Effects of repeated cross-fosterings on preweaning behavior and growth performance of piglets and on maternal behavior of sows

Extensive cross-fostering is widely used in early-weaning units in order to standardize and improve body weight at weaning. However, young suckling piglets develop teat fidelity and repeated cross-fosterings could go against this behavior. This experiment was therefore conducted to compare the behavior and growth of 13 control and 14 fostered litters. Once every 3 d (from d 1 to 16 of lactation), all piglets were weighed and three piglets were switched between two fostered litters. Their unfostered littermates were called residents. Behavior was recorded for 2 h after weighing and(or) adoption and during one nursing period 24 h later. Fights were more frequent (P < 0.05) in treated than in control litters during and between nursings at all ages of adoption except d 1. Most fights occurred between resident and fostered piglets (P < 0.001), except at d 1. Fights during nursing were still more frequent in treated than in control litters 24 h after adoption (P < 0.02), except at d 1 and 16. More piglets had skin lacerations in treated than in control litters except at d 1 (P < 0.05), and scratches were more frequent in fostered than in resident piglets at d 1 (P = 0.07), 7, 13, and 16 (P < 0.01). At all ages except d 1, failed nursings and snaps at piglets were more frequent in fostered than in control litters (P < 0.05), most snaps being directed at adopted piglets (P < 0.001). In fostered litters, sows spent 15 to 30% less time lying on their sides at d 4, 7, 13, and 16 (P < 0.05). Finally, adopted piglets were 13% lighter than controls at weaning (P < 0.001), whereas residents were heavier than adopted piglets (P < 0.05) but lighter than controls (P = 0.1). These data demonstrate that cross-fostering done repeatedly during lactation is stressful for piglets and sows and does not improve body weight at weaning.     

'Looking up' behavior in the holding area of the milking parlor: its relationship with step-kick, flight responses and productivity of commercial dairy cows

Commercial dairy cows milked in a parlor system are packed close together in the holding area before milking. The present study examined the relationships of ‘looking up’ behavior with some other behaviors and the productivity of 1116–1153 cows from five farms. The individual identities of the cows looking up in the holding area were recorded at 5 min intervals during six intermittent afternoon milking sessions. Entrance into the milking parlor and the numbers of steps and kicks by cows while the milking person was attaching the milking cups, were recorded in six milking sessions. Flight responses in the pasture after milking were recorded over four days intermittently. The frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior weakly, but significantly correlated with flight starting distance (r = 0.10, P < 0.05), while the correlation with the number of step‐kicks during milking was not significant. As for productivity, lactation number (r = ?0.18, P < 0.001), milk yield (r = ?0.15, P < 0.001) and fat content (r = ?0.15, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with the frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior. Age of cows was correlated with the frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior as well as lactation number (r = ?0.21, P < 0.001). Entrance order was positively correlated with the frequency of ‘looking up’ behavior (r = 0.15, P < 0.001). The ‘looking up’ behavior was observed more frequently in cows in their third or less lactation compared with cows which were in their fourth or greater lactation (P < 0.05). The lactation number of cows was correlated with their milk yield (r = 0.36, P < 0.001) and flight starting distance (r = ?0.21, P < 0.001). In conclusion, ‘looking up’ behavior shown by cows in the holding area before milking might be an indicator of low motivation for milking, mainly because of fear of humans, and an aversion to milking caused by insufficient experience in being milked.     

TRANS-SPLENIC PORTAL SCINTIGRAPHY IN NORMAL DOGS

The purpose of this study was to (1) establish a technique for ultrasound-guided trans-splenic portal scintigraphy (TSPS) using 99mTcO4(-), (2) evaluate portal vein morphology, (3) compare the radiation exposures for TSPS vs. per-rectal portal scintigraphy (PRPS), and (4) compare the quality of numerical data from the TSPS vs. PRPS. Eight juvenile dogs underwent PRPS and TSPS (minimum of 48h between studies) after initial screening tests. PRPS was done according to established protocol using 425 +/- 36MBq (mean +/- SD) of 99mTcO4(-). TSPS was done with the dogs in right lateral recumbency over the gamma camera. 99mTcO4(-) (57 +/- 13.9 MBq) was injected into the spleen 1-2s following initiation of the dynamic acquisition. The frame rate was 4 frames/s for 5 min. There was significantly lower radioactivity of 99mTcO4(-) given and significantly higher total counts recorded in the liver and heart during the TSPS compared with PRPS. The total counts for the TSPS and PRPS were 7120 +/- 4386 and 830 +/- 523, respectively. Percent absorption from the spleen was 52.5 +/- 19.1% compared with 9.2 +/- 5.7% for the colon. Calculated transit time for the TSPS studies was 7 +/- 2.3s. In TSPS studies, the splenic and portal veins were clearly identified. Radiation exposure levels of the dogs were significantly lower following TSPS than after PRPS. TSPS appears superior to PRPS as a method to image the portal venous system representing a valid alternative diagnostic test for animals with suspected portosystemic shunts.     

