两种奶牛功能性添加剂效果对比试验

选取泌乳期高产和低产奶牛各18头。高产和低产中各随机选取9头在日粮中添加纤维素复合酶,添加量为0．1kg／t精料;其余18头在日粮中添加酵母培养物,添加量为2kg／t精料。结果显示,高产组饲喂纤维素复合酶的奶牛试验期第35天时产奶量显著高于饲喂酵母培养物的奶牛（P=0．024）,低产组饲喂纤维素复合酶的奶牛试验期内产奶量呈稳步上升趋势;高产组饲喂纤维素复合酶的奶牛乳脂率在试验期28天显著高于同组中饲喂酵母培养物的奶牛（P=0．022）,乳蛋白率在试验第7天（P=0．044）和第28天（P=0．018）显著高于同组中饲喂酵母培养物的奶牛。     

Outbreak of disseminated zygomycosis and concomitant pulmonary aspergillosis in breeder layer cockerels

Disseminated zygomycosis and concomitant pulmonary aspergillosis were diagnosed in breeder layer cockerels. Five- to 9-week-old breeder layer cockerels with a history of an increased mortality rate were presented to a diagnostic laboratory for examination. On necropsy, large, multifocal, firm, tan, nodules were observed in the lungs, air sacs, peritoneum, livers, spleens and kidneys. On histopathology, mixed populations of zygomycetes and Aspergillus hyphae were observed in the granulomas in the lungs, and zygomycete hyphae were observed in the granulomas in the air sacs, peritoneum, livers, spleens and kidneys. No bacteria were isolated from any of the lesions. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from the lung lesions only and hyphae that were consistent with those of a Rhizopus spp. were isolated from the lesions in several organs. Pullets, which were kept together with the cockerels from the day they were hatched, were not affected. The absence of infection in the pullets, which were kept together with the cockerels, suggests that the cockerels were either infected during incubation, with the fungi penetrating the egg shell, or that they were infected during hatching before they were mixed with the pullets.     

Combined rotavirus and K99 Escherichia coli infection in gnotobiotic pigs

Fifty nine 3-day-old gnotobiotic pigs were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups: 14 pigs were orally inoculated with rotavirus (RV), 14 were orally inoculated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), 18 were orally inoculated with both agents, and 13 were controls. Pigs inoculated with RV plus ETEC were given the RV inoculum at 3 days of age and then, 24 hours later, were given the ETEC inoculum. Three pigs inoculated only with RV, 3 pigs inoculated only with ETEC, 4 pigs inoculated with RV plus ETEC, and 3 pigs in the control group were euthanatized at 5 and 7 days of age. Two pigs in each of the 4 experimental groups also were euthanatized at 9 days of age. Intestinal segments from 6 sites in the small intestine were examined by virologic, bacteriologic, and histologic procedures. For 10 days after inoculation, the remaining pigs in each group were observed clinically to monitor severity and duration of diarrhea, mortality, and shedding of RV or ETEC. Pigs inoculated with the combined RV plus ETEC inoculum developed more severe diarrhea, compared with pigs inoculated with the single agents; all dually inoculated pigs died between 3 and 6 days after inoculation. There was no mortality in pigs inoculated with either RV or ETEC. Lesions were restricted to the small intestine in pigs inoculated with RV plus ETEC and in pigs inoculated with RV or ETEC. There was no difference in the severity of the villus atrophy between the dually inoculated pigs and pigs inoculated only with RV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of levamisole on the clinical and immunologic responses to oral vaccine of Treponema hyodysenteriae

