Dermatosparaxis in two Limousin calves

Background

An unusual presentation of skin disease was identified in two related neonatal Pedigree Limousin calves presented to University Veterinary Hospital, University College Dublin, following detailed post mortem examination a diagnosis of dermatosparaxis was made. Dermatosparaxis in animals or Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which is the analogous condition seen in humans, is a connective tissue disorder characterised by extreme skin fragility. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first report of such a diagnosis in the Limousin breed and the features of this lethal phenotype were severe in comparison to previous reports of the condition.

Case presentation

Two calves, which were full siblings, a pedigree Limousin bull (Calf A) and pedigree Limousin heifer (Calf B) were examined clinically after presenting collapsed since birth, both had grossly abnormal skin with multiple skin fissures visible and both calves were subsequently euthanised. Both calves underwent gross post mortem examination, after which histological samples were reviewed and electron microscopical examination of selected skin samples was carried out. Histological features of dysplastic dermal collagen were identified. The diagnosis of dermatosparaxis in the Limousin breed was confirmed. Genetic testing was conducted to determine if the current cases had the same mutation as has previously been described in Belgian Blue cattle. Some common parentage was traced but genetic testing did not show a similar mutation to that previously described in cattle. The specific genetic cause in this case is unknown.

Conclusions

This is the first report of dermatosparaxis in the Limousin and the presentation of the dermatosparaxis phenotype has some noteworthy features thus further genetic testing is required to pinpoint the causative mutation or other genetic defect. Given the popularity of the breed and the lethal nature of the phenotype in this case it is important to raise awareness of the condition.

     

Dandy-Walker malformation in two calves

Two calves with unusual malformations of the skull and brain are described. Both calves showed doming of the posterior skull due to enlargement of the posterior fossa and cyst-like dilatation of the fourth ventricle. The cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle formed a meningocoele in one calf. Aplasia of the cerebellar vermis was present in both calves. One calf showed agenesis of the corpus callosum. These features are consistent with the Dandy-Walker malformation of man.     

Brachyspina syndrome in two Holstein calves

Brachyspina syndrome, a rare lethal skeletal malformation, is described in two Italian Holstein calves. Both calves were stillborn and had shortened trunks with long legs. Radiography demonstrated several abnormalities of the cervical and thoracolumbar vertebral column. Visceral malformations involving the heart, kidney, genital tract and gastrointestinal system were also found. Both calves were traced back to the same sire and an inherited basis was strongly suspected.     

Comparison of two ruminoscopy techniques in calves

Two different techniques were tested in nine calves to describe endoscopically the visible structures of the rumen and the reticulum. Ruminoscopy using an orally introduced flexible endoscope proved to be unsatisfactory, but when the endoscope was introduced through a ruminal fistula in the left flank into the dorsal and ventral ruminal sacs, the blind sacs, ruminal pillars, the atrium of the rumen, the reticulum and the reticular groove could all be displayed effectively. Indentations of the ruminal wall caused by the left kidney, the spleen and the abomasum could be seen with the endoscope as could reticulo-ruminal contractions. The technique allowed visual evaluation of the mucosal surfaces and movement of the rumen, reticulum and reticular groove. The advantages and disadvantages of ruminoscopy in bovine medicine are discussed.     

Trochleoplasty in lateral patellar luxation in two calves

Two Holstein Friesian calves were referred to the Animal Medical Center of Chonbuk National University with severe lameness on the hind limb(s), flexed stifle joint and an inability to walk since birth. Based on the clinical history, clinical findings and radiography of the stifle joint, the cases were diagnosed as grade III lateral patellar luxation (LPL). Trochleoplasty along with medial retinacular reinforcement and lateral release were performed in both calves. The calves recovered 3 to 4 weeks after surgery. Trochleoplasty along with medial retinacular reinforcement and lateral release can be an effective technique for the treatment of LPL in calves.     

Osteomyelitis of the hyoid bones in two calves

Two calves were referred because of ptyalism and difficulty opening the mouth (Calf 1) and for elective umbilical hernia surgery under inhalation anaesthesia (Calf 2). Additional clinical signs were increased breath sounds and swelling in the region of the mandibular angle in Calf 1. Ultrasonography and endoscopy revealed oral inflammation and abscessation in the area of the base of the tongue in both calves. Infection of the hyoid apparatus was suspected based on ultrasonographic findings and confirmed by means of computed tomography. In Calf 1, there was no response to treatment with systemic antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and local lavage, and Calf 2 was not treated. Both calves were euthanized because of a poor prognosis and the diagnoses confirmed during postmortem examination. In Calf 1, the abscess was associated with complete destruction of the left epihyoid bone and partial destruction of the left stylohyoid and ceratohyoid bones. In Calf 2, the abscess was located at the distal end of the right stylohyoid bone near the epihyoid bone. Stomatitis or laryngeal and pharyngeal abscessation caused by sharp feed particles are common in cattle and infection of the hyoid apparatus should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Surgical repair of atresia jejuni in two calves.

