Four diets were formulated to contain: 16% protein and 0.4% phosphorus-diet 1; 16% protein and 1.4% phosphorus-diet 2; 32% protein and 0.4% phosphorus-diet 3; and 32% protein and 1.4% phosphorus-diet 4. Forty-eight dogs were fed diet 1 for 3 months after surgical reduction of renal mass, then were allotted to 4 groups of 12 dogs each, with equal mean values for glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Dog of groups 1-4 were fed diets 1-4, respectively, for 24 months. Data collected from the dogs during and at termination of the study were analyzed statistically for effects of dietary protein, phosphorus (P), time, and interactions between these factors. During the 24 months of study, 24 dogs developed uremia and were euthanatized for necropsy. Necropsy also was performed on the remaining 24 dogs after they were euthanatized at the end of the study. Dog survival was significantly enhanced by 0.4% P diets (vs 1.4% P diets), but survival was not significantly influenced by amount of dietary protein. The 0.4% P diets (vs 1.4% P diets) significantly increased the period that GFR remained stable before it decreased, but dietary protein did not have significant effect. Significant blood biochemical changes attributed to P, protein, and time were identified during the study. Terminally, plasma parathyroid hormone concentration was significantly increased from prediet values in all groups of dogs. Urine protein excretion was not significantly affected by dietary amount of either protein or P, when measured by either timed urine collection or urine protein-to-creatinine ratio. A tendency was seen for increased protein excretion with passage of time. Histologic and mineral analyses of kidneys removed at necropsy revealed some significant difference attributable to diet, but differences were more marked when diet was ignored, and the 24 surviving dogs were compared with the 24 that developed uremia. Overall, amount of dietary P was more important than amount of dietary protein for preventing adverse responses. However, because renal damage specifically attributable to either dietary component was not obvious, it is possible that the effects of P were manifested by extrarenal mechanisms.

Systemic and pulmonary antibody responses of calves to Pasteurella haemolytica were evaluated by measuring immunoglobulin production in blood for 9 days and in pulmonary lavage fluid for 7 days after intrapulmonary inoculation. Clinical signs, pulmonary lesions, pulmonary and systemic inflammatory response, and amount of antigen in lavage fluid were used to evaluate the response of calves to challenge with P haemolytica. The pulmonary response consisted of production of IgG, IgE, and IgM antibodies to P haemolytica antigens and a 17- to 68-fold increase of cells in lavage fluid 8 hours after inoculation, with a gradual decrease toward normal. Antibodies of the IgM isotype to P haemolytica were demonstrated as early as 8 hours through 7 days after inoculation in 3 of 3 calves. Of the anti-P haemolytica isotypes, IgM was found in the highest concentration. In all of the inoculated calves, IgE was found 1 to 2 days after inoculation, and IgG was found in 2 of 3 inoculated calves from day 1 through 7 after inoculation. Detection of IgG correlated with smaller pulmonary lesions. Immunoglobulin A was not detected in lavage fluid. Serum was evaluated for IgG and IgM antibody response to P haemolytica. Specific IgM was detectable 5 days after inoculation, and IgG was detectable 7 days after inoculation. Pasteurella haemolytica antigens were not detected in serum or plasma. A transient increase in neutrophil count was found 8 hours after inoculation, with return to baseline values by 24 hours after inoculation. Antigen was detected in lavage fluid by use of monoclonal antibodies against selected P haemolytica capsular antigen, outer membrane antigens, and leukotoxin in all inoculated calves 8 hours after inoculation. The monoclonal antibody specific for P haemolytica capsule provided the best detection of antigen. The other monoclonal antibodies detected antigen, but were less consistent.

Macromolecular permeability of the small intestine was tested in four 3-week-old gnotobiotic pigs inoculated with porcine rotavirus strain RV277 (group A). Pigs were administered 125I-labeled polyvinylpyrrolidone (molecular weight [mol wt], 40,000) orally 1 day before and 2 and 24 hours after virus inoculation, and blood samples were obtained every 6 hours. Eight hours after rotavirus inoculation, pigs had watery diarrhea. Increased permeation of 125I-labeled polyvinylpyrrolidone was not observed after clinical signs of infection had developed. Serum total protein and urea nitrogen concentrations increased slightly at the end of the study, probably as a consequence of dehydration. Differences in blood glucose concentration were not seen. At 48 hours after viral inoculation, macromolecular permeability was tested morphologically by injecting horseradish peroxidase (mol wt, 40,000) into the jejunal lumen just distally to the ligamentum colicoduodenale. After an incubation period of 20 minutes, small segments of jejunum were obtained for stereomicroscopic, histologic, and ultrastructural investigations. Moderate hyperregenerative villus atrophy was found. Ultrastructural changes of the villus epithelium were minor, and increased macromolecular permeation was not observed.

