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Background: Dogs with internal hydrocephalus do not necessarily have high intraventricular pressure (IVP). Hypothesis/Objectives: Not all reported MRI findings indicate high IVP and some clinical signs might be associated with elevated IVP and syringomyelia. Animals: Fifty‐three dogs. Materials and Methods: Cross‐sectional study. Clinical signs and MRI findings were evaluated for an association of IVP >12 mm Hg and syringomyelia. Results: High IVP was associated with obtundation OR 4.64 (95% CI 1.27‐16.93) (P =.02), head tilt OR 6.42 (95% CI 1.08‐37.97) (P =.04) and nystagmus OR 8.24 (95% CI 1.44‐47.07) (P =.02). Pain was associated with syringomyelia OR 3.4 (95% CI 0.98‐11.78) (P =.05). The number of affected ventricles was associated with high IVP OR 2.85 (95% CI 0.97‐8.33) (P =.05) and syringomyelia OR 12.74 (95% CI 2.93‐55.4) (P =.0007). Periventricular edema OR 24.46 (95% CI 4.54‐131.77), OR 7.61 (95% CI 1.91‐30.32) (P <.0002, P =.004) and signal void sign OR 17.34 (95% CI 4.01‐74.95), OR 4.18 (95% CI 1.16‐15.02) (P <.0001, P =.03) were associated with high IVP and syringomyelia. The probability for syringomyelia is lower with disruption of the internal capsule OR 0.19 (95% CI 0.05‐0.72) (P =.01) and higher VBR OR 0.25 (95% CI 0.1‐0.63) (P =.004). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Previously reported MRI findings are not predictive of high IVP. Clinical signs and MRI findings should be used to make a diagnosis of internal hydrocephalus in dogs with or without high IVP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stallion castration is a standard procedure with a risk of post-surgical complications. Castration induces an acute phase response (APR). Serum Amyloid-A (SAA) is a well-studied major acute phase protein (APP), that has been shown to be a good marker for the development of post-surgical complications. The current gold standard for reducing the APR after castration is Flunixin-Meglumin, which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) inhibiting COX1/2. In contrast, Traumeel LT ad us. vet. can modulate the APR by induction of the inflammation resolution. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Flunixin-Meglumin and Traumeel LT ad us. vet. on the acute phase response. Material and methods: A total of 60 stallions were recruited and 54 stallions entered the study with 27 stallions in each treatment group. The stallions were treated pre- and postoperatively with either Flunixin-Meglumin (FL) or with Traumeel LT ad us. vet. (TR). Blood was taken before and 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after castration. The following main parameters were assessed: SAA, fibrinogen, iron, white blood cells, neutrophils, Interleukin1ß, and cortisol. Wound healing and pain were assessed at 8 time points. Results: The main variable SAA was increased after surgery reaching a mean value of 122 µg/ml in the FL group and a mean SAA of 226 µg/ml in the TR group 48 h after surgery, reaching a significant difference only at the 24 h timepoint (p = 0.03). All stallions had the highest pain summary score 8 hours after surgery, with decreasing values thereafter. The pain scores were not statistically different at any time point. In the FL group five stallions developed a suture dehiscence compared to only one stallion in the TR group (p = 0.001). Discussion: Within the limitations of this study, Traumeel LT ad us. vet. seems to have proresolving effects on the inflammation induced by surgery making it a valuable treatment to reduce the APR induced by castration. Due to its different mode of action, Traumeel LT ad us. vet. might be an alternative treatment option if gastrointestinal side effects or renal side effects of NSAIDs should be avoided. Further studies are needed combining Traumeel LT ad us. vet. and Flunixin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Veterinary Journal / Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pferdeheilkunde is the property of Hippiatrika Verlag GmbH and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Veterinary Journal / Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne is the property of Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study analyses a potential link of certain pathological findings to tail biting and whether tail biting/necrosis occurs in wild boars. Thirteen young wild boars and 17 rearing pigs were pathologically examined and findings compared by Chi2/t-Tests. Sixty-five tails of wild boars were analyzed pathohistologically. Typical pathological findings in wild boars were linked to parasitic infections, which were not seen in rearing pigs. However, significantly more rearing pigs were affected by parameters linked to gut health (P = 0.05) and rhinitis (P = 0.02). Pathological deviations in tails of wild boars were linked to external parasites. Wild boars are not healthier than rearing pigs (or vice versa). However, causes for diseases differ. The gut seems to be challenged in the rearing pigs. This may be explained by a nutritional challenge due to early weaning and might be linked to the development of tail biting. No evidence for tail biting/necrosis in wild boars was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Overshunting and hemispheric collapse are well‐known complications after ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) implantation. Risk factors that predispose to overshunting, treatment options, and prognosis after therapeutic intervention have not been described. Hypothesis/Objectives: To identify preoperative risk factors for overshunting, the effect of surgical decompression, and their outcomes. Animals: Seventy‐five dogs and 7 cats. Methods: Retrospective case cohort study. Age, breed, sex, body weight, number of dilated ventricles, ventricle brain ratio, intraventricular pressure, and implanted pressure valve systems were evaluated as possible risk factors. Results: Overshunting had a prevalence of 18% (Cl 95% 9.9‐26.66). An increase of 0.05 in VBR increased the risk of overshunting by OR 2.23 (Cl 95% 1.4‐3.5; P =.001). Biventricular hydrocephalus had the highest risk for overshunting compared to a tri‐ (OR 2.48 with Cl 95% 0.5‐11.1) or tetraventricular hydrocephalus (OR 11.6 with Cl 95% 1.7‐81.1; P =.05). There was no influence regarding the use of gravitational vs differential pressure valves (P >.78). Overshunting resulted in hemispheric collapse, subdural hemorrhage, and peracute deterioration of neurological status in 15 animals. Subdural hematoma was removed in 8 dogs and 2 cats with prompt postoperative improvement of clinical signs. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Biventricular hydrocephalus and increased VBR indicate a higher risk for overshunting. The use of differential valves with gravitational units has no influence on occurrence of overshunting related complications and outcomes. Decompressive surgery provides a favorable treatment option for hemispheric collapse and has a good outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applicability of the Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) protocol for sheep on farms in Northern Germany (Schleswig-Holstein) is assessed. Feasible, reliable and valid tools for the on-farm evaluation of the welfare state are needed as the societal interest in the well-being of farm animals has increased. Furthermore, national law demands a regular on-farm self-assessment by animal-based indicators. The AWIN protocol for sheep is based on animal welfare indicators specifically designed for sheep farming. To evaluate the applicability, feasibility and consistency over time, six different farms were evaluated in two successive visits at an interval of a maximum of two weeks, during which the evaluation sheets of the AWIN protocol were applied. In addition to assessing the applicability and effort, the results of the first and second visit of the farms were determined using a combination of reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Spearman rank correlation coefficient (RS)) and agreement parameters (Smallest Detectable Change (SDC), Limits of Agreement (LoA)). The results of this work reveal that some indicators of the AWIN protocol are very well suited to measure animal welfare (e.g. lameness and body condition score (RS: 0.88-1; ICC: 0.74-1; SDC: 0-0.06; LoA: < 0.08)). They show good feasibility and consistency over time. However, also indicators that cannot fully meet these requirements are identified (e.g. mucosa colour and ocular discharge). These indicators must be revised and adapted accordingly in the future. In conclusion, the AWIN Protocol for sheep is an extensively designed evaluation system that is suitable for recording animal welfare. It can be used in sheep farming for internal control. However, the time required and the necessary in-depth specialist knowledge regarding the application should not be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]