Spontaneous metritis related to the presence of vaginal septum in pregnant Sprague Dawley Crl:CD(SD) rats: impact on reproductive toxicity studies.

Recently, 6% of 1,176 Sprague Dawley rats examined in our reproductive toxicity studies presented with dark-red uterine contents with or without fetuses demonstrating delayed development. Sometimes, a high proportion of the litter was found dead, and dystocia with death or preterminal euthanasia of the dam occurred. Microscopic findings in the uterus consisted of necrohemorrhagic and suppurative periplacentitis associated with the presence of bacterial colonies identified as Escherichia coli. In the vagina, similar findings were observed that were associated with mucus accumulation and the presence of a transverse occlusive or partially occlusive thin membrane identified as a vaginal septum. Microscopically, this septum consisted of a thin band of connective tissue covered on both sides by a mucous epithelium that was continuous with vaginal epithelium. In some cases, there was only mucus accumulation retained by a septum in the vagina without evidence of bacterial infection. Serological and histological examinations did not reveal any specific pathogenic agent. The presence of these septa in the vagina most likely favored mucus accumulation, nonspecific ascending bacterial infection, and dystocia. This colony of rats presented with an unusually high incidence of vaginal septa as it was described in different strains of mice and rats in the past. We hypothesized that the use of an impedance meter by the breeder--to determine the phase of the estrous cycle by introducing a probe in the vagina--likely facilitated gestation by perforating the vaginal septum in some cases.

[Swiss warmblood horse with symptoms of hereditary equine regional dermal asthenia without mutation in the cyclophylin B gene (PPIB)]. / Schweizer Warmblutfohlen mit Symptomen von hereditärer dermaler Asthenie (HERDA) ohne Mutation im Cyclophilin B-Gen (PPIB).

Hereditary equine dermal asthenia (HERDA) is an autosomal recessive skin disease that affects predominantly Quarter Horses and related breeds. Typical symptoms are easy bruising and hyperextensible skin on the back. The prognosis is guarded, as affected horses cannot be ridden normally and are often euthanised. In the Quarter Horse, HERDA is associated with a mutation in cyclophilin B (PPIB), an enzyme involved in triple helix formation of collagen. Here we describe the case of a Swiss Warmblood filly with symptoms of HERDA without PPIB-mutation and in which we also could exclude Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Type IV, VI, VIIA, VIIB and VIIC (dermatosparaxis type) as etiological diseases.

[Treatment of chronic copper poisoning in dairy sheep with oral ammonium molybdate and sodium sulphate ]. / Behandlung einer chronischen Kupfervergiftung mit oralem Ammoniummolybdat und Natriumsulfat bei Milchschafen.

Four weeks after the introduction of a new ration, a herd of sheep in the Swiss midland area was affected by depression, anorexia, decreased milk production, anemia, hemoglobinuria and frequent recumbency. Seventeen ewes died within a few days. A diagnosis of chronic copper poisoning was based on the results of feed analysis, histopathological findings and the toxicological examination of liver tissue. The remaining sheep were treated with oral ammonium molybdate and sodium sulfate, which together provide an inexpensive alternative to the chelator D-penicillamine.This combination not only prevents further copper intake, but also supports its elimination from the hepatocellular storage compartments. Serum copper levels have been determined to monitor the mobilization of copper following this antidote therapy.

Acrochordonous plaques in two Bulldogs and a Pug dog.

Acrochordons or fibroepithelial polyps are exophytic to pedunculated tumour-like lesions of the skin reported to occur in humans and animals. We report here a new and unusual presentation of numerous, closely associated acrochordons forming a plaque, preferentially located at the dorsal neck of two Bulldogs and a Pug dog. Histopathologically these plaques were characterized by oedematous to fibrous cores enclosed by normal to moderately hyperplastic epidermis. We propose the name acrochordonous plaque to reflect the clinical lesion and the histopathological appearance of numerous, closely spaced acrochordons. Although the aetiology of these lesions remains unclear, there may be a breed predisposition for Bulldog-like breeds.