Breed distribution of the ABCB1-1Delta (multidrug sensitivity) polymorphism among dogs undergoing ABCB1 genotyping

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the breed distribution of the ABCB1-1Delta polymorphism in a large number of dogs in North America, including dogs of several herding breeds in which this polymorphism has been detected and other breeds in which this polymorphism has not yet been identified. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 5,368 dogs from which buccal swab samples were collected for purposes of ABCB1 genotyping. PROCEDURES: From May 1, 2004, to September 30, 2007, DNA specimens derived from buccal swab samples collected from 5,368 dogs underwent ABCB1 genotyping. These data were reviewed, and results for each dog were recorded in a spreadsheet, along with the dog's breed. The genotypes for each breed were tallied by use of a sorting function. RESULTS: The ABCB1-1Delta allele was identified in 9 breeds of dogs and in many mixed-breed dogs. Breeds that had the ABCB1-1Delta allele included Collie, Longhaired Whippet, Australian Shepherd (standard and miniature), Shetland Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog, Border Collie, Silken Windhound, and German Shepherd Dog (a breed in which this mutation had not been detected previously). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ABCB1-1Delta polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to many adverse drug reactions and with suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and is present in many herding breeds of dog. Veterinarians should be familiar with the breeds that have the ABCB1-1Delta polymorphism to make appropriate pharmacologic choices for these patients.     

Neonatal lamb mortality: major risk factors and the potential ameliorative role of melatonin

High incidences of pre-weaning mortality continue to limit global sheep production, constituting a major economic and welfare concern. Despite significant advances in genetics, nutrition, and management, the proportion of lamb deaths has remained stable at 15–20% over the past four decades. There is mounting evidence that melatonin can improve outcomes in compromised ovine pregnancies via enhanced uterine bloodflow and neonatal neuroprotection. This review provides an overview of the major risk factors and underlying mechanisms involved in perinatal lamb mortality and discusses the potential of melatonin treatment as a remedial strategy. Supplementing pregnant ewes with melatonin enhances uterine bloodflow and fetal oxygenation, and potentially birthweight and neonatal thermogenic capacity. Melatonin freely crosses the ovine placenta and blood-brain barrier and provides neuroprotection to the fetal lamb during periods of chronic and acute hypoxia throughout gestation, with improved behavioural outcomes in hypoxic neonates. The current literature provides strong evidence that maternal melatonin treatment improves outcomes for lambs which experience compromised in utero development or prolonged parturition, though to date this has not been investigated in livestock production systems. As such there is a clear basis for continued research into the effects of maternal melatonin supplementation during gestation on pre-weaning survival under extensive production conditions.     

Origin of the diclidophorid monogenean Neoheterobothrium hirame Ogawa, 1999, the causative agent of anemia in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus

In the mid-1990s, Neoheterobothrium hirame suddenly appeared as a new species in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in Japanese coastal waters. Anemia caused by the parasite has prevailed in wild and cultured populations of olive flounder since that time. In this study, to clarify the origin of N. hirame, two Neoheterobothrium species, namely unidentified Neoheterobothrium species (tentatively abbreviated as Neoheterobothrium sp. PL) and N. affine, were collected from Paralichthys lethostigma and Paralichthys dentatus, respectively, off the east coast of North America and compared with N. hirame collected in Japan. No substantial differences were detected in the morphology and DNA sequences of ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2 and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (mt COI) regions between N. hirame and Neoheterobothrium sp. PL. On the other hand, the congeneric N. affine was clearly distinguished from both N. hirame and Neoheterobothrium sp. PL in its longer isthmus and the DNA sequences in ITS1 and mt COI. The absence of differences between N. hirame and Neoheterobothrium sp. PL and the clear difference between both of these and N. affine indicate that N. hirame is conspecific with Neoheterobothrium sp. PL infecting P. lethostigma and that N. hirame was recently introduced from North America to Japan.     

Taxus sp. intoxication in three Francois' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi).

