A Morphometric Study on the Skull of the German Shepherd Dog (Alsatian)

In this study, a total of 33 skulls of German shepherd (Alsatian) puppies between 45 and 105 days old were used. Animals were divided into two groups. Group 1 included puppies between 45 and 60 days old, and group 2 included those between 61 and 105 days old. In group 1, a skull weight of 36.95 g, a skull length of 113.96 mm, a maximum zygomatic width of 66.52 mm, a cranial length of 71.31 mm, a maximum neurocranium width of 52.11 mm, a viscerocranial length of 50.28 mm, a skull index of 58.43, a cranial index of 73.24, a facial index of 133.13 and a cranial volume of 55.38 ml were measured. In group 2, a skull weight of 61.17 g, a skull length of 143.38 mm, a maximum zygomatic width of 73.54 mm, a cranial length of 83.38 mm, a maximum neurocranium width of 53.70 mm, a viscerocranial length of 68.64 mm, a skull index of 51.44, a cranial index of 64.57, a facial index of 107.96 and a cranial volume of 75.75 ml were obtained. In order to determine the likely relationship, if any, between the indices and the other parameters, correlation coefficients were computed. It was found that all the measurements increased with age, while indices decreased, and an insignificant positive correlation was found between cranial volume and skull weight. The data obtained in this study may be of use in the consideration of the German shepherd type. For German shepherd dogs, which are a dolichocephalic race, it should be agreed that, in line with growth, the farther the values are from the mean value, the higher the defect rate of a puppy is. Also, the data may be of use in investigating the correlation between, for example, nasal cancer risk and the shape of the skull.     

Human case of bubonic plague resulting from the bite of a wild Gunnison's prairie dog during translocation from a plague‐endemic area

Plague is a zoonotic disease (transmitted mainly by fleas and maintained in nature by rodents) that causes severe acute illness in humans. We present a human plague case who became infected by the bite of a wild Gunnison's prairie dog, and a good practical example of the One Health approach that resulted in a rapid public health response. The exposure occurred while the animal was being transported for relocation to a wildlife refuge after being trapped in a plague enzootic area. This is the first report of a human plague case resulting from the bite of a Gunnison's prairie dog. Additionally, we present an observation of a longer incubation period for plague in captive prairie dogs, leading to a recommendation for a longer quarantine period for prairie dogs during translocation efforts.     

Identification of a periorbital wooden foreign body as the cause of chronic ocular discharge in a horse

The clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic features of a horse with a wooden foreign body embedded in the deep portion of the right masseter muscle adjacent to the right orbit are presented. The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging findings and treatment of a penetrating wooden foreign body in a horse that had no history of trauma or evidence of a puncture wound. This report documents the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging to detect a wooden foreign body embedded in the soft tissues of a horse with a chronic copious ocular discharge. Two surgical procedures were necessary, which is a frequent complication encountered with wooden foreign bodies.     

Protein and energy concentrations of meat meal and meat and bone meal fed to pigs based on in vitro assays

The objective of this study was to develop equations for estimating ileal digestible crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents of meat meal (MM) and meat and bone meal (MBM) as feed ingredients for pigs based on in vitro assays. Test ingredients were 4 sources of MM and 3 sources of MBM. Ash and CP contents of the ingredients ranged from 3.8% to 33.1% and 46.8% to 82.9% (as-is basis), respectively. In vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of CP was determined and ileal digestible CP content was calculated by multiplying CP content by IVID of CP. In vitro total tract disappearance (IVTTD) of dry matter (DM) was determined and ME was calculated using gross energy, CP contents, and IVTTD of DM. The IVID of CP and IVTTD of DM ranged from 77.2% to 88.7% and from 82.7% to 92.4%, respectively. Calculated ileal digestible CP and ME contents ranged from 37.8% to 73.5% DM and 2,405 to 3,905 kcal/kg DM, respectively. Ash contents were negatively correlated (P < 0.001) with CP (r = −0.99), in vitro ileal digestible CP (r = −0.97), gross energy (r = −1.00), in vitro digestible energy (r = −0.97), and adjusted ME (r = −0.97). The most fitting equations for ileal digestible CP and adjusted ME were: ileal digestible CP (% DM) = 11.91 − 0.90 × Ash (% DM) + 0.74 × IVID of CP (%) (R² = 0.99) and adjusted ME (kcal/kg DM) = 130.85 − 50.90 × ash (% DM) + 47.06 × IVTTD of DM (%) (R² = 0.99). To validate the accuracy of the prediction equations for ME, mean bias and linear bias were determined using a regression analysis. Calculated ME values of MM and MBM were in a good agreement with data obtained from animal experiments based on a statistically insignificant bias in the models. In conclusion, ME concentrations of MM and MBM as swine feed ingredients can be calculated using ash concentration and in vitro disappearance of dry matter.     

