Dermatomyositis in five Shetland sheepdogs in the United Kingdom

Five cases of dermatomyositis in four Shetland sheepdog puppies and one adult bitch are described. The dogs all had well-defined patches of scaling, crusting and alopecia over the muzzle, periorbital skin and distal limbs, and the tail, perineum and pinnae were affected in some of them. The affected puppies were all sired by the same stud dog. The affected adult bitch was unrelated to the puppies. Three of the four dogs tested had high serum creatine kinase concentrations and electromyographic abnormalities were detected in three of the four dogs tested. The histological changes observed in the skin of four of the dogs strongly supported the diagnosis of dermatomyositis, and in the fifth dog they were compatible with this diagnosis. Two of the puppies were euthanised shortly after being diagnosed. In the other two puppies and the adult the disease remains stable and non-progressive 15 to 18 months after diagnosis. The sire of the four affected puppies has been used extensively because it was considered to be genetically clear of collie eye anomaly.     

Myelopoiesis and marrow adherent cells in estradiol-treated mice

Myelopoiesis and marrow adherent cells were evaluated in C57Bl/6J mice at two and four weeks after treatment with 0.1 mg 17 beta-estradiol cyclopentylpropionate. Estradiol-treated mice were lymphopenic and eosinopenic at two and four weeks; in addition, neutropenia occurred at four weeks. Numbers of lymphoid, granulocytic, and erythroid cells were decreased in the marrow at two and four weeks. The numbers of granulocyte-macrophage and fibroblast colony-forming units in the humeral marrow were also decreased at two and four weeks. However, the hematopoietic ability of marrow adherent cells was unchanged in estradiol-treated mice. Thymic cortical atrophy, metaphyseal osteosclerosis, and neutrophilic infiltration of the uterus occurred in estradiol-treated mice.     

Evaluation of copper sulphate,formalin and peracetic acid in footbaths for the treatment of digital dermatitis in cattle

The efficacy of three non-antibiotic products (copper sulphate, formalin and peracetic acid) was compared with the efficacy of erythromycin, when the four substances were applied in footbaths for the treatment of cows with digital dermatitis. The cows were divided into four groups on the basis of their current housing and randomly allocated to one of the four treatments. Cattle allocated to the non-antibiotic treatments were footbathed daily for seven days, but the cattle treated with erythromycin were footbathed for two days only. Complete records were obtained for 252 lesions from 169 cows. There were significant reductions in the lesion scores of all four groups, but there was no significant effect of treatment and no significant interaction between treatment and time.     

Some behavioural and physiological changes in pregnant goats and sheep during adaptation to laboratory conditions.

Eight goats and 12 sheep were examined during their first six to eight weeks in the laboratory. Plasma corticosteroid concentrations in four untamed goats and four untamed sheep were elevated during the first week but thereafter remained at basal values. In contrast, low corticosteroid concentrations were observed throughout in four tame goats and in four untamed sheep sampled only after they had been in the laboratory for two weeks. Plasma glucose concentrations were elevated during the first week in the untamed goats. In four partially tamed sheep a rise in heart rate which occurred transiently during handling for 4-6 min did not occur when these animals showed tame behaviour after two to three weeks, and in four untamed sheep a rise in plasma corticosteroid concentration, which occurred transiently when seven blood samples were taken in 90 min, did not occur when these sheep were judged to be tame after five to six weeks.     

Early immune responses in experimental maedi

Ten Finnish sheep were infected with maedi virus either by the respiratory tract or by intracerebral injection. After respiratory tract infection, virus specific lymphocyte stimulation was detected between two and seven weeks and complement fixing antibodies between seven weeks and three months. After intracerebral injection, lymphocyte stimulation was detected between five and nine weeks and complement fixing antibodies between nine weeks and four months. Neutralising antibodies were not found in six sheep killed within four months but were found in two of four sheep four and five months after infection. Virus was recovered with varying frequency from the peripheral blood leucocytes and tissues of all the sheep and also from the cerebrospinal fluid of intracerebrally inoculated sheep. The histological changes in sheep inoculated via the respiratory tract were comparable to known early maedi lesions; no changes were found in the central nervous system (CNS). The intracerebrallly inoculated sheep showed very mild periventricular inflammation in the CNS.     

