Table of Contents and Abstracts

Objective
Our objective was to estimate the seroprevalences of 6 Leptospira serovars in beef calves at or near fall weaning and assess how concentrations of serovar antibody titers in weaning-age calves varied with Leptospira herd vaccination programs.

Animals
Serum was collected from 1922 beef calves from 106 herds in the Canadian Cow-Calf Surveillance Network (C3SN).

Procedure
A microscopic agglutination test was used to measure antibody titers for serovars Bratislava, Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Icterohaemorrhagiae, and Pomona. Records of Leptospira vaccine use were available for cows and nursing calves from 94 herds. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate the associations between serovar antibody titers in weaning-age calves and the number of doses of Leptospira vaccine administered to cows.

Results
Overall, 90.8% of sampled calves had undetectable (< 50) antibody titers to all tested serovars, whereas 3.2% of sampled calves from 26.4% of participating herds had a positive (≥ 100) titer to 1 or more serovars. The seroprevalences at both the calf and herd levels were higher for the host-adapted serovar Hardjo in western Canada and higher for the non-host-adapted serovars in eastern Canada. The probability of calf serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae titer increasing by 1 doubling dilution was 3.6× (95% CI: 1.7, 7.7) higher in herds that administered 2 doses of Leptospira vaccine to cows compared to herds that did not vaccinate against this pathogen.

Conclusion and clinical relevance
Based on the serological evidence, few weaning-age beef calves across Canada have been exposed to pathogenic Leptospira bacteria.

A 12-year-old neutered male pit bull crossbreed dog was presented because of a right caudal maxillary swelling. Computed tomographic imaging of the skull and revealed a right maxillary mass with lysis of the medial wall of the right orbit and rostral aspect of the zygomatic bone. A biopsy was done, and histopathology results were consistent with a mixed odontogenic tumor. The mass was resected with a caudal maxillectomy and partial inferior orbitectomy with 1-centimeter lateral margins. A transposition flap of the masseter fascia was performed to stabilize the globe. The cosmetic and functional outcomes were excellent during an in-person clinical examination 2 wk postoperatively and at a follow-up 1 y postoperatively (telephone communication with the owner).

Key clinical message:
The use of the masseter fascia as a transposition flap after a caudal maxillectomy and partial inferior orbitectomy proved successful for orbital stabilization in a dog.

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical techniques are desirable in horses and other equids. A new approach called “modified single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for equine cryptorchidectomy” is described, along with the postoperative outcomes of 10 equids. A SILS Port device (Covidien) was placed via a 30- to 40-millimeter linea alba incision in combination with 1 or 2 15-millimeter para-inguinal incisions to exteriorize the intra-abdominal testicles. Ten animals, 2 bilateral abdominal cryptorchid horses and 8 unilateral abdominal cryptorchid equids, underwent cryptorchidectomy using the SILS technique. The median surgical and anesthesia times were 90 min (range: 75 to 135 min) and 150 min (range: 120 to 195 min), respectively. No intraoperative complications occurred. Two cases had transient pyrexia after surgery. No other postoperative complications were recorded. This technique reduced the risk of iatrogenic damage of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminated the need for additional instrument portals, provided an excellent maintenance of the pneumoperitoneum, and allowed easy testicle removal. None of the animals in the study developed postoperative emphysema.

Key clinical message:
The modified SILS technique was an effective approach for testicle removal in abdominal cryptorchids that did not result in any complications in the cases presented.

Our objective was to describe a case of suspected relay barbiturate intoxication of a dog after ingestion of a rat that had been euthanized and frozen and then later burned in an attempted cremation. This case will be compared to previous reports of relay toxicosis. This report describes a dog that was presented to an emergency and critical care hospital because of lethargy and vomiting after ingesting remains of a rat that had been euthanized 2 wk earlier. The primary-care veterinarian had used a pentobarbital solution for euthanasia. The rat’s remains had been frozen until the owner attempted cremation at home. The attempted cremation and known ingestion of the carcass had occurred earlier in the day, before the dog became symptomatic. The degree of cremation was unknown. Upon presentation to the hospital, the dog was dull and ataxic and had an absent menace response. Supportive therapies and intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) therapy were administered. Despite initial treatments, the dog’s neurologic condition continued to worsen. A 2nd dose of IVLE was subsequently administered. The described symptoms improved 2 h after the 2nd dose of IVLE. The dog was discharged 40 h after arrival to the hospital.

Key clinical message:
The purpose of this report was to describe a unique case of suspected relay barbiturate intoxication of a dog following ingestion of remains from a previously euthanized companion animal that had been exposed to temperature extremes.

Debilitated calves are often presented with an umbilical remnant infection, septic arthritis, or both. These comorbidities, frequently caused by similar bacteria, must be addressed surgically. In cases of omphalophlebitis where the infection reaches the liver, the clinician generally has 1 option: marsupialization of the vein. This case report describes an alternative method whereby extensive omphalophlebitis can be successfully managed by “en bloc” resection and partial hepatectomy. Using this technique, we optimized cost-benefits for the client and overall outcome for our calf patient.

