A lymphoproliferative disease in Manx cats with similarities to autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) in people

In 2009–2010, an unusual lymphoproliferative disease was identified in multiple siblings from successive litters of Manx cats, suggesting a genetic predisposition to development of this disease. Presentation of disease in the cats had multiple similarities with the human disease ALPS, a rare inherited disorder that causes persistent lymphoproliferation, together with variable manifestations of autoimmunity and increased susceptibility to neoplasia. The majority of human ALPS patients have inherited Fas gene mutations, causing defective apoptosis of lymphocytes, although for a proportion of ALPS patients the underlying genetic mutations remain unknown. In order to identify the likely mode of inheritance of the disease, further matings of potential carrier cats are in progress. Studies to investigate the potential role of abnormalities in the Fas gene in the development of the disease in cats are also proposed. Identifying and further characterising the nature and mechanism of the disease in cats may allow better understanding of the development, progression, and treatment of ALPS in humans.     

Effects of a topically applied anaesthetic on the behaviour,pain sensitivity and weight gain of dairy calves following thermocautery disbudding with a local anaesthetic

ABSTRACT

Aims: To compare the effect of a topically applied anaesthetic to no pain relief or meloxicam on the behavioural responses, pain sensitivity and weight gain of calves following disbudding with or without sedation.

Methods: A total of 364, 2–6 week-old calves from three commercial farms were systematically allocated to one of six treatment groups. All calves received a cornual nerve block prior to disbudding, with half restrained in a crate and half sedated with xylazine. Within these groups one third received no further treatment (control), one third were treated with meloxicam >10?minutes prior to disbudding and one third received a topical anaesthetic applied to the horn bud wounds following disbudding. The frequency of ear flicks, head shakes, head scratches and pain sensitivity of the wound were recorded on up to eight occasions over 24 hours after disbudding. Calves were weighed before, and 7 and 28 days after, disbudding to determine average daily weight gain (ADG).

Results: Compared to calves in the crate-control group, all other groups had reduced ear flicks at all times following disbudding (p?<?0.01). Treatment with meloxicam and topical anaesthesia in addition to sedation reduced head scratches compared to calves in the crate-control group (p?≤?0.013). At 22 hours after disbudding head shakes were reduced in sedated calves treated with topical anaesthetic compared to calves in the crate-control group (p?<?0.001). Pain sensitivity was lower in all sedated calves than unsedated calves (p?<?0.001). The ADG between Days 0–7 was 0.14 (95% CI?=?0.015–0.274) kg/day greater in sedated calves treated with meloxicam than calves in the crate-control group (p?=?0.03), and the ADG between Days 0–28 tended to be 0.06 (95% CI=?0.01–0.13) kg/day greater in sedated calves treated with topical anaesthetic than calves in the crate-control group (p?=?0.09).

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Sedation of calves for disbudding reduced the pain experienced in the following 24 hours. There was a benefit to providing calves with topical anaesthetic following disbudding on behavioural responses and pain sensitivity, which was similar to that of treating calves with meloxicam.     

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in a 14-year-old gelding

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: A 14-year-old Cleveland Bay cross gelding was presented with severe urinary incontinence that had been present for 1 year, and chronic polydipsia and polyuria over 4 years. Water intake had been recorded as 240 L over a 24-hour period.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: The horse had marked urinary incontinence and polyuria and polydipsia. The urine was markedly hyposthenuric, but no abnormalities on urinalysis were detected. There were no other abnormal clinical or neurological signs. Haematological and serum biochemical examinations showed no abnormalities and ultrasonographic and endoscopic examination of the urinary tract did not reveal any abnormalities. The horse underwent a modified water deprivation test and failed to concentrate its urine after 5 days. 1-desamino-8-d-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was administered I/V but the urine remained isosthenuric with a specific gravity of 1.010.

DIAGNOSIS: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. A definitive cause of the urinary incontinence was not found but overflow incontinence was considered a possibility.

CLINICAL RELEVENCE: Despite being a rare condition in the horse diabetes insipidus should be considered in cases of severe polydipsia and polyuria in mature horses.     

