2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Plasma LPS was higher in diarrheic and nonsurviving calves. LPS was higher in hyper-L-lactatemic and hypoglycemic calves suggesting that diarrheic calves with endotoxemia may have altered metabolic pathways. To (1) determine risk factors for silica urolithiasis in goats; and (2) to evaluate changes in silica urolith submission rate over the past 28 years by comparing January 1, 1984 to December 31, 1998 (period 1) and January 1, 1999 to December 31, 2012 (period 2). Study population included 832 goats of which 106 had silica uroliths and 16,366 control goats. Information about age, breed, sex, reproductive status, geographic location, season of the year, and anatomic location, were used to identify risk factors. Pygmy, Nubian, Nigerian dwarf and mixed breeds were more likely to develop silica urolithiasis than other breeds. Breeds of African origin (including Pygmy and, Nigerian Dwarf) comprised 56% of cases. Neutered male goats had significantly increased risk of developing silica uroliths. A significant association was found between breed, sex, reproductive status, geographical location, season, and anatomic location and detection of silica uroliths in goats. The proportion of silica urolith submissions had decreased from 20% in period 1 to 12% in period 2. Mean age of goats with silica increased from 2.5 AE 3.2 years in period 1 to 3 AE 2.5 years in period 2. Males comprised 96% and females comprised 4% in period 1. In period two males comprised 100% of the submissions. Results suggest that the prototypical goat with silica urocystoliths is a neutered male, 2.5-3 years and of African descent. While results of this study indicate risk factors for silica uroliths, these associations do not prove a cause and effect relationship. Doxycycline (DOXY) is associated with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in calves in accidental overdose but not in experimental models when evaluated with classical and Doppler echocardiography. Two-dimensional-speckle tracking (2DST) is used to eveluate LV dysfunction in numerous species but not in cattle. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiotoxic effects of an experimental overdose of DOXY using 2DST in calves.