Rupture of an aortic sinus aneurysm in a 15-year-old broodmare

A 15-year-old, Standardbred broodmare with an aortic sinus aneurysm developed rupture of the aneurysm with subsequent rupture of a tricuspid valve chorda tendinae, tricuspid regurgitation, acute right-sided congestive heart failure, and pulmonary thromboembolism. Shunting of blood from the aorta through the ruptured aneurysm into the right ventricle resulted in decreased renal perfusion and acute renal failure. Initially, treatment of the mare with analgesics, fluids, and digoxin resulted in clinical improvement, but the mare's condition deteriorated after 8 days and the mare was euthanatized due to unrelenting pain and a poor prognosis. Echocardiography was useful in diagnosis of the cardiac disease in the broodmare.     

Thoracic neoplasia in equids: 35 cases (1967-1987)

Thirty-two horses and 3 ponies had neoplasia involving the thoracic cavity. Lymphosarcoma of the thorax was found in 19 (54.2%) of the equids. The other 16 equids had metastatic adenocarcinoma (7 horses; 20%), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (5 equids; 14.3%), metastatic hemangiosarcoma (3 equids; 8.6%) or undifferentiated sarcoma (1 horse; 2.9%). Thoracic neoplasia was diagnosed before death in 15 equids (42.9%).     

Exercised-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in polo and racing horses

Philippine polo and racing horses were examined for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage after their competitive exercise. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage occurred in 11.1% of the polo horses and 64% of the racing horses. None of the horses had blood at the nostrils.     

Mycotic omasitis and rumenitis as sequelae to sepsis in dairy cattle: six cases (1979-1986)

Medical records of 6 cows with mycotic rumenitis or omasitis, but no history of grain engorgement, were reviewed. A diagnosis was made at necropsy in all cows, although the condition was suspected before euthanasia in 3 cows. Common clinical findings included inappetence, rumen stasis, fluid rumen contents, and scant, pasty, or loose feces. Postmortem findings included severe ulcerative rumenitis or omasitis, with thrombosis of blood vessels in the submucosa, and branching, septate fungal hyphae abundant in inflamed tissues. In these cows, mycotic omasitis and rumenitis were thought to be sequelae of sepsis, with reflux of abomasal fluid into the forestomach and broad spectrum antimicrobial therapy as possible predisposing factors for mycotic infections.     

Intracranial lymphosarcoma in a Holstein bull

A 2-year-old Holstein bull was examined because of decreased appetite. Clinical signs included head tilt, circling, head pressing, ptosis, hypesthesia of the face, and dysfunction of the parasympathetic component of cranial nerve III. Necropsy revealed intracranial lymphosarcoma.     

Mycobacterium paratuberculosis isolated from fetuses of infected cows not manifesting signs of the disease.

Fetuses were obtained from 58 cows that were fecal culture-positive for Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, but were not manifesting signs of paratuberculosis. Fetal tissues from 5 of 58 cows were culture-positive for M paratuberculosis. All 5 culture-positive fetuses were from cows that were classified as heavy fecal shedders (5/28; 17.8%). Difference in prevalence of fetal infection between light (less than 70 colonies/tube) and heavy fecal shedders was significant (Fisher's exact test, P less than 0.05). Association was not evident between serologic status of the dam and prevalence of fetal infection. In infected cows without signs of paratuberculosis, fetal infection develops with lower frequency than previously reported for cows with clinical signs of the disease. In this study, fetal infection was found only in cows that were heavy fecal shedders.     

Pharmacokinetics of metronidazole given to horses by intravenous and oral routes

Serum and peritoneal fluid concentrations of metronidazole were determined in 6 healthy adult horses given the drug (25 mg/kg) by IV or oral routes. The disposition of metronidazole in horses given the drug by the IV route conformed to a 2-compartment model with a distribution half-life of 0.16 hours, an elimination half-life of 2.9 hours, and a body clearance of 0.40 +/- 0.05 L/kg/hr. The oral absorption half-life was 0.40 hours, and the bioavailability, 85.0 +/- 18.6%. Peritoneal fluid concentrations were approximately equal to serum concentrations at all times, regardless of the route of administration. On the basis of reported minimal inhibitory concentrations for anaerobic bacteria, a dosage of 15 to 25 mg/kg given orally 4 times daily was recommended.     

Clostridium botulinum type B toxicosis in a herd of cattle and a group of mules

Clostridium botulinum type B toxicosis was diagnosed as the cause of generalized weakness and death in a group of cows and mules fed from the same batch of rye silage. One severely affected cow was treated and recovered, as did other less severely affected cows. All affected mules died. The remaining cattle in the herd were then vaccinated before continued feeding of the silage.