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Biomedical subjects

S P Snyder

Publications and source records attributed to S P Snyder.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Dietary pyrrolizidine (Senecio) alkaloids and tissue distribution of copper and vitamin A in broiler chickens.

The effect of feeding a diet containing 5% tansy ragwort (TR) (Senecio jacobaea), a poisonous plant containing pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA), on the blood and liver levels of copper, zinc, iron and vitamin A in broiler chicks was examined. Serum and liver copper and liver iron concentrations were increased in chicks fed a diet with 5% TR, while serum and liver zinc and vitamin A decreased. When PA were removed from the diet, partial restoration of normal serum vitamin A level occurred, indicating that the ability to mobilize liver vitamin A is not irreversibly inhibited by PA. The decline in serum vitamin A occurred by 8 days of TR feeding with a concurrent decline in growth rate. When chicks were fed a diet high in vitamin A (25,000 IU/kg), followed by a basal diet containing TR, serum vitamin A levels were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased, while liver vitamin A level increased. This indicates that mobilization of previously stored vitamin A from the liver is impaired by PA. Prior feeding of a high vitamin A level resulted in protective effects against PA toxicity, as assessed by histopathology. This study shows that a dietary source of PA modifies metabolism and tissue distribution of minerals and vitamin A.

Administration, Oral

Subchondral bone cysts with fractures of the extensor processes in a horse.

Probable cause of fracture in a Paint gelding was a congenital bone defect involving the extensor process area of the right and left forelimb distal phalanges. Radiographically and histologically, subchondral bone cysts at the fracture lines were suspected. These cysts were thought to have developed in association with abnormal ossification centers at the extensor process areas of the third phalanx. Partial avulsion of weak extensor processes would then occur from natural forces exerted on these weakened bony prominences via the common digital extensor tendon. Support for osteochondrosis as a cause of this bone cyst formation was seen in histologic examination of fragments removed. Within the bony trabeculae, a dysplastic focus of cartilage with mineralized plaques and osseous tissues was observed. Findings supported a diagnosis of osteochondrosis, to the extent that the disease is presently understood in horses. Surgical correction by fragment removal was performed to circumvent progression of degenerative joint disease, which was evident as partial cartilage erosion of the distal dorsal articular surface of the second phalanx and fracture fragments. Recovery from surgery was rapid, and several months after surgery, the horse was sound for pleasure riding.

Animals

Erythrocyte dyscrasia, anemia, and hypothyroidism in chronically underweight llamas.

A syndrome characterized by anemia, erythrocyte dyscrasia, low body weight, and hypothyroidism was observed in 8 llamas (Lama glama). At initial examination (1 to 23 months of age; median, 7.5 months), llamas (3 males, 5 females) were markedly underweight (29 to 55 kg; median, 36 kg) and anemic (PCV, 12.9 to 25.5% [median, 19%]). Five of the llamas became progressively more anemic over time; in 2 of them, PCV decreased to less than 10%. Erythrocyte changes included severe poikilocytosis, anisocytosis, asymmetric distribution of hemoglobin within the cytoplasm, and cytoplasmic extensions from one or both poles. Six llamas had moderate to severe valgus deformities of the carpus. All llamas had low baseline serum thyroxine concentration and diminished response to thyrotropin administration. Baseline and post-thyrotropin triiodothyronine concentrations did not have consistent patterns. Five llamas were hypophosphatemic and 7 had low serum iron concentration (iron concentration was not determined in 1 llama). Orally administered iron supplementation did not induce clinical improvement. Because 3 of the affected llamas were full sisters, a genetic basis for the problem has to be considered. It was not possible to evaluate the familial relationship of the other 5 affected llamas. Although the underlying cause of the problem was not established, the prognosis for affected llamas is guarded to poor.

Anemia

Efficacy of a vaccine to prevent Chlamydia- or Campylobacter-induced abortions in ewes.

In a sheep flock, Chlamydia psittaci, Campylobacter fetus, Ca jejuni, and Salmonella dublin caused abortions. A vaccine that contained C psittaci type I from 2 sources: a cow with pneumonia and an aborted ovine fetus, Ca fetus, Ca jejuni, and 4 strains of K99 Escherichia coli was given to 240 ewes before they were bred. All fetuses, placentas, and lambs, that died within 36 hours of birth were examined for infectious agents. Of 55 abortions, 30 (55%) were caused by Chlamydia or Campylobacter spp; 25 of the 30 (83%) abortions took place in the nonvaccinated group (n = 240). Forty-five more lambs survived in the vaccinated group than in the nonvaccinated group. Abortion rates for Chlamydia and Campylobacter spp (2.1 vs 10.4% in vaccinated and nonvaccinated groups, respectively) were significantly different (P = 0.003). Abortion rates for S dublin were not significantly different between groups. The Salmonella epizootic was controlled quickly by sanitation and treatment procedures. The vaccine was at least 80% efficacious against Chlamydia and Campylobacter spp and appeared to be protective.

Abortion, Veterinary

Serologic and histologic diagnosis of toxoplasmic abortions in sheep in Oregon.

Between 1983 and 1989, we examined 586 fetuses and dead lambs submitted to a diagnostic laboratory in Oregon. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in 74 (12.6%), campylobacteriosis in 89 (15.2%), chlamydiosis in 75 (12.8%), miscellaneous infections in 153 (26.1%), noninfectious causes in 37 (6.3%), and undetermined causes in 158 (27.0%). Detection of Toxoplasma gondii agglutinating antibodies (greater than or equal to 20) in body fluids or heart serum was considered specific for the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in ovine fetuses or lambs. Toxoplasma gondii antibody titers (reciprocal) in 285 fluids from fetuses or dead lambs were less than 20 (64.5%), 20 (4.5%), 40 (1.7%), 80 (0.7%), 160 (2.1%), 320 (1.7%), 640 (4.9%), 1,280 (2.8%), 2,560 (4.5%), 5,120 (3.8%), 10,240 (2.1%), and greater than or equal to 20,480 (6.3%).

Abortion, Veterinary

Measurement of IgG concentration in ovine fetal fluids: a useful diagnostic test.

The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University received 172 aborted ovine fetuses during the 1985-1987 lambing seasons; from 120 of these, body fluids were evaluated for IgG levels. Fifty-two (43%) of the fetal fluids had immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels greater than 15 mg/dl. Forty-five (87%) of the fluids with elevated IgG levels were confirmed or presumed toxoplasma or chlamydia abortions. A mean fetal fluid IgG concentration of 111.5 +/- 78 mg/dl was found for the 26 toxoplasma abortions; for the 19 chlamydia abortions, a mean IgG concentration of 109 +/- 91 mg/dl was found. Antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:40 against Toxoplasma gondii were detected in 23 fetal fluids. Fetal fluid IgG concentration less than 15 mg/dl was found to be associated with bacterial organisms (i.e., Campylobacter sp.) as the confirmed or presumed cause of abortion. These results suggest that measurement of fetal fluid IgG concentration is a useful, supportive diagnostic test in determining the cause of ovine abortion, and should be included as a routine laboratory procedure for ovine abortion diagnosis.

Abortion, Veterinary

Embryonal nephroma in a wapiti.

Ebryonal nephroma was diagnosed in a young, free-ranging female wapiti (Cervus canadensis) from the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado. Metastases were found in the lung.

Animals

Myxosarcoma in a wapiti.

Myxosarcoma was diagnosed in an adult male wapiti (Cervus canadensis) from western Colorado. The neoplasm was located on the medial aspect of the right thigh and had extensively infiltrated adjacent soft tissue.

Animals

Cryptosporidiosis in immunodeficient Arabian foals.

Five of six immunodeficient Arabian foals that died of adenoviral infection were found to be infected with an intestinal coccidian of the genus Cryptosporidium. Various developmental stages of the organism were found in the microvillous border of the intestinal mucosa. The foals had diarrhea but it was not possible to separate the effects of the cryptosporidial infection from those of the concomitant adenoviral enteritis.

Animals

Neoplasms of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses in domesticated animals as reported by 13 veterinary colleges.

Three hundred cases of primary neoplasms involving the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses were found among the reports of 12,300 microscopically confirmed neoplasms. The multispecies data were compiled from abstracts of medical records by 13 colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada from 1964 to 1973. Significant numbers of neoplasms were observed in dogs, horses, and cats. Intranasal neoplasms were more frequent than those of the paranasal sinuses in dogs and cats. Only cats had a sex difference in the occurrence of nasal neoplasms, with a male predilection. The frequency of neoplasms of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses increased with age in all species examined. A clear relationship could not be established between nose length and of intranasal neoplasms. Of the tumors, 80% were malignant in dogs, 68% in horses, and 91% in cats. Detailed review of medical records in a subset of 49 dogs with neoplasms of the nasal passage and paranasal sinuses revealed major clinical signs of nasal and ocular discharge, facial deformity, and stertorous breathing. Median duration of signs prior to diagnosis was 3 months and 95% of the dogs had been given treatment prior to definitive diagnosis. All 49 tumors were malignant; 27 were classified histologically as carcinomas and 22 were sarcomas. Nineteen dogs were treated, using surgery alone or in combination with radiation therapy. Median survival duration was 5 months (mean 6.7 mo).

Adenocarcinoma