Definition of a non-alert downer cow syndrome and some case histories

The clinical, blood biochemical and autopsy findings on a cow affected by a 'non-alert downer cow syndrome' are described in detail and compared with brief clinical and biochemical details from six similar cases attended elsewhere. The significance of the biochemical observations is discussed in relation to the observations from many other clinical milk fever cases in a dairy practice in Victoria. This syndrome developed in 1.9 per cent of 584 cases of milk fever. The essential findings in the syndrome were that all cows had an initial clinical episode suggestive of milk fever but showed an unsatisfactory clinical response to calcium borogluconate therapy. After a day or two all cows became laterally recumbent, some exhibited expiratory moaning and all developed mucoid faeces which, in many cases contained spots of blood. All cases had significantly lower erythrocyte and plasma potassium concentrations than those in milk fever cases which responded to treatment.     

Effect of adipose-derived nucleated cell fractions on tendon repair in horses with collagenase-induced tendinitis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential of adipose-derived nucleated cell (ADNC) fractions to improve tendon repair in horses with collagenase-induced tendinitis. ANIMALS: 8 horses. PROCEDURES: Collagenase was used to induce tendinitis in the superficial digital flexor tendon of 1 forelimb in each horse. Four horses were treated by injection of autogenous ADNC fractions, and 4 control horses were injected with PBS solution. Healing was compared by weekly ultrasonographic evaluation. Horses were euthanatized at 6 weeks. Gross and histologic evaluation of tendon structure, fiber alignment, and collagen typing were used to define tendon architecture. Biochemical and molecular analyses of collagen, DNA, and proteoglycan and gene expression of collagen type I and type III, decorin, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), and insulin-like growth factor-I were performed. RESULTS: Ultrasonography revealed no difference in rate or quality of repair between groups. Histologic evaluation revealed a significant improvement in tendon fiber architecture; reductions in vascularity, inflammatory cell infiltrate, and collagen type III formation; and improvements in tendon fiber density and alignment in ADNC-treated tendons. Repair sites did not differ in DNA, proteoglycan, or total collagen content. Gene expression of collagen type I and type III in treated and control tendons were similar. Gene expression of COMP was significantly increased in ADNC-injected tendons. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: ADNC injection improved tendon organization in treated tendons. Although biochemical and molecular differences were less profound, tendons appeared architecturally improved after ADNC injection, which was corroborated by improved tendon COMP expression. Use of ADNC in horses with tendinitis appears warranted.     

Description of empirical movement data from Canadian swine herds with an application to a disease spread simulation model

We report the methods and findings of a survey of Canadian swine producers summarizing farm-types at-risk of foreign animal disease (FAD) and the routine movement of animals, semen and workers among swine farms, as observed during a 42-day period. Of the 311 producers who returned completed questionnaires, 17% represented swine-herds with no swine or semen movement on or off the farm during the 42 days, 57% were sow herds or farrow-to-finish herds with limited movement onto the farm but movement off the farm, and 26% were swine-herds with movements on and off the farm. A substantial number of premises (>50% in some provinces) with swine also kept other animal species on the same premises. We applied the empirical movement data from the survey in a stochastic simulation model to estimate the number of herds infected and the basic regional distribution of infection that could be expected to occur if the FAD was not detected and routine movements were permitted to occur up to 42 days after infection with a FAD of a single randomly selected herd. Forty-five percent of the simulations did not involve spread beyond the index farm, whereas 34.8% involved spread among five or more farms after 42 days of routine movement.     

