Endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats

Endoscopic balloon dilation of benign esophageal strictures was performed in 18 dogs and 10 cats with a median age of 4 years. Stricture formation was associated with a recent anesthetic episode in 18 patients. Regurgitation was the most common clinical sign and was present a median of 4 weeks before dilation. Most animals had a single stricture; median diameter was 5 mm, and median length was 1 cm. Esophagitis and mucosal fibrosis were detected in 9 patients each. Dilation was performed with progressively increasing diameter balloons, from 6 to 20 mm. After dilation, mucosal hemorrhage was mild to moderate in most patients. Esophageal perforation was the only serious complication and occurred in 1 patient. Postdilation therapy consisted of administration of cimetidine, metoclopramide, sucralfate, and prednisone in most animals. The median number of dilation procedures performed in each animal was 2, with a range of 1-5. The median interval between dilations was 13 days. Stricture diameter markedly increased with subsequent dilations. Median duration of follow-up was 131 weeks. A successful outcome occurred in 88% of patients, with most animals able to eat canned, mashed, or dry food without regurgitation. Mucosal fibrosis was associated with a better clinical response score, while increasing age was weakly associated with fewer dilations. The dilation protocol used in this group of animals was safe and efficacious.     

不同秋眠类型苜蓿品种生产性能与持久性分析

通过对58份不同秋眠类型苜蓿品种再生性、持久性和产草量在呼和浩特的测定分析,结果表明:1)在全部参试材料与秋眠类型组中,苜蓿秋眠级和再生性正相关并达到极显著、显著水平;而在半秋眠类型组、非秋眠类型组中,苜蓿的再生性和秋眠级相关性很小。2)在全部参试材料、半秋眠类型组、非秋眠类型组中,首蓿的持久性与秋眠级负相关,但是在秋眠类型组中,首蓿秋眠级和持久性相关性很小。3)在全部参试材料、半秋眠类型组、非秋眠类型组中,苜蓿的产草量和秋眠级负相关;在秋眠类型组中,苜蓿的产草量和秋眠级正相关但不显著。     

The incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation in dogs with malignant tumor

The incidence of DIC in 208 dogs with a malignant tumor was evaluated. The incidence of DIC was 9.6% in dogs with a malignant tumor which was a solid tumor in all. In 164 dogs with a malignant solid tumor, the incidence of DIC was 12.2%. The incidence of DIC in dogs with hemangiosarcoma, mammary gland carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung was significantly higher than that in dogs with other malignant tumors. These results suggested that special care in looking for DIC should be taken in dogs with a malignant solid tumor.     

Comparison of culture, peroxidase-antiperoxidase reaction, and serum latex agglutination methods for diagnosis of chlamydiosis in pet birds

Comparison was made among results of cloacal specimen culture, and cloacal swab specimen (cytologic) peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP), serum latex agglutination (LA), and tissue PAP assays for diagnosis of chlamydiosis in 144 birds. Swab specimen PAP findings correlated poorly with LA results and failed to predict the LA test result in any bird. Only 1 cloacal swab specimen was regarded as PAP-positive and was from the cloaca of a bird from which chlamydiae were isolated in culture. The sensitivity of swab specimen PAP, compared with culture results, was 33%, whereas specificity was 94%. In this study, swab specimen PAP was a less sensitive test, compared with culture, than was reported in a previous study. The sensitivity of LA in identifying birds that were cloacal culture-positive was poor; true-positive results were not detected, compared with culture results. The specificity of the LA method was 93%, compared with culture results. Results of the tissue PAP method correlated with culture results in the 3 birds for which both tests were performed.     

Diagnosis of microthrombocytosis and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in dogs with thrombocytopenia: 68 cases (1987-1989).

The mean platelet volume (MPV) was evaluated in 68 dogs with thrombocytopenia attributable to various causes. Platelet size was high or low in some dogs. The most clinically useful observation was that low MPV (microthrombocytosis) was a specific indicator of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) in these thrombocytopenic dogs. All but one case of microthrombocytosis (MPV less than 5.4 fl) was found in dogs with IMT. Microthrombocytosis was detected in 17 of 31 dogs with IMT and appeared at the onset of the disease. Macrothrombocytosis (MPV greater than 9.4 fl) indicated active thrombopoiesis, but was not unique to any disease category. Macrothrombocytosis was detected in 18 of 31 dogs with IMT, 3 of 17 dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation, and 3 of 9 dogs with primary bone-marrow disease.     

