PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F H Welker

Publications and source records attributed to F H Welker.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of a bone biopsy technique for determining the calcium and phosphorus status of swine from weaning to market weight.

Tibia biopsies were taken from 75 live pigs at 4-wk intervals and from 251 slaughtered pigs to evaluate bone biopsy as a procedure for determining Ca/P status in pigs fed 70, 85, 100, 115 and 130% of the NRC (1979) estimated dietary Ca and P percentage requirements from weaning to market. Least squares means and SE of live and slaughter biopsy wet weight, ash weight and dry, fat-free ash percentage (DFF%) were compared at each time in each trial and found not to differ. Diet and time effects on ash weight, ash percentage of wet weight and DFF% of the biopsy core also did not differ greatly between slaughter and live biopsies and generally responded linearly and quadratically (P less than .01) to increasing Ca/P level and time. Biopsy measures were correlated (P less than .05) with third and fourth metacarpal and metatarsal length, bending and shear stress and DFF%. Means for slaughter biopsy DFF% did not differ greatly from the average of third and fourth metacarpal and metatarsal DFF% from slaughter pigs. Means for live and slaughter biopsy DFF% were lower than those for whole bones for the 70 and 85% NRC estimated Ca/P levels, but not for the 100, 115 and 130% NRC levels. Bone biopsy offers potential as a reliable noninvasive procedure for monitoring Ca/P status of swine from weaning to market, but it needs further study for use in Ca/P research in swine.

Animals↗

Congenital atresia of the parotid salivary duct in a 7-month-old quarter horse colt.

A 7-month-old Quarter Horse colt was examined because it had had a tortuous, distended vessel on the side of its head since birth. An abnormality of the parotid salivary duct was suspected on the basis of location and course of the vessel. Atresia of the duct near the parotid papilla was diagnosed by use of contrast sialography. Surgical transpositioning was attempted, but failed because of stricture formation. Chemical ablation of the salivary gland has been used to treat traumatic rupture of the duct. It proved to be an effective and practical method of resolving the problem in this case. Cosmetic outcome was excellent, and functional problems associated with loss of the gland were not observed.

Animals↗

An investigation of the second heart sound in the normal horse.

The second heart sound was evaluated in conscious, normal horses using intracardiac and external sound detection devices and echocardiography. The second heart sound (S2) in the normal horse is single or split by a narrow interval, not usually detected by external phonocardiographic evaluation. Splitting of S2 was classified as normal (aortic [A2] preceding pulmonic [P2] components) in 66.7 per cent and reversed (P2 preceding A2) in 33.3 per cent of the horses studied. Normal splitting appears to result from lower impedance of the pulmonary vasculature delaying the onset of P2. Reverse splitting appears to result from a delay in A2 resulting from prolongation of PEP and LVET. There does not appear to be variation in splitting of S2 due to respiration based on the cases in which this was measured.

Animals↗

Tarsal fractures in a heifer and a bull.

Tarsal fractures were diagnosed in a heifer and a bull. In both cases, radiography confirmed intra-articular fractures, with subluxation of the fracture fragment. Sudden, nonreducible hock flexion was a clinical sign in both cases. This sign may be highly suggestive of intra-articular fracture when diagnosis must be made without radiography.

Animals↗

Cecal volvulus in a ewe.

Cecal volvulus in a ewe was diagnosed and surgically treated. Clinical signs were similar to those observed in cattle with cecal volvulus. Rectal palpation, which is an important diagnostic aid in cattle, was not possible in the ewe. Thus, the decision for surgery was based on clinical signs indicative of gastrointestinal obstruction, with the diagnosis of cecal volvulus being made at the time of surgery. Recovery after surgery was rapid, and follow-up evaluation at 13 months indicated no recurrence of the problem.

Animals↗

Idiopathic gonitis in heifers: 34 cases (1976-1986).

Acute suppurative arthritis of the stifle joint was diagnosed in 34 Holstein heifers between 1976 and 1986. Only 1 stifle joint was affected in each heifer; however, 1 heifer also had involvement of the contralateral radiocarpal joint. In each heifer, there was marked lameness and synovitis characterized by an effusion with high synovial fluid nucleated cell counts and total protein concentration. Seventy-four percent (25/34) of the heifers had radiographic evidence of an osteolytic lesion involving the lateral tibial plateau. Bacteriologic cultures of synovial fluid, synovial membrane, and bone yielded no growth. Eighteen of 23 (78%) affected heifers for which follow-up data was obtained became productive herd members after treatment.

Animals↗

Endocardial fibroelastosis and tricuspid valve insufficiency in a calf.

A 5-month-old Holstein heifer had clinical signs of tricuspid valve insufficiency and histopathologic evidence of endocardial fibroelastosis. The calf had a 3-week history of weight loss, abdominal distention, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. Physical examination revealed signs of right-sided heart failure, and a systolic murmur (II/VI) was heard best over the right heart base. Results of cardiac catheterization and echocardiography indicated tricuspid valve insufficiency and right-sided heart failure. The calf was euthanatized after not responding to treatment with penicillin, furosemide, and removal of fluid from the thorax and abdomen. Necropsy findings included multifocal areas of thickening and opacification of the endocardium of the left and right ventricles. Excessive elastic fibers, consistent with fibroelastosis, were seen by use of special stains applied to sections of endocardium.

Animals↗

Abomasal emptying defect in Suffolk sheep.

Twelve Suffolk sheep were examined because of an abomasal emptying problem. Anorexia and weight loss were evident in 11 of the sheep. Ventral abdominal distention was observed in 5 sheep. Laboratory analyses failed to show the hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis commonly found in cattle with a similar problem. Rumen chloride concentrations in 3 sheep indicated reflux of abomasal contents into the rumen.

Abomasum↗

Thermodilution curves for diagnosis of ventricular septal defect in cattle.

An indicator dilution method developed for detection of intracardiac shunts and determination of cardiac output in man and domestic animals was evaluated in 4 calves and 1 cow with holosystolic cardiac murmurs. Thermodilution curves recorded from the pulmonary artery and the right ventricle confirmed a left-to-right intracardiac shunt and provided a means for its quantitation. Ventricular septal defect was confirmed in 2 cows, which were euthanatized. The data obtained by thermodilution were evaluated along with information obtained from other diagnostic procedures (auscultation, oximetry, echocardiography, measurement of intravascular pressures). It was concluded that the procedure is a simple and accurate method for diagnosis of ventricular septal defect in cattle.

Animals↗