Porcine ear necrosis: characterization of lesions and associated pathogens.

Porcine ear necrosis (PEN) is characterized by ulcerative lesions of the ear auricle. To investigate that problem, three farms with PEN in nursery pigs were included, and the study aim was to characterize PEN and the potential role of pathogens and mycotoxins. Within each farm, one batch of weaned piglets was included and the prevalence and severity of PEN were monitored for 6-7 weeks. Within each batch, 30 PEN-affected/non-affected animals were randomly selected. Blood samples were taken from these animals, to assess the systemic presence of pathogens and mycotoxins, as well as punch biopsies from the ear auricle for histopathological examination. From 10 animals, scrapings and swabs from the lesions were subjected to nanopore metagenomic sequencing and bacteriological cultivation, respectively. In all three farms, lesions appeared within 3-4 weeks post-weaning. The prevalence at the end of the nursery was 33%, 24%, and 46% for farms A, B, and C, respectively. Most affected pigs had mild to moderate lesions. Blood samples revealed low to very low levels of pathogens and mycotoxins. Different bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Fusobacterium, Mycoplasma, and Clostridium species were identified by sequencing in the scrapings. The first two pathogens were also most often identified in bacterial cultures. Mycoplasma hyopharyngis was only found in PEN-affected pigs. Histopathological changes were primarily observed in the outer layer of the epidermis. The results suggest that PEN lesions develop by damage to the outer part of the skin e.g. by ear suckling or biting, followed by multiplication of opportunistic pathogens.

Management of penetrating thoracic wounds from a dog attack in a Nigerian dwarf goat: A case report.

Pet goat ownership has gradually increased in popularity and veterinarians are expected to provide gold-standard treatments for these animals. As in small-animal practice, decision-making regarding thoracic bite injuries is challenging because of the variability in clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings. Mortality rates from dog bite wounds in small animals range between 15.3 and 17.7%, and these cases represent 10% of all traumatic injuries referred to an emergency service; such information is not available regarding pet goats. The aim of this report is to describe a thoracic dog bite wound in a goat. It details the clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings and the repair, and reports the successful outcome, all to provide information to small-ruminant practitioners for treatment or referral. Future retrospective studies will help to determine prognostic factors for outcomes in goats with thoracic dog bite wounds. Key clinical message: Thoracic bite wounds are a challenge to manage, considering the potential severe underlying pathology and the absence of clear external injuries or clinical signs. Referring veterinarians and owners should be advised that goats with the presence of flail chest, pneumothorax, or rib fractures may require a higher level of intervention.

Prise en charge des plaies thoraciques pénétrantes consécutives à une attaque de chien chez une chèvre naine nigériane : rapport de cas. La possession de chèvres de compagnie a progressivement gagné en popularité et les vétérinaires devraient fournir des traitements de référence pour ces animaux. Tout comme dans la pratique des petits animaux, la prise de décision concernant les morsures thoraciques est difficile en raison de la variabilité des résultats cliniques, radiographiques et chirurgicaux. Les taux de mortalité par morsure de chien chez les petits animaux varient entre 15,3 et 17,7 %, et ces cas représentent 10 % de toutes les blessures traumatiques référées à un service d'urgence; ces informations ne sont pas disponibles concernant les chèvres de compagnie. Le but de ce rapport est de décrire une morsure thoracique de chien chez une chèvre. Il détaille les résultats cliniques, radiographiques et chirurgicaux ainsi que la réparation, et rend compte du résultat positif, le tout dans le but de fournir des informations aux praticiens des petits ruminants pour un traitement ou une référence. De futures études rétrospectives aideront à déterminer les facteurs pronostiques des résultats chez les chèvres présentant des morsures thoraciques de chien.Message clinique clé :Les morsures thoraciques sont un défi à gérer, compte tenu de la pathologie sous-jacente potentiellement grave et de l'absence de blessures externes ou de signes cliniques évidents. Les vétérinaires référents et les propriétaires doivent être informés que les chèvres présentant un volet thoracique, un pneumothorax ou des fractures des côtes peuvent nécessiter un niveau d'intervention plus élevé.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical bite injuries in five dogs.