Use of posaconazole in the management of invasive orbital aspergillosis in a cat

Orbital infection with Aspergillus fumigatus was diagnosed in a Persian cat that was presented with chronic third eyelid protrusion and exophthalmos. Evidence of nasal, sinus, or disseminated aspergillosis was not detected in this cat. Complete surgical excision of diseased tissues was not possible during orbital exenteration, and infection subsequently extended into the tissues of the oral cavity. Oral therapy with itraconazole and parenteral therapy with amphotericin B were ineffective in resolving the infection. Oral therapy with a novel triazole, posaconazole, was curative.     

Determination of Normal Values Using an Automated Coagulation Timer for Activated Coagulation Time and its Application in Dogs with Hemophilia

The present study was performed to determine normal values for the Medtronic HemoTec automated activated coagulation time (ACT) analyzer (Medtronic HemoTec Inc, Parker, CO, distributed in Switzerland by Convergenza AG, Vaduz, Liechtenstein), and to evaluate its ability to detect dogs with hemophilia. ACT was measured in 43 healthy dogs presented to the Companion Animal Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, with the Medtronic HemoTec ACT analyzer to determine normal values. The mean +/- 2 standard deviations (SDs) of the values obtained was defined as the normal range. ACT was measured 8-10 times on the same day in 6 dogs to determine repeatability. ACT also was measured in 11 dogs with hemophilia and compared with a conventional visual ACT measurement test and with the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT). ACT values of the 43 dogs used to determine normal values ranged from 66.5 to 97.0 seconds (mean, 79.3 seconds; SD, 7.35 seconds; median, 78.5 seconds). A range of 64-95 seconds (mean +/- 2 SDs) was defined as the normal range for the tested device. Repeatability was poor (r = 0.256). ACT values measured with the automated device did not correlate with ACT values measured with a conventional visual test or with APTT Sensitivity of the test was 90.9%, specificity was 98.0%, and accuracy was 96.7%. Variability in the test results was large and may lead to incorrect results. The automated measurement device was not superior to the conventional visual method in evaluating dogs with hemophilia.     

Trichosporon infection in a cat

A protruding nasal mass in a domestic shorthair cat with nasal discharge and recurrent fever was determined to be caused by infection with the fungus Trichosporon pullulans, as determined by cytologic, histologic, and fungal culture methods. Initially, the cat was treated orally with ketoconazole and the mass decreased in size. When signs of hepatotoxicosis developed, treatment was reduced to an alternate-day basis. However, the nasal mass increased in size with this regimen, and therapy with amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine was begun. It also was unsuccessful.     

影响江苏地区荷斯坦牛体细胞数变化模式的非遗传因素分析

旨在探究江苏地区荷斯坦牛体细胞数变化模式的影响因素。本研究通过对江苏地区12个奶牛场2017—2019年荷斯坦牛253 706条DHI测定日SCC记录进行分析，在划分9种SCC变化模式基础上，利用最小二乘法探究不同牧场规模、胎次、产犊季节、产犊间隔和305天产奶量对荷斯坦牛SCC变化模式的影响。结果表明，SCC模式在各因素不同水平间分布均有极显著差异（P<0.01）。其中，较低-维持模式在5 000头以上的牧场比例最高，较低-感染模式的比例最低；感染-维持模式在1 000头以下的牧场比例最高，较低-维持模式的比例最低。较低-维持模式在1胎牛的比例最高，感染-痊愈模式的比例最低；较低-感染模式在5胎牛的比例最高，较低-维持模式的比例最低。较低-感染模式在春季产犊时奶牛的比例最高，较低-维持模式的比例最低；易感-降低模式在夏季产犊时奶牛的比例最高，较低-感染模式的比例最低。较低-感染模式在产犊间隔为441 d以上的奶牛比例最高，较低-感染模式在产犊间隔为300~400 d的奶牛比例最低。较低-感染模式在305天产奶量为3 000~5 000 kg的奶牛比例最高；较低-维持模式在305天产奶量为9 001~11 000 kg的奶牛比例最高，感染-痊愈模式的比例最低。上述结果表明，不同牧场规模、胎次、产犊季节、产犊间隔和305天产奶量对荷斯坦牛SCC变化模式的分布均有一定影响，该结果为荷斯坦牛隐性乳房炎的预测提供了参考。     

