SUBCUTANEOUS FOREIGN BODY IN A HORSE RESEMBLING FISTULOUS WITHERS

This clinical report describes the ultrasonographic and radiographic evaluation of a horse presented for fistulous withers. A metal foreign body resulting in a draining tract in the area of the withers was identified and surgically removed.     

Fistulous withers in horses: 14 cases (1978-1987)

Over an 8-year period, 14 horses were admitted to the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine for evaluation of fistulous withers. Of the 14 horses, 11 were treated surgically and 3 were not treated. Surgical techniques involved radical excision of the affected soft tissue and spinous processes of affected vertebrae. Recurrence rate was 30%, and these horses required additional surgery to resolve the problem.     

Equine onchocerciasis in Queensland and the Northern Territory of Australia

Investigations were conducted on the taxonomy, distribution in the carcase, pathology and transmission of Onchocerca spp. in equids from Queensland and the Northern Territory. Examination of small groups of horses and ponies revealed high infection rates with O. cervicalis, while lesser numbers were infected with O. gutturosa. O. reticulata was not found. Neither of the Australian species is likely to be of economic importance to the horsemeat industry. The findings support the belief that O. cervicalis is a pre-disposing factor in the aetiology of equine nuchal disease, most commonly seen clinically as fistulous withers. O. gutturosa is virtually non-pathogenic. Forcipomyia (Lasiohelea) townsvillensis, Austrosimulium pestilens and Culicoides victoriae are suggested as potential vectors, and it is unlikely that C. brevitarsis is involved.     

Fistulous withers in horses: 24 cases (1984-1990).

Between Jan 1, 1984 and Aug 1, 1990, 27 horses were admitted to the veterinary medical center for evaluation of fistulous withers. Nine (37.5%) of 24 horses tested for antibody to Brucella abortus were seropositive. Horses that tested seropositive were significantly (P = 0.046) more likely to have been pastured with cattle that were seropositive for B abortus, and were significantly (P = 0.010) more likely to have had radiographic evidence of vertebral osteomyelitis than were horses that tested seronegative. Five horses that were seropositive for B abortus were administered strain 19 brucella vaccine sc (n = 1) or iv (n = 4). The horse treated by sc injection of vaccine improved during hospitalization, but was lost to follow-up evaluation. Three (75%) of 4 horses treated by iv injection died, but 1 horse recovered within 4 weeks of treatment.     

The Influence of Speed and Height at the Withers on the Kinematics of Sound Horses at the Hand-Led Trot

The influence of speed and height at the withers on some biokinematic stride parameters (linear, temporal and angular) was measured in 15 Spanish Thoroughbreds (Andalusian Purebred) trotted hand-led along a track; analysis was made of the correlation between speed and height at the withers and of some biokinematic parameters of equine locomotion. Both height at the withers and speed were positively and significantly correlated to the linear parameters examined. Temporal parameters did not reveal a significant correlation with the height at the withers. The correlations with the angular parameters were variable, often being significant for both height at withers and speed, although in most cases the coefficient was relatively low, probably owing to the narrow ranges of speed and height at the withers and their low variability. It was concluded that horses at the hand-led trot tend to have low variability in speed during successive trials, although the speed at which they move does have a significant influence on both linear and temporal stride parameters, and also on several angular parameters, while height at the withers has a major effect on linear parameters but less on angular parameters, and does not affect the temporal parameters.     

Elastase-producing microorganisms in horse lungs: their possible role in the pathogenesis of chronic pulmonary disease in the horse

Seventeen out of 21 horses had pulmonary microbial organisms which reached considerable numbers in seven cases. Elastase-producing microorganisms from the environment (Streptomyces species and to a lesser extent Bacillus species) constituted 22 per cent to 99 per cent (mean 79 per cent) of the total growth. There was a considerable number of microorganisms with in vitro-produced elastases which were not or only slightly affected by horse serum. There was no correlation between numbers of organisms and pulmonary histopathological findings thus the significance of these microorganisms in the pathogenesis of alveolar emphysema is unknown. The growth of a strain of Streptomyces collinus/diastatochromogus isolated from the lungs was suppressed by fresh horse serum but not by decomplemented horse serum. Complement activation in response to this organism could contribute to airway inflammation through the production of mediators.     

