AN OUTBREAK OF ANAL FIBROPAPILLOMATOSIS IN COWS FOLLOWING RECTAL EXAMINATIONS

An outbreak of fibropapillomatosis following rectal examination for pregnancy and involving the anus and to a lesser extent the rectum in a herd of beef heifers in western Victoria is described. Almost half the herd were involved at one time; most lesions regressed with the following 16 weeks. Lesions varied from 0.2 mm diameter polyps up to large multiple lesions up to 7 x 5 x 2 cm with a broad base. The presence of lesions did not affect the body condition or health of the animals.     

Evaluation of Carolina Rinse solution as a treatment for ischaemia reperfusion of the equine jejunum

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Ileus and peritoneal adhesions are the most common complications following surgery for small intestinal obstruction. Carolina Rinse (CR) has been shown to decrease reperfusion injury in intestine and other organs. HYPOTHESIS: CR decreases intestinal inflammation and subsequent scarring associated with reperfusion injury. METHODS: CR was infused intra-arterially and applied topically just prior to reperfusion in jejunum exposed to experimental ischemia. Vascular permeability, neutrophil accumulation and serosal scarring were compared in treated and untreated intestine. RESULTS: CR maintained a normal osmotic reflection coefficient and decreased migration of neutrophils into the serosa during reperfusion. After 10 days, treated intestine was normal in appearance with a trend toward less serosal scarring and fibroblast proliferation. There was a significant decrease in fibroplasia at biopsy sites in treated intestine. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial perfusion combined with topical application of CR during jejunal ischaemia decreases immediate reperfusion injury and limits post operative scarring. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: CR should be used as a local perfusate rather than a systemic treatment; it may best be applied topically and intraluminally to avoid damaging mesenteric arteries. CR should be considered an adjunct treatment as part of overall surgical management and post operative care.     

Extrahepatic biliary tract surgery in the cat: a case series and review

Four cases of extrahepatic biliary tract surgery in the cat are described. The causes of the disease were inflammation of the gallbladder, distal common bile duct (CBD) or major duodenal papilla, and traumatic avulsion of the CBD. Bile peritonitis was present in two of the cats. Biliary enterostomy was performed in three cats, two of which were euthanased at five weeks and three months postsurgery; the third was alive at the time of writing, four months postsurgery. Cholecystectomy was curative in one cat. A literature review reveals high early mortality following biliary diversion, with only 50 per cent of cases surviving more than two weeks, and 23 per cent surviving more than six months. Surviving cats had repeated intermittent vomiting and anorexia that responded to antibiotics. No postoperative mortality was seen when biliary diversion was avoided. Whenever biliary enterostomy or temporary diversion methods are performed, a poorer prognosis should be offered due to the increased likelihood of postoperative complications and mortality.