JAVMA News
Veterinarians in companion animal–exclusive practice had an increase in mean income from 2007–2009, but practitioners in other categories experienced declines, a report indicates. Debates in three states' legislatures could decide who in those states should be allowed to float horse teeth and how much oversight is needed.
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Letters to the Editor
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What Is Your Diagnosis?
See pages 695, 699
Pathology in Practice
See pages 703, 707
Book Reviews: For Your Library
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2010 JAVMA Reviewers
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Seroprevalence of antibodies against canine influenza virus H3N8 among dogs participating in a flyball tournament
The H3N8 canine influenza virus is believed to have arisen from an equine strain of the virus, and the virus is now considered to be enzootic in certain parts of the United States, such as New York and Pennsylvania. Canine influenza virus is highly contagious, raising concerns that dogs participating in organized dog events are at high risk for exposure. However, a survey of dogs attending a flyball tournament in Pennsylvania in 2009 found that only 3 of 100 dogs were seropositive for antibodies against CIV H3N8, and none of the 3 had a history of signs of respiratory tract disease in the previous 10 months. Results suggested that more research is needed to determine how common exposure to CIV H3N8 is among competitive sporting dogs.
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Interdog household aggression
Consistency and predictability of social interactions are essential in resolving interdog household aggression, according to results of a recent study involving 38 pairs of dogs examined at a veterinary teaching hospital. Thirty of the 38 (79%) pairs involved dogs of the same sex, and for 26 of the 38 (68%) pairs, 1 or both dogs were female. Instigators and recipients of aggression were clearly identified in 27 of the 38 (71%) pairs, with instigators most often being the younger of the pair (20/27 [74%]). Fight-eliciting triggers included owner attention, food, excitement, and found items. Effective treatment recommendations included implementing a nothing-in-life-is-free program, giving 1 dog priority access to resources, and administering psychotropic medications.
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Safety of vaccinating mares against equine viral arteritis during gestation or the immediate postpartum period
A randomized controlled trial was performed to determine whether it is safe to vaccinate pregnant or postpartum mares with a commercial modified-live virus vaccine against equine viral arteritis. In the study, 73 mares were vaccinated during mid gestation, during late gestation, or 2 to 3 days after parturition or were not vaccinated. All 22 mares vaccinated during mid gestation foaled without problems, and 21 had antibody titers against equine arteritis virus at the time of foaling. Three of 19 mares vaccinated during late gestation aborted, and 13 of 15 had antibody titers against EAV at the time of foaling. All 28 mares vaccinated after parturition were seronegative at the time of foaling and seroconverted after vaccination; no adverse effects were detected in any of their foals.
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Evaluation of two Standardbred racehorses competing as mares with an intersex condition and high postrace serum testosterone concentrations
Two Standardbred racehorses that had been winning races while competing as mares underwent postrace drug testing and had serum testosterone concentrations above the acceptable limit for female racehorses. Both horses had ambiguous external genitalia, and transrectal palpation and ultrasonography revealed gonads with an ultrasonographic appearance of testes. On cytogenic analysis, both horses were determined to have a 64,XY karyotype and 8 intact Y chromosome markers and 5 SRY gene markers, indicating that they were genetic males with an intersex condition. Findings confirmed that both horses were male pseudohermaphrodites, and both were returned to racing competition as males.
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Analgesic drug administration and attitudes about analgesia in cattle among bovine practitioners in the United States
Although the welfare of farm animals has become a hot topic for the public recently, there is surprisingly little information on administration of analgesic drugs by veterinarians in bovine practice in the United States or on the attitudes and opinions of bovine practitioners regarding pain and pain management in cattle. A Web-based survey of US members of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners yielded 666 responses (25.5% response rate). Castration of dairy calves < 6 months old was assessed as the condition or procedure causing the least pain, and abdominal surgery, toxic mastitis, and dehorning of calves > 6 months old were assessed as causing the greatest pain. The most commonly used analgesics were NSAIDs, local anesthetics, and α2-adrenoceptor agonists.
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Effect of hetastarch and lactated Ringer's solution on plasma colloid osmotic pressure in healthy llamas
Diseased camelids frequently have hypoalbuminemia because of anorexia, gastrointestinal parasitism, and other factors. Currently, plasma transfusion is the primary form of colloidal treatment in camelids, but results of a recent study suggest that hetastarch may be a potential alternative. In the study, 6 healthy llamas were given lactated Ringer's solution (45 mL/kg) and, 3 days later, hetastarch (15 mL/kg), as 60-minute infusions. Hetastarch significantly increased plasma colloid osmotic pressure for 96 hours without causing clinically important complications. Additional studies are needed to determine the effects and duration of effects of hetastarch in camelids with hypoalbuminemia or other abnormalities and to identify appropriate treatment regimens.
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Zoonotic pathogens isolated from wild animals and environmental samples at two California wildlife hospitals
Potential zoonotic enteric pathogens were identified in fecal samples from several species admitted to 2 wildlife hospitals in California, indicating the potential for transmission if appropriate preventive practices are not instituted. In the study, fecal samples were collected from 338 animals within 24 hours after hospital admission. Campylobacter spp, Vibrio spp, Salmonella spp, Giardia spp, and Cryptosporidium spp were detected, alone or in combination, in 105 of the 338 (31%) samples. Campylobacter spp were isolated only from birds. Salmonella spp and Giardia spp were isolated from birds and mammals; Cryptosporidium spp were isolated only from mammals. Non-01 serotypes of Vibrio cholerae were isolated from birds admitted during an oil-spill response.
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Surgical removal of an anal cyst caused by a protozoan parasite from a koi
An 8-month-old koi fish was examined because of lethargy, anorexia, signs of depression, and a nodular obstruction at the anus. Histologic examination of a biopsy specimen of the mass revealed a number of protozoa, and on the basis of morphologic characteristics of the spores and location of the plasmodia, a diagnosis of a cyst containing Thelohanellus kitauei was made. The cyst was removed surgically. After surgery, low-concentration tricaine methansulfonate immersion was used for sedation, and antimicrobials were administered. The surgical wound healed completely, and the fish was clinically normal 14 months after surgery. Outcome in this fish suggested that surgical removal may be a viable option for treatment of T kitauei infection in koi fish.
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