Objective-To analyze the 7a7b genes of the feline coronavirus (FCoV) of cheetahs, which are believed to play a role in virulence of this virus. Sample Population-Biologic samples collected during a 4-year period from 5 cheetahs at the same institution and at 1 time point from 4 cheetahs at different institutions. Procedures-Samples were first screened for FCoV via a reverse transcription-PCR procedure involving primers that encompassed the 3'-untranslated region. Samples that yielded positive assay results were analyzed by use of primers that targeted the 7a7b open reading frames. The nucleotide sequences of the 7a7b amplification products were determined and analyzed. Results-In most isolates, substantial deletional mutations in the 7a gene were detected that would result in aberrant or no expression of the 7a product because of altered reading frames. Although the 7b gene was also found to contain mutations, these were primarily point mutations resulting in minor amino acid changes. The coronavirus associated with 1 cheetah with feline infectious peritonitis had intact 7a and 7b genes. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The data suggest that mutations arise readily in the 7a region and may remain stable in FCoV of cheetahs. In contrast, an intact 7b gene may be necessary for in vivo virus infection and replication. Persistent infection with FCoV in a cheetah population results in continued virus circulation and may lead to a quasispecies of virus variants.

The eicosanoids are a family of lipid-derived autocoids that are released in response to a variety of physical and hormonal stimuli. In this study, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) were measured in the digital veins of clinically normal horses and horses with chronic laminitis to determine whether these arachidonic acid metabolites have a role in mediating signs of hoof pain and lesions associated with chronic laminitis. Horses were evaluated at rest and after a brief exercise period, to determine whether eicosanoids are released into the circulation after mild concussion. Digital vein eicosanoid concentrations in horses with signs of hoof pain attributable to chronic laminitis were not different than those in clinically normal horses. There was no difference in resting and postexercise PGE2 or LTB4 concentrations. Mean digital vein PGE2 concentration for the 2 groups was 187.18 pg/ml, whereas mean digital vein LTB4 concentration for the 2 groups was 74.71 pg/ml. These data do not support the hypothesis that PGE2 and LTB4 have a role in mediating the signs of pain and pathologic features of chronic laminitis.

Objective: To describe the pharmacokinetics of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in healthy cats after oral and IV administration. Animals: 6 healthy cats. Procedures: In a crossover study, cats received NAC (100 mg/kg) via IV and oral routes of administration; there was a 4-week washout period between treatments. Plasma samples were obtained at 0, 5, 15, 30, and 45 minutes and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after administration, and NAC concentrations were quantified by use of a validated high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry protocol. Data were analyzed via compartmental and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Results: Pharmacokinetics for both routes of administration were best described by a 2-compartment model. Mean ± SD elimination half-life was 0.78 ± 0.16 hours and 1.34 ± 0.24 hours for the IV and oral routes of administration, respectively. Mean bioavailability of NAC after oral administration was 19.3 ± 4.4%. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: The pharmacokinetics of NAC for this small population of healthy cats differed from values reported for humans. Assuming there would be similar pharmacokinetics in diseased cats, dose extrapolations from human medicine may result in underdosing of NAC in cats with acute disease. Despite the low bioavailability, plasma concentrations of NAC after oral administration at 100 mg/kg may be effective in the treatment of chronic diseases.

Tissues from cattle that died of experimentally induced mucosal disease (n = 3), naturally acquired mucosal disease (n = 6), or naturally acquired chronic bovine viral diarrhea (n = 4) were examined. Consistent findings were lymphocytic depletion of lymphoid tissues, degeneration of myenteric ganglion cells, and mild adrenalitis. Intracytoplasmic viral antigen was detected in myenteric ganglia and in endocrine glandular cells. Noncytopathic virus was isolated from all cattle, and cytopathic virus was isolated from 12 of 13 cattle.

Nineteen purebred Beagles of various ages (4, 5, 13,and 47 weeks) were inoculated with North American Trypanosoma cruzi isolates obtained from an opossum (Tc-O), armadillo (Tc-A), or a dog (Tc-D). Dogs were grouped on the basis of clinical outcome of infection. During the acute stage of disease, dogs of group 1 (n = 7 inoculated with Tc-O or Tc-A) died or were euthanatized because of the severity of disease. Dogs of group 2 (n = 5 inoculated with Tc-O or Tc-A) developed acute disease, but survived to develop chronic disease. Dogs of group 3 (n = 7Tc-D-inoculated dogs) developed neither acute nor chronic disease. Dogs of group 4 (n = 4-2 dogs 13 weeks old and 2 dogs 47 weeks old) served as noninoculated controls. Clinical signs associated with severe acute myocarditis developed in dogs of groups 1 and 2 between postinoculation day (PID) 15 and 28. Generalized lymphadenopathy and lymphocytosis were observed in all dogs of groups 1, 2, and 3 between PID 14 and 17. Serum alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activities and urea nitrogen concentration were high, and glucose concentration was low prior to death of dogs in group 1. Serum activities of isoenzymes of creatine kinase were significantly (P < 0.05) high in only 1 dog (group 1), whereas serum lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme activities were not significantly high in any dog. Parasitemia was detected by examination of thick blood smears as early as PID 3, peaked by PID 17 in most dogs, and was not detected by PID 33 in dogs of groups 1 and 2. Parasitemia was documented by blood culture results in dogs of groups 2 and 3 at various times throughout the study. Dogs infected at an older age generally had lesser degree of parasitemia and higher survival rate than did dogs infected at a younger age. Dogs of group 2 did not manifest clinical signs of disease for 27 to 120 days prior to onset of chronic disease. Ventricular-based arrhythmias and exercise intolerance developed in all dogs of group 2 at various times by PID 120. Two dogs developed signs of biventricular heart failure.