Conventionally raised crossbred Hampshire pigs were vaccinated orally with attenuated Treponema hyodysenteriae in combination with an anthelmintic, levamisole or dichlorvos. Pigs in group I (n = 9) were treated with levamisole and vaccinated with attenuated T hyodysenteriae and those in group II (n = 9) were treated with levamisole and permitted to commingle (contact exposure) with group I. Pigs in group III (n = 9) were vaccinated in a similar manner and were treated with dichlorvos. Pigs in group IV (n = 9) were treated with dichlorvos and permitted to commingle with group III. Control pigs (group V; n = 9) were not given any anthelmintic, nor were they vaccinated; they were housed separately. During the 8-week interval between vaccination and challenge inoculation, 4 total days and 8 total days of diarrhea were observed in pigs in groups I and II, respectively. Likewise, 5 total days and 10 total days of diarrhea were seen in groups III and IV, respectively. In all groups, the pigs tended to shed the organism in their feces after they were vaccinated or challenge inoculated, as determined by a fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) and culture procedure (CP). Overall mean shedding patterns of 5.5% and 24.5% identified by CP and FAT, respectively, were seen in the 2 levamisole-treated groups (I and II). In contrast, mean shedding patterns of 4% and 18% of the isolation attempts were detected by CP and FAT, respectively, in the 2 dichlorvos-treated groups. Diarrhea and shedding of T hyodysenteriae in the controls (group V) did not occur.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evaluation of plate luting, using an in vivo ovine osteotomy model

Bilateral, midshaft metacarpal osteotomies were performed in 11 sheep and bilateral, midshaft radial osteotomies were performed in 7 sheep. The lesions were repaired with bone plates. One of each pair of plates was luted with polymethylmethacrylate and all screws were tightened uniformly with a torque screwdriver. Sheep were allowed unrestricted exercise after surgery. At 8 weeks, 10 of 11 sheep with metacarpal osteotomies were sound and both osteotomies were healing. Seven were lame on the limb with the unluted plate during the first 3 weeks; 4 were never lame on either limb. The screws of the unluted plates were significantly (P less than 0.01) looser at 8 weeks than those in the luted plates. All of the sheep with radial osteotomies were lame in the limb with the unluted plate. Four of 7 sheep had overt loosening of the unluted plates. One sheep only had mild screw loosening with continued alignment of the osteotomy. Two of 7 sheep fractured the radius with the luted plate; these 2 sheep were lame in the limb with the unluted plate and were using the limb with the luted plate vigorously. Excluding the 2 sheep with fractures, all had substantially more screw loosening in the unluted plate. Histologically, there were no discernible differences in the vascularity or porosity of the bone under the luted vs the unluted plates. The only adverse consequence of the luting technique was introduction of a small amount of polymethylmethacrylate into the osteotomy gap in 5 bones.     

Evaluation of the relationship between causative organisms and clinical characteristics of infective endocarditis in dogs: 71 cases (1992-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate microbiologic findings in dogs with infective endocarditis (IE) and determine whether there were differences in clinical features of disease caused by different groups of infective agents. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 71 dogs with suspected or definite IE. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for results of bacterial culture and susceptibility testing, serologic assays for vector-borne disease, and PCR testing on vegetative growths. Cases were grouped by causative organism and relationships among infectious agent group, and various hematologic, biochemical, and clinical variables were determined. Survival analyses were used to determine associations between infecting organisms and outcome. RESULTS: Causative bacteria were identified in 41 of 71 (58%) dogs. Gram-positive cocci were the causative agents in most (21/41; 51%) infections, with Streptococcus canis associated with 24% of infections. Gram-negative organisms were detected in 9 of the 41 (22%) dogs. Infection with Bartonella spp was detected in 6 of 31 (19%) dogs with negative results for microbial growth on blood culture. Aortic valve involvement and congestive heart failure were more frequent in dogs with endocarditis from Bartonella spp infection, and those dogs were more likely to be afebrile. Infection with Bartonella spp was negatively correlated with survival. Mitral valve involvement and polyarthritis were more frequent in dogs with streptococcal endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Streptococci were the most common cause of IE and were more likely to infect the mitral valve and be associated with polyarthritis. Dogs with IE secondary to Bartonella spp infection were often afebrile, more likely to develop congestive heart failure, rarely had mitral valve involvement, and had shorter survival times.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of fentanyl-droperidol, nitrous oxide, and atropine sulfate in dogs.

