THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF BIRDSVILLE DISEASE OF HORSES

In a feeding experiment with eight horses fed toxic levels of Indigofera dominii, the poisonous plant which caused Birdsville disease of horses, three of four supplemented with peanut meal and one supplemented with gelatin did not develop the disease. Two non-supplemented control horses, one supplemented with peanut meal and another who was fed gelatin but rejected it, contracted Birdsville disease. This experiment, along with treatment trials in field cases is presented as evidence of the value of arginine-rich protein supplement in protecting and treating horses against the toxic effects of Indigofera dominii. The possible mode of action is discussed.     

Retrospective study of neurological signs and management of seven English horses with temporohyoid osteoarthropathy

This retrospective study summarises the case details, presenting signs, management and outcome in cases of temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) and describes the findings of diagnostic imaging modalities. The condition appears to be relatively rare in Europe and the objective of this study is to make clinicians aware that THO can have a range of various neurological and clinical presentations. The records of 2 referral equine practices in England were reviewed and 7 horses with THO diagnosed on guttural pouch endoscopy indentified. The clinical and neurological signs, diagnostic procedures, treatment and outcomes were reviewed. Although small, this group is the largest case series of THO from Europe. One horse was a yearling, whereas THO is generally considered usually to affect middle aged and older horses. Computed tomography was used to confirm the diagnosis and demonstrated stylohyoid bone fractures in 2 cases while there was mild increased radionuclide uptake in one of 2 cases undergoing nuclear scintigraphy. Treatment is still controversial, although ceratohyoidectomy led to complete resolution of signs in 2 of 5 cases thus treated and improvement in the other 3. One horse with mild signs treated with antimicrobials and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs made a full recovery while another, presented with head shaking and managed with a phased exercise programme, improved but did not resolve completely.     

Vaginal prolapse in sheep—Part IV: Cyclic changes in the vulva,vestibule, and vagina during the year

Extract

Many English breeds of sheep exhibit a well-defined breeding season which begins in the autumn about February–March in the southern hemisphere and ends about July–August. Over this period, the oestrous cycle, in unmated ewes, is repeated at intervals averaging 16 to 17 days. At other times of the year, these breeds are in anoestrum during which the 'ovaries and the tubular parts of the reproductive system are relatively quiescent.     

A survey of chickens for viable toxoplasms in Croatia

Brain tissues of 716 slaughtered domestic chickens (524 broilers and 192 hens) were bioassayed for viable toxoplasms. Each tissue was homogenized and subcutaneously injected into 4 SPF mice. Six weeks later the mice were euthanatized and their brains microscopically examined for Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts. Three (0.4%) out of a total of 716 birds were positive. All positive cases were hens. This is the first isolation of T. gondii from chickens in Croatia.