The Histological Appearance of the Proximal Aspect of the Dorsal Condylar Sagittal Ridge of the Third Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bone in Young Warmblood Horses: Normal Appearance and Correlation with Detected Radiographic Variations

The objective of this study is to describe the normal histological appearance of the dorsoproximal aspect of the sagittal ridge of the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone in young Warmblood horses, and to compare it to the different radiographic variations (irregular, indentation, lucency, notch) described at this level. A total of 25 metacarpo/metatarsophalangeal joints of 12 Warmblood horses were used. Five samples of each radiographically described group were selected for histological processing. Each category was compared with the normal control group. Each group showed a bone cortex, covered by hyaline cartilage and longitudinally aligned collagen fibres covered by loosely organized connective tissue proximally. The normal and irregular group showed a smooth bone cortex. In the indentation and lucency group, a depression in the cortex was detected. The notch group presented an expansion of the cortex. The collagen fibres and connective tissue were located in the depression in the indentation group whereas the location varied in the lucency and notch group. The radiologic detected differences are translated into detectable histological differences. Further research is warranted to determine whether these variations are developmental or congenital and to evaluate their potential influence on the joint function during hyperextension.     

Canine hyperplastic intraepidermal pustular and suprabasal acantholytic dermatosis with features of human pemphigus vegetans

Pemphigus vegetans is a rare autoimmune blistering acantholytic dermatosis of humans that combines unusually hyperplastic and verrucous pustular skin lesions and mucosal erosions. We report herein the clinical, histopathologic, and immunologic findings in a dog whose lesions resembled, but were not identical to, those of human pemphigus vegetans. A 4-year-old male Greater Swiss Mountain Dog presented with multifocal cutaneous verrucous and crusted papules and pustules, as well as skin and mucosal erosions and ulcers. Microscopic lesions consisted of exophytic papillated epidermal hyperplasia, superficial and deep intraepidermal acantholytic neutrophilic and eosinophilic pustules, and suprabasal epidermal clefts leaving rounded basal keratinocytes at the bottom of the vesicles. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence revealed antikeratinocyte IgG autoantibodies. Immunoprecipitation immunoblotting and immunoabsorption experiments with recombinant canine desmogleins confirmed that autoantibodies recognized desmoglein-1. In this dog, clinical and histopathologic features resembled those of human pemphigus vegetans, while circulating autoantibodies against canine desmoglein-1 were solely identified. This antigen target is different from that of the human disease in which antidesmoglein-3 autoantibodies are detected most commonly.     

A retrospective study of pathologic findings in the Amazon and Orinoco river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) in captivity.

River dolphins are especially susceptible to negative human impacts. For their conservation, attempts of relocation or procreation ex situ may become important in the future to avoid their extinction. Additional knowledge and medical experiences of river dolphin management in captivity may aid such conservation efforts. The medical records and necropsy and histopathology reports on 123 captive Amazon River dolphins (Inia geoffrensis) were re-viewed. Of these 123 animals, 105 were necropsied and 70 necropsies were supported with histopathology. Eighteen animals were not necropsied. Among wild-born animals, mortality was highest in the first 2 mo immediately postcapture and transport, accounting for 32 of 123 deaths. Pneumonia and skin lesions (cutaneous and subcutaneous ulcerations and abscesses) were the most common findings, found in 44 of 105 (42%) and 38 of 105 (36%) of gross diagnoses, respectively. At least 10 of 44 cases of pneumonia diagnosed grossly included a verminous component. Cachexia, from a variety of causes, was a major gross finding in 21 animals. Fifteen animals had histologic evidence of significant renal pathology, and this was the primary cause of death in 13 cases. Hepatic pathology was found in 18 cases, and bacterial sepsis was confirmed via histology in 16 cases. Based on these findings, it may be concluded that keys to successful maintenance of this species include 1) prophylactic anthelminthic and antibiotic therapy immediately post-capture; 2) maintenance of animals in larger enclosures than in past attempts, in compatible groups, and in facilities capable of separating aggressive animals; 3) maintenance in microbiologically hygienic water quality at all times; and 4) a proactive program of preventive medicine during the immediate postcapture, quarantine, and maintenance period of captivity.     

