Use of carbenicillin in two species of tortoise (Testudo graeca and T hermanni)

A preliminary investigation of the blood levels of carbenicillin, after the administration of a single intramuscular injection, suggests that the tortoise's bladder may act as a reservoir of antibiotic that is available for resorption. This phenomenon could confound the establishment of a safe, effective dose regime for antibiotics, in tortoises, which are excreted in an unchanged active form in urine.     

Analysis of post mortem aqueous humour chemistry in the horse, with particular reference to urea nitrogen and creatinine

The concentrations of several post mortem aqueous humour chemical constituents were compared with ante mortem serum chemical values in the horse. Urea nitrogen and creatinine values in post mortem aqueous humour were good predictors of ante mortem serum values. Aqueous humour urea nitrogen increased only slightly and creatinine did not change significantly for up to 24 h after death. Formulae were derived for calculating estimated ante mortem serum urea nitrogen and creatinine from aqueous humour values obtained after death. These results from normal horses identify analytes that are accurate predictors of ante mortem serum values. Determination of post mortem aqueous humour urea nitrogen of creatinine may assist in interpretation of the functional significance of equivocal histological lesions in the kidney.     

Canine ceroid-lipofuscinoses: A review and classification

The ceroid-lipofuscinoses are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases of humans and animals characterised by the accumulation of a fluorescent lipopigment in neurons and other cells within the body. Syndromes occurring in dogs are classified, on the basis of the age of onset and, to a lesser degree, the course of the disease, as prepubertal-protracted, early adult acute and adult onset. Clinical signs are generally those of progressive loss of vision, motor disturbances such as ataxia, tremors, seizures and proprioceptive deficits together with behavioural changes including loss of learned behaviour, fearfulness and aggression. The various syndromes can be expected to reflect different mutations, at least some of which affect the catabolism of subunit c of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase. Confirmation of diagnosis depends on the demonstration of lipopigment in brain or skin biopsies by histochemistry, fluorescence or electron microscopy.     

Thrombocytopenia in Horses: 35 Cases (1989–1994)

The records of 3,952 equine patients presenting to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine were evaluated to determine risk factors associated with thrombocytopenia. Of 2,346 horses from which a CBC was obtained, 35 (1.49%) were thrombocytopenic (platelet count < 75,000/μL). A reference population of 189 horses with normal platelet counts (75,000 to 300,000/μL) was also studied. Standardbred horses were at increased risk for thrombocytopenia. but age and gender were not identified as significant risk factors. Horses with infectious or inflammatory diseases were at increased risk for thrombocytopenia. The potential association of clinical and clinicopathologic factors with thrombocytopenia were assessed by reviewing a series of multiple logistic regression models. Clinical and clinicopathologic variables significantly associated with thrombocytopenia in the final model included increased PCV, increased band neutrophil count, increased total WBC, and decreased plasma protein concentration. Increased mature neutrophil count was associated with normal platelet counts. Thrombocytopenic horses were significantly more likely to die or be euthanized than were horses with normal platelet counts. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:127–132. Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine .     

Effect of source of calcium and phosphate,autoclaving, vitamin D3 level and strain of turkey poults on the rachitogenic activity of isolated soybean protein 1

This study was conducted to ascertain the effect of autoclaving, source of calcium and phosphate, vitamin D₃ level and strain of turkey poults on the rachitogenic activity of isolated soybean protein (C‐1 protein‐Skidmore). One‐day‐old poults were fed purified diets of the glucose—C‐1 protein type. The diets contained calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D₃ at levels equal to or greater than the National Research Council's (1960) recommendations. The findings demonstrate that USP hydrated dicalcium phosphate was more effective than food‐grade dicalcium phosphate in overcoming the rachitogenic activity of the C‐1 protein. Autoclaving the C‐1 protein for 80 min destroyed its rachitogenic activity: Vitamin D₃ was also effective in reducing the rachitogenic effect of C‐1 protein. The Broad Breasted White strain proved to be more susceptible to the rachitogenic property of C‐1 protein than the Wrolstad Small White strain. Substituting USP hydrated dicalcium phosphate for food‐grade dicalcium phosphate, autoclaving the C‐1 protein or increasing the vitamin D₃ level increased body weight gains and tibia ash values. The interactions which were shown to exist between source of calcium and phosphate × autoclaving, strain × autoclaving, and vitamin D₃ level × strain demonstrate an interrelationship between these factors.     

