Canine distemper virus.

Vaccine-based prophylaxis has greatly helped to keep distemper disease under control. Notwithstanding, the incidence of canine distemper virus (CDV)-related disease in canine populations throughout the world seems to have increased in the past decades, and several episodes of CDV disease in vaccinated animals have been reported, with nation-wide proportions in some cases. Increasing surveillance should be pivotal to identify new CDV variants and to understand the dynamics of CDV epidemiology. In addition, it is important to evaluate whether the efficacy of the vaccine against these new strains may somehow be affected.     

CLINICAL,DIAGNOSTIC, AND PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF 2 CASES OF METASTATIC IRIDOPHOROMA IN A VEILED CHAMELEON (CHAMAELEO CALYPTRATUS) AND A RED-BARRED DRAGON (CTENOPHORUS VADNAPPA)

Iridophores are iridescent cutaneous pigment cells found in reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Neoplasms of iridophores are rarely reported, and little is known about their behaviour, metastatic potential, and prognostic indicators. This paper reports details of the clinical course and pathological findings of metastatic iridophoroma in a veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and red-barred dragon (Ctenophorus vadnappa). The veiled chameleon presented with a subcutaneous mass on the right lateral elbow and was diagnosed as an iridophoroma on fine needle aspiration. It was otherwise clinically normal. Within 35 days of excision, multiple secondary skin masses developed which were often non-pigmented and required microscopic examination to identify them as iridophoroma metastases. There were in total 54 days between the first detection of the primary mass and end stage, extensive cutaneous and visceral metastatic disease, and there had been no detectable primary mass during routine clinical examination 128 days prior to death. The red-barred dragon presented with a white sub-mandibular mass. While undergoing an excisional biopsy the animal expired, post-mortem examination revealed a cutaneous malignant iridophoroma with tumour cell clusters seen in pulmonary arterial vessels, suggesting that surgical handling of iridophoroma could precipitate the release of circulating tumour cell clusters. This is the first iridophoroma described in a red-barred dragon and the second report of a malignant iridophoroma in a veiled chameleon. Timely detection and careful excision of lizard iridophoroma may be an important factor in clinical outcome.     

Target-controlled infusion of propofol combined with variable rate infusion of remifentanil for anaesthesia of a dog with patent ductus arteriosus

An 18-month-old Lurcher was anaesthetized for surgical ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus using a target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol and a variable rate infusion of remifentanil. Before anaesthesia, radiographic and echocardiographic examination indicated that the dog had left-sided congestive heart failure and impaired left ventricular systolic function. Ramipril and furosemide were administered pre-operatively. Following pre-anaesthetic medication with morphine, 0.5 mg kg(-1), by intramuscular injection, and pre-oxygenation, remifentanil was infused for 5 minutes at 0.2 microg kg(-1) minute(-1), followed by induction of anaesthesia using intravenous propofol administered by TCI, set at a target concentration of 3.5 microg mL(-1) of propofol in blood. Tracheal intubation was performed and 100% oxygen delivered through a non-rebreathing (Bain) system and then a circle system in the operating theatre. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol and remifentanil, adjusted according to clinical requirements. Peri-operative analgesia consisted of intercostal bupivacaine nerve block, with meloxicam, morphine and remifentanil.     

Water and nitrate budgets in a rendzina cropped with oilseed rape receiving varying amounts of fertilizer

