Artificial infection by transplantation of juvenile Fasciola worms into the abdominal cavity of rats

Rats were successfully infected with Japanese Fasciola sp. by transplantation of juvenile worms (JW) or metacercariae (MC) into the abdominal cavity. Moreover, the rat was investigated on its suitability for different experiments with liver flukes. JWs or MCs transplanted intraperitoneally (IP) matured in the bile duct of rats. Moreover, more stable infections were established by inoculation of JWs than MCs. About 3 of 10-15 JWs transplanted into the abdominal cavity of a rat matured and laid eggs in the bile duct. The mean prepatent period was 63.5 days in the JW inoculated group. EPG values were kept constant at a level of 10(2)-10(3) about 100 to 230 days after the transplantation of JWs. The life span of Japanese liver flukes was estimated to be about 400 days in rats. From these results, it was concluded that the rat is suitable for various experiments with Fasciola sp.     

Follicle Growth and Oocyte Developmental Competence in Cows With Liver Damage

Follicle growth, oocyte quality or oocyte growing environment (follicular fluid) were evaluated in cows with severe liver damage (haemorrhage, telangiectasis, cholangitis and abscess) that were visually diagnosed at the slaughterhouse. Holstein cows aged 40–90 months with either a healthy liver (HL cow) or damaged liver (DL cow) were selected as donors. Follicle development kinetics was evaluated by counting the follicles at various developmental stages. In addition, the biochemical characteristics of the follicular fluids, developmental competence of preantral follicles cultured for 16 days in vitro and the ability of oocytes to develop to the blastocyst stage 8 days after fertilization were examined. DL cows had fewer secondary follicles than HL cows, and the correlation between the number of secondary follicles and the number of primary follicles differed among DL and HL cows. The follicular fluid of DL cows contained significantly lower levels of albumin and a higher total protein content than that of HL cows. Oocyte nuclear maturation assessed at 5, 16 and 21 h after beginning of culture was slower in DL cows than in HL cows, although the final maturation rates did not differ. The rate of polyspermic fertilization was significantly higher and the proportion of cleavage at 48 h after insemination and blastulation lower in DL cows compared with HL cows. When preantral follicles were cultured in vitro, the rate of follicles with normal morphology was lower in DL cows than in HL cows. These findings suggest that the kinetics of folliculogenesis differ among DL and HL cows and the developmental ability of preantral follicles and oocytes is lower in DL cows than in HL cows.     

The Relationship Between Body Weight,Body Condition,and Survival in Cats with Heart Failure

Background: Obese people with heart failure have improved survival compared with their normal or underweight counterparts. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between body weight or body condition and survival in cats with heart failure. Hypothesis: Body weight and body condition score (BCS) are predictors of survival in cats with heart failure. Animals: One‐hundred and one cats with heart failure (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council Classes II, IIIa, or IIIb) evaluated between March 2007 and June 2009. Methods: Data regarding initial body weight and BCS, subsequent changes in body weight, and treatment were collected from records and compared with survival times. Results: Median initial body weight was 5.1 kg (range, 2.2–9.5 kg). Median BCS was 5 (range, 3–9). Of the 68 cats that were discharged from the hospital, median body weight change was 0.0 kg (range, ?2.6 to +2.3 kg). Survival time for all 101 cats was 93 days (0–811 days). Survival could be predicted using a model combining initial body weight (P= .02), body weight squared (P= .02), and survival to discharge (P < .001) with a resulting global P value for this model of P < .0001. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Cats with the lowest and highest body weights had reduced survival times compared with those with body weights in the intermediate ranges, suggesting a U‐shaped relationship between body weight and survival. Additional research into the effects of body composition could help to determine optimal management of cats with heart failure.     

Subcutaneous Botryomycosis Due to Bibersteinia trehalosi in a Texas Longhorn Steer

A 3-year-old Texas Longhorn steer had a long history of progressive swelling of the soft tissues of the jaw and neck. At necropsy, multifocal to coalescing dermal and subcutaneous pyogranulomas were surrounded by fibrous tissue. Microscopically, the pyogranulomas contained aggregates of gram-negative coccobacilli surrounded by Splendore-Hoeppli material and were separated by bands of fibrovascular tissue (botryomycosis). Phylogenetic analysis of multilocus sequence-typing data revealed that the bacteria recovered in pure culture from swabs of submandibular tissue were most closely related to Bibersteinia [Pasteurella] trehalosi. The bacterial colonies were immunohistochemically reactive with a rabbit polyclonal anti-Pasteurella class C acid phosphatase antibody. Botryomycosis is a pyogranulomatous inflammation caused by a variety of nonbranching, nonfilamentous bacteria that elicit the formation of Splendore-Hoeppli material. This case of botryomycosis is unique for its association with Bibersteinia trehalosi.     

Endometrial polyp in an African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

An 8-year-old female African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) from a zoo in Gyeonggi province, Republic of Korea presented with a 3.0 x 2.0 x 2.5 cm in size, smooth-surfaced, solitary pedunculated mass protruding into the uterine lumen. Microscopically, the mass was covered with epithelium, contained endometrial gland tissue, and was dilated in the vascularised stroma. Within the mass, there was extensive diffuse haemorrhage with several blood vessels apparently plugged with fibrin. At the base of the mass, the spaces lined with epithelium near the attachment of the stalk were interpreted to be glandular structures. There were segments of cuboidal epithelium found on the surface of the mass, which was similar to the lining the uterus. A diagnosis of an endometrial polyp was made based on the gross and histology findings. This is the first case report of a spontaneous endometrial polyp in an African wild dog.     

Shedding consistency of strongyle-type eggs in Dutch boarding horses

Faeces of 484 horses were sampled twice with an interval of 6 weeks while anthelmintic therapy was halted. Faecal eggs counts revealed that 267 (55.2%) horses had consistently low numbers of eggs per gram faeces (EPG) (EPG < 100 or = 100), 155 (32.0%) horses had consistently high EPGs (EPG > 100). Horses with consistently high EPGs were more often mares with access to pasture, aged less than 6 or more than 23 years, that were dewormed at intervals longer than 6 months, and were treated for the last time more than 3 months before the start of the study. Horses with consistently low EPGs were more often male horses with no or limited access to pasture, that were dewormed at maximally 6-month intervals, and were aged between 6 and 23 years. The results are an indication that some horses have consistently low EPGs and perhaps could be used as non-treated animals in a selective anthelmintic treatment scheme aimed at the prevention of the development of anthelmintic resistance.