The effect of brief halothane anesthesia during daily gavage on complications and body weight in rats. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 09.
Abstract: This study was a retrospective analysis of the effects of brief halothane anesthesia vs. no anesthesia utilized during daily (ave. = 7 days) gavage. Previously ovariectomized female Wistar rats received a 5 mg/kg solution comprised of distilled water, povidone, tween 80, and anhydrous lactose daily in the morning. Dosing was accomplished by use of either a 14 gauge (4 mm bulb diameter)or 16 gauge (3 mm bulb diameter)curved, bulbed, gavage needles. During or at the end of the gavage period, rats were necropsied. Body weight and gavage-associated death or euthanasia were analyzed as these factors related to use or lack of use of brief halothane anesthesia. The authors determined that use of brief inhalation anesthesia: (1) reduces gavage-associated death and euthanasia due to esophageal trauma; (2) increases the incidence of incomplete vehicle retention during gavage; and (3) body weight was maintained longer in halothane anesthetized (vs. awake) rats. The most commonly observed gross lesion in non-anesthetized gavaged rats involved esophageal lesions (e.g. esophageal impaction, hemorrhage, and/or preforation).
Questions: 1. Dose volumes for gavage in the rat should generally not exceed which value? a. 5 ml/kg c. 5 ml b. 10 ml/kg d. 20 ml/kg
2. What was the most commonly observed gross lesion during necropsy in awake gavaged rats?
a. severe weight loss
b. gastric dilatation
c. esophageal lesions
d. pneumonia
3. T/F: The authors determined that gavage needle length, curvature, and/or bulb size made a difference in the incidence of lesions.
4. Which of the following were NOT mentioned by the author as being esophageal lesions?
a. esophageal abrasions/inflammation
b. esophageal hemorrhage
c. esophageal impaction with bedding
d. esophageal perforation
5. Which of these rats are hooded?
a. Wistar
b. Long Evans
c. Zucker
d. Lewis
Answers: 1. b 2. c 3. False 4. a 5. b,c

Standardization of the Whitten effect to induce susceptibility to Neisseria ghonorrhoeae in female mice. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 13.
Abstract: This article describes the synchronization of the estrous cycle in female BALB/c mice by exposure to urine soiled wood chip bedding from male BALB/c mice. This exposure to the urine soaked bedding allows release of pheromones which are present in the urine and reportedly induces estrus. This phenomenon is known as the Whitten Effect described in 1966. This effect is better noted in females that have been acclimatized to the environment and away from all males for a period of time. This will allow a large portion of the female mice to enter an anestrus or quiescent state and this is known as the Lee-Boot Effect. When exposed to the urine, it is reported that at least 75% of mice will be in estrus or proestrus within 3-4 days. This effect is enhanced by a longer duration of isolation from male mice prior to exposure to urine. Another portion of this study was to evaluate infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Mice are not naturally susceptible to this but can be experimentally induced if they are in estrus or proestrus at the time of exposure. Using the Whitten Effect, a reduced number of mice are needed to complete the study since it is expected at least 75% will be in estrus or proestrus as apposed to the wide variation of stages noted in a normal group of cycling female mice. Also, the longer the female mice were exposed to the urine soaked bedding increased the percentage of mice infected with N. gonorrhoeae. Mice exposed for 72-96 hours demonstrated 60% infection while mice not exposed or exposed for only 24 hours demonstrated basically no infection.
Questions: 1. What are dominant cells in the vaginal smear of the BALB/c female mouse during Proestrus? During Estrus? During Metestrus? During Diestrus?
2. True or False: Using exogenous estradiol or using intraperitoneal injections of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin followed by injection with human chorionic gonadotropin 2 days later can also promote or synchronize estrus in female mice.
3. Female mice that enter an anestrus stage from lack of exposure to male mice is known as the (Whitten or Lee-Boot) Effect. Female mice that enter estrus or proestrus from exposure to pheromones from male urine is known as the (Whitten or Lee-Boot) Effect.
Answers: 1. The dominant cells in a vaginal smear of the BALB/c female mouse during proestrus are intermediate epithelial cells (>50%). The dominant cells in a vaginal smear of the BALB/c female mouse during estrus are squamous epithelial cells. The dominant cells in a vaginal smear of the BALB/c female mouse during metestrus are neutrophils and epithelial cells (even numbers). The dominant cells in a vaginal smear of the BALB/c female mouse during diestrus are neutrophils and parabasal columnar epithelial cells.
2. True; but disadvantages may make it less than ideal. That is it is expensive, high serum hormonal levels are noted, variable or continuous endogenous hormonal effects and more stress to animals from handling and injections.
3. Lee-Boot. Whitten.