Pollution of the environment by nitrogen (N) has emerged as a serious concern in agriculture, especially in the case of crops such as oilseed rape. To assess the effect of N fertilization on N dynamics, the movements of water and nitrate were determined in a rendzina near Châlons-en-Champagne (eastern France) cropped with oilseed rape with three levels of fertilizer N and in a bare control. From in situ micrometeorological measurements, actual evapotranspiration rates were computed with an energy budget and used to calibrate an evapotranspiration model based on meteorological data and crop leaf area index. Water flow below 120 cm was then deduced from periodic measurements of soil moisture contents and precipitation, and the associated nitrate leaching fluxes were calculated from the NO₃ concentration measured at the same depth. Denitrification rates and ammonia volatilization were monitored in the field after fertilizer applications, and crop assimilation of nitrogen was determined frequently during the growth cycle. A nitrate budget gave an approximation of the in situ net mineralization fluxes. The water balance was influenced by the crop and its fertilization: the crop's canopy and roots enhanced the water loss by evapotranspiration and contributed to diminish the soil water storage, whereas drainage volumes were about the same for all cropped treatments, and significantly greater in the bare soil. The rainy winter was particularly favourable to leaching, and losses were much greater (+ 41%) under the over-fertilized crop than under the non-fertilized one, but remained less (– 42%) than those under the bare control soil. Bilans hydriques et azotés d'une culture de colza sur rendzine avec différentes doses d'engrais Les pollutions de l'environnement par l'azote sont devenues une préoccupation majeure en agriculture, particulièrement dans le cas des cultures comme le colza. Pour évaluer les effets de la fertilisation azotée sur la dynamique de l'azote, les transferts d'eau et de nitrate d'une rendzine ont été mesurés près de Châlons-en-Champagne (Est de la France) sur des parcelles expérimentales de colza avec trois niveaux de fertilisation azotée et sur une parcelle témoin en sol nu. A partir de mesures micrométéorologiques in situ, l'évapotranspiration réelle a été calculée par bilan énergétique de la surface du sol, et un modèle d'évapotranspiration ayant pour entrées des données météorologiques classiques et l'indice foliaire de la culture a été calibré. Le flux net d'eau sous 120 cm a été alors déduit de mesures périodiques de teneur en eau du sol et de précipitations, et les flux de nitrate associés ont été calculés à partir des concentration mesurées à la même profondeur. Les flux de dénitrification et la volatilisation d'ammoniac ont été mesurés au champ après les apports d'engrais; l'absorption d'azote par la culture a été déterminée fréquemment pendant le cycle de croissance. Enfin, un bilan azoté a donné l'ordre de grandeur de la minéralisation nette. Le bilan hydrique a été influencé par la culture et sa fertilisation: le couvert végétal et les racines ont accentué les pertes d'eau par évapotranspiration et par conséquent le stock d'eau, tandis que la lame d'eau drainée était à peu près la même pour tous les traitements cultivés, et significativement plus élevée pour le sol nu. L'hiver particulièrement pluvieux a été très favorable au lessivage, et les pertes ont été beaucoup plus fortes (+ 41%) sous la culture sur-fertilisée que sur la culture non-fertilisée, mais elles sont restées inférieures (– 42%) à celles sous sol nu. Nomenclature     

TWO-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE SNAKE HEART (PYTHON MOLURUS BIVITTATUS)

Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed on Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) to determine an optimal echocardiographic imaging technique for snakes and to describe the echocardiographic anatomy of the snake heart. Five snakes immobilized with tiletamine/zolazepam and maintained on isoflurane in oxygen were imaged in dorsal recumbency. The portion of the snake's body containing the heart was submerged in warm water to reduce the artifact created by air trapped between and under the scales. Imaging in sagittal planes demonstrated the caudal vena cava, sinus venous valve, right atrium, various portions of the ventricle, horizontal septum, the left aortic arch, and pulmonary artery. Transverse imaging depicted the spatial relationship of the left and right aortic arches and pulmonary artery and the horizontal septum. Basic knowledge of cardiac blood flow in the reptile was necessary to understand the echocardiographic anatomy.     

Tramadol improved the efficacy of ketamine–xylazine anaesthesia in young pigs

ObjectiveTo evaluate the influence of premedication with tramadol on xylazine–ketamine anaesthesia in young pigs.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded cross-over study.AnimalsTen young Niger hybrid pigs: mean weight 6.1 ± 0.6 kg.MethodsPigs were anaesthetized twice. Xylazine (2.5 mg kg^?1), ketamine (25 mg kg^?1) and atropine (0.04 mg kg^?1) were administered by intramuscular (IM) injection, 5 minutes after either tramadol (5 mg kg^?1)) (treatment XKT) or saline (treatment XKS). Time to loss of righting reflex (TLRR), duration of antinociception, duration of recumbency (DR) and recovery times (RCT) were recorded. Quality of induction of anaesthesia including ease of endotracheal intubation was assessed using a subjective ordinal rating score of 1 (worst) to 4 (best). Heart, pulse and respiratory rates, arterial oxygen saturations and rectal temperatures were determined over 60 minutes. Antinociception was assessed by the pigs’ response to artery forceps applied at the interdigital space. Data were compared with Student's t-test, Mann–Whitney's test or analysis of variance (anova) for repeated measures as appropriate and are presented as mean ± standard deviation.ResultsThe quality of anaesthetic induction was significantly better and duration of antinociception significantly longer (p < 0.05) in treatment XKT (3.1 ± 0.7 score; 43.7 ± 15.5 minutes) than in treatment XKS (2.8 ± 0.6 score; 32.0 ± 13.3 minutes). TLRR, DR and RCT did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between treatment XKT (2.1 ± 0.8, 65.8 ± 17.0 and 13.2 ± 6.7 minutes) and treatment XKS (2.1 ± 1.3, 58.0 ± 14.8 and 10.3 ± 5.6 minutes). Physiological measurements did not differ between the treatments.Conclusion and clinical relevanceTramadol improved the quality of anaesthetic induction and increased the duration of antinociception in xylazine–ketamine anaesthetized young pigs without increasing duration of anaesthesia, nor causing additional depression of the physiological parameters measured.     

