Radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomographic, and rhinoscopic features of nasal aspergillosis in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine radiographic, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and rhinoscopic features of nasal aspergillosis in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 15 client-owned dogs. PROCEDURE: All dogs had clinical signs of chronic nasal disease; the diagnosis of nasal aspergillosis was made on the basis of positive results for at least 2 diagnostic tests (serology, cytology, histology, or fungal culture) and detection of typical intrasinusal and intranasal fungal colonies and turbinate destruction via rhinoscopy. Radiography, MRI, and CT were performed under general anesthesia. Rhinoscopy was repeated to evaluate lesions and initiate treatment. Findings of radiography, MRI, CT, and rhinoscopy were compared. RESULTS: MRI and CT revealed lesions suggestive of nasal aspergillosis more frequently than did radiography. Computed tomography was the best technique for detection of cortical bone lesions; the nature of abnormal soft tissue, however, could not be identified. Magnetic resonance imaging allowed evaluation of lesions of the frontal bone and was especially useful for differentiating between a thickened mucosa and secretions or fungal colonies; however, fungal colonies could not be differentiated from secretions. Rhinoscopy allowed identification of the nature of intranasal and intrasinusal soft tissue but was not as useful as CT and MRI for defining the extent of lesions and provided no information regarding bone lesions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The value of CT and MRI for diagnosis of nasal aspergillosis was similar and greater than that of radiography. Rhinoscopy is necessary because it is the only technique that allows direct visualization of fungal colonies.     

Evaluation of once daily treatment with cyclosporine for anal furunculosis in dogs

Twenty-four dogs with anal furunculosis were treated with cyclosporine once daily for 13 weeks at dosages of 1.5, 3.0, 5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg, and re-examined after six and 12 months. After 13 weeks the disease in six of the dogs was in remission, 11 were controlled or improved and seven had failed to respond. The response of the dogs given the highest dose was significantly better than the response of the other groups taken together (P < 0.014), and better than the responses of the groups given 1.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The dogs improved clinically during the treatment, most rapidly during the first five weeks. Of the six dogs that were in remission after 13 weeks, three relapsed after one, two and six months. The 11 dogs that were improved or controlled after 13 weeks were either left untreated or were continued on cyclosporine medication for one to three months at a dosage of 1.5 to 7.5 mg/kg; the disease went into remission in four cases and remained controlled in the other seven, but four of the 11 cases relapsed during the 12 months following the treatment. The side effects observed included increased coat turnover and transient vomiting.     

OTOLITHIASIS IN THREE DOGS

Mineral opacities within the tympanic bullae, termed otoliths, were detected in three dogs by means of radiography and computed tomography. Radiographic signs of otitis externa were present in two dogs. One dog had clinical signs of vestibular disease, whereas the other two dogs had no clinical evidence of ear disease. Otolithiasis may represent mineralized necrotic material of a current or previous case of otitis media.     

Radiological features of 80 cases of diaphragmatic rupture

The films from 80 cases of diaphragmatic rupture in the dog and cat over a 10 year period were examined. The most common findings were loss of the cupola and masking of the cardiac shadow. Identification of the stomach or intestine in the thorax made the diagnosis straightforward. However, in some animals these organs were not visible and there was considerable accumulation of free pleural fluid. The use of barium contrast studies and post drainage films were unable to confirm the presence of a rupture in all cases with inconclusive plain film findings. The identification of a rupture was only made by exploratory surgery in these animals.     

Exploring student attitudes to directed self-learning online through evaluation of an Internet-based biomolecular sciences resource

RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: In 2000, funding was awarded by the University of Glasgow's Learning and Teaching Development Fund (L&TDF) for the authors to develop an interactive, online learning resource for veterinary biomolecular sciences teaching. This course is a core component of the veterinary undergraduate curriculum at the university. Evaluations were carried out to gauge students' experiences of using the resource as a basis for exploring students' attitudes toward online, independent learning. METHODOLOGY: Peers were asked to review the design and content of four modules, also evaluated by students using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Additionally, students were observed using the modules. Both first-year students and second-year direct-entry students (i.e., students entering the veterinary program with advanced training) participated in the evaluation, which allowed for some comparison between the groups. One cohort used the modules independently, and their responses were compared with the cohorts that used the modules in scheduled classes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The evaluations indicate that this is a useful resource that could act as a template for other courses within the veterinary undergraduate curriculum, particularly for learning of basic sciences. On average, first-year and timetabled students rated the program more highly overall, rated the program more highly in relation to previous instruction, and rated tutor presence as more important than second-year direct-entry and independent students did. The lower rating given to tutor presence by second-year direct-entry and independent students indicates that they are more confident using the modules without tutor supervision.     