Two Holstein calves with similar histories of not defecating since birth were determined to have atresia jejuni. Resection of the distended blind end of the jejunum and the remaining jejunum and ileum followed by a jejunocecostomy was performed. One calf died 7 months after surgery of unknown causes. The second calf has survived for greater than 1 year, and has maintained a growth rate similar to other calves its age. Atresia jejuni has been reported to be a universally fatal disorder of unknown pathogenesis. It has been postulated that intestinal atresia is caused by palpation of the amniotic vesicle at the time of pregnancy diagnosis, between days 36 and 42 of gestation.     

皮埃蒙特和契安尼娜改良牛肉用潜势测定

选择纯种南阳牛公牛１ 头,皮埃蒙特杂公牛 ２ 头,契安尼娜杂公牛 ２ 头,在日粮成份、用量相同（或相似）的情况下进行为期 ２４４ 天的育肥,结果南阳牛、皮杂牛和契杂牛平均日增重分别为９０６ｇ／ｄ,９６０ ｇ／ｄ 和１１７０ ｇ／ｄ,屠宰结果：南阳牛 、契杂牛和皮杂牛的屠宰率分别为 ６１．０％ 、５８．０％ 和 ６１．８％ ;瘦肉率依次为 ４１．５％ 、４０．９％ 和４２．１％ ;眼肌面积分别为８８．５ｃｍ ２、９１．７ｃｍ ２ 和１４１．０ｃｍ ２;背最长肌面积三个牛种的性能接近,肉的嫩度评分,南阳牛、契杂牛和皮杂牛分别为 ６．４３ 分、５．１４ 分和 ５．８６ 分。     

Unusual congenital deformities of the lower limb in two calves

Congenital deformities of the lower limb were observed in 2 calves from different properties. One was a newborn Holstein-Friesian bull calf with polydactyly and polypodia of the right fore-limb. The other was an 8-month-old Friesian/Jersey crossbred heifer calf, which had a mirror image duplication of the plantar/palmar half of the distal portion of the digits. The abnormalities in the second calf have not previously been described in cattle. This paper presents details of the clinical, radiological and necropsy findings in these 2 calves.     

Differences in virulence between two noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea viruses in calves.

A noncytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), BVDV-890, isolated from a yearling heifer that died with extensive internal hemorrhages, was compared for virulence in calves with noncytopathic BVDV-TGAN, isolated from an apparently healthy persistently infected calf. After challenge exposure with BVDV-890, nonimmune calves (n = 7) developed fever > 40 C, diarrhea, leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Most calves (n = 6) died or were euthanatized by 19 days after challenge exposure. Challenge exposure with BVDV-890 did not induce disease in 2 calves that had congenital persistent infection with BVDV or in 3 calves that had neutralizing antibody titer > 4 against BVDV-890. After challenge exposure with BVDV-TGAN, nonimmune calves (n = 7) developed fever > 40 C and, rarely, diarrhea or lymphopenia. All of those calves survived challenge exposure. The average maximal titer of BVDV-890 isolated from serum was 1,000 times that of BVDV-TGAN. In calves infected with BVDV-890, the average maximal percentages of lymphocytes and platelets associated with virus were greater than those found in calves infected with BVDV-TGAN. Additional findings of epidemiologic significance were prolonged shedding of virus and delayed production of viral-neutralizing antibody in 1 calf challenge-exposed with BVDV-890. Also, after production of neutralizing antibody, mutant virus that was refractory to neutralization was isolated from calves challenge-exposed with BVDV-TGAN.     

Efficacy of morantel against nematode populations in calves exposed on a pasture stocked for two years with morantel sustained-release bolus-treated calves

Two groups of 10 parasite-free calves were maintained either for 2 weeks on a pasture grazed by nonmedicated cattle (pasture A) or for 3 weeks on a pasture grazed by morantel sustained-release bolus-treated cattle (pasture B) for the preceding 2 years. After a 4-week holding period to allow for maturation of acquired gastrointestinal nematodes, 5 calves from each group were administered a therapeutic dose (10 mg/kg of body weight) of morantel tartrate. All calves were necropsied 1 week later, and the abomasal and small intestinal nematodes were isolated, identified, and enumerated. A comparison of efficacies between nonmedicated and morantel tartrate-treated calves of each pasture demonstrated that morantel was equally effective against the gastrointestinal nematode infections, regardless of infection source (ie, pasture A vs pasture B). The overall nematode reductions due to morantel tartrate treatment of calves that grazed pastures A and B were 98% and 96%, respectively. It was concluded that the sensitivity of gastrointestinal nematodes to morantel tartrate was not diminished in calves maintained on pasture B, which had been stocked with morantel sustained-release bolus-treated calves for the preceding 2 grazing seasons.     

Melanotic neuro-ectodermal tumour of infancy (melanotic progonoma) in two calves.

Large unilateral tumours involving the mandible in two calves were composed of melanin-containing cells and small lymphocyte-like cells in a cellular fibrous stroma. These neoplasms resembled the melanotic neuro-ectodermal tumour of infancy.