The growing number of honey bee colonies and beekeepers in Canada has led to a great diversity of beekeeping practices. All beekeeping operations, however, need to implement consistent management measures for the control of diseases. The objective of this study was to document the actual disease management practices of beekeeping productions in southwestern Quebec, Canada. A survey was conducted to describe management practices used by 15 beekeepers who own 1824 colonies in that area. Data were obtained by telephone interviews. When infectious diseases were suspected, beekeepers generally avoided using potentially toxic acaricides and chemical treatments associated with antimicrobial resistance and instead used preventive, physical or management methods, although laboratory diagnosis was rarely used. This study highlights the wide variety of operation sizes, activities, and disease management strategies among beekeepers in southwestern Quebec. It identifies the need to encourage the use of services available to them and to propose a standardized preventive medical approach for field veterinarians to avoid the spread of infectious diseases.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate synoviocentesis of the equine forelimb digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) via a basilar sesamoidean approach (BSA) or distal approach (DA). ANIMALS 21 healthy adult horses without DFTS-related lameness. PROCEDURES The forelimbs of each horse underwent the BSA or DA (21 limbs/approach) performed by 1 individual. The volume of synovial fluid (SF) aspirated, time from skin puncture to collection of SF, and number of attempts to place a needle in the DFTS were compared between approaches. RESULTS An SF sample was successfully aspirated from 16 of 21 (76%) limbs with the BSA and 20 of 21 (95%) limbs with the DA. For the BSA and DA, the number of attempts to obtain SF was 2 and 1, respectively; the median volume of SF obtained was 0.4 and 0.7 mL, respectively; and the median time to SF collection was 17.91 and 18.48 seconds, respectively. Between the approaches, the number of limbs with SF successfully aspirated and number of attempts to collect SF differed significantly, whereas the volume of SF aspirated and time to SF collection did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Regarding SF collection from forelimb DFTSs in horses without DFTS-related disease, use of the DA had a greater success rate with fewer attempts, compared with findings for the BSA, which may reflect the relative ease of identifying anatomic landmarks for the DA. Results suggested that a DA for DFTS synoviocentesis in horses appears efficient and effective and may minimize limb trauma by requiring fewer attempts for SF sample collection, compared with a BSA.

OBJECTIVE To describe methods to measure the 3-D orientation of the proximal, diaphyseal, and distal segments of the canine radius by use of computer-aided design software (CADS) and to compare the repeatability and reliability of measurements derived by those methods. SAMPLE 31 canine radii with biapical deformities and 24 clinically normal (control) canine radii. PROCEDURES Select CT scans of radii were imported into a CADS program. Cartesian coordinate systems for the humerus and proximal, diaphyseal, and distal radial segments were developed. The orientation of each radial segment in the frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes was measured in triplicate by 3 methods. The repeatability and reliability of those measurements were calculated and compared among the 3 measurement methods. RESULTS The mean ± SD within-subject repeatability of radial angular measurements for all 3 methods was 1.40 ± 0.67° in the frontal plane, 3.17 ± 2.21° in the sagittal plane, and 3.01 ± 1.11° in the transverse plane for control radii and 2.56 ± 1.95° in the frontal plane, 3.59 ± 2.39° in the sagittal plane, and 3.47 ± 1.19° in the transverse plane for abnormal radii. Mean ± SD bias between radial measurement methods was 1.88 ± 2.07° in the frontal plane, 6.44 ± 6.80° in the sagittal plane, and 2.27 ± 2.81° in the transverse plane. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that use of CADS to assess the 3-D orientation of the proximal, diaphyseal, and distal segments of normal and abnormal canine radii yielded highly repeatable and reliable measurements.

