Replication of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus in trout leucocytes and detection of the carrier state

Abstract. The exact cellular site of replication of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) in carrier fish is unknown. In order to determine if IPNV replicates in trout leucocytes, we purified leucocytes from normal (non-carrier) trout and separated the cells into an adherent and a non-adherent population. IPNV replicated in less than 0-01 % of the adherent leucocytes with a yield of about 400 p.f.u./cell. IPNV also became associated with less than 0.07% of the non-adherent leucocytes; either IPNV did not replicate in these cells or the yield was, at best, only a few p.f.u./cell. Trout persistently infected with IPNV (carrier fish) were tested for the presence of IPNV in leucocytes by co-cultivating with a sensitive fish cell line; this same population of trout was also tested for IPNV by organ sampling using standard methods. Ninety-eight per cent of the trout were positive for IPNV by organ sampling, but only 75 % yielded IPNV from leucocytes. Thus a blood sample from a living fish can be used to detect the presence of IPNV.     

Effects of barley yellow dwarf virus on some varieties of Italian, hybrid and perennial ryegrasses and their implication for grass breeders

With the exception of chlorotic streaks in a few plants, a severe strain of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) transmitted by Rhopalosiplum padi caused no obvious foliar symptoms in 54 varieties of ryegrass when they were defoliated monthly. When defoliation ceased and yellow or red discoloration of the leaf tips was allowed to develop, it was a poor indicator of the seventy of disease effect on yield. Thus, some varieties which developed marked discoloration were less severely damaged than some with little or none While BYDV induced yield significant in some varieties of ryegrass, it increased it significantly in others. In some varieties these BYDV-induced yield increases occurred throughout the year, but in others they occurred in 1 month and were offset by a yield decrease in another. BYDV infection caused a greater yield reduction in roots than in shoots. Even varieties giving increased shoot yield gave decreased root yield. The possible disadvantages of the resulting increase in shoot to root ratio are discussed. It is concluded that breeding ryegrass for BYDV-induced yield increases may be easier and more rewarding than breeding for resistance or tolerance.     

Respiratory studies in foals from birth to seven days old

Respiratory measurements and blood-gas and acid-base values are reported in nine term induced foals. Measurements were performed at 2, 15, 30 and 60 mins, 4, 12, 24 and 48 h, and four and seven days after birth. Minute respiratory volume was significantly lower at birth than values from 12 h old. Tidal volume peaked at 60 mins old, while respiration rate decreased significantly at 15 mins after birth. Oxygen consumption was high at birth and decreased to its lowest values at 24 and 48 h. The respiratory exchange ratio and ventilatory equivalent showed few significant changes to seven days, as did the minute alveolar ventilation and physiological deadspace. The blood-gas and acid-base values indicated that the foals rapidly establish adequate pulmonary ventilation within minutes of birth, and that those values changed little from 12 h to seven days after birth. Body position had a significant effect on arterial oxygen tension with Pao₂ values in lateral recumbency being, on average, 14 mmHg lower than when the foals were standing.     

EVALUATION OF 99MTC-DIETHYLENETRIAMINEPENTAACETIC ACID RENAL SCINTIGRAM CURVES IN NORMAL DOGS AFTER INDUCTION OF DIURESIS

The normal 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) renal scintigram curve has 3 distinct phases; an arterial phase followed by progressive uptake and subsequent excretion from the kidney. In dogs with X-linked hereditary nephritis, a distinct flattening of the renal scintigram curve has been observed prior to any decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The cause of this shape change is not known, however, it coincided with decreased urine-specific gravity and thus might be related to polyuria. To further evaluate this possibility, we assessed whether diuresis without concurrent renal disease could flatten the 99mTc-DTPA renal scintigram curve. GFR scintigraphy was performed in six healthy dogs once as a baseline, and again after induction of diuresis by each of four different methods. Scintigram curves were evaluated subjectively as well as quantitatively by calculation of GFR estimates, mean renal transit times, time to peak activity and half-time clearance. Complete flattening of the renal scintigram curve did not occur with diuresis alone, and therefore, flattening of the scintigram curve may serve as an early indicator of renal dysfunction. However, during diuresis after intravenous saline administration, alterations in time to peak activity and mean renal transit time may create inaccuracies in GFR estimates based on the conventional regression formula that cause a false lowering of the resultant global GFR value.     