Comparison of two surgical techniques for management of intramural ureteral ectopia in dogs: 36 cases (1994-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To determine outcome associated with intramural ureteral ectopia treated with 1 of 2 surgical techniques (neoureterostomy with ligation of the distal ureteral segment vs neoureterostomy with resection of the distal ureteral segment) and compare results of these 2 techniques in dogs. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 36 dogs (15 treated with the ligation technique and 21 treated with the resection technique). PROCEDURES: Information was obtained from medical records. Long-term follow-up information was obtained by owner questionnaire. RESULTS: 15 of 21 (71%) dogs in the resection group and 7 of 14 (50%) dogs in the ligation group still had urinary incontinence after surgery. Three of 20 (15%) dogs in the resection group and 4 of 14 (29%) dogs in the ligation group reportedly had multiple episodes of urinary tract infection following surgery. The outcome of surgery was judged to be excellent by the owners of 10 of 18 (56%) dogs in the resection group and 9 of 14 (64%) dogs in the ligation group. No significant differences were found between surgery treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the present study suggest that although most owners of dogs that undergo surgery for treatment of intramural ureteral ectopia consider the outcome of surgery to be excellent, substantial proportions of dogs will continue to have urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infections after surgery. Findings do not provide any support to the hypothesis that the resection technique is superior to the ligation technique for management of dogs with intramural ureteral ectopia.     

CASE REPORT: Bilateral phacoemulsification in an orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)

A 14‐year‐old, female, captive‐born orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) developed bilateral cataracts. Ultrasonography, electroretinography and cataract correction using phacoemulsification were performed bilaterally. This case report aims to describe the ophthalmic procedures performed in this animal critically endangered of extinction. The surgery successfully restored vision and normal activity to the patient.     

The tardigrade fauna of Tunisia,with an integrative description of Bryodelphax maculatus sp. nov. (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae)

The current knowledge of the diversity and distribution of tardigrade species in northern Africa is scarce and far from satisfactory. In this paper we review old and provide new faunistic records for various regions of Tunisia. Among the newly recorded taxa, we found a new heterotardigrade Bryodelphax maculatus sp. nov. The new species belongs to the weglarskae group, characterised by the presence of ventral plates, but differs from its congeners by a different arrangement of ventral plates and by conspicuous groups of cuticular tubercles on the ventral cuticle. The analysis of larval, juvenile and mature instars of the new species revealed, for the first time in heterotardigrades, ontogenetic variability in the development of ventral armature.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7EA21201-8C74-4BFD-8EAF-A131A78805F0     

The Effect of Plate Luting on Reduction Accuracy and Biomechanics of Acetabular Osteotomies Stabilized With 2.7-mm Reconstruction Plates

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of reduction and biomechanical characteristics of acetabular osteotomies repaired with luted and nonluted reconstruction plates. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro study. ANIMALS: Pelves removed from 12 adult greyhounds. METHODS: Acetabular osteotomies were created and repaired with a 6-hole, 2.7-mm reconstruction plates in 24 cadaver hemipelves. Ten hemipelves each were assigned to group I and group II. An impression cast of each acetabulum in group I was made before luting (preluting cast). Group I plates were then elevated, luted, and replaced. A second cast of each acetabulum in group I was then made (postluting cast). Step, gap, and total areas of articular osteotomy incongruence were determined from the casts. Group I (luted plate repairs) and group II (nonluted plate repairs) hemipelves were loaded ventral-to-dorsal using a materials-testing machine. Stiffness, yield load, and maximal load sustained were determined. RESULTS: Mean gap and total area of articular osteotomy incongruence for group I preluted plate repairs (7.1 mm(2) and 8.6 mm(2), respectively) were significantly greater than for group I postluted plate repairs (4.1 mm(2) and 5.1 mm(2), respectively). Mean stiffness and maximal load for group I (681 N/mm and 2,555 N, respectively) were significantly greater than for group II (360 N/mm and 1,730 N, respectively). Mean step area and mean load at yield values were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Luted plate repairs of osteotomized acetabulae result in improved reduction and are stiffer and stronger than nonluted plate repairs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Plate luting may improve the accuracy of reduction of acetabular fractures where anatomic reduction is required. Plate luting may also increase the stiffness and strength of fracture repairs and arthrodeses.