Prostatic abscess in a neutered cat

A 6-year-old, male castrated domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, and constipation. Physical examination revealed an elevated body temperature and an extramural colonic mass. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated a hypoechoic mass measuring 2.2 cm in maximum dimension immediately caudal to the bladder. Cytological evaluation of a fine-needle aspirate confirmed the mass was a prostatic abscess. Abdominal celiotomy and prostatic omentalization were successful in resolving clinical abnormalities. Feline prostatic abscessation is a rare condition that has not been previously reported and may have a good outcome if treated early and appropriately.     

Allocating forage to fall-calving cow-calf pairs strip-grazing stockpiled tall fescue

In a 2-yr study, we evaluated the effect of different forage allocations on the performance of lactating beef cows and their calves grazing stockpiled tall fescue. Allocations of stockpiled tall fescue at 2.25, 3.00, 3.75, and 4.50% of cow-calf pair BW/d were set as experimental treatments. Conventional hay-feeding was also evaluated as a comparison to grazing stockpiled tall fescue. The experiment had a randomized complete block design with 3 replications and was divided into 3 phases each year. From early December to late February (phase 1) of each year, cows and calves grazed stockpiled tall fescue or were fed hay in the treatments described above. Immediately after phase 1, cows and calves were commingled and managed as a single group until weaning in April (phase 2) so that residual effects could be documented. Residual effects on cows were measured after the calves were weaned in April until mid-July (phase 3). During phase 1 of both years, apparent DMI of cow-calf pairs allocated stockpiled tall fescue at 4.50% of BW/d was 31% greater (P < 0.01) than those allocated 2.25% of BW/d. As allocation of stockpiled tall fescue increased from 2.25 to 4.50% of cow-calf BW/d, pasture utilization fell (P < 0.01) from 84 +/- 7% to 59 +/- 7%. During phase 1 of both years, cow BW losses increased linearly (P < 0.02) as forage allocations decreased, although the losses in yr 1 were almost double (P < 0.01) those in yr 2. During phases 2 and 3, few differences were noted across treatment groups, such that by the end of phase 3, cow BW in all treatments did not differ either year (P > 0.40). Calf ADG in phase 1 increased linearly (P < 0.01) with forage allocation (y = 0.063x + 0.513; R(2) = 0.91). However, calf gain per hectare decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as stockpiled tall fescue allocations increased (y = -26.5x + 212; R(2) = 0.97) such that gain per hectare for cow-calf pairs allocated stockpiled tall fescue at 4.50% BW/d was nearly 40% less (P < 0.01) than for those allocated 2.25% of BW/d. Allocating cow-calf pairs stockpiled tall fescue at 2.25% of BW/d likely optimizes its use; because cow body condition is easily regained in the subsequent spring and summer months, less forage is used during winter, and calf gain per hectare is maximized.     

An estimate of the methionine requirement and its variability in growing pigs using the indicator amino acid oxidation technique

Although AA requirements for the mean of a population of growing pigs have been established using traditional methods, there are no estimates of the variability within the population and whether this variation differs among AA. With the increased use of supplemental Lys in pig diets, there will be an increased need to supplement Met, commonly the second or third limiting AA in corn-soybean diets. The indicator AA oxidation method allows repeated measurements in a short period of time so that the AA requirement can be determined for individual pigs at a similar physiological stage. The objective of this study was to determine the mean Met requirement in individual gilts and to estimate the related variability. Six individually housed female pigs (initial BW = 8.8 kg, SD 1.5) each received diets providing 6 levels of dl-Met. The isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets contained 0.187, 0.250, 0.290, 0.320, 0.350, and 0.377% Met (analyzed, as-fed basis). Cysteine (0.48%) and Lys (1.44%) concentrations were similar for all diets. Pigs were adapted for 6 d to the basal corn-soybean meal diet (0.187% Met), which was offered at 95 g/kg(0.75) of BW to ensure complete consumption of the test diets. During 4-h oxidation studies, 313.4 kBq, (SD 35.6) of L-[1-(14)C]Phe was mixed with each of 8 half-hourly meals, and expired CO(2) was collected. The breakpoint in Phe oxidation, representing the Met requirement, and its variability, was determined using 2-phase linear regression. Phenylalanine oxidation decreased as the Met content increased from 0.187 to 0.29%. Phenylalanine oxidation was not different (P > 0.2) for diets ranging from 0.320 to 0.377% Met. The dietary Met requirement varied from 0.320 to 0.373% for individual pigs. The mean Met requirement for individual pigs was determined to be 0.340% of diet (SD = 0.024%, CV= 7.1%), with 0.340, 0.364, and 0.388% covering the requirement of 50, 66, and 95% of the population, respectively. The present mean population estimate was similar to the recommended dietary Met concentration of 0.325% for pigs of this BW and feed intake. To maximize profitability, Met levels in starter pig diets should be determined, depending on the cost of crystalline Met and the fraction of the population whose requirement is to be met.     

