Intestinal parasitism in the animals of the zoological garden "Peña Escrita" (Almuñecar, Spain)

Gastrointestinal parasites cause serious diarrhoea in captive animals. Therefore, we have undertaken this study to establish programmes to prevent, control, and treat intestinal parasitism in the animals of the zoological garden "Pe?a Escrita" of Almu?ecar (Granada). An annual survey was conduced to estimate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites and the seasonality of this parasitism. Between June 2006 and May 2007, 432 samples were collected from primates, carnivores, perissoodactyla, artiodactyla, rodentia, diprotodontia, galliformes, anseriformes and struthioniformes. One or more intestinal parasites were identified in 72.5% of the animals. The most frequent pathogenic endoparasites were Eimeria spp. (17.3%), Trichuris spp. (5.1%), Strongyloides spp. (4.5%), Cyclospora spp. (4.5%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.2%) and Isospora spp. (2.6%). Iodamoeba butschlii, Parascaris equorum and Trichuris spp. did not vary with season and Cryptosporidium spp., Dicrocoelium dendriticum, Metastrongylus spp. and Cylicospirura spp. appeared exclusively in Artiodactyla. Multiple parasitic infections were common, 70% of animals presented with at least two parasites (maximum=6). The most frequent cases of multiple parasitism were Eimeria spp. plus Blastocystis spp. and Eimeria spp. plus Nematodirus spp., in the last case the animals presented explosive diarrhoea. In accord with our results, after each sampling, some of the affected animals were treated and the corresponding programmes of prevention and control were designed.     

家禽与脂溶性维生素─—专题讲座(Ⅱ)

维生素A、D、E、K等不溶于水，能溶于脂肪及脂溶剂，称为脂溶性维生素。在饲料中，它们常和脂类共同存在，在肠道吸收时也与脂类的吸收密切相关。当脂类吸收不良时，如家禽患有胆道梗阻、胆囊炎、长期腹泻等，脂溶性维生素的吸收就大大受影响，乃至发生缺乏症。吸收后的脂溶性维生素可以在体内，尤其是肝内储存。家禽在整个生命过程中，机体内缺乏脂溶性维生素，会表现出一系列不同的营养代谢性疾病。l维生素A维生素A是维持家禽正常生长所必需的物质，它有3种重要的生理功能。1是合成视紫质的必要原料，以维持正常视觉。2维持体内丁切上…     

Administration of meloxicam to improve the welfare of mice in research: a systematic review (2000 – 2020)

Veterinary Research Communications - Although laboratory animals experience pain as a necessary component of the objectives of experimental protocols, the level of pain should be minimized through...     

The next patient is a sick fish,what to do? (part I)

Many health problems in fish are the result of living in poor environmental conditions. The clinical history is very important, not only of the fish, but also of the water quality. Watertesting is presented and after making the clinical examination, a diagnosis can be made. In the second article therapy and surgical procedures are discussed.     

Familial stomatocytosis — hypertrophic gastritis (FSHG), a newly recognised disease in the dog (Drentse patrijshond)

Summary

A newly recognised disease, which we have given the provisional name of familial stomatocytosis‐hypertrophic gastritis (FSHG), is described in two families of dogs of the Drentse patrijshond breed. The affected dogs consisted of 3 females and 5 males, 3 to 19 (mean 9.5) months of age at admission. The main clinical problems were diarrhoea, icterus, and ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs. Laboratory evaluation revealed abnormal red cell shape (stomatocytosis), increased osmotic fragility, haemolytic anaemia, and increased liver enzymes and serum bilirubin. Gastroscopic and histopathologic examination of the gastric mucosa revealed hypertrophic gastritis resembling Ménétrier's disease in man. Histologic findings in the liver were suggestive of progressive liver disease. Cysts were found in the kidneys of the five oldest patients. Electroneurography in 2 dogs revealed polyneuropathy. In the parents of 2 patients (sister and brother), there were no clinical or laboratory abnormalities. An autosomal recessive hereditary defect of lipid metabolism is suspected.     

Neoplastic lesions in slaughter animals in Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodship (Poland) area during the years 2001-2007

During the period of 7 years, 2001-2007, 110,273 heads of cattle and 3,055,654 heads of pigs were examined by veterinarians of the Polish Veterinary Inspection in Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodship. As a result of pre- and post-slaughter examination, 311 heads of cattle and 23 heads of pigs representing 0.279% and 0.00075% of the population respectively were considered unsuitable due to neoplastic lesions. The most frequently found lesions in cattle were fibroneuromas, neuromas and liposarcomas while in case of pigs those were various types of sarcomas, fibromas, cancers, nephromas and melanomas.     

