Quantitative Aspects of Thyroid Scintigraphy With Pertechnetate (99mTcO4) in Cats

Thyroidal ^99mTcO₄(pertechnetate) uptake percentages were determined in unanesthetized euthyroid (n = 13) and hyperthyroid (n = 18) cats. Maximal uptakes were observed 60 minutes after IV injection of the radionuclide and ranged from 0.3 to 3.9% of the dose in euthyroid cats (median 2.23%) and from 5.2% to 23.9% of the dose in hyperthyroid cats (median 14.8%) ( P < .05). There were no overlaps in pertechnetate uptake percentages during any of the intervals evaluated. It is concluded that the optimal time for visualization of the thyroid by ^99mTcO₄-scanning is 60 minutes after IV injection of the radionuclide. Calculation of the percentage uptake is of additional diagnostic value.     

Coccidioidomycosis in 48 Cats: A Retrospective Study (1984–1993)

Coccidioidomycosis was diagnosed in 48 cats. Forty-one cases were identified within a period of 3 years. Coccidioides immitis was revealed by cytological or histopathological examinations, or culture in 70% of cats. The remaining 30% of cases were diagnosed by appropriate clinical signs, radiographic lesions, and serological test results. The average age of affected cats was 6.2 years with a median age of 5.0 years. Fifty-four percent (n = 26) were female and 46% (n = 22) were male. Domestic shorthaired and longhaired breeds comprised 89% (n = 41) of affected cats. Sixty-seven percent of cases were diagnosed during the 6-month period of December through May. Cats infected with C immitis were presented for evaluation of dermatologic (56%), respiratory (25%), musculoskeletal (19%), and neurological or ophthalmologic signs (19%). Fever, inappetence, and weight loss were present in 44% of the cats. Duration of clinical signs before diagnosis was less than 4 weeks in 85% (n = 42) of cats, with an average of 3.8 weeks and a median of 2 weeks. Agar gel immunodiffusion tests were positive in all 39 cats tested at sometime during the course of their disease. Hyperproteinemia (greater than 7.9 g/dL) was present in 52% (10/23) of cases. The majority of cats (n = 39) were negative for feline leukemia virus. Antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus were absent in the 19 cats tested. Ketoconazole was the most common antifungal agent used to treat cats with Coccidioidomycosis. Duration of treatment ranged from less than 1 week to 43 months. Thirty-two cats are currently asymptomatic, with or without treatment. Eleven cats died or were euthanized. Five cats were lost to follow-up. Ketoconazole likely is more suppressive than curative because relapses were common after discontinuing therapy.     

A Quantitative Study of Ganglion Cells in the German Shepherd Dog Retina

As in the number of mammals, the most prominent feature of the ganglion-cell layer in the retina of the German shepherd dog is the sharp increase in the density of ganglion cells in the central area. There is an area of maximum density and also a ‘cat-like’ visual streak, located dorsal to the optic disc. The isodensity lines of ganglion-cell distribution is roughly concentric. Their values vary from 5300-13 000 cells/mm² in the central area, with the cells densely packed, to 1000 cells/mm² or less in the periphery, where the cells are sparsely distributed. There were some individual differences amongst the animals studied, although all of them were pure-bred dogs. This suggests that the configuration of the retina in the canine species is not only dependent on the breed itself but also on some other parameters such as phylogenetic heritage, environment, aptitude, lifestyle, or even training.     

