Trypanosome infections in warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) in the Gambia.

The prevalence of trypanosome infections in warthogs (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) in The Gambia was found to be 11% of a sample of 62 animals. All isolates were identified as Trypanosoma simiae. Serological evidence indicated a higher level of exposure to T. simiae, but results were inconclusive for the presence of Trypanosoma congolense. The course of T. simiae infection in warthog piglets showed a rapidly rising parasitaemia, with a concomitant fall in packed cell volume, and resulted in a prolonged period of low-level parasitaemia. The same infections killed domestic piglets.     

Evaluation of a selective neurectomy model for low urethral pressure incontinence in female dogs

OBJECTIVE: To develop a model of low urethral pressure incontinence and compare the relative contributions of the pudendal and hypogastric nerves with urethral function by performing selective neurectomy and ovariohysterectomy in dogs. ANIMALS: 19 healthy Foxhounds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were allocated into 2 groups. The first group (10 dogs) underwent bilateral hypogastric neurectomy and ovariohysterectomy and subsequent bilateral pudendal neurectomy. The second group (9 dogs) underwent bilateral pudendal neurectomy and subsequent hypogastric neurectomy and ovariohysterectomy. Urethral pressure profilometry and leak point pressure (LPP) tests were performed before and after each neurectomy. RESULTS: Before surgery, mean +/- SD LPP and maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP) in all dogs were 169.3 +/- 24.9 cm H2O and 108.3 +/- 19.3 cm H2O, respectively; these values decreased to 92.3 +/- 27 cm H2O and 60.7 +/- 20.0 cm H2O, respectively, after both selective neurectomy surgeries. There was a progressive decline of LPP after each neurectomy; however, MUCP decreased only after pudendal neurectomy. Fifteen dogs had mild clinical signs of urinary incontinence. All dogs appeared to have normal bladder function as indicated by posturing to void and consciously voiding a full stream of urine. Urinary tract infection did not develop in any dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hypogastric and pudendal neurectomy and ovariohysterectomy caused a maximum decrease in LPP whereas pudendal neurectomy caused a maximum decrease in MUCP. IMPACT ON HUMAN MEDICINE: This model may be useful for evaluation of treatments for improving urinary control in postmenopausal women.     

Use of laparoscopic-assisted cryptorchidectomy in dogs and cats

A laparoscopic-assisted technique for localization and removal of retained testes was performed on 13 client-owned dogs and cats. Operative time and intraoperative complications were recorded. One month after surgery, follow-up examinations were performed on all animals and owners were asked to complete questionnaires concerning signs of illness and complications observed after surgery and their overall satisfaction with the procedure. The laparoscopic-assisted technique was effective in identifying and removing retained testes. Owners were satisfied with the procedure. Laparoscopic-assisted crytorchidectomy can be used to minimize the invasiveness of the procedure while maintaining the safety associated with good visibility of abdominal structures.     

Survival of cats with naturally occurring chronic renal failure: effect of dietary management

Fifty cats with naturally occurring stable chronic renal failure (CRF) were entered into a prospective study on the effect of feeding a veterinary diet restricted in phosphorus and protein with or without an intestinal phosphate binding agent on their survival from initial diagnosis. Twenty-nine cats accepted the veterinary diet, whereas compliance (due to limited intake by the cats or owner resistance to diet change) was not achieved in the remaining 21. At diagnosis, both groups of cats were matched in terms of age, bodyweight, plasma creatinine, phosphate, potassium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations, packed cell volume and urine specific gravity. Feeding the veterinary diet was associated with a reduction in plasma phosphate and urea concentrations and prevented the increase in plasma PTH concentrations seen in cats not receiving the diet. Cats fed the veterinary diet survived for longer when compared with those that were not (median survival times of 633 versus 264 days). These data suggest that feeding a diet specifically formulated to meet the needs of cats with CRF, together with phosphate binding drugs if required, controls hyperphosphataemia and secondary renal hyperparathyroidism, and is associated with an increased survival time.     

