Dystocia attributable to a fetal monster resembling schistosomus reflexus in a donkey.

A schistosomus reflexus fetal monster was removed from a jenny via cesarean section. This type of anomaly is seen principally in ruminants and swine. Only 3 cases have been reported in Equidae.

Congenital atresia of the parotid salivary duct in a 7-month-old quarter horse colt.

A 7-month-old Quarter Horse colt was examined because it had had a tortuous, distended vessel on the side of its head since birth. An abnormality of the parotid salivary duct was suspected on the basis of location and course of the vessel. Atresia of the duct near the parotid papilla was diagnosed by use of contrast sialography. Surgical transpositioning was attempted, but failed because of stricture formation. Chemical ablation of the salivary gland has been used to treat traumatic rupture of the duct. It proved to be an effective and practical method of resolving the problem in this case. Cosmetic outcome was excellent, and functional problems associated with loss of the gland were not observed.

The national milk safety program and drug residues in milk.

There are a number of factors that must be considered in any attempt to control animal drug residues in milk and milk products. Dairy herds vary greatly in number of cows. Milk from individual cows and farms is pooled, diluting drug residues that may be present in the milk from a single treated cow. Management techniques, including the handling, administration, and record keeping of animal drugs, vary greatly from one dairy to another. It is important that both veterinarians and nonveterinarians adhere to adequate milk discard times for animal drugs used to treat dairy animals. Observance of appropriate safeguards at the farm level, such as record keeping and clearly identifying treated animals, is critical for controlling and preventing the presence of illegal animal drug residues. Within the framework of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act, the FDA is working with state and other regulatory agencies and industry to better ensure the absence of illegal animal drug residues in milk and milk products. Preventive measures concentrate on minimizing the need to administer animal drugs to lactating cows, and diverting milk containing drug residues from the human food supply. Monitoring programs concentrate on screening milk and tracing violations to the individual producer. Minimizing illegal drug residues in milk and milk products requires close cooperation between farmers, veterinarians, the dairy industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and regulators.