甘肃省河西地区马类动物气喘病微生物学检查

本研究从35例气喘病马类动物中分离出与气喘病发生有关的微生物有普通高温放线菌、普通高温放线菌橙色变种、热吸水链霉菌、干草小多孢菌、构巢曲霉、桔青霉、局限青霉、杂色曲霉、禾谷镰刀菌、短密青霉、高大毛霉以及副流感3型。其中以嗜热放线菌类为主,并以9头健康马类动物和牲畜的饲草饲料中也分离到嗜热放线菌类和毛霉、青霉、曲霉等。试验证明,这些微生物在自然界分布广泛,而病畜体内菌检率较健畜为高。除了杂色曲霉和构巢曲霉外,其它在国内尚未见有在马类动物气喘病中分离的报道,而热吸水链霉菌在国外也未见报道。     

Sequence variants at the myostatin gene locus influence the body composition of Thoroughbred horses

Myostatin is a member of the transforming growth factor-β family with a key role in inhibition of muscle growth by negative regulation of both myoblast proliferation and differentiation. Recently, a genomic region on ECA18, which includes the MSTN gene, was identified as a candidate region influencing racing performance in Thoroughbreds. In this study, four SNPs on ECA18, g.65809482T>C, g.65868604G>T, g.66493737C>T, and g.66539967A>G, were genotyped in 91 Thoroughbred horses-in-training to evaluate the association between genotype and body composition traits, including body weight, withers height, chest circumference, cannon circumference, and body weight/withers height. Of these, statistically differences in body weight and body weight/withers height were associated with specific genotypes in males. Specifically, body weight/withers height showed statistically significant differences depending on genotype at g.658604G>T, g.66493737C>T, and g.66539967A>G (P<0.01) in males during the training period. Animals with a genotype associated with suitability for short-distance racing, C/C at g.66493737C>T, had the highest value (3.17 ± 0.05 kg·cm(-1)) for body weight/withers height in March, while those with a genotype associated with suitability for long-distance racing, T/T, had the lowest (2.99 ± 0.03 kg·cm(-1)). In females, the trends in the association of body weight/withers height with genotypes were similar to those observed in males. As the SNPs are not believed to be linked to coding variants in MSTN, these results suggest that regulation of MSTN gene expression influences skeletal muscle mass and hence racing performance, particularly optimum race distance, in Thoroughbred horses.     

Fractures of the withers in horses

The objective was to determine the prognostic features and long‐term outcome of withers fractures in horses. Medical records and radiographs of 14 horses with withers fractures from 2 veterinary teaching hospitals were reviewed. Case details, presentation, clinical signs, radiographs, treatment and outcome were assessed. In all cases, withers fractures were found to occur following a fall on the back. Although horses were often presented with severe acute clinical signs, the long‐term prognosis was good, in the absence of neurological signs, and following extended conservative management (an approximate 6 month rest period).     

Treatment using cannabidiol in a horse with mechanical allodynia

A 4-year-old Quarter Horse mare was seen in the field by Colorado State University's Equine Sports Medicine Service for a 5-week history of marked sensitivity to touch near the withers/shoulder region. On examination, the mare showed a marked adverse response to light touch over the caudal neck and withers region. Diagnostic imaging of the caudal neck, withers and shoulder region showed no significant abnormalities. Vital parameters, complete blood count and chemistry profile were also within normal limits, as was a reproductive ultrasound examination. The mare received dexamethasone, gabapentin, magnesium/vitamin E, prednisolone and aquapuncture with no improvement in clinical signs. The mare was then started on pure crystalline cannabidiol (250 mg by mouth twice daily), which resolved the clinical signs after 2 days.     

不同复合微生物菌剂对牛粪堆肥效果的影响

为了探讨不同复合微生物菌剂对牛粪堆肥的影响,该试验以70％牛粪+30％玉米秸秆为堆肥材料(C/N=(25～35)/1),设计4个堆肥处理,前3个处理组分别加入0.1％的复合微生物菌剂1(枯草芽孢杆菌+细黄链霉菌(1∶1))、复合微生物菌剂2(里氏木霉+细黄链霉菌(1∶1))和复合微生物菌剂3(枯草芽孢杆菌+里氏木霉+细...     