Neuromuscular Effects of Doxacurium Chloride in Isoflurane-Anesthetized Dogs

Objective—To determine the neuromuscular effects of doxacurium chloride and to construct a dose-response curve for the drug in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs. Design—Randomized, controlled trial. Animals—Six healthy, adult, mixed-breed dogs (five female, one male) weighing 24.8 ° 2.8 kg. Methods—Anesthesia was induced with isoflurane in oxygen and maintained with 1.9% to 2.3% end-tidal isoflurane concentration. Paco₂ was maintained between 35 and 45 mm Hg with mechanical ventilation. Mechanomyography was used to quantitate the evoked twitch response of the paw after supramaximal train-of-four stimulation of the superficial peroneal nerve. After baseline values were recorded, the dogs received one of three doses of doxacurium (2.0, 3.5, 4.5 μg/kg of body weight) or a saline placebo intravenously in random order. All dogs received all treatments with at least 7 days between studies. After drug administration, the degree of maximal first twitch depression compared with baseline (T,%) was recorded. Dose-response relations of doxacurium were plotted in log dose-probit format and analyzed by linear regression to determine effective dose (ED₅₀ and ED₉₀) values for doxacurium. Results—The median log dose-probit response curve showed good data correlation (r= .999) with estimates of the ED₅₀ (2.1 μg/kg) and ED₉₀ (3.5 μg/kg) for doxacurium in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs. Mean ± SD values for T₁% (first twitch tension compared with baseline) at maximal depression after drug administration, onset (time from drug administration to maximal depression of T₁%), duration (time from maximal depression of T₁% to 25% recovery of T₁%), and recovery (time from 25% to 75% recovery of T₁%) times were 92%± 4%, 40 ± 5 minutes, 108 ± 31 minutes, and 42 ± 11 minutes for dogs treated with 3.5 μg/kg of doxacurium and 94%± 7%, 41 ± 8 minutes, 111 ± 33 minutes, and 37 ± 10 minutes for dogs treated with 4.5 μg/kg of doxacurium. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—We conclude that doxacurium is a long-acting neuromuscular blocking agent with a slow onset of action. Doxacurium can be used to provide muscle relaxation for long surgical procedures in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs. Interpatient variability, particularly of duration of drug action, may exist in the neuromuscular response to the administration of doxacurium in dogs.     

Intraosseous Cannulation and Drug Administration for Induction of Anesthesia in Chickens

Twenty-four chickens were randomly assigned to one of three treatments (ketamine, 30 mg/ kg; thiopental, 20 mg/kg; saline, 0.8 mL). Baseline data (heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, and cloacal temperature) were recorded before ulnar intraosseous cannulation and administration of drug treatment and for 30 minutes after administration. One investigator, unaware of the treatment administered, assessed the reaction to cannulation, number of attempts per cannulation, reaction to injection, time to induction and recovery, and quality of induction and recovery. Respiratory rate increased significantly (p < .05) from baseline after thiopental. Other parameters did not vary within groups or between groups. Most birds did not react or had a mild reaction to cannulation and injection, and on average fewer than two attempts were necessary. Quality of recovery was significantly (p < .05) better after thiopental. Time to recovery was significantly (p < .05) shorter after thiopental. No major histopathologic changes were noted in bone marrow samples from the injection site. This study demonstrates that the intraosseous route may be used to induce anesthesia in chickens, and that minimal changes in the variables studied were produced by ketamine and thiopental.     

COMPARISON OF SONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF BENIGN AND NEOPLASTIC DEEP LYMPH NODES IN DOGS

The differentiation of benign vs. neoplastic lymph nodes impacts patient management. Specific sonographic features are typically considered when assessing lymph nodes in dogs. However, the usefulness of these criteria in distinguishing benign vs. malignant lymph nodes remains largely unknown, especially for deep lymph nodes. Our aim was to compare sonographic features in benign and neoplastic deep lymph nodes with the hope of identifying predictive criteria. Thirty‐one deep lymph nodes (16 mesenteric, 10 medial iliac, three hepatic, one sternal, and one cranial mediastinal) in 31 dogs were examined prospectively with B‐mode and Color flow Doppler. Lymph nodes were aspirated using ultrasound‐guidance and final diagnosis were established based on cytologic and/or histopathologic interpretation. Prevalence of each sonographic feature and combinations of two features was calculated for each group and compared using a χ²‐test or Student's t‐test for unequal variances. Ten lymph nodes were benign (hyperplastic and/or inflammatory) and 21 were neoplastic. All were hypoechoic, except for one neoplastic lymph node. Maximal short‐axis diameter (P=0.0006) and long‐axis diameter (P=0.01), and SA/LA ratio (P=0.008) were increased significantly for neoplastic (2.8, 5.5 cm, and 0.50, respectively) vs. benign (1.2, 3.8 cm, and 0.34, respectively) lymph nodes. The prevalence of other features was similar between groups. Doppler evaluation was possible in 77% of lymph nodes, but there was no significant difference between groups. When any two ultrasound features were combined, the only difference between benign and neoplastic lymph nodes was for the combination of contour regularity and appearance of the perinodal fat (P=0.03).     

Primary Gastric Carcinoma of the Dog: Review and Case Report

A case of a gastric adenocarcinoma in a ten year old neutered female Terrier of mixed breeding is presented. History, signs and pathology were typical of gastric carcinoma. However, the tumor was located in the distal one-third of the body of the stomach along the greater curvature rather than the more commonly involved pyloric antrum. The tumor was treated by surgical excision with a 7 month survival time. The surgical technique utilized is described and a discussion of canine gastric carcinoma is given.     

Tribrissen® and tiamulin for control of enteric redmouth disease

Abstract. Fifteen drugs were tested for in vitro control of Yersinia ruckeri . Those drugs yielding in vitro control were subsequently tested for in vivo control of induced enteric redmouth disease in rainbow trout. Two of the drugs, Tribrissen®v and tiamulin, controlled Y. nickeri in vivo under laboratory conditions. The effective doses used in this study were 1–0 mg of Tribrissen/kg fish/day and 5–0 mg of tiamulin/kg fish/day, when the compounds were administered orally for 14 days. No toxic effects were noted at these dose levels, or from Tribrissen given at 15 times the above effective dose.