Janice E. Sojka

Evaluation of Endocrine Function

This article outlines strategies on how to approach equine endocrine disorders based on clinical signs and clinical pathologic data. In the 1987 Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice article on evaluating equine endocrine function, Beech stated that the numbers of hormonal assays available to use in horses was limited. Unfortunately, not much has changed since then. With the advent of convenient assay kits for many hormones and cofactors available in human medicine, it is possible to submit samples to laboratories for measurement of a wide range of endogenous substances. Caution must be used when interpreting the results in equine patients. Assay kits that have not been validated for use in horses may yield results that have no clinical meaning. Using veterinary endocrinology laboratories with equine experience is the best way to assure meaningful results from diagnostic testing (Table 1). If this is not possible, submitting age, breed, and sex-matched controls along with samples from the patient horse will provide some measure of a reference range. Normal values or reference ranges from species other than the horse cannot be used to interpret the results of equine samples.

α-Melanocyte--stimulating hormone and adrenocorticotropin concentrations in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone and comparison with adrenocorticotropin concentration after domperidone administration in healthy horses and horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE To compare endogenous ACTH and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) concentrations after administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and to compare ACTH concentrations after TRH administration with those following domperidone administration in healthy horses and horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID). DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 69 clinically normal horses and 47 horses with or suspected to have PPID. PROCEDURES ACTH concentrations were measured during 108 TRH stimulation tests in 88 horses, and α-MSH concentrations were measured during 56 TRH stimulation tests in 50 horses. In 28 of these horses, ACTH concentrations after domperidone administration were measured and test results were compared. The pituitary gland was histologically examined in all horses that were euthanatized. RESULTS ACTH and α-MSH concentrations increased in all horses after TRH administration, with a greater and more prolonged increase in horses with PPID. Percentage increase was significantly greater for α-MSH concentration than for ACTH concentration. The change in ACTH concentration after domperidone administration was less consistent in differentiating clinically normal horses from those with PPID than was the response to TRH. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that ACTH concentration in response to TRH administration was useful for the diagnosis of PPID in horses and appeared more accurate than response to domperidone administration. Use of an α-MSH concentration ≥ 30 or 50 pmol/L did not appear superior to use of an ACTH concentration ≥ 36 pg/mL for the diagnosis of PPID, either before or 30 minutes after TRH administration.

Equine thyroid dysfunction

Hypothyroidism is the most common type of thyroid gland dysfunction reported in horses. Primary, secondary, and tertiary causes of hypothyroidism are discussed. Equine hypothyroidism remains a controversial endocrine disorder because extrathyroidal factors, including the administration of drugs and systemic diseases, affect serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T3) concentrations in horses. Accurate diagnosis of hypothyroidism therefore requires assessment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Diagnostic procedures for evaluating thyroid gland function are outlined and results of studies utilizing experimental models are discussed.

Acute Pit Gas (Hydrogen Sulfide) Poisoning in Confinement Cattle

Rapid deaths in confinement cattle caused by exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas from manure pits has not been reported in the USA. In 1997, 158 cattle in 2 confinement pens were exposed to H2S gas as the manure in the pits under a slatted floor was agitated prior to pumping. Approximately 35 of the cattle were lying on the floor when the upper agitator was turned on. Within 5 minutes, many these cattle were down on their sides and paddling. Of these, 26 died within a few minutes. The survivors were treated and sent to slaughter. Cattle that did not show immediate signs of toxicosis remained clinically unaffected. Two steers that were near death were brought to the Purdue Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for clinical evaluation, euthanasia, and necropsy. They were recumbent and unresponsive to visual and auditory stimuli. Necropsy examination yielded no significant gross lesions. No evidence of viral or bacterial infection was found. Ocular fluid nitrate concentrations were within normal limits, and no lead was detected in either animal. Microscopic examination revealed lesions consistent with H2S-induced central nervous system anoxia. Histologically, sections of brain demonstrated massive, diffuse cerebral cortical laminar necrosis and edema. Portions of the outer lamina contained hypereosinophilic and shrunken neurons. The subcortical white matter was vacuolated in some areas. The history, clinical signs, and histologic lesion of cerebral laminar necrosis led to a diagnosis of H2S toxicosis in these cattle.

