一例母犬胃内异物合并绝育手术的诊疗

文章研究治愈母犬胃内异物的同时做绝育手术的效果。对病犬采用临床检查、血常规检查、血清生化检查、影像学检查等方法确诊胃内有异物,并通过手术取出胃内异物的同时进行绝育。结果表明:从母犬胃内取出一块大小为2 cm×1 cm×1 cm的石子,并成功给母犬做绝育,术后恢复效果较好。该病例的诊疗经验为临床上犬胃内异物的诊治和绝育手术提供参考。     

德州驴生产性能的初步研究

德州驴是优秀的皮肉兼用驴,包括“三粉驴”和“乌头驴”两个品系,但是关于德州驴的研究较少。为了向驴产业提供可靠的德州驴生产性能数据,该研究以40头三粉驴和9头乌头驴为研究对象,系统研究了德州驴的体尺性状、屠宰性能、脏器系数及胸腰椎数等性状特点。结果表明,三粉驴的屠宰率为54.02%,净肉率为42.43%,净皮率为8.12%;乌头驴的屠宰率为53.71%,净肉率为40.32%,净皮率为9.41%。表明三粉驴更适合于向肉用驴品系进行培育,乌头驴更适合于向皮用驴品系进行培育。与乌头驴相比,三粉驴的肝脏系数较高,并且小肠、盲肠显著较长(P<0.01),说明三粉驴具有更加优良的消化及代谢能力,可能是其具有更优异产肉性能的原因之一。调查发现,德州驴群体内存在胸腰椎数的变异,胸椎数为17~19个,腰椎数为5~6个;胸椎数与腰椎数存在不同形式的组合,18胸椎5腰椎占比为73.47%,18胸椎6腰椎占比为12.24%,19胸椎5腰椎占比为2.04%,17胸椎6腰椎占比为12.24%。统计发现,多一个胸椎或者腰椎可使驴皮产量增加。该试验结果可为德州驴产业健康可持续发展提供重要理论支撑,为品种及新品系培育提供数据支持。     

绵羊SPP1和PLCB3基因多态性与产羔数的关联分析

试验旨在探究SPP1基因g.36651870T>C位点多态性、PLCB3基因g.41871219T>C位点多态性与绵羊产羔数之间的关系,以期寻找绵羊产羔数性状相关的分子标记。利用全基因组重测序结合Sequenom MassARRAY誖SNP技术对多羔羊(小尾寒羊、湖羊、策勒黑羊)和单羔羊(滩羊、苏尼特羊、萨福克羊和草原型藏羊)7个绵羊品种SPP1、PLCB3基因的2个位点进行多态性检测,并与小尾寒羊产羔数进行关联分析。结果表明:2个位点均存在TT、TC和CC三种基因型。SPP1基因g.36651870T>C位点的基因型频率和等位基因频率在两类绵羊品种间差异极显著(P<0.01);PLCB3基因g.41871219T>C位点基因型频率在两类绵羊品种间差异不显著(P>0.05),等位基因频率差异显著(P<0.05)。群体遗传学分析表明,SPP1基因g.36651870T>C位点在小尾寒羊、苏尼特羊、萨福克羊和湖羊中均表现为中度多态(0.25≤PIC<0.5),在滩羊、策勒黑羊和草原型藏羊中表现为低度多态(PIC<0.25);PLCB3基因g.41871219T>C位点在滩羊中表现为中度多态(0.25≤PIC<0.5),在其余6个绵羊品种中均表现为低度多态(PIC<0.25)。卡方适合性检验表明,SPP1基因g.36651870T>C位点在7个绵羊品种中均处于哈代-温伯格平衡状态(P>0.05);PLCB3基因g.41871219T>C位点在小尾寒羊、滩羊、苏尼特羊、策勒黑羊、草原型藏羊5个品种中处于哈代-温伯格平衡状态(P>0.05)。关联分析表明,PLCB3基因g.41871219T>C位点多态性与小尾寒羊第1胎产羔数有显著关联(P<0.05),TT基因型个体产羔数显著高于CC基因型个体;SPP1基因g.36651870T>C位点多态性与小尾寒羊不同胎次产羔数之间无显著关联(P>0.05)。综上,PLCB3基因g.41871219T>C位点对小尾寒羊产羔数性状选育具有一定的参考意义,SPP1基因g.36651870T>C位点不适用于小尾寒羊产羔数性状选育。     

