Efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid against strike by some primary and secondary blowflies of sheep

SUMMARY Merino sheep, which were hand jetted with ivermectin jetting fluid, and untreated sheep were challenged with larval implants of Lucilia cuprina, Lucilia sericata, Calliphora noclva and Chrysomya ruflfacles at intervals of about 2 weeks from 6 to 16 weeks after treatment. Both Lucilia species produced strike rates of about 90% in untreated sheep; the respective rates were lower for Chr rufifacies (55%) and C nociva (60%). Strike rates for the treated group were about 17, 11, and 9% for L cuprina, L sericata, and Chr rufifacies, respectively. Only 1 implant site in the treated group was struck by C nociva. Treated sheep had significantly (P < 0.01) longer time to first strike than did untreated ones for each species of fly. L sericata, Chr rufifacies, and C nociva larvae implanted on treated animals had significantly (P < 0.05) longer time to first strike than did L cuprina larvae.     

Total and extractable trace element contents of soils in England and Wales

Soil samples taken by soil auger to a depth of 150 mm from randomly selected agricultural fields throughout England and Wales were analysed for total As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn, acetic acid-extractable Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn, EDTA-extractable Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se and Zn, ammonium oxalate extractable Ni and Mo and hot water-extractable B. Median, log-derived mean and range data are given for each element. Median values are given also by parent material and textural grouping.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of ephedrine in halothane-anesthetized horses

The cardiopulmonary effects of intravenous (i.v.) administration of the sympathomimetic drug ephedrine during two different levels of halothane anesthesia [end-tidal concentration of 1.37% (light anesthesia) and 2.1% (deep anesthesia)] were studied in eight horses. Anesthesia was induced and maintained using only halothane in O2. Ventilation was controlled to maintain a Paco2 of 38-42 mmHg. Following instrumentation and stabilization of the horse at the halothane concentration being studied, baseline measurements of cardiac output (Q), arterial blood pressure (AP), pulmonary artery pressure, heart rate, Pao2, Paco2 and pH were made. Ephedrine was then administered (0.06 mg/kg i.v.) and these measurements repeated at 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 min after injection. At both doses of halothane there was a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in Q, stroke volume (SV), and systolic AP following ephedrine administration. In addition, at 2.1% halothane, ephedrine administration resulted in a significant (P less than 0.05) increase in mean AP and Pao2 and a decrease in total peripheral resistance. The increase in systolic AP, Q, and SV was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater at 2.1% halothane than at 1.37% halothane. Ephedrine administration to horses during both light and deep halothane anesthesia results in an increase in AP that is due to an increase in Q and SV.     

Efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for the curative treatment of blowfly strikes in sheep

SUMMARY A jetting fluid containing 7.5% w/v ivermectin, which was diluted to 0.03 mg/mL in water and applied using a standard hand jetting technique, was assessed for its efficacy in treating blowfly strikes on Merino sheep. Strikes were induced on sheep held under insectary conditions using laboratory-reared Lucilia cuprina. All struck sheep jetted at 28,48 or 72 hours after exposure to flies were successfully treated. All 1st, 2nd and early 3rd instar larvae were killed within 24 hours of treatment.     

Prosthetic Coxofemoral Joint Repiacement in the Goose (Anser Sp.): I. Preliminary Results

In order to study failure modes of fixation of artificial hip joints in man, an animal model was needed that had similar loading conditions concerning the hip joint and a life expectancy long enough to allow for fixation failures to occur. Femoral components of a hip joint were implanted into domestic geese ( Anser sp.) to evaluate their suitability for long-term in vivo studies of femoral implants. A prosthesis was developed. It was implanted into mature geese under general anesthesia using a lateral surgical approach. The animals were sacrificed 5 to 11 months after implantation. The results indicate that prosthetic hip joints could be implanted and that joint function was restored in all cases. There was no postoperative morbidity or mortality. Prosthetic loosening was observed in three out of the nine implants.     

Role of prokinetic drugs for treatment of postoperative ileus in the horse

All horses undergoing coeliotomy for an acute abdominal crisis are at risk of developing ileus and should receive therapy aimed at promoting gastrointestinal function by restoring fluid and electrolyte balance. Adequate analgesia and prevention against peritonitis, bacteraemia and endotoxaemia should be provided. Horses that at the time of surgery have a strangulating or non-strangulating small intestinal obstruction should be considered to be at greater risk of developing a persistent ileus that is refractory to treatment than those horses with lesions involving the large intestine. In horses considered to be at greater risk of developing a persistent ileus, the use of prokinetic agents should be considered. Agents that may be used to improve gastrointestinal motility include adrenergic receptor antagonists, cholinergic agonists, benzamides, dopamine antagonists, macrolide antimicrobials, opiate receptor agonists and antagonists, somatostatin analogues and local anaesthetics. There are limited studies into the use of these agents in the horse. Until further research provides more information on motility disorders following intestinal surgery and the efficacy of prokinetic agents in this species, only selective use of some of these drugs can be recommended.     

SHORT CONTRIBUTION: The latest endangered species in Australia: A tobacco-smoking veterinarian

The results of a tobacco smoking survey conducted among veterinarians in Queensland, Australia, during 2007 are presented. Of the 567 participants only 3% reported being current smokers, 24% were ex-smokers and 73% had never smoked. The prevalence of smoking was similar among males and females, and the highest smoking rate was reported among veterinarians aged 31–40 years. However, the rate of never-smokers was strongly and negatively correlated with age, and the proportion of ex-smokers increased with age. Encouragingly, the results from this study suggest that tobacco use has all but disappeared from the Australian veterinary profession in recent years.     

DDGS和酵母培养物对奶牛生产性能和乳成分的影响

选择16头泌乳天数为127±52d经产荷斯坦泌乳牛用于评价酵母培养物(达农威益康XP)和玉米酒糟及其可溶物(DDGS)在试验日粮中含有限草料纤维数量(草料中的中性洗涤纤维含量为19.3%,干物质基础)之情况下对产奶量和乳成分的影响及其它们之间的互作效应。本次试验采用4重复4×4拉丁方设计,试验时间为4个星期。处理组均按照2×2因子排列而设定,其中:1)日粮中不含酵母培养物和DDGS(对照组);2)日粮中含有20%DDGS,无酵母培养物(DDGS组);3)日粮中含有60g/d的酵母培养物益康XP(XP组);4)日粮中含有20%DDGS和60g/d的益康XP(XP+DDGS组)。本次试验结果表明:各处理组之间对奶牛体重和体况评分无显著的影响。日粮的处理并不影响干物质采食量(DMI),在使用草料纤维含量较低且添加20%DDGS的日粮情况下乳脂率会降低。添加益康XP的确能够提高产奶量及乳蛋白产量,但却不能够完全阻止因DDGS所造成的乳脂率下降的趋势。无论日粮中是否含有DDGS,益康XP都能够提高奶牛的生产性能。