The cardiopulmonary effects of droperidol-fentanyl, nitrous oxide, and atropine were evaluated in 12 adult male Beagle dogs. All dogs were surgically instrumented with a cardiac output thermistor and arterial and venous catheters and were prepared with a chronic tracheostomy. Each dog was used as its own control, and data obtained when dogs were nonanesthetized and nonmedicated were compared with data recorded after the test drugs were administered. The dogs were randomly allotted to 3 groups of 4 dogs each. Group I dogs were given droperidol-fentanyl alone intravenously (IV); group II dogs were given droperidol-fentanyl IV with 67% nitrous oxide; and group III dogs were given atropine sulfate intramuscularly followed by droperidol-fentanyl IV with 67% nitrous oxide. Minute volume was decreased in the 3 groups of dogs for 3 to 5 minutes after droperidol-fentanyl was injected. This resulted in respiratory and metabolic acidosis in all dogs, as indicated by increased arterial carbon dioxide tension, decreased pH, and increased base deficit. In addition, droperidol-fentanyl given alone caused a decrease in systolic pressure and a slight decrease in heart rate. Group 1 dogs were sensitive to auditory stimulation. Cardiovascular changes were not seen when nitrous oxide was added; however, analgesia and muscle relaxation were improved. Premedication with atropine sulfate resulted in increased cardiac output, heart rate, and diastolic pressure, and subsequent administration of droperidol-fentanyl with nitrous oxide caused a transient increase in mean arterial and systolic pressure. This last anesthetic regimen, along with assisted or controlled respiration, seems to provide an excellent anesthetic state with minimal cardiopulmonary depression.     

IL-4受体阻断对小鼠急性感染肝片吸虫后肝脏单核细胞悬液中细胞因子的影响

本研究旨在探索肝片吸虫感染小鼠急性期肝脏单核细胞悬液中细胞因子表达模式及其原因。试验将小鼠分为4组,分别对感染抗体处置组、感染非抗体处置组、抗体处置非感染组和非抗体处置非感染组的肝脏单核细胞培养上清液中IL-4、IL-5、IL-13及IFN-γ进行测定;同时也对肝脏中IL-4及IL-12P40 mRNA水平进行荧光定量PCR检测。结果显示,IL-4和IL-5的表达模式相似。在非感染状态下,无论是否进行抗体处置,两者都处于较低表达水平。在感染状态下,两者在非抗体处置小鼠中的表达显著高于抗体处置组(P<0.05)。IL-13与IL-4及IL-5的表达差异在于感染并用抗体处置后,小鼠肝脏单核细胞中的IL-13仍有较高水平表达。IFN-γ的表达量在感染后有所增加,但在有无抗体处理间无显著差异(P>0.05)。mRNA检测结果显示,在非感染状态下,抗体处置后的IL-4 mRNA水平显著低于非抗体处置组(P<0.05)。感染后非抗体处置组小鼠中IL-4 mRNA水平极显著高于抗体处置组(P<0.01),同时也极显著高于非感染非抗体处置组(P<0.01)。IL-12P40 mRNA的水平在感染状态下,抗体处置组的IL-12P40 mRNA虽较非抗体处置组低,但无显著差异(P>0.05)。但感染后非抗体处置组的IL-12P40 mRNA水平均极显著高于感染组抗体处置和非抗体处置组(P<0.01)。本试验结果表明,IL-4Rα对肝片吸虫感染急性期IL-5和IL-4的表达极其重要,但对IL-13及IFN-γ的影响较小。     

