Measuring Dose to Small Animals in Micro-CT

An important application of William Röntgen’s discovery of x-rays is computed tomography (CT). First developed in the 1970’s, CT scanners of today are able to provide a detailed image of a patient’s body with minimal risk to patient and a very short turnaround time from scan to reconstructed image. This powerful tool provides physicians another way to diagnose patients while simultaneously allowing for researchers to learn about the human body. Scientists soon became interested in using the technology on small animals but practical issues plagued the widespread use of CT in preclinical research. The scale of the scanners was simply too large to provide useful images of the animals, mainly mice and rats. As a direct result of this problem, the field of micro-CT was developed. Micro-CT scanners can be used to generate images of small animals in while the platform itself has been used to develop advancements applied to clinical CT. In February 2006, the Syracuse Medical Imaging Research Group (SMIRG) acquired a Siemens Micro CAT II scanner. At the time, only theoretical predictions of dose to small animals existed and they were based in part on computer models. It became necessary to perform a dosimetry study of the micro-CT scanner in order to empirically determine the dose to small animals during a scan. Utilizing materials and the method outlined by the SUNY Upstate Medical University Department of Radiation Safety, the study was successfully completed in May 2008. In order to measure exposure, thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were calibrated using an ionization chamber and then exposed in-air to obtain conversion factors. The TLDs were then exposed inside of a phantom. Post phantom exposure measurements were converted into kerma measurements which were finally converted into dose estimates using the f-factor for mice. Mathematical equations which can predict dose estimates to small animals during scanning were developed. The equations, one for each of three filter thicknesses, allow the researcher to input their scan’s technique (peak voltage and current applied to the tube, and exposure time) and obtain an empirically-derived prediction of dose to the subject. This project provided a powerful tool to researchers and proved that dose to animals during micro-CT scanning, while small, is not insignificant. In addition, it also validated earlier dose predictions which were developed using computer models

Effects Of Catha edulis’ Leaf Extract on Blood Chemistry and Kidney Tissues in Small East African Male Goats from Rift Valley Province of Kenya

Objectives: To determine the serum electrolytes levels in animals treated with Catha edulis leaf extract.Design: Experimental studySetting: Department of Biological Sciences at the Chepkoilel University College, Moi UniversitySubjects: Fourteen (14) reproductively mature and healthy small East African male goats (Capra aegagrus hircus) from Kerio Valley in Rift Valley province of Kenya.Intervention: Plasma electrolytes (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl-), urea, creatine and glucose levels were investigated in eight control and fourteen experimental small East African male goats before and after treatment with Catha edulis leaf extracts. At the end of the study the animals’ were sacrificed and their kidneys extracted for histological examination.Results: mean sodium and calcium levels were lower in treated animals than nontreated animals (138 v/s 143.6 mmol/L and 3.3 v/s 2.2 mmol/L respectively), p<0.001 Plasma glucose levels also declined from  4.0-4.1mmol/L to 3.3-3.5mmol/L following the Catha edulis leaf extract treatment. However serum nitrogenous metabolites levels increased significantly in Catha edulis treated animals (urea; 6.5 v/s 5.2 mmol/L andcreatine; 69.9 v/s 55.4 mmol/L). Histological examination of renal tissue of Catha edulis treated animals revealed degenerative changes and hypercellularity in the glomeruli as well as interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Nuclei of proximal convoluted tubule cells also appeared pyknotic while those of the macula densa appeared granular.Conclusion: The present study showed that Catha edulis treatment was associated with electrolyte imbalance which may have been as a result of degenerative changes in the renal system. The findings are a pointer to the fact that Catha edulis use may predispose the users to renal disorders and subsequent electrolyte imbalance

News ... of the Humane Society of the United States 13(2)

Department of Interior considers cruel seal harvest a full use of resources for the public welfare Bill affecting rodeos introduced in New York The making of a fur coat Battle lines form in New York; Slaughter bills are introduced Site chosen for 1968 conference Branch reports new Pet Protective and Control law before legislature Study undertaken to develop holding pen for small animals Kindness to animals adopted as policy in Connecticut schools Hearings on funds for dealer law scheduled Heart transplants on animals continued in Ohio school system Law against cockfights openly flouted; HSUS demands stronger enforcement by state officials Ohio affiliate gears work to state needs Pound seizure threat looms in New Jersey Effect of P.L. 89-544 in halting petnapping discounted; Too many escape holes in law, HSUS says Top educators visit NHEC, appraise and discuss school study Networks turn Sunday into Savage day with cruel, brutal programs Bullfight programs under attack nationwide; FCC confirms right to protes

The Problem of Unlicensed Puppy Mills

Currently the United States Department of Agriculture does not license or inspect large-scale puppy producers who sell puppies over the Internet or directly to the public. Many of these unlicensed facilities sell puppies sight-unseen to unsuspecting buyers who assume they are purchasing from a small family breeder. Hundreds of these “direct” sellers have taken advantage of the pre-Internet language of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations (otherwise known as the “retail pet stores loophole”) to operate without any federal oversight or inspections. As a result, an increasing number of large-scale unlicensed breeders are not monitored for their animals’ overall health or for any humane treatment standards

