Objective-To evaluate respiratory mechanical function and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytologic results in healthy alpacas. Animals-16 client-owned adult alpacas. Procedures-Measurements of pulmonary function were performed, including functional residual capacity (FRC) via helium dilution, respiratory system resistance via forced oscillatory technique (FOT), and assessment of breathing pattern by use of respiratory inductive plethysmography (RIP) in standing and sternally recumbent alpacas. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed orotracheally during short-term anesthesia. Results-Mean +/- SD measurements of respiratory function were obtained in standing alpacas for FRC (3.19 +/- 0.53 L), tidal volume (0.8 +/- 0.13 L), and respiratory system resistance at 1 Hz (2.70 +/- 0.88 cm H2O/L/s), 2 Hz (2.98 +/- 0.70 cm H2O/L/s), 3 Hz (3.14 +/- 0.77 cm H2O/L/s), 5 Hz (3.45 +/- 0.91 cm H2O/L/s), and 7 Hz (3.84 +/- 0.93 cm H2O/L/s). Mean phase angle, as a measurement of thoracoabdominal asynchrony, was 19.59 +/- 10.06°, and mean difference between nasal and plethysmographic flow measurements was 0.18 +/- 0.07 L/s. Tidal volume, peak inspiratory flow, and peak expiratory flow were significantly higher in sternally recumbent alpacas than in standing alpacas. Cytologic examination of BAL fluid revealed 58.52 +/- 12.36% alveolar macrophages, 30.53 +/- 13.78% lymphocytes, 10.95 +/- 9.29% neutrophils, 0% mast cells, and several ciliated epithelial cells. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Pulmonary function testing was tolerated well in nonsedated untrained alpacas. Bronchoalveolar lavage in alpacas yielded samples with adequate cellularity that had a greater abundance of neutrophils than has been reported in horses.

Objective-To establish the maximum tolerated dose of Clostridium novyi-NT spores in tumor-bearing dogs and evaluate spore germination within tumors and tumor response. Animals-6 client-owned dogs. Procedures-A standard dose-escalation study was planned, with maximum tolerated dose defined as the highest dose at which 0 or 1 of 6 dogs had dose-limiting toxicoses (DLT). Dogs received 1 dose of C novyi-NT spores IV. Toxicoses were graded and interventions performed according to specific guidelines. Grade 3 or higher toxicosis or any toxicosis combination that substantially affected patient status was considered DLT. Clinical response was measured by use of response evaluation criteria in solid tumors at 28 days. Results-The first 2 dogs had DLT. The dose was decreased. Two of the next 4 dogs had DLT; therefore, dose administration was stopped because the study endpoint had been reached. The most common toxicosis was fever (n = 6 dogs). Two dogs developed abscesses (1 within a nasal carcinoma and 1 splenic abscess) attributable to C novyi-NT infection; both required surgical intervention. Clostridium novyi-NT was cultured from 1 of 6 tumors. Five dogs were available for response assessment (4 had stable disease; 1 had progressive disease). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results indicated that C novyi-NT can germinate within tumors of dogs. Toxicosis, although common and sometimes severe, was manageable with treatment. Further studies in dogs with superficial tumors may allow for continued dose escalation and provide information for use in clinical trials in veterinary and human oncology.

Objective: To assess the transmission of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) from experimentally infected white-tailed deer fawns to colostrum-deprived calves by use of a BVDV strain isolated from hunter-harvested white-tailed deer. Animals: 5 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fawns and 6 colostrum-deprived calves. Procedures: Fawns were inoculated intranasally with a noncytopathic BVDV-1a isolate (2 mL containing 10(6.7) TCID(50)/mL), and 2 days after inoculation, animals were commingled until the end of the study. Blood and serum samples were obtained on days −6, 0, 7, 14, and 21 after inoculation for reverse transcriptase PCR assay, virus neutralization, and BVDV-specific antibody ELISA. Nasal, oral, and rectal swab specimens were collected on days 0, 3, 7, 14, 17, and 21 for reverse transcriptase PCR testing. By 21 days after inoculation, all animals were euthanized and necropsied and tissues were collected for histologic evaluation, immunohistochemical analysis, and virus isolation. Results: All fawns became infected and shed the virus for up to 18 days as determined on the basis of reverse transcriptase PCR testing and virus isolation results. Evidence of BVDV infection as a result of cohabitation with acutely infected fawns was detected in 4 of the 6 calves by means of reverse transcriptase PCR testing and virus isolation. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: On the basis of these findings, BVDV transmission from acutely infected fawns to colostrum-deprived calves appeared possible.

