Spinal muscle atrophy in Brown Swiss x Braunvieh cross calves]

The report describes seven SMA-cases in descendents of crossbreeds of American Brown Swiss x Deutsches Braunvieh. Symptoms and course: After initially normal development of the calves for one to six weeks the disease set in suddenly followed by a rapid lethal course of one to one and a half weeks duration due to asphyxia and/or secondary diseases. Only one case was reported having been sick since birth (?). Characteristic signs were rapidly progressing muscular atrophy, paresis and paralysis of the limbs, the trunk and the diaphragm, usually accompanied by progressive dyspnoea. Signs of congenital neuromyodysplasia (arthrogryposis) of different degree were present in four of the seven calves. Six calves had contracted a secondary pneumonia. Blood gas analysis (6/7) revealed a compensated (1x) or decompensated (4x) respiratory acidosis. Neurohistological findings: Degeneration and loss of motor neurons in the ventral horns of the spinal cord and neurogenic muscular atrophy. Immunohistochemistry revealed a pronounced accumulation of type 200 kD-neurofilaments in perikarya and dendrites of ventral horn motoneurons indicating disturbed mechanisms of the axonal transport. The disease seems to be inherited as a recessive trait.     

Villus atrophy in ruminal drinking calves and mucosal restoration after reconditioning

Summary

The effect of reconditioning therapy on 7 chronic ruminal drinking veal calves is described. Two calves that were persistent ruminal drinkers were used as controls. In addition to clinical parameters, the morphological features of proximal jejunum biopsies were used to monitor the effect of therapy.

Ruminal drinking calves showed various degrees of hyperplastic villus atrophy. When the reticular groove reflex was restored, clinical recovery was observed within 10 days; the length of villi increased as well as the villus/crypt ratio at the end of the reconditioning period. Crypt depth, however, did not alter, and the mitosis index significantly decreased. Villus atrophy in the controls gradually worsened.

While the calves gained weight after recovery, retarded growth from the ruminal drinking period was not compensated.     

Villus atrophy in ruminal drinking calves and mucosal restoration after reconditioning

The effect of reconditioning therapy on 7 chronic ruminal drinking veal calves is described. Two calves that were persistent ruminal drinkers were used as controls. In addition to clinical parameters, the morphological features of proximal jejunum biopsies were used to monitor the effect of therapy. Ruminal drinking calves showed various degrees of hyperplastic villus atrophy. When the reticular groove reflex was restored, clinical recovery was observed within 10 days; the length of villi increased as well as the villus/crypt ratio at the end of the reconditioning period. Crypt depth, however, did not alter, and the mitosis index significantly decreased. Villus atrophy in the controls gradually worsened. While the calves gained weight after recovery, retarded growth from the ruminal drinking period was not compensated.     

Chronic indigestion in milk-fed calves]

Calves with chronic indigestion have disturbed general attitude and condition, decreased appetite, loss of hair, clay-like faeces and ruminal and metabolic acidosis. Possible causes include dysfunction of the oesophageal-groove reflex, reflux of abomasal contents into the rumen and abnormal ruminal motility. The anion gap may be increased or within normal limits. Metabolic acidosis is significantly more severe in calves that are unable to stand than in calves that can stand. Treatment of chronic indigestion consists primarily of intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate, transfaunation of the rumen and oral administration of electrolyte solutions.     

Screening genetic diseases prevalence in Braunvieh cattle

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Heritable abnormalities can cause a reduction in productive performance, structural defects, or death of the animal. There are reports of hereditary...