Seasonal effects on the aerobic bacterial and fungal conjunctival flora of normal thoroughbred brood mares in Florida

Objective To evaluate seasonal effects on the presence or absence of fungal and aerobic bacterial flora of the conjunctival fornix of normal Florida Thoroughbred horses. Sample population Both eyes of 100 horses. Procedure Horses with normal anterior segment ophthalmic examinations from three farms in north central Florida were included. Each animal had the ventral conjunctival fornix of each eye swabbed with sterile culturettes. Samples were taken in October, January, April, and July (1999–2000). Aerobic and fungal cultures were plated. Bacterial cultures were reviewed at 24 and 48 h. Fungal cultures were reviewed weekly for 4 weeks. Logistic regression analysis with season as a factor and age of the horse as a covariate was performed. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.01. Results Horses ranged from 3 to 24 years of age, with a median age of 9 years. Twenty‐four genera of bacteria and 35 genera of fungi were recovered. Corynebacterium sp., Staphylococcus sp., Bacillus sp. and Moraxella sp. were the bacteria most frequently isolated. Mold species, dematiaceous mold species, Chrysosporium sp., Cladosporium sp., and Aspergillus sp. were the most frequently recovered fungi. Season did not have a significant effect on the presence of microorganisms isolated for individual horses adjusted for age. Younger horses had an increased incidence of gram‐negative rods and fungal isolates. The number of bacteria and fungi isolated are not uniform across seasons. Conclusion There were no significant differences between the number or type of organisms cultured during the sampling seasons in normal Florida horses. A large range of normal bacterial and fungal flora were isolated from these horses. The number of bacteria and fungi isolated are not uniform across seasons. The likelihood of detecting an organism depends on the horses’ age.     

An epizootic of highly virulent feline calicivirus disease in a hospital setting in New England

This article reports an outbreak of 24 cases of an unusually virulent feline calicivirus (FCV) infection in a small animal hospital. The circumstances and disease signs were very similar to those recently described in an outbreak of FCV hemorrhagic disease in Northern California (Vet. Microbiol. 73 (2000) 281). The virus entered the facility through shelter cats showing upper respiratory signs. Affected cats manifested high fever, anorexia, labored respirations, oral ulceration, facial and limb edema, icterus, and pancreatitis. The infection spread rapidly among the patients by contaminated animal caretakers and hospital equipment. One case of fomite transmission from an employee to a housecat was documented. Prior vaccination, even with multiple doses of FCV-F9-based live calicivirus vaccine, was not protective. Affected cats often required extensive supportive care for 7-10 days, and the overall mortality from death and euthanasia was 32%. The strain of FCV responsible for this outbreak was genetically and serologically distinct from the FCV strain responsible for a similar epizootic and the FCV-F9 strain contained in most vaccines. Outbreaks of this type are being reported with increasing frequency, and are often associated with the practice of treating sick shelter cats in private practices. Similar to the present epizootic, outbreaks of FCV hemorrhagic disease have been self-limiting, but require prompt application of strict quarantine, isolation, personnel sanitation, and disinfection procedures.     

Transplacental transfer of propofol in pregnant ewes

Propofol is an injectable anaesthetic that is currently used both in veterinary and human medicine for the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Although little is known about the pharmacokinetics of propofol in fetuses, it is widely used in obstetric procedures, particularly in caesarean section. This study determines the pharmacokinetics of propofol in pregnant ewes in the last third of pregnancy, and placental transfer and pharmacokinetics in fetuses after the administration of a 6 mg/kg intravenous (i.v.) bolus (phase 1) or a 6 mg/kg i.v. bolus followed by continued infusion of 0.4 mg/kg/min. In ewes, the area under the blood concentration-time curve (AUC) and C(max) (8.6 mgh/mL and 9.5mg/mL, respectively) was higher than those of the fetus (1.6 mgh/mL and 1.19 mg/mL, respectively). The mean half-life was 0.5h in the dam and 1.1h in the fetus.     

