The development of multiple cutaneous inverted papilloma following ovariohysterectomy in a dog

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Ovariohysterectomy was performed on an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The skin that had been clipped for surgery was noticed to be erythematous 8 days later.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Poorly defined patches containing multiple papules were visible bilaterally within the clipped skin. These became larger over the following 2 weeks, and samples were collected for histology. Seven days later, the lesions were multiple raised masses, up to 5 cm in diameter. Histology revealed numerous cup-shaped epidermal proliferations extending into the dermis. The presence of keratinocytes with increased quantities of blue-grey cytoplasm, and koilocytosis suggested papillomavirul infection; Canis familiaris papillomavirus (CfPV-2) DNA was amplified from two separate samples. Complete regression was observed 8 weeks after the lesions had been initially observed.

DIAGNOSIS: Multiple inverted papilloma confined to skin that had been clipped for surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first time that the development of canine cutaneous papillomas has been associated with surgery. The nature of the association between surgery and development of the papillomas is uncertain. However, it is possible that damage to superficial skin could promote the formation of papillomas. This is the first identification of CfPV-2 in New Zealand.     

Rice yield modeling under salinity and water stress conditions using an appropriate macroscopic root water uptake equation

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the application of different macroscopic root water extraction models for prediction of rice grain yield based on data obtained in a greenhouse experiment. In this experiment, the irrigation treatments were continuous flooding (control), intermittent flooding (1- and 2-day intervals) and the salinity levels of irrigation water were 0.6 (control), 1.5, 3, 4.5 and 6 dS m(-1) in the year of 2005 and 0.6 (control), 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 dS m(-1) in the year of 2006. A local cultivar (Ghasrodashty/Komphiroozy) was planted in pots under greenhouse condition during years 2005 and 2006. Grain yield and evapotranspiration at different treatments were determined. The effect of salinity and water stress on root-water uptake coefficient was determined by FAO and Homaee and Feddes methods and grain yield was predicted by production functions. The FAO method did not predict the interaction effects of salinity and water stress on reduction of water uptake coefficient especially at high salinity levels, while the Homaee and Feddes method predicted properly the effects of salinity and water stress on root-water uptake coefficient. Further, yield was predicted by using the root-water uptake coefficient suggested by FAO and Homaee and Feddes methods. The results indicated that the FAO method did not predict the yield properly especially in continuous flooding and salinity level of more than threshold values, but the Homaee and Feddes method predicted the grain yield with minimum error.     

Increased Risk of Conception Failure in German Holstein Friesian Cows with Chronic Endometritis

The objective of this retrospective field study was to evaluate the effect of chronic clinical endometritis (CCE) on days open in German Holstein Friesian cows. Two hundred and sixty‐four cows diagnosed with CCE from day 14 to 42 postpartum were included in this study. A Cox’s proportional hazards regression model with stepwise forward selection for days open was used and the variables type of vaginal discharge, ovarian cysts and a marked loss of body condition score proved to be significant with hazard ratios of 1.5, 2.0 and 1.9 respectively. Although not remaining in the model, a weak positive effect of treatment for CCE and a negative effect of high milk production could also be found in the univariate analysis. These results suggest that the suppression of fertility of animals diagnosed with CCE varies according to the different symptoms, which could be used to support decisions regarding treatment. Management factors such as a marked loss in body condition and high milk production prolonged the number of days open of animals with CCE.     

Every-other-furrow irrigation with different irrigation intervals for grain sorghum

The water stress effects caused by every-other-furrow irrigation on yield may be alleviated by more frequent irrigation intervals. This research was conducted to determine yield and water use efficiency of grain sorghum under fixed and variable every-other-furrow and every furrow irrigations at different irrigation intervals and shallow and deep water table conditions. Water needs of grain sorghum grown on a fine-texture soil may not be met by using Every-Other Furrow Irrigation (EOFI) especially under 15 and 20 day irrigation intervals. The water stress decreased the grain yield mainly through decreasing the number of grains per cluster and in a lesser degree by decrease in 1000-seed weight. The clay soil with a layer of high clay content at depth of 70-100 cm and shallow water table may restrict the root growth and consequently the longer irrigation intervals with greater soil water stress can cause lower grain yield in these conditions. However, more frequent EOFI using 10 day intervals has produced very similar results with only a marginal reduction in crop yield. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in grain yield between fixed and variable every-other -furrow irrigations. In general, at given applied water, the relative grain yield with respect to the maximum grain yield of sorghum at EOFI was higher than those at EFI. At relative applied water of 85% (mild deficit irrigation), EOFI may be recommended to obtain the same grain yield as that of EFI with full irrigation. Furthermore, it may result in 23% more grain yield than that obtained by EFI with the same amount of applied water as deficit irrigation.     

Relationship between milk production and somatic cell count in dairy cows in East Gippsland

SUMMARY The analysis of records for 75 821 herd tests on 23 700 cows in the Macalister Irrigation District of East Gippsland, using a model that also included stage of lactation, herd and cow effects, found a strong relationship between somatic cell count and milk production. Unit increases in the natural logarithm of the somatic cell count were associated with decreases in production of up to 2.6% in the range 54 598 to 403 429 cells per mL. This is equivalent to a decrease of 1.9% for a doubling of cell count from 100 000 to 200 000 cells per mL. Subclinical mastitis was assessed to be a significant source of loss in milk production in the study area.     

Use of enzyme-linked immunoassays for antibody to types C and D botulinum toxins for investigations of botulism in cattle

The development of specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for antibody to types C and D Clostridium botulinum toxins for investigation of botulism in cattle is described. Partially purified type C and D toxins were used as antigens to develop these ELISAs. Specificity of the ELISAs was evaluated on sera from 333 adult beef and dairy cattle from areas with no history or evidence of botulism in animals or water birds. The test was also evaluated on sera from 41 herds that included herds vaccinated against botulism, confirmed botulism cases and herds from areas where the disease is considered endemic. The ELISAs detected the presence of antibody to botulinum toxins in samples from vaccinated cattle and both convalescent and clinically normal animals from unvaccinated herds with outbreaks of botulism. Antibody was also found in unvaccinated animals from herds in which there had been no diagnosed botulism cases in areas where botulism was considered endemic. Sera from some unvaccinated cattle with high ELISA reactivity was shown to be protective for mice in botulinum toxin neutralisation tests. The use of these tests in investigations of botulism in cattle is discussed.     

An evaluation of calf castration by intra-testicular injection of a lactic acid solution

This experiment evaluated intra-testicular injection of a sclerosing drug, lactic acid, for castration of bulls. Its use was compared in 58 Brahman cross calves (50 to 128kg) with the general practice of open surgical castration. Chemical castration appeared to be more painful than surgical castration, though post-operative swelling and pain appeared similar for both methods. Chemical castration took 3 times longer than surgical castration (58 sec v 20 sec; P less than 0.01). Scrotal necrosis occurred in 25% of chemically-castrated calves and appeared due to drug leakage from the testes under the high pressure of injection. Healing time for chemical castrates was approximately twice that for surgical castrates. Five chemically-castrated calves (18%) retained one testis. Though all 5 were rendered sterile, each maintained androgenesis. This led to secondary male behaviour which caused management problems. Castration method did not influence post-operative growth. It is concluded that lactic acid administration is not a suitable alternative to the open surgical technique for castration of Brahman cross calves.