Escherichia coli and selected veterinary and zoonotic pathogens isolated from environmental sites in companion animal veterinary hospitals in southern Ontario
Colleen P. Murphy, Richard J. Reid-Smith, Patrick Boerlin, J. Scott Weese, John F. Prescott, Nicol Janecko, Lori Hassard, Scott A. McEwen

Abstract — Hospital-based infection control in veterinary medicine is emerging and the role of the environment in hospital-acquired infections (HAI) in veterinary hospitals is largely unknown. This study was initiated to determine the recovery of Escherichia coli and selected veterinary and zoonotic pathogens from the environments of 101 community veterinary hospitals. The proportion of hospitals with positive environmental swabs were: E. coli — 92%, Clostridium difficile — 58%, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) — 9%, CMY-2 producing E. coli — 9%, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius — 7%, and Salmonella — 2%. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., canine parvovirus, and feline calicivirus were not isolated. Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in E. coli isolates was low. Important potential veterinary and human pathogens were recovered including Canadian epidemic strains MRSA-2 and MRSA-5, and C. difficile ribotype 027. There is an environmental reservoir of pathogens in veterinary hospitals; therefore, additional studies are required to characterize risk factors associated with HAI in companion animals, including the role of the environment.

Can Vet J 2010;51:963–972

Case-control study investigating an anthrax outbreak in Saskatchewan, Canada — Summer 2006
Tasha Epp, Cheryl Waldner, Connie K. Argue

Abstract — In 2006, an outbreak of anthrax in Saskatchewan affected several species but most of the losses occurred in cattle. Potential risk factors contributing to this outbreak were investigated through questionnaires involving 117 case farms and 259 control farms geographically representative of the Saskatchewan beef herd. The occurrence of flooding [odds ratio (OR) = 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.8 to 6.4], wetter pastures (Good: OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.5; Wet: OR = 7.2; 95% CI: 2.9 to 18.1), shorter pasture grass length (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4 to 6.4), and higher density of the animals on pasture (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.6 to 5.7) were more likely to have been reported for case herds than for control herds. Case farms were more likely than control farms to have vaccinated more than 1 week after the first reported case in the rural municipality (OR = 6.3; 95% CI: 2.6 to 15.3). Timing of vaccination in case herds was also significantly associated with the occurrence of subsequent deaths on these farms (P = 0.001).

Can Vet J 2010;51:973–978

The selenium and vitamin E status of horses in Prince Edward Island
Tammy L. Muirhead, Jeffrey J. Wichtel, Henrik Stryhn, J. Trenton McClure

Abstract — Serum selenium (Se), vitamin E, and resting thyroid hormone concentrations were measured in 201 horses in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Selenium concentrations were either marginal (0.0053 to 0.1200 ppm) or deficient (< 0.0053 ppm) in 79% of horses based on current reference ranges for Se in serum. Aged and young adult pleasure horses had a higher prevalence of inadequate Se concentrations compared to racehorses and broodmares (82% and 97% versus 45% and 72%, respectively). Overall, 13% of horses had inadequate (< 200 µg/dL) serum vitamin E concentrations; most of these were young pleasure horses. No horses were hypothyroid and, contrary to findings in other species, there was a positive relationship between serum thyroxine and Se concentrations (P < 0.05). We conclude that Se deficiency is widespread in PEI horse populations, especially in pleasure horses, and vitamin E deficiency is more common in young pleasure horses. Micronutrient supplementation practices employed by PEI horse owners appear inadequate to ensure sufficiency.

Can Vet J 2010;51:979–985

Correlation between fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of non-suppurative meningoencephalitis in 5 dogs
Byeong-Teck Kang, Seung-Gon Kim, Chae-Young Lim, Su-Hyun Gu, Dong-Pyo Jang, Young-Bo Kim, Dae-Young Kim, Eung-Je Woo, Zang-Hee Cho, Hee-Myung Park

Abstract — This study characterized the [18F]2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) findings of encephalitis in dogs and assessed the role of FDG-PET in the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis. The medical records, magnetic resonance (MR), and FDG-PET images of 3 dogs with necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME), 1 dog with granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME), and 1 dog with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) were reviewed. On the FDG-PET, glucose hypometabolism was identified in the dog with NME, whereas hypermetabolism was noted in the dog with GME. The T2-weighted images (WI) and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images were characterized by hyperintensity, whereas the signal intensity of the lesions on the T1-WI images was variable. The metabolic changes on the brain FDG-PET corresponded well to the hyper- and hypointense lesions seen on the MR imaging. This type of tomography (FDG-PET) aided in the differentiation of different types of inflammatory meningoencephalitis when the metabolic data was combined with clinical and MR findings.

