bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms underlying Phalaris aquatica “sudden death” syndrome in sheep
Authors: BOURKE CA , CARRIGAN MJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTwenty outbreaks of Phalaris aquatica “sudden death” syndrome in sheep were Investigated between 1981 and 1991. Four were confirmed and one was suspected, to be a cardiac disorder; 5 were confirmed and 3 were suspected, to be a polio‐encephalomalacic disorder; the aetiology of the remaining 7 outbreaks could not be determined. Potentially toxic levels of hydrocyanic acid (20 to 36 mg/100 g) were measured in the 3 toxic phalaris pastures tested. The measurement of potentially toxic levels of nitrate nitrogen (2920 μg/g) in toxic phalaris pastures by others, was noted. It is suggested that phalaris “sudden death” syndrome could have as many as 4 different underlying mechanisms, and that these might reflect the presence in the plant of a cardio‐respiratory toxin, a thiaminase and amine co‐substate, cyanogenic compounds, and nitrate compounds.
Aspergillosis in camels affected with a specific respiratory and enteric syndrome
Authors: EL‐KHOULY A‐BA , GADIR FA , CLUER DD , MANEFIELD GW 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYDuring the summer of 1990 deaths, occurred in racing camels (Camelus dromedarius) associated with a specific disease syndrome. Clinical signs included pyrexia, coughing, lachrymation, oedema of the throat and submandibular region and enlargement of submandibular lymph nodes. In terminal cases nervous signs were present and sometimes there was bloody diarrhoea and vomiting. Of 480 camels at least 70 animals were affected with the disease and about 40 died. Morbidity and mortality was greater in camels recently imported.Consistent necropsy findings were extensive petechial and ecchymotic haemorrhage beneath the epicardium, endocardium and visceral pleura and in the mediastinal lymph nodes, and haemorrhagic oedema of the pharyngeal and laryngeal areas. Haemorrhages occurred more variably in abdominal organs and on the omasal and abomasal mucosa. Bronchopneumonia, omasitis and abomasitis were observed on microscopic examination, together with liver and kidney lesions of presumed toxic origin.Fungal hyphae and, occasionally, the characteristic conidial morphology of Aspergillus fumigatus were seen in sections and direct smears from lesions in the respiratory and alimentary tracts. A fumigatus was cultured from trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, lung tissue, heart blood, omasum, abomasum, ileum and submandibular lymph nodes. Whether the role of Aspergillus in the overall syndrome is primary or secondary has not been established; no other potential aetiological agent has been identified.
Improved feed intake and body weight change in sheep treated with dexamethasone at entry into pens or feedlots
Authors: ADAMS NR , SANDERS MR 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTreatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone sodium phosphate increased the feed intake of sheep within 24 h. A single treatment with the longer‐acting compound dexamethasone trimethylacetate had a slower effect, but resulted in improved feed intake and enhanced body weight gain over a period of 7 to 14 days. Treatment was effective in sheep housed individually and in sheep penned in groups. The improvement in body weight gain disappeared 15 to 20 days after a single treatment, but in most studies treated sheep had less variability in weight change than untreated sheep at this time. A statistically significant increase in body weight gain was observed in 8 of 11 trials; in the other 3 trials, it appeared that the feed intake of the untreated sheep was already maximal. Wethers treated with dexamethasone trimethylacetate on arrival at an assembly point for live export arrived in the Middle East 23 days later with a lower mean weight loss, partly because fewer sheep lost a significant amount of weight.
