Exonization of a LINE1 fragment implicated in X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia in cattle.

A case of X-linked hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (XHED) was identified in a family of Danish Red Holstein cattle. The ectodysplasin-signalling protein (EDA) is known to be central in the normal development of ectodermal structures, and mutations in the ectodysplasin A (EDA) gene have been reported to cause XHED. In this study, we analysed different EDA transcript variants in affected and unaffected cattle and identified a new transcript variant including a LINE1-derived pseudoexon between EDA exons 1 and 2. The 161-bp-long pseudoexon introduces a shift in reading frame and a premature stop codon early in EDA exon 2 and is probably the cause of XHED in this Danish Red Holstein family.

X-linked spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia tarda in the Danish-Swedish farm hound.

In two litters from the same parents, three out of four males had an abnormally short leg and body length. Affected dogs showed signs of pain when moving, which could be eliminated by analgesia. On radiography, these animals had widened, radiolucent, irregularly bordered intervertebral disc spaces. When examined at seven months of age, the epiphyses appeared widened and irregular in shape and outline. General bone opacity in the vertebral column was lower in the affected male dogs than in the normal littermate. The affected dogs developed spondylosis and arthrosis of the larger limb joints. All affected dogs were euthanased on humane grounds, the eldest at the age of two years nine months. Based on the clinical and radiographic evidence, the condition seen in the male dogs described here resembles X-linked spondylo-epiphyseal dysplasia tarda caused by a collagenopathy due to malformation of COL2A1 as seen in human beings.

Immunocytochemical demonstration of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the porcine epiphyseal cartilage canals.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), a member of the vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)/secretin/glucagon family, is known to be a powerful stimulator of adenylate cyclase. Recently, PACAP has been shown to stimulate cAMP in osteoblast-like cells and mouse calvarian bones. In the present study, PACAP immunoreactivity (IR) was demonstrated in cartilage canals from newborn and 3-4-week-old pigs. In tissues from the femoral head and the patella with and without ossification centres, PACAP-IR nerve fibres were found in the cartilage canals innervating blood vessels. The pattern of distribution was not dependent on age or the occurrence of an ossification centre. Co-localization studies showed a high degree of co-localization with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) but little co-localization with VIP. Our findings support earlier findings of CGRP, SP and VIP in bone tissue and add PACAP to the group of neuropeptides with a sensory and/or modulatory function in bone tissue.

Complex vertebral malformation in holstein calves.

A recently observed lethal congenital defect of purebred Holstein calves is reported. Eighteen genetically related calves were necropsied. One calf had been aborted on gestation day 159, and the others were delivered between day 250 and day 285. Birth weights were reduced. The defect was characterized by shortening of the cervical and thoracic parts of the vertebral column due to multiple hemivertebrae, fused and misshaped vertebrae, and scoliosis. Symmetrical flexures of the carpal joints and the metacarpophalangeal joint in combination with a slight lateral rotation of the phalanges also were present. Similar low-grade arthrogryposis was present in the posterior limbs. Fifty percent of the calves had heart malformation. Other malformations occurred in a few calves. Complex vertebral malformation (CVM) is proposed as the designation for this defect. A genetic etiology is indicated because cases occurred following breeding between genetically related individuals. Two common ancestors were found; both were former elite sires of US Holstein origin. Because of the widespread international use of semen from sires occurring in the pedigrees of affected calves, CVM is expected to occur in several countries.

Recent information about hip dysplasia.

Dogs suffering from HD have a genetic background, but the releasing factors are many. Two of the most important are overnutrition and overexercising, especially in the young puppy. Radiography can give an estimate of the degree of secondary OA, and by evaluating the laxity in the hip joints at an early age, it seems to be possible to predict the chances for later development of OA. The eradication program has to be instituted in such a way that only the best dogs are accepted into breeding programs. It seems to be more efficient to eradicate the genetic part of the etiology by creating a breeding index by means of evaluating the offspring of the male dogs.

Vertebral fractures in newborn calves.