In veterinary medicine, PCV determined by centrifugation of blood in a microhematocrit tube is the most common clinical test used to initially assess and monitor anemic and polycythemic animals. In contrast, blood hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, rather than PCV, is generally determined in human patients. One automated system photometrically measures blood Hb concentration after conversion of Hb to azide methemoglobin without dilution and was found to be a simple and accurate instrument for use in human medicine. We evaluated the system for its accuracy in measuring blood Hb concentration in animals by comparing it with standard techniques and for its suitability in veterinary practice. Blood samples, anticoagulated with potassium EDTA, from 78 healthy animals (33 dogs, 17 cats, 13 horses, and 15 cows) and 58 dogs and 4 cats with various blood abnormalities (10 anemia, 11 polycythemia, 21 lipemia, 16 leukocytosis, and 6 icterus) were analyzed. In all species, blood Hb concentration of healthy animals determined by the system was comparable to that measured by standard cyanmethemoglobin methods (ie, an automated counter; rI = 0.987 to 0.998 and a hemoglobin kit, rI = 0.946 to 0.993). The aforementioned system also yielded similar values to those obtained by use of standard methods in anemic, polycythemic, and icteric dogs and cats. Moreover, the system reads the absorbance at 2 wavelengths to correct for turbidity, and therefore, accurately measured Hb concentration in blood samples with severe lipemia (triglycerides concentration > 500 mg/dl) and marked leukocytosis (> 50,000 WBC/microl), whereas other standard Hb techniques are known to give falsely high results. We conclude that the automated system compares favorably to standard methods, and is a simple and accurate instrument to quickly measure Hb concentration in animals.

In 2 trials, the efficacy of an in-feed preparation of ivermectin was evaluated in 40 pigs naturally infected with endoparasites and Sarcoptes scabiei var suis. Treated pigs (n = 10 in each trial) were fed a ration containing 2 ppm ivermectin for 7 days, followed by consumption of a nonmedicated ration for the remainder of the trial. Control pigs (n = 10 in each trial) were fed a complete, nonmedicated ration for the duration of the trial. Pigs in trial A were monitored for 14 days after treatment; those in trial B were monitored for 35 days after treatment. In trial A, treatment efficacy of ivermectin was 100% against Ascaris suum, Physocephalus sexalatus, Oesophagostomum dentatum, O brevicaudum, Metastrongylus spp; 99.8% against Ascarops strongylina; 90.9% against Trichuris suis; and 13.1% against Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus. At the terminus of the trial, statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed between numbers of treated and control pigs infected with A suum, Ascarops strongylina, and Oesophagostomum spp. On posttreatment day 14, S scabiei were not found in any scrapings taken from treated pigs, but were found in scrapings from 3 of 10 control pigs. The number of infested pigs in the treatment group was not statistically different from the number of infested pigs in the control group. In trial B, treatment efficacy was 100% for A suum and Metastrongylus spp; 96.9% for Ascarops strongylina; and 76.9% for M hirudinaceus. At the terminus of the trial, statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences were evident between numbers of treated and control pigs infected with A suum, Ascarops strongylina, and Metastrongylus spp. On posttreatment days 7, 2 1, and 35, S scabiei were not found in scrapings taken from treated pigs. On posttreatment days 7, 2 1, and 35, S scabiei were found in scrapings from 8, 6, and 1 pig, respectively, whereas live mites were not found on scrapings taken from treated pigs on these days. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences were evident between the numbers of infested pigs in the treated and control groups on days 7 and 21. Ivermectin fed to swine ad libitum in a complete ration at 2 ppm was shown to be highly effective as an anthelmintic and acaricide.

Eight trials were conducted in dogs to document the efficacy of ivermectin (6 micrograms/kg of body weight) and pyrantel pamoate (5 mg of active pyrantel/kg) in a beef-based chewable formulation against Dirofilaria immitis, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, and Toxacaris leonina. Three studies involved induced infection with D immitis, and 5 studies involved induced or natural infection with hookworms and ascarids. In 3 intestinal parasite trials, the efficacy of the combination chewable tablet was compared with each of its components. Results indicated that 1 component did not interfere with the activity of the other. In 1 heartworm and 2 intestinal parasite trials, the efficacy of pyrantel, ivermectin/pyrantel combination, or ivermectin with pyrantel dosage of 10 mg/kg was evaluated. The ivermectin/pyrantel combination was 100% effective in preventing development of D immitis larvae. Efficacy of the combined product against T canis, Toxascaris leonina, A caninum, and U stenocephala was 90.1, 99.2, 98.5, and 98.7%, respectively. In the intestinal parasite trials, each individual component was found not to interfere with the anthelmintic action of the other. Increasing the dosage of pyrantel to 10 mg/kg (2 X that in the combination) did not interfere with the efficacy of ivermectin against heartworm or increase the activity of pyrantel against intestinal parasites.