动物疫苗及其合理使用（一）

疫苗接种是预防动物传染病发生的重要举措。依据免疫学理论,疫苗作为抗原,通过激发动物机体免疫系统,产生特异的体液免疫和细胞免疫,从而获得针对某种疾病的特异性免疫。疫苗一般分为细菌疫苗、病毒疫苗和类毒素疫苗等。用于防病治病的各种疫苗、菌苗又是特殊的生物药品,与普通化学药品具有完全不同的成分、功能和特性,疫苗中含有多种蛋白质（除细菌或病毒外,有的还含有保护剂、鸡胚尿囊液或细胞培养液）,它们均适合许多病原体的生长,有些制品还是活的微生物,一旦污染后果不堪设想。疫苗在保存、运输和使用时有其特别要求。如果方法不当,不但会使活性物质失活,起不到免疫防病作用;而且还可能适得其反,引发动物新的疾病,造成重大损失。     

Alpaca plant poisonings: nitrate–nitrite and possible cyanide

Nitrate–nitrite poisoning killed four adult alpacas and induced the abortion of a full-term fetus after access to oaten hay ( Avena sativa ) containing 3.2% KNO₃ equivalent in dry matter. Necropsy findings were cyanosis, dark-coloured blood, and pulmonary congestion and oedema. Aqueous humour from two adults contained 25 mg NO₃/L and that from the fetus contained 10 mg NO₃/L. Cyanide poisoning possibly killed two adult wether alpacas that ate a garden-cultivated variety of Osteospermum ecklonis (South African daisy, bietou) with a cyanide potential of 6800 mg HCN/kg dry matter.     

Pre-hospital low-volume resuscitation with hemoglobin-glutamer-200 (Hb-200) in a canine hemorrhagic shock model

The Bowen Technique is a unique hands‐on therapy developed by Tom Bowen of Australia in the 1950s–60s and adapted for use in animals by Carol Bennett in 1997. It consists of a specific sequence of gentle, precise rolling moves done with thumb and fingers over muscle and tendon edges, across the direction of tension. A short waiting period follows each set of moves. Definitive mechanism(s) of action remains to be identified; however, autonomic nervous system modulation (heart rate variability studies) has been documented in humans. The technique has also been reported effective for back, hip, neck, and shoulder pain in human studies. Five geriatric dogs (13–16 years old) of various breeds were presented in a case series at a small animal clinic for primary complaints of stiffness, poor ambulation, and difficulty lying down/getting up. Four had hindlimb proprioceptive deficits; three had arthritic changes to coxofemoral joints and/or lumbar spine; three showed active indicators of pain (chronic pacing/panting; irritability; social withdrawal). All were on NSAID and/or nutritional therapy with unsatisfactory results. One dog had acupuncture weekly for over 1 year but no longer tolerated the needles. Treatment consisted of Animal Bowen at weekly or biweekly intervals. Three dogs were pain scored [0–10; average starting score 6.7 ± 0.6 (mean ± S.D.); range 6–7] by owner before and after treatment. All five dogs showed significant positive changes in attitude, and four had notable improvement in ease of ambulation, after the first treatment. Improvement was progressive over treatment course. Average post‐treatment score was 2.3 ± 2.1 (0, 3, 4); average pain score reduction was 4.3 ± 1.5 (range 3–6) after two to six treatments for the three dogs scored. One dog had complete resolution of hindlimb lameness of 5 years duration after three sessions. Animal Bowen, used alone or in conjunction with standard analgesics and other treatments, can be an effective therapy for chronic musculoskeletal conditions in dogs.     

Risk characterisation and management of sewage sludge on agricultural land-implications for the environment and the food-chain

The disposal of sewage wastes may cause severe environmental problems as was graphically demonstrated with pollution on Sydney's ocean beaches in recent years. Sewage sludges contain valuable plant nutrients and organic matter which can improve the fertility and structure of the soil. However, human parasites, pathogenic micro-organisms and chemicals capable of causing soil contamination, phytotoxicity and residues in animal products may also be present. Although sewage sludge is frequently spread on agricultural land overseas, it is not common in Australia and most states do not have specific regulations to minimise risk and promote good practice. A sludge-to-land program began in the Sydney region in 1990. It follows guidelines written by NSW Agriculture to encourage beneficial agricultural use of sludge by adoption of environmentally sustainable practices. This article describes the major risks to the food-chain and the environment, which may be associated with applying sewage sludge to agricultural land. It summarises how the risks are managed, and where further research data are required.