Key clinical message:
Omphalophlebitis in calves with infection that extends within the liver parenchyma can be completely excised by performing a partial liver resection, thereby eliminating the risks and challenges associated with marsupialization. The technique described is accessible to most veterinary practitioners.

A 12-week-old intact male golden retriever dog was referred to our clinic with a history of recurrent diarrhea and rectal prolapse and because of a suspected intussusception. An abdominal ultrasound was conducted to confirm the suspicion of an intussusception. An exploratory laparotomy identified a jejuno-ileo-cecal-colic intussusception that was manually reduced. A 3-centimeter, abnormal cystic lesion was noted to be arising from the mesentery of the distal jejunum and ileum, just orad to the cecum. The cystic lesion and associated intestinal segment were resected, and the histopathologic diagnosis was consistent with a mesenteric lymphatic malformation. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of a mesenteric lymphatic malformation associated with intussusception in a dog.

Key clinical message:
Our findings suggest that mesenteric lymphatic malformations should be considered when cystic structures are associated with intussusceptions in young dogs.

A 1-year-old intact Nigerian dwarf nulliparous doe was presented to the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Large Animal Teaching Hospital in March 2024 for evaluation of recurrent perivulvar masses of 3 mo duration. Transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the labia and ventrolateral peri-vulvar area was carried out. This examination revealed a horizontally oriented, bilobed mass on the dorsal left labia majora, and a separate mass located directly below the ventral vulvar commissure. The dorsal mass was separated by a vertical septum, with the medial aspect of this mass effacing the vestibular mucosa.

Both masses were surgically removed and submitted for histopathology. Histopathology revealed an ulcerated/pseudocystic lesion with chronic active inflammation, abscessation, and ulceration. Cystic Bartholin gland was the most likely differential diagnosis based on the collective findings. Aerobic culture resulted in heavy growth of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. The existence of Bartholin glands in goats is debated. This case offers insight to the ambiguous nature of these glands. Two months after surgery the owners reported no adverse clinical signs or regrowth of perivulvar masses.

Key clinical message:
This report emphasizes regional reproductive anatomy and clinical application in the goat. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis can be present in uncharacteristic locations. Any abscessed structure in a goat should be treated as infectious.

Over 1200 heavy feedlot cattle presented with severe tongue lesions during a 7-month interval. Review of the literature and discussions with colleagues revealed previous similar outbreaks had occurred in Canada and the USA, with extensive investigations conducted and no cause identified. In the current outbreak, examination of the environment, feed, water, cattle behavior, and husbandry systems were conducted, as well as diagnostic testing including necropsy, histopathology, bacteriology, virology, and toxicology. All the initial testing to determine the cause of the lesions was unrewarding. As cases continued and increased during the second month, a further inspection of feedstuffs was undertaken. Hard clumps were identified in the dried distiller’s grains with solubles feed additive (DDGS), and samples were submitted for additional mycotoxin analysis. Toxic concentrations of ergot alkaloids were detected, leading to a presumptive diagnosis of localised ergot toxicosis. Removal of the affected DDGS from the diet led to a decrease and eventual cessation of cases. This case report highlights the value of extensive collaborations among onsite and offsite colleagues when conducting detailed investigations on farm of a diagnostically challenging case.

Key clinical message:
This report describes a large outbreak of tongue lesions in feedlot cattle associated with ergot toxicosis. The report highlights the extensive investigation with collaboration among the producer, veterinarians, laboratory teams, and colleagues from further afield. Toxic concentrations of ergot alkaloids were present in hard clumps in the dried distiller’s grains with solubles feed additive (DDGS), suggesting a possible etiology of localized ergot toxicosis.

This report describes a case of ivermectin toxicosis in a 4-day-old thoroughbred colt successfully treated with intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) without complications. This case supports the use of ILE as a safe and effective therapy for the management of lipophilic drug toxicosis in foals.

Key clinical message:
Ivermectin toxicosis, though rare in equine neonates, can occur following accidental overdose and induces severe neurologic signs. In this case, ILE administration resulted in rapid neurologic improvement and complete recovery without adverse effects, supporting its use as a safe and effective antidote for lipophilic drug toxicosis in foals.

Objective
Aerosol medications are recommended for use in dogs and cats. Perceived pet intolerance to a face mask/spacer might prevent clinicians from recommending them, and thus prevent owners from using them. Our goal was to evaluate the duration required to train a pet to accept a face mask/spacer.

Animals and procedure
Pet owners with no experience using a face mask/spacer were recruited. Pet owners applied the face mask/spacer q12h and graded each attempt on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 = “not tolerated” and 5 = “perfect compliance.” “Compliance” was defined as the animal tolerating the face mask/spacer with minimal or no restraint for a duration of at least 10 breaths for 4 separate treatments over 2 d. Time to compliance and overall compliance were calculated.

Results
Forty-four pets were enrolled and 43 completed the study. All dogs achieved compliance with a median time of 4 d (range: 2 to 18 d). Eighteen of 20 cats achieved compliance with a median time of 6 d (range: 2 to 19 d).

Conclusion
Habituation to face masks/spacers was easily achieved in dogs and almost all cats.

Clinical relevance
Concern over pet or owner acceptance should not be an obstacle to prescribing inhaled medications. Most animals could be habituated to a face mask/spacer within 19 d.