Comparison of bronchoalveolar lavage findings and measurements of gas exchange during exercise in horses with poor racing performance

Twenty-four Thoroughbred and twelve Standardbred racehorses aged between 2 and 6 years, presented for reported poor racing performance, underwent clinical exercise testing. During the last 10 s of exercise at each speed throughout an incremental speed exercise test on a treadmill inclined at a 10% slope, samples of arterial blood and expired gases were collected. Maximum oxygen uptake and the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in arterial blood were determined. These values were compared between the two breeds of horses and also with reference to cytological findings of bronchoalveolar lavage samples, including neutrophil, erythrocyte and haemosiderophage percentage and the total nucleated cell concentration. The results revealed an inverse relationship (Spearman R = -0.45, p < 0.05) between the total nucleated cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and arterial oxygen partial pressure during exercise at 11 m.s(-1). This result suggests that subclinical pulmonary disease may be a more important cause of poor racing performance than previously thought. Also of note was a positive correlation (Spearman R = 0.50, p < 0.05) between maximum oxygen uptake and the percentage of erythrocytes.     

Eosinophilic papulocrustous dermatitis (miliary dermatitis) and eosinophilic inflammatory bowel disease in two cats

Two cats with chronic eosinophilic skin disease were investigated. The clinical investigation of the skin disease in one cat was limited and inflammatory bowel disease was diagnosed post mortem. A history of weight loss and a palpably thickened bowel in the second cat suggested concurrent gastrointestinal disease. Diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease was confirmed on biopsy. Treatment with azathioprine and methylprednisolone acetate resolved the signs of gastrointestinal disease, the pruritus and 95% of the skin lesions. The concurrence of eosinophilic papulocrustous dermatitis and eosinophilic bowel disease raises the possibility of their being linked bv a common aetiology or pathophysiology.     

The accuracy of predicting Thoroughbred heart scores

Veterinarians commonly predict mature heart scores for yearling and 2-year-old horses to aid clients in assessing a horse's racing potential. Sixty-six thoroughbreds were assessed as a yearlings or 2-year-olds, then re-assessed as a mature horse (over the age of 3). Of these horses, 82% of the yearlings and 87% of the 2-year-olds had a correctly predicted mature heart score within one heart score range (i.e. three points).     

Biochemical,physiological and production indices related to fat metabolism in the laying fowl at various stages of physiological development

1. The significance of fat accumulation during physiological development of layers was studied using White Leghorn x Australorp pullets from 12 weeks of age.

2. Liver fat, carcass fat, liver weight and body weight increased markedly at the onset of sexual maturity.

3. Within the liver, the protein to DNA ratio did not alter significantly during development; glycogen was not consistently depleted by egg production.

4. Liver fat content was significantly correlated with carcass fat, liver weight and DNA concentration, and plasma total lipid and cholesterol, independent of stage of development; with body weight, liver protein, moisture, and protein to DNA ratio, excluding the period prior to commencement of sexual maturation; and with plasma phospholipid during lay.

5. Obesity was a feature of faster growing fowls which matured earlier, consumed more, utilised food less efficiently for egg production and produced fewer saleable eggs.     

Agonistic interactions in developed and undeveloped breeds of chickens

1. Agonistic interactions were observed over a 24‐week period in Rhode Island Red and in Nigerian local fowl aged 32 weeks or 12 weeks at the start of the experiments.

2. Agonistic interactions were both more numerous and more severe (fights and peck avoidances) in groups of the local breed than in those of Rhode Island Reds.

3. The outcome of severe interactions favoured local males and Rhode Island females in the first experiment and Rhode Island males in the second.

4. Small body and comb size might account for the relatively high number of agonistic interactions and the submissiveness of local females and young males while physical strength or some other breed characteristic might account for the high number of agonistic interactions of local males as well as their dominance in breed encounters.