Blood samples from 44 clinically healthy cats were analysed for the presence of antibodies to Chlamydophila felis. As we wanted to investigate if the antibody titre of clinically healthy cats correlates to shedding of chlamydia, conjunctival and vaginal or preputial swabs respectively, were taken and analysed with rtPCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) for the presence of chlamydia DNA. Furthermore, to investigate possible epidemiological factors connected with asymptomatic cats infected with chlamydia and to see if there were any indications that chlamydiosis can cause reproductive problems, the owners of the cats were asked questions regarding this. Sixty-one per cent (27 of 44) of the cats were seropositive. Three of these (11 %) had the highest antibody titre (1:1600).

Staphylococcus aureus is the most clinically important Staphylococcus species and is associated with high mortality in patients with positive blood cultures. S. aureus bacteria may cause a variety of disease manifestations ranging from minor skin infections to life-threatening conditions such as pneumonia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome (TSS) and sepsis. This microorganism belonging to the gram positive cocci may also be part of the normal flora. In Sweden, penicillinase-stable penicillins are the primary alternatives to treat S.

A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC line) is a catheter that is inserted through a peripheral vein in the arm and then on to a central vein in the chest. It is used to give injections and infusions and to take blood samples of patients who need treatment for longer periods.The aim of this study was to investigate nurses' perceived knowledge of the care and use of PICC line in wards where PICC line does not occur daily. The aim was also to investigate if the nurses expressed a need and wished for more knowledge to be able to use PICC line, and if PICC line is not used investigate the cause of that.The study was of a descriptive design with quantitative approach. An online survey was answered by 40 nurses from five wards at a university hospital in central Sweden.A large number of the nurses who responded to the survey reported that they lacked knowledge of the care and use of PICC line. Despite this, three-quarters of the nurses usually use PICC line at the infusion / injection / blood tests on patients with PICC line, if they are cared for in their ward.

Background: Prediabetes is caused by relative insulin deficiency and insulin resistance in the body tissue which leads to abnormal blood glucose levels. Prediabetes can over time lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus. To prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes and its complications, it is important to identify early elevated blood glucose levels and thereby prediabetes.Objective: To describe nurses' knowledge and experience regarding the management of patients with prediabetes.Methods: Qualitative descriptive design with individual interviews. Three nurses, three community health nurses and three diabetes nurses were interviewed.Results: The result can be understood from the nurses' experiences of encountering patients with prediabetes. An overarching theme in the analysis was that the nurses are working or aspiring to work preventively.

Two haematological instruments intended for small animal clinic use were evaluated at the Department of Clinical Chemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden. The QBC-V and Vet abc were compared to a reference instrument, the Cell-Dyn 3500. Fresh blood samples were obtained from canine and feline patients from the University Veterinary Hospital, SLU. The QBC-V was used for 111 canine samples and 78 canine blood samples were analysed with Vet abc. From cats, 23 samples were analysed with both instruments.

Testicular measurements and daily sperm output (DSO) are important factors affecting reproductive capacity of stallions. In the present study testicular measurements of 10 Swedish half-blood stallions were determined (height, length, width and volume). Ejaculates were collected from each stallion once daily for 10 days to evaluate some important seminal characteristics: gel-free ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, percent progressively motile spermatozoa and total number of spermatozoa (TSN). The gel-free ejaculate volume was measured with a graduated cylinder, the sperm concentration was counted in a Bürker chamber, the sperm motility was estimated in a phase-contrast microscope and TSN was determined by multiplying the gel-free seminal volume by the sperm concentration. Testicular measurements were as follows (left and right testis): height 7,5 cm and 7,8 cm, length 10,6 cm and 10,8 cm, width 6,5 cm and 6,6 cm, volume 278,2 cm3 and 293,8 cm3, scrotal width 12,3 cm and total testicular volume 572,0 cm3 .

The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek terms eu meaning good and thanatos meaning death, "good death". The penetrating captive bolt is an effective method of euthanasia, when use of drugs is inappropriate. The horse becomes immediately unconscious and falls to the ground. First after the blood is emptied from the body the horse is dead. The use of injectable euthanasia agents is a rapid and reliable method of performing euthanasia. The aim is to stop the flow of oxygenated blood to vital organs and tissues. The muscle relaxants may be used either in combination wih or following an anaesthetic dose of barbiturate, their use use as a sole agent is totally inhumane.

