Dorsal midbrain syndrome associated with persistent neck extension: Clinical and diagnostic imaging findings in 2 dogs

Two young dogs were evaluated for an acute onset of abnormal head posture and eye movement. Neurological examination was characterized mostly by permanent neck extension, abnormalities of pupils, and eye movement. A mesencephalic mass lesion was detected on magnetic resonance imaging in both cases. Neurophysiological pathways likely responsible for this peculiar clinical presentation are discussed.     

Pyrosequencing of the rabies virus glycoprotein gene to demonstrate absence of vaccine-associated rabies cases following oral vaccination

Replication competent vaccines have been used successfully for the control of terrestrial rabies, mainly in wildlife; however, these vaccine strains occasionally may induce rabies. In this study, a pyrosequencing protocol for the rapid identification of vaccine-associated rabies viruses was applied to the 2008–2011 Italian epidemic. There was no evidence of vaccine-associated rabies cases following oral vaccination of foxes with the SAG2 and SADB19 vaccine strains.     

Alfaxalone anaesthesia in Lemur catta following dexmedetomidine–butorphanol–midazolam sedation

Objective

To evaluate the clinical effects and quality of sedation, induction, maintenance and recovery in Lemur catta after dexmedetomidine–butorphanol–midazolam sedation and alfaxalone anaesthesia.

Treatment of incisive bone fracture in a horse using an acrylic splint

A ventrally displaced incisive bone fracture was diagnosed in a 3-year-old Andalusian stallion. Symptoms included swelling of the lips, dysphagia and ptyalism. External manipulation revealed pain and crepitus in the gingival region of the rostral maxilla. An intraoral examination revealed upper gingival haematomas, misalignment and malocclusion of the incisors (prognathism). A radiograph of the rostral maxilla confirmed ventrally displaced bilateral fractures of the incisive portion of the maxilla rostral to the canine teeth (Triadan 104/204). The fracture was reduced under general anaesthesia. A methylmethacrylate intraoral splint was used to stabilise the fracture. Post operative radiographs confirmed the fracture reduction. Post operative clinical control confirmed the correct position of the splint. No complications were encountered in the post operative period and good stabilisation was obtained. The splint was removed 60 days post operatively. The use of an acrylic intraoral splint successfully stabilised a bilateral, ventrally displaced incisive bone fracture. Normal occlusion was obtained. The use of an acrylic splint may represent a relatively simple, inexpensive and noninvasive technique for the repair of incisive bone fractures rostral to canine teeth in horses.     

Identification of an allotypic IgA in cattle serum

Alloimmunization of cattle revealed a polymorphism carried on a serum antigen displayed beta-electrophoretic mobility. A genetic test indicated that the antigen is inherited in a Mendelian manner, as product of a dominant allele at an autosomal locus. By immunochemical investigation the allotypic determinant was found to be located on IgA: there were in fact no differences between the peptidic map of the molecule carrying the allotypic determinant and that of IgA from positive sera. Moreover the peptidic map of IgA from sera lacking of the allotype resulted lacking of an anodic peptide, thus suggesting that the polymorphism is indeed due to such a peptide.     

The first specific detection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) in Ivory Coast

The Virology Laboratory of the Central Laboratory of Animal Diseases in Ivory Coast at Bingerville received samples of wild and domestic avian species between February and December 2006. An RT-PCR technique was used to test for avian influenza (AI) and highly pathogenic AI subtype viruses. Among 2125 samples, 16 were type A positive; of which, 12 were later confirmed to be H5N1. Fifteen of these 16 type A positive samples were inoculated into the chorioallantoic cavity of 11-day-old embryonated hens' eggs for virus isolation. Eight produced virus with hemagglutination titres from 1/64 to 1/512. The 4/16 M-RT-PCR positive samples, which were H5N1 negative, were shown to be H7 subtype negative. The diagnostic efficiency of the laboratory for the surveillance of H5N1 in Ivory Coast was demonstrated. The positive cases of H5N1 were from a sparrowhawk (Accipter nisus); live market poultry and in free-range poultry, where the mortality rate was approximately 20% (2/10) and 96.7% (29/30) respectively. Currently, investigations into intensive poultry farms have proved negative for H5N1. No human cases have been reported this time.     

