MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF EQUINE NIGROPALLIDAL ENCEPHALOMALACIA

Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) was used to make a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia in a horse. Equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia is a neurodegenerative disease that has many characteristics with Parkinson-like diseases in humans. Historically, horses were euthanized based on clinical signs and exposure to the toxic weed, yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). Previously, the disease has only been confirmed on necropsy. MR imaging can provide accurate and sensitive visualization of typical lesions seen in the brain of horses affected with equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia. Lesions were seen on T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density images. There was no contrast enhancement following Gd-DTPA administration. Lesions seen on MR were confirmed at necropsy. Using MR to confirm a diagnosis of equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia will prevent unnecessary suffering of horses and expense to owners that would otherwise incur, while further diagnostics are performed.     

Partial colonic obstruction following ovariohysterectomy: a report of three cases

Partial extramural obstruction of the descending colon was diagnosed in two dogs and a cat as a complication of elective ovariohysterectomy. In each case, the obstruction was caused by fibrous tissue that encircled or crossed the descending colon, severely restricting the organ's normal mobility and luminal diameter. Clinical signs secondary to obstipation were observed in two cases, five weeks and 27 months after elective ovariohysterectomy. In one dog without clinical signs, the adhesion was an incidental finding during a laparotomy performed nine years after the ovariohysterectomy. The fibrous adhesions were removed surgically in all three cases without additional complications.     

Cerebellar cystic meningioma in a dog

A 21-kg, seven-year-old, male, mixed-breed Labrador retriever was admitted for incoordination and a head tilt of approximately three months' duration. Ataxia was noted of the trunk and limbs, and there was a head tilt to the right side. Conscious proprioceptive deficits were present in the left thoracic and pelvic limbs (i.e., hemiparesis). These abnormalities were consistent with paradoxical vestibular syndrome and a lesion involving the caudal cerebellar peduncle. A mass lesion consisting primarily of fluid was present on magnetic resonance imaging and at craniectomy. Histopathological diagnosis was a cystic meningioma. Based upon previous reports and experience, the location of this tumor was unusual.     

Molting,Mortality, and the Effects of Density in a Soft-Shell Crawfish Culture System 1

The molting and mortality patterns at a crawfish density recommended for commercial-scale soft-shell crawfish culture systems showed that, over a 116 day period, 74% of the crawfish molted, 22% died, and 4% remained in the system at the end of the study. Approximately three weeks of adaption to the system were required before molting rates of the crawfish began to increase. By the sixth week, the number of malted crawfish per day exceeded the overall mean and remained at this level until 10 days before moltable crawfish were depleted. In a second study, three density levels (3.7,4.9, and 6.1 kg crawfish/m²) were tested for 60 days. The lowest density produced significantly fewer (P < 0.05) molted crawfish. Mortality was significantly greater (P < 0.05) at the highest density compared with the lowest density. The highest density (6.1 kg crawfish/m²) showed a higher molting rate than the lower densities, but it was not significantly different (P < 0.05) from the molting rate of 4.9 kg/m².