Multiple endocrine neoplasia-like syndrome in a horse.
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Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
Biomedical subjects
K Feige
Publications and source records attributed to K Feige.
Clinical findings and treatment of 30 cattle with botulism.
The clinical signs, the results of haematological and biochemical analyses and the treatment of 30 cattle with botulism are described, and the signs of the 13 cattle that survived are compared with those of the 17 that were euthanased owing to the disease. The cattle originated from 11 farms that had experienced an outbreak of botulism. The most important clinical sign in all the cattle was a reduction in the strength of the tongue; excessive salivation and difficulty in swallowing were observed in 20 of the animals, and the ears of 15 of them drooped. In 21 of the cattle, reaction to pricking of the head and body with a hypodermic needle was either absent or slight. Twelve of the animals had an unsteady, slow, difficult gait, and nine were unable to stand. A significantly higher proportion of the cattle which were euthanased had marked changes in behaviour and condition, anorexia, severely reduced skin turgor, weak tongues, a low rectal temperature, a high heart rate and a low blood pH; 11 were euthanased immediately after a clinical examination and six were euthanased one to five days after the initiation of treatment because their condition had deteriorated. Thirteen of the animals were treated for three to 23 days and were healthy when they were discharged. The treatment consisted of an intravenous infusion of 10 to 20 litres of glucose saline per day and the daily administration of fresh ruminal juice. Follow-up by telephone several months later revealed that all 13 animals had recovered completely.
Animals↗
The effects of automated plasmapheresis on clinical, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables in horses.
The goal of this study was to determine the effects of plasmapheresis on the behaviour, general condition, haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables of donor horses for 32 days following the procedure. Twenty millilitres of plasma/kg body weight were collected via plasmapheresis in six clinically healthy horses. The general behaviour and condition of the horses was not affected by the procedure. During plasmapheresis, there was a mild increase in the haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration and total erythrocyte and leucocyte counts (P < 0.01). The mean concentrations of total protein and albumin decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and total protein did not normalise for about three weeks. Several other biochemical variables also decreased significantly during plasmapheresis, but mostly remained within reference ranges. After plasmapheresis, the mean value of the activated partial thromboplastin time and the thrombin time were mildly but significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the mean activities of factor V, factor VIII and antithrombin decreased significantly (P < 0.01), although all coagulation values remained within reference ranges. Our results indicate that, in horses, the collection of 20 mL of plasma/kg body weight via plasmapheresis results in mild changes in several haematological, biochemical and coagulation variables, although these were of no clinical relevance for the donors.
Analysis of Variance↗
[Pemphigus foliaceus in a Haflinger gelding].
A 10-year-old Haflinger gelding was presented with severe generalized chronic dermatitis characterized by scales, crusts and widespread alopecia with a partially diffuse and partially circumscribed pattern. Pemphigus foliaceus was diagnosed based on history, clinical signs and histological examination of skin biopsies. Typical histological findings were subcorneal pustules with accumulations of intact neutrophil granulocytes and acantholytic keratinocytes. The gelding was treated with glucocorticoids and gold salts. The skin lesions resolved completely after 8 weeks of treatment. No recurrence was observed within 1 year.
Animals↗
Pharyngeal perforation in three cows caused by administration of a calcium bolus.
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Animals↗
Pharmacokinetics of recombinant hirudin in healthy horses.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Recombinant (r)-hirudin is a specific inhibitor of thrombin that is independent of the activity of antithrombin. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pharmacokinetic properties and coagulatory changes of r-hirudin in healthy horses. METHODS: Two clinically healthy horses received a single i.v. bolus of 0.4 mg/kg bwt r-hirudin and 6 clinically healthy horses received the same dose subcutaneously (subcut.) q. 12 h for 3 days. Coagulation times and r-hirudin plasma concentration were determined over 720 mins and 3 days after i.v. and subcut. administration, respectively. RESULTS: In all horses, treatment with r-hirudin was not associated with systemic or local side effects. After i.v. injection, the 2 horses showed an elimination half-life of 58 and 80 mins, respectively. After subcut. administration, maximum plasma concentration of r-hirudin occurred at 128 +/- 55 mins and declined with a terminal half-life of 561 +/- 364 mins. Maximum response of activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) occurred 1.5 h after administration of r-hirudin. A prolongation of 1.9 +/- 0.2 times the pretreatment value was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacokinetics of r-hirudin in healthy horses were similar to those in man and other animal species. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The results of this study indicate that r-hirudin can be used in horses, but further studies should be performed in order to prove its effectiveness in diseased horses.
