Epidemiological study of pasture-associated laminitis and concurrent risk factors in the South of England

A retrospective study of laminitis was carried out to identify risk factors associated with this disease on an East Anglian farm with approximately 1000 animals living in an area of 1000 acres. Medical records between January 1997 and May 2000 and between April 2005 and March 2008 were reviewed, and the age, sex, weight (kg), height (inches [in] and hands [H]) and weight-to-height ratio (kg/in) was recorded. The prevalence, incidence and seasonality of laminitis were determined and their relationship to the monthly temperature, rainfall and hours of sunshine was evaluated. Averaged over the six years, the highest prevalence (2.6 per cent) and incidence (16 cases/1000 animals) of laminitis occurred in May. The findings of a multivariate analysis revealed that females (P=0.007, odds ratio [OR] 1.46, 95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 1.1053 to 1.9646) and light animals (P ≤ 0.001, OR=0.995, 95 per cent CI =0.9932 to 0.9963) had the greatest risk of developing laminitis. A positive association was found between hours of sunshine and incidence (P=0.007, relative risk [RR] 1.009, 95 per cent CI 1.001 to 1.012) and prevalence (P=0.002, RR 1.008, 95 per cent CI 1.003 to 1.012) of laminitis. The data suggest that there is a relationship between season, sex of the animal and the development of laminitis.     

Prevalence, clinical features, and causes of epistaxis in dogs: 176 cases (1996-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence, clinical features, and causes of epistaxis in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 176 dogs with epistaxis. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for information related to signalment, clinical features, diagnosis, and outcome. RESULTS: 132 (75%) dogs were initially examined by the hospital's emergency service; prevalence of epistaxis was 0.3%. Dogs with epistaxis were more likely to be old (> or = 6 years), male, and large (> or = 26 kg [58.5 lb]) than were dogs in a reference population. In 109 (62%) dogs with epistaxis, an underlying cause was identified; 115 underlying disorders were identified, with 90 classified as local and 25 classified as systemic. Local causes of epistaxis included nasal neoplasia (n = 35), trauma (33), idiopathic rhinitis (20), and periapical abscess (2). Systemic causes included thrombocytopenia (12), thrombocytopathia (7), coagulopathy (3), hypertension (2), and vasculitis (1). Dogs with local causes were more likely to have unilateral than bilateral epistaxis, but 11 of 21 (52%) dogs with systemic disorders also had unilateral epistaxis. Dogs with systemic disorders were more likely to have clinical signs of systemic disease. Duration of epistaxis (acute vs chronic), severity, and duration of hospitalization were similar for dogs with local versus systemic disorders. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that epistaxis was a common disorder in dogs and frequently regarded as an emergency. Local causes of epistaxis were predominant, but clinical features traditionally thought to be helpful in distinguishing local versus systemic causes could not be reliably used for this purpose.     

Comparison of tracheal aspirates before and after high-speed treadmill exercise in racehorses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether percentages of neutrophils in tracheal aspirate (TA) samples collected from racehorses are increased after exercise and whether interpretation of results from TA samples taken before and after exercise agree. DESIGN: Case series of 40 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in race training presented for evaluation of poor performance. PROCEDURE: TA samples were collected endoscopically from racehorses presented for poor performance 24 h before and 1 to 2 h after high speed treadmill exercise testing. Aliquots of the retrieved fluid were cytocentrifuged and smears were stained with Diff-Quik. Mean neutrophil counts were expressed as percentages of the total number of inflammatory cells counted and subsequently were categorised as either above or below an accepted cut-off of 20%. Comparisons between percentages of neutrophils before and after exercise were made. RESULTS: Percentage of neutrophils from TA samples obtained from racehorses after exercise was significantly higher than neutrophil percentages from TA samples collected from the same horse before exercise. In horses with TA specimens that were categorised as having < or = 20% neutrophils before treadmill exercise, the percentage of neutrophils in their TA specimens after exercise was, on average, significantly higher and was greater than the cut-off value of 20%. CONCLUSION: Recent strenuous exercise may change the proportion of neutrophils in lower airways of racehorses and practitioners should be aware of this when collecting and interpreting the results from TA samples. The most practical time for collection of a TA sample to obtain the most diagnostically useful information might be after a suitable washout period of at least 1 to 2 h post-exercise.     