Myasthenia Gravis in the Cat

Myasthenia gravis (MG) was diagnosed in four cats--one had an apparently congenital form and three had the acquired autoimmune form. All four cats were examined because of episodes of weakness including gait abnormalities, voice change, neck ventroflexion, and regurgitation. Palpebral reflexes were absent in all cats. Administration of edrophonium chloride resulted in transient resolution of clinical signs in all four cats. Three cats were tested for the presence of serum autoantibodies against acetylcholine receptor (AChR) by radioimmunoassay. Two cats with acquired MG had anti-AChR antibody titers of 10.5 and 96.8 nmol/l (normal, less than or equal to 0.03 nmol/l). Antibodies were not detected in the cat with presumptive congenital MG. All four cats were treated with pyridostigmine bromide. Two cats with acquired MG were euthanatized because of clinical deterioration. The third cat with acquired MG has been asymptomatic since 2 months after diagnosis. The cat with presumed congenital MG is alive 3 years after diagnosis.     

Scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Ovine scrapie was first recorded in Cyprus in 1985. Subsequently four dairy goats kept in two mixed flocks with affected sheep developed characteristic clinical signs similar to those seen in sheep. Fifteen goats from the two flocks were examined histologically and neurological lesions consistent with a diagnosis of scrapie were found in the four animals and in three others which had subsequently developed early neurological signs. These lesions were similar to those of naturally-affected sheep although neuronal degeneration and vacuolation were more severe in some cases.     

Candida abortion in cattle

In a retrospective study, four cases of yeast-associated abortion were found among 1,323 bovine abortions during a 5-year period at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine. Tissues were examined histologically, and results of virological testing and microbiological culture were reviewed. Candida parapsilosis was the only pathogenic agent demonstrated in these four cases. Placental lesions consisted of necrotizing placentitis with large numbers of yeasts within trophoblasts. Secondary fetal infection occurred in all four cases, with histological lesions or isolation of Candida from the lung, liver, intestines, abomasum, and heart. A tentative diagnosis of Candida parapsilosis-induced abortion in cattle can be made on the characteristic intracytoplasmic yeasts in placental trophoblasts.     

Scrapie in goats in Cyprus

Ovine scrapie was first recorded in Cyprus in 1985. Subsequently four dairy goats kept in two mixed flocks with affected sheep developed characteristic clinical signs similar to those seen in sheep. Fifteen goats from the two flocks were examined histologically and neurological lesions consistent with a diagnosis of scrapie were found in the four animals and in three others which had subsequently developed early neurological signs. These lesions were similar to those of naturally-affected sheep although neuronal degeneration and vacuolation were more severe in some cases.     

Toxoplasmosis in Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis), from Queensland

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical signs, gross pathology, serology, bacteriology, histopathology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry findings associated with toxoplasmosis in four Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins (Sousa chinensis) that stranded in Queensland in 2000 and 2001. DESIGN: Clinical assessment, gross necropsy, and laboratory examinations. PROCEDURE: Necropsies were performed on four S. chinensis to determine cause of death. Laboratory tests including serology, bacteriology, histopathology and transmission electron microscopy were done on the four dolphins. Immunohistochemistry was done on the brain, heart, liver, lung, spleen and adrenal gland from various dolphins to detect Toxoplasma gondii antigens. RESULTS: Necropsies showed all of four S. chinensis that stranded in Queensland in 2000 and 2001 had evidence of predatory shark attack and three were extremely emaciated. Histopathological examinations showed all four dolphins had toxoplasmosis with tissue cysts resembling T. gondii in the brain. Tachyzoite stages of T. gondii were detected in the lungs, heart, liver, spleen and adrenal gland, variously of all four dolphins. Electron microscopy studies and immunohistochemistry confirmed the tissues cysts were those of T. gondii. All four dolphins also had intercurrent disease including pneumonia, three had peritonitis and one had pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: Four S. chinensis necropsied in Queensland in 2000 and 2001 were found to be infected with toxoplasmosis. It is uncertain how these dolphins became infected and further studies are needed to determine how S. chinensis acquire toxoplasmosis. All four dolphins stranded after periods of heavy rainfall, and coastal freshwater runoff may be a risk factor for T. gondii infection in S. chinensis. This disease should be of concern to wildlife managers since S. chinensis is a rare species and its numbers appear to be declining.     

肉鸡组织中四种氟喹诺酮类药物休药期的探讨

选择27日龄健康艾维茵肉仔鸡,研究了四种氟喹诺酮类药物残留消除规律。饲喂剂量遵循《中国兽药手册》药物用量之规定,饲喂方式有四种药物单独饲喂、两种药物混合饲喂、四种药物混合饲喂三种类型,饮水给药,连续5 d。对不同停药时间所取鸡胸肉、鸡腿肉和肝脏样品中的药物残留进行分析,发现肝脏中的消除最慢,鸡腿肉中的消除最快。根据日本最高残留限量制定休药期,四种药物单独饲喂,氧氟沙星(OFL)、诺氟沙星(NOR)、环丙沙星(CIF)、恩诺沙星(ENR)的休药期分别为4 d、6 d、7 d、9 d;CIF和ENR两种药物联合饲喂时,休药期定为9 d;四种药物混合饲喂时,休药期定为9 d。根据我国最高残留限量制定休药期,四种药物单独饲喂,OFL、NOR、CIF、ENR的休药期分别为3 d、3 d、3 d、6 d;CIF和ENR两种药物联合饲喂时,休药期定为6d;四种药物混合饲喂时,休药期定为6 d。     

阿拉善地区不同植被生境中鼠类栖息地选择的特性

2002～2007年,在阿拉善荒漠区选择开垦区、轮牧区、过牧区和禁牧区四种植被生境,采用标志重捕法研究不同植被生境中鼠类栖息地选择的特性。结果表明:6个年度中啮齿动物群落的优势种群在四种不同植被生境中各不相同,各个群落的组成种类和主要种类的数量有较大变化;6年中不同植被生境中啮齿动物群落组成种的年平均种数为轮牧区=过牧区=禁牧区>开垦区。不同植被生境中主要组成种变化较大:开垦区为长爪沙鼠、黑线仓鼠;轮牧区为子午沙鼠、小毛足鼠;过牧区为三趾跳鼠、五趾跳鼠;禁牧区为小毛足鼠。长爪沙鼠在开垦区与其他三种干扰区间有极显著差异(P<0.01),而在其他三种干扰区间无差异;三趾跳鼠在过牧区与其他三种干扰区间有极显著差异(P<0.01)。     

Intersexuality in goats

Six cases of intersex goats were investigated. Five of these animals had testicular tissues (testes) situated prepubically inside a skin pouch. The testicular tissues of the sixth goat were attached to the sides of the urinary bladder. All of the four animals that were studied by radiography, surgical exploration and/or pathology had uterine tubular structures but no ovarian tissues were found in them. Thus at least four of these goats were male pseudohermaphrodites.     

Intersexuality in goats

Six cases of intersex goats were investigated. Five of these animals had testicular tissues (testes) situated prepubically inside a skin pouch. The testicular tissues of the sixth goat were attached to the sides of the urinary bladder. All of the four animals that were studied by radiography, surgical exploration and/or pathology had uterine tubular structures but no ovarian tissues were found in them. Thus at least four of these goats were male pseudohermaphrodites.     

云南蓝舌病病毒1型毒株M6基因序列分析

为了解云南蓝舌病病毒(Bluetongue virus,BTV) 1型M6基因流行株的遗传变异及其与国内外流行病毒的遗传进化关系,试验从细胞培养物中分别提取4株云南分离株BTV-1 (Y863、SZ120169、6-12和7-12) RNA,用M6基因特异引物进行RT-PCR扩增和测序,采用生物信息学软件对获得的M6基因编码区序列进行核苷酸、氨基酸同源性比对及遗传进化分析.结果表明,分别获得4株云南分离株BTV-1 M6基因1 763 bp序列;4株云南分离株BTV-1核苷酸同源性在95.2%~99.9%之间,氨基酸同源性在97.6%~99.8%之间,1979年师宗分离的Y863病毒毒株与2012年师宗(SZ120169)、2013年江城(6-12、7-12)分离的3株病毒毒株核苷酸同源性分别为95.5%、95.2%和95.2%,氨基酸同源性分别为97.6%、98.4%和98.2%,而近两年(2012、2013)分离病毒核苷酸和氨基酸同源性较高,分别在96.9%~99.9%和99.1%~99.8%之间;遗传进化分析发现,4株云南分离株BTV-1为Eastern基因群病毒,它们之间核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为95.2%~99.9%和97.6%~99.8%;进一步分析发现4株云南分离株BTV-1与希腊及澳大利亚 BTV-1型毒株亲缘关系较近,核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为90.4%~95.6%和95.1%~99.1%,而与地中海国家(意大利、法国、阿尔及利亚、摩洛哥和突尼斯)和南非毒株关系较远,核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别在83.8%和95.7%以下.4株云南分离株BTV-1属于Eastern基因群病毒,云南分离株BTV-1 M6基因在自然进化中发生遗传变异缓慢,该基因可以用来进行BTV-1基因群分布及毒株的地理区域来源相关的研究.     