生物添加剂和含水率对紫花苜蓿和猫尾草青贮发酵品质的影响

试验旨在研究紫花苜蓿绿汁发酵液（AFGJ）、猫尾草绿汁发酵液（TFGJ）、乳酸菌制剂（LAB）、纤维素酶（CEL）及LAB＋CEL（MIX）对紫花苜蓿和猫尾草青贮发酵品质的影响。用紫花苜蓿和猫尾草各2种含水率（高、低）的原料制作了青贮。每个处理设2次重复，常温下贮存50d，开封后测定青贮的发酵品质。研究结果表明，添加剂对紫花苜蓿和猫尾草青贮的发酵品质有显著影响（P〈0．05），除AFGJ和TFGJ高含水率紫花苜蓿青贮外，各种添加剂均不同程度地改善了高、低含水率紫花苜蓿和猫尾草青贮的发酵品质；含水率对紫花苜蓿和猫尾草青贮的发酵品质有显著影响（P〈0．05），2种牧草均是低含水率优于高含水率青贮的发酵品质；添加剂和含水率对青贮的发酵品质有显著的交互作用（P〈0．05）。综合各项指标，在高、低含水率紫花苜蓿青贮中均以添加MIX效果最好；在高含水率猫尾草青贮中，添加TFGJ和AFGJ效果相近且优于其他添加剂；在低含水率猫尾草青贮中添加AFGJ、TFGJ、LAB和MIX效果相近，且优于添加CEL。结果表明，适当降低原料含水率并选择适宜的添加剂可调制优质青贮。     

燕麦种质抗坚黑穗病鉴定与评价

为明确不同燕麦种质抗坚黑穗病(Ustilago segetum var.avenae)的差异和探讨形成燕麦抗坚黑穗病鉴定技术规范,于2013-2014年采用菌粉拌种和菌土覆盖的接种方法对135份燕麦种质进行坚黑穗病的田间抗性鉴定,结果表明,在菌粉拌种条件下,64份裸燕麦中,12份免疫,6份高抗,1份抗,19份中感,16份感,10份高感,分别占鉴定裸燕麦的18.8%,9.4%,1.6%,29.7%,25.0%,15.6%;71份皮燕麦中,45份免疫,22份高抗,2份抗,2份中感,分别占鉴定皮燕麦的63.4%,31.0%,2.8%,2.8%。在菌土覆盖条件下,64份裸燕麦中,17份免疫,8份高抗,13份抗,22份中感,3份感,1份高感,分别占鉴定裸燕麦的26.6%,12.5%,20.3%,34.4%,4.7%,1.6%;71份皮燕麦中,56份免疫,13份高抗,1份抗,1份中感,分别占鉴定皮燕麦的78.9%,18.3%,1.4%,1.4%;在2种接种方法下,62份材料抗性完全一致;10份材料在菌粉拌种接种方法的抗病性低于菌土覆盖的抗病性;菌粉拌种较菌土覆盖易使63个燕麦品种的发病率增加,使其抗病性下降,说明菌粉拌种接种方法明显优于菌土覆盖。试验中获得的这些有效抗病种质,可为品种的合理布局和更替提供科学依据,同时可为育种部门提供核心抗源。     

燕麦种质抗坚黑穗病鉴定与评价

为明确不同燕麦种质抗坚黑穗病（Ustilago segetum var. avenae）的差异和探讨形成燕麦抗坚黑穗病鉴定技术规范,于2013-2014年采用菌粉拌种和菌土覆盖的接种方法对135份燕麦种质进行坚黑穗病的田间抗性鉴定,结果表明,在菌粉拌种条件下,64份裸燕麦中,12份免疫,6份高抗,1份抗,19份中感,16份感,10份高感,分别占鉴定裸燕麦的18.8%,9.4%,1.6%,29.7%,25.0%,15.6%;71份皮燕麦中,45份免疫,22份高抗,2份抗,2份中感,分别占鉴定皮燕麦的63.4%,31.0%,2.8%,2.8%。在菌土覆盖条件下,64份裸燕麦中,17份免疫,8份高抗,13份抗,22份中感,3份感,1份高感,分别占鉴定裸燕麦的26.6%,12.5%,20.3%,34.4%,4.7%,1.6%;71份皮燕麦中,56份免疫,13份高抗,1份抗,1份中感,分别占鉴定皮燕麦的78.9%,18.3%,1.4%,1.4%;在2种接种方法下,62份材料抗性完全一致;10份材料在菌粉拌种接种方法的抗病性低于菌土覆盖的抗病性;菌粉拌种较菌土覆盖易使63个燕麦品种的发病率增加,使其抗病性下降,说明菌粉拌种接种方法明显优于菌土覆盖。试验中获得的这些有效抗病种质,可为品种的合理布局和更替提供科学依据,同时可为育种部门提供核心抗源。     

