Barbiturate intoxication in two dogs confirmed by toxicological urinalysis

Two dogs were presented within 24 hours to the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover for investigation of the sudden onset of neurological abnormalities following a walk in the same park. One dog was observed ingesting a piece of meat. Analysis of urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from each of the dogs identified the presence of barbiturates. Both dogs recovered with supportive treatment. This is the first report to describe the use of toxicological urinalysis with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the diagnosis of barbiturate intoxication in dogs.     

Prevalence of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy and other myopathies in two equine populations in the United Kingdom

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSM) in two populations of horses in the UK. Biopsy specimens from 94 horses presented to an abattoir (population 1), and 46 horses with neuromuscular disorders presented to a university referral hospital (population 2) were obtained over a period of 4 years. Histological sections were examined by a veterinary pathologist for lesions including abnormal polysaccharide inclusions in myofibres.In population 1, a diagnosis of EPSM was made in 8% and non-specific myopathy in 33% of horses. In population 2, a diagnosis of EPSM was made in 22%, equine motor neurone disease (EMND) in 15% and non-specific myopathy in 37%. Within each population there was no difference in age, sex or breed distribution and muscle disease diagnosis. However, populations differed from each other in age and breed distributions and muscle disease diagnosis. EPSM was found in draft, Warmblood and related breeds and was diagnosed for the first time in cob-types. EMND was reported in 7/46 horses presented for neuromuscular disease and weakness, representing an important diagnosis in the UK. This study showed a high prevalence of EPSM and other myopathies in typical breeds of horses in the UK.     

A brief review of procedures and potential problems associated with the diagnosis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome

Experience has shown that, for a number of reasons, a diagnosis of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is sometimes difficult. In this review we discuss: (1) field observations and laboratory tests that are useful in arriving at a definitive diagnosis; (2) the impact of so-called atypical PRRS on diagnostic procedures in North America; (3) the means by which diagnostic problems can often be circumvented by appropriate sample selection; and (4) methods used for presumptive identification of PRRS virus strains.     

Response of C2C12 mouse and turkey skeletal muscle cells to the beta-adrenergic agonist ractopamine

The effects of ractopamine (RAC) and ractopamine stereoisomers (RR, RS, SR, and SS) on cyclic AMP (cAMP) production, total protein, and DNA concentrations in mouse skeletal muscle cells (C2C12) were evaluated. The RAC (10 microM) caused an approximately 30% increase in cell number, protein, and DNA concentrations in myoblasts after 48 h; no differences were found in myotubes. The RAC-stimulated increase of these variables in myoblasts was blocked by the presence of equimolar concentrations of propranolol. At a later passage, myoblasts failed to exhibit an increase in cell number, protein, or DNA upon exposure to RAC. Both myoblasts and myotubes increased cAMP production in response to 10 microM RAC. The RAC isomers ranked RR > SR > RS approximately SS in ability to stimulate cAMP production, with essentially no response to SS. The SR produced about 50% of the RR response. Coincubation of propranolol (10 microM) and RAC (10 microM) prevented RAC-stimulated cAMP production in myotubes but not in myoblasts (approximately 35% of cAMP produced by RAC alone). Turkey satellite cells (derived from biceps femoris of 12-wk-old toms) produced essentially no increased cAMP when exposed to 10 microM RAC stereoisomers. Stability of RAC was evaluated under laboratory storage and culture conditions. The RAC was stable for more than 4 mo when stored in deuterated DMSO (>98% purity) at room temperature or in aqueous solutions at -80 degrees C, as determined from sequential nuclear magnetic resonance studies. Radiolabeled RAC was incubated for 72 h in the presence of serum-containing medium, with or without C2C12 cells. Ninety-eight percent of the parent compound found in the medium at time zero was present in the medium as parent at the end of 72 h. The cellular cAMP response to RAC through beta-adrenergic receptors seems to be stereospecific. If the state of myoblasts and myotubes in vitro reflects the in vivo state, then the ractopamine effect in vivo on cellular processes (including cell division and protein and DNA accumulation) may be independent of beta-adrenergic receptors in muscle.     

Cuterebra myiasis in a group of red kangaroos (Megaleia rufa), a Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus fruticus), and a Gunther's dik dik (Maloqua guentheri smithi).