Endothelin-1 concentrations in clone calves, their surrogate dams, and fetal fluids at birth: association with oxygen treatment

Increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) plasma concentration in human infants is associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, a problem also identified in calves derived from somatic cell clone technology. Increased ET-1 also is present in the amnionic fluid and plasma of the infant and mother in preeclampsia, a condition associated with abnormal placentation. Abnormalities in placentation are identified in clone calves. We measured ET-1 in fetal fluid, calf plasma, and surrogate dam plasma in 40 clone calves at the time of term delivery. Calves were subsequently identified as being either oxygen treated (O2) or non-oxygen treated based on their postpartum clinical course. Fetal fluid ET-1 concentration greater than 1.4 ng/mL carried a 3-fold increase in odds of the calf being treated with oxygen. Maternal plasma ET-1 concentration was greater in the O2 group (13 pg/ mL: [8-23 pg/mL] versus 25 pg/mL [12-40 pg/mL]; median, 25-75 percentile). Plasma ET-1 concentration in calves was not significantly different between groups. Fetal fluid ET-1 may serve as a marker for neonatal disorders of oxygenation in clone calves and the source of ET-1 may be the placenta.     

Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle in six foals

Rupture of the gastrocnemius muscle and subsequent disruption of the reciprocal mechanism of the hind limb was diagnosed in 6 foals examined at 7 hours to 3 weeks of age. In 2 foals, the musculoskeletal injury was detected as an ancillary finding to clinical signs of neurologic dysfunction ascribed to hypoxic ischemic insult during delivery, whereas in the other 4 foals, musculoskeletal injury, manifested as inability to rise or stand unsupported, was the chief complaint at admission. Five foals had a history of dystocia and assisted delivery. Common clinical signs were inability to rise, disruption of the reciprocal mechanism, swelling in the caudal aspect of the thigh, instability of the stifle joint, and stifle joint effusion. For mild gastrocnemius injury, exercise restriction via forced recumbency, with minimal or no bandaging, may be sufficient treatment. For more severe disruption of the muscle, limb stabilization via splinting and intensive nursing and monitoring are necessary. Four foals had important concurrent problems, including musculoskeletal deformations (joint contractures), hypoxic ischemic disease, and failure of passive transfer and associated problems (ie, sepsis, polyarthritis, and pneumonia). Moderate to severe gastrocnemius muscle injury is difficult to treat successfully, and the long-term prognosis for athletic function should be regarded as guarded.     

The detection of porcine circovirus in the Australian pig herd

OBJECTIVE: To determine if porcine circovirus (PCV) type 1 (PCV1) or type 2 (PCV2) is present in the Australian pig herd, to conduct preliminary genetic characterisation of any viruses detected, and to determine if there is any obvious virological reason why post-weaning multisystemic wasting disease (PMWS), associated with PCV infection in other countries, has not been detected in Australia. DESIGN: Serum samples were collected from 14 randomly selected pig farms in Western Australia and used for detection of PCV antibody. Additional samples from one farm were obtained at 2-week intervals from pigs between 2 and 12 weeks of age to detect any age-associated variations in prevalence of infection. Veterinary practitioners from four Australian states submitted tissues of dead or unthrifty weaned pigs, and these were examined for evidence of PCV1 and PCV2 infection. PROCEDURE: Sera were tested for antibody to PCV using an indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Tissues were tested for PCV1 and PCV2 genomic material using a multiplex PCR. RESULTS: PCV antibody was detected in approximately 30% of Western Australian pigs tested. PCV1 DNA was detected in tissue samples from Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales and PCV2 DNA was detected in tissue samples from Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland. Sequence analysis of the PCR products indicated the PCV1 and PCV2 present in Australia were very similar to strains in other countries where PMWS is endemic. CONCLUSION: Both PCV1 and PCV2 are present in Australia and the viruses present appear similar to those in countries with PMWS. The absence of PCV2-associated PMWS in Australia may be due to absence of essential secondary factors required for PCV2 to produce PMWS.