An Unusual Case of Traumatic Pericarditis in a Cow

hope that the widespread use of the cELISA test for the detection of antibody to a critical group antigen of BTV will be furthered by the availability of new Mab’s. Acknowledgements. We express our gratitude to the ARS scientists working at Plum Island Animal Disease Center (Drs. Appleton, Letchworth, Grubman, and Mr. Whyard) who produced, characterized, and kindly supplied the hybridomas for this study. We also thank Dr. Dulac, Agriculture Canada, for his helpful discussions, and Mr. Richard F. Meyer and Mr. Christopher D. DeMaula for their assistance.

Determination of and correlation between urine protein excretion and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio values during a 24-hour period in healthy horses and ponies

OBJECTIVE-To determine whether urine protein-to-creatinine (UP:C) ratio assessment provides an estimate of urine protein excretion (UPE) over a 24-hour period in horses and ponies, establish a preliminary UP:C ratio reference range, and determine UP:C ratio variation over time in healthy equids. ANIMALS-11 female horses and 6 female ponies. PROCEDURES-Urine was collected from all equids at 4-hour intervals for 24 hours. Total 24-hour UPE (mg of protein/kg of body weight) and UP:C ratio were determined; these variables were also assessed in aliquots of urine collected at 4-hour intervals. On 2 additional days, urine samples were also obtained from 6 horses (1 sample/horse/d) to determine day-to-day variation in UP:C ratio. Correlation between 4-hour or 24-hour UPE and UP:C ratio values was assessed. Reference ranges for 24-hour UPE, 24-hour UP:C ratio, and 4-hour UP:C ratios were calculated as central 95th percentiles of observed values. RESULTS-Mean 24-hour UPE (4.28 +/- 2.99 mg/kg) and 24-hour UP:C ratio (0.0 to 0.37) had excellent correlation (R = 0.826; P < 0.001) in both horses and ponies; analysis of 4-hour data also revealed good correlation (R = 0.782; P < 0.001) with these variables. Calculated UPE and UP:C ratio reference ranges were similar to established ranges in other species. Day-to-day variability in UP:C ratio was minimal, and all results were within the reference range calculated by use of the 24-hour urine samples. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Assessment of the UP:C ratio appears to be a reliable method for estimating 24-hour UPE in horses and ponies.

Surgical implantation of ultrafiltration probes in ovine bone and muscle.

It may be desirable to collect compounds directly from sites of interest if blood concentrations do not reflect tissue levels. Ultrafiltration and microdialysis probes may be used to do this, but the hollow fibers of these probes are quite fragile. For this reason, we developed a pull-through technique that allows their implantation into the ovine quadriceps muscle and femur.The sheep is placed under anesthesia in lateral recumbency. An incision is made midway between the patella and greater trochanter directly over the lateral femur. A hand drill is used to make a 4.5-mm hole into the medullary cavity through the lateral cortex of the distal femur. A second incision is then made over the greater trochanter. The drill bit is inserted into the trochanteric fossa and a hole is drilled distally through the medullary cavity of the femur to the level of the first hole. A looped 20-gauge wire is then inserted into the femur and removed through the distal hole. Suture is attached, and the wire is withdrawn, leaving the suture in place. The suture is tied to the ultrafiltration probe tubing, allowing the probe to be carefully drawn into position. For implantation into the muscle, a 10-gauge introducer is used. The introducer is placed through the quadriceps muscle and the probe is then threaded through it. This technique has been successfully performed on 18 sheep. All sheep tolerated the procedure well. Up to 2.0 mL/day of interstitial fluid was recovered from each site. The average lifetimes of the bone and muscle probes were 35 and 40 days, respectively.It may be desirable to collect compounds directly from sites of interest if blood concentrations do not reflect tissue levels. Ultrafiltration and microdialysis probes may be used to do this, but the hollow fibers of these probes are quite fragile. For this reason, we developed a pull-through technique that allows their implantation into the ovine quadriceps muscle and femur. The sheep is placed under anesthesia in lateral recumbency. An incision is made midway between the patella and greater trochanter directly over the lateral femur. A hand drill is used to make a 4.5-mm hole into the medullary cavity through the lateral cortex of the distal femur. A second incision is then made over the greater trochanter. The drill bit is inserted into the trochanteric fossa and a hole is drilled distally through the medullary cavity of the femur to the level of the first hole. A looped 20-gauge wire is then inserted into the femur and removed through the distal hole. Suture is attached, and the wire is withdrawn, leaving the suture in place. The suture is tied to the ultrafiltration probe tubing, allowing the probe to be carefully drawn into position. For implantation into the muscle, a 10-gauge introducer is used. The introducer is placed through the quadriceps muscle and the probe is then threaded through it. This technique has been successfully performed on 18 sheep. All sheep tolerated the procedure well. Up to 2.0 mL/day of interstitial fluid was recovered from each site. The average lifetimes of the bone and muscle probes were 35 and 40 days, respectively.

