In vitro comparison of metaphyseal and diaphyseal placement of centrally threaded, positive-profile transfixation pins in the equine third metacarpal bone

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro holding power and associated microstructural and thermal damage from placement of positive-profile transfixation pins in the diaphysis and metaphysis of the equine third metacarpal bone. SAMPLE POPULATION: Third metacarpal bones from 30 pairs of adult equine cadavers. PROCEDURE: Centrally threaded positive-profile transfixation pins were placed in the diaphysis of 1 metacarpal bone and the metaphysis of the opposite metacarpal bone of 15 pairs of bones. Tensile force at failure for axial extraction was measured with a materials testing system. An additional 15 pairs of metacarpal bones were tested similarly following cyclic loading. Microstructural damage was evaluated via scanning electron microscopy in another 6 pairs of metacarpal bones, 2 pairs in each of the following 3 groups: metacarpal bones with tapped holes and without transfixation pin placement, metacarpal bones following transfixation pin placement, and metacarpal bones following transfixation pin placement and cyclic loading. Temperature of the hardware was measured with a surface thermocouple in 12 additional metacarpal bones warmed to 38 C. RESULTS: The diaphysis provided significantly greater resistance to axial extraction than the metaphysis. There were no significant temperature differences between diaphyseal and metaphyseal placement. Microstructural damage was limited to occasional microfractures seen only in cortical bone of diaphyseal and metaphyseal locations. Microfractures originated during drilling and tapping but did not worsen following transfixation pin placement or cyclic loading. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Centrally threaded, positive-profile transfixation pins have greater resistance to axial extraction in the diaphysis than in the metaphysis of equine third metacarpal bone in vitro. This information may be used to create more stable external skeletal fixation in horses with fractures.     

Evidence for surfactant contributing to the gastric mucosal barrier of the horse

This study was undertaken to determine the hydrophobicity of the luminal surface of the equine stomach and to elucidate the ultrastructure of the lining imparting that property. Gastric and duodenal mucosal samples from 5 horses were collected immediately after euthanasia and subjected to surface contact angle measurement using a goniometer. Gastric mucosal samples from 4 horses and a foal were examined by electron microscopy following a fixation procedure known to preserve phospholipids and oligolamellar structures. Contact angles for the equine gastric glandular mucosal surface (mean +/- s.e. 78.0 +/- 11.0 degrees) were greater than for the duodenum (33.4 +/- 8.7 degrees), (P = 0.003). The contact angles for gastric squamous tissue (50.4 +/- 4.5 degrees) tended to be greater than for duodenum (P = 0.15). Electron microscopy revealed the existence of surfactant as abundant osmiophilic phospholipid material within both squamous and glandular gastric mucosae. These results indicate the hydrophobic nature of the equine gastric mucosae. We propose that the water-repellent nature of the stomach contributes to the 'gastric mucosal barrier' and is imparted by surface-active phospholipid adsorbed to the surface. Phospholipids may also be utilised as a physical barrier to back-diffusion of acid by lining intracellular canaliculi and oxyntic ducts where other defence mechanisms are absent.     

Prevalence of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4) in cattle from Ethiopia

A serological study was done to establish the occurrence and determine the prevalence of two important respiratory tract pathogens, bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and bovine herpesvirus-4 (BHV-4), in cattle in Ethiopia. Prevalence rates for specific antibodies of 92.5% and 22.3% were recorded for BRSV and BHV-4, respectively. The presence of antibodies against these viruses in cattle from Ethiopia is recorded for the first time in this report. Our data suggests diseases caused by these viruses occur in Ethiopia but, perhaps because disease signs are not specific, they have not been recognized in the past.     

Successful surgical management of eosinophilic granuloma on the urethral process of a gelding associated with Habronema spp. infection

Habronemiasis, otherwise known as summer sores, is a parasitic disease of horses, donkeys and other equids, commonly encountered in subtropical and tropical regions. It occurs as a result of nematode infestation of the skin and typically manifests as ulcerative granulating lesions or masses. Habronema muscae, Habronema microstoma and Draschia megastoma are the usual invaders, usually transmitted by house flies, face flies and stable flies. In this case report, an eosinophilic granuloma on the urethral process of a 15-year-old gelding is presented, followed by successful surgical excision without further medical treatment. To the authors’ knowledge, equine eosinophilic granuloma on the urethral process associated with habronemiasis has not previously been documented in southern Europe and should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for penile masses.     

