The blood supply of the cauda equina of the cat

The angioarchitecture of the cauda equina of the cat has been described. The surgeon has to pay attention when operating in this region, because of the arrangement of the vessels and also of the density of the capillary network.     

The problem with the occurrence of so-called spontaneous ruptures of the rectum in horses. 2: Forensic evaluation

In the ampulla roof of the wave-like extending horse rectum the muscular coat is only weakly developed as a deltoid-shaped tunica muscularis area, thus forming a place of minor resistance. With regard to the degree of development of the muscular coat a rectal ampulla with a stable form and strong muscles can be distinguished from an ampulla with a labile form and weak muscles. The rupture of the intestinal wall in this region in the case of rupture-experiments as well as the frequent occurrence of diverticula reveals this area as being a place of minor resistance which requires extreme caution during rectal examination. The forensic judgement of a rectal perforation has to be based on detailed pathoanatomical investigations. If the rules of veterinary art had been neglected, the proof of blamelessness for the investigator is being out of consideration. If all rules of veterinary art, however, had fully been observed during rectal exploration, the proof of blamelessness for the investigator is very difficult to be obtained, when a perforation or a rupture has resulted. Only if the rupture is located in the dorsal part of the rectum, there exists the possibility, that it is a spontaneous one, if anatomical conditions, thickness of the muscular coat or the presence of diverticula do support this.     

Immunohistochemical demonstration of keratin in canine neuroepithelioma

Morphological features and immunoreactivity for cytokeratin (CK), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) of three canine neuroepitheliomas and three canine ependymomas were investigated. Neuroepitheliomas were in three German shepherds as intradural-extramedullary solitary masses, with spinal cord displacement between T10 and L2. Histologically, they contained tubules and acini, lined by epithelial cells with focal squamous metaplasia, rosette-like structures, and polygonal to spindle-shaped cells between tubules. Acini were empty or filled with a homogeneous, eosinophilic periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material. Mitotic indices varied from low to moderate. Ependymomas occurred in the third (two cases) and fourth ventricle in adult boxers. Histologically, they were composed of cells with an ill-defined, scant amphophilic cytoplasm, with a central round euchromatic nucleus; cells formed pseudorosettes, with a central fibro-vascular stroma. Neuroepitheliomas stained for CK, but ependymomas did not. Both failed to stain for GFAP, NSE, or phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH). Thus, antibodies to cytokeratin are useful to distinguish neuroepitheliomas from ependymomas.     

Aplastic anemia in ferrets

The present report describes both estrus associated and estrogen induced aplastic anemia in 7 female ferrets. The animals were presented with anemia, anorexia, apathy, melena and subcutaneous hemorrhages. Histologically, the animals showed panmyelophthisis and cystic endometrial hyperplasia.     

Evaluation of the Staph-Zym-system for identification of Staphylococcus hyicus and Staphylococcus intermedius

The Staph-Zym system was evaluated as a means for identifying cultures of Staphylococcus hyicus isolated from pigs and bovines and cultures of Staphylococcus intermedius isolated from canines. The selected cultures had been identified by conventional methods. The Staph-Zym system correctly identified all 52 S. hyicus and all 33 S. intermedius. It is concluded that the Staph-Zym system is a practical and reliable test for identifying mostly animal pathogenic S. hyicus and S. intermedius, and might possibly be useful for veterinary microbiologists.     

Survey of vomitoxin-contaminated feed grains in midwestern United States, and associated health problems in swine

During the 1981 corn harvest season in Illinois and surrounding states, cold wet weather enhanced the growth of Fusarium graminearum, with resulting contamination by vomitoxin and, to a lesser extent, zearalenone. Of 342 feed samples analyzed, 274 contained vomitoxin at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 41.6 ppm (mean, 3.1 ppm) and 40 samples contained zearalenone at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 8 ppm (mean, 0.66 ppm). Animal health problems and reduced growth performance were observed mainly in swine fed vomitoxin-contaminated rations. The predominant clinical complaints, in decreasing frequency were: reproductive problems (50%), feed refusal (43%), reduced weight gain (25%), diarrhea (17%), death (14%), and emesis (11%).