2005 - 74 (1)

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.