[Conservative treatment of open incomplete radial fracture in an adult horse]

A non-displaced radialfracture of a horse was,diagnosed. The horse had an open fracture resulting from external trauma. A diagnosis was made on radiographs taken 48h after trauma. The horse was treated conservatively by box rest and Robert-Jones bandages. After 7 days the wound was opened to let the wound drainage necrotic material and small sequesters and was washed every other day. After 7 weeks, radiographs showed complete consolidation. Four months after the injury the horse was back to work at his former level and is still working two years after the incident.

[Acute generalised exanthematous pustolosis in a 2-year-old girl following treatment with amoxicillin]

A two-year-old girl had had fever for one week, and since the previous day general malaise, cutaneous pustolosis with swollen hands and feet. The skin condition had developed three days after the start of amoxicillin therapy. Laboratory tests at the time of admission indicated an infection. The diagnosis was 'acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis' (AGEP). During treatment with a soothing lotion, lasting one week, the patient improved and the skin condition disappeared. AGEP is characterised by acute onset of a pustular eruption in association with fever. It is usually seen after the use of drugs. This is an uncommon disease in children.

[Toxic shock syndrome in 3 children]

A 16-year-old and a 10-year-old girl were admitted with general signs of illness, and respectively a green vaginal discharge and a panaritium. They recovered following antibiotic treatment and surgical relief of the panaritium. A 2-year-old boy became ill the morning after eating tainted cold meat; he died in the course of the following night. In all 3 patients Staphylococcus aureus was incubated with the toxic-shock-toxin-1-gene and/or the enterotoxin-A-gene. These 3 cases occurred within one year in a general hospital. TSS probably occurs more frequently than is generally assumed. Given that it is a life-threatening disease, rapid diagnosis is of major importance.

Studies of the Transmission Routes of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale and Immunoprophylaxis to Prevent Infection in Young Meat Turkeys

The importance and prevention of the horizontal as well as the vertical transmission of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale were investigated. In our first experiment we observed that specific-pathogen-free broiler chickens that were placed in hatching incubators at a commercial turkey hatchery during hatch showed respiratory tract lesions at postmortem examination that were positive for O. rhinotracheale by bacteriology and immunohistology. It appeared that vertical transmission occurred and that horizontal transmission of O. rhinotracheale is possible. In a second experiment, the turkeys derived from vaccinated parents showed significantly fewer respiratory tract lesions at postmortem examination at 16 days of age than the birds derived from nonvaccinated parents. In a third experiment, all vaccinated young birds, regardless of the vaccination state of their parents, showed significantly fewer respiratory tract lesions at 6 wk of age. We concluded that vaccination of the breeders reduces vertical transmission and that vaccination of the progeny is needed to resist challenge at 6 wk of age.

[Bladder infection with Capillaria plica in a male dog]

In a male dog with symptoms of haematuria an infection with C. plica was established. During the first urine examination large numbers of erythrocytes and leucocytes were seen. The dog was treated with antibiotics. After 10 days a second urine examination revealed several eggs of C. plica, accompanied by leucocytes and erythrocytes. The infection was eliminated with fenbendazole treatment (50 mg/kg/day, for 10 days).

In vitro antibiotic sensitivity of strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale isolated in The Netherlands between 1996 and 1999

All the strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale isolated in the Netherlands between 1996 and 1999 were tested in the agar gel diffusion test for their sensitivity to amoxycillin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulphonamide (TMP/S). The percentages of strains sensitive to amoxycillin and tetracycline decreased in successive years from approximately 62 per cent to 14 per cent, and four strains were resistant to enrofloxacin or TMP/S. Twelve multiresistant strains were tested against seven alternative antibiotics; they were resistant to all of them except clavulanic acid-potentiated amoxycillin.

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, a primary pathogen in broilers

Field strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale were tested on their virulence in different chicken breeds. Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale was able to induce lesions after aerosol challenge without a previous priming with virus, and thus O. rhinotracheale was proven to be a primary pathogen. The virulence of Dutch strains, isolated between 1995 and 1998, did not increase, but the Dutch isolates and a South African strain were more pathogenic compared with an American strain of O. rhinotracheale. White specific-pathogen-free leghorns were less susceptible to O. rhinotracheale infection than broilers, whereas there was no difference in susceptibility between commercial broilers and specific-pathogen-free broilers.

