@article{whitehead_petritz_doerr_stoskopf_harrison_2020, title={Biochemical Effects of Routine Gonadectomy on Blood of Domestic Ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)}, volume={59}, ISSN={["1559-6109"]}, DOI={10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-19-000173}, abstractNote={We studied domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) to evaluate the physiologic effects of routine surgery. Standard plasma biochemistry panels and 1H-NMR spectroscopy of heparinized whole blood were performed on samples taken 24 h prior to and immediately after surgery
 from female and male ferrets undergoing routine gonadectomy. Increases in plasma glucose, phosphorus, potassium, and creatine kinase concentrations associated with the duration of surgery were identified on plasma biochemistry panels. Whole-blood NMR spectra allowed us to identify 42 metabolites
 and one drug residue. Variations between pre- and postoperative metabolite concentrations were most pronounced for female ferrets, which underwent more prolonged surgery than males. Affected metabolites included organic acids and osmolytes (betaine, methylmalonate, <small>D</small>-lactate),
 fatty acids and lipids (2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid), and amino acid groups (acetylglycine, alloisoleucine, leucine, and isoleucine). These findings indicate that 1H-NMR spectroscopy of whole blood provides insight into metabolic perturbations in domestic ferrets undergoing surgery
 that are not detected in routine clinical chemistry panels.}, number={5}, journal={JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE}, author={Whitehead, Michelle C. and Petritz, Olivia A. and Doerr, Mary and Stoskopf, Michael K. and Harrison, Tara M.}, year={2020}, month={Sep}, pages={567–574} }
 @article{petritz_westermeyer_whitehead_christiansen_lohmann_lohmann_lewbart_2020, title={Effective mydriasis in juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) following topical administration of rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine}, volume={23}, ISSN={["1463-5224"]}, DOI={10.1111/vop.12681}, abstractNote={AbstractObjectiveTo determine the combined mydriatic effects of topical rocuronium bromide and phenylephrine in juvenile loggerhead turtles and identify any adverse effects associated with treatment.Animals studiedEleven juvenile loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta).ProceduresFour 20 μL drops of rocuronium bromide and four 20 μL drops of 10% phenylephrine were placed into the right eye at 2‐minute intervals of 5 turtles, while the same volume of saline was administered to six control turtles. A pupilometer recorded pupil measurements at rest and following a light stimulus at 2, 15, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 300, and 360 minutes following delivery of the final drop to the ocular surface. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was also measured at similar time points.ResultsThe nonilluminated and light‐stimulated pupillary diameter of the right eye of treated turtles was significantly greater than baseline starting at 120 and 15 minutes, respectively. Light‐stimulated pupillary diameter of treated eyes was greater than that of control eyes from time 15 minutes until the end of the treatment period. No systemic side effects were noted over a 24 hours period following treatment and all turtles showed normal behavior and appetite. No mydriasis was noted in either eye at 24 hours and the anterior segment was normal.ConclusionsA combination of topical ophthalmic rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine is safe and effective for mydriasis in juvenile loggerhead turtles.}, number={1}, journal={VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY}, author={Petritz, Olivia A. and Westermeyer, Hans D. and Whitehead, Michelle C. and Christiansen, Emily F. and Lohmann, Kenneth J. and Lohmann, Catherine M. F. and Lewbart, Gregory A.}, year={2020}, month={Jan}, pages={37–43} }
 @article{whitehead_vanetten_zheng_lewbart_2019, title={Hematological parameters in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) with formalin-preservation: comparison between wild tournament-caught and captive-raised fish}, volume={7}, ISSN={["2167-8359"]}, DOI={10.7717/peerj.6669}, abstractNote={BackgroundLargemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) are an economically important freshwater fish species that have been investigated for both the short and long-term effects of stress, secondary to angling. Limited data has been published on the hematological parameters of this species and blood sample stability is a notable limitation of hematologic field studies. A relatively novel technique using 10% neutral buffered formalin preserves heparinized whole blood and maintains blood cell stability beyond one month in striped bass. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in hematological parameters between tournament-caught and captive-raised largemouth bass using whole blood preservation with neutral buffered formalin.MethodsTwo populations of largemouth bass (n = 26 wild;n = 29 captive) underwent coccygeal venipuncture to collect heparinized whole blood for packed cell volume, total solids, and manual differential. Formalin preservation of heparinized whole blood facilitated manual hemocytometer analysis. Results were compared between the populations (tournament-caught, and captive-raised) with Wilcoxon rank sum test, a Hotelling’sT2test, and Bonferroni simultaneous 95% confidence intervals to determine significance.ResultsThe mean packed cell volume (44.9 ± 5.4%) and total solids (7.2 ± 1.1 g/dL) were significantly higher, while the total leukocyte count (7.08 ± 1.86 × 103/µL) was significantly lower in the wild tournament-caught population of largemouth bass, as compared to the captive-raised counterparts (PCV 34.4 ± 7.2%; TS 5.2 ± 1.0 g/dL; WBC 16.43 ± 8.37 × 103/µL). The wild population demonstrated a significantly distinct leukogram characterized by a neutropenia (24.1 ± 12.7%), lymphocytosis (67.7 ± 13.0%), and monocytopenia (8.3 ± 2.9%), while the erythrocyte and thrombocyte counts were not significantly different between populations.DiscussionNumerous factors have been demonstrated to influence hematologic parameters in fish including age, size, sex, temperature, environmental oxygen level, population density, and infection. The wild population endured stress during angling capture, live-well hypoxia, transport, and extended air exposures at weigh in, which may have caused a stress leukopenia as well as osmoregulatory dysfunction and subsequent hemoconcentration. Further evaluation of seasonal impact as well as increased sample size is warranted to enhance our understanding of largemouth bass hematology.ConclusionThis study concluded that wild largemouth bass captured via tournament angling have higher packed cell volume and total solids, and lower total leukocyte counts, compared to captive-reared individuals. Through the completion of this study, we demonstrated the successful use of 10% neutral buffered formalin to preserve heparinized whole blood for precise hemocytometer cell counts in a new teleost species, the largemouth bass.}, journal={PEERJ}, author={Whitehead, Michelle C. and Vanetten, Chelsey L. and Zheng, Yaxin and Lewbart, Gregory A.}, year={2019}, month={Apr} }
 @article{whitehead_hoppes_musser_perkins_lepiz_2019, title={The Use of Alfaxalone in Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus)}, volume={33}, ISSN={["1938-2871"]}, DOI={10.1647/2018-393}, abstractNote={Abstract: Alfaxalone is a neurosteroid anesthetic that acts on gamma-aminobutyric acid alpha-receptors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of alfaxalone (Alfaxan CD). Due to observed hyperexcitability in the subject animals when alfaxalone was the only drug used during the initial trials, premedication with midazolam was also evaluated during the final study. Ten adult Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus) were assigned to 3 groups: 1) low-dose alfaxalone 10 mg/kg (LD), 2) high-dose alfaxalone 25 mg/kg (HD), and 3) alfaxalone 10 mg/ kg with midazolam 1 mg/kg premedication (AM), administered intramuscularly. Induction time, sedation quality, duration of action, and vital parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, were recorded. All protocols achieved adequate sedation; however, muscle tremors and hyperexcitation were variable. The LD group had a significantly longer mean ± SD induction time (13.5 ± 4.5 minutes) as compared to the HD (6.0 ± 1.3 minutes, P = .002) and AM (6.5 ± 2.9 minutes, P = .006) groups, while recovery time was significantly longer in the HD group (86.2 ± 13.4 minutes) than the LD group (44.4 ± 10.8 minutes, P < .001). Midazolam premedication resulted in reduction of both muscle tremors and hyperexcitation associated with alfaxalone administration, but the recovery time was significantly longer (103.5 ± 15.1 minutes, P < .001) than for the LD group. Alfaxalone as a sole agent resulted in muscle tremors and hyperexcitation during induction, which was attenuated by premedication with midazolam. Further investigation is warranted to characterize the effects of alfaxalone and drugs used to premedicate Quaker parrots.}, number={4}, journal={JOURNAL OF AVIAN MEDICINE AND SURGERY}, author={Whitehead, Michelle C. and Hoppes, Sharman M. and Musser, Jeffrey M. B. and Perkins, Jennifer L. and Lepiz, Mauricio L.}, year={2019}, month={Dec}, pages={340–348} }
 @article{whitehead_vanetten_jacob_harrison_2018, title={Microbial integrity of preservative-free alfaxalone in a multiple-use system for two storage conditions and three handling techniques}, volume={79}, ISSN={["1943-5681"]}, DOI={10.2460/ajvr.79.7.704}, abstractNote={Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the microbial integrity of preservative-free cyclodextrin-based alfaxalone in a multiple-use system.
SAMPLE 22 vials of preservative-free alfaxalone.
PROCEDURES 2 storage conditions (room temperature, 22°C; refrigerated temperature, 4°C) and 3 handling techniques (closed system transfer device, nonclosed dispensing pin, and manufacturer-supplied vial stopper) comprised 6 treatment groups (3 replicates/group). An aliquot (0.5 mL) was withdrawn from each vial daily for 14 days. Samples were immediately inoculated into tryptic soy broth and incubated at 36°C for 24 hours; samples were subcultured onto 5% Columbia sheep blood agar and incubated for 48 hours. Isolated colonies were evaluated for identification.
RESULTS There was no evidence of microbial contamination of vials stored for 7 days in refrigeration and handled with a protected port (closed system transfer device or nonclosed dispensing pin).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The US FDA prohibits the use of alfaxalone beyond 6 hours after the vial stopper is broached (punctured), as mandated for a preservative-free injectable medication. Findings for the study reported here supported the use of alfaxalone for 7 days when refrigerated and handled with a single puncture of the stopper by use of a protected port (closed system transfer device or nonclosed dispensing pin). This would appear to be a practical alternative for an injectable anesthetic. It would minimize drug waste and the subsequent environmental impact for disposal of unused drug and allow standardization of storage and handling protocols for alfaxalone use in veterinary practices across the United States.}, number={7}, journal={AMERICAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH}, author={Whitehead, Michelle C. and Vanetten, Chelsey L. and Jacob, Megan E. and Harrison, Tara M.}, year={2018}, month={Jul}, pages={704–710} }