Search Results

You are looking at 1 - 10 of 15 items for

  • Author or Editor: William J. Saville x
  • Refine by Access: All Content x
Clear All Modify Search

Abstract

Objective—To compare results of intradermal tests (IDT), conducted using environmental allergens, in horses without atopy and horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Animals—38 horses (22 horses without atopy and 16 horses with COPD).

Procedure—All horses were examined (physical examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemical analyses, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid). An IDT was conducted, using a full panel of 73 allergens consisting of grasses, weeds, trees, molds, and insects. Results of the IDT were evaluated 30 minutes and 4, 6, and 24 hours after injection of allergens. Horses without atopy were euthanatized, and gross and histologic changes of lung parenchyma were assessed.

Results—Horses without atopy had a greater number of positive immediate and late-phase reactions than did horses with COPD. Horses with COPD did not have a significantly greater number of positive reactions than horses without atopy at any time period for any allergen group (grasses, weeds, trees, molds, and insects).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Positive results of IDT document allergen-specific hypersensitivity but do not necessarily distinguish clinically relevant reactions from subclinical reactivity in horses with COPD. Interpreting the clinical relevance of results of IDT requires a thorough knowledge of the medical history, physical examination findings, and environment of each animal. (Am J Vet Res 2001;62:389–397)

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

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. Microscopic and molecular analysis were used to detect coccidian oocysts and DNA. Several variables were analyzed for associations with coccidian DNA detection or prevalence.

RESULTS Coccidian DNA was detected in 51 of 285 (17.9%) fecal samples. Of those positive samples, 1% (95% confidence interval, 0.4% to 3%) had positive results for Hammondia heydorni and none had positive results for Neospora caninum, for an estimated environmental N caninum prevalence of 0% (95% confidence interval, 0% to 7%)/1-km2 hexagonal area evaluated. Morphological classification revealed that 78.9% (225/285) of fecal samples were from coyotes and 17.2% (49/285) were from foxes. No difference in proportions of coccidian DNA-positive fecal samples was identified among canid species. Environmental temperature and fecal freshness were associated with coccidian DNA detection. Land use type, relative canid density, and cattle density were not associated with the prevalence of coccidian DNA-positive samples.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The low prevalence of coccidia shed in wild canid feces in this study, including the estimated 0% environmental prevalence of N caninum, suggested that the role of the oocyst environmental phase in coccidia transmission to ruminants is likely minor in rural southeastern Ohio.

Full access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the potential synergy between bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and 3-methylindole (3MI) in inducing respiratory disease in cattle.

Animals

20 mixed-breed beef calves.

Procedure

A 2 × 2 factorial design was used, with random assignment to the following 4 treatment groups: unchallenged control, BRSV challenge exposure (5 × 104 TCID50 by aerosolization and 5.5 × 105 TCID50 by intratracheal inoculation), 3MI challenge exposure (0.1 g/kg of body weight, PO), and combined BRSV-3MI challenge exposure. Clinical examinations were performed daily. Serum 3MI concentrations, WBC counts, PCV, total plasma protein, and fibrinogen concentrations were determined throughout the experiment. Surviving cattle were euthanatized 7 days after challenge exposure. Pulmonary lesions were evaluated at postmortem examination.

Results

Clinical respiratory disease was more acute and severe in cattle in the BRSV-3MI challenge-exposure group than in cattle in the other groups. All 5 cattle in this group and 3 of 5 cattle treated with 3MI alone died or were euthanatized prior to termination of the experiment. Mean lung displacement volume was greatest in the BRSV-3MI challenge-exposure group. Gross and histologic examination revealed that pulmonary lesions were also most severe for cattle in this group.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Feedlot cattle are commonly infected with BRSV, and 3MI is produced by microflora in the rumen of all cattle. Our results suggest that there is a synergy between BRSV and 3MI. Thus, controlling combined exposure may be important in preventing respiratory disease in feedlot cattle. (Am J Vet Res 1999;60:563–570)

Free access
in American Journal of Veterinary Research

Abstract

Objective—To investigate risk factors for development of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses.

