Sheep as vectors for branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa subsp. mutelii [F.W. Schultz] Cout.) seed dispersal

Sheep can be vectors for the long‐distance dispersal of weeds when seed becomes attached and retained in wool or survives the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to determine an appropriate quarantine period for sheep that minimized the risk of the long‐distance dispersal of the seeds of branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa L. subsp. mutelii [F.W. Shultz] Cout.), a parasitic weed. Experiments with penned sheep found that the seeds that were placed on the soil surface adhered to the wool on the thigh and belly of the sheep, with most of the seeds attaching to the feet. Most of the seeds that were applied to the belly and thigh wool detached within 2 days, although a small proportion was present after 7 days. The seeds that were introduced to the digestive tract via drenching had a peak voidance 2 days later and no seed was detected on Day 8. It is suggested that a 7 day quarantine period for sheep would be sufficient in order to reduce the risk of the internal transport of seed to acceptable levels, but a small risk of the external transport of seed on the fleece remains.     

蓝狐消化道5-羟色胺和生长抑素免疫组化定位

采用免疫组织化学SP法.研究蓝狐消化道内5-羟色胺和生长抑素2种免疫阳性细胞的形态结构与分布密度.结果表明,消化道中这2种免疫阳性细胞形态多呈圆形、椭圆形或锥体形,主要集中分布在胃腺上皮、肠上皮及肠腺上皮细胞之间.5-HT免疫阳性细胞数量以结肠最多,直肠和空肠次之,胃底腺区、十二指肠、回肠和幽门腺区较少,食管、贲门腺区和盲肠中未见:SS免疫阳性细胞大量出现于幽门腺区,食管、责门腺区和盲肠中未见;根据其形态推测,蓝狐消化道这2种免疫阳性细胞有内、外2种分泌功能.     

Influence of Age on Surfactant Isolated from Healthy Horses Maintained on Pasture

Background: Surfactant alterations are described in horses after exercise, anesthesia, and prolonged transport, in horses with recurrent airway obstruction, and in neonatal foals. The effect of horse age or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) sample characteristics on surfactant is unknown.
Objectives: To evaluate surfactant phospholipid composition and function in healthy horses, and to investigate the influence of age and BALF sample characteristics on surfactant.
Animals: Seventeen healthy horses 6–25 years of age maintained on pasture year-round.
Methods: BALF was collected by standard procedures and was assessed for recovery volume, nucleated cell count (NCC), and cytology. Cell-free BALF was separated into crude surfactant pellet (CSP) and surfactant supernatant (Supe) by ultracentrifugation. Phospholipid and protein content were determined from both fractions. CSP phospholipid composition was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scatter detector. Surface tension of CSP was evaluated with a pulsating bubble surfactometer. Regression analysis was used to evaluate associations between age, BALF sample characteristics, and surfactant variables.
Results: Results and conclusions were derived from 15 horses. Increasing age was associated with decreased phospholipid content in CSP but not Supe. Age did not affect protein content of CSP or Supe, or surfactant phospholipid composition or function. Age-related surfactant changes were unaffected by BALF recovery percentage, NCC, and cytological profile.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Older horses have decreased surfactant phospholipid content, which might be because of age-related pulmonary changes. Surfactant composition is unaffected by BALF sample characteristics at a BALF recovery percentage of at least 50%.     

Serum cobalamin concentrations in healthy cats and cats with non-alimentary tract illness in Australia

Objective   To determine a reference range for serum cobalamin concentration in healthy cats in Australia using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay and to prospectively investigate the prevalence of hypocobalaminaemia in cats with non-alimentary tract disease.
Design   Prospective study measuring serum cobalamin concentrations in clinically healthy cats and cats with non-alimentary tract illness.
Procedure   Blood was collected from 50 clinically healthy cats that were owned by staff and associates of Veterinary Specialist Services or were owned animals presented to Creek Road Cat Clinic for routine vaccination. Blood was collected from 47 cats with non-alimentary tract illness presented at either clinic. Serum cobalamin concentration was determined for each group using a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.
Results   A reference range for Australian cats calculated using the central 95th percentile in the 50 clinically healthy cats was 345 to 3668 pg/mL. Median serum cobalamin concentration in 47 cats with non-alimentary tract illness (1186 pg/mL; range 117–3480) was not significantly different to the median serum cobalamin of the 50 healthy cats (1213 pg/mL, range 311–3688). Using the calculated reference range one sick cat with non-alimentary tract illness had a markedly low serum cobalamin concentration.
Conclusion   Although hypocobalaminaemia is uncommon in sick cats with non-alimentary tract illness in Australia, its occurrence in this study warrants further investigation.     

