MENSURATION OF THE NORMAL PITUITARY GLAND FROM MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGES IN 96 DOGS

The pituitary gland was measured from transverse magnetic resonance T1-weighted images after Gadolinium administration in 96 dogs weighing from 13 to 45 kg. The measurements were done by hand with calipers. The mean (+/- standard deviation) pituitary gland height was 5.1 mm (+/-0.9 mm). The mean width was 6.4 mm (+/- 1.1 mm). The correlation coefficient between pituitary and brain measurements, between pituitary measurement and body weight, and brain measurements and body weight was 0.0 to 0.3. A hyperintense region was present on T1-weighted images in the center of the pituitary gland in 64% of the dogs. At necropsy the pituitary glands were grossly and histologically normal. No pituitary gland measurements were performed at necropsy.     

Chorioptes bovis (Acarina: Psoroptidae) in some camelids from Dutch zoos

The feet of three two-humped camels (Camelus bactrianus), one lama (Lama glama) and four alpacas (Lama pacos) from zoos and a circus in the Netherlands were examined for the mange-mite Choroptes bovis. Mites were found on two of the camels, the lama, and three of the alpacas. On one camel and one alpaca small mange lesions on the feet were present. This is the first report of Chorioptes bovis and chorioptic mange in the two-humped camel.     

Interaction of low-pathogenicity reoviruses and low levels of infection with several coccidial species

Various combinations of reoviruses and coccidia were studied to see if interactions would occur. Two reoviruses were used: virus 2035, a moderate to low pathogen, and virus 2177, a nonpathogen. Coccidia used were Eimeria acervulina, E. mitis, and E. maxima at dosages of 10(3) or 10(4) sporulated oocysts/chick and E. brunetti at 10(4) sporulated oocysts/chick. In Hubbard-Hubbard cockerels, a combination of virus 2035 and E. acervulina (10(4) oocysts/chick) or E. maxima (10(3) oocysts/chick) significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased the frequency of stunting (% of chicks with body weight less than 80% of controls) and further depressed weight gain over that seen with either virus or coccidia alone. Conversely, virus 2177 ameliorated the same effects in Shaver-Arbor Acre cockerels given 10(4) oocysts/chick of E. mitis or E. maxima. The interaction could not be attributed to changes in the degree of coccidial infection based on oocyst production. Reovirus did not generally change the effect of coccidia on levels of plasma pigment and plasma protein. In Hubbard-Hubbard cockerels, coccidia-induced effects were not ameliorated by virus 2177, suggesting that breed difference in interaction can be expected.