Is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug required to alleviate pain behavior associated with liver biopsy in cattle?

Liver samples are collected from cattle for a variety of reasons. Samples are taken by percutaneous biopsy, and, as this causes pain in cattle, it is usually performed under local anesthesia (LA). However, postbiopsy inflammation can cause pain and sensitization of the wound site after the effects of LA have worn off. If significant, inflammatory pain has the potential to affect animal welfare and productivity. Eighteen Friesian heifers and cows (mean body weight = 534 kg) were used in this study; all received LA at the incision site. Six animals were biopsied with no further drug administration (LA), 6 were given 15 mL meloxicam intravenously and then biopsied (LAN), and 6 were sham-biopsied (control, C). Paddock behavior was observed for 4 hours after biopsy: totals for the whole observation period as well as hourly totals were analyzed. Overall, LA cows spent less time ruminating than C cows (C vs. LA: t₁₀ = 2.72, P = 0.05), whereas LAN cows did not differ from controls. In contrast, LAN cows looked at the incision site more often than did C cows overall (t₉ = ?2.86, P = 0.04). When hourly totals for this behavior were considered, LAN cows looked at the wound site significantly more often in the fourth hour than did C cows, and LA cows tended to look more often than C cows. The reduced rumination in LA cows, as well as the higher frequency of looking at the wound site in the fourth hour by all biopsied cows, suggests that liver biopsy caused some inflammatory pain when LA had worn off. Administration of meloxicam before biopsy had only a minor effect on pain behavior. There were no significant differences in the behavior of LAN cows compared with those given LA alone. However, rumination in cows given meloxicam did not differ from controls, suggesting a mild effect of the drug on behavior. The current study provides some evidence that cows did experience mild inflammatory pain after liver biopsy, but that meloxicam had negligible effects on this pain.     

Brucellosis due to Brucella suis in a swine herd associated with a human clinical case in the State of S?o Paulo, Brazil

Brucella suis has been recognized as the major etiological agent of human brucellosis in areas free from Brucella melitensis infection. However, with changes in swine management, the occurrence of swine brucellosis has decreased as has the human incidence of B. suis infection. A swine brucellosis outbreak within a herd from Jaboticabal (S?o Paulo, Brazil) was detected in July 2006. The herd comprised approximately 300 sows and 1,500 finishing animals. Many sows within this herd experienced abortions, while others exhibited vaginal discharge; three sows suffered posterior paralysis. Among 271 sows, 254 (93.7%) tested positive for brucellosis by complement fixation, and among 62 randomly bled finishing animals, 17 (27.4%) also tested positive. The B. suis biovar 1 was cultured from 14 aborted fetuses and six sows. Brucella was identified using routine methods. Fourteen farm workers were tested using agglutination tests, with three workers showing evidence of Brucella antibody titers. A 39-year-old woman, who worked with maternal pigs and had direct contact with aborted fetuses, presented an agglutinating titer of 480?IU/mL and displayed clinical signs of infection. Our findings suggest that despite a reduction of swine brucellosis throughout Brazil, B. suis infection still occurs, thereby posing a zoonotic risk.     

Does l‐Asparaginase Influence Efficacy or Toxicity When Added to a Standard CHOP Protocol for Dogs with Lymphoma?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate response rates, 1st remission duration (FRD), and toxicity in dogs with previously untreated lymphoma receiving an identical CHOP-based combination chemotherapy protocol with or without L-asparaginase (LASP). One hundred fifteen dogs with lymphoma were scheduled to receive an identical CHOP-based chemotherapy protocol that included L-ASP. However, because of manufacturer-imposed random rationing, 31 dogs did not receive L-ASP as scheduled. The 2 treatment groups were statistically similar with respect to signalment and presence of historical negative prognostic factors. No difference was observed in the median FRD whether dogs did or did not receive L-ASP (206 versus 217 days, respectively; P = .67). No difference was observed in the median overall survival times between dogs receiving or not receiving L-ASP (310 versus 308 days, respectively; P = .84). No statistical difference was observed with respect to overall response rate between dogs that did or did not receive L-ASP (89.3% versus 87.1%, respectively; P = .75). Complete response rates between the groups also were no different (83.3% and 77.4% for L-ASP and non-L-ASP groups, respectively; P = .59). Prevalence of toxicity (neutropenia, diarrhea, or vomiting) and treatment delays (P = .80) also were similar between groups. The results of this study suggest that exclusion of L-ASP in this multidrug protocol does not significantly impact outcome. Therefore, it may be more appropriate to reserve the use of L-ASP for treating relapse in dogs with lymphoma that have failed induction therapy.     

Do public attitudes affect conservation effort? Using a questionnaire-based survey to assess perceptions,beliefs and superstitions associated with frogs in South Africa

Globally, amphibians are among the least appreciated vertebrates and are often negatively perceived by the general public. Such attitudes are particularly prevalent in South Africa, where fear, superstitions and myths associated with frogs are pervasive in some cultures. These attitudes could have harmful consequences both for the animals concerned and conservation efforts. This study aimed to investigate attitudes to frogs throughout South Africa across multiple age and ethnic groups. We used a multi-language survey in both hard-copy and online versions. Respondents (n = 2 295) comprised both genders across six age groups and five ethnic groups. A functionalist approach using structural equation modelling was used to assess how liking of frogs and cultural beliefs varied with socio-demographic factors. Attitudes varied significantly between groups, with males more likely to like frogs than females and age and level of education also significantly linked to liking. The influence of cultural beliefs and lack of knowledge also directly influenced negative attitudes towards frogs. More than 60% of respondents expressed an interest in learning more about frogs, indicating an opportunity for improving attitudes through educational outreach. The findings of this study can be used to inform current efforts to protect amphibians in South Africa through social interventions.