2009 - 78 (2)

In recent years, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been considered to be an important breakthrough inmedical diagnostic imaging and it is demanding its place in veterinary medicine. To demonstrate the ability of MRIfor the detection of intracranial lesions, three feline cases involving neurological abnormalities are analyzed individuallyand the possible differential diagnosis is discussed.

Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (CIPO) is a rare syndrome characterized by chronic intestinal dilationand dysmotility in the absence of mechanical obstruction. A definite diagnosis of CIPO can only bemade after histological examination of intestinal tissues. The present case describes a CIPO in a 2.5-year-oldBernese Mountain dog with a history of recurrent gastro-intestinal complaints suggestive for pseudo-obstruction.Histological lesions of small intestinal samples consisted of severe loss of smooth muscle cells of thetunica muscularis and diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells. In addition, a hypertrophy of the lamina muscularismucosa of the small intestinal tract was present. On the basis of these findings and the results of immunohistochemistry,a myopathic form of CIPO was diagnosed.

A 3-year-old, male domestic shorthair cat was presented with signs of progressive muscular hypertrophy.A diagnosis of hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy was made on the basis of the typical clinicalpresentation in cats and on the basis of the results of medical imaging, the electrodiagnostics and the findingson histopathology and immunohistochemistry of muscle biopsies. The cat was initially successfully treatedwith prednisolone. Eight months after presentation, however, the cat was euthanized because of acute renalfailure. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first report of hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy in adomestic cat in Belgium.

The results of the analysis of equine and bovine blood samples with the automated pocH-100iV DIFF hematologyanalyzer were compared with the results obtained with reference methods or other analyzers (VetABC, Coulter Counter ZF, Coulter LH 750 analyzer). For equine blood and most parameters in bovine bloodgood to excellent correlations between methods and analyzers were obtained. For bovine blood good to poorcorrelations and significant differences were obtained between the pocH-100iV DIFF and other methods oranalyzers mainly for hematocrit and hemoglobin determinations and platelet counts. Overall the pocH-100iVDIFF seems to be a reliable and user-friendly analyzer.

This study analyzes the clinical aspects of contaminated and infected synovial cavities in horses and evaluatestheir prognosis after treatment. The medical records of 195 affected horses referred between June 1999and July 2004 were reviewed. Twenty-six horses were euthanized or returned home without further treatment.Therapeutic strategies for the remaining 169 horses were not different from those reported in other recentstudies, except that lavage was performed predominantly without endoscopic visualization. Follow-up wasobtained by questionnaire for 150 of 169 treated horses. The outcome was considered successful (survival withoutresidual lameness) in 109 of 150 horses (72.7%). Iatrogenic synovial infection, the presence of radiographicsigns on admission and the use of regional antibiotic perfusion were significantly related withnon-successful outcome. Overall, the outcome in the present study appeared to be slightly less favorable comparedto other recent reports, although it certainly improved for horses with deep nail puncture wounds.

In 20 dogs and 1 cat a diagnosis of tetanus was made based on the typical clinical signs and a possible woundhistory. In 7 animals a tooth abnormality was considered as the entrance way of the bacteria. By means of radiographyof the thorax several animals were evaluated for the presence of possible complications such as aspiration pneumonia,megaoesophagus or hiatal hernia. The treatment existed mainly of metronidazole as an antibiotic, acetylpromazineto control the muscle spasms and additional supportive therapy. The survival rate was 71%.

Incubation of 107 colony forming units/ml of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in an undiluted, a 1:2 anda 1:4 diluted aqueous 2% acetic acid and 2% boric acid solution resulted in inactivation of the bacteria within30, 60 and 120 minutes, respectively. This indicates that a combination of these acids might be useful for localtreatment of S. pseudintermedius infections. Further clinical studies are necessary, however, to confirm thesein vitro results.

Since a few decades, dairy cows have shown a steep increase in milk production, which is unfortunatelyaccompanied by a dramatic decline in reproductive performance.In these high yielding cows there are more puerperal problems than in low yielding cows, such as retained placenta,acute metritis and abnormal vaginal discharge. Cows affected by retained placenta and/or acute metritisare furthermore at a significantly higher risk of other typical ‘dairy cow diseases’ as acetonaemia, leftdisplaced abomasum and cystic ovarian disease.Therefore it is important that puerperal metritis is treated properly with broadspectrum antibiotics bothparenterally and intra-uterine during 1 – 3 days depending on the severity of the symptoms. Cows with chronicendometritis need no treatment before 30 days post partum. From day 30 on they should be treated twicewith prostaglandins at an interval of 14 days.A challenge for the future is to clearly determine all risk factors for uterine disease. One of the major riskfactors is a retained placenta. Correct nutrition during the dry off period and a normal calving process underhygienic conditions are the paramount factors in the prevention of this risk factor.

Piglet mortality before weaning is an important cause of economic loss in the pig production. Most pigletmortality occurs during the first four days after birth, and the major part is caused by non-infectious conditions. Thecauses can be found in the sow, the piglets as well as in the environment. This article gives a review of the mostimportant causes related to the sow or the environment. Regarding sow factors, emphasis is placed on lactationproblems, aggression, parity of the sow and litter size. Concerning the environment, the effect of temperature, traumaand poor herd health management are discussed.