A group of four red kangaroos (Megaleia rufa), a Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus fruticus), and a Gunther's dik dik (Maloqua guentheri smithi) were presented over a 2-mo period with draining lesions over the thorax or on the lateral aspect of a hind leg. Only one animal exhibited more than one lesion. Physical examinations revealed infections with fly larvae. The parasites were manually removed and identified as Cuterebra spp. All of the affected animals survived, with no apparent side effects.     

Parasite control methods used by horse owners: factors predisposing to the development of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes

One hundred and fifty horse owners, primarily private owners and riding schools, replied to a questionnaire concerning the practices they used to control parasites. Twenty-seven had experienced a parasite problem. Faecal samples from 188 horses selected at random showed that worm control practices were generally successful; however, many owners were not following recommendations for slowing the development of resistant parasites. In 1996, 86 per cent of the owners were using either three or two classes of anthelmintic a year, and they used a median of six doses with a range from one to 11. Approximately half the owners, more commonly owners of up to five horses, picked up their horses' faeces at least once a week, but these owners also used more doses of anthelmintic a year than owners who did not pick up faeces. One-third of the owners manually removed Gasterophilus species eggs from the horses' hairs, but 94 per cent of them also used ivermectin. Many owners treated specifically for Anoplocephala species, cyathostome larvae and Gasterophilus species, and these owners were the most likely to use three classes of anthelmintic a year. One-hundred-and-seven owners replied to a second questionnaire asking for information about the factors that influenced their anthelmintic control practices. Many owners, particularly private owners, were not influenced by the cost of the anthelmintic. For the timing and frequency of treatment, and the choice of drug, owners were most influenced by advertisements, magazine articles and veterinary surgeons. In two magazines aimed at horse owners, the brands of drugs most frequently advertised were the brands most commonly used by the owners, and articles in the magazines recommended the use of three classes of drug per year. These results are discussed in relation to their influence on the development of anthelmintic-resistant nematodes.     

Ultrasound therapy for the prevention and correction of contractures and bone mineral loss associated with wing bandaging in the domestic pigeon (Columba livia).

Figure-of-eight wing bandaging is widely used to treat wing injuries, to immobilize wings before and after fracture repair, and during transient wing paralysis. However, prolonged bandaging can lead to bone loss and to contractures and reduced range of joint motion. Studies evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic ultrasound to reverse and prevent bandaging-associated contractures in pigeons (Columba livia) showed a significant increase in elbow and carpal extension after 10 twice weekly ultrasound treatments when started either 4 or 11 days after bandage placement. In addition, after 42 days of wing bandaging, three ultrasound treatments stimulated a faster reversal of carpal wing rotation loss than removal of the bandage over the 10-day treatment period. Finally, bone loss in response to 28 days of bandaging was significant, progressed at 2.8% per week, and was not affected by ultrasound treatment twice weekly during this period. Therefore, therapeutic ultrasound prevented and reversed loss of wing extension associated with figure-of-eight bandaging but did not lessen the disuse osteoporosis created by bandaging in these birds.     

A study of inherited short tail and taillessness in Pembroke Welsh corgi

OBJECTIVES: To study whether natural short tail in adult Pembroke Welsh corgi is associated with congenital spinal defects. To report anatomical defects in two newborn tailless puppies from short-tailed parents, and to check whether they were homozygous for the dominant mutation in the T-gene (C295G). METHODS: The vertebral column of 19 adult dogs with natural short tail, from short-tail x long-tail crossings, was radiographically examined. Two tailless puppies were radiographed and submitted for necropsy. Samples from the puppies, their parents and five siblings were analysed for the mutation of the T-gene. RESULTS: No congenital spinal defects were diagnosed in any of the short-tailed dogs. The tailless puppies had anorectal atresia, had multiple spinal defects and were homozygous for the mutation in the T-gene. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As tail docking is forbidden in many countries, breeding Pembroke Welsh corgis with natural short tail is becoming increasingly common. Previous studies indicated that the mutation in homozygotes is lethal in early fetal life. It is of clinical significance that natural short tail is probably not associated with congenital spinal defects, as is known from studies of other species, and that homozygotes for this mutation with serious anatomical defects may be born.