CASE REPORT AND CLINICAL REVIEW: Acute lameness associated with osseous metastasis of a peri-renal carcinoma in a horse

We present a case of aggressive metastatic carcinoma in a horse that was initially presented for shoulder lameness. Although radiography and scintigraphy were useful for localising a lesion in the proximal humerus, subsequent development of non-specific signs of systemic disease prompted further evaluation. Haematology and blood biochemistry, urinalysis and ultrasonography were all instrumental in identifying renal involvement. A diagnosis of a peri-renal mass causing secondary renal failure prompted euthanasia of the horse because of the poor prognosis. Antemortem findings were supported by necropsy, with secondary lesions also identified in the spleen, liver, 8th left rib and proximal humerus. Histological examination yielded a diagnosis of undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma.     

Haematological, biochemical and selected acute phase protein reference intervals for weaned female Merino lambs

Background   Merino lambs are currently the subject of much research into the welfare aspects of mulesing and mulesing alternatives.
Objective   Obtain haematology, biochemistry and acute phase protein reference intervals using modern methodologies for female Merino lambs.
Method   Blood was collected from 50, weaned, 9- to 16-week-old, female Merino lambs. Haematology and biochemistry panels were performed using routine automated methods. The acute phase proteins, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, were also measured using commercially available techniques. The reference intervals were determined to be the central 95% of results.
Results   Differences in the concentrations for some analytes were seen when compared with reported studies in sheep, but may be explained by the use of sheep of a different signalment, as well as different methodologies for analyte measurement. Overall, most analytes gave similar values to those previously reported in other studies. Notable exceptions were alkaline phosphatase, phosphate and globulins, for which the different results were often attributed to the younger age of the sheep in the present study, and platelets and creatine kinase, for which the elevated levels may have been a result of stress and muscle exertion associated with blood collection and husbandry practices.
Conclusion   Established haematological, biochemical and acute phase protein reference intervals are necessary for the investigation of the systemic impact of mulesing and mulesing alternatives and for the investigation of systemic diseases affecting weaned, 9- to 16-week-old, female Merino lambs in general.     

Activated coagulation times in normal cats and dogs using MAX-ACTTM tubes

Objective  To establish reference values for activated coagulation time (ACT) in normal cats and dogs, by visual assessment of clot formation using the MAX-ACT^TM tube.
Subjects  We recruited 43 cats and 50 dogs for the study; 11 cats and 4 dogs were excluded from the statistical analysis because of abnormalities on clinical examination or laboratory testing including anaemia, prolonged prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), or insufficient plasma volume for comprehensive laboratory coagulation testing.
Procedure  Blood samples were collected via direct venipuncture for MAX-ACT, packed cell volume/total solids, manual platelet estimation and PT/APTT measurement. Blood (0.5 mL) was mixed gently in the MAX-ACT tube at 37°C for 30 s, then assessed for clot formation every 5 to 10 s by tipping the tube gently on its side and monitoring for magnet movement. The endpoint was defined as the magnet lodging in the clot. The technique was tested with 10 dogs by collecting two blood samples from the same needle insertion and running a MAX-ACT on each simultaneously.
Results  In normal cats the mean MAX-ACT was 66 s (range 55–85 s). In normal dogs the mean was 71 s (range 55–80 s). There was no statistical difference between the first and second samples collected from the same needle insertion.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance  In both cats and dogs, a MAX-ACT result >85 s should be considered abnormal and further coagulation testing should be performed. Additionally, failure to discard the first few drops of the sample does not appear to significantly affect results.     

Sialomucin Complex (Muc4) Expression in Porcine Endometrium During the Oestrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy

The non‐invasive type of implantation in the pig is characterized by the maintenance of a thick glycocalyx coating on the uterine epithelial surface microvilli. Present study investigated the alteration in the sialomucin complex (Muc4) expression during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in the pig. Endometrial tissue samples were immunostained with the primary antibody to the Muc4 transmembrane subunit ASGP‐2. Muc4 immunostaining increased in the surface and glandular epithelia between days 5 and 10 of oestrous cycle. Immunostaining continued to increase on day 12 with the greatest intensity of uterine Muc4 immunostaining detected on day 15 of the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Endometrial Muc4 expression in cyclic gilts decreased dramatically during early proestrous but continued to remain abundant in the surface and glandular epithelium of pregnant gilts during the period of conceptus attachment to the uterine surface.     

