Tail docking in dogs: A sample of attitudes of veterinarians and dog breeders in Queensland

One hundred veterinarians and 100 breeders of traditionally docked dogs from Queensland were surveyed by telephone to determine their attitudes towards tail docking. Eighty-four percent of the breeders surveyed were in favour of docking, whereas 83% of veterinarians were opposed to the practice. Most pups were docked between 1 and 3 days of age. All veterinarians surgically amputated the tail, whereas 16% of breeders applied rubber bands to the tail. Seventy-six percent of the veterinarians, but only 18% of the breeders believed that docking caused significant to severe pain. No veterinarians, but 25% of the dog breeders believed that docking was painless. Although recent changes to the Queensland Canine Control Council's rulings allow dogs with intact tails to be shown in traditionally docked classes, the requirement of breed standard was cited as the major reason for tail docking by both breeders and veterinarians.     

Characterization of fibroblast colony-forming units in bone marrow from healthy cats

The adherent cell layer of bone marrow from healthy cats was characterized in vitro, and the mean fibroblast colony-forming unit (CFU-F) was determined. The majority (82%) of the cells in the adherent cell layer were spindle-shaped fibroblastic cells. These cells were weakly positive for acid phosphatase activity and negative for alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase and alkaline phosphatase activities. They did not phagocytose latex beads. The remaining cells (18%) in the adherent cell layer resembled macrophages. They were strongly positive for acid phosphatase and alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase activities, and they phagocytosed latex beads. The mean CFU-F per 10(6) mononuclear cells in bone marrow from healthy kittens and adult cats was 62 and 65, respectively. The CFU-F assay was linear over a range of 0.25 to 1.25 x 10(6) bone marrow mononuclear cells cultured. Variation in the feline CFU-F assay was similar to that reported for the human CFU-F assay. Bone marrow collections repeated at 1-month intervals (from the same bone) did not affect CFU-F concentration. A difference was not observed between CFU-F cultured from the feline humerus or femur. Bone marrow adherent cells in cats resembled those described for other species. Results of the feline CFU-F assay were consistent and repeatable and were similar to those reported for other species.     

Density-gradient sedimentation of feline bone marrow cells with polyvinyl-pyrrolidone-coated silica gel

Feline bone marrow cells were separated based on their density distribution in a continuous polyvinyl-pyrrolidone-coated silica gel density gradient. Morphologic identification of cytocentrifuged preparations at specific densities revealed a progressive increase in density with maturation of the cells within the granulocytic and erythroid series. Segmented eosinophils peaked at 1.084 g/ml, monocytes at 1.07 g/ml, and lymphocytes spanned the density of 1.068 to 1.084 g/ml. Bone marrow samples from 6 healthy specific-pathogen-free cats were separated by the continuous polyvinyl-pyrrolidone-coated silica gel gradient and were studied for progenitor colony formation in methylcellulose. Erythroid colony formation was greatest at a density of 1.084 g/ml and also appeared in cells from 4 cats at a lighter density of 1.016 to 1.05 g/ml. Colony formation in the granulocytic series revealed progenitors throughout the gradient with enrichment at 1.055 g/ml.     

Feline leukemia virus-induced thrombocytopenia and macrothrombocytosis in cats

The Kawakami-Theilen strain of feline leukemia virus (FeLV-KT), an exogenous anemia-inducing retrovirus, induced significant macrothrombocytosis and thrombocytopenia during acute infections of cats. The geometric mean platelet volumes of both freshly isolated fixed platelets and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-sphered platelets from infected cats were increased, but the ratio of fresh-fixed to ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-sphered platelet volumes, an estimate of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid-induced isovolumetric shape change, was normal. Total plasma membrane increased as the platelet volumes increased in FeLV-KT-infected cats, but estimated surface connected canalicular system surface area did not. Platelet concentrations were decreased 2 to 6 weeks after inoculation, but marked macrothrombocytosis resulted in a trend toward increased platelet mass on weeks 5 and 6 after inoculation. Thus, FeLV-KT-induced macrothrombocytosis may serve as a model of impaired platelet volume regulation. The platelet volume and platelet membrane surface area abnormalities found suggest that this model would allow studies of the megakaryocyte/platelet axis, particularly in the area of membrane formation and territorial demarcation.     

