Diagnosis of sporotrichosis in a donkey using direct fluorescein-labeled antibody testing.

A 4-year-old female donkey residing in an open field in Indiana was admitted for evaluation of facial lesions of 2 years duration. Cytologic and histologic examination of exudate and tissue from the lesions revealed a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction with numerous yeasts. Sporothrix schenckii was suspected to be the infectious agent; however, multiple culture attempts did not provide positive identification of the organism. Serologic examination supported infection with S. schenckii. A specific direct immunofluorescent antibody test performed on paraffin-embedded tissue sections confirmed the organism as S. schenckii. Clinical signs resolved after appropriate iodide therapy.     

Immune responsiveness and lymphoreticular morphology in cattle fed hypo- and hyperalimentative diets

Immune responses and lymphoreticular morphology were studied in 3 groups of yearling Hereford steers fed hypoalimentative, maintenance and hyperalimentative diets for 142 days. Significant decreases in plasma protein levels and circulating lymphocyte levels occurred in low energy intake steers. Percent circulating lymphocytes bearing surface immunoglobulins and serum levels of IgG and IgM did not vary significantly within or between groups. Antibody responses to Brucella abortus bacterin inoculated on day 63 were similar in all 3 groups. Antibody responses to chicken erythrocytes inoculated on day 88 were significantly lower in hypoalimentated steers. Differences between groups in lymphocyte blastogenic responses to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were not significant. Hyperalimentated steers had significantly depressed PWM responses compared to a baseline value established for that group. In addition, hypoalimentated steers tended to have elevated responses to PHA, although differences were not significant. There were no significant differences between groups in dermal hypersensitivity responses to tuberculin following sensitization with viable Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The thymuses of hypoalimentated steers were markedly atrophied but lymph nodes and splenic white pulp were normal. Thymus, lymph nodes and spleen were normal in hyperalimentated steers.     

Long-term outcome of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone treated conservatively: 25 cases (1976-1993)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical features of horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone and to report outcome of horses in which treatment did not include surgery. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 25 horses (14 Standardbreds, 6 Thoroughbreds, 5 Quarter Horses). PROCEDURE: Medical records of horses with a slab fracture of the central (n = 9) or third (16) tarsal bone were reviewed. Only horses for which treatment consisted of confinement to a stall were included in this study. Clinical features and radiographic findings were recorded and summarized. Outcome was determined for racing breeds by obtaining official lifetime race results. Outcome for Quarter Horses was determined by phone survey of the owners. RESULTS: 16 (64%) horses had a successful outcome. Ten of 14 (71%) Standardbreds and 2 of 6 Thoroughbreds returned to racing and started at least 5 races after injury. Four of 5 Quarter Horses for which follow-up information was available successfully returned to their previous activity. Sex, age, limb affected, or gait was not associated with final outcome. Percentage of racehorses with central tarsal bone fractures that had a successful outcome (2/7) was significantly less than percentage with third tarsal bone fractures that did (10/13). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that enforced rest without surgical fixation can be an effective therapeutic option for horses with a slab fracture of the central or third tarsal bone, even if athletic function is expected.     

Influence of fiber form in a complete mixed ration on incidence of left displaced abomasum in postpartum dairy cows.

During the fall of 1982, increased incidence of left displaced abomasum (LDA) was seen in a group of cows fed a complete pelleted ration (3/16 inch) at the university's dairy center during the early postpartum period. Of these, 17.4% developed LDA when fed this experimental ration, whereas only 1.6% of the remaining cows in the herd developed LDA. The latter cows (as a control) were fed loose alfalfa hay, sorghum silage, and an 18% crude protein mix. Most of the fiber in the experimental diet or pelleted diet was alfalfa hay (30% as-fed basis) that was ground through a quarter-inch screen for incorporation into the pellet. Another 10% of the dietary fiber was contributed by cottonseed hulls. Thus, increased incidence of LDA may be associated with short length of the dietary fiber in the pelleted form.     

Influence of signalment on developing cranial cruciate rupture in dogs in the UK

Objectives : To investigate risk factors associated with cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. Methods : Retrospective case‐control study: medical records of a first‐opinion veterinary practice were searched for dogs diagnosed with cranial cruciate ligament rupture (1995 to 2007). For each case, six unaffected dogs were randomly selected from all dogs presenting that day for comparison. Multi‐variable binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association of variables on likelihood of cruciate rupture. Results : Frequency of cranial cruciate ligament rupture was 1·19% [95% confidence interval (CI) 1·02 to 1.36%]. West Highland white terriers (n=17), Yorkshire terriers (n=14) and Rottweilers (n=11) were at significantly increased risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (P≤0·002). Rottweilers were at five times greater risk compared with other pure breeds (OR 5·12, 95% CI 2·281 to 11·494, P<0·001), obesity quadrupled the risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (OR 3·756, 95% CI 1·659 to 8·502, P=0·001) and females were twice as likely to suffer cranial cruciate ligament failure compared to males (OR 2·054, 95% CI 1·467 to 2·877, P<0·001). Dogs less than two years old were statistically less likely to sustain cranial cruciate ligament rupture than dogs older than eight years (OR 0·246, 95% CI 0·127 to 0·477, P<0·001). There was no significant difference in median weights (in kilograms) of neutered dogs, compared to their entire counterparts in either the case group (P=0·994) or in the control group (P=0·630). There was also no significant difference in body condition (‐underweight/normal weight/overweight/obese) of neutered versus entire dogs among the cases (P=0·243), or the controls (P=0·211). Clinical Significance : Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is more likely in Rottweilers and in female dogs, older dogs and obese dogs. Following multi‐variable analysis, it was established that neutering was not associated with increased risk of cranial cruciate ligament rupture.     

Microtechnique for quantitative platelet isolation from blood enabling electronic counting and sizing of animal and human platelets

A technique for rapidly separating platelets from small quantities of whole blood is described. The isolation method allowed for counting and sizing platelets by electronic means, and counts with this new method were closely correlated with those obtained by phase microscopy. Platelet sizing was possible because of the inert and isotonic nature of the density-gradient medium used in the procedure. The technique was applicable to samples of blood from persons, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs, mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The isolation of platelets from whole blood of various species of animals was necessary for electronic counting because of the great variation in sizes of platelets and erythrocytes and the variable sedimentation properties of animal blood.