Rhinocerebral and nasal zygomycosis in sheep caused by Conidiobolus incongruus
Authors: KETTERER PJ , KELLY MA , CONNOLE MD , AJELLO L. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: The clinical findings, pathology and mycology of a cluster of 5 ovine cases of rhinocerebral and nasal zygomycosis caused by Conidiobolus incongruus are described.All cases were in Border Leicester or Merino x Border Leicester ewes from a flock pastured in a low‐lying paddock adjoining a small tidal river in subtropical Queensland (latitude 28d̀S). These cases of zygomycosis are believed to be the first infections due to C incongruus recorded in animals other than humans.The disease was subacute in 4 animals with a course of up to several weeks. In these, the primary site of infection was the posterior nasal cavity. The lesions extended to the dorsum of the face between the eyes, to the orbital cavity and to the anterior brain and meninges in the cranial cavity. In one animal, where the anterior nasal cavity was affected and lodine treatment used, the course was longer.The fungal granulomas had numerous foreign body giant cells, neutrophils and eosinophils. Fungal hyphae were thin walled, 6 to 8 μm in diameter, with occasional septa and irregular branching. They were cuffed with a wide zone of necrotic cell coagulum, or with homogeneous eosinophilic Splendore‐Hoeppli granules.
Relationships between electrocardiographic findings, racing performance and training in Standardbred horses
Authors: EVANS DL , POLGLAZE KE 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The presence of abnormal T waves in three or more electrocardiographic leads has been used to diagnose the cause of poor race performance in horses. This study investigated the relationship between previous racing performance in Standardbred horses and T waves, and the effect of training on the T wave.Thirty‐two horses were electrocardiographed in two Sydney racing stables. Sixteen horses (50%) had ECGs with three or more leads with abnormal T waves, and these horses had won more races, had a greater ratio of wins per start and a greater number of dollars earned per start than horses with less than three abnormal T waves (P < 0.05). Horses with abnormal T waves also had significantly faster racing times (P < 0.01). There were significant (P < 0.01) correlations between the number of abnormal T waves and both number of wins (R = 0.47) and dollars earned per start (R = 0.45). Fastest winning mile rate was also negatively correlated with number of leads with abnormal T waves (R =−0.52, P < 0.01).Twenty two horses were also electrocardiographed within seven days of good racing performance. The mean number of abnormal T waves was 2.7 ± 0.41, and the mean T wave amplitude in the four chest leads (CV, CR, CL, CF) was 0.9 ± 0.15 mV. Thirteen horses (59%) had abnormal T waves in three or more leads.The effect of training on the T wave was also investigated in nine previously untrained and unraced Standardbred racehorses. There were significant effects of training (P < 0.01) on the number of abnormal T waves and mean chest lead T wave amplitude. These increases occurred in the second phase of training during which faster exercise, race trials and racing were conducted.We concluded that abnormal T waves are a common finding in the race‐fit Standardbred horse, and can be found in more than 50% of horses currently performing well in races. In addition, chest lead T waves become more positive after training.
Veterinary education in the era of information technology
Authors: WHITHEAR KG , BROWNING GF , BRIGHTLING P. , McNAUGHT C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A major innovation in the delivery of the veterinary curriculum is being implemented at The University of Melbourne using the subject of systematic bacteriology and mycology as a pilot project. Students receive course information as interactive, multimedia databases. These consist of text and an associated library of catalogued digital images, movies and sounds. The databases employ a hypermedia information system to achieve efficient integration within and between subjects.The new delivery method encourages greater autonomy and more active learning roles for students than occurs in traditionally taught courses. Students will use their databases as the principal resource of information for undergraduate studies. A unique feature of this system for delivering the curriculum is that students will modify and expand their databases during the course. The ultimate aim is for students at graduation to receive, on disc, a copy of their own databases, adapted by themselves to their particular future professional needs. As graduate veterinarians they will continue to use their databases as a major resource for information and learning, thus providing continuity from undergraduate to continuing postgraduate education.
Common tiger snake envenomation in dogs and mice—relationship between the amount of venom injected and the onset of clinical signs
Authors: LEWIS PF 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom was injected into mice and dogs at various dose rates calculated on the known lethal dose (LD) for each species. The larger the dose of venom, the earlier was the onset of clinical signs and the more rapid and severe the course of the disease in both species.In dogs injected with 32 LD of venom, there was sudden collapse and death in about one hour from the time of injection without recovery from premonitory depression and before mydriasis occurred. Dogs given 5 to 16 LD of venom developed preparalytic signs (vomition, salivation or defaecation) in 5 to 30 min, mydriasis in 2 to 4h, became paralysed and died in about 2.5 to 5 h.When doses of venom of about 1 LD were injected, vomition and salivation occurred within 2 h and mydriasis in about 4 h. The dogs were unable to close the mouth completely despite retention of jaw muscle tone.At the site of injection of venom there was occasional but slight erythema and oedema.Sublethally envenomed dogs did not show preparalytic signs nor did they have general skeletal muscle paralysis. Even at the lowest dose tested (0.25 LD), however, they developed mydriasis and photophobia, which persisted for several days.