Suspected hypovitaminosis A in a colony of captive green anoles (Anolis carolinensis). Contemporary Topics 40(2), 18.
Abstract: Members of a small colony of captive green anoles began to exhibit clinical signs including ulcerated lower lips, swollen eyes, inappetence, lethargy, and squamous metaplasia of mucus secreting glands. Histological examination of the tissues revealed various degrees of squamous metaplasia of the oral mucous glands, characterized by plump, amphophilic, mucus secreting cells by flattened, scale-like, keratinized squamous epithelium. The glands were dilated and filled with keratinaceous and surrounded by cellular debris with a densed mixed inflammatory infiltrate. No infectious organisms were identified. The lesions were consistent with hypovitaminosis A. The authors describe an adequate diet, but hypothesize that the large groups of anoles led to competition regarding access to food. This may have created a situation where the subordinate animals did not have access to sufficient food.
Questions: 1. What is the genus/species of the green anole?
2. Claisfy the feeding habits of the green anole.
3. What is the causative agent of "mouth rot" in snakes and other reptiles?
Answers: 1. Anolis carolinensis
2. Insectivore
3. Aeromonas hydrophilia

Helminth fauna of the Golden hamster (Mesocrictus auratus) in Brazil. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 21.
Abstract: Received a total of 30 (10 each) male golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) from two different institutional animal houses (identified as A and B, original source unknown, but breeding colonies have been closed for 20 years) and a pet shop (group C) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Housing/ husbandry for A and B- groups of 10, plastic caging, stainless steel screened covers and daily changes of pine shaving bedding (sterilized for A only). Housing/ husbandry for C-maintained in open cages with the presence of open food packages next to the animals, with access o f insects, mice and rats into the shop.

Upon arrival at the lab
Modified anal swab technique
Sacrificed by ether
Helminths processed
En face slide
Photomicrographs taken
Morphometric analysis
Mean Length, width um, male/female
Mamelons (males)
Syphacia criceti 1500x94/3500x210
3 on ventral surface, anterior less prominent than posterior
Syphacia mesocriceti 1300x85/4500x167
3 prominent on ventral surface of posterior portion
Both are Oxyuroidea, Oxyuridae and found in small intestine
Group A- 40% parasitized with Syphacia mesocriceti
Group B 70% Syphacia criceti and the cestode Rodentolepis nana
Group C 100% , all with Syphacia criceti and 3 with R. Nana
Oxyurid eggs were rare in the feces and the anal swab devices failed to detect the larvae

