An association between complete and incomplete stress fractures of the humerus in racehorses.

Twenty-one horses had a complete unilateral humeral fracture during race training or racing at a California racetrack during the period 24 February 1990 to 10 July 1991. Fractures occurred approximately equally in left and right limbs, and in males and females. Most fractures occurred during training, and in 2- and 3-year-old horses. Only 5 of 16 Thoroughbred horses with known racing records had previously raced more than once, and their mean time between races was less than the time between their last race and fracture (P = 0.07). Ten of 13 humeri studied further had gross evidence of periosteal callus bridging one portion of the fracture line, indicative of a pre-existing stress fracture.     

Diagnosis of heartwater in the live animal: experiences with goats in Guadeloupe

A presumptive diagnosis of heartwater in the living animal can be based on clinical and epidemiologic observations. In Guadeloupe, heartwater can be confused with haemonchosis in goats or cerebral babesiosis in cattle. Confirmation of the clinical diagnosis by brain biopsy is useful in experimental infections but is hardly applicable in the field. Positive results were obtained from 92% of animals 16 to 18 days after experimental infection. In febrile animals the best results were obtained between the 3rd and 6th days of the thermal response. Diagnosis can also be supported by serological tests. These are useful for monitoring experimental infections and for checking recovered animals in the field. Nineteen goats out of 27 were negative on Day 1 of the febrile reaction but positive a week later. The remaining 8 goats were positive on Day 1 and had greatly increased antibody titres a week later. Confirmation of a diagnosis can also be achieved by subinoculating into susceptible animals either blood or suspensions of ticks collected from suspect animals and then homogenized. Ticks that have engorged on a suspect animal can be allowed to moult and then fed on a susceptible animal to test their infectivity. These methods are time consuming but useful for heartwater surveys.     

The Effects of the Periodical Use of In-feed Chlortetracycline on the Reproductive Performance of Gilts and Sows of a Commercial Pig Farm with a History of Clinical and Subclinical Viral and Bacterial Infections

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of in‐feed chlortetracycline (CTC) as a measure of preventing or minimizing infectious problems of reproductive failure in gilts and sows. In a farm of 400 Large White × Landrace gilts and sows with a clinical history of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) virus, the animals were treated with CTC. Treatment consisted of 10 g CTC sow/day for 15 days every 3 months. It improved the health status of sows by decreasing post‐farrowing clinical mastitis and vaginal discharges, abortions, return‐to‐oestrus and irregular return‐to‐oestrus rates. These beneficial effects had a positive impact on the performance of the litter. More piglets were born live and weaned. These positive effects improved with repeated use of CTC. The serological evidence of PRRS virus, Leptospira spp. and Chlamydia spp. and the subsequent beneficial use of the antimicrobial agent indicate that reproductive failure, possibly resulting from the bacterial agents can be controlled with in‐feed use of broad spectrum antimicrobials.     

HYPERCALCEMIC NEPHROPATHY IN THREE DOGS: SONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE

Persistent hypercalcemia in the dog is most commonly seen as a paraneoplastic syndrome or in association with widespread osteolytic lesions. In high concentrations calcium is a potent nephrotoxin and may cause severe and irreversible renal damage. The ultrasonographic changes in the kidneys of three dogs with hypercalcernic nephropathy are described'and compared with the changes described in the same human condition. It is suggested that ultrasound could be a useful technique for evaluation of the severity of renal damage and the potential return of renal function in such instances.     

Cervical and Thoracic Vertebral Malformation ("Weak Neck") in Colombia Lambs

The purpose of this study is to describe a developmental defect of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae in 11 purebred Colombia lambs. The lambs were either affected at birth, or developed the condition within the first 18 days of age. Cervicothoracic kyphosis, with a compensatory cervical lordosis and ataxia were common; 8 lambs had abnormal head posture, characterized by inability to lift the head from the ground. One lamb had rigid head and neck, and had to move the entire body to look to the left or right. Neurological signs included ataxia, tetraparesis, diminished conscious proprioception, and increased patellar and triceps reflexes. One lamb had inspiratory stridor because of compression of the trachea in the area overlying the abnormal vertebrae (cervical vertebrae 6 [C6] and 7 [C7]). Radiographic and pathological abnormalities included malalignment and malarticulation of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic spine, rounded cranioventral margins in the bodies of vertebrae C7 and T1, wedging of the intervertebral disc spaces between C6 and T1 vertebrae, and hypoplasia of the dens. Pathological changes in the soft tissues included hypoplasia of the cervical epaxial and hypaxial musculature, with associated focal areas of myodegeneration. Mild Wallerian axonal degeneration, compatible with a mild cord compression syndrome, was found in 3 lambs in the cervicothoracic spinal cord adjacent to the vertebral anomalies. The concentrations of copper and selenium in blood, plasma, or tissues were normal in 10 of 11 lambs. All but one of the lambs in which pedigree information was provided were genetically related. Siblings born as twins to 5 of the affected lambs were normal, but both lambs from one twin pregnancy were affected. Owners reported that breeding stock had been shared among the ranches. Because of the close familial relationships of the affected lambs, the condition is suspected to have a hereditary basis.     

Long incomplete longitudinal fractures of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bone in horses

Five horses with long incomplete longitudinal fractures of the third metacarpal bone and three horses with similar fractures of the third metatarsal bone were examined. In three of the metacarpal fractures a long incomplete fissure extended proximomedially, in association with the more common lateral condylar fracture of the third metacarpal bone, and in the other two cases the fracture originated from the medial aspect of the distal articular surface. In the three horses with fractures of the third metatarsal bone the fractures had a consistent spiral configuration.