FEASIBILITY FOR USING HYPOFRACTIONATED STEREOTACTIC VOLUMETRIC MODULATED ARC RADIOTHERAPY (VMAT) WITH ADAPTIVE PLANNING FOR TREATMENT OF THYMOMA IN RABBITS: 15 CASES

Thymoma is a relatively common tumor in rabbits. Treatment with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy alone or in combination has been reported with varying outcomes. Stereotactic volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy delivered in a hypofractionated manner allows high doses of radiation to be delivered to the target volume while allowing sparing of adjacent critical structures. This therapy is ideally suited for thymomas in rabbits given their size, the difficulty of multiple anesthesia episodes and the complexity of the radiotherapy plans required due to the tumor's proximity to the heart, lungs, and mediastinal structures. Fifteen rabbits with thymoma were prospectively recruited for this observational, single institution, single arm clinical study. All rabbits were imaged with both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total dose of 40 Gy in six fractions was delivered using a single arc over an 11‐day period with repeat CT simulation done every other fraction for adaptive planning. Follow‐up evaluation was done through repeat CT and MRI imaging and revealed complete responses using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria. Two rabbits had died at 618 and 718 days, 10 were alive and three were lost to follow‐up. Observed acute and late effects were graded according to the Veterinary Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (VRTOG) criteria and were found to be minimal.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—URETHROVAGINAL FISTULA CAUSED BY A MIGRATING GRASS AWN IN THE VAGINA

A young intact female dog was presented with urinary incontinence. Abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of hyperechoic linear structures within the cranial vagina suggestive of foreign material. A computed tomography (CT) retrograde vaginourethrogram demonstrated the presence of a fistulous tract between the urethra and vagina. A presumptive diagnosis of urethrovaginal fistula due to migration of foreign material was made. The grass awn was removed with vaginoscopic‐guided retrieval. Fourteen days later, surgical repair of the fistula and an ovariohysterectomy were done. This case report emphasizes the usefulness of CT for diagnosis and precise anatomical localization of genitourinary tract fistulas.     

Impact of variation in structure of condensed tannins from sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on in vitro ruminal methane production and fermentation characteristics

Our study investigated the effects of condensed tannins (CT) on rumen in vitro methane (CH₄) production and fermentation characteristics by incubating lucerne in buffered rumen fluid in combination with different CT extracts at 0 (control), 40, 80 and 120 g CT/kg of substrate DM. Condensed tannins were extracted from four sainfoin accessions: Rees ‘A’, CPI63763, Cotswold Common and CPI63767. Gas production (GP) was measured using a fully automated GP apparatus with CH₄ measured at distinct time points. Condensed tannins differed substantially in terms of polymer size and varied from 13 (Rees ‘A’) to 73 (CPI63767) mean degree of polymerization, but had relatively similar characteristics in terms of CT content, procyanidin: prodelphinidin (PC: PD) and cis:trans ratios. Compared to control, addition of CT from CPI63767 and CPI63763 at 80 and 120 g CT/kg of substrate DM reduced CH₄ by 43% and 65%, and by 23% and 57%, respectively, after 24‐h incubation. Similarly, CT from Rees ‘A’ and Cotswold Common reduced CH₄ by 26% and 46%, and by 28% and 46% respectively. Addition of increasing level of CT linearly reduced the maximum rates of GP and CH₄ production, and the estimated in vitro organic matter digestibility. There was a negative linear and quadratic (p < 0.01) relation between CT concentration and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. Inclusion of 80 and 120 g CT/kg of substrate DM reduced (p < 0.001) branched‐chain VFA production and acetate: propionate ratio and was lowest for CPI63767. A decrease in proteolytic activity as indirectly shown by a change in VFA composition favouring a shift towards propionate and reduction in branched‐chain VFA production varied with type of CT and was highest for CPI63767. In conclusion, these results suggest that tannin polymer size is an important factor affecting in vitro CH₄ production which may be linked to the CT interaction with dietary substrate or microbial cells.     

