Suspected chlorpyrifos toxicosis in a llama, and plasma pseudocholinesterase activity in llamas given chlorpyrifos

Five days after treatment with chlorpyrifos, a 1.5-year-old male llama was unable to stand, had saliva flowing from its mouth, and had constricted pupils, hyperglycemia, a metabolic acidosis, and a plasma pseudocholinesterase activity of 111 IU/L. Mean (+/- 1 SD) plasma pseudocholinesterase activity of 29 healthy llamas was 233.76 +/- 51.55 IU/L. Five to 8 days after topical application of chlorpyrifos (25 mg/kg of body weight) to 3 healthy llamas, the pseudocholinesterase activity decreased to 38% to 62% of pretreatment (base-line) activity and returned to within 90% of base-line activity by the 36th to 48th day after treatment.     

Chlorpyrifos intoxication in a bull

A mature Brangus bull received the recommended dose of chlorpyrifos and became dull and inappetent 3 days later. Clinical findings included weakness, dehydration, rumen stasis, and rumen distention with fluid and gas. Blood cholinesterase activity was 25% of normal. The bull's condition improved after treatment with pralidoxime, antimicrobials, electrolyte solutions, vitamins, and adsorbents. Five weeks later, the bull had gained weight, the blood cholinesterase activity was 70% of normal, and the results of a semen evaluation indicated he was a satisfactory potential breeder.     

Effects of small and large face masks and translaryngeal and tracheostomy intubation on ventilation, upper-airway dead space, and arterial blood gases

Pulmonary function was examined in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs that were spontaneously breathing through a large poorly fitted face mask, a small snug-fitted face mask, an endotracheal tube, and a tracheostomy tube. Increasing upper-airway dead space volumes were associated with higher minute ventilation and faster breathing rates. Minute and tidal alveolar ventilation, calculated ideal alveolar oxygen, alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, venous admixture, arterial pH and blood gases, cardiac output, and systemic and pulmonary arterial blood pressure were not changed. The functional dead space of each mask was considerably less than that measured by water displacement. The small mask only slightly increased, and the endotracheal tube slightly decreased, the dead space estimated for a nasally breathing healthy dog.     

Ruminal evacuation's effect on microbial activity and ruminal function

The influence of evacuating, mixing and returning ruminal contents on microbial populations, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and liquid flow rate was investigated with four ruminal-cannulated Hereford steers (247 kg avg wt). Ruminoreticular contents were sampled, then completely removed, mixed for 5 min and returned to the rumen. Subsequent samples were taken immediately, 1 h and 4 h later. Non-evacuated steers were sampled at identical time intervals either 1 d before or after evacuation. Averaged over time, there was no significant difference between evacuated and non-evacuated steers in total anaerobic, cellulolytic and facultative bacteria, protozoa, oxidation-reduction potential, VFA concentrations, and liquid flow rates. There were no treatment X time interactions and, except for holotrich protozoa and VFA, no differences from time of sampling. Ruminal evacuation does not appear disruptive to anaerobiosis or detrimental to ruminal microorganisms and digestive processes.     

Effect of electroimmobilisation on ovine plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin/beta-lipotrophin, cortisol and prolactin

The effect of electroimmobilisation on the plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin/beta-lipotrophin (beta-EP/beta-LPH), cortisol and prolactin (PRL) has been assessed in sheep. Serial blood samples were collected from control and electroimmobilised animals during the first and fourth of a series of four repeated treatments over two days. After electroimmobilisation the mean (+/- SEM) plasma concentrations of beta-EP/beta-LPH increased significantly from 132 +/- 19 pg ml-1 to 545 +/- 111 pg ml-1; the plasma concentrations of cortisol also increased significantly from 22.3 +/- 3.5 ng ml-1 to 108.0 +/- 12.9 ng ml-1. There was no significant change in plasma PRL concentrations after electroimmobilisation and also no significant difference between the plasma concentrations of PRL in the control and electroimmobilised animals. There was no significant difference between the effects of the first and fourth exposure to electroimmobilisation on the plasma concentrations of beta-EP/beta-LPH, cortisol and PRL. These results suggest that the endocrine response to electroimmobilisation may be specific to the pituitary-adrenal axis.     

Primary isolation and identification of avian rotaviruses from turkeys exhibiting signs of clinical enteritis in a continuous MA 104 cell line

Avian rotaviruses were isolated from turkeys with enteritis using MA 104 cell line. MA 104 cells were suitable for primary isolation and propagation of avian rotaviruses. Trypsin appeared essential for the enhancement of infectivity and the occurrence of cytopathic effect (CPE). Serum neutralization (SN), electron microscopy (EM), and analysis of genomic RNA were done to identify and confirm the identity of rotaviruses. Electrophoretic migration patterns of genomic RNA from avian rotaviruses were examined, and they were compared with those from mammalian rotaviruses. The migration patterns differed between these groups.     

Bilateral hydronephrosis secondary to endometriosis managed by endoscopic ureteral stent placement in a captive Guinea baboon (Papio papio)

Spontaneous endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent, progressive and painful disease that affects a variety of nonhuman primates, including several species of baboons (Papio sp.). This case documents multimodal management of severe endometriosis in a captive female baboon within a zoological institution. An 18-yr-old, intact female Guinea baboon (Papio papio) was found to have an enlarged uterus. Fifteen months post ovariohysterctomy, scarring associated with endometrial tissue resulted in ureteral strictures, bilateral hydronephrosis, and azotemia. Cystoscopic placement of bilateral ureteral stents with fluoroscopy was performed and resulted in short-term clinical improvement. The animal's condition declined and euthanasia was elected 4 mo after ureteral stent placement. Severe endometriosis with secondary inflammation resulting in bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis, as well as concurrent cystitis, ureteritis, and pyelonephritis were confirmed at necropsy. Despite possible complications, ureteral stents can be considered a useful therapeutic option in patients with ureteral disease.     

Failure of nebulized irritant, acidic, or hypotonic solutions or external mechanical stimulation of the trachea to consistently induce coughing in healthy, awake dogs

A useful approach for evaluating antitussive drugs in humans is to determine the sensitivity of the cough reflex to a standard challenge. The purpose of this study was to determine if methods used to induce coughing in humans would be effective when used on awake, untrained, healthy dogs for future application in therapeutic trials involving dogs with spontaneous disease. Methods tested were: mechanically stimulating the trachea by digital compression as well as by vibration from an electric shaver, neck massager, and palm sander (11 dogs), and administering nebulized irritant (3000 μM capsaicin), acidic (1 M citric acid), and hypotonic (deionized water) solutions using face masks (4 dogs). The threshold for success was defined as induction of at least 2 moderate or strong coughs in at least 75% of the dogs. None of the methods tested was successful. Digital compression induced soft (n = 2) or moderate (n = 1) coughing in 3 of 11 dogs tested. Nebulization of citric acid induced 1 soft cough in 1 of 4 dogs. It was concluded that coughing cannot be successfully induced in awake, healthy dogs using methods that are successful in humans. Other strategies must be developed so that cough sensitivity can be objectively and non-invasively measured in dogs for clinical research purposes.     

Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness in a horse

A 12-year-old Quarter horse gelding was presented for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness, 2 draining tracts over the lateral aspect of the right proximal antebrachium, and weight loss. A presumptive diagnosis of blastomycotic osteomyelitis was established based on radiographs and cytology of the exudate. This diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy.