Isotype-specific antibodies in horses and dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia

Classes of antibody bound to erythrocytes were determined using direct immunofluorescence (DIF) flow cytometry in 3 horses and 12 dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). Background levels of antibody binding were determined in samples from 12 horses and 12 dogs that were free of clinical disease. The range of nonspecific binding of a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated goat anti-equine immunoglobulin G (IgG) was 19.9–36.7%, but was eliminated by the use of the F(ab)₂ fragment of FITC-conjugated goat anti-equine IgG. Background binding by other class-specific antibodies to equine and canine erythrocytes was negligible. The DIF results were compared to the direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test in 5 horses and 20 dogs with anemia. The former assay was more sensitive in dogs with IMHA than was the Coombs' test (100% versus 58%). In contrast, the Coombs' test had better specificity than the DIF assay (100% versus 87.5%, respectively). Using clinical parameters or response to therapy as the comparison, the positive and negative predictive values for the DIF test were 92% and 100% compared to the values of the Coombs' test of 100% and 62%. The DIF assay detected low levels of cells bound with antibody (<30%) in 5 dogs that were Coombs' test-negative. For both species, performance of the DIF test was independent of the prozone effect. Five dogs with IMHA had IgG and IgM on erythrocytes, 5 had IgG, and 2 had IgM. Three horses had surface-bound IgG, including a horse with suspected penicillin-induced IMHA, a foal with neonatal isoerythrolysis, and a foal with clostridial septicemia. The DIF method was valuable in monitoring the response to therapy in the foal with neonatal isoerythrolysis.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in dairy heifers in western Canada

A survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing dairy replacement heifers in western Canada. Fecal samples were collected from 566 animals on 34 farms distributed over the three prairie provinces. Fecal egg counts were performed using a modified Wisconsin centrifugation technique. The overall mean farm fecal egg count was 16.0 eggs per gram feces (range 0.7-78.1 epg). Gastrointestinal nematodes were demonstrated on every farm examined, and 93.3% of all individuals tested were positive.     

Comparative histological study of the reproductive system of the female llama (Lama guanicoe glama). I. Ovary]

In the present study a cytological, histological and morphometrical comparison between the ovaries of the llama, the cow and the sheep is presented, at two phases of the ovarian cycle. There were found differences in the amount of primordial and primary follicles, the size of secondary follicles and follicular cells, and type and distribution of the connective tissue inside the stroma of the ovary. It would be necessary to study the fine structure of the ovary and the so-called "embryological remnants", for its permanent appearance in most (50%) of the ovaries.     

Susceptibility of ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) to experimentally induced rabies with European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLV)

Twenty ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) were inoculated by intramuscular (i.m.) injection with European Bat Lyssaviruses (EBLV) type-1 and 2 using 10(4.0) foci-forming units (FFU) EBLV-2 (n = 6), 10(4.0) FFU EBLV-1 (n = 7) and 10(6.0) FFU EBLV-1 (n = 7). Furthermore, 15 mice received 10(2.5) FFU EBLV-2 (n = 5), 10(2.5) FFU EBLV-1 (n = 5) and 10(4.5) FFU EBLV-1 (n = 5) by i.m. inoculation. All ferrets and mice receiving the higher dose of EBLV-1 succumbed to infection. In contrast, only three of seven ferrets and two of five mice inoculated experimentally with the lower EBLV-1 dose died. By comparison, all of the EBLV-2 infected ferrets and four of five mice survived infection. All 20 infected ferrets seroconverted. Using sensitive molecular tools, the virus was detected in different tissues, but it could not be found in any saliva samples taken during the 84-day observation period.     

Gamna‐Gandy bodies: a case of mistaken identity in the spleen of a cat

A 4‐year‐old, female spayed Domestic Shorthair cat was presented for a 2‐day history of lethargy, anorexia, and vomiting. Diagnostic assessments revealed a severe, regenerative anemia and the presence of a solitary, 3 × 4 cm splenic mass. Cytologic examination of fine‐needle aspirates of the splenic mass showed sheets of pleomorphic histiocytic cells with numerous intracellular and extracellular, negatively staining to deeply basophilic, branching structures. These structures were typically of thin uniform thickness with random angled branching that formed geometrical shapes and fragments, occasionally with sharpened ends and a crystalline appearance. Septal‐like divisions were irregularly spaced along some of the linear branches. The cytology was interpreted as a probable histiocytic inflammatory response to the unidentified foreign material with histiocytic sarcoma as a differential diagnosis. Histopathologic evaluation of the splenic mass resulted in a diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. The branching material stained positively for both iron and calcium, indicating that the material was compatible with Gamna‐Gandy bodies present secondary to tumor‐associated hemorrhage and the formation of calcium–iron complexes.     

