Taurine deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy: 12 cases (1997-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, history, clinical signs, blood and plasma taurine concentrations, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, treatment, and outcome of dogs with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 client-owned dogs with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and clinical data were obtained. RESULTS: All 12 dogs were being fed a commercial dry diet containing lamb meal, rice, or both as primary ingredients. Cardiac function and plasma taurine concentration improved with treatment and taurine supplementation. Seven of the 12 dogs that were still alive at the time of the study were receiving no cardiac medications except taurine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that consumption of certain commercial diets may be associated with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and DCM in dogs. Taurine supplementation may result in prolonged survival times in these dogs, which is not typical for dogs with DCM. Samples should be submitted for measurement of blood and plasma taurine concentrations in dogs with DCM, and taurine supplementation is recommended while results of these analyses are pending.     

Prophylactic use of decoquinate for infections with Cryptosporidium parvum in experimentally challenged neonatal calves

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of daily oral administration of decoquinate to neonatal calves experimentally challenged with various numbers of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. DESIGN: Clinical trial. ANIMALS: 75 calves. PROCEDURE: Calves were purchased from a commercial dairy during a 5-week period. Calves were housed in individual hutches and fed milk replacer with or without decoquinate (2 mg/kg [0.9 mg/lb per day]). Calves were randomly assigned to treatment and 1 of 5 challenge groups (0, 50, 100, 1000, or 10,000 C. parvum oocysts in 60 mL of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution administered p.o. on the day after arrival). Calves were maintained in the study for as long as 28 days. Calves were clinically assessed for diarrhea and dehydration. Fecal samples were submitted for oocyst enumeration 3 times each week. RESULTS: Treatment did not affect number of days to first watery feces (diarrhea), number of days to first oocyst shedding, or duration of diarrhea or oocyst shedding. Duration of oocyst shedding was significantly associated with challenge dose of oocysts administered to calves and number of days to first oocyst shedding. Duration of diarrhea and number of days to first oocyst shedding were significantly associated with week of arrival and number of days to first watery diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Daily treatment with decoquinate at the dosage used in this study did not affect oocyst shedding or clinical signs associated with cryptosporidiosis. However, there was an indication that if the number of oocysts calves received could be reduced, then the duration of oocyst shedding and, hence, environmental loading of C. parvum oocysts could be reduced.     

Evolution of bacterial resistance to certain antibacterial agents in horses in a veterinary hospital

Evolution of bacterial resistance to certain antibacterial agents in horses in a veterinary hospital. A total of 255 antibiograms, conducted according to the Kirby-Bauer method from bacterial isolates collected from horses at the H?pital Vétérinaire d'Enseignement at the Université de Montréal between 1996 and 1998 were compared with the results obtained about 10 years ago with corresponding bacterial species. A significant increase in the percentage of strains resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SXT), penicilline, tetracycline, and to gentamicin was observed. The percentages of isolates of Actinobacillus spp. and coagulase-positive staphylococci resistant to TMP-SXT increased from 0% to 17% and from 0% to 33%, respectively, (P < 0.05). The percentage of isolates of Actinobacillus spp resistant to penicilline also increased from 33% to 73% (P < 0.05). Regular monitoring of the evolution of bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents is indispensable in a hospital structure. The adoption of "good antibiotherapy practices" is essential to guarantee a decrease in the risks of selection and dissemination of a resistant bacterial strain.     

Ameloblastic odontoma in the mandible of a llama

A 4-year-old llama had an aggressive, multiloculated, expansile bone lesion involving the rostral mandible. The mandibular lesion was imaged using radiography and computed tomography. Antemortem diagnosis of an ossifying fibroma was made histologically. Postmortem findings showed the lesion to be limited to the mandible. Final diagnosis was ameloblastic odontoma.     

Diagnosis of trichomoniasis in 'virgin' bulls by culture and polymerase chain reaction

The diagnostic test for Tritrichomonas foetus in bulls is microscopic examination of cultured preputial samples. Trichomonads other than T. foetus can be present in a preputial sample. Both a staining technique and a polymerase chain reaction assay were useful in differentiating between T. foetus and another trichomonad observed in samples from virgin bulls.     

Effects of pico-tesla electromagnetic field treatment on wound healing in rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a pico-tesla electromagnetic field (PTEF) on healing of sutured and open skin wounds and clinicopathologic variables in rats. ANIMALS: 64 male Fischer-344 rats. PROCEDURE: An incision made in the dorsal aspect of the neck was sutured (n = 32) or left open to heal (32). In each group, 16 rats were not PTEF-treated (controls). Wound treatment consisted of exposure to a PTEF once daily. Rats in each group were euthanatized at days 2, 4, 7, and 14. Wounds were evaluated via tensiometry (sutured wounds), digital planimetry (open wounds), laser Doppler perfusion imaging, bacteriologic culture, and histologic examination. Blood samples were collected from all rats for analysis. RESULTS: At day 14, sutured wounds in PTEF-treated rats were stronger (ultimate stress) and tougher (strain energy) than were sutured wounds in control rats. Open wounds in PTEF-treated rats contracted more quickly at days 2 and 4 than did those in control rats. Compared with control wounds, histologic changes (indicative of improved healing) in sutured and open wounds in PTEF-treated rats were detected as early as day 4. Laser Doppler perfusion measurements, results of CBCs, serum biochemical analyses, and bacteriologic cultures were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Exposure to the PTEF caused no adverse effects on clinicopathologic, histologic, or bacteriologic variables tested in this study. It appears that PTEF is a safe form of adjuvant treatment for wounds and improves strength of sutured wounds and speeds contraction of open wounds.     

Field evaluation of a coproantigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of canine echinococcosis in a rural Andean village in Peru

One hundred and six dogs (61 males and 45 females) were examined for Echinococcus granulosus infection in a farming cooperative in the central highlands of Peru during November 1998. Canine echinococcosis was diagnosed using direct microscopic examinations of purged feces following arecoline purging and a coproantigen-detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for E. granulosus. Mean age was 2 years with a range of 3 months to 9 years. The overall prevalence of canine echinococcosis using the ELISA test was 79% (84/106). Seventy-four dogs were successfully purged with arecoline. The frequency of canine echinococcosis was 82 (61/74) and 34% (25/74) by the coproantigen ELISA test and arecoline purging, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the coproantigen ELISA test was 88 and 95%, respectively. We found this assay to be especially advantageous in remote geographical areas. In future control programs against echinococcosis in Peru and other areas where E. granulosus is endemic the coproantigen ELISA should be used for the surveillance of the dog population.