A dog with squamous cell carcinoma in the middle ear

An 8-year-old, castrated male golden retriever was referred for lethargy and inappetance. Severe pain was elicited on palpation of the left temporomandibular joint region. Computed tomography revealed aggressive bone destruction of the left bulla. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed. Malignant tumor in the canine middle ear is rare.     

Pseudomonas and Aeromonas isolates from domestic reptiles and study of their antimicrobial in vitro sensitivity

Veterinary Research Communications -     

Aspergillus flavus keratomycosis in a cat treated with topical 1% voriconazole solution

An 8-year-old male castrated Domestic Short-haired cat was examined for a 1-week history of blepharospasm and mucoid ocular discharge OS. Examination revealed ulcerative keratitis with stromal loss, stromal infiltrate, corneal edema, perilimbal vascularization and miosis. Cytology of the cornea revealed multiple dichotomously branching, septate fungal hyphae and severe, predominantly neutrophilic inflammation. PCR of the cytology samples confirmed the presence of Aspergillus flavus while fungal and bacterial cultures were negative. Treatment with topical 1% voriconazole solution was successful in resolving the keratomycosis.     

Effects of dobutamine on cardiac index and arterial blood pressure in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses under clinical conditions

Volatile agent-induced hypotension may contribute to anaesthetic-related morbidity and mortality in horses. Dobutamine is commonly used to support arterial blood pressure (ABP) but little is known about its cardiovascular effects under clinical conditions. The aim of this clinical study was to elucidate the relationship between cardiovascular function and dobutamine infusion in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses. Forty-four horses anaesthetized for a variety of surgical procedures were studied. Premedication with acepromazine, methadone and detomidine was followed by induction of anaesthesia with ketamine and midazolam. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane vaporized in oxygen. Routine anaesthetic monitoring was applied and cardiac output was measured by lithium dilution. Dobutamine was infused to maintain mean ABP above 70 mmHg. The relationship between dobutamine infusion rate, heart rate (HR), ABP and cardiac index was investigated immediately prior to ( T ₀) and 15 min ( T ₁) after dobutamine infusion started, followed at 30 min intervals ( T ₂, etc.). Arterial blood pressure increased significantly after dobutamine infusion started, HR and cardiac index increased significantly only with dobutamine infusion in combination with surgical stimulus. Although isoflurane decreases blood pressure mainly by vasodilation, dobutamine is an effective treatment for hypotension under clinical conditions in isoflurane-anaesthetized horses. The effect of dobutamine is not directly proportional to dose and surgical stimulus probably contributes to the cardiovascular improvement.     

Salivary testosterone measurements in growing pigs: validation of an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay and its possible use as an acute stress marker

This study aimed to validate the use of an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay analyser for salivary testosterone measurements in growing pigs and study how circadian pattern during daytime and stress can influence its values. The test method had intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation lower than 10%. The method showed good linearity and recovery, and detection limits were low enough to detect salivary testosterone levels. No significant differences were observed in testosterone concentrations at different sampling time, and age and gender did not influence circadian pattern. In addition, this assay was used to quantify testosterone in two models of acute stress and, in both cases, significant increases (P < 0.01) in salivary testosterone were detected. Therefore, the automated assay system tested for porcine testosterone determinations would be suitable for its use in saliva samples and, furthermore, salivary testosterone levels could be used as a possible marker of acute stress in pigs.     

Murine xenograft model demonstrates significant radio-sensitising effect of liposomal doxorubicin in a combination therapy for Feline Injection Site Sarcoma

Therapy of cats suffering from feline injection site sarcomas (FISS) is still a challenging problem, as the recurrence rate after surgery is up to 70%. Four FISS-derived primary tumour cell lines and corresponding xenograft tumour mouse models were established to evaluate the efficacy of a concomitant chemo-/radiation therapy with doxorubicin. In vitro, strongly depending upon the timing of administration, pre-treatment with 0.25 µmol doxorubicin resulted in a significant enhancement of radiation-induced (3.5 Gy) tumour cell death. This result was confirmed in vivo, where only the combined chemo-/radiation therapy resulted in a significant reduction in tumour growth compared to the respective mono-therapies with either doxorubicin or radiation. These results support the use of the concomitant chemo-/radiation therapy for adjuvant treatment of FISS, particularly in advanced or recurrent disease where surgery alone is no longer feasible.