Influence of condensed tannin on intake, digestibility, and efficiency of protein utilization in beef steers fed high concentrate diet

This trial was conducted to evaluate if the effect of condensed tannin (CT) is associated with a true protein source on intake, ruminal and total digestibility, ruminal digestion rate, protein efficiency, and microbial efficiency in beef steers fed high concentrate diet (87% of DM). Four Bos indicus steers (407 ± 12 kg of BW) fitted with rumen cannula were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Treatments consisted of either inclusion (0.4% of DM) or exclusion of condensed tannin (CT) from quebracho extract (76% of CT) with or without the use of soybean meal (SBM) as source of true protein. The level of inclusion was calculated to provide a daily intake of 1 g/10 kg of BW of CT. Intake of DM and nutrients was not affected (P > 0.10) by CT inclusion. However, there was an effect (P < 0.10) of CT inclusion on ether extract digestibility. An interaction (P < 0.10) was observed between CT and SBM on ruminal digestibility and digestion rate of crude protein (CP): when mixed with soybean meal, CT decreased the ruminal digestibility and, consequently, reduced the digestion rate of CP. Intake of CP increased (P < 0.10) with the inclusion of SBM. No differences in DM passage rate were observed (P > 0.10) among treatments. Effects of the interaction (P < 0.10) between CT and SBM were observed on flux of rumen undegradable protein (RUP), metabolizable protein (MP), and on the ratio MP:CP. In the presence of soybean meal, the addition of CT increased (P < 0.10) the flux of RUP and MP, and improved the ratio MP:CP. The yield of microbial protein on the abomasum and the microbial efficiency did not differ among treatments (P > 0.10). There was no difference (P > 0.10) on the pH, VFA, and ruminal ammonia (N-NH₃) with the addition of condensed tannin. The N-NH₃ increased and the ruminal pH decreased with the inclusion of soybean meal (P < 0.10). The utilization of condensed tannin as an additive in beef cattle diets with high level of concentrate and soybean meal as a source of true protein implies positive effects on crude protein utilization, decreasing digestion rate and ruminal digestibility of crude protein and consequently increasing the levels of metabolizable protein, with no changes in the ruminal fermentation parameters.     

Surgical removing of an ectopic tooth in an Iceland mare

Ectopic teeth occur because of failure of the first branchial cleft to close during development and are found mostly in young horses. Such dentigerous cysts are often located at the base of the ear, forming a notable swelling with a fistula, as it was the case with the two year old Iceland mare ?Runa?. In order to confirm the diagnosis, x-ray images were taken, which is also necessary to locate the ectopic tooth correctly. While operating, the whole cystic membrane should be removed and it is important to prevent adjacent nerves and blood vessels from damage. Prognosis for complete healing after removing an ectopic tooth is excellent.     

Incidence of meniscal injury in cats with cranial cruciate ligament ruptures

This retrospective study evaluated the incidence of meniscal injury in cats with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures. Medical records for cats diagnosed with CCL ruptures treated by a lateral fabellotibial suture (LFS) were reviewed for signalment, history, physical examination and surgical findings. Ninety-five cats (98 stifles) met the inclusion criteria. The incidence of meniscal injuries in feline CCL deficient stifles was 67%. Isolated medial meniscal injuries were found in 55 stifles (56%), isolated lateral meniscal injuries were found in 5 stifles (5%), and lateral and medial meniscal injuries were found in 6 stifles (6%). There was no correlation between the presence of a meniscal injury and age, breed, sex, weight, duration of lameness, presence of concurrent medial patellar luxation, degree of degenerative joint disease, or presenting side of lameness. Given the high rate of meniscal pathology in cats with CCL ruptures, exploratory surgery for meniscal assessment and concurrent stifle stabilization should be considered in feline patients.     

