ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF CANINE PARVOVIRAL ENTERITIS IN PUPPIES

The ultrasonographic appearance of the gastrointestinal tract of puppies suffering from parvoviral enteritis was characterized. Forty puppies between 6 and 24 weeks of age with confirmed canine parvoviral enteritis were examined ultrasonographically within 24 h of admission. Sonographic findings included fluid‐filled small intestines in 92.5% of subjects, and stomach and colon in 80% and 62.5% of subjects, respectively. Generalized atony was present in 30 subjects and weak peristaltic contractions indicative of functional ileus observed in the remaining 10 subjects. The duodenal and jejunal mucosal layer thicknesses were significantly reduced when compared with normal puppies with mean duodenal mucosal layer measuring 1.7 mm and jejunal mucosal layer 1.0 mm. Additionally, a mucosal layer with diffuse hyperechoic speckles was seen in the duodenum (15% of subjects) and the jejunum (50% of subjects). The luminal surface of the duodenal mucosa was irregular in 22.5% of subjects and the jejunal mucosa in 42.5% of subjects. In all of these subjects, changes were accompanied by generalized indistinct wall layering. Small intestinal corrugations were seen within the duodenum in 35% of subjects and within the jejunum in 7.5%. A mild amount of anechoic free peritoneal fluid was observed in 26 subjects and was considered within normal limits and a moderate amount of anechoic free peritoneal fluid was observed in six subjects. The jejunal lymph node size was within normal limits. None of the above changes are pathognomonic for canine parvoviral enteritis but finding them in combination is highly suggestive.     

NORMAL CANINE PEDIATRIC GASTROINTESTINAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY

The normal sonographic appearance of the adult canine gastrointestinal tract has been described. Interpretation of abdominal ultrasonographic findings in puppies is difficult due to the lack of information on normal ultrasonographic findings. The gastrointestinal tract, jejunal lymph node size and the presence and appearance of abdominal fluid were investigated in 23 normal, 7–12-week-old Beagle puppies. The duodenal wall thickness was greater than in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract (mean 3.8 ± standard deviation [SD] 5 mm, range 3.2–4.8 mm). The mean stomach wall thickness was 2.7 ± SD 0.4 mm (range 2.2–3.7 mm), the mean jejunal wall thickness was 2.5 ± SD 0.5 mm (range 1.2–3.4 mm), and the mean colonic wall thickness was 1.3 ± SD 0.3 mm (range 0.7–2.0 mm). In addition, mean duodenal and jejunal mucosal layer thicknesses measured 2.7 ± SD 0.5 mm (range 2.0–3.8 mm) and 1.5 ± SD 0.4 mm (range 0.6–2.5 mm), respectively. Homogenous, hypoechoic jejunal lymph nodes were easily found and the mean thickness was 7.1 ± SD 2.2 mm (range 1.5–12.5 mm). A mild amount of anechoic free peritoneal fluid was present in all puppies.     

美国大陆大气Ca2+和Mg2+复合型湿沉降对土壤无机碳固定的贡献研究

Soil inorganic carbon （SIC） stocks continuously change from the formation of pedogenic carbonates, a process requiring inputs of Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ ions. This study ranked the soil orders in terms of potential inorganic carbon sequestration resulting from wet Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ deposition from 1994 to 2003 within the continental United States. The analysis revealed that average annual atmospheric wet deposition of Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ was the highest in the Central Midwest-Great Plains region, likely due to soil particle input from loess-derived soils. The soil orders receiving the highest total average annual atmospheric wet Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ deposition, expressed as potential inorganic carbon formation （barring losses from erosion and leaching）, were： 1） Mollisols （1.1 × 10^8 kg C）, 2） Alfisols （8.4 × 10^7 kg C）, 3） Entisols （3.8 × 10^7 kg C）, and 4） Aridisols （2.8 × 10^7 kg C）. In terms of area-normalized result, the soil orders were ranked： 1） Histosols （73 kg C km-2）, 2） Alfisols and Vertisols （64 kg C km-2）, 3） Mollisols （62 kg C km-2）, and 4） Spodosols （52 kg C kin-2）. The results of this study provide an estimate of potential soil inorganic carbon sequestration as a result of atmospheric wet Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ deposition, and this information may be useful in assessing dynamic nature of soil inorganic carbon pools.     

THE GENETICS AND EARLY PREDICTION OF HIP DYSPLASIA

SUMMARY: Four breeds of dog and crosses amongst these breeds were compared with regard to their hip dysplasia status. Both radiographic hip dysplasia at 15 months and joint laxity at 8 weeks were recorded. The prediction of radiographic hip dysplasia by joint laxity was significantly improved when breed differences were included in the prediction equation. The uses of joint laxity measurements and the genetic control of hip dysplasia are discussed.