Viscosity of synovial fluid (SF) from 29 clinically normal horses was determined by use of a rotational cone and plate microviscosimeter. Total protein concentration in the SF of the 29 horses, as measured with a refractometer, was < 2.5 g/dl. When the Coomassie brilliant blue test was used to determine total protein concentration in SF for 15 horses, the mean value was 1,088 mg/dl. Viscosity values at 60, 30, 12, 6, 3, and 1.5 revolutions/min (rpm) spindle speed were 4.41 +/- 1.54 centipoise (cp), 5.29 +/- 1.94 cp, 6.76 +/- 2.76 cp, 8.52 +/- 4.27 cp, 10.41 +/- 6.30 cp, and 13.07 +/- 9.05 cp, respectively. Synovial fluid viscosity increased with decreasing rpm and shear rate, but the shape of the curve for each horse fitted the asymptotic curve. The rotational cone and plate microviscosimeter was an accurate instrument in measuring SF viscosity at multiple rpm or shear rates in horses. The values obtained on clinically normal horses in this study will serve as a baseline for comparison in the evaluation of horses with joint disease.

We investigated the ability of an antibody-specific, O antigen-based ELISA to document Salmonella typhimurium herd infections by screening of milk samples. Three cattle populations, 20 herds with no history of salmonellosis, 8 herds with history of S. typhimurium episodes within the previous 7 months, and 220 herds of unknown disease status, were tested. A herd was considered ELISA positive if at least 5% of the cows had OD values > 0.3. Among the 20 herds without history of salmonellosis, only 2 herds were ELISA positive, whereas all 8 herds with a known history of salmonellosis were ELISA positive (herd specificity, 0.9 and herd sensitivity, 1.0). A significant correlation (P < 0.001) was found between the OD values of serum and milk samples from cows in the herds with a history of salmonellosis. It was concluded that ELISA testing of individual milk samples can be used for surveillance of herds for S. typhimurium infections, but further modifications are needed to test bulk tank milk samples.

Objective-To develop a flow cytometric assay for detection of platelet-bound IgG in dogs. Sample Population-Negative-control platelets were obtained from 5 clinically normal Greyhounds. Positive-control platelets were platelets from 1 clinically normal dog, sensitized with dog anti-canine platelet alloantibodies. Procedure-Washed platelets were incubated with mouse anti-canine IgG conjugated to fluorescein isothiocyanate and analyzed by flow cytometry. Optimal dilution of antibody reagent and dose-response were determined, as were effects on platelet-bound IgG detection of storage time and temperature of K3EDTA-anticoagulated blood samples, variable platelet numbers, and variable filling of K3EDTA evacuated tubes. Results-A 1:128 dilution of antibody reagent was optimal. There was a linear increase in platelet-bound IgG when normal canine platelets were incubated with increasing concentrations of positive-control serum. Variable numbers of positive-control platelets tested and variable filling of K3EDTA evacuated tubes had no significant effect on platelet-bound IgG concentration. Platelet-bound IgG concentration increased with storage time at room temperature (P = 0.0003), but not when blood was kept cool. Sufficient platelets for assay were able to be isolated from 3 ml of blood from 5 dogs with < 10,000 platelets/microliter. Conclusion-This assay for platelet-bound IgG in dogs is simple, repeatable, and practical. The assay is not affected by platelet count or variable filling of evacuated tubes, and requires only 3 ml of K3EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Blood samples for testing require packaging on ice and overnight delivery but, after arrival at the laboratory, can be refrigerated and analyzed within 72 hours of collection. Clinical Relevance-Assays for platelet-bound IgG may help in assessing causes and treatment of thrombocytopenia.

