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Biomedical subjects

G Fecteau

Publications and source records attributed to G Fecteau.

28 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Bacteriological culture of blood from critically ill neonatal calves.

The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of bacteremia in critically ill, neonatal calves with severe diarrhea or depression, and to describe the variety of bacteria involved. Two studies were conducted in the summers of 1991 and 1993 involving 190 neonatal calves, 1-day to 19-days-old. Bacteremia was detected by blood culture in 31% (28/90) of calves in study 1, and in 24% (19/79) of ill calves and 0% (0/21) of control calves in study 2. Bacteria cultured from blood included Escherichia coli (51% of all isolates), other gram-negative enterics (25.5%), gram-negative anaerobes (5.9%), gram-positive cocci (11.8%), and gram-positive rods (5.9%). Among clinically ill calves, the average age was significantly lower in the blood culture-negative group (5.5 d) than in the blood culture-positive group (7.5 d) (P = 0.004). Mean serum IgG concentration was significantly (P = 0.0001) lower in blood culture-positive calves (1.146 g/L) than in blood culture-negative calves (3.077 g/L). The mortality rate was significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the blood culture-positive group (57.4%) than in the blood culture-negative group (15.1%). Bacteremia appeared to be a frequent entity in this particular rearing situation. Early recognition of the problem, as well as appropriate treatment, may be beneficial in increasing survival rates. Results also support the need to address the failure of passive transfer of maternal antibodies to prevent bacteremia in calves.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Use of a clinical sepsis score for predicting bacteremia in neonatal dairy calves on a calf rearing farm.

In human, equine, and bovine neonates, early diagnosis of bacteremia remains a challenge for the internist. The objective of this study was to develop a predictive model for risk of bacteremia, based on a clinical evaluation system called the clinical sepsis score. Blood from 90 ill calves, 1- to 14-days-old from a calf-raising farm in the San Joaquin Valley of California was cultured. The calves were also scored according to a clinical score for hydration status, fecal appearance, general attitude, appearance of scleral vessels, and umbilical abnormality. Age, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and presence or absence of a focal site of infection were recorded. Prevalence of bacteremia was 31% (28/90). A logistic regression model indicated that high clinical score, presence of a focal infection, and increased age were associated with an increased risk of bacteremia in ill calves (P < 0.06). Calves for which the model predicted bacteremia with a probability > or = 40.8% were considered bacteremic, yielding acceptable sensitivity (75%) and specificity (71%) estimates. The predictive model was validated through a 2nd sampling of 100 calves (79 ill calves and 21 controls), of which 17 calves were bacteremic. The classification was 75% correct using the model, with an estimated sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 75%. Overall, results indicated that the model could be a useful tool for predicting bacteremia in ill calves in a clinical setting.

Aging↗
PubMed1997

Dysfibrinogenemia or afibrinogenemia in a Border Leicester lamb.

Hereditary fibrinogen deficiency is a rare condition in all species. Measurement of plasma fibrinogen should indicate low levels. Specific factor assays and pedigree analysis are essential in establishing a definitive diagnosis of the hereditary deficiency. Differentiation between afibrinogenemia, hypofibrinogenemia, and dysfibrinogenemia requires sophisticated techniques and assistance from a specialized laboratory.

Afibrinogenemia↗
PubMed1995

Hydrops uteri in a caprine doe pregnant with goat-sheep hybrid fetuses.

A 5-year-old caprine doe was examined for abdominal enlargement and inability to stand. Hydrops uteri was diagnosed via ultrasonography, and was determined to be the cause of hind limb paresis. The placentomes appeared to be abnormal in shape and number. Uterine fluid electrolyte concentrations were similar to fluid from cows and sheep with hydrops amnion. Two fetuses were dead at the time of induced parturition. Hydrops uteri is rare in goats and, in the goat of this report, was believed to be caused by pregnancy with an unusual goat-sheep hybrid. The placental abnormalities discovered by ultrasonography may have been responsible for the abnormal accumulation of fluid, but a fetal abnormality also was considered to be possible.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Ancillary tests for assessment of the ruminant digestive system.

This article reviews the ancillary tests that are available to evaluate disease and function of the gastrointestinal system. Procedures and tests such as abdominocentesis and peritoneal fluid cytology; rumen fluid analysis; abomasal pH and pepsinogen; upper digestive tract endoscopy; ultrasonography and radiology; hematologic and biochemical assessments; cytology, culture, and histopathology of aspirates; serology, liver function tests and biopsy; exploratory laparotomy; fecal examination; and microbiology are described.

Abomasum↗
PubMed1992

Assessment of the ruminant digestive system.

Evaluation of the gastrointestinal system of ruminants is a logical progression of investigation and elimination. Important aspects of the animal's history pertinent to the gastrointestinal system are described. A systematic, comprehensive technique for physical examination is presented with emphasis on the digestive and lymphatic systems. Examples of potential signs of disease are provided for each body section.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Improving the validity of measures of patient satisfaction with psychiatric care and treatment.

Surveys of consumer satisfaction with psychiatric services are frequently included in program evaluations, ostensibly providing the patient's perspective. However, the consistently high levels of satisfaction reported, despite a wide variety of measures, suggest that these surveys may be of questionable validity. Recognizing that most surveys ask patients to rate aspects of care that professionals feel are important, the authors used a focus-group method to generate attributes of ideal care from the patient's viewpoint. A pool of 50 patient-generated items were rated for importance by a second group of inpatients on locked units of a provincial psychiatric hospital. A factor analysis and mean importance ratings identified interpersonal relations with staff as a key factor of patient satisfaction. The authors designed a seven-item measure of satisfaction based on this key factor.

Adult↗