Observations on the possible invasiveness of Clostridium botulinum for waterfowl.

Twenty-four ducklings given multiple doses of Clostridium botulinum type C spores and toxin per os and 27 affected waterfowl from four natural outbreaks of the disease were examined bacteriologically. No evidence of invasion of the blood or liver was found in any bird and it is suggested that invasiveness and toxigenesis in internal organs are probably of little, if any, importance in the causation of botulism in waterfowl.     

Primary orthostatic tremor in Great Danes

Two Great Danes were presented for an investigation of 6-month histories of incessant tremor of all 4 limbs and trunk occurring only when the dogs were standing at rest. Dog 1 was a 2-year-old intact female harlequin Great Dane living in the UK, and dog 2 was a 2-year-old castrated male fawn Great Dane living in the United States. The owners described both dogs as having constant quivering of the limbs while standing, suggestive of an involuntary dance, since the age of 18 months. The intensity of the tremors was reported in both dogs to have steadily increased since onset. In dog 1, tremors were noticed to be more pronounced in the fore limbs when she was eating and more pronounced in the hind limbs when she was trying to sit. The owner of dog 1 also reported that the dog could no longer assume a position of recumbency without manual assistance because of the severity of the tremors. Intermittently, tremors were reported to involve the facial musculature of dog 2. Vaccinations were current, and the owners of both dogs did not report any previous medical history, exposure to natural or manufactured toxins, or concurrent treatment. No familial relationship was identified between these 2 dogs.     

Some observations on the epidemiology of Nematodirus battus in anglesey

A ten year study on ten fields on two sheep farms in Anglesey, North Wales (one lambing early and one late) naturally infected with Nematodirus battus is described. Double and single spring peaks of herbage infection were observed; their form and timing were satisfactorily correlated with temperatures in the period January to March. Some autumn hatching was also observed. The role of temperature and rainfall in influencing the population curves is discussed. The implication of these findings in relation to the treatment of lambs is reviewed.     

Assessment of a caudal external thoracic artery axial pattern flap for treatment of sternal cutaneous wounds in birds

OBJECTIVE: To assess the use of a caudal external thoracic artery axial pattern flap to treat sternal cutaneous wounds in birds. ANIMALS: 16 adult Japanese quail. PROCEDURE: A cutaneous defect in the region of the mid-sternum was surgically created in all quail. In 6 quail (group I), an axial pattern flap was created from the skin of the lateral aspect of the thorax and advanced over the sternal defect. In 8 quail (group II), a flap was similarly created and advanced but the flap vasculature was ligated. All quail were euthanatized at 14 days after surgery and had necropsies performed. Sections of the flap and the surrounding tissue were examined histologically to assess flap viability. RESULTS: All axial pattern flaps in group-I quail had 100% survival. In group II, mean percentage area of flap survival was 62.5%; mean area of necrosis and dermal fibrosis of flaps were significantly greater than that detected in group I. In flaps of group-II quail, neovascularization in the deep dermis and profound necrosis of the vascular plexus in the superficial dermis were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that the caudal external thoracic artery axial pattern flap could be used successfully in the treatment of surgically created sternal cutaneous defects in quail with no signs of tissue necrosis or adverse effects overall. Use of this technique to treat self-mutilation syndromes or application after surgical debulking of tumors or other masses might be beneficial in many avian species.