Intramedullary Intervertebral Disk Extrusion in a Cat

Intervertebral disk extrusion is rarely reported in the cat. In this case, the clinical, radiologic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of an acute intramedullary intervertebral disk extrusion in a 5-year-old domestic shorthaired cat are described. Radiographically, there was mineralized disk material within the vertebral canal. On magnetic resonance images, the disk material was found to be within the spinal cord. A linear disk trail extending from the disk space into the spinal cord may be specific for intramedullary disk extrusion.     

Effect of dietary restriction, pregnancy, and fetal type on intestinal cellularity and vascularity in Columbia and Romanov ewes

The objectives of this study were to evaluate intestinal cellularity and vascularity in mature ewes in response to dietary restriction and pregnancy status and to quantify the response of these variables to increased nutrient demand of fetal growth. In Exp. 1, 28 mature Dorset x crossbred white-faced ewes (61.6+/-1.8 kg initial BW) were fed a pelleted, forage-based diet. Treatments were arranged in a 2 x 3 factorial, with dietary restriction (60% restriction vs. 100% maintenance for respective states of pregnancy) and pregnancy status (nonpregnant, NP; d 90 and 130) as main effects. Dietary treatments were initiated on d 50 of gestation and remained at 60 or 100% maintenance throughout the experiment. Nonpregnant ewes were fed dietary treatments for 40 d. In Exp. 2, four Romanov ewes were naturally serviced (Romanov fetus and Romanov dam; R/R); two Romanov embryos per recipient were transferred to four Columbia recipients (Romanov fetus and Columbia recipient; R/C), and three Columbia ewes were naturally serviced (Columbia fetus and Columbia dam; C/C). In Exp. 1, dietary restriction and pregnancy status interacted with regard to maternal jejunal DNA concentration (P < 0.01), with restricted ewes having a greater DNA concentration (mg/g; fresh basis) at d 130. Vascularity (percentage of total tissue area) in the jejunum was increased (P < 0.06) as a result of dietary restriction and pregnancy status. Total microvascular volume ofjejunal tissue was not altered by dietary restriction and increased (P < 0.01) at d 130 of pregnancy. In Exp. 2, R/R ewes had less (P < 0.09) DNA (g) in the jejunum compared with R/C and C/C ewes. Jejunal vascularity (%) was increased (P < 0.05) in R/R ewes compared with R/C or C/C ewes, whereas total jejunal microvascular volume remained unchanged. These data demonstrate intestinal vascular density responds to changes in diet and physiological state. In addition, pregnancy increased total jejunal microvascular volume.     

Prokinetic effects of erythromycin on the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure of horses during the postoperative period

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of erythromycin on motility of the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure of horses during the postoperative and post-recovery periods. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: Horses were anesthetized and bipolar electrodes were implanted in smooth muscle of the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure. Approximately 4, 16, and 24 hours (postoperative recording sessions) and at least 8 days (post-recovery recording session) after surgery, myoelectric activity was recorded before and after administration of erythromycin (0.5 mg/kg). RESULTS: Following erythromycin administration, myoelectric activity was increased in the ileum during all postoperative recording sessions but not during the post-recovery recording session. Myoelectric activity was increased in the cecum following erythromycin administration only during the post-recovery recording session. Myoelectric activity was increased in the pelvic flexure following erythromycin administration during all recording sessions. During several recording sessions, there were short periods during which myoelectric activity was significantly decreased following erythromycin administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that erythromycin has an effect on myoelectric activity of the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure in horses; however, prokinetic effects of erythromycin administered during the postoperative period were not always the same as effects obtained when the drug was administered after horses had recovered from the effects of surgical implantation of recording devices. Therefore, caution must be exercised when extrapolating results of prokinetic studies in healthy animals to animals with abnormal gastrointestinal tract motility.     

NON-CARDIAC THORACIC ULTRASOUND IN 75 FELINE AND CANINE PATIENTS

The purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of non-cardiac diseases of the small animal thorax. Ultrasound images from a total of 75 animals (26 cats and 49 dogs) were compared to cytologic, histopathologic, and necropsy findings. Clinical diagnoses included neoplasia of the mediastinum, pleura, or lungs (43); idiopathic mediastinal cyst (3); diaphragmatic or peritoneopericardial hernia (4); lung lobe torsion (1); pulmonary eosinophilic infiltrates (1); and idiopathic, chylous, congestive heart failure, or lymphangiectasia associated pleural effusion (14). In the remaining 9 patients, a definitive diagnosis was not obtained. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspirate was performed in 56 patients; 1 of these also had an ultrasound-guided tissue core biopsy. Of the fine needle aspirates, 51 (91%) were diagnostic. Ultrasound examination, particularly when accompanied by guided tissue sampling, can be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of non-cardiac intrathoracic lesions.     

Bacteriological warfare amongst cats: what have we learned about cat bite infections?

