Immunophenotypic and histological characterisation of 109 cases of feline lymphosarcoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine and analyse the immunophenotype and histological appearance of naturally occurring cases of lymphosarcoma in Australian cats. DESIGN: A prospective multi-institutional study of naturally occurring feline lymphosarcoma. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen cats were referred for diagnosis and/or management of suspected lymphosarcoma. Tissue samples for histopathological analysis and immunophenotyping were collected as biopsies or at necropsy from 109 cases. Histological classification of the neoplasms followed the Working Formulation Classification System. Four multi-species cross-reactive antibodies were used to classify tumours as having a B or T cell phenotype. RESULTS: Seventy-six (70%) cases were B cell tumours and 28 (26%) were T cell tumours. The remaining 5 (4%) specimens failed to stain with the four antibodies. Histologically, 11 (10%) cases were classified as low-grade, 72 (66%) were medium-grade and 26 (24%) were high-grade tumours. There were no significant associations between age and either histological grade or immunophenotype. Mediastinal and leukaemic cases were significantly more likely to be T cell tumours (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to previously documented studies in the cat, the majority of cases of lymphosarcoma were of B cell phenotype and intermediate histological grade. Based on our data, the histological phenotype of lymphosarcoma is unlikely to predict immunotype, nor are cases of certain immunotypes likely to be of specific histological subtype. Considered in relation to previous reports, the findings suggest that epidemiological factors operating in these cats to produce lymphosarcoma may be different to those operating in North American and UK cat populations.     

Radiological measurements from the feet of normal horses with relevance to laminitis.

Lateromedial radiographic projections were made from the feet of 25 normal horses and 3 angles and 3 distances were measured. From these, normal ranges of calculated variables were obtained. The width and length of each foot and the height of the horse at the withers was also measured. In view of its possible importance in clinical laminitis, particular attention was paid to 'founder' distance (D). This is the vertical distance between the proximal limit of the dorsal hoof wall and the proximal limit of the extensor process of the distal phalanx. There were significant differences between breeds in D (P<0.05) and in wall thickness (P<0.01). Further studies investigated the effects of time, differing radiographic projections and different operators on D. D did not alter significantly (P>0.05) over a 6 week study period. It was concluded that errors due to radiographic beam obliquity were not of practical importance. Errors in measuring D between operators can be minimised by use of a standard radiographic technique. Although there was some variation in the value of D measured over time and with different operators, which could make the interpretation of early or subtle changes difficult, measurement variation was not considered to interfere with the assessment of large changes associated with severe laminitis.     

Nutritional muscular dystrophy in a four-day-old Connemara foal

This report describes a four-day-old, full-term Connemara colt, presented for the evaluation of a progressive inability to rise unassisted. A diagnosis of nutritional muscular dystrophy was made based on muscular weakness, elevated muscle enzymes and low vitamin E, selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity. The foal was treated with intramuscular vitamin E-selenium and made a full recovery.     

Cytopathological and histopathological diagnosis of canine splenic disorders

Objectives To determine (1) the common types of canine splenic disorders, and the breeds affected, that are diagnosed by cytopathological and histopathological examination in Sydney, Australia and (2) the accuracy of cytopathological examination compared with histopathological examination for the diagnosis of canine splenic disorders. Design 69 cytopathological and 51 histopathological diagnoses of canine splenic disorders presented to the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, The University of Sydney during 2006 and 2007 were tabulated and analysed; 17 cases examined both cytopathologically and histopathologically during 2001–07 were also analysed. Results The most common cytopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (29%), followed by no abnormalities detectable (28%), malignant neoplasms (20%), equivocal diagnoses (20%) and inflammatory disorders (3%). The most common breeds were Kelpie crosses and mixed breeds. The most common histopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (49%), followed by malignant neoplasms (43%) and inflammatory disorders (8%). The most common breeds were German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers and Maltese Terriers. Cytopathological and histopathological diagnoses were in complete agreement in 59% of cases, partial agreement in 29% and disagreement in 12%. Conclusion Benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis were the most commonly diagnosed canine splenic disorders, both cytopathologically and histopathologically. Kelpie crosses presented most frequently for cytopathological examination. German Shepherd Dogs were the most common breed diagnosed histopathologically with haemangiosarcoma. Although cytopathological and histopathological splenic examinations are complementary for diagnosis, this study has shown a high correlation for complete and partial agreement between the two.     

Potential enhancement of degradation of the nematicides aldicarb,oxamyl and fosthiazate in UK agricultural soils through repeated applications

BACKGROUND: The potential for enhanced degradation of the carbamoyloxime nematicides aldicarb and oxamyl and the organophosphate fosthiazate was investigated in 35 UK agricultural soils. Under laboratory conditions, soil samples received three successive applications of nematicide at 25 day intervals. RESULTS: The second and third applications of aldicarb were degraded at a faster rate than the first application in six of the 15 aldicarb‐treated soils, and a further three soils demonstrated rapid degradation of all three applications. High organic matter content and low pH had an inhibitory effect on the rate of aldicarb degradation. Rapid degradation was observed in nine out of the ten soils treated with oxamyl. In contrast, none of the fosthiazate‐treated soils demonstrated enhanced degradation. CONCLUSION: The potential for enhanced degradation of aldicarb and oxamyl was demonstrated in nine out of 15 and nine out of ten soils respectively that had previously been treated with these active substances. Degradation of fosthiazate occurred at a much slower rate, with no evidence of enhanced degradation. Fosthiazate may provide a useful alternative in cases where the efficacy of aldicarb and oxamyl has been reduced as a result of enhanced degradation. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Serovar profiling of Haemophilus parasuis on Australian farms by sampling live pigs

