Risk factors associated with outcome in goats with encephalitic listeriosis: A retrospective study of 36 cases from 2008 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: There exists a scarcity of information on risk factors associated with case outcomes in goats diagnosed with encephalitic listeriosis. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate risk factors associated with outcomes in 36 cases of suspected encephalitic listeriosis in goats presented to a referral hospital. ANIMALS: Thirty-six goats (26 does, 7 bucks, and 3 wethers) were presented to Auburn University Large Animal Teaching Hospital between 2008 and 2021 for treatment of neurologic disease diagnosed as encephalitic listeriosis based on any combination of clinical signs, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) analysis, or postmortem examination. METHODS: Retrospective study. Data were analyzed as binary and under a proportional odds model. The medical records were searched for presumptive encephalitic listeriosis in goats between 2008 and 2021. Data collected included signalment (sex, age, and breed), history, clinical signs, temperature, and ability to stand at presentation. Final diagnosis, CSF results, all treatments, outcomes, and results of necropsy were also collected for analysis. RESULTS: Male goats were 14 (95% CI: 1.98-166.0) times more likely to be a non-survivor compared to females despite being presented with similar history, clinical signs, and treatments. Animals presented with circling or a history of circling were 6.24 (95% CI: 1.40-23.21) times more likely to be a survivor than a non-survivor. Other risk factors evaluated were not significantly associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Few risk factors were associated with outcomes. Duration of clinical signs, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory choices, or CSF results were not associated with outcome. Only sex and history or presence of circling were associated with case outcomes.

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in pet pigs: 17 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pigs have an indiscriminate eating behavior placing them at high risk of developing foreign body (FB) obstructions. OBJECTIVES: Describe the clinical and diagnostic features, treatments, and outcome of pet pigs diagnosed with gastrointestinal (GI) FBs. Medical and surgical treatments, pig outcomes, and post-mortem findings were also investigated. ANIMALS: Seventeen pet pigs. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted. Gastrointestinal FBs were defined as swallowed objects that became lodged within the gastrointestinal tract distal to the cardia identified during exploratory laparotomy. RESULTS: Common clinical signs were anorexia/hyporexia, tachypnea, vomiting, dehydration, tachycardia, and ileus. Diagnostic imaging identified the presence of a FB in 4 cases. Upon celiotomy, the FBs were in the stomach and small intestine in 17 cases and large colon in 2 cases. Types of FB included fruit pit, diaper, and metallic objects. Of the 17 pigs, 15 (88%) were discharged from the hospital and 2 (12%) were euthanized. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Clinical signs of GI FB were similar to those reported in obstipated pigs. Diagnostic imaging has limitations for detection of FB. Surgical removal of FBs in pigs carried a good prognosis.

Effect of lameness on breeding soundness examination results of beef bulls.

Studies suggest that high cortisol resulting from lameness-associated pain decreases testosterone and disrupts spermatogenesis leading to decreased fertility. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of lameness on cortisol and testosterone concentrations and breeding soundness examination of beef bulls presented to a veterinary teaching hospital. Bulls, two-years of age or older, that presented for lameness, foot trim, and/or breeding soundness examination were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for cortisol and testosterone evaluation. A complete breeding soundness examination (BSE) was performed in all bulls. Subsequently, a complete lameness examination was performed, and limb/foot lesions recorded. A blinded evaluator used a lameness score of 1-5 to classify each bull as lame (>1) or not-lame (1). A total of 60 bulls were enrolled (34 with a satisfactory BSE and 26 with an unsatisfactory BSE result). Cortisol and testosterone were not different between the unsatisfactory and satisfactory groups (P = 0.26 and 0.32, respectively). The most common limb/foot lesions found in the unsatisfactory and satisfactory groups were laminitis-related (61.50% and 41.20%, respectively). There was no difference in the proportion of lame and not-lame bulls in the unsatisfactory and satisfactory groups (P = 0.17). The odds of a satisfactory BSE result were 4.40 times higher in not-lame bulls when compared with lame bulls. Therefore, lameness is associated with an unsatisfactory BSE result in beef breeding bulls.