Cardiac arrhythmia and suspect cardiomyopathy in a Boxer dog

A 3 year old Boxer dog was presented with a history of syncope and an irregular heart heat. An arrhythmia characterised by ventricular premature contractions was detected and was thought to cause the syncopal episodes. On the basis of the age, breed and the characteristic electrocardiographic findings, a diagnosis of Boxer Cardiomyopathy was made. The dog was treated with procainamide 500 mg every 8 hours to control the arrythmia and there were no further syncopal episodes in the subsequent 13 months.     

Viruses and virus-like particles detected during examination of feces from calves and piglets with diarrhea

A total of 763 fecal or intestinal samples from diarrheic calves and piglets were examined for viral content by immunofluorescence, electron microscopy or cell culture. Routine fluorescent antibody and cultural tests detected rotavirus (n=126), coronavirus (n=80) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (n=13). Electron microscopy detected rotaviruses (n=24) and coronaviruses (n=17) not identified by standard fluorescent antibody tests. Other viruses detected by electron microscopy included Breda virus-like particles (n=49), astroviruses (n=1), caliciviruses (n=1), rhabdoviruses (n=1), parvoviruses (n=2), enteroviruses (n=3), togavirus-like particles (n=2), and “chained” particles (n=5). Mixtures of several of the viruses were detected in a number of fecal samples.

The survey emphasized the value of electron microscopy as a broad-spectrum diagnostic tool.

     

Outbreaks of budgerigar fledgling disease in three aviaries in Ontario

Outbreaks of budgerigar fledgling disease (BFD) occurred in three budgerigar aviaries in Ontario. Acute death in seven to ten-day-old nestlings and feather abnormalities in birds over three weeks of age were common findings. Ascites, hepatomegaly and hydropericardium were prominent gross lesions. Histologically, basophilic intranuclear inclusions were seen in many tissues. A severe drop in hatchability occurred in one aviary—a finding not previously reported with BFD. Interruption of breeding controlled the disease in aviary 1, but failed in two consecutive attempts in aviary 2. A third outbreak occurred in aviary 2 after depopulation and restocking. In aviary 3, the spread of disease was very rapid; 90% of the nestlings died within a few weeks. A papovavirus similar to a previously described isolate was recovered in this outbreak.