Repair of diaphyseal femoral fractures in cats using interlocking intramedullary nails: 12 cases (1996-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of femoral fractures repaired with 4.0- and 4.7-mm interlocking intramedullary nails in cats. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 cats with diaphyseal femoral fractures. PROCEDURE: Records of all cats in which the 4.0- and 4.7-mm interlocking nail system was used for repair of diaphyseal femoral fractures at the Animal Medical Center and Florida Veterinary Specialists between 1996 and 2000 were reviewed. Information included signalment, type of fracture, size of the implant, details of the surgery, intra- and postoperative complications, fracture healing, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: Femoral fractures in 12 cats were repaired. Eleven of the fractures were comminuted, with 2 of these being open. Clinical outcome was excellent in 7 cats, good in 3, and fair in 1. One resulted in a nonunion. Complications included screw breakage (1 cat) and fracture distal to the nail (1). Fracture distal to the nail occurred from a second trauma. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the interlocking nail has been limited in cats because of the small diameter of the medullary canal. Use of the 4.0-mm nail will allow for greater application of this implant in small patients. Results of this study indicate that the 4.0- and 4.7-mm interlocking nails can be used to repair simple or comminuted diaphyseal femoral fractures in cats.     

Genotyping of Bacillus anthracis Isolated from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Humans can become infected by handling products from infected animals, by breathing spores and rarely by eating undercooked meat from infected animals. The genome of B. anthracis is highly monomorphic and thus shows very low DNA sequence variation. We analysed the molecular characteristics of 12 B. anthracis isolates from outbreaks in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have occurred during the past 10 years along with two vaccine strains. Genotyping system based on variable‐number tandem repeat analysis at six loci revealed that six isolates belong to genotype from the A1.a cluster whilst six isolates relate to the B2 cluster, compared to 89 previously described genotypes. The distribution of two evolutionarily distant clusters suggests an introduction of B. anthracis to this area in at least two separate events.     

Local airborne particulate concentration is associated with visible tracheal mucus in Thoroughbred racehorses

Reason for performing study: Accumulations of tracheal mucus assessed by endoscopic examination are associated with poor performance in racehorses. The air quality in horses' stalls may contribute to this visible tracheal mucus. Objectives: To determine whether the concentration and number of airborne particulates in stalls are associated with visible accumulations of tracheal mucus and with the number of inflammatory cells in tracheal aspirates. Methods: We studied 107 racehorses from 3 stables, in 3 different months, and measured airborne particulate matter 3 times daily in each of the stalls. On each monthly visit, horse airways were examined endoscopically and assigned a mucus score, and tracheal lavage was performed. Bivariate procedures, general estimating equations and linear mixed models were applied to estimate the association between PM and the presence of accumulations of mucus and number of inflammatory cells. Results: Stable, stall, month and PM were all significantly associated with the presence of accumulations of tracheal mucus, which had an overall prevalence of 67%. The odds of horses having visible accumulation of mucus were increased when horses occupied enclosed stables or stalls with higher particulate concentrations, and when concentrations of larger particles (≤10 µm in diameter) were elevated. Sixty‐eight percent of tracheal wash samples contained more than 20% neutrophils. Increased numbers of neutrophils were associated with the concentration of smaller particles (≤2.5 µm in diameter). Potential relevance: Careful consideration of stable construction and management practices focused on maintaining the lowest possible dust concentrations throughout the day should reduce the prevalence of visible accumulations of tracheal mucus, potentially improving racing performance.     

Reproduction in female cattle in a communal farming area of Zimbabwe

Summary Cattle in a communal farming area of Zimbabwe were identified and examined in the late dry and mid wet season of 1985/86. Ovarian activity rates were 17·9% and 38·6% in the dry and wet season respectively. Pregnancy rates were 16·1% and 24·6% respectively. A major limitation to reproduction was the percentage of anoestrous females. There was no evidence of a seasonal calving pattern. Median body condition score was 2·0 in the dry season and 1·5 in the wet season. Adult females of body condition score 2·5 and above had ovarian activity rates of 41·9% and pregnancy rates of 41·9 per cent. Those with a body condition score below 2·5 had rates of 26·8% and 16·4% respectively. Serum progesterone levels in pregnant animals were positively related to body condition score, with some animals having progesterone levels similar to non-pregnant animals. Metabolic profiles suggested that the major limiting nutrient in both seasons was nitrogen, although other micronutrients might also be involved in low reproductive rates.

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Resumen Se identificó un grupo de ganado en un área comunal pastoril en Zimbabwe, el que se estudió al final de la estación seca y en la mitad de la estación lluviosa. El estudio se llevó a cabo de 1985 a 1986. La tasas de actividad ovárica fueron de 17·9% y 38·6% y las de pre?ez de 16·1% y 24·6%, en la estación seca y lluviosa, respectivamente. La mayor limitación para la reproducción, fue el porcentaje alto de hembras en anestro. No hubo un patrón claro de partos estacionales. La condición corporal media fue de 2·0 en la estación seca y de 1·5 en la estación lluviosa. Las hembras adultas que tenian una condición corporal de 2·5 ó mayor, tuvieron tasas de actividad ovárica de 41·9% y tasas de pre?ez de 41·9 por vaca. Aquellas con una condición corporal por debajo de 2·5, tuvieron tasas de actividad ovárica de 26·8% y tasas de pre?ez de 16·4%, respectivamente. Los niveles de progesterona en animales pre?ados, estuvieron positivamente relacionados con el puntaje obtenido en el análisis de la condición corporal, aunque algunos animales tuvieron niveles de progesterona bajos, como de animales no pre?ados. Los perfiles matabólicos revelaron, que el nutriente más deficitario fue el nitrógeno, aunque otros nutrientes tambien fueron deficitarios.

