#recurrent uveitis

[iheartvmt]

Leptospirosis Other names: Weill’s disease (severe form in humans) Cause: Leptospira spp (multiple serovars exist) Species: Swine, dogs, horses, cattle, humans. Many other species are also affected and/or asymptomatic carriers. Signs: Swine – abortion (usually in last 3 weeks of pregnancy), stillbirths, weak piglets that die soon after birth or grow slowly. Other than reproductive losses affected swine often appear healthy; anorexia, lethargy, and mild scours of a few day duration is sometimes seen. Dogs – Acute kidney injury that, if survived, may progress to chronic kidney disease.  Acute liver disease.  Icteris, increased bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, polyuria/oliguria/anuria, cylindruria, proteinuria, or glycosuria; azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, acidosis, hyperkalemia, neutrophilia, lymphopenia, monocytosis, and mild anemia, muscle pain, stiffness, weakness, trembling, reluctance to move, weight loss, fever or  hypothermia, oculonasal discharge lymphadenopathy, effusions, and edema. Rarely bleeding disorders, uveitis, cough, dyspnea. Commonly fatal. Horses – recurrent uveitis, abortion (usually after 9 months gestation); occasionally, fever and acute renal failure Cattle – Most commonly abortion,  stillbirth, increased services per conception, prolonged calving intervals, agalactia/blood-tinged milk. Often a large portion of the herd is affected. Less commonly, high fever, hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinuria, jaundice, pulmonary congestion, meningitis, death. Humans – high fever, headache, chills, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia, uveitis, jaundice, rash; may resolve and then relapse with greater severity; kidney failure (nonoliguric, hyponatremia, hypokalemia), liver failure, pulmonary hemorrhages, meningitis, death Transmission: Bacteria is shed in  infected animal’s urine and enters an uninfected animal through the the mucous membranes or skin wounds, often via contaminated water. Venereal transmission can occur in swine and cattle. Among dogs, hunting dogs, farm/herding dogs, and pet dogs that explore the outdoors are at greatest risk. Diagnosis: PCR or antibody level testing required for definitive diagnosis Treatment: Swine – Streptomycin injections, tetracycline feed additives Cattle – tetracycline, oxytetracycline, penicillin, ceftiofur, tilmicosin, tulathromycin Dogs – Doxycycline, supportive care  (fluid therapy, antiemetics, GI protectants, phosphate binders, hepatic support diets and medications) Humans – Penicillin, doxycycline, supportive care Prevention: Vaccination is the best method of control in animals! Additional management practices help reduce risk – good facility sanitation and rodent control. Maintenance of pens to prevent injuries. Do not allow pigs contact with cattle, horses, dogs, or cats. Do not graze cattle with sheep. Do not allow pigs into the areas used to house other susceptible species. Avoid open drains and communal drinking troughs to limit spread between pens; limit mixing of pigs from different herds or pens as much as possible. Maintain closed herds, and do not share bulls or boars. Humans – No vaccine available. Use PPE whenever working around pigs (especially when handling urine, afterbirth, aborted fetuses, performing artificial insemination, or assisting with dystocias) or any individuals of other species suspected to have leptospirosis. Avoid drinking or wading/swimming in contaminated water. Sources: State of Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Merck Veterinary Manual, MSD Animal Health (image of dog), horsesidevetguide.com (horse image), NADIS (cattle images), leptospirosis.org (human image), CDC

[thescienceofequus]

The researchers are conducting a clinical trial on equine recurrent uveitis in Appaloosas.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), School of Veterinary Medicine are seeking Appaloosa horses for participation in a clinical trial on equine recurrent uveitis (ERU).

Equine recurrent uveitis is an ocular condition that occurs when there is recurrent inflammation along the uveal tract in the eye and is a leading cause of blindness in horses.

“Appaloosa horses, known best for their white coat spotting patterns (termed leopard complex or LP), are eight times more likely than any other breed to develop this disease and four times more likely to go blind, suggesting genetics plays a major contributing role,” a clinical trial description from UC Davis read. “However, little is known about the specific genetic factors involved. The objective of this study is to determine the genetic factors contributing to ERU in Appaloosa horses.”

The primary researchers—Rebecca Bellone, PhD, and Mary Lassaline, DVM, PhD, MA, DACVO—are seeking Appaloosas with known pedigrees to include in their research.

Study participation will include examination of the horse’s eyes by a veterinary ophthalmologist, photography of the horse to document coat color and any abnormalities found in the eyes, hair sample collection for DNA analysis, a discussion of the horse’s medical history, and follow-up phone calls/emails if any questions arise.

“Results of this work may help to lower the incidence of this ocular disease in Appaloosas and other affected breeds,” the team said. “Information gained may help breeders to make informed mating decisions, and utilized by veterinarians to predict risk of developing disease for earlier diagnosis and treatment.”

Additional information and the researchers’ contact information are available online at www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/clinicaltrials/local_resources/pdfs/flyers/bellone-recurrent-uveitis.pdf.