Phaeochromocytoma treated by en bloc resection including the suprarenal caudal vena cava in a dog

A 10-year-old, neutered male Cairn terrier was examined after experiencing intermittent vomiting of several months' duration and sudden onset of acute depression. Abdominal ultrasound examination revealed an adrenal mass invading the suprarenal part of the caudal vena cava. The vascular invasion could not be corrected so en bloc ligation/excision of the adrenal neoplasm and the suprarenal part of the vena cava was performed. Microscopic examination identified an adrenal phaeochromocytoma. The dog recovered well and had no significant vascular or renal dysfunction at follow-up 20 months after surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a dog surviving long term after resection of the suprarenal caudal vena cava.     

Hypertensive retinopathy and choroidopathy in a cat

Bilateral hypertensive retinopathy and choroidopathy with bullous retinal detachment was diagnosed in a 17-year-old, female spayed Domestic Short-haired cat. The underlying cause of the systemic hypertension could not be determined. The blood pressure was lowered successfully with the oral application of the L-type calcium channel blocker amlodipine besylate. The cat subsequently regained vision. The improvement in retinal function was documented using electroretinography.     

Lactoferrin against Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis. Lactoferrin alone or in combination with penicillin G on bovine polymorphonuclear function and mammary epithelial cells colonisation by Staphylococcus aureus

Antibiotics should combine good antibacterial activity and the capacity to work in association with the host defence system. In this study, we have investigated the effects of bovine lactoferrin alone or in combination with penicillin G on the phagocytic activity of bovine polymorphonuclear leukocytes against Staphylococcus aureus. We have shown that susceptibility of S. aureus to phagocytosis was decreased in the presence of penicillin in the medium. In a kinetic study, lactoferrin alone did not affect phagocytosis but, when used with penicillin, it reversed the negative effect of this antibiotic on phagocytosis. In addition, in an epithelial invasion assay, lactoferrin alone or in combination with penicillin reduced the invasion of mammary epithelial cells in culture by S. aureus. Lactating female CD-1 mice were infected by intra-mammary delivery of a virulent penicillin-susceptible S. aureus strain and were then randomly assigned to treatments according to a 2 x 2 factorial design. In this mouse mastitis model, 2 days of systemic treatments with lactoferrin and/or penicillin did not lead to a total clearance of infection by S. aureus, but bacterial number was significantly reduced by treatments with lactoferrin or penicillin. These data suggest that bovine lactoferrin, alone or in combination with penicillin G, enhances S. aureus susceptibility to immuno-defense mechanisms, which can be beneficial in the treatment of S. aureus infections.     

Anterior lens capsule disruption and suspected malignant glaucoma in a dog

A Boston Terrier puppy presented with a full-thickness peripheral corneal defect, iris prolapse and anterior lens capsule tear in the left eye (OS). Phacofragmentation and primary repair of the corneal laceration was performed. At surgery, subluxation of the lens was also apparent. One day postoperative, there was severe corneal edema, diffuse hyphema, an intraocular pressure (IOP) of 65 mmHg and a small amount of vitreous that protruded from the corneal incision OS. Malignant glaucoma or pupillary block glaucoma were suspected. Intravenous mannitol was administered preoperatively and had no effect. An anterior vitrectomy was performed on the vitreous within the anterior chamber and pupil. One day postoperative the IOP was 16 mmHg in the right eye (OD) and 20 mmHg OS. Postoperative iridocyclitis was managed medically, and additional elevations in IOP were not recorded. Resolution of the elevated IOP following anterior vitrectomy was supportive of pupillary block or malignant glaucoma. Vision returned 3 weeks after the initial surgery. Two years after the initial injury, the eye is visual and comfortable with infrequent topical anti-inflammatory therapy.     

Assistive devices, orthotics, and prosthetics.

Deciding on which supportive device, orthotic, or prosthetic is best suited for a given patient is a complex process involving many different factors. The ability to manage biomechanical abnormalities successfully may be enhanced by an understanding of the properties of the various materials that comprise these devices, their effect on functional performance, and other associated patient factors. Veterinary health care providers are faced with the challenge of effectively addressing the physiologic and fiscal needs of the patient in a rapidly changing patient care environment.     

Logistics of companion animal rehabilitation.

Setting up rehabilitation services presents several challenges to the veterinary practitioner. Members of the rehabilitation team need to have a solid knowledge base of acute and chronic orthopedic and neurologic disorders and a knowledge of rehabilitation principles and applications.The working environment has to be adapted to patients with limited mobility, specific equipment and supplies are to be used, and a fee structure should be implemented. This article reviews these logistic aspects of companion animal rehabilitation.     

Interleukin-1β infusion in bovine mammary glands prior to challenge with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus uberis</Emphasis> reduces bacterial growth but causes sterile mastitis

Dairy cows are especially vulnerable to intramammary infection by the bacterial pathogen Streptococcus uberis in the dry period. Use of immunotherapeutic agents at drying off could increase cellular defences in the gland and prevent establishment of new S. uberis infections. This study investigated the potential of infusing recombinant bovine interleukin-1 beta (rbIL-1beta) in the mammary glands as a prophylactic agent against subsequent intramammary challenge with S. uberis in the early dry period. Immediately after the last milking at commencement of the dry period, one cow from each of 10 monozygous twinsets was infused with 10 microg of rbIL-1beta in two quarters and the other twin was infused with the carrier agent, sterile phosphate buffered saline. Twenty-four hours later, the quarters were infused with 10(3) colony-forming units (CFU) of S. uberis. Bacteriology, somatic cell count (SCC), concentrations of specific cytokines and antibody responses were monitored in mammary gland secretions and sera for the next 21 days. Infusion of rbIL-1beta into mammary glands at commencement of the dry period was associated with less new S. uberis intramammary infections, as determined by the number of quarters with bacterial growth. However, high SCC in quarters following infusion of rbIL-1beta masked the full beneficial effect of this procedure.     

Pre-parturition staphylococcal mastitis in primiparous replacement goats: persistence over lactation and sources of infection

This investigation reported for the first time the occurrence of intramammary infections caused by Staphylococcus in primiparous replacement goats before parturition and the persistence of clinical Staphylococcus aureus infection during the lactation period. Subclinical infections, mainly caused by coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS), did not persist during lactation. Genotyping analysis indicated that environment seems to play a moderate role as source of intramammary infections to goats before parturition, but causative agents of mastitis in lactating animals are not genotypically related to environmental staphylococci. The occurrence and persistence of intramammary infections in replacement goats demonstrate the need to consider those animals as potential sources of infections in dairy goat herds.