The detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in bovine faeces by isolation and the comparison of isolation with the examination of stained smears by light microscopy

The detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis organisms in bovine faeces by isolation was compared with that by the microscopical examination of Ziehl-Neelsen stained faecal smears for the presence of clumps of acid-fast M. paratuberculosis organisms. Faeces were obtained from cattle naturally or experimentally infected with M. paratuberculosis as well as from uninfected cattle. Microscopical examination was an unreliable method for the detection of M. paratuberculosis organisms, since the organisms were only detected in 99 (=55.9%) of 177 culturally positive faecal samples. 1111 addition, clumps of acid-fast organisms indistinguishable from M. paratuberculosis were also observed iin three of 18 samples from cattle free from Johne's disease and in 18 of 37 culturally negative samples from paratuberculous cattle. When M. paratuberculosis organisms were added to faeces from an uninfected cow, results showed that isolation attempts should be positive when 15 or more M. paratuberculosis organisms per gram of faeces are present.     

Corneal sequestrum in the cat. Repair using a tarso-conjunctival pedicle flap

Corneal sequestrum was diagnosed upon clinical examination of 12 cats. The cornea of seven were examined histologically and had focal necrosis and inflammation of the stroma and epithelium. As the simple excision of the corneal lesions had been unsuccessful in two of the cats, repair of these was effected by construction of a tarso-conjunctival pedicle flap after the excision of the sequestrum.     

Canine von Willebrand's disease. A heterogeneous group of bleeding disorders

The term "von Willebrand's disease," refers to a group of inherited bleeding disorders, all of which are caused by a deficiency of the multimeric plasma glycoprotein, von Willebrand factor. The various forms of canine von Willebrand's disease can be categorized into one of three major types: in type I canine von Willebrand's disease, all sizes of von Willebrand factor multimers can be detected in the plasma; in type II canine von Willebrand's disease, only the smaller von Willebrand factor multimers are found in the plasma (larger multimers are absent); and in type III canine von Willebrand's disease, von Willebrand factor is completely absent from the plasma or present in only trace amounts. Von Willebrand's disease is common in dogs, but some forms of the disease are so mild that they are of questionable clinical significance.     

Bile duct obstruction secondary to chronic pancreatitis in seven dogs

Seven icteric dogs were determined to have bile duct obstruction secondary to chronic pancreatitis. All dogs had histories of intermittent vomiting and diarrhea. Alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase activities and total bilirubin concentrations were markedly elevated. Diagnosis was based on exploratory laparotomy and histological examination. Each dog had a 3 to 10 cm mass in the body of the pancreas and obstruction of the common bile duct. Three dogs treated with pancreatectomy, gastrojejunostomy, and cholecystojejunostomy died within five weeks. Three dogs treated with conservative surgical procedures were alive at 8, 16, and 26 months postoperatively. One dog was euthanized because of suspected neoplasia. Hepatic enzyme activity and bilirubin levels decreased markedly in the surviving dogs. Histological examination of the pancreatic masses indicated chronic pancreatitis. Hepatic biopsies revealed evidence of cholestasis. Chronic pancreatitis should be included in the differential diagnoses of icterus, bile duct obstruction, and masses in the pancreas.