Dynamics of changes in the cytological picture of vaginal smears and circulating ovarian hormones during the puerperal period in ewes]

A postparturient period is characterized by low basal secretion of adenohypophysis gonadotropins with the following appropriate changes in ovarian hormones and their response to the morphology of vaginal epithelium. In this study the dynamics of the cytological picture of vaginal swabs and ovarian hormones 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) and progesterone was investigated in the puerpery of ewes. The objective was to obtain and extend the knowledge of cytological changes in vaginal epithelium and levels of ovarian hormones of ewes after parturition and of their relationships from the first several days after lambing until the 51st day of the period of observation. Vaginal swabs for vaginal cytology were taken from nine ewes on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34, 42 and 51 after parturition. These swabs were fixed in ether-alcohol 1:1, stained according to the Faltínová-Zidovsky method, embedded in Canada balsam and evaluated by differentiation of cells according to Luksh (1953). Blood samples for E2 and P4 determinations were taken from the jugular vein in the same intervals as vaginal swabs. The serum was centrifuged and stored at -18 degrees C until use. E2 and P4 concentrations were determined radioimmunologically, using kits RIA-test ESTRA and RIA-test PROG from URVJT Kosice. A statistically significant decline (P < 0.05) of percentual representation of basal and parabasal cells (Fig. 1, Tab. I) on day 7 after lambing was replaced by their multiplication from day 14 reaching the values of 66.07 +/- 3.95 on day 42. A statistically significant decrease in intermediary flat cells (Fig. 2, Tab. II) was observed on days 14 (P < 0.001), 34 and 42 (P < 0.01; P < 0.001), in comparison with the first day after lambing. An evaluation of intermediary convoluted cells revealed their highest percentage on days 1 and 17 after parturition (34.65 +/- 4.77-20.62 +/- 12.57) and their decline to values in the range of 6.77 +/- 1.46-7.66 +/- 2.25 on the remaining days of the period of observation. Percent occurrence of superficial flat cells (Fig. 3, Tab. I) ranged from 3.9 +/- 1.10 to 10.63 +/- 7.23 from day 1 to day 51 after lambing. The lowest percentual representation (1.32 +/- 0.79-4.10 +/- 1.89) was recorded for superficial convoluted cells. Multiplication of the evaluated cells was observed, reaching the highest but insignificant representation (P > 0.05) on day 25 of postparturient investigation: 4.10 +/- 1.89 (Fig. 3, Tab. I). 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) concentrations were compared to the -1st day before parturition, when its values varied at the level of 2.45 +/- 0.64 nmol/l serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Efficacy of the morantel sustained release trilaminate matrix against gastrointestinal nematodes in beef calves

The effectiveness of the morantel sustained release trilaminate (MSRT) in controlling gastrointestinal nematodes through a grazing season was evaluated using 60 yearling beef stocker calves randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 animals each. In April 1985, the calves comprising the treatment group each received an MSRT designed to release morantel tartrate continuously for 90 days while those of the control group remained unmedicated. All animals were weighed and samples of rectal feces were taken at 14-day intervals, beginning on Day 0, until trial termination (Day 168). At trial termination, 10 control and 10 treated calves were necropsied for recovery of gastrointestinal nematodes. Three sets of parasite-na?ve tracer calves were utilized to evaluate the initial, interim and final levels of pasture contamination by nematode larvae. Overall, the use of the MSRT resulted in a 75.5% reduction (P less than 0.001) in output of nematode eggs from the principals, an 81.8% reduction (P less than 0.001) in numbers of gastrointestinal nematodes in principals (at trial termination), and a 96.9% reduction (P less than 0.05) of pasture larval nematode contamination (as indirectly indicated by parasite burdens in tracer calves). The mean weight advantage of treated calves was 16.6 kg per head (P less than 0.001).     

The effectiveness of the combined treatment of thrombocytic hemorrhagic diathesis of dogs with prednisolone and blood transfusion in the model of an aspirin-produced thrombocytopathy

The administration of 20 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid in 18 clinically healthy dogs resulted in a thrombocytopathy with lengthened capillary bleeding time and irreversible aggregation inhibition. Through the set up of individual dilution series, one could conclude the proportional percentage of aggregation functional transfused thrombocytes. The capillary bleeding time was shortened after the intravenous injection of prednisolone (5 mg/kg) without measurable influence on the thrombocytes. Compared to the singular use of cortisone or blood transfusion alone, the effect on capillary bleeding time became magnified when one combined transfusion and corticosteroids. The fresh blood conserves (12 hours) were, with respect to the haemostyptical properties, superior to blood stored for 5 days. The component of aggregation-functional thrombocytes was, due to the prophylactic cortisone application prior to transfusion, not increased.     

