Gastroesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia associated with laryngeal paralysis in a dog

Gastro-oesophageal reflux together with sliding hiatus hernia is reported in a dog, associated with laryngeal paralysis. Diagnosis was made following endoscopy and fluoroscopy. Surgical treatment of the laryngeal paralysis resulted in complete remission of clinical signs.     

Nitrous oxide emission from soils at low moisture contents

The production of nitrous oxide by soils was studied over short periods at a range of moisture contents up to field capacity with a highly-sensitive gas Chromatographic method.Nitrous oxide (N₂O) was emitted from all soils studied at all soil moisture contents, which ranged from air dry to field capacity. The rate of emission increased with increasing moisture content and with increasing temperature up to 37°C.The evolution of N₂O was not due to displacement of soil air during wetting. It was inhibited by HgCl₂ and toluene, and was prevented by formaldehyde and autoclaving. Thus it appeared to be due to microbiological processes.The results of experiments with nitrification and denitrification inhibitors suggest that a considerable part of the N₂O was produced by the oxidation of ammonia. Production by denitrification of nitrate cannot be ruled out. The relative importance of these two mechanisms probably depends on the moisture and oxygen content of the soil.It is concluded that the microbial production of N₂O is continuous in soil at all moisture contents. The process at low moisture contents constitutes an important component in the cycle which maintains the N₂O concentration in the atmosphere.     

Growth and mortality of sibling triploid and diploid Sydney rock oysters, Saccostrea glomerata (Gould), in the Camden Haven River

Growth and mortality of sibling triploid and diploid Sydney rock oysters, grown at two tidal heights, three stocking densities and three different sites on the Camden Haven River estuary, were compared. Triploids grew faster than diploids. The majority of the growth rate difference occurred after the oysters reached 2 years of age. By 3.2 years, triploids were 49% heavier than diploids. Oysters grown intertidally were larger than those grown subtidally. Oysters stocked at the lightest density of 2 L per basket grew to a significantly larger size than baskets stocked at 3 or 4 L. Growth rates were significantly different at the three sites. Growth was reduced the further the oysters were from the mouth of the estuary. There was no significant difference in mortality between ploidy level, but there were differences between tidal heights, stocking densities and sites. Intertidal oysters suffered higher mortality than subtidal. Oysters stocked at the highest density had a significantly higher mortality than the lowest density; neither of these was significantly different from the medium density. The site closest to the mouth of the estuary had significantly lower mortality than the middle and upper estuary sites.     

The utilization of clam waste meal as a protein source for rainbow trout Salmo gairdneri

Solid waste recovered from clam processing wash water was evaluated for its utilization as a replacement protein for fish meal. Three diets, diets 1 and 2 formulated to simulate the Oregon Moist Pellet (OMP) and diet 3 (Rangen), were fed to rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) for eight weeks. The effects of the clam waste meal on fish growth, food conversion, carcass composition and whole body fatty acid content were determined. The clam waste diet supported maximum growth and food conversion. Carcass analysis of moisture, protein and lipid contents were similar among the moist feeds. The dietary levels of 20:5w3 + 22:6w3 and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were significantly higher in the clam waste diet pellet.     

Aetiology and diagnosis of persistent nasal disease in the dog: a retrospective study of 42 cases

Forty-two dogs with a history of persistent nasal disease were evaluated by a combination of clinical examination, thoracic and nasal radiography, retroflexed endoscopy and biopsy, and anterograde rhinoscopy and blind nasal biopsy. A definitive diagnosis was made in 91 per cent of cases. Neoplasia was the most common diagnosis (33 per cent of cases), followed by inflammatory rhinitis (24 per cent). Other diagnoses included periodontal disease (10 per cent), aspergillosis (7 per cent) and foreign bodies (7 per cent). Adenocarcinoma was the most common tumour diagnosed. The clinical findings were found to be too variable to be used as specific diagnostic criteria. Anterograde rhinoscopy and retroflexed endoscopy had higher specificity and sensitivity than radiology for the diagnosis of neoplasia, inflammatory rhinitis, aspergillosis and foreign bodies. With a systematic approach to the investigation of persistent nasal disease, a definitive diagnosis can be successfully obtained in the vast majority of cases.     