苜蓿素对AA肉仔鸡免疫指标的影响

为研究不同剂量的苜蓿素对AA肉仔鸡免疫指标的影响,选取1日龄AA肉仔鸡120只,随机分为4组,对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验Ⅰ~Ⅲ组基础日粮中分别添加150、300、450 mg/kg苜蓿素。分别于28、35和42 d从每组取10只鸡进行采血,测定血清球蛋白含量;取法氏囊和脾脏,称重并计算免疫器官指数;采用MTT比色法测定T、B淋巴细胞增殖能力。结果表明,基础日粮中添加300 mg/kg苜蓿素饲喂28 d,能够显著提高AA肉仔鸡法氏囊指数（P〈0.05）;添加450 mg/kg苜蓿素饲喂28 d,能够显著提高AA肉仔鸡血清球蛋白含量和免疫器官指数（P〈0.05）。添加300 mg/kg苜蓿素饲喂35 d,能够显著提高AA肉仔鸡血清球蛋白含量、免疫器官指数（P〈0.05）,显著促进B淋巴细胞增殖（P〈0.05）;添加450 mg/kg苜蓿素饲喂35 d,能够显著提高血清球蛋白含量、脾脏指数（P〈0.05）,显著促进T淋巴细胞增殖（P〈0.05）,极显著促进B淋巴细胞增殖（P〈0.01）。添加300和450 mg/kg苜蓿素饲喂42 d,能够极显著提高AA肉仔鸡法氏囊指数（P〈0.01）;添加450 mg/kg苜蓿素饲喂42 d,能够显著促进B淋巴细胞增殖（P〈0.05）。结果提示,日粮中添加苜蓿素能够提高多项AA肉仔鸡免疫指标,以添加450 mg/kg效果最优。     

Polysaccharide storage myopathy in canine phosphofructokinase deficiency (type VII glycogen storage disease)

A severe, progressive myopathy developed in an 11-year-old, phosphofructokinase (PFK)-deficient, male, English Springer Spaniel dog. Results from a routine neurological examination were normal. Examination of histologic sections of skeletal muscle revealed large accumulations of material in some myofibers. These deposits were pale, basophilic, somewhat flocculent, and slightly granular with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Most fascicles examined in sections of limb and trunk muscles were affected to some degree, with up to 10% of muscle fibers being involved. Deposits stained strongly with periodic acid-Schiff and were resistant to digestion by alpha amylase but were removed by incubation with gamma amylase. Deposits were faintly positive with Gomori's methenamine silver technique and alcian blue (pH 2.5) and were brown-gray with Lugol's iodine solution but were negative with other stains. Based on staining characteristics, the deposits seemed to consist primarily of an amylopectin-like polysaccharide(s). Alcian blue staining (pH 2.5) was removed by treatment with neuraminidase but not with hyaluronidase, indicating that some sialic acid residues were also present. Electron microscopically, the deposits were composed of short granular filaments, small granules and amorphous material. They were not membrane bound. The morphologic appearance and staining characteristics of the deposits were remarkably similar to deposits previously described in human PFK-deficient myopathy. As expected, total PFK activities were markedly reduced when assayed in skeletal muscles of this dog. In contrast with other PFK-deficient dogs, muscle glycogen in this animal was not increased above that of normal dogs.     

