PSITTACINE SKULL RADIOGRAPHY

The psittacine skull is a complex anatomic structure, frequently traumatized but difficult to adequately image with standard radiographic procedures. Multiple views including a ventrodorsal, a lateral, and complementary oblique projections are necessary to fully evaluate potential skull fractures in the avian patient. Magnification radiography is a relatively easy procedure that aids the review of small osseous structures. Familiarity with psittacine skull anatomy greatly facilitates radiographic interpretation of cranial trauma.     

Canine plasma and erythrocyte response to a docosahexaenoic acid-enriched supplement: characterization and potential benefits

Results of this study confirm that dietary supplementation in dogs with a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids (salmon oil), with a docosahexaenoic acid:eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA:EPA) ratio of 1.5:1, increases plasma and red blood cell levels of these fatty acids. Supplementation with this DHA-enriched oil improves the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-6:omega-3 (n-6:n-3) ratio, which may benefit dogs of all ages. Studies describing some of the neurologic, renal, cardiovascular, immune, and musculoskeletal effects of elevated blood levels of n-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are reviewed. The importance of providing an enriched source of DHA, instead of its shorter precursors, is emphasized.     

Clinical Results Following Nonoperative Management for Rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament in Dogs

Eighty-five dogs were diagnosed as having rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. They were managed by restriction of activity to leash walks for 3 to 6 weeks, weight loss if indicated, and analgesic medication as needed. Twenty-four of 28 dogs that had a body weight of 15 kg or less (85.7%) were considered to be clinically normal (no lameness and normal range of motion in stifle, 21 dogs) or improved (3 dogs) after an average follow-up period of 36.6 months. Lameness in the remaining four dogs persisted or worsened over an average period of 8.2 months (minimum 6 months), and surgical replacement of the cruciate ligament was performed. Eleven of 57 dogs that had a body weight of 15 kg or greater (19.3%) were classified as normal (4 dogs) or improved (7 dogs) after an average follow-up period of 49.1 months. Lameness in the remaining 46 dogs persisted or worsened over an average period of 10.2 months (minimum 6 months), and surgical replacement of the cruciate ligament was performed.     

From shallow to deep waters: habitats used by larval lampreys (genus Petromyzon and Lampetra) over a western European basin

Abstract –  Habitat requirements of lamprey ammocoetes (Petromyzon marinus and Lampetra genus) were investigated, for the first time, from shallow to deep waters, at different spatial scales across the Gironde‐Dordogne continuum, thanks to a water suction dredge. Fish‐habitat relationships were assessed through two complementary statistical analyses: habitat‐use curves and habitat suitability models using the Boosted Regression Trees (BRT) technique. Analyses were performed on a small‐size data set that was characterised by the low prevalence of lamprey. The sea lamprey larvae occurred in deeper areas than their Lampetra genus counterparts. ‘Pools’ of 2 m’ depth and more were optimal habitats for the former species. Among the environmental variables retained to model lamprey occurrences, the mesohabitat (a categorical variable) was demonstrated to be highly influential, in terms of fine grain‐size substratum and vegetation cover. These preliminary results suggest that monitoring using the water suction dredge method may contribute to sea lamprey conservation.     

Association of brook trout and Oncorhynchus spp. with large wood jams in a Lake Superior tributary in a northern old‐growth watershed

Wood in streams functions as fish habitat, but relationships between fish abundance (or size) and large wood in streams are not consistent. One possible reason for variable relationships between fish and wood in streams is that the association of fish with wood habitat may depend on ecological context such as large‐scale geomorphology. We studied the relationship between salmonid assemblages and large wood jams (LWJ) in four settings that differed geomorphically at the scale of the stream corridor along a tributary to Lake Superior in old‐growth conifer–hardwood forest in northern Michigan. The focal fish species of this study were brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis), which were wild in the stream. Relocation efforts for coaster brook trout (an adfluvial life history variant of brook trout) were ongoing in the study stream. We measured fish abundance and length in pairs of pools of similar size and substrate, but varying in the presence of LWJ; this allowed us to evaluate associations of fish simply with the presence of LWJ rather than with other channel or flow‐shaping functions of LWJ. The length of Oncorhynchus spp. and young introduced brook trout was not strongly correlated with LWJ presence; however, the presence of LWJ in pools was positively correlated with larger wild brook trout. We also found that the correspondence of LWJ with the abundance of salmonids appears to be moderated by the presence of alternative habitat in this relatively natural, old‐growth forest stream.     

