Endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during equine pregnancy.

Ergopeptine alkaloid exposure is common in pregnant mares. Many mares live in geographic areas where Neotyphodium coenophialum-infected tall fescue is the dominant grass in pastures and hay. A variety of grasses and cereal grains can be infected by Claviceps purpurea, and fungal sclerotia can contaminate forage and especially ground and pelleted feed. An understanding of the endocrine alterations associated with ergopeptine alkaloid exposure during pregnancy is necessary for the diagnosis of potential exposure to these compounds and for eective prophylaxis and therapy.     

Use of 64Copper Measurements to Diagnose Canine Copper Toxicosis

Inherited canine copper toxicosis is a serious problem in Bedlington terriers and West Highland White terriers, and may also be a problem in other less-studied breeds. Affected dogs become ill at midlife with progressive and ultimately fatal liver disease. Treatments for removal of copper and prevention of copper accumulation are available, but are most effective if begun before the dog becomes ill. Until recently diagnosis has not been available until the dog is 1 year of age, and then only by an invasive liver biopsy with determination of liver copper concentration. The authors studied the use of 64copper for early diagnosis of canine copper toxicosis. Two procedures were evaluated. The first involved measuring the concentration of 64copper in blood 24 hours after oral administration of the radioisotope. At this time, 64copper was associated primarily with ceruloplasmin secreted into the blood by the liver. This procedure is useful in the diagnosis of the human counterpart, Wilson's disease. However, the authors found it to be nondiscriminatory between affected and unaffected dogs. In contrast, the second procedure, which involved measuring 64copper excreted in stool during 48 hours after an intravenous dose of radioisotope, yielded results that differentiated most affected and unaffected dogs.     

Evaluation of Three Feeds for Hatchery Rearing Channel Catfish Fry

Two 7 day feeding trials were conducted with channel catfish swim-up fry to evaluate growth, feed conversion ratio, and body composition of fish fed one of the following feeds: salmon starter, catfish starter, or trout starter. Fish fed the salmon or trout starter feeds gained 50–75% more weight, converted feed more efficiently, and had higher body fat stores than fish fed the catfish starter feed. This may be related to the higher protein and energy content of these two feeds. It may be advantageous to feed salmonid starter feeds to hatchery reared catfish fry; however, it is not known whether or not the improved performance observed in the hatchery continues once the fish are stocked into nursery and grow out ponds.     

Coagulopathic Effects and Therapy of Brodifacoum Toxicosis in Dogs

The clinical signs and laboratory changes of brodifacoum (BDF) intoxicated dogs and their response to vitamin K1 treatment were examined. Brodifacoum, a second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide, was fed to four dogs for 3 consecutive days producing a cumulative dose of 1.1 mg BDF/kg body weight. Clinical observations of the animals were made daily throughout the study. Monitored laboratory parameters included: one-stage prothrombin time (OSPT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), activated coagulation time (ACT), complete blood counts, thrombocyte counts, and serum chemistry values. Response to vitamin K1 therapy was evaluated clinically and by laboratory tests. Serum BDF concentrations were monitored. Inappetence and hemorrhagic tendencies were exhibited by day 5 postrodenticide exposure. One-stage prothrombin time, APTT, and ACT were 25% greater than time zero values at 24, 24, and 72 hours postdosing, respectively. All laboratory parameters returned to normal within 48 hours of initiating vitamin K1 therapy (0.83 mg/kg orally, TID for 5 days). Serum brodifacoum concentrations were highest (1065-1215 ng/mL) during the 3 days after BDF dosing and were detectable (3.0-7.5 ng/mL) until day 24 postexposure. A mean BDF elimination half-life of 6 +/- 4 days was observed.     

魁北克省多日龄猪接种FLEX系列茵格发(R)猪圆环病毒疫苗预防猪圆环病毒相关疾病(PCVAD)的初步结果

人们认为猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)是发生断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征的一个必要因素.目前断奶仔猪多系统衰竭综合征在欧洲称作猪圆环病毒病(PCVD),在北美称作猪圆环病毒相关疾病(PCVAD).     

Assessment of the ultrasonographic characteristics of the podotrochlear apparatus in clinically normal horses and horses with navicular syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the normal ultrasonographic appearance of the podotrochlear apparatus in horses by use of standardized measurements and identify soft tissue changes associated with navicular syndrome. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 7 clinically normal horses and 28 horses with navicular syndrome. PROCEDURE: The feasibility of identifying and measuring the soft tissue structures of the podotrochlear apparatus ultrasonographically via the transcuneal approach was assessed in 2 additional horses without navicular syndrome; both horses were euthanatized, and the structures identified ultrasonographically were confirmed at necropsy. Ultrasonographs were obtained in the study horses. Objective and subjective data were obtained to characterize ultrasonographic changes associated with navicular syndrome. RESULTS: Abnormalities of the flexor surface of the distal sesamoid (navicular) bone, the impar ligament, the distal digital annular ligament, deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and the podotrochlear (navicular) bursa were assessed via the transcuneal ultrasonographic approach. No significant differences were found between the measurements of the podotrochlear apparatus in normal horses and those with navicular syndrome; however, important subjective differences were detected ultrasonographically in horses with navicular syndrome. In horses with navicular syndrome, ultrasonographic findings were indicative of navicular bursitis, dystrophic mineralization of the DDFT and impar ligament, tendonitis and insertional tenopathy of the DDFT, desmitis of the impar ligament, and cortical changes in the flexor surface of the navicular bone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings of ultrasonographic evaluation of the hoof appear to be useful in determining the cause of caudal heel pain and characterizing the components of navicular syndrome in horses.