First report of a cystic malformation on the upper jaw of hatchery-reared allis shad Alosa alosa.

The anadromous allis shad Alosa alosa has suffered dramatic population declines throughout Europe and is currently considered as endangered throughout its entire distribution range. In order to reestablish allis shad in the River Rhine, which formerly housed one of the largest and most important populations, an EU-LIFE Project 'The re-introduction of allis shad in the Rhine system' was started in 2007. In course of the LIFE+ Projects, allis shad larvae bred from genitor fish of the Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne population in France were reared in a pilot ex situ stock plant pilot facility in Aßlar, Germany. At an age of 1-2 months, about 100% of these fish developed approximately 0.5- to 0.8-cm large, fluid-filled, transparent cysts in conjunction with the upper jaw. The performed microbiological, virological, parasitological and histological examinations did not detect any infectious agents. Possible causative agents are discussed with regard to environmental factors and the nutrition of larvae. In conclusion, the observed malformations are considered a sign for a severe health problem and therefore a risk for the successful breeding of allis shad in aquaculture.

Right-sided cleft lip and jaw in a family of Vorderwald × Montbéliarde cattle.

A congenital unilateral cleft lip and jaw in association with campylognathia to the opposite side was identified in a family of Vorderwald×Montbéliarde cattle. Clinical examination, radiography and computed tomography revealed similar types and degrees of orofacial abnormality in three affected animals from different farms. Digital radiographs and computed tomography demonstrated absence of the rostral segment of the incisive bone in association with sigmoid curvature of the rostral lower jaw and campylognathia to the left side. All three affected animals could be traced back to a common ancestor, a Montbéliarde bull, who had sons and grandsons used for in-crossing in Vorderwald cattle. The affected animals were inbred on Montbéliarde sires, with inbreeding coefficients of 0.39% in one calf and 6.25% in two calves. Pedigree analysis supported the hypothesis of an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.

Prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Agalychnis moreletii (Hylidae) of El Salvador and association with larval jaw sheath depigmentation.

Amphibian populations around the world have been declining at an alarming rate due to factors such as habitat destruction, pollution, and infectious diseases. Between May and July 2008, we investigated a fungal pathogen in the critically endangered Morelet's treefrog (Agalychnis moreletii) at sites in El Salvador. Larvae were screened with a hand lens for indications of infection with Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a fungus that can cause lethal chytridiomycosis in amphibians. Subsets of inspected tadpoles were preserved for analysis by polymerase chain reaction to determine the effectiveness of hand lens screening for presence of Bd and to estimate infection prevalence at various sites. Because individuals with signs of infection were preferentially included, we used a novel method to generate unbiased estimates of infection prevalence from these biased samples. External mouthpart deformities, identified with a hand lens, successfully predicted Bd infection across a large spatial scale. Two of 13 sites sampled had high (≥ 89%) estimated prevalence, whereas little or no Bd was detected at the remaining sites. Although it appears that A. moreletii populations in this region are not suffering rapid declines due to Bd, further monitoring is required to determine the extent to which these populations are stably coexisting with the pathogen.

Cranial malformations in related white lions (Panthera leo krugeri).

White lions (Panthera leo krugeri) have never been common in the wild, and at present, the greatest population is kept in zoos where they are bred for biological and biodiversity conservation. During the years 2003 to 2008 in a zoological garden in northern Italy, 19 white lions were born to the same parents, who were in turn paternally consanguineous. Out of the 19 lions, 4 (21%) were stillborn, 13 (69%) died within 1 month, and 1 (5%) was euthanatized after 6 months because of difficulty with prehension of food. Six lions (32%) showed malformations involving the head (jaw, tongue, throat, teeth, and cranial bones). One lion (5%) still alive at 30 months revealed an Arnold-Chiari malformation upon submission for neurological evaluation of postural and gait abnormalities. Paternal consanguinity of the parents, along with inbreeding among white lions in general, could account for the high incidence of congenital malformations of the head in this pride of white lions.

