Metallic foreign bodies in the tongues of 16 horses

The history, clinical signs, results of diagnostic imaging, treatment methods and outcome of 16 adult horses with a metallic foreign body in the tongue are reviewed. All the horses had a swollen tongue, they salivated excessively and were partially to completely anorexic. Less common clinical signs were fever, an enlarged and painful intermandibular space, dysphagia, unilateral tongue paralysis and halitosis. Most of the horses had shown clinical signs for less than 24 hours. The foreign bodies were diagnosed by oral examination, radiography and ultrasonography; they were removed from the tongue of four of the horses during the initial oral examination, and were removed surgically from nine others; the other three horses were treated medically without attempts being made to extract the foreign bodies. Twelve of the bodies were small pieces of wire and one was a hypodermic needle. All the horses received a combination of antimicrobial and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and they all made an uneventful recovery. Feeding hay and the use of cable-framed tractor tyres as feeders were commonly associated with the cases.     

Beacon-like immunoreactivity in the hypothalamus of domestic chick

Beacon-immunoreactive (B-ir) fibres and neurons in the hypothalamus of the domestic chick (Gallus domesticus) were studied using an immunohistochemical technique in order to verify the presence and elucidate the pattern of distribution of this novel peptide in an avian brain. B-ir neurons were seen in the n. supraopticus, pars ventralis and pars externus; n. magnocellularis preopticus, pars dorsalis, medialis and ventralis; n. preopticus periventricularis; n. suprachiasmaticus, pars medialis; n. ventrolateralis thalami. Only few B-ir cells were scattered in the most anterior part of the lateral hypothalamic area. B-ir fibres, appearing as thin punctuate structures, were seen mainly along the walls of the third ventricle and in the ventromedial hypothalamus. Labelled fibres and terminals were located in the external and internal zones of the anterior and posterior median eminence. In particular, fibre terminals were seen close to the capillary loops of the hypothalamo-hypophysial portal system. The anatomical data of the present study regarding the distribution of B-ir in the chick hypothalamus suggest that beacon may play a key role in the regulation of the neuroendocrine system by acting as a neuromodulator and/or neurotransmitter.     

Academic food-supply veterinarians: future demand and likely shortages

The future demand for and potential shortages of food-supply veterinarians have been the subject of much concern. Using the Delphi forecasting method in a three-phase Web-based survey process, a panel of experts identified the trends and issues shaping the demand for and supply of academic food-animal veterinarians, then forecasted the likely future demand and shortages of food-supply veterinarians employed in academic institutions in the United States and Canada through 2016. The results indicate that there will be increasing future demand and persistent shortages of academic food-supply veterinarians unless current trends are countered with targeted, strategic action. The Delphi panel also evaluated the effectiveness of several strategies for reversing current trends and increasing the number of food-supply veterinarians entering into academic careers. Academic food-supply veterinarians are a key link in the system that produces food-supply veterinarians for all sectors (private practice, government service, etc.); shortages in the academic sector will amplify shortages wherever food-supply veterinarians are needed. Even fairly small shortages have significant public-health, food-safety, animal-welfare, and bio-security implications. Recent events demonstrate that in an increasingly interconnected global economic food supply system, national economies and public health are at risk unless an adequate supply of appropriately trained food-supply veterinarians is available to counter a wide variety of threats ranging from animal and zoonotic diseases to bioterrorism.     

Idiopathic primary chylopericardium in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 7-year-old spayed female Labrador Retriever was evaluated because of pericardial effusion. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The dog had a history of decreased appetite and exercise intolerance of 3 days' duration. Thoracic radiography performed by the referring veterinarian revealed a large cardiac silhouette. Heart sounds were muffled. Echocardiographic findings were indicative of severe pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade; no pleural effusion was identified. Pericardiocentesis yielded a considerable amount of chylous fluid. A diagnosis of chylopericardium in the absence of pleural effusion was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Conservative management was not effective, and subtotal pericardectomy and thoracic duct ligation were recommended. Surgery was postponed by the owners for 25 days, at which time the dog had both chylopericardium and chylothorax. The dog underwent subtotal pericardectomy and thoracic duct ligation; to delineate the thoracic duct, intraoperative lymphangiography was performed by injection of a radiopaque contrast agent directly into a mesenteric lymph node and subsequent injection of methylene blue solution into another mesenteric lymph node. Surgical treatment resulted in complete resolution of the clinical signs and pleural effusion. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the development of chylopericardium prior to development of chylothorax in a dog. Treatment with thoracic duct ligation and pericardectomy resulted in complete resolution of the effusion and clinical signs.     

