Corticosteroid-responsive thrombocytopenia in two beef cows.

Corticosteroid-responsive thrombocytopenia was identified in 2 beef cows. Clinical findings in 1 cow included hematoma formation, petechiation of mucous membranes, anemia, and persistent thrombocytopenia. Cow 2 was in its fourth month of gestation and had epistaxis, nasal mucosal petechiation, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Treatment included parenteral administration of corticosteroids at immunosuppressive dosages. Cow 1 had a history of chronic hematoma formation and responded to long-term treatment with dexamethasone, but it relapsed 2 months after treatment was discontinued. Cow 2 had acute onset of clinical signs, responded to short-term treatment with prednisone, delivered a full-term, healthy calf, and remained clinically normal for at least 1 year after treatment was completed. Reported causes of thrombocytopenia in ruminants were ruled out or seemed unlikely; a definitive cause for thrombocytopenia in the 2 cows could not be established.

Upward fixation of the patella in cattle: 38 cases (1984-1990).

Case records of cattle admitted to 2 university veterinary hospitals during 6 years were evaluated to determine the age, breed, sex, and treatment of cattle with upward fixation of the patella. Affected cattle were compared with those from the respective hospital populations of cattle admitted during the same time. Of 38 cattle with upward fixation of the patella, 34 were treated surgically. Follow-up evaluation was obtained from owners of 28 of the treated cattle. Surgery was successful in eliminating all clinical signs in 25 of the 28 cattle. There was an increased risk of upward fixation of the patella associated with Brahman and Brahman-type cattle, compared with non-Brahman cattle.

Laryngeal granuloma in a bull.

Dyspnea in an adult bull caused by a large laryngeal granuloma was corrected by use of a surgical technique that allowed resection of the mass without ventral laryngotomy. Endoscopy was used for visualization of the mass during the oral surgery. The technique may be performed in the field.

Paraphimosis in a teaser bull with penile translocation.

A bull with penile translocation and bilateral caudal epididymectomy developed paraphimosis when used for estrus detection of cows. The paraphimosis did not resolve with bandaging and topical treatment; thus, it was surgically corrected by retracting the distal sigmoid flexure of the penis and suturing it to the superficial fascia in the medial femoral region. Paraphimosis should be considered a possible sequela to penile translocation in bulls.

Pulmonary hypertension and cardiac insufficiency in three cows with primary lung disease.

Increased pulmonary arterial pressures as a result of pulmonary disease are described in two cows with chronic pneumonia and one cow with acute pneumonia. Based on clinical signs of congestive right heart failure, increased pulmonary arterial pressure, and right ventricular hypertrophy, cor pulmonale was diagnosed in one cow. Two cows had increased pulmonary arterial pressure and signs of right heart insufficiency, but right ventricular hypertrophy was not identified. Two of the cows had ventral edema and exercise intolerance. All cows had jugular venous distention and increased right atrial and pulmonary arterial pressures. Peripheral arterial PaO2 was decreased in two cows, and not measured in the third cow. Although an uncommon cause of congestive heart failure in cattle at low altitudes, pulmonary hypertension should be considered in cattle with clinical right heart failure.

Congenital parainguinal hernia in a heifer.

A 2-day-old heifer was examined for a pendulous mass in the left inguinal region. The calf also had moderate brachygnathia. The mass was determined to be a parainguinal hernia, which was surgically repaired. Parainguinal hernias can be confused with other hernias in the inguinal region. Because of lack of previous reports, the hereditary aspects can only be postulated.

Effects of estradiol 17 beta implants on hematologic values and the chemiluminescence response of neutrophils of steers.

