Thirteen cases of tetanus in dogs

The records of 13 dogs with tetanus were reviewed, 12 of the dogs survived and were discharged, but the other died as a result of the acute onset of hyperthermia. Long-term follow up was available for 10 of the survivors of which nine were reported to be normal. One case was euthanased after a cervical spine fracture four months after it was discharged. Complications encountered during management included aspiration pneumonia in three cases, urinary tract infection in two cases, and upper respiratory tract obstruction, hiatal hernia, coxofemoral luxation, seizures and respiratory arrest in one case each. None of the dogs required ventilatory support, and the complications were managed successfully. The dogs were nursed intensively and monitored carefully.     

Hormonal responses to acute exercise, training and overtraining. A review with emphasis on the horse

Overtraining is an imbalance between training and recovery leading to symptoms associated with a neuroendocrine dysbalance called the overtraining syndrome, a disease characterized by behavioral, emotional and physical symptoms similar with depression. Although the prevalence of overtraining is high in human and equine athletes, at present no sensitive and specific test is available to prevent or diagnose overtraining. Nowadays, it is believed that combination of different (hormonal) parameters appear to be the best indicators of overtraining. Therefore, this review provides a summary of previous literature examining the response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor-I (GH-IGF-I) axis to acute and chronic exercise as well as overtraining in humans and horses. The exercise induced hormonal responses seem to be equal for the equine as well as the human athlete, which makes comparisons possible. Repeated bouts of exercise are suggested to provide a way to detect subtle changes in hormonal responses in the individual athlete, which may make them an important tool in detecting early overtraining. This should be combined with corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation tests and basal ACTH and GH pulsatility determination. Further research is needed to establish the correct training intensity and rest period for the exercise test in equines.     

Identification of polymorphisms and association analysis with meat quality traits in the porcine KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B genes

Skeletal muscle genes are potential candidates for production and meat quality. Screening a subtracted cDNA library constructed with mRNA obtained from longissimus dorsi muscles of F1 hybrids Landrace × Yorkshire and their female parents Yorkshire, we isolated two partial sequences coding for the H3-K4-specific methyltransferase (KIAA1717) and skeletal muscle myosin regulatory light chain (HUMMLC2B) genes. Database search revealed KIAA1717 and HUMMLC2B encoded proteins with SET domain and EF-hand calcium binding motif, respectively. In the present work we identified their partial polymorphisms and two SNPs, one (C1354T) at the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of KIAA1717 and one (A345G) at the SINE (PRE-1) element of HUMMLC2B, both created/disrupted a restriction site for endonuclease Msp I. The selected pigs were genotyped at the KIAA1717 C1354T and HUMMLC2B A345G sites by means of a PCR-RFLP protocol. Significant associations were observed for the KIAA1717 C1354T polymorphic site with meat marbling (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)) and intramuscular fat (p < 0.01). HUMMLC2B A345G were significantly associated with meat pH (longissimus doris (p < 0.05), biceps femoris (p < 0.01)), drip loss (p < 0.01), water holding capacity (p < 0.01) and meat color value (longissimus doris (p < 0.01), biceps femoris (p < 0.05)). Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.     

Doramectin concentration profiles in the gastrointestinal tract of topically-treated calves: Influence of animal licking restriction

Endectocide compounds are extensively used for broad-spectrum parasite control and their topical administration to cattle is widespread in clinical practice. Pour-on formulations of moxidectin, ivermectin, eprinomectin and doramectin (DRM) are marketed internationally for use in cattle. However, variability in antiparasitic efficacy and pharmacokinetic profiles has been observed. Although the tissue distribution pattern for different endectocide molecules given subcutaneously to cattle has been described, only limited information on drug concentration profiles in tissues of parasite location after topical treatment is available. Understanding the plasma and target tissue kinetics for topically-administered endectocide compounds is relevant to optimise their therapeutic potential. The current work was designed to measure the plasma and gastrointestinal (GI) concentration profiles of DRM following its pour-on administration to calves. The influence of natural licking behaviour of cattle on DRM concentration in mucosal tissue and luminal content of different GI sections was evaluated. The trial was conducted in two experimental phases. In Phase I, the DRM plasma kinetics was comparatively characterised in free-licking and in 2-day licking-restricted (non-licking) calves. The pattern of distribution of topical DRM to mucosal and luminal contents from abomasum, duodenum, ileum, caecum and spiral colon was assessed in free-licking and non-licking calves restricted over 10 days post-administration (Phase II). The prevention of licking caused marked changes on the plasma and GI kinetics of DRM administered pour-on. In 2-day licking restricted calves, DRM systemic availability was significantly lower (29%) than in free licking animals during the first 9 days post-treatment. Following a 10-day long licking restriction period, DRM concentrations profiles in both mucosal tissue and luminal contents of the GI tract were markedly higher in animals allowed to lick freely. This enhancement in drug concentrations in free-licking compared to non-licking calves, was particularly pronounced in the abomasal (38-fold higher) and duodenal (six-fold higher) luminal content. As shown earlier for ivermectin, licking behaviour may facilitate the oral ingestion of topically-administered DRM in cattle. This would be consistent with the marked lower drug concentration profiles measured in the bloodstream and GI tract of the animals prevented from licking. The work reported here provides relevant information on the pattern of DRM distribution to the GI tract after pour-on treatment, and contributes to understand the variability observed in the antiparasitic persistence of topically-administered endectocides in cattle. The implications of natural licking in topical treatments are required to be seriously assessed to achieve optimal parasite control and to design parasitological and pharmacological studies within the drug approval process.     

