Fatal propylene glycol toxicosis in a horse

Toxicosis attributable to propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol) was suspected in an 8-year-old 450- to 500-kg male Quarter Horse. Clinical signs of toxicosis developed within 15 minutes of the accidental iatrogenic oral administration of 3.8 L of propylene glycol. Clinical signs of toxicosis included salivation, sweating, ataxia, and signs of pain. Additionally, at 24 hours after propylene glycol ingestion, the horse became increasingly atactic, had an abnormal breath odor, developed rapid shallow breathing, and was cyanotic. The horse died of apparent respiratory arrest 28 hours after the propylene glycol ingestion. Analysis of serum and combined urine and blood from the kidneys confirmed the presence of propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is used for the treatment and prevention of bovine ketosis, and is similar in appearance to mineral oil. The accidental administration of propylene glycol to horses may result in fatal poisoning.     

Propylene glycol toxicosis in a llama

Propylene glycol toxicosis in llamas can result from overzealous administration of propylene glycol-containing gels formulated and labeled for use in cattle. Treatment of ketosis in llamas requires re-establishment of stomach flora and stimulation of appetite.     

Listeriosis in a Holstein cow.

Bovine listeriosis is a sporadie bacterial infection most commonly manifested by encephalitis or meningoencephalitis in adult animals. Cattle fed poorly fermented haylage or corn silage are at increased risk. Mortality is high without early antibiotic and supportive therapy. Listeria monocytogenes can affect many species and is a public health concern.     

Ethylene glycol toxicosis in a pygmy goat

Ingestion of ethylene glycol was responsible for severe azotemia, acidosis, and abnormal anionic gap value in a pygmy goat. Clinical signs consisted of ataxia, polydipsia, decreased rumen motility, and constipation. Nervous signs included depression, absence of menace response, vertical nystagmus, and terminal convulsions. Four days after onset of clinical signs, antidotal treatment was ineffective. Lesions and oxalate crystals in the kidney were typical of ethylene glycol or plant oxalate toxicosis in other species. Toxicologic analysis revealed ethylene glycol in the rumen content and glycolic acid in urine and ocular fluid.     

Black-hair follicular dysplasia in a Holstein cow

A color-linked hypotrichosis was documented in an adult, black-and-white, Holstein cow. Skin biopsies from black-haired areas showed varying degrees of follicular dysplasia, while the white-haired areas were normal.     

Chronic cystic ovarian disease in a Holstein cow

Cystic ovarian follicles are commonly found during rectal examination of early postpartum dairy cows, usually presenting with anoestrus and occasionally nymphomania. Most cases self cure with time, or respond to exogenous hormonal treatment. This case report describes a refractory case in a Holstein cow in which a novel treatment approach was used. A gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist implant was inserted for 180 d in an attempt to suppress pituitary gonadotrophin output, arrest abnormal ovarian follicle growth and prevent steroidogenesis. Frequent serial blood samples were collected before and after implant insertion to monitor changes in pulse release of luteinising hormone. Follow up ultrasound scans and blood samples were done to monitor ovarian structures; progesterone and oestradiol were collected at various times over the 180 d period. A normal, cycling herdmate was enrolled as a control. Prior to implant insertion, high frequency and low amplitude luteinising hormone pulses were detected in the cystic cow. Insertion was followed by a sustained surge in the release of luteinising hormone in both cows, but ovulation was not induced in the cystic cow. Plasma oestradiol levels remained consistently elevated and signs of oestrous behaviour were observed. Long term gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist treatment failed to suppress either ovarian steroid production or cause regression of the cysts by 180 d.     

Bilateral exophthalmos in a Holstein cow with lymphosarcoma

A 4-year-old Holstein cow presented with severe bilateral exophthalmos. A complete blood cell count revealed late stage lymphoma; the agar gel immunodiffusion test for enzootic bovine leukosis was positive. The cow was euthanized 1 wk after presentation. Necropsy revealed generalized lymphadenopathy and tumors in most organs. Final diagnosis was lymphosarcoma.     

Primary Aspergillus and Fusarium keratitis in a Holstein cow

A 5-year-old female Holstein cow was examined for ocular discharge, periorbital swelling, an area of full-thickness corneal cellular infiltrate, fibrin, hypopyon, diffuse corneal edema, and miosis. The patient was diagnosed with a corneal stromal abscess and secondary anterior uveitis. Histopathology, mycotic culture, and polymerase chain reaction positive for Aspergillus and Fusarium DNA confirmed the presence of fungal infection. Response to therapy was adequate, and follow-up with the patient 1 year after diagnosis revealed a focal area of corneal fibrosis.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the spleen in a Holstein cow

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with metastasis to the spleen in a Holstein cow was studied by histopathologic and immunohistochemical methods. The tumor was characterized by a pseudoglandular (acinar) pattern with an associated fibrous stroma. Individual cells often had a "hepatoid" appearance but were interspersed with scattered cells exhibiting a clear, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive cytoplasm and small eccentric nuclei. This pattern was present in nodules found in both liver and spleen. Moreover, hepatoid tumor cells were positive for alpha-fetoprotein. Immunohistochemical studies suggest that myofibroblasts were responsible for the production of fibrous septa surrounding the pseudoglandular structures of bovine HCC. In summary, our histologic and immunohistochemical findings support a diagnosis of primary HCC with splenic metastasis. Furthermore, the associated stromal response appears to be of a myofibroblast origin. The primary etiology of bovine HCC and the significance of the intralesional, PAS-positive clear cells remain undetermined.     

