(99m)Tc-DTPA diuretic renal scintigraphy in dogs with nephroureterolithiasis

This study evaluated the results of diuretic renal scintigraphy in dogs with urolithiasis. Eighty-three kidneys with nephroureterolithiasis +/- renal pelvis/ureteral dilation were included in the study. Sixty-three kidneys showed a non-obstructive pattern, with a steep drop or gradual downward slope of renal time-activity curve (TAC). Excretion half-time of radiopharmaceutical (T(1/2)) was 3.99 (2.99 to 7.95) min. Three kidneys showed an obstructive pattern, with continuous rise of the TAC and median T(1/2) of -10.71 (-5.20 to -17.56) min. Fifteen kidneys had non-diagnostic studies characterized by flat TAC. Individual kidney glomerular filtration rate was <0.5 mL/min/kg body weight in most non-diagnostic studies. Diuretic renal scintigraphy appears to be a useful adjunct modality to rule out or confirm ureteral obstruction in dogs. Additional diagnostic procedures may be necessary to achieve a definitive diagnosis in cases of severely impaired renal function.     

Vertical dimensions of suspended horses

Reasons for study: The dimensions of anaesthetised hobbled horses during suspension and transfer onto the operating table are unknown. These data are required for the cost‐effective construction of equine surgical facilities. Objectives: To measure the distance from the toe to dependent back margin (Bsusp ) and poll (Psusp ) of anaesthetised suspended horses and correlate them with readily obtained measures from standing animals. Methods: Digital photographs of suspended horses were taken in the anaesthesia induction box at a fixed position that allowed trigonometric determination of Bsusp and Psusp . These values were linked with body mass, height at the withers (Wstand ), the length of the crest from the poll to the withers (crest) and of the back (back) from the withers to the crop, by deriving an equine morphological index (EMI) using principal component analysis. The EMI and other linear variables were then subjected to single variable regression analysis. Results: EMI was 0.531mass_(kg)+ 0.528Wstand _(cm)+ 0.469crest_(cm)+ 0.468back_(cm). Bsusp was most accurately estimated using the expression Bsusp = 118.71 + 0.128EMI while Psusp was most strongly associated with Wstand , i.e. Psusp = 46.9 + 1.01Wstand _(cm). Conclusions: The height of suspended horses at the most ventral margin of the back and the poll can be estimated from measures taken from the standing animal. Potential relevance: The data will allow the more informed planning and construction of equine surgical facilities in which mechanical hoists are used.     

Behaviour of Campylobacter sputorum subspecies mucosalis in gnotobiotic pigs

Gnotobiotic pigs were dosed orally with Campylobacter sputorum subspecies mucosalis, either alone, or combined with rotavirus or non-pathogenic Escherichia coli and Streptococcus bovis to study the behaviour of C s mucosalis in defined conditions, to assess intracellular parasitism of enterocytes by C s mucosalis, and if possible to establish an experimental model of porcine intestinal adenomatosis. C s mucosalis colonised the gut of gnotobiotic pigs, persisting for up to 47 days after infection, but did not induce adenomatosis. Despite evidence of limited penetration of the mucosa up to two days after infection, the majority of C s mucosalis remained in the gut lumen. Rotavirus did not enhance invasion of enterocytes by C s mucosalis. The presence of E coli and S bovis caused an increase in the total numbers of C s mucosalis in the gut, but did not affect their distribution. Thus C s mucosalis was largely non-pathogenic in gnotobiotic pigs.     

Postweaning growth of unselected Hereford and Angus cattle fed two different diets

Two unselected herds of purebred Hereford and Angus cattle were created and their progeny evaluated during a 4-yr period (1964 to 1967) for 168-d postweaning gain when they were fed either a high- or medium-energy diet. Birth weight and 200-d adjusted weaning weight also were measured and the importance of sire x diet interactions for postweaning gain examined. Year effects were significant (P less than .001) for all traits in Herefords and for postweaning gain in Angus. Postweaning gain of both breeds increased in successive years, but no trend was observed for birth and 200-d weights. Bulls were heavier than heifers (P less than .05) for all three traits in both breeds. Hereford and Angus calves receiving the high-energy diet gained more (P less than .001) than their contemporaries fed the medium-energy diet. Sire differences were significant for birth weight in Herefords and for all three traits in Angus. Sire x diet interactions were not significant for postweaning gain in either breed. Genetic correlations were calculated by two methods: the two-way ANOVA approach using sire and sire x diet interaction variance components and the one-way ANOVA approach in which gains by progeny of each sire on each diet were considered to be two distinct traits. The genetic correlations for gain in Herefords could not be estimated by either method because of negative sire variance component estimates. The genetic correlations for gain in Angus were 1.08 for the two-way ANOVA method and 1.43 +/- .64 for the one-way ANOVA method. These results indicate that sires ranked the same based on progeny performance when fed either diet.     

Immunization of foxes by the intestinal route using an inactivated rabies vaccine.

Approximately 30% of foxes given two doses of an inactivated rabies antigen delivered directly into the intestinal tract developed an immune response as measured by rabies serum neutralizing antibodies. Seven of ten previously immunized foxes showed an anamnestic response following a booster dose of inactivated rabies antigen delivered to the intestinal lumen. Stomach and particularly intestinal contents were destructive to rabies antigen and virus. This effect could be partially neutralized in vitro by the addition of Questran and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Small enteric coated tablets fed to foxes in a hamburger bolus remained in the stomach for up to 13 hours and therefore would provide a poor vehicle for the delivery of antigen to the intestinal tract.