Blood magnesium values in healthy cattle and in cattle affected with anaplasmosis and eperythrozoonosis

Magnesium (Mg) concentrations in plasma, serum, and erythrocytes (RBC) of calves subjected to splenectomy (SP), splenectomy-induced eperythrozoonosis (EP), and experimentally induced anaplasmosis (AN) were determined and compared with pre-SP, pre-EP, and pre-AN values. Mean serum and plasma Mg concentrations varied in parallel through most periods of the trial. Both were highest after SP, but neither value was significantly different from the pre-SP concentrations. Mean serum and plasma Mg values varied inversely with mean RBC values after SP and EP. Mean RBC Mg values increased significantly from previous periods during EP and AN and after AN, with the values after AN being significantly higher than those at all other periods. Mean plasma, serum, and RBC Mg concentrations were correlated to both mean percentage of parasitemia (%P) and packed-cell volume (PCV). The RBC Mg values increased significantly after mean %P reached 20 and the PCV began to decrease. There was evidence for a distinct lag variation in increasing RBC Mg concentrations with respect to both mean %P and PCV during AN. A strong correlation was observed between the RBC Mg values and the %P occurring 5 days previously and the PCV occurring 3 days previously.     

An immunofluorescence test to determine the occurrence of type II collagen in muscle biopsies from cattle with rectovaginal constriction

Type II collagen occurs in the muscles of rectovaginal constriction (RVC) affected and carrier cattle but not in normal cattle. Muscle biopsies from known RVC affected and carrier cattle and normal cattle were examined for the presence of Type II collagen using affinity purified goat anti-collagen II serum in a fluorescent antibody test. Type II collagen was consistently found in RVC affected animals (22 of 23 samples score positive). Rectovaginal constriction carrier animals had variable staining for the Type II collagen (25 of 47 samples scored positive). Some positive staining was also observed in the control animals (8 of 34 samples scored positive). Because of the variable occurrence of Type II collagen, the value of fluorescent antibody staining to identify RVC carrier animals is uncertain.     

A syndrome with lack of udder developments in a high-yielding Jersey herd

A syndrome with lack of udder development in a high-yielding jersey herd is described. The syndrome first appeared in the herd about 10 years ago. To try to elucidate this syndrome the endocrine pattern visualized by serum estrogen (Fig. 1) and progesterone (Fig. 2) levels was followed in 12 parturient cows. One case of typical lack of udder development appeared and was followed up by slaughter and pathological and histological examinations (Fig. 3 and 4). Pedigree investigations indicated that genetics could be involved in the syndrome. The endocrine pattern observed combined with the lack of udder development seems to indicate a complex disorder in the hormonal regulation which trigger the maternal preparation and initiation of parturition.     

Conception of Jersey cattle in Turkey

To determine the effects of insemination season (IS; dry: May through October and rainy: November through April), lactation number (LN; heifers, primiparous or multiparous) and their interaction on non-return rate (NRR), conception rate (CR) to first-service and pregnancy loss (PL) of Jersey cattle in Turkey, over 1468 lactation records from 510 Jersey dairy cows were used. There was an interaction between LN × IS on NRR, CR to first-service (p < 0.01) and PL (p < 0.05). The NRR and CR to first-service of heifers inseminated during dry season and of primiparous inseminated during rainy season were higher (p < 0.01) than that of multiparous inseminated during both season. The NRR and CR of heifers and primiparous were higher (p < 0.05) than that of multiparous cows. The insemination of heifers during rainy season and of primiparous and multiparous during dry season increased (p < 0.01) the PL compared to the inseminations of heifers during dry season and of primiparous during rainy season. The PL was lower (p < 0.05) in primiparous than multiparous cows. The results demonstrate that the heifers have high fertility than the lactating, especially multiparous and that IS appeared to have a measurable impact on traits relating to conception of Jersey cattle in the each LN.     

Malignant oedema associated with blood-sampling in sheep

Malignant oedema is a fatal disease of several animal species, produced by one or more members of the Clostridium genus. We report here a case of malignant oedema in a 1-year-old Friesian sheep after a blood sample was collected from the jugular vein. Clostridium septicum and Clostridium sordellii were isolated from the lesions and also demonstrated by a fluorescent antibody test. This report stresses the need for maintaining a clean environment for animals and for strict hygienic measures during procedures that generate wounds, together with immunity acquired by proper vaccination, for prevention of malignant oedema.     

An outbreak of perirenal oedema syndrome in cattle associated with ingestion of pigweed (Amaranthus hybridus L.)

Forty seven of 150, 15-month-old long weaners died of an acute renal disease syndrome following introduction into an old maize field with a heavy stand of Amaranthus spp. The clinical syndrome was characterised by sudden onset neurological disease with ataxia and recumbency. Subcutaneous oedema, ascites and perirenal oedema with urine odour were the major gross necropsy findings. Renal histopathology revealed marked coagulative renal tubular necrosis of the proximal and distal straight tubules with intertubular haemorrhage. Acute renal failure and perirenal oedema has been described in cattle, pigs, horses and sheep associated with the ingestion of A. hybridus L. and A. retroflexus L. This perirenal oedema syndrome has been widely reported in the Americas, while in South Africa intoxication with the amaranths has only previously been associated with nitrate and possibly oxalate poisoning in cattle.     

