Adrenocortical suppression associated with topical otic administration of glucocorticoids in dogs

Commercial otic preparations that contained dexamethasone or triamcinolone acetate were applied twice daily to both ears of 2 groups of dogs (n = 8). Marked adrenocortical suppression, reflected by low serum cortisol concentrations, was observed in all dogs. Results of ACTH response tests were blunted after 7 days of treatment. Twenty-one days after treatment, serum cortisol concentrations still were suppressed in all dogs, compared with pretreatment control concentrations. Fourteen days after cessation of otic treatment, 5 of 8 dogs still had inadequate release of cortisol in response to ACTH.     

Comparison of penicillin, oxytetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfadoxine in the treatment of acute undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease

Penicillin, oxytetracycline, and a trimethoprimsulfadoxine combination were compared as first choice antibiotics for the treatment of acute bovine respiratory disease in weaned beef calves. There was no statistical difference in the mortality losses due to respiratory disease; however, the case fatality rate in the trimethoprim-sulfadoxine treatment group (3%) was markedly lower than in the penicillin (10%) and oxytetracycline (8%) treatment groups. The trimethoprim-sulfadoxine group also had statistically fewer treatment days compared to the penicillin and oxytetracycline groups (p < 0.05). Inclusion of mortality costs in the calculation of treatment costs demonstrated that treatment of the trimethoprimsulfadoxine group was appreciably less costly than treatment of the other groups. Temperature response abnormalities, defined as either an elevation in temperature or a failure of temperature to drop from one treatment day to the next, were associated with a relapse rate of approximately 50%. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity testing of Pasteurella haemolytica isolated from pretreatment nasal swabs was not a useful predictor of treatment success of antimicrobials.     

Development of a clinical prediction score for detection of suspected cases of equine grass sickness (dysautonomia) in France

Equine grass sickness (EGS) (equine dysautonomia) is a neurodegenerative condition of grazing equines. Pre-mortem diagnosis of EGS is a challenge for practitioners as definitive diagnosis requires ileal/myenteric lymph node biopsies. This study aimed to develop a clinical score that could be used by practitioners to improve the detection of acute or subacute EGS cases in the field. Suspected EGS cases were declared by veterinary practitioners. A case was classified as confirmed positive if ileal or rectal biopsy samples showed neuronal degeneration typical of EGS. A semi-quantitative scoring system, including epidemiological and clinical data, was created to attempt to classify suspected EGS horses into confirmed positive or negative cases. Each variable was weighted based on a boosted regression trees model, while taking into account its clinical relevance. Twenty-eight EGS cases were confirmed by biopsy during the entire study period. The best cut-off value for the score to have a high sensitivity while maximizing specificity was 8, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 53%. In our dataset, 77% of animals would be correctly classified with this cut-off value of 8. Highest sensitivity was chosen in order to detect the highest number of potential cases. Our score represents an inexpensive and useful tool to aid in the identification of suspected EGS cases in the field and selection for further diagnostics procedures to confirm or rule out the disease. Application of the score to larger populations of animals would be required to further adapt and refine the score.     

Infection with Aleutian disease virus-like virus in a captive striped skunk

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 5-month-old captive female striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) was evaluated because of lethargy, signs of depression, azotemia, and erythema of the skin around the eyes. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Antemortem diagnostic tests revealed renal disease but failed to identify an etiologic agent. A diagnosis of severe nonsuppurative interstitial nephritis was made on the basis of results of histologic examination of renal biopsy specimens. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: The skunk was administered isotonic fluids SC daily and later every other day because of the handling-related stress. Because of the skunk's deteriorating condition, it was euthanized after 24 days of supportive care. Aleutian disease was diagnosed on the basis of positive results of a PCR assay that targeted the DNA from Aleutian disease virus (ADV); positive results for ADV were also obtained by use of plasma counterimmunoelectrophoresis and an ELISA. Genetic sequencing of the 365-base pair PCR product revealed 90% sequence identity with mink ADV. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the skunk of this report, infection with a skunk-specific parvovirus resulted in clinical signs and pathologic changes similar to those associated with ADV infection in mink. For skunks with signs of renal failure, differential diagnoses should include parvovirus infection. In confirmed cases of infection with this ADV-like virus, appropriate quarantine and biosecurity measures should be in place to prevent spread to other susceptible animals within a zoological collection.     

The scientific component of residency training

This article focuses on the role of veterinary teaching hospitals (VTHs) at public and private colleges and universities in the growth and nurturing of today's veterinary clinician scientists, who will assume the ranks of tomorrow's veterinary academic faculty. Virtually all residency programs offer some level of scientific education and training concurrently or sequentially with professional clinical training; approximately half (51%) include, or at least offer, the opportunity to obtain advanced scientific degrees (MS/MSc and/or PhD). If veterinary schools and colleges are the gatekeepers for the veterinary profession, then VTHs are the gatekeepers for the profession's scientific development, defining the future role of veterinary medicine in society. Although struggling to find their place in a financially challenging and competitive environment fueled by the demand for more and better clinical services, VTHs are in a potentially strong position to capitalize on the uniqueness of their faculty and academic resources and thus make an unparalleled contribution to the scientific evolution of the veterinary profession.     

Closed reduction of scapulohumeral joint luxation in an Icelandic horse after general anaesthesia

This report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and radiographic findings in an 8‐year‐old Icelandic mare with unilateral shoulder luxation after general anaesthesia. Reduction of the luxated humerus was performed in a closed fashion using a calving jack under general anaesthesia. The horse recovered well and ultimately returned to its previous level of performance.     

Successful treatment of infectious (Salmonella type III: 44) polyarthritis and osteomyelitis in a 4‐week‐old foal

This article describes the acute onset of infectious polyarthritis and osteomyelitis in a 4‐week‐old foal. Analysis of synovial fluid obtained from the left femoropatellar and right tarsocrural joints combined with clinical signs consisting of joint effusion and lameness yielded a diagnosis of septic arthritis. Bacterial culture of synovial fluid from the left stifle revealed Salmonella type III: 44. Rapid, sustained clinical improvement was noted following discontinuation of empirical antimicrobial therapy (potassium penicillin and amikacin sulphate) and initiation of treatment with ceftiofur and ampicillin. The importance of combining knowledge of veterinary pharmacology and microbiology so that appropriate antimicrobials may be selected with regard to the local environment in which they are to eradicate infection is emphasised. Despite frequent reference to amikacin sulphate as an effective antimicrobial for treating infections in foals caused by Salmonella, factors are discussed that explain why amikacin may not be clinically effective for treating infectious arthritis caused by Salmonella.     

Laryngeal rhinosporidiosis in a Belgian warmblood horse

In Belgium and even in northern Europe Rhinosporidium seeberi has not been reported in autochtonous people or animals. In this paper, the authors report the first observation of laryngeal masses, caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, in a Belgian Warmblood horse. Moreover, laryngeal rhinosporidiosis is extremely rare since this localisation is only described in four human cases.