Animals↗
Clinical findings in 11 cattle with abscesses in the thoracic vertebrae.
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Abscess↗
Thoracic intervertebral disc protrusion in a donkey.
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Animals↗
[Clinical findings in four cattle with abscesses in the cervical vertebrae].
The purpose of this paper was to describe the clinical findings in four cattle with abscesses in the cervical vertebrae. In all of the animals there was generalized ataxia and normal behaviour, mentation and cranial nerve function. All animals had marked difficulty rising and had generalized ataxia. The most important haematological and biochemical findings were a mildly increased concentration of plasma protein in all animals and a markedly increased fibrinogen concentration in two animals. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected from three animals. The protein content was mildly increased in the CSF samples of two animals. Based on the clinical findings, a tentative diagnosis of central nervous system disease with localisation in the neck region was made in all of the animals. Due to a poor prognosis, all of the animals were slaughtered. Postmortem examination revealed abscesses in the region of C3 to C6, which had resulted in extramedullary compression of the spinal cord. The abscesses varied in diameter from 2 to 8 cm.
Animals↗
Pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of intramuscular medetomidine in domestic sheep.
Intramuscular (i.m.) administration of medetomidine (MED) may avoid the severe pressor effects caused by peripheral actions of MED associated with intravenous (i.v.) dosing. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics, the time course of sedation and occurence of hypoxaemia after i.m. administration of MED in domestic sheep. The MED was injected i.m. at a dose of 30 micro g/kg in nine domestic sheep. Blood was sampled at 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, 360 and 600 min after MED. Sedation was assessed and arterial blood samples were taken before and 35 min after MED application. Mean (SD) pharmacokinetic parameters of i.m. MED were: absorption half-life: 13.2 (7.5) min; terminal half-life: 32.7 (14.9) min; time to peak concentration: 29.2 (8.9) min; peak concentration: 4.98 (1.89) ng/mL; volume of distribution: 3.9 (2.4) l/kg; total body clearance: 81.0 (21.5) mL/(min kg). Peak sedation occurred between 30 and 40 min after injection of MED. The degree of sedation correlated with individual plasma concentrations (rS: 0.926). One animal became hypoxaemic (PaO2 = 54.1 mmHg).
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗
Changes in coagulation and markers of fibrinolysis in horses undergoing colic surgery.
Activation of coagulation can be frequently found in horses with colic. However, it has also been demonstrated as a sequela of surgical trauma alone in humans. The purpose of the present study was to determine changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis in horses that underwent colic surgery and to evaluate whether these changes were secondary to the colic or the surgery and wound healing. Thirty horses that underwent colic surgery with uncomplicated recovery were included. Ten horses with a Forssell's procedure served as control group with a standardized surgical trauma. Besides daily physical examinations during the observation period of 10 days, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time and thrombin time as well as fibrin monomer (FM), D-Dimer (DD) and antithrombin (AT) III were determined. Compared with the control group the aPTT was the only standard coagulation test that was significantly prolonged before and after the event of colic surgery. After surgery, hyperfibrinogenaemia occurred in all groups. In colic groups FM and DD concentrations were within reference range at admission,and were significantly greater than in control horses after surgery. AT III activity decreased after colic surgery, but did not change in the control group. It was concluded that an activated coagulation state after colic surgery has to be expected, resulting not only from the colic disease, but also from the event of surgery.
