Viruses and virus-like particles detected during examination of feces from calves and piglets with diarrhea

A total of 763 fecal or intestinal samples from diarrheic calves and piglets were examined for viral content by immunofluorescence, electron microscopy or cell culture. Routine fluorescent antibody and cultural tests detected rotavirus (n=126), coronavirus (n=80) and bovine viral diarrhea virus (n=13). Electron microscopy detected rotaviruses (n=24) and coronaviruses (n=17) not identified by standard fluorescent antibody tests. Other viruses detected by electron microscopy included Breda virus-like particles (n=49), astroviruses (n=1), caliciviruses (n=1), rhabdoviruses (n=1), parvoviruses (n=2), enteroviruses (n=3), togavirus-like particles (n=2), and “chained” particles (n=5). Mixtures of several of the viruses were detected in a number of fecal samples.

The survey emphasized the value of electron microscopy as a broad-spectrum diagnostic tool.

     

The use of computers in dairy herd health program: A review

This review of the literature covers the changes in the approach to veterinary health management that led to the introduction of computerized herd health programs and the various other applications of the computer in the practice of dairy herd medicine. The role that production recording systems, mainframe computers, minicomputers, and microcomputers have played in the evolution of herd health programs are also reviewed.     

Prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in dairy heifers in western Canada

A survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in grazing dairy replacement heifers in western Canada. Fecal samples were collected from 566 animals on 34 farms distributed over the three prairie provinces. Fecal egg counts were performed using a modified Wisconsin centrifugation technique. The overall mean farm fecal egg count was 16.0 eggs per gram feces (range 0.7-78.1 epg). Gastrointestinal nematodes were demonstrated on every farm examined, and 93.3% of all individuals tested were positive.