Aflatoxin (AF)-contaminated and fumonisin B1 (FB1)-contaminated (culture material from Fusarium moniliforme) diets were fed singly and in combination to growing cross-bred barrows. Six barrows (3 replicates of 2 each; mean body weight, 17.5 kg) per group were fed: 0 mg of AF and 0 mg of FB1/kg of feed (control); 2.5 mg of AF/kg of feed; 100 mg of FB1/kg of feed; or 2.5 mg of AF plus 100 mg of FB1/kg of feed for 35 days. The effects on production performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, immunologic, and pathologic measurements were evaluated. Body weight, gain, and feed consumption were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by AF and AF plus FB1 diets. The FB1 diet decreased feed consumption, and although body weight was numerically decreased, it was not statistically significant. Aflatoxin increased serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity and total iron concentration and decreased urea nitrogen concentration and unsaturated iron-binding capacity. The FB1-alone diet increased serum GGT activity, whereas the AF plus FB1 diet increased serum aspartate transaminase, cholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, and GGT activities, increased RBC count, triglycerides, and total iron concentrations, and decreased unsaturated iron-binding capacity and urea nitrogen concentration. For the most part, the effects of the AF plus FB1 diet on body weight and hematologic measurements could be considered additive. However, the effect of the AF plus FB1 diet on cholinesterase and alkaline phosphatase activities was greater than additive and was a synergistic response. One pig in the FB1-diet group and 2 pigs in the combination-diet group died. Postmortem lesions in pigs of the FB1-diet group consisted of ascites and increased liver weight. Observations at necropsy for pigs of the AF plus FB1-diet group consisted of hydrothorax, ascites, pulmonary edema, gastric erosions and ulceration, and increased liver and spleen weights. The AF diet increased relative liver weight and resulted in liver that was pale, rubbery, and resistant to cutting. Histologic lesions consisted of hepatic necrosis or degeneration, or both, with variable degrees of bile duct proliferation in barrows of the AF-diet groups. Renal tubular nephrosis was observed in barrows of the FB1 diet group, but this was not consistent in the AF plus FB1-diet group. Cell-mediated immunity, as measured by mitogen-induced lymphoblastogenic stimulation index, was decreased in barrows of the AF and FB1-diet groups, and values in barrows given the combination diet were significantly decreased from those in barrows given the single toxin diets. It was concluded that AF and FB1 (from culture material), singly or in combination, can adversely affect clinical performance, serum biochemical, hematologic, and immunologic values and induce lesions in growing barrows. For most of the variables we evaluated under our study conditions and dosages of toxins, measurements were affected more by the combination diet than by either single toxin diet, and the toxic responses could be described as additive or more than additive, particularly for induction of liver disease.

Objective--To evaluate the nematocidal effectiveness of the ivermectin sustained-release bolus throughout its 135-day delivery period. Design--Twenty-four naturally infected calves were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 equivalent experimental groups: group-T1 calves were untreated controls, group-T2 calves each received a sustained-release bolus on trial day 0 and group-T3 calves were rendered nematode-free and used at 35-day intervals during the study as tracers. One contaminated pasture was used for all principal calves for the 135-day grazing interval of the study. Calves of groups T1 and T2 were also artificially administered mixed infective nematode larvae at intervals during the grazing period, after which, all calves were confined to concrete for 21 days prior to necropsy. Animals--All calves were approximately 6 months old on trial day 0, weighed from 136 to 216 kg, and were of mixed breeding and sex. Procedure--At intervals during the study, feces from all calves were analyzed for nematode egg counts, and all calves were weighed and examined for bolus retention (T2 calves only). For nematode recovery, all calves were necropsied 21 to 22 days after removal from the contaminated pasture. Results--Parasitic populations of Haemonchus, Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia, Bunostomum, and Oesophagostomum spp were significantly reduced in cattle treated with the ivermectin sustained-release bolus. Conclusion--The nematocidal activity of the ivermectin sustained-release bolus proved highly effective, with > 98% efficacy for all nematode species present.

During this investigation, the use of iohexol was compared with iotrolan for canine cisternal myelography. Iohexol and iotrolan myelography was done in 6 dogs by cisternal puncture with a 6-week interval between both procedures; each dog served as its own control. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected for baseline analysis from each dog immediately before the contrast agent was injected. Cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after injection of each contrast medium for cytologic and chemical analysis. Total CSF leucocyte count and glucose concentration did not change significantly in comparison with baseline data in any of the samples. After the injection of iohexol, protein concentration increased significantly in the 24-hour sample, and lactate dehydrogenase activity increased significantly in the 3-day sample. Significant difference was not found between the different samples collected at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days, compared with both contrast media. None of the dogs had seizure activity during a 5-hour postmyelographic observation period. Pathologic changes were not found by gross or microscopic examination of the spinal cord. Although a degradation in time of radiographic quality of all myelograms took place, the average radiographic score decreased more rapidly with iohexol. The average score at 90 minutes with iotrolan was comparable with the score at 45 minutes with iohexol, and the average score at 150 minutes with iotrolan was better than the score at 90 minutes with iohexol. At 5 and 10 minutes after cisternal injection, no significant difference wasobservable between the myelograms, but from 45 minutes onward, myelograms with iotrolan were superior.

Concentrations of serum thyroxine (T4) and 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) were determined after the administration of freshly reconstituted thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), reconstituted TRH that had been previously frozen, or thyrotropin (TSH) to 10 mature dogs (6 Greyhounds and 4 mixed-breed dogs). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (0.1 mg/kg) or TSH (5 U/dog) was administered IV; venous blood samples were collected before and 6 hours after administration of TRH or TSH. Concentrations of the T4 and T3 were similar (P > 0.05) in serum after administration of freshly reconstituted or previously frozen TRH, indicating that TRH can be frozen at -20 C for at least 1 week without a loss in potency. Concentrations of T4, but not T3, were higher after the administration of TSH than they were after the administration of TRH (P < 0.01). Concentrations of T4 increased at least 3-fold in all 10 dogs given TSH, whereas a 3-fold increase occurred in 7 of 10 dogs given freshly reconstituted or previously frozen TRH. Concentrations of T4 did not double in 1 dog given freshly reconstituted TRH and in 1 dog given previously frozen TRH. Concentrations of T3 doubled in 5 of 10, 2 of 10, and 5 of 10 dogs given TSH, freshly reconstituted TRH, or previously frozen TRH, respectively. Results suggested that concentrations of serum T4 are higher 6 hours after the administration of TSH than after administration of TRH, using dosage regimens of 5 U of TSH/dog or 0.1 mg of TRH/kg. Additionally, results suggested that Greyhounds have lower concentrations of serum T4 than do mixed-breed dogs, but Greyhounds tend to have higher concentrations of serum T3.