母鸡饲粮锌与钙水平对初生雏鸡体内和残壳中矿物元素含量的影响

试验研究了母鸡饲粮不同水平的锌(添加量为0、40和1000ppm)和钙(含量为3.12和4.70％)对初生雏鸡体内和残壳中9种矿物元素(钙、磷、钾、钠、镁、锌、锰、铜和铁)含量的影响。结果表明,母鸡饲粮高锌使初生雏鸡体内锌含量显著提高;当饲粮高钙高锌时,初生雏体内锰含量显著降低;当饲粮低钙高锌时,残壳中锰含量显著升高。母鸡饲粮高钙使初生雏鸡残壳锌和锰含量显著降低,使残壳钙和铜含量显著提高。     

Evaluation of techniques for diagnosis of canine prostatic diseases

Bacterial culture and cytology of semen, bacterial culture and cytology of prostatic fluid washings, urinalysis, bacterial culture of urine, and blood leukocyte counts were performed on specimens from dogs with prostatic hyperplasia, chronic prostatitis, or prostatic neoplasia. Hemorrhage was the most frequent abnormal finding in semen from dogs with prostatic hyperplasia. Inflammation was the most frequent abnormal finding in dogs with chronic prostatitis. Bacterial culture of semen was sensitive but not specific for chronic bacterial prostatitis, due to false-positive results from urethral contamination. Hemorrhage was the most frequent abnormal finding in prostatic fluid washings from dogs with prostatic hyperplasia. Inflammation was the most frequent abnormal finding in dogs with chronic prostatitis. Abnormal epithelial cells were found after prostatic massage in 4 dogs with neoplasia, although these cells were difficult to identify as neoplastic. Prostatic fluid washings were not useful for detecting chronic bacterial prostatitis, due to an inability to detect increases in bacterial counts in the fluid when urine bacterial counts were high. Hematuria was the predominant abnormal finding in urinalysis from dogs with hyperplasia and neoplasia. Pyuria was the most frequent abnormal finding in dogs with chronic prostatitis. Urine was usually culture-positive when there was prostatic infection. Blood leukocyte counts were normal in dogs with prostatic hyperplasia and usually normal in dogs with neoplasia. Leukocytosis, a left shift, and toxic white blood cells were predictive of abscessation, although the blood leukocyte count was not a very sensitive indicator for infection without abscessation.     

Immunofluorescence studies of canine distemper encephalitis on paraffin-embedded tissue.

A paraffin-embedding technique for fluorescent antibody studies of canine distemper encephalitis was developed. Specific fluorescence was demonstrated in all brain tissue from dogs with canine distemper, and when compared with tissue on cryostat sections, the paraffin-embedded tissue showed superior preservation of tissue architecture. The preservation of viral antigen was good, and the appearance of fluorescence in gray- and white-matter lesions was described. In gray matter, extensive fluorescence was found mainly in neurons; fluorescence in white matter was less extensive and was mainly associated with astrocytes.     

Granulocyte function in dogs experimentally infected with a Swedish granulocytic Ehrlichia species