Design—Case-control study.

Animals—251 horses admitted to The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1992 to 1995.

Procedure—On the basis of clinical signs of neurologic disease and detection of antibody to Sarcocystis neurona or S neurona DNA in cerebrospinal fluid, a diagnosis of EPM was made for 251 horses. Two contemporaneous series of control horses were selected from horses admitted to the hospital. One control series (n = 225) consisted of horses with diseases of the neurologic system other than EPM (neurologic control horses), and the other consisted of 251 horses admitted for reasons other than nervous system diseases (nonneurologic control horses). Data were obtained from hospital records and telephone conversations. Risk factors associated with disease status were analyzed, using multivariable logistic regression.

Results—Horses ranged from 1 day to 30 years old (mean ± SD, 5.7 ± 5.2 years). Risk factors associated with an increased risk of developing EPM included age, season of admission, prior diagnosis of EPM on the premises, opossums on premises, health events prior to admission, and racing or showing as a primary use. Factors associated with a reduced risk of developing EPM included protection of feed from wildlife and proximity of a creek or river to the premises where the horse resided.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Development of EPM was associated with a number of management-related factors that can be altered to decrease the risk for the disease. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:1174–1180)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To determine whether bulk-tank standard plate counts or plate loop counts and bulk-tank somatic cell counts (SCC) were associated with detection of violative antimicrobial residues in milk from dairy cattle.

Design—Longitudinal study.

Procedure—Information for 1994 through 1997 was obtained from a large milk marketing cooperative that operated in multiple states throughout the northeastern and midwestern United States (16,831 herd-years of information from 6,546 farms) and from the Ohio Department of Agriculture Grade-A Milk Certification Program (12,042 herd-years of information from 4,022 farms). Data were analyzed by use of multivariate logistic regression.

Results—For both data sets, odds that a violative antibiotic residue would be detected increased as mean SCC for the herd-year increased. Standard plate counts and plate loop counts were not associated with odds that a violative antibiotic residue would be detected.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of this study suggested that the odds that a violative antibiotic residue would be found in bulk-tank milk increased as mean SCC for the herd-year increased. This suggests that management practices that would be expected to influence SCC may also influence the risk of antibiotic residue violations. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:541–545)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To compare a radioallergosorbent test and 2 ELISA with intradermal testing for the determination of environmental allergen hypersensitivity in horses with and without atopic diseases.

Design—Prospective clinical study.

Animals—10 horses with recurrent urticaria, 7 with atopic dermatitis, 16 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 22 without atopy.

Procedure—History, physical examination, hemogram, serum biochemical analyses, bronchoalveolar lavage, and an intradermal test (used as the criterion standard) with a regional panel of 73 allergens were performed in all horses. Serum was analyzed by use of the 3 in vitro assays of allergen-specific IgE.

Results—An ELISA based on the α chain of the highaffinity IgE receptor, the Fc∈ receptor immunoglobin ∈ chain (Fc∈RIα) for IgE, had the overall highest kappa statistic (0.238), positive predictive value (49%), and negative predictive value (78%). Overall agreement between the Fc∈RIα-based ELISA and the intradermal test was fair. The highest kappa statistic was obtained by the Fc∈RIα-based ELISA in horses with atopic dermatitis (0.330). Kappa statistics for the radioallergosorbent test and a polyclonal antibody-based ELISA agreed slightly with that of the intradermal test at best.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—None of the 3 serum allergy tests reliably detected allergen hypersensitivity, compared with the intradermal test. The Fc∈RIα-based ELISA performed significantly better overall than the other 2 tests. Low sensitivity of all 3 assays indicates the need for continued study to elucidate a more sensitive test for the determination of potentially pathogenic allergens in horses. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:1314–1322)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To determine clinical findings and outcome in horses treated by means of a balloon constant rate infusion system.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—23 horses.

