Merav H. Shamir

Doramectin toxicity in a collie

the penis may have damagcd the erectile bodies and the pudendal nerves. Musth-related causes xvere not involvcd. Penile paralysis following administrationi of phenothiazinederivative tranquillisers (acetylpromazine) has been reported in an Asian circus elephant (Kuntze and Kuntze 1991). However, this possibility could be excluded, as these tranquillisers were not available in this rural area of Vietnaimi. The therapy was painful and could have become extremely dangerous, but nmost of the standard anaesthetic drugs, such as xylazine or phenothiaziie-derivative tranquillisers, potentially compounid penile protrusion (Turner and others 1995, Silinski and others 2002). Additionally, the duration and frequeincy of treatmeint prevented the routine use of sedation. Due to the prolonged state of the priapism, the prognosis was poor. Stallions wvith persistent penile protrusions are unlikely to regain the ability to retract the penis or to achieve erection again (Schumacher and Varner 1999). In human beings, irreversible cavernosal damage begins 1 2 to 24 hours after the onset of priapism (Rochat 2001). In the elephant, a surgical procedure appeared to be justified; however, the lack of infrastructure, electricity, medical supplies and hygiene prevented any invasive treatment. Alternative medical treatmenits, such as the use of cholinergic blockers, diuretics and the irrigation of the cavernous tissue with heparinised lactated Ringers solution, which are described in stallions (Wilson and others 1991), were also unavailable. The systemic administration of antibiotics wvas considered but, due to the expected vascular stasis, antibiotics were only administered topically.

A novel day blindness in sheep: epidemiological, behavioural, electrophysiological and histopathological studies.

Four genetically related Improved Awassi sheep flocks had sporadic births of lambs with congenital visual impairments that differed from other known forms of sheep blindness. Pedigree analysis suggested an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Behavioural studies of 4-month old affected lambs showed that their day vision (but not night vision) was impaired. Electrophysiological results at this age demonstrated diminished function of cones but not rods. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of affected retinas from 5-month old lambs revealed both red-green and blue cones, suggesting that the behavioural day blindness and reduced cone electroretinograms reflect cone dysfunction rather than severe cone photoreceptor loss. Awassi day blindness may be a form of achromatopsia.

A Method for Intervertebral Space Distraction Before Stabilization Combined with Complete Ventral Slot for Treatment of Disc-Associated Wobbler Syndrome in Dogs

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of a modified K-wire spacer for maintaining intervertebral distraction after ventral decompression and during stabilization as a treatment for disc-associated wobbler syndrome in large breed dogs. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective study. ANIMALS Dogs (n=7) with disc-associated wobbler syndrome. METHODS Medical records (2003-2006) of dogs treated by a modified surgical method were evaluated. Data retrieved were signalment, onset and duration of clinical signs, neurologic abnormalities, diagnostic methods, surgical procedure, immediate, and long-term (>or=1 year) postoperative clinical and radiographic outcome. RESULTS Mean duration of clinical signs was 4.8 months. Neurologic signs included ataxia (2), ambulatory tetraparesis (2), and non-ambulatory tetraparesis (3). Three dogs had disc protrusion in 2 sites, 2 dogs had the procedure in 1 location and stabilization of both affected sites. All dogs improved dramatically and remained for 1-3 years. One dog had recurrence of cervical discomfort 13 months later. CONCLUSIONS Despite the limited number of dogs, overall initial successful outcome with only 1 dog having mild recurrence 13 months later supports further use and evaluation of this technique. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Distraction using a K-wire spacer after ventral decompression followed by stabilization should be considered in dogs with disc-associated wobbler syndrome to prevent collapse of the intervertebral space.