Papillary adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct in a Holstein cow

A 15-year-old female Holstein cow was presented with a history of anorexia and weight loss. Abnormal physical examination findings included poor body condition, dehydration, icterus, and photodermatitis on nonpigmented areas of the skin of the dorsum. At necropsy, the common bile duct was greatly enlarged, with thickened walls, and tightly adhered to the hepatic capsular surface and serosa of adjacent loops of the small intestine. Two sessile, yellowish, friable, well-circumscribed, cauliflower-like, bulging masses (14 and 8 cm in diameter) were attached to the inner surface of the common bile duct blocking its lumen. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of well-differentiated, columnar epithelial cells with oval or round, vesicular, basal nuclei arranged in papillary projections. Periodic acid-Schiff-positive material accumulated in the apical cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells. Immunostaining of the tumor cells was positive for cytokeratin (CK) of wide-spectrum screening and for CK 7. The diagnosis of papillary adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct was based on the morphologic features of the neoplasm and evidence of local invasion. To the best of our knowledge, extrahepatic bile duct carcinomas have not been described in cattle.     

A clinical case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia in a Holstein cow

A 2-year, 3-month-old Holstein cow presented with anorexia and enlarged superficial lymph nodes. Fine needle aspiration cytology of the superficial lymph nodes revealed large blast cells. Hematological examination revealed anemia, neutropenia, and blast cells in peripheral blood. Blast cells were the predominant cell type in bone marrow aspirates. Of the non-erythroid cells, 26%, 58%, and 18% were positive for myeloperoxidase, α-naphthyl acetate esterase, and naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase, respectively. Pathological examination revealed the proliferation of neoplastic cells, which were positive for monocytic markers, in the affected lymph nodes. The cow was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia based on these findings. This report highlights the importance of performing bone marrow aspiration cytology and cytochemical staining when diagnosing bovine myeloid leukemia.     

Factor XI mutation in a Holstein cow with repeat breeding in Japan

Factor XI deficiency is an autosomal recessive coagulopathy in Holstein cattle. Affected cows have a tendency to show repeat breeding. Forty repeat breeding Holstein Friesian cows were selected and tested for the Factor XI mutation. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood of the cows (n=40). Exon 12 of the Factor XI gene of the cows was amplified by PCR. One repeat breeding cow was heterozygous to the Factor XI mutation as indicated by the presence of two DNA fragments of 320 bp and 244 bp. The insertion of the 76 bp in the heterozygous cow was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The heterozygous cow was in her fourth lactation. She gave birth to male twins at the last calving. She was inseminated artificially four times after the last calving. Factor XI deficiency in cattle has been reported in different countries. However, no case was reported in Japan. This might be the first to report Factor XI mutation in Holstein cattle in Japan.     

Identification of halothane gene carriers by use of in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in pigs.

In vivo muscle 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed on 12 homozygous halothane-nonsensitive female pigs and 13 female pigs heterozygous with respect to the halothane gene. Fifteen female pigs of a third line, consisting of heterozygotes and halothane-nonsensitive homozygotes, were also available. Body weight ranged from 12 to 18 kg. Mean decrease in phosphocreatine concentration in the biceps femoris of anesthetized pigs was significantly lower for heterozygous vs homozygous pigs (3.46% vs 5.94%, P less than 0.01) after 40 minutes of halothane exposure (3%; oxygen flow, 3 L/min). Also, a statistically significant difference, with respect to the initial (7.21 vs 7.11, P less than 0.008) and end muscle pH values (7.18 vs 7.06, P less than 0.0002), was observed for homozygous vs heterozygous pigs. By means of canonical discriminant analysis, it was possible to distinguish nonsensitive homozygotes from heterozygotes (P less than 0.0001). When applying this classification method to pigs of the same strain, 2 populations (nonsensitive homozygotes, heterozygotes) emerged, with a proportion of pigs corresponding to the expected value on the basis of breeding records. In contrast to the phenotypic expression of muscular rigidity related to the malignant hyperthermia syndrome, the expression of metabolic variables (phosphocreatine, pH) was shown to be dominant.     

In vivo muscle 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy during treatment of halothane-sensitive and halothane-nonsensitive pigs.

In vivo muscle 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed on 10 female pigs originating from a homozygous halothane-sensitive line and on 10 female pigs from a homozygous halothane-nonsensitive line. The mean concentration of phosphocreatine in the biceps femoris muscle of the anesthetized pigs decreased to 86% of the initial value after 11 minutes of halothane exposure (3%, oxygen flow 3 L/min). After the next 5.6 minutes, phosphocreatine concentration reached a minimal value of 52%, followed by a mean recovery to 76% of the initial value during the ensuing 11 minutes. Response was not observed in anesthetized homozygous halothane-nonsensitive pigs. Thus, a decrease to 86% of the initial value of phosphocreatine was 100% predictive for homozygous halothane-sensitive pigs with body weight ranging from 10 to 18 kg.     

成年荷斯坦牛对庆大霉素疑似过敏一例

介绍了应用庆大霉素治疗一头成年荷斯坦奶牛腹泻,导致疑似庆大霉素过敏的病例.用庆大霉素200万单位加入500 mL葡萄糖溶液中给患牛静脉注射,奶牛发生疑似过敏反应,及时注射盐酸肾上腺素5 mL,并将氟美松30 mg加入500 mL生理盐水中静脉注射,至次日患牛恢复正常.针对这一病例,讨论了用庆大霉素治疗奶牛疾病的一般情况.