TRANSCUTANEOUS ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE ABDOMEN IN THE NORMAL COMMON MARMOSET (CALLITHRIX JACCHUS)

Ultrasonographic examinations were performed on 17 clinically healthy adult common marmosets to gain information about the normal abdominal echoanatomy. The marmosets were 1.5-9 years of age and weighed between 328 and 506g. Marked species-specific differences compared with the cat or dog were noted. Good images of the kidneys, bladder, spleen, adrenal glands, liver, and the gastrointestinal tract could be obtained. The pancreas, caecum, and abdominal lymph nodes were not seen. The spleen was the least echogenic organ, followed by the medium echogenic liver and the sometimes isoechoic, but mostly hyperechoic renal cortex. The kidneys had a poor corticomedullary distinction. The prominent right lobes of the liver extended caudally far beyond the costal arch. The gallbladder had a bi- to multi-lobed appearance with a wide, tortuous cystic duct. The pylorus was centrally positioned. The adrenal glands were readily seen, but should not be confused with the adjacent spleen. A statistically significant (P<0.05) difference between female and male kidney, and right adrenal gland length was present.     

Ten things I wish I'd learned at university.

To many veterinarians, it may seem that university did not equip or prepare them adequately to deal with exotic animals. In fact, the opposite is true--graduate veterinarians have been trained as problem-solvers and doers. By applying the knowledge and skills learned at University, most veterinarians are more than capable of providing quality medical services to exotic pet owners. Veterinarians wishing to take this further need to accept that they have some learning to do and experience to gain. Those with a true love and affinity for exotic animals will be able to develop their skills and achieve proficiency and competency in one of the most exciting and fast-growing fields of veterinary medicine today.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FINDINGS IN THE EQUINE DEEP DIGITAL FLEXOR TENDON AND DISTAL SESAMOID BONE IN ADVANCED NAVICULAR DISEASE—AN EX VIVO STUDY

We describe the abnormal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and distal sesamoid bone in horses with radiographic changes compatible with navicular syndrome. Thirteen postmortem specimens were examined using a 1.5-T magnetic field, with spin echo (SE) T1-weighted, turbo SE (TSE) proton density-weighted (with and without fat saturation), and fat saturation TSE T2-weighted sequences. The limbs were then dissected to compare the MR findings with the gross assessment and histologic examination of the DDFT and distal sesamoid bones. Tendonous abnormalities were detected by MR imaging in 12 DDFTs and confirmed at necropsy. Most tendon lesions were located at the level of the distal sesamoid bone and the proximal recess of the podotrochlear bursa. Tendon lesions were classified based on their MR imaging features as core lesions, dorsal lesions, dorsal abrasions, and parasagittal splits. Areas of increased MR signal in the DDFTs were characterized by tendon fiber disturbance and lack of continuity of the collagen fibers, foci of edema, hemorrhages, and formation of lakes containing eosinophilic plasma-like material or amphophilic material of low density. Bone marrow signal alterations in the distal sesamoid bone were seen in all digits. Two main phenomena were responsible for the abnormal signal, respectively, in T1-weighted (decreased signal) and in T2-weighted fat-suppressed images (increased signal): a decrease in the fat marrow content in the trabecular spaces and an increase in the fluid content. Histologic examination revealed foci of bone marrow edema, hemorrhage, necrosis, and fibrosis. Cyst formation and trabecular abnormalities (disorganization, thinning, remodelling) were also observed in areas of abnormal signal intensity. Increased bone density because of trabecular thickening induced a decrease in signal in all sequences.     

Rehabilitation and conditioning of sporting dogs.