Ten years of CLIVE (Computer-Aided Learning in Veterinary Education) in the United Kingdom

This paper outlines the work of the CLIVE (Computer-Aided Learning in Veterinary Education) project over a 10-year period, set against the backdrop of changes in education policy and learning technology developments. The consortium of six UK veterinary schools and 14 international Associate Member Schools has been very successful. Sustaining these partnerships requires that the project redefine itself and adapt to cater to the diverse learning needs of today's students and to changing professional and societal needs on an international scale.     

Suppression of Seedling Damping-Off Caused by Pythium ultimum, P. irregulare, and Rhizoctonia solani in Container Media Amended with a Diverse Range of Pacific Northwest Compost Sources

ABSTRACT Suppression of seedling damping-off disease caused by Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani is a potential benefit of formulating soilless container media with compost. Thirty-six compost samples from Pacific Northwest commercial composting facilities were analyzed for a number of physical, chemical, and biological properties, including suppression of damping-off caused by Pythium ultimum, P. irregulare, and R. solani. The samples were produced from diverse feedstocks and composting technol ogies; this was reflected in a large degree of variability in the measured properties. When mixed with sphagnum peat moss and inorganic aggregates, 67% of the compost samples significantly suppressed P. irregulare damping-off of cucumber, 64% suppressed P. ultimum damping-off of cucumber, and 17% suppressed damping-off of cabbage caused by R. solani. Suppression of Pythium damping-off was related to the potential of compost to support microbial activity and a qualitative index of ammonia volatilization. Suppression of Rhizoctonia damping-off was not related to any one compost factor. Currently available compost products potentially could provide commercially acceptable control of damping-off caused by Pythium spp., but it is necessary to fortify composts with microbial antagonists for the control of R. solani.     

Temporomandibular ankylosis in the cat

Temporomandibular ankylosis was diagnosed in four cats which presented with difficulty in opening their mouths. Interincisor gaps of less than 15 mm were present in all four cases. Radiological changes included loss of joint space and proliferation of new bone around the joints. Resection of part of the zygoma, condyle and vertical ramus resulted in freeing of the joint and a return to normal function.     

Nutritional value of quality protein maize and food corn for starter and growth pigs

Growth traits with starter and grower pigs and a digestion trial were conducted to compare the nutritional value of Quality Protein Maize (QPM), food corn and conventional feed corn. The QPM, food and feed corn contained .45, .31 and .29% lysine, respectively. The growth trials evaluated a QPM-soybean meal diet formulated on a lysine basis (.96% in starter and .7% in grower diets) and four diets arranged in a 2 (food corn vs feed corn) X 2 (low vs high soybean meal) factorial. Soybean meal was either added in the same amount as in the QPM diet or was added to provide the lysine content of the QPM diet. Performance was similar for pigs fed food corn and feed corn in both trials. The QPM diets resulted in greater performance than food and feed corn diets containing the same level of soybean meal supplementation; starter pigs were more (P less than .10) efficient and grower pigs had a higher (P less than .01) rate and efficiency of gain. However, performance of pigs fed the QPM diets was not equal to that of pigs fed isolysinic food and feed corn diets; growth rate was lower (P less than .05) in starter pigs and gain:feed was lower (P less than .05) in grower pigs. Diets in the digestion trial consisted of the corns plus 3.25% casein. Energy digestibility was similar for all diets. Ileal N and amino acid digestibilities were highest for QPM, intermediate for food corn and lowest for feed corn. In most instances, these differences were significant (P less than .05). Apparent biological value was highest (P less than .05) for QPM. These trials indicate that food corn and feed corn have similar nutritional value, and that starter and grower pigs can benefit from the higher protein quality of QPM.