CASE HISTORIES: Medical records of a veterinary hospital in Belgium were reviewed for dogs (n = 5) that presented between 2016 and 2019 with laryngeal paralysis secondary to bite wounds to the cervical region received while fighting with other dogs. The time elapsed between the trauma and presentation was from a few hours up to 5 days. CLINICAL FINDINGS AND TREATMENT: Bilateral laryngeal paralysis was identified in three dogs and unilateral laryngeal paralysis in two dogs via endoscopic assessment of laryngeal function. The primary concomitant lesions included tracheal injury in 3/5 dogs and oesophageal injury in 1/5 dogs. One dog with bilateral laryngeal paralysis was treated medically as no signs of dyspnoea were present. Surgical management was elected in 4/5 dogs based on evaluation of their clinical status and lesions revealed by endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. Dogs underwent surgical procedures that were determined to be appropriate for treatment of the lesions identified on clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, and endoscopy. The cervical region was explored through a ventral midline approach in 2/4 cases, to close tracheal perforations. Temporary tracheostomy was performed in 2/4 cases. Procedures to correct brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome were performed in 2/4 cases. Cricoarytenoid lateralisation was performed in 2/4 dogs. Dogs were hospitalised for 2-10 days and received antimicrobial therapy before surgery and for 2-3 weeks after surgery. Physical examination and respiratory function were normal in 3/5 dogs 4-6 months after discharge. Information regarding outcomes for two cases was obtained from the owners by telephone assessment 1-6 months after surgery. The owner of each dog reported the respiratory function to be excellent. DIAGNOSIS: Uni- or bilateral, transient or permanent laryngeal paralysis with concomitant oesophageal, tracheal, or laryngeal lesions following cervical dog bite injuries diagnosed by endoscopic examination of upper gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case series describes the diagnosis and management of dogs with laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical dog bite injuries. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report documenting bilateral laryngeal paralysis secondary to cervical dog bite injuries. Clinicians should be aware of this pathology and the importance of investigating laryngeal function in dogs presenting with cervical bites, particularly those with inspiratory dyspnoea. Upper airway and digestive endoscopy are recommended for complete assessment of cervical traumatic injuries.

A case of tail-biting on a multi-site swine operation in Ontario.

This case study describes a severe tail-biting event on a multi-site swine operation in Ontario and outlines the management strategies implemented in an attempt to control the problem. An established social order was clearly present before the tail-biting event occurred. Over 40% of tail-docked pigs in 3 of 8 grower-finisher barns were severely affected, leading to higher mortality and increased numbers of pigs re-housed in hospital pens. Environmental factors, management practices, and animal health in the barns experiencing the tail-biting event are described, including detection of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol in corn at > 2 ppm. Changes implemented in response to tail-biting included altering the phase-feeding schedule, adding enrichment devices, and increasing surveillance. The subsequent cohort of pigs was followed through the finisher barns and did not engage in the same severity or prevalence of tail-biting as the previous cohort of pigs which experienced the tail-biting event. Key clinical message: No single factor was identified as the initiating cause for the severe tail-biting event. The subsequent cohort of pigs in 4 barns of the same operation were monitored for tail-biting from entry until market, and the incidence of tail-biting was very low.

Un cas de caudophagie dans une exploitation porcine à sites multiples en Ontario. Cette étude de cas décrit un cas grave de caudophagie dans une exploitation porcine à sites multiples en Ontario et décrit les stratégies de gestion mises en oeuvre pour tenter de limiter le problème. Un ordre social établi était clairement présent avant que l'événement de mordillage de queue ne se produise. Plus de 40 % des porcs à la queue coupée dans trois des huit élevages de type croissance-finition ont été gravement touchés, ce qui a entraîné une mortalité plus élevée et un nombre accru de porcs relogés dans des enclos hospitaliers. Les facteurs environnementaux, les pratiques de gestion et la santé animale dans les porcheries où sévissaient la caudophagie sont décrits, y compris la détection de la mycotoxine désoxynivalénol dans le maïs à > 2 ppm. Les changements mis en oeuvre en réponse à la caudophagie comprenaient la modification du calendrier d'alimentation par phases, l'ajout de dispositifs d'enrichissement et l'augmentation de la surveillance. La cohorte suivante de porcs a été suivie dans les porcheries de finition et n'a pas eu la même gravité ou prévalence de caudophagie que la cohorte précédente de porcs qui ont subi l'événement de caudophagie.Message clinique clé :Aucun facteur unique n'a été identifié comme la cause initiale de l'événement grave de caudophagie. La cohorte suivante de porcs dans quatre porcheries de la même exploitation a été surveillée pour la caudophagie depuis l'entrée jusqu'au marché, et l'incidence de la caudophagie était très faible.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Risk factors for rabid animal bites: a study in domestic ruminants in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh.

