Congenital cardiac defects in calves

In a 14-year study of calves with cardiac defects, 36 had 78 congenital cardiac defects: ectopia cordia cervicalis (n = 10 defects), common aortic trunk (n = 3 defects), dextraposed aorta (n = 8 defects), duplicated major trunks (n = 1 defect), hypoplastic aorta (n = 2 defects), interventricular septal defect (n = 11), interatrial septal defect (n = 2), left ventricular hypoplasia (n = 10), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 5), patent foramen ovale (n = 5), right ventricular hypoplasia (n = 10), cor triloculare biatriatum (n = 1), endocardial fibroelastosis with calcification (n = 3), and valvular hematomas (n = 7). All septal defects were high in location and ranged from 5 to 35 mm in diameter. One calf with a septal defect also had bilateral microphthalmia.     

Congenital oesophageal hiatal hernia in a pug

Congenital sliding, oesophageal or type I hiatal hernia was diagnosed in a five-month-old pug puppy presented for evaluation of dyspnoea post feeding. The diagnosis was confirmed using plain film radiography. Surgical reduction of the hernia followed by plication of the oesophageal hiatus, oesophagopexy and left flank gastropexy permitted restoration of normal function. At 12 months of age, the dog was asymptomatic. This article describes the diagnosis and treatment of a congenital type 1 oesophageal hiatal herniation with unusual clinical presentation.     

Diprosopus with multiple craniofacial, musculoskeletal, and cardiac defects in a purebred Suffolk lamb

A stillborn Suffolk ewe lamb with 2 heads was found to have tarsal arthrogryposis, kypholordosis, craniorachischisis totalis, cheiloschisis, palatoschisis, deviation of the right maxilla, prognathia, patent ductus arteriosus, 3 ventricular septal defects, and 4 great vessels. The lamb was born twin to a normal lamb. No definitive etiology was established.     

Congenital multiple ocular defects with falciform retinal folds among Japanese black cattle

To clarify the morphologic features of the ocular disease recently occurring among Japanese Black cattle in southern Kyushu, 6 globes from 3 Japanese Black cattle, between 11 and 20 months old (cow Nos. 1 to 3), were pathologically examined. Cow Nos. 1 and 2 were sired by the same Japanese Black bull, and cow No. 3 was sired by the ancestor (sire) of the former bull. The ocular lesions were pathologically similar to each other, except for the left eye of cow No. 1. The ocular lesions of 5 globes were characterized by microphthalmia, hypoplasia, and/or dysplasia of the lenses; persistence of the primary vitreous; and retinal dysplasia with total nonattachment. The left globe from cow No. 1 had no lens and severe hypoplasia and nonattachment of the retina. Because dysplastic retinal lesions that formed crescentic folds and a central column were the most characteristic features of the eyes, the falciform retinal fold with congenital nonattachment was the most likely disease entity. Although the cause of the ocular disease could not be clarified with the present study, an inherited ocular defect of the bull and its ancestor was suspected.     

Idiopathic aseptic pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in a horse

This report describes the successful treatment of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade in a 10‐year‐old Hanoverian gelding. Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are uncommon conditions in horses. Although many potential causes for the effusion have been described most cases are classified as idiopathic. The most valuable diagnostic procedure for the detection of pericardial effusion is echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis and drainage of the fluid were carried out in this case. At one year follow‐up there were no clinical signs of recurrence and the horse has returned to his previous level of athletic performance.     

Presumptive primary cardiac lymphoma in a cat causing pericardial effusion

We report a case of primary cardiac lymphoma in a cat, causing pericardial effusion. A 13-year-old castrated male Himalayan cat was evaluated for chronic weight loss and radiographic finding of cardiomegaly. Pericardial effusion and a heart mass were detected via echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate of the heart mass were performed under sedation. Antemortem diagnosis of cardiac lymphoma was made based on cytology of pericardial fluid. Based on physical examination, laboratory tests and abdominal radiographs, primary cardiac lymphoma was established as the presumptive clinical diagnosis. Treatment with chemotherapeutic agents was initiated.     

Safety of moxidectin in avermectin-sensitive collies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of moxidectin administration at doses of 30, 60, and 90 microg/kg of body weight (10, 20, and 30 times the manufacturer's recommended dose) in avermectin-sensitive Collies. ANIMALS: 24 Collies. PROCEDURE: Collies with mild to severe reactions to ivermectin challenge (120 mg/kg; 20 times the recommended dose for heartworm prevention) were used. Six replicates of 4 dogs each were formed on the basis of body weight and severity of reaction to ivermectin test dose. Within replicates, each dog was randomly allocated to treatment with oral administration of 30, 60, or 90 microg of moxidectin/kg or was given a comparable volume of placebo tablet formulation. Dogs were observed hourly for the first 8 hours and twice daily thereafter for 1 month for signs of toxicosis. RESULTS: Signs of toxicosis were not observed in any control group dog throughout the treatment observation period. Likewise, signs of toxicosis were not observed in any dog receiving moxidectin at 30, 60, or 90 microg/kg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The moxidectin formulation used in the study reported here appears to have a wider margin of safety than ivermectin or milbemycin in avermectin-sensitive Collies.     

Congenital peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in an alpaca

An adult alpaca was presented because of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction. The putative diagnosis at surgery was an intestinal obstruction caused by peritonitis and intra-abdominal adhesions. The cause of the inflammation was not determined at that time. The alpaca died soon after surgery from post-surgical complications and a peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia that was not diagnosed until necropsy.