Impairment of lower jaw growth in developing zebrafish exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and reduced hedgehog expression.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) has been shown to cause a multitude of detrimental effects to developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). Previously, we demonstrated that jaw growth was impaired by TCDD exposure, but the exact mechanism underlying these malformations remained unknown. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of hedgehog genes and their downstream signaling in TCDD-mediated jaw malformation. We demonstrate that the developing lower jaw expresses sonic hedgehog a (shha), sonic hedgehog b (shhb) and their receptors, patched1 (ptc1) and patched2 (ptc2), as well as the downstream transcription factors, gli1 and gli2a. Loss of Hh signaling in mutants (sonic you) and larvae treated with a Hh inhibitor (cyclopamine), resulted in similar effects as those caused by TCDD. Moreover, TCDD exposure caused downregulation of shha and shhb in a manner dependent on aryl hydrocarbon receptor 2 (ahr2). Although this suggested an involvement of Hh signaling in TCDD-mediated impairment of jaw growth, we did not observe downregulation of ptc1 and ptc2, receptors dependent on Hh signaling. Furthermore, while the overall occurrence of apoptosis in the developing jaw was minimal, it was significantly increased in larvae treated with cyclopamine. In contrast, both TCDD and cyclopamine markedly reduced immunoreactivity against phosphorylated histone 3, a cell proliferation marker in the developing jaw. Taken together, our data suggest that Ahr2-mediated downregulation of Hh signaling, leading to a failure of cell proliferation, contributes to TCDD induced inhibition of lower jaw growth. TCDD may impair jaw growth through other pathway(s) in addition to Hh signaling.

A case of trisomy 28 in cattle revealed by both banding and FISH-mapping techniques.

A case of presumed trisomy 22 in cattle, as earlier reported, was investigated by using both chromosome banding and FISH-mapping techniques. A one year old Hereford female calf showed slow growth, brachygnathia superior, hyper-salivation. strabisbusmus convergence, macroclitoris and supernumerary nipples. At necropsy, a duplication of the uterine cervix and an extra aortic cusp were also observed. The R-banding technique revealed that BTA28 (not BTA22, as erroneously earlier reported) was involved in the trisomy. This was confirmed by FISH-mapping with chromosome-specific markers. Phenotypic characteristics achieved in cattle carrier and those earlier reported in humans carrying partial trisomy 10 were discussed.

Congenital dental disease of horses.

Equine congenital dental deformities are not limited merely to those presented here; however, the examples discussed offer the reader an appreciation for the range of severity and complexity that may be found in affected horses. The veterinarian is obligated to provide the best possible care for the patient and to relieve animal suffering. The lack of definitive evidence for heritability of many of these defects can place the veterinarian in an untenable position, particularly when presented with literature that proclaims or suggests without evidence that a particular condition is inherited. In such cases, the veterinarian is encouraged to counsel owners, citing substantiated medical information, and to recommend that owners make the decision to eliminate the affected animals' ability to reproduce.

Pathophysiology of acquired dental diseases of the horse.

Periodontitis, infundibular necrosis, and periapical infection are dental diseases commonly affecting adult horses. Routine dental examinations and care may help to prevent these diseases. Further investigation of the treatment of horses with these diseases using local antimicrobial therapy, restorative dentistry, and endodontic therapy is needed. An understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases aids in diagnosis and treatment. Gingival hyperplasia and odontogenic tumors are uncommon but should remain in a list of differential diagnoses when examining a horse with pertinent clinical signs. Recognition of odontogenic tumors as early as possible may facilitate surgery. Examination of the oral cavity of foals beyond the neonatal period should allow identification of brachygnathia and timely treatment when indicated.

Bilateral mandibular condylectomy in a cat.

A six year old cat with a chronically luxating jaw was treated by bilateral condylectomy. The etiology of the chronic luxation was unilateral temporomandibular joint dysplasia.

Hydrops amnii in a mare.

A multiparous pregnant Welsh Pony mare was examined because of anorexia, dyspnea, and a large abdomen. Ultrasonography of the uterus revealed an excessive amount of amniotic fluid surrounding the fetus. Transabdominal ultrasonography permitted differentiation of hydrops amnii from hydrops allantois. The mare aborted a 7-month-old fetus with brachygnathia and a large, edematous umbilical cord. Hydrops amnii, an excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid in the amniotic cavity, is most commonly reported in cattle and sheep.

