Laryngeal paralysis: a study of 375 cases in a mixed-breed population of horses

Referred cases (n = 375) of laryngeal paralysis (1985-1998) from a mixed-breed equine population included 351 (94%) cases of recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) (idiopathic laryngeal hemiplegia) and 24 cases (6%) of laryngeal paralysis from causes other than RLN. Laryngeal movements were classified endoscopically into one of 6 grades, in contrast to the usual 4 grades. The RLN cases had a median grade 4 laryngeal paralysis, of which 96% were left-sided, 2% right-sided and 2% bilaterally affected. RLN cases included 204 (58%) Thoroughbred, 96 (27%) Thoroughbred-cross, 23 (7%) draught, 16 (5%) Warmbloods and 10 (3%) other breeds, including only 4 (1%) ponies. The median age of RLN cases at referral was 6 years (range 2-12) and their median height was 170.2 cm. The work of RLN horses included National Hunt racing (42%), flat racing (1%), hunting (19%), eventing (16%) and miscellaneous work (22%). Reported presenting signs in RLN-affected horses included abnormal exercise-related respiratory sounds in 90% and reduced exercise tolerance in only 64%. However, many horses were referred before their exercise tolerance could be fully assessed. Forty percent of the RLN cases had intercurrent disorders, including 10% with additional upper respiratory and 7% with lower respiratory tract diseases. The 24 nonidiopathic RLN cases included 12 with bilateral laryngeal paralysis, 11 (92%) of which were ponies. Bilateral laryngeal paralysis occurred with hepatic encephalopathy in 7 cases and following general anaesthesia in 2 cases. The 12 cases of acquired unilateral laryngeal paralysis included 7 caused by guttural pouch mycosis.     

A retrospective study of the success of medical and surgical treatment of wild Australian raptors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of medical and surgical regimens utilised to treat injured and diseased wild Australian raptors presented at our practice, and to determine if the time, effort and cost of treating the birds was justified in terms of the outcomes achieved. PROCEDURE: All the practice's clinical records relating to the examination and treatment of wild raptors were reviewed for the period April 1994 to December 1998. The species of birds, the aetiology of their injuries or diseases, the treatment protocols and the outcomes of those treatments were correlated and tabulated for evaluation. RESULTS: Fifteen Australian species of raptor were examined and treated. Complete records were available for 104 birds of prey, 73 being Accipitriformes and 31 Strigiformes. The poorest prognosis was for birds involved in motor vehicle impacts, while birds suffering malnutrition or starvation had higher survival rates. The overall rate of survival was 50%. CONCLUSION: Based on the severity of diseases and injuries at the time of presentation, the survival rate was considered acceptable. Veterinary involvement in the treatment of the wild raptors was necessary for the maintenance of the birds' welfare, and to determine appropriate treatments. Intangible benefits included increased practice staff satisfaction, and improving the veterinary professions' public image by providing pro bono treatment for Australian wildlife.     

Surveillance of Parapoxvirus Among Ruminants in Virginia and Connecticut

In 2008, two deer hunters in Virginia and Connecticut were infected with a unique strain of pseudocowpox virus, a parapoxvirus. To estimate the prevalence of this virus, and in an attempt to define the reservoir, Parapoxvirus surveillance was undertaken between November 2009 and January 2010. 125 samples from four ruminant species (cows, goat, sheep and white‐tailed deer) were collected in Virginia, and nine samples from white‐tailed deer were collected in Connecticut. We found no evidence that the parapoxvirus species that infected the deer hunters is circulating among domesticated ruminants or white‐tailed deer. However, parapoxvirus DNA of a different parapoxvirus species, bovine papular stomatitis virus (BPSV), was detected in 31 samples obtained from asymptomatic cattle in Virginia. Parapoxvirus DNA–positive cattle originated from the same counties indicating probable transmission among animals. Molecular analysis identified BPSV as the parapoxvirus affecting animals. Asymptomatic parapoxvirus infections in livestock, particularly young animals, may be common, and further investigation will inform our knowledge of virus transmission.     

Interaction between melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone promotes in vitro development of caprine preantral follicles

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on the in vitro culture of goat preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 7 d in α-minimum essential medium (α-MEM⁺) containing melatonin (100, 250, 500, or 1,000 pM), FSH (50 ng/mL), or a combination of the 2 hormones and further analyzed by histology and transmission electron and fluorescent microscopy. The results showed that after 7 d of culture, tissues cultured in α-MEM⁺ alone or supplemented with FSH alone, melatonin (500 and 1,000 pM), or the combination of FSH and melatonin (1,000 pM) maintained percentages of normal preantral follicles similar to the fresh control. In contrast to the noncultured tissues, the percentage of developing follicles was increased under all culture conditions after 7 d (P < 0.05). The addition of 1,000 pM melatonin associated with FSH to the culture medium increased follicular and oocyte diameters compared with α-MEM⁺ alone after 7 d of culture (P < 0.05). Ultrastructural and fluorescent analyses confirmed the integrity of follicles cultured with 1,000 pM of melatonin plus FSH for 7 d. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the interaction between melatonin and FSH maintains ultrastructural integrity and stimulates further growth of cultured caprine preantral follicles.     