Three Francois' langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) were found dead, without previous clinical signs, over a 48-hour period at a zoological institution after transfer to a new exhibit. A hybrid yew shrub (Taxus baccata X T. cuspidata) was found in close proximity to the exhibit perimeter fence. Despite clinical suspicion of yew intoxication, thin-layer chromatography performed on gastric contents was negative. However, microscopic examination of gastric contents revealed multiple yew fragments, and taxine alkaloids were detected by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of the gastric contents to confirm yew intoxication. Acute death of the animals prevented treatment. The fourth langur in the collection survived, most likely because of its low rank in the troop's hierarchy, with a suspected small amount or none of the plant ingested. To the authors' knowledge, this case report is the first yew intoxication documented in a nonhuman primate species. Taxus spp. intoxication is an often fatal condition reported in domestic animals and humans. In comparison with these species, mortality appeared delayed in the Francois' langurs, most likely because of their unique gastrointestinal anatomy, with both foregut and colonic fermentation. Plant intoxication should be a differential diagnosis when multiple acute deaths are observed after recent introduction to a new enclosure.     

Two cases of atypical mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium szulgai associated with mortality in captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana).

Mycobacterium szulgai was associated with mortality in two captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) housed at Lincoln Park Zoo. The first elephant presented with severe, acute lameness of the left rear limb. Despite extensive treatments, the animal collapsed and died 13 mo after initial presentation. Necropsy revealed osteomyelitis with loss of the femoral head and acetabulum and pulmonary granulomas with intralesional M. szulgai. The second elephant collapsed during transport to another institution with no premonitory clinical signs. This animal was euthanized because of prolonged recumbency. Granulomatous pneumonia with intralesional M. szulgai was found at necropsy. Two novel immunoassays performed on banked serum samples detected antibody responses to mycobacterial antigens in both infected elephants. It was not possible to determine when the infection was established or how the elephants were infected. When reviewing the epidemiology of this organism in humans, however, transmission between elephants seemed unlikely because human-to-human transmission of this organism has never been reported and a third elephant in the herd was not affected. In addition to Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial organisms need to be considered potentially pathogenic in elephants.     

Deposition and drift of ulv and vlv insecticide sprays applied to cotton by hand applicator in northern nigeria

Experiments have been carried out in northern Nigeria to study the deposition and drift of the small spray droplets (70–130 μ v.m.d.), utilised in the application of carbaryl plus an indicating dye, to cotton, at very low volume rates (6–12 litre/ha) using water-based formulations and at ultralow volume rates (3 litre/ha) using waterless formulations. The character of the deposition and extent of drift have been shown to relate to spray droplet size, formulation and a combination of meteorological factors. Practical recommendations have been evolved for very low volume and ultralow volume techniques in which the time of application is restricted to those periods of the day which favour high recovery.     

Impact of time-limited feeding and dietary carbohydrate content on weight loss in group-housed cats

Twenty-four adult cats were transitioned to time-limited feeding and randomized to either a dry low carbohydrate diet (LC) or a dry reduced energy diet (HC). In Trial 1 the LC and HC groups received equal amounts of food (by weight) for 13 weeks. Both groups consumed all food offered, hence the LC group received more energy/day than the HC group. In Trial 2 all cats were fed the LC diet for 12 weeks, but each group received the energy that the opposite group had received in Trial 1. In Trial 1 only the overweight HC cats (body condition score> 6/9) experienced a significant change in body weight (-0.52 +/- 0.08 kg). In Trial 2, LC/Low Calorie overweight cats lost 0.62 +/- 0.10 kg, whereas, the LC/High Calorie normal weight cats gained 0.68 +/- 0.05 kg. In conclusion, body condition and energy intake but not type of diet influenced weight in this cohort of group-housed cats.     

Chronic oesophageal foreign body in a cat

An 11-year-old cat was presented with an approximately 2-month history of dysphagia, intermittent regurgitation and weight loss. An oesophageal foreign body was identified on plain radiographs, and an oesophagotomy was performed to remove a large V-shaped bone from the caudal cervical oesophagus. A gastrostomy feeding tube was placed to allow nutritional support postoperatively. Medical treatment for oesophagitis was initiated after surgery. No complications were encountered and the cat was discharged 4 days after surgery.