Evaluation of an air ionizer unit and its effects on cellular respiratory defense in racing thoroughbreds

A double crossover trial, consisting of two three-week periods, was conducted to evaluate an air ionizer unit and its effects on cellular respiratory defenses in racing Thoroughbreds. Each week, samples of the stable air were taken and horses were sampled for hematological and blood biochemical analyses. At the end of both three-week periods, blood neutrophil and bronchopulmonary lavage immune cellular responses were assayed and bronchopulmonary lavage samples were cultured aerobically and anaerobically. The air ionizer unit had no significant effects on the parameters assayed.     

Canine Axial Skeletal Osteosarcoma A Retrospective Study of 116 Cases (1986 to 1989)

Axial skeletal osteosarcomas were evaluated retrospectively in 116 dogs. Thirty-one tumors occurred in the mandible, 26 in the maxilla, 17 in the spine, 14 in the cranium, 12 in the ribs, 10 in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and 6 in the pelvis. Medium-sized and large dogs were most commonly affected. Females outnumbered males 2.1:1, but this varied with tumor location. The mean age was 8.7 years. Osteosarcomas of the rib occurred in significantly younger dogs (mean age, 5.4 years) than osteosarcomas at any other axial skeletal site. Pulmonary metastasis was diagnosed radiographically in 11.1% of the dogs. The median survival for dogs treated surgically was 22 weeks, the 1-year survival was 26.3%, and the 2-year survival was 18.4%. The tumor recurrence rate was 66.7%. Most dogs (79.6%) died or were euthanatized for problems associated with the primary tumor.     

ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION

A simple and inexpensive modification of the ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy technique using an extension tube attached to the needle is described. One operator can easily manipulate the ultrasound transducer and biopsy needle while monitoring the entire procedure. This simple modification was found to facilitate ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE EQUINE FOOT

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of magnetic resonance imaging to depict abnormalities of the equine foot. MRI was performed on isolated limbs which had lesions of the foot. These images were made in 3 perpendicular planes (sagittal, transverse and frontal) using a T1 weighted sequence and were 5mm thick. Images accurately depicted normal and pathologic structures in the foot and proved to be very precise for documenting degenerative joint disease, navicular disease and laminitis lesions. This preliminary study demonstrates the considerable potential of MRI in the diagnosis of locomotor problems in the horse.     

Reference Values on Serum Biochemical Parameters of Brazilian Donkey (Equus asinus) Breed

Seventeen serum biochemical variables were determined in 40 donkeys of the Brazilian breed (34 females and 6 males) aged from 3 to 19 years. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) (minimum–maximum) values, obtained by automated analysis, were as follows: glucose, 58.35 ± 10.40 (44.00–90.00) mg/dL; cholesterol, 88.41 ± 9.86 (73.58–124.26) mg/dL; serum protein, 6.82 ± 0.40 (6.00–7.52) g/dL; albumin, 3.13 ± 0.21 (2.65–3.69) g/dL; creatinine, 1.80 ± 0.14 (1.51–2.19) mg/dL; urea, 24.25 ± 5.37 (14.12–34.39) mg/dL; lactate, 20.10 ± 4.58 (12.99–33.47) mg/dL; aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 295.81 ± 62.79 (173.71–466.07) IU/L; creatine kinase (CK), 158.00 ± 76.94 (51.69–440.33) IU/L; γ-glutamil-transferase (GGT), 45.82 ± 13.34 (26.17–86.38) IU/L; lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 576.02 ± 156.32 (213.53–1162.81) IU/L; alkaline phosphatase (AP), 345.36 ± 65.90 (227.25–490.16) IU/L; calcium (Ca), 8.54 ± 0.18 (8.19–8.90) mg/dL; phosphorus (P), 2.76 ± 0.38 (1.99–3.97) mg/dL; chloride (Cl), 106.05 ± 3.20 (99.00–112.00) mEq/L; sodium (Na), 121.50 ± 4.14 (116.00–132.00) mEq/L; and potassium (K), 3.70 ± 0.42 (2.80–4.40) mEq/L. Comparisons of biochemical ranges obtained for the Brazilian donkey breed with reference ranges for other donkey breeds suggested that most values were similar. Biochemical values determined in the present study serve as reference ranges for donkey populations and can be used for health control and diagnosis of diseases.     

Lameness in three-year-old standardbred trotters —Influence of parameters determined before three years of age

The aim of the study was to use available information about a group of Standardbred trotters collected during the first three years of life to predict the risk of lameness in these horses when they reach three years of age. In a previous study on the same population, a sire index defined as the frequency of lameness within each progeny group and presence of radiographic changes other than palmar/plantar bony fragments in the metacarpo- and metatarsophalangeal joints, were found to be significant predictors of the likelihood of developing lameness. The additional variables used in the present study were training and feeding of the horses, information that was collected retrospectively up to the time of clinical examination.A total of 265 three-year-old Standardbred trotters were randomly sampled for an epidemiological study of lameness. Eighty horses were classified as sound and 185 horses as lame, with moderate and severe signs in 138 and 47 horses, respectively. The sire index was found to be significant for predicting lameness (P<0.01), the risk of lameness increasing approximately 2.0 times for every 10% increase in sire index. Training and dietary parameters did not influence the risk of lameness significantly.     

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Clinical and Pathologic Correlates

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a primary myocardial disease with a wide range of clinical and morphologic characteristics. It is characterized by increased cardiac mass associated with a non-dilated, hypertrophied left ventricle. Phenotypic variability is substantial and includes both diffuse and segmental forms of left ventricular hypertrophy. Histopathologic features consist of myofiber disorganization, intramural arteriosclerosis, and pathologic fibrosis and matrix connective tissue. Associated functional derangements include dynamic obstruction to left and right ventricular outflow and diastolic dysfunction, including heart failure.