Bold fusion: transtracheal wash from a Jersey calf

A 10-week-old, female, Jersey calf was referred to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center for evaluation of difficult breathing and inappetence of 18-hours duration. Cytologic examination of a transtracheal wash specimen revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation, with increased numbers of multinucleated cells. Differential diagnoses included established bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection, and foreign body reaction. Immunocytochemical staining was done on a direct smear of the transtracheal wash using a cocktail of 4 mouse monoclonal antibodies against 3 human respiratory syncytial virus proteins. Strong intracytoplasmic staining within mononuclear cells was observed and a diagnosis of bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection was made. Immunocytochemistry may be used as a rapid, inexpensive, adjunctive diagnostic tool for the antemortem diagnosis of bovine respiratory syncytial virus on transtracheal wash specimens.     

Transtracheal wash from a puppy with respiratory disease

A 4-month-old, intact male Boxer puppy was presented to the Animal Emergency and Critical Care Services of South Florida because of nasal discharge, dehydration, dyspnea, and coughing. The dog had been diagnosed with intestinal parasites and kennel cough approximately 10 days before presentation. Lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax revealed an increased bronchointerstitial pattern throughout the lungs. A transtracheal wash was performed. On cytologic examination of direct, Wright-Giemsa-stained smears, small basophilic coccoid structures (0.3-0.9 microm in diameter) were observed in low to moderate numbers within neutrophils and adherent to epithelial cells. The small size of the organisms raised suspicion for Mycoplasma. Culture of the transtracheal wash fluid resulted in growth of a Mycoplasma sp. The patient was treated with enrofloxacin and amoxicillin/clavulanate and made a full recovery. Recognizing Mycoplasma in transtracheal washes could aid in recommending the appropriate culture media or immunologic techniques, which could result in an accurate diagnosis of mycoplasmosis.     

苜蓿草粉对黄河鲤鱼消化生理指标的影响

选取来源一致、体质健康、尾均重为248.70±1.31 g的黄河鲤鱼750尾,采用单因子完全随机设计,设5个处理,3个重复,分别在基础饲粮中添加0%(对照组)、5%(试验Ⅰ组)、10%(试验Ⅱ组)、15%(试验Ⅲ组)和20%(试验Ⅳ组)紫花苜蓿草粉,研究其对黄河鲤鱼消化生理指标的影响。结果表明:1)苜蓿草粉的添加对黄河鲤鱼消化道指数无显著影响(P>0.05)。2)肝胰脏和前、中、后各肠段的蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性均随着苜蓿草粉的添加比例的增加呈现先升后降的趋势。其中,5%和10%的苜蓿草粉添加组在肝胰脏和后肠中的蛋白酶活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05);5%和10%添加组在肝胰脏和各个肠段的淀粉酶活性均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);3)适宜水平的苜蓿草粉(5%、10%)能够提高黄河鲤鱼肠绒毛高度,在前肠,10%添加组的肠绒毛高度显著高于对照组(P<0.05);而高含量的苜蓿草粉(15%、20%)则降低了肠绒毛高度。综合表明,在黄河鲤鱼饲粮中添加10%苜蓿草粉能显著提高其消化酶活性及肠绒毛高度。     

Trauma‐associated acute mesenteric ischemia in a dog

Objective – To describe the successful management of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) in a dog. Case Summary – An 11‐year‐old, 21.4 kg, male castrated Rough‐Coated Collie was referred for evaluation of an acute abdomen following sustaining injuries in a vehicular accident. On presentation to the hospital, clinicopathologic assessments were within normal limits and distended intestinal loops were evident on abdominal palpation. Plain and contrast radiography demonstrated diffusely distended gas‐filled intestinal loops with a delayed barium transit time. Emergency surgical exploration was performed. The cecum and the proximal two‐thirds of the colon were dark purple to black in color and there were no palpable pulses in the mesenteric arteries associated with the cecum and colon. The cecum and proximal two‐thirds of the colon were resected and an ileocolic anastomosis was performed. The dog recovered well from surgery and was discharged 2 days later. Histopathologic examination was consistent with AMI. New or Unique Information Provided – AMI is uncommonly reported in human medicine and is a rare complication from even minor blunt abdominal trauma. This is the first reported case of trauma‐associated AMI in a dog.