Management of femoral artery thrombosis in an immature dog

Objective: To report a case of femoral artery thrombosis and its medical management in a young dog. Case summary: A 13‐week‐old, female Boxer puppy presented with hind limb paralysis after an abdominal crush injury. A left femoral artery thrombus was identified on ultrasound. No spinal trauma was visualized in imaging studies. Clinical management of arterial thrombosis in a 13‐week‐old puppy with streptokinase and dalteparin therapy is described. New or unique information provided: This paper describes an unusual presentation of arterial thrombosis. The medical management with streptokinase and dalteparin is also out of the ordinary. Images that document the development of compensatory circulation around the thrombosed vessel are included. Additionally, this paper also documents the altered development that occurred in this immature dog after the thrombotic event.     

Health evaluation of free-ranging and captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva) in the Gran chaco, Bolivia.

Bolivia has a total of 47 species of Psittacidae, seven of which have been identified in our study site, the semiarid Gran Chaco of the Isoso. One species, the blue-fronted parrot (Amazona aestiva), is frequently captured by local Isose?o Guaraní Indians for exploitation on the national and international market. These birds are often temporarily housed in small villages under unhygienic conditions with poultry and other domestic species. On occasion, these parrots escape back to the wild. Additionally, many of these birds are kept as pets or are used to lure wild. parrots within slingshot range for subsequent capture. In this study, we evaluated the health status, including the level of exposure to selected infectious agents, in the wild-caught captive birds and free-ranging birds. Physical examinations were performed, and blood was collected, from 54 live birds (20 captive and 34 free-ranging). Feces were collected from 15 birds (seven captive and eight free-ranging). Necropsies were also performed on four recently dead wild-caught birds. On serologic testing, no birds were found to have antibodies to avian influenza virus, Chlamydophila psittaci, infectious bronchitis virus, infectious bursal disease virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, Marek's disease virus, paramyxovirus-1, paramyxovirus-2, paramyxovirus-3, polyomavirus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, western equine encephalitis virus, or Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus. Positive antibody titers were found for psittacine herpesvirus (8/44, 18.2%), Aspergillus spp. (3/51, 5.9%), and Salmonella pullorum (33/49, 67.3%). All three of the birds that tested antibody positive for Aspergillus spp. were captive, whereas six of the eight and 15 of the 33 birds that tested positive for psittacine herpesvirus and S. pullorum, respectively, were wild.     

Serologic survey of domestic felids in the Petén region of Guatemala.

Blood samples were analyzed from 30 domestic cats (Felis domesticus) from the Petén region of Guatemala to determine the seroprevalence of common pathogens that may pose a potential risk to native wild felids. Eight of the cats had been vaccinated previously; however, owners were unable to fully describe the type of vaccine and date of administration. In addition, blood samples were obtained from two captive margays (Leopardus wiedii). Samples were tested for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus, Dirofilaria immitis, feline panleukopenia virus, feline herpesvirus, feline coronavirus, canine distemper virus, and Toxoplasma gondii and for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen. Fifty percent or more of the cats sampled were seropositive for feline herpesvirus (22 of 30), feline panleukopenia (15 of 30), and T. gondii (16 of 30). Five cats were positive for FeLV antigen. Both margays were seropositive for feline coronavirus and one was strongly seropositive to T. gondii. All animals were seronegative for D. immitis. This survey provides preliminary information about feline diseases endemic to the Petén region.     

Extraosseous osteosarcoma in a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).

A 6-yr-old maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) was diagnosed with an extraosseous osteosarcoma on the lateral aspect of the right thigh. Antemortem radiography revealed a calcified mass with no skeletal involvement. The mass was excised, but visible regrowth of the tumor was evident within 5 wk. Histologic examination and immunohistochemistry, including staining for p53 tumor suppression gene protein, were performed on the excised mass. The maned wolf was euthanized 13 wk after the initial diagnosis. The neoplasm was located in a site commonly used for the delivery of intramuscular injections, including vaccinations. Although no definitive association can be made, it is worth noting this relationship, as vaccine-site neoplasias have been observed in other species, most notably the domestic cat (Felis domesticus).     

Extended terbutryn persistence and herbicidal activity effected by superphosphate fertilizer

Microorganisms play a major role in the degradation and detoxification of most soilapplied pesticides. Any interference with soil microbial activity may affect the persistence as well as the effectiveness of the pesticide. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of granulated superphosphate fertilizers on terbutryn (2-(tert-butylamino)-4-(ethylamino)-6-(methylthio)-l,3,5-triazine) degradation and on its herbicidal activity. Concentrations exceeding 1% of superphosphate in the soil slowed down terbutryn degradation; a concentration of 3% completely inhibited terbutryn degradation for nearly 60 days. When terbutryn was impregnated on the surface of superphosphate granules, the concentration of the fertilizer that inhibited terbutryn degradation was reduced from 3% to 0.1%. Bioassays with mustard seedlings confirmed the results obtained by chemical analysis of terbutryn. The decrease in the rate of terbutryn degradation was not specific to superphosphate. The inhibition of degradation could be attributed mainly to the concentration of the salt in the soil solution, expressed as electrical conductivity values, and not to the pH of the soil or to the type of the salt. Terbutryn was found to be quite stable on the surface of the superphosphate granule. At the concentrations tested, superphosphate did not affect root growth. The optimal weight of the impregnated granule for extending terbutryn activity was 125 mg, containing 0.2% terbutryn. A greenhouse experiment confirmed the findings that fertilizers could serve as potential inhibitors of terbutryn degradation.     

Variation of pesticide concentration in sheep dips operated according to traditional and revised methods

OBJECTIVE: To quantify stripping in traditional dipping operations and to revise dipping methods, based on prediction of stripping so that a more stable concentration of pesticide in the dipwash is achieved. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plunge and shower dips were operated sequentially according to traditional and revised dipping instructions. Dips were operated by continuous and intermittent replenishment. Samples of mixed dipwash were collected periodically and assayed for pesticide (diazinon) concentration. RESULTS: Diagrammatic representations of pesticide concentration versus number of sheep dipped indicated traditional dipping leads to wide variations in the concentration of pesticide in dipwash during dipping. Intermittent replenishment led to a 'saw-tooth' pattern in the pesticide concentration. Traditional continuous replenishment (using the starting concentration of pesticide) indicated both the rate and extent of stripping was higher in shower dipping. If sufficient sheep were dipped, equilibrium was reached between the rate of pesticide replenishment and removal. An alternative method of dip operation by continuous replenishment, using a low starting concentration of pesticide and a replenishment concentration high enough to offset the pesticide loss through stripping resulted in a more stable concentration of pesticide in the dip. CONCLUSION: Revision of dipping instructions can lead to exposure of sheep to stable concentrations of stripping pesticide during dipping.