Effect of daily floor treatment with sodium bisulfate on the fly population of horse stalls

OBJECTIVE: To determine application rate and effectiveness of sodium bisulfate to decrease the fly population in a horse barn environment. SAMPLE POPULATION: 12 privately owned farms in southeastern Pennsylvania. PROCEDURE: Application rates of sodium bisulfate were approximately 2.3 kg/stall, 1.1 kg/stall, and 0.5 kg/stall. Two or 3 stalls were treated, and 1 or 2 stalls were not treated (control stalls) at each farm. Farm personnel applied sodium bisulfate in treated stalls daily for 7 days. Fly tapes were hung from the same site in treated and control stalls. After 24 hours, the fly tape was removed, flies adhering to the sticky surface were counted and recorded, and a new fly tape was hung. This procedure was repeated daily during each of the testing periods. RESULTS: Following the application of 2.3 kg of sodium bisulfate/stall, the numbers of flies collected on the fly tape were significantly decreased in treated stalls, compared with control stalls during the same time periods on 9 of the 12 farms evaluated. Following the application of 1.1 kg of sodium bisulfate/stall, fly numbers were significantly decreased in treated stalls on 6 of the 9 farms evaluated. Following the application of 0.5 kg of sodium bisulfate/stall, fly numbers were significantly decreased in the treated stalls on 3 of the 4 farms evaluated. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our findings suggest that sodium bisulfate would be effective for fly control in horse barns.     

Monoparesis in association with feline pulmonary carcinoma: A literature review with 3 new cases

We describe 3 cases of cats that were presented with a sudden onset of monoparesis as a result of arterial thromboembolism without evidence of cardiovascular disease that were subsequently diagnosed with a primary pulmonary carcinoma. Arterial tumor thromboemboli due to pulmonary carcinoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of lameness or paresis in older cats. We theorize that large tumor emboli may obstruct peripheral arteries leading to acute monoparesis.     

Analysis of conformational variations of the cricoid cartilages in Thoroughbred horses using computed tomography

Reasons for performing study: Loss of arytenoid abduction is a common post operative complication of laryngoplasty without a definitive cause. It has been a clinical impression during laryngoplasty surgery that there is great conformational variability along the caudal edge of the Thoroughbred cricoid cartilage that could impact post operative retention of suture position. A change in suture position would probably lead to some loss of abduction. Defining any structural variability of the cricoid would be an initial step in determining whether this variability could impact on the retention of suture position. Hypothesis: Anatomical variations in the larynx of Thoroughbred horses may be detected and measured using objective analysis and computed tomography. Methods: Larynges were harvested from 15 mature Thoroughbred horses. Helical CT scans were performed on each specimen. Three independent observers performed a series of measurements on 2D and 3D reconstruction images using digital software. Measurements included the lateral cricoid angle, the caudal cricoid prominences, the distance to the cricoid slope, the angle of the cricoarytenoid joints (CAJ), the cricoid thickness and the suture angle. Mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation and linear regression analysis were performed among all observers and all measurements. Results: Notable conformational differences were evident on the 3D reconstructions. The highest degree of variability was found in 3 measurements: the distance to the lateral cricoid slope, the lateral cricoid angle and the cricoid thickness. A larger left CAJ angle directly and significantly correlated with a larger suture angle. Conclusions: There are notable conformational differences among cricoid specimens in the Thoroughbred larynx. Potential relevance: The morphometric differences identified may impact on optimal prosthesis placement and long‐term retention. Since a larger lateral cricoid angle may facilitate abduction loss secondary to a displaced and loosened suture, alternative techniques for suture placement may be of value to prevent arytenoid abduction loss.     

