Department Of Clinical Sciences Research Articles

A Primer on Genetic Testing for Horse Owners and Breeders

With the increasing development of genetic testing and advanced genomic technologies, horse owners and breeders have more opportunities than ever before to learn more about the genetic background of their horses. This publication provides information to help horse owners and breeders understand what genetic testing services are, which genetic tests are available for their horses, and how to locate genetic testing services. Written by Julia L. Ciosek, Carissa Wickens, and Samantha A. Brooks, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, April 2024.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF SEVERE RUMINAL IMPACTION AND DYSTOKIA IN BEETAL GOAT

An orgasmic, restless, and persistently bloated female goat, approximately 22–24 months of age, was taken to the outdoor clinic of the Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. The goat had a history of of pregnancy about four and a half months. Upon physiological examination, the rectal temperature was within normal limits; nevertheless, the heart rate and breathing rate showed modest deviations towards lower limits. The oral and conjunctival mucous membranes were congested, as shown by a physical examination. On abdominal palpation, a hard, mass was felt in the rumen (anterior abdomen). In addition, ultrasonography showed that two dead fetuses were present in the right uterine horn. Moreover, further scanning showed a hyperechoic area (D=5cm) in the rumen. A tentative diagnosis of impaction and dystocia was made based on the clinical evaluation and ultrasonography. An exploratory rumenotomy and hysterectomy were recommended after diagnosis. upon rumenotomy, the rumen was packed with 1.5 kg of calcified masse. It was composed of compressed foreign bodies ( plastic bags and rope). The surgery was performed according to standard protocol. The animal healed without incident after receiving parental antibiotics (Oxytetracycline @ 5 mg/kg), NSAIDs (Meloxicam 0.5-1 mg/kg), and fluids (NS & RL) for seven days following surgery.

Livestock Vaccines: Principles, Types, and Important Factors to Consider

This publication presents information on the basic mechanisms and types of livestock vaccines available, as well as a few best practices for vaccine management. This information can help improve your herd health and success in your next herd vaccination. Written by Juan M. Campos Krauer and João H. J. Bittar, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, January 2024.

Is it coping or is it a vice? Understanding stereotypic behaviors in horses

This article will share what science has revealed about stereotypic behaviors, and how this information can be applied to better manage and thus improve the welfare of horses with stereotypic behavior. Written by Carissa Wickens and Camie Heleski, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, January 2024.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Capture Myopathy in Farmed White-Tailed Deer

This publication discusses causes, clinical signs, and ways to reduce risk of capture myopathy in farmed white-tailed deer. Written by Juan M. Campos Krauer, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, January 2024.

Facts about Wildlife Diseases: Antler Infections and Cranial Abscess Disease in White-Tailed Deer

This article provides valuable insights into antler infections and cranial abscess disease in white-tailed deer. It emphasizes the importance of addressing these concerns for the species’ conservation and well-being. Written by Michael A. Lyons, Amira M. Richardson, Merrie P. Urban, and Juan M. Campos Krauer, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, January 2024.

How to Start a Microsurgery Practice: Success and Sustainability in Academic Practice.

Starting an academic microsurgery practice is a daunting task for plastic surgery graduates. Despite this, academic practice provides many advantages as a starting point for a career. Microsurgical faculty can make use of several unique benefits within an academic center. These include vast resources of clinical and basic science departments, communications and public affairs divisions, and quality improvement teams. Building a multi-disciplinary microsurgery practice with specific focus will jumpstart research questions and outcome data. Using residents and students to their full potential is both rewarding and efficient as a microsurgeon. Finally, peer faculty in an academic environment provide a stimulating resource for growth and assistance when needed. This special topic provides insight into starting a microsurgery practice for any resident considering a career in academics.

POST-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS ENCOUNTERED BY THE STUDENTS DURING CANINE SURGERY: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

A retrospective study was conducted on analysis of procedures performed in small animal operation theatre at the Department of clinical sciences, Faculty of veterinary sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan, from 2009 to 2016. During this study period, 800 surgical complications were noted. The most frequent consequences seen were wound infection (21.25%), wound dehiscence (18.75%), septicemia (15.25%), and haemorrhage (15%). A slipped ligature, edema, myiasis, intestinal obstruction, and mortality were among the other problems. Laparotomy, Cystotomy, Gastrotomy, and Entrotomy had higher complication rates. Through questionnaire interviews with students, it was discovered that septic surgical procedures, inadequate use of surgical tools, and animals with low nutritional and health status were some of the factors that contributed to a high frequency of problems. The use of systemic antibiotics was necessary to treat the surgical site as an open wound to manage the post-operative problems. Recommendations are made to stop the emergence of post-operative problems when students are practicing surgery on dogs.