Frequency of pancreatic amyloid deposition in cats from south‐eastern Queensland
Authors: LUTZ TA , AINSCOW J. , RAND JS 
Published: March 2008

Summary Stereological procedures were used to estimate the amount of amyloid deposition in the pancreatic islets of 83 cats from random sources in south‐eastern Queensland. Most had only minor deposits of less than 20% of islet volume (median 9%), but deposits equal to more than 50% of the islet volume were found in 10% of the cats. Amyloid deposition in pancreatic islets was correlated with the age of the cat.Although similar observations have been made previously in cats from the USA, the frequency of amyloid deposition was higher in this population of cats from south‐eastern Queensland.
The effects of vaccination of Merino ewes with an attenuated Australian bluetongue virus serotype 23 at different stages of gestation
Authors: FLANAGAN M. , JOHNSON SJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A cell culture attenuated Australian bluetongue virus serotype 23 (BLU23) prototype vaccine was assessed for its effects on pregnant Merino sheep. Seventy‐six ewes were vaccinated at 5 different stages of gestation, and the failure to lamb at term was as follows: 35 to 43 days of gestation, 20/36 (56%); 57 to 64 days of gestation, 3/10 (30%); 81 to 88 days of gestation, 3/10 (30%); 109 to 116 days of gestation, 0/10 (0%); 130 to 137 days of gestation, 0/10 (0%).Of 30 ewes vaccinated with a cell culture supernatant fluid control between 35 and 43 days of gestation, 6.7% (2/30) failed to lamb at term. Two ewes vaccinated with BLU23 vaccine between 35 and 43 days of gestation had lambs with hydranencephaly. All other lambs born were clinically normal. Three ewes vaccinated with BLU23 aborted. Two of these were vaccinated between 35 and 43 days of gestation, the 3rd between 81 and 88 days of gestation. Five lambs were born with BLU group antibody. Four of these were from ewes vaccinated between 35 and 43 days of gestation, and 2 of these had hydranencephaly. The fifth was from a ewe vaccinated between 57 and 64 days of gestation. The vaccine did not produce disease in adult sheep, but was a potent cause of early foetal death and to a much lesser extent foetal malformation.
Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract during treadmill exercise: a clinical study of 100 horses
Authors: KANNEGIETER NJ , DORE ML 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY:Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract was performed in 100 horses during high speed treadmill exercise. Reasons for endoscopy were a history of an abnormal noise during exercise in 75 horses, poor performance in 17 horses and to evaluate the results of upper respiratory tract surgery in 8 horses.Of the 75 horses with a history of an abnormal noise during exercise the cause was determined in 67 (89%). Endoscopic abnormalities were detected at rest in 40 of these 75 horses (53%). In these 40 horses, a similar diagnosis as to the cause of the abnormal noise was made at rest and during exercise on the treadmill in 19 cases, while in the remaining 21 the endoscopic findings during exercise varied from that seen at rest. This included 3 horses in which a diagnosis was made at rest but no abnormalities were detected during exercise. Some of the findings during treadmill endoscopy included laryngeal dysfunction, grades 3, 4 and 5 (22 cases), dorsal displacement of the soft palate (20), epiglottic entrapment (8), epiglottic flutter (4), aryepiglottic fold flutter (4), pharyngeal collapse (3), arytenoiditis (3), vocal cord flutter (3), false nostril noise (2), pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (2), soft palate haemorrhage (1) and positional arytenoid collapse (1).More than one abnormality was observed during exercise in 7 horses. A complete and correct diagnosis based on the resting endoscopy findings alone was made in 19 (25%) of these 75 cases.In the 17 horses examined because of poor performance, no abnormalities were detected during treadmill endoscopy that were not evident at rest. None of these 17 horses presented with a history of an abnormal respiratory noise, although one, diagnosed as having grade 4 laryngeal function at rest and exercise, did make a characteristic inspiratory noise during treadmill exercise.Eight horses were evaluated after surgery for correction of laryngeal hemiplegia, as the post‐operative performance or the amount of respiratory noise present was considered unsatisfactory. Of these, 3 were found to have a satisfactory airway during exercise and other reasons for poor performance were detected; 3 had insufficient abduction; and 2 had intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate.Endoscopy of the upper respiratory tract was found to be a useful technique for evaluating the cause of abnormal respiratory noise in most cases. We concluded that treadmill endoscopy in horses presented for poor performance, without a history of an abnormal respiratory noise, was of little value. The technique, in conjunction with arterial blood gas measurements, was useful in determining the efficacy of surgical treatment of laryngeal hemiplegia.
Post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations and ammonia tolerance in Maltese dogs with and without hepatic vascular anomalies
Authors: TISDALL PLC , HUNT GB , TSOUKALAS G , MALIK R 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY:Post‐prandial serum bile acid concentrations were measured in 200 Maltese dogs in an attempt to identify those with subclinical portosystemic shunts. Five of these were later shown to have hepatic pathology or abnormal liver function. In the other 195 Maltese bile acid concentrations ranged from 1 to 362 μmol.L‐1(mean ± SD, 70 ±50 μmol.L‐1; median, 65.0 μmol.L‐1). Of these, 79% were above the reference range (0 to 31 μmol.L‐1) established from 23 mixed‐breed control dogs. It was therefore not possible to determine the prevalence of subclinical portosystemic shunts on the basis of bile acid determinations.Further investigation of liver function was performed to investigate why bile acid concentrations were increased in these dogs. Rectal ammonia tolerance tests were normal in 102 of 106 Maltese tested and liver samples (11 dogs) and plasma biochemistry profiles (9 dogs) demonstrated no significant hepatic disease or dysfunction.Of 2 Maltese with hyperammonaemia after administration of ammonium chloride, one had a large congenital portosystemic shunt that was confirmed at surgery. In the other there were no macroscopic portosystemic communications, but a liver biopsy showed histological changes consistent with microscopic portovascular dysplasia.Total serum bile acid concentrations were consistently lower when assessed by highperformance liquid chromatography than by an enzymatic spectrophotometric method. This discrepancy was substantially larger in Maltese than in control dogs, suggesting the presence of an additional reacting substance in the serum of Maltese dogs.
The efficacy of diazinon impregnated ear tags against buffalo fly and resulting weight gains and diazinon residues in meat and milk
Authors: SPRADBERY JP , TOZER RS 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYEar tags impregnated with 20% diazinon were evaluated for their efficacy against the buffalo fly (Haematobia irritans exigua) on beef cattle in southern Queensland. Buffalo fly numbers and weight changes were recorded and diazinon residues in tissues of beef cattle and milk from lactating dairy cattle were assayed at different time intervals after tagging. In 2 efficacy trials conducted over 19 and 20 weeks, the mean numbers of buffalo fly on cattle each fitted with ear tags were 1 to 9 and 0 to 16, respectively, in trials 1 and 2, compared with 44 to 345 and 26 to 306 per head on untreated herds, respectively, despite regular spraying of the untreated herd in trial 1 with cyper‐methrin to reduce fly burdens. Percentage buffalo fly control was 96.7 to 99.5% and 89.3 to 100% in the 2 trials. Cattle fitted with ear tags gained an average of 94 kg body weight after 5 months compared with 61 kg in the untreated herd, a net increase of 60% in treated animals compared with 28% in the untreated herd. Mean diazinon residue concentrations in the fat of perianal tissue biopsies were 0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg 1 to 8 weeks after tagging. Mean diazinon residue concentrations in the butterfat of milk from lactating dairy cattle were 0.01 to 0.04 mg/kg after tagging.