Owners and trainers exercise sporting dogs to increase their fitness and optimize their conditioning and performance. Training is designed to in-crease strength, endurance, and agility and is sport-specific. Sporting dogs are susceptible to specific musculoskeletal injuries. The rehabilitation of sporting dogs after these injuries follows specific principles during the acute, subacute, and reconditioning periods.     

Observational study of factors associated with nursery pig performance

The objective of this study was to determine the association between body weight of pigs at 7 wk of age, specific management factors, and previous body weight. Among 3736 pigs from 8 commercial farms, greater 7-wk weight was associated with greater birth weight (P = 0.001), greater weaning weight (P = 0.001), and earlier age at weaning (P = 0.001). Farms with the earliest average weaning age had the highest health status. Farms with later weaning ages tended to use nurse sows for light-weight pigs. Pigs from farms using all-in/all-out management in the nursery had greater 7-wk weights (P = 0.01). The total mortality and culling rate during the nursery phase (weaning to approximately 7 wk of age) was 6.8%. Higher losses were observed among pigs with low weaning weights (< 4.1 kg) compared with those with higher weaning weights. More of the variation due to 7-wk weight was due to individual sow rather than to farm of origin.     

Quantifying patch distribution at multiple spatial scales: Applications to wildlife-habitat models

Multiscale analyses are widely employed for wildlife-habitat studies. In most cases, however, each scale is considered discrete and little emphasis is placed on incorporating or measuring the responses of wildlife to resources across multiple scales. We modeled the responses of three Arctic wildlife species to vegetative resources distributed at two spatial scales: patches and collections of patches aggregated across a regional area. We defined a patch as a single or homogeneous collection of pixels representing 1 of 10 unique vegetation types. We employed a spatial pattern technique, three-term local quadrat variance, to quantify the distribution of patches at a larger regional scale. We used the distance at which the variance for each of 10 vegetation types peaked to define a moving window for calculating the density of patches. When measures of vegetation patch and density were applied to resource selection functions, the most parsimonious models for wolves and grizzly bears included covariates recorded at both scales. Seasonal resource selection by caribou was best described using a model consisting of only regional scale covariates. Our results suggest that for some species and environments simple patch-scale models may not capture the full range of spatial variation in resources to which wildlife may respond. For mobile animals that range across heterogeneous areas we recommend selection models that integrate resources occurring at a number of spatial scales. Patch density is a simple technique for representing such higher-order spatial patterns.     

Intercepted Scolytidae (Coleoptera) at U.S. ports of Entry: 1985–2000

Since 1985, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has maintained the 'Port Information Network' (PIN) database for plant pests intercepted at the U.S. ports of entry. As of August 2001, PIN contained 6825 records of beetles (Coleoptera) in the family Scolytidae that had been intercepted during the years 1985–2000 from countries outside of North America. Of the 6825 scolytid interceptions, 2740 (40%) were identified to the species level, 2336 (34%) to only the genus level, and 1749 (26%) were identified to only the family level. Of the 49 identified scolytid genera, the 10 most common were Hypothenemus (821 interceptions), Pityogenes (662), Ips (544), Coccotrypes (520), Orthotomicus (461), Hylurgops (327), Hylurgus (266), Tomicus (194), Dryocoetes (166), and Hylastes (142). The 10 most common identified species were Pityogenes chalcographus (565 interceptions), Orthotomicus erosus (385), Hylurgops palliatus (295), Ips typographus (286), Hylurgus ligniperda (217), Ips sexdentatus (157), Tomicus piniperda (155), Hylastes ater (75), Hypothenemus hampei (62), and Polygraphus poligraphus (48). Of these 10 species, H. palliatus, H. ligniperda, and T. piniperda are known to be established in the continental U.S. The scolytids were intercepted from 117 different countries; the top 12 countries were Italy (1090 interceptions), Germany (756), Spain (457), Mexico (425), Jamaica (398), Belgium (352), France (261), China (255), Russia (247), India (224), U.K. (151), and Portugal (150). The scolytids were intercepted in 35 U.S. states and 97 port cities. In general, there was a positive relationship between the number of scolytid interceptions from individual countries and the value of the imports from those countries. Overall, 73% of the scolytids were found in solid wood packing materials, 22% in food or plants, and 5% in other or unspecified materials. The products most commonly associated with scolytid-infested wood packing materials were tiles, marble, machinery, steel, parts, ironware, granite, aluminum, slate, and iron. The food products and plants that were commonly infested with scolytids included nutmeg, palms, coffee beans, kola nuts, and macadamia nuts.