The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis inhibiting effects of intravenous (IV) and transdermal (TD) flunixin meglumine in eight adult female Boer goats. A dose of 2.2 mg/kg was administered intravenously (IV) and 3.3 mg/kg administered TD using a cross‐over design. Plasma flunixin concentrations were measured by LC‐MS/MS. Prostaglandin E2 concentrations were determined using a commercially available ELISA. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed using noncompartmental methods. Plasma PGE2 concentrations decreased after flunixin meglumine for both routes of administration. Mean λz‐HL after IV administration was 6.032 hr (range 4.735–9.244 hr) resulting from a mean Vz of 584.1 ml/kg (range, 357.1–1,092 ml/kg) and plasma clearance of 67.11 ml kg−1 hr−1 (range, 45.57–82.35 ml kg−1 hr−1). The mean Cmax, Tmax, and λz‐HL for flunixin following TD administration was 0.134 μg/ml (range, 0.050–0.188 μg/ml), 11.41 hr (range, 6.00–36.00 hr), and 43.12 hr (15.98–62.49 hr), respectively. The mean bioavailability for TD flunixin was calculated as 24.76%. The mean 80% inhibitory concentration (IC80) of PGE2 by flunixin meglumine was 0.28 μg/ml (range, 0.08–0.69 μg/ml) and was only achieved with IV formulation of flunixin in this study. The PK results support clinical studies to examine the efficacy of TD flunixin in goats. Determining the systemic effects of flunixin‐mediated PGE2 suppression in goats is also warranted.

Summary Anaplasma phagocytophilum, first identified as a pathogen of sheep in Europe, more recently has been recognized as an emerging tick‐borne pathogen of humans in the U.S. and Europe. Transmission of A. phagocytophilum is reported to be by ticks, primarily of the genus Ixodes. While mechanical and transplacental transmission of the type genus organism, A. marginale, occur in addition to tick transmission, these modes of transmission have not been considered for A. phagocytophilum. Recently, we developed a sheep model for studying host–tick–pathogen interactions of the human NY‐18 A. phagocytophilum isolate. Sheep were susceptible to infection with this human isolate and served as a source of infection for I. scapularis ticks, but they did not display clinical signs of disease, and the pathogen was not apparent in stained blood smears. In the course of these experiments, one sheep unexpectedly gave birth to a lamb 5 weeks after being experimentally infected by inoculation with the pathogen propagated in HL‐60 cells. The lamb was depressed and not feeding and was subsequently euthanized 18 h after birth. Tissues were collected at necropsy for microscopic examination and PCR to confirm A. phagocytophilum infection. At necropsy, the stomach contained colostrum, the spleen was moderately enlarged and thickened with conspicuous lymphoid follicles, and mesenteric lymph nodes were mildly enlarged and contained moderate infiltrates of eosinophils and neutrophils. Blood, spleen, heart, skin and cervical and mesenteric lymph nodes tested positive for A. phagocytophilum by PCR, and sequence analysis confirmed that the lamb was infected with the NY‐18 isolate. Transplacental transmission should therefore be considered as a means of A. phagocytophilum transmission and may likely contribute to the epidemiology of tick‐borne fever in sheep and other mammals, including humans.

BackgroundLittle is known about the occurrence rate, underlying etiology or treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in beef calves.ObjectiveDescribe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in 4 beef calves.AnimalsFour client‐owned beef breed calves with left displaced abomasum (LDA).MethodsRetrospective case series. Hospital medical records were reviewed to identify all beef breed cattle under the age of 6 months diagnosed with LDA.ResultsFour beef calves were treated for left displacement of the abomasum. All four had a history of decreased appetite and left‐sided abdominal distention. Two had recently been treated for necrotic laryngitis and one was being treated for clostridial abomasitis. Ultrasonography confirmed the abomasum to be displaced between the rumen and the left body wall in all calves. The calves were initially treated by rolling to correct the abomasal displacement. The abomasum redisplaced in 3 of 4 calves within 1 hour to 6 days; 1 calf developed a mesenteric volvulus. A right paramedian abomasopexy was performed in all cases. Three of 4 calves grew well and remained in the herd 6–18 months later; 1 calf was euthanized because of complications associated with necrotic laryngitis.Conclusions and clinical importanceLeft displacement of the abomasum should be considered as a differential diagnosis for beef calves with abdominal distention. Concurrent necrotic laryngitis can increase the risk of abomasal displacement in beef calves. Treatment should include surgical correction as rolling is not curative and might be associated with mesenteric volvulus.

No abstract

BackgroundObstructive urolithiasis commonly affects male goats. Perineal urethrostomy (PU) can be a permanent treatment option but is generally considered undesirable because of the risk of stricture of the urethral stoma. Limited information exists regarding long‐term outcome and complications in goats undergoing PU for treatment of obstructive urolithiasis.ObjectivesTo determine short‐term and long‐term outcome and complications in goats undergoing PU for treatment of obstructive urolithiasis.AnimalsTwenty‐five client‐owned goats.MethodsMulti‐institutional retrospective case series.ResultsOf the 25 goats, 13 (52%) were alive at the time of follow‐up. Mean time from surgery to follow‐up was 34 months (range, 4‐65). Nine goats (36%) died between discharge and follow‐up with a mean survival time of 46 days (range, 5‐120). Cause of death in 7 of 9 (78%) goats was related to urolithiasis. Goats treated by use of a modified proximal perineal urethrostomy (MPPU) were significantly more likely to survive at least 150 days postoperatively (P < .01). The most common postoperative complications were hemorrhage (10/25 [40%]) and surgical site infection (3/25 [12%]). Hemorrhage was significantly associated with MPPU (P < .0001). Stricture of the surgical stoma occurred in 7 of 22 (32%) discharged goats. Mean time to stricture was 65 days (range, 10‐240).Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePerineal urethrostomy can provide effective long‐term resolution of obstructive urolithiasis in goats. Re‐obstruction or stricture seems most likely within the 1st 2 months after surgery. MPPU may provide better long‐term results but should be approached cautiously because it can be associated with life‐threatening hemorrhage.