Clostridial myonecrosis,haemolytic anaemia,hepatopathy, osteitis and transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after intramuscular injection in a Thoroughbred gelding

A 9‐year‐old Thoroughbred gelding was presented for swelling over the left neck and inappetence. There was recent history of intramuscular administration of flunixin meglumine into the left neck. On examination, there was evidence of focal myositis, anaemia, haemolysis and pigmenturia. Culture of aspirated fluid from the left side of the neck produced a heavy growth of a Clostridium species. Complications of infection included haemolytic anaemia, hepatopathy, osteitis and transient hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Treatment included intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, anti‐inflammatory drugs, blood transfusion and surgical debridement. There was complete resolution of clinical, haematological, biochemical and echocardiographic abnormalities, and the horse returned to ridden work. This report highlights the complications that can arise from clostridial myonecrosis, including the effect on the myocardium.     

Hairy shaker disease of lambs: Further studies on acquired immunity,abortion and effects on foetal growth

The one-stage prothrombin times of 100 lambs from ten different farms varied from 13 to 24 seconds with a mean of 16.6 seconds. The extent and severity of subcutaneous haemorrhagic speckling of carcases was assessed in 775 animals from the same farms and the prevalence of this lesion was similar to that found at the same works during the 1977/78 season. The means of both one-stage prothrombin times and speckling varied significantly between groups of Iambs from different farms but there was no statistical association between the prevalence of speckling and the one-stage prothrombin times.     

Gastric dilatation-volvulus in dogs

Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a disease in which there is gross distension of the stomach with fluid or gas and gastric malpositioning. It causes pathology of multiple organ systems and is rapidly fatal. It is common in large- and giant-breed dogs. The disease appears to have a familial predisposition. Thoracic depth/width ratio also appears to predispose dogs to GDV. Implicated dietary factors include dietary particle size, frequency of feeding, speed of eating, aerophagia and an elevated feed bowl. A fearful temperament and stressful events may also predispose dogs to GDV. Abdominal distension, non-productive retching, restlessness, signs of shock, tachypnoea and dyspnoea are possible clinical signs. Initial treatment includes treatment of shock and gastric decompression. Surgical treatment should be performed promptly. There are no studies comparing the use of different anaesthetic agents in the anaesthetic management of GDV. Pre-medication with an opioid/benzodiazepine combination has been recommended. Induction agents that cause minimal cardiovascular changes such as opioids, neuroactive steroidal agents and etomidate are recommended. Anaesthesia should be maintained with an inhalational agent. Surgical therapy involves decompression, correction of gastric malpositioning, debridement of necrotic tissue, and gastropexy. Options for gastropexy include incisional, tube, circumcostal, belt-loop, incorporating, and laparoscopic gastropexy. Expected mortality with surgical therapy is 15–24%. Prognostic factors include mental status on presentation, presence of gastric necrosis, presence of cardiac arrhythmia and plasma lactate levels. Prophylactic gastropexy should be considered in dogs identified as being at high risk.     

Noise output of hens subjected to interrupted lighting regimens

1. Noise output from domestic hens subjected to an interrupted lighting regimen began before dawn of the apparent day. 2. Noise output did not cease during the scotoperiod(s) which interrupted the apparent day. 3. Differential noise outputs during the 30 min. 4 h and 10 h scotoperiods of a 1L:7(30D:30L):4D:2L:10D regimen indicated that the hen's interpretation of darkness, even within the apparent day, was complex and probably dependent on several factors. 4. Noise output data suggested that the intense feeding behaviour at the end of the apparent day, effected by the interrupted lighting regimen, appeared to prevent the pre-dusk reduction in activity observed in conventionally lighted birds. 5. Noise output was negligible during the scotoperiod which the hen interpreted as night.     

Extradural spinal liposarcoma in a dog.

An 8-year-old female Doberman Pinscher was examined because of progressive, asymmetric, ambulatory caudal paraparesis. Myelography revealed extradural left ventrolateral spinal cord compression over the first and second lumbar vertebral bodies. A left hemilaminectomy, extending from the thirteenth thoracic to the second lumbar vertebrae, was done, and an extradural mass was removed. The tumor was identified histologically as myxoid liposarcoma. The dog's neurologic function improved gradually after surgery; however, at 7 months after surgery, hind limb neurologic function deteriorated rapidly over a 5-week period, presumably because of local recurrence of the tumor. The dog was euthanatized; necropsy was not permitted.     

Biomechanical comparison of a circular external skeletal fixator construct to pin and tension band wire fixation for the stabilization of olecranon osteotomies in dogs: a cadaveric study

OBJECTIVE: To compare anatomic reduction and the biomechanical properties of a circular external skeletal fixator (CESF) construct to pin and tension band wire (PTBW) fixation for the stabilization of olecranon osteotomies in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Cadaveric study. ANIMALS: Forelimbs from 12 skeletally mature mixed-breed dogs, weighing 23 to 28 kg. METHODS: An olecranon osteotomy was stabilized with either a CESF construct or PTBW fixation. A single distractive load to failure was applied to each specimen through the triceps tendon. Osteotomy reduction and biomechanical properties were compared between fixation groups. RESULTS: Reduction was not significantly different (gap: P =.171; malalignment: P =.558) between fixation groups. Osteotomies stabilized with the CESF had greater stiffness (P <.0001) and maximum load sustained (P <.0001) compared to PTBW fixation. There was no significant difference for yield load (P =.318) or for load at 1 mm of axial displacement (P =.997) between fixation groups. Failure of fixation occurred by bending of the intramedullary Steinmann pin and the fixation wires in the CESF specimens and by untwisting of the tension band wire knot with pullout and bending of the Kirschner wires in the PTBW specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Specimens stabilized with the CESF construct had similar reduction and yield load, greater stiffness and maximum load sustained, and less elastic deformation than specimens stabilized with PTBW fixation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The CESF construct may provide a biomechanically favorable alternative to PTBW fixation for stabilization of olecranon osteotomies in dogs, and its application warrants clinical investigation.