Dorsal laminectomy for caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy: postoperative recovery and long-term follow-up in 20 dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the postoperative morbidity and long-term outcome of dogs after dorsal laminectomy for caudal cervical spondylomyelopathy (CCSM). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty dogs with CCSM. METHODS: Medical records of dogs treated by dorsal laminectomy for CCSM at North Carolina State University and Colorado State University between 1989 and 1999 were reviewed. Information on signalment, onset, progression and duration of clinical signs, diagnostic testing, sites of dorsal laminectomy, postoperative complications, length of hospitalization, and the ambulatory status on discharge was recorded. A minimum follow-up of 7 months was required for inclusion in the study. Neurologic status was graded (0 to 5) preoperatively, 2 days after surgery, and at the time of the study (final score). Improvement or worsening of the neurologic status was assessed by comparison of different scores for each dog. Additional follow-up information was obtained by means of a detailed telephone questionnaire directed at both the owner and referring veterinarian. RESULTS: Mean duration of clinical signs before surgery was 4.9 months. At admission, 15 dogs were ambulatory and 5 were nonambulatory. Neurologic status worsened in 70% of dogs 2 days after surgery but improved in all but 1 dog over the long term. Mean time to optimal recovery was 3.6 months. Long-term follow-up ranged from 7 months to 9 years (mean +/- SD, 3.2 +/- 2.4 years). Four dogs had confirmed recurrence; 2 other dogs may have had recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal cervical laminectomy is an effective treatment for CCSM in those dogs with dorsal compression or multiple sites of involvement. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although most dogs' neurologic status transiently worsened after surgery, long-term outcome and recurrence rates were comparable to those seen with other surgical techniques for CCSM.     

Breed identity and leadership in a mixed flock of sheep

The aim of this study was to analyze the breed identity and leadership in a mixed flock of sheep. The flock consisted of 89 Suffolk adult ewes and 250 Columbia ewes and 45 Columbia rams. The animals were kept in the pasture during the day. Each hour the flock was allowed to feed for 20 minutes, and then was moved for 40 minutes to a small paddock near the grazing area. In the afternoon, all sheep were taken to the night pen. The animals were observed for 120 days, 4 times a day (480 leadership breed positions), with respect to the following conditions: (1) leave pen at front of flock, (2) return to pen at front of flock, (3) first to move to the grassland, (4) return to the paddock, (5) drink first (on arrival time at the night pen), and (6) preference for an area in the night barn. The Suffolk breed were first in leaving (94% of the times) and in returning to the night pen (65%) (P < 0.05), and 35% returned with the Columbia sheep. The Suffolk breed were first to move to the grazing area (90%) and 10% moved with the other breed (P < 0.05). When returning to the rest area, the Columbia sheep were first to reach 54% of the time, the 2 breeds were together 29% of the time, and the Suffolk sheep were alone 17% of the time (P < 0.05). When comparing who drank first, 50% of the time both breeds went together, 28% of the time the Columbia sheep were first, and 22% of the time the Suffolk sheep were first (P < 0.05). At night, most of the Suffolk sheep had a preference for 1 barn area (P < 0.05). The results of our study suggest that most animals of each breed performed activities together. Suffolk sheep were leaders when moving to the grazing area and when selecting the place to rest.     

SHORT COMMUNICATION: Neutrophil oxidative metabolism and haemogram of sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and vitamin E

The objective of this study was to evaluate neutrophil oxidative metabolism and haemogram in sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus and supplemented with selenium and vitamin E. Twenty male Corriedale sheep were utilised and distributed into four experimental groups each with five animals infected with larvae: G1‐ supplemented with sodium selenite, 0.2 mg/kg body weight (bw) given intramuscularly (IM); G2‐ supplemented with sodium selenite and vitamin E, 0.2 mg/kg bw and 2000 IU per animal, respectively, both IM; G3‐ supplemented with vitamin E, 2000 IU per animal IM; G4‐ not supplemented. A haemogram and the number of parasite eggs were determined in samples of blood and faeces, respectively, on days zero (T0), 20 (T1), 40 (T2) and 60 (T3) and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assays were performed on heparinized blood samples taken on days zero, 30 and 60. A lower total leucocyte count was detected in G1 in relation to G4 at T4. Lymphocytes were reduced in G1 in relation to G3 and G4 at T3. In both non‐stimulated (NBT‐NS) and stimulated (NBT‐S) dye reduction assays, there was reduced activity at 60 days, in relation to other times in the groups treated with selenium (G1 and G2). On the basis of results obtained, we conclude that supplementation with selenium provides better antioxidant protection to neutrophils.     

