This study on disinfectants marketed in Japan on theFoot-and-mouthdisease virus (FMDV) employed 16products supplied by 13 companies and classified into 7 groups according active disinfectant mixed with ingredient: iodine, chlorine, aldehyde, phenol, quaternary ammonium compound, disinfectant complex, and 0.2% NaOH. The representative virus was the FMDV Japanese isolate (O/JPN/2000 strain). The FMDV control was the swine vesicular-disease virus (SVDV: J1 strain). Disinfectant effects were examined by means of the plaque-reduction method. Results showed iodine, chlorine, and aldehyde to be clearly effective against FMDV and SVDV. Phenol and the quaternary ammonium compound, however, were ineffective against FMDV and SVDV. The effects of disinfectant pH on FMDV were observed in several instances.

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To observe changes in bone metabolism and associations between it and the development of milk fever, we investigated serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity at each lactating stage in 83 cows. The animals were from farms A and B, where milk fever occurred rarely, and farms C and D, where it was frequent. On farms A and B, serum TRAP activity was higher at lactation stages than at dry stages. On farm D at all stages it was lower than on the other farms. Apparently, on farm D, inactive bone resorption during the dry stage accounted for frequent occurrences of milk fever. In the dry stage, the level of serum TRAP activity was at almost the same level on farm C as on farms A and B. These findings suggest that, on farm C, frequent occurrence of milk fever resulted not from reduced bone resorption, but from an age factor.

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In May 2000, examinations of 2 instances of epidemicPneumocysitis cariniiin pigsinfected with Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) on a farrow-to-finish pig farm showed that clinical symptoms occurred mostly in pigs, about 8 weeks old. Extreme emaciation resulted in the deaths of from 5 to 10% of the pigs. Immunohistochemical staining revealedP.cariniiin a foamy eosinophilic mass clinging to the thick alveolar septa. Immunohistochemical staining also revealed the PCV-2 antigen in several lymph nodes. In addition PCR detected characteristic PCV-2 DNA in the tonsils and spleen.

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A crisscross heart was observed in a 34-day-old male Japanese Black calf. The right atrium, in a solitus position, connected with the left-sided morphological right ventricle through the anteriorly positioned tricuspid valve; and the left-sided left atrium with the right-positioned anatomical left ventricle via a posterior mitral valve. The aorta arose from the right ventricle and was situated anteriorly and to the left of the pulmonary trunk, which originated from the left ventricle.

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This study was performed to examine the effect of a low-protein diet (LP) on the progression of chronic renal failure (CRF) in cats. At the time of diagnosis, the alpha smooth-muscle actin (α-SMA) index predicted renalfunction decline in 15 cats. The animals were entered into a prospective study on the effect of an LP diet. Eight of them accepted the LP diet; the remaining seven refused it. At diagnosis, both groups were matched in terms of sex, age, sCr concentration, BUN concentration, creatinine clearance, urine specific gravity, and α-SMA index. Renal function and body weight were monitored at monthly intervals for 12 months. The LP diet prevented the decrease in body weight and the increase in sCr concentration seen in cats on an ordinary protein diet. These results indicate that the LP diet can slow CRF progression in cats and can have a beneficial effect on preventing symptom manifestation.

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A complete blood count of a domestic shorthair cat with a history of anorexia and weight loss indicated leukocytosis and non-regenerative anemia. A blood smear showed such dysplastic changes as red blood cells with 2 nuclei and macrothrombocytes and a large number of large, round cells with prominent nucleoli. A cytochemical-reaction test for peroxidase and Sudan black was negative. Nonspecific esterase reaction yielded positive results, and the reaction was blocked by sodium fluoride. Results of a test for feline leukemia-virus antigens were positive in peripheral blood. Prednisolone therapy and blood transfusions were performed. Because of increased number of blast cells in peripheral blood, after 2 months, chemotherapy with L-asparginase, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and adreamycin was initiated. After chemotherapy, bone-marrow findings showed increased number of blastic cells and monocytes. On the basis of the French-American-British acute-leukemia classification, this case was diagnosed as acute monycytic leukemia. The cat died 200 days after referral.

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A 10-year-old Shetland sheepdog with anorexia and mild tottering demonstrated erythrocytosis and increases in erythropoietin levels, serum protein, and calcium. Electrophoresis revealed a monoclonal peak of the gamma-globulin fraction, and immunoelectrophoresis confirmed the M-component as IgA. Radiography showed osteolysis “Punch Out” in the spinal processes and cervical vertebrae. These findings led to a diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Phlebotomy, fluid therapy, and administration of prednisolone reduced levels of serum protein and calcium, thus relieving polycythemia. Nonetheless, 56 days after initial admission, the dog died of tetraplegia and dyspnea. Association of polycythemia with multiple myeloma is rare. It is thought that, in this case, increased erythropoietin resulted in polycythemia pathogenesis.

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In February 2000, the H3-influenza A virus (A/swine/Shizuoka/401/2000) was isolated from a pig (perhaps 2 pigs) brought to a slaughterhouse from farm K in Shizuoka Prefecture. Antigenic and genetic analyses revealed that the hemagglutinin (HA) of the swine isolate was derived from the human influenza virus of the 1999/2000 epidemic season. Ninety samples of swine sera collected from 6-month-old pigs brought to the slaughterhouse from farm K were tested for the presence of hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) antibodies to the isolate. For 6 months after August of 2000, pigs with elevated HI-antibody counts were observed, whereas no HI antibody was recognized either before February 2000 or after August 2000. These results show that influenza virus that infected a pig (perhaps 2 pigs) in February of 2000 spread fast in the pig population but did not continue to circulate among pigs on farm K.

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