In a study to evaluate the effect of flunixin meglumine on secretory diarrhea, 11 calves were assigned to 3 groups: group 1 (n = 3) served as controls, group-2 calves (n = 4) were given 2.2 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg, IM at 7 AM and 3 PM, and group-3 calves (n = 4) were given 2.2 mg of flunixin meglumine/kg IM at 7 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM. All calves were given approximately 200 microgram of heat stable Escherichia coli enterotoxin (STa) orally at 8 AM. Mean cumulative fecal output for groups 1, 2, and 3 was 1,331.0 +/- 317.2 g, 1,544.3 +/- 154.4 g, and 785.5 +/- 276.5 g, respectively. There was a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in mean fecal output in group-3 calves, compared with that in groups 1 and 2. Calves in group 2 tended to have a delay, but not a reduction, in their fecal output. At 12 hours, hemoconcentration was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in group-1 calves than in group-2 or group- 3 calves.

Eighteen 4-day-old gnotobiotic pigs were orally inoculated with porcine enteric calicivirus-like virus (C strain). Seven additional gnotobiotic pigs served as noninoculated controls. Mild diarrhea developed in all inoculated pigs by postinoculation day (PID) 3 and persisted for 3 to 7 days. Severe diarrhea developed in 2 inoculated pigs between PID 4 and 5. Twelve inoculated and 7 control pigs were euthanatized over a 7-day period. Small intestinal mucosal smears were stained with a fluorescein-conjugated anti-porcine enteric calicivirus-like virus serum. Immunofluorescence was observed in villous epithelial cells (primarily in the duodenum or jejunum) of all inoculated pigs, except for 1 pig euthanatized at PID 7. Villus length was determined in histologic sections of the small intestinal specimens from control and inoculated pigs. Statistically significant (P less than 0.01) villus atrophy was found in the duodenum and/or jejunum of inoculated pigs at PID 3 to 7. These observations were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, which revealed shortening, blunting, fusion, or absence of villi in the duodenum and jejunum of inoculated pigs at PID 3 to 7. Lesions were not seen in control pigs. Calicivirus-like particles were detected by immune electron microscopy in the large intestinal contents and feces of inoculated pigs from PID 1 to 7.

Bovine fibroblast interferon (BoF-IFN), produced in primary bovine embryonic kidney cell cultures after priming and infection with bluetongue virus, was purified by controlled pore glass (CPG) chromatography to a specific activity of 10(6) U/mg of protein, with 40% recovery of the original activity. The crude IFN was concentrated more than sevenfold during purification. This proved to be a relatively simple, practical method of obtaining sufficient quantities of partially purified natural BoF-IFN for further studies. The CPG-purified BoF-IFN was further concentrated by sequential ultrafiltration and was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Interferon, recovered from denaturing conditions either by dialysis against phosphate-buffered saline solution or by dilution in cell culture medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, migrated as a single stainable protein with molecular weight of 21,000 on analytic SDS-PAGE gels. Recovered IFN activity from preparative SDS-PAGE totalled 8.7% of that applied. Attempts to further pruify CPG-purified BoF-IFN by zinc chelate affinity chromatography were unsuccessful.

In an anatomic and radiologic study of the clavicle of 50 adult dogs of 10 breeds, the clavicle had ossified in 96% of the dogs. The clavicles studied had various shapes, and each clavicle was attached to the caudomedial part of the clavicular intersection of the bradiocephalic muscle, to the mastoid part of the cleidocephalic muscle, and to 4 radiating bands of connective tissue fasciculi. One band was attached to the caudal border of the scapula and fascia deep to the latissimus dorsi muscle, 1 was attached to the manubrium of the sternum, and 1 each was attached to the epimysia of the superficial pectoral and sternocephalic muscles. We concluded that, during movements of the thoracic limb, the clavicle and the 4 fasciculated connective tissue bands associated with it stabilize the position of the brachiocephalic muscle with relation to the crest of the greater tubercle of the humerus. Also, the fasciculated band attached to the caudal border of the scapula provides protection for nerves from the brachial plexus and axillary blood vessels that supply the thoracic limb.

Thirty-six Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from 35 of 204 young goats at slaughter were characterized. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, kanamycin, and amikacin. All but 2 were susceptible to erythromycin and tetracycline, and 19 and 20 were susceptible to penicillin and ampicillin, respectively. Thirteen isolates were classified as biotype A, 9 isolates were classified as biotype B, 8 isolates were clssified as biotype C, and 6 isolates were classified as intermediate between B and C or were not biotypable. Six biotype A isolates were enterotoxigenic; 4 produced enterotoxin B, 1 produced enterotoxin C, and 1 produced enterotoxin D. Two biotype B strains produced enterotoxin B, and all 8 biotype C isolates produced enterotoxin C and the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1.