Diagnostic ultrasound in veterinary practice: How safe is it?
Authors: HORDER MM , BARNETT SB , EDWARDS MJ 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThis paper provides information on the safety of ultrasonic diagnostic procedures as currently used in veterinary practice. The known mechanisms of action are described and selected literature on biological effects of ultrasound is reviewed. Current international consensus is presented on the safety of medical ultrasound with respect to thermal effects.To date, there is no independently verified clinical evidence that the level of exposure delivered to the tissues during scanned grey‐scale (‘B‐mode’) imaging has any adverse effects. Lung haemorrhage has been observed in animal experiments using diagnostic exposures, but the effects have not been reported in the foetus. Equipment that uses pulsed Doppler transmits higher acoustic outputs in a stationary beam, and can produce temperature increases that may have significant biological consequences. When considering sonographic and pulsed Doppler examinations of the prenatal animal, the safety margins are small and the operator should be aware of the acoustic output of the equipment, the exposure time, and the sensitivity of target tissues.
Aggregate testing for the evaluation of Johne's disease herd status
Authors: JORDAN D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThis paper examines methods for evaluating herd Johne's disease status that could be used in a survey of the cattle industry. Emphasis is placed on aggregate testing, a process whereby a random sample of cattle from a herd is assessed using an imperfect test, such as an ELISA for detecting antibody in serum. Important aggregate test parameters discussed include: sample size, herd‐level sensitivity, herd‐level specificity, the number of reactors used for declaring a positive herd result, and the expected within‐herd prevalence of disease. Aggregate testing may be useful for several livestock diseases. However, problems arise when it is applied to Johne's disease because of the poor sensitivity of the available diagnostic tests, the low within herd prevalence of infection, and clustering of false positives within a herd.
Effects of posture and accumulated airway secretions on tracheal mucociliary transport in the horse
Authors: RAIDAL SHARANNE L , LOVE DARIA N , BAILEY GD 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYTracheal mucociliary clearance was determined in horses by measuring the rostrad transport of the radiopharmaceutical 99mtechnetium‐sulphur colloid following deposition on the tracheal epithelium by intratracheal injection. The effects of head position (head elevated to normal standing position vs head lowered) and of accumulated purulent secretions on tracheal mucociliary clearance were evaluated for the first time in the horse. In normal horses tracheal mucociliary clearance was greatly accelerated by lowering the head so that the cranial trachea was lower than the caudal trachea. Horses confined with their heads elevated for 24 hours developed an accumulation of purulent airway secretions (and associated increased numbers of bacteria) in the lower respiratory tract and showed a decrease in tracheal mucociliary clearance when compared with their previously measured rate when the lower airway contained only normal secretions. These findings have implications for management practices where horses are prevented from lowering their heads, such as transportation and cross‐tying, which may therefore contribute to lower respiratory tract disease in horses.
Inherited disorders: the comparative picture
Authors: NICHOLAS FW , HARPER PAW 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYWhen confronted with a novel familial disorder, veterinarians should consult McKusick's catalogue of inherited disorders in humans, called Mendelian Inheritance in Man (MIM), or its online version (OMIM), to see whether a similar disorder has been reported in humans. They should also consult the other readily available sources of comparative information on mice and domesticated species. Increasingly, such consultations can be conducted on the Internet via the World Wide Web. If it is thought that an animal disorder is homologous with a human disorder, publications describing the animal disorder should include the MIM number(s) for that disorder. Future research can then test the hypothesis of homology, until a consensus is reached.
Macrozamia toxicosis in a dog
Authors: MILLS JN , LAWLEY MJ , THOMAS J. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA case of Macrozamia riedlei seed poisoning is described in a young Dachshund. Vomiting and depression commenced within 6 h of ingestion; other signs that developed included severe hepatopathy, jaundice, abdominal pain that was unresponsive to analgesics, severe gastro‐intestinal haemorrhage and thrombocytopenia as well as crystalluria and marrow dyserythropoiesis. The dog was euthanased 6 days after ingestion of the seeds.