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Abstract

Objective—To determine the accuracy and precision of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for measuring bone mineral density in horses in situ.

Sample Population—12 randomly selected forelimbs from 12 horses.

Procedure—Metacarpi were scanned in 2 planes and DEXA measurements obtained for 6 regions of interest (ROI). Each ROI was isolated and bone density measured by Archimedes' principle. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between the 2 measurements at each ROI. An additional metacarpus was measured 10 times to determine the coefficient of variation for both techniques.

Results—Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and bone density were significantly associated at multiple ROI. The addition of age, weight, and soft tissue or bone thickness improved these associations. Repeated measurements had a low coefficient of variation.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry can be used to accurately and precisely measure the bone density in the equine metacarpus. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry appears suitable for serial in vivo measurement of bone density of the equine metacarpus. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry may be used for studies to evaluate the effects of diet or drugs on bone density or density changes from bone remodeling that develop prior to stress fractures. ( Am J Vet Res 2001; 62:752–756)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

SUMMARY

Serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations were determined for Beagle sires and dams of 717 matings to assess the relationship of parental immunoglobulins with the morbidity and mortality of their pups. A significant relationship was not found between parental immunoglobulins and pup mortality. Pups born to dams with low serum IgA (P < 0.001) and IgM (P < 0.02) concentrations, however, were found to have an increased incidence of sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge, and conjunctivitis. Thirty-eight percent of pups born to dams with IgA ≤ 40 mg/dl developed these same conditions during the first 18 weeks of life, compared with 32% of pups of dams with IgA of 41 to 65 mg/dl and 27% of pups of dams with IgA > 65 mg/dl. Similarly, 41% of pups born to dams with low IgM (≤ 135 mg/dl) developed abnormal respiratory tract signs, compared with 34% and 30% of pups born to dams with medium (136 to 175 mg/dl) and high (> 175 mg/dl) IgM, respectively. Serum IgA concentrations of the sires were also associated with abnormal respiratory tract signs in pups, but this influence was evident only at 10 to 18 weeks of age.

To determine biologic variability of serum IgA, 60 Beagle dams were selected from 3 serum IgA categories, low (10 to 21 mg/dl), medium (60 to 80 mg/dl), and high (125 to 210 mg/dl). A second serum IgA was determined from a sample taken 2 years later. The intraclass correlation coefficient (rI) indicated considerable biologic variability in all 3 groups: r I = −0.24, r I = 0.09, and rI = 0.46, for low, medium, and high IgA categories, respectively. In contrast, minimal variability was noticed between observers (r I = 0.98) and in the radial immunodiffusion test itself (r I = 0.96).

Free access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine whether administration of glucocorticoids provides additional benefits to environmental management of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO).

Animals—28 horses with RAO.

Procedure—Horses were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe RAO. Within each category, horses were randomly assigned to receive inhaled fluticasone propionate, inhaled control substance, or oral administration of prednisone. During the 4- week study, horses were maintained outdoors and fed a pelleted feed. Clinical scores, pulmonary function, results of cytologic examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and adrenal gland function were determined before and 2 and 4 weeks after initiation of treatment.

Results—Clinical score and pulmonary function of all RAO-affected horses improved during the treatment period. After 4 weeks, clinical scores and pulmonary function of horses treated with a glucocorticoid were not different from those for the control treatment. In horses with severe RAO, treatment with fluticasone for 2 weeks resulted in significantly greater improvement in pulmonary function, compared with pulmonary function after treatment with prednisone or the control substance. Treatment with a glucocorticoid for 4 weeks and a low-dust environment did not have any effect on cellular content of BALF. Treatment with prednisone for 2 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in serum cortisol concentration, compared with concentrations after administration of fluticasone or the control substance.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Environmental management is the most important factor in the treatment of horses with RAO. Early treatment with inhaled fluticasone can help accelerate recovery of horses with severe RAO. (Am J Vet Res 2005;66:1665–1674)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To determine the incidence of vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs) diagnosed within 30 days of vaccination in cats and characterize risk factors for their occurrence.

Design—Retrospective cohort study.

Animals—496,189 cats vaccinated at 329 hospitals.

Procedures—Electronic records were searched for VAAEs that occurred after vaccine administration classified by practitioners as nonspecific vaccine reaction, allergic reaction, urticaria, shock, or anaphylaxis. Clinical signs and treatments were reviewed. The association between potential risk factors and a VAAE occurrence was estimated via multivariate logistic regression.

