Factors associated with keratopathy in captive pinnipeds.

To identify factors associated with keratopathy in captive pinnipeds and to provide guidance for preventive measures. 319 captive pinnipeds (229 otariids [sea lions and fur seals], 74 phocids [true seals], and 16 odobenids [walrus]) from 25 facilities. Descriptive data collected from questionnaires completed by facilities and from medical records and physical examinations of pinnipeds were compiled and evaluated.

Risk of environmental exposure to small coccidia from wild canid feces in rural Ohio.

OBJECTIVE To determine the extent of environmental exposure to heteroxenous coccidia from wild canid feces in southeastern Ohio. SAMPLE 285 presumed wild canid fecal samples collected across an ecological system in southeastern Ohio. PROCEDURES Morphological classification and molecular analysis were used to determine the canid genus for collected fecal samples.

Testing the Sarcocystis neurona vaccine using an equine protozoal myeloencephalitis challenge model.

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is an important equine neurologic disorder, and treatments for the disease are often unrewarding. Prevention of the disease is the most important aspect for EPM, and a killed vaccine was previously developed for just that purpose. Evaluation of the vaccine had been hampered by lack of post vaccination challenge.

Small sarcocysts can be a feature of experimental infections with Sarcocystis neurona merozoites.

Several reports indicate the presence of small tissue cysts associated with Sarcocystis neurona infections. Several failed attempts to develop tissue cysts in potential intermediate host using in vitro derived parasites originally isolated from horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis suggest that the experimental methods to achieve bradyzoites with those isolates was not possible. Those prior studies reported the lack of detectable sarcocysts based on histology and in vivo feeding trials.

Interobserver Variation in the Diagnosis of Neurologic Abnormalities in the Horse.

Background: The diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) relies heavily on the clinical examination. The accurate identification of neurologic signs during a clinical examination is critical to the interpretation of laboratory results.

Objective: To investigate the level of agreement between board-certified veterinary internists when performing neurologic examinations in horses.