Finding in Group B of S. criceti and R. nana may be due to a possible contamination induced by the animal housing staff, as they have close contact with wild rodents (Akodon cursor) and common house mice and brown rats have been observed in the hamster breeding rooms. S. mesocriceti commonly parasitizes hamsters. S. mesocriceti and S criceti are similar- differences include that the S criceti males are more slender (length to width ratio) and differences of the ventral mamelons. Stone and Manwell reported finding S. obvelata in hamsters in 1966, which is unusual as S. obvelata seems to be naturally specific for mice. The authors offer that the S. obvelata found in that study may in fact have been S. mesocriceti (distinguishable by analysis of the cephalic structures using an en face mount).
The authors also mention the importance of transmission of helminth infections to humans via pet rodents, especially as pet shop animals where the parasite burden is likely to be high, are seldom maintained under sanitary conditions (at least in Brazil) and are not checked for parasite before sale. The authors concluded the barrier practices at A where more effective than B as the practices (particularly the sterilization of bedding ) was able to prevent installation of the cestode cycle.
Questions: Questions-
Q1 Name another (non parasitic) zoonotic concern when working with hamsters.
Q2 Mesocricetus auratus has ____ chromosome pairs
Q3 Life cycle for Syphacia Obvelata is __________ and completed in ________ days.
Answers: Q1 Name another (non parasitic) zoonotic concern when working with hamsters.
A1. Name another (non parasitic) zoonotic concern when working with hamsters. Lymphocytic Choriomengitis (LCM, an arenavirus)

Q2 Mesocricetus auratus has ____ chromosome pairs
A2 .Mesocricetus auratus has _22___ chromosome pairs

Q3 Life cycle for Syphacia Obvelata is __________ and completed in ________ days.
A3 Life cycle for Syphacia Obvelata is _direct___ and completed in __11-16_ days.

A simplified method to prepare PCR template DNA for screening of transgenic and knockout mice. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 27.
Abstract: Screening of transgenic and knockout mice to identify those carrying the genetically manipulated genes is usually done by PCR. DNA purification is the limiting factor in terms of time and money when using PCR. The authors present a new method of DNA purification which reliable and reproducible. They take a 1 mm diameter piece of ear tissue (obtained when the animals are ear punched for identification), place it in a1.5 ml tube, and lyse the tissue in a simplified, detergent-free proteinase-K solution at room temp. for 30 min. The solution is then heated to 95 degrees C for 3 min to inactivate the proteinase K, briefly centrifuged, and the sample is ready for use in PCR. This new method was also used to amplify DNA from tail, blood, and liver tissue. DNA from tail and liver produced reliable PCR results, but DNA isolated from blood was not always amplified by PCR.
Questions: Questions:
-What substance is added to the agarose gel to visualize the DNA bands?
-What are the basic steps in PCR amplification?
-What are the advantages of using the ear punch over tail snip to obtain tissue for PCR?
Answers: Answers:
- ethidium bromide
-denaturization (DNA strand separation), annealing, amplification (elongation of DNA)
-identical samples of ear tissue can easily be obtained using the ear puncher, and it avoids the extra distress that occurs when tail tissue is used because mice are routinely labeled by ear punch (in their lab, anyway).

Application of the Piezo-micromanipulator for injection of embryonic stem cells into mouse blastocysts. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 31.
Abstract: Microinjection of embryonic stem (ES) cells into mouse blastocysts using both the conventional method and the Piezo-Micromanipulator (PPM) were compared over a 2.5 year period.
In the conventional method, 91% of blastocysts were manipulated successfully. The average number of embryos manipulated per hour was 9.7. Embryo survival rate was 30%. Of the newborns obtained, 39% were chimeric.
Uisng the PPM, 97% of blastocysts were manipulated successfully. The average number of embryos manipulated per hour was 27.0. Embryo survival rate was 32%. Of the newborns obtained, 42% were chimeric.
In the conventional method, the blastocyst requires a large blastcoel in order to accommodate the ES cells. Using PPM, blastocysts with small blastocoels could be used for ES microinjection. Also, the PPM is able to rapidly advance the pipette holder a very short distance (0.5um) with minimum embryo distortion.
There was no difference in implantation rates between the two methods. Three independent cell clones were used to rule out success rate of ES cell injection. There were no differences between the cell lines. No adverse changes were noted in the ES cells following the piezo pulses.
Given the improved rate of ES injection, three fold reduction in manipulation time, maintained rates of embryo implantation and chimeric offspring production, the PPM method appears to be superior to the conventional technique for microinjection of ES cells into
blastocysts.
Questions: Questions:
1. What are the two conventional uses for the PPM ?
2. Describe a typical mouse superovulation protocol.
Answers: Answers:
1. a) intracytoplasmic sperm injection b) production of cloned mice
2. Induction of superovulation: Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin 5 IU IP, followed 48h later by human chorionic gonadotropin 5 IU IP.

