Molecular identification of Ehrlichia ewingii infection in dogs: 15 cases (1997-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine historical, physical examination, hematologic, and serologic findings in dogs with Ehrlichia ewingii infection. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 15 dogs. PROCEDURE: In all dogs, infection with E ewingii was confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Follow-up information and clarification of information recorded in the medical records was obtained by telephone interviews and facsimile correspondence with referring veterinarians and owners. RESULTS: Fever and lameness were the most common findings with each occurring in 8 dogs. Five dogs had neurologic abnormalities including ataxia, paresis, proprioceptive deficits, anisocoria, intention tremor, and head tilt. Neutrophilic polyarthritis was identified in 4 dogs. No clinical signs were reported in 3 dogs. The predominant hematologic abnormality was thrombocytopenia, which was identified in all 12 dogs for which a platelet count was available. Reactive lymphocytes were seen in 5 of 13 dogs. Concurrent infection with another rickettsial organism was identified in 4 dogs. Of the 13 dogs tested, 7 were seroreactive to E canis antigens. Morulae consistent with E ewingii infection were identified in neutrophils in 8 dogs. Treatment with doxycycline, with or without prednisone, resulted in a rapid, favorable clinical response in the 9 dogs for which follow-up information was available. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that PCR testing for E ewingii infection should be considered in dogs with fever, neutrophilic polyarthritis, unexplained ataxia or paresis, thrombocytopenia, or unexplained reactive lymphocytes, and in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of ehrlichiosis that are seronegative for E canis. Following treatment with doxycycline, the prognosis for recovery is good.     

Effects of florfenicol injection on the meat characteristics of the cervical muscles in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of florfenicol injection on the meat characteristics of the cervical muscles in cattle. ANIMALS: 100 steers (mean weight, 380 kg). PROCEDURE: In 50 calves, florfenicol (25 ml, twice) was injected into the cervical muscles of 1 side of the neck, and saline (0.9% NaCI) solution (25 ml, twice) was injected into the cervical muscles of the other side of the neck. In the remaining 50 calves, florfenicol was injected into the cervical muscles of 1 side of the neck, and nothing was injected into the cervical muscles of the other side of the neck. Animals were slaughtered 132 days later, and samples of the cervical muscles were submitted for histologic evaluation and measurement of shear forces. RESULTS: 2 injection sites used in the present study had extensive lesions, and both of these were sites where florfenicol had been injected. However, histologic scores for the florfenicol injection sites were not significantly different from scores for the contralateral saline solution injection sites and uninjected control sites. In addition, shear force values were not significantly different between sites in which florfenicol had been injected and the contralateral sites. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that few reactions should be expected with injection of florfenicol into the cervical muscles in steers and that reactions that do occur will consist mainly of fibrosis and infiltration of adipose tissue. However, shear force values, a measure of tenderness of the meat, should not be affected.     

The relationship between composition of gain and circulating hormones in growing beef bulls fed three dietary crude protein levels

Twenty-one Simmental crossbred bulls (311 +/- 11 kg, 9 mo of age) were used to determine the effect of feeding 10, 12 or 14% CP on concentration of hormones in blood and the relationship of these hormones to composition of gain. Six bulls were slaughtered on d 0 to provide an estimate of initial carcass composition (9-11 rib section). Remaining bulls were assigned to dietary treatments. Blood samples were collected every 30 min from 0800 to 2000 on d 0, 66, 136 and 202 of treatment; bulls were slaughtered on d 203. Across all treatments, growth hormone (GH) declined (P less than .05) from d 0 to d 202. Free insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) was lowest (P less than .05) on d 0. In four randomly selected bulls, IGF-I fluctuated during the 12-h sampling periods. Within each treatment group, insulin was greatest on d 202 (P less than .05). Testosterone (T) increased from d 0 to d 66, then declined. Cortisol (C) was lowest on d 66. Thyroid hormones increased (P less than .05) after d 0. Growth hormone and IGF-I were correlated negatively with carcass fat percentage, fat accretion rate and fat thickness. IGF-I concentrations were correlated positively with percentage of carcass protein. Testosterone:cortisol ratio was not related to composition, but high T coupled with low C may be related to carcass leanness (mean carcass fat = 24.4%). These data suggest that GH and IGF-I are the hormones most related to composition of gain in growing beef bulls.     

RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF THE NAVICULAR BONE IN SOUND HORSES

Radiographs of the navicular bone in 523 sound horses were reviewed. Detailed evaluation criteria were used. The incidence of radiographic changes and variations in normal horses were recorded. Results were tested for right-left limb difference and for age relationship. Variation in shape and bone structure was commonly seen in the navicular bone. Radiographic changes with an incidence of less than 2% included flexor cortex defects and calcification on the flexor surface. Fragments at the distal navicular bone border, calcification in the impar ligament and enthesiophytes at the proximal border were radiographic findings with an incidence of 2% to 10%. Abnormal canals at the distal border were found in 11% horses. Elongation of the lateral proximal extremity was commonly found. The mean width of the flexor cortex was 3.6 mm.     

Cytological Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in the Diagnosis of Spontaneous Respiratory Tract Disease in Dogs: A Retrospective Study

Results of cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAD fluid were compared with clinical diagnoses in dogs that presented with signs of respiratory disease to referral hospitals. Of 68 dogs in which a clinical diagnosis was possible, BAL cytological findings were considered definitive for the diagnosis in 17 cases (25%), supportive of the diagnosis in 34 cases (50%), and not helpful in 17 cases (25%). Findings were most often considered supportive of or definitive for the clinical diagnosis in dogs with alveolar or bronchial radiographic patterns, or the presence of pulmonary masses. BAL results among lung lobes differed in 23 of 63 dogs (37%) with diffuse radiographic patterns. Tracheal wash cytology differed from BAL fluid cytology in 45 of 66 dogs (68%). Bronchoalveolar lavage was a clinically useful procedure for the diagnostic evaluation of dogs with signs of respiratory disease.