Reductions in milk production after induced parturition in dairy cows from commercial herds in south-western Victoria

SUMMARY The milk production of cows after induced parturition was compared with that of non-induced cows with similar calving dates, in 37 winter-calving, pasture-fed, commercial dairy herds in south-western Victoria. Parturition was induced when most cows were between 27 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. Milk production was compared for the lactation that commenced immediately after induction. The percentage of cows whose lactations were terminated less than 120 days after calving was increased by induction. Mean percentages for untreated and induced groups were 3.0% and 5.4%, respectively . For cows with lactations of at least 120 days duration, lactation length was not affected by the prior induction of parturition. However, milk production during the subsequent lactation was 9.0% less in induced groups. Fat and protein concentrations were not substantially affected. The reduction in milk production was not affected by stage of pregnancy when cows were induced, but tended to be greater in herds that delayed milking of induced cows .     

Evaluating side effects of newer insecticides on the vine mealybug parasitoid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anagyrus</Emphasis> sp. near <Emphasis Type="Italic">pseudococci</Emphasis>, with implications for integrated pest management in vineyards

Control of the invasive vine mealybug Planococcus ficus (Signoret) can be achieved through integration of different management strategies such as the application of chemical treatments and biological control. However, compatibility between these control methods is considered crucial when adopting integrated pest management (IPM) programs against this insect pest. The recently used insecticides Prev-Am®, a contact biopesticide, and spirotetramat, a systemic tetramic acid insecticide, were assessed in laboratory conditions for their side effects on the vine mealybug parasitoid Anagyrus sp. near pseudococci with reference to chlorpyriphos-methyl, an organophosphate insecticide conventionally used for mealybug control in vineyards. Regarding contact toxicity, chlorpyriphos-methyl caused 100% parasitoid mortality 24 h after treatment, but parasitoid mortality from Prev-Am® or spirotetramat was almost absent. Neither the total parasitoid offspring/female nor the sex ratio of the progeny was negatively affected by Prev-Am® or spirotetramat relative to the untreated control. According to the IOBC classification for laboratory trials, both Prev-Am® and spirotetramat were rated harmless (IOBC category 1), whereas chlorpyriphos-methyl was categorized as harmful (IOBC category 4) to A. sp. near pseudococci. None of the insecticides adversely affected the development of the parasitoid pupal stage inside mealybug mummies or the survival of the emerged parasitoids. The practical implications of the results for implementing mealybug IPM programs in vineyards are emphasized and discussed.     

A review of the major biological approaches to control the worldwide pest Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) with special reference to natural pesticides

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a phytophagous pest that can cause significant yield losses in many agricultural crops, including fruits, cotton, vegetables, and ornamentals. To date, 3877 host species have been reported around the world in both outdoor crops and greenhouses. In this paper, we present the common methods to control this pest including chemical and biological practices. While synthetic acaricides have been widely used to manage T. urticae, in recent years, interest in pesticides derived from plants has increased considerably as a result of environmental concerns and pest population resistance to conventional pesticides. Some botanical pesticides can be easily produced, are relatively efficient against pests, and with few exceptions, their mammalian toxicity and persistence in the environment is low. Thus, the use of plant extracts appears to be a promising alternative strategy for pest management. The present paper reviews studies on the biocidal activities of plant extracts, including essential oils, against T. urticae, a plant-feeding mite found worldwide and a serious agricultural and home garden pest.     

The Effect of Parity of the Dam on Sexual Maturation,Serum Concentrations of Metabolic Hormones and the Response to Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone in Bull Calves

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of parity of the dam on age at which a scrotal circumference (SC) ≥ 28 cm was attained and the LH response to Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) in bull calves. We also wanted to confirm, in a large group of bull calves, that the LH response to LHRH could be used to select early maturing bulls. Body weight and SC of the bull calves were measured every other week. At 15, 20 and 25 weeks of age, calves received 4.12 nm /kg body weight of LHRH ischio‐rectally and blood samples were taken every 15 min for 4 h. Calves from primiparous and multiparous dams were separated into two sub‐groups based on age at which an SC ≥ 28 cm was attained (early or late). An SC ≥ 28 cm was attained earlier in calves born to multiparous as compared with primiparous dams (p < 0.05). At 20 and 25 weeks of age, peak serum LH concentrations (LH‐peak) and area under the LH response curve (LH‐AUC) in response to LHRH were higher (p < 0.01) in calves born to multiparous as compared with primiparous dams. In calves born to multiparous dams the LH‐peak at 15 and 25 weeks of age and the LH‐AUC at 15 weeks of age were lower (p < 0.05) in calves that attained an SC ≥ 28 cm early as compared with late. The LHRH‐challenge test sensitivity and specificity ranged from 46% to 86%. We concluded that parity of the dam affected age at which SC ≥ 28 cm was attained and the LH response to LHRH in bull calves. Serum LH responses to LHRH at 15 and 25 weeks of age, in calves born to multiparous dams, show some promise for development into a test to select early maturing bull calves.