In vivo kinetic study on uptake and distribution of intramuscular tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan in equine body fluid compartments and articular cartilage in an osteochondrial defect model

The uptake and distribution of intramuscularly (IM) administered tritium-labeled polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (³H-PSGAG) in serum, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage of eight horses was quantitated, and hyaluronic acid (HA) concentration of the middle carpal joint was evaluated in a pharmacokinetic study. A full-thickness articular cartilage defect, created on the distal articular surface of the left radial carpal bone of each horse served as an osteochondral defect model. ³H-PSGAG (500 mg) was injected IM, between 14 and 35 days after creation of the defects. Scintillation analysis of serum and synovial fluid, collected from both middle carpal joints at specific predetermined times up to 96 hours post-injection, revealed mean ³H-PSGAG concentrations peaked at 2 hours post-injection. ³H-PSGAG was detected in cartilage and subchondral bone 96 hours post-injection in samples from all eight horses. There were no statistically significant differences in ³H-PSGAG concentration of synovial fluid or cartilage between cartilage defect and control (right middle carpal) joints.

HA assay of synovial fluid revealed concentrations significantly increased at 24, 48, and 96 hours post-injection in both joints. The concentration nearly doubled 48 hours post-injection. However, no statistically significant differences were found between synovial concentrations of HA in cartilage defect and control joints.

³H-PSGAG administered IM to horses, was distributed in the blood, synovial fluid, and articular cartilage. HA concentrations in synovial fluid increased after IM administration of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan.     

Anatomía del Desarrollo del Tracto Digestivo y Forma Corporal Externa Durante el Período Embrionario en el Caprino (Copra hircus)

Anatomy of the digestive tract and external body development during the embryonic stages of the caprine (Copra, bircus) The purpose of this work has been to establish the pattern of prenatal growth and normal development of the digestive tract and annex glands during goat embryonic stages. 21 embryos with ages ranging from 14 to 34 days (1.69 to 5.90 cm CR) as determined by registering the mating time, were obtained by cesarea. This material was histologically processed to obtain complete serial sections of the stomatodaeum, foregut, midgut, hindgut and cloaca. In this work, it is chronologically described the morphogenesis and histogenesis of the mouth, hypophysis, pharynx and its derivatives, stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas and cloaca. The results obtained establish chronological comparisons with the development of the lamb and gives information on the unitary origin of the gastric compartments in ruminants.     

Effect of dietary copper and vitamin E supplementation, and extensive feeding with acorn and grass on longissimus muscle composition and susceptibility to oxidation in Iberian pigs

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary copper and/or vitamin E supplementation on composition and oxidation of M. longissimus in Iberian pigs and to compare it with meat samples from pigs produced extensively and fed with acorn and grass. Grass had the highest α-tocopherol content (> 150 mg/kg DM), while acorns had the highest copper concentration (78.1 mg/kg DM). Dietary treatment did not affect copper composition in muscle and no interactions were detected between copper and α-tocopherol. The α-tocopherol content in muscle from pigs fed diets supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate (100 mg/kg feed) was 1.5 times greater (p < 0.0001) than those from pigs receiving a basel diet. M. longisssimus dorsi from pigs fed extensively had a higher concentration of α-tocopherol than those fed in confinement with the basel level of α-tocopheryl acetate, but lower values than pigs fed supplemented levels. Total n -3 fatty acids (p < 0.02) and hematin (p < 0.0001) concentrations were significantly higher in muscle from pigs fed extensively than when fed in confinement. Muscle homogenates from Iberian pigs fed in extensive conditions showed significantly (p < 0.02) higher susceptibility to oxidation than those from pigs fed mixed diets. Dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation (100 mg/kg feed) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced lipid oxidation of muscle, while dietary copper concentration did not modify susceptibility to lipid oxidation.