Fish quarantine: current practices in public zoos and aquaria

The primary goal of quarantine is to reduce the risk of introducing infectious diseases into established collections. Fish quarantine is inherently complex because of the variety of species, environmental requirements, and facilities. To examine current practices, questionnaires were submitted to 60 public zoos and aquaria, predominantly in North America. Questions reviewed system type (closed, flow-through), quarantine length, diagnostics, treatments, and cleaning and disinfection. Forty-two of the 60 institutions responded. Most institutions had separate quarantine protocols for freshwater teleosts, marine teleosts, and elasmobranchs. Ninety-five percent of institutions had a minimum quarantine period of 30 days or more. Sixty-four percent of institutions used isolated areas for some or all of their fish quarantine. Twenty-five percent had designated fish quarantine staff. All institutions used regular visual examinations to assess animal health. Fifty-four percent of the institutions carried out routine hands-on diagnostics on some fish; this was more common for elasmobranchs than teleosts. All institutions carried out necropsies on mortalities. Fifteen percent of institutions performed histopathology on almost all fresh mortalities; 54% percent performed histopathology on less than 10% of mortalities. Prophylactic treatments were common in closed systems, in particular, formalin immersion for teleosts, freshwater dips and copper sulfate immersion for marine teleosts, and praziquantel immersion for marine teleosts and elasmobranchs. Institutions using dips generally did so at the start or end of quarantine. Fenbendazole- and praziquantel-medicated foods were used commonly in teleosts, but dosages varied greatly. Cleaning and disinfection of systems and equipment increased in response to known pathogens. These results can be used to compare and discuss fish quarantine practices at display facilities in order to improve quarantine success.     

Applications and prospects of functional oligosaccharides in pig nutrition: A review

Oligosaccharides are low molecular weight carbohydrates between monosaccharides and polysaccharides, which consist of 2 to 20 monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds. They have the effects of promoting growth, regulating immunity, improving the structure of intestinal flora, and are antiinflammatory and antioxidant. With the comprehensive implementation of the antibiotic prohibition policy in China, oligosaccharides as new green feed additive have been paid more attention. Oligosaccharides ca...     

Board-invited review: Applications of genomic information in livestock

The availability of whole genome sequences for individual species will change the landscape for livestock genomic research. Animal scientists will have access to whole-genome sequence-based technologies such as high-throughput SNP genotyping assays, gene expression profiling, methylation profiling, RNA interference, and genome resequencing that will revolutionize the scale upon which research will be conducted. These technologies will also alter the ways we think about addressing industry and scientific problems. In this review, we discuss the scientific bases for these emerging technologies and present recent highlights of their application in human, model species, and livestock as well as their potential for future applications in livestock. Additionally, we discuss strategies for their use in the genetic improvement and management of livestock. In particular, we present a strategy for the simultaneous identification of causal mutations underlying phenotypic traits in livestock and discuss issues that will arise in the application of whole genome selection for the prediction of genetic merit in livestock. We also point out that the statistical analysis that underlies the whole genome selection methodology is a sophisticated enhancement of single marker association mapping analysis to allow the entire genome to be simultaneously analyzed.     

The use of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in small-animal internal medicine and surgery

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been used extensively to evaluate clinical skill of medical students. This article reports on its adaptation to veterinary medicine.     

Renal biomarkers in cats: A review of the current status in chronic kidney disease

Serum creatinine concentration, the classical biomarker of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats, has important limitations that decrease its value as a biomarker of early CKD. Recently, serum symmetric dimethylarginine concentration was introduced as a novel glomerular filtration rate biomarker for the early detection of CKD in cats. However, data on its specificity are still limited. The limitations of conventional biomarkers and the desire for early therapeutic intervention in cats with CKD to improve outcomes have prompted the discovery and validation of novel renal biomarkers to detect glomerular or tubular dysfunction. Changes in the serum or urinary concentrations of these biomarkers may indicate early kidney damage or predict the progression of kidney before changes in conventional biomarkers are detectable. This review summarizes current knowledge on renal biomarkers in CKD in cats, a field that has progressed substantially over the last 5 years.     

Tracheal surgery in dogs: a review

Though tracheal injuries often appear only superficial, exploration may reveal severe lacerations or fractures of the cartilaginous rings. A thorough physical examination and thoracic radiographs should precede tracheal surgery. Severe tracheal trauma is best repaired by partial resection and primary end-to-end anastomosis. Tension-relieving sutures aid healing of the anastomotic area, which is closed with synthetic absorbable sutures with extraluminal knots. Tracheal collapse, which primarily occurs in small or toy breeds, causes inspiratory dyspnea and can be corrected with polypropylene prostheses. Permanent tracheostomy may be required with laryngeal paralysis or irreparable tracheal injuries.     