Risk factors associated with renal insufficiency in horses with primary gastrointestinal disease: 26 cases (2000-2003)

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with renal insufficiency in colic- or colitis-affected horses with high serum creatinine (SCr) concentrations evaluated at a referral hospital. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 167 colic- or colitis-affected horses (88 represented a random sample [hospital population], and 79 had high SCr concentration at initial evaluation [study population]). PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed. Data collected included signalment; physical examination, clinicopathologic, and diagnostic findings; and outcome. The study population was categorized on the basis of whether SCr concentration did (AR group; n = 53) or did not (PA group; 26) normalize within 72 hours of fluid therapy. Characteristics of the study and hospital populations were compared. RESULTS: Males and Quarter Horses were significantly overrepresented in the study population. Compared with the hospital population, study-population horses were significantly more likely to have colitis, gastric reflux, and diarrhea at initial evaluation. Initial mean SCr concentration in the PA group was significantly higher than the AR group; identification of gastric reflux, abnormal rectal examination findings, and hypochloremia were significantly associated with persistent azotemia after 72 hours of fluid therapy. Compared with the AR group, PA group horses were 3 times as likely to die or be euthanized. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In colic- or colitis-affected horses, factors associated with renal insufficiency included gastric reflux, abnormal rectal examination findings, or hypochloremia initially; prognosis for horses in which azotemia resolves within 72 hours of treatment appears to be better than for horses with persistent azotemia.     

Foot pad dermatitis develops at an early age in commercial turkeys

1. A field experiment was conducted to identify the macroscopic and histological changes associated with the development of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) in growing turkeys. Two affected and two unaffected turkeys were sampled weekly from 1 to 8 and at 10 and 21 weeks of age. 2. At one week old, birds with external signs of FPD (surface skin discolouration) showed abnormal cellular changes of the foot pad integument. As the flock aged the reactions intensified, with one sample exhibiting a fully developed macroscopic lesion at 3 weeks. 3. Major pathological changes had occurred by 6 weeks and all turkeys with external signs of lesions had fully developed microscopic inflammatory cellular lesions. From 6 weeks of age onwards lesions were increasingly numerous and became more overtly necrotic. 4. Externally normal foot pads showed microscopic evidence of lesions after the turkeys reached 4 weeks. 5. We conclude that FPD lesions become severe over a short period of time and at a very early age.     

The effect of beta-glucanase supplementation of barley- and oat-based diets on growth performance and fermentation in broiler chicken gastrointestinal tract

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether grain type (barley or oats) and ss-glucanase inclusion influence the performance and the gastrointestinal ecosystem of broiler chickens, taking the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids and lactic acid, pH, ileal viscosity, and the weight of the caeca and liver into consideration. 2. The inclusion of beta-glucanase in the oat-based diet improved body weight gains. Enzyme supplementation of barley-based diets improved feed conversion efficiency and reduced intestinal viscosity. 3. Irrespective of the type of cereal, beta-glucanase supplementation increased the lactic acid concentration and lowered the pH of the crop contents. No such changes in fermentation were observed in the contents of the gizzard and ileum. 4. Larger amounts of total dietary fibre and its fractions (arabinoxylans and beta-glucans) in oats decreased the weight of the caeca. 5. Molar ratios of acetate, propionate and butyrate in the caecal chyme were affected by cereal type but not by enzyme supplementation. The barley-based diet increased the butyrate:propionate ratio but the opposite effect was observed with the oat-based diet.     

Clinical evaluation of a peptide-ELISA based upon N-terminal B-cell epitope of the VapA protein for diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals

A total of 227 field samples from naturally exposed foals aged between 3 weeks and 6 months were used in an evaluation of a peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi infection. A biotinylated peptide derived from the virulence-associated protein A (VapA) of R. equi, a horse pathogen, was synthesized and designated as PN11-14. The peptide corresponds to the N-terminal B-cell epitope TSLNLQKDEPNGRASDTAGQ of the VapA protein. Based upon a serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G titre of 512 as a positive cut-off value for the R. equi infection, the ELISA provided the overall sensitivity of 47.62%, specificity of 69.67% and an accuracy of 59.47% with a positive predictive value of 57.47% for true R. equi pneumonia. The assay was improved by detecting VapA-specific IgGb antibodies against N-terminal B-cell epitope of the VapA protein rather than IgG antibodies. The VapA-IgGb ELISA showed the overall sensitivity of 70.47%, specificity of 72.13% and accuracy of 71.36% with a positive predictive value of 68.52%. Diagnosis of R. equi disease in 6-week-old foals showed that the VapA-IgGb ELISA provided an increasing trend (P=0.0572) in sensitivity of 82.4% in comparison with the VapA-IgG ELISA which showed the sensitivity of 58.8%. However, differences in specificity of both tests were statistically insignificant (P=0.357) as analysed by the McNemar test. These results indicated that detection of VapA-specific IgGb antibodies may be a better predictor of R. equi disease in foals.     

Evaluation of strontium 90 irradiation in treatment of cutaneous mast cell tumors in cats: 35 cases (1992-2002)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of strontium 90 beta irradiation in the management of cutaneous mast cell tumors (CMCTs) in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 35 client-owned cats with CMCTs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of cats with CMCTs in which tumors were radiated by use of a strontium 90 ophthalmic applicator from 1992 to 2002 were reviewed. Cats were included if CMCT was diagnosed, there were no other sites of MCT involvement at the time of treatment, and records contained adequate follow-up information to permit retrospective assessment of local tumor control. RESULTS: 54 tumors in 35 cats were treated with a median dose of 135 Gy of strontium 90 beta irradiation, resulting in local tumor control in 53 of 54 (98%) tumors with a median follow-up time of 783 days after treatment. Median survival time was 1,075 days. Adverse effects of treatment appeared to be infrequent and of mild severity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that strontium 90 beta irradiation resulted in long-term tumor control and should be considered an effective alternative to surgical resection in management of CMCTs in cats.