Insulin sensitivity decreases with obesity, and lean cats with low insulin sensitivity are at greatest risk of glucose intolerance with weight gain

This study quantifies the effects of marked weight gain on glucose and insulin metabolism in 16 cats which increased their weight by an average of 44.2% over 10 months. Significantly, the development of feline obesity was accompanied by a 52% decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin and diminished glucose effectiveness. In addition, glucose intolerance and abnormal insulin response occurred in some cats. An important finding was that normal weight cats with low insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness were at increased risk of developing impaired glucose tolerance with obesity. High basal insulin concentrations or low acute insulin response to glucose also independently increased the risk for developing impaired glucose tolerance. Male cats gained more weight relative to females and this, combined with their tendency to lower insulin sensitivity and higher insulin concentrations, may explain why male cats are at greater risk for diabetes. Results suggest an underlying predisposition for glucose intolerance in some cats, which is exacerbated by obesity. These cats may be more at risk of progressing to overt type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Fractures of the humerus

Humeral fractures are the least common long bone fracture in small animals. The low incidence of these fractures combined with the unique anatomy of the humerus makes repair of humeral fractures challenging. This chapter provides a review of humeral fracture management.     

Detection of Clinically Relevant Pain Relief in Cats with Degenerative Joint Disease Associated Pain

Background

Detection of clinically relevant pain relief in cats with degenerative joint disease (DJD) is complicated by a lack of validated outcome measures and a placebo effect.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To evaluate a novel approach for detection of pain relief in cats with DJD.

Animals

Fifty‐eight client‐owned cats.

Methods

Prospective, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, stratified, randomized, clinical study. Enrolled cats were 6–21 years of age, with owner‐observed mobility impairment, evidence of pain in at least 2 joints during orthopedic examination, and overlapping radiographic evidence of DJD, and underwent a 2‐week baseline period, 3‐week treatment period with placebo or meloxicam, and 3‐week masked washout period. Outcome measures were evaluated at days 0, 15, 36, and 57.

Results

Both groups significantly improved after the treatment period (day 36) on client‐specific outcome measures (CSOM) and feline musculoskeletal pain index (FMPI) (P < .0001 for both); there was no difference between the groups on CSOM or FMPI score improvement. After the masked washout period, more cats that received meloxicam during the treatment period had a clinically relevant decrease in CSOM score (P = .048) and FMPI score (P = .021) than cats that received placebo.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Using both a client‐specific and a general clinical metrology instrument, owners of cats with DJD were able to detect evident recurrence of clinical signs after withdrawal of active medication than after withdrawal of placebo, and that this study design might be a novel and useful way to circumvent the placebo effect and detect the efficacy of pain‐relieving medications.     

Dicoumarol toxicity in cattle associated with ingestion of silage containing sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

A diagnosis of dicoumarol toxicity in a herd of Friesian cattle was made following investigation of the deaths of three mature cows and eleven yearling heifers. Affected stock had been fed wrapped, bailed silage containing approximately 90% sweet vernal grass ( Anthoxanthum odoratum ). Sweet vernal grass contains coumarin, which can be converted to dicoumarol, a vitamin K antagonist, through the action of moulds. Most deaths were preceded by lethargy, severe anaemia and subcutaneous and internal haemorrhage. Dicoumarol toxicosis was suspected based on clinical signs, necropsy findings and prolonged prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times. Dicoumarol analysis of blood from affected animals and silage confirmed the diagnosis.     

A Case of Successful Pregnancy in a Ewe with Uterus Didelphys

Uterus didelphys is a rare congenital abnormality of the reproductive tract. Although it occurs in various species, there are no published reports describing pregnancy outcome in association with this abnormality. Herein we describe a case of successful unilateral singleton pregnancy in a ewe incidentally found to have uterus didelphys during the course of a biomedical research study. The pregnancy was established using assisted reproductive techniques and interrupted in late gestation, at which point the abnormality was identified. Serial ultrasound assessment of foetal biometry revealed a normal foetal growth trajectory. Despite a 45% reduction in placentome number, total placentome weight was near normal secondary to compensatory placentome growth and development. To our knowledge, this is the first detailed report of normal foetal growth in an animal with uterus didelphys and illustrates the ability of the ovine placenta to adapt to a reduced number of placentomes and maintain foetal nutrient supply.