Mineral Composition of Uroliths Obtained from Sheep and Goats with Obstructive Urolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the mineral composition of the causative urolith is important to develop preventative strategies. Advances in analytic techniques have led to detection of urolith components not previously recognized. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to characterize uroliths in sheep and goats structurally and clinically. We hypothesized that amorphous magnesium calcium phosphate (AMCP) would be a naturally occurring urolith type in sheep and goats. ANIMALS: Forty-nine sheep and goats presenting for obstructive urolithiasis from June 15, 2014 through June 14, 2016 were reviewed along with the demographic data of all small ruminants admitted during that same period. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for demographic and historical data, and 36 uroliths obtained from these cases during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy to determine chemical composition. RESULTS: AMCP is a naturally occurring urolith type in obstructed male sheep and goats and was the most common urolith type in this study, where it occurred as a majority component with struvite (39% of uroliths) or as a pure component (11%). Pure struvite was found in 1 urolith (2%). Calcium carbonate was the second most frequent urolith with 31% of uroliths being pure calcium carbonate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study demonstrates that uroliths, which appear consistent with struvite, could actually be calcium-containing AMCP. Urolith analysis is critical in determining mineral content of uroliths to guide dietary recommendations for prevention.

Optimization of an immunohistochemical method to assess distribution of tight junction proteins in canine epidermis and adnexae.

Epidermal tight junctions (TJs) have been well characterized in human medicine. Abnormality of these structures is involved in skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. There is little information about the expression and distribution of TJ proteins in the canine skin. The aim of this study was to develop an optimal immunohistochemical method for assessment of the expression of TJ proteins in the skin of healthy dogs. Formalin-fixed and paraffin wax-embedded skin biopsy samples from healthy human and canine patients were used. Canine skin samples were from the inguinal region and the nasal planum. Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin and claudin-1, -4 and -7. Heat-induced antigen retrieval with EDTA (pH 9.0) yielded the best labelling of TJ proteins. ZO-1 and occludin were expressed in the cytoplasm and along the keratinocyte membrane, while claudin-1 and -4 were mainly membrane in distribution. ZO-1, occludin and claudin-1 were detected in all epidermal layers with the exception of the stratum corneum, while claudin-4 expression was restricted to the stratum granulosum. Expression of claudin-7 was difficult to evaluate. There was no difference in labelling pattern between inguinal and nasal planum skin.

Characterisation of dog sensitisation to grass pollen in western France from 1999 to 2010.

Very few studies have investigated the seasonal aspect of grass pollen sensitisation or its evolution in the allergic canine population. The aim of this study was to evaluate both these aspects. A study of canine grass pollen sensitisation was performed throughout the statistical analysis of 261 intradermal skin testings (IDT=25 allergens tested on average) performed from January 1999 to December 2010. IDTs were performed on dogs with pruritic allergic skin disease. χ(2) Tests were used for statistical analysis. Two hundred and thirteen dogs (81.6 per cent) were sensitised to at least one allergen, and 56 (21.5 per cent) to at least one grass pollen. No increase in the rate of positive IDT was recorded over three periods: 1999-2002, 2003-2006 and 2007-2010. No statistical correlation was detected between sex, age or birth month and grass sensitisation. Moreover, no link was found between the season in which the IDT was performed and sensitisation, indicating that there is no seasonality to the sensitisation. However, considering the grasses tested over these three periods (grass mix and rye grass), a clear and significant increase in the percentage of dogs sensitised to grass pollen was observed between 1999-2002 and 2007-2010 (14.4 per cent and 27.7 per cent, respectively). The possible reasons for this sensitisation increase of dogs to grass pollen are discussed.

Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in cattle and other susceptible species.

Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is a widespread and costly disease. This consensus statement will summarize recommendations regarding diagnosis, control, and treatment of Johne's disease in cattle and other species. Each section of recommendations is followed by a statement that subjectively characterizes the strength of the supporting evidence. The role played by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in the pathogenesis has been a matter of controversy for many years. This statement concludes with an assessment of the evidence in favor of MAP as a potential zoonotic pathogen.

Attitudes towards biosecurity practices relevant to Johne's disease control on beef cattle farms.

The success of control programs can be improved when producers' attitudes towards these programs are positive. Implementation of control programs for chronic diseases are more challenging than those for acute diseases because of the absence of the "cues-to-action" that are associated with acute diseases. Johne's disease (JD) is a chronic diarrheal disease of ruminants, and national voluntary control programs exist in several countries. We used a mailed cross-sectional survey to describe the attitudes of producers towards biosecurity practices and veterinarians' beliefs relevant to the control of JD on beef farms. Another objective was to describe and compare the attitudes of producers and veterinarians towards specific measures recommended by the Texas Voluntary Johne's Disease Program (TVJDP) for cattle. Questionnaires were mailed to 1100 producers and 840 veterinarians in the state of Texas, USA. Two hundred and eighty-five producers (26%) and 153 veterinarians (18%) returned questionnaires for analysis. Fifty-nine percent of producers and 50% of veterinarians agreed that JD is responsible for substantial losses in beef cattle production. Sixty-four percent of veterinarians had educated producers on management strategies for the control or elimination of JD. However, only 36% had participated in the training program and 29% were certified to develop risk assessments and implement testing. Only 20% of producers reported that they were familiar with the TVJDP and 16% had considered participating in this program. There is a need for greater promotion of the control program among veterinarians and producers. Reasons for the apparent difference in opinions need to be understood to increase the likelihood of control measures adoption and to subsequently reduce the impact of JD on beef cattle operations.

Benefits of obtaining test-negative Level 4 classification for beef producers in the Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program.

The US Voluntary Bovine Johne's Disease Control Program (VBJDCP) stipulates the national standards for Johne's disease (JD) control, and herds classified as test-negative at Level 4 of the VBJDCP have the greatest likelihood of being non-infected. A questionnaire survey of owners of VBJDCP test-negative Level 4 beef herds was conducted to describe perceived benefits of attaining Level 4 status. Thirty-nine of the 40 producers returned completed or partially completed surveys. Sixty-four percent (23/36) of herds contained 50 or less test eligible cattle. Twenty-seven percent (10/37) of producers reported increased marketing opportunities as a goal for enrollment in the VBJDCP. Classification at test-negative Level 4 status in the VBJDCP led to increased marketing opportunities for more than one-third (13/35) of the producers. Twenty-five percent (9/36) of the producers reported significant and 39% (14/36) marginal benefits (financial and non-financial) as a result of participation in the VBJDCP. The median (range) reported annual benefit was $0 ($0, $10,000), whilst the median (range) annual cost of implementing and sustaining the VBJDCP on ranches was $200 ($0, $5000). It is suggested that greater publicity about the VBJDCP in the beef cattle industry will increase its chances of success by increasing awareness amongst producers concerned about herd health/disease monitoring, and through improved marketing opportunities.

Familial and herd-level associations with paratuberculosis enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay status in beef cattle.

A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the odds of having a positive paratuberculosis ELISA result if the dam was ELISA positive in Texas beef cattle, adjusted for individual and herd-level risk factors for seropositivity. Texas beef cattle (n = 2,621) were tested for paratuberculosis by using a commercial ELISA and microbiologic culture of feces for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). Pedigree data were collected to identify dam-and sire-offspring pairs. Bayesian mixed-effects logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of seropositivity associated with age, dam ELISA status, sire ELISA status, herd size, herd history of clinical paratuberculosis, within-herd seroprevalence, within-herd fecal MAP prevalence, and within-herd fecal non-MAP Mycobacterium spp. prevalence. Herd of residence was included as a random effect to account for the correlation of observations within the same herd. Statistically probable associations were observed between ELISA status and herd fecal MAP prevalence [OR (odds ratio) 1.28 per 1% increase; P < 0.001] and herd seroprevalence (OR 1.21 per 1% increase; P < 0.001). The association with dam ELISA status was small (OR 1.35) and not highly probable (P = 0.69). Results indicate that use of dam ELISA status to make culling decisions in beef cattle may not improve the success of paratuberculosis control programs. Alternative strategies may be more effective for reducing the odds of seropositivity.

Are feeding practices associated with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis?

