Ouabain, a cardiac glycoside, binds to the Na+-K+i-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+ pump) and prevents active transport of Na+ and K+ across cell membranes. We used [3H]ouabain to quantify the number and affinity of Na+ pumps in skeletal muscle from Quarter Horses with the muscular disorder hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP). [3H]Ouabain-binding properties of gluteal muscle from clinically normal and affected horses were used to determine whether altered Na+ pump number or affinity could contribute to the pathologic features of muscle in affected horses. Foals and adult horses with HYPP were compared with age-matched clinically normal horses. The number of [3H]ouabain-binding sites in adult gluteal muscle was not different between the 2 types of horses (85.7 +/- 8.9 pmol of [3H]ouabain-binding sites/g [wet muscle weight] in horses with HYPP vs 100.2 +/- 8.8 pmol/g in clinically normal adult horses). Gluteal muscles in HYPP-affected and clinically normal foals also contained a similar number of [3H]ouabain-binding sites (222.3 +/- 21.0 pmol/g vs 225.3 +/- 24.2 pmol/g, respectively). The affinity of these binding sites for ouabain was not different, between adults or foals, in clinically normal or affected horses. Our results indicate that membrane events underlying the periodic episodes of paralysis in horses with HYPP are not attributable to quantitative changes in Na+ pump number or affinity. Our data cannot exclude the possibility that the specific activity of the Na+ pump is altered in muscle from HYPP-affected horses.

A 5-year-old, castrated male, Maltese was presented with history of acute flaccid paralysis. The dog was presented with sudden loss of muscle tone and involuntary movements of hind limbs. Neurologic examination revealed reduced postural reaction in the bilateral hind limbs. MRI of brain showed moderate hydrocephalus, but other examination results were normal. Based on the characteristic episodes and examination results, canine cataplexy was suspected. Treatment was initiated with clomipramine as cataplexy control. Clinical signs resolved with 3-month medication. This case demonstrates therapeutic diagnosis of cataplexy. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of cataplexy treating with clomipramine.

The etiologic agents of mucormycosis are several nonpathogenic fungi of the order Mucorales and are ubiquitous. A total of 82 chickens were infected with the disease and developed anorexia, diarrhea, malnutrition, dyspnea, and paralysis in a chicken farm, Sokcho, Kwangwon. At necropsy there were multiple nodular lesions and hemorrhages in livers, spleens, kidneys, gastro intestinal track, and respiratory system. On histopathological examination it was found that the nodular lesions were consisted of granulomatous inflammation accompanying characteristic hyphae (4-24 micro wide) of the fungi