Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a Scottish terrier associated with gastric dilation

A case of Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in an eight-month-old Scottish terrier associated with gastric dilation is reported,     

Climatic conditions as a risk factor in canine gastric dilatation-volvulus

Canine acute gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a life-threatening condition of multifactorial origin. The risk of developing GDV is influenced by a variety of factors, including breed, age, gender, temperament, diet and management. A relationship between seasonal variations and the frequency of GDV has been previously documented although no association was found with any specific climatic event. Variables in weather conditions within a defined geographic region were investigated in a retrospective study of 287 client-owned dogs diagnosed with GDV between 1992 and 1999. Monthly incidences were evaluated and differences in atmospheric temperature, humidity and pressure between days in which GDV cases were observed and days in which no case was presented were examined. Although temperature was significantly associated with the occurrence of GDV, the difference in temperatures between days with and days without GDV cases was so small that it is unlikely to be of clinical relevance. Moreover, no significant association was found between GDV occurrence and atmospheric pressure or humidity, and a seasonal variation in GDV incidence was not observed.     

Azithromycin metabolite identification in plasma,bile, and tissues of the ball python (Python regius)

Azithromycin is the first of a class of antibiotics classified as azalides. Six ball pythons (Python regius) were given a single dose of azithromycin at 10 mg/kg p.o. and i.v. in a crossover design. Serial blood samples were collected for unchanged azithromycin and to determine, if possible, the structure and number of circulating azithromycin metabolites. After a 4-month wash-out period, the snakes were given azithromycin p.o. as a single dose of 10 mg/kg for the study of azithromycin metabolism and metabolite tissue distribution. Bile, liver, lung, kidney, and skin samples were analyzed for the metabolites identified from the first experiment. Unchanged azithromycin accounted for 80, 68, and 60% of the total material at 12, 24, and 48 h postadministration in plasma, independent of route of administration. At both 24 and 72 h postadministration, azithromycin accounted for 70% of total azithromycin- associated material in bile. In liver and kidney, unchanged azithromycin accounted for 40% of the total azithromycin-associated material; this doubled in lung and skin. Fifteen metabolites were positively or tentatively identified in plasma, bile, or tissues of all snakes. Four of these possible metabolites: 3'-desamine-3-ene-azithromycin, descladinose dehydroxy-2-ene-azithromycin, 3'-desamine-3-ene descladinose-azithromycin, and 3'-N-nitroso,9a-N-desmethyl-azithromycin are unique to this species. Descladinose-azithromycin, 3'-N-desmethyl,9a-N-desmethyl-azithromycin, and 3'-N-desmethyl, 3'-O-desmethyl-azithromycin were the only metabolites identified in skin. Kidney tissue contained a greater number of metabolites than liver tissue, with 3'-N-didesmethyl-azithromycin being identified only in the kidney. Compared with the dog and cat, a greater number of metabolites were identified in ball python plasma. The percentage of unchanged azithromycin in bile is not different between the three species.     

Sensitivity of Argas (Persicargas) walkerae to optic irradiation and localization and organization of light perceiving or permeability areas of the integument

Considering a negative phototaxis as a stimulus reaction to narrow - or wideband monochromatic radiance of varying ranges of wavelengths and different irradiance it was established that both unfed and engorged I. and II. nymphs, as well as male and female adult ticks of Argas (Persicargas) walkerae, responded almost to the whole spectrum of the investigated wavelengths from 246-809nm, however, depending on the irradiance. Peaks of sensitivity with 50-100% of phototactically negative reacting ticks, however, were only registered in the range of 415 nm to 604 nm at moderate and high irradiance. Interstadially unfed and fed ticks showed no or only slight differences of reaction. Engorged ticks responded analogously to the unfed ticks but usually with smaller percentages. The lower readiness of reaction of the engorged stages was also established by the comparison of the temporal threshold values, which were ca. 1 min shorter for unfed ticks. Ablation tests for localizing light perception in or through the integument by means of covering the integumental areas in various combinations and simultaneously confronting them with the highly sensitive range of wavelengths from 446-568 nm revealed that unfed female adults probably perceived the light stimuli primarily through the dorsum. Covering the entire dorsum with white or black paint caused a phototactically negative response in 10-30% of the ticks. Untreated control ticks reacted to the light stimuli with a proportion of 50-75%. Scanning electron microscopical examinations of the dorsum, ventral surface and supracoxal folds of unfed female ticks gave no evidence of morphologically recognizable, superficially organized or integument-integrated photoreceptor areas or optical organs similar to lenses.     

Duplex Doppler measurements of renal blood flow in a dog widi Addison's disease

Abnormal intrarenal flow In a seven-year old female Tibetan terrier with Addison's disease was demonstrated by duplex Doppler examination. Abnormal flow may reflect renal vasoconstriction due to increased activity of the renin-anglotensln system. Although not pathognomonic, an Increased resistive Index (< 0 - 70) In an otherwise ultrasonographically normal kidney can be due to Addison's disease and the technique may prove valuable as a quick non-Invasive tool In the management of this disease.     

Determination of the urea content of milk in general practice

To determine the urea in milk and thus to get information on the feeding regimen, a method using colour stripes was developped for the extension service in Bavaria. The quantitative results are fairly exact and available within four minutes comparing the colour changes of the stripe with a four-colour-scale. The scale comprises a range from 15 to more than 40 mg urea nitrogen per 100 ml of milk. The resulting colour as a rule lies between two colour shadings. Udder diseases give uncorrect results. The pH values of the milk samples should be situated between 6.6 and 6.9. This test meets the requirements of the extension service in most cases. Thus disturbances of metabolism caused by feeding can be corrected without problems and immediately. The status of lactation seems to have no influence. Most important in this respect are a feed composition adapted to ruminants and a correct ratio between intake of energy and protein.