Effect of previous locoweed (Astragalus and Oxytropis species) intoxication on conditioned taste aversions in horses and sheep

Locoweed species (Astragalus and Oxytropis spp.) are a serious toxic plant problem for grazing livestock. Horses and sheep have been conditioned to avoid eating locoweed using the aversive agent LiCl. The objective of this study was to determine if previous locoweed intoxication affects food aversion learning in horses and sheep. Horses and sheep were divided into 3 treatment groups: control (not fed locoweed and not averted to a novel feed); locoweed-novel feed averted (fed locoweed and averted to a novel feed); and averted (not fed locoweed and averted to a novel feed). Animals in the locoweed-novel feed averted groups were fed locoweed during 2 periods of 21 and 14 d, respectively, with each feeding period followed by a 14-d recovery period. Animals were averted to a novel test feed at the end of the first locoweed-feeding period, and periodically evaluated for the strength and persistence of the aversion. During the first recovery period, locoweed-novel feed averted horses ate less (9.5% of amount offered) of the test feed than did control horses (99.8%) and did not generally differ from averted horses (0%). During recovery period 2, locoweed-novel feed averted horses (4.3%) differed (P = 0.001) in consumption (% of offered) of the test feed from controls (100%) and the averted group (0%). Locoweed-novel feed averted sheep differed (P = 0.001) from controls (14.4 vs. 99.5%, respectively, during recovery period 1), whereas locoweed-novel feed averted sheep did not differ (P > 0.50) from averted sheep (0.6%). During the second recovery period, control sheep (100%) differed (P < 0.05) from averted (0%) and locoweed-novel feed averted (12.2%) groups. Two intoxicated sheep (locoweed-novel feed averted) partially extinguished the aversion during the first recovery period, but an additional dose of LiCl restored the aversion. Two of 3 intoxicated horses had strong aversions that persisted without extinction; 1 horse in the locoweed-novel feed averted group had a weaker aversion. These findings suggest that horses and sheep previously intoxicated by locoweeds can form strong and persistent aversions to a novel feed, but in some animals, those aversions may not be as strong as in animals that were never intoxicated.     

Diagnosis of Sarcoptic Mange in Slaughtered Swine

Veterinary Research Communications - Galuppi, R., Avenoso, A.M., Leotti, G., Ostanello, F., Poglayen, G. and Tampieri, M.P., 2007. Diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in slaughtered swine. Veterinary...     

Anaerobic bacterial pericardial effusion in a cat

A 9-year-old male cat was presented for evaluation of chronic weight loss and was subsequently diagnosed with pericardial effusion. The effusion was quantified as a septic exudate caused by the anaerobic bacterium Peptostreptococcus. Antibiotic therapy resulted in complete resolution of the pericardial effusion. As Peptostreptococcus is a common oral bacterium and the cat had a previous dental procedure, it is speculated that the pericardial effusion was secondary to bacteraemia from the dental procedure.     

Retrospective comparison of surgical ligation and transarterial catheter occlusion for treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in two hundred and four dogs (1993-2003)

OBJECTIVE: To compare procedure time, complications, mortality, and short-term outcome in dogs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treated by surgical ligation (SL) or transarterial coil occlusion (TCO). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Dogs with PDA (n=204). METHODS: Medical records of dogs treated for PDA were reviewed. Dogs treated by SL when it was the primary method used for PDA treatment (1993-1998) were compared with dogs treated by TCO when it was the primary method used for PDA treatment (1999-2003). Dogs treated during the transition between techniques, dogs treated with SL (1999-2003) and dogs treated with TCO before 1999, as well as dogs with pulmonary hypertension, or bidirectional or reversed (right-to-left) flow through the PDA were excluded from analysis. RESULTS: Age, weight, gender distribution, and procedure times (P=.43) were similar for both groups. Major complications were more common with SL (12% versus 4.3%; P=.035) whereas minor complications were more common with TCO (12% versus 26%; P=.015). Initial success rate was higher for SL (94%) compared with TCO (84%; P=.027). There was no significant difference in mortality between SL (5.6%) and TCO (2.6%; P=.27). CONCLUSIONS: Both SL and TCO are acceptable PDA treatments with comparable mortality; however, SL was associated with a higher risk of major complications and TCO was associated with a lower initial success rate.     

Arsenic and metaldehyde toxicosis in a beef herd.

Over a 12-day period, 13 animals in a herd of 110 beef cattle developed ataxia with profound muscle fasciculations progressing to recumbency. Twelve animals (5 adults and 7 calves from 8-10 months of age) died, and 1 cow was euthanized. Hemorrhagic diarrhea occurred in some, but not all, animals. The onset of clinical signs was at least 12 hours after the cattle had gained access to contents of old buildings used for storage, and the majority of deaths occurred within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of clinical signs. Approximately 9 kg of unidentified pellets were found strewn in the barn area where the cattle had been. Autolysis considered more severe than expected for the postmortem interval, suggestive of high body temperature before death, and congestion of body tissues were the only significant findings detected in the cow that was euthanized and submitted for necropsy examination. The clinical history and lack of postmortem lesions were most consistent with toxicity. A toxic level of arsenic (6.18 ppm) was detected in the kidney, and metaldehyde was detected in the liver. The pellets were analyzed and found to contain both arsenic and metaldehyde, consistent with a discontinued molluscicidal product.