Feline papillomas and papillomaviruses

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are highly species- and site-specific pathogens of stratified squamous epithelium. Although PV infections in the various Felidae are rarely reported, we identified productive infections in six cat species. PV-induced proliferative skin or mucous membrane lesions were confirmed by immunohistochemical screening for papillomavirus-specific capsid antigens. Seven monoclonal antibodies, each of which reacts with an immunodominant antigenic determinant of the bovine papillomavirus L1 gene product, revealed that feline PV capsid epitopes were conserved to various degrees. This battery of monoclonal antibodies established differential expression patterns among cutaneous and oral PVs of snow leopards and domestic cats, suggesting that they represent distinct viruses. Clinically, the lesions in all species and anatomic sites were locally extensive and frequently multiple. Histologically, the areas of epidermal hyperplasia were flat with a similarity to benign tumors induced by cutaneotropic, carcinogenic PVs in immunosuppressed human patients. Limited restriction endonuclease analyses of viral genomic DNA confirmed the variability among three viral genomes recovered from available frozen tissue. Because most previous PV isolates have been species specific, these studies suggest that at least eight different cat papillomaviruses infect the oral cavity (tentative designations: Asian lion, Panthera leo, P1PV; snow leopard, Panthera uncia, PuPV-1; bobcat, Felis rufus, FrPV; Florida panther, Felis concolor, FcPV; clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, NnPV; and domestic cat, Felis domesticus, FdPV-2) or skin (domestic cat, F. domesticus, FdPV-1; and snow leopard, P. uncia, PuPV-2).     

Spontaneous bilateral coxofemoral luxation in four dogs

Spontaneous bilateral coxofemoral luxations and their clinical managements are described in four dogs. Luxations in each case occurred while the patient was in a controlled environment with no possibility of trauma. While all cases had bilateral luxations, the luxations occurred in a staged fashion in two of the four cases. Treatment varied with each case, but included closed reduction, triple pelvic osteotomy, prosthetic capsulorrhaphy, toggle pin, ischioilial pinning, total hip replacement, and femoral head and neck ostectomy. Other than femoral head and neck ostectomy, results were uniformly poor, with reluxation being the most common complication. Evidence of pre-existing degenerative changes was minimal, particularly considering the ages of the patients (range, three to 12 yrs). Histopathological evaluation of joint capsules, round ligaments, and femoral heads are warranted in future cases.     

Case examples demonstrating the clinical utility of obtaining both right and left lateral abdominal radiographs in small animals

Seven case examples are presented which illustrate the utility of using both right to left and left to right laterolateral abdominal radiographs (left lateral and right lateral recumbent radiographs, respectively) when evaluating gastrointestinal disease. These cases demonstrate the benefits of obtaining both lateral abdominal radiographs in disease of the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. A review of the literature concerning this technique is provided.     

Compression radiography: an old technique revisited

Five case examples are provided to illustrate the use of compression radiography in the dog and cat. Abdominal compression radiography provides for evaluation of the size, shape, location, and opacity of a specific area without the degree of superimposition encountered with survey radiographs. The following cases illustrate compression techniques of the intestinal tract, uterus, kidney, bladder, and spleen. A review of the technique as well as a discussion of the advantages and limitations are presented.     

Use of whole blood for spectrophotometric determination of cholinesterase activity in dogs

Whole blood has been compared with erythrocytes and plasma for spectrophotometric cholinesterase determination in the dog. Cholinesterase activity was characterized using two substrates: acetylthiocholine and butyrylthiocholine. Acetylcholinesterase was the only form of cholinesterase present on erythrocytes and hydrolysed only acetylthiocholine. Butyrylcholinesterase (pseudocholinesterase) was predominant in plasma, hydrolysing mainly butyrylthiocholine. Based on these results, a method based on the use of two substrates (acetylthiocholine for monitoring acetylcholinesterase and butyrylthiocholine for determining butyrylcholinesterase) in the same whole blood sample is recommended for canine cholinesterase analysis. This way of monitoring both enzymes can be easily automated, yielding good within (CVs < 5%) and between-run (CVs < 7%) precision.     

A review of selenium deficiency in grazing ruminants. Part 2: towards a more rational approach to diagnosis and prevention

ESTIMATING SELENIUM STATUS: Although the importance of selenium in ruminants has been recognised for over 30 years, problems associated with selenium deficiency are still frequently identified in grazing livestock operations. There is a growing diversity of tools available for the management of selenium deficiency giving rise to diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas for the veterinary practitioner. There is no single test for selenium adequacy which can be considered superior in all diagnostic situations because the method of choice depends on the objective of the testing procedure. REFERENCE RANGES: Reviewing the available data, the current New Zealand reference ranges for selenium concentrations in ruminant tissue and feed appear valid. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Management of selenium deficiency will continue to be important in grazing ruminants. Practising veterinarians should be familiar with the appropriate use of tests for selenium deficiency. Advice should be based on micronutrient analysis of animal tissue, defensible reference ranges backed by production response data, and supplementation programmes which optimise the return on investment.