Onchocercosis of an intervertebral joint capsule causing cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy in a horse.

A novel case where onchocercosis was identified as a cause of cervical myelopathy in the horse is described. A 15-year-old Connemara mare was euthanized due to progressive locomotion disturbance. Postmortem examination revealed soft-tissue swelling in the intervertebral joint capsule of C6-7 with narrowing of the vertebral canal. On light microscopy, axonopathy was pronounced in the corresponding segment of the spinal cord. Fibrous tissue and eosinophilic granulomas were found in the joint capsule, together with parasites identified histologically as Onchocerca sp.     

Osteochondromatosis of the cervical spine causing compressive myelopathy in a dog

A 10-month-old Alaskan malamute presented with cervical pain and hindlimb proprioceptive deficits. Plain and myelographic radiographic studies of the cervical spine demonstrated extradural compression of the spinal cord at the level of C7 and C5. Computed tomography assisted presurgical characterisation of the lesions as osteochondromatosis. Laminectomy permitted successful removal of the lesions.     

Suspected cervical spinal cord vascular anomaly in an African warthog (Phacochoerus africanus).

Vascular myelopathies of the spinal cord have not been described in Suidae, and are a rare finding in companion animals. An 8.5-yr female African warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) presented with an acute onset of tetraparesis. Based on neurologic findings, a cervical spinal cord lesion between C7-T2 was suspected. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe intramedullary hemorrhage with suspected abnormal vessels in the spinal cord at the level of the seventh cervical vertebrae. The acute onset of clinical signs and rapid deterioration of neurological status precluded surgical managements. A vascular anomaly was suspected on gross pathology and histology. Immunohistochemistry identified the lesion as a spontaneous intramedullary hematoma. Spontaneous intramedullary hematomyelia should be considered as a differential for acute onset of paresis in suid species.     

新疆天山北坡牧户效益跟踪调查

为探究草畜平衡技术对定居牧民家庭生产与经营收入的影响效果,按照草畜平衡的要求,通过调整和优化牲畜结构等方法,完成了示范户昌吉市阿什里乡牧民努尔太家庭4年(2009-2012年)生产经营情况的数据收集与整理工作。调查数据表明,畜牧业生产收入较2009年呈增加趋势,增幅分别为126%、263%和289%;畜牧业生产投入较2009年同样呈增加趋势,增幅分别为50.8%、103.9%和75.6%。2009、2010、2011、2012年示范户畜牧业的投入产出比分别为1∶1.34,1∶1.70,1∶1.71和1∶2.79,2010、2011、2012年示范户纯收入分别为51 809.20、124 439.90和182 810.00元,家庭盈利呈逐年增加趋势。综合分析表明,草畜平衡技术可作为定居农牧民提高生产效益、保护生态环境的技术手段和有效措施。     

A follow up study on antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis in mares and foals from two breeding farms in Germany

Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) caused by Lawsonia (L.) intracellularis is an emerging disease in foals, particularly in North America. Since a case report in Germany exists, the objective of this study was to examine the incidence of L. intracellularis-antibodies in healthy horses from two German breeding farms. In group 1, serum samples from 24 (year 1) and 16 (year 2) Haflinger mares and their foals were taken. In group 2, over a period of five months, serum samples of six warmblood mares and foals were collected monthly from birth until the foals became seronegative. Serum samples were tested using an ELISA system. Results are expressed as Percentage of Inhibiton (PI). All adult mares (100%) of both groups were seropositive at each point in time (PI-value > 30). In group 1,7/24 foals (29.2%) in year 1 and 4/16 foals (25%) in year 2 had antibodies.The seropositive foals from year 2 had the same dams as the seropositive foals from year 1. In group 2 five of six foals were seropositive after birth. Antibodies decreased from March to July in mares and foals. In July, all five foals tested negative for the first time between the ages of 82 and 141 days (median 115 days). PI-values of mares were significantly correlated with PI-values of their foals. Higher PI-values were seen in younger foals and early in spring. Loss of antibodies in foals at the age of three to five months could be a risk factor for infection and appearance of EPE.     

Effect of body position on the arterial partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in spontaneously breathing,conscious dogs in an intensive care unit

Objective – To evaluate the effect of body position on the arterial partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide (PaO₂, PaCO₂), and the efficiency of pulmonary oxygen uptake as estimated by alveolar‐arterial oxygen difference (A‐a difference). Design – Prospective, randomized, crossover study. Setting – University teaching hospital, intensive care unit. Animals – Twenty‐one spontaneously breathing, conscious, canine patients with arterial catheters placed as part of their management strategy. Interventions – Patients were placed randomly into lateral or sternal recumbency. PaO₂ and PaCO₂ were measured after 15 minutes in this position. Patients were then repositioned into the opposite position and after 15 minutes the parameters were remeasured. Measurements and Main Results – Results presented as median (interquartile range). PaO₂ was significantly higher (P=0.001) when patients were positioned in sternal, 91.2 mm Hg (86.0–96.1 mm Hg), compared with lateral recumbency, 86.4 mm Hg (73.9–90.9 mm Hg). The median change was 5.4 mm Hg (1.1–17.9 mm Hg). All 7 dogs with a PaO₂<80 mm Hg in lateral recumbency had improved arterial oxygenation in sternal recumbency, median increase 17.4 mm Hg with a range of 3.8–29.7 mm Hg. PaCO₂ levels when patients were in sternal recumbency, 30.5 mm Hg (27.3–32.7 mm Hg) were not significantly different from those in lateral recumbency, 32.2 mm Hg (28.3–36.0 mm Hg) (P=0.07). The median change was ?1.9 mm Hg (?3.6–0.77 mm Hg). A‐a differences were significantly lower (P=0.005) when patients were positioned in sternal recumbency, 21.7 mm Hg (17.3–27.7 mm Hg), compared with lateral recumbency, 24.6 mm Hg (20.4–36.3 mm Hg). The median change was ?3.1 mm Hg (?14.6–0.9 mm Hg). Conclusions – PaO₂ was significantly higher when animals were positioned in sternal recumbency compared with lateral recumbency, predominantly due to improved pulmonary oxygen uptake (decreased A‐a difference) rather than increased alveolar ventilation (decreased PaCO₂). Patients with hypoxemia (defined as PaO₂<80 mm Hg) in lateral recumbency may benefit from being placed in sternal recumbency. Sternal recumbency is recommended to improve oxygenation in hypoxemic patients.