Spiral colon impaction in juvenile alpacas: 12 cases (2006-2010).

Objective: To describe clinical signs and treatment outcomes for juvenile alpacas with spiral colon impaction (SCI).

Design: Retrospective case series. Animals-12 juvenile (< 6 months old) camelids with SCI.

Toxins and adverse drug reactions affecting the equine nervous system.

This article provides an overview of the more common toxins and adverse drug reactions, along with more rare toxins and reactions (Table 1), that result in neurologic dysfunction in horses. A wide variety of symptoms, treatments, and outcomes are seen with toxic neurologic disease in horses. An in-depth history and thorough physical examination are needed to determine if a toxin or adverse drug reaction is responsible for the clinical signs.

Reference intervals for biochemical analytes in serum and heparinized plasma and serum protein fractions in adult alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

Background: Species-specific reference intervals for laboratory tests are required for diagnosis and management of disease. Few reports of reference intervals for biochemical analytes and protein fractions are available for alpacas.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to establish reference intervals for biochemical analytes measured in both serum and plasma and in serum protein fractions, and to determine the influence of herd and sex on test results in a population of alpacas.

Reference intervals for hematologic and coagulation tests in adult alpacas (Vicugna pacos).

Background: Species-specific reference intervals are needed for interpretation of laboratory tests. Reference interval studies of alpacas have been limited by low numbers and use of outdated methods.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to establish reference intervals for hematologic and coagulation tests in alpacas using a laser-based hematology analyzer and a mechanical clot detection coagulation analyzer, respectively; to compare results for automated and manual differential WBC and platelet counts and fibrinogen concentrations; and to examine the effect of herd and sex on hematologic tests in a population of alpacas.

Effects of opsonization of Rhodococcus equi on bacterial viability and phagocyte activation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of opsonization of Rhodococcus equi with R. equi-specific antibodies in plasma on bacterial viability and phagocyte activation in a cell culture model of infection.

Sample: Neutrophils and monocyte-derived macrophages from 6 healthy 1-week-old foals and 1 adult horse.