Nine horses received 20 mg/kg of intravenous (LEV IV ); 30 mg/kg of intragastric, crushed immediate release (LEV CIR ); and 30 mg/kg of intragastric, crushed extended release (LEV CER ) levetiracetam, in a three-way randomized crossover design. Crushed tablets were dissolved in water and administered by nasogastric tube. Serum samples were collected over 48 hr, and levetiracetam concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Mean ± SD peak concentrations for LEV CIR and LEV CER were 50.72 ± 10.60 and 53.58 ± 15.94 μg/ml, respectively. The y-intercept for IV administration was 64.54 ± 24.99 μg/ml. The terminal half-life was 6.38 ± 1.97, 7.07 ± 1.93 and . Bioavailability was 96 ± 10, and 98 ± 13% for LEV CIR and LEV CER , respectively. A single dose of Levetiracetam (LEV) was well tolerated. Based on this study, a recommended dosing regimen of intravenous or oral LEV of 32 mg/kg every 12 hr is likely to achieve and maintain plasma concentrations within the therapeutic range suggested for humans, with optimal kinetics throughout the dosing interval in healthy adult horses. Repeated dosing and pharmacodynamic studies are warranted.

Summary Two foals were examined for signs of abdominal discomfort. Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed an increased amount of free peritoneal fluid and thickened small intestine walls. Abdominocentesis yielded an odourless, white‐to‐yellow, opaque, homogeneous peritoneal fluid with elevated triglyceride levels. Based on the findings, diagnosis of chylous ascites was made. Idiopathic intestinal lymphangiectasia was suspected to be the cause for the condition. Both foals responded well and the condition resolved.

In this study the authors aimed to compare the efficiency of carprofen, ketoprofen and vedaprofen for alleviating postoperative pain in bitches submitted to ovariohysterectomy (OH). Pre-and postoperative assessment of pain was made 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12 and 24 hours post-extubation INTRODUCTIONSeveral opioids and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to provide perioperative analgesia in dogs (FIRTH & HALDANE 1999;GRISNEAUX et al., 1999) and cats (SLINGSBY & WATER-PEARSON, 2000). NSAIDs have been demonstrated to be very effective analgesic agents and have the advantage that they are not controlled drugs (GRISNEAUX et al., 1999

Ketamine (3%) administered perineurally for regional anaesthesia of the digit does not desensitise the digit to the same extent as does lidocaine and thus 3% ketamine appears to have no value as a local anaesthetic agent for diagnostic regional anaesthesia.

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) occurs when there is open communication between the lumen of intestine and the skin. This report describes a two-year-old, American Quarter Horse filly presented with an acute ECF involving the ileum entrapped within an umbilical hernia. After four days of conservative therapy and worsening of hydration status and electrolyte and acid-base imbalances, surgical correction of the ECF was performed. The filly was stable 24 hours after surgery and eventually made a full recovery. BACKGROUND