Rabies is endemic in Bangladesh. To identify risk factors, a case-control study was conducted based on hospital-reported rabid animal bite (RAB) cases in domestic ruminants, 2009 - 2018. RAB cases (n = 449) and three controls per case were selected. Dogs (87.8%) and jackals (12.2%) were most often identified as biting animals. In the final multivariable model, the risk of being a RAB case was significantly higher in cattle aged >0.5-2 years (odds ratio (OR) 2.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.56-5.37), >2-5 years (OR 3.63; 95% CI: 1.97-6.67) and >5 years (OR 6.42; 95% CI: 3.39-12.17) compared to those aged <0.5 years. Crossbred cattle were at higher risk of being a RAB case (OR 5.48; 95% CI: 3.56-8.42) than indigenous. Similarly, female cattle were more likely to be a RAB case (OR 1.26; 95% CI: 1.15-2.29) than males. Cattle in rural areas (OR 39.48; 95% CI: 6.14-254.00) were at a much higher risk of being RAB cases than those in urban areas. Female, crossbred and older cattle, especially in rural areas should either be managed indoors during the dog breeding season (September and October) or vaccinated. A national rabies elimination program should prioritise rural dogs for mass vaccination. Jackals should also be immunised using oral bait vaccines. Prevention of rabies in rural dogs and jackals would also reduce rabies incidence in humans.

Behavioral evaluation of 65 aggressive dogs following a reported bite event.

Peer-reviewed scientific publications on the topic of dog bites are numerous. Montreal was one of the first municipalities in the province of Quebec to require mandatory assessment of aggressive dogs by veterinarians. In 2019, dogs reported as aggressive and considered a potential risk to public safety by city officials were scheduled for a mandatory behavioral assessment by a veterinarian. For the purpose of this study, only aggressive dogs that had bitten (N = 65) were included. The goals were to better describe the aggressive behavior of these dogs (behavioral sequence, type of aggression, and overall reactivity) and perhaps identify new possible risk factors related to severity of injury and dangerousness. The number of signs of increased arousal/reactivity was positively and significantly associated with the injury severity score. Dangerousness increased with size of dogs. Entire males were most dangerous despite absence of recognizable differences in body weight between neutered and unneutered males.

Évaluation comportementale de 65 chiens agressifs à la suite d'un épisode de morsure. Les publications scientifiques révisées par des pairs sur le sujet des morsures canines sont nombreuses. La Ville de Montréal fut parmi les premières municipalités du Québec à exiger l'évaluation comportementale de chiens agressifs par des médecins vétérinaires. En 2019, les chiens rapportés comme agressifs et jugés plus problématiques par des représentants de la ville furent soumis à une évaluation comportementale obligatoire par un médecin vétérinaire. Dans le cadre de cette étude, seuls les chiens ayant mordu (N = 65) ont été inclus. Les objectifs de l'étude étaient de mieux décrire le comportement agressif et d'identifier possiblement des facteurs de risques quant à la sévérité des blessures et la dangerosité des chiens. Le nombre de signes de réactivité augmentée était positivement et significativement associé avec le score de sévérité des blessures. La dangerosité augmentait avec le poids de l'animal. Les mâles entiers étaient plus dangereux que les mâles castrés et ce, sans différence de poids significative entre les chiens stérilisés ou entiers.(Traduit par les auteurs).

A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF BITE WOUND MANAGEMENT IN RING-TAILED LEMURS (LEMUR CATTA) HOUSED WITHIN FIVE BRITISH ZOOS.