Food aversion learning: ability of lambs to distinguish safe from harmful foods

We studied the ability of lambs to select safe foods in the presence of harmful foods. In a series of feeding experiments, 3- to 6-mo-old lambs were offered a choice between 1) a familiar, safe and a novel, harmful food, 2) a novel, safe and a novel, harmful food and 3) a familiar, harmful and a novel, safe food. All harmful foods were palatable feeds that had been treated with lithium chloride (LiCl), a non-lethal gastrointestinal poison. When lambs ingested a meal composed of a novel food containing LiCl and a familiar, safe food, lambs subsequently avoided the novel food. Lambs avoided the novel food even when the familiar food contained LiCl. The response of lambs varied when lambs were given a choice between a novel, safe food and a novel food containing LiCl. Lambs either avoided the novel food containing LiCl and ingested the safe food or they limited their intake of both novel foods. Their response was dependent on the novelty of the food containing LiCl. When a novel, palatable food contained 2% LiCl, lambs always ate some of the food, even after experiencing illness from ingesting it. Lambs experienced with foods containing LiCl displayed greater food neophobia than lambs naive to LiCl-treated foods. Thus, novelty was the major criterion that lambs used to associate foods with gastrointestinal illness.     

饲用小叶锦鸡儿在山西的最佳采收时期

本研究连续3年对小叶锦鸡儿的生长规律及物候期进行观察,并采集1~8a不同年龄枝条及3a不同物候期枝条(带叶、花、果)测定并比较其营养成分(粗蛋白、粗脂肪、粗纤维、粗灰分、无氮浸出物、钙、磷等)的含量;采用层次分析法(AHP),计算各枝龄、物候期与参考向量的灰色关联度,确定最佳饲用采收期,以期评价小叶锦鸡儿(Caragana microphylla)不同年龄枝条和年生长周期的不同物候期营养成分变化规律,确定其饲用最佳采收期,为科学经营和合理利用资源提供理论依据。结果表明,1)按枝条不同生长年龄营养价值等权关联度排序为3a2a4a5a1a6a7a8a;加权关联度排序为3a1a5a2a4a6a7a8a。2)按不同物候期等权关联度排序为结果中期果熟期果后生长期花期展叶期萌芽期落叶期休眠期;加权关联度排序为结果中期果后生长期果熟期花期展叶期落叶期萌芽期休眠期。3a枝条结果中期作为加工饲料的最佳采收期,也是最佳平茬更新时期。     

Correlation between the histopathological diagnosis by AgNOR count and AgNOR area in canine mammary tumors

Background: Mammary tumors are the most common type of tumor in female dogs. The histopathological diagnosis is usually made by a hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining of the tumor, which then requires a pathologist's judgment for assessment of malignancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate an alternative silver staining of some argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) for improving the diagnostic accuracy with mammary tumors.
Hypothesis: There is a correlation between the histopathological diagnosis by AgNOR count and AgNOR area in canine mammary tumors.
Animals: Seventy-three canine mammary tumors from 33 female dogs.
Materials and Methods: The AgNOR staining was evaluated retrospectively in 73 canine mammary tumors with a parallel HE staining as a "Gold Standard." Both a quantitative manual counting method and a qualitative computerized morphometric method were tested.
Result: The result from both methods indicated a clinically relevant difference in the mean values of the AgNOR in the following 4 categories: malignant, benign, hyperplastic, and normal mammary tissue. The counting method was superior, with 89% of the cases given a correct diagnosis of a malignant or a nonmalignant canine mammary tumor. The 2 methods were then compared to test their ability to classify the tumors correctly. Again, the counting method was the most reliable method, with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 76% when the upper 50% of the AgNOR counts were presumed malignant.
Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The results indicated that an AgNOR test could be an aid to pathologists as a prognostic indicator or to assist them in deciding between a benign or a malignant diagnosis in questionable cases.     