The use of estradiol benzoate to manage lambing period in ewes bred at synchronized estrus

The induction and management of lambing was studied in a commercial flock of ewes. These ewes were bred at synchronized estrus and managed to lamb three times in 2 yr, with lambings occurring in the sequence of February, September and June. Ewes treated with 2 mg of estradiol benzoate in oil (i.m.) at approximately 17 d prior to term did not lamb in response to treatment. When 2 mg estradiol benzoate was given at 0800 on d 142 of gestation, lambing occurred an average of 37 +/- 5 h later in ewes treated in June or September and at 70 +/- 10 h later in ewes treated in February. The comparable figures for oil-treated ewes (control) were 70 +/- 5 h and 116 +/- 9 h, respectively. Altering the time of day of injection or using two injections 24 h apart did not alter the time for injection to lambing. Increasing the dose of estradiol benzoate to 15 mg decreased the time from injection to lambing (43 +/- 7 h, ewes treated in February) but also increased the incidence of dystocia (50% incidence). The incidence of dystocia averaged 8% for all other treatments and controls. Death loss of lambs to 1 wk of age was 12% and was not affected by treatment. The length of the lambing period was reduced from 9.0 +/- 3.3 d in control ewes to 3.6 +/- 1.1 d in induced ewes. A single injection of 2 mg estradiol benzoate given at 0800 on d 142 of gestation or a double treatment, with injections at 2000 on d 142 and 143, resulted in 53% of ewes lambing between 0800 and 1600 on each day of the lambing period, compared with 33% in control ewes.     

Effect of immunosuppressive drug therapy on blood urea nitrogen concentration in dogs with azotemia

Azotemic dogs receiving prednisone and azathioprine to enhance renal allograft survival had higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN):serum creatinine (SC) ratios, when compared with nontreated dogs with induced azotemia. The difference in ratios probably was attributable to increased BUN content secondary to the catabolic effects of the drugs used. However, dogs with naturally occurring renal failure had BUN:SC ratios that were similar to those for dogs receiving the catabolic drugs. It was concluded that even though catabolic drugs may influence BUN:SC ratios, the multiplicity of other factors affecting BUN and SC may interact to cause a wide range of BUN:SC ratios under conditions of naturally occurring primary renal failure in the dog.     

Lesions in dogs following renal transplantation and immunosuppression

Renal allografts were transplanted into 20 dogs (12 beagles, eight mongrels) following a prescribed protocol for pre-transplantation blood transfusions and kidney exchange. Immunosuppressive therapy (azathioprine and prednisone) was modified as needed for each dog. Seven of the beagle dogs survived for 1 year and were then euthanized; all other dogs died or were euthanized prior to 1 year post-transplantation. Graft rejection and renal failure were the greatest causes of mortality. Renal lesions which contributed to the death of some animals included renal vein thrombosis, nephrosis, and pyelonephritis. Inflammation of the lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleuritis) was a contributory cause of death in some dogs. Cystitis and ureteritis occurred in almost half of the dogs. Prostatitis was seen in six of the 16 male dogs. Adrenal cortical atrophy, parathyroid gland hyperplasia, and bone marrow hypocellularity were seen in a majority of the dogs which survived 1 year.     

Surgical transplantation of adult Dirofilaria immitis to study heartworm infection and disease in dogs

Heartworm infections were established in dogs by surgical transplantation of adult heartworms into the external jugular vein. The heartworms were obtained from donor dogs that had been infected with large numbers of infective larvae. This heartworm model standardized the infection with a known number of heartworms of a known age and sex. This paper presents the methods for obtaining heartworms from donor dogs, for selection of recipient dogs, and for transplantation of heartworms.     

The effects of androgens and gonadotropins on testicular development in the prepubertal rat.

Treatment of male rat pups from five to 34 days of age with dihydrotestosterone or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, resulted in reduced testicular size at 35 days of age. This appeared to be due to decreased tubular diameters and reduced spermatocyte numbers, especially late pachytene cells in stages X to XIII. In rat pups treated with dihydrotestosterone or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, treatment with luteinizing hormone resulted in some restoration of tubular diameter and spermatocyte numbers. In 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol treated rat pups partial restoration of testes size resulted from follicle-stimulating hormone treatment, but tubular diameter and spermatocyte numbers were depressed. Single serum samples collected at 35 days of age were analysed for luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations. These data indicated that the effects of administered androgens were due primarily to depression of circulating gonadotropin concentrations but a direct inhibition at the level of the testis could not be ruled out.