Two dogs were entered at Stange Memorial Clinic in April of 1945. One, a five-year-old male Collie, showed symptoms of depression, erythema of the underline, congestion and mild icterus of the mucous membranes, diarrhea, loss of and perverted appetite, and cloudiness of the cornea of the left eye.

Laboratory methods for early diagnosis of pregnancy have found their greatest application in the human where clinical symptoms of the condition are not manifest until approximately 6 weeks following conception. With domestic animals, the mare stands alone as the animal to which laboratory tests may be applied. Diagnosis of pregnancy by rectal palpation in the mare is desired over laboratory methods because it is faster, more accurate and can be applied earlier in the gestation period. However, laboratory tests are employed on those mares whose delicate rectal mucous membranes may not tolerate manipulation. In highly bred mares with nervous temperaments it may be impossible to perform rectal palpation due to incooperation and possibility of abortion.

A four-year- old female Togenberg goat was presented at the Stange Memorial Clinic, June 27, 1945, for observation and treatment. This goat was a heavy milk producer. Her ration consisted of grass, ground oats, and corn. At this time, ten days after parturition, a pronounced diminution of appetite and a slowing of rumination were apparent. An examination revealed a pulse of 120, normal temperature, abdominal breathing, and the animal remained in a drowsy state being unsteady on its legs. A sample of urine was collected. A test was made for acetone bodies by placing 5 cc. of urine and 1 gm. of sodium nitroprusside-ammonium sulfate mixture in a test tube and shaking until the solid material went into solution. To this was added 2 cc. of ammonium hydroxide solution. A deep purple color resulted indicating a marked presence of acetone bodies.