Safety of fenbendazole in swine

The safety of fenbendazole, an anthelmintic for use in swine, was tested by feeding 0, 25, 75, or 125 mg of fenbendazole/kg of body weight for 5 days. A dose-related transient leukopenia developed on day 7, but values returned to base line on day 15. In the groups fed 75 or 125 mg, sorbitol dehydrogenase activity increased on day 3 but returned to base line on day 10. Significant gross or histopathologic lesions were not found.     

Cerebellar abiotrophy

Cerebellar abiotrophy is a degenerative condition of Arabian horses that produces signs of head tremors and ataxia. Affected foals demonstrate clinical signs between the time of birth and 6 months of age. The condition is untreatable, although some animals have reportedly improved to varying degrees. The disease is believed to be inherited; however, definitive evidence is lacking at this time.     

Alkaline heating of canola and rapeseed meals reduces toxicity for chicks

A simple method for improving the nutritive quality of canola and high glucosinolate rapeseed meals for monogastric animals (chicks) was developed; the meals were mixed with NaHCO3 and NH4HCO3, then heated in a conventional oven. Chicks fed untreated canola or rapeseed meals gained less weight than those fed a soybean meal diet, whereas chicks fed the alkaline-heated meals had weight gains not significantly different than those fed the soybean diet. The antithyroid effect of the untreated rapeseed meal was reduced by alkaline treatment of the meals, as shown by improved T4 and free T4 levels in chicks fed the processed products. In chicks fed untreated or alkaline-treated canola or alkaline heated rapeseed meal, all thyroid hormone levels were similar to those of birds fed the soybean meal diet. However, heart tissue of chicks fed diets containing rapeseed or canola meals showed muscle fiber degeneration, although relative heart weights were the same in all groups. Liver tissue from most of the chicks in all dietary groups appeared normal or only slightly abnormal. The nutritive value of both rapeseed and canola meals was improved by this simple processing technique.     

Effects of intra-articular administration of dimethylsulfoxide on chemically induced synovitis in immature horses

The effects of intra-articular administration of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on chemically induced synovitis in the middle carpal joint of 6 weanling horses were evaluated. Following aseptic collection of synovial fluid, the middle carpal joint of each forelimb was injected with 50 mg of Na-monoiodoacetate to induce synovitis. Eight days after injection, synovial fluid was obtained and the right middle carpal joints were injected with 2 ml of 40% DMSO in lactated Ringer solution. The corresponding joints of the left limb (control) were injected with 2 ml of lactated Ringer solution. Sampling and treatments were repeated on post-injection days 11 and 14, for a total of 3 treatments. Horses were visually evaluated daily for lameness and joint effusion. Synovial fluid was evaluated for color and clarity, differential and total WBC count, total protein content, and hyaluronic acid concentration. The Kaegi gait analysis system provided an objective assessment of lameness prior to inducing synovitis, again on day 7, and on day 17. At necropsy (day 17), synovial fluid, synovial membrane, and articular cartilage specimens were collected. Joint effusion was evident 12 hours after injection of Na-monoiodoacetate in all joints. Mild lameness was evident at 24 hours; however, the lameness resolved by 72 hours. Objective assessment of lameness did not reveal significant differences between treatment or control limbs. Hyaluronic acid concentrations increased significantly (P = 0.023) above baseline values in most joints over the study period. Synovial fluid WBC counts increased significantly (P = 0.002) following Na-monoiodoacetate injection and remained significantly (P = 0.002) above baseline values throughout the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)