Captive nonhuman primates frequently experience bite wounds inflicted by conspecifics; however, few studies evaluate wound management in these animals. This study evaluates bite wound management in 35 captive ring-tailed lemurs (RTL, Lemur catta) held within five British zoological institutions between 2015 and 2019. Treatments for 152 bite incidents resulting in 211 bite wounds were summarized. Treatment efficacy and potential risk factors for bite wound complications were evaluated for correlations with outcomes. Treatments in the first 48 hours included analgesia alone (54/152; 35.5%); analgesia and antimicrobials (42/152; 27.6%); no treatment (26/152; 17.1%); analgesia, antimicrobials, and wound management under anesthesia (24/152; 15.8%); and antimicrobials alone (6/152; 3.9%). Poor outcomes were observed in RTL in association with 20.4% of wounds (43/211): signs of pain (SOP) after 48 hours were the most common (30/211; 14.2%), followed by signs of infection (SOI, 16/211; 7.6%), wound dehiscence (7/211; 3.3%), and abnormal function or behavior at day 30 (4/ 211; 1.9%). Poor outcomes were more likely with severe bite wounds and bite wounds to the hand or limb (thoracic or pelvic, excluding the hand or foot). Specifically, SOP were more likely to be observed with severe wounds and solitary wounds, and SOI were more likely to be observed with wounds not treated with early antimicrobials. When SOI occurred, most resolved with antimicrobial treatment alone. Early analgesia is recommended for RTL with bite wounds. If SOP persist, multimodal analgesia should be administered. Clinicians should consider withholding antimicrobials for RTL with bite wounds of mild and moderate severity until SOI are observed.

Histopathological kidney changes and myoglobinuria in neotropical non-human primates attacked by dogs, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Non-human primates (NHPs) are susceptible to dogs' attacks, events that may cause muscle damage along with stress, and could be in some extent compatible with capture myopathy, a syndrome that results in myoglobinuria and renal damage. METHODS: We aimed to evaluate by histopathology pre-existing lesions and subsequent sequelae related to dogs' attacks, acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and myoglobinuria, as well as the usefulness of Pearls Stain and IHC to diagnose it. Histopathology was performed in available organs, and sections of kidney submitted to Prussian blue stain and myoglobin immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: During January 2014-June 2016, 16/145 (11%) of NHPs received by Adolfo Lutz Institute, Brazil were reported as attacked by dogs. A high frequency of young and debilitated animals was found. Myoglobinuria was observed in more than half animals (9/16; 56.2%), from which (5/9; 55.5%) presented ATN. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney lesions are plausible findings in NHPs attacked by dogs.

Influence of temperature on prevalence of health and welfare conditions in pigs: time-series analysis of pig abattoir inspection data in England and Wales.

The prevalence of many diseases in pigs displays seasonal distributions. Despite growing concerns about the impacts of climate change, we do not yet have a good understanding of the role that weather factors play in explaining such seasonal patterns. In this study, national and county-level aggregated abattoir inspection data were assessed for England and Wales during 2010-2015. Seasonally-adjusted relationships were characterised between weekly ambient maximum temperature and the prevalence of both respiratory conditions and tail biting detected at slaughter. The prevalence of respiratory conditions showed cyclical annual patterns with peaks in the summer months and troughs in the winter months each year. However, there were no obvious associations with either high or low temperatures. The prevalence of tail biting generally increased as temperatures decreased, but associations were not supported by statistical evidence: across all counties there was a relative risk of 1.028 (95% CI 0.776-1.363) for every 1 °C fall in temperature. Whilst the seasonal patterns observed in this study are similar to those reported in previous studies, the lack of statistical evidence for an explicit association with ambient temperature may possibly be explained by the lack of information on date of disease onset. There is also the possibility that other time-varying factors not investigated here may be driving some of the seasonal patterns.

Toll-like receptor-ligand induced thymic stromal lymphopoietin expression in primary equine keratinocytes.