Determination of decisional cut-off values for the optimal diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis with a modified IFNγ assay (Bovigam®) in a low prevalence area in France

The Bovigam(?) gamma interferon (IFNγ) assay was used to complement official skin-test screening in a low bovine tuberculosis (bTB) prevalence region in France. The aim of our work was to determine decisional cut-off values for protein purified derivatives (PPD) and ESAT6-CFP10 antigens (R) in order to optimize the efficacy of the modified Bovigam(?) test, in this low-prevalence area, for optimal classification of infected or non-infected herds following positive skin tests. The sensitivity of the IFNγ assay relative to post-mortem bTB-positive animals (Se(r)) was studied in 60 cattle from 20 bTB-infected herds. Its absolute specificity (Sp) was studied in 492 cattle from 25 bTB-free herds from a bTB-free zone. Its operational specificity (relative to the positive skin test) (Sp(r)) was also studied in 547 skin-test positive cattle from 172 bTB-free herds from an infected zone. Using normalized interpretations for individual (PPD or R) results, the cut-off values at 0.02 for PPD and 0.01 for R were obtained with a view to employ them in low prevalence areas with no previously observed non-specific reactions to SITT. Concerning its use after positive skin tests, cut-off values were set at 0.05 for PPD and at 0.03 for R. The choice of an interpretation method considering positive results with PPD and/or R (PPDUR), justified in a high risk context, provided a test Se(r) of 93% [84-98] and Sp(r) of 71.8% [67.9-75.6]. Analysis of positive results with PPD and R (PPDUR), ideal for low-risk contexts, provided a test Sp(r) of 94.3% [92.0-96.1] and Se(r) of 77% [64-87]. Thus, adapting the criteria to the region's infection status and to the conditions for its application is essential for the appropriate use of the IFNγ assay.     

Tetanus in a Camel (Camelus dromedarius) – A Case Report

Twenty days after an open castration, a 5-year-old dromedary was presented to the Dubai Camel Hospital with severe central nervous symptoms. The dromedary showed the following signs: off feed, stiff gait with extended neck, external swelling of the preputial sheath and groin region, and foamy saliva drooling from the mouth. The dromedary was unable to swallow. Three days after admission, the camel developed lockjaw, and on the fifth day it was unable to stand owing to paralysis of the hindquarters. Because of the severity of the disease and because it did not respond to treatment, the camel was euthanized 26 days after the operation and submitted to the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory for further investigation. Both castration wounds were closed and spermiducts were filled with necrotic masses from which Clostridium tetani was isolated. Two mice, which were injected with the filtrate of the thioglycolate broth, developed typical signs of tetanic spasm of the hind leg. Faecal samples from camel and horse paddocks that were only 50 metres apart were negative for C. tetani. However, C. tetani was isolated from two soil samples of the horse paddock. It is recommended that camels should be vaccinated against tetanus prior to castration.     

15—甲基PGF_(2a)诱使耕牛同期发情试验

<正> 自1978年,我们协作组试用前列腺素制剂(15—甲基PGF_(2a))对32头空怀母牛进行试验。 试验目的 许多研究表明,PGF_(2a)在参与生殖生理的过程中,具有促使黄体溶解的作用。为了人为地控制与调节母牛的发情与排卵,以达到在特定的时间范围内集中发情的目的。这对于冷冻精液的应用与推广,对于加快耕     

Cecal rupture in foals — 7 cases (1996–2006)

The objective of this study was to identify risk factors and describe clinical signs in 7 foals with cecal rupture; none of the foals survived. Six foals had undergone general anesthesia; 5 for orthopedic procedures. Six of the foals were receiving nonsteriod anti-inflammatory drugs. Most foals started showing colic signs on day 2 after surgery, preceded in 3 cases by dullness. Cecal rupture occurred between 4 hours and 2 days after the first signs of colic were noticed. Intestinal motility was decreased or absent in all foals for which it was recorded.Foals undergoing general anesthesia should be closely monitored for any sign of dullness, prolonged recumbency, reduced fecal output, and signs of abdominal discomfort for 3 days postoperatively, especially in cases following orthopedic surgery. If any of the above occurs, cecal impaction should be considered as a differential diagnosis. A prompt exploratory laparotomy may be a reasonable diagnostic option before the cecum ruptures with fatal consequences.     