Plasma estradiol-17ß concentrations in the cow during induced estrus and after injection of estradiol-17ß benzoate and estradiol-17ß cypionate -a preliminary study

Plasma estradiol-17 beta concentrations were investigated in cows during induced estrus and after an intramuscular injection of 10 mg of estradiol-17 beta benzoate and estradiol-17 beta cypionate to determine a withdrawal period for both preparations. After the estradiol-17 beta benzoate injection, the plasma estradiol-17 beta concentration was higher than the physiological maximum of 24 pg/ml obtained during induced estrus for a period of 114 +/- 10 h (mean +/- SEM). For estradiol-17 beta cypionate the corresponding value was 170 +/- 17 h (mean +/- SEM). A withdrawal period of 7 days for the benzoate ester and of 10 days for estradiol-17 beta cypionate is therefore proposed. These results were confirmed by biopsies taken at the injection site 8 and 15 days after the injection of estradiol-17 beta benzoate and estradiol-17 beta cypionate, respectively. In these biopsies no residues of estradiol-17 beta nor of its esters could be detected.     

Assessment of the quality of tests for the detection of antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus glycoprotein gE in a target population by the use of receiver operating characteristic curves

The performance of tests for the detection of antibodies to Aujeszky's disease virus glycoprotein E (ge) in a target population was evaluated by constructing and analysing receiver operating characteristic (roc) curves. These curves assess the discriminating ability of a test over the entire range of test signals. The advantages of applying the analysis to a sample of the target population (all commercial pigs in the Netherlands), as compared to using a panel of test sera, are that the estimates of sensitivity and specificity, the comparisons between tests and the choices of the cut-off values are all relevant for the target population. The results of a gE-elisa in colostrum (test A) and in a single droplet of whole blood (test B) were compared with the results obtained with the same elisa in serum (gold standard). The area under the ROC curve, which is a quantitative measure of test performance, was significantly (P<0·01) smaller with test A than test B or the gold standard, indicating that test B performed better than test A. No significant difference was observed between test B and the gold standard.     

Immunological Profile in Clinical Practice

Veterinary Research Communications - Pugliese, A., De Majo, M. and Pugliese, M., 2007. Immunological profile in clinical practice. Veterinary Research Communications, 31(Suppl. 1), 121–124     

猪红细胞CD58分子协同NDⅣ疫苗免疫的佐剂效应

用从木瓜酶修饰的猪红细胞提取的 CD5 8分子 ,协同 ND 疫苗免疫 8日龄雏鸡 (分为试验 A组、对照 B组 ) ;用从正常猪红细胞提取的 CD5 8分子 ,协同 ND 疫苗免疫 18日龄雏鸡 (分为试验 C组、对照 D组 ) ,以β-微量法测定ND抗体效价 ,以 α-醋酸萘酯酶染色法检测鸡外周血 T细胞的变化 ,并分别用 NDV F4 8E9强毒株在免疫后 2 4 d攻击 A组和 B组鸡、39d攻击 C组和 D组鸡。结果表明 ,免疫前 ,8日龄雏鸡的 ND抗体效价为 2 5.8,18日龄雏鸡的 ND抗体均为阴性 ;免疫后 ,与对照 D组比较 ,试验 C组的 ND抗体提前 4 d达到 2 4 .8,并且试验 C组 ND抗体效价显著高于对照 D组 ( P<0 .0 1) ,保护期延长 ;试验 A组雏鸡体内 ND抗体变化和对照 B组相似 ,但试验 A组雏鸡外周血 T细胞数量显著高于对照 B组 ( P<0 .0 1或 P<0 .0 5 )。攻毒试验结果显示 ,试验 A组鸡死亡率为 33% ,对照 B组鸡死亡率为6 3% ;试验 C组鸡死亡率为 17% ,对照 D组鸡死亡率为 5 3%。本研究结果表明 ,猪红细胞 CD5 8分子具有较好的疫苗佐剂效应     

Kinetics and role of antibodies against intimin β in colostrum and in serum from goat kids and longitudinal study of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli in goat kids

The presence of antibodies to the intimin β-binding region (Int280-β) of attaching and effacing Escherichia coli (AEEC) in serum from 20 goat kids from 2 herds, as well as in goat colostrum, was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, the onset and subsequent pattern of shedding of AEEC from the same goat kids over a 6-mo period was investigated. All the colostrum and serum samples tested contained antibodies against Int280-β. The association between the antibody titer and the isolation of AEEC suggests that antibodies to intimin β do not prevent colonization of the intestine by AEEC in goat kids. The AEEC were generally shed only transiently. Most AEEC isolated from the kids belonged to serogroup O26. Three isolates belonged to serogroup O157. These data show that goat kids may be a reservoir of AEEC that are potentially pathogenic for humans.