Cytopathological and histopathological diagnosis of canine splenic disorders

Objectives To determine (1) the common types of canine splenic disorders, and the breeds affected, that are diagnosed by cytopathological and histopathological examination in Sydney, Australia and (2) the accuracy of cytopathological examination compared with histopathological examination for the diagnosis of canine splenic disorders. Design 69 cytopathological and 51 histopathological diagnoses of canine splenic disorders presented to the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, The University of Sydney during 2006 and 2007 were tabulated and analysed; 17 cases examined both cytopathologically and histopathologically during 2001–07 were also analysed. Results The most common cytopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (29%), followed by no abnormalities detectable (28%), malignant neoplasms (20%), equivocal diagnoses (20%) and inflammatory disorders (3%). The most common breeds were Kelpie crosses and mixed breeds. The most common histopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (49%), followed by malignant neoplasms (43%) and inflammatory disorders (8%). The most common breeds were German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers and Maltese Terriers. Cytopathological and histopathological diagnoses were in complete agreement in 59% of cases, partial agreement in 29% and disagreement in 12%. Conclusion Benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis were the most commonly diagnosed canine splenic disorders, both cytopathologically and histopathologically. Kelpie crosses presented most frequently for cytopathological examination. German Shepherd Dogs were the most common breed diagnosed histopathologically with haemangiosarcoma. Although cytopathological and histopathological splenic examinations are complementary for diagnosis, this study has shown a high correlation for complete and partial agreement between the two.     

Controlling yellow jackets with fipronil-based protein baits in urban recreational areas

ABSTRACT

The western yellow jacket, Vespula penyslvanica (Saussare), is a serious seasonal pest of outdoor venues in the western United States. In the spring, queens and low numbers of workers were captured in heptyl-butyrate-baited traps until early July, when the number of foragers dramatically increased. Microsatellite data suggest that 18 colonies were actively foraging within the park in 2012. Foragers from 11 different colonies were collected at one trap site. In 2012 and 2013, sufficient numbers of foragers were not captured until early August when baiting trials were initiated. Baits were prepared with canned chicken mixed with fipronil for a final concentration of 0.025%. In 2012, a single baiting provided >96% reduction of foragers for at least two months. A second baiting late in the season provided >80% reductions. In 2013, one baiting trial resulted in a 74% and a 93% reduction. A bait acceptance study was conducted in 2014 to test a bait consisting of the juices from canned chicken and 0.025% fipronil incorporated into a hydrogel, and provided a much longer lasting bait in the field.     

Argentine ant control around homes: efficacy of treatments and urban runoff

ABSTRACT

Pest management professionals in California receive more customer complaints about Argentine ants than for any other urban ant pest. Fipronil, applied as a 30 × 30 cm band around the house foundation, has become the preferred treatment used to control these ants. Unfortunately, fipronil is now showing up in urban waterways at levels that are toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Our recent studies are aimed at mitigating insecticide runoff while still controlling the ant infestations. A high priority is preventing fipronil runoff from the driveway to the street, where it can flow into drains and from there to urban waterways. In this paper, two related studies address these issues. Not treating driveways with fipronil reduced by two to three orders of magnitude its runoff when compared with earlier studies. However, not treating the driveway can reduce efficacy of treatments. Granular bifenthrin, indoxacarb, botanicals, and a thiamethoxam ant bait were tested as supplemental treatments. The gel bait showed the best result as a supplement, but only after 8 weeks. We have reduced fipronil runoff while maintaining efficacy of the ant treatments.     

Long‐Term Outcome after Arthroscopic Debridement of Distal Phalanx Extensor Process Fragmentation in 13 Horses

Objective— To report long-term outcome after arthroscopic removal of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx in horses.
Study Design— Case series.
Animals— Adult horses (n=13).
Methods— Medical records (2003–2004) of horses that had arthroscopic debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx were reviewed. Inclusion criteria included: lameness localized to the foot, fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx debrided arthroscopically, and a follow-up period of ≥4 years.
Results— Of the 13 horses, lameness was resolved in 11 (85%) initially but distal interphalangeal joint pain recurred in 2 (15%) within 1 year of surgery. Three (23%) other horses were retired because of lameness at other sites during the follow-up period resulting in 46% (6/13) being not lame and in full work after 4 years. Substantial changes were identified at surgery in the contralateral joint of 7 horses, even when fragments were only present unilaterally.
Conclusions— Arthroscopic debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the forelimb distal phalanx has a good short-term prognosis for resolution of lameness and return to work but a more guarded prognosis for long-term soundness.
Clinical Relevance— These results allow for more accurate prognostication preoperatively and may support early debridement of fragmentation of the extensor process of the distal phalanx.     