Porcine salivary analysis by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis in 3 models of acute stress: A pilot study

The purpose of this research was to study changes in the salivary proteome of healthy pigs in stressful situations to identify any potential new salivary biomarker of stress. Three groups of animals were subjected to 3 stress models: snaring restraint followed by simulated sampling of vena cava blood; brief transport by road; and restriction of movement in a digestibility cage. Saliva was obtained from each animal before and 15 and 30 min after the induction of stress. The samples from the animals that showed the greatest increase in salivary cortisol concentration were pooled and run on 2-dimensional gels. Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 was used for spot detection and mass spectrometry for spot identification. Statistical analyses showed that 2 proteins had significant differences in expression before and after the induction of stress. These proteins were identified as odorant-binding protein and fragments of albumin. Further studies will be necessary to confirm the value of using these proteins as salivary biomarkers of stress in pigs.     

A review of post-operative infections in veterinary orthopaedic surgery.

Surgical site infections are an inherent risk in orthopaedic surgery and many of the infections that develop are likely to be non-preventable. However, a variety of measures can be undertaken to reduce the risk and impact of surgical site infections. The development and implementation of an infection control program, including surgical site infection surveillance, can be an important tool for patient management. All veterinary practices should have some form of infection control program in order to address surgical site infections, among other issues, and to provide the optimal and expected level of care.     

Equine post operative ileus: A review of current thinking on pathophysiology and management

Equine post operative ileus (POI) is a serious post surgical complication in the horse, with a significant fatality rate. Despite the ongoing debate with regard to both the clinical definition of equine POI and the optimal management of this condition, there is increasing awareness and acceptance, supported by scientific research, that inflammation plays a key role in its pathophysiology. This review aims to outline the current thinking on the pathophysiology and management of this condition, with reference to the published literature on equine, rodent and human POI. Although studies conducted in other species are likely to provide an abundant source of information with potentially useful translational applications for the equine condition, such an approach needs to be cognisant of potential interspecies differences both in the pathogenesis of the condition and in basic gastrointestinal physiology.     

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics: a review of current practice

Objective: This review is intended to update the reader on the clinical aspects of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory analgesics (NSAIAs) currently used in veterinary practice. Most NSAIAs act by selectively, or preferentially, inhibiting the synthesis of cyclooxygenase (COX)‐1 or COX‐2, or both COX‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes which oxidize arachadonic acid to a series of prostenoids. The prostenoids are precursors of various prostaglandins required for many homeostatic functions throughout the body. The COX‐1 and COX‐2 enzymes are constitutive, however the COX‐2 enzyme is also induced following injury or inflammation facilitating the transmission of pain. As the newer NSAIAs focus on the inhibition of COX‐2, this review offers a more detailed discussion of this enzyme. Data synthesis: This data was obtained from recent review articles and original published reports in both the veterinary and human literature. A CAB and Medline search was also used. Conclusions: The NSAIAs are effective analgesics for managing moderate to severe pain in many species of animals; however, potential adverse effects may occur if used inappropriately. Guidelines, including indications, contraindications and dosing regimens for the commonly available NSAIAs are included.     

A review of equine rectal tears and current methods of treatment

Rectal tears are a risk of rectal palpation during equine clinical examination and can be life‐threatening; prompt medical and surgical intervention is required to improve patient outcome. Depending on the degree of the tear, conservative treatment or surgical management may be warranted. Surgical management involves either direct suturing or faecal diversion techniques, such as colostomy or a temporary indwelling rectal liner. The prognosis for a horse with a rectal tear depends on size of the tear, grade and location of the tear, and time between occurrence and first aid measures.     

Biliary tract surgery in the dog: a review

The indications for surgery on the biliary system in the dog are discussed with reference to the anatomy, specific disease syndromes and associated clinical signs. Surgical procedures are described for the treatment of biliary tract obstruction or rupture, and applicable cases reported in the literature are reviewed. The pathogenesis of bile peritonitis is also briefly discussed.     

A review of management practices for the control of anthrax in animals: the 2005 anthrax epizootic in North Dakota--case study

Outbreaks of anthrax have diverse consequences on society. Establishing the appropriate control strategies is very important and crucial in reducing the socio-economic impact of the disease. Control measures are aimed at breaking the cycle of infection, and their implementation must be adhered to rigorously. The objectives of this paper were: (i) to review the control strategies currently used in management of anthrax in animals and (ii) to describe management strategies used by producers in North Dakota during the 2005 anthrax outbreak in livestock. Anthrax control strategies were divided in to strategies that apply before, during, and after an anthrax outbreak. This paper also highlights the problems or constraints faced by North Dakota producers in controlling anthrax during the outbreak of 2005.