Results—2,560 VAAEs were associated with administration of 1,258,712 doses of vaccine to 496,189 cats (51.6 VAAEs/10,000 cats vaccinated). The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccines administered per office visit increased. Risk was greatest for cats approximately 1 year old; overall risk was greater for neutered versus sexually intact cats. Lethargy with or without fever was the most commonly diagnosed VAAE. No localized reactions recorded in the 30-day period were subsequently diagnosed as neoplasia when followed for 1 to 2 years.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Although overall VAAE rates were low, young adult neutered cats that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at the greatest risk of a VAAE within 30 days after vaccination. Veterinarians should incorporate these findings into risk communications and limit the number of vaccinations administered concurrently to cats.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To determine incidence rates and potential risk factors for vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs) diagnosed within 3 days of administration in dogs.

Design—Retrospective cohort study.

Animals—1,226,159 dogs vaccinated at 360 veterinary hospitals.

Procedure—Electronic records from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2003, were searched for possible VAAEs (nonspecific vaccine reaction, allergic reaction, urticaria, or anaphylaxis) diagnosed within 3 days of vaccine administration. Information included age, weight, sex, neuter status, and breed. Specific clinical signs and treatments were reviewed in a random sample of 400 affected dogs. The association between potential risk factors and a VAAE was estimated by use of multivariate logistic regression.

Results—4,678 adverse events (38.2/10,000 dogs vaccinated) were associated with administration of 3,439,576 doses of vaccine to 1,226,159 dogs. The VAAE rate decreased significantly as body weight increased. Risk was 27% to 38% greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs and 35% to 64% greater for dogs approximately 1 to 3 years old versus 2 to 9 months old. The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccine doses administered per office visit increased; each additional vaccine significantly increased risk of an adverse event by 27% in dogs ≤ 10 kg (22 lb) and 12% in dogs > 10 kg.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Young adult small-breed neutered dogs that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk of a VAAE within 72 hours after vaccination. These factors should be considered in risk assessment and risk communication with clients regarding vaccination. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005;227:1102–1108)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Summary

The Veterinary Medical Data Base was used to conduct an epidemiologic study of gastric dilatation and dilatation-volvulus (gdv) to describe changes over time in frequency of canine hospital admissions, to identify risk factors, and to estimate their relative importance. Cases in this case-control study included 1,934 dogs with gdv that were admitted to 12 participating veterinary hospitals from 1980 to 1989. The controls were 3,868 dogs with other diagnoses that were randomly selected from the same hospitals. Frequency of gdv per 1,000 canine hospital admissions ranged from 2.9 to 6.8. The case fatality rate was 28.6 and 33.3% for gastric dilatation alone and for gastric dilatation with volvulus, respectively. Using logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (or) and its 95% confidence limits (95% cl) for gdv associated with purebred vs mixed-breed dogs were 2.5 and 2.1, 3.0, respectively. The risk of gdv was associated with increasing age (Χ2 = 305.6, P < 0.0001) and increasing weight (Χ2 = 627.8, P < 0.0001). Significant association of gdv risk with sex or neuter status was not found. The 5 breeds having at least 10 cases and 8 controls and with the highest risk of gdv were Great Dane (or, 10.0; 95% cl, 6.4, 15.6), Weimaraner (or, 4.6; 95% cl, 2.3, 9.2), Saint Bernard (or, 4.2; 95% cl, 2.3, 7.4), Gordon Setter (or, 4.1; 95% cl, 1.8, 9.3), and Irish Setter (or, 3.5; 95% cl, 2.4, 5.0). The effect of increasing body weight on gdv risk was less than that of increasing ideal adult breed weight, determined by published breed standards. There was considerable heterogeneity of gdv risk for individual breeds within ideal adult breed-weight groups. The overall pattern of risk was suggestive that, in addition to age, body weight, and neuter status, a dog's body (thoracic) conformation also was an important determinant of susceptibility to gdv.

Free access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Objectives—

To compare treatments of complete fractures of the third metacarpal (MC) or metatarsal (MT) bone in horses and to identify factors that could impact prognosis.

Design—

Retrospective case series.

Animals—

25 horses with fractures of the third MC or MT bone that were treated by use of internal fixation, external coaptation, or both.

Procedure—

Medical records from the Veterinary Medical Data Base of horses treated for fractures of third MC or MT bone at Texas A&M University from 1980 to 1994 and Purdue University from 1980 to 1996 were reviewed. Information on signalment, results of physical and radiographic examinations, treatment, and outcome were obtained. For horses that had radiographic evidence of healing, long-term follow-up information was obtained by telephone contact with owners or referring veterinarians.

