Racing-associated fatalities in Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses: Incidence rates, risk factors, and principal postmortem findings.

BACKGROUND: There are no reports on the number of fatalities or causes of death in the Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses. OBJECTIVES: The incidence rates (IRs), risk factors, and postmortem findings in horses that died or were euthanized associated with racing between 2014 and 2019 were investigated. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight Standardbreds and 10 Norwegian-Swedish Coldblooded Trotters died or were euthanized associated with racing. A total of 816 085 race-starts were recorded. METHODS: Incidence rates were calculated for both countries and horse breeds. Risk factors for sudden death were identified using a case-control logistic model. Postmortem examinations were performed in 43 horses. RESULTS: The overall fatality IR was 0.059/1000 race-starts. Traumatic injuries accounted for 14.5%, while sudden death for 85.5% of fatalities. Only minor differences between countries and breeds were recorded. The number of starts within the last 30 days increased the risk of sudden death (5 starts odds ratio (OR) 228.80, confidence interval (CI) 10.9-4793). An opposite non-linear effect was observed in number of starts the last 180 days (>10 starts OR 0.12, CI 0.02-0.68). Seven horses were euthanized because of catastrophic injury. Acute circulatory collapse because of suspected cardiac or pulmonary failure or both was recorded in 30 horses, while major hemorrhage after vessel rupture was the primary cause of death in 10 cases. One horse collapsed and died but was not submitted for autopsy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Comparatively low rates of catastrophic orthopedic fatalities were reported, while causes and IR of sudden death were similar to previous studies.

A Case of Congenital Pulmonary Vein Stenosis with Secondary Post-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension and Left Sided Congestive Heart Failure in a Cat.

A five-month-old, 3.8 kg intact male Maine coon cat presented for dyspnea characterized by increased respiratory effort in addition to open-mouth breathing. Thoracic radiographs showed pectus excavatum, enlarged cardiac silhouette, and generalized interstitial patterns. Echocardiography revealed normal left atrial (LA) and left ventricular dimensions. A large tubular structure, suspected to be a distended pulmonary vein (PV), was identified as draining into the LA. Severe eccentric and concentric right ventricular hypertrophy and paradoxical septal motion were noted. Based on Doppler echocardiography, both pulmonary venous and pulmonary artery pressure was severely elevated. Clinical, radiographic, and echocardiographic abnormalities were hypothesized to result from pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS), causing severely elevated pulmonary venous pressures and resulting in clinical signs of left-sided congestive heart failure (L-CHF) and severe post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (Pc-PH). The prognosis for good quality of life was assessed as poor, and the owner elected euthanasia. Necropsy confirmed the presence of PVS with severe dilation of the PVs draining all but the left cranial lung lobe. All lung lobes except the left cranial lobe had increased tissue density and a mottled cut surface. This case report shows that, in rare cases, both L-CHF and Pc-PH may be present without LA enlargement. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on PVS in veterinary medicine.

Nasal hyperkeratosis in Griffon breeds: Clinical, histopathological features and the prevalence in the Swedish population compared to a control group and other brachycephalic breeds.

BACKGROUND: In the Griffon breeds (GB) nasal hyperkeratosis is common and develops already in early adulthood. Breed-related features and prevalence have not previously been documented. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and histopathological features of nasal hyperkeratosis in GB and to document the prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven GB dogs with nasal hyperkeratosis were examined. Three histopathological samples were analysed. Owners of 107 GB and 493 control dogs completed a questionnaire distributed via social media. RESULTS: Typical features of nasal hyperkeratosis in GB included varying degrees of dry, firm, excessive proliferation of keratin, affecting the dorsal or dorsolateral aspect of the planum nasale. Histopathology was characterized by severe, lamellar orthokeratotic and focal parakeratotic hyperkeratosis and multiple small serum lakes. Thirty-four of 107 GB dogs (31.8%) and 65 of 493 (13.2%) control dogs had varying degree of nasal hyperkeratosis. No sex predisposition was noted. Median age of onset was 3 years for GB, similar to brachycephalic control dogs whereas non-brachycephalic control dogs had a significantly later age of onset (p = 0.0053). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Idiopathic nasal hyperkeratosis is very common in GB dogs and other brachycephalic breeds with nearly one third being affected, often already a young age.