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Feeding concentrate has been putatively associated with risk of development of duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ); however, this association has not been evaluated systematically in a controlled study. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether there was evidence that feeding practices were associated with increased odds of developing DPJ employing a case control study. HYPOTHESIS: The amount of concentrate fed daily to horses is significantly greater among horses that develop DPJ than control horses with either lameness or other types of colic. METHODS: Feeding practices of cases of DPJ diagnosed between 1997 and 2003 were compared with those of 2 populations of control horses (colic controls and lameness controls) admitted to the clinic from the same time period. Following multiple imputation of missing data, comparisons were made using polytomous logistic regression. RESULTS: Horses with DPJ were fed significantly more concentrate and were significantly more likely to have grazed pasture than either control populations; DPJ horses were significantly more likely to be female than were lameness horses. Results were unchanged after adjusting for bodyweight of the horse. CONCLUSIONS: Feeding and grazing practices differ among horses with DPJ relative to horses with other forms of colic and lame horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The observed magnitudes of association were not sufficiently strong to merit diagnostic/predictive application; however, these observations, if substantiated by other studies, might provide important aetiological clues.

Sucrose concentration in blood: a new method for assessment of gastric permeability in horses with gastric ulceration.

A urine sucrose test has recently been reported to be a reliable method of detecting gastric ulcers in horses; however, technical difficulties associated with urine collection have limited the practical value of the test. The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether gastric sucrose permeability, as evaluated by serum sucrose concentration, could be used to detect gastric mucosal injury in horses. Twelve adult horses with naturally acquired gastric ulceration were studied. After a 20-hour nonfeeding period, each horse was dosed with 250 g of sucrose via nasogastric intubation. Blood samples were collected at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes, and horses underwent gastroscopy 4 hours later. The severity of gastric ulceration in each horse was defined by means of a 4-point ulcer-scoring system, and the relationship with serum sucrose concentration was analyzed by means of a linear mixed-effects model. Serum sucrose concentration was measured by liquid chromatography operating in tandem with electrospray mass spectrometry. After nasogastric administration of table sugar, horses with moderate to severe gastric ulceration had significant increase in serum sucrose concentration at 30, 45, 60, and 90 minutes, relative to earlier times (P < .05). Peak sucrose concentration was observed at 45 minutes, and was correlated with ulcer severity (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient = 0.898, P < .05). These data indicate that determination of sucrose concentration in equine serum may be a useful test for identifying horses with endoscopically visible gastric ulceration and has potential use as a noninvasive method for screening and monitoring horses engaged in racing training and other performance-related disciplines.

Effects of seasonal climatic conditions on the diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in dairy cattle.

Validity of Johne's disease programs and control protocols that rely on established cut points [e.g., specified sample-to-positive (S/P) ratios] for ELISA serological tests depends on interpreted results that are not susceptible to variable test accuracy. It was hypothesized that seasonal variability exists in serological response to Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) infection. Further, a reciprocal response may occur, resulting in greater risk of fecal shedding in subclinically infected animals. A testing regimen was invoked that included multiple testing of individual adult cows during the 4 seasons. Serum was collected on a cyclic, monthly basis from 3 randomly selected cohorts of dairy cows, and fecal samples were collected from the 20% of cows with the greatest ELISA test S/P ratios. Staggered, quarterly sampling was continued for 1 yr, and at the conclusion, serum was analyzed en masse. The ELISA outcome values (i.e., S/P ratio) were treated both as categorical and continuous variables. The potential lagged effects of temperature-related seasonality on S/P ratio, as well as the potential for a change in test result caused by temperature were assessed. Results for fecal culture were analyzed on a categorical scale and compared with the ELISA results to explore the possibility of reciprocal fecal shedding. No significant seasonal effects on either S/P ratios or the proportion of cows seropositive to MAP were observed. Furthermore, no evidence was found linking temperature-related seasonality to a reciprocal increase in the risk of fecal culture positivity for MAP.

Meal size and starch content affect gastric emptying in horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Feeding practices have been associated with colic in horses. If meal size and composition have an effect on gastric emptying, this could be one of the mechanisms by which feeding practices are related to the occurrence of colic. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of meal size and starch content on solid phase gastric emptying. METHODS: Solid phase gastric emptying of 3 different radiolabelled meals, small low-starch (SmLS), small high-starch (SmHS) and large high-starch (LgHS) meals, was measured in 5 horses by scintigraphy using 99mTc-disofenin. Data were compared among meals using nonlinear mixed-effects models and paired t tests. RESULTS: On a percentage basis, SmHS emptied significantly faster than LgHS and SmLS emptied significantly faster than SmHS meals. However, when meals of unequal size were compared by emptying rate in g/min and Kcal/min, LgHS emptied significantly faster than SmHS. CONCLUSIONS: Meal size and composition affect gastric emptying. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Further work needs to be performed in order to substantiate the possibility of a relationship between digestive functions and occurrence of colic and gastric ulcers.

