Congenital esophagotracheal fistula as the cause of bloat in a calf

A four day old Holstein calf was presented with a history of recurrent free gas bloat. An exploratory laparotomy was performed and no abnormalities were discovered in the gastrointestinal tract. An esophagotracheal fistula was suspected and confirmed by endoscopy. Surgical correction was performed by ligating the tubular connection between the trachea and esophagus and suturing closed the defects in these structures.     

Examination of the origin of increased equine serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations

Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was found to be increased in 32.6% of equine samples analyzed at the Ontario Veterinary College over an 18 month period. An attempt was made using sensitivity to L-phenylalanine and heat to identify the origin of increased serum alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes present in 44 clinical cases. No difference in sensitivity to either procedure was observed for serum alkaline phosphatase from groups of foals and horses representing different clinical problems. Alkaline phosphatase of osseous tissue origin appeared to be the major source of activity for each group of animals reported.     

Cervical intervertebral disc protrusion in two horses

Two horses with ataxia of all four limbs were found to have cervical intervertebral disc protrusion. Severe pelvic limb ataxia, proprioceptive deficits and spasticity were present in both horses with similar but less severe signs in the thoracic limbs. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis was within normal limits. Metrizamide myelography allowed definitive diagnosis in one case when a compression of the spinal cord was demonstrated at the level of the second intervertebral space. In the second case, an intervertebral disc protrusion between cervical vertebrae 6 and 7 was found at necropsy. Fiber degeneration with poor myelin staining characterized the spinal cords histologically.     

A strategy for control of bovine leukemia virus infection: test and corrective management

Test and corrective management was applied in one dairy herd (130 milking cows) to control bovine leukemia virus infection. It consisted of: raising uninfected calves in order to establish a pool of uninfected replacement heifers, preventing transmission of bovine leukemia virus through transfer of blood from animal to animal and closing the herd. Regular herd testing was combined with selected changes in herd management. These procedures have been followed since January 1979. Prevalence of antibodies (as determined by gel-immunodiffusion) has declined markedly since the program was implemented.     

The duration of immunity to an inactivated adjuvanted canine parvovirus vaccine. A 52 and 64 week postvaccination challenge study

Dogs were successfully isolated for a period of either 52 or 64 weeks following vaccination with an inactivated, adjuvanted canine parvovirus-2 vaccine. Antibody persisted in all ten vaccinated dogs, although in one case by 52 weeks postvaccination only virus neutralizing antibody, and not hemagglutination-inhibiting antibody, could be detected. Sentinel unvaccinated dogs housed alongside the vaccinated dogs throughout the study remained free of canine parvovirus-2 antibody until challenged. Upon oral challenge with canine parvovirus-2 infected material all unvaccinated dogs developed one or more signs of canine parvovirus-2 disease, shed virus and developed antibody. None of the vaccinated dogs became overtly sick. Of the five vaccinated dogs challenged 52 weeks after vaccination, three shed virus and one showed a significant rise in antibody. At 64 weeks after vaccination only one of the five challenged dogs shed virus and showed a boost in antibody titer.