Aneurysmal bone cyst in the pelvis of a cat: successful outcome of partial iliectomy with limb preservation.

CASE SUMMARY: A 3-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair indoor cat presented with a 3-week history of pain from the pelvic region. Physical examination revealed pain elicited on palpating the pelvic area and right hip. Radiographs and CT showed an expansile, osteolytic process with intact cortex in the right wing of the ilium. CT revealed a monostotic and soft tissue-attenuating process with clear margins. Preoperative histopathological diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst was made from incisional biopsies. The cyst was removed en bloc with limb-sparing partial iliectomy. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of aneurysmal bone cyst. Recovery from surgery was uneventful. At re-examination 8 weeks and 8 months postoperatively, the cat was pain free and physical examinations were within normal limits. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: Feline aneurysmal bone cysts are rare and reported cases are few. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the CT appearance of a pelvic aneurysmal bone cyst and partial iliectomy with limb preservation in a cat with successful short-term outcome.

Uterine artery embolization in a sheep model: biodegradable versus non-degradable microspheres.

Background Transarterial embolization with particles is a relatively common treatment method in both malignant and benign disorders. Permanent occlusion of the uterine arteries may sometimes be disadvantageous. Purpose To compare the local tissue effects, possible side effects, and extent of recanalization following uterine artery embolization, using either degradable or non-degradable microspheres in a sheep model. Material and Methods In 22 female sheep, the uterine artery (UA) was unilaterally, superselectively embolized, with either degradable starch microspheres-DSM (group A) or calibrated gelatin coated spherical shape tris-acryl microspheres-TGMS (group B). The completion of embolization was confirmed by angiography. The animals were kept in the animal research facilities for 14 days and sacrificed following new angiographic evaluation. Gross and histological examination of the uterus and other organs was performed. Results The procedure was successful in all animals. At final angiographic evaluation recanalization was found in 82% of the ewes in group A and in 18% in group B. At histopathological examination, tissue impairment was similar in both groups, whereas vascular changes were more pronounced in the TGMS-group. Conclusion Embolization with DSM was associated with significantly higher degree of recanalization, than after embolization with TGMS.

The effects of uterine artery embolization with a new degradable microsphere in an experimental study.

Background Transarterial particle embolization is a common treatment of uterine fibroids, aiming to obtain ischemia resulting in shrinking of the fibroid with preservation of normal uterine tissue. Embolization with non-degradable microspheres is established, but causes permanent occlusion of the arteries, affecting both the uterus as well as the fibroids. Purpose To evaluate in vivo degradation, local tissue effects, and possible recanalization following intra-arterial deposition of the new, degradable starch microspheres (DSM), in a short-term experimental pilot study. Material and Methods Under general anesthesia, unilateral transarterial embolization of the uterine artery (UA) with DSM 500-700 µm was performed in five female sheep. The animals underwent renewed angiography at different intervals after embolization (19-65 h) and were subsequently sacrificed. Histological examination was performed. Results Embolization with absent flow in the UA could be completed in five of six animals. At final angiographic evaluation, recanalization of the embolized arteries was evident in three sheep. At the gross postmortem examination, edema and discoloration indicating ischemia of the uterus at the embolized side, was observed in all the sheep. At histopathological examination, different stages of DSM degradation in the arterial branches were observed in both endometrium and myometrium. Mild-to-moderate vasculitis and mild-to-extensive ischemic changes were present along with degeneration of the uterine glands. Conclusion This short-term pilot study proved efficacy of embolization with DSM causing ischemic changes in the embolized organ, but also degradation of the DSM with subsequent recanalization of the embolized arteries.

Vaccine safety and efficacy evaluation of a recombinant bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) with deletion of the SH gene and subunit vaccines based on recombinant human RSV proteins: N-nanorings, P and M2-1, in calves with maternal antibodies.