玉米大斑病抗性基因SNP基因芯片分析

利用SNP基因芯片(56 110个SNP)对3对玉米大斑病Ht3近等基因系进行检测分析。借助生物信息学和比较基因组学方法,确定了29个相关数量抗性候选基因,均分布于2、3、7、9号染色体;14个候选基因与各类酶活性、能源合成、金属离子、DNA合成修饰、抗逆等功能相关。其中,GRMZM2G058197位于7号染色体bin7.04区域166087520-166091392,与玉米大斑病质量抗性基因Ht3基因位置相吻合。     

Molecular genotyping and epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis strains obtained from cattle in Iran

Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotyping was employed to analyze the population genetics of Mycobacterium bovis in Iran. One hundred and twenty-three isolates collected from slaughtered tuberculosis-suspect cattle and one clinically asymptomatic buffalo were subjected to RFLP analysis with probes of the polymorphic GC-rich sequence (PGRS) and the direct repeat sequence (DR) using DNA digested with PvuII and AluI. All these methods detected a large homogeneous population in which only a few isolates had variant genotypes. Only AluI-based RFLPs of both the PGRS and DR sequences were able to clearly differentiate between BCG and field strains of M. bovis. As in previous reports, these findings seem to reflect a recent dispersal of one or a few strains in Iran following the substantial expansion of Holstein-Friesian cattle over the last few decades.     

Effect of supplementation of mustard oil cake on intake,digestibility and microbial protein synthesis of cattle in a straw-based diet in Bangladesh

The objective of this study was to analyse the effects of different levels of rumen-degradable protein (RDP) on intake, digestibility and microbial protein synthesis by supplementing mustard oil cake (MOC) on rice straw-based diet of cattle (Bos indicus) in Bangladesh. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was applied. Four diets having constant energy (7.0 MJ/kg of dry matter (DM)) with varying levels of RDP (M ₀ = 4.1 g/MJ (control), M ₁ = 6.3 g/MJ, M ₂ = 8.3 g/MJ and M ₃ = 12.4 g/MJ of metabolizable energy (ME)) were received by each animal for a period of 28 days. A metabolism trial was conducted for 7 days. Results indicate that with increasing levels of RDP, crude protein (CP) and RDP intake increased significantly (P < 0.01). The significant (P < 0.01) increase in digestibility values are obtained for DM, organic matter, CP and digestible organic matter in the rumen. The digestibility of neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre was also increased significantly (P < 0.05). The total nitrogen (N), ammonia-N and total volatile fatty acids increase significantly (P < 0.01) while the rumen pH increased from M ₀ to M ₂ and decreased thereafter. The efficiency microbial N intake increased significantly (P < 0.01) but showed a curvilinear response with higher RDP level (12.40 g/RDP/MJ ME). This study concludes that supplementation of RDP from MOC enhances the intake, digestibility and microbial protein synthesis which ultimately increases utilization of low-quality feed resources that can be used for developing cost-effective feeding systems on a straw-based diet in tropical regions.     

Characterization of indigenous chicken production systems in Kenya

Indigenous chicken (IC) and their production systems were characterized to understand how the whole system operates for purposes of identifying threats and opportunities for holistic improvement. A survey involving 594 households was conducted in six counties with the highest population of IC in Kenya using structured questionnaires. Data on IC farmers’ management practices were collected and analysed and inbreeding levels calculated based on the effective population size. Indigenous chicken were ranked highest as a source of livestock income by households in medium- to high-potential agricultural areas, but trailed goats in arid and semi-arid areas. The production system practised was mainly low-input and small-scale free range, with mean flock size of 22.40 chickens per household. The mean effective population size was 16.02, translating to high levels of inbreeding (3.12%). Provision for food and cash income were the main reasons for raising IC, whilst high mortality due to diseases, poor nutrition, housing and marketing channels were the major constraints faced by farmers. Management strategies targeting improved healthcare, nutrition and housing require urgent mitigation measures, whilst rural access road network needs to be developed for ease of market accessibility. Sustainable genetic improvement programmes that account for farmers’ multiple objectives, market requirements and the production circumstances should be developed for a full realization of IC productivity.     