Validation of the 13C-octanoic acid breath test for measurement of equine gastric emptying rate of solids using radioscintigraphy.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Disordered gastric motility may be a significant factor in the pathogenesis of many equine conditions. Although tests for liquid phase emptying rate have been validated in the horse, there are no effective tests for solid phase emptying measurement that can be performed routinely in the field. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was the assessment of a novel stable isotope technique, the 13C-octane acid breath test (13C-OABT), for the measurement of gastric emptying of solid ingesta, by direct comparison with the optimum method of gastric scintigraphy. METHODS: To facilitate dual measurement of gastric emptying, a test meal was used containing baked egg yolk labelled with both 13C-octanoic acid and 99mtechnetium sulphur colloid. Simultaneous, serial lateral gastric scintigraphs and expiratory breath samples were obtained in 12 healthy horses after voluntary ingestion of the test meal. Analysis of breath 13CO2:12CO2 ratio was performed by continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Power regression was used to determine the gastric emptying coefficient, the gastric half-emptying time (t 1/2) and duration of the lag phase (tlag). RESULTS: Significant correlations (P < 0.001) were found between the 2 techniques for measurement of both t 1/2 and tlag. In addition, scintigraphic left t 1/2 was correlated significantly to breath test gastric emptying coefficient (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the 13C-octanoic acid breath test is a reliable diagnostic procedure to measure gastric emptying rate of solids in the horse. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Being safe, noninvasive and easy to perform, this test has potential value as both sensitive diagnostic modality and humane research tool for motility studies.

Quantitative detection of atropine-delayed gastric emptying in the horse by the 13C-octanoic acid breath test.

The 13C-octanoic acid breath test has been correlated significantly to radioscintigraphy for measurement of gastric emptying indices in healthy horses. The objective of this study was to investigate the validity of the test for measurement of equine delayed gastric emptying, prior to its potential clinical application for this purpose. A model of atropine-induced gastroparesis was used. Gastric emptying rate was measured twice in 8 horses using concurrent radioscintigraphy and/or breath test after treatment i.v. with either atropine (0.035 mg/kg bwt) or saline in randomised order. Analysis of both data sets demonstrated that the atropine treatment had caused a significant delay in gastric emptying rate. Paired breath test data showed an atropine-induced delay in gastric half-emptying time (t 1/2), with no overlap in the 99% CI range (P < 0.001). Significant correlations were found between scintigraphy and 13C-octanoic acid breath test for calculation of both t 1/2 (P < 0.01) and lag phase duration (P < 0.05) in the atropine-delayed emptying results. The mean (s.d.) bias in breath test t 1/2 when compared with scintigraphy was 1.78 (0.58) h. The results demonstrated that the 13C-octanoic acid breath test was an effective diagnostic modality for the measurement of equine delayed gastric emptying. The technique offers advantages to existing methods for clinical investigation, as it is noninvasive, not radioactive, quantitative and requires minimal equipment or training to perform.

The effects of xylazine, detomidine, acepromazine and butorphanol on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate.

