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In This Issue

In This Issue—February 15, 2009

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.234.4.430
Volume/Issue:
Volume 234: Issue 4
Online Publication Date:
15 Feb 2009
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JAVMA News
Veterinary leaders and Future Leaders nationwide learned about issues affecting the profession, participated in development sessions, and discussed AVMA initiatives at the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference in Chicago. The House of Delegates convened during that meeting and amended AVMA policy to address antimicrobial resistance through science-based risk analysis.See PAGE 432
What Is Your Diagnosis?
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See PAGE 455
REFERENCE POINT
Clinical characteristics and applications of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in dogs
Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography improves detection of the perfusion and vascularity of organs. Its main indication is the assessment of focal lesions in the liver and spleen, particularly with regard to differentiating between benign and malignant processes. Evidence suggests that contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may be a valuable alternative to invasive diagnostic procedures such as fine-needle aspiration and core biopsy.See PAGE 460
ZOONOSIS UPDATE
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis has recently been classified as an emerging disease because of large clusters of cases resulting from exposure during recreational activities and natural disasters. In addition to their involvement in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leptospirosis in animals, veterinarians serve an important role in public health by providing guidance and information on risk factors and prevention and control measures.See PAGE 472
Accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting fragmentation of the medial coronoid process in dogs
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Alternative imaging techniques such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been recommended when fragmentation of the medial coronoid process is suspected and radiographic findings are inconclusive. Unfortunately, these imaging modalities are expensive and often only available in specialist centers. In a study involving 102 dogs (112 elbow joints) suspected to have FMCP, results of ultrasonography were compared with intraoperative findings. Fragments were not seen ultrasonographically in 23 of the 51 (45%) joints in which a free fragment was found during surgery or in 50 of the 55 (91%) joints in which a nondisplaced fragment was found during surgery, suggesting that ultrasonography was of limited diagnostic value.		See PAGE 480
Risk of endocarditis and other cardiovascular events and severity of periodontal disease in dogs
Studies involving human patients have found a significant association between periodontitis and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Given the high prevalence of periodontal disease in dogs, any association between periodontal disease and systemic organ damage would have important implications for canine health. A historical cohort observational study of 59,296 dogs with periodontal disease and an age-matched cohort of 59,926 dogs with no history of periodontal disease revealed significant associations between severity of periodontal disease and risk of cardiovascular-related conditions, such as endocarditis and cardiomyopathy, but not between severity of periodontal disease and risk of noncardiovascular-related conditions.See PAGE 486
Clinical and MRI findings associated with outcome in dogs with presumptive acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion
Acute noncompressive nucleus pulposus extrusion most often occurs when an otherwise healthy intervertebral disk is subjected to a brief excessive force. The extruded nucleus pulposus strikes the spinal cord, causing contusion, and dissipates within the epidural space without resulting in a compressive mass. A review of medical records of 42 dogs with presumptive ANNPE revealed significant associations between outcome and severity of initial neurologic signs, extent of intramedullary hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, and detection of intramedullary hypointensity on T2 gradient echo images. Multivariate analysis suggested that maximal cross-sectional area of intramedullary hyperintensity on transverse T2-weighted images was the best predictor of outcome.See PAGE 495
Excessive production of sex hormones in a cat with an adrenocortical tumor
A 13-year-old castrated male cat that was evaluated because of urine spraying and aggressive behavior was found to have high serum concentrations of androstenedione and testosterone. Testes were not palpable, but spines were detected on the penis. Ultrasonography revealed a mass in the region of the right adrenal gland, and right adrenalectomy was performed. Histologic examination of the mass revealed an adrenocortical adenoma. Two weeks after surgery, serum concentrations of androgens had decreased. Eight weeks after surgery, the cat was no longer spraying and the aggressive behavior had ceased. Findings reinforce the fact that adrenal gland tumors can produce a variety of hormones other than cortisol.See PAGE 505
Successful treatment of a sinonasal cryptococcal granuloma in a horse
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A 12-year-old mare evaluated because of chronic mucopurulent bloody discharge from the left nostril was found endoscopically to have a mass protruding from the left middle meatus into the left common nasal meatus. Cytologic examination revealed pyogranulomatous rhinitis with budding yeast typical of Cryptococcus neoformans. The lesion was excised from the left nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, and the horse was treated with fluconazole orally and enilconazole topically. Six weeks after surgery, the infection had not recurred. Findings suggested that surgical excision followed by systemic and topical antifungal drug administration may be successful in the treatment of horses with nasal granulomas caused by C neoformans.
Computed tomography to diagnose new bone formation associated with desmitis of the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament in three horses
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Three horses with lameness localized to the proximal aspect of the metacarpus or metatarsus were examined. All 3 horses had evidence of problems that originated from the proximal aspect of the suspensory ligament, and desmitis was diagnosed. However, conservative treatment did not result in any improvement. Follow-up computed tomography revealed new bone formation at the proximal aspect of the third metacarpal or metatarsal bone that had not previously been identified. In all horses, the newly formed bone was removed surgically and splitting of the ligament and osteostixis of the bone was performed. All 3 horses were able to return to full training 6 months after surgery.		See PAGE 514
Prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in alpacas in the United States
Sixty-three alpaca herds were enrolled in a study to determine the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhea virus infection in alpacas. Sixteen of the 63 (25%) herds had seropositive crias, and 4 (6%) had persistently infected crias. Infections in 3 of the 4 herds with persistently infected crias were linked, as evidenced by homology of a region of the viral genome recovered from infected crias. Feeding supplemental colostrum was associated with herd seropositivity. Findings suggested that BVDV infection was common among US alpaca herds and highlighted the importance of determining the BVDV infection status of alpacas before commingling them.See PAGE 519
Humoral response to an equine encephalitis vaccine in healthy alpacas
A recent report of eastern equine encephalitis in 9 South American camelids (8 alpacas and 1 llama) in the eastern United States has raised concerns that this may be a newly emerging disease in alpacas, but immunologic responses to EEE vaccination in camelids have not been evaluated. In a study involving 39 healthy alpacas given 3 doses of a bivalent, killed-virus equine encephalitis vaccine, with 4 weeks between doses, geometric mean virus neutralizing antibody titer peaked 2 weeks after the third vaccine dose was given (ie, day 70). Age-related variation in serologic responses was observed on this farm and following vaccination of 86 alpacas on a second farm.See PAGE 530

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Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Publication Date:
15 Feb 2009
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