Animals↗
Automated plasmapheresis compared with other plasma collection methods in the horse.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasmapheresis as a method for plasma extraction in comparison with centrifugation or gravity sedimentation. The study was designed as a cross over trial with six Freiberger horses undergoing plasma donation by plasmapheresis followed by whole-blood donation and subsequent plasma production 4 weeks later. Automated plasmapheresis and whole-blood donation were well tolerated in all horses. The plasmapheresis method achieved an almost complete removal of erythrocytes and leucocytes from plasma at all flow rates. After blood bag centrifugation, significantly more erythrocytes (P < 0.01) and leucocytes (P < 0.01) were present in the prepared plasma compared with plasmapheresis plasma. Plasma prepared by gravity sedimentation contained significantly more erythrocytes and leucocytes than plasma prepared with the other techniques (P < 0.01), and platelet aggregation was observed. The coagulation proteins and the total protein content of plasma prepared after plasmapheresis and blood bag centrifugation did not differ significantly from values measured prior to collection (P > 0.05). However, the activity of factor VIII was significantly lower 24 h after gravity sedimentation of blood than activity prior to blood collection (P < 0.01). In conclusion, automated plasmapheresis is the method of choice for the production of high quality equine plasma.
Animals↗
Comparison of unfractioned and low molecular weight heparin for prophylaxis of coagulopathies in 52 horses with colic: a randomised double-blind clinical trial.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Unfractioned heparin (UFH) is widely used for prophylaxis of coagulation disorders, especially in colic-affected horses. However, it is accompanied by certain side effects. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and side effects of unfractioned and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in horses with colic. METHODS: The study was carried out as a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Fifty-two horses with colic were treated subcutaneously with either UFH (heparin calcium, 150 iu/kg bwt initially, followed by 125 iu/kg bwt q. 12 h for 3 days and then 100 iu/kg bwt q. 12 h) or LMWH (dalteparin, 50 iu/kg bwt q. 24 h). All horses underwent daily physical examination including assessment of jugular veins, local reaction to heparin injections, haematological evaluation and coagulation profiles over up to 9 days. RESULTS: The type of heparin used did not affect the general behaviour and condition. There were significantly more jugular vein changes in horses treated with UFH. Packed cell volume decreased significantly within the first few days of UFH treatment, but did not change significantly in horses treated with LMWH. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT) were prolonged in horses treated with UFH but not in those treated with LMWH. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that, in comparison to UFH, LMWH has markedly fewer side effects in horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Therefore, LMWH is recommended for prophylaxis of coagulation disorders in colic patients.
Animals↗
Diagnosis by ultrasonography of congestion of the caudal vena cava secondary to thrombosis in 12 cows.
This paper describes the clinical, ultrasonographic, radiographic and postmortem findings in 12 cows with thrombosis of the caudal vena cava. The principal clinical signs were chronic bronchopneumonia and fever in 11 cows; one cow had epistaxis and one cow bled from the mouth; eight cows had anaemia and leucocytosis, and the clotting time for the glutaraldehyde test was markedly decreased in all the cows; in nine of the cows the activity of gamma-glutamyltransferase was high, suggesting chronic hepatic congestion. The most important ultrasonographic finding was congestion of the caudal vena cava attributable to thrombosis of the vein. In all the cows the caudal vena cava was round to oval on cross-section, rather than the normal triangular shape. The hepatic, splenic and portal veins were dilated in five, three and one cow, respectively. The results of radiography and endoscopy supported a diagnosis of bronchopneumonia, but there were radiographic changes in the diaphragmatic lung lobes that supported a diagnosis of vena caval disease in only four cows. Postmortem there was a thrombosis of the caudal vena cava in all the cows, and the thrombi were located in the thoracic, subphrenic and abdominal part of the caudal vena cava at the level of the liver in four, one and seven cows, respectively. In three cows, the thrombus was situated where a hepatic abscess had broken into the caudal vena cava, and in one cow it was at the site of a diaphragmatic abscess. In another cow, there was a fistula between the major bronchus of the right diaphragmatic lung lobe and the caudal vena cava where the thrombus was situated. Three cows had liver abscesses that had not broken into the caudal vena cava. There was severe bronchopneumonia in 11 of the cows, some of which also had multiple pulmonary abscesses.
