OBSERVATIONS ON DISEASES OF FREE-LIVING AND CAPTIVE KOALAS (PHASCOLARCTOS CINEREUS)

SUMMARY During 1975–1978, pathological examination of 15 free-living and 11 captive koalas from Queensland revealed the following conditions: Bordetella bronchiseptica-associated pneumonia (6 cases), Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated pneumonia (1), idiopathic chronic interstitial pneumonia (1), severe alveolar emphysema (3), ulcerative stomatitis (1), intestinal blockage (3), urinogenital lesions (3), Ixodes holocyclus paralysis (1), chlamydial keratoconjunctivitis (2), neoplasia (3), trauma/shock (2).     

PERITONITIS IN HORSES ASSOCIATED WITH ACTINOBACILLUS EQUULI

Actinobacillus equuli was the cause of peritonitis in 5 horses. In 3 the onset was sudden with intestinal stasis and acute abdominal pain as predominant findings. Two others presented with chronic disease and weight loss. Characteristically the peritoneal fluid had a high nucleated cell count with non-degenerate neutrophils as the predominant cell type. Four horses were treated and recovered.     

CHRONIC INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONIA IN ASSOCIATION WITH A GRANULOMATOUS ENCEPHALITIS IN A GOAT

SUMMARY A 30-month-old British Alpine goat had clinical and pathological findings consistent with the diagnosis of a chronic interstitial pneumonia. The goat also had lesions in the brain similar to those described for granulomatous encephalomyelitis (GE) of goats. Lesions similar to GE were reproduced experimentally in feral goats following intracerebral inoculation of a lung homogenate from the naturally occurring case. The differential diagnosis of chronic interstitial pneumonia in goats, the differentiation of GE from viral leucoencephalomyelitis, and the possible aetiological role of retroviruses in these diseases is discussed.     

KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA IN DOGS ASSOCIATED WITH SULPHONAMIDE ADMINISTRATION

This report describes the clinical characteristics of 14 cases of sulphonamide-induced keratoconjuctivitis sicca in dogs. Two drugs, sulphadiazine and salicylazosulphapyridine, were associated with the disease. It is recommended that Schirmer Tear Test be performed regularly when sulphonamides are administered long term to dogs. The hypothesis that a nitrogen-containing pyridine ring is responsible for the lacrimotoxic effect is advanced.     

INFERTILITY IN THE HORSE ASSOCIATED WITH CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES

SUMMARY Reproductive failure was studied in 12 phenotypically normal mares (9 Arabian, 3 Quarter horses, 1 Appaloosa and 1 pony). Karyotyping was performed using lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood by density gradient procedures, followed by standard culture methods for karyotyping. Nine mares had karyotypes of 63,XO; 1 had 63,XO/64,XX; 1 had 63,XO/64,XY and 1 had 64,XY. All mares had small, firm ovaries that when removed and examined from 4 mares, lacked germ cells and consisted of undifferentiated ovarian stroma.     

ASYSTOLE ASSOCIATED WITH IOHEXOL MYELOGRAPHY IN A DOG

This is areport of a 10-year-old female neutered Doberman Pinscher with a clinical diagnosis of myelopathy. The dog was anesthetized using oxymorphone, thiopental, and halothane in oxygen for a cerebrospinal tap and a myelogram. Iohexsal injection into the subarachnoid space by lumbar puncture was uneventful. Additional iohexal was given into the cerebellomjedullary cistern. Immediately following iohexal administration into the cerebellomedullary cistern, several electrocardiographic changes occurred. Two extended periods of asystole responded to intravenous glycopyrrolate administration. A slow multiform ventricular escape rhythm was established after the second dose of glycopyrrolate. Ultimately, atrial activity with apparent A V dissociation resumed, atrial fibrillation developed, and the rhythm converted to normal sinus rhythm. The dog had a normal cardiac examination the following day. Two days later, the dog was anesthetized using a similar anesthetic regimen with maintance on isoflurane in oxygen for a hemilaminectomy. The dog recovered uneventfully from surgery and was discharged 2 days later.     

FEMORAL FRACTURES IN PIGS ASSOCIATED WITH CALCIUM DEFICIENCY

SUMMARY Fermoral fractures were diagnosed in 20 pigs from a 60-sow piggery over a 6-month period. Aetiology of the outbreak was probably multifactorial, however, feed analysis suggested that inadequate calcium and phosphorus levels may have played a significant role.