Analysis of scientific publications by professors of a Faculty of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Scientific publications are considered the final step of a research and are an excellent tool to characterize the scientific output of a university. Objective. To characterize the scientific production of the faculty of the Faculty of Medical Sciences "Miguel Enriquez", based on their scientific publications, in the period 2016-2022. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective, observational, descriptive study was carried out. The universe was constituted by the publications of the faculty professors, grouped by teaching departments. Articles, complete books and chapters, and monographs were included. The publications were analyzed according to the time of dedication of the professor to the teaching activity, and annual indexes of scientific productivity were calculated.Results: A total of 845 scientific publications were counted in a faculty composed of 444 professors from 17 teaching departments. In a quarter of them, the main author was from the Diagnostic Means department. The number of authorships per professor was 1487 during the period, with the Clinical Sciences Department standing out. Most of the works were published in journals indexed in prestigious international databases (Groups I-II), with a predominance of publications by full-time professors. The highest indicators of annual productivity, both per department and per professor, were obtained by the Diagnostic Means and Graduate and Research departments. Professors with a scientific degree and full professors and researchers were the most productive. Conclusions: The analysis of seven years of scientific publications of the faculty of the "Miguel Enriquez" Faculty shows that there is a diminished scientific production, which mainly corresponds to the professors of higher rank or category.

Johne’s Disease in Beef Cattle

The economic cost of Johne’s disease is substantial due to delayed establishment of pregnancy and even failure during the breeding season, reduced weaning weights, and loss or culling of cows before operations have recouped production costs. This publication aims to inform ranchers, ranch workers, Extension agents, cattle owners, livestock-agricultural students, and interested residents about important Johne’s disease facts. Written by Bridget Stice, Lindsey Wiggins, Todd Thrift, and João Bittar, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, October 2023.

Tips on Determining the Cause of Death in the Beef Cattle Operation

Dealing with death losses on the ranch can be disheartening. After all, a beef cattle operation’s success is measured in pounds of live weight sold. This publication discusses ways to determine causes of death in a beef cattle operation. Written by Taylor Davis, Lauren Butler, Christa Kirby, Bridget Stice, Todd Thrift, Lindsey Wiggins, and João Bittar, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, October 2023.

What is the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL), and what can BADDL do for cattle producers?

For years, cattle producers have acted as unofficial researchers and detectives. As caregivers to domesticated animals, cattle producers and veterinarians sometimes need more pieces of information to solve a puzzle. This publication discusses the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL), which exists to help with more difficult diagnoses. Written by Lauren Butler, Christa Kirby, Bridget Stice, Todd Thrift, Lindsey Wiggins, and João Bittar, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension, October 2023.

Expert Insights: Phase III Clinical Trials in Non-Transfusion-Dependent (ENERGIZE) and Transfusion-Dependent (ENERGIZE-T) α- and β-Thalassaemia

The thalassaemias are a heterogeneous group of inherited chronic blood disorders associated with impaired haemoglobin (Hb) synthesis, resulting in ineffective erythropoiesis, haemolysis, and the development of lifelong anaemia. The pathophysiology of thalassaemia is due, in part, to increased energy demand to clear globin aggregates and reactive O2 species, and maintain overall red blood cell (RBC) health, coupled with insufficient adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. For this article, interviews were conducted by EMJ in December 2022 with two key opinion leaders. Kevin Kuo is a Clinician-Investigator and Staff Haematologist at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada, and Associate Professor in the Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada. Maria Cappellini is Professor of Medicine in the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, University of Milan, Italy. Both haematologists have over 50 years of expertise and clinical experience between them in treating patients with thalassaemia. The two experts provided insights into two ongoing Phase III clinical trials for both α- and β-thalassaemia. These trials are investigating the effect of mitapivat, a first-in-class, small molecule pyruvate kinase activator, in patients across the full range of thalassaemia subtypes. The ENERGIZE trial is investigating mitapivat in patients with non–transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (NTDT), and the ENERGIZE-T trial is investigating mitapivat in patients with transfusion-dependent thalassaemia (TDT).