Cytochemical characterization of leukemic cells from 20 dogs

The hematopoietic cells in blood and/or bone marrow from 20 leukemic dogs and 22 control dogs were characterized using a battery of cytochemical stains. The results of cytochemical staining led to modification of the diagnoses based on clinical, hematologic and histologic findings in seven (35%) of the leukemias. Sudan black B and chloroacetate esterase served as granulocytic markers in both the control and leukemic groups. Peroxidase activity was present in the granulocytes and monocytes of control animals but not the blasts of leukemic dogs. Alkaline phosphatase-positive staining of granulocytic precursors was a consistent finding in granulocytic and myelomonocytic leukemia, and alkaline phosphatase-positive lymphoblasts were seen in 38% of lymphocytic leukemias. Diffuse alpha naphthyl butyrate esterase-positive staining marked monocytes in both control and leukemic dogs. Cytochemical staining was found to be a valuable diagnostic aid in the classification of leukemias in the dog.     

Diabetes insipidus in a cow

Diabetes insipidus was diagnosed in a 6-year-old Holstein-Friesian cow with a history of recurrent fever, ketosis, lymphadenopathy, and inappetence. The diagnosis was based on the clinical findings, response to exogenous vasopressin, and lack of urine concentration in a water deprivation test. The disease gradually regressed over a period of 1 year and did not recur.     

Depot injection of barium selenate for long-term prevention of selenium inadequacy in beef cattle

In southern Australia, cattle at risk from selenium (Se) deficiency can be given an oral dose of supplements that are effective in maintaining adequate Se status for between 9 and 12 months. The present study was undertaken to assess the duration of the effect of parenteral barium selenate (BaSe) in raising the Se status of cattle at pasture in an area of marginal Se deficiency. The BaSe was given subcutaneously to Hereford heifers, using an 18-gauge needle. Cattle had regular blood sampling to assay Se, from 8 days before dosing to 1155 days afterwards. Results show that a single injection of BaSe was effective in elevating blood and plasma Se concentrations to normal values for at least 2 to 3 years, when given to beef cattle of low normal Se status. We suggest that a prophylactic dosage of 0.5 mg Se/kg body weight as BaSe should be given every 2 years to prevent Se inadequacy in beef cattle grazing pasture of marginal Se content.     

The use of vascular access ports in nonanesthetized green iguanas (iguana iguana) to collect baseline arterial blood gas parameters.

The green iguana, Iguana iguana, is used as a model in reptile anesthesia research because of its size, availability, and the body of knowledge characterizing its physiology. Arterial blood gas values in nonanesthetized green iguanas have not been determined because of the technical difficulty involved. Vascular access port (VAP) placement to facilitate blood sampling has been described in other species, but not lacertilians. This abstract describes the technique for placement of VAPs and the values for arterial blood gas parameters in seven 1 kg adult green iguanas. Using sterile technique, a 1.5 cm incision was made on the lateral side of the neck. Blunt dissection ventral to the external jugular vein revealed the internal and external carotid arteries near their bifurcation. The catheter was inserted into the internal carotid artery and then guided to the common carotid artery. The other end of the catheter was tunneled below the skin to a subcutaneous location, caudal‐dorsal to the iSPSilateral scapula. The skin was closed and the port was flushed twice a week with heparinized saline. Post‐operatively, the VAPs were well tolerated by the iguanas. Difficulties included port disconnection (n = 1), inability to aspirate blood after a few weeks (n = 2), and infection (n = 1). The iguanas were breathing room air prior to and during blood collection. From the five functional VAPs, the blood pH, PCO₂, PO₂, HCO^‐₃, and BE (measured at 37 °C) were 7.45 ± 0.06; 37.5 ± 7.0 mm Hg, 99.0 ±16.6 mm Hg, 25.4 ± 2.5 mmol L^–1, and 1.5 ±2.4 mmol L^–1 respectively (mean ± SD). VAPs can be successfully used to facilitate collection of arterial blood gas samples in green iguanas. These values are similar to those reported for most mammalian species. This technique should facilitate research in anesthesiology and respiratory physiology of iguanas and other lacertilians.