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Résumé Dans une zone agricole de type communautaire, le bétail a été identifié et examiné à la fin de la saison humide et jusqu’au milieu de la saison sèche en 1985/1986. Les taux d’activité ovarienne étaient respectivement de 17,9 et 38,6 p. 100 au cours de la saison sèche et de la saison humide. Les taux de gestation étaient de 16,1 et 24,6 p. 100 respectivement. Un obstacle essentiel à la reproduction s’est révélé être le nombre de femmelles en anoestrus. Aucune preuve n’a pu être apportée d’un mode de mise bas lié à la saison. L’indice de condition corporelle moyenne mesuré à l’aide d’une échelle de points était de 2,0 en saison sèche et de 1,5 en saison humide. Les femelles adultes dont la condition corporelle était de 2,5 et au dessus, avaient des taux d’activité ovarienne de 41,9 p. 100 et des taux de gestation par co?t identiques. Celles dont l’indice était inférieur à 2,5 avaient des taux de 26,8 et de 16,4 p. 100 respectivement. Les taux de progestérone sérique chez les animaux en gestation étaient positivement liés à l’indice de condition corporelle, avec quelques sujets dont le taux de progestérone était identique à celui d’animaux non-gestants. Les profils métaboliques font penser que le facteur alimentaire limitant majeur pour les deux saisons était l’azote, quoique d’autres micronutriments aient pu être également en cause dans les taux de reproduction bas.

     

Idiopathic, aseptic, effusive, fibrinous, nonconstrictive pericarditis with tamponade in a standardbred filly.

A Standardbred filly was admitted for evaluation of pleuritis and pneumonia. Heart rate was 80 to 120 beats/min, and the pulse was barely palpable. Thoracic and abdominal ultrasonography and echocardiography revealed substantial pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade, fibrinous pericarditis, pleural effusion, and ascites. Initial electrocardiography revealed normal sinus rhythm with decreased amplitude of the QRS complexes consistent with pericardial effusion. Following thoracentesis, echocardiogram-guided pericardiocentesis was performed. Bacterial culture yielded no growth from any of the fluids, and bacteria were not seen on cytologic examination. Initial treatment included broad-spectrum antibiotic treatments, IV fluid therapy, and anti-inflammatory agent administration. On the basis of negative culture results, an immune-mediated cause was considered, and dexamethasone was instituted in a decreasing dosage regimen. Pericardial effusion, ventral edema, and ascites began to resolve within 3 days after beginning dexamethasone treatment. Thirty days following discharge, the filly was reexamined, and at that time, the prognosis for athletic performance was considered good so the horse was returned to race training. The final diagnosis in this case was idiopathic, effusive, nonconstrictive pericarditis with tamponade. Early identification, clinical understanding, and application of knowledge of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of pericarditis in horses, combined with use of diagnostic aids such as ultrasonography and aggressive therapy consisting of effusion drainage, pericardial lavage, antibiotics that penetrate the pericardium, and corticosteroids when indicated are critical for a successful outcome in horses with pericarditis.     

Evaluation of hemostatic analytes after use of hypertonic saline solution combined with colloids for resuscitation of dogs with hypovolemia.

The effects of hypertonic saline solution (HTSS) combined with colloids on hemostatic analytes were studied in 15 dogs. The analytes evaluated included platelet counts, one-stage prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, von Willebrand's factor antigen (vWf:Ag), and buccal mucosa bleeding times. The dogs were anesthetized, and jugular phlebotomy was used to induced hypovolemia (mean arterial blood pressure = 50 mm of Hg). Treatment dogs (n = 12) were resuscitated by infusion (6 ml/kg of body weight) of 1 of 3 solutions: HTSS combined with 6% dextran 70, 6% hetastarch, or 10% pentastarch. The control dogs (n = 3) were autotransfused. Hemostatic analytes were evaluated prior to induction of hypovolemia (baseline) and then after resuscitation (after 30 minutes of sustained hypovolemia) at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 6 and 24 hours. All treatment dogs responded rapidly and dramatically to resuscitation with hypertonic solutions. Clinically apparent hemostatic defects (epistaxis, petechiae, hematoma) were not observed in any dog. All coagulation variables evaluated, with the exception of vWf:Ag, remained within reference ranges over the 24-hour period. The vWf:Ag values were not statistically different than values from control dogs, and actual values were only slightly lower than reference ranges. Significant (P < or = 0.04) differences were detected for one-stage prothrombin time, but did not exceed reference ranges. The results of this study suggested that small volume HTSS/colloid solutions do not cause significant alterations in hemostatic analytes and should be considered for initial treatment of hypovolemic or hemorrhagic shock.