In order to determine the effect of natural human interferon alpha (nHuIFN-alpha) in preventing diarrhea and enhancing growth in suckling piglets, 2 IU or 20 IU of nHuIFN-alpha was administered orally once a day for three consecutive days to 45 piglets born to five sows. In a control group, a 2 IU dosage group (Group I), and a 20 IU dosage group (Group II), each of which consisted of 15 piglets, 11, 6 and 4 piglets showed clinically abnormal symptoms such as diarrhea, respectively. Statically, the number of piglets presenting such clinical symptoms was reduced significantly in Group II (P < 0.05). The severity of diarrhea and the number of days when the animals were sick tended to decrease in a dose-dependent manner. The average weight gain of 21-day-old piglets was 4.7 kg, 5.7 kg and 5.3 kg in the control group, Group I, and Group II, respectively. The phagocytic ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 7-day-old suckling piglets given IFN-alpha increased. These results suggested that oral administration of nHuIFN-alpha at low dose was effective in helping neonatal piglets to gain weight, because nHuIFN-alpha can prevent diarrhea through improving systemic immune functions.

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A castrated beagle of four years and 11 months was diagnosed as having a cervical intervertebral disc protrusion by three-dimensional images of multi-slice computerized tomography, and immediately decompression surgery was performed. The ‘Vertical slot method’, which aims at reducing the pressure of the spinal cord by sucking out herniated tissues through a slot drilled into the vertebral body, was applied. Three-D images taken twice during the surgery were helpful in evaluating the degree of achievement of the procedure. The dog has had a satisfactory postoperative course. This result suggests that watching intra-operative 3-D images of multi-slice CT may be useful during decompression surgery of herniated intervertebral disc, although visual inspection was also used conventionally.

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Orchidectomy was performed on a 10-year-old Shetland sheepdog with a mass in a swollen and suppuratively necrotized left scrotum after infection control. The mass had invaded the peritoneal cavity through the inguinal canal, and asctites was found in the scrotum. Swelling of the bilateral inguinal lymph nodes suggested metastasis. We performed orchidectomy, excision of both inguinal lymph nodes, and partial excision of the greater omentum. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis with lymphogeneous metastasis. The pet owner declined further treatment such as chemotherapy, and the dog died at home on the 43 rd day, i.e., 32 days after surgery. Mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis is rare in dogs, and this report is only the second in Japan.

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We report the case of a 14-years-old neutered shiba dog suffering from anorexia and vomiting that was treated successfully by combination chemotherapy after diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia, and has been in complete remission. Hematological tests revealed pancytopenia with an increased number of plasma cells, monoclonal gammopathy, and hypercalcemia. Bone marrow aspiration showed that plasma cells had increased to over 90%. On the basis of serum immunoelectrophoresis, serum M component was classified as immunoglobulin A(Ig A). Radiography identified no osteolytic foci. These findings confirmed a diagnosis of plasma cell leukemia. Combination chemotherapy using vincristine, prednisolone, and melphalan was perfomed on the dog. Until now, namely up to day 240, the dog has been in good health, and in complete remission.

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A 15-year-old cat was referred to us with acute disorder of the limbic system and brain stem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other clinical examinations revealed extensive encephalitis from the olfactory bulb to the midbrain. The cat was euthanased because of the severity of the disease. Histologically, the lesion observed by MRI was diagnosed as Cryptococcus encephalitis. Since the cat was positive for Burna disease virus (BDV), the brain was stained immunopathologically. Antigen to BDV was detected in the cerebellum, the pons, and the medulla oblongata, where no inflammatory response to Cryptococcus had been seen. Consequently, the cat was considered to have been infected with both Cryptococcus (Neoformans) and borna virus.

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