitation signs and the emergence was significantly faster in sevoflurane group in comparison to the isoflurane group, being accompanied by horipilation in both anesthetics.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian, domestic rabbits being the main host. The disease can be acute or subclinical, but treatment options are limited and usually with unrewarding results; therefore, diagnosis and prevention of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits are of the utmost importance. This study aims to obtain the first preliminary information of the prevalence of E. cuniculi in the north-western region of Romania. A total of 176 rabbits were clinically examined and 2 mL of blood was sampled from each. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit by Medicago (Medicago, Uppsala, Sweden) on the resulted blood serum was utilized. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using the EpiInfo 2000 software (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA). A total prevalence of 39.2% (69/176) was identified, with statistically significant differences in relation to the rabbits’ clinical status, age, season of sampling, breeding system, body condition score and county of origin; the different family farms tested also had a statistically significant difference. This study gives the first preliminary information on this pathogen distribution on Romania’s territory, but further studies need to be performed on larger regions to declare the prevalence in the country.

Birds are highly social and must be paired in order to increase their welfare. Most bird species are monomorphic; therefore, molecular sexing helps provide appropriate welfare for birds. Moreover, early sex determination can be of great value for bird owners. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that sex identification in birds achieved using molecular methods and samples collected via minimally invasive methods is fast, efficient, and accurate. A total of 100 samples (29 paired samples of feathers and oral swabs and 14 tripled samples of feathers, oral swabs, and blood) from 43 birds were included in this study, as follows: wild birds (Falconiformes, Accipitriformes, landfowl—Galliformes, waterfowl—Anseriformes) and companion birds (Passeriformes, Psittaciformes—large-, medium-, and small-sized parrots). Amplification of CHD1-Z and CHD1-W genes was performed via conventional PCR. The results obtained from feathers were compared to those obtained from oral swabs and to those obtained from blood samples, where applicable. The obtained results show that all types of samples can be used for molecular sexing of all studied bird species. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports, for the first time, molecular sex identification in Red Siskin (Carduelis cucullata) and Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis major). For higher accuracy, our recommendation is to use minimally invasive samples (oral swabs and feathers) and to test both types of samples for each bird instead of blood samples.