A prospective study on vertebral fractures in newborn calves is described. Vertebral fractures were found in 7.0% of necropsied calves of the Danish Holstein-Friesian (SDM) and Red Danish Dairy (RDM) breeds. Cases were not found in submitted calves of the Jersey breed or beef breeds. At least in beef breeds this was probably due to the low number necropsied. The rate of vertebral fractures in SDM and RDM breeds and between males and females were similar. Most cases occurred in calves born by heifers, and manual traction force had been applied in all cases. All fractures which in most cases consisted of a simple epiphysiolysis were located at the thoraco-lumbar area, and especially the posterior epiphysis of T13 was afflicted.

Distribution of feline blood types detected in the Copenhagen area of Denmark.

The purpose of the present study was to make the first survey of the distribution of feline AB blood types in the Copenhagen area of Denmark. A total of 244 cats (139 purebred cats and 105 Domestic Shorthair cats) were tested. 93% of all tested cats had blood type A. Neither an AB nor an O type cat was detected and thus, the frequency of blood type B among all tested cats was 7%. Most type B cats were purebred cats (Birman, British Shorthair and Persian cats). No association between sex and blood type could be demonstrated among British Shorthair and Persian cats. Thus, the present study indicates that cats in Denmark predominantly have blood type A, and that blood type B cats are rare, except for certain breeds such as Birman and British Shorthair cats.

Evaluation of the inheritance of the complex vertebral malformation syndrome by breeding studies.

To investigate the congenital complex vertebral malformation syndrome (CVM) in Holstein calves, two breeding studies were performed including 262 and 363 cows, respectively. Cows were selected from the Danish Cattle Database based on pedigree and insemination records. Selected cows were progeny of sires with an established heterozygous CVM genotype and pregnant after insemination with semen from another sire with heterozygous CVM genotype. Following calving the breeders should state, if the calf was normal and was requested to submit dead calves for necropsy. In both studies, significantly fewer CVM affected calves than expected were obtained; a finding probably reflecting extensive intrauterine mortality in CVM affected foetuses. The findings illustrate increased intrauterine mortality as a major potential bias in observational studies of inherited disorders.

Idiopathic dental root replacement resorption in old dogs.

The roots of the teeth of 33 large dogs aged 10 years or older were radiographed. These dogs were euthanized for reasons other than oral diseases; dogs with obvious dental or periodontal diseases were excluded. The dogs had shown no clinical signs related to the teeth and the teeth were macroscopically normal. Of the 33 dogs, six had one or more teeth that had abnormally shaped and partially resorbed roots, with replacement of root structure by radiographically normal trabecular bone. Histological examination of radiographically abnormal roots revealed mid-root resorption, without signs of inflammation or hypercementosis. These findings are similar to the condition known as idiopathic dental root replacement resorption in the human dental literature. Possible etiologies of root resorption are discussed.

Gender differences in the anatomy of the perineal glands in Guinea pigs and the effect of castration.

Perineal glands in guinea pigs are part of the sebaceous glandular complex. Their secretions are used for scent marking. This is important for social status and can be seen in both sexes and castrated males. Discrepancy exits about the existence of these glands in female guinea pigs and knowledge of the anatomical consequences of castration on the male perineal glands is sparse. To examine these uncertainties related to gender, perineal glands from 13 sexually mature pet guinea pigs were examined macro- and microscopically. Clear gender differences in the anatomy of perineal glands were found, and castrated males showed signs of atrophy and fatty infiltration in the glands. Females do have perineal glands, although smaller than the glands in the male. The glands are typically sebaceous with multiple excretory ducts. A macroscopic unique feature in the males was the clearly evident orifices of a large excretory duct on each side of the slightly everted perineal sac. However, the reason for this gender difference is not clear. In castrated males, the orifices were atrophied and difficult to see. In addition, the sebaceous glands of the hair follicles in the skin folds of the perineal opening were smaller and less abundant in females and castrated males. The changes in castrated males are presumably linked to the hormonal changes and decreased secretion after castration. The dense keratin layer in the perineal sac was thicker in males than in both castrated males and females and could contribute to the concrement formation seen mainly in males.

Pasteurella multocida from canine and feline teeth, with a case report of glossitis calcinosa in a dog caused by P. multocida.