Post-vaccination antibodies profile against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus in sheep and goats of Punjab,Pakistan

A total of 70 sheep and 330 goats were selected randomly. All the animals were kept under same housing and management conditions. Serum samples were collected from all the animals and tested for the presence of antibodies against Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus using competitive ELISA (cELISA). All the animals were found negative showing percentage inhibition (PI) values <50. The animals were vaccinated against PPR with Nig/75/1 strain vaccine of PPR Serum samples were collected from randomly selected 12 sheep and 30 goats at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination. The samples were subjected to cELISA to determine the presence of antibodies against PPRV. The samples with PI >50 were considered as sero-positive. The sheep found positive at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination were 1(8.3%), 7(58.3%) and 12(100%) respectively. In case of goats 3(10.0%), 29(96.6%) and 27(90.0%) animals gave positive results at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination respectively. Mean PI values in sheep at 10, 30 and 45 days post-vaccination were recorded as 37, 65 and 91 respectively, whereas in goats these values were 43, 78 and 86 respectively.     

Active Participation Instead of Passive Behaviour Opens Up New Vistas in Education of Veterinary Anatomy and Histology

Teaching morphology, a fundamental part of medicine curricula is traditionally based on lectures and practical trainings. We introduced peer-assisted learning (PAL) and student expert teams to the courses to give the students the possibility to improve their free speech and self-confidence. We involved students in active preparation of online materials such as labelled e-slides and e-pics . We offered online digital microscopy (Zoomify^TM) and dissection (CyberPrep) allowing repeating the learned material and studying veterinary morphology outside the dissection theatre. Over 60% of first and third semester students profited from being a peer or being taught by a peer and 50% said the expert teams were an excellent method to learn the topographic anatomy. Almost all students applied Zoomify^TM and CyberPrep and 75% of them found the digital microscopy and dissection to be a helpful or very helpful learning tool. In face of reduced contact hours, these forms of education compensated in part the lost teaching time. We observed improvement of rhetoric and presentation skills and self-confidence. The approaches should therefore find their constant place in the veterinary medicine curricula.     

Prevalence and intensity of Otodectes cynotis in kittens from Thessaloniki area, Greece

From May 2007 to May 2008 we have examined by otoscopy a total number of 214 cats, aged between 0 and 6 months, brought in for their first veterinary examination to a private veterinary clinic. All cats were of urban origin. In all positive cats we performed a washing of the ear using warm paraffin oil in order to determine intensity of infection. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test. A total number of 30 cats were found to be infected with Otodectes cynotis (prevalence 14.02%). Prevalence of infection was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in cats aged between 3 and 6 months (17.58%) than in cats aged below 3 months (11.38). Intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 85 (mean intensity 35.60) mites per infected cat. The same age group of cats between 3 and 6 months had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean intensity (47.19) compared to cats aged under 3 months (22.36). No statistical significance was found between males and females for neither prevalence nor intensity. Differences and similarities with other studies are discussed.     

Effect of jaggery on the quality and intake levels of maize silage

Silage, which is anaerobically fermented green fodder, is valued throughout the world as a source of animal feed during lean months. Several farms in India use carbohydrate sources like jaggery or molasses at 2% for preparation of silage, and this increases cost of production. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of jaggery on quality and intake of maize silage, with an objective to find out whether additional carbohydrate source is essential in preparation of silage using green maize. Three silage types, one without jaggery (A), the second with 1% jaggery (B), and the third with 2% jaggery (C) were prepared in cylindrical bins under similar conditions. They were compared for colour, pH, lactic acid bacteria count, lactic acid content, proximate composition and silage intake by sheep. Silage type C with 2% jaggery was significantly different from the other two types with values of 3.98 and 805.66 g for pH and mean silage intake, respectively. Even though the values of pH and dry matter intake for all three silage types were within normal levels, silage type C was significantly superior in terms of fermentation and palatability. The method of preparation followed could be ideal for small holder farmers requiring less quantity of silage.     

Effect of Enterococcus faecium AL41 and Thymus vulgaris essential oil on small intestine integrity and antioxidative status of laying hens

We investigated the effect of Enterococcus faecium on phagocytic activity, antioxidative status in vivo and the effect of E. faecium and 0.4% concentration of Thymus vulgaris essential oil (EO) on the duodenal tissue integrity in vitro in laying hens. The birds were fed the same standard diets and were divided into four groups. E. faecium was added to the drinking water for the second and fourth groups. EO was added to special chambers for measuring trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) for the third and fourth groups only. TEER was lower in groups where EO was added, but in the group with E. faecium TEER was not changed significantly. Our results show that EO at 0.4% concentration may negatively affect intestine integrity, and the probiotic strain E. faecium AL41 is able to eliminate this effect and can strengthen non-specific immunity. To confirm our findings further histopathological investigations of intestinal tissue are needed.