Animals↗
[Effects of housing, feeding and use on equine health with emphasis on respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases].
In a random population of Swiss horses 54% suffered from a subclinical to moderate COPD. Cause of a COPD is a hypersensitivity of the respiratory tract to spores of fungi and thermophil actinomyces. Teeth problems are strongly associated with the type of diet and the feeding regime. Problems of the teeth belong to the most often treated equine diseases by large animal practitioners. Racehorses are the population of horses most often affected by gastric ulcers with an ulcer prevalence between 63 and 90%. In contrast, a much lower prevalence (37%) of stomach ulcers is seen in pleasure horses and the degree of ulceration is less severe. Large amounts of concentrated high-energy feeds, small rations of forage and a low feeding frequency per day as well as the use of spoiled food can contribute to the development of colics.
Animal Feed↗
Tumor regression induced by intratumoral injection of DNA coding for human interleukin 12 into melanoma metastases in gray horses.
Preclinical studies investigating new therapeutic principles against melanoma are presently being carried out in mouse models; however, these are not optimal. Here we describe a novel animal model using gray horses. These animals spontaneously develop metastatic melanoma that resembles human disease and is thus highly relevant for preclinical studies testing new immunotherapy protocols. We found that injection of plasmid DNA coding for the human cytokine interleukin 12 into established metastases induced significant regression in all 12 treated lesions in a total of 7 horses. Complete disappearance was observed in one treated lesion, with no recurrence after 6 months. No adverse events have been observed in any of the animals during and after treatment. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of interleukin 12 encoding plasmid DNA therapy against established metastatic disease in a large animal model and serve as a basis for a clinical trial.
Aging↗
Urethral duplication and chromosomal translocation in a Swiss braunvieh heifer.
As it was urinating, a six-month-old Swiss braunvieh heifer produced a second stream of urine from a fistula that opened on the ventrolateral margin of the left vulval lip. A catheter was introduced into this opening and passed easily into the bladder. Urethrography showed that the fistula joined the urethra in the mid-pelvic region and that a single canal originated from the bladder. Endoscopy confirmed this finding and also revealed a duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix, a division of the cranial vagina by a septum and a fibrous band in the region of the hymenal ring. Cytogenetic examination revealed reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 20q23 and 22q23. A diagnosis of urethra duplex, duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix and reciprocal autosomal translocation between chromosomes 20 and 22 was made on the basis of these findings.
Animals↗
[Clinical symptoms of and diagnostic possibilities for hypophyseal adenoma in horses].
Hirsutism was the most often observed symptom in horses with a pituitary gland tumor and was present in all 13 examined horses. Other symptoms were atrophy of muscles (n = 10), hyperhidrosis (n = 8), polyuria/polydipsia (n = 5), bulging or supraorbital fat (n = 3), polyphagia (n = 2), apathy (n = 2) and seizures (n = 2). Laminitis was the most frequently observed concurrent disease (n = 8). Hyperglycaemia (mean, 9.9 +/- 3.71 mmol/l) in 13 horses and glucosuria (median, 55 [range, 2-55] mmol/l) in 7 horses were the most important laboratory results. The dexamethasone suppression test was positive in all tested horses (n = 9) 20 h after administration of dexamethasone. The pituitary gland tumor was visible in every case underwent computed tomography (n = 7). From these results it can be concluded that a pituitary gland tumor can be suspected based on typical clinical signs. Hyperglycaemia and glucosuria support the preliminary diagnosis and a positive dexamethasone suppression test allows a final diagnosis.
Adenoma↗