Summary Scintigraphy, with 99mTechnetium methylenediphosphonate (99mTc‐MDP) and 99mTc‐labelled leucocytes, was compared to radiography in the diagnosis of dental disease in the horse in a prospective case‐controlled study, comprising 30 horses with clinical signs of dental disease and 30 control horses. In each case, right and left lateral, ventral and dorsal soft tissue and bone phase scintigraphic images were obtained after i.v. injection of 1 GBq/100 kg bwt 99mTc‐MDP, using a gamma camera. The same views were acquired in 10 horses with clinical signs of dental disease and 12 control horses after injection of 99mTc‐labelled leucocytes. Standard radiographic projections of the paranasal sinuses and of the apices of the maxillary and mandibular teeth were obtained. The scintigraphs and radiographs were assessed subjectively by 2 board‐certified surgeons and one board‐certified radiologist, with extensive experience of equine radiology, from who the clinical history was withheld. Sensitivity, specificity and kappa, as a measure of agreement, were calculated for the different methods. Bone phase images were also scored subjectively on a scale from 0 to 3 on the basis of isotope uptake over the teeth. Regions of interest were defined over the teeth, and normal teeth compared to diseased counterparts. Total scintigraphic counts were related to the age of the animal and to the disease process. Differences in density ratios between left and right teeth were evaluated using the Mann‐Whitney Test. Dental disease was confirmed in 22 horses at surgery or postmortem examination. Horses with dental disease showed a significant increase in scintigraphic activity over the affected tooth compared to the contralateral tooth, with a typical pattern for different diseases. The sensitivity of scintigraphy with 99mTc‐MDP proved to be excellent (95.5%), whereas the specificity was moderate (86.4%). In contrast, radiography had excellent specificity (95.0%) and a low sensitivity (51.5%). The greatest sensitivity and specificity were achieved by evaluating radiographs and scintigrams together. The objective scintigraphic density ratios were found to be significantly different between diseased and control horses. The results of this study suggest that, if a density ratio of 1.5 or greater between a suspected diseased tooth and its contralateral number is regarded as abnormal, only 1% false positive diagnoses and 20% false negative diagnoses will occur. In contrast, scintigraphy with 99mTc‐labelled leucocytes was not very successful, due to the lack of anatomical detail provided by this technique, which made identification of the diseased tooth impossible. Accurate radiographic interpretation of dental disease presents difficulties, both in terms of missed diagnoses and mistaken diagnoses. Scintigraphy complements radiographic examination of dental structures by providing information important for accurate diagnosis and is, therefore, conceived to be essential for selection of the appropriate treatment for dental disease.

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BackgroundThe study evaluated the results of clinical examination and haematological and serum biochemical analyses in 503 cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP).ResultsThe most common clinical findings were abnormal demeanour and general condition (87%), decreased rumen motility (72%), poorly digested faeces (57%), decreased rumen fill (49%), fever (43%) and tachycardia (26%). In 58% of the cattle, at least one of three tests for reticular foreign bodies (pinching of the withers, pressure on the xiphoid and percussion of the abdominal wall) was positive, and in 42% all three tests were negative. The most common haematological findings were decreased haematocrit in 45% of cattle and leukocytosis in 42%. An increase in the concentration of fibrinogen in 69% of cattle and total protein in 64% were the main biochemical findings. The glutaraldehyde test time was decreased with coagulation occurring within 6 min in 75% of cattle.ConclusionsIn many cases, a diagnosis of TRP is not possible based on individual clinical or laboratory findings because even the most common abnormalities are not seen in all cattle with TRP.

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The lengths of the digital bones of the fore-and hind-limbs obtained post mortem from 40 cattle of different ages were measured using digital radiographs. The lengths of the individual digital bones and the overall length of the digit were determined using computer software. The lateral metacarpal/metatarsal condyle, and lateral P1 and P2 were significantly longer than their medial counterparts, whereas P3 of the medial digit was longer than its lateral partner. Measured from the cannon bone epiphysis to the tip of the pedal bone, the mean increased length of the lateral digit was 0.8 mm in the fore-and 1.5 mm in the hind-limb. When the lengths of the digital bones were summed, the mean length of the lateral digit was 1.8 mm longer in the fore-limb and 2.1 mm longer in the hindlimb. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the lengths of the paired digits differ in cattle. The majority of cattle have longer lateral digits in the fore-and hind-limbs. This asymmetry might explain why the lateral hind-limb claws are predisposed to sole ulcers on hard surfaces. In the hind-limbs, the impact is transferred from the pelvis directly to the longer lateral digit. In the fore-limb claws, the tenomuscular attachment to the trunk may be involved in a more even weight distribution and in a shift of weight to the medial claw. The lengths of the digital bones of the fore-and hind-limbs obtained post mortem from 17 40 cattle of different ages were measured using digital radiographs. The lengths of the indi-18 vidual digital bones and the overall length of the digit were determined using computer soft-19 ware. 20The lateral metacarpal/metatarsal condyle, and lateral P1 and P2 were significantly 21 longer than their medial counterparts, whereas P3 of the medial digit was longer than its lat-22 eral partner. Measured from the cannon bone epiphysis to the tip of the pedal bone, the mean 23 increased length of the lateral digit was 0.8 mm in the fore-and 1.5 mm in the hind-limb. 24When the lengths of the digital bones were summed, the mean length of the lateral digit was 25 1.8 mm longer in the fore-limb and 2.1 mm longer in the hind-limb. 26Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the lengths of the paired digits differ 27 in cattle. The majority of cattle have longer lateral digits in the fore-and hind-limbs. This 28 asymmetry might explain why the lateral hind-limb claws are predisposed to sole ulcers on 29 hard surfaces. In the hind-limbs, the impact is transferred from the pelvis directly to the long-30 er lateral digit. In the fore-limb claws, the tenomuscular attachment to the trunk may be in-31 volved in a more even weight distribution and in a shift of weight to the medial claw. 32 33

