Bacterial Isolates from Blood Cultures of Dogs Undergoing Dentistry

Bacteria in blood cultures in 30 dogs undergoing high-speed dental scaling and tooth extraction were examined. One or more positive blood cultures were identified in 9 of 30 (30%) dogs. Pasteurella spp. were most frequently (5 dogs) isolated and were sensitive to ampicillin, penicillin, cephalothin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, amoxicillin with clavulanic acid, and sul-famethoxazole with trimethoprim. Twg groups of 15 dogs each, anesthetized or sedated but not undergoing dental procedures, served as non-dentistry controls. There were no significant (p < .05) differences between the number of positive cultures in dentistry and non-dentistry groups. In healthy dogs undergoing high-speed dental scaling and tooth extraction, the occurrence of bacteria in blood cultures was much lower than previously reported. The clinical significance of positive blood cultures was uncertain.     

Biomechanical Analysis of Stacked Plating Techniques to Stabilize Distal Radial Fractures in Small Dogs

Objective— To evaluate the fatigue life of partially stacked and fully stacked (1.5/2.0 and 2.0/2.7 mm) veterinary cuttable plates (VCP) in a fracture gap model of the distal aspect of the radius. Study Design— In vitro biomechanical study. Methods— Constructs (n=4/group) were assembled for each of 8 groups using 8‐hole plates (1.5/2.0 and 2.0/2.7 mm VCP) in the following configurations: unstacked; 2‐hole stacked centered over the gap (COG); 4‐hole stacked COG; and fully stacked. Plate(s) were secured to 2 separate polyvinylchloride pipe lengths, mounted to a mechanical testing system with a custom jig, and were loaded in axial compression for 10⁶ cycles at 10 Hz or until failure at 6–60 N for the 1.5/2.0 mm VCP and 10–100 N for the 2.0/2.7 mm VCP. Differences in number of cycles, stiffness, and failure mode were recorded. Results— All construct failures occurred through a screw hole adjacent to the gap. Fully stacked and 4‐hole stacked 1.5/2.0 and 2.0/2.7 mm VCP withstood 10⁶ cycles. Fatigue life and stiffness of the 1.5/2.0 or 2.0/2.7 mm unstacked constructs were significantly less than the other constructs. Differences were identified in stiffness among the 1.5/2.0 mm stacked constructs and in fatigue life among the 2.0/2.7 mm VCP stacked constructs. Conclusion— Four‐hole partially stacked VCP (either 1.5/2.0 or 2.0/2.7 mm) have comparable mechanical properties to fully stacked VCP. Clinical Relevance— Partial stacking of 2 holes of VCP on both sides of the fracture gap may provide sufficient strength for healing, but this premise must be tested in vivo.     

Some effects of canopy structure and microclimate on infection of tall and short wheats by Septoria nodorum

The results of three kinds of field experiment were consistent with the hypothesis that the canopies of taller wheat varieties generate a less favourable microclimate for development of S. nodorum from standard inoculum. (1) Measurements of photosynthetic area per unit volume of space occupied by canopies showed that taller varieties had lower canopy densities than shorter varieties. (2) Less disease developed in artificially thinned canopies of tall and short varieties. (3) Less disease developed in plots raised on mounds and more developed in plots sunk in trenches, relative to plots at ground level.
The results of three further kinds of field experiment were consistent with the hypothesis that reduced leaf surface wetness contributes to the tendency for taller varieties to be less infected by S. nodorum. (1) Continuous electrical measurement showed that leaf surface wetness (mainly dew) on two tall resistant varieties lasted for a shorter time than that on a short susceptible variety. (2) Instantaneous estimation of dew by weighing showed that less was deposited on taller and more resistant varieties than on shorter and more susceptible varieties. (3) For 10 sister lines from the same cross, selected only for their variation in height, there were correlations of duration of surface wetness with height (negative), amount of S. nodorum with height (negative), and amount of .V. nodorum with duration of surface wetness (positive). There was also genetic variation in surface wetness that was independent of height.
Nevertheless, a microclitnatic effect is thought to be only one of several mechanisms that contribute to the tendency for taller varieties to be more resistant. In addition, there is much genetic variation in resistance that is independent of height.     

Staining abnormalities of dermal collagen in cats with cutaneous asthenia or acquired skin fragility as demonstrated with Masson's trichrome stain

This retrospective study compared the Masson's trichrome staining properties of collagen in the skin of normal cats and cats with cutaneous asthenia or acquired skin fragility. A Masson's trichrome staining abnormality was seen in all ( n = 8) cats with cutaneous asthenia, three of four cats with acquired skin fragility, and none ( n = 10) of the normal cats. A grading system developed to classify the intensity and distribution of abnormally stained collagen fibres indicated that cats with cutaneous asthenia had higher scores ( P < 0.001) than normal cats. Cats with acquired skin fragility had intermediate scores that were not significantly different from either of the other two groups.     

Results of Screw/Wire/Polymethylmethacrylate Composite Fixation for Acetabular Fracture Repair in 14 Dogs

Objective- To assess the clinical results in dogs with acetabular fractures stabilized using a screw-wire-polymethylmethacrylate (SWP) composite fixation.
Study Design- A retrospective study of client-owned dogs with acetabular fractures.
Animals- Fourteen dogs ranging in age from 4 to 95 months (mean, 34 ±25 months; median, 25 months) and body weight from 8 to 39 kg (mean, 25 ±6 kg; median, 27 kg).
Methods- Medical records and radiographs were retrospectively evaluated to determine location of the fracture, presence of preexisting degenerative joint disease, accuracy of fracture reduction and complications associated with surgery. Long-term results were evaluated by subjective assessment of lameness, elicitation of pain and/or crepitus on manipulation of the coxofemoral joint, measurements of pelvic limb circumference, coxofemoral joint goniometric measurements, and radiographic evaluation.
Results- Fracture reduction was considered anatomic in 13 dogs. At the time of the last follow-up evaluation (mean, 347 ±261 days; median, 380 days) 10 dogs were sound on the affected limb, three dogs had a subtle weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb, and the remaining dog had a consistent non-weight-bearing lameness of the affected limb. Mild (n = 10) or moderate (n = 1) degenerative changes of the affected coxofemoral joint attributed to the acetabular fracture and its repair were noted on the follow-up radiographs in 11 dogs. Limb circumference of the affected limb ranged from -8.2% to +10.8% (mean, -0.8 ±4.2%; median, -0.7%) of the contralateral limb.
Conclusions- The SWP composite fixation consistently maintained anatomic reduction, was associated with few complications, and yielded satisfactory clinical results.
Clinical Relevance- The SWP composite fixation technique would seem to be an acceptable means of stabilizing acetabular fractures in dogs.     

Control of the Large Pine Weevil and Bark Beetles of the Genus Hylastes

Since 1968 a water-based formulation of gamma BHC (Gammacol)has largely replaced DDT as a plant-dipping treatment againstthe large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L. and Hylastes spp.beetles. With Sitka spruce in high rainfall areas, BHC at 1•6 percent is as effective as DDT at 2•5 per cent in controllingthese insects. Neither chemical has proved adequate where exceptionallyhigh populations of Hylobius occurred, though control of Hylasteshas been very good. Plants were dipped in Gammacol, and then stored in sealed polythenebags for 28 days. Provided that the plants were dried sufficientlybefore storing, they subsequently suffered only a slight reductionin height-growth but received adequate protection against beetles.This technique should enable forest nurseries to supply ready-treatedplanting stock. Chlorpyrifos (Dureban) may prove a useful alternativeto BHC.