Blood parameters in female Zandi lambs as affected by liver biopsy methodology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the normal blood parameters of Iranian fat-tailed sheep (Zandi) and their changes due to rapid liver biopsy technique with a tru-cut biopsy needle. In ten ewe lambs, blood samples were collected from jugular vein and biopsy needle was inserted through the dorsal one third of the 11th intercostal space, on the right hand side of the lambs and liver specimen was collected. Physical examinations were performed on alternate days during the experiment. Blood collection was done on both before (day 1) and after (day 17) the biopsy. All animals were slaughtered at day 17. Values were compared using paired t test. While biopsy did not make any significant changes in mean values of body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, PCV, WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, total serum protein, AST, ALT, and serum calcium (p > 0.05), it made a significant difference on the values of ALP (p < 0.001), serum inorganic phosphate (p = 0.035), and magnesium (p = 0.013). Necropsy examination revealed the points of hitting the biopsy needles on the diaphragmatic surface of the livers, surrounded by a zone of intense hyperemia. Peritoneal adhesions accompanying with typical strands of fibrous connective tissue between diaphragmatic surface of the liver and adjacent abdominal wall were found in two cases.     

Environmental and host factors associated with seropositivity to New Jersey and Indiana vesicular stomatitis viruses in Costa Rican cattle

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Costa Rican cattle to identify host risk factors and endemic foci for vesicular stomatitis virus New Jersey (VSV NJ) and indiana (VSV IND) serotype The effects of age, gender, breed, residence at specific levels of mean annual rainfall, temperature, relative evapotranspiration potential, and elevation on the risk of seropositivity for VSV NJ and VSV IND were evaluated using a random-effects logistic-regression model which adjusted for overdispersion between herds. A total of 2232 cattle from 348 farms located throughout Costa Rica were examined.

Total seroprevalences of 46% and 21% were found for VSV NJ and VSV IND, respectively. When environmental risk factors were considered, cattle residing in areas between 500 and 1500 m (pre-montane or lower montane moist forest) had a higher risk of seropositivity to VSV BNJ compared with cattle living at lower elevations (odds ratio (OR) ≥ 3.6). In addition, cattle residing at 0–500 m and less than 2 m of annual raifall (tropical dry forest) were also at a higher risk of seropositivity to VSV NJ compared with cattle living at other regions (OR ≥ 10). This evidence suggests that at least two transmission cycles may exist for VSV NJ: one located at a higher elevation and the other found at regions of lower elevation and lower rainfall. These regions may indicate the location of different arthropod vectors of viral reservoirs. Antibody prevalence increased with age, suggesting a relationship between lenght of residence in an endemic area and the likelihood of being seropositive to VSV NJ.

No factors were associated with VSV IND seropositivity. The lack of environmental associations with VSV IND seropositivity suggested that the transmission cycle for this serotype is different than that for SV NJ.     

Chronic udder oedema: Clinical aspects of the syndrome and its connection with hypomagnesaemia and anaemia

Extract

Chronic udder oedema (C.U.O.), also known as “leatherbag”, “rubber bag” and “caked udder”, is a disease of dairy cows occurring in a number of areas in the North Island. The condition has been observed to be associated with hypomagnesaemia and a fading syndrome involving anaemia (J. Ker and D. Cordes, pers. comm.). This syndrome, also known as “Taranaki anaemia”, is described herein as Spring Anaemia (S.A.). No mention of these diseases in veterinary literature has been found. For this reason, clinical aspects of C.U.O. and S.A. as they occur within a 30 km radius of Eltham, Taranaki, are described and discussed. Results are presented of a survey undertaken in the same area to determine the association of C.U.O. with hypomagnesaemia and anaemia.     

Acute septic oedema of the submaxillary region in cattle

Extract

An acute septic oedema in cattle, affecting the submaxillary space and extending down to the dewlap, is a condition well known to the majority of veterinary surgeons in cattle practice in New Zealand. Although rare in occurrence, early diagnosis is most desirable on account of the grave prognosis which should be given because, if untreated, the condition is invariably fatal.     

Generalised peripheral oedema associated with amlodipine therapy in two dogs

This report details two cases of adverse drug reactions to amlodipine. The first case presented with diffuse peripheral oedema and a history of amlodipine therapy. Haematology, clinical chemistry, endocrine testing, thoracic, abdominal and cardiac imaging revealed no cause for oedema. Amlodipine therapy was discontinued and oedema diminished markedly within 72 hours. The second case presented for bilateral retinal detachments secondary to systemic hypertension. Haematology, clinical chemistry, thoracic and abdominal imaging were unremarkable and amlodipine therapy was begun. Within 72 hours, diffuse peripheral oedema developed that was unresponsive to therapy and the dog was euthanised. Veterinarians should be aware of the potential serious adverse events associated with commonly used drugs; severe, diffuse oedema is a possible adverse drug event in dogs treated with amlodipine .