莫西菌素浇泼驱虫剂对靶动物绵羊的安全性评价

为了客观评价莫西菌素(MXD)浇泼剂对靶动物羊的临床应用安全性,本试验将40只体重为(25.0±2.7)kg的断奶羔羊随机分为4个组,分别为不给药对照组(CTR组)、1倍剂量浇泼给药组[0.5 mg/(kg·bw),1×组]、3倍剂量浇泼给药组[1.5 mg/(kg·bw),3×组]和5倍剂量浇泼给药组[2.5 mg/(kg·bw),5×组]。给药第1天(1 d)按前述分组方法和剂量对各组羊只沿背中线浇泼给药,连续给药3 d,试验观察期为7 d,观察各组羊只临床表现和体重变化;测定给药前1天(0 d)和给药后第7天(7 d)各组羊只体温、脉搏和呼吸(TPR)、血液生理生化和尿常规指标;测量7 d时各组羊只脏器系数并采取组织样品制备石蜡切片观察组织病理学变化,综合评价MXD浇泼剂临床用药安全性。结果显示：与CTR组相比,各浇泼给药组羊只临床表现均正常,体重和TPR指标均无显著差异(P>0.05);3×组的血糖(GLU)和5×组的红细胞容积(MCV)、肌酐(CREA)均存在极显著差异(P<0.01),但均在正常参考值内,其他指标均无显著差异(P>0.05);各浇泼给药组尿...     

棉酚对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性作用

为了观察棉酚对雄性小鼠的生殖毒性,将48只雄性小鼠随机分成4组。对照组(羧甲基纤维素钠)、低剂量组(30 mg/kg·d)、中剂量组(60 mg/kg·d)和高剂量组(240 mg/kg·d)。连续灌胃给药20 d。第21天处死,取睾丸称重并计算脏器指数,将睾丸进行病理组织学观察。结果:前两周,高剂量组体重显著下降(P0.05),对照组体重显著上升(P0.05),第3周高剂量组体重差异极显著(P0.01);与对照组相比,低剂量组睾丸脏器指数差异极显著(P0.01),中剂量组差异显著(P0.05),高剂量组差异不显著(P0.05);睾丸组织进行H.E.染色,对照组无明显病理变化,低、中剂量组病变轻微,高剂量组正常结构遭到破坏,结构松散。结论:棉酚能够抑制小鼠体重的增长,不同浓度的棉酚对小鼠睾丸组织造成不同程度的病理损伤,60 mg/kg·d和240 mg/kg·d棉酚对雄性小鼠有致死作用。     

“乳宁散”对小鼠急性和大鼠亚慢性毒性的试验研究

通过小鼠急性毒性试验和大鼠亚慢性毒性试验评价防制奶牛隐性乳房炎中药"乳宁散"的安全性。将"乳宁散"制备成相当于原药材1.0 g/mL的水煎提取浓缩液,选取50只小鼠,随机分为5组,以5000、7500、10000、15000 mg/kg体重的剂量1次灌胃给药,观察中毒症状,记录死亡数和计算半数致死量(LD₅₀);另取40只小鼠,随机分为2组,给药组以最大浓度(1.0 g/mL)、最大容积(0.04 mL/g)1次灌胃受试药物,对照组用等体积生理盐水,给药后连续观察7 d,测定最大给药量;再取80只大鼠,随机分成药物处理高、中、低剂量组和对照组,药物组按大鼠体重3000、1500和750 mg/kg剂量灌胃给药,连续30 d,对照组用生理盐水,检测大鼠体重、血常规指标、血液生化指标、脏器系数及组织病理变化情况。结果表明,急性毒性试验各剂量组均无小鼠死亡,无法计算LD₅₀,经口给药的最大剂量为40.0 g/kg体重,表明该产品实际无毒;亚慢性毒性试验中,药物处理组大鼠体增重、血常规、血液生化指标和脏器系数与对照组相比无显著差异(P>0.05),组织病理学观察实质器官无异常病变。提示,临床合理使用中药"乳宁散"不会对靶动物产生毒性作用。     

