REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Exercise‐induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) is associated with impaired short‐term race performance but consequences to long‐term race performance of Thoroughbred ...racehorses are unknown. Knowledge of effects of EIPH on performance over a prolonged time would inform the need for management and treatment of this disorder. OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between EIPH detected on a single occasion and long‐term athletic performance in Thoroughbred racehorses. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal, observational epidemiological study conducted from 2003 to 2012. METHODS: Seven hundred and forty‐four Thoroughbred racehorses underwent a single tracheobronchoscopic examination to determine presence and severity of EIPH in 2003. Following retirement of all the horses from racing, career after examination and lifetime performance data (including career duration, earnings, starts, wins and placings) were abstracted from a commercial database. The association between presence and severity of EIPH and individual performance variables were analysed using survival analysis, linear regression and negative binomial regression. RESULTS: No association was detected between the presence of any EIPH (grade ≥1) and all measures of long‐term performance examined except that horses with EIPH (grade ≥2) had fewer earnings after endoscopic examination than did horses with mild EIPH or no EIPH (grades ≤1). Multiple associations were detected between the most severe form of EIPH (grade 4) and measures of long‐term performance suggesting that the severity of EIPH commonly associated with epistaxis adversely affects either the horse's opportunity to race or physiologic capacity to race. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there is no association between EIPH grades 0, 1, 2 and 3 and long‐term racing performance of Thoroughbred racehorses. These results are based on a single endoscopic evaluation of EIPH grade made during a horse's career. Further studies are required to determine the reasons for an association of severe (grade 4) EIPH with impaired long‐term race performance.
Background: Because of the serious disease sequelae associated with equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infections, awareness and control measures used to control outbreaks are important issues for all ...horse populations. Objectives: Describe the occurrence and management of an outbreak of EHV-1 infection at a veterinary hospital. Animals: Horses hospitalized at a referral veterinary hospital. Methods: A horse with myeloencephalopathy associated with EHV-1 infection (EHM) was admitted for diagnostic evaluation and treatment under strict infection control procedures. We describe the occurrence and management of a nosocomial outbreak of EHV-1 infections associated with admission of this patient. Results: Despite institution of rigorous biosecurity precautions at the time of admission of the index case, EHV-1 infections spread to 6 other horses that were hospitalized at the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hopsital, including 2 that served as sources of infection for horses on their home premises after discharge. Infection with EHV-1 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by seroconversion documented by glycoprotein G ELISA. A voluntary quarantine was imposed and admissions were restricted to prevent additional horses from being exposed. Quarantine duration was abbreviated by serial testing of all horses with PCR. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: These findings illustrate the contagious disease risk that can accompany management of horses with EHM. Horses with active nasal EHV-1 shedding should be isolated in an airspace that is separate from other horses by strictly enforced biosecurity and isolation procedures. Serial testing with PCR may be a useful adjunct to determine when the risk of transmission has been minimized.
Salmonella Typhimurium (STM) infection in pigs represents a considerable food safety concern. This study used mathematical modelling to evaluate the effectiveness of cleaning (faeces removal) as a ...measure to control STM spread among grower-finisher pigs. A modified Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible (SIRS) model of STM transmission through a contaminated environment was developed. Infected pigs were divided into three states according to the pathogen level being shed in their faeces. Infection transmission was evaluated using the basic reproduction number (R
0) and the prevalence of infectious pigs at slaughter age. Although increased frequency and efficiency of cleaning did reduce the prevalence of STM shedding at the time of slaughter, these efforts alone were not capable of eliminating the infection from the population. The level of STM faecal shedding by infectious pigs strongly influenced the infection spread and prevalence at slaughter. To control STM in pigs, cleaning should be combined with vaccination and/or isolation of high-level shedders.
Liquid metal plasma facing components (PFCs) have been identified as an alternative material for fusion plasma experiments. The use of a liquid conductor where significant magnetic fields are present ...is considered risky, with the possibility of macroscopic fluid motion and possible ejection into the plasma core. Analysis is carried out on thermoelectric magnetohydrodynamic (TEMHD) forces caused by temperature-gradients in the liquid-container system itself in addition to scrape-off-layer currents interacting with the PFC from a diverted plasma. Capillary effects at the liquid-container interface will be examined which govern droplet ejection criteria. Stability of the interface is determined using linear stability methods.