The relation between average duodenal mast cell count, duodenal mucosal mast cell numbers, duodenal connective tissue mast cell numbers, circulating basophil numbers, heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and lesion score were studied to gain an understanding of the events that may lead to intestinal lesion formation associated with hemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) infection. Changes in vascular permeability in the duodenum in birds inoculated with HEV were examined, using colloidal carbon and ferritin as vascular markers. Turkeys inoculated with HEV had significantly (P < 0.05) higher duodenal mast cell counts than did noninfected controls. Birds inoculated with HEV had significantly (P < 0.05) more mucosal mast cells than did phosphate-buffered saline solution-inoculated birds. Connective tissue mast cell and basophil numbers were unaffected by viral inoculation. Thermal stress did not have significant effect on lesion severity, but did increase number of birds that developed the characteristic intestinal lesions. The heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in HEV-inoculated birds, compared with phosphate-buffered saline solution-inoculated controls. Increase in vascular permeability was only detected in HEV-inoculated birds with intestinal lesions. Results indicate that mast cells, and the vasoactive mediators contained within mast cells, may be important in the early manifestation of HEV infection. They also provide a possible mechanism through which biochemical and physiologic changes characteristic of HEV infection can occur.

The function of several intrinsic muscles of the fore-and hind limbs of 5 ponies walking normally was evaluated via surface electromyography. Electromyographic signals were band-pass filtered, rectified, linear enveloped, and standardized to the stride duration. Mean data from the muscles of the left and right limbs that were obtained from at least 30 strides in 2 recording sessions were recorded as electromyographic signals-time curves. The timing of muscle activity was determined from these graphs. On the basis of the major peaks in the electromyographic signal, muscle functions were identified. In the forelimb, the extensor carpi radialis muscle was involved in extension of the carpus at the end of the swing phase of the stride, and it provided support to flexion of the cubital joint at the beginning of the swing phase. The common digital extensor muscle extended the distal joints of the forelimb at the end of the swing phase. The ulnaris lateralis muscle provided support to extension of the cubital joint at the beginning of the stance phase, and the flexor carpi radialis muscle flexed the carpus at the beginning of the swing phase. The flexor carpi ulnaris muscle extended the cubital joint at the end of the swing phase. In the hind limb, the long digital extensor muscle flexed the tarsus at the beginning of the swing phase and extended the digital joints preceding the stance phase. The deep digital flexor muscle prevented overextension of the distal interphalangeal joint during the stance phase and flexion of the digital joints during the swing phase. The gastrocnemius muscle prevented flexion of the tarsus on impact and supported flexion of the femorotibial the beginning of the swing phase.

Development of age-dependent resistance to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was studied, using isolated enterocytes and brush border membranes (BBM) from 7-day-old and 7-week-old pigs. Binding of 125I-labeled heat-stable (125I-STa) enterotoxin to enterocytes and BBM was specific, temperature- and time-dependent, saturable, and partially reversible. Scatchard analysis revealed a single class of receptors. Mean +/- SD avidity of binding (apparent affinity constant, Ka) of 125I-STa to enterocytes from 7-day-old and 7-week-old pigs was 2.14 +/- 0.29 X 10(8) and 2.72 +/- 0.25 X 10(8) L/mol, respectively. Numbers of STa receptors were calcuated to be 64,903 +/- 2,900/enterocyte for 7-day-old pigs and 53,029 +/- 3,117/enterocyte for 7-week-old pigs. Numbers of STa receptors expressed per milligram of BBM protein from 7-day-old pigs were 2.66 X 10(11), compared with 2.29 X 10(11) for BBM from 7-week-old pigs. By 5 minutes after addition of STa to reaction mixtures, intracellular cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentration increased 13.9-fold in enterocytes from 7-day-old pigs and 8.7-fold in enterocytes from 7-week-old pigs. The particulate guanylate cyclase activity associated with BBM from 7-week-old pigs was slightly more sensitive to low amounts of STa, compared with BBM from 7-day-old pigs; however, differences were not observed at intermediate and high amounts. These data indicate that lack of a secretory response to STa by older pigs is not attributable either to decreased numbers of STa receptors or to decreased signal response between the STa receptor and membrane-bound guanylate cyclase. Development of age-dependent resistance by porcine small intestine to STa appears to be attributable to steps in the secretory pathway that respond to increased concentration of cyclic guanosine monophosphate.

Because hepatocyte-stimulating factor/interleukin 6 (IL-6) the principal inducer of acute-phase protein synthesis in the liver, quantification of its activity in blood provides an early and sensitive assessment of the acute-phase response. Circulating IL-6 activity was monitored in 4 adult horses for 72 hours after IV administration of endotoxin. In 4 experiments performed at weekly intervals and in randomized order, each horse was given endotoxin-1,000, 30, 1, and 0 ng/kg of body weight. Plasma IL-6 activity was quantified as the ability to promote growth of the IL-6-dependent B-cell hybridoma, B13.29 clone B9. Interleukin-6 activity (171 +/- 10.2 U/ml) was found in all pretreatment plasma samples and was significantly (P < 0.05) increased above baseline from 2 to 12 hours after 1,000 ng of endotoxin/kg was given and at 3 hours after 30 ng of endotoxin/kg was given. After 1,000- or 30-ng/kg dosage of endotoxin, peak plasma IL-6 activity (10,128 +/- 4,096 and 1,555 +/- 1,326 U/ml, respectively) was observed for 3 hours. The IL-6 response of endotoxin-treated horses began about 1 hour after tumor necrosis factor appeared in the circulation, and its course closely approximated the endotoxin-induced febrile reaction. Significant increase in plasma IL-6 activity was not detected in horses given 1 ng of endotoxin/kg or control buffer.