An outbreak of ringworm in a group of young cattle.

In an outbreak of ringworm, 30 out of 32 bull calves being reared intensively for beef showed infection. Weekly observations were made from their arrival at the farm at about one week old until slaughter at approximately 10 1/2 to 12 months of age. The outbreak lasted for 33 weeks and appeared to originate from two animals brought into the unit. Lesions occurred first, and most commonly, in the head region. The disease in individual animals lasted eight weeks and each lesion had a mean duration of 3.6 weeks. New lesions occurred after those elsewhere on the same animal had healed. The mean incubation period was estimated at 4.6 weeks. Spread of ringworm was probably mainly due to the licking and grooming activities of the calves' tongues.     

Inhibition of equine complement activity by polysulfated glycosaminoglycans.

The ability of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG) to inhibit the complement cascade was evaluated. The role of complement in inflammation and infection has been well documented. Inhibition of the complement cascade by PSGAG could explain why intra-articularly administered PSGAG diminish diarthrodial joint inflammation and potentiate septic arthritis in horses. Hemolytic complement testing was performed to evaluate the effect of PSGAG on the equine classical and alternate pathways of complement, using rabbit erythrocytes as the target cells. Concentration of PSGAG between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.6 mg/ml significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited equine complement in dose-related fashion. Further increase in complement inhibition was not observed at PSGAG concentration greater than 0.6 mg/ml. Difference was not apparent in the extent of inhibition of complement from each of the 4 horses tested. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans appeared to inhibit the classical and alternate complement pathways equally, indicating possible effect on complement components common to both pathways. Heat inactivation of complement function completely inhibited (P less than 0.01) the hemolytic activity of the serum from all horses.     

Reactivity of lichen lectins with blood typed canine erythrocytes

Extracts from 69 species of lichens were tested for their ability to agglutinate untreated and enzyme-modified erythrocytes from a panel of blood typed dogs. Forty-three lichen species reacted positively with either untreated or enzyme-modified cells. Many extracts exhibited differential agglutination among red cells tested. The patterns of differential agglutination observed with the lichen extracts did not correspond to known canine blood groups present on the test red cell panel.     

Dose-titration of fenbendazole in the treatment of poultry nematodiasis

Broiler chickens were fed ad libitum diets containing fenbendazole at various concentrations and durations for the removal of adult Ascaridia galli, Heterakis gallinarum, and Capillaria obsignata. All regimens were 100% effective against A. galli. Fenbendazole at doses of 80 ppm for 3 days and 48 or 30 ppm for 5 days was 100% effective against H. gallinarum. C. obsignata was not removed completely by any regimen, but greater than or equal to 95% effectiveness was seen in birds given fenbendazole at doses of 80 ppm for 3 days and 48 ppm for 5 days. All medicated rations were readily consumed, and the treated birds exhibited no adverse reactions.     

Viscosity and rheologic properties of blood from clinically normal horses.

Blood viscosity (BV) was measured in 32 healthy horses at 6 spindle speeds (60, 30, 12, 6, 3, and 1.5 rpm) and for PCV of 40%, using a digital rotational cone and plate microviscometer. Also, in 7 of 32 horses, BV was measured 3 times each, for 3 PCV values (20, 40, and 60%), and at each spindle speed to determine effect of PCV on BV and machine and among-horse variations. Total plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations were measured in all horses, using a standard refractometer and heat precipitation, respectively. In 7 of 32 horses, quantitative fibrinogen concentration was measured, using a quantitative fibrinogen assay. Plasma protein and fibrinogen concentrations were measured to determine their effect on BV. Plasma total protein (6.0 to 7.5 g/dl) and fibrinogen (100 to 400 mg/dl) concentrations were within normal reference range for our laboratory.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A Histopathological Study of Canine and Feline Ovarian Dysgerminomas

Clinical and pathological features of ovarian dysgerminomas occurring in two dogs and a cat are presented. The feline neoplasm had morphological characteristics closely resembling those of dysgerminomas in women. The feline and one canine neoplasm occurred in young animals as compared to other reported animal dysgerminomas. Findings are discussed in relation to other reports of these tumors in animals and in women.     

Canine cyclic hematopoiesis: blood gas and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid studies

Cyclic hematopoiesis in gray Collies was first described in 1967. These dogs are anemic in comparison with the healthy littermates, and their erythropoiesis is abnormal. Although the basic disorder appears to be an as yet unidentified abnormality of hematopoietic progenitor cells, an inherent difference in responses to blood gas control mechanisms remains as a possible cause. In a study of these mechanisms in dogs with cyclic hematopoiesis, the P50 and 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid concentrations were increased. Differences in pH, PCO2, PO2, and oxygen saturation were not observed.