Influence of acetylsalicylic acid and ketoprofen on canine thyroid function tests

Many factors including drugs can influence thyroid function in humans, rats and dogs. Studies in humans report significant effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) on thyroid function tests, which can lead to misinterpretation of the results and inappropriate therapeutic decisions. As NSAIDs are used more and more frequently in dogs, it is important to know to what extent they can influence results. Eighteen spayed female beagle dogs were randomly assigned to three treatment sequences in a 3 x 3 crossover study design with treatments consisting of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (25 mg/kg BW q 12 h), ketoprofen (Keto) (1 mg/kg BW q 24 h) or placebo administered for a 1-week period with a 3-week washout period between treatment periods. Blood samples for determination of total thyroxine (TT4), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), thyrotropin (TSH), reverse triiodothyronine (rT3), Keto and ASA concentrations were taken during each treatment period on days 0, 1, 3 and 7. During the washout period samples were taken weekly. A significant decrease in TT4 was observed as soon as 24 h after ASA administration, whereas the decrease in TT3 was less pronounced and differed significantly from the placebo only after 1 week of administration. No significant effects were found for free T4 and TSH with ASA administration. No significant effects on thyroid results were found following Keto administration. The results indicate that TT4 can be markedly decreased by ASA therapy and until the results of further studies are available, thyroid function test results should be interpreted cautiously in dogs on NSAIDs therapy.     

Evaluation of different doses of propofol in xylazine pre-medicated horses

Objective To characterize responses to different doses of propofol in horses pre‐medicated with xylazine. Animals Six adult horses (five females and one male). Methods Each horse was anaesthetized four times with either ketamine or propofol in random order at 1‐week intervals. Horses were pre‐medicated with xylazine (1.1 mg kg^?1 IV over a minute), and 5 minutes later anaesthesia was induced with either ketamine (2.2 mg kg^?1 IV) or propofol (1, 2 and 4 mg kg^?1 IV; low, medium and high doses, respectively). Data were collected continuously (electrocardiogram) or after xylazine administration and at 5, 10 and 15 minutes after anaesthetic induction (arterial pressure, respiratory rate, pH, PaO₂, PaCO₂ and O₂ saturation). Anaesthetic induction and recovery were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed. Results Differences in the quality of anaesthesia were observed; the low dose of propofol resulted in a poorer anaesthetic induction that was insufficient to allow intubation, whereas the high dose produced an excellent quality of induction, free of excitement. Recorded anaesthesia times were similar between propofol at 2 mg kg^?1 and ketamine with prolonged and shorter recovery times after the high and low dose of propofol, respectively (p < 0.05; ketamine, 38 ± 7 minutes; propofol 1 mg kg^?1, 29 ± 4 minutes; propofol 2 mg kg^?1, 37 ± 5 minutes; propofol 4 mg kg^?1, 50 ± 7 minutes). Times to regain sternal and standing position were longest with the highest dose of propofol (32 ± 5 and 39 ± 7 minutes, respectively). Both ketamine and propofol reversed bradycardia, sinoatrial, and atrioventricular blocks produced by xylazine. There were no significant alterations in blood pressure but respiratory rate, and PaO₂ and O₂ saturation were significantly decreased in all groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion The anaesthetic quality produced by the three propofol doses varied; the most desirable effects, which were comparable to those of ketamine, were produced by 2 mg kg^?1 propofol.     

Leptospirosis in dogs: a serologic survey and case series 1996 to 2001

All leptospirosis microscopic agglutination test titers for the Leptospira serovars icterohaemorrhagiae, canicola, grippotyphosa, bratislava, hardjo, and pomona conducted on 1,260 blood samples from dogs at the University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory between March 1996 and March 2001 were evaluated. Low titers (1:100 to 1:400) were predominantly L. icterohaemorrhagiae and L. canicola, which represented the predominant serovars (65.4%) among all positive samples with low titers. L. grippotyphosa was the predominant serovar (72.1%) among samples with clinically significant titers (greater than 1:800). The medical records of 87 dogs with a titer greater than 1:800 that were patients at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Illinois were reviewed. A clinical diagnosis of leptospirosis was made in 15 cases (17.2%) based on the elevated titer, appropriate clinical signs, lack of recent vaccination, and lack of concurrent disease that could explain the clinical signs present. Renal disease was present in 10 of the cases, concurrent renal and hepatic disease in two, and hepatic disease in three. In 12 cases, the predominant serovar was L. grippotyphosa; titers to L. grippotyphosa and L. bratislava were equal in magnitude in three cases.     

