Modern veterinary practice最新文献

Slaughter weight loss attributable to pregnancy in feedlot heifers was determined by immediate postmortem weighing of uteri and uterine contents of pregnant heifers. For each 10% pregnant animals within a group of slaughter heifers, the dressing percentage was reduced for the entire group by 0.66%.

Multiple cutaneous lymphosarcoma lesions in a 10-year-old German Shepherd regressed and totally healed by 5 weeks after cryotherapy of the larger lesions. The dog remains clinically normal 1 year after surgery, without use of corticosteroids or chemotherapy.

In cancer surgery, operating time, tissue trauma and other stress should be minimized because circulating dormant tumor cells may be reactivated by stress, including that of anesthesia. Rectal polyps and Sertoli-cell tumors should be removed as soon after diagnosis as possible. Neutering is recommended to reduce the risk of certain tumors. Biopsies should contain tissue from the center and periphery of the lesion. Laparotomy or thoracotomy may be necessary to visually inspect internal tumors. Debulking or partial resection of large tumors may render them more susceptible to chemotherapy or irradiation. Palliative surgery may be desirable to comfortably prolong an animal's life. In curative surgery, enlarged local lymph nodes should also be resected, hemorrhage controlled and lavage used to prevent tumor-cell seeding. Complete resection should take precedence over reconstructing the defect created by resection.

A liquid concentrate formulation of amitraz (Mitaban: Upjohn) was used to topically treat 181 dogs with scabies, at an active drug level of 250 ppm, or 10.6 ml of concentrate in 2 gal water. After the dogs were clipped and bathed, the diluted medication was applied and allowed to dry on the animal. All treated dogs were clinically improved and 97.8% cured after a single treatment; 3 dogs required 2 treatments and 1 dog 3 treatments. Otodectes cynotis and Cheyletiella yasguri in several dogs were also cleared after 1 treatment. Mild, transient sedation occurred in 12.4% of treated dogs, with transient vomiting, increased appetite and diarrhea in less than 1%.

A vaccine against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV: Norden), a cause of pulmonary edema-emphysema and pneumonia in calves, was evaluated in field trials on western Nebraska beef calves at branding, preweaning, weaning and postweaning. Of calves with undifferentiated respiratory infection at weaning, 20.9% of 2-dose vaccinates (169/810) and 27.5% of 1-dose vaccinates (230/837) required treatment, vs 48.2% of unvaccinated controls (397/823). At postweaning, 2.4% of 2-dose vaccinates (13/548) and 4.7% of 1-dose vaccinates (28/598) required treatment, vs 20.5% of controls (181/885). Studies in the 2 subsequent years revealed 11.3% of calves vaccinated at preweaning (263/2312) required treatment, vs 24.4% of controls (387/1587). Average costs from respiratory disease in 5 herds ranged from $12.83/head to $46.99/head before BRSV vaccination and 4/head to 54/head after vaccination.

Strychnine toxicosis is characterized by inducible tetanic seizures and metaldehyde poisoning by fine fasciculations progressing to generalized tremors and seizures. Intoxication with 1080 causes seizures, random running movements, vomiting, defecation, urination, acidosis and hyperglycemia. Intoxication with rodenticides causing coagulopathy is characterized by hemorrhage into body cavities but not necessarily external hemorrhage. Anticholinesterase insecticides cause salivation, urination and defecation, while chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides cause CNS disturbances. Ethylene glycol intoxication results in ataxia, depression, coma, vomiting and tachypnea, followed by acute renal failure. Urea poisoning causes bloat and CNS signs in cattle. Monensin intoxication in horses lasts several days and causes stiffness, colic, uneasiness and recumbency. Salt poisoning results in depression, seizures and hypernatremia. Lead poisoning is associated with central and peripheral nervous system signs, as well as increased numbers of nucleated RBC and basophilic stippling of RBC. Arsenic poisoning results in GI pain, diarrhea, weakness and death. Copper toxicosis in sheep is manifested by hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria. Plants that may intoxicate domestic animals include sorghum, greasewood, halogeton, water hemlock, Japanese yew, larkspur, lupine, milk-weed, philodendron, oleander, castor bean and precatory bean.

Calves with serum immunoglobulin levels less than 800 mg/dl have a failure of passive transfer of maternal antibodies, those with 800-1600 mg/dl have a partial failure of passive transfer, and those with greater than 1600 mg/dl have adequate immunoglobulin levels. Tests for immunoglobulin level evaluation are most accurate when serum from healthy animals 1-8 days old is used. Of the sodium sulfite precipitation, zinc sulfate turbidity and glutaraldehyde coagulation tests, the first is the most useful field test for evaluation of serum immunoglobulin levels in calves. It is inexpensive, easy to perform and relatively accurate.

In attempts to eliminate swine dysentery from a herd, the total cost of nitroimidazole medication in the water can be estimated at 16/gal over 3-4 weeks and for carbadox in the feed at 70/100 lb over 6-8 weeks. Use of dimetridazole or ipronidazole in the water for 3-4 weeks or carbadox in the feed for 6-8 weeks eliminates Treponema hyodysenteriae from the porcine gut. A 30-day (10 weeks with carbadox) preslaughter withdrawal time should be provided. Impervious surfaces should be thoroughly sanitized, while permeable surfaces and lots should be cleaned, dried and aired well for 2-3 weeks in warm, dry weather and for at least 60 days in cool, damp weather. Animal vectors and fomites must be controlled. Isolation of new breeding stock for 3-4 weeks helps prevent recontamination. While elimination of swine dysentery is not practical in many herds because of poor facilities or lack of producer commitment, a properly designed program can result in economic benefits.

A 4-year-old German Shepherd, with a 3-week history of anorexia, intermittent dysphagia and a serous nasal discharge, had a fluctuant mass protruding from its left pharyngeal wall. Cytologic examination of an aspirate suggested a salivary mucocele. Creation of a window in the mucocele did not prevent recurrence, so the lining of the sac was resected, after which the mucocele did not recur.