IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—METASTATIC HEMANGIOSARCOMA CAUSING CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE IN A DOG

A 9-year-old male Appenzeller mountain dog had progressive severe ataxia and central vestibular syndrome that was localized clinically to the brain stem. The cerebrospinal fluid characteristics were suggestive of hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space. On computed tomography (CT), hyperattenuating masses were found in the left lateral ventricle extending into the cerebrum, and another involving the cerebellum and brainstem. The hyperattenuation of the masses in noncontrast images and the absence of contrast enhancement were consistent with hemorrhage. The dog underwent euthanasia. A metastatic hemangiosarcoma in the brain, causing acute bleeding in the left lateral ventricle and the brainstem, was found. A solitary mass in the left myocardium was thought to be the primary site. CT characteristics of intracranial hemorrhage are reviewed.     

CARDIOVASCULAR AND GASTROINTESTINAL RADIOGRAPHIC CONTRAST STUDIES IN THE HORSESHOE CRAB (LIMULUS POLYPHEMUS)

Survey and contrast radiographic studies of the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems of the American horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) were undertaken using conventional and flouroscopic techniques. Normal gastrointestinal and cardiovascular structures were difficult to resolve on survey radiographs, but were well visualized with gastrointestinal follow through studies and angiography, respectively. All three contrast agents (iohexol, Gastrografin, and barium sulfate) used for the gastrointestinal studies varied minimally in their radiographic quality and transit times, and all appeared to be safe for use in the horseshoe crab.     

National control measures for Synchytrium endobioticum1

Although Synchytrium endobioticum has been found in almost all potato-growing countries of the EPPO region, it is absent from the great majority of fields. A few plots scattered across the potato-growing areas have been ‘scheduled’ as infested but potatoes are not grown on them. The disease is accordingly hardly ever seen. This is the result of continent-wide multiyear campaign of potato wart control within countries, according to which it is prohibited to grow potatoes on infested plots, and only resistant cultivars may be grown in a safety zone around them. S. endobioticum can persist for several decades in soil, as resting spores, but it is now dying out in plots that have been subject to the control campaign for a sufficiently long period. Procedures are now being agreed for officially ‘descheduling’ such plots.     

Limb Salvage Surgery for Osteosarcoma of the Proximal Humerus: Outcome in 17 Dogs

Objective —To describe function and identify factors that affect outcome in dogs undergoing limb salvage surgery for osteosarcoma (OS) of the proximal humerus.
Study Design —A retrospective study of dogs in which OS of the proximal humerus was treated with limb salvage surgery.
Animals —17 client-owned dogs.
Methods: Records were analyzed for functional outcome, recurrence, metastasis, and survival.
Results —Outcome was good to excellent in 12% of dogs. Recurrence, metastasis, and survival were significantly affected by completeness of surgical margins. Double plating of the distal allograft-host junction significantly reduced frequency of biomechanical failure.
Conclusions —Limb salvage surgery for OS of the proximal humerus did not result in acceptable function and was fraught with postoperative complications. Outcome was significantly affected by completeness of surgical margins.
Clinical Relevance —Limb salvage surgery for OS of the proximal humerus in dogs cannot be recommended until improvement in functional outcome and reduction in postoperative complications can be achieved. The dependence of outcome on completeness of surgical margins supports aggressive en bloc resection and marking and evaluating surgical margins.     

Malassezia dermatitis in the dog: a retrospective histopathological and immunopathological study of 86 cases (1990–95)

A retrospective histopathological and immunopathological study was conducted on 86 dogs with Malassezia dermatitis. West Highland White terriers, English Setters, Shih Tzus, Basset Hounds, American Cocker Spaniels, spayed females, and castrated males were found to be at increased risk. The histopathological reaction pattern of lymphocytic superficial perivascular to interstitial dermatitis with parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, irregular epidermal hyperplasia, diffuse intercellular oedema and lymphocytic exocytosis was found to be consistent with a diagnosis of Malassezia dermatitis whether yeast were histologically visible (73.3% of the cases) or not (26.7%). Immunopathological studies revealed that 60– > 90% of the inflammatory cells within the epidermis, and 25–75% of those within the dermis were CD3+T lymphocytes, and that the only immunoglobulin-positive cells were dermal plasma cells.     

