Evaluation of the Hennessy grading probe to predict yields of lamb carcasses fabricated to multiple end points.

Lamb carcasses (n = 278) were selected immediately after slaughter and fat thickness was measured with the SP2 Hennessy grading probe (HP) at the interface of the 12th and 13th ribs, 3.8 cm from the backbone. After a 24-h chilling period, carcasses were graded by a USDA grader and probed with the HP to obtain a fat thickness measure on the chilled carcass. One hundred sixty-five carcasses were fabricated into wholesale cuts (.64 cm of external fat trim), and 113 carcasses were fabricated into tray-ready retail cuts (.25 cm of external fat trim). Carcass weight, fat thickness (metal probe), adjusted fat thickness, hot and chilled carcass HP fat measures, as well as kidney and pelvic fat percentage and USDA yield grade, were highly correlated to cutting yield for both fabrication methods. Regression models developed to predict wholesale cut yields using HP or grader-collected measures were similar with respect to predictive accuracy. Fat thickness explained most of the variation in wholesale and tray-ready cut yields among the variables collected by the grader. Kidney and pelvic fat accounted for more of the variation in yield of wholesale cuts during stepwise regression to determine HP equations, but for predicting tray-ready yields, fat thickness taken with the HP accounted for the largest amount of variation. Equations developed to predict tray-ready retail cut yields using the HP or USDA grader-collected carcass measures were similar in the amount of variation explained. Kidney and pelvic fat percentage must be included in equations to maximize predictive accuracy when this depot site is left in carcasses.     

Cryptococcal osteomyelitis in a dog

Osteomyelitis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans was diagnosed in a three-year-old male Irish wolfhound. The case details and radiological findings of radiolucency and periosteal reaction of the left third metatarsal bone had lead to an initial diagnosis of a malignant bone tumour. Biopsy revealed a fungal granuloma and culture identified the causal organism. A four month course of ketaconazole was instigated and the lameness resolved. Twelve months after the end of treatment there was no recurrence of the problem.     

Consistency of results from the Vettest 8008 clinical biochemistry analyser.

Findings are presented on the precision of a clinical biochemistry analyser designed specifically for veterinary use. Twenty biochemical analytes have been examined in detail for variation within and between runs. The results indicate that the analyser can provide high precision for all the analytes with the possible exception of calcium, and suggest that the instrument can be used with confidence in the practice laboratory to aid diagnosis and to monitor biochemical changes in animals receiving treatment.     

Immunologic responses in healthy random-source cats fed N,N-dimethylglycine-supplemented diets.

The immunomodulatory capacities of N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG) were examined in random-source cats. Blood mononuclear leukocytes of healthy adult cats that had negative results to tests for FeLV and feline immunodeficiency virus were exposed in vitro to various concentrations of DMG (10 to 1,000 micrograms/ml) and were evaluated for proliferative responses to T- or B-cell phytomitogens. Although increased, mean lymphocyte blastogenic responses to phytolectins in DMG-treated cultures did not differ significantly from responses of untreated cultures. For in vivo studies, cats were given a solution containing either 100 mg of DMG or a control solution without DMG orally at 8 AM and 6 PM for 40 consecutive days. On post-treatment day 24 and 25, mean blastogenic responses to phytolectins in DMG-treated and control cats inoculated 10 days earlier with an inactivated feline virus vaccine were similar. Cats given DMG and inoculated twice in a 3-week interval with a commercial vaccine containing inactivated feline herpesvirus-1 and feline calicivirus had significantly (P = 0.045) lower virus neutralizing serum antibody titers against feline herpesvirus-1, compared with titers of control cats, whereas feline calicivirus titers were similar in both groups. On day 25, mean serum interferon activity, induced after IV inoculation of Newcastle disease virus, was significantly (P = 0.021) lower in the DMG-treated cats. Results of this study of DMG in healthy cats failed to demonstrate enhancement of either specific or nonspecific immunity.     

Blindness associated with toxoplasmosis in canaries.