Cutaneous Botryomycosis in a Campbell’s Russian Dwarf Hamster (Phodopus campbelli)

A 10-month-old male Campbell’s Russian hamster (Phodopus campbelli) presented with a mass on the left forelimb. The mass was surgically excised, and the results of histopathology yielded a diagnosis of cutaneous botryomycosis, with corresponding clusters of large colonies of Gram-positive cocci. The results of the bacteriologic examination revealed Staphylococcus epidermidis. There was no evidence of patient immunosuppression based on diagnostic test results (e.g., hematology, plasma biochemistry panel, and serum electrophoresis). The mass recurred 5 months after resection. Surgical treatment was declined by the owner and an attempt to treat with antimicrobial medication was met with limited success. The animal was euthanized 7 months following the initial presentation. On histopathologic examination, a recurrent cutaneous botryomycosis was identified, associated with hepatic and splenic extramedullary granulopoiesis and hepatic pyogranulomas without granules and identifiable bacteria.     

Toxoplasmosis in a Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) from Paraná, Brazil

This study describes toxoplasmosis in a by caught Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guinensis) from Paranaguá Bay, Paraná, Brazil. Interstitial pneumonia, multisystemic arteritis, multifocal adrenalitis and hepatitis were the primary lesions observed. These tissues had moderate to severe necrosis and mononuclear cells infiltration usually surrounded by tachyzoites and tissue cysts. Moderate lymphoid depletion was evident in the spleen. Toxoplasma gondii was positive by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evaluation. Furthermore, the animal was negative for Morbillivirus by immunohistochemistry and had low levels of persistent organochlorines. There is evidence of environmental changes in the Paranaguá Bay that could justify the occurrence of toxoplasmosis in Guiana dolphin. The sewage run-off from main urban areas and the presence of domestic and wild felids in areas surrounding the bay could be a source of T. gondii oocysts from land to sea. Based on its habitat, the authors recommend this dolphin species as sentinels for the health of bays and estuaries where they occur.     

Administration of carbetocin—a long-acting oxytocin analogue—before sperm collection by transrectal ultrasound-guided massage of the accessory sex glands in bucks (Capra hircus) and ibexes (Capra pyrenaica)

Transrectal ultrasonic-guided massage of the accessory sex glands (TUMASG) is a technique that allows collecting semen requiring few electrical stimuli or even no pulse. A long-acting analogue of oxytocin (carbetocin, 0.1 mg) was i.v. administered before TUMASG in 10 conscious bucks (Experiment 1) and 10 anaesthetized Iberian ibexes (Experiment 2) to shorten the time of semen collection, decrease the number of electrical stimuli and/or improve the semen quality. The ejaculated volume, concentration, quality parameters and kinetics variables of the sperm were determined in fresh semen. The time length of the procedures and the number of electric pulses applied were recorded. Furthermore, stress response indicators (number of vocalizations in Experiment 1; heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, cortisol levels, totals proteins and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in Experiment 2) were documented. In bucks, the administration of carbetocin tended to shorten the time needed for semen collection but no-showed differences in the fresh seminal quality. In the Iberian ibexes, there were no significant differences between groups in the time length of procedures or in the number of animals that ejaculated. Carbetocin administration only reduced the respiratory rate, did it modify fresh semen characteristics in ibexes. In conclusion, the administration of carbetocin did not appear as a useful tool to improve welfare during semen collection with TUMASG or semen quality in conscious bucks and anaesthetized ibexes, having only slight advantages related to the procedure.     

Strongylus vulgaris (Looss, 1900) in horses in Italy: is it still a problem?

A post-mortem survey was carried out on 46 Sardinian horses to evaluate the presence of Strongylus vulgaris and associated pathology. Horses were from local farms and had been treated with broad-spectrum anthelmintics at least 3 times a year. Examination of the cranial mesenteric arterial system (CMAS) showed parasite-induced lesions in all horses. S. vulgaris larvae were found in 39% of examined arteries, while their detection rate in coprocultures was 4%. Histology, carried out on 26 horses, showed mainly chronic and chronic-active lesions. Histometry showed a significant increase in thickness of the arterial wall, in particular of the intima tunic and adventitia tunic of the ileocolic artery and its colic branch. MCV, MCHC and alpha2, beta and gamma globulins were increased in horses with S. vulgaris larvae in the arteries, while the albumin/globulin ratio was decreased. Horses that were positive on faecal examination showed decreased values for RBC, PCV and the albumin/globulin ratio. Although several studies have shown a dramatic decrease of S. vulgaris infection worldwide, our data show that this parasite continues to exert its pathogenic role, even when its detection rate is quite low within the strongyle population infecting horses.