Hip dysplasia in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) at the San Diego Zoo.

A retrospective/prospective radiographic study documented 55 cases of moderate to severe hip dysplasia, with varying degrees of shallowing of the acetabulum, flattening or loss of the femoral head, widening or loss of the femoral neck, and femoral diaphyseal abnormalities in northern koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the San Diego Zoo (San Diego, California, USA) collection. For the retrospective study, historic radiographs were examined when availble. For the prospective study, three standard views (ventrodorsal extended leg, ventrodorsal frog leg, and lateral extended leg) were used. A scoring system was developed using four areas (acetabulum, femoral head, femoral neck, and femur) and ranges of 0 to 5 (0 = not affected to 5 = severely affected) for each area, creating a total score out of 40. Scores were graded as follows: 0-2 = normal dysplasia; 3-6 = mild dysplasia; 10-19 = moderate dysplasia; and 20-40 = severe dysplasia. Thirty koalas were graded as severe, 25 koalas as moderate, and 38 koalas as excellent or mild. Affected koalas may or may not demonstrate gait abnormalities. Mild to severe degenerative joint disease may develop and symptoms may be alleviated with glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The etiology of hip dysplasia in koalas is not currently understood.     

Cutaneous and systemic blastomycosis, hypercalcemia, and excess synthesis of calcitriol in a domestic shorthair cat

A 9 yr old domestic shorthair cat was diagnosed with cutaneous and pulmonic blastomycosis. Severe persistent ionized hypercalcemia and excess circulating concentration of calcitriol were documented in association with blastomycosis. Ionized hypercalcemia resolved when the granulomatous lesions of blastomycosis resolved and the calcitriol levels decreased.     

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.     

Concurrent nephrosplenic entrapment and acquired inguinal herniation of the jejunum in a Standardbred stallion

A stallion presenting for surgical correction of an acquired inguinal hernia was also diagnosed with a nephrosplenic entrapment (NSE) intraoperatively. Surgical intervention resulted in a successful outcome. To date, these conditions have not been reported to occur simultaneously.     

In-vitro comparison of 3 knotting techniques for lateral fabellotibial suture stabilization

This study evaluated the biomechanical characteristics of a single self-locking knot (sSLK) and a double self-locking knot (dSLK) compared with the square knot (SQ) for stabilization of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Each knot underwent monotonic tensile and cyclical loading. Starting tension, elongation, stiffness, and load to failure were all evaluated. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Starting tension, overall stiffness, and load to failure were all significantly greater in both the sSLK and dSLK compared with the SQ. There was no difference in elongation among the knots. There were no significant differences in starting tension, elongation, stiffness, and load to failure between the sSLK and the dSLK. The self-locking knots were stronger and stiffer than the SQ; there is no biomechanical advantage in using the dSLK compared with the sSLK.     

A survey of nematode control measures used by sheep farmers and of anthelmintic resistance on their farms Part 2: South Island excluding the Nelson region

Forty-three randomly selected farms located throughout South Island, excluding the Nelson region, were surveyed for anthelmintic usage and for sheep nematodes resistant to anthelmintics.

Most farmers had used both benzimidazole and non-benzimidazole broad-spectrum drenches on their properties in previous years.

Sheep were being drenched, on average, 5.6 times within their first year of life but much less frequently thereafter. Commercial interests played the dominant role in helping farmers formulate their drenching policies. On each farm 24 numbered ewe replacement lambs, born during the spring of 1980, were sampled for faeces at the beginning of the trial to provide material for egg counts and larval cultures. The lambs were weighed and divided into three groups of eight. One group received thiabendazole (TBZ) at 66 mg/kg, the second levamisole (LEV) at 8 mg/kg while the third remained untreated as controls. All were resampled 4 to 10 days later.

On 32 (88%) of the 40 farms where drenching trials were successfully carried out during autumn 1981, the faecal egg count depression (FECD) following treatment with either drench was 100%. On one farm TBZ was less than 100% effective as gauged by FECD. LEV proved to be less than 100% effective on 7 farms. On one farm the FECD was less than 80%, on 2 between 90% and 95% and on 4 between 95% and 99%.