Cryptosporidial infection in a captive European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus).

An adult female hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) developed hemorrhagic diarrhea and was euthanized after failure to respond to treatment. At postmortem examination, the gastrointestinal tract was distended with clear fluid. Histopathologic examination of the jejunum and ileum revealed numerous small, round, pale basophilic organisms typical of cryptosporidia on the luminal surface of the enterocytes and free in the crypts.

Evaluation of synaptophysin as an immunohistochemical marker for equine grass sickness.

It has been proposed that synaptophysin, an abundant integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles, is an immunohistochemical marker for degenerating neurons in equine grass sickness (GS). In the present study, a statistically generated decision tree based on assessment of synaptophysin-immunolabelled ileal sections facilitated correct differentiation of all 20 cases of GS and 24 cases of non-GS disease (comprising eight horses with colic, six with neuroparalytic botulism and 10 controls). This technique also facilitated correct diagnosis of GS in all three cases that had been erroneously classified as having non-GS disease based on conventional interpretation of haematoxylin and eosin-stained cryostat sections of ileal surgical biopsies.

INFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL MODELS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN LARGE POPULATIONS.

Individual Level Models (ILMs), a new class of models, are being applied to infectious epidemic data to aid in the understanding of the spatio-temporal dynamics of infectious diseases. These models are highly flexible and intuitive, and can be parameterised under a Bayesian framework via Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. Unfortunately, this parameterisation can be difficult to implement due to intense computational requirements when calculating the full posterior for large, or even moderately large, susceptible populations, or when missing data are present.

Race performance after laryngoplasty and ventriculocordectomy in National Hunt racehorses.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of laryngoplasty (LP) on race performance in longer distance (National Hunt) Thoroughbred racehorses.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Animals: National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses (n=71) and race-matched controls (n=126).

Postoperative race performance is not correlated with degree of surgical abduction after laryngoplasty in National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses.

Objectives: To (1) assess the degree of arytenoid cartilage abduction lost after laryngoplasty (LP) in Thoroughbred National Hunt racehorses and (2) to correlate postoperative racing performance with degree of arytenoid abduction after LP.

Study Design: Case series.

Animals: National Hunt Thoroughbred racehorses (n=68).

Management of laterally displaced proximal tibial physeal fractures in three dogs.

Fractures of the proximal tibial physis are uncommon in dogs, and are rarely associated with marked instability and lateral displacement of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Three dogs with proximal tibial physeal fractures demonstrating marked instability and lateral displacement were treated with two different principles of fixation. Healing of the physeal fracture was achieved with rigid internal fixation in one case, and with adaptational osteosynthesis supplemented with a temporary transarticular external skeletal fixator in two cases.

A description of two outbreaks of capripoxvirus disease in Mongolia.

Mongolia had no reported cases of capripoxvirus disease from 1977 until an outbreak of sheeppox in 2006-2007 and then goatpox in 2008. The two outbreaks occurred in geographically distant areas of Mongolia and, most strikingly, were highly species-specific. The 2006-2007 sheeppox outbreak affected no goats and the 2008 goatpox outbreak affected no sheep despite communal herding.

Whole blood manganese concentrations in dogs with congenital portosystemic shunts.

Background: Manganese (Mn) is an essential mineral that is a cofactor for many enzymes required in the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Because hepatic clearance is essential in Mn homeostasis, conditions in humans resulting in hepatic insufficiency including cirrhosis and both acquired and congenital portosystemic shunting have been reported to result in increased blood Mn concentrations and increased Mn content in the central nervous system. Because Mn toxicity causes neurologic disturbances, increased Mn concentrations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.

A comparative molecular study of the presence of "Candidatus arthromitus" in the digestive system of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), healthy and affected with rainbow trout gastroenteritis.

Observations were made using histopathological techniques in conjunction with a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol for the specific detection of "Candidatus arthromitus" on DNA extracted from wax-embedded tissues and fresh digestive contents of rainbow trout. Samples positive for "Candidatus arthromitus" DNA included fish with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE), clinically normal cohabiting fish, and apparently healthy controls from RTGE positive and RTGE negative sites. The results obtained from the PCR were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing.

The use of porcine small-intestinal submucosa for abdominal wall reconstruction--a clinical case.

A seven-year-old miniature dachshund was presented with a large contaminated bite wound centred on the left costal arch. Survey radiographs revealed a pneumomediastinum, a mid-body fracture of the left 11th rib and luxation of the xiphisternum. The compromised skin, ribs, xiphisternum, diaphragm and abdominal wall were surgically debrided.

Comparison of total calcium, ionised calcium and albumin concentrations in the plasma of captive tortoises (Testudo species).

Plasma total calcium, ionised calcium and albumin levels in Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni), spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca), marginated tortoises (Testudo marginata) and Horsfield's tortoises (Testudo horsfieldi) were investigated. The animals were captive adults maintained under natural unfiltered sunlight in the UK with no dietary sources of cholecalciferol. Analysis of total calcium data showed statistically significant seasonal elevations in females in August compared with March (P=0.

Use of tongue ties in thoroughbred racehorses in the United Kingdom, and its association with surgery for dorsal displacement of the soft palate.

The prevalence of the use of tongue ties, calculated from 60 randomly selected race meetings held in the UK during 2001 to 2003, was 5.0 per cent. After its first use on an individual horse a tongue tie was used in an average of 77 per cent of its races during the first 12 months, but after this time period, in only 55 per cent of its races.