The Anatomy of the Arterial Supply of the Thoracic Limb of the Porcupine (Hystrix cristata)

The aim of this study was to investigate the anatomy of the arterial supply and branches of the thoracic limb of the porcupine. With this aim, five (three male and two female) adult porcupines were used. The vascular tree of the thoracic limb was injected through the common carotid arteries with coloured latex. The a. thoracica externa arose from the a. axillaris at the level of the fourth rib. It divided into two branches and went to the m. cutaneus trunci and the m. pectoralis ascendens. The a. subscapularis came off the a. thoracodorsalis. Later, the a. circumflexa humeri caudalis et cranialis, the three muscular branches and the a. circumflexa scapulae arose from the a. subscapularis. The a. profunda brachii arose together with the a. bicipitalis from the same truncus. The a. collateralis ulnaris left from the a. brachialis independently. Rete carpi dorsale was formed by the a. radialis. the r. carpeus dorsalis of the a. collateralis ulnaris and the a. interossea caudalis. Arcus palmaris profundus was formed by the r. profundus of the a. interossea caudalis and the r. palmaris profundus of the a. radialis. In conclusion, despite a partial resemblance to that in the rat, the distribution of the thoracic limb arteries in the porcupine was found to be completely different from that of other mammals. These findings represent, to our knowledge, the first study on the distribution of thoracic limb arteries in the porcupine.     

Which anatomical region determines a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse?

Reasons for performing study: The flexion test is used routinely as part of lameness and prepurchase examinations. However, little is known about the mechanisms that cause a positive response to a flexion test. Objective: To determine which anatomical regions play a role in a positive outcome of a flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Methods: Eight clinically sound Dutch Warmblood horses were subjected to a standardised flexion test (force 250 N, time 60 s) inducing a consistent lameness. To discriminate between different areas of the distal aspect of a forelimb, effects of various nerve blocks on the outcome of the flexion test were investigated. Low palmar digital, palmar at the abaxial aspects of the base of the proximal sesamoids, high palmar, ulnar and low 4‐point nerve blocks were performed. Flexion test induced lameness was scored before and after each nerve block in separate sessions. Results: The low palmar digital nerve blocks and nerve blocks of the palmar nerves at the abaxial aspect of the base of the proximal sesamoid bones had no significant effect on the flexion test induced lameness score. The ulnar, high palmar and, most dramatically, the low 4‐point nerve blocks all caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the flexion test induced lameness score. Conclusions: Anatomical structures (soft tissue nor synovial structures) located distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint appear to contribute only minimally to the outcome of a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a clinically nonlame horse. The structures in the region of, and including, the metacarpophalangeal joint appear to contribute most to a positive flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb in a nonlame horse. Potential relevance: The flexion test of the distal aspect of a forelimb may be sensitive for investigating the metacarpophalangeal joint region in horses free from lameness, but may be less relevant for structures distal to this region.     

What is your diagnosis? Muculent pleural effusion from a dog

Pleural effusion was examined from a 5-year-old, female Brittany Spaniel with a 7-day history of dyspnea, anorexia, and diarrhea. The fluid was yellow, cloudy, and slightly gelatinous, and had a total protein concentration of 2.8 g/dL, a total nucleated cell concentration of 1.1 x 10(3)/muL, and a triglyceride concentration of 177 mg/dL. A cytocentrifuged preparation contained a mixed inflammatory cell population with a predominance of small lymphocytes and abundant mucinous material in the background. The dog died 3 days later and a mass was found within the lumen and wall of the right auricle of the heart at necropsy. Histopathologic sections of the mass contained a population of anaplastic spindle cells diffusely suspended in a pale basophilic matrix, consistent with myxosarcoma. The cells were positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, desmin, and von Willebrand factor VIII-related antigen. A myxoid matrix was confirmed by positive staining with Alcian blue. Myxosarcoma is a rare cardiac tumor in dogs that should be considered, along with mucus-producing carcinomas and bile, as a cause of muculent effusion.     