Validity of goniometric joint measurements in cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare and validate goniometric joint measurements obtained from nonsedated and sedated cats with measurements from radiographic evaluation. ANIMALS: 20 adult cats with no evidence of joint disease. PROCEDURES: Measurements of flexion and extension of the carpus, elbow, shoulder, tarsus, stifle, and hip joints and of carpal and tarsal joints during varus and valgus angulation were made by a single investigator before and after sedation of cats. Measurements were made by use of a goniometer with a masked dial. Joint angle measurements were compared between nonsedated and sedated cats and also with measurements from radiographs made while cats were sedated. Each series of measurements was repeated 4 times. To evaluate repeatability, Cronbach alpha values were calculated for repeated measure results of goniometric joint measurements of nonsedated and sedated cats. An intraclass correlation was calculated to determine reliability among the 3 measurement types (ie, measurements from nonsedated and sedated cats and on radiographic evaluation). RESULTS: Joint measurements did not differ significantly by measurement type, when comparing radiographic measurements with goniometric measurements in sedated and nonsedated cats. Cronbach alpha values were > 0.99 for goniometric joint measurements within individual nonsedated and sedated cats and also for comparison of mean measurements obtained from sedated cats versus nonsedated cats versus radiographs. An intraclass correlation of 0.999 revealed high reliability among measurement types. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that goniometric joint measurements in nonsedated and sedated cats are repeatable and valid.     

In Vitro Fertilization and Development of OPU Derived Goat and Sheep Oocytes

The recent upgrade in IVP technology seen in cattle can be adapted to embryo production in small ruminants to overcome limitations exhibited by surgical procedures on preserving the reproductive potential of donors and the efficiency of embryo production. The aim of the present study was to assess the current procedures used in cattle for the production of IVP embryos in goats and sheep based on laparoscopic-aided ovum pick-up (LOPU) supplied oocytes. Sexually matured goat and sheep donors were treated during the breeding season with FSH and subjected to laparoscopic-guided follicular puncture under general anaesthesia. The collected cumulus-oocyte complexes were matured in medium 199 and fertilized by frozen-thawed spermatozoa using Talp medium supplemented with heparin and oestrus-sheep serum. Cleaved ova were either cultured in sheep in vitro fertilization medium plus amino acids or transferred to sheep oviducts. Blastocyst rate, hatching rate and development rate up to term were used as markers of embryo function. The results obtained for goat and sheep involving 30 and 35 donors respectively (10 and 9 LOPU sessions) were 81.2% and 85.2% of oocyte collection rate; 88.3% and 98.6% oocyte incubation rate; 85.6% and 76.0% fertilization rate; 82.4% and 93.4% of cleavage rate; 50.0% and 61.5% IVP blastocyst rate; 42.1% and 45.5% blastocyst rate in oviducts; 73.0% and 66.7% embryo survival up to term, respectively. The results are comparable to those obtained in small ruminants and in bovines suggesting that requirements for embryo production and development are similar.     

Effects of ketamine and magnesium on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in goats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ketamine, magnesium sulfate, and their combination on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane (ISO-MAC) in goats. ANIMALS: 8 adult goats. PROCEDURES: Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane delivered via face mask. Goats were intubated and ventilated to maintain normocapnia. After an appropriate equilibration period, baseline MAC (MAC(B)) was determined and the following 4 treatments were administered IV: saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (loading dose [LD], 30 mL/20 min; constant rate infusion [CRI], 60 mL/h), magnesium sulfate (LD, 50 mg/kg; CRI, 10 mg/kg/h), ketamine (LD, 1 mg/kg; CRI, 25 microg/kg/min), and magnesium sulfate (LD, 50 mg/kg; CRI, 10 mg/kg/h) combined with ketamine (LD, 1 mg/kg; CRI, 25 microg/kg/min); then MAC was redetermined. RESULTS: Ketamine significantly decreased ISOMAC by 28.7 +/- 3.7%, and ketamine combined with magnesium sulfate significantly decreased ISOMAC by 21.1 +/- 4.1%. Saline solution or magnesium sulfate alone did not significantly change ISOMAC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ketamine and ketamine combined with magnesium sulfate, at doses used in the study, decreased the end-tidal isoflurane concentration needed to maintain anesthesia, verifying the clinical impression that ketamine decreases the end-tidal isoflurane concentration needed to maintain surgical anesthesia. Magnesium, at doses used in the study, did not decrease ISOMAC or augment ketamine's effects on ISOMAC.     

Use of hinged transarticular external fixation for adjunctive joint stabilization in dogs and cats: 14 cases (1999-2003)

OBJECTIVES: To describe placement of hinged transarticular external fixation (HTEF) frames and evaluate their ability to protect the primary repair of unstable joints while allowing joint mobility in dogs and cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 8 cats and 6 dogs. PROCEDURE: HTEF frames were composed of metal or epoxy connecting rods and a hinge. Measurements of range of motion of affected and contralateral joints and radiographs were made after fixator application and removal. RESULTS: 9 animals (4 cats and 5 dogs) had tarsal and 5 (4 cats and 1 dog) had stifle joint injuries. Treatment duration ranged from 45 to 100 days (median, 57 days). Ranges of motion in affected stifle and tarsal joints were 57% and 72% of control while HTEF was in place and 79% and 84% of control after frame removal. Complications were encountered in 3 cats and 2 dogs and included breakage of pins and connecting rods, hinge loosening, and failure at the hinge-epoxy interface. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: HTEF in animals with traumatic joint instability provided adjunctive joint stabilization during healing and protection of the primary repair and maintained joint motion during healing, resulting in early weight bearing of the affected limb.