The umbilical arteries urachus, and umbilical vein were scanned ultrasonographically in 13 clinically normal foals that ranged in age from 6 hours to 4 weeks. Sonograms were obtained using a 7.5-MHz sector scanner transducer placed across the midline of the ventral portion of the foal's abdominal wall. The umbilical vein was scanned from the umbilical stalk to its entrance into the hepatic parenchyma. The mean (+/- SD) diameter of the umbilical vein was 0.61 +/- 0.20 cm immediately cranial to the umbilical stalk, 0.52 +/- 0.19 cm midway between the umbilicus and liver, and 0.6 +/- 0.19 cm at the liver. The urachus and umbilical arteries were scanned from the umbilical stalk to the apex of the urinary bladder and had a mean total diameter of 1.75 +/- 0.37 cm at the bladder apex. The umbilical arteries also were scanned along either side of the bladder and had a mean diameter of 0.85 +/- 0.21 cm. These measurements and the ultrasonographic appearance of the internal umbilical structures from clinically normal foals can be used as references to diagnose abnormalities of the umbilical structures in neonatal foals.

Chloramphenicol was administered by constant IV infusion to 7 healthy postpartum cows at rates predicted to approach a steady-state plasma concentration of 5 micrograms/ml. After 8 hours of constant IV infusion, uterine tissues were removed surgically and were assayed for chloramphenicol concentrations. Mean plasma-to-tissue ratios of chloramphenicol concentrations were 3.05, 3.63 (6 cows only), and 3.22 for caruncles, endometrium, and uterine wall, respectively. Plasma-to-tissue ratios of the 3 tissues were not significantly different (P greater than 0.10). Intrauterine (IU) injections of chloramphenicol (20 mg/kg of body weight) were administered to 3 healthy postpartum cows. The mean value of the fraction of the drugabsorbed from the uteri of these cows was 0.04. Mean concentrations of chloramphenicol were 43.8 micrograms/g in caruncles, 34.6 micrograms/g in endometrium, 2.8 micrograms/g in uterine wall, and 2.9 micrograms/ml in plasma 8 hours after IU injections. Chloramphenicol has now been banned for use in food-producing animals in the United States because of its potential for causing toxicosis in human beings. It is illegal to use chloramphenicol in food-producing animals in the United States and in some other countries as well. This includes use by the IU route of administration because chloramphenicol and most drugs are absorbed from the uterus into the bloodstream and are distributed to milk and tissues.

A genomic probe specific for malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus was cloned by using purified viral DNA from MCF-virus strain WCll. Restriction endonuclease analysis of the purified viral DNA was used to identify the cloned viral genomic fragment. Dot blot hybridization by use of the genomic probe (pRP-5) indicated that the probe hybridized specifically with WCll-MCF virus, as well as with one other isolate of MCF-associated herpesvirus. Hybridization also was observed to a non-MCF virus strain of bovine herpesvirus.

Strains of the suspensory ligament and deep digital flexor, superficial digital flexor, and long digital extensor tendons in the equine (pony) hind limb were recorded in vivo, using implanted strain gauges consisting of silicone rubber tubes filled with mercury. The relationship between strain gauge signals and tendon strains was obtained from tension-strain tests performed on isolated tendons after death of the ponies. During normal walking, maximal tendon strain (elongation over initial length, relative to the length of the structures at first ground contact) was 3.1% in the suspensory ligament and 3.4%, 2.3%, and 0.3% in the deep digital flexor, the superficial digital flexor, and the long digital extensor tendons, respectively. Changes (that occurred during walking) in the distance from origin to insertion of these musculotendinous structures were computed from limb geometric configuration and limb conformation. Maximal increase in origin to insertion length was 3.1% in the suspensory ligament and 2%, 1.6%, and 1.5% in the deep digital flexor, superficial digital flexor, and long digital extensor musculotendinous structures, respectively. The differences in strain, comparing the entire musculotendinous structure and its tendon, were explained by muscular contraction or relaxation.

Replication of feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) in feline cell cultures was inhibited after incubation of cells with either human recombinant leukocyte (alpha) interferon (IFN) or feline fibroblastic (beta) IFN for 18 to 24 hours before viral challenge exposure. Compared with virus control cultures, FIPV yields were reduced by ranges of 0.1 to 2.7 log10 or 2 to 5.2 log10 TCID50 in cultures treated with human alpha- or feline beta-IFN, respectively; yield reductions were IFN dose dependent. Sensitivity to the antiviral activities of IFN varied with cell type; feline embryo cells had greater FIPV yield reductions than did similarly treated feline kidney or feline lung cells. Comparison of the virus growth curves in IFN-treated and virus control cultures indicated marked reduction in intracellular and extra-cellular FIPV in IFN-treated cultures. Compared with virus control cultures, intracellular and extracellular infectivity in IFN-treated cultures was delayed in onset by 12 and 30 hours, respectively, and FIPV titers subsequently were reduced by 3 to 3.5 and 5 log10 TCID50, respectively. Frequently, immunofluorescent and electron microscopy of IFN-treated cells or cell culture fluids did not reveal virus; however, even in cultures without viral cytopathic changes, small amounts of virus occasionally persisted in cells.