Skull typology of adult male Kangal dogs

In this study, a total of 16 skulls of the adult male Kangal dog were used. Craniometric measurements for 44 different parts of the skull were made. All investigated features were expressed as mean +/- SD. Cephalic indices and ratios were calculated. These indices and ratios have been compared with the average values of indices calculated for other breeds. A skull index of 50.29 +/- 1.033, a cranial index of 46.05 +/- 2.213, a facial index of 99.62 +/- 3.891, a facial index-1 of 81.67 +/- 3.667, a basal index of 28.71 +/- 1.425, a basal index-1 of 57.91 +/- 1.365, a length-length index-2 of 1.08 +/- 0.045, a length-width index-2 of 1.99 +/- 0.041, a length-width index-4 of 2.18 +/- 0.108, a palatal index-1 of 62.24 +/- 2.528, a palatal index-2 of 65.37 +/- 2.208, a palato-basal ratio of 55.44 +/- 1.975, a palato-basal ratio-1 of 54.47 +/- 1.716, a palato-palatine ratio of 33.71 +/- 0.860, a palato-palatine ratio-1 of 34.30 +/- 0.733, a cranio-facial ratio of 107.87 +/- 4.819 and a cranio-facial ratio-1 of 144.17 +/- 8.099 were obtained. When the skull, cranial and facial indices were considered together with the other calculated indices and ratios, it was clear that the skulls of the Kangal dogs have to be regarded as of dolichocephalic type. Kangal dogs, with their mastiff-like appearance and massive head, are shown in this study to be typical of a dolichocephalic breed.     

Evaluation of effectiveness of a vaccination program against an infectious disease at the population level

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of a vaccine in a population of animals. SAMPLE POPULATION: Field-trial data from the literature. PROCEDURE: A spreadsheet simulation model was constructed to estimate the impact of a vaccination program, assuming various population sizes, transmission rates, and vaccine efficacies. RESULTS: Total effectiveness (proportion of affected animals [ie, cases] avoided) increased with the vaccinated proportion of the population. However, with a highly efficacious vaccine, this relationship discontinued after a sufficient vaccination proportion was reached, reflecting herd immunity. Evaluation of a case study indicated that what may be considered a poor vaccine on the basis of its low efficacy may protect a substantial portion of the population if the vaccine is administered to a sufficient number of susceptible animals. Further investigation of a case study of horses indicated that evaluating a vaccine based solely on its efficacy could greatly underestimate its value. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When evaluating a vaccine applied to a population, in addition to the vaccine efficacy, the vaccination rate, cost of the vaccine, potential disease transmission rate, and number and cost of cases avoided must also be considered. Efficacy may underestimate vaccine value in terms of the reduction of indirect cases typically avoided when vaccination is applied in a population.     

The neurological examination and lesion localization in the companion rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Completion of a thorough neurological examination of a rabbit is essential for clinicians to determine the location of a neurological problem. Determination of the location of a lesion (whether solitary or multifocal/diffuse) enables a clinician to list the most likely causes of the problem. This article presents the neurological examination of the rabbit, followed by a practical guide to lesion localization in this species.     

PARTIAL ESOPHAGEAL OBSTRUCTION BY AN INTRAMURAL HEMATOMA IN A DOG

A 9-year-old male Beagle dog was presented with a history of regurgitation for more than a month. In radiographic examination of the esophagus, a space-occupying defect suggesting an intramural lesion was found in the caudal esophagus. At necropsy a diagnosis of a hematoma of the wall of the esophagus was made. Trauma was suggested as a possible etiology because the dog also had a fracture of the first rib on the same side as the esophageal hematoma.     

The use of a geographical information system in the management of a foot-and-mouth disease epidemic

A decision support system for managing a foot-and-mouth disease epidemic is being developed at Massey University on behalf of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The system will comprise a variety of computer technologies, including a database management system, a geographic information system, a spatial simulation model of foot-and-mouth disease and a number of expert systems.     