Bacterial endocarditis in the dog

The literature on bacterial endocarditis is reviewed. The condition is illustrated by three cases in which the findings on clinical, radiological, electrocardiographical, bacteriological and post-mortem examinations are described. In one case a 2-year-old Boxer, the causal organism was an atypical Corynebacterium and in another, a 6-year-old Alsatian, it was Proteus vulgaris . Neither of these organisms have been previously associated with canine bacterial endocarditis. The third case is an example of a chronic, long standing lesion, from which no organisms were isolated.     

中国荷斯坦后备奶牛生长发育规律的研究

通过对西安现代化农业开发公司草滩农场170头荷斯坦牛后备牛初生,4月龄至16月龄体高、体长、胸围及体重进行测定,统计各月龄体高、体长、胸围及体重的累积生长的平均值、绝对生长值、相对生长值,对应绘制出四项指标的累计生长、相对生长曲线;分析了西安地区中国荷斯坦牛的早期生长发育状况,为制定后备牛的培育方案奠定了基础。     

Measuring the height of ponies at the withers: influence of time of day, water and feed withdrawal, weight-carrying, exercise and sedation

Measuring the height at the withers of a pony is one of the requirements of the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), before competitors can participate in an official pony event. A pony has to be measured each year until it is eight years old. With and without shoes the height at the withers must be below 149.0cm and 148.0cm, respectively. When a pony exceeds the regulated height, it is excluded from participating in FEI pony competitions. Besides being excluded from competing, the selling price of the pony decreases dramatically, because the animal is then classified as a horse. For these reasons some owners may be tempted to try to influence wither height. The aim of the study was to determine whether the height of a pony at the withers can be influenced by variables such as time of day, water and feed withdrawal, weight carrying, exercise or sedation. To see if there was any influence of these variables on the measured height, the animals were measured at the beginning of the experiment and after completion, according to a standardized protocol. Fifteen healthy horses aged 7-17 years old and 16 healthy ponies aged 5-18 years were used for the study. A statistical evaluation determined whether there was a significant difference between the height at the withers before and after the experiment (P<0.05). Time of day, water and feed withdrawal, carrying weight, exercise and sedation all tended to decrease the height at the withers, but, with the exception of the data collected from the sedation-trial, the results were not significant. At the beginning of the experiment, the mean height at the withers of all eight animals was 165.0+/-4.6cm; 15min after giving a standard dose of 5microg/kg detomidine-HCl per horse IV, the mean height had decreased to 163.7+/-4.5cm. Even 2h after administration of the sedative, the mean height at the withers was still 163.7+/-4.6cm. However, at both measuring points, it was still clinically apparent that the animals were sedated. The results demonstrate that it is not possible for owners to significantly influence the height at the withers except by administrating a sedative.     

青年伊犁马步幅指数及步频指数与运动性能的关联性分析

试验旨在研究青年伊犁马不同运动性能间步幅指数与步频指数的差异,并探究其与运动性能的关联性,以期提高伊犁马个体选择和性能测定的科学性和准确性。试验以参加伊犁马常态化赛事的72匹2岁伊犁马为研究对象,测量其体尺与步态特征,计算其各项步幅指数与步频指数,分析不同途程、不同运动性能间的差异,并对各指标与竞赛用时做偏相关分析,探究各指标与运动性能的关联性。结果表明,伊犁马1 600 m竞赛中,精英组体高步频指数、体长步频指数均极显著高于普通组（P<0.01）,且与竞赛用时呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）,精英组体高双支撑相步幅指数、体长双支撑相步幅指数、体高步幅指数、体长步幅指数均极显著高于普通组（P<0.01）,并与竞赛用时呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）;3 600 m竞赛中,精英组体高步频指数、体长步频指数极显著高于普通组（P<0.01）,体长步频指数与竞赛用时呈极显著负相关（P<0.01）,精英组体高双支撑相步幅指数,体长双支撑相步幅指数均显著高于普通组（P<0.05）,且与竞赛用时呈显著负相关（P<0.05）。体高步频指数与体长步频指数可作为青年伊犁马的首选性能评估和选择指标,可广泛用于青年伊犁马育种和训练实践中,以提高性能评估效率。     

