A survey of health care and disease in geriatric horses aged 30 years or older

This study reports on aspects of preventive health care and on the prevalence of disease in geriatric (≥30 years old) horses and ponies in North-West England and North Wales. Of 128 questionnaires mailed to horse owners, 87 useable responses were received and 69 horses were subject to veterinary examination. Of the animals examined, 16% were underweight with body condition scores (BCS)<2/5, and 10% were overweight (BCS>3/5). This contrasted with the owner responses that reported 23% of the animals surveyed to be underweight and only 3% to be overweight. When assessed at trot, 77% of the horses were lame on at least one limb, with 97% having a reduced range of motion in at least one joint. Only 16% of these animals were reported by owners to have been lame within the previous 12 months. Owner-reported changes to hair coat were significantly associated with hirsutism or abnormal moulting detected at clinical examination (39%). At least one ophthalmic lesion was identified in all of the horses and ponies examined and 17% of owners reported that their animal had experienced visual problems within the previous year. Although dental abnormalities were detected in all animals where an oral examination was performed, only 42% of owners reported that their horse suffered from a known dental disorder. In general, despite a high prevalence of disease detected in these geriatric animals and with the majority having multiple abnormalities at clinical examination, there was under-reporting/under-recognition of these health problems by owners.     

Antinociceptive effects after oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis)

Objective-To evaluate antinociceptive effects on thermal thresholds after oral administration of tramadol hydrochloride to Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Animals-15 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. Procedures-2 crossover experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, 15 parrots received 3 treatments (tramadol at 2 doses [10 and 20 mg/kg] and a control suspension) administered orally. In the second experiment, 11 parrots received 2 treatments (tramadol hydrochloride [30 mg/kg] and a control suspension) administered orally. Baseline thermal foot withdrawal threshold was measured 1 hour before drug or control suspension administration; thermal foot withdrawal threshold was measured after administration at 0.5, 1.5, 3, and 6 hours (both experiments) and also at 9 hours (second experiment only). Results-For the first experiment, there were no overall effects of treatment, hour, period, or any interactions. For the second experiment, there was an overall effect of treatment, with a significant difference between tramadol hydrochloride and control suspension (mean change from baseline, 2.00° and -0.09°C, respectively). There also was a significant change from baseline for tramadol hydrochloride at 0.5, 1.5, and 6 hours after administration but not at 3 or 9 hours after administration. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Tramadol at a dose of 30 mg/kg, PO, induced thermal antinociception in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. This dose was necessary for induction of significant and sustained analgesic effects, with duration of action up to 6 hours. Further studies with other types of noxious stimulation, dosages, and intervals are needed to fully evaluate the analgesic effects of tramadol hydrochloride in psittacines.     

Prevalence of Ehrlichia canis infection in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

BACKGROUND: Infection with Ehrlichia canis causes a highly variable, multisystemic disease in dogs. Nevertheless, many clinicians in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, use the presence of only thrombocytopenia to make a presumptive diagnosis of E canis infection. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of E canis in thrombocytopenic dogs from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: Following DNA extraction of whole blood samples from 226 dogs, PCR assays were done using primers for rickettsial DNA (including Ehrlichia spp, Anaplasma platys and A phagocytophilum) and using E canis-specific primers (16S rRNA gene). Dogs were grouped as thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic based on platelet counts. The null hypothesis that there was no difference in the prevalence of E canis in these groups was rejected at P<.05. RESULTS: Thirty-six (32.1%) of the thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) of the nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for rickettsial gene sequences (P<.0001). Further, 30 (26.8%) of thrombocytopenic dogs and 4 (3.5%) nonthrombocytopenic dogs were positive for E canis-specific gene sequences (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of E canis infection was higher in thrombocytopenic dogs, less than one third of these dogs had demonstrable E canis infection. Thus, thrombocytopenia is not specific for the detection of E canis infection and should not be used solely to establish a diagnosis of canine ehrlichiosis, even in a geographic area with relatively high disease prevalence.     

Comparison of prices paid for feeder calves sold at conventional auctions versus special auctions of vaccinated or conditioned calves in Ontario

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether vaccinated or conditioned feeder calves sold through special auctions in Ontario commanded a premium, compared with feeder calves sold at conventional auctions, and whether various physical characteristics of the calves were associated with the sale price. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 14,037 calves sold through conventional and special auctions at the Keady Livestock Market during the fall of 1999 and 2000. PROCEDURE: Calves were observed as they were sold by lot in the auction ring. Lot characteristics and the price received for each lot were recorded. Multivariate analysis was used to estimate the effect of lot characteristics and sale type on price. RESULTS: Information was recorded for 2,601 calf lots. Multivariate analysis indicated that various lot characteristics were associated with sale price, with 68% of the variation explained by the model. Overall, lots sold at special auctions received a premium of 0.06 dollars/lb (Canadian dollars), compared with lots sold at conventional auctions. However, the premium varied with mean body weight of the lot and year. In addition, frame size, breed, body condition score, uniformity of the lot, weaning status, mean body weight, lot size, sex, year, and sale type were significantly related to sale price. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that producers selling calves at special auctions at this market received a premium, compared with producers selling calves at conventional auctions.     

Design and organization of an equine intensive care unit.

Careful planning and design of a new ICU are warranted to maximize use of the facility, minimize the risk of hospital-acquired infection, and improve overall patient outcome. In addition, personnel satisfaction improves with an improved work environment. A functional equine ICU is also tailored to the geographic area, local needs of the practice, and anticipated investment.     

Nd:YAG laser-assisted modified Forssell's procedure for treatment of cribbing (crib-biting) in horses

OBJECTIVE: To report an neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser-assisted modified Forssell's surgical technique and outcome for treatment of cribbing (crib-biting) in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. ANIMALS: Ten adult horses with stereotypic cribbing behavior. METHODS: Data were obtained from medical records and telephone conversations with owners, trainers, and veterinarians. Surgical technique involved an approximately 34-cm ventral median skin incision starting rostral to the larynx and extending caudally. A 10-cm section of the ventral branch of the spinal accessory nerve was removed, using an Nd:YAG laser at 25 W and continuous pulse with a contact, sculpted-fiber tip. After neurectomy, approximately 34-cm sections of the paired omohyoideus and sternothyrohyoideus muscles were removed starting 2 cm rostral to the ventral aspect of the larynx, at the basihyoid bone, using the Nd:YAG laser. RESULTS: Median horse age was 7 years (range, 1 to 11 years). Median surgical time was 90 minutes (range, 75 to 130 minutes). Long-term outcome (range, 7 to 72 months) was available for all horses. None of the horses had cribbing behavior after surgery, and all returned to their previous use. Four horses had complications (two of which were unrelated to the surgical site), but all recovered fully. CONCLUSION: The successful outcome we obtained is better than reported previously using a modified Forssell's technique. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgical treatment for cribbing by Nd: YAG laser-assisted myectomy and neurectomy resulted in an excellent prognosis for resolution of the stereotypical behavior with minimal complications.