The surgical correction of a deviated anterior maxilla in a horse

SUMMARY The surgical correction of facial deformities of the horse have rarely been undertaken. The surgical and medical management of submucous clefting of the anterior maxilla in a young colt is described.     

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum in greyhounds

Blood samples from 331 greyhounds in the Hunter Valley and nearby coastal areas of New South Wales were examined for microfilariae using a filtration technique. Species were identified by histochemical staining; 10.9% of the greyhounds were infected with Dirofilaria immitis and 3.6% with Dipetalonema reconditum. The prevalence of infection of both species was significantly greater in summer than in winter (p = less than 0.05). Infection with D. immitis was correlated with differences in age, sex, bodyweight and coat colour, and a reported lack of stamina and the presence of a cough. No significant association was found. Diethylcarbamazine citrate was used for prophylaxis in 8.8% of all the greyhounds examined.     

Pleuritis in the Dog Associated with Actinomyces-like Organisms

Abstract— The clinico-pathological and radiological features of two cases of effusive canine pleuritis are presented. In both instances Actinomyces-like organisms were encountered but attempts to culture them (using aerobic and anaerobic methods) were unsuccessful. In one case Salmonella dublin was obtained in cultures at all stages of the investigations. The zoonotic implications of these and simiIar cases are discussed.
Résumé— GL'auteur expose les caractéristiques clinico-pathologiques et radiologiques de la pleurite exsudative, observée chez deux chiens. Dans l'un et l'autre cas ont été décelés des organismes semblables à l'actinomycès, mais les tentatives de culture (en milieu aerobie et anaerobie) ont échoué. Dans l'un des cas, Salmonella dublin a été obtenue à tous les stades de l'investigation. L'auteur examine les aspects zoonotiques des deux cas étudiés et de cas semblables.
Zusammenfassung— Die klinisch-pathologischen und die radiologischen Befunde von zwei Fällen von Pleuritis exsudativa des Hundes werden dargestellt. In beiden Fällen wurden astinomy-cesähnliche Organismen gefunden, aber die Kulturversuche (mit aeroben und anaeroben Methoden) verliefen erfolglos. In einem Fall wurde Salmonella dublin in Kulturen aller Stadien der Untersuchung erhalten. Die zoonotische Bedeutung dieser und ähnlicher Fälle wird besprochen.     

An evaluation of 4 commercially available ELISA kits for the diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs

Serum samples from 100 pound dogs were used to evaluate 4 commercial ELISA kits available for the diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis. The kits were assessed on sensitivity (the ability to identify infected dogs), specificity (the ability to identify uninfected dogs) and accuracy (sensitivity plus specificity). The kits varied in sensitivity from 36% to 86%, in specificity from 44% to 70%, and in accuracy from 53% to 65%. The sensitivity was not affected by the age of the dogs, nor by the number of circulating microfilariae. The kits were most specific when testing the youngest dogs (less than = 3 years). The problems associated with the serological diagnosis of D. immitis infection in practice are discussed.     

Dirofilaria immitis in cats from inner Sydney

Two hundred feral cats from the inner suburbs of Sydney were examined post mortem for adult Dirofilaria immitis and circulating microfilariae, and 101 of these cats were tested for heartworm antigens by an ELISA. Only 2 cats (1%) had adult heartworms, the blood sample from another cat contained a single microfilaria. The blood of a further three cats contained small amounts of D immitis antigen. Although D immitis occurs in cats in Sydney, the prevalence is not high enough to warrant prophylactic treatment.     

Predatory Dinosaurs from the Sahara and Late Cretaceous Faunal Differentiation

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) fossils discovered in the Kem Kem region of Morocco include large predatory dinosaurs that inhabited Africa as it drifted into geographic isolation. One, represented by a skull approximately 1.6 meters in length, is an advanced allosauroid referable to the African genus Carcharodontosaurus. Another, represented by a partial skeleton with slender proportions, is a new basal coelurosaur closely resembling the Egyptian genus Bahariasaurus. Comparisons with Cretaceous theropods from other continents reveal a previously unrecognized global radiation of carcharodontosaurid predators. Substantial geographic differentiation of dinosaurian faunas in response to continental drift appears to have arisen abruptly at the beginning of the Late Cretaceous.