Valvular pulmonic stenosis in bullmastiffs

Six bullmastiffs with congenital heart disease were evaluated over a three-year period. In all the cases the problem was shown to be dysplasia of the pulmonary valve. Five cases were male, one was female. All dogs available to follow-up developed signs of cardiac decompensation. Bullmastiffs must be added to the list of breeds in which valvular pulmonic stenosis is encountered frequently.     

Fascioloides magna: Occurrence in Saskatchewan and Distribution in Canada

Infection with Fascioloides magna, the large American liver fluke, was diagnosed in two moose (Alces alces) and six wapiti (Cervus elaphus) from central Saskatchewan. This is believed to be the first record of the parasite in the province. Fecal samples collected from wild wapiti at five sites in the commercial forest zone in Saskatchewan contained eggs believed to be those of F. magna. Trematode eggs were not found in feces from five captive herds of wapiti in the province, nor in samples from wild wapiti in Moose Mountain Provincial Park. Operculate eggs were found in feces of wild wapiti from Cypress Hills, but these were believed to be from trematodes other than F. magna. The distribution and significance of F. magna in Canada, based partially on responses to a mail questionnaire, are reviewed.     

Behaviour of roaster chickens towards an automatic weighing perch

1. Automatic weighing equipment was tested on a flock of 752 roaster chickens reared on litter to 10 weeks of age.

2. Mean body weights obtained automatically were lower than those obtained manually, mainly because of birds perching on the automatic weighing perch with part of their body in contact with the floor.

3. Birds observed on the weighing perch on one day of the week were 3–5 times more likely to use the perch again on the following 2 d than expected on the basis of random perch use by flock members. These birds were also more likely to be seen in the area immediately surrounding the perch than in similar areas elsewhere in the pen.     

Variation of canine and feline frontal-plane QRS axes with lead choice and augmentation ratio

The intraindividual variability in mean electric axis referable to choice of ECG leads and augmentation ratio was investigated by means of a digital computer program. Although, in theory, the choice of leads for determining the QRS axis should make no difference, the maximum intraindividual variation in axis angle was about 50 degrees for canine and feline subjects. The angle conputed for the lead combinations I and III and I and aVF will usually fall within 5 to 10 degrees of the mean of all lead combinations, but larger variations are seen at time. The application of an "augmentation ratio" for the augmented unipolar leads was most helpful when it was individually computed. Further methods of lead-vector improvement are discussed.     

Avian care and husbandry.

Birds are becoming more popular as pets, and the need for veterinary professionals to learn more about these pets is crucial. This article introduces the veterinary staff to basic information required to provide high-quality care to avian patients. High-quality nutrition for a variety of species and ages is included in this article. The importance of proper husbandry and intellectual stimulation with toys is also discussed. Special emphasis is placed on instructions for clients when making appointments, as well as recognizing signs of illness for both clients and veterinary staff. Capture, restraint, and sample collection are an important part of this article, as well as medication administration, anesthesia, supportive care, preventive care and grooming. A variety of aspects concerning the care of the avian patient are covered for the benefit of the client and veterinary technician.     

Establishment techniques affect productivity,nutritive value and atmospheric N2 fixation of two sunn hemp cultivars

Nitrogen fertilization is a common practice for sustaining forage production in forage systems in southeastern United States. Warm-season annual legumes may be an alternative forage to warm-season perennial grasses that do not require N fertilization. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is a fast-growing, warm-season annual legume native to India and Pakistan. The objective of this 2-year study was to assess the herbage accumulation (HA), atmospheric N₂ fixation (ANF) and nutritive value of sunn hemp. Treatments were the factorial arrangement of two sunn hemp cultivars (“Crescent Sun” and “Blue Leaf”), three seeding rates (17, 28 and 39 kg seed/ha) and seed inoculation (inoculated or non-inoculated seeds), distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Crescent sun had greater HA (3,218 vs. 1764 kg DM/ha) and ANF (41 vs. 25 kg N/ha). Blue leaf had greater crude protein (CP) (188 vs. 176 g/kg) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentrations (564 vs. 531 g/kg) than crescent sun. Non-inoculated seed had greater CP than inoculated seed, 188 and 177 g/kg, respectively, and inoculation did not affect HA. Intermediate seeding rate (28 kg/ha) decreased HA (2002 kg DM/ha), while HA from high and low seeding rates (17 and 39 kg/ha, respectively) did not differ (2,863 and 2,615 kg DM/ha respectively). Planting non-inoculated crescent sun at 17 kg/ha seeding rate is a feasible management practice to produce sunn hemp in subtropical regions; however, inoculation should always be recommended for proper establishment.