Effect of Laparoscopic-assisted Gastropexy on Gastrointestinal Transit Time in Dogs.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic gastropexy has been promoted as a means of preventing gastric volvulus during gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV) syndrome. Little is known about the impact of gastropexy on gastrointestinal transit time. HYPOTHESIS: Laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy (LAG) will not alter gastrointestinal transit times when comparing gastric (GET), small and large bowel (SLBTT), and whole gut transit times (TTT) before and after surgery. ANIMALS: 10 healthy client-owned large-breed dogs. METHODS: Prospective clinical trial. Before surgery, all dogs underwent physical examination and diagnostic evaluation to ensure normal health status. Dogs were fed a prescription diet for 6 weeks before determination of gastrointestinal transit with a wireless motility capsule. LAG was then performed, and dogs were fed the diet for 6 additional weeks. Measurement of transit times was repeated 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Ten dogs of various breeds at-risk for GDV were enrolled. No complications were encountered associated with surgery or capsule administration. There were no significant differences in GET 429 [306-1,370] versus 541 [326-1,298] (P = 0.80), SLBTT 1,243 [841-3,070] versus 1,540 [756-2,623] (P = 0.72), or TTT 1,971 [1,205-3,469] versus 1,792 [1,234-3,343] minutes (median, range) (P = 0.65) before and after LAG. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: An effect of LAG on gastrointestinal transit time was not identified, and wireless motility capsule can be safely administered in dogs after LAG.

Bronchoscopy, Imaging, and Concurrent Diseases in Dogs with Bronchiectasis: (2003-2014).

BACKGROUND: Bronchiectasis is a permanent and debilitating sequel to chronic or severe airway injury, however, diseases associated with this condition are poorly defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results of diagnostic tests used to document bronchiectasis and to characterize underlying or concurrent disease processes. ANIMALS: Eighty-six dogs that had bronchoscopy performed and a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Radiographs, computed tomography, and bronchoscopic findings were evaluated for features of bronchiectasis. Clinical diagnoses of pneumonia (aspiration, interstitial, foreign body, other), eosinophilic bronchopneumopathy (EBP), and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) were made based on results of history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing, including bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis and microbiology. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was diagnosed in 14% of dogs (86/621) that had bronchoscopy performed. Dogs ranged in age from 0.5 to 14 years with duration of signs from 3 days to 10 years. Bronchiectasis was documented during bronchoscopy in 79/86 dogs (92%), thoracic radiology in 50/83 dogs (60%), and CT in 34/34 dogs (100%). Concurrent airway collapse was detected during bronchoscopy in 50/86 dogs (58%), and focal or multifocal mucus plugging of segmental or subsegmental bronchi was found in 41/86 dogs (48%). Final diagnoses included pneumonia (45/86 dogs, 52%), EBP (10/86 dogs, 12%) and IAD (31/86 dogs, 36%). Bacteria were isolated in 24/86 cases (28%), with Streptococcus spp, Pasteurella spp, enteric organisms, and Stenotrophomonas isolated most frequently. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Bronchiectasis can be anticipated in dogs with infectious or inflammatory respiratory disease. Advanced imaging and bronchoscopy are useful in making the diagnosis and identifying concurrent respiratory disease.

Potential of Nano-Formulated Zinc Oxide for Control of Citrus Canker on Grapefruit Trees.

Antimicrobial activity of experimental formulations of two structurally different nano-zinc oxide materials, plate-like Zinkicide SG4 and particulate Zinkicide SG6, was evaluated against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the cause of citrus canker. In vitro assay demonstrated Zinkicide SG4 had a twofold lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Escherichia coli and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (62.5 to 250 µg/ml) compared with copper sulfate (250 µg/ml), copper hydroxide (250 to 500 µg/ml), or cuprous oxide/zinc oxide (125 to 250 µg/ml). Zinkicide SG6 had a sevenfold to eightfold lower MIC against Escherichia coli and X. alfalfae subsp. citrumelonis (31 to 250 µg/ml). Leaves of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) and fruit of 'Ruby Red' grapefruit (C. paradisi) were evaluated for citrus canker disease control. A greenhouse assay with foliage demonstrated that spray treatment with Zinkicide reduced citrus canker lesion development after injection-infiltration of X. citri subsp. citri into the leaf intercellular space. In field trials conducted in Southeast Florida in 2014 and 2015, Zinkicide SG4 and SG6 reduction of grapefruit canker incidence exceeded that of cuprous oxide and cuprous oxide/zinc oxide bactericides. Zinkicide formulations were also effective against the fungal diseases, citrus scab (Elsinoe fawcetti) and melanose (Diaporthe citri), on grapefruit. No sign of phytotoxicity to the fruit rind was observed during either season. Antimicrobial activity of Zinkicide for protection of leaves and fruit against X. citri subsp. citri was comparable or exceeded that for commercial copper and zinc oxide formulations which may be attributed to translaminar movement of Zinkicide.

Paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteopathy in 30 dogs.

Paraneoplastic hypertrophic osteopathy (pHO) is known to occur in both canine and human cancer patients. While the pathology of pHO is well-described in the dog, very little information exists regarding the true clinical presentation of dogs affected with pHO. The primary objective of this study was to provide a more comprehensive clinical picture of pHO. To this end, we retrospectively identified 30 dogs and recorded data regarding presenting complaints and physical examination (PE) findings on the date of pHO diagnosis. As a secondary objective, any blood test results were also collected from the computerized records. The most common clinical signs included leg swelling, ocular discharge and/or episcleral injection, lameness, and lethargy. The most common haematological and serum biochemical abnormalities included anaemia, neutrophilia and elevated alkaline phosphatase. In addition to presenting a more detailed clinical description of pHO in the dog, these data support the previously described haematological, serum biochemical and PE abnormalities published in individual case reports.

Assessment of L-lactatemia as a predictor of respiratory disease recognition and severity in feedlot steers.

The bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) is a major health issue in feedlot cattle and one of the primary reasons for antimicrobial use in the North American feedlot industry. The purpose of the present study was to assess blood L-lactate levels of feedlot steers at high risk of developing BRD during the early feeding period. Blood samples were obtained at initial processing and again after BRD confirmation (using bronchial lavage or thoracic ultrasound exam). The study involved 232 recently weaned steers received at a single research feedlot that were processed without metaphylactic antimicrobial treatment. Blood samples were obtained for determination of L-lactatemia and temperament scores (very quiet or stoic [score 1], average [score 2] and very excited [score 3]) were systematically assigned at initial processing. A subsample of calves that were later confirmed as cases of BRD were sampled at first pull (day 0), and at subsequent observation points on days 3, 6, 9 and 15 following initial BRD diagnosis for blood lactate determination as a potential indicator of subsequent death. The clinical BRD cumulative incidence in the cohort was 38% (87/232). Temperament was associated with the probability of becoming a BRD case during the early feeding period. Stoic or very excited calves showed 2.2 times higher odds (95%CI: 1.3, 3.8) of becoming BRD cases compared to calves with average temperament. The impact of L-lactatemia differed by temperament strata. In calves with a temperament score of 2 (average temperament) every 1-log unit increase of lactatemia at processing resulted in 1.9 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.2, 3.1) of becoming a BRD case; this relationship was not significant in calves with a score of either 1 or 3. Twenty-nine confirmed BRD cases were studied for the dynamic lactate assessment analysis. L-lactate at first pull was not significantly different between survivors (median 3.3mmol/L; range 0.8-7.8mmol/L) and non-survivors (median 2.7mmol/L; range: 1.6-5.4mmol/L) steers. However, the dynamic assessment of L-lactatemia was associated with the hazard of death using Cox proportional hazard survival analysis. A 1-log increase of lactatemia increased the hazard of dying prior to the next observation by a factor of 36.5 (95% CI: 3.5-381.6). For calves showing a normal temperament score (i.e. temperament score of 2), a misclassification cost term analysis was conducted to identify potential L-lactate test thresholds for identifying future BRD steers. When planned test usage was for informing decision of administering or not a metaphylactic treatment at processing, experts agreed that false-negative (not treating a calf that would have benefit from treatment) to false-positive (wrongfully treating a calf that would have remained healthy) health costs ratio ranged from 8:1 to 20:1. In this situation, a threshold of 5mmol/L would have best informed treatment decision. When using L-lactate for informing the type of antimicrobial used at processing, false-negative to false-positive health costs ratio ranging from 1:1 to 3:1 could be expected and, again, a L-lactate threshold of 5.0mmol/L would have minimized the costs associated with calves' misclassification and could be used to identify calves that would benefit from a more efficient metaphylactic treatment. This study provides an interesting perspective on the potential application of chute-side markers or diagnostic tests to stratify the risk of future pull for BRD in cattle during processing in order to adapt antimicrobial treatments accordingly.

Persistent efficacy and production benefits following use of extended-release injectable eprinomectin in grazing beef cattle under field conditions.

Seven studies were conducted in commercial grazing operations to confirm anthelmintic efficacy, assess acceptability, and measure the productivity response of cattle to treatment with eprinomectin in an extended-release injectable formulation (ERI) when exposed to nematode infected pastures for 120 days. The studies were conducted under one protocol in the USA in seven locations (Arkansas, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, and Wisconsin). Each study had 67-68 naturally infected animals for a total of 475 (226 female, 249 male castrate) Angus or beef-cross cattle. The animals weighed 133-335 kg prior to treatment and were approximately 3-12 months of age. The studies were conducted under a randomized block design based on pre-treatment body weights to sequentially form 17 replicates of four animals each within sex in each study. Animals within a replicate were randomly assigned to treatments, one to Eprinomectin ERI vehicle (control) and three to Eprinomectin ERI (5%, w/v eprinomectin). Treatments were administered at 1 mL/50 kg body weight once subcutaneously anterior to the shoulder. All animals in each study grazed one pasture throughout the observation period of 120 days. Cattle were weighed and fecal samples collected pre-treatment and on 28, 56, 84, and 120 days after treatment for fecal egg and lungworm larval counts. Positive fecal samples generally were cultured en masse to determine the nematode genera attributable to the gastrointestinal helminth infection. Bunostomum, Cooperia, Haemonchus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Ostertagia, and Trichostrongylus, when present, were referred to as strongylids. At all post-treatment sampling intervals, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle had significantly (P<0.05) lower strongylid egg counts than vehicle-treated controls, with ≥95% reduction after 120 days of grazing. Over this same period, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gained more weight (43.9 lb/head) than vehicle-treated controls in all studies. This weight gain advantage was significant (P<0.05) in six of the studies with the Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gaining an average of 42.8% and the control cattle gaining 33.1% of their initial weight. No adverse reactions were observed in the treated animals.

Nematode burdens of pastured cattle treated once at turnout with eprinomectin extended-release injection.

The efficacy of eprinomectin in an extended-release injection (ERI) formulation was evaluated against infections with third-stage larvae or eggs of gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes in cattle under 120-day natural challenge conditions in a series of five studies conducted in the USA (three studies) and in Europe (two studies). For each study, 30 nematode-free (four studies) or 30 cattle harboring naturally acquired nematode infections (one study) were included. The cattle were of various breeds or crosses, weighed 107.5-273 kg prior to treatment and aged approximately 4-11 months. For each study, animals were blocked based on pre-treatment bodyweight and then randomly allocated to treatment: ERI vehicle (control) at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight or Eprinomectin 5% (w/v) ERI at 1 mL/50 kg bodyweight (1.0 mg eprinomectin/kg) for a total of 15 and 15 animals in each group. Treatments were administered once on Day 0 by subcutaneous injection in front of the shoulder. In each study, all animals grazed one naturally contaminated pasture for 120 days. At regular intervals during the studies, fecal samples from all cattle were examined for nematode egg and larval counts. In four studies pairs of tracer cattle were used to monitor pasture infectivity at 28-day intervals before and/or during the grazing period. All calves were weighed before turnout onto pasture and at regular intervals until housing on Day 120. For parasite recovery, all study animals were humanely euthanized 27-30 days after removal from pasture. Cattle treated with Eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p<0.05) fewer strongylid eggs (≤1 egg per gram; egg count reduction≥94%) than the control cattle and zero lungworm larvae at each post-treatment time point. At euthanasia, cattle treated with Eprinomectin ERI had significantly (p<0.05) fewer of the following nematodes than the ERI vehicle-treated (control) cattle with overall reduction of nematode counts by >92%: Dictyocaulus viviparus (adults and fourth-stage larvae (L4), Bunostomum phlebotomum, Cooperia curticei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Cooperia surnabada, Cooperia spp. inhibited L4, Haemonchus contortus, Haemonchus placei, Haemonchus spp. inhibited L4, Nematodirus helvetianus, Nematodirus spp. inhibited L4, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Oesophagostomum spp. inhibited L4, Ostertagia leptospicularis, Ostertagia lyrata, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia spp. inhibited L4, Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, Trichostrongylus spp. inhibited L4, Trichuris discolor, and Trichuris ovis. Over the 120-day grazing period, Eprinomectin ERI-treated cattle gained between 4.8 kg and 31 kg more weight than the controls. This weight gain advantage was significant (p<0.05) in three studies. All animals accepted the treatment well. No adverse reaction to treatment was observed in any animal in any study.

