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A 10½-year-old, male neutered, pug presented with increasing ascites over two months. Echocardiography revealed cor triatriatum dexter with no concurrent cardiovascular anomalies, subsequently confirmed by computed tomography angiography. Balloon dilation of the perforated intra-atrial membrane under fluoroscopic guidance resulted in the transient resolution of all clinical abnormalities, but six months later stenosis and ascites recurred. After repeated balloon dilation, a stent was placed across the membrane. The dog remains asymptomatic fourteen months after the second procedure. One noteworthy feature of this case is the onset of congestive heart failure due to a congenital defect only at more than 10 years of age.

In a previous study that used butorphanol in pigs before castration performed under isoflurane anaesthesia, severe adverse effects were recorded. As in pigs, this has not been reported before, we aimed to investigate the effects of butorphanol in piglets. In this study ten 27 days old piglets were randomly allocated to receive either 0,2 mg/kg butorphanol (group B) or saline 0,9% (control group C) intramuscularly. Their behaviour was as- sessed for 60 minutes by two independent observers from videotapes. Two to 15 minutes after application, piglets in group B showed restlessness, distress and excessive vocalisation. Locomotor activity was increased, the piglets laid down considerably less frequently (p = 0,034) and for shorter time periods (p = 0,0014) during the first 40 minutes compared to group C. Group C animals slept most time of the experiment (45,1 ± 2,9 minutes in group C vs 12,7 ± 2,9 minutes in group B, p < 0,0001). After receiving butorphanol, pigs showed jumping against the wall (mean 1,2 times per minute during the first 30 minutes in group B vs 0 times per minute in group C, p = 0,0011). In group B, one animal pressed its head against the wall and four animals showed severe panting and gasping. Thirty minutes after butorphanol application piglets became hyperthermic (41 ± 0,7°C group B vs 39,6 ± 0,3 °C group C, p = 0,0075). The results of this study show that 0,2 mg/kg butorphanol intramuscularly induces severe side effects in pain-free piglets that are similar to those reported following opioid administration in other species.

This study observed the effects of three different surgical positions on arterial blood oxygenation measured noninvasively by pulse oximetry (SpO2) and on intraocular pressure (IOP) in anaesthetised cats undergoing spay. A total of 222 female feral cats were anaesthetised for a large-scale trap-neuter-return program with an intramuscular combination of medetomidine (0.03 - 0.05 mg/kg), ketamine (7 - 10 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg). Cats were randomly allocated to undergo spay in either Trendelenburg (70° downward head tilt), lateral or dorsal recumbency. SpO2 and pulse rate were measured at baseline, prior to surgical positioning, after one minute in surgical position and in one-minute intervals after surgical incision. Intraocular pressure was measured before positioning and at the end of surgery. At the end of surgery, all cats were placed into left lateral recumbency and all parameters were revaluated after five minutes. No significant differences between the three positions were found regarding SpO2, but an increase over time was observed. In total, 52 ± 10% (mean ± SD) of cats were hypoxaemic (SpO2 < 90%) at baseline. SpO2 improved over time, but 27 ± 3% (mean ± SD) of the cats remained hypoxaemic at the end of surgery. Trendelenburg position increased IOP during surgery (mean 31 ± 6 mmHg, individual max. 48 mmHg, versus 17 ± 4 mmHg in dorsal/lateral recumbency) but normalised after 5 mins in lateral recumbence. All cats recovered well from surgery and were released within 24 hours post-anaesthesia. Surgical position was shown to have no notable influence on SpO2 during anaesthesia in cats not receiving oxygen supplementation, whereas Trendelenburg position led to increased IOP. Oxygen supplementation is recommended with this anaesthetic protocol, as hypoxaemia is frequently observed.

Objectives: Many people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have difficulty in developing communication skills, and they suffer from speech disorders. They must use an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) system that helps with ordinary speech, such as picture exchange communication systems, text systems, and voice output devices. Among them, sign language has been recommended for people with ASD because it has many advantages as a communication system. Method: This paper describes the possible impact of a new sign language translation device, called Talking Hands, for people with ASD. This paper describes Talking Hands from a technological point of view, focusing on its features that can help people ASDs with speech impairment. Results: Taking into account the most recent studies on sign language application on people with disabilities, we analyse the advantages that Talking Hands could give to people with speech impairment, increasing the ones naturally given by sign languages. Conclusions: Although there are still some limitations in the use of Talking Hands on a daily basis, the analysis indicates Talking Hands is an innovative AAC device for people with ASD and could have a positive impact on others with speech disorders.