Granulocyte function was studied in six dogs inoculated with a Swedish granulocytic Ehrlichia species and in four control dogs. Whole blood chemiluminescence (CL) was enhanced in the dogs with granulocytic ehrlichiosis. Both CL after stimulation with zymosan and spontaneous CL was significantly increased at peak of infection compared with pre-infection levels. Ingestion of FITC-labelled serum-opsonized yeast cells was high and stable in both groups. The ingestion was lower when the yeast cells were opsonized with anti-yeast IgG. However, there was no difference between groups. The labelling intensity of anti-human CD11b, CD18 and CD32 mAb on the granulocytes in dogs with ehrlichiosis was similar to that in control dogs. The opsonic activity in serum collected at the peak of infection was not different from serum drawn prior to inoculation. Opsonic activity was investigated both by yeast cell ingestion and by chemiluminescence after stimulation with zymosan. The serum from infected dogs enhanced the respiratory burst without stimulation with zymosan of leukocytes from healthy dogs. This suggests that serum at the peak of infection contains granulocyte activators. In this study we found normal phagocytosis together with evidence of enhanced oxidative metabolism in the granulocytes from dogs with granulocytic ehrlichiosis.     

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas

This work aimed to evaluate serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in 25 dogs with soft tissue sarcoma, and in 30 healthy dogs. Blood was collected once time from the control animals and three times, in the same way, from animals with sarcoma. Blood count was performed in the blood collected, and serum VEGF was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay quantitative method. Serum VEGF in control animals was similar to patients with soft tissue sarcoma. There was a reduction in serum VEGF after the sarcoma resection. There was positive correlation between serum VEGF and neutrophil counts, and negative between VEGF and hemoglobin content in animals with sarcoma. Animals with hemangiopericytoma showed higher serum VEGF levels compared to the patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath. Circulating blood cells can contribute to elevate VEGF serum concentrations in dogs with soft tissue sarcomas and a possible role of VEGF in the angiogenesis of these tumors.     

Analysis of Non-genetic Factors Affecting SCC Change Pattern of Holstein Cows in Jiangsu Province

The objective of this study was to explore the influence factors of SCC change pattern of Holstein cows in Jiangsu. Based on the division of 9 SCC change patterns, 253 706 DHI records of Holstein cows from 2017 to 2019 in 12 dairy farms in Jiangsu province were analyzed, and the least squares model was used to explore the influence of different farm size, parities, calving seasons, calving intervals, and 305-days milk production on SCC change pattern. The results showed that the distribution of SCC patterns at different levels of each factor was significantly different (P<0.01). Among them, the percentage of lower to maintain pattern was the highest, and lower to infection pattern was the lowest for cows in farm with more than 5 000 cows. The percentage of infected to maintain pattern was the highest, and lower to maintain pattern was the lowest for cows in farm with less than 1 000 cows. The percentage of lower to maintain pattern was the highest, and infected to healed pattern was the lowest for cows with parity 1. The percentage of lower to infection pattern was the highest, and lower to maintain pattern was the lower for cows with parity 5. The percentage of lower to infection pattern was the highest, and lower to maintain pattern was the lowest for cows calving in spring. The percentage of susceptible to reduce pattern was the highest, lower to infection pattern was the lowest for cows calving in summer. The percentage of lower to infection pattern was the highest for cows with calving interval more than 441 d, and lowest for cows with calving interval with 300-400 d. The percentage of lower to infection pattern was the highest for cows with 305-days milk production of 3 000-5 000 kg. The percentage of lower to maintain pattern was the highest, and infected to healed pattern was the lowest for cows with 305-days milk production was 9 001-11 000 kg. The results indicate that different farm sizes, parities, calving seasons, calving interval, and levels with 305-days milk production have certain influences on the distribution of the SCC change patterns in Holstein cows. The results provide references for the prediction of subclinical mastitis in Holstein cows.     

蛋鸡复合饲料添加剂的筛选

试验选择756羽开产50周龄左右的罗曼褐壳蛋鸡,随机分为7组,试验1组为对照组,饲喂基础日粮;试验2组饲喂基础日粮+中草药(0.04%);试验3组饲喂基础日粮+中草药(0.04%)+酶制剂(0.01%);试验4组饲喂基础日粮+中草药(0.04%)+酶制剂(0.01%)+抗菌肽(0.1%);试验5组饲喂基础日粮+益生菌(2‰);试验6组饲喂基础日粮+益生菌(2‰)+酶制剂(0.01%);试验7组饲喂基础日粮+益生菌(2‰)+酶制剂(0.01%)+抗菌肽(0.1%)。结果表明,以试验4组效果最好,显著提高了产蛋率(P<0.05),降低了料蛋比(P<0.05),极显著提高了鸡蛋哈氏单位(P<0.01)。同时,与其他试验组相比,试验4组氨基酸总量最高,胆固醇含量最低。因此,推荐在蛋鸡日粮中添加中草药+酶制剂+抗菌肽组合对蛋鸡产蛋性能及蛋品质具有较好的效果。     

