Haematological and biochemical investigations of diseased koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Haematological and biochemical investigations were performed on 14 koalas with uncomplicated cystitis, 8 with complicated cystitis, 8 with conjunctivitis, 8 with lymphosarcoma, and 14 with miscellaneous diseases. Changes were limited and inconsistent in individual koalas with uncomplicated cystitis and conjunctivitis. In contrast, individual koalas with complicated cystitis were more likely to have anaemia, leukocytosis due to neutrophilia, hypoproteinaemia due to hypoalbuminaemia, and azotaemia due to elevated urea concentration. Although these changes were non-specific they did allow assessment of prognosis for survival and response to treatment. Koalas with lymphosarcoma were invariably anaemic, leukaemic, azotaemic and hypoalbuminaemic. Elevated enzymes (aspartate transaminase [AST]. lactate dehydrogenase [LD] and gamma glutamyl transferase [GGT]) were more common in koalas with lymphosarcoma. Koalas affected by miscellaneous conditions showed variable changes but once again anaemia, leukocytosis, azotaemia, elevated AST and LD, and hypoalbuminaemia were not uncommon. On the basis of these findings a minimal profile is suggested for the investigation of sick koalas and would include haematocrit, total and differential leukocyte counts, urea, total protein and albumin concentrations and AST, GGT and LD activities.     

Pasteurized tumoral autograft and adjuvant chemotherapy for the treatment of canine distal radial osteosarcoma: 13 cases

OBJECTIVE: To report outcome in 13 dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma, without evidence of metastasis, treated by a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy and a pasteurized autograft limb-sparing procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Thirteen dogs with distal radial osteosarcoma. METHODS: Limb-sparing procedure was performed using an autograft from the excised tumoral segment, pasteurized at 65 degrees C for 40 minutes. Adjuvant chemotherapy (cisplatin or cisplatin and doxorubicin) was administered in all dogs. RESULTS: Mean and median survival times were 531 and 324 days, respectively (range, 180 to 1,868 days). Overall survival was 100% at 6 months, 50% at 12 months, 44% at 18 months, and 22% at 24 months. Lung metastasis occurred in 5 (38%) dogs. Observed complications were local recurrence (2 dogs, 15%), allograft infection (4 dogs, 31%), and implant failure (3 dogs, 23%). Limb function was good in 12 dogs (92%) and fair in 1 dog. CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurized bone autograft derived from the tumoral bone segment was an effective alternative to cortical bone allograft for limb sparing in canine distal radial osteosarcoma, in terms of feasibility, pattern of healing, complications, and survival. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of a pasteurized bone autograft eliminates the need for a canine bone allograft bank and has the added advantage of good fit to the recipient site.     

Pasteurized tumoral autograft as a novel procedure for limb sparing in the dog: A clinical report

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of a pasteurized tumoral autograft prepared from the resected primary bone neoplasm for limb sparing in a dog with distal radial osteosarcoma (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: A 9-year-old male Maremma shepherd dog. METHODS: After right distal radial OSA removal, the tumoral autograft was pasteurized. The excised bone segment was placed in a sterile watertight box containing sterile saline solution preheated to 65 degrees C in a water bath. The box was kept immersed in the water bath at 65 degrees C for 40 minutes to kill the tumor cells. The autograft was then fixed in the host with a plate and screws based on standard AO/ASIF technique for carpal arthrodesis. Three doses of cisplatin (70 mg/m(2) intravenously) were administered, 3 weeks apart; the initial dose was administered the day after surgery. RESULTS: The autograft was incorporated in a manner comparable to an allograft, and after 708 days, the metallic implants were removed. A 1-month activity restriction as well as spoon splint to protect the leg from a full loading were used thereafter. Limb function was fair to good, and the dog remains disease free after 56 months. CONCLUSIONS: A pasteurized autograft consisting of the resected primary bone neoplasm is a valid alternative to a cortical bone allograft for limb sparing in dogs with appendicular OSA in terms of feasibility and pattern of healing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This procedure can be an alternative method of limb sparing when difficulties are encountered in establishing and maintaining a canine bone allograft bank.     

Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes

Ecophysiological simulation models provide a quantitative method to predict the effects of management practices, plant characteristics and environmental factors on crop and weed growth and competition. The INTERCOM interplant competition model was parameterised, calibrated by monoculture data for three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes that differed in growth habit, common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and used to simulate competition of cowpea cover crops with sunflower or purslane. The simulation results were compared with observations from field competition experiments in 2003 and 2004. INTERCOM more accurately simulated actual field data for the competition of cowpea genotypes and sunflower than companion field experiments for the competition of cowpea and purslane. The validated simulation model of cowpea and sunflower at two densities was used to study the effects of cowpea growth habit on final biomass production of cowpea and sunflower. The model suggested that erect growth habit was more competitive than semi‐erect and prostrate growth habit, when cowpea genotypes were grown with sunflower. Cowpea leaf area distribution was important to higher cowpea biomass production, while cowpea height growth was important to reduce sunflower biomass. Our simulation approach is suggested as a method for crop breeders to gauge the likely success of selection for competitive crops before undertaking expensive long‐term breeding experiments.     