BACKGROUND: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a key role in the development of allergic inflammation. Little is known about possible triggers of equine TSLP expression. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To investigate TSLP expression in equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) skin lesions. The capacity of TLR 1-8 ligands (L) and of atopic cytokine milieu as potential triggers of TSLP and of interleukin (IL)-6 as a downstream effector molecule of TLR signalling, were examined in primary equine keratinocyte cultures. ANIMALS: Lesional skin from IBH-affected and healthy skin from control-horses (n = 9 each group) was sampled. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Keratinocyte cultures were established from six healthy horses and stimulated with TLR 1-8-L, and with IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α, to mimic an atopic inflammation cytokine milieu. TSLP and IL-6 gene expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: Expression of TSLP was significantly greater in IBH lesions compared to healthy skin. TLR 1-8-L significantly upregulated TSLP expression in keratinocytes. The strongest upregulation was induced by TLR 1/2-L and TLR 3-L. Combination of atopic cytokine milieu and TLR 1/2-L or TLR 3-L further increased TSLP expression. TLR-L 1-5 stimulation significantly upregulated IL-6 expression. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The data herein suggest that the upregulation of TSLP expression in lesional skin of IBH-affected horses might play a role in IBH development. Moreover, TSLP expression is induced by TLR-L, in particular by TLR 1/2-L and TLR 3-L, and is further increased by atopic cytokine milieu, indicating a mechanism for TSLP-mediated exacerbation of IBH.

Thoracic dog bite wounds in dogs: A retrospective study of 123 cases (2003-2016).

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical, radiographic, and surgical findings and determine prognostic factors for outcome in dogs with thoracic dog bite wounds. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs (n = 123). METHODS: Medical records of dogs with thoracic dog bite wounds between October 2003 to July 2016 were reviewed for presenting findings, management, and outcomes. Standard wound management included debridement and sterile probing, extending the level of exploration to the depth of the wound. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression were used to assess risk factors for exploratory thoracotomy, lung lobectomy, and mortality. RESULTS: Twenty-five dogs underwent exploratory thoracotomy, including lung lobectomy in 12 of these dogs. Presence of pneumothorax (odds ratio [OR] 25.4, confidence interval (CI) 5.2-123.2, P < .001), pseudo-flail chest (OR 15.8, CI 3.2-77.3, P = .001), or rib fracture (OR 11.2, CI 2.5-51.2, P = .002) was associated with increased odds of undergoing exploratory thoracotomy. Presence of pleural effusion (OR 12.1, CI 1.2-120.2, P = .033) and obtaining a positive bacterial culture (OR 23.4, CI 1.6-337.9, P = .021) were associated with increased odds of mortality. The level of wound management correlated with the length of hospitalization (Spearman rank order correlation = 0.52, P < .001) but was not associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Dogs that sustained pseudo-flail chest, rib fracture, or pneumothorax were more likely to undergo exploratory thoracotomy. Nonsurvival was more likely in dogs with pleural effusion or positive bacterial culture. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Presence of pseudo-flail, rib fracture, or pneumothorax should raise suspicion of intrathoracic injury. Strong consideration should be given to radiography, surgical exploration, and debridement of all thoracic dog bite wounds.

Isolation and molecular characterization of a variant of Chinese gC-genotype II pseudorabies virus from a hunting dog infected by biting a wild boar in Japan and its pathogenicity in a mouse model.

We isolated a variant of Chinese pseudorabies virus from a hunting dog with symptoms similar to Aujeszky's disease and designated the isolate MY-1 strain. The dog developed symptoms 6 days after hunting and biting a wild boar and died the day after onset. The Bam HI restriction profile of MY-1 DNA was different from those of the Japanese reference strain Yamagata-S81 and two vaccine strains, Bartha and Begonia, and resembled Bam HI-RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) type IV. Complete nucleotide sequences were determined, and phylogenetic analyses revealed that MY-1 belonged to the same cluster of old Chinese strains and variant strains isolated recently in China, but most of the open reading frames of MY-1 were located on a different branch from those of these Chinese strains. Based on a gC phylogenetic analysis, MY-1 belonged to gC-genotype II composed of those Chinese strains. In mice, the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of MY-1 (103.0 TCID50) was almost the same as those of Yamagata-S81 and Bartha. The LD50 value of Begonia was 10≥4.5 TCID50. The mean survival periods of mice after infection with 104 TCID50 of MY-1, Yamagata-S81 and Bartha were 3.9 days, 2.3 days, and 8.0 days, respectively. The results suggested that the variant of Chinese PRV with slightly weaker pathogenicity than that of wild virulent viruses might be maintained in wild boars in Japan. Furthermore, we would like to propose that old Chinese strains, recent Chinese variant strains, and MY-1 should be grouped as an Asian type PRV.