Associations between prion protein genotype and type traits in East Friesian milk sheep

Linear models were used to analyse the relationships between the prion protein genotypes and the height at the withers and rump, the heart girth and the length of the trunk of 440 East Friesian milk sheep. Significant associations were found between the ARR allele and the height of the withers and rump, and heart girth. The average height at the withers of the homozygous ARR/ARR sheep was 1.9 cm less than that of ARQ/ARQ sheep and 1.6 cm less than in sheep heterozygous for ARR; the height at the rump, length of the trunk and heart girth were similarly smaller. In the ARR/ARR ewes, the average height at the withers was 2.6 cm less and the height at the rump was 1.9 cm less than in the ARQ/ARQ ewes.     

家蚕丝素固定化链霉菌的生物化学特性

脱胶蚕丝经不同处理制得多孔碱化丝素和丝素粉末 ,采用吸附和戊二醛交联法将链霉菌 (StreptomycesflavovirensA8)固定 ,制得不同的固定化链霉菌 (Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ )。实验结果表明 :其固定化链霉菌Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ的米氏常数分别为Km1=2 4 0 73× 10 -2 mol/L ,Km2 =2 5 36× 10 -2 mol/L ,Km3 =2 772 3× 10 -2 mol/L ,而游离链霉菌的Kmf 为2 3715× 10 -2 mol/L ;固定化链霉菌Ⅰ的酶活力半衰期在 6 4d以上 ,固定化链霉菌Ⅱ和Ⅲ的半衰期最长达 6 8d ;固定化链霉菌对尿素有较强的抵抗能力 ;Co2 + 、Mg2 + 对链霉菌葡萄糖异构酶有激活作用 ,而Fe3 + 和Ca2 + 是葡萄糖异构酶的抑制剂。     

TUBERCULOSIS-LIKE GRANULOMAS IN CATTLE CAUSED BY ACTINOMYCETES

From 280 lesions from normal cattle at slaughter, 10 were found to contain thin, branching, Gram-positive organisms belonging to the Nocardia/Streptomyces group and this was confirmed by culture in 3 cases. Macroscopically the older lesions were similar in appearance to those of tuberculosis. Microscopically, all lesions contained numerous foreign body giant cells and thin, branching organisms. The older lesions also contained areas of necrosis, caseation, mineralisation and fibrosis.     

Live weight estimation of donkeys in central Mexico from measurement of thoracic circumference

Body measurements (length from nape of neck to the withers; height to withers; length from withers to tail root; length from shoulder to tuber ischii; thoracic circumference; umbilical circumference) were taken and correlated with live weight from 160 donkeys (mean +/- standard deviation = 6 +/- 2.6 years old) in Central Mexico. The age was assessed from dentition. Sex of the donkeys was also recorded. Sex was an important factor of variation (p = 0.011). Live weight was estimated using two allometric models. Model 1: Live weight = beta x (thoracic circumference)beta1. Model 2: Live weight = betao x (height to the withers) beta1 x (thoracic circumference) beta2. Separate prediction equations were produced for males and females, plus one for the total sampled. The 'best fit' models, were those using thoracic circumference to predict the live weight. Males: live weight = 0.018576 x (thoracic circumference)1.84107 (R2 = 0.9839). Females: live weight = 0.031255 x (thoracic circumference)1.72888 (R2 = 0.9839). The equations derived to estimate the live weight of donkeys in Britain, Morocco and Zimbabwe were less satisfactory for use with donkeys from Central Mexico because they overestimated the live weight.     

中国荷斯坦牛早期生长曲线拟合研究

对947头0～24月龄中国荷斯坦牛体高、胸围、体斜长进行测定,用线性回归、二次回归和三次回归方程进行拟合。结果表明:中国荷斯坦牛体高、胸围、体斜长的生长曲线呈抛物线型,三次回归方程拟合结果与实测值吻合度最高。除体高离回归平方和高于二次回归方程外,胸围和体斜长的离回归平方和都明显低于用线性回归和二次回归方程计算的结果,表明三次回归方程曲线拟合效果最好,线性回归方程曲线拟合效果最不理想。体高的拐点月龄为16.5,胸围和体斜长的拐点月龄均为18。