In addition to application to liquid metal PFCs, thin film liquid metal effects have application to current and future devices where off-normal events may liquefy portions of the first wall and other plasma facing components.
Background
The diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) relies heavily on the clinical examination. The accurate identification of neurologic signs during a clinical examination is ...critical to the interpretation of laboratory results.
Objective
To investigate the level of agreement between board‐certified veterinary internists when performing neurologic examinations in horses.
Animals
Ninety‐seven horses admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at The Ohio State University from December 1997 to June 1998.
Methods
A prospective epidemiologic research design was used. Horses enrolled in the study were examined by the internist responsible for care of the horse, and later by an internist who was not aware of the presenting complaint or other patient history. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, and kappa (K) statistics were calculated to assess interobserver agreement.
Results
Ninety‐seven horses were enrolled in the study. Overall, examiners, also referred to as observers, agreed that 60/97 (61.9%) were clinically abnormal, 21/97 (21.6%) were clinically normal, and the status of 16/97 (16.5%) of horses was contested. There was complete agreement among the examiners with regard to cranial nerve signs and involuntary movements. Disagreement involving severity of clinical signs occurred in 31 horses, and 25 of those horses (80.6%) were considered either normal or mildly affected by the primary observer. When examining the results of all paired clinical examinations for 11 different categories, there was wide variability in the results. When examiners rated the presence or absence of any neurologic abnormalities, lameness, or ataxia, the agreement among observers was either good or excellent for 80% of horses. When assessing truncal sway, the agreement among observers was good or excellent for 60% of the horses. When examining the horses for asymmetry of deficits, agreement was either good or excellent for 40% of the horses. Agreement among observers was excellent or good for only 20% of the horses when assessing muscle atrophy, spasticity (hypermetria), and overall assessment of the severity of neurologic abnormalities.
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
This study underscores the subjectivity of the neurologic examination and demonstrates a reasonable level of agreement that may be achieved when different clinicians examine the same horse.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: An in‐depth review of dynamic compression plate (DCP) fixation of propagating medial condyle fractures of the third metacarpus or metatarsus has not been previously ...reported. OBJECTIVES: To describe the technique, evaluate short‐term outcome and long‐term race performance of racehorses that underwent DCP fixation for repair of propagating or spiralling medial condylar fractures of the third metacarpal (McIII) or metatarsal (MtIII) bone. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: The surgical case records of 30 horses with propagating fractures of the medial condyle of McIII or MtIII were reviewed. Medical information included: age, breed, sex, presentation, how injury occurred (racing or training), surgical treatment and post operative complications. Racing information included: starts, top 3 placing and career earnings. RESULTS: Long propagating fractures of the medial condyle of Mc/tIII were identified in 23 Thoroughbred (TB) and 7 Standardbred (STB) racehorses. The fracture spiralled proximally in 22 of 30 cases (73%). Standardbreds had a higher propensity for hindlimb involvement (71%), whereas TBs tended to have more front limb involvement (61%). Twelve of 30 (40%) horses raced post surgery. Career earnings were significantly lower for TB horses with medial condylar fractures; $34,916 when compared with the national average of $60,841 (P≤0.03). Overall, horses having DCP fixation for medial condylar fractures had less starts post surgery (3.1 TBs and 5.8 STBs) compared with the national average (7 TBs and 17.3 STBs) and decreased lifetime starts 13.4 (TBs) compared with 17.3 nationally. CONCLUSIONS: Propagating medial condyle fractures can be repaired with plate fixation to potentially lessen the risk of catastrophic fracture destabilisation and return to racing can be expected in 40% of horses. Further prospective studies are warranted comparing lag screw fixation with DCP fixation for repair of severe medial condylar fractures of the metacarpus/metatarsus.