Can Vet J 2010;51:986–992

Suspected systemic calcinosis and calciphylaxis in 5 horses
Jean-Yin Tan, Stephanie J. Valberg, Manu M. Sebastian, Gordon D. Davis, Jenny R. Kelly, Lutz S. Goehring, Malte M. Harland, K. Leann Kuebelbeck, Bryan M. Waldridge, Joseph C. Newton, Johanna M. Reimer

Abstract — Five horses were presented with signs of myopathy along with systemic malaise, hyperfibrinogenemia, hyperphosphatemia, and an elevated calcium phosphorus product (Ca*P). Postmortem findings were consistent with systemic calcinosis, a syndrome of calcium deposition in the tissue of organs including lungs, kidneys, muscle, and heart that has not been previously described in horses.

Can Vet J 2010;51:993–999

Use of a point-of-care beta-hydroxybutyrate sensor for detection of ketonemia in dogs
Debra W. Henderson, Daniel P. Schlesinger

Abstract — The urine test strip is the most common test used to detect ketones in veterinary patients, but it can underestimate the degree of ketonuria and hence, ketonemia. Additionally, adequate urine samples for analysis may be difficult to obtain from dehydrated animals. The standard method used to detect and monitor ketonemia in human medicine is measurement of serum or whole blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (ßHOB). A point-of-care (POC) analyzer has been validated for this purpose in humans. This study compared the accuracy of the POC device to an enzymatic reaction laboratory method for measurement of ßHOB in dogs. Although the POC sensor tended to overestimate ßHOB concentrations, there was good correlation (R2 = 0.96) and good agreement between the 2 methods with a bias +/- precision of 0.0860 +/- 0.3410 mmol/L ßHOB. The POC ßHOB sensor can be useful for assessing ketonemia in dogs.

Can Vet J 2010;51:1000–1002

Accidental entrapment of cats in front-loading washing machines
Sarah A. Stewart, Matthew C. Gaunt, Susan M. Taylor, Elizabeth C.R. Snead

Abstract — Two clinical cases of accidental entrapment of cats in front-loading washing machines are described. One cat died the day after presentation as a result of aspiration pneumonia and head trauma, despite supportive care. The second cat survived with supportive treatment, but developed dermatologic complications 10 d later.

Can Vet J 2010;51:1003–1006

Absence of the dens in a 9.5-year-old rottweiler with non-progressive clinical signs
Kristin M. Patton, Kelli M. Almes, Alexander de Lahunta

Abstract — Absence of the dens is rarely described in large breed dogs. In this rottweiler, mild neurological deficits seen at 6 mo of age did not progress for the 9.5 y of the dog’s life despite lack of surgical intervention. This finding underscores the marked differences between small and large breeds.

Can Vet J 2010;51:1007–1010

An eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) outbreak in Quebec in the fall of 2008
Sonia Chénier, Geneviève Côté, Johanne Vanderstock, Susana Macieira, Alain Laperle, Pierre Hélie

Abstract — Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) was diagnosed in 19 horses and a flock of emus in the province of Quebec in fall 2008. The EEE virus caused unusual gross lesions in the central nervous system of one horse. This disease is not usually present in Quebec and the relation between the outbreak and favorable environmental conditions that summer are discussed.

Can Vet J 2010;51:1011–1015

Mollicutes species and Mycoplasma bovis prevalence and association with health outcomes in beef feeder calves at arrival and initial treatment for bovine respiratory disease
Brad J. White, Gregg Hanzlicek, Michael W. Sanderson, David E. Anderson, Robert L. Larson

Abstract — Mollicutes nasal swab culture status and potential associations with health outcomes were determined in beef feeder calves. Mollicutes culture was positive in 7.6% (22/291) of calves at arrival and in 26.2% (34/130) of calves at first disease treatment. Positive Mollicutes culture at first treatment was associated with increased odds for subsequent retreatment or death.

Can Vet J 2010;51:1016–1018