Unilateral arytenoid lateralisation: An assessment of technique and long term results in 62 dogs with laryngeal paralysis

Sixty-two dogs with laryngeal paralysis were presented over a three year period. Presenting clinical signs included inspiratory stridor (100 per cent), exercise intolerance or syncopal episodes (81 per cent), loss or alteration in phonation (48 per cent) and coughing or gagging when eating (29 per cent). Causes of the paralysis were determined as traumatic (two dogs), neoplastic (two dogs), iatrogenic (two dogs), congenital (one dog) and idiopathic (55 dogs). Unilateral arytenoid lateralisation was performed in all dogs. The perioperative complication rate was approximately 10 per cent, while the success rate as judged by owners one year postoperatively was greater than 90 per cent. The technique avoided many of the recorded complications of intralaryngeal surgery. Operative times were short and the requirement for postoperative monitoring was minimal. Increasing familiarity with the technique favourably influenced the incidence of complications and the success rate.     

Pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma with multiple digital metastases in a cat

A 14-year-old domestic shorthaired cat was presented because of swelling of the digits and lameness. A solitary lung mass was observed on thoracic radiographs. Clinical and pathological evaluation confirmed a primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to a single digit on each foot. Other metastatic lesions were present in the left popliteal lymph node and in the left iliac vein.     

The heterogenicity of Cowdria ruminantium stocks: cross-immunity and serology in sheep and pathogenicity to mice

Ten stocks of Cowdria ruminantium (Ball 3, Breed, Comoro, Germishuys, Kümm, Kwanyanga, Mali, Mara, Nonile and Welgevonden) were compared from a cross-immunity, serological and mouse pathogenicity point of view. They were found to differ in varying degrees. Except for the Ball 3, Comoro and Germishuys stocks that were similar but not identical, there was no pattern in the antigenic diversity of the 10 stocks. The Welgevonden stock emerged as the stock that elicits an immunity against most of the South African stocks. The inability of the reference Ball 3 stock to protect sheep against no fewer than 6 other stocks questions the advisability of retaining this stock as the vaccine stock. The antigenic diversity of the 10 stocks could not be correlated with the antibody levels detected with the indirect fluorescent antibody test, since the sera against all 10 stocks reacted positively to the Kümm stock antigen and the variation in titres was not stock-related.     

Relation of endogenous Heinz bodies to disease and anemia in cats: 120 cases (1978-1987)

Disease diagnosis, age, sex, and selected hematologic variables were evaluated retrospectively in a population of feline patients with high number of circulating Heinz bodies. By comparing these cats with a control population and results of additional hematologic investigation on a subsample of the cats, we tested the hypotheses that endogenous Heinz body formation is increased in specific disease states and that endogenous Heinz bodies may contribute to anemia. There was strong correlation between diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, and lymphoma and Heinz body formation. Diabetic cats, in particular, consistently had marked Heinz body formation. These diseases together accounted for nearly 40% of cats with Heinz body formation, but for less than 12% of cats of the control group. The PCV of cats with Heinz bodies (29.77 +/- 9.32%) was significantly (P less than 0.001) lower than that of control cats (35.33 +/- 8.08%). Polychromasia and punctate reticulocyte number were slightly increased in cats with Heinz body formation and correlated significantly (P less than 0.001) with PCV. A subsample of 13 of the cats had significant (P less than 0.006) inverse correlation between Heinz body percentage and erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration. Mean GSH concentration was significantly lower in cats with Heinz bodies, compared with that in a random cat population (5.28 +/- 1.67 mumol/g of hemoglobin vs 7.06 +/- 2.10 mumol/g of hemoglobin), in which GSH values followed normal distribution. Cats with Heinz body formation were older, and were more likely to be spayed.     

Potato wart disease in Newfoundland: a review of current research studies1

Research includes studies on germination of resting spores, substances affecting infection, eradication, bioassay for Synchytrium endobioticum, and sub-surface vectoring of the fungus. The sequence of events in germination has been exposed and the mechanisms of germination are currently being studied. Chitin and in particular crabshell induce zero infection, and there is promise in using these materials as eradicants. Using the bioassay so far developed, it is possible to assay for 0.1 spore per g of soil. There is evidence that the fungus can migrate in soil through the agency of vector animals. Problems long posed by this disease now seem soluble.     

Crystals of cellulose grown from TFA solution

Summary Crystallization experiments starting from highly concentrated solutions of cellulose in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) resulted in white crystalline particles with diameters of as much as 0.5 mm. The plate-like particles consist of lamellae arranged perpendicular to the surface. The lamellae are grown from thin scale-like platelets showing clear diffraction reflexes and an internal parallel structure. Parallel structures were also detected in partially hydrolyzed cellulose. It is concluded that cellulose chains of low DP tend to rearrange themselves by a side by side accumulation of extended molecules.     

Subchondral lucency of the third carpal bone in Standardbred racehorses: 13 cases (1982-1988)

Thirteen Standardbreds had subchondral lucency of the third carpal bone (C3), described as single or multiple central areas of C3 bone loss in the radial fossa. Sclerosis of the radial fossa was also detected. The mean age of 9 stallions, 3 mares, and 1 gelding was 4.1 years (range, 3 to 7 years). All horses had an acute moderate to severe lameness referable to the middle carpal joint. A dorsoproximal dorsodistal (skyline) radiographic projection was most useful and identified mild (3 horses), moderate (6 horses), and severe (4 horses) subchondral lucency and sclerosis of the radial fossa. The margin of C3 was intact dorsal to the lucent areas in all horses. In 12 horses, arthroscopic surgical evaluation and curettage of the lesion were performed. Of the 9 horses monitored long enough to allow racing, 8 horses (89%) returned to racing, although only 6 (75%) raced at the same degree of competition. Subchondral lucency of C3 resulted from chronic damage to C3 with subsequent osteochondral collapse or acute C3 proximal surface osteochondral fracture.     

The woolly monkey (Lagothrix lagothricha): a possible model for human hypertension research

The anatomical-pathological findings of 15 woolly monkeys were comparable with those described in man with essential benign or malignant hypertension. Kidneys revealed arterio- and arteriolosclerosis or an onion peel-like proliferation, in some cases necrotizing endarteritis. Obesity due to restricted physical activity, unnatural feeding, and psychical and physical stress could have contributed to the development of this condition. Further, high vulnerability of the genus woolly monkey is postulated. Thus, essential hypertension of woolly monkeys appears to be a multifactorial disease.     

Clinical reference values for serum protein electrophoresis for the llama (Lama glama)

Serum protein electrophoresis was performed on 71 clinically healthy juvenile and adult llamas (6 juvenile males, 7 juvenile females, 25 adult males, 13 adult females, and 20 pregnant females) to determine normal serum protein concentrations. Values were reported for each of the 5 groups because the groups were not homogeneous in all 8 peaks. Although the values reported here may serve as reference values for adults, they represent only a guideline for the juveniles because of the limited number of animals in each of these groups.