不同剂量氟苯尼考对猪血液生化指标及猪瘟抗体的影响

40头70日龄健康猪随机分为高、中、低剂量组和对照组,每组10头,各试验组注射猪瘟弱毒疫苗(2头份/猪),同时高、中、低剂量组分别按每千克体质量于饲料中加入120、60、30 mg氟苯尼考,连续给药7 d,停药后1、8、15、22、29 d,对相关的血液生化指标以及猪瘟抗体水平进行检测分析.结果表明,停药后1、8 d,所有氟苯尼考添加组的猪瘟抗体滴度下降,仅120 mg/kg组差异显著(P<0.05),停药15 d后抗体水平恢复至正常水平;60和120mg/kg给药组TP含量在停药后1、8 d均显著下降(P<0.05);所有给药组的ALT活性在所有检测时间内均显著上升(P<0.05或P<0.01);所有给药组的γGT活性在停药后1 d均显著上升(P<0.05),而60和120 mg/kg组γGT在第8天仍显著上升(P<0.05);所有给药组的BUN含量在停药后1 d均显著升高(P<0.05或P<0.01);AST、LDH、CHE活性和ALB、CRE含量与对照组相比无显著差异(P>0.05);表明每千克体质量60 mg以上氟苯尼考在饲料中饲喂7 d后,对部分生化指标有一定的影响,应引起重视.     

蜘蛛香胶囊对靶动物犬的安全性试验

为了评价蜘蛛香胶囊对靶动物犬的安全性,试验选择24只试验犬,随机分为3组,分别为1倍推荐剂量(50 mg/kg)组、3倍推荐剂量(150 mg/kg)组和5倍推荐剂量(250 mg/kg)组,每天口服给药2次,连续给药3 d。分别在给药前1天、给药后第1天、第3天、第5天采集血液,对犬的血常规和血液生化指标进行分析比较,并观察给药前后犬的临床症状变化。结果表明:试验期间各剂量组犬临床症状正常,给药后的血常规和血液生化指标与给药前相比无显著差异(P0.05)。说明蜘蛛香胶囊在5倍推荐剂量(250 mg/kg)范围内连续给药3 d,对靶动物犬的临床体征和血液生理生化指标无明显影响,该药临床应用安全。     

盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂对广东黄麻鸡的安全性评价

为了评价10%盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂对鸡的安全性,将雌雄各半的64只广东黄麻鸡随机分为4组,每组分别按体重以空白、1次单剂量(10 mg/kg)、1次3倍(30 mg/kg)和1次5倍(50 mg/kg)单剂量的10%盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂混饲给药,观察各组鸡临床表现、体重变化和饲料消耗,并于给药前1 d、给药结束后第7、14 d剖检鸡进行病理学检查、血液生理生化检测。结果显示:各组生长性能指标、血液生理指标及血清生化指标均差异不显著(P0.05),病理学检查结果无明显病理变化。提示:10%盐酸沃尼妙林预混剂对鸡安全。     

氟尼辛葡甲胺对患呼吸道疾病奶牛的解热效果

为了研究氟尼辛葡甲胺对患呼吸道疾病奶牛的解热效果,试验选75头患呼吸道疾病泌乳期的奶牛并分为5个组,分别为高剂量组(氟尼辛葡甲胺4.4 mg/kg·bw土霉素20 mg/kg·bw)、中剂量组(推荐剂量,氟尼辛葡甲胺2.2 mg/kg·bw土霉素20 mg/kg·bw)、低剂量组(氟尼辛葡甲胺1.1 mg/kg·bw土霉素20 mg/kg·bw)、药物对照组(福乃达2.2 mg/kg·bw土霉素20 mg/kg·bw)和土霉素组(20 mg/kg·bw),每组15头奶牛。在给药前和最后一次给药后的第1、2、3、7天和14天分别记录奶牛的直肠温度、呼吸频率、食欲、呼吸困难以及咳嗽情况,并依据评分表进行打分。结果在最后一次给药后的第1、2、3、7天和14天,高剂量组、中剂量组和药物对照组之间,直肠温度无显著差异(P>0.05);在最后一次给药后的第14天,高剂量组与中剂量组均比土霉素组在降低动物直肠温度方面具有更显著的效果(P≤0.05)。最后1次给药后的第14天,高剂量组、中剂量组与土霉素组相比,临床症状得分降低更显著(P≤0.05);高剂量组、中剂量组、低剂量组与药物对照组相比,临床症状得分虽然无显著性差异(P>0.05),但是临床症状得分数值上,高剂量组、中剂量组均略低于药物对照组。在最后1次给药后的第14天,高剂量组、中剂量组、低剂量组、土霉素组和药物对照组对奶牛呼吸道疾病的治愈率分别为80.00%、73.33%、60.00%、53.33%和66.67%。结论:建议氟尼辛葡甲胺注射液临床上用于治疗呼吸道疾病引起的奶牛高热时,给药方式为静脉给氟尼辛葡甲胺注射液2.2 mg/kg·bw,每日1次,连用5 d,并单次肌肉注射土霉素注射液20 mg/kg·bw,连用5 d。     