Diseases of the domestic fowl in Northern New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

Information about diseases in domestic fowls in New Zealand is contained in two books (Anon., 1965 Anon. Specimens for Laboratory Examination N.Z. Department of Agriculture 1965  [Google Scholar]; Anon., 1971 Anon. Diseases of Domestic Animals in New Zealand , 3rd ed. Editorial Services Wellington 1971  [Google Scholar]). The following diseases have been the subject of separate reports: Salmonella newington infection (Flannery, 1954 Bridges, C. H. and Flowers, A. I. 1958. “Iridocyclitis and cataracts associated with an encephalomyelitis in chickens”. In Diseases of Poultry, 4th ed, Edited by: Biester, H. E. and Schwarte, L. H. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State Univ. Press. In [Google Scholar]); lead poisoning (Salisbury et al, 1958 Salisbury, R. M., Staples, E. L. J. and Sutton, M. 1958. Lead poisoning in chickens. N.Z. vet. J., 6: 2–7. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); Ornithonyssus sylviarum infestation (Thomas and Watson, 1958 Thomas, P. L. and Watson, H. H. 1958. The occurrence in New Zealand of the northern poultry mite, Ornithonyssus sylvarium (Canestrini and Fanzago, 1877). N.Z. vet. J., 6: 47–50. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); infectious laryngotracheitis (Webster, 1959 Webster, R. G. 1959. Studies on infectious larvnsntracheitis in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 7: 67–71. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); mycoplasmosis (Pohl, 1966 Pohl, R. M. 1966. Mycoplasmosis in poultry. N.Z. vet. J., 14: 151–151. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); infectious bronchitis (Pohl, 1967 Pohl, R. M. 1967. Infectious bronchitis in chickens. N.Z. vet. J., 75: 151–151.  [Google Scholar]); uraemia (Pohl, 1968 Pohl, R. M. 1968. Uraemia (infectious nephritis) in chickens in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 16: 188–188. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); coccidiosis (Pohl, 1969 Pohl, R. M. 1969. Coccidiosis of the fowl in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 249–250. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]); vibriosis (Pohl, et al, 1969 Pohl, R. M., Marshall, R. M. and Pearson, R. 1969. Vibriosis in chickens in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 51–52. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) and capillariasis (Rickard and Pohl, 1969 Rickard, M. D. and Pohl, R. 1969. Capillariasis of the domestic fowl in New Zealand. N.Z. vet. J., 17: 130–136. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

Surgery: Comparison of three closure methods and two absorbable suture materials for closure of jejunal enterotomy incisions in healthy dogs

Summary

The macroscopic and histological appearance of jejunal antimesenteric incisions approximated with two different absorbable suture materials (monofilament versus multifilament) and three closure techniques (appositional single layer, crushing single layer, and double layer) were compared in healthy dogs at 14 or 28 days, postoperatively. No significant differences between the two suture materials were observed for most of the macroscopic or histological variables. However, the monofilament suture material caused significantly more fibrous tissue reaction in the muscular layer of the jejunum than did the multifilament suture material. Of the three enterotomy closure techniques used in this study, the appositional single‐layer method proved to be the best. The double‐layer closure method caused a significant decrease in the incisional circumference, the relative circumference, and volume of the jejunum, and a significant increase in jejunal wall thickness. Our findings suggest that canine jejunal enterotomy incisions can be closed using an appositional suture pattern with relatively rapidly absorbable monofilament suture material. The use of double‐layer suture patterns for closure of jejunal enterotomy incisions should be avoided because the size of the intestinal lumen may be reduced.     

Multiple births in Schlieffen's bat,Nycticeius schlieffenii (Peters, 1859) (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from the southern African subregion

Nycticeius schlieffenii is a monestrous species that breeds during the spring months in the northern parts of the Kruger National Park. During spring 1983 the average number of corpora lutea in 11 Nycticeius schlieffenii females was 3,1 (range 1 -4), with the average number of fetuses recorded 2,8. In the present study this bat has been found to be a polyovular seasonal breeder, giving birth to as many as three young per estrous cycle.