A topical mixture for abating, abolishing, and treating autophagia and self-mutiliation in laboratory rats. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 35.
Abstract: Laboratory rats are the most commonly used animals for the study of spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. As a result of these experimentally induced injuries, rats often develop dysesthesia, and especially paresthesia, leading to licking and chewing of toes and in severe cases the foot may be chewed. The authors developed a topical mixture of Metronidazol (500mg) because it has a bitter taste and was thought to stop chewing with New Skin (1ml) to promote healing. New Skin is an antiseptic liquid bandage with a mild solvent odor but is tasteless. The mixture was evaluated in female Sprague-Dawley rats with lumbar spinal cord injury (SCI) that was produced by dropping a 10g weight from a height of 25mm onto the L2 spinal cord segment or by injection of kainic acid, a neurotoxin, into the same segment. Both of these injuries cause paresthesia and paraplegia. To study the abolishment and treatment of autophagia, 24 female rats underwent contusion SCI. 10 days post-contusion SCI, autophagia occurred in 9 rats. 7 rats were treated with the Metronidazol/New Skin mixture and all 7 rats stopped chewing toes after one treatment. 2 untreated rats were euthanized due to severe self-mutilation. To study the prevention of autophagia another 24 female SD rats underwent kainic acid-induced SCI. 13 rats had the mixture applied to toes immediately following SCI and only one of these rats had chewed its toes 2-3 weeks post-SCI (which resolved after a single additional treatment). 4 of the 11 rats that did not receive preventative Metronidazol/New Skin developed autophagia within 10 days post-SCI. In summary, the combination of Metronidazol with New Skin is an easy, topical way to effectively prevent, abolish, and treat autophagia in rats with SCI. Authors recommend using the mixture to prevent autophagia on SCI studies.
Questions: 1. What are the attributes of Metronidazol and New Skin that caused the authors to choose these compounds for topical treatment of autophagia in rats?
2. What are the two ways that the authors describe to induce Spinal Cord Injury?
3. The mixture of Metronidazol/New Skin was determined to be efficacious in what way in managing autophagia in rats?
Answers: 1. Metronidazol is bitter tasting and New Skin provides a protective covering to promote healing. The combination provides a way to abolish autophagia and allow for healing.
2.a. Dropping of a 10g weight 25mm onto the L2 spinal cord segment.
b. Injection of kainic acid, a neurotoxin.
3. In the prevention and the abolishment and treatment of autophagia due to SCI.