Oxygen reserve index as a noninvasive indicator of arterial partial pressure of oxygen in anaesthetized donkeys: a preliminary study

ObjectiveTo evaluate the oxygen reserve index (ORI) as a noninvasive estimate of the PaO₂ during moderate hyperoxaemia [100–200 mmHg (13.3–26.6 kPa)], and to determine ORI values identifying PaO₂ > 100, > 150 (20.0 kPa) and > 200 mmHg in anaesthetized donkeys with an inspired fraction of oxygen (FiO₂) > 0.95.Study designProspective observational study.AnimalsA group of 28 adult standard donkeys aged (mean ± standard deviation) 4 ± 2 years and weighing 135 ± 15 kg.MethodsDonkeys were sedated intramuscularly with xylazine and butorphanol; anaesthesia was induced with ketamine and diazepam and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. An adhesive sensor probe was applied to the donkey’s tongue and connected to a Masimo pulse co-oximeter to determine ORI values. An arterial catheter was inserted into an auricular artery. After ORI signal stabilization, the value was noted and PaO₂ determined by blood gas analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between ORI and PaO₂ for oxygen tension < 200 mmHg (< 26.6 kPa). The Youden index was used to identify the value of ORI that detected PaO₂ > 150 and 200 mmHg (20.0 and 26.6 kPa) with the highest sensitivity and specificity.ResultsA total of 106 paired measurements were collected. A mild positive correlation was observed between ORI and PaO₂ for values < 200 mmHg (26.6 kPa; r = 0.52). An ORI > 0.0, > 0.1 and > 0.3 indicated a PaO₂ > 100, > 150 and > 200 mmHg (13.3, 20.0 and 26.6 kPa) with negative predictive values > 94%.Conclusions and clinical relevanceORI may provide a noninvasive indication of PaO₂ > 100, > 150 and > 200 mmHg (13.3, 20.0 and 26.6 kPa) in anaesthetized donkeys with an FiO₂ > 0.95, although it does not replace blood gas analysis for assessment of oxygenation.     

Rabies Vaccination: Higher Failure Rates in Imported Dogs than in those Vaccinated in Italy

The current European Union (EU) legislation decrees that pets entering the EU from a rabies‐infected third country have to obtain a satisfactory virus‐neutralizing antibody level, while those moving within the EU require only rabies vaccination as the risk of moving a rabid pet within the EU is considered negligible. A number of factors driving individual variations in dog vaccine response have been previously reported, including a high rate of vaccine failure in puppies, especially those subject to commercial transport. A total of 21 001 observations collected from dogs (2006–2012) vaccinated in compliance with the current EU regulations were statistically analysed to assess the effect of different risk factors related to rabies vaccine efficacy. Within this framework, we were able to compare the vaccination failure rate in a group of dogs entering the Italian border from EU and non‐EU countries to those vaccinated in Italy prior to international travel. Our analysis identified that cross‐breeds and two breed categories showed high vaccine success rates, while Beagles and Boxers were the least likely to show a successful response to vaccination (88.82% and 90.32%, respectively). Our analysis revealed diverse performances among the commercially available vaccines, in terms of serological peak windows, and marked differences according to geographical area. Of note, we found a higher vaccine failure rate in imported dogs (13.15%) than in those vaccinated in Italy (5.89%). Our findings suggest that the choice of vaccine may influence the likelihood of an animal achieving a protective serological level and that time from vaccination to sampling should be considered when interpreting serological results. A higher vaccine failure in imported compared to Italian dogs highlights the key role that border controls still have in assessing the full compliance of pet movements with EU legislation to minimize the risk of rabies being reintroduced into a disease‐free area.     

Cardiovascular effects and intraoperative pharmacokinetics of tramadol in sheep undergoing spinal surgery

Objective

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of two doses of tramadol during isoflurane anaesthesia in sheep and their ability to prevent the cardiovascular response induced by surgical stimulation.