Seven of 30 canaries in an aviary in New Zealand developed ophthalmic problems. Clinically, 5 birds had unilateral and 2 birds had bilateral lesions characterized by conjunctivitis, crusty exudates on eyelids, and collapse of the eyeball. Microscopic lesions in 12 of 14 eyes examined included inflammation of the choroid and retina, with osseous replacement of the globe in some. Numerous Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were seen in the detached retina and vitreous humor of acutely affected birds. The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining with T gondii antiserum. Affected birds had encephalitis, and T gondii was localized in the brains of these by immunohistochemical examination and by use of bioassays in mice. Toxoplasmosis should be considered in differential diagnosis of ophthalmitis in canaries.     

Evaluation of rhinoscopy and rhinoscopy-assisted mucosal biopsy in diagnosis of nasal disease in dogs: 119 cases (1985-1989).

The case records of 149 dogs examined from 1985 to 1989 with clinical signs of nasal disease were reviewed. Gross rhinoscopy was performed in 119 dogs, and rhinoscopy-assisted pinch biopsy was performed in 109. Rhinoscopy was performed by use of a 2.7-mm rigid fiberoptic endoscope. Mucosal biopsy specimens were obtained with rhinoscopic guidance by use of a 2 x 3-mm biopsy forcep. Gross, cytologic, and histologic findings are summarized. Ninety-four of 119 cases could be evaluated on the basis of diagnostic and follow-up criteria established by the authors. The diagnostic success rate of gross rhinoscopy with rhinoscopy-assisted biopsy was 83% (78 of 94 evaluated cases). Protracted hemorrhage was a complication in 2 of 109 cases in which rhinoscopy-assisted biopsy was performed. It was concluded that rhinoscopy with rhinoscopy-assisted biopsy contributes important diagnostic information in dogs with nasal disease without the relative invasiveness, expense, and risk of surgery.     

Effect of the manganese content in laying hen feed with different Ca and mineral levels on the egg shell quality and bone mineralization of hens]

Four experiments with 270, 44, 432 and 66800 Leghorn hens were carried out to investigate the influence of various Mn additions to diets differed in mineral or Ca contents on egg shell quality. The addition of 300 mg Mn/kg diet improved significantly egg shell breaking strength by 4 N over one year. The supply of 50-500 mg Mn/kg diet for 10-24 weeks of the second half of laying year did not influence the egg shell quality. Addition of mineral mixture or Ca grit to layer rations with adequate or higher Mn levels did not influence egg shell strength. High mineral content in a low manganese diet increased number of cracks by 3%. Strength, weight and ash content of tibia were significantly reduced by feeding a low mineral level. Addition of 50-150 mg Mn per kg low mineral diet normalized partially tibia stability in young hens. It was concluded that supplied dietary Manganese influences calcification positively only in young hens. High levels of Ca did not influence the effects of Mn. 50 mg Mn per kg layers mixture have been considered as an essential supply.     

Genotypic Variability in Biomass Protein and Nucleic Acids in Four Linum Species to Sodicity Stress

Differences in gas exchange parameters i.e. carbon exchange rate (CER), transpiration (Tr), water vapor conductance (g) were investigated, under a controlled environment, in a semi-dwarf (SD) Triticum aestivum line, its tall (TL) near isoline and the Payne (PA) variety characterized by small leaves. The plants were maintained in: (a) optimal substrate moisture condition (CTR); (b) salinized by watering with a 0.12 m NaCl solution (SLT); (c) water stressed by withholding waterings during a period of six days (STR); (d) stressed and salinized during the same period and with the same saline solution (S + S). CER and Tr were negatively affected by the stresses; SLT and S + S treatments had a higher WUE compared to their respective controls CTR and STR.
SD line had a better performance in terms of CER and WUE, particularly when water and salt stresses interacted. Leaf anatomy and assimilation/internal CO₂ concentration curves contributed to explaining the SD performance.     

Increasing number of Salmonella paratyphi B isolates from slaughtered poultry sent in to the national Salmonella reference laboratory.]

In the last years the number of isolations of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar paratyphi B (S. paratyphi B) sent to the national salmonella reference laboratory of Germany has increased steadily. Most of the isolates originated from fowl or poultry products. The bacteriological, serological and biochemical properties of the isolates were investigated. Special emphasis was given to the utilization of d-tartrate which subgroups the serovar. All of them belonged to the d-tartrate positive variant, which is generally considered less virulent for humans and was formerly called S. java. The performance of various tests is compared and in addition the possibility of the spread within the production line is discussed.