Liver lobe torsion in dogs: 13 cases (1995-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine history, results of diagnostic testing, surgical findings, complications, and outcome for dogs with liver lobe torsion (LLT). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 dogs (1 with 2 episodes). PROCEDURE: Signalment, clinical signs, clinicopathologic findings, radiographic and ultrasonographic findings, surgical and histologic findings, complications, and hospitalization time were evaluated. RESULTS: The most common clinical signs were nonspecific abnormalities (eg, vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia) of acute or chronic duration. All dogs were large-breed dogs (median body weight, 37.2 kg [82 lb]). Biochemical abnormalities included high alanine amino-transferase (n = 12) and aspartate aminotransferase (11) activities. Results of abdominal ultrasonography were supportive of the diagnosis in 5 of 8 cases. Affected lobes included the left medial lobe (n = 4), left lateral lobe (3), papillary process of the caudate lobe (2), caudate lobe (1), and right lateral lobe (1). Exploratory celiotomy and liver lobectomy were performed in 12 of 13 cases, and in 11 of those 12 cases, the dog survived. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that development of nonspecific clinical signs of vomiting, lethargy, and anorexia in conjunction with high serum hepatic enzyme activities and mature neutrophilia in a medium-sized or large-breed dog should increase the index of suspicion for LLT. Abdominal ultrasonography with Doppler assessment may be useful in establishing the diagnosis. The long-term outcome for dogs that survive the hospitalization period is excellent.     

Adverse extrapyramidal effects in four horse given fluphenazine decanoate

CASE DESCRIPTION: 4 racehorses were examined because of markedly abnormal behavior following administration of fluphenazine decanoate. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical signs included restlessness, agitation, profuse sweating, hypermetria, aimless circling, intense pawing and striking with the thoracic limbs, and rhythmic swinging of the head and neck alternating with episodes of severe stupor. Fluphenazine was detected in serum or plasma from all 4 horses. The dose of fluphenazine decanoate administered to 3 of the 4 horses was within the range (25 to 50 mg) routinely administered to adult humans. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: In 2 horses, there was no response to IV administration of diphenhydramine hydrochloride, but the abnormal behavior in these 2 horses appeared to resolve following administration of benztropine mesylate, and both horses returned to racing. The other 2 horses responded to diphenhydramine administration. One returned to racing. The other was euthanized because of severe neurologic signs, respiratory failure, and acute renal failure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings indicate that adverse extrapyramidal effects may occur in horses given fluphenazine decanoate. These effects appear to be unpredictable and may be severe and life threatening. Use of fluphenazine decanoate as an anxiolytic in performance horses is not permitted in many racing and horse show jurisdictions, and analytic procedures are now available to detect the presence of fluphenazine in serum or plasma.     

Detection of Dickeya spp. latent infection in potato seed tubers using PCR or ELISA and correlation with disease incidence in commercial field crops under hot‐climate conditions

Over a 5‐year period (2006–2010), 277 certified, visually healthy potato seed lots, imported from Europe to Israel for commercial use, were tested for Dickeya spp. latent infection by PCR analysis (277 seed lots) and ELISA (154 seed lots). Seeds from these lots were grown in commercial potato fields which were inspected twice a season by Plant Protection and Inspection Services (PPIS). Stem samples were tested for the presence of Dickeya spp. by PCR analysis. PCR and ELISA results from seed lot testing correlated with disease expression in 74 and 83·8% of the cases, respectively. Positive laboratory results with no disease symptoms in the field (‘+lab/?field’ results) comprised 24·7 and 9·7% of the PCR and ELISA analyses, respectively, whereas negative laboratory results with disease symptoms in the field results (‘?lab/+field’) were obtained in 1·3 and 6·5%, of cases respectively. Maximum disease incidence, as well as the number of cultivars expressing disease symptoms, increased over the years of this study, indicating an increase in the prevalence of the disease. Severe disease incidence was observed on cvs Dita, Rodeo, Desiree, Mondial, Tomensa and Jelly. Of the 55 imported seed lots from which disease was recorded in the field, 49 originated from the Netherlands, four from Germany and two from France. None originated from Scotland.     

Review of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Coenosia attenuata</Emphasis> Stein and its first record as a predator of important greenhouse pests in Turkey

Greenhouses in Turkey under integrated pest management can be colonized by a high number predatory flies of the species Coenosia attenuata Stein, 1903 (Muscidae: Coenosia Meigen, 1826). Studies have shown that Coenosia predators do not simply colonize greenhouses from the outside for short periods but instead they are able to complete their developmental cycle in the greenhouse soil and can become established there for a long period of time. C. attenuata is indigenous to the Palaeotropical region. Its prey spectrum includes whiteflies, black fungus gnats and leaf-mining flies. Studies of the natural occurrence of these predaceous flies in greenhouses led to a recognition of the significance of this complex of beneficials for the control of important greenhouse pests. They can build up effective populations under greenhouse conditions, and as non-specific predators can feed on a variety of pest groups and on innocuous species.     

Capturing ultrasmall EMT zeolite from template-free systems

Small differences between the lattice energies of different zeolites suggest that kinetic factors are of major importance in controlling zeolite nucleation. Thus, it is critical to control the nucleation kinetics in order to obtain a desired microporous material. Here, we demonstrate how careful investigation of the very early stages of zeolite crystallization in colloidal systems can provide access to important nanoscale zeolite phases while avoiding the use of expensive organic templates. We report the effective synthesis of ultrasmall (6- to 15-nanometer) crystals of the large-pore zeolite EMT from template-free colloidal precursors at low temperature (30°C) and very high yield.     

Protective effects against abortion and fetal infection following exposure to bovine viral diarrhea virus and bovine herpesvirus 1 during pregnancy in beef heifers that received two doses of a multivalent modified-live virus vaccine prior to breeding

Objective-To determine whether administration of 2 doses of a multivalent, modified-live virus vaccine prior to breeding of heifers would provide protection against abortion and fetal infection following exposure of pregnant heifers to cattle persistently infected (PI) with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and cattle with acute bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) infection. Design-Randomized controlled clinical trial. Animals-33 crossbred beef heifers, 3 steers, 6 bulls, and 25 calves. Procedures-20 of 22 vaccinated and 10 of 11 unvaccinated heifers became pregnant and were commingled with 3 steers PI with BVDV type 1a, 1b, or 2 for 56 days beginning 102 days after the second vaccination (administered 30 days after the first vaccination). Eighty days following removal of BVDV-PI steers, heifers were commingled with 3 bulls with acute BHV1 infection for 14 days. Results-After BVDV exposure, 1 fetus (not evaluated) was aborted by a vaccinated heifer; BVDV was detected in 0 of 19 calves from vaccinated heifers and in all 4 fetuses (aborted after BHV1 exposure) and 6 calves from unvaccinated heifers. Bovine herpesvirus 1 was not detected in any fetus or calf and associated fetal membranes in either treatment group. Vaccinated heifers had longer gestation periods and calves with greater birth weights, weaning weights, average daily gains, and market value at weaning, compared with those for calves born to unvaccinated heifers. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Prebreeding administration of a modified-live virus vaccine to heifers resulted in fewer abortions and BVDV-PI offspring and improved growth and increased market value of weaned calves.