Streptococcal species isolated from dairy cows with clinical mastitis were obtained from mastitis research workers in Florida, Louisiana, New York, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. Seventy-one streptococcal isolates were tested, including 39 strains of Streptococcus agalactiae, 21 strains of S dysgalactiae, and 11 strains of S uberis. The minimal inhibitory concentration of erythromycin, lincomycin, oxytetracycline, penicillin, spectinomycin, streptomycin, and tetracycline was determined for each isolate. Differences were not detected among strains with respect to geographic origin. None of the strains was resistant to penicillin. Lincomycin was the next most effective antimicrobial, with only 2 resistant strains of each streptococcal species. There were no differences among the streptococcal species with respect to resistance to either penicillin or lincomycin. Streptococcus uberis was more likely to be resistant to erythromycin than were S agalactiae and S dysgalactiae (P < 0.02). Streptococcus agalactiae and S uberis had similar distributions for resistance to oxytetracycline, tetracycline, spectinomycin, and streptomycin. Strains of S dysgalactiae were more likely to have intermediate resistance to oxytetracycline and streptomycin than were strains of S agalactiae and S uberis, which were highly resistant to oxytetracycline and streptomycin (P < 0.001). Differences were not detected among the streptococcal species with respect to resistance to spectinomycin. Resistance to multiple antimicrobials was observed in all streptococcal species tested. Although S dysgalactiae appeared to have a greater percentage of strains (73%) that were resistant to multiple antimicrobials than did S agalactiae (31%) or S uberis (45%), differences were not statistically significant.

Concentrations of total, free, and esterified carnitine were determined in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle from cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis and compared with values from healthy cats. The mean concentrations of plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle total carnitine; plasma and skeletal muscle free carnitine; and plasma and liver esterified carnitine were greater (P < 0.05) in cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis than in control cats. The mean for the ratio of free/total carnitine in plasma and liver was lower (P < 0.05) in cats with idiopathic hepatic lipidosis than in control cats. These data suggest that carnitine deficiency does not contribute to the pathogenesis of feline idiopathic hepatic lipidosis.

Alveolar macrophages were collected at necropsy from pigs inoculated with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae or Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae or both and were tested for phagocytic capabilities, using in vitro techniques. Macrophages from noninoculated littermates were used as controls. Alveolar macrophages from pigs inoculated with either M hyopneumoniae or A pleuropneumoniae had significantly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.0025) higher phagocytic capacity than that of noninoculated controls. Macrophages from A pleuropneumoniae-inoculated pigs were comparatively more stimulated than were those from M hyopneumoniae-inoculated pigs. Pigs inoculated with M hyopneumoniae and then challenge-exposed with A pleuropneumoniae 2 and 4 weeks later had greatly reduced phagocytosis. Infection with M hyopneumoniae or A pleuropneumoniae caused stimulation of alveolar macrophage functions, and M hyopneumoniae infections may have suppressed phagocytic responses when pigs were challenge-exposed with a secondary pathogen (A pleuropneumoniae). This potential suppression may represent a prediposition of the host by M hyopneumoniae to secondary bacterial infections.

The pharmacokinetics of flunixin were studied in 6 adult lactating cattle after administration of single IV and IM doses at 1.1 mg/kg of body weight. A crossover design was used, with route of first administration in each cow determined randomly. Plasma and milk concentrations of total flunixin were determined by use of high-pressure liquid chromatography, using an assay with a lower limit of detection of 50 ng of flunixin/ml. The pharmacokinetics of flunixin were best described by a 2-compartment, open model. After IV administration, mean plasma flunixin concentrations rapidly decreased from initial concentrations of > 10 micrograms/ml to nondetectable concentrations at 12 hours after administration. The distribution phase was short (t1/2 alpha, harmonic mean = 0.16 hours) and the elimination phase was more prolonged (t1/2 beta, harmonic mean = 3.14 hours). Mean +/- SD clearance after IV administration was 2.51 +/- 0.96 ml/kg/min. After IM administration, the harmonic mean for the elimination phase (t1/2 beta) was prolonged at 5.20 hours. Bioavailability after IM dosing gave a mean +/- SD (n = 5) of 76.0 +/- 28.0%. Adult lactating cows (n = 6) were challenge inoculated with endotoxin as a model of acute coliform mastitis. After multiple administration (total of 7 doses; first IV, remainder IM) of 1.1 mg/kg doses of flunixin at 8-hour intervals, plasma flunixin concentrations were approximately 1 microgram/ml at 2 hours after each dosing and 0.5 microgram/ml just prior to each dosing. Flunixin was not detected in milk at any sampling during the study. Flunixin concentrations necessary to induce therapeutic effects in cattle are unknown. Results of our study indicate that administration of 1.1 mg/kg doses of flunixin meglumine at 8-hour intervals would produce plasma concentrations similar to those demonstrated to be effective clinically in treatment of equine musculoskeletal disorders and colic.