Treatment of a metallic foreign body in the cranial cervical region of a horse

Ingestion of foreign bodies is uncommon in horses when compared with indiscriminate grazers such as cattle. This case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a cervical abscess in a Thoroughbred racehorse thought to be associated with ingestion of wire. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination provided a diagnosis, and conservative treatment of the lesion with antimicrobials initially allowed the lesion to localise closer to the skin for safer surgical exploration. Intra-operative ultrasonographic imaging facilitated surgical access, removal of the foreign body, and drainage. While surgical treatment is usually necessary to resolve an abscess, initially conservative therapy may help to improve the prognosis by simplifying surgical access and reducing the risk of surgical complications.     

A review of factors influencing litter size in Irish sows

Many factors influence litter size. These include genetics, gilt management, lactation length, parity distribution, disease, stress and boar fertility. In the past 20 years, litter size in Irish sows has increased by only one pig. Born alive figures now average at 11.2 pigs per litter. In this regard, Ireland is falling behind our European competitors who have made significant advances over this time. Denmark, for example, has an average figure of 12.7 pigs born alive per litter and France an average of 12.5. The single area that could be improved immediately is sow feeding. It is important that sows are fed correctly throughout pregnancy. If over-fed during pregnancy, sows will have depressed appetite during lactation. If underfed in pregnancy, sows will be too thin at farrowing. The correct way to feed a pregnant sow is to match her feed allocation to her requirement for maintenance, body growth and growth of her developing foetuses. During lactation, sows should be given as much feed as they can eat to prevent excessive loss of body condition. Liquid-feed curves should be such that lactating sows are provided with a minimum mean daily feed supply of 6.2 kg. A small proportion of sows will eat more and this could be given as supplementary dry feed. Where dry feeding is practised in the farrowing house, it is difficult to hand-feed sows to match their appetite. Ideally ad libitum wet/dry feeders should be used. From weaning to service, sows should once again be fed ad libitum. If liquid feeding, this means giving at least 60 MJ DE (digestible energy) per day during this period. If dry feeding, at least 4 kg of lactation diet should be fed daily. The effort spent perfecting sow feeding management on units should yield high dividends in the form of increased pigs born alive per litter.     

Effects of Alternative Molting Programs and Population on Layer Performance: Results of the Thirty-Fifth North Carolina Layer Performance and Management Test

A study involving 7 white-egg and 3 brown-egg commercial layer strains was conducted at the North Carolina Piedmont Research Station to assess the effects cage population 3-bird vs. 4-bird cages and alternative molt programs on performance through 113 wk of age (791 d). The flock was divided into 3 groups; not molted (NM), maintained in continuous production; molted using feed restriction (FR), an industry-type 14-d feed withdrawal molting program initiated at 463 d of age; and molted using a nonfasted/anorexic program (NF), in which an ad libitum supply of a low protein, low energy molt feed was provided. Productivity, egg size, and egg quality were monitored at 28-d periods throughout the test providing the performance data for the white-egg and brown-egg strains with regard to these management factors. Detailed results by strain are available on the following Web site: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/poulsci/tech_info.html#layer. The performance for the 3-bird or 4-bird cage groups for either type of layer was similar, except that birds in 4-bird cages had higher feed consumption in the first production phase than did the birds in 3-bird cages. In the same time period the white-egg birds in the 3-bird cages had a greater percentage of cracked eggs and a smaller percentage of Grade A large eggs than those in 4-bird cages. No differences were observed in egg income for the 2 population sizes for either type of layer. However, due to their higher feed consumption, the white egg birds in the 4-bird cages had higher feed cost per hen for the first cycle, which was offset by the egg income component due to their increased production rate. The molted layers outperformed the nonmolted layers for both types of layers in terms of overall income over feed costs. The FR molted hens, under a program that has traditionally been used by commercial producers, outperformed NF-molted hens, indicating that further refinements are needed to make the NF program economically competitive with the FR molting program.