The aim of this study was to measure the effects of specific commonly used sedative protocols on equine solid phase gastric emptying rate, using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test (13C-OABT). The gastric emptying of a standard 13C-labelled test meal was measured once weekly in 8 mature horses over two 4 week treatment periods. Each horse acted as its own control. In treatment Period 1, saline (2 ml i.v.), xylazine (0.5 mg/kg i.v.), detomidine (0.01 mg/kg i.v.) or detomidine/butorphanol combination (0.01/0.02 mg/kg i.v.) was administered in randomised order after ingestion of the test meal. During treatment Period 2, test meal consumption was followed by saline, xylazine (1.0 mg/kg i.v.), or detomidine (0.03 mg/kg i.v.) administration, or preceded by acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg i.m.) in randomised order. The 13C:12C ratio of sequential expiratory breath samples was determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and used to measure the gastric half-emptying time, t 1/2, and duration of the lag phase, t lag, for each of the 64 tests. In treatment Period 1, detomidine/butorphanol prolonged both t 1/2 and t lag with respect to xylazine 0.5 mg/kg and the saline control (P < 0.05). In Period 2, detomidine 0.03 mg/kg delayed each parameter with respect to saline, acepromazine and xylazine 1.0 mg/kg (P < 0.001). Xylazine 1.0 mg/kg also lengthened t lag relative to the saline control (P = 0.0004), but did not cause a significant change in t 1/2. Comparison of treatment periods showed that the inhibitory effect of detomidine on gastric emptying rate was dose related (P<0.05). These findings may have clinical significance for case selection when these agents are used for purposes of sedation and/or analgesia.

Bacterial microflora of normal and telangiectatic livers in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential bacterial pathogens in normal and telangiectatic livers of mature cattle at slaughter and to identify consumer risk associated with hepatic telangiectasia. SAMPLE POPULATION: 50 normal livers and 50 severely telangiectatic livers. PROCEDURE: Normal and telangiectatic livers were collected at slaughter for aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture. Isolates were identified, and patterns of isolation were analyzed. Histologic examination of all livers was performed. RESULTS: Human pathogens isolated from normal and telangiectatic livers included Escherichia coli O157:H7 and group-D streptococci. Most livers in both groups contained bacteria in low numbers; however, more normal livers yielded negative culture results. More group-D streptococci were isolated from the right lobes of telangiectatic livers than from the left lobes, and more gram-negative anaerobic bacteria were isolated from left lobes of telangiectatic livers than from right lobes. All telangiectatic lesions were free of fibrosis, active necrotizing processes, and inflammation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The USDA regulation condemning telangiectatic livers is justified insofar as these livers contain more bacteria than normal livers do; however, normal livers contain similar species of microflora. Development of telangiectasia could not be linked to an infectious process. The finding of E coli O157:H7 in bovine livers suggests that information regarding bacterial content of other offal and muscle may identify sources of this and other potential foodborne pathogens and assist in establishing critical control points for the meat industry.

Risk factors associated with development of postoperative ileus in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors associated with development of postoperative ileus in horses undergoing surgery for colic. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 69 horses that developed ileus after surgery for colic and 307 horses that did not develop postoperative ileus. PROCEDURE: Signalment, history, clinicopathologic data, treatment, lesions, and outcome were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Variables associated with increased risk of postoperative ileus included age > 10 years, Arabian breed, PCV > or = 45%, high serum concentrations of protein and albumin, anesthesia > 2.5 hours' duration, surgery > 2 hours' duration, resection and anastomosis, and lesions in the small intestine. Enterotomy reduced the risk of postoperative ileus. After multivariate logistic regression, the final model included the variables Arabian breed, PCV > or = 45%, lesion type, duration of surgery (> 2 hours vs < or = 2 hours), and pelvic flexure enterotomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that by evaluating certain factors, horses at increased risk of postoperative ileus may be recognized before the condition develops. Preventative treatment and early intervention may be instituted in these horses. Shortening surgery time and performing an enterotomy may decrease the probability of horses developing postoperative ileus.

Effect of monensin sodium on histological lesions of naturally occurring bovine paratuberculosis.

Of 19 adult cows naturally infected with paratuberculosis, 13 were treated with monensin sodium and six remained untreated. At the beginning of the study, the severity of the histological lesions was assessed from biopsy samples of ileum, liver, mesenteric lymph node and rectal mucosa. From the data acquired it was possible to assign the animals so that the lesions in the two groups were similar (P=0. 8323). Monensin was administered in the feed, which contained 147.5 mg/kg, and each treated cow received 450 mg of monensin daily for 120 days. At the end of this period all cows were killed and histopathological findings in the ileum, liver, mesenteric lymph node and rectal mucosa were compared with the initial findings. A scoring system showed that monensin had a beneficial effect in the ileum (P=0.077), liver (P=0.0322) and rectal mucosa (P=0.0578), but under the conditions of the experiment no such effect could be demonstrated in mesenteric lymph node (P=0.3599). There appeared to be an overall effect on all tissues taken together (P=0.1335). The effect of monensin may have been due to both a halting and a reversal of the pathological process. In all but one of the six untreated cows, the lesions worsened during the course of the experiment.