The physical state and plasma biochemical profile of young calves on arrival at a slaughter plant

AIM: To determine the welfare of calves arriving at a slaughter plant by assessing their physical state and plasma biochemical profile. METHODS: Calves (n=7,169) aged 4-10 days, were examined immediately after they were unloaded from trucks (n=20) and categorised on physical grounds as being in an 'unacceptable', 'marginal' or 'acceptable' state. 'Unacceptable' calves were lying down, unable to walk, extremely weak or seriously injured. 'Marginal' calves had a wet umbilicus, were hollow sided, apparently immature, or weak and slow and unsteady on their feet. 'Acceptable' calves were strong, walked freely, round-sided, bright and alert and had a dry umbilicus. After unloading, 27 'unacceptable', 306 'marginal' and 289 'acceptable' calves were weighed, examined clinically and a blood sample was taken from each. A second blood sample was taken from 118 of these calves, 12-15 hours later. The packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total plasma proteins (TPP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured. RESULTS: Only 27 of the 7,169 calves examined (0.4%) were categorised as being in an 'unacceptable' state on arrival and these were euthanased shortly after unloading. Generally, the plasma biochemical profiles of the 'acceptable' calves were similar to those of 'marginal' animals. However the glucose concentration of 'marginal' calves was lower than that of 'acceptable' calves, suggesting that they had lower energy reserves. After 12-15 h in lairage, plasma glucose concentration decreased and the BHB concentration increased in both 'acceptable' and 'marginal' calves compared with concentrations measured on arrival. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of calves presented for slaughter in an 'unacceptable' state was small (0.4%). However, 4% of calves were classified as 'marginal' and failed to meet all the requirements of the code of recommendations and minimum standards governing the welfare of young calves in New Zealand. The categorisation of calves by a physical assessment was supported by results of plasma biochemistry. As a result, plasma biochemical profiles are considered unnecessary for making decisions regarding the welfare status of calves arriving at a slaughter plant; an assessment of their physical state is sufficient.     

Urinary aldosterone to creatinine ratio in cats before and after suppression with salt or fludrocortisone acetate

Background: The endocrine diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism in cats currently is based on an increased plasma aldosterone to renin ratio, which has several disadvantages for use in veterinary practice. Objectives: To establish a reference range for the urinary aldosterone to creatinine ratio (UACR) and to determine whether oral administration of either sodium chloride or fludrocortisone acetate is effective for use in a suppression test. Animals: Forty‐two healthy cats from an animal shelter and 1 cat with primary hyperaldosteronism from a veterinary teaching hospital. Methods: Morning urine samples for determination of the basal UACR were collected from 42 healthy cats. For the suppression tests, urine samples for the UACR were collected after twice daily oral administration for 4 consecutive days of either sodium chloride, 0.25 g/kg body weight (n = 22) or fludrocortisone acetate, 0.05 mg/kg body weight (n = 15). Results: The median basal UACR was 7.2 × 10^?9 (range, 1.8–52.3 × 10^?9), with a calculated reference range of <46.5 × 10^?9. Administration of sodium chloride resulted in adequate salt loading in 10 of 22 cats, but without significant reduction in the UACR. Administration of fludrocortisone resulted in a significant decrease in the UACR (median, 78%; range, 44–97%; P < .001) in healthy cats. In the cat with an aldosterone‐producing adrenocortical carcinoma, the basal UACR and the UACR after fludrocortisone administration were 32 × 10^?9 and 36 × 10^?9, respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Using the UACR for an oral fludrocortisone suppression test may be useful for the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism in cats.