Evaluation of antioxidant status and oxidative stress in sheep naturally infected with Babesia ovis

The present study aimed to assess antioxidant status and oxidative stress in sheep naturally infected with Babesia ovis. Red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV), piroplasm parasitemia percentage, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) activities and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined in 52 sheep naturally infected with B. ovis as well as same number of healthy sheep in West-Azerbaijan province, Iran. Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears revealed B. ovis infection. The parasitological diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis by amplifying a partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene sequence of B. ovis of 52 diseased sheep, 18 (34.61%), 11 (21.15%), 16 (30.76%) and 7 (13.48%) had <1%, 1-2%, 2-3% and >3% parasitemia, respectively. Compared to controls, the activities of erythrocyte GSH-Px, SOD, TAC and CAT showed a significant decrease, whereas the concentration of MDA in erythrocytes of infected sheep increased significantly. Parasitemia rate was positively correlated with MDA and negatively correlated with PCV, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and TAC. Also, MDA was negatively correlated with PCV, SOD, catalase, GSH-Px and TAC. The study demonstrated that B. ovis plays an important role in the occurrence of oxidative damage to RBCs and anemia in ovine babesiosis.     

Associations between teat injuries and fistula formation in lactating dairy cows treated with surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine associations between rate of fistula formation and parity, lactation period, wound age, wound location, and shape of teat injuries in surgically treated teats in dairy cows. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS: 106 lactating dairy cows with teat lacerations. PROCEDURES: Lacerations were classified via shape, location, and age. Associations between potential risk factors and fistula formation were analyzed. Seasonal distribution, type of injured teat, parity, and days in lactation were determined. RESULTS:Cows with teat injury in their first and second parity had 4.1 times the odds of fistula formation, compared with cows with parity >or= 3.Teats sutured within 48 to 72 hours of injury had 8.3 times the odds of fistula formation, compared with teats sutured within the first 24 hours. Cows in early lactation stage (first 60 days of lactation) were more susceptible to teat injuries. Occurrence of teat injury was greater at the third, fourth, and fifth parity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Season, parity, and lactation period were associated with prevalence of teat injury in lactating dairy cows in a range system. Neither the type of suture material used nor the suturing technique was associated with effects on healing of the operated full-thickness teat wounds. Factors such as parity and age of the wound can be associated with delay in the healing process, which may result in fistula formation.     

Axial pattern flap based on the lateral caudal arteries of the tail in the dog: an experimental study

OBJECTIVE: To determine applicability and size limits of an axial pattern flap based on the lateral caudal arteries in dogs to reconstruct caudodorsal trunk skin defects. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Ten mature, mixed breed dogs. METHODS: The lateral caudal vessels of the tail were incorporated in the flaps of the treatment group (n=5) and were ligated in the control group (n=5). Flaps were rotated and placed into experimentally created caudodorsal skin defects on the trunk. The length and area of tissue that remained viable in each flap were determined. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) survival area (222.8+/-32.9 cm2) and length (25.1+/-4.5 cm) of vascularized flaps were significantly greater (P<.05) compared with control flaps (94.9+/-13.4 cm2 and 14.61+/-4.7 cm). Necrosis occurred in all control flaps, resulting in lower percentage flap area (48.8%) and length (47.1%) survival compared with vascularized flaps (78.1%, 77.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Axial pattern flap based on lateral caudal arteries of the tail was successfully elevated and transferred in a single procedure, with 78% survival for closure of large experimentally created caudodorsal trunk defects in dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Large cutaneous defects of the caudodorsal trunk area in dog could be reconstructed with tail axial pattern flap. Limitations in terms of size and changes in animal appearance have to be considered before flap elevation.     

Congenital lipoblastoma in a neonate calf: first report in veterinary literature

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign tumour of adipose tissue that usually occurs in young children. Although around 100 cases of lipoblastoma have been reported in humans, no report has been previously described in animals. This case report describes the clinical and histopathological findings of a congenital lipoblastoma located at the tail base of a 2-day-old male calf. Grossly, the mass was pink with a partly ulcerated and haemorrhagic surface. The calf showed no neurological deficits. Radiographs of the vertebral column revealed no abnormalities, and surgical excision was performed. Histopathology of the mass was consistent with lipoblastoma. The calf was followed up for 13 months and found to be healthy with no signs of recurrence. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of lipoblastoma in the veterinary literature. Lipoblastoma should thus be considered in the differential diagnosis list for congenital adipose tissue tumours in animals.