Role of navicular bone shape in the pathogenesis of navicular disease: a radiological study

From progeny lists of 30 Dutch Warmblood sires, 586 3-year-old females by these stallions were randomly selected, each progeny group aimed at 20 animals for statistical reasons. The front feet of the sires and female progeny were examined radiographically using lateromedial and dorsopalmar upright pedal projections. The radiological features associated with navicular disease were classified 0–4 using a standardised classification, grades 3 and 4 representing the more severe changes. The shape of the proximal articular border of the navicular bone outlined on the dorsopalmar view was classified 1–4: l=concave; 2=undulating; 3=straight; 4=convex. A significant shape-grade association was found, the highest grades 3 and 4 incidence associated with shape 1 and the lowest grades 3 and 4 incidence demonstrated by shape 4. In shapes 1 and 2, navicular bones grades 3 and 4 features were mainly characterised by inverted flask-shaped channels. In shape 3, navicular bones grades 3 and 4 were dominated by enthesiophytes. These findings indicate an apparent shape predisposition to radiological changes associated with navicular disease. The shape of the navicular bone in the offspring was on average the same as the sire, indicating an hereditary element in navicular bone shape.     

Skin disease in dogs associated with zinc deficiency: a report of five cases

The literature on zinc deficiency is discussed. Five cases of skin disease in dogs associated with zinc deficiency are described. All the animals were Labrador Retrievers. Lesions in all cases were similar and consisted of a dry hair coat, mild generalized seborrhoea sicca and bilaterally symmetrical, focal, yellow crusts and scale over the distal parts of the limbs and the chin. These were accompanied by ceruminous otitis externa and superficial lymphomegaly. The serum and hair zinc concentrations were markedly subnormal in all cases. Treatment with oral zinc sulphate produced a rapid resolution of physical signs and restoration of serum zinc concentrations to the reference range. All dogs were fed on unsupplemented cereal-based diets. The clinical condition appeared to arise from dietary imbalances rather than an absolute deficiency of zinc, although there may have been accompanying inherent defects of zinc absorption in some cases.     

Eumycetoma in a British cat

A case of feline eumycetoma is described. The lesions principally affected the soft tissues of the right hip and right sublumbar region and were characterized by granulomatous swelling with sinuses, discharging pus containing black granules. The latter consisted of aggregations of fungal hyphae which on culture were identified as belonging to the genus Torula. The cat died before treatment could be instigated. Previous reports of eumycetoma in animals are reviewed.     

Horner's syndrome in cats and dogs: a review

The literature was reviewed and reference made to a retrospective study of cases of Horner's syndrome seen at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. It was concluded that the cardinal diagnostic sign of Horner's syndrome is miosis. Ptosis, prolapse of the third eyelid and apparent enophthalmos are frequently presented but other signs of sympathetic deficit such as facial or aural vasodilatation are observed less consistently. The clinical diagnosis may be confirmed by pupillary response to cocaine. Horner's syndrome was frequently associated with trauma and less commonly with neoplasia. In a significant number of cases the cause was undetermined. Lesions of central neurons are reported infrequently while lesions of preganglionic and postganglionic neurons are described more often and appear to have a similar incidence. Preganglionic lesions most frequently involve the thoracic spinal cord and cervical sympathetic trunk while postganglionic lesions usually result from middle ear and retrobulbar disorders. The site of the lesion may be determined on the basis of clinical signs and pupillary response to phenyladrenalin or hydroxyamphetamine which both distinguish postganglionic lesions from preganglionic and central lesions.     

Atresia ani and urethrorectal fistula in a kitten

A case of urethrorectal fistula associated with atresia ani in a seven-week-old male kitten is described. The main clinical sign was tenesmus. The diagnosis was confirmed by positive contrast radiography and post mortem examination.     

Cardiac measurements on thoracic radiographs of cats

Measurements of the heart and thorax were made on lateral and ventrodorsal thoracic radiographs of normal cats. The degree of correlation between selected cardiac and thoracic measurements was determined. Absolute measurements and ratios of measurements in normal cats and in cats with certain cardiac diseases were compared and their diagnostic value was evaluated. It was concluded that on the lateral thoracic radiograph the ratio of the cranio-caudal width of the heart to the distance between the cranial border of the fifth rib and the caudal border of the seventh rib was a highly reliable indicator of cardiac enlargement. On the ventro-dorsal radiograph the ratio of the maxium width of heart to the width of the thorax at the same level was the best indicator of increases in cardiac size.