In vitro comparison of three fixation methods for humeral fracture repair in adult horses

The stiffness, load to failure, and bending moments of adult intact equine humeri and humeri repaired with 3 fixation techniques were determined in vitro. Bones were tested in axial compression (30 pairs), mediolateral 3-point bending (15 pairs), and caudocranial 3-point bending (15 pairs). An oblique osteotomy of 1 humerus of each pair was performed to simulate the long spiral oblique fractures that occur clinically in horses. Bones were repaired in 3 ways: group 1--nylon band cerclage fixation (20 bones); group 2--multiple intramedullary pinning (20 bones); and group 3--nylon band cerclage fixation and multiple intramedullary pinning (20 bones). Intact bones were significantly (P less than 0.05) stronger than repaired bones in each testing mode. Bones repaired with bands only were significantly less stiff in bending than were bones repaired with pins only or with pins and bands. In compression, only specimens repaired with pins and bands were significantly stiffer than were bones repaired with bands only. Bones repaired with bands only required significantly less load to failure in compression and in caudocranial bending than did bones repaired with pins only or with pins and bands. Bones repaired with pins only deformed through the full displacement of the actuator (5 cm), and pins deformed plastically. Bones repaired with pins and bands were stiffer and had higher bending moments than did bones repaired with pins only, but the differences were not significant.     

新城疫复合物疫苗对1日龄雏鸡免疫效果的研究

用新城疫病毒La Sota株作为复合物疫苗抗原,与新城疫特异性中和抗体混匀配制成4种不同比例的复合物疫苗,用1日龄普通雏鸡进行免疫效果对比试验。试验1~4组分别为免疫复合物疫苗1~4,试验5组免疫常规新城疫活苗,试验6组为空白对照组。免疫后3周采血测定HI抗体效价,同时用新城疫强毒北京株F48E9攻击。试验结果显示,试验1~6组HI抗体效价分别为3.2log2、3.1log2、3.3log2、3.2log2、3.1log2、2.9log2;攻毒后,试验1~6组鸡的死亡率分别为15%、20%、0%、35%、30%、50%。因此,新城疫病毒La Sota株与新城疫特异性抗体制备成复合物疫苗,能保持疫苗中抗原的免疫原性,并可减轻疫苗的毒副作用,提高疫苗的安全性,其免疫效果比常规活苗好。     

Macroscopic,cytological and bacteriological evaluation of anal sac content in normal dogs and in dogs with selected dermatological diseases

Abstract Macroscopic and cytological aspects of anal sac content were evaluated in 40 normal dogs and 10 dogs each with pyoderma, Malassezia dermatitis associated with atopic dermatitis and uncomplicated atopic dermatitis. Bacteria isolated from anal sacs were compared with those from abdominal skin and hair in 20 normal dogs and 10 dogs with pyoderma. There was no difference between the groups in anal sac dimension, or in the colour, consistency or presence of granules in their content. Extracellular bacteria were found in higher numbers in diseased animals, whereas intracellular bacteria were observed in 40% of dogs with pyoderma and in only 2.5% of normal dogs. Malassezia spp. were present in 15.7% of dogs, with no difference between groups. Neutrophils were observed in 12.5% of normal dogs, 30% of dogs with Malassezia dermatitis with underlying atopic dermatitis and in 70 and 80% of dogs with pyoderma and uncomplicated atopic dermatitis, respectively. Seven bacterial species were isolated from anal sacs, with no difference between normal dogs and dogs with pyoderma. In five normal animals and in four dogs with pyoderma the same bacterial strains were isolated from anal sacs and from abdominal skin and hair.     