Leukocytosis (34,600 WBC/microliter of blood) was detected in an apparently healthy 7-day-old Holstein heifer. Analysis of blood samples obtained over the next 41 days revealed chronic progressive neutrophilia, which peaked at greater than 85% neutrophils and exceeded 100,000 WBC/microliter. In vitro assessment of isolated blood neutrophils obtained from the heifer at 38 and 45 days of age revealed selected functional abnormalities. Endocytosis of immunoglobulin-opsonized Staphylococcus aureus and killing of this test organism by the calf's neutrophils were significantly diminished, as were phagocytosis-associated superoxide generation, chemiluminescence activity, and myeloperoxidase-catalyzed iodination. Diminished H2O2 elaboration by the calf's neutrophils was evident during ingestion of opsonized zymosan or on exposure to phorbol myristate acetate. Extracellular release (secretion) of elastase during ingestion of zymosan was also diminished, although total cell content of elastase was normal, compared with that of neutrophils from age-matched calves, and granular or other morphologic abnormalities of the calf's neutrophils were not evident by ultrastructural examination. Abnormalities of random migration were inconsistently detected, and normal or high degree of antibody-dependent cytotoxicity or natural killing by the calf's neutrophils was observed. Similar in vitro assessment of neutrophils obtained from the calf's dam revealed no functional abnormalities. The calf died at 48 days of age, with persistent fever and chronic diarrhea despite administration of antibiotics. Histologic examination at necropsy revealed large numbers of intravascular neutrophils in most tissues, including massive neutrophil sequestration in spleen. However, a striking lack of extravascular neutrophils was evident in inflamed submucosa mucosa adjacent to intestinal ulcers heavily contaminated with enteric microorganisms. Bone marrow examination revealed diffuse myeloid hyperplasia, but no other abnormalities. The clinical and pathologic features in this calf were similar to those in previously reported human patients or Irish Setters with genetic deficiency of the CD11/CD18 leukocyte glycoprotein complex, thus prompting further postmortem evaluations. Results of immunoblot analyses of the neutrophil lysates of the heifer calf (isolated and stored prior to death) documented severe deficiency of Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18). Results of immunofluorescent analyses indicated substantially diminished (intermediate) amounts of the Mac-1 beta subunit (CD18) on blood neutrophils of the calf's dam and sire and on neutrophils of 8 of 15 paternal half-siblings; findings were consistent with an autosomal recessive trait in the proband's kindred. Findings also indicate that genetic abnormalities of CD11/CD18 proteins may underlie the molecular pathogenesis of disease in this calf as well as other previously described examples of the granulocytopathy syndrome in Holstein cattle.

A technique for transvenous endomyocardial biopsy of the right ventricle was developed and evaluated for safety and efficacy in anesthetized healthy cats positioned in left lateral recumbency. At least 6 endomyocardial biopsy specimens were obtained from the right ventricle or interventricular septum of 11 cats. In 4 cats, the right jugular vein was torn during attempts to pass the introducing catheter into the right ventricle; however, in only 1 cat did this preclude catheter passage. This cat's heart was biopsied via the left jugular vein. Except for damage to the jugular vein, complications were infrequent, and the biopsy procedure was well tolerated by all cats.