The development of safe and effective vaccines against both bovine and human respiratory syncytial viruses (BRSV, HRSV) to be used in the presence of RSV-specific maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) remains a high priority in human and veterinary medicine. Herein, we present safety and efficacy results from a virulent BRSV challenge of calves with MDA, which were immunized with one of three vaccine candidates that allow serological differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA): an SH gene-deleted recombinant BRSV (ΔSHrBRSV), and two subunit (SU) formulations based on HRSV-P, -M2-1, and -N recombinant proteins displaying BRSV-F and -G epitopes, adjuvanted by either oil emulsion (Montanide ISA71VG, SUMont) or immunostimulating complex matrices (AbISCO-300, SUAbis). Whereas all control animals developed severe respiratory disease and shed high levels of virus following BRSV challenge, ΔSHrBRSV-immunized calves demonstrated almost complete clinical and virological protection five weeks after a single intranasal vaccination. Although mucosal vaccination with ΔSHrBRSV failed to induce a detectable immunological response, there was a rapid and strong anamnestic mucosal BRSV-specific IgA, virus neutralizing antibody and local T cell response following challenge with virulent BRSV. Calves immunized twice intramuscularly, three weeks apart with SUMont were also well protected two weeks after boost. The protection was not as pronounced as that in ΔSHrBRSV-immunized animals, but superior to those immunized twice subcutaneously three weeks apart with SUAbis. Antibody responses induced by the subunit vaccines were non-neutralizing and not directed against BRSV F or G proteins. When formulated as SUMont but not as SUAbis, the HRSV N, P and M2-1 proteins induced strong systemic cross-protective cell-mediated immune responses detectable already after priming. ΔSHrBRSV and SUMont are two promising DIVA-compatible vaccines, apparently inducing protection by different immune responses that were influenced by vaccine-composition, immunization route and regimen.

Markers of Borna disease virus infection in cats with staggering disease.

Borna disease virus (BDV) is a RNA-virus causing neurological disorders in a wide range of mammals. In cats, BDV infection may cause staggering disease. Presently, staggering disease is a tentative clinical diagnosis, only confirmed at necropsy. In this study, cats with staggering disease were investigated to study markers of BDV infection aiming for improvement of current diagnostics. Nineteen cats fulfilled the inclusion criteria based on neurological signs and pathological findings. In 17/19 cats, BDV infection markers (BDV-specific antibodies and/or BDV-RNA) were found, and antibodies in serum (13/16, 81%) were the most common marker. BDV-RNA was found in 11/19 cats (58%). In a reference population without neurological signs, 4/25 cats were seropositive (16%). The clinical history and neurological signs in combination with presence of BDV infection markers, where serology and rRT-PCR on blood can be helpful tools, improve the diagnostic accuracy in the living cat.

Acquired motor neuron loss causing severe pelvic limb contractures in a young cat.

PRESENTATION: This report describes a kitten with paraplegia and extensor rigidity of the pelvic limbs associated with motor neuron loss and chronic denervation of skeletal muscle. Persistent skeletal muscle atrophy and degeneration had resulted in immobile stifle and hock joints and severe pelvic limb rigidity consistent with a neurogenic form of arthrogryposis. Both pelvic limbs were equally affected and the kitten showed no signs of pain. INVESTIGATIONS: Electromyography identified spontaneous activity in the pelvic limbs. Muscle and peripheral nerve biopsies showed pathology consistent with denervation. On necropsy, 3 weeks after admittance, severe degenerative changes including axonal necrosis and myelin degeneration were confirmed in the lumbar spinal cord. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There are very few descriptions of feline motor neuron degeneration in the literature and obtaining an ante-mortem diagnosis is difficult. Although an inherited disorder cannot be ruled out, a condition acquired congenitally in utero or postnatally was suspected in this case.

Blood lactate levels in 31 female dogs with pyometra.

