Cortical Osteitis of The Humeral Diaphysis Caused by Rhodococcus Equi

Infection with Rhodococcus equi is a common cause of pneumonia in foals. Extrapulmonary manifestations occur, including gastrointestinal disease such as enterocolitis, musculoskeletal disease such as osteomyelitis, as well as other aberrant regions of abscess. Osteomyelitis predominately occurs in the metaphyseal or epiphyseal regions of long bones because of low-pressure blood flow through the sinusoids of these regions of the bone. In this report, a case of cortical, diaphyseal osteitis of the humerus caused by Rhodococcus equi and subsequent medical and surgical management is described.     

Phenolics and antioxidative activities in narrow-leafed lupins (Lupinus angustifolius L.)

Eight lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) genotypes grown at four locations in south central Alberta in 2004 were evaluated for variability in phenolic constituents and antioxidant activity measured by a photochemiluminescence assay. Genotype was the main source of variation for content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities. Phenolic compounds in genotypes varied minimally from 11.9 to 14.7 mg catechin equivalent and 4.15 to 4.95 mg rutin equivalent g(-1) lupin for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, respectively. Lupin genotypes exhibited weak antioxidant activity based on water-soluble substances (ACW) of 0.54 to 1.07 micromole Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacities (TEAC)/g with lag time ranging from 70 to 153 s and an antioxidant index of 6.7 to 14.5 and 1.9 to 3.3 micromole TEAC/g based on measurements of lipid-soluble substances (ACL). Antioxidant activity of lupin genotypes was not related to phenolic contents of seeds.     

Total phenolics and condensed tannins in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

Seed samples of seventeen field pea cultivars grown at five locations, and nine grass pea lines grown at two locations, in western Canada during 1993 and 1994 were analysed for total phenolics and condensed tannins. Each location in each year was considered as one environment. Total phenolics in field pea differed significantly among cultivars, ranging from 162 mg/kg DM (dry matter) (CE, catechin equivalents) for AC Tamor to 325 mg/kg DM (CE) for Richmond. Field pea had barely detectable levels of condensed tannins. Total phenolics in grass pea ranged from 868 mg/kg DM (CE) for L880388 to 2059 mg/kg DM (CE) for LS89110. Condensed tannins in grass pea ranged from 0.89 g/kg DM (CE) for L880388 to 5.18 g/kg DM (CE) for LS89125. Cultivar had a larger relative contribution to total phenolic levels in field pea and to total phenolic and condensed tannin levels in grass pea than environment. Total phenolic and condensed tannin levels were not correlated with seed yield and seed protein content in field pea or grass pea. Levels of total phenolics and condensed tannins were positively correlated in grass pea. Grass pea seeds with darker seed coat colour contained higher levels of condensed tannins. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Evaluation of cold‐pressed flaxseed oil as an alternative dietary lipid source for juvenile sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria)

This study was undertaken to determine the suitability of using cold‐pressed flaxseed oil (FO) as a major source of lipid in place of anchovy oil (AO) in the diet of juvenile sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria), a relatively new marine species to aquaculture. Sablefish were fed one of four diets twice daily to satiation for 15 weeks. The test diets were identical in composition, except for the source of supplemental lipid which was either 100% AO (100AO), or increasing replacement of AO with FO i.e., 75AO:25FO, 50AO:50 FO or 25AO:75FO. Sablefish growth parameters, whole body and fillet proximate constituent concentrations and apparent digestibility coefficients were uninfluenced by diet treatment. There were also no adverse effects of the diet treatments on fish health, as determined from analysis of various haematological and innate immunological parameters. Terminal fillet fatty acid compositions generally reflected the dietary fatty acid compositions, while flesh contaminant concentration decreased with increasing dietary flaxseed oil content. Results indicated that FO may comprise up to 75% of the supplemental lipid in a grower diet for sablefish, while still providing humans with a rich dietary source of highly unsaturated fatty acids.     

Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease in Dogs Attending Primary‐care Veterinary Practices in England

Background

To date, epidemiological studies on degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) in dogs have largely reported referral caseloads or been limited to predisposed breeds. Analysis of primary‐care data to identify factors associated with DMVD would help clinicians identify high‐risk individuals and improve understanding.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for DMVD in dogs attending primary‐care veterinary practices in England.

Animals

Cases were identified within the electronic patient records of 111,967 dogs attending 93 practices. Four hundred and 5 dogs were diagnosed with DMVD (diagnosed cases) and a further 3,557 dogs had a heart murmur (HM) consistent with DMVD (possible cases).

Methods

Retrospective cross‐sectional study design. Prevalence was adjusted for the sampling approach. Mixed effects logistic regression models identified factors associated with DMVD.

Results

Prevalence estimates of diagnosed DMVD and HMs consistent with DMVD (both diagnosed and possible cases) were 0.36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.29–0.45) and 3.54% (95% CI: 3.26–3.84) respectively. In the multivariable analysis, males had higher odds of diagnosed DMVD than did females (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% CI: 1.12–1.74). Insured dogs had increased odds of DMVD compared with noninsured dogs (OR 3.56, 95% CI: 2.79–4.55) and dogs ≥20 kg had approximately half the odds of DMVD diagnosis compared with dogs <20 kg (OR 0.51, 95% CI: 0.36–0.74). Strong associations between a DMVD diagnosis and individual breeds and age were identified.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Degenerative mitral valve disease was a common disorder in practice‐attending dogs. Knowledge of identified risk factors for DMVD could improve clinical diagnosis and direct future research.