Avulsion of the brachial plexus—1. Neuropathology of the spinal cord and peripheral nerves

The spinal cords and nerve roots of six dogs, and the peripheral nerves from twelve dogs with avulsion of the brachial plexus were studied. Intradural avulsion of dorsal and ventral nerve roots contributing to the plexus was present in all cases. Retraction balls were present on the axons of motor neurones within the cord and the ventral horn cells showed retrograde reactions. The changes in the peripheral nerves were characteristic of Wallerian degeneration but there was commonly sparing of some fibres. Intact fibres were demonstrated in cutaneous nerves, although pain sensation was absent in the skin areas supplied by these nerves. The significance of these findings is discussed. Résumé. La moelle épinière et les racines nerveuses de six chiens, et les nerfs périphériques de douze chiens attents d'avulsion du plexus brachial furent étudiés. Dans chacun des cas on a pu observer la présence d'avulsion intradurale des racines nerveuses dorsales et ventrales se rapportant au plexus. Des boules de rétraction s'étaient formées sur les axons des neurones dans la corde, et les cellules de la come ventrale avaient subit des réactions rétrogrades. Les changements observés dans les nerfs périphériques étaient charactéristiques de la dégénérescence Wallerian, mais certaines fibres nerveuses étaient souvent épargnées. Il fut prouvé que les fibres intactes étaient localisées dans les nerfs cutanés, bien que la sensation de peine füt absente dans les secteurs de la peau commandée par ces nerfs. La signification de ces résultats est discutée. Zusammenfassung. Rückenmarke und Nervenwurzeln in sechs Hunden, sowie die peripheralischen Nerven von zwölf Hunden mit ausgerissenem Plexus brachialis, wurden studiert. Ein Plexus beförderntes, intradurales Ausreissen der Rücken- und Bauch- Nervenwurzeln, wurde in allen Fällen erwiesen. Retraktionskugeln wurden innerhalb des Rückenmarks an den Neuraxonen der Bewegungsneuronen festgestellt und die ventralen Hornzellen wiesen rückläufige Reaktionen ad. Die Veränderungen der peripheralen Nerven waren einer ‘Wallerianischer’ Entartung nahe, jedoch konnte eine allgemeine Schonung einiger Nervenfasern festgestellt werden. Intakte Nervenfasern wurden in den Hautnerven vorgewiesen, obwohl die von den betreffenden Nerven versehene Hautfläche, keiner Schmerzsensation unterlag. Die Bedeutung dieser Befunde ist darge-stellt.     

Clinical aspects of reptile behavior.

At first glance, the abstract world of reptile ethology may seem remote to clinicians dealing with the health and disease of captive animals. By delving a little deeper, however, veterinarians can learn to appreciate the reasons for certain behaviors and actually use these behaviors as indicators of various biologic states. Close scrutiny of subtle changes in behavior can further help assess reptile well-being and judge captive welfare. In the future, it is hoped that improved ethologic understanding will result in behavioral enrichment for reptiles, as is already promoted for many nondomestic mammals and birds.     

Clinical aspects of mycotic keratitis in the horse.

Several manifestations of equine corenal ulcers caused by mycotic agents are discussed. Antifungal therapy is reviewed. Mycotic keratitis should be suspected when routine corneal ulcer therapy is nonproductive.     

Avulsion of the triceps tendon insertion in a cat.

Avulsion of the insertion of the triceps tendon, which had a pre-existing tendinopathy, is described in a cat. The tendon was re-attached to the olecranon and the repair was immobilised using a type la trans-articular external skeletal fixator. The treatment was successful, however, mild and intermittent lameness persisted. Although it is an uncommon condition in small animals, the diagnosis should be based on careful clinical and radiographic examination.     

Avulsion of the common retinaculum in meat turkeys

An increase in leg condemnations was experienced in several commercial meat flocks of male and female turkeys. Affected legs had hematomas around and above the tibiotarsus-tarsometatarsus (hock) joint. Avulsion of the common retinaculum from the external condyle was observed when the skin and muscular fascia were removed. A farm investigation was performed and similar changes were observed in turkeys between 10 and 19 wk of age. Interestingly, birds with avulsion of this fibrinous bridge were not lame. Body weights were normal, no infectious agent was detected, and mineral contents of bones and tendons were within normal limits. Avulsion of the retinaculum might not have been diagnosed in the past because the birds are not lame and the lesion is tightly covered by the skin and muscular fascia.     