A case of glossitis calcinosa in a dog caused by Pasteurella multocida is reported. Swelling of the tongue and reduced appetite were the predominant clinical symptoms. Due to latent infections with P. multocida in many species there is a risk of bitewounds being infected with this microorganism. In order to find the carrier-rate of P. multocida samples in canines, teeth and gingiva of 121 dogs and 30 cats were examined bacteriologically, revealing a carrier rates of 55% and 80% respectively. The rate is significantly higher in dogs with poor oral hygiene (calcula), and there is a tendency towards small dogs being more at risk than large dogs and male cats more than females. The isolated strains of P. multocida were most sensitive to chloramphenicol and tetracycline whereas, many were resistent to penicillin and sulfa. The theory, that this pattern should be explained by the common use of the latter drugs in veterinary practice, is not valid under Danish conditions, where chloramphenicol and tetracycline are commonly used in the small animal clinic. Accordingly suspected P. multocida infections should be treated with chloramphenicol or tetracycline, until the result of a sensitivity test is available, and not with penicillin which today is the general routine.

Spontaneous fracture of the navicular bone in the horse.

After a short review of previous literature about fractures of the navicular bone in horses, the symptoms and the pathological-anatomical changes of the condition are described. The most important clinical symptom is acute severe lameness without significant swellings, but with pronounced pain reaction to rotation of the coffin joint. After rest the lameness is reduced considerably, but without treatment it can persist for several years. Adherences between the deep flexor tendon and the site of the fracture and eventual damage to the coffin joint are considered to be the cause of the persisting lameness. Three case reports are given where the horses were shoed with full bar shoes with clips and high calks, and were given two months rest in a box. After that the rehabilitation was started with increasing load on the leg in question in spite of some initial lameness. The three horses all regained their full working capacity after ca. 6 months' treatment. There is no formation of callus at the site of the fracture, but only a firm formation of fibrous tissue which does not bother the horse unless the fragments are too much dislocated giving rise to a greater destruction of the coffin joint. Radiographically the fracture line persists for the rest of the horse's life.

[Hypocalcemia in the horse. A case report]. / Hypokalcaemi hos hest. En kasuistik med diskussion.

With reference to previous reports on hypocalcemia in horses special attention is given to the principal symptoms such as anxiety, increased muscular tension, esp. of the musculature of the extremities, in severe cases leading to ataxia, and to a pulse-synchronized respiration (Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter). The time of appearance of the symptoms are much more variable than it is the case for hypocalcemic agalactia in cows. Furthermore the condition has been reported in foals as well as in geldings. Thus the triggering factor seems to be somewhat different from that of agalactia. Hypocalcemic horses also develop decreased manganese blood-level. Treatment with Ca-borogluconat in the horse can be as efficient as is the case in agalactia in the cows, but quite often it is necessary to repeat the treatment. This is illustrated by the fact that the relatively high dose (17 mg Ca/kg) administered to the present patient only increased the Calcium blood level to somewhat below normal. The triggering condition, estrus, weaning of the foal, stress, hard (sweat-provoking) work etc., in many cases perhaps a kind of mental stress, must be adequately treated. An all-round and sufficient feed ration in accordance with the working load and eventually with milk production may prove to be much more essential than realized so far for the prevention of hypocalcemia in horses.

[Clinical use of ketamine-xylazine for anaesthesia in the cat (author's transl)]. / Klinisk anvendelse af ketamine-xylazine til bedøvelse af katte.

Based on experiences from anaesthesia of approximately 7000 cats in a four year period the effects of a combination of 20--25 mg/kg Ketamine and 0.5 mg/kg Xylazine given i/m are described. In the present study the Xylazine has been applied in considerably lower doses, compared with previous reports on these drugs, and this change has reduced the unwanted side effects, without at the same time reducing the effect on the muscular tension and the psychical disturbances induced by the Ketamine. Ketamine and Xylazine were given in one injection after being taken in the named sequence and mixed in the syringe. Indication for anaesthetizing the cats were, besides routine surgery in the out-patient clinic, operations of weakened animals for pyometra, foreign bodies, intestinal invaginations with and without resection, removal of abdominal tumors and urolithiasis. Animals with impared liver function were not anaesthetized with these drugs due to the important role of liver metabolism in their excretion. In spite of the fact that the corneal and laryngeal reflexes normally persist, the combination of the two drugs allowed surgery in these organs after application of local anaesthetics as an extra precaution. Premedication with atropine has not been used routinely, and still only very few cases of increased salivation or vomiting have been observed. Aspiration has not been a complication and in the whole material, only 3 deaths have occurred, none of them with a specific post mortem finding besides shock. In these 3 cases the patient died later than 45 minutes after the injection and after ended surgery. Side effects ascribed to phenomena of interaction have not been observed. One cat was anaesthetized a number of times during pregnancy without any effect on the cat or its kittens. It is concluded, that the Ketamine/Xylazine combination, when mixed as prescribed gives a very safe and pleasant narcosis, and that side effects are minimized, if the corneas are moistened with an ophthalmic ointment and the patient is allowed to recover in dark and quiet surroundings.