Eggs are important to the diet of Canadians. This product is one of the supply-managed commodities in Canada, but unlike other commodities, where food safety risks are extensively explored and reported, information on the prevalence of enteric organisms (e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in layers in Canada are limited. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of select bacteria and the associated AMR patterns in layer flocks using 2 sample matrices. Farms were located within FoodNet Canada and the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance sentinel sites (SS). Fecal samples (Ontario: ONSS1a, ONSS1b) and environmental sponge swabs (British Columbia: BC(SS2a)) were collected. Salmonella prevalence was 29% and 8% in ONSS1a and ONSS1b, respectively, and 7% in BC(SS2a). S. Kentucky and S. Livingstone were the most frequently isolated serovars and no S. Enteritidis was detected. Campylobacter was not detected in the BC sponge swabs but was isolated from 89% and 53% of Ontario fecal samples (ON(SS1a) and ON(SS1b), respectively). Seven C. jejuni from Ontario were ciprofloxacin-resistant. Escherichia coli prevalence was high in both sample types (98%). Overall, tetracycline resistance among E. coli ranged from 26% to 69%. Resistance to ceftiofur (n = 2 isolates) and gentamicin (n = 2) was relatively low. There were diverse resistance patterns (excludes susceptible isolates) observed among E. coli in Ontario (10 patterns) and British Columbia (14 patterns). This study revealed that fecal samples are more informative for farm-level monitoring of pathogen and AMR prevalence. Without further validation, sponge swabs are limited in their utility for Campylobacter detection and thus, for public health surveillance.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of short-term and prolonged topical instillation of 0.1% diclofenac sodium, 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine, and 0.03% flurbiprofen sodium on corneal sensitivity (CS) in ophthalmologically normal cats. ANIMALS 12 healthy adult domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES In the first of 2 study phases, each cat received 0.1% diclofenac sodium, 0.5% ketorolac tromethamine, 0.03% flurbiprofen sodium, and saline (0.9% NaCl; control) solutions (1 drop [0.05 mL]/eye, q 5 min for 5 treatments) in a randomized order with a 2-day washout period between treatments. For each cat, an esthesiometer was used to measure CS before treatment initiation (baseline) and at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after the last dose. There was a 2-day washout period between phases. The second phase was similar to the first, except each treatment was administered at a dosage of 1 drop/eye, twice daily for 5 days and CS was measured before treatment initiation and at 15 minutes and 24 and 48 hours after the last dose. The Friedman test was used to evaluate change in CS over time. RESULTS None of the 4 treatments had a significant effect on CS over time in either study phase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that neither short-term nor prolonged topical instillation of 3 NSAID ophthalmic solutions had any effect on the CS of healthy cats. Given potential differences in cyclooxygenase expression between healthy and diseased eyes, further investigation of the effects of topical NSAID instillation in the eyes of cats with ocular surface inflammation is warranted.

The lung is a complex organ, and its physiology and immunology are regulated by various immune molecules and cells. Lung surfactant, a mixture of phospholipids and proteins produced by the bronchiolar and type II alveolar epithelial cells, is one such important player in lung physiology. Compared to knowledge about the biology of the surfactant in rodents and humans, only limited data are available on the surfactant in the horse. Although there are data linking levels of surfactant proteins with respiratory disease in the horse, there are no data on the cellular localization of surfactant protein A (SP-A) and surfactant protein D (SP-D). A member of the tetraspanin family of proteins, CD9 is a cell-signaling and adhesion protein and its expression has been detected in both normal and cancer cells, including those in the lung. Because there are no immunolocalization data on SP-A, SP-D, and CD9 in the normal lungs of the horse, our objective was to conduct a light and electron microscopic immunocytochemical study on normal lungs of the horse. The data showed SP-A and SP-D in bronchiolar epithelial and type II alveolar epithelial cells. These proteins were also localized in type I alveolar epithelial cells, pulmonary intravascular macrophages, and neutrophils, which is likely an outcome of endocytosis of the proteins by these cells. CD9 was present in the airway and vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelium, and blood cells, but not in the airway epithelium. These new data provide a baseline to further examine the expression and functions of SP-A, SP-D, and CD9 proteins in inflammation associated with respiratory diseases in the horse.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate physical compatibility of small animal (SAE) and large animal (LAE) injectable formulations of enrofloxacin with select IV fluids and drugs. SAMPLE 162 admixtures containing SAE or LAE with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, lactated Ringer solution (LRS), Plasma-Lyte A (PLA), 6% hydroxyethylstarch 130/0.4 (HES), metoclopramide, or ampicillin-sulbactam. PROCEDURES In the first of 2 simultaneously conducted experiments, admixtures containing enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg) and a volume of IV fluid that would be administered over a 20-minute period when dosed at the maintenance infusion rate (40 mL/kg/d for saline solution, LRS, and PLA and 20 mL/kg/d for HES) were created. In the second experiment, enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg) was admixed with saline solution (40 mL/kg/d) and metoclopramide (2 mg/kg/d) or ampicillin-sulbactam (30 mg/kg). In both experiments, admixture components were infused into a flask over 20 minutes assuming patient weights of 5, 10, and 20 kg. Admixtures were created by use of undiluted SAE and SAE diluted 1:1 with saline solution and undiluted LAE and LAE diluted 1:1 and 1:10 with saline solution. Admixtures were assessed for physical incompatibility at 0, 15, 30, and 60 minutes after completion of mixing. Physical incompatibility was defined as gross precipitation, cloudiness, Tyndall effect, or change in turbidity. RESULTS Admixtures containing undiluted SAE or LAE were physically incompatible with saline solution, PLA, LRS, and HES. Because saline solution was used to dilute SAE and LAE, all admixtures containing diluted SAE or LAE were also physically incompatible. Physical compatibility of enrofloxacin with metoclopramide or ampicillin-sulbactam could not be assessed because those admixtures also contained saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Enrofloxacin was physically incompatible with all tested solutions.