Presymptomatic Fibrous Root Decline in Citrus Trees Caused by Huanglongbing and Potential Interaction with Phytophthora spp.

Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with 'Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus', was first detected in Florida in late 2005 and is now widely distributed throughout the commercial citrus-growing regions. In recent seasons, concurrent with freeze and drought episodes, symptomatic HLB-infected trees were much more affected by the extremes of temperature and moisture than trees without HLB. Symptoms exhibited by the stressed trees were excessive leaf loss and premature fruit drop even when HLB-infected trees were managed with good nutritional and irrigation practices recommended to support health of HLB-affected trees. This stress intolerance may be due to a loss of fibrous roots. To assess root status of HLB-infected trees on 'Swingle' citrumelo rootstock (Citrus paradisi × Poncirus trifoliata), blocks of 2,307 3-year-old 'Hamlin' orange trees and 2,693 4-year-old 'Valencia' orange trees were surveyed visually and with a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to determine 'Ca. L. asiaticus' infection status. The incidence of 'Ca. L. asiaticus'-infected trees (presymptomatic: 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+, visually negative; and symptomatic: 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+, visually positive) trees was 89% for the Hamlin block and 88% for the Valencia block. 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+ trees had 30 and 37% lower fibrous root mass density for presymptomatic and symptomatic trees, respectively, compared with 'Ca. L. asiaticus'- trees. In a second survey, 10- to 25-year-old Valencia trees on Swingle citrumelo or 'Carrizo' citrange (C. sinensis (L.) × P. trifoliata) rootstock were sampled within 3 to 6 months after identification of visual HLB status as symptomatic ('Ca. L. asiaticus'+, visually positive) or nonsymptomatic ('Ca. L. asiaticus'-, visually negative) in orchards located in the central ridge, south-central, and southwest flatwoods. Pairs of HLB symptomatic and nonsymptomatic trees were evaluated for PCR status, fibrous root mass density, and Phytophthora nicotianae propagules in the rhizosphere soil. 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+ trees had 27 to 40% lower fibrous root mass density and, in one location, higher P. nicotianae per root but Phytophthora populations per cubic centimeter of soil were high on both 'Ca. L. asiaticus'+ and 'Ca. L. asiaticus'- trees. Fibrous root loss from HLB damage interacted with P. nicotianae depending on orchard location and time of year.

Interpretation of multisegment bronchoalveolar lavage in cats (1/2001-1/2011).