Calcium metabolism in eight dogs with hypoadrenocorticism.

Hypoadrenocorticism is a well-described endocrinopathy in dogs that results from deficient production and secretion of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids. Although hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia are the most common electrolyte disturbances, hypercalcaemia also occurs in approximately 30 per cent of cases. The pathogenesis of hypercalcaemia in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism is unknown.

Variations in the concentration of ionised calcium in the plasma of captive tortoises (Testudo species).

The concentration of ionised calcium was measured in the plasma of 13 Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni boettgeri), nine spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca ibera), two marginated tortoises (Testudo marginata) and six Horsfield's tortoises (Testudo horsfieldi) maintained under natural unfiltered sunlight in the UK. The numbers were too small to analyse the differences between the species, sexes or the time of the year statistically, but the concentrations of ionised calcium were generally higher in all the tortoises in the samples taken in August than in the samples taken in March and June.

Pressure distribution between the deep digital flexor tendon and the navicular bone, and the effect of raising the heels in vitro.

The objectives of this study were to topographically map pressure distribution across the palmar surface of the navicular bone in response to forces applied by the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), and evaluate the effect of raising the heels in vitro . A rig was constructed to hold an equine cadaver limb and apply controlled pressure to the navicular bone from the DDFT. Pressure-sensitive paper was used to quantify and map the resultant pressure.

Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 2: epidemiological studies on the potential relationships between different dental disorders, and between dental disease and systemic disorders.

Reasons For Performing Study: Dental disease has been shown to be a risk factor for weight loss and colic in horses. No extensive clinical studies in donkeys have investigated the potential relationship between different dental disorders, or between dental disease and systemic disorders.

Objectives: To determine possible associations between dental disease and body condition score, weight loss, the need for supplemental feeding and prevalence of colic in donkeys of all ages, and to gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of dental disease by the determination of associations between different dental disorders.

Clinical dental examinations of 357 donkeys in the UK. Part 1: prevalence of dental disorders.

Reasons For Performing Study: Dental disorders have a high prevalence in older donkeys and horses, but the nature and pathogenesis of many of these disorders have yet to be established.

Objectives: The identification and determination of the prevalence of important dental disorders in different age groups in a large single population of donkeys, to establish a better understanding of the nature and pathogenesis of these disorders.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on the donkey population at The Donkey Sanctuary with detailed oral examinations of 357 donkeys within 7 different age groups (age range 2-53 years) recorded.

Expression of three intelectins in sheep and response to a Th2 environment.

Sheep intelectin1 and sheep intelectin3 (sITLN1 and sITLN3) were cloned and sequenced. The amino acid sequences of sITLN1 and sITLN3 shared 86% and 91% homology with the previously cloned sheep intelectin2 (sITLN2), respectively. Expression of sITLN1 and sITLN3 transcript was demonstrated in abomasum, lung, colon and gastric lymph node, terminal rectum, skin, jejunum, mesenteric lymph node, ileal peyer's patches, brain, kidney, liver, spleen, skin, ear pinna, heart and ovary in normal sheep tissues.

Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations in cattle with cardiac and noncardiac disorders.

Background: Making a clinical diagnosis of pericarditis in cattle is difficult and additional diagnostic tests are needed to evaluate cattle with suspected pericarditis. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations are increased in cattle with pericarditis, but the utility of measuring serum cTnI concentrations in cattle with suspected pericarditis in cattle remains unclear.

Objectives: To determine if serum cTnI concentrations in cattle can be used to differentiate pericarditis from other cardiac disorders and noncardiac thoracic diseases.

Dimensions of diastemata and associated periodontal food pockets in donkey cheek teeth.

Equine cheek teeth (CT) diastemata often cause deep periodontal food pocketing and are therefore regarded as a painful dental disorder of equidae. However there appears to be no information available on the size or shape of these diastemata. This post mortem study examined 16 donkey skulls (mean age = 32-years) containing 45 CT diastemata to define the anatomical shape and dimensions of these diastemata, and of the associated periodontal food pockets that occur with this disorder.

Admissions processes at the seven United Kingdom veterinary schools: a review.

The major challenge in veterinary undergraduate admissions is to select those students with most suitability for veterinary training and careers from a large and diverse pool of applicants with very high academic ability. This paper describes a review of the admissions processes of the seven veterinary schools in the UK. There was significant commonality in the entry requirements and the criteria upon which the schools made decisions on candidates.

Blood types in Bengal cats in the UK.

Blood samples from 100 adult Bengal cats from the UK were submitted for assessment of blood type using RapidVet-H Feline blood typing cards (dms Laboratories), with further assessment by standard blood typing in a microtitre plate assay when card typing was inconclusive or revealed blood type B or AB. Ninety-eight cats were found to be type A when assessed using the blood typing cards. One cat initially tested as type AB but was found to be type A on testing a second blood sample using the blood typing cards.

Comparison of a flow assay for brucellosis antibodies with the reference cELISA test in West African Bos indicus.

Brucellosis is considered by the Food and Agricultural Organisation and the World Health Organisation as one of the most widespread zoonoses in the world. It is a major veterinary public health challenge as animals are almost exclusively the source of infection for people. It is often undiagnosed in both human patients and the animal sources and it is widely acknowledged that the epidemiology of brucellosis in humans and animals is poorly understood, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.