Pathophysiologic effects of Ostertagia ostertagi infection and their prevention by strategic anthelmintic treatments were studied in 3 groups each of 6 steer calves. Group-1 calves were noninfected controls. Group-2 calves were inoculated with 100,000 third-stage larvae on the 1st and 28th days of the experiment and grazed on pasture initially free of contamination. Group-3 calves were on a similar regimen as those in group 2, but were also treated with ivermectin 9 days after each larval inoculation. Group-2 calves had increased plasma pepsinogen and gastrin values and decreased weight gains, and total serum protein and albumin concentrations from the 2nd week of infection onward. They were anemic at 10 to 12 weeks and had lower carcass and meat quality at slaughter. Strategic anthelmintic treatments were effective in preventing these effects and calves in groups 1 and 3 had similar performances. On the basis of our findings, high pepsinogen values were related to worm burdens, whereas high gastrin concentrations were related to gastric lesions.

Ten healthy sedentary male Thoroughbreds with previous race training experience were studied for 14 weeks. Horses were trained for 9 weeks, using a program designed after those used commonly in the United States. Horses were trained conventionally by slow trotting (250 m/min) for 2 weeks and galloping (390 to 450 m/min) for 4 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of galloping (440 to 480 m/min) and intermittent sprinting exercises (breezes) at distances between 600 and 1,000 m (900 to 950 m/min). The horses were then pasture rested for 5 weeks. A standardized exercise test (SET) involving an 800-m gallop at 800 m/min was administered before and after the 9-week training period and after the 5-week detraining period. Heart rate (HR) was monitored during exercise and at standardized intervals after exercise for 60 minutes. Venous blood for determination of plasma lactate concentration was obtained at 5 minutes after exercise. Heart rate was monitored daily at rest, during exercise, and through the first 60 minutes of recovery. Venous plasma samples (for lactate determination) were obtained 5 minutes after the sprinting exercises. Horses were observed daily before exercise for signs of lameness and were not allowed to train if lame. Differences after 9 weeks' training were seen in the SET recovery HR at 0.5 through 5 minutes after exercise (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Differences after detraining were seen in the SET recovery HR at 40 and 60 minutes after exercise (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Neither training nor detraining resulted in differences in plasma lactate concentration after the SET gallop. A training-induced resting bradycardia was not observed. The mean maximal HR (HRmax) during workouts was 238 +/- 3.4 beats/min (n = 9). When exercise HR was expressed as a function of HRmax, 22% of trotting, 89% of galloping, and 100% of sprinting workouts were performed at the greater than or equalto 60% HRmax value characterized by the onset of blood lactate accumulation. Plasma lactate concentration further documented that all the sprinting exercises were performed with concentration above the point of onset of blood lactate accumulation. Mean postsprinting lactate concentration was not different over time and ranged from 13.4 +/- 0.9 to 15.6 +/- 0.6 mmol/l. As training progressed, some of the horses had days on which they were lame after exercise. Some lameness was judged sufficient to warrant phenylbutazone (PBZ) administration. Retrospective analysis of the daily HR data indicated that there were no differences in HR during workouts for lame horses given PBZ, compared with those not given PBZ. Using analysis of variance, HR for horses that were lame during workouts was significantly higher than that for horses that were sound during workouts, during and 0.5 minutes after trotting; 0.5, 1, 2, 20, 40, and 60 minutes after galloping; and 0.5 and 20 minutes after sprinting (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

Temporary quarantine stations (TQS) are transitory premises that havebeen approved to facilitate the quarantine of imported live animals in Malaysia. These stations must abide to the standard operating procedures (SOP) for animal quarantine as outlined by the veterinaryauthority in Malaysia. However, the level of awareness for the quarantine procedures among the TQS operators and managers has not been assessed. This study was conducted to describe thedistribution of the TQS in 2012-2013 and the level of awareness among its operators on the quarantine procedures and the fundamental requirements for quarantine establishments. Eight TQS from 25 wereselected and operators or managers were interviewed using a questionnaire and the facility was visited. The study found thatmajority (82.5%) of the TQS operators were aware of the quarantine procedures but the auditors from the veterinary authorityrevealed vice versa.