Nonendoscopic placement and use of percutaneous gastromy tubes in pigs (Sus scrofa domestica). Contemporary Topics 40(2), 37.
Abstract: Authors adapted a nonendoscopic percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement procedure commonly used in companion animals for use in swine as a method for short-term enteral access. Disadvantages of other methods- Oral and nasal gastric tube placement is difficult in conscious, unrestrained animals and is suitable only for short-term enteral access. Placing esophagostomy and gastrostomy tubes frequently require major surgical manipulation for placement and involve the stress of anesthesia, surgery, and recovery, and require an appropriate period of healing. Endoscopy or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) and gastrostomy under fluoroscopic control requires specialized equipment. Advantages of this blind percutaneous gastrostomy technique (BPG) technique over the traditional surgical method for gastrostomy tube placement- minimally invasive, results in less animal pain and distress, requires less procedural and recovery time, and is inexpensive. A further refinement of the BPG technique is to insufflate the stomach immediately prior to pushing the gastric wall laterally into contact with the parietal peritoneum, reducing the incidence of iatrogenic injury to intra-abdominal organs, which is the major drawback with this method. Other procedural complications from this technique include malpositioning of the gastrostomy tube in the esophagus, suture material breaking while attempting to pull the tube through the abdominal wall, and kinking of the tube in the esophagus. A Pezzar mushroom catheter (self-retaining catheter with a bulbous extremity), was fitted with a 2.5-cm anchor on top of the mushroom tip (done to add additional retention support to prevent displacement of the tube through the stomach wall). As a reference point to indicate when the tube was in place, a line was drawn 3 cm from the mushroom tip. Six ( 9 to 25 kg) commercial domestic crossbred male intact pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) were sedated with ketamine (15 mg/kg) and xylazine (2 mg/kg) intramuscularly and a catheter was placed in the ear vein, thiopental was administered intravenously at a dose of 15 mg/kg. The total procedure time was 15 to 20 min. The distance from the snout to the last rib was measured, and the length noted on the ELD Gastrostomy Tube Applicator (35.5-cm long, stainless-steel tube, the distal tip of the applicator was deflected approximately 30 degrees to orient it after passage into the stomach). With the pig in right lateral recumbency, the lubricated applicator was passed down the esophagus into the stomach. The applicator was palpated in the stomach against the left abdominal wall. While the operator pressed fingers on opposite sides of the applicator, the plunger was pushed, exiting the tracer needle from inside the stomach through the abdominal wall. Suture was threaded through the eye of the trocar point. While the needle and suture were retracted into the stomach, the applicator was removed, with suture attached, from the stomach and mouth. The suture was attached to the opening of the mushroom tip catheter by threading the suture through a pipette tip and securing it firmly to the catheter. The pipette and catheter then were pulled back through the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and abdominal wall. The catheter was pulled up until the anchor inside the greater curvature of the stomach brought the stomach wall against the abdominal wall and the black reference line was seen. The catheter was secured by placing a second 2.5-cm anchor over the tube and sliding the anchor down to the abdominal wall. A purse-string suture was placed around the incision, and the tube was secured by using a lattice suture style. A clamp was placed on the catheter, and the catheter was secured to the animal by using Vetrap and tape. Food was withheld for 12 h prior to tube placement and for 24 h after. The tube was maintained by flushing it daily with 30 ml of water. Nothing was done with the exit site, and there were no complications with bandaging. The pigs were not in pain, as assessed by attitude, heart rate, and respiration. Therefore, no postprocedural analgesics were required. Outcomes 3 pigs unsuccessful (2 (9 and 13 kg) had perforated esophagus at necropsy, 1 (25 kg) suture broke due to drag on tube from improper fasting ), 3 (21-25 kg) successful, 1 with penetration of colonic mesentery. Volumes of up to 30 ml were administered effectively. None of the pigs experienced splenic entrapment and/ or perforation. A complication involved manipulating the gastrostomy tube applicator against the stomach wall, which resulted in compression of the heart resulting in compromise of breathing and circulation. This physiologic response was of short duration and did not require any corrective measures. A surgical plane of anesthesia was necessary- results in muscle relaxation, allowing easy passage of the gastrostomy tube applicator through the oropharynx and cardiac sphincter. Animals weighing >= 20 kg were less likely to experience complications with the procedure, such as perforation or malpositioning of the gastrostomy tube in the esophagus. Fasting the animals for 12 h before and 24 h after the procedure was important to prevent complications with tube placement and the development of peritonitis after placement. Anatomically, the oral cavity of the pig is similar to that of other species with the exception of a pharyngeal diverticulum. Inappropriate placement of the applicator into this structure will result in tissue injury to the neck. .In this study, pigs were euthanized within 48 h of tube placement although the percutaneous gastrostomy tubes could be used over a longer period of time for more chronic studies.
Questions: 1.Beside swine which animal has a pharyngeal diverticulum?
A. Cattle
B. Dogs
C. Llamas
D. Guinea Pigs
2. The genus and species of domestic pig is?
3. Advantages of BPG do NOT include
A. procedure takes less time
B. procedure is less invasive than surgical placement of gastrostomy tubes
C. Fasting prior to procedure not required
D. Less costly
Answers: 1. Beside swine which animal has a pharyngeal diverticulum? C. Llamas
2. The genus and species of domestic pig is? Sus scrota domestica
3. Advantages of BPG do NOT include C. Fasting prior to procedure not required