Echocardiographic changes in heart size in hypohydrated horses

Background: Hypohydration causes transient echocardiographic changes in pigs, dogs, humans, and cats. These changes mask the diagnosis of some cardiac diseases (valvular regurgitation, dilated cardiomyopathy) and promote the diagnosis of others (hypertropic cardiomyopathy and infiltrative disease), thus inhibiting accurate echocardiographic evaluation. Objectives: To describe the echocardiographic changes associated with hypohydration in normal horses. Animals: Ten adult horses without detectable cardiac disease. Methods: Experimental study. Echocardiographic examinations were performed on horses in the euhydrated and hypohydrated states. Horses were hypohydrated by combined water deprivation and furosemide administration until a 4–7% reduction in bodyweight was achieved. Statistical analyses were performed by paired t‐tests. Results: Hypohydration decreased left ventricular internal diameter in systole (0.8 ± 0.6 cm) and diastole (1.7 ± 0.9 cm), left atrial diameter (1.5 ± 0.4 cm) and left ventricular volume (490 ± 251 mL) (P‐values < .01), and increased septal wall thickness in diastole (0.6 ± 0.3 cm), free wall thickness in diastole (0.5 ± 0.3 cm), mean wall thickness (0.5 ± 0.2 cm) and relative wall thickness (0.2 ± 0.1 cm) (P‐values < .01). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Hypohydration produces changes in left ventricular and atrial size that could mask or promote the severity of cardiac disease. The thickened, “pseudohypertrophied” appearance of the left ventricle in hypohydrated horses could affect interpretation of echocardiographic variables that are applied to the prediction of athletic performance. Echocardiography may prove a noninvasive method of monitoring volume status and response to fluid therapy in hypovolemic horses.     

Antimicrobial activity of gallium nitrate against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in neonatal calves

Background: Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), the agent of Johne's disease in cattle, is a facultative intracellular bacterium that is dependent on ferric iron for its survival and replication. Gallium (Ga), a trivalent semimetal that shares many similarities with ferric iron and functions as an iron mimic has been shown to have in vitro antimicrobial activity against several microorganisms, including MAP. Objectives: (1) To investigate the antimicrobial activity of Ga in calves experimentally infected with MAP; and (2) to monitor for potential adverse effects of Ga on calf health. Animals: Twelve Holstein calves. Methods: Randomized blind controlled experiment. Beginning at 10 days of age (study day 1), the experimental calves (n = 6) were treated with 20 mg/kg gallium nitrate daily for 45 days. On study days 4 and 5, all calves were challenged with a PO dose of a live field strain MAP. Treated calves were monitored daily for adverse effects. Calves were euthanized on study day 100, and 29 tissue samples and 1 fecal sample were collected from each calf. Samples were cultured for MAP by MGIT liquid culture system, Herrold's Egg Yolk Medium culture, or both. Results: No adverse effects were observed in the treated calves. Treatment was associated with a significant reduction in MAP tissue burden when compared with control calves (P = .017). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Chemoprophylactic treatment of calves with Ga before and during the period of high susceptibility decreased MAP tissue colonization in experimentally infected neonatal calves.     

Association of Blood Lactate Concentration and Outcome in Foals

Background: Lactate concentration in blood or plasma ([LAC]) and change in [LAC] are associated with survival in sick foals. Hypothesis: [LAC] and change in [LAC] over time are associated with survival at 96 hours and discharge in neonatal foals. Furthermore [LAC] and change in [LAC] over time correlate with blood culture results and blood pressure at admission. Animals: Two hundred and twenty‐five foals consecutively admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Methods: Retrospective case review. Foals ≤30 days of age with [LAC] from arterial (190) or umbilical (35) blood gas analysis ([LAC]_BG) at admission, 24, and 48 hours. [LAC]_BG, blood pressure, blood culture status, and outcome (survival versus nonsurvival at 96 hours and discharge) were recorded. Change in [LAC]_BG over time ([LAC]_BGΔT) was calculated. Results: [LAC]_BG was lower in survivors (96 hours and discharge) at all times. [LAC]_BGΔT was larger for survivors (96 hours). Odds of survival (96 hours and discharge) decreased 18, 39, 53 and 22, 38, and 47%, respectively, at each sample time for every 1 mmol/L increment in [LAC]_BG and increased 156% for each 1.0/day increment in [LAC]_BGΔT from admission to 24 hours at 96 hours. Blood pressure and [LAC]_BG were not correlated (P= .196) until removal of selected foals (mean arterial pressure <60 mmHg, admission [LAC]_BG <5.5 mmol/L) (P < .001). Bacteremia was not associated with [LAC]_BG. Proposed admission [LAC]_BG cut‐points for future studies were 6.5 mmol/L (96 hours) and 5.5 mmol/L (discharge). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Prospective studies evaluating [LAC], [LAC]_BGΔT, and cut‐points in sick foals are warranted.