Acute surgical intervention for a depressed skull fracture causing a laceration to the brain parenchyma from a bite wound in a dog.

A 5-month-old spayed female mixed breed dog was attacked by another dog causing multiple fractures of the left calvarium with a fragment penetrating through the gray matter of the parietal lobe. Surgery was performed to remove the bone fragment. A 6-month follow-up showed dramatic improvement in neurologic status.

Intervention chirurgicale d'urgence pour une fracture du crâne pénétrante causant une lacération au parenchyme du cerveau suite à une morsure chez une chienne. Une chienne stérilisée de race croisée âgée de 5 mois a été attaquée par un autre chien causant des fractures multiples de la voûte crânienne gauche avec un fragment pénétrant dans la matière grise du lobe pariétal. La chirurgie a été réalisée pour enlever le fragment d'os. Un suivi de 6 mois a démontré une amélioration spectaculaire de l'état neurologique.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Gifttiere und Tiermedizin in Antike und Gegenwart.

INTRODUCTION: The veterinary manuals by Vegetius, Pelagonius and Chiron Kentauros, all three dating from the 4th century, contain remarks about livestock being poisoned by animal venoms. It is suggested, that livestock bitten by contaminated shrews, reptiles, scorpions, beetles and spiders shows signs of poisoning. The authors present various possible therapies for the sick livestock.

Detection of self-biting behavior of mink by loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and sequence-characterized amplified regions (SCAR).

Self-biting disease occurs in most farmed fur animals in the world. The mechanism and rapid detection method of this disease has not been reported. We applied bulked sergeant analysis (BSA) in combination with RAPD method to analyze a molecular genetic marker linked with self-biting trait in mink group. The molecular marker was converted into SCAR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) marker for rapid detection of this disease. A single RAPD marker A10 amplified a specific band of 1000bp in self-biting minks. The sequences of the bands exhibited 73% similarity to the Canis Brucella. SCAR and LAMP marker were designed for the specific fragment of RAPD marker A10 and validated in 30 self-biting minks and 30 healthy minks. c2 test showed difference (p0.05) with SCAR and significant difference (p0.01) with LAMP in the detection rate between the two groups, but LAMP method was more accurate than SCAR method. This indicated that LAMP can be used as a positive marker to detect self-biting disease in minks.

Management and Outcome of Maxillofacial Trauma in a 9-Week-Old Dog.

This case report describes diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of maxillofacial trauma in a 9-week-old shih tzu. In addition to an open left mandibular body fracture and a right condylar process fracture, there were several relatively stable and minimally displaced right maxillary fractures. The torn soft tissues associated with the left mandibular body fracture were sutured closed, and a tape muzzle was placed. Due to sufficient fracture healing at the 2-week recheck examination, the tape muzzle was removed. The 6-week reexamination confirmed continued healing and recovery. Anesthesia was performed at the 5.5-month reexamination when the dog was 8 months old, revealing the presence of persistent deciduous teeth, linguoverted, malformed, and partially erupted permanent teeth, and asymmetric skeletal malocclusion (in addition to the breed-specific mandibular mesioclusion). Persistent deciduous teeth and linguoverted and malformed permanent teeth were extracted to allow for normal opening and closing of the mouth without traumatic occlusion. Long-term follow-up is recommended in juvenile dogs with maxillofacial injuries in order to prevent, recognize, and treat dental complications resulting from the trauma.

Imported fire ant envenomation: A clinicopathologic study of a recognizable form of arthropod assault reaction.