Some immortalized lens epithelial cell lines have been established and are useful for molecular analysis. The establishment of additional cell lines must, however, enable a variety of in-vitro examinations. The objective of this study was to establish a new canine lens epithelial cell line by isolating CLC-1 cells from the lens tissue of a dog with cataracts. In CLC-1 cells, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) treatment significantly decreased gene expression of an epithelial marker and elevated that of mesenchymal markers; these characteristics are similar to those of a human lens epithelial cell line. Interestingly, CLC-1 cells exhibited lower expression of an epithelial marker and higher expression of mesenchymal markers than an anterior lens capsule. These results suggest that CLC-1 cells were derived from a cell population that was committed to epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cataract lens tissue. In conclusion, CLC-1 cells could be useful for analyzing molecular pathogenesis in canine cataracts.

Changes in immune factors expressed by milk somatic cells from Holstein cows with hypocalcemia after calving were investigated in this study. Fourteen multiparous Holstein cows after their 3rd or 4th calving in one farm were used. The cows were divided into 2 groups: 7 cows needing treatment due to onset of hypocalcemia (hypocalcemia group; age = 5.53 ± 0.27 years, parity = 3.14 ± 0.14) and 7 cows without health problems (control group; age = 5.88 ± 0.31 years, parity = 3.57 ± 0.26). Milk samples were collected aseptically using a cannula and mRNA of immune factors expressed by milk somatic cells were analyzed. Milk samples (50 mL) were collected from the right rear mammary gland of cows before milking at day 1 and weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 after calving. All milk samples showed a negative reaction to the California Mastitis Test. Levels of relative interleukin (IL)-6 and cathelicidin in the hypocalcemia group were lower than those in the control group in weeks 1 to 8. A significant difference in relative IL-6 levels was found in week 4 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that levels of IL-6 expressed by milk somatic cells may be affected by hypocalcemia in dairy cows.

Abruptly weaned crossbred steer calves (N = 271) were used in a randomized, blinded 2-arm clinical trial to assess the impact of a long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug on bovine herpesvirus type 1, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus type 3, and coronavirus titers and health outcomes when administered concurrently with a modified live respiratory vaccine upon arrival at a feedlot. Treatment groups included a control (saline; n = 135) and an experimental group (injectable meloxicam; n = 136). Viral antibody titers and body weight were measured on arrival, day 7, and day 21, along with a final weight on day 45. Body weight and antibody titers for all viruses increased over time (P < 0.001); however, there were no differences by treatment group or a significant group × time interaction when evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance. Interestingly, the use of meloxicam was associated with increased treatment risk (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the administration of meloxicam may adversely affect health; however, a decreased vaccine response is likely not a contributing factor.