Objective To report the long term clinical outcome of calves treated surgically or managed conservatively for bovine spastic paresis of the gastrocnemius (BSP‐G), quadriceps femoris muscle (BSP‐Q), or mixed muscle involvement (BSP‐M). Study Design Retrospective case study. Animals Calves (n = 79) with bovine spastic paresis. Methods Medical records of calves treated by partial tibial neurectomy or managed conservatively for bovine spastic paresis were analyzed for sex, breed, lineage history, and the onset, duration, and severity of clinical signs. Cases were classified as unilateral or bilateral BSP‐G, BSP‐Q, or BSP‐M. Long term follow‐up information was obtained by telephone questionnaire. Results The study group included 26 BSP‐G (33%), 16 BSP‐Q (20%), and 37 BSP‐M (47%) calves. BSP‐M and BSP‐Q calves were significantly more bilaterally affected compared to BSP‐G calves. Twenty‐five of 26 BSP‐G calves were treated surgically; 86% had complete resolution of clinical signs. Twenty‐nine of 37 BSP‐M calves were treated surgically; 81.5% improved, but none completely recovered. In all of the conservatively managed BSP‐M calves, clinical signs gradually worsened. None of the BSP‐Q calves were treated surgically; in 66.7%, clinical signs gradually worsened and 33.3% of calves spontaneously improved. Conclusion Partial tibial neurectomy is advocated for the treatment of BSP‐G and in selected cases of BSP‐M. However, only partial resolution of clinical signs should be expected for BSP‐M. No surgical treatment exists for BSP‐Q calves, although spontaneous improvement is possible.
In this study, sheep were examined as a potential animal model for immediate implant placement in fresh extraction sockets using experimental photopolymerisable bioabsorbable polymers.A total of 22 cylindrical implants were placed in fresh mandibular premolar extraction sockets of 7 sheep. Residual bone-implant voids were filled with a biocompatible composite of poly-methyl-methacrylate and poly-hydroxyl-ethyl-methacrylate (Bioplant 24). Photopolymerisation of a viscose mixture of experimental prepolymers and Bioplant 24 applied to the neck of the implants provided additional support before gingival closure. Clinical and radiographic controls were performed 30, 90, and 180 days after surgery. At 180 days postoperatively, the sheep were sacrificed and the mandibular segments were isolated for histological processing.High cumulative implant failure rates of 45.5%, 63.6%, and 77.3% at respectively 30, 90 and 180 days were recorded. Significantly more implants were lost when the position of the neck was located above the level of the alveolar crest (P < 0.05). Clinical and histological observations demonstrated poor implant osseointegration characterized by ingrowth of soft tissue into the extraction sockets. Bone substitutes were lost in all cases.Sheep have many practical advantages compared with other animal models. However, their specific oral biomechanics inherent to their constant ruminant activity accounted for a high degree of the reported implant failures. Important adaptations to the implantation technique and postoperative management will be necessary to use sheep as an animal model for future oral implant related experiments.
When a mare exhibits signs of colic during the last trimester of gestation, uterine torsion should always be part of the differential diagnosis. Uterine torsion is an infrequently occurring but serious complication in pregnant mares. In this article a review is given of the appearance, causes, symptoms, diagnostic examinations, treatment options and prognosis for the mare, as well as for her foal. At the end, three unusual cases are described.
Previous studies mention the use of topical acyclovir for the treatment of equine sarcoids. Success rates vary and since the bovine papillomavirus (BPV) lacks the presence of a kinase necessary to activate acyclovir, there is no proof of its activity against equine sarcoids. Twenty-four equine sarcoids were topically treated with acyclovir cream and 25 with a placebo. Both creams were applied twice daily during 6 months. Before the start of the treatment and further on a monthly basis, photographs and swabs were obtained. On the photographs, sarcoid diameter and surface area were measured and verrucosity of the tumours was quantified using a visual analog scale (VAS). The swabs were analysed by PCR for the presence of BPV DNA and positivity rates were calculated as the number of positive swabs divided by the total number of swabs for each treatment group at each time point. Success rates were not significantly different between both treatment groups. There was also no significant effect of treatment on sarcoid diameter, surface area or VAS score. For the swabs, a significantly higher BPV positivity rate was found for acyclovir treated tumours compared to placebo treated sarcoids only after 1 month of treatment and not at other time points. None of the results indicate that treatment with acyclovir yields any better results compared to placebo treatment.