BACKGROUND: Cytologic results from bronchoscopic BAL in cats with naturally occurring respiratory disease have not been reported, and the clinical utility of multisegment lavage has not been evaluated. HYPOTHESIS: BAL cytology from 2 separate lung segments in cats will have similar cell counts, cytologic interpretation, or both. ANIMALS: Eighty-seven cases in 85 cats (2 examined twice) with naturally occurring lower respiratory disease. METHODS: A combined prospective/retrospective evaluation of all cats with multisegment BAL was performed. BAL fluid was evaluated for total nucleated cell counts, differential cell counts, and cytologic characteristics at each lavage site. BAL fluid was categorized as eosinophilic, neutrophilic, lymphocytic, hypercellular, or mixed. Radiographs were assessed for diffuse or focal disease. RESULTS: Clinical diagnoses included inflammatory airway disease (n = 63), pneumonia (n = 15), neoplasia (n = 6), and undetermined (n = 3). Total nucleated cell counts varied between sites regardless of radiographic evidence of focal or diffuse radiographic disease. In 28/87 cases (32%), cell counts differed between lavage sites by 2.2-40 fold. BAL yielded similar cytologic interpretation of inflammation in 45/87 (52%) cases. In 8/14 cases that had BAL performed at the site of a focal radiographic infiltrate, as well as at a site of diffuse infiltrates, the same inflammatory interpretation was made at each site. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Total and differential cell counts in BAL fluid often differ between lung segments in cats with lower respiratory disease, and caution is warranted when using a single BAL cytology to define the inflammatory response in cats with spontaneously occurring lower respiratory tract disease.

Sensitivity and specificity of canine pancreas-specific lipase (cPL) and other markers for pancreatitis in 70 dogs with and without histopathologic evidence of pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatitis is a common disorder in dogs for which the antemortem diagnosis remains challenging. OBJECTIVES: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of serum markers for pancreatitis in dogs with histopathologic evidence of pancreatitis or lack thereof. ANIMALS: Seventy dogs necropsied for a variety of reasons in which the pancreas was removed within 4 hours of euthanasia and serological markers were evaluated within 24 hours of death. METHODS: Prospective study: Serum was analyzed for amylase and lipase activities, and concentrations of canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) and canine pancreas-specific lipase (cPL). Serial transverse sections of the pancreas were made every 2 cm throughout the entire pancreas and reviewed using a semiquantitative histopathologic grading scheme. RESULTS: The sensitivity for the Spec cPL (cutoff value 400 µg/L) was 21 and 71% in dogs with mild (n = 56) or moderate-severe pancreatitis (n = 7), and 43 and 71% (cutoff value 200 µg/L), respectively. The sensitivity for the cTLI, serum amylase, and lipase in dogs with mild or moderate-severe pancreatitis was 30 and 29%; 7 and 14%; and 54 and 71%, respectively. The specificity for the Spec cPL based on 7 normal pancreata was 100 and 86% (cutoff value 400 and 200 µg/L, respectively), whereas the specificity for the cTLI, serum amylase, and lipase activity was 100, 100, and 43%, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The Spec cPL demonstrated the best overall performance characteristics (sensitivity and specificity) compared to other serum markers for diagnosing histopathologic lesions of pancreatitis in dogs.

Expanded dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping reveals spurious class II associations.

The dog leukocyte antigen (DLA) system contains many of the functional genes of the immune system, thereby making it a candidate region for involvement in immune-mediated disorders. A number of studies have identified associations between specific DLA class II haplotypes and canine immune hemolytic anemia, thyroiditis, immune polyarthritis, type I diabetes mellitus, hypoadrenocorticism, systemic lupus erythematosus-related disease complex, necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) and anal furunculosis. These studies have relied on sequencing approximately 300 bases of exon 2 of each of the DLA class II genes: DLA-DRB1, DLA-DQA1 and DLA-DQB1. In the present study, an association (odds ratio=4.29) was identified by this method between Weimaraner dogs with hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) and DLA-DRB1∗01501. To fine map the association with HOD, a genotyping assay of 126 coding single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from across the entire DLA, spanning a region of 2.5 Mb (3,320,000-5,830,000) on CFA12, was developed and tested on Weimaraners with HOD, as well as two additional breeds with diseases associated with DLA class II: Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers with hypoadrenocorticism and Pug dogs with NME. No significant associations were found between Weimaraners with HOD or Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers with hypoadrenocorticism and SNPs spanning the DLA region. In contrast, significant associations were found with NME in Pug dogs, although the associated region extended beyond the class II genes. By including a larger number of genes from a larger genomic region, a SNP genotyping assay was generated that provides coverage of the extended DLA region and may be useful in identifying and fine mapping DLA associations in dogs.

