Congenital cardiac anomalies in calves

Seven cases of congenital cardiac anomalies in calves were reviewed from the files of the Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The collection of material occurred during a six-month period from June 1977 to January 1978. The major clinical signs were dyspnoea, failure to gain weight and sudden death in young animals. The cardiac defects included two patent ductus arteriosus, two anomalies of the coronary vessels, one persistent truncus arteriosus, one transposition of the aorta and pulmonary artery and one ventricular septal defect.

Morphologic variations and aging in the atrioventricular conduction system of large breed dogs

The microscopic anatomy of the atrioventricular node, bundle of His, both bundle branches and surrounding fibrous cardiac skeleton was studied in 40 large breed dogs of various ages. In the AV conduction system of all dogs over five years of age there was an increase of fibrous connective tissue, an infiltration of adipose tissue, loss of conduction fibers and focal fibrosis extending from the central fibrous body. Fibrosis was seen in the summit of the interventricular septum posterior to the AV node in dogs of all ages. Chondroid metaplasia was consistently observed in the central fibrous body and the root of the aorta in large breed dogs, including ten Doberman Pinschers of all ages. This metaplasia varied from a few chondroblasts and chondrocytes to mature chondrocytes with mineralization. Bone formation was seen in eight dogs. These changes appeared in close approximation to the cardiac conduction system above the bundle of His. No degenerative changes were seen in the AV bundle. Approximately one-half of the large breed dogs five years of age and older had thickened medial and intima proliferation in the small coronary arterioles supplying the AV node. The results of this study suggest that the presence of cartilage and bone in the central fibrous body is a normal occurrence in large breed dogs at all ages.

Anomalous left coronary artery in a calf

An anomalous left coronary artery was seen arising from an ostium in the pulmonary artery in a 4-month-old Hereford calf. Endocardial fibrosis was found in the left atrium and left ventricle. The mitral valve was dilated and thickened. A normal right coronary artery originated from the aorta.

Oak poisoning of cattle in Ohio

Fourteen cases of oak poisoning were diagnosed at the Ohio Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Reynoldsburg, Oh, in the fall of 1976. The poisoning was attributed to ingestion of oak shrubs, oak leaves, and acorns. Clinical signs included anorexia, rumen atony, hemorrhagic diarrhea, subcutaneous edema, and abnormal renal function. Perirenal edema and hemorrhage, ascites, hydrothorax, and hemorrhagic enteritis were frequently encountered pathologic changes. Histologic examination of the kidney revealed multifocal necrosis of the proximal convoluted tubules, which is a characteristic feature of this type of poisoning.