Megakaryocyte myelosis in cats: review and case report

Disseminated megakaryocytic neoplasia was diagnosed in a 3-year-old cat. Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and abnormal platelets in the peripheral blood characterized the condition. Neoplastic megakaryocytes were present in numerous organs. No evidence of feline leukemia virus was found.     

Radiographic aspects of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racing horses

Abnormal pulmonary radiopacities were identified in 13 racing horses in which a diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) had been confirmed. The lesions were in the caudal lung lobe in all horses; seven were on the right and three on the left, and the laterality for three could not be determined. In ten horses the opacities, which were large and peripherally located, obliterated the thoracophrenic angle. They merged with the silhouette of the diaphragm and had a circular or ovoid surface directed toward the hilum. The intensity of opacification of the consolidated areas varied, and they often were not sharply marginated. Dorsal displacement of the pulmonary arteries was noted in the region of the radiopacity in seven horses. Varying volumes of pleural effusion were observed in nine horses. Serial radiographic examinations were performed in seven horses. The pulmonary radiopacities cleared within ten days in two horses. In the remaining five horses, gradual resolution, characterized by a reduction in lesion size with improved margination, occurred during several months. The central region of the radiopaque lesion commonly had a patchy appearance, suggesting cavitation. Normal pulmonary vascular and interstitial markings were evident following complete resolution of these lesions. The cause of these abnormal pulmonary opacities has not been determined. Pathologic-radiologic correlations will be required to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of EIPH in the racing horse.     

Field isolates of Eimeria resistant to arprinocid

Twenty-four field isolates of Eimeria spp. which included Eimeria acervulina, E. praecox and E. mivati were tested for sensitivity to arprinocid included in the diet at 60 ppm. Twelve isolates from sites where arprinocid had been use for 5-7 successive flocks were resistant to the drug, whereas 12 isolates from sites where arprinocid had never been used were sensitive. These results indicate that resistance had been acquired as a result of the use of arprinocid in the field.     

Inheritance of congenital cataracts and microphthalmia in the Miniature Schnauzer

Congenital cataracts and microphthalmia in the Miniature Schnauzer were inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Eighteen matings of affected X affected Miniature Schnauzers resulted in 87 offspring with congenital cataracts and microphthalmia (49 males/38 females). Two matings of congenital cataractous and microphthalmic Miniature Schnauzers (2 females) X a normal Miniature Schnauzer (1 male) yielded 11 clinically normal Miniature Schnauzers (7 males/4 females). Eighteen matings of congenital cataractous and microphthalmic Miniature Schnauzers (6 males) X carrier Miniature Schnauzers (9 females) produced 81 offspring; 39 exhibited congenital cataracts and microphthalmia (20 males/19 females) and 42 had clinically normal eyes (17 males/25 females).     

Congenital internal hydrocephalus in a quarter horse foal

Since the normal absorption of CSF occurs in the cerebral veins and venous sinuses, any obstruction to the normal flow and absorption of CSF will result in accumulation of CSF central to the site of obstruction. Such accumulation within the cranium is defined as hydrocephalus.A foal was presented with an enlarged and an abnormally-shaped skull, but with normal behavior. The filly's condition deteriorated. Radiographs showed a domeshaped cranial vault with compression of the frontal sinus region. Massive hydrocephalus with little normal cerebral tissue left was diagnosed with ultrasound.Surgery was attempted to relieve the pressure. Eventually the foal was euthanized. Post-mortem confirmed the radiographic and ultrasound diagnosis. Since there was a lack of demonstrable obstruction, the authors suspected the foal had suffered from the Arnold-Chiari syndrome.     

Penetration of the small intestine by an unusual foreign body resulting in colic in a horse: A case report

A nine-year-old Arabian gelding was evaluated for acute abdominal pain. Based on clinical signs and the results of the diagnostic work-up, surgical exploration of the abdominal cavity was performed. An adhesion was found involving a section of jejunum, its mesentery, and the omentum. Passage of gas and/or ingesta was obstructed at that point. On closer examination of the involved bowel, a porcupine quill which had perforated throught the intestinal wall from the lumen was identified. This was believed to have been the inciting cause for the formation of the adhesion and subsequent intestinal obstruction.     

A comparison of different drying techniques for energy and amino acid analyses of poultry excreta

1. Broilers were fed on wheat‐casein or wheat‐soyabean meal diets and the excreta collected after 12 and 24 h. Samples of excreta were freeze dried or dried in a force draught oven at 60 or 80 °C.

2. Drying procedure and collection time significantly influenced the determined energy and nitrogen concentrations of the excreta.

3. Drying excreta in an oven at 60 °G proved at least as effective as freeze drying for the majority of amino acids.     

Serum protein changes in grass sickness

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare serum taken from ponies before and during clinical illness confirmed as grass sickness. A consistent rise in the level of haptoglobin was seen in serum from animals which had shown symptoms for more than two days. Serum albumin was also shown to have altered mobility at the onset of clinical disease. Estimation of the haemoglobin-binding capacity confirmed the haptoglobin increase. This haptoglobin has been purified and some of its properties determined. In contrast to the situation in acute inflammatory conditions no other acute-phase proteins increased to a significant extent in grass sickness. It is concluded that the neurotoxin known to be present in sera of animals experiencing acute grass sickness cannot itself be detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis but may be bound to serum albumin.     

Influence of formulation on the efficacy of experimental oil-emulsion Newcastle disease vaccines

Twenty-one experimental oil-emulsion vaccines with different emulsifier contents, aqueous-to-oil ratios, and antigen concentrations were compared by immunization of 4-week-old chickens. Vaccines that contained oil-phase (Arlacel 80) and aqueous-phase (Tween 80) emulsifiers induced 2-to-4-fold higher hemagglutination-inhibition titers than vaccines with only the oil-phase emulsifier. The emulsion vaccines containing both emulsifiers were also more stable at 37 C and less viscous than those containing only the oil-phase emulsifier. Vaccines that had different aqueous-to-oil ratios and contained different quantities of allantoic-fluid antigen (1.2% to 50% of the vaccine volume) induced similar protection against challenge, but hemagglutination-inhibition titers were proportional to the amount of antigen added. Vaccines that had different aqueous-to-oil ratios but contained equal amounts of antigen induced similar hemagglutination-inhibition titers and similar protection against challenge.