The effects of subcutaneous administration of a commercially available estradiol 17 beta implant on hematologic values and the chemiluminescence response of neutrophils were evaluated in 14 steers. Chemiluminescence and hematologic values were measured in treated (n = 8) and nontreated (n = 6) steers on days -14, -7, and -1 prior to implantation. Estradiol 17B was implanted into the treated group of steers on day 0, and blood samples were obtained from all steers on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36, 43, and 50. The concentration of estrogen in serum was significantly (P = 0.0120) higher following implantation. Chemiluminescence and hematologic indices were not significantly affected by either implant status or serum concentrations of estrogen. The results of this study suggested that the use of implants containing estradiol 17 beta for promotion of weight gain in steers will not result in alterations of hematologic values or the neutrophil respiratory burst.

Bradycardia, altered thermographic patterns, and dysphonia associated with cervical laxity in an Ankole-Watusi bull.

A native African bull was examined for ataxia of 10 days' duration. Clinical signs included bradycardia, ataxia, hypermetria, and dysphonia. Cerebrospinal creatine kinase activity was high. Thermographic evidence of bilateral accessory nerve dysfunction was observed. This finding was supported by electromyographic studies. Survey and positive contrast radiographs were nondiagnostic. Clinical signs exacerbated after radiographic examination. Treatment included dexamethasone and flunixin meglumine administered IV.

Mesothelioma in cattle: eight cases (1970-1988)

Over an 8-year period, 8 beef cattle with mesothelioma were admitted to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine. Diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination of affected tissues. Five bulls, 1 steer, and 2 cows were affected. Four of the bulls had scrotal swelling; 2 cows and 1 bull had ventral abdominal swelling. The peritoneal cavity was involved in 5 cases, the pleural cavity was affected in 2 cases, and in 2 cases, disease was apparently confined to the vaginal cavity. Of the 8 cattle, 6 died or were euthanatized; only cattle with tumor apparently confined to the vaginal cavity survived.

Metastatic thymic lymphosarcoma in a calf.

Metastatic thymic lymphosarcoma was diagnosed in a 16-month-old mixed-breed heifer with a history of progressive weight loss. Physical examination revealed cachexia, pale mucous membranes, large peripheral lymph nodes, and a 15 X 40-cm mass in the ventral portion of the neck, extending cranially from the thoracic inlet. Neoplastic lymphocytes were identified in aspirates of pleural effusion and bone marrow. Histologic examination of necropsy specimens substantiated metastatic dispersal of the tumor into lymphoid tissue, liver, intestine, heart, and kidney. This case differs from other reported cases of thymic lymphosarcoma because of the involvement of organs other than the thymus and lymph nodes. Analytical flow cytometry was performed on mononuclear leukocytes obtained from blood by use of density gradient centrifugation. The majority of cells (65%) appeared to be of an immature, poorly differentiated phenotype, on the basis of the small numbers of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for the following cell surface markers: 8% BoCD2 (IL-A26; sheep erythrocyte receptor on T-lymphocytes); less than 10% B-lymphocytes as determined by expression of MHC class II proteins and surface immunoglobulin; 12% monocytes (IL-A24); and 5% null cells (IL-A29). Although the leukemic cell population did not express traditional surface markers for T-lymphocytes, we hypothesize that the leukemic cell population represents an early stage of T-cell maturation that has failed to differentiate and express characteristic cell surface antigens.

Myelophthisic pancytopenia in a pony mare.

Myelophthisic pancytopenia was diagnosed in a 10-year-old pony mare with a history of recurring colic and anemia. Physical findings were unremarkable, with the exception of pale mucous membranes. Hematologic analysis revealed nonregenerative pancytopenia. Testing for equine infectious anemia and antiglobulin (Coombs) yielded negative results. The mare was treated with antibiotics, boldenone undecylenate, and corticosteroids, but a regenerative bone marrow response was not seen. Postmortem examination revealed severe myelofibrosis and multiple sites of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Myelophthisic pancytopenia develops when a space-occupying lesion destroys sufficient bone marrow or disturbs marrow architecture, resulting in decreased production capacity. Pancytopenia in the pony of this report resulted from inadequate production of blood cellular components secondary to replacement of the bone marrow by myelofibrosis. Cause of the myelofibrosis was not identified.