Concurrent diseases and conditions in dogs with splenic vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Splenic venous thrombosis (SVT) is usually considered an incidental finding on abdominal ultrasound examination but can indicate the presence of underlying disease. Concurrent disease processes and conditions in dogs with SVT have not been identified previously. OBJECTIVES: To identify concurrent diseases and conditions in dogs with SVT. ANIMALS: Eighty dogs with SVT. METHODS: Retrospective review. Medical records from 1994 through 2008 were searched for dogs with SVT identified by ultrasound examination. These records were then reviewed for signalment, medical history, clinicopathologic testing, diagnostic imaging, and clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The most common concurrent conditions were neoplasia (54%), exogenous corticosteroid administration (43%), systemic inflammatory response syndrome (26%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (20%), pancreatitis (18%), and immune-mediated disease (16%). The most common neoplastic disease was lymphoma, and the most common immune-mediated disease was immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Protein-losing nephropathy and naturally occurring hyperadrenocorticism were identified in <10% of the dogs. Concurrent splenic infarcts were identified in 33% of dogs, and concurrent portal vein thrombi were found in 18% of dogs. CONCLUSIONS: SVT is a sonographic finding of clinical importance, and dogs with SVT can have 1 or more coexisting diseases.

Anthelmintic resistance of Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora to macrocyclic lactones in cattle from the western United States.

In June 2008, 122 yearling heifers with a history of anthelmintic resistance were obtained from pastures in northern California and transported to a dry lot facility in southwestern Idaho, USA. Fifty heifers with the highest fecal egg counts were selected for study enrollment. Candidates were equally randomized to treatment with either injectable ivermectin (Ivomec, Merial, 0.2 mg kg(-1) BW), injectable moxidectin (Cydectin), Fort Dodge, 0.2 mg kg(-1) BW), oral fenbendazole (Safe-Guard), Intervet, 5.0 mg kg(-1) BW), oral oxfendazole (Synanthic), Fort Dodge, 4.5 mg kg(-1) BW), or saline. At 14 days post-treatment, nematodes were recovered from the abomasum, small intestine, and large intestine. Parasitism was confirmed in the control group when 10/10 animals were infected with adult Ostertagia ostertagi and 9/10 animals with both developing and early L(4) stages of O. ostertagi. Similarly, 9/10 animals were parasitized with adult Cooperia spp. Fenbendazole and oxfendazole efficacy verses controls were >90% against adult Cooperia spp., while moxidectin caused an 88% parasite reduction post-treatment (P<0.05). Ivermectin treatment resulted in no reduction in adult Cooperia spp. Based on geometric mean percent reduction versus saline controls, all four treatments were >or=90% efficacious against adults of O. ostertagi, while moxidectin and fenbendazole were equally effective against developing and inhibited early L(4) stages (P<0.05). Ivermectin was not efficacious for developing or inhibited early L(4) stages of O. ostertagi. Oxfendazole failed to decrease O. ostertagi developing L(4) larvae by >90% but was efficacious for inhibited early L(4) larvae. Based on the results of this study, a source of multi-species anthelmintic resistance in cattle has been identified in the western United States.

Choroid plexus tumors in 56 dogs (1985-2007).

BACKGROUND: Choroid plexus tumors (CPTs) comprise approximately 10% of all primary brain tumors in dogs. The clinical utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, or both in the presumptive diagnosis of CPTs has not been determined. OBJECTIVES: To report MRI and CSF findings in dogs with CPT and determine if there are distinguishing features that allow clinical discrimination between the tumor grades. ANIMALS: Fifty-six client-owned dogs with naturally occurring CPT. METHODS: Retrospective case series. The inclusion criterion was histologically confirmed CPT. Blinded review of cranial MRI and cisternal CSF analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-six of 56 dogs had a choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC) and 20 had a choroid plexus papilloma (CPP). Golden Retrievers were overrepresented compared with the hospital population (frequency 3.7 times that expected, confidence interval 95%= 2.0-6.7, P< .0002). Median CSF protein concentration in CPCs (108 mg/dL, range 27-380 mg/dL) was significantly higher than in CPPs (34 mg/dL, range 32-80 mg/dL) (P= .002). Only dogs with CPCs had a CSF protein concentration >80 mg/dL. Cytological evidence of malignancy in CSF was seen in 7 of 15 CPCs. Only CPCs had evidence of intraventricular or subarachnoid metastases on MRI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: MRI, CSF analysis or both can help to differentiate between CPPs and CPCs, and may provide valuable prognostic and pretreatment information.

