Disruption of the caudal component of the reciprocal apparatus in two horses

Two horses became acutely lame following a fall during strenuous exercise and were diagnosed as having disruption of the caudal component of the reciprocal apparatus. Clinical signs consisted of lameness of the right pelvic limb, characterized by flexion of the hock and simultaneous extension of the stifle. Radiography revealed an avulsion fracture from the supracondylar tuberosity and fossa of the distal portion of the femur in one horse. Clinical and radiographic findings indicated avulsion of the lateral origin of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles. Treatment consisted of stall rest, limb immobilization, and phenylbutazone administration. One horse recovered to soundness and the other deteriorated and was euthanatized.     

Mass selection for increased 200-day weight in a closed line of Landrace pigs

Mass selection for increased weight at 200 d of age was conducted for six generations in a line of Landrace pigs. In the select line, the heaviest nine boars and 18 gilts were selected from each generation to produce the subsequent generation. A contemporaneous control line was maintained by randomly selecting a son from each sire and a daughter from each dam to attain a line size of five boars and 10 gilts. Inbreeding coefficients averaged .182 and .191 for the select- and control-line pigs and .150 and .162 for the select- and control-line dams, respectively, in the sixth generation. The 200-d weights and ultrasound backfat thickness data were collected from 1,022 pigs of 2,181 pigs farrowed. These pigs were sired by 92 boars and out of 210 sows. The generation interval was 13 mo. Twelve traits were studied: weights at birth and at 21, 35, 70, 154, and 200 d of age; daily gains from birth to 35 d, 35 to 70 d, 70 to 154 d, and 154 to 200 d; ultrasound backfat thickness at 200 d; and ultrasound backfat thickness adjusted for 200-d weight. Total weighted cumulative selection differential for 200-d weight was 88.7 kg. Realized heritability for 200-d weight was .26 +/- .08 with an average response of 4.2 +/- 1.3 kg/generation. Correlated responses resulted in increases for all weights and daily gains evaluated. Although ultrasound backfat thickness at 200 d increased in the select line compared to the control line, it was not altered by selection for 200-d weight when adjusted for 200-d weight.     

The biochemical, morphological and virulence profiles of Bacillus anthracis isolated in the Kruger National Park

The biochemical, morphological and virulence profiles of 44 Bacillus anthracis isolates, obtained from various localities and carcass remains of wild animals in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, were examined. The morphological characteristics tested for included: the formation of capsules on bicarbonate agar, the motility of the vegetative organism, the presence of haemolysis on blood tryptose agar, the sensitivity of the vegetative organism to bacteriophage, the production of lecithinase on egg yolk agar, the liquefaction (hydrolysis) of gelatine and the capability of each isolate to produce mucoid colonies when grown on bicarbonate agar with horse serum in an atmosphere containing CO2. The API 50CHB and 20E systems were used to evaluate the biochemical activity of each isolate. The virulence of each isolate was determined by its LD50, using an inbred line of Balb/C mice. A clear pattern in the biochemical reactions emerged that appeared to be specific for each isolate. On the API 50CHB test strip, only 2 of the 44 isolates gave a 100% positive reaction to all 10 of the biochemical substances to which it was supposed to react, 9 gave positive results to 90%, 19 were positive to 80%, and 14 were positive to 70%. The reactions on the API 20E were completely different from what was expected, with only 1 of the biochemical activities (gelatinase production) showing a positive reaction to all the isolates. The virulence test indicated that 27/44 isolates could be regarded as highly virulent with a LD50 of less than 1,000 organisms, and the rest of the isolates as virulent with a LD 50 of 1,001-10,000 organisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A novel herpesvirus associated with chronic superficial keratitis and proliferative conjunctivitis in a great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)

An adult great‐horned owl (Bubo virginianus; GHOW) presented with a history of recurrent corneal ulceration of the right eye (OD). Findings included ulcerative superficial keratitis, proliferative conjunctivitis, and iris pigmentary changes. The ulcer was initially nonresponsive to medical therapy, but showed rapid and appropriate healing following diamond burr debridement. Proliferative conjunctivitis markedly improved following topical antiviral therapy with cidofovir 1%, interferon alpha 2B ophthalmic solutions, and oral l ‐lysine. Histopathologic evaluation of a conjunctival biopsy revealed epithelial features suspicious for viral cytopathic changes and intranuclear structures suspicious for viral inclusions, suggestive of a possible viral‐induced papillomatous conjunctivitis. A novel alphaherpesvirus, referred to as Strigid Herpesvirus 1 (StrHV1), was identified using PCR and gene sequencing. This case represents a new clinical manifestation of a previously unreported herpesvirus in the GHOW. Identification of the herpes virus was critical to administration of appropriate therapy and resolution of the conjunctivitis, and corneal epithelial debridement promoted resolution of the chronic corneal epithelial defect.     

In vitro inhibition of Eimeria tenella invasion by indigenous chicken Lactobacillus species

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of indigenous chicken Lactobacillus species isolates from different parts of the gastrointestinal tract on Eimeria tenella invasion in vitro and to characterise the nature of inhibition, if any. The effects of competitive exclusion, steric interference and bacterial extracellular factors on E. tenella invasion were examined in an MDBK cell model. Several Lactobacillus species were initially isolated from chickens and identified by biochemical characteristics and 16S-rRNA. All Lactobacillus species isolates tested, significantly inhibited E. tenella invasion. Steric interference did not affect parasite invasion. Extracellular metabolic factors secreted by Lactobacillus species isolates into the surrounding media were shown to inhibit parasite invasion and these factors appeared to be heat stable. These results show that the natural microflora of poultry can provide a source of E. tenella-inhibiting Lactobacillus species in vitro, and thus may contribute to the control of Eimeria infection.     

Assessing the efficacy of perioperative oral carprofen after cranial cruciate surgery using noninvasive, objective pressure platform gait analysis

OBJECTIVE: To document, using pressure platform gait analysis, the effect of perioperative oral carprofen on limb function and pain after cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, prospective clinical investigation. ANIMALS: Twenty dogs with naturally occurring unilateral cranial cruciate disease. PROCEDURE: Physiologic indices, subjective pain scoring, and pressure platform gait analyses were performed before and 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Correlations were assessed between methods of evaluation and the data was compared across treatment groups. RESULTS: No strong correlations were noted between physiologic data, subjective scoring systems, or gait analysis data at a walk or stance. Although average measures of limb function were nearly twice as large in dogs treated with carprofen, no significant differences between groups over time were identified. No significant differences were noted in any other measure of pain or limb function. Power analysis of peak vertical force at a walk indicated that significant difference would have been detected had the number of dogs in each group been increased to 35. CONCLUSION: When limb function was assessed with pressure platform gait analysis no statistical difference was noted between groups with respect to PVF and VI at a walk or stance, although average ground reaction forces for dogs in the carprofen group were greater than the traditional pain management group at all time points. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oral carprofen appears to provide some benefit for the treatment of postoperative orthopedic pain.