Surgical treatment of tethered spinal cord syndrome in a dog with myelomeningocele

A. (1997) Examination of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Belgium for antibody to Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Veterinary Record 141, 308-309 DUBEY, J. P. (1999) Neosporosis the first decade of research. International Journal for Parasitology 29, 1485-1488 DUBEY, J. P., HOLLIS, K., ROMAND, S., THULLIEZ, P., KWOK, 0. C. H., HUNGERFORD, L., ANCHOR, C. & ETTER, D. (1999) High prevalence of antibodies to Neospora caninum in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Internationaljournalfor Parasitology 29, 1709-1711 LINDSAY, D. S., KELLY, E. J., MCKOWN, R. D., STEIN, F. J., PLOZER, J., HERMAN, J., BLAGBURN, B. L. & DUBEY, J. P (1996) Prevalence of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in coyotes (Canis latrans) and experimental infection. of coyotes with Neospora caninum. Journal of Parasitology 82, 657-659 PACKHAM, A. E., SVERLOW, K. W., CONRAD, P. A., LOOMIS, E. F., ROWE, J. D., ANDERSON, M. L., MARSH, A. E., CRAY, C. & BARR, B. C. (1998) A modified agglutination test for Neospora caninum: development, optimization and comparison to the indirect fluorescent-antibody test and enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology 5, 467-473 ROMAND, S., THULLIEZ, P. & DUBEY, J. P. (1998) Direct agglutination test for serologic diagnosis ofNeospora caninum infection. Parasitological Research 84, 50-53 SIMPSON, V. R., MONIES, R. J., RILEY, P. & CROMEY, D. S. (1997) Foxes and neosporosis. Veterinary Record 141, 503 WOODS, L. W., ANDERSON, M. L., SWIFT, P. K. & SVERLOW, K. W. (1994). Systemic neosporosis in a California black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus). Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 6, 508-510

Sub-occipital Craniectomy in a Lion (Panthera leo) with Occipital Bone Malformation and Hypovitaminosis A

Abstract Neurologic dysfunction accompanied by malformation of both the skull and the cervical vertebrae has been previously described in lions kept in captivity worldwide, and this dysfunction and malformation were most often related to vitamin A deficiency. Diagnosis of the bone malformation and its effects on the neural tissue was until recently limited to postmortem examination, with characteristic thickening of the bones of the cranial vault, cerebellar herniation, compression of the foramen magnum, and enlargement of the lateral ventricles. For some mildly affected lion cubs with neurologic signs, improvement was reported with excessive vitamin A supplementation. However, definitive diagnosis was only available for those that eventually died or were euthanized. This case documents the antemortem diagnosis of the disease using computed tomographic imaging and liver biopsy. While conservative treatment failed, suboccipital craniectomy removed the thickened occipital bone and was demonstrated to be a successful surgical intervention that can be used to treat more severely affected lions.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation in a Captive African Lion Cub

Progressive ataxia, delayed growth, dementia and tremors were noted in a female African lion (Panthera leo) cub at the Tel-Aviv Ramat-Gan Zoological Center (Israel). The lioness was 3-mo-old when clinical signs were first noticed. Repeated neurological evaluations and blood tests were conducted in an attempt to establish a diagnosis. A congenital abnormality was suspected and the lioness died 6 mo later. Post mortem examination revealed an Arnold-Chiari malformation. The abnormality was classified as a Chiari type 2 malformation, based on the herniation of the cerebellar vermis and paravermis and the slight caudal displacement of the medulla, combined with lack of displacement in other parts of the brainstem.

Successful medical management of lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse in a ferret

Thoracolumbar disc herniation was diagnosed in a two-year-old ferret using a myelogram followed by a computed tomography scan. The ferret was paraplegic with no control over urination and defecation. Conservative treatment that included cage rest and passive range of motion exercises for three weeks followed by extensive physiotherapy and hydrotherapy resulted in full recovery two months after the onset of treatment. Although intervertebral disc disease has been reported previously in four ferrets, this is the first report in which a postmyelogram computed tomography was used to demonstrate the herniated disc, and physiotherapy was used as principal treatment modality.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum creatine-kinase activity in ill cats: A retrospective study of 601 cases

