Cutaneous vascular neoplasia in 15 cats: clinical, morphologic, and immunohistochemical studies.

Seven cases of cutaneous hemangioma and nine of cutaneous hemangiosarcoma were diagnosed from biopsy specimens of 15 Domestic Shorthairs of 5,091 cats that were examined by necropsy or biopsy during the 5-year period from 1 January 1986 through 31 December 1990. All but three cats were male. Tumor cells of both hemangiomas and hemangiosarcomas were immunoreactive for factor VIII-related antigen and for vimentin by the avidin biotin peroxidase complex method. In cats with a median age of 10 years, hemangiomas occurred in skin with pigmented hair in six of seven cases without apparent site predilection. These solitary tumors did not recur after excision although one cat (No. 3) subsequently developed cutaneous hemangiosarcoma at another site. Seven of nine hemangiosarcomas occurred in dermis and subcutis of the head, usually on the pinna. All five hemangiosarcomas of the head, for which cutaneous pigmentation could be determined, occurred in unpigmented skin. Cats with hemangiosarcoma had a median age of 12.5 years at the time of diagnosis. Metastasis has not been documented, but hemangiosarcoma has recurred, from 1 month to 2 years after excision, in 6/7 cats that were studied.     

0–7–21 Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Canine Oral Melanoma

Eighteen dogs with malignant melanoma of the oral cavity were treated with high-dose per fraction (0–7–21) radiation therapy. Eight hundred cGy was administered on days 0, 7, and 21 for a total dose of 2,400 cGy in 3 weeks. Of 17 dogs evaluated, 9 (53%) had a complete remission and 5 (30%) achieved a partial remission with an overall response rate of 83%. Local failure occurred in 2 of the 9 dogs where a complete response was initially observed. One dog died of intercurrent disease, and one died of metastatic disease without evidence of local recurrence. Five dogs are alive and free of disease 9 to nineteen months from the initiation of therapy. The 0–7–21 protocol was well-tolerated, and acute radiation reactions were low-grade and limited to the skin. The results of this study demonstrate that oral melanomas in dogs are responsive to radiation. 0–7–21 radiation therapy offers a viable alternative to radical excision, especially when tumor volume or location would require cosmetically or functionally debilitating surgery.     

Histochemical studies on the dependence of secretory function of the major vestibular gland (Bartholin's gland) on ovarian steroid hormones in the cat.

The dependency of the secretory function of the feline major vestibular gland (Bartholin's gland) on the ovarian steroid hormones was studied histochemically. After estrogen (estradiol-17 beta or diethylstilbestrol), progesterone or a combination of these was administered to cats which were previously ovariohysterectomized, the major vestibular glands were removed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained by alcian blue, periodic acid-Schiff or peroxidase-labeled lectin (peanut agglutinin and wheat germ agglutinin). The vividly positive reactions to the stainings applied were observed in the secretory epithelial cells of the major vestibular glands in the estrogen treated animals. The dependency of the secretory function of the major vestibular glands on the estrogen was demonstrated in this study.     

Nitrogen retention and performance of brown laying hens on diets with different protein content and constant concentration of amino acids and energy.

1. The aim of this study was to determine the nitrogen balance and the performance of laying hens fed on diets with a protein content lower than the diets currently used in commercial practice but with adequate concentrations of lysine, sulphur amino acids, tryptophan and threonine. 2. Ninety-six Hy-Line Brown hens, 24 weeks old, were divided into 3 groups of 8 replicates and received, for 16 weeks, diets formulated to have 3 different protein concentrations: 170 (control), 150 and 130 g/kg CP and the same energy content. For each protein concentration, the contents of lysine, methionine, methionine+cystine, tryptophan and threonine were maintained at minimum requirement concentrations by supplying synthetic amino acids. 3. In the first half of the trial, egg production and egg weight were similar in all groups. From the 9th week onwards group 150 CP laid heavier eggs and had a slightly lower egg deposition and total mass. Food conversion ratio was best in the control group. 4. Nitrogen intake was related to the protein concentration of the diet, the food intake being almost the same in the 3 experimental groups. Faecal nitrogen content significantly and linearly decreased with reduction in dietary protein content and was about 50% of the intake. Considering the nitrogen faecal/intake ratio, the 150 CP group showed better nitrogen utilisation at each sampling time.     