Clinical manifestations of overdose of ketamine-xylazine in the cat.

10 cats were anesthetized with high doses of Ketamine/Xylazine combination (50 mg/kg and 6 mg per cat respectively). 10 other cats were given Ketamine alone (100 mg/kg). The drugs were given i/m. Heart rate and respiratory rate were measured with regular intervals for 3 hours and certain reflexes were checked in the same period. Blood parameters (pH, pO2, pCO2) from arterial blood, were studied 10--15 min. after application. The values measured after application of these high doses never reached critical levels and no clinical signs of cyanosis were observed. Physostigmine has been reported to have an antagonistic effect on Ketamine in humans, but this could not be demonstrated in cats. The increase of dose levels did not improve or lengthen the anaesthetic effect of the drugs, but the period of recovery was highly extended. There were no clinical signs of acute toxicity and it is concluded that even severe misjudgements of the bodyweight should not lead to fatal results.

Poisoning in animals due to oral application of iron. With description of a case in a horse.

Peroral application of iron salts in various types of anemia was previously considered atoxic. The increased use of iron has, however, led to an increasing number of poisoning in children, taking iron tablets for candy. There have only been reported a few number of spontaneous intoxications in animals, but experimentally it has been possible to produce fatal intoxications in various kinds of animal species. The clinical findings are quite similar in the various animals, starting with vomiting, bloody diarrhoea and metabolic acidosis. If the intoxication is severe, shock and coma may develop, and death occurs quite soon. The histological findings are also similar in the various animals, varying from erosions of the tops of the villi to necrosis of the mucosal membrane of the jejunum. Degenerative changes in the liver as well as in the kidney are seen in several cases. The mentioned case was a horse given about 475 g ferro fumarate over a period of 5 days. The horse developed the classic clinical picture and death occurred on day 7. The diagnosis was confirmed by very high levels of iron in the liver, kidney and serum. The blood values of the enzymes ASAT and gamma GT were extremely high as a sign of a severe damage of the liver.

Evaluation of radiology as a tool to diagnose pulmonic lesions in calves, for example prior to experimental infection studies.

The aim of the study was to evaluate radiology as a technique to visualize pulmonary lesions in young calves, e.g. as a selection criterion for research animals in order to eliminate animals with lung lesions prior to experimental studies of pneumonia. Five calves with acute clinical signs of pneumonia were included in a direct comparative study of radiological and post mortem findings. Also, a number of animals with no signs of pneumonia were included as controls. The study revealed good agreement between the radiological and post mortem findings. Thus, in conclusion, radiology should be considered as a useful objective tool to predict the presence of pulmonary lesions in young calves.

Acroosteolysis of Phalanx III in Danish Landrace pigs. A radiological and histological study.

The herd examined is considered to be a typical representative of Danish pigherds. The investigation shows that acroosteolysis is highly prevalent. As for most pathological conditions in the legs of pigs the condition is concentrated around the bigger of an uneven pair of toes. Frequency and extent of the lesions in the animals are increased with increasing age and with increasing difference in size between the paired toes. Acroosteolysis is caused by vasculitis in the distal vessels followed by osteolysis. During the later development of the condition there is no healing or callus formation in the osteolytic areas, but an extension of the free osseous areas with an apposition of osseous tissue is observed. The clinical manifestations are not specific. The condition is not hereditary, and there are no sex-correlations. The histological appearance is comparable to that of allergic reactions due to e.g. erysipeloid in pigs, and also to allergic acroosteolytic conditions in humans (Raynaud's phenomenon). Therefore, an allergic etiology cannot be rejected.