Puncture Wounds of the Navicular Bursa in 38 Horses A Retrospective Study

The medical records of 38 horses with puncture wounds of the navicular bursa were reviewed. Only 12 horses had a satisfactory outcome (breeding or riding). Of the remaining 26 horses, 19 were euthanized, five were sold due to persistent severe lameness, one died, and one was lost to long-term follow-up. Different combinations of conservative management prior to surgical debridement and drainage of the navicular bursa were unsuccessful in resolving the condition. Horses that were treated surgically within 1 week of the injury and had a hind leg affected had the best chance of a satisfactory outcome. Additional wound debridement was necessary in 15 horses after initial surgical treatment. The most common complications encountered were navicular bone osteomyelitis and sepsis of the deep digital flexor tendon. Thirteen of 14 horses that had rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon and subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint had an unsatisfactory outcome. One mare subsequently developed ankylosis of the distal interphalangeal joint and was a useful brood mare. Two horses that had biaxial palmar digital neurectomy because of persistent lameness were later euthanized because of navicular bone fracture and rupture of the deep digital flexor tendon. Results from limited numbers of bacterial cultures and antibiotic sensitivities suggest that penicillin and an aminoglycoside antibiotic should be used as initial antibiotic therapy. Immediate surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic treatment are recommended as the minimum therapy for penetrating wounds of the navicular bursa in horses.     

Periorchitis after tetramisole treatment in bulls implanted with Setaria labiatopapillos

Thirteen mixed-breed beef bulls, 1 to 4 years old, were used to determine the effect of live and dead filarial nematodes, Setaria labiatopapillosa, placed in the vaginal cavity of the testes. When dead worms were used, granulomatous lesions developed on the tunica vaginalis parietalis in 7 of 8 testes. The lesions were similar to those seen in some clinical cases of periorchitis. Similar lesions developed in 5 of 6 testes after live worms were implanted in the vaginal cavity of the testes and tetramisole (8 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously 6 days after implantation. When live worms were implanted and tetramisole was not given, lesions developed in 3 of 6 testes. It was concluded that the granulomatous reaction was a local response to dead or killed S labiatopapillosa.     

Betrachtung möglicher Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf Schadpilze im Obstbau am Beispiel von Fruchtfäuleerregern an Äpfeln

Whereas the rise in temperature during the past 30–40 years has already had clear impacts on the phenology of fruit trees and pathogenic insects, there is a lack of such correlations for fungal pathogens. An examination of fruit rots indicates that pathogenic fungi react differentially to climate change due to their complex infection biology. The appearance of the black rot fungus Diplodia seriata in Northwestern Europe is best explained by rising temperatures during the vegetation period. An increase in fruit rot caused by Nectria galligena is anticipated when milder and more humid winter months favour canker formation on twigs and branches, thereby increasing inoculum for fruit infections. An increasing importance of Neofabraea alba and Glomerella cingulata and/or G.??acutata as storage rots of apples in Northern Germany cannot be safely correlated with the climate change at present. Research on fungi is currently being expanded at the OVB Jork in order to ensure a faster identification of new pathogens and a more thorough investigation of relevant features of their infection biology.