Diagnosis and treatment of Eimeria macusaniensis in an adult alpaca with signs of colic

A young adult pregnant alpaca was presented with an acute episode of abdominal pain. Hematology revealed mild anemia, neutropenia with a degenerative left shift and moderate toxic changes in neutrophils, hyperfibrinogenemia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small intestinal segment with severely increased wall thickness and collapsed lumen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a markedly thickened 60 cm jejunal segment with reddened serosa from which a full-thickness biopsy and samples for bacterial culture were obtained. Histopathology revealed severe coccidian enteropathy with secondary bacterial enteritis. Anaerobic culture yielded Clostridium perfringens, while fecal sugar flotation yielded Eimeria macusaniensis and Eimeria punoensis. The alpaca was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs, sulfadimethoxine, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The alpaca made a gradual recovery and had a term pregnancy. This communication demonstrates the potential pathogenicity of E. macusaniensis in adult alpacas. Coccidian enteropathy should be considered in adult alpacas with gastrointestinal signs including acute abdominal pain and hypoproteinemia.     

Development of single-dispenser pheromone suppression of Epiphyas postvittana, Planotortrix octo and Ctenopseustis obliquana in New Zealand stone fruit orchards

BACKGROUND: Pheromones of two native leafrollers of economic importance to the New Zealand horticulture industry, Planotortrix octo [(Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate and tetradecyl acetate] and Ctenopseustis obliquana [(Z)‐5‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate], were reinvestigated and combined with pheromone of Epiphyas postvittana [light‐brown apple moth, (E)‐11‐tetradecenyl actetate and (E, E)‐9,11‐tetradecen‐1‐yl acetate] to develop a single dispenser for mating disruption of three pest species for integrated pest management. RESULTS: Additional compounds identified from pheromone gland extracts were characterised as repellents for P. octo. However, for C. obliquana from Central Otago, a change in ratio of (Z)‐5‐tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)‐8‐tetradecenyl acetate and the addition of three compounds found in the gland (dodecyl acetate, tetradecyl acetate and hexadecanal) led to a significant improvement in catch over previous lures. Males from Central Otago showed antennal electrophysiological responses to hexadecanal, unlike C. obliquana from Auckland, which did not. Three multiple‐species disruption blends were devised in a single dispenser to target E. postvittana, P. octo and C. obliquana. Disruption of traps was recorded in single‐tree replicates with all three blends, but the five‐component blend was overall most effective at disruption and was deployed area wide in commercial orchard plots. CONCLUSIONS: Deployment of single dispensers into commercial stone fruit orchards led to disruption of trapping for the three species and measurable reductions in insecticide use in cherries, peaches and nectarines without increased fruit damage (assessed in apricots). Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Integrating climate–hydrology–ecology for alpine river systems

• 1. High climatic sensitivity and lack of significant human impact make alpine river basins important environments for examining hydrological and ecological response to global change.
• 2. This paper is based upon previous and ongoing research within a glacierized, alpine river system (Taillon‐Gabiétous basin, French Pyrenees), which adopts an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the climate–hydrology–ecology cascade. Data are used to advance hypotheses concerning impacts of climate change/variability upon alpine river system hydrology and ecology.
• 3. The snowpacks and glaciers that are the source of Pyrenean streams are climatically sensitive, with glaciers in retreat for most of the historical period. Given anticipated changes in summer air‐mass frequencies, the volume of meltwater may decrease, the nature and rate of glacier drainage may alter, and the timing of peak snow‐ and ice‐melt may shift. However, rainfall‐runoff and groundwater may increase their relative contributions to stream flow.
• 4. The influence of changing water source contributions on physico‐chemical habitat and, in turn, on benthic communities is assessed using an alternative alpine stream classification. This model predicts more rapid downstream change in benthic communities in the future as meltwater contributions decline and, at the basin‐scale, biodiversity may be reduced owing to less spatio‐temporal heterogeneity in water sources contributions and, thus, physico‐chemical habitat. However, predictions are complicated by potential changes in biotic interactions with altered species' distributions.
• 5. Integrated, long‐term research into the climate–hydrology–ecology cascade in other alpine river basins is vital because interdisciplinary science is fundamental to predicting stream hydrology and ecology under scenarios of future climate/variability, to assessing the utility of alpine river systems as indicators of global change, and to developing conservation strategies for these fragile ecosystems.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

