Evaluation of carbon dioxide laser and conventional incisional techniques for resection of soft palates in brachycephalic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcome, healing, and effect of tracheostomy in conventional incisional and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser techniques for resection of soft palates in brachycephalic dogs. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. ANIMALS: 20 adult brachycephalic dogs. METHODS: Dogs were randomly allocated into 4 groups, and 1 of the following was performed: palate resection by use of a CO2 laser; incisional palate resection and closure with suture; and palate resection by use of a C02 laser or incision with tracheostomy. A clinical score for respiratory function was assigned to each dog at 0, 2, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Biopsy specimens of incision sites obtained at days 0, 3, 7, and 14 were examined. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of technique on clinical and histologic outcome. RESULTS: Mean surgical time for laser (309 seconds) was significantly shorter than for sharp dissection (744 seconds). Surgical technique significantly affected clinical scores at 3 of the 5 postoperative time points, but differences were not clinically apparent. Tracheostomy significantly affected clinical scores at 3 of 5 postoperative time points. After tracheostomy tube removal, clinical scores were similar to those of dogs without tracheostomies. Inflammation, necrosis, and ulceration were evident in all groups at day 3; these lesions had almost resolved by day 14. Most complications were associated with tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical outcomes appear to be similar with the laser and incisional techniques. Regarding surgical time and ease, laser resection of the soft palate appears advantageous. Tracheostomy is not warranted in dogs that have uncomplicated surgeries and recoveries.     

Assessing resistance to leafroll in potato seedlings

Summary A method is described for assessing the resistance to leafroll of large numbers of potato clones, exposed to conditions of intense natural infection. Scoring for resistance can be accomplished with reasonable accuracy and the method enables the adjustment of data to accommodate annual variations in the natural spread of infection. Variations in the annual intensity of leafroll infection as measured on the control varieties, correspond well with variations in catches of known vectors of the disease in a suction trap, relatively near to, and representative of, the area of the trial. The regression of mean offspring resistance on mean parental resistance is indicative of the quantitative nature of inheritance of the character.

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Zusammenfassung In einem für die Aktivit?t von Vektoren (Cambridge) günstigen Gebiet wurden w?hrend 6 Jahren Routine-Feldversuche für Blattrollresistenz durchgeführt, bei denen die Anordnung und die Kontrollsorten konstant blieben. In diesen Versuchen wurden Kartoffels?mlinge einem starken Blattroll-Infektionsdruck ausgesetzt, um sie auf ihre individuelle Widerstandsf?higkeit zu beurteilen. Zu diesem Zwecke wurden die Blattroll-Infektionspflanzen auf alle Reihen verteilt ausgepflanzt, so dass eine Infektion der Basis-Wiederholungen von drei Pflanzen (Abb. 1) m?glich war. (Da die Versuche einem doppelten Zweck dienten, muss vorgemerkt werden, dass auch Virus-Y-Infektionspflanzen einbezogen waren.) Der erste Versuch bestand für einen S?mling aus 4 Wiederholungen, gefolgt — sp?ter, wenn n?tig — von einem Best?tigungsversuch mit 8 Wiederholungen, die alle, parallel zum normalen Ausleseverfahren, innerhalb einiger Jahre nach Entstehung des Ausgangspflanzgutes durchgeführt werden konnten. Die Knollen wurden dem Vorrat für Versuche entnommen und ihr Nachbau, drei Knollen pro Pflanze, im folgenden Jahr bewertet und verworfen. Die Beurteilungen von Blattrollbefall beziehen sich auf die Gesamtzahl der als infiziert befundenen Pflanzen für alle Wiederholungen, bei denen die Infektion von Tochterpflanzen zutage tritt. Die Zuverl?ssigkeit der Ergebnisse eines Versuches dieser Art wird in Abb. 2 dargestellt, wo die Korrelation zwischen dem Ausmass der Infektion in den Kontrollsorten eng ist (r=+0,90). Die j?hrliche Infektion der Kontrollsorten stimmte ziemlich gut mit den Saugfallen-F?ngen der Uebertr?ger des relativ in der N?he vorkommenden und für die Versuchsfl?che repr?sentativen Virus überein. 83% aller Wiederholungen wiesen eine von der Infektionspflanze ausgehende Infektion in der Reihe auf, und 17% zeigten deutlich zuf?llige Infektionen (Tabelle 1). Dies weist darauf hin, dass das Virus zur Hauptsache durch die ungeflügelten Formen der Blattl?use übertragen wird. Die Regression zwischen der Nachkommenschaft (Mittelwert) und den Eltern (Mittelwert) in bezug auf Widerstandsf?higkeit ist in Tabelle 2 dargestellt. Die Regression war signifikant; sie zeigt einen quantitativen Vererbungsmodus für Blattrollresistenz auf. Versuche dieser Art sind im Vergleich zu Glashausversuchen, die arbeitsaufwendig und von zweifelhaftem Wert sind, geeignet, eine grosse Zahl von S?mlingen mit einem minimalen Aufwand auszusieben.

