Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia in 110 dogs in Victoria, Australia

Objective   Evaluate the survival and prognostic indicators (i.e. breed predilection, season, blood transfusion, and the prevalence of autoagglutination) of dogs with immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA) in Victoria, Australia.
Design   Retrospective study of 110 diagnosed with primary IMHA at the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital.
Results   In total, 80 of the dogs (72.7%) were discharged from hospital and 48 of 65 (73.8%) dogs available for follow-up were known to be alive at 1 year, giving an overall 1-year survival of 48 (50.5%) of 95 dogs for which survival data were available. Regarding breed, 80 (18.2%) of the 110 dogs were Maltese-breed dogs compared with 81 (7.4%) of 1100 control dogs (P < 0.001). Springer Spaniels (P = 0.02), Hungarian Vizslas (P = 0.02) and Airedale Terriers (P < 0.001) were also over-represented compared with the control sample. There was no evidence of an association between the occurrence of IMHA in dogs and season in this study. Receiving one or more blood transfusions did not affect survival to the time of discharge from hospital. On initial blood smear examination, 57 (51.8%) of the 110 dogs had spontaneous autoagglutination and its presence was associated with decreased survival to discharge from hospital (P = 0.03). Packed cell volume, white cell count, platelet count and serum total bilirubin on admission had no effect on survival to the time of discharge from hospital or 1 year later.
Conclusion   Dogs with IMHA have a guarded prognosis as only half are still alive 1 year after the acute event.     

Assessing repeatability and validity of a visual analogue scale questionnaire for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To develop a visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire that is repeatable and valid for use in assessing pain and lameness in dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 48 client-owned dogs with mild to moderate lameness. PROCEDURE: The dogs were from 3 studies conducted during a 3-year period. Of the 48 dogs, 19 were used in repeatability assessment, 48 were used in principal component analysis, and 44 were used in model selection procedures and validity testing. A test-retest measure of repeatability was conducted on dogs with a change of < 10% in vertical peak force. A force platform was used as the criterion-referenced standard for detecting lameness. Principal component analysis was used to describe dimensionality of the data. Repeatable questions were used as explanatory variables in multiple regression models to predict force plate measurements. Peak vertical, craniocaudal, and associated impulses were the forces used to quantify lameness. The regression models were used to test the criterion validity of the questionnaire. RESULTS: 19 of 39 questions were found to be repeatable on the basis of a Spearman rank-correlation cut point of > 0.6. Model selection procedures resulted in 3 overlapping subsets of questions that were considered valid representations of the forces measured (vertical peak, vertical impulse, and propulsion peak). Each reduced model fit the data as well as the full model. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The VAS questionnaire was repeatable and valid for use in assessing the degree of mild to moderate lameness in dogs.     

Ultrasonographic evaluation of normal boar testicles

The testicles of 14 Landrace boars (7 at 9 months of age and 7 at 15 months of age) were measured and examined by routine physical examination. Semen analysis was done. The testicles were then examined and measured by B-mode ultrasonography. The ultrasonographic appearance and measurements were compared with the physical measurements and the semen analysis. Seminiferous epithelial area (SEA) data were obtained after the testicles were surgically removed. These data were compared with the ultrasonographic data and the other physical data. A correlation could not be found between semen analysis and either physical or ultrasonographic data or between SEA data and semen analysis. Significant differences were found between the 9-month-old and the 15-month-old boars relative to 5 measurements: SEA, tunica albuginea thickness, testicular diameter, testicular length, and epididymal diameter. A ratio of 4:1 was found between each of the average physical measurements (scrotal diameter, testicular-epididymal circumference, testicular-epididymal length) and ultrasonographic measurements of testicular diameter. A ratio of 2.6:1 was found between testicular diameter and epididymal tail diameter (cranial to caudal).     

Mesothelioma in cattle: eight cases (1970-1988)

Over an 8-year period, 8 beef cattle with mesothelioma were admitted to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine. Diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination of affected tissues. Five bulls, 1 steer, and 2 cows were affected. Four of the bulls had scrotal swelling; 2 cows and 1 bull had ventral abdominal swelling. The peritoneal cavity was involved in 5 cases, the pleural cavity was affected in 2 cases, and in 2 cases, disease was apparently confined to the vaginal cavity. Of the 8 cattle, 6 died or were euthanatized; only cattle with tumor apparently confined to the vaginal cavity survived.     

Prescribed burning of Pinus oocarpa in Honduras I. Effects on surface runoff and sediment loss

The effects of low-intensity prescribed burning on surface runoff and sediment loss were studied in a stand of oocarpa pine (Pinus oocarpa Schiede) in central Honduras. The effects of burning in two seasons were compared on small paired plots on 10°, 25° and 40° slopes. Over a period of almost 2 years, mean percent runoff was 1.73% on the control plots and 5.03% on the burned plots. Mean sediment loss during the same period was 80 kg ha^?1 on the control plots and 1732 kg ha^?1 on the burned plots. The relationship between slope and surface runoff and sediment loss was negative; the effect of slope being masked by variation of other site factors. Recovery from burning was rapid and is attributed to the rapid rate of recovery of the ground vegetation of grasses and forbs which are adapted to frequent burning. Surface runoff and sediment loss on control plots were very low and the increases caused by burning are considered an acceptable alternative to the exposure of the overstory and site to the high risk of wildfires in accumulated fuels. Greater runoff and sediment loss were recorded on the plots burned in February than on those burned in June. As the period November to mid-February offers the greatest number of days with weather conditions suitable for low-intensity prescribed burning, it is concluded that burning for hazard reduction should be conducted as early as possible in this period, in November and December, to permit greater recovery of the ground vegetation before the heavy rains of May and early June.