Gonadotropin‐induced Puberty Does Not Impair Reproductive Performance of Gilts over Three Parities

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of three parities of gilts treated or not treated with gonadotropin to induce puberty. Sixty gilts received 600 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) followed by 2.5 mg of porcine luteinizing hormone (LH) 72 h later. Fifty‐nine other gilts were exposed only to a mature boar for 15 min twice daily. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed at 0, 12 and 24 h after the detection of oestrus, and gestation was confirmed by ultrasound after 35 days. Sows were inseminated at the first post‐weaning oestrus. The total numbers of piglets born, piglets born alive, stillborn, mummified foetuses, as well as pregnancy and farrowing rates were evaluated for each of the three parities. Culling rates, farrowing intervals and weaning‐to‐oestrous intervals (WEI) were also analysed. Mean age at puberty and oestrous manifestation were not significantly different between treatments (p = 0.0639; 179.20 ± 17.52 compared with 173.96 ± 16.94, 91.66% compared with 94.92%) across the experimental period. However, females that underwent puberty induction showed modest increases both in the number of total pigs born and in the number of piglets born alive. In conclusion, puberty induction through exogenous gonadotropin administration in field conditions did not induce a more concentrated first oestrous manifestation, but trended to a modest increase in the number of pigs born alive in the first parity and a reduced culling rate during the first gestation.     

Fungi isolated from bovine udders,and their possible sources

AIM: To identify fungi isolated from infections of the bovine mammary gland, and establish their possible sources.

METHODS: From a herd of 420 cows, milk samples were collected from all quarters at calving and cultured to detect causative organisms. Quarters identified as infected with fungi were further sampled during early lactation. Samples from feedstuffs, the feed pad and ends of teats were also collected and analysed for the presence of fungi.

RESULTS: Eleven of 420 cows were diagnosed with intramammary infections (IMI) caused by yeasts (nine cows, 10 quarters) and moulds (two cows, three quarters). Six of the yeast species had previously been reported as being responsible for mastitis. Elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) were observed in many quarters, but most infections were eliminated spontaneously. Two of the fungi isolated from milk samples were also isolated from feedstuffs and teat swabs, and seven other fungi isolated from milk samples were not isolated from feed, the feed pad or cows' teats.

CONCLUSIONS: Isolation of fungi from the udder is rarely reported in dairy cows in New Zealand. In this herd, contamination of the end of the teat originating from feedstuffs and possibly exacerbated by the use of a feed pad may have led to the establishment of IMI caused by fungi.

CLINICAL RELEVENCE: Fungi are infrequently if ever reported in mastitis trial data or surveys in New Zealand and are probably of little clinical significance.     

Assessment of Different Functional Parameters of Frozen–Thawed Buffalo Spermatozoa by Using Cytofluorimetric Determinations

Flow cytometry is a useful tool that provides an accurate, objective and rapid evaluation of semen quality. The use of this technique could significantly improve the quality of buffalo semen samples used in artificial insemination. This study was carried out to evaluate, by flow cytometry, frozen–thawed buffalo spermatozoa quality parameters such as sperm viability by SYBR‐14/propidium iodide staining; mitochondrial function by JC‐1 potentiometric probe; sperm chromatin stability (SCSA) by acridine orange; and acrosome reaction (AR) by FITC‐PNA staining. Semen samples from five Italian Mediterranean buffalo bulls were used. Sperm viability was not different between bulls and ranged from 33.4% to 43.6%. A consistent rate (55.1 ± 10.8%) of sperm cells showed high mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ^high), with no significant differences between subjects. Sperm chromatin structure assay differed significantly between the five buffalo bulls; moreover, data showed high stability within each buffalo. DNA fragmentation indexes (DFI), such as %‐DFI, ‐DFI, SD‐DFI, were 11.2 ± 8.6, 153.3 ± 24.6 and 81.6 ± 21.2, respectively. Regarding AR, the percentage of acrosome‐reacted live (ARL) and acrosome‐reacted dead (ARD) spermatozoa was 0.3 ± 0.2 and 15.3 ± 5.5, respectively. This functional parameter differed significantly between buffalo bulls and showed high stability. Following to Ca²⁺ ionophore A23187 for 3 h, AR significantly differed between subjects and was characterized by an increase in both ARL (10.8%) and ARD population (22.0%). This study indicates that flow cytometry could be a useful tool for a quick multiparametric evaluation of sperm quality in buffalo. In particular, SCSA and AR resulted in sperm functional parameters sensitive enough for the diagnosis of frozen‐thawed semen fertilizing potential.     

Adjuvant anthracycline‐based vs metronomic chemotherapy vs no medical treatment for dogs with metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma: A multi‐institutional retrospective study of the Italian Society of Veterinary Oncology

Treatment options for dogs with metastatic (stage III) splenic hemangiosarcoma are limited. A doxorubicin‐based chemotherapy regimen is commonly administered; however, there are no published data to support this practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maximum‐tolerated‐dose chemotherapy (MTD), metronomic chemotherapy (MC) and no adjuvant treatment on outcome in dogs with stage III splenic hemangiosarcoma undergoing splenectomy. Medical records of dogs with stage III splenic hemangiosarcoma that underwent splenectomy followed by MTD chemotherapy, MC or no adjuvant treatment were retrieved. Time to progression (TTP), survival time (ST) and toxicity were evaluated. One hundred three dogs were identified: 23 received adjuvant MTD, 38 MC and 42 were not medically treated. Overall median TTP and ST were 50 (95% confidence interval [CI], 39‐61) and 55 days (95% CI, 43‐66), respectively. Dogs treated with adjuvant MTD had a significantly longer TTP and ST compared with dogs receiving MC (median TTP, 134 vs 52 days, P = .025; median ST, 140 vs 58 days, P = .023, respectively). Dogs treated by splenectomy only had the shortest median TTP (28 days) and ST (40 days). However, treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) were significantly more frequent in the MTD group (P = .017). The outcome for dogs with metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma is poor. While MTD showed greater efficacy compared to MC, toxicity was higher in this group. Treatment‐related AEs need to be carefully balanced against this modest survival prolongation when offering adjuvant MTD to dogs with advanced stage hemangiosarcoma.