Clinicopathologic and diagnostic imaging characteristics of systemic aspergillosis in 30 dogs.

BACKGROUND: Systemic aspergillosis is a serious disease of dogs for which the clinical characteristics are poorly described. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and diagnostic imaging characteristics of dogs with systemic aspergillosis. ANIMALS: Thirty dogs with systemic aspergillosis. METHODS: Retrospective case review. Medical records were reviewed for signalment, clinical features, and results of clinicopathologic testing and diagnostic imaging. Diagnosis was confirmed by culture of Aspergillus terreus (n = 13), Aspergillus deflectus (n = 11), or other Aspergillus spp. (n = 6). RESULTS: Compared with the background hospital population, German Shepherd dogs and female dogs were overrepresented (odds ratio [OR] 43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20-91, P < .0001, and OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.2-6.7, P= .02), respectively, with 20 of the 30 dogs being German Shepherd dogs and 77% (23 of 30) of the dogs being female. The median age was 4.5 years (range 2-8 years). Anemia, leukocytosis, hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, hypercalcemia, and hypoalbuminemia were present in 8, 21, 12, 9, 8, and 6 dogs, respectively. Diskospondylitis, osteomyelitis and thoracic lymphadenomegaly were present in 16, 10, and 5 dogs, respectively. Sonographic findings were enlarged hypoechoic lymph nodes (n = 12), mottled and irregular kidneys with or without masses (n = 12), pyelectasia, and an aggregate of echogenic material in the renal pelvis (n = 9). Thirteen dogs were treated with antifungal drugs, with survival times ranging from 0 to 25 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Systemic aspergillosis typically involves young to middle-age female German Shepherd dogs, and there are characteristic abdominal ultrasound findings with the disease process. Infection with A. deflectus was as common as A. terreus, and in rare cases, long-term survival was associated with antifungal therapy.

Gastrointestinal pythiosis in 10 dogs from California.

BACKGROUND: Pythium insidiosum is an aquatic oomycete that causes severe segmental thickening of the canine gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and death. Infection in dogs previously has been observed primarily in the southeastern United States. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinicopathologic and epidemiologic findings associated with GI pythiosis in 10 dogs from California. METHODS: Dogs were initially identified on the basis of supportive clinical findings and routine histology. Pythiosis was confirmed in each dog with at least one of the following: immunoblot serology, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay serology, immunohistochemistry, and culture followed by species-specific polymerase chain reaction, rRNA gene sequencing, or both. RESULTS: Between September 2003 and December 2006, GI pythiosis was confirmed in 1 dog from central California and 9 dogs that lived within a 30-mile radius of Davis, CA. Seven of 8 dogs for which environmental data were available had frequent access to flooded rice fields or other water sources. Esophageal lesions were present in 2 of 10 dogs. Common laboratory findings included eosinophilia (7/9), hypoalbuminemia (9/9), and hyperglobulinemia (8/9). Median survival time was 26.5 days (range, 0-122 days), and the disease was ultimately fatal in all 10 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The geographic distribution of pythiosis has widened in recent years to include the western United States. Factors that may have contributed to this change include altered rice-farming practices and landscape irrigation. Veterinarians in California should be familiar with the clinicopathologic features associated with GI pythiosis to aid in early diagnosis and effective treatment.

The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil reduces myocardial infarct size.

The aim of this study was to determine, in an animal model, the effects of tadalafil on myocardial infarct size (IS), hemodynamics and regional myocardial blood flow after myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) often have risk factors for coronary artery disease. Tadalafil, a long-acting inhibitor of the enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5), is used for the treatment of ED; there are no previous data regarding tadalafil in the setting of coronary artery occlusion (CAO). Sprague-Dawley male rats were treated with tadalafil or vehicle (10 mg/kg, by gastric gavage), 2 h before a 30 min CAO. Heart rate was comparable between tadalafil and control groups. Tadalafil reduced mean arterial pressure (P=0.009), systolic (P=0.035) and diastolic (P=0.009) blood pressures during ischemia/reperfusion. Tadalafil significantly reduced IS (42+/-2%) versus controls (54+/-3%) (P=0.006). For the first time, we showed that the PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, was well tolerated and cardioprotective in the setting of an experimental myocardial infarction, by substantially reducing ischemic cell death.