A prospective, randomized comparison of Oxyglobin (HB-200) and packed red blood cell transfusion for canine babesiosis

Objective – To establish the efficacy of Oxyglobin (HB-200) in canine babesiosis and compare it to standard therapy, packed red blood cell transfusion (pRBCT) with respect to improvements in specific parameters of blood gas, acid-base, blood pressure, and subjective evaluations.
Design – Prospective, randomized, clinical trial.
Setting – Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital.
Animals – Twelve dogs (8–25 kg) naturally infected with Babesia rossi and a hematocrit of 0.1–0.2 L/L (10–20%).
Interventions – Treatment groups were randomized to receive either 20 mL/kg of Oxyglobin or pRBCT over 4 hours via a central venous catheter. Transfusions were followed by lactated Ringer's solution infusion. Rectal temperature, femoral arterial and mixed venous blood sampling, oscillometric blood pressure, and subjective assessment of patient status (habitus), and appetite were performed at time points 0, 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours.
Main Results – Dogs presented with a hypoalbuminemic alkalosis; hyperchloremic, dilutional acidosis; normotensive tachycardia; pyrexia; depression; and anorexia. Both treatments produced similar results, with the exception of significant differences in pH (4 h); PCO₂ (4 h); hemoglobin (8 h, 24 h); mean arterial pressure (48 h); albumin (4 h, 8 h); habitus (8 h, 48 h); and appetite (24 h). Arterial O₂ content was higher for pRBCT than Oxyglobin at 72 hours, but central venous PO₂ did not differ between groups or over time and was consistently subnormal.
Conclusions – Oxyglobin provides similar overall improvements to pRBCT in dogs with anemia from babesiosis, with respect to blood gas, acid-base and blood pressure, although patients receiving packed cells tended to have more rapid normalization of habitus and appetite.     

Serum total thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations in dogs with behavior problems

The aim of this case controlled study was to determine whether dogs with behavioral problems have evidence of abnormal thyroid function on routine screening tests for hypothyroidism. The hypothesis of the study was that thyroid function, as assessed by serum total thyroxine (TT4) and serum thyroid stimulating hormone (thyrotropin) (TSH) concentrations, is normal in most dogs with behavioral problems. Concentrations of TT4 and TSH in 39 dogs with behavior problems presenting to a veterinary behavior referral clinic (abnormal behavior group), were compared with TT4 and TSH concentrations in 39 healthy control dogs without behavior problems presenting to 5 community veterinary practices (control group). Dogs in the control group were matched for age and breed with the abnormal behavior group. Dogs with behavioral problems had higher TT4 concentrations than dogs without behavioral problems (t-test: t = 2.77, N = 39, P = 0.009), however none of the TT4 values were outside the reference range. There was no significant difference in TSH concentration between the 2 groups. Two dogs with behavior problems and 1 dog without behavior problems had results suggestive of hypothyroidism. All other dogs were considered to be euthyroid. There was no evidence to support a diagnosis of hypothyroidism in the majority of dogs with behavior problems in this study. The higher concentration of TT4 in dogs with behavior problems suggests, however, that alteration in thyroid hormone production or metabolism may occur in some dogs with behavior problems. Further studies that include additional indicators of thyroid status such as serum total triiodothyronine, serum, free thyroxine, and anti-thyroid antibody concentrations are necessary to further evaluate the significance of this finding.     

A Necropsy Survey of Neurologic Diseases in 4,319 Horses Examined in Normandy (France) from 1986 to 2006

The frequencies of neurologic diseases and various corresponding causes were analyzed in 4,319 Norman horses examined by autopsy between 1986 and 2006. Five hundred forty-three cases of nervous system disorders were detected, or a total prevalence of 12.6%. One hundred eighty-seven of the 543 horses (34.4%) exhibited lesions of a traumatic origin affecting the skull or the vertebral column at different levels. Their frequency was less in foals younger than 1 month of age and higher in horses aged 6 months to 2 years. Eighty-three cases of cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM) (15.3%) were identified. Males and geldings were more often affected than females. CVCM was diagnosed mostly in animals aged 6 months to 2 years. Horses affected with lesions in the mid-cervical region (region C3–C5) were significantly younger than those exhibiting more caudal lesions (region C5–C7). Neonatal maladjustment syndrome was diagnosed in 62 foals younger than 3.5 days (4.8% of the causes of death between birth and 1 month) by using clinical or lesional criteria. The prevalence was higher in Thoroughbreds as well as in the miscellaneous breed category and less in French Standardbreds. Bacterial meningoencephalomyelitis and meningitis represented 9.6% of nervous system disorders (52 cases) and most often affected foals aged 1 to 6 months. The main bacteria identified were beta-hemolytic Streptococci , Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Actinobacillus sp. The other causes diagnosed were, in decreasing order of frequency: grass sickness or equine dysautonomia (6.3% of neurologic diseases), hepatic encephalopathy syndrome (5.2%), septic vertebral arthritis or osteitis mainly caused by Rhodococcus equi (2.6%), congenital defects of the nervous system (2.4%), equine herpesvirus 1 myeloencephalopathy (2.2%), botulism (2.2%), malformations of the vertebral column other than CVCM (2%), and neighboring polyneuritis associated with guttural pouch mycosis (1.5%).