An unusual manifestation of encephalitozoonosis in chinchilla rabbits.

This disease occurred in 6 rabbits in which leukemic changes after infection with the bovine leukemia virus were being studied.     

An unusual post-mortem finding

Abstract

Events leading to the deaths of two fillies at pasture are described. Pasture hay containing the flowering stages of Senecio jacobea (ragwort) had been fed three to four months earlier. Paddocks were subdivided with posts and rails treated with copper chrome arsenate. Six horses on the property chewed rails spasmodically.

Both fillies presented with haemoglobinurea.

Values in liver of 83 mg Cu kg and kidney 35 mg Cu kg wet weight and serum 1.4 mg Cu/? together with histophathology of seneciosis support a sequence of ragwort poisoning followed by copper accumulation in liver and kidney terminating in a haemolytic crisis. The source of copper appeared to be from wood containing concentrations of copper of 0.17% at the core and 1.68% in shavings from surface of treated timber.     

Echocardiography in the chinchilla

Heart disease has been described in the chinchilla and, with increasing popularity as a pet, the demand for diagnostic evaluation and treatment has increased. The goal of this study was to determine reference values for echocardiographic measurements in chinchillas and the effect of anesthesia on these measurements. Seventeen clinically healthy adult chinchillas were studied. All animals were anesthetized with isoflurane by mask. Standard echocardiographic views were used. A difference was seen in the echocardiographic measurements for left ventricular systolic dimension, fractional shortening, aortic (Ao) diameter, left atrial (LA) diameter, ratio of LA diameter to Ao diameter, and peak flow velocities and ejection times for Ao and pulmonary artery flows between awake and anesthetized chinchillas.     

An unusual form of canine babesiosis

An Akita Inu, living in Belgium, was presented with unusual clinical manifestations of acute babesiosis that included neurological signs and pancytopenia. Diagnosis was made by identifying Babesia canis in the blood smear. Neurological signs resolved after treatment with imidocarb diproprionate. Normalization of hematological abnormalities was gradual over 5 months.     

An unusual myopathy in a dog

A nine-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was examined because it could not withdraw its tongue into its mouth and had difficulty eating and drinking. These clinical signs were first observed when the dog was two months of age. On percussion of the tongue a dimple could be produced and there was electromyographic evidence of myotonia. Histological examination showed replacement of muscle fibres by adipose tissue, focal areas of myonecrosis, neutrophil infiltration and proliferation of sub-sarcolemmal nuclei. These changes were considered to be consistent with a primary myopathy similar to paramyotonia in man. No related dogs were found to be affected.     

An unusual sequel to intra-medullary pinning

Extract

The use of an intra-medullary pin for repair of a midshaft fracture of the dog's femur is usually followed by excellent bone healing. Untoward sequelae may follow poor technique, or the use of pins in cases in which other techniques are indicated. This communication records an unusual sequel to intra-medullary pinning which the writer has not observed previously.     

An unusual example of fracture healing

The authors report the natural healing of a fractured femur in a young puppy where the whole diaphysis had been lost.     

An unusual myopathy in a dog

A nine-month-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was examined because it could not withdraw its tongue into its mouth and had difficulty eating and drinking. These clinical signs were first observed when the dog was two months of age. On percussion of the tongue a dimple could be produced and there was electromyographic evidence of myotonia. Histological examination showed replacement of muscle fibres by adipose tissue, focal areas of myonecrosis, neutrophil infiltration and proliferation of sub-sarcolemmal nuclei. These changes were considered to be consistent with a primary myopathy similar to paramyotonia in man. No related dogs were found to be affected.     

An unusual human case of leptospirosis

In April 1991, a medical practitioner was admitted to Auckland Hospital with severe sweats, myalgia, headaches, lethargy and pyrexia. Leptospires were isolated from a blood sample taken during one of the fever spikes and referred to a reference laboratory for identification. The initial reference laboratory referred the isolate on to a second reference laboratory where it was identified as Leptospira canicola.