Microbiological evaluation of dressing procedures for crocodile carcases in Queensland

SUMMARY Microbiological testing of crocodiles during the dressing procedure has shown that sanitising the skin before skinning reduces the bacterial count on the skin and that dipping crocodile meat in 1.3% acetic acid solution effectively reduces bacterial levels. The total bacterial count on the processed meat sample was comparable with that obtained in the beef, pork and lamb industries. Salmonellae were isolated from 14 of the 72 carcases. Most (65%) of these isolates were in Salmonella subspecies III, formerly classified as Arizona.     

Prevalence and intensity of non-strongyle intestinal parasites of horses in northern Queensland

A quantitative post-mortem study of 57 horses from northern Queensland was done to determine the prevalence and intensity of non-strongyle intestinal parasites. The following species (% prevalence) were found: Draschia megastoma (39%); Habronema muscae (43%); Gasterophilus intestinalis (34%), G. nasalis (30%); Parascaris equorum (15%); Strongyloides westeri (6%); Probstmayria vivipara (2%); Oxyuris equi (26%); Anoplocephala magna (2%); A. perfoliata (32%). Mean parasite numbers of individual species ranged from 10 to 1310. Prevalence and intensity data were compared to recent studies in Western Australia and in the United States of America. Differences between stabled and paddocked horses were noted, particularly for botfly larvae and spiruroids. Climatic and seasonal changes in prevalence were restricted to H. muscae, G. nasalis and P. equorum with highest prevalence in the wet season or in horses from wet coastal areas. Only P. equorum showed any age effect being restricted to horses less than 5 years old. Breed and sex of horses was not important. The likelihood of changing parasite population dynamics with improved anthelmintic regimen is discussed.     

A case of peritoneal mesothelioma in a thoroughbred mare.

The report describes a case of abdominal neoplasia in a mare diagnosed ante-mortem by the technique of paracentesis abdominis. Histopathological findings suggest that the lesion was a mesothelioma, primarily involving the greater omentum.     

Expression of behavioural signs of oestrus during mid-cycle in a dairy cow

Abstract

Extract

Routine monitoring of commercial dairy herds has confirmed the occurrence of oestrus during the luteal phase of the cycle in a small proportion (<5%) of cows (Royal et al 2000 Royal, MD, Darwash, AO, Flint, APF, Webb, R, Wooliams, JA and Lamming, GE. 2000. Detecting fertility in dairy cattle: changes in traditional and endocrine parameters of fertility. Animal Science, 70: 487–501.  [Google Scholar]). One such event occurred in one of four Friesian dairy cows being intensively monitored for progesterone and luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations in daily milk samples and 6-hourly blood samples collected from the jugular vein, throughout the postpartum period (Peters et al 1981 Peters, AR, Lamming, GE and Fisher, MW. 1981. A comparison of plasma LH concentrations in milked and suckling post-partum cows. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility, 62: 567–573.  [Google Scholar]; Fisher 1983 Fisher, MW. 1983. “The control of reproduction in the post-partum cow”. In PhD thesis, Sutton Bonington, , UK: Nottingham University.  [Google Scholar]). Consequently, the endocrine parameters associated with heat during the luteal phase were noted (Figure 1). Although an observation on a single cow, the intensive sampling data available for this animal warrant publication.     

Failure of passive transfer of colostral immunity in the foal: incidence, and the effect of stud management and plasma transfusions.

The importance of colostrum for the passive transfer of maternal immunity to foals is well recognised. This survey reports the incidence of the failure of passive transfer of colostral immunity in thoroughbred foals in the United Kingdom during 1988 to 1990, and the effect of plasma transfusions on IgG levels in a group of them. The incidence of disease in these foals first month of life is also recorded.     

The effect of age and parity on the development of equine chronic endometrial disease

The results of a retrospective analysis of 3,804 endometrial biopsy specimens collected from non-pregnant mares during the course of routine equine stud farm practice demonstrates a significant and practically useful correlation between the severity of chronic degenerative endometrial disease (CDE) diagnosed and age of mare at the time of examination. There were significant correlations between the number of foals born and the mares' barren years prior to biopsy and the severity of CDE, but the differences were not sufficiently large to be useful. Correlations between the severity of chronic infiltrative endometritis (CIE) and age or pre-biopsy parity were minimal. The results suggest that using similar histopathological criteria to those used by Kenney and Doig (1986), mares up to nine years of age should have no signs of CDE, mares up to 13 years of age should have no more than mild signs, mares up to 15 years of age should have no more than moderate signs and mares aged 17 years or older are likely to have severe signs. We believe that these guidelines are a useful, objective aid for formulating a breeding prognosis.     

Incidence of lameness requiring veterinary treatment in dairy cattle in Queensland

A survey of the incidence of lesions causing lameness in dairy cattle was conducted by veterinarians in 9 practices in Queensland between November 1984 and July 1985. One hundred and eighty five cases were treated in 83 dairy herds. The average incidence of lameness which required treatment by veterinarians was 2.7 cases per 100 cows per 9 months, with a range of 1.4 to 5.5% in the 9 practices. Foot lesions constituted 83.2% of all lesions; the most common being interdigital necrobacillosis (15%), deep sepsis (8.9%), white line disease (8.4 per cent), axial groove fissure (8.4%), bruised sole (5.6%) and foreign body in the sole/heel (5.6%). Sixty-five per cent of foot lesions occurred in the hind feet and 63% of these lesions occurred in the lateral claw, while 37% of foot lesions occurred in abnormally shaped claws. Limb lesions accounted for the remaining 16.8% of lesions, and 50% of these lesions occurred in the hip and stifle, while trauma was the main cause of limb lesions.