Risk Factors for the Development of Hypokalemia in Neonatal Diarrheic Calves

Background

Neonatal diarrheic calves have a clear negative potassium balance because of intestinal losses and decreased milk intake but in the presence of acidemia, they usually show normokalemic or hyperkalemic plasma concentrations.

Objectives

To assess whether marked hypokalemia occurs in response to the correction of acidemia and dehydration and to identify factors that are associated with this condition.

Animals

Eighty‐three calves with a clinical diagnosis of neonatal diarrhea.

Methods

Prospective cohort study. Calves were treated according to a clinical protocol using an oral electrolyte solution and commercially available packages of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate, 0.9% saline and 40% dextrose infusion solutions.

Results

The proportion of hypokalemic calves after 24 hours of treatment (19.3%) was twice as great as it was on admission to the hospital. Plasma K⁺ after 24 hours of treatment was not significantly correlated to venous blood pH values at the same time but positively correlated to venous blood pH values on admission (r = 0.51, P < .001). Base excess on admission (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70–0.94), duration of diarrhea (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.05–1.80), milk intake during hospitalization (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.37–0.79) and plasma sodium concentrations after 24 hours (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01–1.25) were identified to be independently associated (P < .05) with a hypokalemic state after 24 hours of treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Findings of this study suggest that marked depletion of body potassium stores is evident in diarrheic calves that suffered from marked metabolic acidosis, have a low milk intake and a long history of diarrhea.     

Seminoma in a southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor): diagnosis, surgical management and effect on fertility

A testicular mass was identified by ultrasonography performed during a routine reproductive evaluation of an adult male southern black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis minor ). Histological examination of a testicular biopsy supported a presumptive diagnosis of testicular neoplasia. Hemi-castration was performed to excise the affected testis and a pathological diagnosis of a seminoma was made. Assessment of semen suggested reduced fertility as a consequence of the neoplastic process, but hemi-castration prevented further growth and metastasis of the tumour and ensured the animal's breeding potential. This is the second documented case of a seminoma in a rhinoceros species and the first case in a black rhinoceros.     

Giant cell tumor of the bone in a scarlet macaw (Ara macao)

A 6-mo-old female scarlet macaw (Ara macao) was presented after a 2-mo period of anorexia and weakness. The bird was reluctant to fly 1 wk before referral due to a painful left wing. Physical examination revealed a firm swelling around the left shoulder. On radiographs, the diaphysis and proximal metaphysis of the left scapula were radiolucent. Computer tomography revealed an osteolytic process, suggestive of a bone tumor, affecting the left scapula. Cytology of a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the mass showed erythrocytes, a proliferation of spindle-shaped mesenchymal cells, and multinucleated giant cells (osteoclasts) suggestive of a giant cell tumor. The left wing, including the scapula, was amputated. The bird showed a fast recovery but died 1 hr later. Findings during the pathological examination were compatible with shock due to blood loss. The shoulder process was characterized as a giant cell tumor. To our knowledge, this is the first complete report of a giant cell tumor of the bone in a bird.     

Analysis of early calfhood health status and subsequent dairy herd survivorship and productivity

Heifer calves contracting a navel-joint illness within their first 4 months of life exhibited a significantly poorer survival distribution pattern than their other 4 cohort groups in a study of 460 calves born into 2 institutional dairy herds from January 1, 1971 to December 1, 1978 inclusive. The cohorts of calves identified as having either respiratory, gastrointestinal, septicemia, or ‘other’ diseases did not have a survival function significantly different from each other, or from the control group. Also, on a per lactation basis, all 4 disease cohorts did not have a significantly different milk production or reproductive performance than the control group.These observations suggest that a selective culling program can maintain similar productivity and breeding performances on a lactation basis regardless of early calfhood health status. However, heifer calves contracting a navel-joint illness cannot survive as well as other calves under such a management program and hence, from a biological point of view, may warrant culling immediately upon diagnosis.     

Repair of Bovine and Equine Mandibular Fractures

Clinical findings, surgical repair and postsurgical care of a unilateral fracture of the mandible of a bull and of a bilateral mandibular fracture in a horse are described. Compression plating limited the pain suffered by the animals and resulted in a quick return to function of the mandibles.