Background: Identification of biomarkers that predict outcomes in dogs with osteosarcoma (OSA) would be valuable to veterinarians and owners. Leukocyte numbers in peripheral blood are associated with ...outcomes in some types of cancer in humans. Hypothesis/Objectives: We hypothesized that increased numbers of monocytes would be associated with reduced disease-free interval (DFI) in dogs with OSA. Animals: Medical data from 69 dogs with appendicular OSA treated with amputation and chemotherapy were selected for study. Methods: Retrospective study. Statistical associations were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Information about DFI and leukogram values, tumor location, and serum alkaline phosphatase was abstracted from the medical record. Results: Higher numbers of circulating monocytes (>0.4 × 10(3) cells/μL) and lymphocytes (>1.0 × 10(3) cells/μL) before treatment were found to be significantly (P < .05) associated with shorter DFI in dogs with OSA. Other parameters associated with poor outcomes were increased alkaline phosphatase, primary tumor location, and age. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: These results indicated that pretreatment evaluation of monocyte and lymphocyte counts provided prognostic information for dogs with appendicular OSA. Notably, most animals in this study had monocyte counts within the normal reference range, indicating that variations within the reference range of leukocyte values might also have prognostic significance.
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Injection of the navicular bursa is commonly performed from the palmar aspect of the limb, which results in penetration of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT). ...OBJECTIVES: To report a radiographic guided injection from the lateral aspect of the limb that avoids puncture of the DDFT and to assess synovial and soft tissue penetration by the needle. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical and cadaveric study. METHODS: Prospective analysis of cadaver limbs and clinical cases in which the navicular bursa was injected from the lateral aspect. Cadaver limbs were placed in a stand to simulate weight bearing and injection was performed in limbs without synovial distension or with distension of either the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) or navicular bursa. In cadaver and clinical limbs, contrast was injected and the needle position assessed with radiographs. Cadaver (but not clinical) limbs were also examined using magnetic resonance imaging with the needle in situ. RESULTS: Successful navicular bursal injection was achieved in all limbs (n = 71). Relative risk of DIP joint puncture was 19 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.3–285.4, P<0.001) when the DIP joint was distended (9 of 10 limbs) than in normal limbs (0 of 10 limbs). Relative risk of DFTS puncture was 2.7 times higher (95% confidence interval 1.0–7.2, P = 0.06) when the DFTS was distended (8 of 10 limbs) than in normal limbs (3 of 7 limbs). Synovial fluid was aspirated from 47% of bursae from clinical cases. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral injection technique for the navicular bursa avoids penetration of the DDFT, although risk of synovial penetration must be considered when there is potential DIP joint or DFTS infection.
Background
Infection control is critical to providing high‐quality patient care. Many veterinary teaching hospitals (VTHs) utilize footbaths or footmats at entrances and key control points throughout ...the facility to decrease trafficking of pathogenic microorganism on contaminated footwear.
Hypothesis/Objectives
To compare efficacy of 4 disinfectants used in footmats for decreasing bacterial contamination of footwear in a large animal hospital.
Animals
A single adult dairy cow was housed in a stall for 4 days to facilitate stall contamination with fecal material.
Methods
Overboots were experimentally contaminated with organic material in a standardized manner. Each boot was randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments (no treatment, or exposure to 1 of 4 disinfectants: an accelerated peroxygen AHP, a peroxygen VIRKON, a quaternary ammonium QUAT, and a phenolic disinfectant PHENOLIC) by stepping on a soaked footmat and collecting samples from boot soles. Generalized linear modeling was used to analyze differences in bacterial counts.
Results
Reductions in colony‐forming units (CFUs) on treated boots ranged from no detectable reduction to 0.45 log10 and varied by disinfectant. Percentage reductions in total bacterial counts generally were larger (albeit still modest) for AHP and QUAT disinfectants (range 37–45%) and smallest for the PHENOLIC (no detectable reduction).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance
In general, use of disinfectant footmats was associated with significant reductions in viable bacteria on overboots—albeit with variable efficacy. Footmats may be useful adjuncts to cleaning and disinfection programs for decreasing trafficking of microorganisms throughout VTHs but should not be considered as a sole prevention method.
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