Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

Cardiac troponin I in canine patients with lymphoma and osteosarcoma receiving doxorubicin: comparison with clinical heart disease in a retrospective analysis

The cumulative cardiotoxicity that occurs as a result of doxorubicin chemotherapy is irreversible and can affect both quality and quantity of life for the cancer patient. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a sensitive and specific marker of cardiomyocyte death. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate serum concentrations of cTnI in dogs with lymphoma or osteosarcoma given doxorubicin chemotherapy, and with known cardiac outcome, based on a minimum assessment by physical examination and thoracic radiography. Serum samples were also available for cTnI measurement from seven healthy dogs given intracoronary doxorubicin. Serial serum samples obtained before, during and after doxorubicin chemotherapy showed increased cTnI concentrations in some clinical patients following chemotherapy (P = 0.0083 compared to baseline), but this did not correlate with clinical signs of cardiomyopathy. In dogs that subsequently developed cardiomyopathy however, serum cTnI concentrations were elevated before clinical signs became evident (confirmed with echocardiography).     

Outcome of 19 dogs with parathyroid carcinoma after surgical excision

Parathyroid carcinoma (PTC) is rare in dogs and there is little information documenting its treatment and prognosis. The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of dogs with PTC treated with surgical excision. Medical records of 19 dogs undergoing surgical excision of PTC between 1990 and 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Dogs were presented for clinical hypercalcaemia or incidental hypercalcaemia noted by referring veterinarians on routine serum chemistry profiles. A parathyroid nodule was identified with cervical ultrasound in 17/17 dogs. Hypercalcaemia resolved in 18/19 dogs within 4 days postoperatively. Nine developed hypocalcaemia. None were confirmed to develop recurrent or metastatic PTC. The only death associated with PTC was a dog that was euthanized for intractable hypocalcaemia 9 days after surgery. Estimated 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates were 72, 37 and 30%, respectively. Excision of PTC results in resolution of hypercalcaemia and excellent tumour control.     

改进培养方法提高组培快繁技术的初探

通过简化培养基成分，去除有机物、琼脂等，可降低试管苗成本；采用自然光替代日光灯，并结合黑暗培养，可减少设备投入．有利于工厂化育苗生产。     

水生植被对洪泽湖湖滨湿地水环境净化效果及影响因素分析(英文)

[目的]分析研究洪泽湖湖滨地区植物群落对湿地水环境的净化效果,为该区生态修复提供参考依据。[方法]以洪泽湖湿地国家级自然保护区典型湖滨带为研究对象,通过对该区的水草区和无草区环境特征进行野外调查,并结合室内试验,测定湖泊湿地水体的营养盐(N和P)、化学需氧量(COD)及透明度(SD)含量的变化,定量分析水生植被在生长过程中对湖泊湿地生态系统中水环境的净化效果,并对其可能存在的影响因素进行探讨。[结果]水生植被对洪泽湖湿地水环境中TN、TP、COD、Chla的去除作用及对SD含量变化有较明显的影响。水生植物之间的竞争可以抑制藻类的生长,减轻水体的富营养化情况。[结论]该试验为研究洪泽湖湖滨带生态修复及增强其自净能力提供理论依据。     

Retrospective assessment of tolerability and efficacy of zoledronate in the palliative treatment of cancer-bearing dogs

Zoledronate is a bisphosphonate frequently used for the treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy and tumour-associated bone pain in dogs, however, there is a paucity of information regarding its use in veterinary medicine. The aim of this retrospective study was to report the tolerability of zoledronate in the palliative treatment of cancer-bearing dogs and secondarily to to assess the efficacy of zoledronate for the treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy. Thirty-seven dogs (22 with tumour-associated bone pain and 15 with hypercalcaemia of malignancy) that received 114 zoledronate infusions were included. Tolerability was assessed by the absence of post-zoledronate hypocalcaemia or other adverse events as defined by Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria. Efficacy was assessed by comparison of available ionized calcium levels before and after zoledronate administration in hypercalcaemic dogs. In 79% of zoledronate infusions, no adverse events were reported. The majority of adverse events which occurred in the other 21% of infusions could be attributed to concurrent chemotherapy or the underlying neoplastic disease. There was a small but significant increase in creatinine following treatment with zoledronate, however, none of the dogs developed clinically significant renal disease. In eight hypercalcaemic dogs with available ionized calcium following zoledronate administration, ionized calcium decreased rapidly within 7 days following treatment with zoledronate. Zoledronate is well-tolerated with few recorded adverse events, however, monitoring of serum creatinine is advised. Zoledronate seems to be effective in the treatment of hypercalcaemia of malignancy.     

Clinical Evaluation of Tavocept to Decrease Diuresis Time and Volume in Dogs with Bladder Cancer Receiving Cisplatin

Background

Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common bladder cancer of dogs. Cisplatin combined with piroxicam provides superior response rates, but unacceptable rates of nephrotoxicity. Tavocept is a chemoprotectant that has mitigated cisplatin toxicity and decreased the required infusion/diuresis volume in clinical trials in humans.

Hypothesis/Objectives

We hypothesized that Tavocept would decrease diuresis volume and time and facilitate safe administration of a cisplatin/piroxicam protocol to dogs with bladder cancer. Secondary objectives were to compare response rate and survival times to an historical comparator group treated without Tavocept.

Animals

Fourteen client‐owned dogs were prospectively enrolled.

Methods

Tumor volume was measured by computed tomography at days 0, 42, and 84. Dogs received combination Tavocept/cisplatin with a shortened diuresis protocol. A total of 4 doses was planned, with concurrent administration of piroxicam. Serial biochemical analyses were evaluated for azotemia.

Results

A 90‐minute infusion/diuresis time was used for all dogs. Three dogs (21%) had concurrent increases in serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL) and BUN (>42 mg/dL) concentrations; 2 of these dogs were isosthenuric. This frequency of nephrotoxicity is significantly less (P = 0.0406) than that of an historical control group treated without Tavocept. Overall response rate was 27%. Median survival time was comparable to historical controls (253 vs. 246 days).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Tavocept decreased the required diuresis time with cisplatin from > 6 hours to 90 minutes, while also decreasing occurrence of azotemia. Survival time was comparable, but the response rate was inferior to an historical comparator group. Further evaluation in other tumors susceptible to platinum agents is warranted.