Holding Power of Orthopedic Screws in Equine Third Metacarpal and Metatarsal Bones: Part II. Adult Horse Bone

Comparison was made of the holding power of 5.5 and 4.5 mm cortical orthopedic screws inserted into third metacarpal and metatarsal cadaver bones from 3- and 8-year-old horses. The tensile strength of these screws was tested mechanically. In nine comparative trials of these screws, 5.5 mm screws pulled out of bone in five trials at an average of 116.0 kg tensile force and broke in four trials at an average of 1383.2 kg. A 4.5 mm screw pulled out of bone at 834.5 kg in one trial, and screws broke at an average of 849.2 kg in eight trials. The larger 5.5 mm screw required a significantly greater (p = 0.022) pullout force than the mean force at 4.5 mm screw breakage. Fixation failure was due to screw breakage or bone shear, with 5.5 mm screws occasionally creating bone fragmentation during pullout. The average tensile breaking strengths of the 5.5 mm screws (1391.4 kg) and 4.5 mm screws (832.7 kg) determined mechanically were similar to forces at screw breakage during pullout testing in bone. Since the 5.5 mm screws have greater holding power and tensile strength than 4.5 mm screws, the use of the 5.5 mm screw in fracture repair in adult horses is recommended.     

Medial Plating for the Repair of Middle and Distal Diaphyseal Fractures of the Humerus in Dogs

Six middle and distal humeral shaft fractures in dogs were repaired by the application of a bone plate along the medial shaft of the humerus. In all animals, clinical and radiographic evidence of normal bone healing was observed. The bone plate and ancillary implants were removed from five dogs by 10 months. In none of the six dogs were any untoward effects of placing the bone plate along the medial shaft of the humerus detected nor were there any difficulties encountered with the medial humeral soft tissues.     

The Influence of Soil Type and Pine Species on the Carabid Community of a Plantation Forest with a History of Pine Beauty Moth Infestation

The community composition of Carabid beetles, some species ofwhich are known predators of pine beauty moth, was examinedwithin a Scottish plantation forest. Sites differing in soiltype and the species of trees planted were sampled with pitfalltraps in most weeks of a 3—year period. There were faunaldifferences between sites with lodgepole pine on deep peat andother sites in the study (lodgepole pine on iron-pan soil, speciesmixture of lodgepole and Scots pine, and pure stands of Scotspine). In general deep peat sites supported fewer species andindividuals of carabids. Three Carabus species were implicatedas likely predators of Panolis flammea pupae and each was lessabundant on the sites with lodgepole pine. It is suggested thatthe susceptibility to pine beauty moth of lodgepole pine growingon deep peat substrates is at least partly attributable to impoverishedpredator faunas.     

Acceleration of Early Growth of Seedlings and Rooted Cuttings of Quercus robur L.

The normal delays in the production of useful planting materialin tree species such as Quercus robur from both seedlings andcuttings can be overcome by growing the plants at relativelyhigh temperature and in continuous light. Top growth could befurther accelerated by application of gibberellic acid (GA3)as foliar spray. There were, however, distinct differences inresponse between seedlings (with a high root: top dry matterratio, 4:1), and freshly rooted cuttings. The latter evincedonly onefifth the seedling response, but when cuttings attainedsimilar root:top ratios, their response reached that of seedlings. GA3 treatment accelerated top growth at the expense of rootgrowth, but a root dip for 4h in 100 ppm indole-3yl-butyricacid (IBA) given to 4-month-old cuttings restored root growthto normal even with GA3 treatment. During rooting, cutting commonlybecame dormant but this was prevented by foliar GA3 sprays.Growth was further and substantially improved by inclusion ofcytokinin in such sprays (benzylandenine purine, BAP). Furtherimprovements of growth were obtained by 5% sucrose suppliedto the foliage. In field experiments, assessing ‘establishment’of seedlings and cuttings, the latter established well but after550 days still had not attained the same root:shoot ratio asseedlings. GA3 (50 ppm) again greatly promoted shoot growth,while BAP increased branching and leaf number; when given togethermaximum leaf numbers and shoot dry weight were obtained, yetroot growth remained normal. Further addition of IBA raisedshoot growth still further, but other characters measured sufferedreductions. The potential use of these findings is discussed.