Characterization of age- and location-associated variations in the composition of articular cartilage from the equine metacarpophalangeal joint

Objective: To characterize the impact of age, gender, location and individual animal variation on the composition of articular cartilage from the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses. Design: Cartilage specimens were obtained from the metacarpophalangeal joints of 28 male, female and castrated male horses ranging in age from one day to 27 years of age. Cartilage samples from the distal metacarpus, proximal first phalanx and proximal sesamoids were analyzed separately. Chondrocyte number, DNA content, proteoglycan concentration and total collagen content were determined for each animal and joint location. Results: Age and joint location had a significant effect on chondrocyte number and DNA content with higher cell counts and DNA content detected in cartilage from the youngest age groups and in cartilage from the metacarpus and proximal sesamoids. The influence of age on chondrocyte numbers was not significant in horses over two years of age. Both age and joint location also influenced total proteoglycan and collagen content. Lower proteoglycan and collagen concentrations were detected in younger horses, and cartilage from the metacarpus had lower proteoglycan and collagen concentrations than that from other joint locations. Gender did not appear to influence chondrocyte number or matrix content of equine articular cartilage. However, there was significant residual variation in cellularity, proteoglycan levels and collagen content between individual animals that could not be explained by the signalment factors considered in this study. Conclusions: Future studies examining equine articular cartilage should avoid direct morphologic comparisons between animals of different ages, and any comparisons made between individuals should be interpreted cautiously. In addition, in vitro tissue culture models should avoid the use of cartilage pooled from different animals or from different locations within the same joint.     

Hypophosphatemia in Cats After Renal Transplantation

Objective— To report the prevalence of hypophosphatemia after renal transplantation in a historical cohort of cats. Design— Case series. Animals— Cats (n=86) that received a renal allograft. Methods— Medical records (January 200–June 2006) were reviewed. Signalment, clinical signs, pre‐ and postoperative diet, pre‐ and postoperative clinicopathologic variables, renal histopathology, and outcome were retrieved. Prevalence, onset, duration, treatment and associated clinical signs of hypophosphatemia were recorded. A χ² test was used to compare hemolysis frequency between cats with normal serum phosphorus concentration or a single spurious low serum phosphorus concentration for <24 hours duration (group 1) and confirmed hypophosphatemia for >24 hours (group 2). A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the effects of hypophosphatemia on survival while controlling for other potentially confounding variables (age, sex, weight, body condition score, and pre‐ and 24 hours postoperative clinicopathologic variables). Results— Eighty‐six cats (mean age, 7.7 years) were identified. Hypophosphatemia occurred in 32 cats (37%), with a median onset of 2 days and median duration of 4 days. Treatment was initiated in 48 (56%) of hypophosphatemic cats. Survival and hemolysis frequency was not significantly different between groups, and no risk factors were identified. Conclusion— Hypophosphatemia occurs in cats after renal transplantation and does not affect survival. Clinical Relevance— The clinical importance of hypophosphatemia in renal transplant recipients remains unknown.     

Evaluation of a Collagenase Generated Osteoarthritis Biomarker in Naturally Occurring Canine Cruciate Disease

Objective— To determine the clinical value of a novel osteoarthritis (OA) biomarker in detecting canine cruciate disease.
Study Design— Cross sectional clinical study.
Animals— Dogs (n=22) with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and 12 control dogs.
Methods— Concentrations of collagenase-generated cleavage epitope of type II collagen (Col2-3/4C_{long mono}, or C2C) in serum, urine, and joint fluid were compared between a group of dogs with CCL rupture and a control group. Correlation of C2C concentrations to the clinical stage of stifle OA was also evaluated.
Results— There were no significant differences in C2C concentrations in serum, urine, and joint fluid between groups ( P >.05). Subjective scores of lameness, joint effusion, osteophytosis were significantly more severe in the CCL rupture group compared with the control group ( P <.05). There was no significant correlation of C2C concentrations with clinical stage of stifle OA ( P >.05).
Conclusion— This OA biomarker did not detect pathology associated with CCL rupture. Our results suggest that collagenase-specific degradation of type II collagen in articular cartilage may not be involved in the early stage of naturally occurring canine cruciate disease, and that pathology associated with naturally occurring CCL rupture is different from that of experimental OA model.
Clinical Relevance— C2C is not clinically useful in detecting CCL rupture in dogs.