Primary Aspergillus and Fusarium keratitis in a Holstein cow

A 5-year-old female Holstein cow was examined for ocular discharge, periorbital swelling, an area of full-thickness corneal cellular infiltrate, fibrin, hypopyon, diffuse corneal edema, and miosis. The patient was diagnosed with a corneal stromal abscess and secondary anterior uveitis. Histopathology, mycotic culture, and polymerase chain reaction positive for Aspergillus and Fusarium DNA confirmed the presence of fungal infection. Response to therapy was adequate, and follow-up with the patient 1 year after diagnosis revealed a focal area of corneal fibrosis.     

Non-invasive assessment of growth, gender and time of day related changes of respiratory pattern in healthy cats by use of barometric whole body plethysmography

The objective of this study was to establish a reference base for respiratory variables (respiratory rate [R(R)], inspiratory and expiratory time [T(i) and T(e)], peak inspiratory and expiratory pseudoflow [PIF and PEF], tidal volume [V(T)], minute ventilation [V(E)] and enhanced pause [Penh]) of healthy cats by use of barometric whole body plethysmography (BWBP). Eighteen healthy European cats (10 male, 8 female) were studied from the age of 3 to 13 months in order to assess growth- and gender-related changes of BWBP variables. Chest radiographs and bronchoalveolar lavage cytology were performed to confirm pulmonary health status. Diurnal changes were investigated every 2 h over a period of 24 h when the cats were adult. V(T), V(E), PIF and PEF significantly increased during somatic growth and were higher in males than in females, whereas R(R), T(i), T(e), T(e)/T(i) ratio, PEF/PIF ratio and Penh remained unchanged and were not affected by gender. When measured over 24 h, Penh, T(e) and T(i) were significantly increased in the early morning hours (04:00 h), whereas R(R), PIF and PEF were decreased at that time. This study provides reference values of BWBP variables for healthy male and female cats and indicates when circadian changes might be observed.     

DIPHOSPHONATE TREATMENT OF A PRIMARY OSTEOSARCOMA IN A DOG: A CASE REPORT

The following sequence of treatments was administered to a Saint Bernard dog with a primary distal right radius osteosarcoma: 54 days of daily disodium 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate (HEDP) subcutaneous injections; 53 days of HEDP per os ; one ³²P-HEDP intravenous injection. During the pretreatment period, there was an extensive increase in calcific tumor growth and osteoblastic proliferation. After the subcutaneous HEDP treatment, almost complete tumor necrosis was seen. After the oral HEDP treatment, only the deepest tumor portion contained active osteoblasts, calcific growth of the tumor was completely blocked, and uptake of ^99mTc-Sn-HEDP was reduced to one fourth of the pretreatment uptake. After a single ³²P-HEDP dose, large areas of tumor necrosis were evident histopathologically. However, subsequent resumption of cellular activity occurred in the tumor, and the uptake of ^99mTc-Sn-HEDP increased to pretreatment values. These data suggest that systemically administered HEDP should be studied further for its possible therapeutic potential in the treatment of osteosarcoma and indicate a need for further study of ³²P-HEDP or possibly ³³P-HEDP.     

Surgical correction of colonic duplication in a cat

A 2-year-old, castrated male Manx cat was presented for anorexia, obstipation, and straining to defecate. Imaging tests revealed a cystic mass associated with the descending colon. Three surgical explorations over several years were performed before complete resection of the cystic mass was achieved. Histopathology of the mass revealed normal colonic structures consistent with colonic duplication. Complete resection of a noncommunicating duplicate colon may allow successful treatment of this condition and resolution of associated clinical signs.     

Larval cyathostominosis in horses in Ontario: an emerging disease?

From 1991 to 2003, 24 cases of larval cyathostominosis were diagnosed at postmortem in equids, 15 (63%) from 2001 to 2003. Cases occurred from September to May, the majority from October to December. Median age was 12 mo. Diarrhea, colic, and weight loss were common clinical signs. Hypoalbuminemia and microcytosis were consistent findings.