卡洛芬注射液对靶动物奶牛安全性试验研究

为研究卡洛芬注射液对靶动物奶牛的安全性,将20头健康奶牛随机分为4组,每组5头,各组试验奶牛分别按0、1倍推荐剂量（1.4mg/kg B.W.）、3倍推荐剂量（4.2mg/kg B.W.）、5倍推荐剂量（7.0mg/kg B.W.）单剂量皮下注射卡洛芬注射液,连续给药3d。试验期间观察记录各组奶牛的饮食、精神、粪便情况及试验前后的体重变化,测定给药前、给药后第1d及给药后第3d各组奶牛的血液生理生化指标,同时在给药后第3d进行剖检,测定脏器指数,观察病理及组织学变化。结果显示,卡洛芬注射液各剂量组奶牛的临床体征、血液生理生化指标、剖检及组织显微结构等均未见明显异常,未出现中毒症状及死亡。与对照组相比,3倍剂量组和5倍剂量组血液生理指标中血小板平均宽度差异显著（P＜0.05）,5倍剂量组血液生化指标白蛋白数量明显增加（P＜0.05）,但所有指标均在正常范围内波动。结果表明,卡洛芬注射液在临床上推荐以1.4mg/kg B.W.给药对靶动物奶牛是安全的。     

抗感败毒口服液对大鼠生长和血液理化指标的影响

为了评价抗感败毒口服液临床用药的安全性,对SD大鼠的生长和血液理化指标进行了试验研究,选用了健康大鼠80只,雌雄各半,随机分为高、中、低剂量组和对照组,其中高剂量组、中剂量组和低剂量组分别灌胃给予该口服液8 mL/kg、4 mL/kg和2 mL/kg体重,对照组按8 mL/kg体重灌服生理盐水,每天一次,连续给药35 d。各组末次给药24 h后,检测大鼠体重、血常规指标、血液生化指标、脏器系数及组织病理变化情况。结果表明,抗感败毒口服液各剂量组大鼠的体重、血液学检查、血液生化指标检查与对照组比较,均无显著差异（P>0.05）,雌性大鼠高剂量组的肝脏脏器指数与对照组相比有显著差异（P<0.05）,其他无显著差异（P>0.05）。肉眼观察实质器官无异常病变。结果提示,长期应用抗感败毒口服液对大鼠生长和血液理化指标无显著影响,临床用药安全。     

硝酸稀土对湘东黑山羊血液蛋白及非蛋白氮指标的影响

选27只断奶湘东黑山羊随机等分为对照组、试验I组、试验II组,I组按10 mg/kg体重、II组按15 mg/kg体重的剂量添加硝酸稀土添加剂,隔天饮水1次,试验期为30d。定期采血,进行总蛋白(TP)、非蛋白氮(NPN)、白蛋白(A)、血红蛋白(Hb)、球蛋白(G)的测定。结果表明,试验组测定的G值和试验II组的Hb值低于文献报道值,其他测定值在文献报道值内,且TP、A、G值组间差异显著(P<0.05),NPN、Hb值组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

A brief history of the prevention of infectious diseases by immunisations

Infectious diseases have always been a terrible scourge for humans. The appearance of these plagues, as they were called without distinction, was generally connected to various conditions: asters, climatic changes or religious reasons. The concept of contagious, and then infectious, diseases came slowly. Variolation, i.e. transmission of ‘virulent’ matter to induce a natural disease and the immunity against it, was brought from Constantinople to England by Lady Montague, in 1721. This ‘variolation’ technique was also often performed in veterinary medicine against diseases like sheep-pox or pleuropneumonia. As ‘vaccination’ is the term generally accepted for ‘immunisation’, variolation can be the word designating such a technique. The second period of the history of immunisation began, in 1880, with the studies of Pasteur and his collaborators. A great number of bacterial vaccines were developed: dead, live but attenuated or only parts of pathogens. The viruses were produced in animals, then in eggs and at last, in tissue cultures. Second generation vaccines appeared with genetic engineering: recombinant vaccines, vector vaccines, nucleic acids vaccines, and markers vaccines, among others. These novel technologies can permit the development of new ones and improve the quality of the vaccines already existing.