Packed red blood cell transfusions in dogs with gastrointestinal hemorrhage: 55 cases (1999-2001)

Fifty-five dogs received packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions for gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage during a 26-month period (1999 to 2001), accounting for 11.7% of the PRBC transfusions in that time. Thirty-nine (61%) dogs had an intestinal pathology (primary or secondary) as the cause of GI hemorrhage, including intestinal masses, gastroenteritis, hepatic disease, and renal disease. Nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use was found frequently in dogs with GI hemorrhage. Sixteen (39%) dogs were identified as having immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT) and associated GI hemorrhage. Dogs with IMT received more transfusions of PRBC than nonIMT dogs (P<0.03) and received a significantly larger total volume of PRBC (P<0.01) during hospitalization.     

A case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) pyoderma in a Labrador retriever dog

An 8-year-old, neutered male Labrador retriever dog with generalized pruritis had a history of recurring atopic dermatitis and superficial pyoderma. Cocci and yeast were found on cytology and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was cultured. A regimen of marbofloxacin, dexamethasone, ketoconazole, and cyclosporine in addition to bathing with 2% chlorhexidine shampoo resulted in marked improvement.     

Plasma and urine electrolyte and mineral concentrations in Thoroughbred horses with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis after consumption of diets varying in cation-anion balance

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether plasma, urine, and fecal electrolyte and mineral concentrations differ between clinically normal horses and Thoroughbreds with recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis (RER) after consumption of diets varying in cation-anion balance. ANIMALS: 5 Thoroughbred mares with RER and 6 clinically normal mixed-breed mares. PROCEDURE: Each of 3 isocaloric diets designated as low, medium, and high on the basis of dietary cation-anion balance (DCAB) values of 85, 190, and 380, respectively, were fed to horses for 14 days. During the last 72 hours, 3 horses with RER and 3 control horses had daily urine and fecal samples obtained by total 24-hour collection. Remaining horses had urine samples collected daily by single catheterization. RESULTS: For each diet, no differences existed between horses with RER and control horses in plasma pH, electrolyte concentrations, and creatine kinase activity or in urine pH and renal fractional excretion (FE) values. Plasma pH, strong ion difference, bicarbonate and total carbon dioxide concentrations, and base excess decreased and plasma chloride and ionized calcium concentrations increased with decreasing DCAB. Urine pH decreased with decreasing DCAB. The FE of chloride and phosphorus were greatest for horses fed the low diet. The FE values for all electrolytes exept magnesium did not differ between urine samples obtained by single catheterization and total 24-hour collection. Daily balance of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, and potassium did not differ significantly among horses fed the various diets. CONCLUSIONS: In clinically normal horses and in horses with RER, the DCAB strongly affects plasma and urine pH and the FE of sodium, potassium, chloride, and phosphorus.     

Use of a condylar screw plate for repair of a Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the femur in a 2-year-old horse

A 2-year-old sexually intact male Paint horse weighing 427 kg (940 lb) was admitted for examination and treatment of intermittent non-weight-bearing lameness of the right hind limb of 1 week's duration. Radiography revealed a displaced Salter-Harris type-III fracture of the right femoral condyle with the sagittal component of the fracture line located in the intercondylar space and the transverse component exiting on the medial aspect of the femur. The fracture was repaired with a condylar screw plate designed for repair of femoral condylar fractures in humans. The owner reported by telephone 9 months after surgery that the horse was sound. To our knowledge, use of this particular implant system for fixation of a Salter-Harris type-III fracture on the medial side of the femur in a horse has not been described. Results in this horse suggest that this implant can be successfully used for repair of femoral condylar fractures in selected adult horses.     

How widespread is resistance to invermectin among gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep in The Netherlands?

In Autumn 2009, a faecal egg count reduction test (FERCT) was carried out on three sheep farms. Groups of 8-11 lambs were treated with ivermectin or moxidectin, with a 14-day interval between treatment and sampling. Ivermectin resistance was present on all three farms. Treatment with ivermectin resulted in a reduction in faecal egg numbers of 94.6%, 63%, and 59%. On two farms, 14 days after treatment pooled faecal samples yielded predominantly larvae of Hamonchus contortus (100% and 98%, respectively). On the third farm, H. contortus and (probably) Teladorsagia circumcincta were resistant to ivermectin (64% and 36% of the larvae, respectively). Treatment with moxidectin resulted in a 100% reduction in egg output in sheep on all three farms. More sensitive culture techniques failed to detect any larvae in samples taken from two farms, but a few Ostertagia-type larvae, probably of T. circumcincta, were detected in samples from the third farm. It can be concluded that gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep from these three farms were resistant to ivermectin, whereas resistance to moxidectin was not detected.     

Pear decline resistance in progenies of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pyrus</Emphasis> taxa used as rootstocks

Progenies of 39 open-pollinated genotypes belonging to 26 Pyrus taxa were examined for pear decline resistance and pomological traits when used as rootstocks. Following graft inoculation and observation over 18 years, considerable differences in pear decline resistance between and within the progenies were observed. Not affected or little affected and moderately to severely affected trees were observed in all progenies. However, great quantitative differences among them were observed. In the progenies of about one third of the pollinated trees most of the individuals showed a high level of resistance to grafted trees. Significantly different from this group was another third of the progenies that mostly showed high susceptibility in grafted trees. Between these two groups there were progenies that statistically neither differed from the resistant nor from the susceptible group. These progenies were defined as moderately resistant. Significant differences in resistance were also observed between progenies of genotypes of the same species that originated from different locations. These data indicate segregation of the resistance trait and show that seedling progenies are unsuitable as rootstocks in commercial pear growing. Instead, careful selection of suitable genotypes for propagation is required. Great differences between and within the progenies examined were also observed in vigour and yield efficiency.     

Ventricular pneumocephalus and septic meningoencephalitis secondary to dorsal rhinotomy and nasal polypectomy in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-year-old sexually intact female French Bulldog was evaluated because of lethargy, anorexia, and chronic rhinitis-sinusitis. The dog had nasal discharge of 18 months' duration; dorsal rhinotomies were performed 3 months and 2 weeks prior to referral. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On initial evaluation, intraventricular pneumocephalus and sinusitis were diagnosed; CSF analysis revealed high total protein concentration and mononuclear pleocytosis. The dog's condition improved with treatment. Two weeks after discharge, it was treated by a local veterinarian because of upper airway obstruction; 3 days later, the dog was referred because of seizures. Computed tomography revealed a large fluid-filled, left lateral ventricle and a soft tissue mass protruding through a cribriform plate defect. The mass was histologically consistent with brain tissue. Findings of clinicopathologic analyses were unremarkable. Results of cytologic examination of a CSF sample were indicative of septic, suppurative inflammation, and bacteriologic culture of CSF yielded Escherichia coli. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Amputation of the herniated olfactory bulb and antimicrobial treatment resolved the septic meningoencephalitis, but neurologic deficits recurred 6 weeks later. Definitive correction of the cribriform plate defect with bone and fascial grafts was attempted. Postoperative rotation of the bone graft resulted in cerebral laceration and hemorrhage, and the dog was euthanized. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that following dorsal rhinotomy and nasal polypectomy surgery, the dog developed herniation of the left olfactory bulb, intra-ventricular pneumocephalus, and septic meningo-encephalitis because of a cribriform plate defect. Care must be taken to prevent rotation of bone grafts used in cribriform defect repair.