Clinical evaluation of the anaesthetic sparing effect of brachial plexus block in cats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the isoflurane sparing effect and the post-surgical analgesia provided by a brachial plexus block (BPB) in cats undergoing distal thoracic limb surgery.Study designProspective randomized blinded clinical study.AnimalsTwenty client-owned cats.MethodsCats were assigned to receive either no BPB (group NB) or a nerve stimulator guided BPB (group BPB) using lidocaine (3.6 mg kg^?1) and bupivacaine (1.2 mg kg^?1). Pre-medication consisted of midazolam and ketamine intravenously (IV). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol IV to effect and maintained with isoflurane delivered in oxygen and a continuous rate infusion of fentanyl (2 μg kg^?1 hour^?1). End-tidal isoflurane concentration (Fe′ISO) was adjusted every 3 minutes guided by changes in cardiorespiratory parameters and reflexes present, to maintain a stable depth of anaesthesia. Five time points were chosen to record all parameters and compare values between groups. Recovery and post-operative pain assessment were performed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 15 and 45 minutes after extubation and thereafter at hourly intervals until 5 hours after placement of the BPB.ResultsNo clinically significant differences were seen for heart rate, respiratory rate and non-invasive blood pressure between groups. Mean Fe′ISO was significantly lower in group BPB compared with group NB at all time points. In group NB, all intraoperative measurements of Fe′ISO were significantly higher compared with baseline (3 minutes before start of surgery) measurements. During recovery, VAS scores for group BPB were significantly lower than for group NB. Additional analgesics were needed in all cats within the study period.Conclusion and Clinical relevanceIn cats undergoing orthopaedic surgery of the thoracic limb, BPB reduced intra-operative isoflurane requirement and pain during the early post-operative period when compared with procedures without a BPB. BPB is a useful adjunct to anaesthesia in such cases.     

Clinical aspects of coliform mastitis in the bovine

In 1979, 209 cows from 2742 patients in the clinic for obstetrics and gynecology suffered from coliform mastitis. Most of these animals had been sent to the clinic because of a general or local infectious disease, a delayed birth or a teat injury. Coliform mastitis developed secondarily. Only 12 animals (6%) had solely a mastitis and no other clinically recognisable disease. Most of them showed a secondary acetonemia (ketosis). The connection between hypoglycemia, disturbance of the body's own defense mechanism and development of a coliform mastitis is discussed. The frequent occurrence of coliform mastitis in dairy herds with sawdust bedding is not directly attributed to a coliform contamination of the bedding but indirectly to a lack of crude fibre content in the diet which results in a subclinical ketosis and a dysfunction of the leucocytic defense. Coliform mastitis predominantly is not a hygienic but a management problem.     

Pathophysiological effects of endotoxins in ruminants. 2. Metabolic aspects

Metabolic disturbances following intravenous and intramammary administration of endotoxins in ruminants are described. In contrast to the similarity in response of blood biochemical parameters after intravenous and intramammary administrations of endotoxins, responses in plasma concentrations of enzyme activities, the thyroid hormones, cortisol, and somatotropin differ markedly. Biochemical changes in blood after endotoxin administration are predominantly dose-dependent; thus some of the biochemical parameters - especially plasma concentrations of Fe and Zn - serve also to evaluate the effects of certain drugs in endotoxin models. Changes in milk composition have been documented only after intramammary infusion of endotoxins and can partly be explained by the increased permeability of the blood/milk barrier. Appearance and production of milk returns to normal within a week after intramammary endotoxin treatment, indicating that the mammary gland is only temporarily damaged by endotoxin-induced mastitis.     

Clinical aspects of autoimmunity in animals

The concept of autoimmunity and its role in disease-states in man and animals are discussed. A clinico-anatomical classification of the autoimmune diseases is presented to facilitate diagnosis. With this as a basis, the clinical recognition of the autoimmune state and the diseases which it causes, or accompanies, in animal medicine are described and comparative features reviewed. This is concluded with brief comments on treatment and future studies. Résumé. On envisage le concept de l'auto-immunité et de son rôle en pathologie humaine et animale. Une classification clinico-anatomique est décrite pour faciliter le diagnostic. En partant de là, on décrit les signes permettant de reconnaître les états d'auto-immunité et les maladies qu'ils provoquent ou accompagnent chez les animaux et on passe en revue les données d'une étude comparative. Un bref commentaire sur le traitement et les études futures conclut cet article. Zusammenfassung. Der Begriff der Autoimmunität und ihre Rolle bei Krankheitszuständen von Mensch und Tier werden besprochen. Eine klinisch-anatomische Klassifikation der autoimmunen Krankheiten wird zwecks Erleichterung der Diagnose dargestellt. Davon ausgehend werden die klinische Erkennung des autoimmunen Zustands und der Krankheiten, die er verursacht oder begleitet, auf dem Gebiete der Tiermedizin beschrieben und gemeinsame Züge hervorgehoben. Daran schliessen sich kurze Bemerkungen über die Behandlung und über weitere Untersuchungen.