Injuries to the cranial cruciate ligament and associated structures: summary of clinical, radiographic, arthroscopic and pathological findings from 10 horses

The clinical, radiographic, arthroscopic and pathological findings of 10 horses with injury to the cranial cruciate ligament are presented. The most consistent clinical signs included moderate to severe distension of the femoropatellar joint and a Grade III to a Grade V out of V lameness. Craniocaudal instability could be elicited in five horses under general anaesthesia and in one conscious horse. Radiographic evaluation of the stifles revealed that avulsion fracture of the medial intercondylar eminence was the most common finding in six out of 10 horses. Arthroscopic examination of the affected femorotibial joints were performed in five horses. This confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament injury or rupture. Post mortem examinations were performed on two horses which documented partial tears of the cranial cruciate ligament.     

Factors affecting red-winged blackbird response to methiocarb,an avian repellent

Two physiological responses (heart rate and respiration rate) and a behavioral response (keypecking rate) were measured to determine whether or not bait from and/or gastrointestinal content would influence the efficacy of an avian repellent on red-winged blackbirds. Methiocarb was administered under four conditions (i.e., cracked corn or pellet baits and food deprivation or nondeprivation). Results show that both physiological and behavioral responses to methiocarb are much more pronounced when it is administered in pellet form to food-deprived birds. These findings help explain some inconsistencies in results of field evaluations of methiocarb and illustrate the significance of formulation and the timing of treatment application as important factors in development of bird damage control agents and techniques.     

Characterization of in situ nitrogen and fiber digestion and bacterial nitrogen contamination of hay crop forages preserved at different dry matter percentages

Alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass and timothy were harvested in the vegetative stage, wilted and stored as hay, or ensiled in small batch silos (20 kg) at 60, 40 or 20% (direct cut) dry matter and were analyzed for compositional differences. A ruminally cannulated lactating cow, consuming 50% of her dry matter intake from hay crop silage, was used to measure in situ dry matter, N, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber disappearance. Diaminopimelic acid was used as a bacterial marker to correct for bacterial N contamination for in situ residual N. Fibrous components tended to become concentrated as percent dry matter at preservation decreased, presumably associated with leaching of water solubles during storage. For most forages, as dry matter percentage of preservation decreased, water soluble dry matter and N increased, with a concomitant increase of ruminally nondigested dry matter. Specific trends in coefficients of digestion associated with forage type or preservation dry matter percentage were not observed for dry matter, N, neutral detergent fiber or acid detergent fiber. Correction for contamination by bacterial N decreased lag time in digestion and altered rates of N digestion compared with noncorrected rates. Linear and quadratic bacterial N contamination profiles were observed with time of ruminal incubation. Rate of digestion of N was highly correlated with fibrous component concentration, and to a lesser extent to rate of neutral and acid detergent fiber digestion. Dry matter percentage at preservation had a variable effect on ruminal digestion rate of dry matter and N, which varied with forage type and had no effect on neutral detergent and acid detergent fiber digestion rates. Correction for bacterial N contamination should be considered when establishing N digestion rates for forage by the in situ technique.     

Electrogoniometric analysis of equine metacarpophalangeal joint lameness

Electrogoniometry was used qualitively and quantitatively to assess the movements of the normal and pathologic metacarpophalangeal joints of selected horses. A total of 4 Thoroughbreds, 1 normal and 3 with clinical and radiographic changes in the metacarpophalangeal joints of 1 limb, were evaluated at the walk and trot. Goniograms of the affected joints were compared with those of the normal horse and the normal contralateral metacarpophangeal joint. Qualitative asymmetry was recognized on the goniograms, and the ranges of motion were quantified and related to the clinical and radiologic observations.     

Cervical vertebral interbody fusion in the horse: a comparative study of bovine xenografts and autografts supported by stainless steel baskets

A modified form of the Cloward technique for anterior cervical fusion in human beings was used in the application of different grafts for evaluation of their effectiveness in stabilizing equine cervical vertebrae. Results of bovine xenograft implants in 8 horses were compared with results of stainless steel baskets (SSB) packed with cancellous autogenous bone in 8 horses. Graft material was incorporated in all cases. Evidence of graft rejection was not present. Both forms of implants decreased the mobility of the intervertebral space in which they were implanted. A fibrous connective tissue union was prevalent after xenograft implantation. Osseous union was prevalent after implantation of the SSB. Reduction in range of motion was greatest at those sites with the SSB.     

Veterinary school admission interviews, part 3: strategies for increasing interview validity

The veterinary school admission interview is a widely used selection tool, yet concerns persist about its reliability, validity, and cost. Relative to medicine, optometry, and dentistry schools, veterinary schools have been more likely to conduct panel interviews and to fix the interview's weight in selection decisions, strategies that increase interview validity. This article provides strategies for further increasing the veterinary school interview's validity. Interview reliability and validity studies point to key strategies the veterinary school admissions committee can implement before the interview: (1) establishing the interview's purpose(s); (2) conducting a "job" analysis to identify desirable candidate skills, knowledge, and attributes; (3) developing a structured and panel interview where interviewers, if possible, are blind to other admission data; (4) training interviewers; (5) setting a reasonable interview schedule; and (6) determining methods for analyzing applicant data. During the interview, interviewers should proceed through a structured series of steps: (1) open the interview with a specified agenda; (2) probe for information using structured questions and anchored rating scales; (3) close the interview to allow for candidate questions; and (4) evaluate the interview data. After the interview, the admissions committee should (1) analyze the interview data within and across interviewers and (2) analyze the data across all selection tools in order to assign relative weights to the selection tools.     

An in vitro study to determine the effectiveness of a patellar ligament/fascia lata graft and new tibial suture anchor points for extracapsular stabilization of the cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle in the dog

OBJECTIVE: (1) To determine whether an extracapsular patellar ligament/fascia lata graft would provide stability in the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL)-deficient stifle comparable with that of the intact stifle. (2) To determine if different tibial anchor points would enhance stability of the CrCLdeficient stifle when compared with the standard fabellar-tibial suture (FTS) placement. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight canine cadaver hind limbs. METHODS: Stifles were mounted in a jig and tested between loads of -65 and 80 N. After testing the intact CrCL, 4 stabilization techniques were tested after CrCL transection: lateral graft technique (LGT) and 3 FTS with different tibial anchor points. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in displacement between the LGT and standard FTS, between the LGT and the intact CrCL, or between the FTS and the intact CrCL, in either the Securos or the Screw-washer experiments. Stiffness of the intact CrCL was significantly greater than that of any stabilization technique and the cut CrCL. The standard FTS showed the least displacement of all suture stabilization techniques. Differences in stiffness were not significant between the suture stabilization techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Securely anchored, the LGT results in a reduction in drawer motion similar to that of the intact CrCL and the standard FTS. Altering the tibial anchor point for the FTS does not improve stiffness or enhance stabilization of the CrCL-deficient stifle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The LGT could be used for the treatment of CrCL ruptures in the dog. A clinical study is recommended.