The Problem of Unlicensed Puppy Mills

Currently the United States Department of Agriculture does not license or inspect large-scale puppy producers who sell puppies over the Internet or directly to the public. Many of these unlicensed facilities sell puppies sight-unseen to unsuspecting buyers who assume they are purchasing from a small family breeder. Hundreds of these “direct” sellers have taken advantage of the pre-Internet language of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations (otherwise known as the “retail pet stores loophole”) to operate without any federal oversight or inspections. As a result, an increasing number of large-scale unlicensed breeders are not monitored for their animals’ overall health or for any humane treatment standards

Hemotropic mycoplasmas in cats, part 2: case report

An eight-month-old apathic cat was referred to the Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals of the Ghent University Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Merelbeke, Belgium. The cat had a severe case of non-regenerative anemia with a hematocrit of only 2.9%. Cytological examination of a bone marrow aspirate led to the diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Additionally, a PCR assay for "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum" ("Candidatus M. haemominutum") DNA was positive. Although unproven, an infection with "Candidatus M. haemominutum" could have contributed to the immune-mediated destruction of red blood cell precursors. The cat recovered completely after treatment, which consisted of multiple blood transfusions, antimicrobial agents, and long-term prednisolone therapy (10 months). There were no signs of clinical relapse at 20 months after cessation of therapy

Guidance for control of exotic small animal welfare

Exotic small animals that are commonly kept as pets include aquarium fish, cage and aviary birds, rodents, rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), reptiles and amphibians. These different kinds of animals, even species within the same class, may differ markedly from each other regarding physiology and requirements. Although these species are common in both Swedish households and in pet trade, many animal keepers have a lack of knowledge about the origin and requirements of their pets. This is a cause of several health problems seen in animals which are held in captivity. In Sweden, the county administrative boards perform all animal welfare controls. Thus, it is important for the animal welfare inspectors to have enough knowledge about the animals, to enable them to ensure a good animal welfare and to have the ability to explain to animal keepers why any occuring husbandry deficiencies is not acceptable. The control checklists with associated guidelines, produced by the Swedish Department of Agriculture and used by the animal welfare inspectors, are however relatively limited regarding exotic small animals, especially the aquarium fish. Even the Swedish animal welfare legislation (DFS 2005:8) is quite limited regarding these animals and needs improvement as well as being made more comprehensive. It should, for example, not be considered appropriate to house rabbits and guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) together since Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacteria often found in the respiratory tracts of healthy rabbits, may cause lung infections in guinea pigs. To improve the welfare of the exotic small animals kept by humans, more knowledge amongst animal keepers is required as well as an improvement of the Swedish animal welfare legislation and the material used by the Swedish county administrative boards during animal welfare controls. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide guidance for welfare controls of exotic small animals using the existing control checklists, produced by the Swedish Department of Agriculture, as models

The efficiency of the farm diary in accounting investigations

Approved May 15, 1914, O.R. JohnsonTypescriptM.A. University of Missouri 1914As stated in the subject, the purpose of this paper is to set forth the efficiency in accounting investigations of the Diary system of keeping Farm records. This system of keeping farm records is known as the farm diary. It has been used to a certain extent and in a modified form by farmers over the country, but it has been used very little, if any, as a means of securing data for investigational purposes, except in a small way by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Washington. The diary has been used in Missouri by the farmers in co-operation with the Farm Management Department of the University for the past two years with increasing popularity among both the farmers and the Department. Six farmers co-operated in this work in 1912, twenty in 1913, and more than forty have begun the work for 1914. All tables, tabulations and results shown herein are given for the purpose of showing the possibilities of this system of keeping farm records, rather than the intention of presenting data from which any definite conclusions can be drawn, because of the small number of records from which this data has been collected. All data shown here is gathered from six diaries kept in 1912, and five which were kept in 1913; the year having been completed February 28th, 1914. In some cases it was possible to use the eleven farms in the tabulations, while in others the data was not complete enough in all farms, but with each table is given the number of farms and animals included

Eighth Great Plains Wildlife Damage Control Workshop Proceedings: Frontmatter & Contents

Uresk, Daniel W.; Schenbeck, Greg L.; Cefkin, Rose, technical coordinators. 1988. Eighth Great Plains wildlife damage control workshop proceedings. General Technical Report RM-15it. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station; 231 p. [Listed also as Publication Ho. 121, Lincoln, NE: Great Plains Agricultural^ Council.] Abstract These proceedings consist of more than 40 presented papers on damage caused by many different animals. Panel presentations that followed two special sessions—one on prairie dogs and related small mammals and another on ways to enhance waterfowl production—are also included. In addition to information on mechanical and chemical control methods, the ecosystem processes involved are considered. Keywords: Prairie dogs, waterfowl, coyotes, rodents, bird repellents, predacides, rodenticide