Surgical correction of an equine deviated anterior maxilla.

The surgical correction of midfacial deformities of the horse have rarely been undertaken. This article describes the successful management of a submucous cleft of the maxilla in a young colt. Details of the operative and perioperative medical and surgical management are described. The horse, now 5 years of age, has sired eight normal progeny.

Multiple oral procedures performed on a dog with distemper myoclonus.

A 3-year-old male mixed-breed dog was treated for an oral defect along the rostral portion of the hard palate and an oronasal fistula secondary to a severe mandibular brachygnathism and persistent canine distemper virus associated myoclonus. This report describes the treatment using a bilateral radical premaxillectomy, oronasal fistula repair, and pulpotomy.

A case of cleft palate in a Kuril seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri), from Hokkaido, Japan.

A male pup Kuril seal (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri) from Hokkaido, Japan, was observed with a unilateral and total cleft of the primary palate. Complications included a supernumerary tooth, hypoplasia and asymmetry of the face, and deformation of the eyeball and external auditory meatus. An accompanying pneumonia may have resulted from water flowing into the respiratory system due to imperfect closure of the nostril by the cleft. No other abnormalities were found.

[Lip-jaw split in a calf. Comments on the article, "Cornea dermoids and double malformations of the nares in a calf," by C. Neophytou]. / Lippenkieferspalte beim Kalb. Anmerkungen zu dem Artikel, "Cornea-Dermoide und Doppelmissbildung der Nasenlöcher bei einem Rind" von C. Neophytou.

A case of Cheilognathoschisis in a bull calf is demonstrated. The author supposes, that the malformation, which Neophytou reported, was a cheilognathoschisis too.

[Prospective study of the presence of atrophic rhinitis and AR-pathogenic Bordetella bronchiseptica and Pasteurella multocida bacteria in piglets of health-certified pig-breeding farms]. / Een oriënterend onderzoek naar de aanwezigheid van atrofische rhinitis en ar-pathogene bordetella bronchiseptica- en pasteurella multocida- bacteriën bij de biggen op certificaatwaardige varkensfokbedrijven.

Two hundred eight-week-old piglets from 20 pig-breeding farms, on which the clinical findings did not provide any justification for suspecting the presence of atrophic rhinitis (AR), were examined for this disease. Clinical parameters were brachygnathia superior (BS) and snout-distorsion (KD). Piglets with BS (n = 48) were observed on 13 farms and with KD on 8 farms. Morbid anatomical parameters were deviation of the nasal septum (SD) and atrophy of the ventral conchae (AVC). SD was observed in 76 piglets from 17 farms. Piglets with AVC gradation greater than or equal to 1 were recorded on 20 farms and with grade greater than or equal to 3 on 12 farms. The average gradation of AVC over all farms was 1.3 varying from 0.2 to 2.9. Bacteriological studies were done in the piglets for Bordetella bronchiseptica (BB) and AR pathogen Pasteurella multocida (PM+). The score of AVC showed a significant increase on farms on which infections with PM+ and BB was present. It is indicated that pig-herds with an average AVC gradation smaller than 0.7 do have a chance of less than 10% to be infected with PM+. BB was isolated from 52 piglets, from the nose in 49 cases and from the trachea in 27 cases respectively. PM was isolated from 67 piglets. Examination by equine blood agar showed that 15 piglets were positive for PM in the nose, 32 animals being found to be positive for PM by examination using mice. When mice were used in studies of the tonsils, 59 were found to be positive for PM. Of 45 piglets infected with type D, 16 were found te be PM+ following the guinea-pig skin test, the results being regarded as doubtful in two cases. Epidemiological studies for BB and PM+ on 117 breeding-farms in the Province of Overijssel showed that 92% of these farms were infected with BB and 28% with PM+. To be able to qualify breeding-farms as 'not being suspected of AR' concentrated clinical, pathological and bacteriological studies are required.