In-vitro comparison of 3 knotting techniques for lateral fabellotibial suture stabilization

This study evaluated the biomechanical characteristics of a single self-locking knot (sSLK) and a double self-locking knot (dSLK) compared with the square knot (SQ) for stabilization of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Each knot underwent monotonic tensile and cyclical loading. Starting tension, elongation, stiffness, and load to failure were all evaluated. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Starting tension, overall stiffness, and load to failure were all significantly greater in both the sSLK and dSLK compared with the SQ. There was no difference in elongation among the knots. There were no significant differences in starting tension, elongation, stiffness, and load to failure between the sSLK and the dSLK. The self-locking knots were stronger and stiffer than the SQ; there is no biomechanical advantage in using the dSLK compared with the sSLK.     

Evaluation of cognitive learning, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in healthy puppies fed foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil from 8 to 52 weeks of age

Objective-To assess effects of foods fortified with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich fish oil on cognitive, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal function and other measures of development in healthy puppies. Design-Evaluation study. Animals-48 Beagle puppies. Procedures-Puppies were assigned to 3 groups after weaning (n = 16/group) and received 1 of 3 foods (low-DHA, moderate-DHA, or high-DHA food) as their sole source of nutrition until 1 year of age. Visual discrimination learning and memory tasks, psychomotor performance tasks, and physiologic tests including blood and serum analysis, electroretinography, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were performed at various time points. Anti-rabies virus antibody titers were evaluated 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after vaccination at 16 weeks of age. Results-Foods had similar proximate analysis results but varied in concentration of DHA from fish oil; the high-DHA food also contained higher concentrations of vitamin E, taurine, choline, and l-carnitine than did other foods. The high-DHA group had significantly better results for reversal task learning, visual contrast discrimination, and early psychomotor performance in side-to-side navigation through an obstacle-containing maze than did the moderate-DHA and low-DHA groups. The high-DHA group had significantly higher anti-rabies antibody titers 1 and 2 weeks after vaccination than did other groups. Peak b-wave amplitudes during scotopic electroretinography were positively correlated with serum DHA concentrations at all evaluated time points. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Dietary fortification with fish oils rich in DHA and possibly other nutrients implicated in neurocognitive development following weaning improved cognitive, memory, psychomotor, immunologic, and retinal functions in growing dogs.     

Uveodermatologic syndrome in a rat terrier

A 4 yr old intact male rat terrier presented with severe bilateral nonresponsive panuveitis. Bilateral uveitis, blepharospasm, conjunctival hyperemia, diffuse corneal edema, peripheral bullous retinal detachment, and secondary ocular hypertension were noted. Ocular lesions progressed despite aggressive medical treatment and were followed by cutaneous depigmentation and crusting along the nasal planum. Intensive oral and topical anti-inflammatory and topical antiglaucoma medications were administered, but the ocular disease progressed. A bilateral enucleation was performed. Uveodermatologic syndrome was diagnosed from histopathologic examination of a skin biopsy as well as histopathology of both globes after bilateral enucleation. To maintain control of the dermatologic lesions, oral azathioprine was initiated, but it was not well tolerated by this patient. Immunosuppressive doses of oral cyclosporine and anti-inflammatory doses of oral prednisone were used to control the depigmentation and crusting skin lesions.     

A Retrospective Study of Aldosterone Secretion in Normal and Adrenopathic Dogs

A retrospective study on stored plasma from normal dogs and dogs with pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH), pituitary dependent hyperadrenocorticism controlled by mitotane (o,p'-DDD),* iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism, and hypoadrenocorticism was conducted to determine if alterations in aldosterone production exist in these disorders. The plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) was measured by radioimmunoassay immediately before and 1 hour after adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) administration (0.5 IU/kg, intravenously [IV]). PACs increased significantly when ACTH was administered to normal dogs. Dogs with PDH had a lower baseline PAC, but their PAC increased to levels similar to that of normal dogs after ACTH administration. In dogs with PDH controlled by o,p'-DDD therapy, the response to ACTH was significantly less than that of normal dogs or dogs with untreated PDH. Dogs with iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism had a lower baseline and post-ACTH PAC than normal dogs. Dogs with hypoadrenocorticism had a normal basal PAC, but showed no significant increase in PAC following ACTH administration. These findings suggest that PACs are significantly altered in a variety of adrenal diseases, and that the ACTH stimulation test may be useful when evaluating aldosterone secretion in adrenopathic disorders. In addition, at therapeutic dosages, o,p'-DDD treatment was associated with a decrease in basal and post-ACTH PACs in dogs with PDH.     

Ultrasonographic evaluation of vitreous degeneration in normal dogs.

Vitreous degeneration is common in dogs and may be associated with cataract formation. Vitreous degeneration may be identified using B-mode ultrasonography and appears as multiple, small, motile, point-like echoes within the vitreous cavity. In humans, vitreous degeneration has also been observed in normal aging eyes but the incidence of vitreous degeneration in dogs without cataract has not previously been documented. The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of vitreous degeneration and to investigate its incidence in a population of dogs without cataract or other apparent eye disease. The eyes of 62 dogs were evaluated as part of a prospective study. All dogs underwent ophthalmological and ultrasonographic examinations and vitreal changes were graded on ultrasonography using a predetermined grading scheme. Vitreous degeneration was found in 20% (23/114) of the eyes on ultrasonographic examination but in only 8% (9/114) of eyes on direct ophthalmoscopy. Sensitivity and specificity of ophthalmoscopy using ultrasonography as a gold standard were respectively, 39% and 100%. Vitreal syneresis and asteroid hyalosis could be distinguished according to their ultrasonographic characteristics. The probability of having vitreous degeneration increased with the age of the dog (odds ratio = 6.7 for dogs of 7 + years compared with 0-6 years) and also increased in females compared with males (odds ratio = 3.6). Vitreous degeneration, especially mild vitreal syneresis, is not uncommon in normal dogs; it was shown to be an age-related condition and its significance should not be overinterpreted on ocular ultrasonography.     

PERINATAL LAMB MORTALITY IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4. Neonatal Infections

Infection was found in 14.5% of dead lambs classified as delayed or late post-parturient deaths or in 7.5% of the 4,417 lambs autopsied. Eighteen species of bacteria were isolated from these acquired neonatal infections. Many infections resulted from umbilical contamination at birth, some by ingestion, some were superimposed complications upon an already existing condition such as starvation, others occurred as post-marking sequellae. Neonatal infections were divided into hebdomadal (first week) and post-hebdomadal (7 to 28 days). The microorganisms isolated from hebdomadal deaths were Cl. septicum, C. pyogenes, Staph, aureus, Past. haemolytica, Past, multocida , and E. coli , from post-hebdomadal deaths Staph, aureus, F. necrophorum, C. pyogenes, Corynebacterium spp, E. coli, Cl. septicum, Cl. perfringens, Past, haemolytica. Streptococcus spp, pleomorphic gram-negative rod, A. lignieresii, Dermatophilus congolensis and miscellaneous species. It was estimated that acquired neonatal infections were responsible for one-thirteenth of the perinatal lamb deaths in the agricultural area of Western Australia or for approximately 1% of births.