Outcome and Complications following Stabilization of Coxofemoral Luxations in Cats Using a Modified Hip Toggle Stabilization-A Retrospective Multicentre Study.

Objectives:  The main aim of this study was to report the surgical technique, the complications and the clinical outcomes of the mini-Tight Rope system (mini-TR) for a modified hip toggle stabilization of coxofemoral luxation in cats.

Study Design:  A multicentre retrospective study.

Animals:  Thirty-two client-owned cats.

Survey of occurrence in meat-producing rabbitries in Switzerland.

Background: An outbreak of salmonellosis due to Typhimurium was detected coincidentally in a Swiss meat rabbitry, given that surveillance of in rabbits is not mandatory in Switzerland.

Methods: To assess the extent of potentially subclinical carriage in meat rabbits, faecal pool samples of 50 farms (90% of Swiss commercial rabbitries) with ground covering litter and group housing were bacteriologically tested. Additionally, 236 rabbits showing clinical signs compatible with intestinal diseases, such as salmonellosis, were examined postmortem and analysed bacteriologically.

The Accuracy of Serum Amyloid A in Determining Early Inflammation in Horses After Long-Distance Transportation by Air.

Transportation of sporthorses increases their susceptibility to infectious diseases. Before, caretakers relied on rectal temperature together with their clinical impression to detect travel-associated infections. This study's aim was to assess and compare serum amyloid A (SAA) to rectal temperature as an indicator of early inflammation in sporthorses after air transportation.

Increase of pregnancy rate after multiple periovulatory inseminations in mares.

Objective: There exist differences in the reproductive behavior of stallions and mares under free-running and domestic in-hand breeding conditions. Contrary to artificial insemination programs, a stallion mates a mare multiple times per estrus under natural conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if multiple periovulatory artificial inseminations (MI), four times in two different time intervals instead of two, would result in increased pregnancy outcome or higher incidences of breeding induced endometritis.

Diagnostic endoscopy of the navicular bursa using a needle endoscope by direct or transthecal approach: A comparative cadaver study.

Objectives: To compare the practicability, visualization of structures, and iatrogenic damage of direct and transthecal approaches to the navicular bursa for diagnostic needle endoscopy.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Sample Population: Equine cadaver forelimbs (n = 30).

Occurrence of systemic hypertension in dogs with acute kidney injury and treatment with amlodipine besylate.

Objectives: To describe the occurrence of systemic hypertension in dogs with acute kidney injury and the efficacy of amlodipine besylate for its treatment.

Methods: This retrospective study included 52 dogs with acute kidney injury (2007 to 2008) grouped based on the use of amlodipine in their treatment. Systemic blood pressure was measured with an oscillometric device at admission, before, during, and after amlodipine therapy.

Increased mucus accumulation in horses chronically affected with recurrent airway obstruction is not associated with up-regulation of CLCA1, EGFR, MUC5AC, Bcl-2, IL-13 and INF-gamma expression.

The mechanisms leading to mucus accumulation in equine inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) are unclear. In airways of human patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as in animal models of these diseases, associations of mucus hyperproduction with increased calcium-activated chloride channel 1 (CLCA1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), interleukin (IL)-13 and interferon (IFN)-gamma expression have been reported. We hypothesized that increased mucus accumulation in RAO and IAD are associated with alterations in inflammatory cytokine (IL-13 and IFN-gamma) and epithelial gene (CLCA1, EGFR, Bcl-2 and MUC5AC) profiles.

Assessment by electron-microscopy of recombinant Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella vaccine strains expressing enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-specific surface antigens.

Diarrhoea caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) requires adhesion of microorganisms to enterocytes. Hence, a promising approach to immunoprophylaxis is to elicit antibodies against colonisation factor antigens (CFAs). Genes encoding the most prevalent ETEC-specific surface antigens were cloned into Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella vaccine strains.

Infectious endocarditis caused by gas-producing Escherichia coli in a diabetic dog.

A 10-year-old, female West Highland white terrier was presented with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and a previously undetected heart murmur. Emphysematous cystitis, emphysematous peritonitis and infective endocarditis of the tricuspid valve with gas accumulation were diagnosed with radiographs, including non-selective angiocardiography. The diagnoses were confirmed by post-mortem examination and positive cultures for Escherichia coli in blood, urine and tricuspid valve tissue samples.

Morphological and immunocytochemical analysis of Escherichia coli-specific surface antigens in wildtype strains and in recombinant Vibrio cholerae.

Adhesion is the first step in the pathogenesis of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections. The genes encoding the most prevalent adhesion factors CFA/I, CS3 and CS6 were cloned into Vibrio cholerae strain CVD 103-HgR and expression of fimbriae was investigated in wildtype and recombinant strains by transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with immunolabelling and negative staining. Negative staining was effective in revealing CFA/I and CS3, but not CS6.

Thoracolumbar dorsolateral laminectomy with osteotomy of the spinous process in fourteen dogs.

Objective: To describe outcome after an alternative unilateral approach to the thoracolumbar spine for dorsal laminectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical study.

Animals: Dogs (n=14) with thoracolumbar spinal cord compression.

Distribution of lactate dehydrogenase in healthy and degenerative canine stifle joint cartilage.

In dogs, degenerative joint diseases (DJD) have been shown to be associated with increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the synovial fluid. The goal of this study was to examine healthy and degenerative stifle joints in order to clarify the origin of LDH in synovial fluid. In order to assess the distribution of LDH, cartilage samples from healthy and degenerative knee joints were investigated by means of light and transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with immunolabeling and enzyme cytochemistry.

Influence of surgical approach on the efficacy of the intervertebral disk fenestration: a cadaveric study.

Objectives: To investigate the influence of different approach angles on the amount of nucleus pulposus removed during intervertebral disc fenestration in dogs.

Methods: Twenty cadavers of beagle dogs were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three treatment groups in which intervertebral fenestration was performed using either a dorsal, dorsolateral or lateral approach between the 12th thoracic and second lumbar spaces. The volume of nucleus pulposus, the weight of the residual nucleus pulposus and the angle of the working sector were measured.

Equine botulism and acute pasture myodystrophy: new soil-borne emerging diseases in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, the incidence of equine botulism and acute pasture myodystrophy have remarkably increased in the last five years. Equine fodder-borne botulism in Europe is most likely caused by Clostridium botulinum types C and D that produce the toxins BoNT/C and BoNT/D. Horses showing signs suggestive of botulism (muscle weakness and tremors, reduced tongue tone, slow chewing, salivation and difficulties swallowing, drooping eyelids, mydriasis), especially patients that have fed on suspect fodder (mostly haylage), must be treated with anti-serum as soon as possible.

Effects of an alveolar recruitment maneuver on cardiovascular and respiratory parameters during total intravenous anesthesia in ponies.

Objective: To evaluate pulmonary and cardiovascular effects of a recruitment maneuver (RM) combined with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) during total intravenous anesthesia in ponies.

Animals: 6 healthy adult Shetland ponies.

Procedure: After premedication with detomidine (10 microg/kg, IV), anesthesia was induced with climazolam (0.