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Résumé L'auteur a effectué, au cours d'une période de 6 années, dans une région soumise à l'activité des vecteurs (Cambridge), des essais de routine en champs pour la résistance à l'enroulement; au cours de ces essais, la disposition de ceux-ci et les variétés-témoins sont restées constantes. Dans ces essais, des plantules de pomme de terre sont soumises à une infection intense d'enroulement dans le but détablir les niveaux individuels de résistance. Pour ce faire, des plantes infectées d'enroulement sont plantées au travers des buttes constituant des sources d'infection pour des répétitions élémentaires de trois plantes (Fig. 1) (comme les essais ont un double but, on notera que sont également incluses des plantes infectées de virus Y). L'essai initial pour une plantule comporte quatre répétitions, il est suivi ultérieurement, si c'est nécessaire, par un essai confirmatoire de huit répétitions; ces essais ont lieu en même temps que se poursuit le processus normal de sélection au cours de multiples années à partir de la graine. Les tubercules sont prélevés dans le stock de plants pour l'expérimentation et leurs descendants, trois tubercules par plante, sont examinés et éliminés l'année suivante. La cotation du comportement à l'enroulement est exprimée par le nombre de plantes-filles qui se révèlent infectées dans toutes les répétitions. Le degré de confiance des résultats de semblables essais est révélé dans la figure 2, qui montre que la corrélation de l'infection avec les variétés-témoins est élevée (r=+0.90). L'infection annuelle des variétés-témoins correspond raisonnablement bien avec les captures de vecteurs de virus par les pièges à aspiration situés dans un endroit assezproche et représentatif de la région où s'effectue l'essai. De toutes les répétitions 83% montrent une infection le long de la butte à partir de la source infectieuse et 16% révélaient une infection apparemment au hasard (tableau 1). Ceci indique que le virus est propagé, en ordre principal, par les formes aptères d'aphide. La régression des moyennes des descendances sur les moyennes parentales pour la résistance est montrée dans le tableau 2. La régression est significative, ce qui indique que le mode l'hérédité de la résistance à l'enroulement est de nature quantitative. Les essais de ce genre conviennent parfaitement pour la sélection de grands nombres de plantules avec un minimum d'efforts comparativement aux essais en serre qui exigent beaucoup de prestations et sont de valuur douteuse.

     

The effect of three types of rasps on the occlusal surface of equine cheek teeth: a scanning electron microscopic study

Two hand rasps (tungsten chip blade, solid carbide blade) and an electrically-driven solid carbide axial bur were used to treat the cheek teeth of 2 horses immediately postmortem. All teeth were normal and were rasped to a standard considered satisfactory in practice. Six teeth from each horse served as untreated controls. Following treatment, the teeth were extracted and the clinical crown removed and prepared for scanning electron microscopy. Teeth were also extracted and examined from a horse that had excessive dental treatment previously. Dental debris created by the procedures was collected and examined. All three rasp techniques resulted in amputation of odontoblast processes. The solid carbide blade cut deep gouges and grooves into the surface of the dentin, chipping the enamel and peripheral cement. No smear layer was created. Rasping with a tungsten chip blade created a partial smear layer and a smoother surface than the solid carbide blade. The electrically-driven bur produced a complete smear layer and removed all dental tissues to a smooth layer. The enamel had also been damaged by the electric bur. Crown particles collected after the procedures were larger following hand rasping compared with particles produced by the electric bur. The extent of damage to sensitive and vital dentin tissue was of concern. Further studies are required to establish the optimum technique for rasping equine cheek teeth.     

Methods and characteristics used in resident selection within the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists

A survey of Diplomates from the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, which trains residents, confirms that subjective criteria are most commonly used in selecting new residents. The ophthalmologist(s) who oversee(s) the training was/were primarily responsible for resident selection. In general, Diplomates seemed to be searching for a resident who was intelligent, could communicate well, was hard working, and had good interpersonal skills. The most important part of an application was the letters of recommendation, with the most important consideration being how well the person doing the selecting knew the author of a letter. The current process of resident selection does result in a majority of residents' completing their programs and ultimately becoming Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.     

Superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcers in horses: 23 cases (1989-2003)

Objective To characterize superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcers in the horse and to assess the affect of age, breed, sex, inciting cause of the ulcer, and treatment on healing time of these ulcers. Design Retrospective study. Animals Twenty‐three horses with superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcerations. Procedure Medical records from 1989 to 2003 of horses diagnosed with superficial, nonhealing corneal ulcers were reviewed. Signalment, duration of clinical signs, ophthalmic abnormalities, treatment and response to treatment were recorded. Horses were treated, in addition to medical therapy, using debridement, debridement and grid keratotomy, superficial keratectomy, and superficial keratectomy with conjunctival graft placement. Results Mean age ± SD of horses was 13.7 ± 5.8 years. The mean time of presence of the corneal ulceration was 38.9 ± 21.3 days. Mean time to complete re‐epithelialization of the corneal ulcers after treatment was 20 ± 14.7 days. Horses treated with debridement alone, grid keratotomy and superficial keratectomy healed in a mean time of 15.3 ± 14.6 days, 16 ± 12.6 days, and 22.8 ± 6.7 days, respectively. Conclusions and clinical relevance Horses treated with a single debridement at initial evaluation healed in a significantly shorter time period than horses treated with grid keratotomy or superficial keratectomy. The latter two procedures may be beneficial in the treatment of nonhealing ulceration in horses, but the results of this study suggest that these procedures should only be performed following failure of the ulcer to heal after epithelial debridement.     

Clinical,clinicopathologic, and radiographic findings in dogs with coccidioidomycosis: 24 cases (1995-2000)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical, clinicopathologic, and radiographic abnormalities in dogs with coccidioidomycosis. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 24 dogs. PROCEDURE: Clinical information and results of clinicopathologic testing were obtained from medical records. Thoracic radiographs were reviewed to characterize abnormalities. RESULTS: Dogs ranged from 1 to 10 years old at the time of diagnosis, with 12 dogs being between 1 and 3 years old. Historical complaints included cough, lameness, signs of head or neck pain, and difficulty breathing. Mild anemia, neutrophilia, and monocytosis were common. All dogs had hypoalbuminemia, and 8 of 15 had hyperglobulinemia. Thoracic radiographs of 19 dogs were reviewed. Pulmonary infiltrates were seen in 13 dogs, with an interstitial pattern of infiltration being most common. Hilar lymphadenopathy was seen radiographically in 10 dogs. Serum from 20 dogs was tested for antibodies against Coccidioides immitis. One dog was positive for IgM antibodies, 5 were positive for IgM and IgG antibodies, and 14 were positive for IgG antibodies. Quantitative IgG titers measured in 14 dogs ranged from 1:2 to 1:128 (median and mode, 1:32). In 6 dogs, histologic examination of biopsy samples revealed fungal spherules ranging from 8 to 70 microm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that in dogs, coccidioidomycosis may be associated with a wide spectrum of nonspecific respiratory and musculoskeletal abnormalities. The chronic nature of the disease makes diagnosis difficult, even in regions in which the organism is endemic.     

Use of thermokeratoplasty for treatment of ulcerative keratitis and bullous keratopathy secondary to corneal endothelial disease in dogs: 13 cases (1994-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of thermokeratoplasty for treatment of ulcerative keratitis and bullous keratopathy secondary to corneal endothelial disease in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 13 dogs. PROCEDURES: Medical records from 1994 to 2001 for dogs evaluated because of ulcerative keratitis and bullous keratopathy and treated with thermokeratoplasty were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 7 spayed females, 5 castrated males, and 1 sexually intact male, ranging from 6 to 16 years of age. Ten dogs had endothelial degeneration, and 3 dogs had breed-related endothelial dystrophy. All dogs had bullous keratopathy, characterized by microbullae formation that was detected via biomicroscopy. Recurrent or nonhealing corneal ulcers were detected unilaterally in 5 dogs and bilaterally in 8 dogs. Mean +/- SD duration from thermokeratoplasty until ulcerations were healed for all dogs was 2.2 +/- 1.1 weeks. All dogs that underwent thermokeratoplasty for nonhealing corneal ulceration secondary to endothelial disease and corneal edema had epithelial wound healing and resolution of corneal ulceration. Mean duration of treatment (ie, topical treatment required until resolution of ulceration) was significantly less after thermokeratoplasty than duration of treatment (with multiple treatments) prior to referral. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It may be necessary to perform thermokeratoplasty of the entire cornea to prevent recurrence of ulcerations in areas that have not been treated with thermokeratoplasty.     

Marek's disease in turkeys. II. Characterization of the viral glycoprotein B gene and antigen of a turkey strain of Marek's disease virus

Marek's disease virus (MDV) causes immunosuppression and tumors in chickens. As sporadic cases of Marek's disease (MD) were recorded in turkeys, the antigenic and genomic characteristics of the MDV glycoprotein B (gB) gene and antigen of turkeys were compared to the chicken MDV gB. The whole chicken and turkey gB genes were sequenced and found identical. By immunoblotting of infected-cell culture lysates using chicken convalescent and gB monoclonal antibodies, the antigenic epitopes of the chicken and turkey viruses were found to differ. The turkey MDV had a unique epitope, compared to the chicken MDV and compared with our previous findings. While the chicken MDV had two epitope types, heat-labile but dithiothreitol (DTT)-stable and heat-stable but DTT-labile, the turkey MDV gB epitope is both heat and DTT-labile.