Neurologic diseases of llamas.

Supportive care, including physical therapy, is the key to successful treatment of neurologic disorders in llamas. Be sure to eliminate the possibility of myopathies, especially heat stress, metabolic, skeletal, neuromuscular, or other disorders. Prevention of secondary pressure sores can be challenging. Keep the patient comfortable and well fed. A happy patient is more likely to recover!

Malignant edema in horses.

Malignant edema (clostridial myositis) was diagnosed in 9 horses with signs of illness that included fever, depression, painful muscular swellings, and toxemia. The infection followed intramuscular injections in 8 horses and developed in a puncture wound in 1 horse. Treatment consisted of surgical fenestration of the involved muscle, high doses of penicillin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics, and supportive fluid therapy. Five horses recovered and 4 died. Those that died had advanced signs of the disease at admission.

Radial agenesis and ulnar hypoplasia in two caprine kids.

Two of three caprine triplets caused dystocia due to malformed forelimbs. This malformity was caused by radial agenesis and ulnar hypoplasia. Other congenital anomalies were also present. The influence of diet versus genetics could not be ascertained. Bilateral ulnar fractures in one kid revealed histologically rounded fracture ends with prominent periosteal new bone formation.

Isolation of Actinobacillus lignieresii from enlarged tongue of a horse.

In the horse described herein, Actinobacillus lignieresii was associated with a syndrome identical to wooden tongue in cattle. It responded rapidly to systemic sodium iodide and antibiotic therapy. The definitive diagnosis was based on cytologic examination and culture. If actinobacillosis is suspected, immediate treatment with sodium iodide should be instituted along with supportive therapy.

Adenocarcinoma of the jejunum in two cows.

Two cows from separate farms were examined for gastrointestinal disturbances. The first animal had an acute gastrointestinal disturbance with colic and the second animal had chronic weight loss and anemia. Both cows had jejunal adenocarcinoma with metastasis. They were euthanized and necropsied. Adenocarcinomas of each cow were similar histologically. Adenocarcinoma of the intestine is a rare disorder of cattle, but may present as either an acute or chronic gastrointestinal disturbance.