Evaluation of red cell distribution width in dogs with pulmonary hypertension

ObjectivesTo compare red cell distribution width (RDW) between dogs with different causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and a control dog population to determine whether RDW was correlated with severity of PH as measured by echocardiography. A further aim was to determine the prognostic significance of increased RDW for dogs with PH.AnimalsForty-four client-owned dogs with PH and 79 control dogs presented to a single tertiary referral institution.MethodsSignalment, clinical pathological and echocardiographic data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records of dogs with PH, and RDW measured on a Cell-Dyn 3500 was compared between dogs with pre- and post-capillary PH and a control population. Referring veterinary surgeons were contacted for follow-up information and Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to investigate differences in survival time between affected dogs with different RDW values.ResultsThe RDW was significantly greater in dogs with pre-capillary PH compared to control dogs. There was no difference in median survival times between dogs with PH divided according to RDW values. The RDW was positively correlated with mean corpuscular volume and haematocrit in dogs with PH, but did not correlate with echocardiographic variables.ConclusionsAn association was found between dogs with PH and increased RDW; however there was considerable overlap in values between control dogs and dogs with PH. The RDW was not associated with survival in this study.     

Prevalence of feline leukaemia virus and antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus in cats in the United Kingdom

A representative sample of the pet cat population of the United Kingdom was surveyed. Blood samples from 1204 sick and 1007 healthy cats of known breed, age and sex were tested for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). The prevalence of FIV was 19 per cent in sick cats and 6 per cent in healthy cats, and the prevalence of FeLV was 18 per cent in sick cats and 5 per cent in healthy cats; both infections were more common in domestic cats than in pedigree cats. Feline immunodeficiency virus was more prevalent in older cats but FeLV was more prevalent in younger cats. There was no difference between the prevalence of FeLV in male and female cats but male cats were more likely to be infected with FIV than female cats. No interaction was demonstrated between FIV and FeLV infections. Of the cats which were in contact with FIV in households with more than one cat, 21 per cent had seroconverted. The prevalence of FeLV viraemia in cats in contact with FeLV was 14 per cent. The clinical signs associated with FIV were pyrexia, gingivitis/stomatitis and respiratory signs, and with FeLV, pyrexia and anaemia. It was concluded that both viruses were significant causes of disease, and that the cats most likely to be infected with FIV were older, free-roaming male cats and for FeLV, younger, free-roaming cats.     

Epiglottic Augmentation in the Horse

Epiglottic augmentation with injectable bovine collagen or an autogenous or allogenous auricular cartilage graft was performed in 12 horses with endoscopically and radiographically normal epiglottises. The grafting procedures were easy to perform and did not cause apparent discomfort. Cartilage graft extrusion or resorption may have occurred, but was not seen by endoscopy and lateral laryngeal radiography. Only collagen implants remained evident endoscopically, as smooth round submucosal bulges ventral to the epiglottic cartilage. Two horses with collagen implants, and all horses with cartilage autografts and allografts, were euthanatized at week 16. One horse with a collagen implant was euthanatized at week 4 and one at week 6. The epiglottis appeared thickened in three horses with collagen implants, two horses with autogenous grafts, and three horses with allogenous grafts. Pharyngeal lymphoid tissue was hyperplastic in two horses with autografts and three horses with allografts, but not in horses with collagen implants. Collagen grafts persisted as one or two smooth bulges 8 mm in diameter. Collagen incited a brisk foreign body reaction that was surrounded by a fibrous connective tissue capsule. Epiglottises of the horses with collagen implants were significantly thicker 20 mm from the tip than those of normal horses and horses with allografts. Cartilage graft incorporation was not evident grossly and was seen on microscopic examination in only one autograft. Thickening was caused by submucosal fibrosis.