Prokinetic effects of erythromycin on the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure of horses during the postoperative period.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of erythromycin on motility of the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure of horses during the postoperative and post-recovery periods. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURE: Horses were anesthetized and bipolar electrodes were implanted in smooth muscle of the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure. Approximately 4, 16, and 24 hours (postoperative recording sessions) and at least 8 days (post-recovery recording session) after surgery, myoelectric activity was recorded before and after administration of erythromycin (0.5 mg/kg). RESULTS: Following erythromycin administration, myoelectric activity was increased in the ileum during all postoperative recording sessions but not during the post-recovery recording session. Myoelectric activity was increased in the cecum following erythromycin administration only during the post-recovery recording session. Myoelectric activity was increased in the pelvic flexure following erythromycin administration during all recording sessions. During several recording sessions, there were short periods during which myoelectric activity was significantly decreased following erythromycin administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that erythromycin has an effect on myoelectric activity of the ileum, cecum, and pelvic flexure in horses; however, prokinetic effects of erythromycin administered during the postoperative period were not always the same as effects obtained when the drug was administered after horses had recovered from the effects of surgical implantation of recording devices. Therefore, caution must be exercised when extrapolating results of prokinetic studies in healthy animals to animals with abnormal gastrointestinal tract motility.

Abomasal displacement and volvulus in beef cattle: 19 cases (1988-1998).

OBJECTIVE: To assess signalment, history, results of clinical and laboratory testing, and outcome for beef cattle with a left displaced abomasum (LDA), right displaced abomasum (RDA), or abomasal volvulus (AV). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 19 beef cattle with an AV, LDA, or RDA. PROCEDURE: Signalment; history; results of physical examination, diagnostic testing, and surgical exploration; and condition of the animal at discharge were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Fourteen cattle had an AV, 4 had an RDA, and 1 had an LDA. Duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 to 21 days. Eighteen cattle had an AV or RDA; 7 were Brahmans, 12 were males, and median age was 10 months. Abdominal distention was observed in 11 cattle, heart rate of > or = 100 beats/minute was detected in 14, and the abomasum was palpable per rectum in all cattle in which per rectal examination was performed. Leukocytosis, neutrophilia, hyperglycemia, azotemia, hypochloremia, and hypokalemia were common laboratory findings. At surgery, 3 cattle with an AV or RDA had a ruptured abomasum. Of the remaining 15 cattle, 12 survived. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical course in beef cattle with an AV or RDA was more protracted than that typically associated with these conditions in dairy cattle, but survival rate in beef cattle that did not have rupture of the abomasum was similar to that of dairy cattle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Abomasal displacement should be considered for beef cattle with abdominal distention. Prognostic indicators recommended for use in dairy cattle may not be useful for beef cattle.

Comparison of nuclear scintigraphy and acetaminophen absorption as a means of studying gastric emptying in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between halftime of liquid-phase gastric emptying (T50), determined with nuclear scintigraphy using technetium Tc 99m pentetate, and absorption variables of orally administered acetaminophen. ANIMALS: 6 mature horses. PROCEDURE: Technetium Tc 99m pentetate (10 mCi) and acetaminophen (20 mg/kg of body weight) were administered simultaneously in 200 ml of water. Serial left and right lateral images of the stomach region were obtained with a gamma camera, and T50 determined separately for counts obtained from the left side, the right side and the geometric mean. Power exponential curves were used for estimation of T50 and modified R2 values for estimation of goodness of fit of the data. Serial serum samples were taken, and acetaminophen concentration was determined, using fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Maximum serum concentration (Cmax), time to reach maximum serum concentration (Tmax), area under the curve for 240 minutes and the absorption constant (Ka) were determined, using a parameter estimation program. Correlations were calculated, using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Correlations between T50 and Tmax and between T50 and Ka were significant. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tmax and Ka are valuable variables in the assessment of liquid-phase gastric emptying using acetaminophen absorption. Acetaminophen absorption may be a valuable alternative to nuclear scintigraphy in the determination of gastric emptying rates in equine patients with normally functioning small intestine.