2005 - 74 (2)

A fragmented coronoid process (FCP) is a common elbow disorder in popular dog breeds. Diagnosis, which is based on the clinical examination and the radiographic evaluation, is not always evident. In some cases there are no clear clinical or radiographic signs indicating the presence of an FCP. In these cases, scintigraphy can be used to localize the problem. A final diagnosis can be made using computer tomography (CT) and arthroscopy, after which an adequate treatment can be initiated. This case report describes the findings on an 8-year-old mongrel, which was suffering from persistent unilateral front leg lameness. Apart from lameness, no other clinical or radiographic abnormalities could be found. With the use of scintigraphy, CT and arthroscopy, the lesion could be localized, identified and treated successfully.

An intoxication by Euonymus japonicus or Japanese spindle (‘Japanse kardinaalsmuts’) in sheep and an intoxication by Pieris japonica or Japanese Pieris (‘Japanse Pieris’) in goats are described. Eight sheep were found dyspneic and salivating; five of them died. Three goats showed signs of vomiting, were grinding their teeth and were staggering along. All three goats died. Diagnosis was made based on case history, clinical signs and necropsy findings (presence of plant material in the rumenal content). The literature on Euonymus and Pieris plant intoxications in sheep and goats is reviewed. Finally, general remarks and guidelines concerning plant intoxications in small ruminants are given.

In this article a traumatic pericarditis is described in a nine-month old Belgian White-Blue heifer. The diagnosis was made by external examination and auscultation and was confirmed by an autopsy. The young age was remarkable in this case. The “steel band-effect” sounds, synchronously with the heart sounds, were obvious.

A random cross-sectional seroprevalence study was conducted in 1996 by taking blood samples from 330 different standardbred horses on all racetracks in the Netherlands. This blood sampling took place on four consecutive days, with each horse being sampled only once. Samples were investigated for antibodies against several strains of equine influenza virus, equine herpesvirus types 1 and 4, equine arteritis virus, and equine rhinovirus types 1 and 2. A type specific gG ELISA was used to determine specific seroprevalences of equine herpesviruses 1 and 4. Influenza serology, using influenza A/equi/1 Prague/56 as an indicator virus for vaccination, demonstrated that 38 % of the horses were either unvaccinated or inadequately vaccinated. Many of these horses appeared to have experienced an influenza A/equi-2 field infection. Neutralizing and complement fixing antibodies against both EHV1 and EHV4 were found in a high percentage of the samples. However, for EHV1 this high seroprevalence was putatively caused by cross-reacting EHV4 antibodies since, in a type-specific gG ELISA, the EHV1 seroprevalence was only 28%, as compared with a 99% seroprevalence for EHV4. High seroprevalences were also found for equine rhinovirus type 1 and for the equine arteritis virus, thus indicating the endemic nature of these viruses. Many of these infections may be subclinical. The seroprevalence of equine rhinovirus type 2 was surprisingly low. The possible relationship between viral infections and upper respiratory tract disease and/or inflammatory airway disease is discussed.

In recent years, laparoscopic surgery in veterinary medicine has become a more common clinical practice. It has been applauded because of its obvious benefits: less tissue trauma, fast healing, less postoperative pain and consequently less postoperative care. This minimally invasive surgery can however lead to serious physiological changes and complications. In this review, the advantages of laparoscopy and the side-effects of the anesthesia are analyzed. The major problems encountered during laparoscopic surgery are related to the cardiopulmonary effects of the pneumoperitoneum, systemic carbon dioxide absorption, extraperitonineal gas insufflation, venous gas embolism and accidental injuries. Appropriate anesthetic equipment to monitor the patient is necessary, as it allows the anaesthesiologist to recognize and treat eventual complications. An understanding of the basic pathophysiology of laparoscopy is required before dealing with the individual problems of the patient. The surgeon should be adequately trained before undertaking any surgical procedure with a laparoscope.