Mating and dispersal behaviour of Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) in relation to resistance management for rice transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes

Information on the mating and dispersal behaviour of the rice stem borers Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis is necessary for the design of resistance management strategies for rice varieties genetically engineered with toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We investigated whether S. incertulas and C. suppressalis move from the site of adult eclosion before mating to determine the likelihood that random mating will occur between adults eclosing in fields of Bt rice and refuge fields of non-Bt rice. Observations were made under laboratory, screenhouse and field conditions. Almost all S. incertulas males and females flew out of sight after cuticle expansion and hardening, as did most C. suppressalis. Approximately 15% of C. suppressalis females called and mated within 3?m of the site of eclosion, and approximately 5% of C. suppressalis males mated within 5?m of the site of eclosion. These results suggest that random mating is likely to occur between S. incertulas eclosing in Bt rice fields and nearby refuge fields. Although a small proportion of C. suppressalis did not move far before mating, random mating of moths from Bt and nearby refuge fields is also likely to occur in this species if Bt-resistant moths are rare.     

Introduction and elimination of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in a commercial beef herd: a case study

Routine Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) monitoring of a commercial beef herd in southern New South Wales over a 10-year period provided an opportunity to assess the impact of the introduction of BVDV on that herd. BVDV antibody testing provided strong evidence that the herd was initially free of BVDV (2009–2011). Testing from 2012 suggested BVDV had been introduced into the herd and this was confirmed in 2015 with the identification of persistently infected (PI) animals. Having become established in the herd, the owners then set out to eliminate BVDV from the herd. Antigen testing aimed at identifying PI animals revealed BVDV was already absent from the herd. Subsequent antibody testing confirmed that the herd was now free from BVDV. Despite the incursion of BVDV in this herd, there was little measurable impact on reproductive performance (pregnancy rates), although suspected increased calf losses from birth to calf marking were reported. This is the first time such self-clearance has been documented as part of a longitudinal study under Australian conditions.     

An analysis of the persistence and potency of film‐coated seed protectant as influenced by various storage parameters

BACKGROUND: An efficient delivery system for seed‐protectant chemicals is needed in light of several disadvantages of conventional seed treatment methods. This study evaluates the efficacy of film‐coat application in maintaining the persistence and potency of imidacloprid on Lycopersicon esculentum (L.) Mill. seeds after simultaneous storage under ambient and regulated environment in paper and aluminium packages. RESULTS: High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed 0.135 mg kg^?1 of herbage material to be the threshold value beyond which absolute control was obtained, and with film coating the latter was achieved even with half‐dosage seed treatment, irrespective of the storage condition. The technique provided early protection to the crop and also nullified the deleterious effects of ambient storage on the persistence and potency of the pesticide. CONCLUSION: Film coating enabled superior pesticide dosage as well as higher biological efficacy to be achieved. Hence, in addition to being an ecofriendly alternative, the technique would be a more economically viable option for storage of treated seeds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Bioencapsulation of erythromycin using adult brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana (Latreille)

Live adult brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana (Latreille), were enriched with erythromycin to determine if Artemia could accumulate therapeutic levels for subsequent feeding to young fish. Three trials were conducted to determine the erythromycin incorporation and survival rates of enriched Artemia when fed either liposomes containing erythromycin or various erythromycin suspensions. Erythromycin concentration in Artemia fed a liposome suspension was low (∼ 5 μg mL⁻¹) relative to Artemia fed the direct suspension (> 100 μg mL⁻¹) over the same time period. When enriched with suspensions up to 1 g erythromycin L⁻¹ sea water for 14 h, Artemia survival was not significantly affected ( P > 0.05) relative to controls. Using a suspension of 1 g L⁻¹, tissue erythromycin concentrations of 109 ± 16 μg erythromycin mL⁻¹  Artemia homogenate (mean ± SEM) were achieved after 12 h. Concentrations above 170 μg mL⁻¹ were obtained using suspensions of 2–5 g L⁻¹, but Artemia survival significantly ( P < 0.05) decreased.     

Acceptability of various microparticulate diets to first-feeding walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae

The acceptability of eight diets made by a wide variety of microparticulate manufacturing processes was studied using first-feeding walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae. Diets were formulated using a common dietary mix but differed in manufacture technique. The microparticulate diets fed were (1) carrageenan bound, (2) alginate bound, (3) starch/konjack bound, (4) microextruded/maurmurized (MEM), (5) zein bound, (6) carboxymethyl cellulose bound (CMC), (7) particle-assisted rotationally agglomerated (PARA) and (8) a commercial microparticulate diet (Fry Feed Kyowa B-700, FFK). Controls were groups fed live Artemia nauplii and unfed. Gut fullness was measured as the cross-sectional optical area of the bolus visible through the transparent body of the larvae using computer-aided image analysis. Feeding incidence on MEM particles (71 ± 8%, mean ± standard error), zein-bound particles (69 ± 7%), alginate-bound particles (68 ± 2%) and PARA particles (65 ± 6%) were not significantly different ( P   0.05) from the feeding incidence for Artemia (71 ± 6%). FFK (49 ± 14%) and particles bound with carboxymethyl cellulose (27 ± 0.07%), starch (21 ± 10%) or carrageenan (20 ± 0.8%) had significantly ( P  < 0.05) lower feeding incidence. Larvae that did initiate feeding did not differ significantly ( P  > 0.05) in the amount of each microparticulate diet or Artemia consumed. This data indicates that once first-feeding walleye start on a diet, they will consume that diet to a similar fixed level of satiation. Given the differences in the amounts of water and nutrients in the various diets, more nutrients were delivered to the gut of walleye larvae feeding on microparticulate diets than on the Artemia control.