Design and use of a protective jacket to prevent self-inflicted injury following cervical laminoplasty in the goat (Capra hircus). Contemporary Topics 40(2), 40.
Abstract: Four of fifteen goats (Capra hircus) developed purititis and excoriations at a cervical laminoplasty incision site. Two of the goats' incision sites were infected with Staphylococcus aueres. Antibiotics were administered and a jacket was designed and fitted to prevent the goats from kicking at the incision site. The jacket proved to greatly enhance the healing process. See article for jacket design and photo.
Questions: Questions:
1. Rule outs for puritis in a goat include all of the following except:
A. Vitamin E Deficiency
B. Zinc Deficiency
C. Photosensitization
D. Pemphigus
E. Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
2. Contagious viral pustular dermatitis causes a nonpuritic, recurrent, blistering lesion that can progress to weeping and encrustation of the skin in sheep and goats. The etiology is:
A. Parapoxvirus
B. Papillomavirus
C. Herpesvirus
D. Lentivirus
E. Papovavirus
3. Methadone was used in this protocol. It can best be classified as:
A. Alpha2 Adrenergic Agonist
B. NSAIDS
C. Barbituate
D. Opiod
E. Phenothiazine
Answers: Answers:
1. A. (Option "E" the meningeal worm of the white-tailed was mentioned in the discussion. The migrating larvae can produce puritic linear excoriations in goats)
2. A. Contagious viral pustular dermatitis = Parapoxvirus (see JAVMA 218(1): 19-20)
3. D. mu agonist

Cysticercosis in laboratory rabbits. Contemporary Topics 40(2), 45.
Abstract: Case report of cysticercosis in 2 laboratory rabbits. Vendor health records indicated animals were free of Taenia pisiformis upon shipment. Cysts were noted free in the peritoneal cavities and attached to the omentum, plus multifocal areas of fibrosis in the liver in one rabbit upon necropsy. The second rabbit had free-floating cysts as well as cysts attached to abdominal fat. Literature suggests that T. pisiformis does not usually cause signs of disease in rabbits unless a high load is present. The suspected source in one rabbit was suspected to be grass hay from a local supplier that was not autoclaved prior to use in the rabbits. Source for the second rabbit remains unknown. The life cycle of T. pisiformis is as follows: adults live in small intestine of carnivores. Gravid proglottids and embryonated eggs are passed into the feces by 7 weeks postinfection. Intermediate hosts ingest proglottids or embryonated eggs where the oncoshperes hatch, migrate to the liver and eventually pass into the peritoneal cavity by about 15 days. The life cycle is completed when a carnivore consumes the intermediate host with the larval burden (generally a lagomorph or rodent). T. pisiformis cysticercosis is a rule out for peritoneal cysts and liver fibrosis found at necropsy. Liver lesions may confound studies related to toxicology, pharmacology, liver function. Unprocessed feeds should not be recommended for feeding to laboratory animals.
Questions: 1. What is the genus and species of the laboratory rabbit?
2. What is the life cycle of Taenia pisiformis?
Answers: 1. Oryctolagus cuniculus
2. Adults live in small intestine of carnivores, produce embryonated eggs and gravid proglottids in the feces (approx. 7 weeks from infestation to maturity), intermediate hosts ingest eggs or proglottids which hatch in small intestine and migrate to the peritoneal cavity via the liver (approx. 15 days). The end host becomes infested after consuming the viscera of an infested intermediate host.