Nanofabrication of a space-variant optical transmission filter.

A space-variant optical transmission filter is demonstrated for which a simplified process is used to tailor the spatial response of the filter across the surface of a single wafer. A multilayer stack, of alternating high or low refractive index dielectric materials, was used to produce a narrow transmission notch in the center of a wide stop band. Subsequent patterning and etching of arrays of holes through the volume of the dielectric stack was performed to control the fill factor of the dielectric in the layers. The position of the transmission notch within the reflection spectrum was varied across the device surface by adjusting the hole diameter of the hole arrays. Experimental and numerical simulation were used to confirm the space-variant transmission characteristics of a single-wafer sample with two zones of different hole diameter arrays in the 1550 nm wavelength regime.

Efficacy of tadalafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in hypertensive men on concomitant thiazide diuretic therapy.

Many men with erectile dysfunction (ED) have hypertension as a comorbid condition. Recent guidelines recommend thiazide diuretics as first-line therapy for hypertension. We analyzed data from 14 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (N=2501) to evaluate the efficacy of tadalafil 20 mg for the treatment of ED in men on thiazides. Of the 2501 patients, 163 were on concomitant thiazides (116 tadalafil/47 placebo) and 159 (98%) were reported to have hypertension. The primary efficacy measures were mean change from baseline in the international index of erectile function (IIEF) erectile function (EF) domain and the proportion of 'yes' responses to sexual encounter profile (SEP) Questions 2 and 3. The tadalafil group showed a significantly (P<0.001) greater mean baseline to endpoint improvement on all efficacy outcome measures compared to placebo-treated patients regardless of concomitant thiazide use. More importantly, the responses to tadalafil were similar regardless of concomitant thiazide use. Additionally, responses to tadalafil were comparable between thiazide and nonthiazide users regardless of baseline ED severity (P>0.05).

Effects of subcutaneous injections of a long acting moxidectin formulation in grazing beef cattle on parasite fecal egg reduction and animal weight gain.

Trials were conducted in Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois and Wisconsin using a common protocol to evaluate effectiveness and safety of a long acting (LA), oil-based injectable formulation of moxidectin in beef cattle grazing spring and/or summer pastures. At each site, 150 cattle (steers and/or heifers) were blocked based on pretreatment fecal strongyle egg counts (EPG) and then randomly assigned to treatments within blocks. Presence of naturally acquired parasitic infections, confirmed by presence of parasite eggs in feces, was a prerequisite for study enrollment. Within each block of three animals, two received moxidectin LA injectable on day 0 at a dosing rate of 1.0 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. into the dorsal aspect of the proximal third of the ear, and one received a placebo control treatment. Cattle were weighed before treatment and on day 55 or 56 (55/56) after treatment. Fecal samples were also collected from 10 randomly selected blocks of animals at each site on days 14, 28 and 55/56 for EPG quantification. Average daily gain (ADG) was computed over the posttreatment period. Data pertaining to ADG and EPG were combined across sites and analyzed by mixed model analysis of variance to assess the fixed effect of treatment and random effects of site, block within site and the treatment by site interaction. Compared to placebo-treated controls, the geometric means of fecal EPG counts from cattle treated with moxidectin LA injectable were reduced 99.8% 14 days after treatment, 99.1% 28 days after treatment and 96.7% 55/56 days after treatment. Rate of weight gain by cattle treated with moxidectin LA injectable was 0.59 kg/day, or 23% (0.11 kg/day) more than placebo-treated controls (P<0.05). None of the cattle treated with moxidectin LA injectable exhibited signs of macrocyclic lactone toxicosis. Summarized across all study sites, proportions of cattle that received concurrent therapeutic treatments were similar among treatment groups. Study results demonstrate that moxidectin cattle LA injectable administered at a dosing rate of 1.0 mg moxidectin/kg b.w. to grazing beef cattle was effective and safe.