BackgroundThis retrospective study describes the clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of 461 cattle with caecal dilatation.ResultsThe general condition and demeanor were abnormal in 93.1% of cases, and 32.1% of the patients had colic. Ruminal motility was reduced or absent in 78.3% of cattle. In 82.6% of cases, swinging and/or percussion auscultation were positive on the right side, and 82.4% had little or no faeces in the rectum. Caecal dilatation could be diagnosed via rectal palpation in 405 (88.0%) cattle. There was caudal displacement of the dilated caecum in 291 patients, torsion around the longitudinal axis in 20 and retroflexion in 94. The most important laboratory finding was hypocalcaemia, which occurred in 85.1% of cases. Of the 461 cattle, 122 (26.5%) initially received conservative therapy (intravenous fluids, neostigmine, calcium borogluconate) and 329 (71.4%) underwent surgical treatment. Ten patients were slaughtered or euthanased after the initial physical examination. Of the 122 cattle that received conservative treatment, 42 did not respond after one to two days of therapy and required surgical treatment. The final number of cattle that were operated was 371 (80.5%). Because of a grave prognosis, 24 cases were euthanased or slaughtered intraoperatively. Another 24 cattle did not respond to one or more operations and were euthanased or slaughtered. Of the 461 patients, 403 (87.4%) responded to either conservative or surgical treatment and were cured, and 58 were euthanased or slaughtered.ConclusionsCaecal dilatation can usually be diagnosed based on clinical findings and treated conservatively or surgically. Swinging and percussion auscultation as well as rectal examination are important diagnostic tools. Conservative treatment is not rewarding in cattle considered surgical candidates with suspected caecal torsion or retroflexion and surgery should not be delayed in these patients.

BackgroundThis study evaluated the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and pathological findings in 87 cows aged 2 to 10 years (4.5 ± 1.5 years) with type-4 abomasal ulcer.ResultsThe most common clinical findings were in decreasing order compromised health status accompanied by partial or complete anorexia (100%), abdominal guarding (81%), congested scleral vessels (77%), ruminal atony (73%), tachycardia (68%), tachypnoea (65%), positive foreign body tests (58%), decreased skin surface temperature (53%), fever (49%), reduction in negative intraabdominal pressure assessed transrectally (39%), poorly subdivided plant fragments in faeces (35%) and arched back (28%). The principal haematological abnormalities were hypokalaemia (72%), haemoconcentration (69%), azotaemia (56%), metabolic acidosis (49%), hyperfibrinogenaemia (45%), leukopenia (35%) and hypoproteinaemia (29%). Other abnormalities were aciduria (56%), haematuria (44%), increased chloride concentration in rumen fluid (34%) and abnormal peritoneal fluid (98%). Of 75 examined cows, 65 (87%) had ultrasonographic evidence of local or generalised peritonitis. On postmortem examination all cows had a type-4 abomasal ulcer and generalised peritonitis. In addition, 36 cows had type-1 ulcers, 6 had type-2 ulcers and one cow had a type-3 ulcer.DiscussionThe clinical signs in cows with type-4 abomasal ulcer are associated with generalised peritonitis. An increased haematocrit, indicating shock-induced haemoconcentration is characteristic in contrast to cows with traumatic reticuloperitonitis. Ultrasonography is useful for visualising and assessing generalised peritonitis.ConclusionsThe diagnosis of type-4 abomasal ulcer based on clinical signs alone is difficult and therefore requires additional diagnostic procedures including the determination of the haematocrit and plasma protein concentration, abdominal ultrasonography and analysis of peritoneal fluid. In most cases, these steps lead to a correct diagnosis and allow timely euthanasia of the cow to prevent further suffering and unnecessary treatment costs.MethodsThe cows underwent a clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and postmortem examination.

Concomitantly with an outbreak of fatal anaplasmosis in a cattle herd in Switzerland in 2002, we detected two bovine hemoplasma species in diseased animals: Mycoplasma wenyonii (formerly Eperythrozoon wenyonii) and a second, novel bovine hemoplasma species later designated "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos" (synonym, "Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobovis"). The second species was characterized by a shorter 16S rRNA gene. The aims of the present study were to provide a detailed molecular characterization of this species, to develop specific quantitative real-time PCR assays for the two bovine hemoplasma species, and to apply these assays in order to evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of the hemoplasmas. Sequencing of the near-complete 16S rRNA gene of the second hemoplasma revealed that it was 94% identical to that of Mycoplasma haemofelis, an anemia-inducing feline hemoplasma species, but less than 85% identical to that of the bovine hemoplasma M. wenyonii. Using the newly developed assays, a total of 159 animals from the anaplasmosis outbreak were reexamined. In addition, we tested 57 clinically ill and 61 healthy Swiss cattle, as well as 47 calves. Both hemoplasmas were highly prevalent in adult cattle but occurred rarely in calves. Animals from the herd with the fatal anemia outbreak were more frequently infected with M. wenyonii and exhibited higher M. wenyonii blood loads than animals with unrelated diseases and healthy animals. Coinfections may increase the pathogenicity and clinical significance of bovine hemoplasmosis.