Vet Gazette

Direct and indirect effects of viral pathogens and the environment on host fitness: invasive grasses in California. Seabloom, E. W., E. T. Borer, A. E. Jolles, C. E. Mitchell. 2009. Journal of Ecology 97:1264-1273.

• This study investigated the relationship between host fecundity and infection by a suite of RNA viral pathogens by surveying two invasive grass species (the hosts) at 18 locations along a 1200km latitudinal gradient on the west coast of North America. Infected hosts of both species had 28-30% lower fecundity than uninfected hosts in our field surveys. However, the correlation of reduced fecundity and infection arose from environmental effects on both host fecundity and infection prevalence, rather than direct effects of the pathogen on the host.

Phytochemistry and acute toxicity from the roots of Lippia alba (Verbenaceae). Sena Filho JG, JM Duringer, IA Souza, EV daCunha, AM Craig, MS Silva, JM Barbosa-Filho, HS Xavier. (2009) Pharmaceutical Biology. 47(2): 142-145.

• This manuscript compared the chemical make-up of the roots and leaves from the plant Lippia alba by GC-MS and determined the acute toxicity of the aqueous extracts from the roots to mice (LD₅₀ =1156.25 mg/kg). The leaves of L. alba are employed as an infusion or decoction for the treatment of gastric illnesses, diarrhea, fever, asthma, and cough, and as a tranquillizing remedy in Brazil.

Comparison between manual and automated total nucleated cell counts using the ADVIA 120 for pleural and peritoneal fluid samples from dogs, cats, horses, and alpacas. Gorman ME, Villarroel A, Tornquist SJ, Flachsbart J, Warden A and Boeder L. Vet Clin Path. 2009 Sep;38(3):388-391.

• The norm is to look at body fluids with a microscope and count whatever cells that are seen in there. It is a lot easier for the lab personnel to put the sample in a machine to count these cells. But machines don’t always perform like humans. So, this paper looks into how well the machine performs on counting cells present in body fluids as compared to manual count so the count can be done automatically instead of manually.

Optimal diet of horses with chronic exertional myopathies. McKenzie EC, Firshman AM. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice: Nutrition and Dietary Management. 2009 Apr;25(1):121-35, vii.

• This manuscript discusses the common causes of ‘tying up’ in horses and the most effective means of managing their disease through dietary alterations.