In veterinary medicine, serum creatine-kinase (CK) activity is mostly used to assess skeletal muscle damage. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of increased CK activity in a large, ill-cat population and to characterise associated diseases, clinical and laboratory findings and its prognostic value. Cats with a complete serum biochemistry analysis were consecutively enrolled, divided into two CK activity-based groups (within and above reference interval) and compared. The study included 601 cats. Median serum CK was 402 U/l (range 16–506870). Increased CK (>250 U/l) was observed in 364 (60%) cats, and>30-fold its upper reference limit in 43 (7%). Cats with increased CK had greater (P≤0.05) body weight, and were more likely to have a history of collapse, dyspnoea, abnormal lung sounds, cyanosis, shock and paraplegia, higher median serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and total bilirubin and triglyceride concentrations, but lower, median total protein, albumin, globulin and cholesterol concentrations and proportion of anorexia than cats with normal CK. Cardiac diseases, trauma, bite wounds, systemic bacterial infections, prior anaesthesia and intramuscular injections were more common (P≤0.05) in cats with increased compared to normal CK activity. The hospitalisation period was longer (P=0.007) and treatment cost and mortality were higher (P<0.005) in cats with increased CK activity. However, CK activity was an inaccurate outcome predictor (area under the receiver operator characteristics curve 0.58). Increased CK activity is very common in ill cats.

The prognostic value of cerebrospinal fluid characteristics in dogs without deep pain perception due to thoracolumbar disc herniation.

Providing a pre-operative prognosis for dogs presented with absent deep pain perception (DPP) is extremely challenging, as the overall recovery rates widely vary. This study assesses the possible correlation between the severity of spinal cord injury and CSF cytology in 31 paraplegic dogs presented with absent DPP due to acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disc herniation (TL-IVDH). All dogs underwent surgical decompression immediately following diagnosis. CSF TNCC, macrophage percentage and macrophage to monocyte (MΦ:M) ratio were significantly higher in dogs that failed to regain DPP within 10 days post-operatively and in dogs that failed to regain ambulation at the end of the study period (P< 0.05). MΦ:M of 0.73 and higher corresponded to a sensitivity of 54% and specificity of 100% for prediction of a negative long-term outcome. CSF TNCC, macrophage percentage and MΦ:M ratio effectively predicted regaining DPP and the long-term outcome in dogs that lost DPP due to acute TL-IVDH.

Comparative Skull Analysis Suggests Species-Specific Captivity-Related Malformation in Lions (Panthera leo)

Lion (Panthera leo) populations have dramatically decreased worldwide with a surviving population estimated at 32,000 across the African savannah. Lions have been kept in captivity for centuries and, although they reproduce well, high rates of stillbirths as well as morbidity and mortality of neonate and young lions are reported. Many of these cases are associated with bone malformations, including foramen magnum (FM) stenosis and thickened tentorium cerebelli. The precise causes of these malformations and whether they are unique to captive lions remain unclear. To test whether captivity is associated with FM stenosis, we evaluated 575 lion skulls of wild (N = 512) and captive (N = 63) origin. Tiger skulls (N = 276; 56 captive, 220 wild) were measured for comparison. While no differences were found between males and females or between subadults and adults in FM height (FMH), FMH of captive lions (17.36±3.20 mm) was significantly smaller and with greater variability when compared to that in wild lions (19.77±2.11 mm). There was no difference between wild (18.47±1.26 mm) and captive (18.56±1.64 mm) tigers in FMH. Birth origin (wild vs. captive) as a factor for FMH remained significant in lions even after controlling for age and sex. Whereas only 20/473 wild lions (4.2%) had FMH equal to or smaller than the 5th percentile of the wild population (16.60 mm), this was evident in 40.4% (23/57) of captive lion skulls. Similar comparison for tigers found no differences between the captive and wild populations. Lions with FMH equal to or smaller than the 5th percentile had wider skulls with smaller cranial volume. Cranial volume remained smaller in both male and female captive lions when controlled for skull size. These findings suggest species- and captivity-related predisposition for the pathology in lions.