Echocardiographic evaluation of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

Safe and effective echocardiography would represent a valuable tool for marine mammal veterinarians and physiologists evaluating the dolphin heart. Unfortunately, conventional ultrasound technology (transthoracic echocardiography) has been limited by logistic, anatomic, and behavioral challenges. Five mature male Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were trained for echocardiographic imaging (four for both transthoracic and transesophageal imaging, and one for only transthoracic imaging). It was noted that transesophageal image quality transiently improved when the dolphins spontaneously exhaled. Subsequently, dolphins were conditioned to hold their breath following forced exhalation, and imaging proceeded during such behavioral breath holds. Over 25 transthoracic and 100 transesophageal echocardiographic studies were performed, including both two-dimensional imaging and color flow mapping. Transthoracic imaging yielded poor-quality images of only small portions of the heart. In contrast, transesophageal imaging, which improved dramatically with behavioral breath holding following exhalation, yielded consistently high-quality images of the entire heart (mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary valves, atrial and ventricular septa, left and right atria, left and right ventricles, and ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery). Color flow mapping demonstrated mild tricuspid regurgitation in all dolphins, and mild aortic regurgitation in one dolphin found to have a pedunculated mass arising from the sinutubular junction just above the aortic valve. There were no complications in nonsedated dolphins. The heart of the bottlenose dolphin can be safely, effectively, and reproducibly evaluated with the use of transesophageal echocardiography in conjunction with behavioral breath holding following forced exhalation. This approach, and the normative echocardiographic data generated from this work, lays the foundation for future echocardiographic studies of cetaceans.     

The evolution of the prevalence of classical scrapie in sheep in Great Britain using surveillance data between 2005 and 2012

After the decline of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) epidemic in Great Britain (GB), scrapie remains the most prevalent animal Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) present in GB. A number of control measures have been implemented for classical scrapie, and since 2005 there has been a large reduction in the number of observed cases. The objective of this study is to estimate two measures of disease frequency using up to date surveillance data collected during and after the implementation of different control measures established since 2004, and breeding for resistance schemes that ran from 2001 until 2009. This would enable an assessment of the effectiveness of both the breeding for resistance programme and the compulsory eradication measures in reducing the prevalence of scrapie in GB. Evaluation of the sensitivity of the rapid post-mortem test for scrapie indicated that it detected scrapie in the last 25% of the incubation period. A back-calculation model was developed to estimate the prevalence of infection at animal and flock-level. The results of the model indicated a mean drop of infection prevalence of 31% each year, leading to a 90% drop in infection prevalence between 2005, with an estimate of 5737 infected sheep in GB in 2012.     

Perception of Asian carp as a possible food source among Missouri anglers

Silver and bighead carps were imported from China to the United States in the 1970s as a biological control mechanism for improving water quality. After escaping captivity, both species spread into the Mississippi River Basin and now threaten to enter the Great Lakes. Human consumption is one solution, but many Americans believe that carp is unsavory. A random sample of 2,000 licensed anglers in Missouri was asked to complete a mail-back questionnaire about Asian carp, yielding a 27% response rate (n = 465). Results indicated that knowledge and perception about carp were poor, and food neophobia (fear of new foods) scores were above average. Less than 15% of respondents had eaten carp, but nearly 53% were willing to try. Marketing should focus on the benefits of consumption while downplaying any possible concerns. Although education programs are worthwhile, taste might be more influential to change public attitudes toward Asian carp.     

Femoral bone adaptation to unstable long-term cemented total hip arthroplasty in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate femoral adaptation after unstable long-term cemented total hip arthroplasty (cTHA) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical study. ANIMALS: Four dogs. METHODS: Paired femurs were examined from client-owned dogs that were donated to a retrieval program after death from causes unrelated to their cTHA. Mean (+/-SEM) dog age was 10.0+/-1.5 years and implant duration was 6.0+/-1.4 years. Implanted femurs had radiographic changes associated with implant loosening and gross mechanical instability at femur retrieval. Femurs were evaluated at 3 levels relative to implant length. Cortical area and medullary area were measured at each level, and cortical porosity was assessed at each level in 4 quadrants and in 3 regions. Implanted femurs were compared with the contralateral non-implanted femurs. RESULTS: Cortical area and cortical porosity were increased at all levels in femurs with unstable implants. Implanted femurs had increased porosity in all quadrants and regions at the proximal 2 levels, and increased porosity in only the cranial quadrant and mid-cortical area at the distal level, when compared with contralateral non-implanted femurs. Corresponding medullary areas were not different. CONCLUSIONS: Significant histomorphometric changes occur in femurs after unstable cTHA. The patterns of periosteal bone formation and endosteal bone resorption support mechanisms of stress shielding and wear debris-mediated osteolysis as factors that may contribute to femoral adaptation and implant loosening. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Despite popularity and excellent return to function with cTHA, aseptic loosening remains a serious long-term complication. Substantial net bone loss and unfavorable environment with unstable cTHA may make revision surgery less successful.     

Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness in a horse

A 12-year-old Quarter horse gelding was presented for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness, 2 draining tracts over the lateral aspect of the right proximal antebrachium, and weight loss. A presumptive diagnosis of blastomycotic osteomyelitis was established based on radiographs and cytology of the exudate. This diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy.