Canadian Veterinary Journal-revue Veterinaire Canadienne最新文献

A 1-year-old intact Nigerian dwarf nulliparous doe was presented to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Teaching Hospital in March 2024 for evaluation of recurrent perivulvar masses of 3 mo duration. Transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the labia and ventrolateral peri-vulvar area was carried out. This examination revealed a horizontally oriented, bilobed mass on the dorsal left labia majora, and a separate mass located directly below the ventral vulvar commissure. The dorsal mass was separated by a vertical septum, with the medial aspect of this mass effacing the vestibular mucosa. Both masses were surgically removed and submitted for histopathology. Histopathology revealed an ulcerated/pseudocystic lesion with chronic active inflammation, abscessation, and ulceration. Cystic Bartholin gland was the most likely differential diagnosis based on the collective findings. Aerobic culture resulted in heavy growth of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The existence of Bartholin glands in goats is debated. This case offers insight to the ambiguous nature of these glands. Two months after surgery the owners reported no adverse clinical signs or regrowth of perivulvar masses. Key clinical message: This report emphasizes regional reproductive anatomy and clinical application in the goat. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis can be present in uncharacteristic locations. Any abscessed structure in a goat should be treated as infectious.

Objective: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from a large commercial sheep operation to determine if selection for larger litter sizes affected lamb birth weight, health, and performance.

Animals and procedure: Data on lamb health, performance, and carcass traits were collected during 2 vaccine trials conducted at a large commercial sheep operation. Data from each trial were analyzed for simple associations between ewe litter size, lamb birth weight, and lamb health, growth performance, and carcass traits.

Results: Increased litter size was associated with decreased lamb birth weight, and both were associated with higher mortality rates, including starvation and enteritis, and poorer growth performance and carcass traits.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Increasing ewe prolificacy can reduce lamb birth weight, growth performance, and carcass traits and increase mortality losses. Veterinarians and sheep producers should consider the negative effects of selecting breeds with very large litter sizes when trying to optimize the production of lamb meat per ewe per year.

A 9-year-old neutered male German shepherd dog was presented because of a left pelvic-limb lameness and chronic draining tracts along the distomedial left stifle at 3 mo post-tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) plate explantation. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy was completed 9 mo before presentation. Bone imaging, surgical, and histopathologic evidence supported the development of a bone sequestrum at the surgical site. Culture and sensitivity assessment of the draining tracts indicated that the dog had developed a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infection. The bone sequestrum was surgically debrided and vancomycin-impregnated calcium sulfate beads were packed into the resultant bony defect. At mid- and long-term follow-ups, the chronic infection and draining tracts had resolved. The dog recovered well with bony remodeling of the surgical site. Key clinical message: This case report describes the diagnosis and successful surgical management of an S. pseudintermedius-infected bone sequestrum at a TPLO site. Bone sequestrum and comprehensive antimicrobial management should be considered in the TPLO patient with chronically draining tracts post-implant removal. Increased awareness and appropriate treatment of bone sequestra and complicated infections can improve patient outcomes.

Background: Bovine foot rot (BFR) and bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) are infectious foot lesions with overlapping clinical features that complicate diagnosis.

Objective: Our objective was to differentiate BFR and BDD using quantitative and qualitative techniques. Populations of BFR- and BDD-associated bacteria were compared across sampling strategies, histopathological features described, and risk factors assessed via surveys.

Animals and procedure: Lame cattle were assessed and bacteria in punch biopsy samples (PB-samples), swabs, and subcutaneous samples (SC-samples) were quantified using quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, PB-samples were used for hematoxylin and eosin and Warthin-Faulkner staining. Feedlot records and producer surveys captured risk factors and producers' opinions on management practices.

Results: Swabs and SC-samples had varying bacterial abundances compared to PB-samples. Histopathology and risk factors were not diagnostic for BFR versus BDD.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Higher bacterial loads in swabs compared to PB-samples suggested careful consideration of their use as an alternative to punch biopsies in studying BFR and BDD. Furthermore, histology did not differentiate these diseases. Fusobacterium spp. population differences in dermis and SC-samples could indicate distinct, species-level roles in BFR pathogenesis. In addition, risk factors such as weight and lameness scores could not distinguish between BFR and BDD.

A 9-month-old, intact male Siberian husky mixed-breed dog weighing 14.7 kg was referred because of right hind-limb lameness. A right femoral head ostectomy was performed. The dog was premedicated with intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine and methadone. Anesthesia was induced with IV ketamine and propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen delivered through a rebreathing circuit. Two hours after inhalant anesthesia was started, hyperthermia, hypercapnia, tachypnea, and tachycardia were observed. An acute malignant hyperthermia (MH) crisis was suspected. Isoflurane was discontinued and a propofol total IV anesthesia was started, minute ventilation was increased, active cooling was implemented, and IV dantrolene was administered. The dog remained stable overnight and was discharged on the following day. Six weeks later, the dog was anesthetized for femoral head ostectomy revision and to be neutered. A propofol total IV anesthesia protocol was implemented and O₂ was supplied using a T-piece breathing circuit connected to an O₂ tank. Anesthesia was unremarkable and the dog recovered uneventfully. In dogs, MH is a life-threatening emergency caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in the ryanodine receptor 1 gene. All dogs exposed to a triggering agent are at potential risk. An unexpected tachycardia and hypercapnia despite appropriate minute ventilation, as well as exclusion of other causes, should lead clinicians to suspect MH and initiate treatment. Discontinuing the triggering agent and administering dantrolene can help control the hypermetabolic reaction. Key clinical message: This report describes a case in which an acute MH crisis was suspected in a dog during inhalant anesthesia.

Objective: This study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of blend electrolysis for hair removal in dogs.

Animals: We studied 3 healthy adult laboratory beagles.

Procedure: Small areas of palmar interdigital skin on the paws were treated with electrolysis using 6 procedures within 3 mo. The procedures were conducted under mild sedation and local anesthesia with lidocaine. Hair coat density was subjectively assessed by comparing pre-treatment dermoscopic images of the same areas.

Results: The average procedure time was 55 min. There were minimal complications. The procedures were well tolerated and resulted in either reduced hair density or complete alopecia. This effect persisted for at least 3 mo following the last treatment. One dog, examined 21 mo after treatment, exhibited a minimally distinguishable hypotrichotic area with slightly shorter and sparser hair.

Conclusion: Blend electrolysis is a feasible, though time-intensive, method for temporary hair removal in dogs.

Clinical relevance: Further research is required to investigate the efficacy and effort-to-result ratio of this method for permanent hair removal in dogs of different breeds and across different body areas.

We describe the novel treatment of idiopathic atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) in a 10-year-old Nubian wether presented because of suspected hepatopathy. Physical examination findings, including irregularly irregular rhythm, tachycardia, bilateral jugular venous distention and pulsation, and ventral edema, raised concerns for primary cardiac disease. Findings of the echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and ultrasound examinations supported the diagnosis of AF and CHF. Treatment was initially directed at rate control using β-blockers and fluid management (effusion and edema) using furosemide. Transcutaneous electrocardioversion (TCEC) was subsequently conducted under general anesthesia. Successful conversion to normal sinus rhythm was achieved with a single synchronized shock (1.25 J/kg = 100 joules). The wether remained in sinus rhythm with resolution of the CHF at a 2-month follow-up. This is the first report of successful treatment of AF and secondary CHF in a small ruminant using pharmacologic rate control, diuresis, and TCEC. Key clinical message: Management and successful treatment of AF and CHF is possible in small ruminants through intravenous heart rate control and TCEC. Treatment options for heart failure and cardiac disease are limited in ruminants. Further investigations to better understand the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of commonly used cardiac medications in ruminants are warranted.