BACKGROUND: Canine pyometra is a life-threatening disease common in countries where spaying of dogs is not routinely performed. The disease is associated with endotoxemia, sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and a 3-4% mortality rate. Blood lactate analysis is clinically valuable in predicting prognosis and survival, evaluating tissue perfusion and treatment response in human and veterinary critical care settings. The aims of the present study were to investigate 1) the blood lactate levels of female dogs with pyometra by a hand-held analyser and 2) if these levels are related with the clinical status or other biochemical or hematological disorders. METHODS: In total 31 female dogs with pyometra admitted for surgical ovariohysterectomy and 16 healthy female control dogs were included in the present study. A complete physical examination including SIRS-status determination was performed. Blood samples for lactate concentrations, hematological and biochemical parameters, acid-base and blood gas analysis and other laboratory parameters were collected and subsequently analysed. The diagnosis pyometra was verified with histopathological examination of the uterus and ovaries. Increased hospitalisation length and presence of SIRS were used as indicators of outcome. RESULTS: In the pyometra group the median blood lactate level was 1.6 mmol l(-1) (range <0.8-2.7 mmol l(-1)). In the control group the median lactate level was 1.2 mmol l(-1) (range <0.8-2.1 mmol l(-1)). Of the 31 bitches 19 (61%) fulfilled 2 or more criteria for SIRS at inclusion, 10 bitches (32%) fulfilled 3 of the SIRS criteria whereas none accomplished more than 3 criteria. Lactate levels did not differ significantly between the pyometra and control group, or between the SIRS positive and SIRS negative dogs with pyometra. Increased lactate concentration (>2.5 mmol l(-1)) was demonstrated in one female dog with pyometra (3%), and was not associated with longer hospitalisation or presence of SIRS. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. None of the bitches died during or within two months of the hospital stay. The measurements of temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, percentage bandforms of neutrophilic granulocytes, alpha2-globulins, creatinin, pvCO2, TCO2 and base excess showed significant differences between the SIRS positive and the SIRS negative pyometra cases. CONCLUSION: Increased blood lactate concentrations were demonstrated in 3% (1/31), and SIRS was present in 61% (19/31) of the female dogs with pyometra. Preoperative lactate levels were not related with presence of SIRS or prolonged hospitalisation. Lactate measurement was not indicative of peritonitis. The value of a single and repeated lactate analysis in more severely affected cases remains to be determined.

C-reactive protein in the differentiation of pyometra from cystic endometrial hyperplasia/mucometra in dogs.

Hematological parameters, plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha were analyzed in 64 dogs with a presumptive diagnosis of pyometra. Final diagnosis (i.e., pyometra or cystic endometrial hyperplasia [CEH]) was determined by histopathology. As a single test, the percentage of band neutrophils had the highest sensitivity in the prediction of pyometra (sensitivity, 94%). The combination of percentage of bands and CRP had the highest sensitivity (97.7%; specificity, 75%) in predicting the presence of pyometra. The most common clinical signs noted in the study were vaginal discharge, polyuria, polydipsia, lethargy, and gastrointestinal signs. A combination of three or more of these clinical signs was significantly associated with pyometra.

Characterization of the bacterial population of the genital tract of adult cats.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the bacteria of the genital tract in adult cats; assess the effect of estrus, mating, and administration of progestins on those microorganisms in females; and evaluate whether results of bacteriologic culture of vaginal swabs are affected by cleansing of the vulva prior to sampling or by repeated sampling. ANIMALS: 66 female and 29 male cats undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy or castration. PROCEDURE: Specimens were obtained from vaginal and uterine or preputial mucosae with swabs moistened with sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. In 9 cats, vaginal specimens were obtained before and after cleansing of the vulva with ethanol; in 7 female cats, 2 vaginal speci mens were obtained in immediate succession. RESULTS: Aerobic bacteria were most commonly isolated from cats' vaginas and prepuces; anaerobic bacteria were isolated frequently from males (41%) but rarely from females (5%). Generally, culture results were not affected by cleansing of the vulva or repeated vaginal sampling. The bacterial population of the vaginas of cats was influenced by stage of the estrous cycle but not by mating or administration of progestins. Bacteria were not isolated from the uterus of any cat. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In cats, bacteria of the genital tract in females are predominantly aerobic; in males, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are found. The bacterial population of the vagina is affected by stage of the estrous cycle. Pure growth of bacteria in culture of genital tract specimens is a normal finding; antimicrobials should only be administered if clinical signs of genital infection are present.