Influence of herd structure and type of virus introduction on the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) within a dairy herd

A herd is a population structured into groups not all equally in contact, which may influence within-herd spread of pathogens. Herd structure varies among cattle herds. However, published models of the spread of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) assume no herd structure or a unique structure chosen as a representative. Our objective was to identify--for different index cases introduced into an initially BVDV--free dairy herd - risky (favourable) herd structures, which increased (decreased) BVDV spread and persistence compared to a reference structure. Classically, dairy herds are divided into calves, young heifers, bred heifers, lactating cows and dry cows. In the reference scenario, groups are all equally in contact. We evaluated the effect of isolating or merging groups. Three index cases were tested: an open persistently-infected (PI) heifer, an open transiently-infected heifer, an immune heifer carrying a PI foetus. Merging all groups and merging calves and lactating cows were risky scenarios. Isolating each group, isolating lactating cows from other groups, and merging calves and young heifers were favourable scenarios. In most structures, the most risky index cases were the following: first, the entry of a PI heifer; second, the birth of a PI calf; last, the entry of a transiently-infected heifer. Recommendations for dairy herds are to raise young animals together before breeding and to isolate lactating cows from others as much as possible. These recommendations will be less efficient if a PI adult enters into the herd.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC IMAGING OF THE VAGOSYMPATHETIC TRUNK IN THE DOG

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ultrasonographic imaging of the vagosympathetic trunk in the dog. Cervical ultrasound was performed in 30 healthy dogs. In all 30 dogs the vagosympathetic trunk was detected as a hypoechoic structure in the carotid sheath, adhering the dorsomedial surface of the common carotid artery. The echotexture of the nerve was heterogeneous with anechoic areas separated by hypoechoic bands. A scanner equipped with a 5 to 8 MHz linear array probe was used for imaging and measurements. The diameter of the vagosympathetic trunk ranged from 0.59 to 2.48 mm varying in correlation to the body weight. In summary, ultrasonography is a helpful noninvasive method to image and evaluate the cervical vagosympathetic trunk in the dog.     

Parenteral nutrition in neonatal foals: clinical description, complications and outcome in 53 foals (1995-2005)

This retrospective study describes the use of and complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN) administration to 53 equine neonates at the University of California Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Medical records were examined and information obtained on signalment, physical examination, clinical diagnosis, outcome, total hospitalization time, insulin administration, microbiology culture results, other complications (i.e. thrombophlebitis) and necropsy findings. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry analytes, venous blood gas, serum electrolyte and glucose concentrations, and blood lactate concentration results were compared before and during PN administration in all foals. Seventeen foals (32%) developed hypertriglyceridemia (>200mg/dL). Triglyceride concentrations >200mg/dL were significantly (P=0.049) associated with non-survival. Forty-seven foals (89%) developed hyperglycemia (blood glucose >120mg/dL) and eight (15%) developed catheter-related complications (thrombosis or local sepsis). Packed cell volume, total protein, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and sorbitol dehydrogenase concentrations decreased while foals were on PN, while serum chloride concentration increased. This study highlighted that hypertriglyceridemia during the acute phase of neonatal illness may be detrimental to outcome, and that the safety of lipid-containing solutions in foals warrants further study.     

Clinical course of pyruvate kinase deficiency in Abyssinian and Somali cats

The objective of this study was to examine clinical signs, laboratory parameters, and course of disease in Abyssinian and Somali cats with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency. The clinical course of 25 PK-deficient cats was followed over a time period of 0.8-11.3 years (median 4.3). Eleven cats (age 0.8-7.8 years, median 4.4) did not show signs according to the owners. In 14 cats (age 0.1-5 years, median 1.7) the owners noted lethargy (10), diarrhoea (seven), pale mucous membranes (six), inappetence (six), poor coat quality (six), weight loss (four), icterus (four), and pica (two). Sixteen cats had been used for breeding at least once before diagnosis. Laboratory abnormalities included anaemia (70%), increased aggregated reticulocyte counts (94%), hyperglobulinaemia (80%), hyperbilirubinaemia (53%), and increased liver enzymes (47%). Six of 25 affected cats died (four) or were euthanased (two) at ages ranging from 1.3 to 11.3 years (median 4.1) presumably because of PK-deficiency. These findings emphasise that PK deficiency shows variation in age of onset and severity of signs. As PK-deficient cats can be asymptomatic testing for PK deficiency before breeding is strongly recommended.     

Acute myeloid leukemia with multilineage dysplasia in an alpaca

An 18-year-old female alpaca was presented to the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for chronic ill thrift over a 1-year period. Six weeks previously, an infected left mandibular cheek tooth was removed by oral extraction. On physical examination the patient was cachectic, lethargic, and weak. Abnormalities on the CBC included neutropenia, thrombocytosis, and severe nonregenerative, macrocytic, hypochromic anemia. Dysplastic nucleated erythrocytes and micromegakaryocytes were observed on the peripheral blood smear. Neutrophils, bands, and metamyelocytes appeared markedly toxic. Numerous blasts containing variable numbers of fine azurophilic granules were also observed. Based on their morphology, the cells were interpreted to be progranulocytes and myeloblasts, and a presumptive diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) was made. The blast cells accounted for 60% of the nucleated cell population on bone marrow aspirates, further supporting a diagnosis of AML with multilineage dysplasia. Post mortem examination showed infiltration of the neoplastic cells into spleen, liver, kidney, and lymph nodes. Based on histologic findings, the morphologic diagnoses were disseminated myeloid neoplasia, chronic regionally extensive tooth root abscess, and membranous glomerulonephritis. The neoplastic cells were CD172a-positive on flow cytometry, chloroacetate esterase-positive by cytochemistry, and myeloperoxidase-positive by immunohistochemistry, confirming myeloid origin. To our knowledge, this is the first case of AML with multilineage dysplasia in an alpaca, with only one other case of myelodysplasia described previously in this species.