Cat bite infections are one of the most common infectious diseases presenting to veterinary practices and to emergency rooms at human hospitals. This review describes the disease in humans and cats, the origin of organisms involved in cat bite abscesses and the importance of selected organisms such as members of the genus Porphyromonas in the disease. It also discusses future directions, the importance of identifying significant organisms and why an understanding of antimicrobial susceptibility patterns is of consequence to the outcome of the disease in humans and cats.     

Induction of unseasonable hibernation and involvement of serotonin in entrance into and maintenance of its hibernation of chipmunks T. asiaticus

Chipmunks that had been housed at 22 degrees C under a light-dark cycle of 14L:10D for at least one year were exposed to a short photoperiod (10L:14D) and low temperature to induce unseasonable hibernation. We were able to induce hibernation at any time of year and there was no significant difference in the duration of the hibernation bout, the duration of interbout euthermia and duration of bouts of torpor throughout the year; however entrance into hibernation took about 60 days in summer but only about 30 days in any other seasons. In addition, interbout euthermia predominantly occurred during the light phase in winter, whereas in spring interbout euthermia occurred equally in the light and dark phases. These results suggest that both the circadian and circannual systems are linked to hibernation in chipmunks. Subcutaneous infusion of a serotonin antagonist, para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), facilitated entrance into and interrupted hibernation in aroused and hibernating chipmunks in summer, respectively. On the other hand, opioid antagonist, naloxone, did not affect hibernation, but extended the period of interbout euthermia. These results suggest that the role of serotonin in entrance into and maintenance of hibernation in chipmunks is independent of the circannual system, and that opioid system may not be involved in hibernation in chipmunks.     

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in goats in selected locations in three agroclimatic zones of Sri Lanka

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the faeces of 1020 goats in three age categories was examined during 1999 in selected locations of three agroclimatic zones of Sri Lanka. The oocysts were demonstrated using the Sheather's sucrose flotation method followed by staining with the modified Ziehl Neelsen technique. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in animals from all agroclimatic zones with the highest prevalence of infection in the dry zone (33.6%) compared with 24.7 and 21.7% in the intermediate zones and wet, respectively (P<0.001). Overall, Cryptosporidium oocyst counts were significantly higher in goats of <6 months and 7-12 months of age groups compared with goats of >12 months of age (P<0.001). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 291/1020 (28.5%) animals, while 194/1020 animals (19%), 84/1020 animals (8.2%) and 13/1020 animals (1.3%) excreted low (1-1000 oocysts per gram of faeces), moderate (1000-5000 oocysts per gram of faeces) and high (>5000 oocysts per gram of faeces) counts, respectively. The mean Cryptosporidium count was 383 oocysts per gram of faeces. The majority of the infected goats were asymptomatic. These animals are likely to play an important role in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in goat kids and humans.     

A review of porcine pathophysiology: a different approach to disease

Diseases are often thought to result from a single cause. Although this is sometimes the case, e.g. with a highly virulent infection such as Classical Swine Fever (CSF), more often clinical disease in swine herds results from multiple predisposing factors. This is especially true in modern intensive pig husbandry, in which the role of highly infectious diseases is limited to (nonetheless devastating) outbreaks. More important nowadays are diseases, although associated with an agent, without a clear pathogenesis. The emphasis in disease control thus far has been on treatment, eradication and prevention. This has been achieved by focusing attention on husbandry factors, such as climate, housing, hygiene, management, and nutrition. Although this approach has been successful for a number of diseases, several health problems are persistent. There are strong indications that in the latter, intrinsic animal factors are important. Successful handling of these problems requires knowledge of the (patho)physiology of the pig. In this article, several characteristics of pig physiology associated with the occurrence of disease are described. It appears that the modern (fattening) pig is exceptional among other animal species in that its cardiovascular system is mismatched to its body weight. It is argued that this particular disposition causes relatively minor disturbances to have major consequences in the pig. This concept of pig physiology is central to the understanding of the hitherto poorly understood pathogenesis of several diseases, such as oedema disease.     

Distribution of peptidergic nerve fibres in the guinea pig trabecular meshwork

A quantitative analysis of peptidergic nerve fibres located in the trabecular meshwork of the guinea pig has been performed. Our results confirm that this structure contains VIP-, NPY- and substance P-like immunoreactivity as major neurotransmitters. These findings were obtained using immunohistochemical techniques. For this purpose serial sections of the eye were stained by immunohistochemistry for each of three neurotransmitters and stained sections were analysed by quantitative image analysis. Our findings demonstrate that SP-positive, NPY-positive and VIP-positive nerve fibres occupy 11.2, 4.9 and 2.4%, respectively, of the observed area (expressed as conventional units, C.U.) in the trabecular meshwork of the guinea pig eye. It is relevant to emphasize that the area containing these three types of peptidergic nerve fibres appears to be large (18.5 +/- 6.6 C.U.) in proportion to the total observed area. The innervation of the drainage angle of the guinea pig eye has been well described by many authors. This is the first study to report quantitative measurements of three types of peptidergic nerve fibres identified and measured in this area. The presence of these three neurotransmitters in the trabecular meshwork of guinea pig eye suggests their possible participation in aqueous humor regulation.