Ultrasonography of the rumen in 30 Saanen goats

This study describes the results of ultrasonographic examination of the rumen in 30 healthy Saanen goats. A linear or convex transducer with a variable frequency of 5 to 13 MHz was used to scan standing, non-sedated goats. The location and size of the rumen, the distance between the wall of the rumen and abdominal wall and the appearance and size of the gas, fibre mat and fluid layers of the ruminal contents were assessed. The rumen was seen as a large organ medial to the left abdominal wall. The wall of the rumen appeared as a thick echogenic line. The longitudinal groove was seen as an echogenic notch, which divided the rumen into the dorsal and ventral sacs. The rumen could be visualized from the 9th to 12th intercostal space (ICS) and flank on the left side in all the goats. The rumen was largest in the 12th ICS at 41.6 ± 5.13 cm and smallest in the 8th ICS at 11.3 ± 4.29 cm. The dorsal sac of the rumen was largest in the left cranial flank (17.4 ± 4.43 cm) and the ventral sac was largest in the 12th ICS on the left (29.1 ± 6.03 cm). In the cranial left flank, the rumen was situated immediately adjacent to the abdominal wall in all the goats. The spleen was located between the rumen and abdominal wall in the 8th to 12 th ICS in many of the goats. The gas, fibre mat and fluid layers of the ruminal contents could be visualized in all the goats. The gas layer was 9.9 ± 3.05 cm, the fibre mat layer 16.0 ± 4.55 cm and the fluid layer 12.2 ± 5.57 cm.     

Radiosensitivity and capacity for radiation-induced sublethal damage repair of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cell lines

Understanding the inherent radiosensitivity and repair capacity of canine transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) can aid in optimizing radiation protocols to treat this disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the parameters surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF(2) ), α/β ratio and capacity for sublethal damage repair (SLDR) in response to radiation. Dose-response and split-dose studies were performed using the clonogenic assay. The mean SF(2) for three established TCC cell lines was high at 0.61. All the three cell lines exhibited a low to moderate α/β ratio, with the mean being 3.27. Two cell lines exhibited statistically increased survival at 4 and 24 h in the dose-response assay. Overall, our results indicate that the cell lines are moderately radioresistant, have a high repair capacity and behave similarly to a late-responding normal tissue. These findings indicate that the radiation protocols utilizing higher doses with less fractionation may be more effective for treating TCC.     

Comparison of two questionnaires to assess gastrointestinal toxicity in dogs and cats treated with chemotherapy*

Questionnaires completed by pet owners are widely used instruments to monitor adverse gastrointestinal (GI) effects in the owners' animals undergoing chemotherapy and for reporting toxicoses in clinical trials; however, no questionnaires have been formally evaluated. This study compares two questionnaire-based evaluations of adverse GI events: a basic, open-ended questionnaire and a detailed questionnaire modelled after the grading in the Veterinary Co-operative Oncology Group-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (VCOG-CTCAE). Owners completed both questionnaires after their dog or cat received moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Results were used to derive toxicity grades for anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea. We evaluated 123 pairs of questionnaires. Disagreement in grade of anorexia, vomiting and diarrhoea was found in 24, 7 and 13% of paired questionnaires, respectively (κ = 0.63, 0.83 and 0.71, respectively). Although 'good' to 'very good' agreement was found, the potential for only 'fair' agreement between questionnaire methods is of concern and suggests a need to adopt a standardized form.     

Evaluation of mechlorethamine,vinblastine, procarbazine,and prednisone for the treatment of resistant multicentric canine lymphoma

Multi-agent chemotherapy successfully induces remission in most naïve, high-grade canine lymphoma patients; however, disease recurrence is common. MOPP (mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone) is an effective rescue protocol used to re-induce remission, but is associated with gastrointestinal toxicity and can be a less desirable option for patients that previously failed vincristine-containing protocols. Therefore, alternative members of the vinca alkaloid family, such as vinblastine, could be potentially advantageous as substitutes for vincristine to reduce gastrointestinal toxicity and chemoresistance. The objective of this study was to report the clinical outcomes and toxicity of 36 dogs with relapsed or refractory multicentric lymphoma treated with a modified MOPP protocol whereby vincristine was replaced with vinblastine (MVPP). The overall response rate to MVPP was 25% with a median progression free survival of 15 days and a median overall survival of 45 days. MVPP at the prescribed doses resulted in modest and transient clinical benefit, but was well tolerated with no treatment delays or hospitalizations secondary to side effects. Given the minimal toxicity, dose intensification could be considered to improve clinical responses.     

Porcine encephalomyelitis caused by hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus.

Six epizootics of encephalomyeltis in suckling pigs in Minnesota were attributed to infection with hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus. The disease occurred in 74 litters of pigs and was characterized by sudden onset of tremors, inappetence, weakness, atazia, and hyperesthesia, with high morbidity and case fatality rate. Pathologic changes consisted of marked nonsuppurative, nondemyelinating encephalomyelitis characterized by perivascular mononuclear cuffing, gliosis, neuronal death, and satellitosis. Clinical disease was limited principally to suckling pigs during a single farrowing period and did not recur in the herds involved during the ensuing 18 months.