Casuïstiek(en)

This paper describes the clinical symptoms, the macroscopic and histopathological lesions and virological confirmation of a case of bovine malignant catarrhal fever in a Belgian cow. Subsequent virological examination of the sheep on the farm showed a high prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of the ovine herpesvirus type 2 among the adult ewes as well as among the lambs.

A fatal case of respiratory distress in a three-year-old Holstein Friesian cow is reported. The acute laboured breathing originated from multiple abscesses ruptured in the lungs. Autopsy revealed a septic nature of the infection with involvement of the coliform Klebsiella oxytoca.

Complexe Vertebrale Malformatie (CVM) werd voor het eerst beschreven in 2000, nadat in een Deensonderzoek een groot aantal misvormde, doodgeboren Holstein Friesian kalveren werd opgemerkt. Sinds -dien werden er ook in enkele andere landen verschillende gevallen beschreven. Uitwendig ziet men eenverkorting en malformatie van de cervico-thoracale wervelkolom, een bilaterale contractie van de carpaleen tarsale gewrichten met een rotatie van de kogels en een verminderd geboortegewicht. De klinischediagnose wordt bevestigd door een genetisch onderzoek dat homozygotie voor het recessief CVM-genopspoort. In dit artikel wordt een geval van CVM op een Belgisch melkveebedrijf beschreven.

An aborted foal was presented with the suspicion of equine herpes virus (EHV) infection. On gross pathology, there were no specific EHV lesions present. Histopathology revealed moderate necrotizing inflammatory reactions in several organs associated with (peri)vasculitis. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for EHV type 1 on several organs was positive, as well as the seroneutralization test on the mare’s serum. The foal had an extensive hemothorax with blood clots due to leakage of blood through a focal necrotic area of the vena caval wall. The relation between the EHV-1 infection and the hemothorax is discussed.

A 5-month-old entire female Staffordshire Bull Terrier was presented with an unusual lower eyelid-defect of the right eye. There was an abnormal thickening and inversion of the lateral aspect of the right lower eyelid. The affected area incorporated the conjunctiva and was covered with abnormally long hairs. The lateral half of the right lower eyelid margin was absent. There was an associated conjunctivitis and keratitis in the right eye. A diagnosis of a coloboma in association with a dermoid of the lower eyelid was made. The defect was repaired with the use of a modified sliding skin graft with an excellent result.

Muscular conformation is the main breeding goal in the double-muscled (DM) Belgian Blue beef breed (BBB). In recent years the muscularity has improved enormously, though at the same time the growth rate has decreased and the prevalence of a number of inherited disorders has increased. Professionals working in the cattle breeding industry are encouraging the development of breeding strategies that will increase overall growth and decrease the amount of inherited disorders. One such breeding strategy that was tested in the field neither reduced the prevalence of inherited disorders nor improved overall growth. It can be concluded that breeding strategies should be based more on the relevant genetic values than on the phenotypic values of the parental generation.

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 case of juvenile nephropathy in a two-year-old male Boxer is reported. Clinical aspects, blood analysis, renal pathology and extrarenal changes are described. The renal changes mainly consisted of tubular and glomerular atrophy, tubular swelling, tubular and glomerular hyaline casts, mineralization, glomerular basement membrane thickening and capsular fibrosis. The main extrarenal lesions, which consisted of a necrotizing inflammatory reaction, were localized in the endocardium and myocardium, as well as in the aorta and truncus pulmonalis. Additionally, a septicemia linked to a localized purulent inflammation in the neck was noted.