Sequence Analysis of Bluetongue Virus 1 M6 Gene in Yunnan Province

The object of this study was to investigate the evolution and variation of NS1 encoding gene (M6) of Bluetongue virus 1 (BTV-1) from Yunnan province and the evolutionary relationship of strains which from Yunnan province and other countries.RNA were extracted from four strains (Y863,SZ120169,6-12 and 7-12),and M6 gene were amplified by using specific primer and sequenced,which were analyzed by using bioinformatics software for nucleotides homology and phylogenetic relationships.The results showed that four strains M6 gene were 1 763 bp;The homology of nucleotides among four strains M6 gene were 95.2% to 99.9%,the amino acids among four strains M6 gene were 97.6% to 99.8%,the homology of nucleotides between Y863 (1979) and 3 strains (SZ120169,6-12 and 7-12) were 95.5%,95.2% and 95.2%,the amino acids between Y863 (1979) and 3 strains were 97.6%,98.4% and 98.2%,the homology of nucleotides and amino acids were high (96.9% to 99.9% and 99.1% to 99.8%,respectively) among four Yunnan strains.BTV was divided into two clusters (Western and Eastern) and four strains (BTV-1) from Yunan province belong to Eastern cluster.The homology of nucleotides and amino acids among four Yunnan strains was 95.2% to 99.9% and 97.6% to 99.8% respectively;The genetic distance were close among four Yunnan strains and strains from Greece and Australia,the homology of nucleotides and amino acids between them were 90.4% to 95.6% and 95.1% to 99.1%;The genetic distance were distinct among four Yunnan strains and strains from Mediterranean countries (Italy,Fance,Algeria,Morocco and Tunisia) and South Africa;The homology of nucleotides and amino acids between them were below 83.8% and 95.7%,so we found that gene clusters distribution was related to the geographical distribution for BTV.In a conclusion,four Yunnan strains belong to Eastern cluster and the speed of genetic variation of M6 from Yunnan province was slow,so M6 gene could be used in study of gene group of distribution and origin of geographical area.     

An unusual case from paternity testing in dogs

We are solving disputed paternities in purebred dogs using microsatellite analysis. An interesting case involved four puppies for which pedigrees were already issued by the Swiss Kennel Club. The investigation had to be carried out without a sample from the stated sire. Even though the relationship of this sire could not be determined conclusively, comparison of microsatellite alleles within this family, including an alleged half-brother of the four puppies, showed clearly that the breeder had made contradictory statements and that false recordings of matings had occurred. The pedigrees for these four puppies were withdrawn and sanctions against the breeder were imposed.     

日粮中不同铁和铜水平对仔猪生长发育的影响

研究了日粮中不同铁和铜水平对仔猪生长发育的影响。铁水平组采用单因子4水平处理方法,分为1个对照组和4个试验组,每组4头仔猪,试验期为28 d;铜水平组采用二因子有重复试验设计,按照性别、体重随机分成4组,每组20头仔猪,试验期为28 d。结果表明,60 mg/kg酵母铁组的促生长效果较好;以250mg/kg的剂量向断奶仔猪料中添加硫酸铜,可以提高仔猪采食量和日增重,改善饲料利用率;添加5 mg/kg赖氨酸铜的经济效益较好。     

Pneumonia in Calves Produced with Aerosols of Bovine Herpesvirus 1 and Pasteurella haemolytica

In each of 11 experiments, four calves were exposed first to an aerosol of bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1, virus of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) and second to an aerosol of Pasteurella haemolytica. The interval between aerosols was three to five days. In two other experiments, calves were exposed only to a bacterial aerosol. Climate was controlled for all experiments from the day of viral exposure and for eight of the experiments it was also controlled for four to six days before the first aerosol. The concentration of infectious doses of virus in the aerosols and the number of bacteria in the aerosols of each calf were determined. Macroscopically recognizable rhinitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, tracheitis and pneumonia of lobar distribution in 42 lobes from 11 calves were seen in five experiments in which bacterial aerosol followed the viral aerosol by at least four days. One calf died with marked respiratory disease in each of four experiments within four days of exposure to the bacterial aerosol. Production of pneumonia was dependent on an interval between aerosols of at least four days but not on the condition of controlled climate on the environmental chamber either before or after the viral aerosol nor on the period of habituation allowed calves of some experiments.     

Radiotherapy of pituitary tumours in five cats

Five cats tentatively diagnosed with pituitary adenoma (four cases) or pituitary carcinoma (one case), based on computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging, were treated with radiotherapy. Electrons were applied in four cats and electrons and photons in the fifth. Ten to 12 fractions of 3.5 to 4.0 Gy each were delivered on a Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule. The mean total dose applied was 39 Gy. No severe acute side effects to treatment were seen. Follow-up CT examination was performed in four cats; the mass had disappeared in one cat and remained stable or slightly decreased in size in the other three. The survival times were 5.5, 8.0, 15.0, 18.0 and 20.5 months, with two cats dying of causes unrelated to the tumour. Based on these cases, radiotherapy appears to be a valuable treatment option for feline pituitary tumours.