Biochemical analysis of the articular cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone of the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses with early osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether site-related changes in biochemical composition are present in the cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone of the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses with early osteoarthritis. SAMPLE POPULATION: Right metacarpophalangeal joints from 59 mature warmblood horses. PROCEDURE: Biochemical data (cross-link, amino acid, DNA, and ash contents; denatured collagen and glycosaminoglycan [GAG] concentrations; bone mineral density; and mineral composition) were obtained from 2 differently loaded sites of phalanx I cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone samples; data were compared with previously published values from nonosteoarthritic equine joints. RESULTS: Compared with findings in nonosteoarthritic joints, GAG concentration was lower in cartilage from osteoarthritic joints and there was a loss of site differences in cellularity and lysylpyridinoline (LP) cross-link content. In subchondral bone, LP cross-link content was decreased overall and there was a loss of site differences in osteoarthritic joints; ash content was higher in the osteoarthritic joints. Hydroxyproline content in trabecular bone from osteoarthritic joints was greater than that in nonosteoarthritic trabecular bone. In all 3 layers and at both sites, the linear increase of the pentosidine cross-link content with age had diminished or was not apparent in the horses with osteoarthritic joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In equine metacarpophalangeal joints with early osteoarthritis, distinct biochemical changes were detected in the cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone. The dissimilarity in response of the different tissues and differences between the sites that are affected may be related to differences in biomechanical loading and transmission and dissipation of force.     

Isolation of Cokeromyces recurvatus, initially misidentified as Coccidioides immitis, from peritoneal fluid in a cat with jejunal perforation.

Cokeromyces recurvatus, a zygomycete, was isolated by fungal culture from the peritoneal fluid of a cat with jejunal perforation secondary to intestinal lymphosarcoma. This organism has not been recovered previously from a veterinary patient. The tissue form of C. recurvatus is morphologically similar to those of Coccidioides immitis and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and may be misdiagnosed as 1 of these organisms on the basis of cytologic or histopathologic specimens, particularly in geographic regions where these organisms are not endemic.     

Idiopathic thrombocytopenia in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic idiopathic macrothrombocytopenia in the population of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in New South Wales (NSW) and to determine if it exhibits an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. We also aimed to determine if significant differences existed when counting platelets manually, by auto analyser or by blood smear estimation in CKCS and mixed breed dogs. METHODS: Blood was collected from 172 dogs (152 CKCS and 20 mixed breed) and placed into sodium-citrate anticoagulant. Platelet counts were performed manually, by auto analyser and by blood smear estimates in CKCS and mixed breed dogs. Blood smears were also examined for platelet clumping and erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet morphology. Pedigree analysis was performed to determine if an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern was supported. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found in platelet counts between CKCS and mixed breed dogs (P < 0.0001). CKCS had a platelet count that was 32% that of the controls (95% confidence interval, 28 to 37%). There was no significant difference between methods used to count platelets. Thirty percent of CKCS had macrothrombocytes. Pedigree analysis and examination of obtained and expected segregation ratios from 17 CKCS families supported an autosomal recessive pattern of Mendelian inheritance. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of idiopathic macrothrombocytopenia exists in CKCS in NSW and automated or blood smear estimates are sufficient to count platelet numbers. Data supports an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern.