Primary pulmonic tumors in beagles

The age-specific frequency of 11 primary pulmonic neoplasms in a closed Beagle colony is presented. The first tumor occurred at 5 years, and the frequency increased progressively in the older age classes. All of the tumors arose from sites distal to the principal bronchi. Although metastases appeared to occur relatively late, with respect to course of tumor development, they were noted in approximately a half of the dogs and most frequently involved the bronchial lymph nodes.     

The origin of Indonesian cattle and conservation genetics of the Bali cattle breed

Both Bos indicus (zebu) and Bos javanicus (banteng) contribute to the Indonesian indigenous livestock, which is supposedly of a mixed species origin, not by direct breeding but by secondary cross-breeding. Here, the analysis of mitochondrial, Y-chromosomal and microsatellite DNA showed banteng introgression of 10-16% in Indonesian zebu breeds with East-Javanese Madura and Galekan cattle having higher levels of autosomal banteng introgression (20-30%) and combine a zebu paternal lineage with a predominant (Madura) or even complete (Galekan) maternal banteng origin. Two Madura bulls carried taurine Y-chromosomal haplotypes, presumably of French Limousin origin. There was no evidence for zebu introgression in five populations of the Bali cattle, a domestic form of the banteng.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of gamithromycin in pulmonary epithelial lining fluid in naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease in multisource commingled feedlot cattle

The objectives of this study were to determine (i) whether an association exists between individual pharmacokinetic parameters and treatment outcome when feeder cattle were diagnosed with bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and treated with gamithromycin (Zactran^®) at the label dose and (ii) whether there was a stronger association between treatment outcome and gamithromycin concentration in plasma or in the pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) effect compartment. The study design was a prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial utilizing three groups of 60 (362–592 lb) steers/bulls randomly allocated within origin to sham injection or gamithromycin mass medication. Cattle were evaluated daily for signs of BRD by a veterinarian blinded to treatment. Animals meeting the BRD case definition were enrolled and allocated to a sample collection scheme consisting of samples for bacterial isolation (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and nasopharyngeal swabs) and gamithromycin concentration determination (PELF and plasma). Gamithromycin susceptibility of M. haemolytica (n = 287) and P. multocida (n = 257) were determined using broth microdilution with frozen panels containing gamithromycin at concentrations from 0.03 to 16 μg/mL. A two‐compartment plasma pharmacokinetic model with an additional compartment for gamithromycin in PELF was developed using rich data sets from published and unpublished studies. The sparse data from our study were then fit to this model using nonlinear mixed effects modeling to estimate individual parameter values. The resulting parameter estimates were used to simulate full time–concentration profiles for each animal in this study. These profiles were analyzed using noncompartmental methods so that PK/PD indices (AUC₂₄/MIC, AUC_∞/MIC, C_MAX/MIC) could be calculated for plasma and PELF (also T>MIC) for each individual. The calculated PK/PD indices were indicative that for both M. haemolytica and P. multocida a higher drug exposure in terms of concentration, and duration of exposure relative to the MIC of the target pathogen, was favorable to a successful case outcome. A significant association was found between treatment success and PELF AUC_0–24/MIC for P. multocida. The calves in this study demonstrated an increased clearance and volume of distribution in plasma as compared to the healthy calves in two previously published reports. Ultimately, the findings from this study indicate that higher PK/PD indices were predictive of positive treatment outcomes.     

On the origin of the Slovenian Cika cattle

In 2002, it was discovered that several Cika cattle in the mountain areas of Slovenia had escaped the official policy of cross‐breeding. Here, we report a genetic characterization to assess their status as autochthonous breed. We compared genotypes for 14 microsatellite markers in 150 Cika cattle individuals with data from 16 Central European cattle breeds. We show that Cika cattle are genetically as diverse as other Eastern Alpine breeds, are more diverse than Austrian Simmental but less than the Balkan Busha cattle. STRUCTURE analysis showed Pinzgauer admixture in several individuals but also indicated a unique genetic identity for Cika. This analysis also allowed a selection of the most genetically pure Cika individuals as assessed by the panel of microsatellites. These original Cika cattle form an Eastern Alpine breed cluster together with Pinzgauer and Pustertaler cattle. Cika cattle should be considered as an authentic and valuable genetic resource, which offers clear opportunities for sustainable agriculture and landscape conservation in marginal and mountain areas.     

Radiographic evidence of pulmonary dysfunction in anaesthetised cattle

The effects of fasting, sedation, recumbency and general anaesthesia on the radiographic appearance of the thoracic cavity of adult cattle were investigated. Fasting and sedation had little effect on the visible lung field but recumbency and general anaesthesia were followed by a reduction in lung field area. The reduction in area appeared to be greatest in the more dependent parts of the lung and was associated with the development of a persistent radiographic opacity. The changes were similar to those previously observed in horses.     

Primary photosensitization in cattle caused by Froelichia humboldtiana

Three outbreaks of primary photosensitization caused by Froelichia humboldtiana are reported in the semiarid region of the states of Pernambuco and Paraíba, in northeastern Brazil. The disease occurred from March to June 2011, affecting 27 bovines out of a total of 70. The main lesions consisted of dermatitis of the white skin, with edema and necrosis. All the bovines recovered after removal from the areas invaded by F. humboldtiana. To produce the disease experimentally, one bovine with white skin was placed for 14days into an area with F. humboldtiana as the sole forage. This bovine presented photodermatitis on the third day of consumption. The serum concentrations of total, indirect, and conjugated bilirubin and the serum activities of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and aspartate-aminotransferase (AST) in the spontaneously affected cattle and in the experimental cattle remained within normal ranges. It is concluded that F. humboldtiana causes primary photosensitization in cattle in northeastern Brazil.     

Canine ovarian tumors of germ cell origin

Fourteen ovarian germ cell tumors were diagnosed in the dog--seven dysgerminomas and seven teratomas. Six of the teratomas had immature components and were judged malignant; three had metastasized. One dysgerminoma had metastasized. The dysgerminomas developed in dogs ten years of age and older, and the teratomas developed in dogs nine years old and younger.     

Respiratory-induced variability of pulmonary arterial pressure measurements in cattle

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variability of the peak systolic (PAPs) and the end diastolic (PAPd) pulmonary arterial pressures induced by intrapleural pressure changes in cattle.The pleural pressure (Ppl), the electrocardiogram and the pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) were simultaneously recorded in five healthy calves under three different conditions, i.e. normoxia (N), normoxia with an added airflow resistance (R) and hypoxia (H). PAPs, PAPd and their corresponding transmural pressures were measured and averaged over 10 successive regular cardiac cycles. The maximum Ppl changes (maxPpl) were measured on the same tracings. The variance and coefficients of variation were calculated for each set of vascular measurements.MaxPpl was significantly increased with regard to N values during R and H conditions. This increase in maxPpl induced a simultaneous rise in the variability of PAP measurements, while in each condition, this variability was greatly lowered by use of the corresponding transmural pressure.It was concluded that, in calves with high maxPpl, the influence of respiration on PAP becomes considerable. In such cases, the use of transmural pressures rather than luminal pressures can greatly reduce the variability of these pulmonary pressure measurements and therefore increase their sensitivity.     

Reproducibility of pulmonary mechanics measurements in dairy cattle.

The reproducibility of pulmonary mechanics measurements in dairy cattle was examined using two study designs. In design A measurements were made with six cows on two days, and in design B measurements were made with four cows on six days. The mean coefficients of variation for within-day measurements for individuals ranged from 9.2 to 25.9% indicating considerable within-day variability. In design A there were no significant differences between days (P less than 0.05) for any measured variable for the group, but there were often significant differences between the two days for individuals. In design B there were significant cow-day interactions for all variables, again indicating significant differences between days for individuals. There were significant differences between days for the group for respiratory rate, and duration of inspiration and expiration. Both the interactions and differences between days appeared to be random. The high variability and limited reproducibility of pulmonary mechanics measurements, particularly in individual animals, indicate the need for caution in the interpretation of pulmonary mechanics measurements in dairy cattle.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in canine epithelial nasal tumors

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme upregulated in some human and animal tumors. Enzymatic products are associated with tumorigenic activities. Given the poor response of canine nasal tumors to radiation, we considered the possibility that some of this resistance may be associated with COX-2 expression. To test this, 21 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded, and archived biopsy samples from canine epithelial nasal tumors were analyzed for COX-2 expression using immunohistochemistry. The biopsies were collected from dogs prior to radiation therapy. COX-2 expression was present in 17 of 21 (81%) tumors. The expression was observed in several different tumor types, including nasal carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Samples from five control dogs without nasal neoplasia were also analyzed for COX-2 staining. These specimens were characterized by varying degrees of lymphoplasmacytic rhinitis with scattered regions of COX-2 positive respiratory epithelial and stromal cells. Whether the intensity and distribution of COX-2 expression in nasal tumors can be used as a prognostic marker requires further investigation. A combination therapy of irradiation and a selective COX-2 inhibitor appears worthy of clinical investigation in the treatment of canine epithelial nasal tumors.