WHOLE–CROP WINTER BEANS (VICIA FABA L.) FOR CONSERVATION

Two trials with eight cultivars of winter beans were harvested as whole-crop in 1967/8 and 1968/9. The aim was to investigate the potential of heans nnder whole-crop management, and to assess their value as a proteio-rich supplementary feed. Average DM yields of 106 hkg/ha were obtained for the control, and from 91 to 122 hkg/ha for other coltivars. Significant differences were found between the cultivars. At the cutting dates the crude-protein content was in the range 13 to 18%, and digestihility (D) 55 to 67%. DM varied hetween the two seasons and was within the range of 15 to 29 and 16 to 38%, respectively. The optimum time for harvesting beans for whole-crop conservation is when all the pods contain fully developed seeds.     

Polymerized Hemoglobin Therapy in a Foal with Neonatal Isoerythrolysis

Objective: To present the successful management of a foal with severe neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) given polymerized (bovine) hemoglobin while awaiting appropriate red blood cells for transfusion.
Case Summary: A foal with peracute neonatal isoerythrolysis, anemia and low venous oxygen tension was stabilized with intravenous polymerized hemoglobin. Polymerized hemoglobin treatment maintained the foal's oxygen requirement for up to 18 hours permitting adequate time for preparation of the donor's washed red blood cells for transfusion. The clinical findings and venous oxygen tension improved following the hemoglobin administration. No adverse effects were noted from the polymerized hemoglobin administration.
Unique information provided: This paper presents a foal with an uncommon cause of NI due to anti-Pa antibodies and the short term management of NI using polymerized hemoglobin while awaiting a washed and packed RBC transfusion. Clinical and laboratory findings (trigger factors), which can be used to determine the need for a blood transfusion, are discussed. These "trigger factors" include weakness, tachypnea and tachycardia, increased anion gap and decrease in hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and mixed venous (pulmonary artery) oxygen tension (approximated using jugular venous samples). ( J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2001; 11(2): 141–146 )     

Disseminated Rhodococcus equi in an Anglo‐Nubian goat

Disseminated Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed in an Anglo‐Nubian goat presenting for non‐weight bearing lameness of the right pelvic limb. Radiographs showed a moth‐eaten osteolytic lesion in the proximal tibia suggestive of an aggressive bone lesion. Two pulmonary nodules were also present on thoracic radiographs. Initial antemortem cytology of the tibial lesion was suggestive of Rhodococcosis and the goat was sent to necropsy. Necropsy and bacterial culture confirmed the diagnosis of disseminated R. equi infection in the right tibia, lungs, and liver.     

The effect of dorzolamide 2% on circadian intraocular pressure in cats with primary congenital glaucoma

Objective To determine the extent of fluctuation in circadian intraocular pressure (IOP) and the efficacy of topical dorzolamide 2% q 8 h in lowering IOP and blunting circadian fluctuation in IOP in glaucomatous cats. Animals studied Seven adult cats with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). Procedures Measurements of IOP and pupil diameter were obtained for both eyes (OU) of each cat q 4 h for 12 days. Cats were housed in a laboratory animal facility with a 12‐h light:dark cycle. Baseline values were established for 2 days. For the next 5 days, placebo (1.4% polyvinyl alcohol) was administered OU q 8 h. Dorzolamide 2% was then administered OU q 8 h for a further 5 days. A multivariate mixed linear model was fitted to the data, with parameters estimated from a Bayesian perspective. The 4 am time point was selected as the reference for the purposes of comparisons. Results Estimated mean IOP for the reference time point pre‐treatment was symmetric (about 33 mmHg OU). In all cats, IOP was significantly lower during the diurnal phase, relative to the 4 am measurements, with highest IOP observed 2–6 h after the onset of the dark phase. Circadian fluctuations in IOP were dampened during the treatment period. There was a significant decrease in IOP in all cats during the dorzolamide treatment period (estimated mean for the treatment period reference = 17.9 mmHg OU). Conclusions Topical dorzolamide 2% q 8 h is effective in reducing IOP and IOP fluctuation in cats with PCG.