Objective: To describe the anatomic features of dentition and surrounding structures of the head in rabbits assessed by use of a newly developed micro-computed tomography (CT) device. Sample: Cadavers of 7 clinically normal adult Dendermonde White domestic rabbits raised for human consumption. Procedures: The rabbits were slaughtered in a slaughterhouse, flayed, and decapitated; the rabbit heads were frozen for micro-CT examination. Transverse images were obtained from the nares to the occipital condyles with a custom-designed micro-CT scanner built at the Ghent University Centre for X-ray Tomography. Scan settings were chosen to highlight bony structures on the basis of the designers' experience. The micro-CT images were reviewed, and all recognizable anatomic features were labeled. Afterward, micro-CT images were used to create 3-D reconstructions by use of a custom-developed reconstruction package and 3-D rendering with dedicated software. Results: Microstructures of the bones and teeth were clearly visible on micro-CT images. Conversely, soft tissue contrast was relatively poor on these images. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Micro-CT appeared to be a promising technique for appropriate diagnosis of dental disease in rabbits. Further research is needed to determine the clinical applications of micro-CT imaging.

Objective: To evaluate onset of protection induced by modified-live virus (MLV) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccine administered 7, 5, or 3 days before inoculation with type 1b BVDV (strain NY-1). Animals: 40 calves. Procedures: Calves were assigned to 4 groups: an unvaccinated control group or groups vaccinated with MLV vaccine containing BVDV types 1a and 2 at 7, 5, or 3 days, before inoculation with NY-1 BVDV. Blood samples were collected for leukocyte counts, serum virus neutralization, and virus isolation (VI); nasal swab specimens (NSSs) were obtained for VI, and rectal temperatures were monitored for 14 days after inoculation. Results: No significant differences in leukocyte counts or rectal temperatures were detected after BVDV inoculation in vaccinated calves. Vaccinated calves had reduced viremia and viral shedding after inoculation, compared with results for unvaccinated calves. On day 5 after inoculation, a higher proportion of calves vaccinated 3 days before inoculation had positive VI from NSSs, compared with NSS VI results for calves vaccinated 5 and 7 days before inoculation. Unvaccinated calves had leukopenia on days 3, 5, and 6 and had higher rectal temperatures on days 7 and 8 after inoculation, compared with temperatures before inoculation. All unvaccinated calves had ≥ 1 positive VI result from NSSs 3 to 11 days after inoculation, and 4 became viremic. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: MLV BVDV vaccine prevented fever, viremia, and leukopenia in calves challenge inoculated with NY-1 BVDV. A high proportion of calves vaccinated 3 days before inoculation shed BVDV after inoculation.

Objective: To determine whether vaccine virus can be detected by use of reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assays for pooled and individual skin samples obtained from cattle after vaccination with a commercially available modified-live bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) vaccine. Animals: 12 BVDV-seropositive steer calves and 7 BVDV-seronegative (antibody titer < 1:4) heifers; all cattle were free of persistent infection with BVDV. Procedures: 2 experiments were conducted. Cattle were vaccinated on day 0 with a commercially available modified-live BVDV vaccine. Skin samples were collected on days 0, 3 to 14, 16, and 18 for virus detection by use of RT-PCR assay on individual and pooled samples. In addition, blood samples and nasal swab specimens were collected for virus isolation. Results: All cattle, regardless of serologic status, had negative results for BVDV as determined by use of RT-PCR assay of individual and pooled skin samples. Virus was detected via virus isolation in serum or the buffy coat in 5 of 7 heifers that were seronegative when vaccinated. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: These findings indicated that it would be unlikely to detect BVDV vaccine virus in skin by use of RT-PCR assay of individual or pooled skin samples obtained from cattle after vaccination with a commercially available modified-live BVDV vaccine. Veterinarians and producers should be confident that positive test results for BVDV on skin samples would not likely be caused by the vaccination virus after administration of a modified-live virus vaccine.

Previously we described the development of an attenuated Pasteurella multocida mutant that expresses only the N-terminal truncated fragment of P. multocida toxin (N-PMT) and its protective effects in a mouse model. This paper details our evaluation of the vaccine potential of this mutant strain in pigs. Pigs vaccinated with the mutant showed significantly higher rates of antibody induction and lower nasal conchal (turbinate) scores for atrophic rhinitis than controls, which suggests that this mutant strain may be a good candidate for a live attenuated vaccine.