Detection, quantification, and pharmacokinetics of furosemide and its effects on urinary specific gravity following IV administration to horses

Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic used for the prevention of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses. This drug may interfere with the detection of other substances by reducing urinary concentrations, so its use is strictly regulated. The regulation of furosemide in many racing jurisdictions is based on paired limits of urinary SG (<1.010) and serum furosemide concentrations (>100 ng/ml). To validate this regulatory mechanism, a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry method employing a solid-phase extraction procedure and furosemide-d5 as an internal standard was developed. The method was used to determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of furosemide in equine serum samples and its effects on urinary SG after IV administration (250 mg) to 10 horses. Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that serum concentrations of furosemide were well described by a two-compartmental open model. Based on results in this study, it is very unlikely for horses to have serum furosemide concentrations greater than 100 ng/ml or urine SG less than 1.010 at 4 hours after administration (250 mg IV). However, it should be remembered that urine SG is a highly variable measurement in horses, and even without furosemide administration, some horses might naturally have urine SG values less than 1.010.     

Relationships among ecology, demography and diseases of European bison (Bison bonasus)

The bison population in the Bialowieza Forest in Poland has now grown to approximately 300, while the herds in the Belarusian part of the forest total about 240 bison. The first signs of a health problem in these herds appeared in 1980, when two cases of balanoposthitis were detected in two bulls (2 and 5 years of age). Since 1980 research has been conducted to explain the cause of diseases, particularly balanoposthitis, and to monitor the health of bison in Bialowieza Forest. A total number of 614 bison (294 male and 320 female) of different ages was eliminated between 1980 and 2000. Not all the culled bison were examined (postmortem analysis, histopathological, bacteriological, virological and toxicological examinations, serological tests, molecular research). Based on the increase in numbers, reproduction in this population for the past 21 years is generally considered successful. Among 182 male bison eliminated during 1990-2000, only 85, or 47%, of the animals had balanoposthitis. Thus, the percentage of balanoposthitis cases went from 100% during the 1980s down to 47% in the past decade. It appears that the culling process has been a major factor leading to this decrease. It can be assumed that a set of factors is involved in the appearance of the disease (Corynebacterium spp., Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Ureoplasma spp, Fusobacterium necrophorum, Streptoccocus spp., Staphyloccocus spp.) while opportunistic infections including nematodes (Onchocerca spp.) are responsible for the occurrence of secondary lesions.     

The localization and connections of suboviductal lymphatic vessels in the bovine uterine broad ligament

The distribution of oviductal lymphatic vessels in the bovine mesosalpinx and bursa ovarica, and their communications with other lymphatics in the uterine broad ligament were examined after exposition of all lymphatic pathways with varicoloured microfil and/or ink-gelatin mixture. However, filling of the lumen of the oviductal infundibulum lymphatics was difficult or impossible because of its slender walls. Lymphatics of the isthmus and ampulla with short precollectors formed branches 1.5-2.0 cm long on both sides: dorsal and ventral of the uterine broad ligament. Collectors with slender and long lymphangions, visible after filling their lumen, encircled the alymphatic area in the parainfundibullar mesosalpinx. The greatest number of lymphatic branches, which originated from the paraisthmal part of the oviductal ampulla were observed in the subovarian area. The characteristic feature was their immediate proximity with uterine and oviductal arterial vessels. Subsequent studies have provided convincing evidence that there are direct connections of lymphatics leaving the oviduct and ovarian sac with lymphatics emerging from the uterus and ovary (after bilateral filling of lymphatics pathways in the whole broad liagment of the uterus). The performed investigations showed particularly characteristic feature in the cow--mixing lymph leaving various reproductive organs in the area of the right and left ligament--before two long collector branches reach the nearest lymphatic node/-s.     

Influence of zearalenone on reproductive system cell proliferation in gilts

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a macrocyclic lactone, estrogenic, diet-depending and fusaric micotoxin, which is produced on many kinds of cereals and feeds in the favourable conditions of humidity and temperature. The structure of ZEA is similar to the structure of estrogens and it enables binding to the estrogenic receptors. The stimulation of protein synthesis in the cells of the reproductive system, which causes intensification of cell proliferation, is one of the effects of ZEA actions. Oedema and vulva reddening are the clinical, external signs of ZEA intoxication in pigs. The aim of this study was to designate the degree of reproductive cell proliferation after low doses of ZEA were applied per os in sexually immature gilts with simultaneous monitoring of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol levels in peripheral blood. The following were observed in the gilts examined fluctuations of zearalenone and alpha-zearalenol levels in blood, which were connected with entero-hepatic circulation and also numerous histopathological changes in ovarian follicle structure. These changes were present in the reproductive system of sexually immature gilts with a big contribution of PCNA-positive cells. The studies show that zearalenone application in sexually immature gilts caused ovarian follicle atresia and apoptoso-like changes in granule cells. Intensified cell proliferation, which was expressed with the growth of PCNA index, was observed in uterus and oviduct.