Effect of heparin administration on urine protein excretion during the developmental stage of experimentally induced laminitis in horses.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of heparin administration on urine protein excretion during the developmental stages of experimentally induced laminitis in horses. ANIMALS 13 horses. Procedures-Horses received unfractionated heparin (80 U/kg, SC, q 8 h; n=7) or no treatment (control group; 6) beginning 3 days prior to induction of laminitis. All horses were given 3 oligofructose loading doses (1 g/kg each) at 24-hour intervals and a laminitis induction dose (10 g of oligofructose/kg) 24 hours following the final loading dose (designated as 0 hours) via nasogastric tube. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations were measured before administration of the first loading dose (baseline) and at 0 and 24 hours; urine protein-to-creatinine (UP:C) ratio was determined at 0 hours and every 4 hours thereafter. Lameness was evaluated every 6 hours, and horses were euthanized when Obel grade 2 lameness was observed. RESULTS Mean±SD time until euthanasia did not differ significantly between the heparin-treated (28.9±6.5 hours) and control (29.0±6.9 hours) horses. The UP:C ratio was significantly increased from baseline at 20 to 28 hours after induction of laminitis (ie, 4±4 hours before lameness was evident) in control horses but did not change significantly from baseline in heparin-treated horses. Serum glucose or insulin concentration did not change significantly from baseline in either group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Urine protein excretion increased during the developmental stages of carbohydrate-induced laminitis in horses; administration of heparin prevented that increase, but did not delay onset or decrease severity of lameness.

Clostridium Chauvoei Myositis Infection in a Neonatal Calf

A 3-day-old 63-kg Simmental bull calf was presented to lected would have markedly decreased the chance of recovery the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with of the organism by culture. the client complaint of inability to rise. The dam was a firstcalf heifer, and the birth was complicated by dystocia. The manager reported that excess forefeet traction was required during delivery. After birth, the calf was fed 1 1/2 quarts of Surgical exposure of the affected formed. This allowed for drainage of muscle mass was perclostridial toxins as well as exposure of the area to air. Penicillin (40,000 IU/kg) was given intravenously. Two liters of plasma were administered as failure of passive transfer was suspected due to the history colostrum and then an unknown amount of powdered milk. When held in a standing position he could not bear weight and low total plasma protein. Antiserum was not available. on his rear legs. The farm has had a history of clostridial Despite these efforts, the calf died 6 hours after admission. myositis (blackleg), and a vaccination program against ClosA complete necropsy was performed. Gross examination revealed that the right hind leg was markedly swollen and tridium chauvoei was practiced.

What is your diagnosis? Peritoneal fluid from an Arabian horse after colic surgery.

A 16-year-old castrated male Arabian horse was presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 4-hour history of colic. Initial examinations provided strong evidence for small intestinal obstruction. Abdominal surgery revealed a strangulating lipoma, and 25 feet of small intestine were resected. Postoperatively, the horse developed obstructive ileus due to adhesion formation, which required a second laparotomy. During and after surgery, the abdomen was lavaged with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). One week after the second surgery, evaluation of peritoneal fluid revealed an inflammatory exudate, with many macrophages containing amorphous to granular, pink to magenta phagocytosed material. Extracellular aggregates of the material were also observed. The material was consistent with CMC. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate the phagocytosis of CMC by peritoneal fluid macrophages.