Rural veterinary services in Western Australia: Part B. Rural practice

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current status of rural veterinary services in Western Australia. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire was sent to all eligible rural practitioners registered in 2006 and the replies were transferred to Microsoft Excel for analysis. RESULTS: Of the rural practitioners invited to participate in the survey replies were received from 67%. There were equal numbers of females and males. Their mean age was 44 years. Ninety per cent of respondents considered knowledge gained as an undergraduate was sufficient to equip them for practice, but only 60% considered their practical skills adequate. Thirteen per cent of those in rural practices in 2005 had left by 2006. Eighty-nine per cent of respondents were in mixed practice, the balance in specific species practice, such as equine, large animal and production animal consultancy. The majority of rural practitioners relied on servicing companion animals for their viability; 7% earned their income from servicing production animals only. Seventy per cent utilised merchandising and the sale of pet foods to supplement the income received from the traditional veterinary services and 34% found it necessary to earn an independent income. A quarter considered that rural practice did not have a future. CONCLUSION: The majority of rural practitioners in Western Australia depend on companion animals, not production animals, to remain viable, with very few operating production animal services. Poor remuneration is a major reason why veterinarians leave rural practice, and many find it necessary to supplement their income or develop an independent income.     

Genetic background of CTX‐M‐15‐producing Enterobacter hormaechei ST114 and Citrobacter freundii ST265 co‐infecting a free‐living green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

CTX‐M‐type extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae have become identified in marine ecosystem constituting a serious ecological issue. In this respect, although contamination of coastal waters and seafood, and even colonization of seabirds and fishes have been increasingly reported, molecular data are lacking to elucidate the clinical impact of ESBL producers in infected marine animals. In this study, using a genomic approach, we have analysed the genetic background of CTX‐M‐15‐producing Enterobacter hormaechei (belonging to the international human clone ST114) and Citrobacter freundii (ST265) co‐infecting a free‐living green turtle (Chelonia mydas) suffering from septic arthritis, which progressed to generalized coelomitis and death. Wide resistome of these pathogens contributed to treatment failure and death of the animal.     

Strategies of the control of an outbreak of leptospiral infection in dairy cattle in Northeastern Brazil

The aim of the present study was to describe the strategies of the control of an outbreak of leptospiral infection in dairy cattle in Maranhão State, Northeastern Brazil. In the period from January to July 2015, 18 (17%) out of 106 cows presented abortion, six (5.7%) stillbirth, and 12 (11.3%) repeated estrus, totaling 24 animals with reproductive problems. The diagnosis of leptospirosis was based on serology (microscopic agglutination test—MAT), bacteriological culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic therapy, vaccination protocols, and changes in management practices were suggested as control measures. Of all animals on the farm (n?=?280), 136 (48.6%) were seropositive for at least one serovar of Leptospira sp. No pure leptospiral culture was obtained. Eight of the animals with reproductive problems yielded positive PCR results (vaginal fluid of seven animals and urine and vaginal fluid of one animal). Genetic sequencing of a vaginal fluid/urine PCR-positive sample revealed Leptospira borgpetersenii. One year after the adoption of control measures, no reproductive problems were observed. Thus, leptospirosis probably caused the reproductive failures in the herd, and the control and prevention measures implemented were efficient in controlling the disease.

     

Supplementation of L‐glycine and L‐glutamate to Japanese quails from 01 to 36 days of age using the ideal protein concept

Experiment I: T_1‐1 = basal diet with 25% crude protein (CP) + limiting amino acids (LA); T_1‐2 = 20% CP + LA; T_1‐3 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glycine; T_1‐4 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glutamate; T_1‐5 = 20% CP + LA + L‐glycine + L‐glutamate. Experiment II: T_2‐1 = basal diet with 22% CP + LA; T_2‐2 = 20% CP + LA; T_2‐3 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glycine; T_2‐4 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glutamate; T_2‐5 = 17.6% CP + LA + L‐glycine + L‐glutamate. The reduction of dietary protein based on the concept of ideal protein decreases nitrogen excretion in quails when L‐glycine is added to the diets. Quails fed diets supplemented with L‐glutamate as the non‐specific nitrogen source equivalent to the nitrogen level of the control diet had increased nitrogen excretion. However, quails had reduced nitrogen excretion in both experiments when L‐glycine was added to diets with L‐glutamate. Carcass fat was increased by reducing dietary protein, but fat deposition was reduced by adding L‐glutamate and L‐glycine, or both. The dietary addition of L‐glutamate and L‐glycine in quails based on the ideal protein concept is not necessary (Exp. I). Although the total nitrogen, electrolytic balance and glycine level were adjusted in diets, quails had decreased performance. Therefore, other hypotheses besides protein reduction need to be studied (Exp. II). Protein reduction with supplementation of only limiting essential amino acids does not affect quail performance. Dietary addition of L‐glycine reduces nitrogen excretion.     

Contrasting effects of heat shock during in vitro maturation on development of in vitro‐fertilized and parthenogenetic bovine embryos

This study investigated the influence of heat shock during in vitro maturation on embryo development following in vitro fertilization (IVF) or parthenogenesis (Part). Immature bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes were exposed to heat shock (41.0°C) during the first 12 hr of in vitro maturation (IVM), followed by 12 hr at 38.5°C. Control group consisted of in vitro maturation for 24 hr at 38.5°C. Oocytes were in vitro‐fertilized or activated with ionomycin and cultured in vitro for 192 hr post‐in vitro insemination or parthenogenetic activation (hpia). There was an interaction (p < .01) between temperature of IVM and method of oocyte activation (IVF or Part) for cleavage at 48 hpia. Heat shock had a negative impact (p < .01) on cleavage of IVF embryos, whereas no (p > .05) effect was found in the Part embryos. Embryo development towards blastocyst stage at 168 and 192 hpia decreased in both IVF and Part embryos derived from heat‐shocked oocytes. Heat shock increased (p < .05) the apoptotic index in Part blastocysts, but no effect (p > .05) was found in IVF counterparts. Heat shock also down‐regulated the expression of AQP3 (p < .01) and up‐regulated the expression of HSP70.1 (p < .01) in Part blastocysts, whereas it down‐regulated the expression of ATP1A1 (p < .05) in IVF blastocysts. In conclusion, the effects of heat shock during IVM on early embryo cleavage and blastocyst apoptosis are influenced by the method of oocyte activation and expression of some genes can be disturbed in embryos derived from heat‐shocked oocytes.     

Ruminal and morphometric parameters of the rumen and intestines of sheep fed with increasing levels of spineless cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm-Dyck)

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The objective of this study was to evaluate the ruminal parameters (pH, N-NH3, and microbial protein) and morphometry of the rumen and intestine of sheep fed...