五种市售鸡传染性鼻炎灭活疫苗免疫效力比较

本研究对国内市场上几个主要鸡传染性鼻炎灭活疫苗生产厂家生产的灭活疫苗免疫鸡只进行血清HI抗体水平测定和攻毒,比较不同公司所产疫苗效力的效力差异,并评估A、C型二价灭活疫苗两次免疫鸡群对国内B型分离株:DL-1株和最近从免疫失败鸡场分离到的SD-1株的交叉保护作用,分析免疫失败的原因.结果表明:A、D、E公司的疫苗免疫两次后,A型HI抗体阳性率分别为92.5%、100%和95%,滴度分别为33.9、55.1和59.9,攻毒保护率都是100%.C型HI抗体阳性率分别为72.5%、38.5%和77.5%,滴度分别为11.4、2.7和27,攻毒保护率分别为80%、70%和80%.而B和C公司的疫苗免疫两次后A型HI抗体阳性率分别为59.4%、77.1%,抗体滴度分别为5.4和21.8,攻毒保护率分别为50%和66.7%;C型HI抗体阳性率分别为54.1%和51.4%,抗体滴度分别为6.1和6.8,攻毒保护率分别为38.3%和50%.在五个疫苗产品中,以A、D、E的保护效力较好,B、C产品效力较差.另外,A、C型二价灭活疫苗免疫后不能对B型菌的攻击提供保护,其A、C型HI抗体阳性率、抗体滴度与对B型菌攻毒保护率无相关性.     

Management of acquired flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint in Equidae

Fifteen horses with flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joint were evaluated and their conditions were designated as mild, moderate, or severe. Evaluations were made on the basis of clinical signs and lesions seen on radiography. Horses with mild deformities were treated with corrective trimming and shoeing; those with moderate deformities were treated with desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon and corrective shoeing. Desmotomies of the accessory ligaments of both deep and superficial digital flexor tendons were performed on horses severely affected, followed by corrective shoeing. In this long-term study, 4 horses with mild lesions and 4 horses with moderate lesions returned to useful work. None of the horses with severe disease responded enough to withstand strenuous athletic training.     

Use of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasonography in Chronic Pathologic Canine Testes

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound with sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles was performed in seven healthy dogs without a history of reproductive pathology and with histologically confirmed normal testes and in 42 dogs with chronic scrotal anomalies. All dogs underwent orchiectomy and histological examination. Enhancement patterns and perfusion parameters (peak intensity and regional blood flow) of testes of healthy dogs and testes with chronic lesions were compared. Fourteen non‐pathologic and 60 pathologic testes were considered. Forty testes were neoplastic (24 interstitial cell tumours, 9 seminomas, 7 Sertoli cell tumours), 20 were non‐neoplastic (16 testicular degenerations, 2 chronic orchitis, 1 testicular atrophy, 1 interstitial cell hyperplasia). In healthy dogs, the contrast medium flow had a rapid homogeneous wash‐in and wash‐out, with a short peak phase. With contrast ultrasound, testes that were inhomogeneous with a hyperenhancing pattern were associated with neoplasia (sensitivity: 87.5%, specificity: 100%). Lesions with persistent inner vessels and a hypo‐to‐isoechoic background were significantly associated with seminomas (sensitivity: 77.8%, specificity: 100%). Testes with non‐neoplastic lesions were characterized by a scant/moderate homogeneous enhancement. Perfusion parameters were higher in neoplastic lesions. Contrast ultrasound was a feasible diagnostic tool in the assessment of testicular lesions, with hyperenhancement being an important feature in the diagnosis of malignancy.     

A retrospective study of canine and feline cutaneous vasculitis

Twenty-one cases of cutaneous vasculitis in small animals (dogs and cats) were reviewed, and cases were divided by clinical signs into five groups. An attempt was made to correlate clinical types of vasculitis with histological inflammatory patterns, response to therapeutic drugs and prognosis. Greater than 50% of the cases were idiopathic, whereas five were induced by rabies vaccine, two were associated with hypersensitivity to beef, one was associated with lymphosarcoma and two were associated with the administration of oral drugs (ivermectin and itraconazole). Only the cases of rabies vaccine-induced vasculitis in dogs had a consistent histological inflammatory pattern (mononuclear/nonleukocytoclastic) and were responsive to combination therapy with prednisone and pentoxifylline, or to prednisone alone. Most cases with neutrophilic or neutrophilic/eosinophilic inflammatory patterns histologically did not respond to pentoxifylline, but responded to sulfone/sulfonamide drugs, prednisone, or a combination of the two.