Results—

Age, sex, weight, and limb affected were not related to outcome; however, affected horses were younger than the general hospital populations. Seventeen horses had open fractures at referral. Infection was the most common complication after surgery, with open fractures more likely to become infected. Nonunion in an infected fracture was the most common reason for postoperative failure (7 horses). Long-term follow-up was available for 16 horses; 11 of these had no complications related to surgical repair.

Clinical Implications—

Fractures of the MC or MT bone are not always associated with a poor prognosis in horses. Proper case selection, rigid fracture stabilization, and efforts to prevent or treat infection will improve success rate. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1998;213:847-850)

Free access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To characterize clinical signs and lesions and identify the etiologic agent associated with epizootic catarrhal enteritis in domestic ferrets.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—119 ferrets with epizootic diarrhea of presumed viral cause and 5 control ferrets.

Procedure—Clinical records and biopsy or necropsy specimens of ferrets with presumed epizootic catarrhal enteritis were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for coronavirus antigen was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues from approximately 10% of affected ferrets to identify viral antigen and determine its distribution. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on fecal samples and sections of jejunum. Virus isolation studies as well as immunofluorescent tests for other similar viruses were performed.

Results—Characteristic microscopic lesions consistent with intestinal coronavirus infection (vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of villus enterocytes; villus atrophy, fusion, and blunting; and lymphocytic enteritis) were consistently detected in affected ferrets. Coronavirus particles were identified in feces and jejunal enterocytes by use of transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining of jejunal sections revealed coronavirus antigens. Antigen staining was not detected in healthy ferrets or ferrets with other gastrointestinal tract diseases. Virus isolation was unsuccessful, and other similar viruses were not detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results strongly implicate a coronavirus as the causative agent of epizootic catarrhal enteritis in ferrets. Diagnosis may be made on the basis of a combination of historical, clinical, and microscopic findings. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:526–530)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Objective—

To describe dynamics of the pet dog and cat populations in a single community in terms of reproductive patterns and turnover.

Design—

Cross-sectional, random-digit dial telephone survey.

Sample Population—

Information gathered from 1,272 households in St Joseph County, Ind that owned a dog or cat between Dec 1, 1993 and Nov 30, 1994 was compared with data on 9,571 dogs and cats received by the Humane Society of St Joseph County during the same period.

Results—

Prevalence of pet ownership was lower than expected, compared with consumer panel surveys. Eight hundred forty-three of 1,335 (63.1%) dogs were neutered, compared with 816 of 1,023 (79.8%) cats. Cost was cited as a reason that 35 of 441 (7.9%) dogs and 34 of 132 (25.8%) cats were not neutered. Only 33 of 968 (3.4%) dog-owning households reported that their dog had had a litter during the past year, whereas 52 of 662 (7.9%) cat-owning households reported their cat had had a litter of kittens. Most cat litters were unplanned, whereas two thirds of dog litters were planned. Annual turnover in owned pets was 191 of 1,354 (14.1%) dogs and 194 of 1,056 (18.4%) cats. Pet owners underreported relinquishing pets to a shelter in the telephone survey.

Clinical Implications—

A combination of animal shelter- and human population-based data are needed to describe pet population dynamics in a community. Information about species-specific reproductive patterns is essential in designing population control programs. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;210:637–642)

Free access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To estimate prevalences of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infections in pet cats in the United States and identify risk factors for parasitism.

Design—Retrospective period prevalence survey.

Study Population—356,086 cats examined at 359 private veterinary hospitals during 2003.

Procedure—Electronic medical records were searched to identify cats for which fecal flotation tests had been performed and to determine proportions of test results positive for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Potential risk factors for roundworm and hookworm infection were identified by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results—A total of 80,278 tests were performed on fecal samples from 66,819 cats. Calculated prevalences of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infection were 2.92%, 0.63%, and 0.031%, respectively. Age, reproductive status, breed, and season were significant risk factors for roundworm infection, with cats < 4 years old; sexually intact cats; mixed-breed cats; and cats examined during the summer, fall, or winter more likely to be infected. Age, reproductive status, and season were significant risk factors for hookworm infection, with cats < 1 year old, sexually intact cats, and cats examined during the summer more likely to be infected. Regional differences in prevalences of roundworm and hookworm infection were found.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that prevalences of nematode infections among pet cats in the United States may be lower than previously suspected on the basis of prevalences reported among cats in humane shelters and those reported in more geographically focused studies.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association