Hyperlipemia and Ketonuria in an Alpaca and a Llama

An alpaca and a llama in late stages of gestation were evaluated for lethargy, anorexia, and recumbency. Both camelids had cloudy, white, turbid serum, elevated serum triglyceride (1564, 5658 mg/dL, respectively) and cholesterol (158, 297 mg/dL, respectively) concentrations, and ketonuria. Signs of fetal stress were evident ultrasonographically in the alpaca, and a live cria was delivered by Cesarean section performed under general anesthesia. The alpaca developed severe metabolic acidosis, hepatic lipidosis, and acute renal failure secondary to renal lipidosis and died 36 hours after admission despite medical therapy. Histopathology revealed renal and hepatic lipidosis and neutrophilic pancreatitis. The cria died 72 hours after birth. The llama responded to IV electrolyte, dextrose, and regular crystalline insulin therapy. The pregnancy was maintained, and the llama was discharged from the hospital 20 days after admission. Two months after discharge, the llama gave birth to a live, 5 kg cria. Findings of hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, elevated sorbitol dehydrogenase activity, metabolic acidosis, azotemia, and ketonuria occurred in these two camelids. Based on this report, camelids appear to be similar to both horses and cattle in their response to severe energy imbalances in late gestation.     

Bacterial leaf streak or black chaff of cereals

The literature related to bacterial leaf streak of cereals, due to various pathovars of Xanthomonas campestris , is confusing and dispersed. This review presents a synthesis of the knowledge that has been accumulated on the disease in cereals since the early reports on barley and wheat. The aim is to present the current status on geographical distribution of the disease, to explain possible confusions in symptoms, and to show the limited quantitative information available on losses and on host/pathogen interactions. Disease etiology and means of control are also reviewed. The objective is to define the present situation of black chaff in wheat, barley and triticale, and to delineate the major research needs in these crops. Difficulties in controlling bacterial leaf streak arise as a result of limited epidemiological knowledge and of the absence of satisfactory seed treatment permitting the eradication of the bacterium. There is an urgent need for a seed certification scheme and for more information on genetic resistance, with a view to limiting outbreaks of this sporadic but devastating disease.     

Skeletal muscle characteristics in young trained and untrained standardbred trotters.

Muscle biopsies were taken from the middle gluteal muscle of 28 Standardbred trotters, 3-4 years of age. The 13 horses in Group T were trained consistently from 18 months of age, whereas the 15 horses in Group UT were not exposed to any systematic training before 3 years of age. Group T horses had a lower percentage of Type IIB fibres (31%) than did Group UT horses (39%). Citrate synthase (CS) activity, representing oxidative capacity, was higher in Group T (72 mmol kg-1 min-1) than in Group UT (47 mmol kg-1 min-1). Biopsies were taken from 4 horses in each group when they were foals and then annually until 3-4 years of age. Results from this study indicate that regular training of Standardbreds from 18 months of age resulted in increased CS activity and a decrease in the percentage of Type IIB fibres. This study shows that training, not growth, is the main factor that induces a high oxidative capacity and a high Type IIA/IIB fibre ratio in muscle of Standardbred trotters.     

An unusual tumor of the nictitating membrane gland of dogs-- a case report]

A tumor of the third eyelid gland was diagnosed in a 13 year old female Chihuahua. Histopathology of the excised tissue revealed an apocrine adnexoma with squamous metaplasia. The literature regarding prolapse and tumors of the third eyelid gland was reviewed. No case with similar morphology to this tumor was described to our knowledge.     

A comparison between the nutritive value of short-cutting cycle, high temperature-dried alfalfa and timothy hay for horses.

The objective was to evaluate the nutritive value of short-cutting cycle, high temperature-dried (SCCHTD) alfalfa compared to timothy hay. This was achieved by carrying out 4 x 4 Latin Square digestibility trial using 4 Thoroughbred (one three-quarter Thoroughbred) horses (mean liveweight, 531 kg). The four dietary treatments were 0AA (timothy hay only), 33AA (0.33 alfalfa: 0.67 timothy hay), 67AA (0.67 alfalfa: 0.33 timothy hay) and 100AA (alfalfa only). Digestibility data were obtained by using acid-insoluble ash to estimate apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients. Rate of passage of the feedstuff was determined using chromium-mordanted hay. Plasma triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were estimated. The digestibilities of organic matter (0.63), energy (0.57) and crude protein (0.74) of the alfalfa were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than those for the hay (0.45, 0.43 and 0.36 respectively). The fibre components of alfalfa and hay were digested to the same extent but the ether extract of alfalfa was less well digested. Alfalfa saponins had no consistently significant effects on plasma cholesterol and triglyceride values but may contribute to the negative digestibility of alfalfa ether extract. We conclude that SCCHTD alfalfa is of much higher nutritive value than timothy hay when fed to Thoroughbred horses.