An Overview of the Bovine Leukemia Virus

This publication discusses bovine leukemia virus and its prevalence, economic implications, transmission, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control. Written by Kaitlyn K. Renegar, Ameer A. Megahed, Ahmadreza Mirzaei, and João H. Jabur Bittar, and published by the Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, UF/IFAS Extension, May 2023.

Survival time and prognostic factors in canine leishmaniosis in a non-endemic country treated with a two-phase protocol including initial allopurinol monotherapy

BackgroundLeishmania infantum is an intracellular protozoan parasite which is endemic in countries of the Mediterranean Basin. Leishmaniosis is increasingly diagnosed in non-endemic areas due to the relocation of dogs from endemic areas and the travel of dogs to and from these areas. The prognosis of leishmaniosis in these dogs may differ from that of those in endemic areas. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the Kaplan–Meier estimated survival time for dogs with leishmaniosis in the Netherlands (a non-endemic country), (2) to determine if clinicopathological variables at the time of diagnosis predicted the survival of these dogs, and (3) to evaluate the effect of a two-phase therapy protocol of allopurinol monotherapy followed by meglumine antimoniate and/or miltefosine in the case of incomplete remission or relapse.MethodsThe database of the Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University was investigated for leishmaniosis patients. Patient records were reviewed for signalment and clinicopathological data at the time of diagnosis. Only treatment-naive patients were included. Follow-up was performed during the study by phone contact and included treatment received and date and cause of death. Univariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model.ResultsThe estimated median Kaplan–Meier survival time was 6.4 years. In the univariate analysis, increases in monocyte, plasma urea and creatinine concentrations, and urine protein to creatinine ratio were all significantly associated with decreased survival time. The majority of patients only received allopurinol monotherapy.ConclusionsCanine leishmaniosis patients in our study population in the Netherlands, which is non-endemic for the disease, had an estimated Kaplan–Meier median survival time of 6.4 years, which is comparable to the outcome of other reported therapy protocols. Increased plasma urea and creatinine concentrations and monocyte concentration were statistically associated with an increased risk of death. We conclude that initial allopurinol monotherapy for 3 months should be effective in more than half of canine leishmaniosis cases, provided there is adequate follow-up, and that meglumine antimoniate or miltefosine therapy should be started as the second phase of the protocol in cases where remission is incomplete or there is a relapse.Graphical

The intertwined epidemics of HIV and COVID-19 - emerging data and responses.

aDivision of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine; Department of Medicine; University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA bIII Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Luigi Sacco University Hospital, University of Milan, Italy Correspondence to Agostino Riva, and Monica Gandhi, MD, Universita degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy. E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Correction of retention deficiency in complete denture base

Dental UpdateVol. 50, No. 4 Technique TipsCorrection of retention deficiency in complete denture baseSittana ElfadilSittana ElfadilEmail: E-mail Address: [email protected]Assistant Professor in Prosthodontics, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry; Center of Medical and Bio-Allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab EmiratesSearch for more papers by this authorSittana ElfadilPublished Online:18 Apr 2023https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2023.50.4.307AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article

Best Management Practices for Equines in Natural Disasters

Creating personalized emergency plans for evacuating or sheltering-in-place with horses helps horse owners to be as prepared as possible when natural disasters occur. This publication discusses disaster-specific considerations, making a plan, water and feed, documentation, fence and pasture preparations, animal identification, vaccinations, insurance, what to expect at agricultural inspection station stops, and more. Written by Kelsey M. Irvine and Brandi K. Phillips, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, February 2023.

Developing a Deworming Program for Florida Horses

This publication reviews the most common parasites in horses and provides horse owners with recommendations for parasite prevention. Written by Jennifer Bearden, Brittany Justesen, and Sally DeNotta, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, February 2023.

Equine Coronavirus: An Infectious Disease Affecting Florida Horses

This publication provides an overview of equine coronavirus and discusses prevalence, transmission, clinical disease, diagnostic sampling, testing, and handling, treatment, prognosis, prevention and biosecurity, and potential for transmission to other species. Written by Sally DeNotta and Linda Mittel, and published by the UF/IFAS Veterinary Medicine—Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department, January 2023.