Effect of dexamethasone on the multiplication of attenuated strains of hog cholera virus in pigs

The spread and multiplication of three attenuated strains of hog cholera (HC) virus was investigated in pigs immunosuppressed with a synthetic corticosteroid (dexamethasone). The distribution and degree of multiplication of the ROVAC lapinized strain of HC virus was enhanced in immunosuppressed pigs in comparison to results in untreated pigs, whilst no differences were noted for the Chinese lapinized strain of HC virus, and only slight variations using the tissue culture attenuated GPE strain.The suggestion is made that the results indicate a higher degree of attenuation in the Chinese and GPE strains of HC virus in comparison with the ROVAC strain.     

Behaviour of the heart rate of horses with auricular fibrillation during exercise and after treatment.

Cardioversion through varying quinidine sulphate treatments was achieved in 3 riding horses with auricular fibrillation. The horses were subjected to continual telemetric ECG registration before and after reversion in a uniform exercise-tolerance-test. A comparison of the heart rate curves showed a strong decline of the heart beat frequency during the exercise phase after synchronisation. The decrease in heart rate during exercise was greater than 30% in all 3 patients. Anti-arrhythmic treatment is, therefore, recommended for horses with auricular fibrillation and without concurrent heart disease.