Objective Investigate the diversity of serovars of Haemophilus parasuis (Hps) present in Australian pig herds. Design Nasal swabs were used to obtain multiple isolates of Hps, which were grouped first by genotyping and then by serotyping representative isolates. Procedure Swabs were taken from the nasal cavity of just-weaned healthy pigs from multiparous sows on 12 farms and from post-weaned pigs of multiparous sows on 1 farm. On 5 of the 13 farms, nasal swabs were also obtained from pigs showing clinical signs suggestive of Glässer's disease. On a further 7 farms, nasal swabs were obtained only from pigs with clinical signs suggestive of Glässer's disease. Results A total of 556 Hps isolates were genotyped, and 150 isolates were serotyped. Hps was detected on 19 of the 20 farms, including 2 farms with a long history of freedom from Glässer's disease. Isolates of Hps belonging to serovars regarded as potentially pathogenic were obtained from healthy pigs at weaning on 8 of the 10 farms with a history of Glässer's disease outbreaks. Sampling 213 sick pigs yielded 115 isolates of Hps, 99 of which belonged to serovars that were either potentially pathogenic or of unknown pathogenicity. Only 16 isolates from these 213 sick pigs were of a serovar known to be non-pathogenic. Conclusion Healthy pigs contain a range of Hps serovars, even on farms free of Glässer's disease. Nasal swabbing of both healthy and sick pigs seems a useful method of serovar profiling of farms.     

Effects of increasing days of exposure to prepartum diets on the concentration of certain blood metabolites in dairy cows

Objective To evaluate the effect of the number of days exposure to a prepartum transition diet on mineral, energy and protein metabolism in dairy cows. Design A prospective cohort study. Procedures The prepartum transition diet consisted of ryegrass pasture, cereal hay, grain, grain by-product, protein meals, BioChlor®, rumen modifiers, minerals and vitamins and contained 13.9% crude protein, 10.0 MJ metabolisable energy/kg and a dietary cation anion difference of −35 meq/kg dry matter. Forty cows were bled bi-weekly from their introduction to the prepartum transition diet until day 35 of lactation. Blood samples were submitted for estimation of a range of metabolites. Cubic smoothed splines were fitted to scatterplots of metabolite concentration as a function of day relative to calving and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Linear regression modelling determined the effect of days exposed, age, body condition score (BSC) and calving day on AUC. Results The prepartum AUC of blood phosphorus and beta-hydroxybutyrate increased and the AUC of blood calcium and cholesterol decreased with increasing days exposed to the diet. The postpartum AUC of beta-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids decreased with increasing days exposed but increased with days exposed × age and days exposed × BCS, respectively. The AUC of other metabolites did not vary significantly with number of days exposed. Conclusions Increasing exposure to the prepartum diet significantly altered the AUC of blood metabolites associated with mineral, energy and protein metabolism in ways consistent with improvements in production and reproduction previously reported and the result suggests links between energy, protein and skeletal metabolism.     

The effect of boric acid on bacterial culture of canine and feline urine

Objective : To identify the optimal method of submission of canine and feline urine for bacterial culture. Methods : Cystocentesis samples from 250 animals (200 dogs, 50 cats) suspected of having urinary tract infections were collected. The reference aliquot, without preservative, was processed on site within 2 hours. Two further aliquots (one without preservative, one with boric acid) were stored at room temperature for up to 7 hours and then posted by guaranteed next day delivery to a commercial laboratory for analysis. Results : Forty‐seven of the samples were positive on culture in the reference test. There was no significant difference between reference test results and those of samples posted without preservative (P=0·39), but samples posted in boric acid were significantly less likely to give a positive result (P=0·01). Samples posted without preservative had a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 98%; for boric acid, sensitivity was 73% and specificity 99%. Clinical Significance : Postal urine samples should be submitted to the laboratory in a plain sterile tube.     

Effects of parenteral amoxicillin on recovery rates and new infection rates for contagious ovine digital dermatitis in sheep

The present study is a randomised split-flock treatment trial, which compared the effect of foot bathing in a 1 per cent solution of chlortetracycline alone with a treatment protocol that added a single injection of a long-acting amoxicillin. Overall, the prevalence of contagious ovine digital dermatitis in the examined flock was 22 per cent, while 45.7 per cent of affected sheep had infections in two or more feet. Parenteral antibiotic treatment increased the odds of a recovery by 3.8 times (95 per cent confidence interval 1.05 to 14.0) (P=0.008). Moreover, the amoxicillin injection may also have had a preventative effect, reducing the rate of establishment of new infections from 2.5 per cent for foot bathing alone compared with 1.0 per cent with the addition of parenteral amoxicillin.