Background:Patients with mental disabilities are more prone to somatic illnesses than the general public. Unhealthier lifestyles and side effects of medication might be causes of conditions that lead to diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and premature death. According to the Social Board patients with mental disabilities receive poorer treatment than patients with only somatic diagnosis.Aim:The aim of the study was to describe nurses' experiences to identify, assess and manage somatic symptoms and problems within the psychiatric care.Method:The study is based on interviews with 12 nurses working in psychiatric outpatient and inpatient care. A qualitative content analysis was chosen.Result:The nurses performed nursing through talking, blood sampling and measuring for example blood pressure. They followed up side effects of medication.

This paper is about the extent to which simplified penetration calculations ofsmall-caliber projectiles is a useful tool for assessing the physical protectioncapability. The work should be seen as an attempt to create an accessible tool inthe form of a simplified equation that allows for a better and safer use of thenaval vessels. The tool will also be used at different levels so that decisions andinstructions could be clearer.Performed calculations show a very limited capacity of a ship's basic design interms of physical protection against the use of small-caliber projectiles.How do we know that the calculations correct? By verifying the calculations withpractical shooting tests, a substantial condition to answer the question will becreated. To shoot against a material with two different thicknesses estimated toproduce perforation and non-perforation is a good approximation of the equationusability in the context..

Introduction: It is recommended to place all the vacuum tubes directly on a sample cradle after vein puncture to prevent analytic error. This recommendation is not always easy to follow because the samples are taken by different professionals under different situations.  The three most common analyses, platelets count, haemoglobin and prothrombin time were tested.  Therefore, it was interesting to compare results from the three most common analyses with or without sample cradle, to evaluate the influence of this step on the result. Methods: Three analyses were preformed, using blood from 50 different persons. Each person gave two vacuum tubes, each contained 4.5mL of venous blood for the study.

The cat has evolutionary become an obligate carnivore. Today it is common to feed the cat a dry food. Studies have shown that the dry formula can have negative consequences for the cat. A literature study where conducted to investigate whether the cats origin makes it incapable to compensate for the changes a dry food entails. The impact and implications regarding water intake, energy intake and blood glucose concentration when feeding the cat dry food where examined.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) meloxicam in connection with dehorning of goat kids. Six 2-3,5 weeks old dehorned kids were given daily intramuscular injections of meloxicam (0,5 mg/kg; MG) and five age-matched dehorned kids were given isotonic NaCl (NG) for 3 days. The study was randomized and double blinded. The behavior of the kids was studied one day before dehorning, on the dehorning day and three days after. Blood samples were collected each day before the treatment and analyzed for plasma concentrations of meloxicam, hematocrit, cortisol, progesterone and glucose.

Immune stimulating complex (iscom) matrix is a formulation that is used as anadjuvant within research. The capability of the iscom matrix to elicit an immuneresponse when not present together with an antigen has not been extensivelyinvestigated. One way to evaluate the status of the immune system is to measure theamount of cytokines that usually are produced by various cell types during an immuneresponse. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the early immune responses inporcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) after stimulation in vitro with theiscom matrix, AbISCO®-100. The immune response was evaluated by measuring themRNA expression for various cytokines, a chemokine receptor (CXCR4) andregulator of G-protein signaling (RGS16) in porcine PBMC after stimulation withAbISCO®-100 or other inducers like a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and a CpGoligodeoxynucleotide (ODN 2216) used as controls.

The retrospective part of this study evaluates the susceptibility patterns of bacteria isolated from blood in critically ill foals in Sweden. The most commonly obtained bacteria were Actinobacillus spp. (38 %) and Escherichia coli (27 %). Trimethoprim-sulphonamide (TMS) had good efficacy against most gram negative bacteria with the exception of Klebsiella spp. Among 17 Escherichia coli isolates 94 % were susceptible to trimethoprim-sulphonamide whereas all 24 isolates of Actinobacillus spp.

Tillförlitlig blodtrycksmätning hos hund är viktigt för att kunna upptäcka avvikelser som kan orsaka eller kopplas samman med sjukdomstillstånd. Flera olika former av blodtrycksmätning existerar, men metoderna har utvärderats i varierande grad. Syftet med litteraturöversikten var att undersöka vilka fördelar och nackdelar det finns med olika metoder för blodtrycksmätning hos hund. Viktigt vid utvärdering är att mätningarna sker simultant, eftersom blodtrycket varierar mycket mellan olika tillstånd och situationer. I huvudsak finns två typer, direkt och indirekt blodtrycksmätning. Den direkta mätningen är invasiv och innebär att en kateter med trycksensor sätts in i en artär, vilket kräver gott handlag. Direkta mätningar anses bäst återspegla de ?sanna? värdena och används ofta som ?golden standard? vid utvärdering av indirekta metoder.