BACKGROUND: Skin reactions to the sting of the imported fire ant have characteristic clinicopathological features. METHODS: One case of experimental envenomation was prospectively followed during 48 hours, with biopsies. In addition, 6 cases from our laboratory were retrospectively evaluated histopathologically for the following features: spongiosis, exocytosis (and type of cells), pustule formation, erosion/ulceration, epidermal necrosis, scale/crust, papillary dermal edema, inflammatory dermal infiltrate (cell type, density, depth, distribution, shape), red blood cell extravasation, vasculopathy and vasculitis. RESULTS: The typical lesion follows a very distinctive clinical and histopathologic evolution over 48 hours, with the formation of a subepidermal pustule overlying a wedge-shaped area of dermal collagen basophilic degeneration with scattered neutrophils. In the 6 cases retrieved from our files, the main features were a superficial and deep dermal, perivascular, periadnexal and interstitial infiltrate consisting of neutrophils, with basophilic degeneration of the collagen. A subepidermal pustule was noted in half of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: In biopsies taken in a clinical setting, even in the absence of the characteristic subepidermal pustule, the diagnosis of imported fire ant sting can be suspected if there is a superficial and deep perivascular, periadnexal and interstitial infiltrate composed of neutrophils, with some basophilic denaturation of collagen.

Perineal evisceration secondary to a bite injury in a dog with an untreated perineal hernia.

Emergency surgery was performed on a 6-year-old castrated male springer spaniel dog with evisceration of most of the small intestinal tract through the perineal region, secondary to a dog attack. This is the first report describing successful treatment of perineal evisceration secondary to dog attack at an untreated perineal hernia, employing abdominal and perineal approaches.

Éviscération périnéale secondaire à une blessure de morsure chez un chien ayant une hernie périnéale non traitée. Une chirurgie d'urgence a été réalisée chez un chien épagneul Springer mâle stérilisé âgé de 6 ans présentant l'éviscération de la majeure partie du tractus du petit intestin dans la région périnéale secondaire à une attaque par un chien. Il s'agit du premier rapport décrivant le traitement réussi d'une éviscération périnéale secondaire à une attaque de chien sur une hernie périnéale non traitée à l'aide des approches abdominale et périnéale.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Management of wounds in a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) caused by traumatic bycatch injury from the spines of a spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari).

A subadult female loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) was caught in a trawl net off the west coast of Florida with a spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) spine lodged in the left stifle. Surgical removal of the spine was performed and antibiotic treatment was initiated. Four weeks later, endoscopy revealed a second spine entering an intestinal lumen. The fistulous tract of the left prefemoral fossa was surgically excised and the intestinal perforation was repaired. Dehiscence occurred and a vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) system was used on the wound for approximately 18 days to help reduce infection and increase the rate of healing. The left stifle wound was treated to heal by second intention. The turtle remained in rehabilitation for 19 mo before being released off the west coast of Florida. This case describes stingray envenomation injuries as a complex and potentially life-threatening bycatch effect to sea turtles caught in trawl nets.

Effect of light intensity on behaviour, health and growth of growing-finishing pigs.

The effect of light intensity has been explored in relation to endocrine functions and reproduction in pigs, but effects on health and behaviour are scarcely documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different light intensities on behaviour, health and growth of growing-finishing pigs. An experiment was conducted on a commercial farm equipped with light-emitting diode-based luminaires creating four light intensity treatments: low (45 lux), medium (198 lux), high (968 lux) and spatial gradient of intensity (from 71 lux to 330 lux). Per treatment, 112 pigs were studied in two batches of eight pens. Once every two weeks behaviours such as exploration, positive and negative social interactions, play and abnormal behaviours were observed. Health issues were assessed weekly and included biting lesions, skin lesions, leg and respiratory disorders. The average daily gain over the experiment was calculated and after slaughter carcasses were inspected. Generalised linear mixed models were used for the analysis of behaviours, binary health scores, carcass abnormalities, ordinal logistic regression for multilevel health scores, and linear mixed models for average daily gain. Interactions between intensity and week were found for some behaviours (i.e., exploration, negative social interactions and abnormal behaviour) and health issues (i.e., tear stains, conjunctivitis, body lesions, bursitis and tail lesions). However, none of the treatments consistently outperformed another one. Light treatments did not affect pig growth and carcass abnormalities. These variable results support studies suggesting that pigs are adaptable to light intensities, and inconsistencies over weeks might have been caused by environmental factors that could not be controlled in a commercial farm setting. To conclude, tested light intensities had no clear effects on pig behaviour, health and growth.