Ceftiofur hydrochloride was tested for effectiveness against induced colibacillosis in neonatal swine. In this model, pigs < 12 hours old were inoculated via stomach tube with a virulent, K99+, nalidixic acid-resistant strain of Escherichia coli. Six hours after challenge exposure, 1 dose of ceftiofur was administered either IM or orally in experiment 1 and orally only in experiment 2. Mortality, shedding of bacteria, fecal consistency scores, and body weight changes were monitored for 10 days. In experiment 1 (n = 383 pigs), all treatments at dosage that ranged between 0.5 and 64.0 mg of ceftiofur/kg of body weight significantly (P < 0.001) reduced mortality, bacterial shedding, and diarrhea and increased weight gain, compared with findings in untreated controls. There were no detectable differences between oral and IM routes, except that there was greater reduction in bacteria shedding associated with the oral route of administration. In experiment 2 (n = 505 pigs), ceftiofur was administered orally either once at 6 hours after challenge exposure or twice at 6 and at 48 hours after the first dose. Dosage of ceftiofur was 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, or 60 mg/kg administered once, or half the same dose was administered at each of 2 times. At the optimal dosage (10 mg/kg), a single dose was as effective as 2 doses. The single administration at all dosages reduced mortality, bacterial shedding, and diarrhea scores and increased body weight gain, compared with findings in untreated pigs (P < 0.01). In this induced infection model, the optimal treatment dosage was determined to be 10 mg/kg administered once.

The effect of ingested epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the small intestinal mucosa of conventionally weaned pigs was determined. At 21 days of age, 39 pigs were randomly distributed into suckling and weaned treatment groups that were administered 124 micrograms of EGF, 372 micrograms of EGF, or the dosing compound daily. Fecal water content was determined daily. On postweaning days 0, 3, 6, and 9, representative pigs from each group were euthanatized, and jejunal mucosa samples were collected for determination of villus-to-crypt ratio, total protein content, disaccharidase activities, and microbiological populations. At postweaning day 3, the 372-micrograms dose of EGF significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased jejunal lactase and sucrase activities in the weaned pigs. Increased lactase activity was not greater than that of the suckling pig controls, whereas sucrase activity was significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) higher than that of the suckling pig controls. Significant changes were not observed in villus-to-crypt ratio, mucosal protein content, or disaccharidase activities on other collection days.

Electromyographic (EMG) evaluation of the external urethral sphincter (EUS) was conducted during cystometry in 11 adult male cats sedated with xylazine and ketamine. A percutaneously placed antepubic catheter was used for bladder infusion and recording intravesicular pressures during cystometrography (CMG). A fine-wire electrode was placed percutaneously into or near the EUS for recording EMG during CMG. The bladder was infused with sterile 0.9% NaCl solution at a rate of 2 to 3 ml/min until a detrusor reflex was initiated. Intravesicular pressures at the onset of infusion, immediately prior to micturition, at the onset of urine flow, and at the maximal voiding pressure were recorded. The time from infusion to micturition, from opening pressure to return to baseline, and from the beginning to the end of the CMG were also recorded. The total volume of 0.9% NaCl solution infused and the residual bladder volume after micturition were also measured. Recordings were replicated once during each trial in all cats, and trials were replicated once approximately 1 week later in 4 cats. Micturition patterns were characterized by slight to moderate EUS EMG activity during vesicular filling, with reduction in activity during emptying. Maximal EMG activity was recorded at the completion of the reflex and was associated with pulsatile expulsion of small amounts of urine. The simultaneous recording of CMG and EUS EMG with fine-wire electrodes was simple and reliable for assessing the neuromuscular integrity and synchrony of detrusor and EUS muscles. There were no significant differences in variables between recordings within trial 1, but there were differences (P less than or equal to 0.05) between trials for pressure at the onset of urine flow and maximal voiding pressure.

Lactase, maltase, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase activities were determined in the intestinal mucosa from 3 locations in the small intestine and 4 locations in the large intestine 1 year after extensive large-colon resection (group 1; n = 5) and 1 year after sham operation (group 2; n = 3) in horses. Lactase, maltase, and sucrase activities were similar (P > 0.05) between group-1 and group-2 horses in all locations measured in the intestinal tract. Alkaline phosphatase activity in the remaining large colon of group-1 horses was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the activity in the large colon of group-2 horses. Decreased apparent digestion of phosphorus and a negative phosphorus balance are persistent features of large-colon resection in horses. Increases in alkaline phosphatase activity in the remaining colon of horses with extensive large-colon resection may be a specific functional adaptive mechanism that attempts to counteract the derangements in phosphorus metabolism.