[Sterility and hygiene pays the price: latex allergy]

Latex allergy is an increasing problem among veterinarians and doctors. Within the veterinary profession this subject is seldom discussed. This article describes a case history of latex allergy and provides additional information about this disorder.

[Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale infections in poultry: a review]

O. rhinotracheale is a relatively new bacterium. It is found in commercial fowl and wild birds throughout the world. O. rhinotracheale causes respiratory disease, presenting as pneumonia and air sacculitis. It is transmitted horizontally as well as vertically. O. rhinotracheale is difficult to isolate. Serologically, twelve serotypes can be distinguished, of which serotype A is the most prevalent. Treatment can be difficult, because acquired resistance against the regular antibiotics is common in O. rhinotracheale isolates. An inactivated vaccine for broiler breeders has been developed and for turkeys an inactivated autovaccine can be made.

Serum amyloid A and transferrin in chicken. A preliminary investigation of using acute-phase variables to assess diseases in chickens

The concentrations of serum amyloid A protein (SAA) and transferrin in blood samples from broilers in various stages of natural Staphylococcus aureus infection, from healthy counterparts, and from turpentine- or saline-injected pullets were measured using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), immunoblotting, and densitometry. SAA was not detected in healthy chickens but was detected in turpentine-injected pullets and in S. aureus-infected broilers. Relative percentages of transferrin in turpentine- and saline-injected pullets were not different. Broilers with a S. aureus infection had a two-fold higher transferrin level than did their unaffected counterparts. There was also a difference between the transferrin levels of healthy broilers and healthy pullets, which indicates that other variables, such as breed or breeding conditions, may influence the transferrin level. This preliminary study showed that SAA is an acute-phase protein and a more reliable variable for diagnosing lesions in chickens than transferrin.

Accidental fenitrothion intoxication in young broilers

Death from fenitrothion intoxication in young broiler chicks has never been reported. The mortality in this instance was 16.4% in the first week. The dead birds were found lying in a ventral position resting their heads on the floor. Prior to death dyspnea and paralysis occurred. A concentration of 120 mg fenitrothion/kg of litter (dry weight) was found.

[Aortic rupture in poultry: a review]

Mortality in poultry due to aortic rupture is characterized by sudden death. The condition is seen in fast-growing male turkeys but has also been described in chickens, ostriches, and waterfowl. Losses in affected flocks usually only reach 1-2%. Post-mortem examination shows a large blood clot in the abdominal cavity subsequent to a dissecting aneurysm. Fragmentation of elastic fibres and degenerative changes of smooth muscle cells are seen in the region of the rupture. Intimal sclerotic plaques are present adjacent to the site of rupture. Copper deficiency, hypertension, hormonal influences, diet, lathyrism, zinc deficiency, pharmaceuticals, and parasites are precipitating factors for aortic rupture. Field studies suggest that favourable results are obtained with reserpine and copper as treatment for ruptured aorta.

[Ataxia and paralysis in meat chickens, as a result of an infection with avian encephalomyelitis virus in the breeding flock]

An outbreak of avian encephalomyelitis (AE) in 7 broiler flocks, with signs of ataxia and paralysis is reported. The diagnosis was made by immunofluorescence, histopathology and virus isolation. The breeding flock had a temporary drop in egg production and reduced hatchability caused by late embryonic mortality. The breeding flock had not been vaccinated against AE. The problems were probably caused by vertical transmission of AE virus.

Alleviation of the pain of heel prick in preterm infants

The hypothesis that the variability of physiological parameters may indicate pain or stress in the neonate was examined. Four parameters (heart rate, respiratory rate, transcutaneous oxygen tension, and carbon dioxide tension) were examined over a 2 minute epoch in response to a heel prick in an attempt to measure stress/pain in 35 preterm newborn infants (26-34 weeks' gestation) half of whom were receiving intensive care. The change in absolute values of these parameters did not discriminate a dummy procedure without prick from the actual procedure containing the prick (paired t test), but the variability of the parameters during an epoch showed significant discrimination. Three procedures were evaluated to reduce this distress using unpaired t test. The use of local anaesthetic cream was not successful. The components of the mixture cause vasoconstriction that would reduce blood flow to the heel and lead to more squeezing which is likely to be painful in the presence of tissue damage. A nurse comforting the infant with tactile and vocal stimulation was slightly helpful but the use of a spring loaded lance was most successful in reducing the distress. The use of spring loaded lances may be more humane for heel pricks.