Procedures—Medical records of horses examined at The Ohio State University veterinary teaching hospital from 2002 to 2005 that had septic arthritis, septic tenosynovitis, or penetration of a synovial structure and in which treatment involved a balloon constant rate infusion system were searched. Information pertaining to signalment, history, physical examination findings, clinicopathologic data, treatment, and duration of hospitalization was recorded.

Results—Mean ± SD duration of hospitalization was 11.5 ± 5.26 days. No correlation between duration of clinical signs and duration of hospitalization or duration of infusion pump use was detected, but correlations between WBC count and duration of hospitalization and WBC and duration of infusion-pump use were observed. All horses survived to discharge. Follow-up information was obtained on 17 horses, 16 of which were alive at the time of follow-up. Twelve of 13 horses for which followup information was available for at least 5 months were alive 5 months or longer after discharge. Thirteen of the 16 horses alive at follow-up were reported by owners as not lame, whereas the remaining 3 were mildly lame or intermittently moderately lame or had developed angular limb deformity in the contralateral limb.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Balloon constant rate infusion systems may be used effectively in treatment of septic arthritis, septic tenosynovitis, and contaminated synovial wounds. Clinical response and long-term outcome appeared to be comparable to results obtained with other techniques.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

Objective—To investigate risk factors for use in predicting clinical improvement and survival of horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).

Design—Longitudinal epidemiologic study.

Animals—251 horses with EPM.

Procedure—Between 1992 and 1995, 251 horses with EPM were admitted to our facility. A diagnosis of EPM was made on the basis of neurologic abnormalities and detection of antibody to Sarcocystis neurona or S neurona DNA in CSF. Data were obtained from hospital records and through telephone follow-up interviews. Factors associated with clinical improvement and survival were analyzed, using multivariable logistic regression.

Results—The likelihood of clinical improvement after diagnosis of EPM was lower in horses used for breeding and pleasure activities. Treatment for EPM increased the probability that a horse would have clinical improvement. The likelihood of survival among horses with EPM was lower among horses with more severe clinical signs and higher among horses that improved after EPM was diagnosed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Treatment of horses with EPM is indicated in most situations; however, severity of clinical signs should be taken into consideration when making treatment decisions. Response to treatment is an important indicator of survival. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:1181–1185)

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with keratopathy in captive pinnipeds and to provide guidance for preventive measures.

ANIMALS 319 captive pinnipeds (229 otariids [sea lions and fur seals], 74 phocids [true seals], and 16 odobenids [walrus]) from 25 facilities.

PROCEDURES Descriptive data collected from questionnaires completed by facilities and from medical records and physical examinations of pinnipeds were compiled and evaluated. Variables were assessed with χ2 tests of homogeneity to determine potential association with keratopathy, and variables with values of P ≤ 0.25 were inserted into the multivariable logistic regression model.

RESULTS Results indicated that variables associated with significantly increased odds of keratopathy in captive pinnipeds included lighter or reflective pool color (OR, 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20 to 3.97), pool water salinity < 29 g/L (OR, 3.48; 95% CI, 1.89 to 6.56), and history of eye disease (OR, 3.30; 95% CI, 1.85 to 5.98), trauma (OR, 3.80; 95% CI, 1.72 to 8.89), and having been tested for leptospirosis (OR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.54 to 10.26). However, odds of keratopathy decreased with UV index ≤ 6 (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.72) and age < 20 years (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Findings indicated that odds of keratopathy in pinnipeds could be reduced by maintenance of pool water salinity ≥ 29 g/L and reduction of UV radiation exposure (eg, with adequate shade structures and use of darker, natural colors). Because UV radiation exposure is cumulative, even small attempts to reduce lifetime exposure to it could help control keratopathy in pinnipeds.

Full access
in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association