A cross-sectional survey on wounds in horses in New Zealand

AIM: To determine the frequency and type of skin wounds encountered by New Zealand veterinarians in their equine patients, the duration and estimated costs of treatment as well as the expected outcomes for these wounds.

METHODS: An online survey was sent to all veterinarians registered with the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association. The survey comprised questions on the location and experience of respondents, the number of wound-related cases in relation to the total equine caseload, the type and anatomical location of wounds treated, the frequency, duration and costs of treatments, the outcome of wound treatment and an estimate of the most common causes of death or euthanasia in their equine patients.

RESULTS: The survey response rate was 110/262 (41.9%). The median number of equine cases seen by respondents was 20 (interquartile range (IQR) 6–60) per month; of these, five (IQR 2–10) were wound related. Wounds ranked third after lameness and respiratory disease for the relative frequency with which respondents encountered them. Of 102 respondents 59 (58%) reported that their clients frequently treated wounds incurred by their horse without consulting a veterinarian. Wounds on the distal limb, whether involving only the skin or also deeper structures, were reported by 86/101 (85%) respondents as the most frequently encountered. Wounds in this location also incurred the longest treatment period and were the most prone to develop complications. Finally, wounds ranked second, after colic, as the most common cause of death/euthanasia in the veterinary respondents’ equine patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained via the survey indicate that skin wounds, particularly on the distal limb, are a common occurrence in horses in New Zealand and, when they involve structures underlying the skin, are costly and time-consuming to manage and may lead to decreased performance, retirement or euthanasia. Consequently, we recommend that more effort be devoted to the education of equine veterinarians and owners, and that appropriate research funds be allocated to help improve patient outcomes.     

A novel surgical treatment of type 3 congenital elbow luxation in a dog

Congenital luxation of the ulnar and radius is a rare orthopaedic condition in the dog. This case report describes a novel surgical treatment for congenital elbow luxation in a medium-breed dog. A 6-week-old Kelpie presented for left forelimb lameness and deformity. Radiographs and computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of unilateral ulnar and radius luxation. The surgical repair involved open reduction followed by fixation with an extraarticular pin and a transarticular external fixator. The outcome of surgery was improved leg function and weight-bearing, however, reluxation of the radial head was diagnosed 7 weeks following surgery. This technique may offer an alternative surgical option to improve clinical signs, as well as insight into improving the management of this condition.     

Antioxidant Protection of Edible Oils

The ability of different cooking oils to withstand oxidation was investigated in relation to their native antioxidant capacity [measured as the Ferric Reducing/Antioxidant Power (FRAP) value]. The antiperoxidation effect of the presence of the Chinese herbs, du-zhong (Cortex Eucommia ulmoides) and ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) in corn oil was also investigated over 26 days’ storage at 55°C. Results showed that sesame oil had the highest FRAP value (803 μM), followed by canola oil (400 μM), and sunflower, peanut, corn and olive oils (100–153 μM). Oils with higher intrinsic antioxidant content showed higher resistance to oxidation, although this was not statistically significant. Corn oil to which was added the herbs du-zhong, ginseng or both had increased resistance to oxidation (conjugated diene level and lipid peroxide formation) over 26 days. FRAP values of the oil/herb mixtures decreased during this time, implying utilisation of herbal antioxidants. Results have implications for increasing the shelf-life and usage time of cooking oils by addition of herbs which can increase resistance of the oil to oxidation. Results have implications also for health, as it is possible that ingestion of these herbs could increase resistance of polyunsaturated fatty acids of cell membranes and lipoproteins to oxidation within the body.     

Dietary fibers from mushroom sclerotia: 1. Preparation and physicochemical and functional properties

Preparation of three novel dietary fibers (DFs) from mushroom sclerotia, namely, Pleurotus tuberregium, Polyporous rhinocerus, and Wolfiporia cocos, by a scale-up modified AOAC procedure using industrial enzymes was investigated. A remarkably high level of total dietary fiber (TDF) ranging from 81.7 to 96.3% sample dry matter (DM), in which a content of nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) ranging from 86.6 to 94.3% sclerotial TDF DM, was obtained from the three sclerotia. All sclerotial DFs were rich in beta-glucan (the glucose residue ranged from 89.7 to 94.5% NSP DM) with a very low level of resistant glycogen (ranged from 3.77 to 3.94% sclerotial TDF DM). All three novel sclerotial DFs also exhibited similar, if not better, physicochemical and functional properties (pH, color, water binding capacity, oil holding capacity, and emulsifying properties) as those of barely DF control and commercial DF-rich ingredients. The potential use of the three mushroom sclerotial DFs as a new beta-glucan type DF-rich ingredient in the food industry was discussed.     

Seroprevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease in wild psittacine birds in New South Wales

SUMMARY A haemagglutination inhibition assay was used to detect antibody to psittacine beak and feather disease virus in sera from wild sulphur crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus), short-billed corellas (Cacatua sanguinea), eastern long-billed corellas (Cacatua tenuirostris) and other psittacine birds in New South Wales. The seroprevalence of psittacine beak and feather disease ranged from 41% to 94% in different flocks, indicating infection with the virus is widespread in wild populations.     

Reduced microbicidal activity of peripheral mononuclear phagocytic cells infected with Pasteurella multocida

Pasteurella multocida inhibits the uptake and killing of Candida albicans and P. multocida by avian mononuclear phagocytic cells. The toxic outer membrane protein of P. multocida, which has been previously described, also inhibited the uptake and killing of C. albicans. Antibody specific for the toxic outer membrane protein reversed this effect resulting not only in an increase in uptake of C. albicans and P. multocida, but also in intracellular killing of P. multocida. This antibody, however, only partially restored killing of C. albicans. These data support the hypothesis that P. multocida is capable of intracellular survival in avian mononuclear phagocytic cells and that the toxic outer membrane protein is totally or partly responsible for this occurrence.     

Identification of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida in atrophic rhinitis of pigs by in vitro characterisation

Toxigenic strains of Pasteurella multocida were readily differentiated from non-toxigenic strains by an agarose overlay method using bovine turbinate cells or bovine lung cells. Cells which were young and densely confluent were best suited to this assay. The incubation period required to distinguish toxigenic strains was dependent on the confluence of the monolayers, which was affected by the seeding rate, cell passage level and growth time prior to overlay. The agarose overlay method correctly identified 11 of 11 reference strains of Pasteurella multocida, and visible cytotoxic changes were present in the monolayers after 48 to 65 h. Outbreaks of the enzootic form of atrophic rhinitis in 2 New South Wales piggeries were associated with the isolation of toxigenic type D strains of P. multocida.