The presence of gastric parasites in winter-slaughtered reindeer

The presence of gastric parasites in winter-slaughtered calves and adult animals, was investigated. The number of parasites found was low in case of the calves indicating that gastric worms are of low significance concerning the winter losses. In case of adult animals was found a higher infestation indicating that gastric nematodes maybe of importance concerning the winter losses of 1,5 years old animals, Ostertagia leptospicularis was the only found species except for one animal in which was also present a few spiculopteragia alcis. The total dominance of Ostertagia leptospicularis means a marked difference from the findings of autumn-slaughtered reindeer bulls where Ostertagia leptospicularis was not found to be such a frequent finding but in addition several other species were found. In view of that is discussed a seasonal varation, winter ostertagiosis seems not to be a problem in reindeer calves.     

Individually coded telemetry: a tool for studying heart rate and behaviour in reindeer calves

The aim of the study was to test the performance of a silver wire modified version of the coded telemetric heart rate monitor Polar Vantage NV (PVNV) and to measure heart rate (HR) in a group of captive reindeer calves during different behaviour. The technical performance of PVNV HR monitors was tested in cold conditions (-30 degrees C) using a pulse generator and the correlation between generated pulse and PVNV values was high (r=0.9957). The accuracy was tested by comparing the HR obtained with the PVNV monitor with the standard ECG, and the correlation was significant (r=0.9965). Both circadian HR and HR related to behavioural pattern were recorded. A circadian rhythm was observed in the HR in reindeer with a minimum during night and early morning hours and maximum at noon and during the afternoon, the average HR of the reindeer calves studied being 42.5 beats/min in February. The behaviour was recorded by focal individual observations and the data was synchronized with the output of the HR monitors. Running differed from all other behavioural categories in HR. Inter-individual differences were seen expressing individual responses to external and internal stimuli. The silver wire modified Polar Vantage NV provides a suitable and reliable tool for measuring heart rate in reindeer, also in natural conditions.     

The effects of warble fly dressing using an organophosphorus compound on bovine pediculosis

The added benefit of the national campaign in the Republic of Ireland to eradicate bovine warble flies using pour-on organophosphorus compounds annually, has been a significant reduction in the degree of pediculosis there compared to that in Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, only warbled cattle are dressed and the level of pediculosis was 72.8% compared to 56.2% in the Republic, 30.4% of 250 cattle examined in the former country had moderate to heavy infestation compared to 8.6% of 185 cattle examined in the latter. Four species of cattle lice were found and reported for the first time in both countries; these were Haematopinus eurysternus, Solenoptes capillatus, Linognathus vituli, and Bovicola bovis. The first named was far more common in Northern Ireland. Following the withdrawal of the national eradication scheme in the Republic in 1975, there are indications that pediculosis has increased in cattle. Of 100 adult cattle examined in the Republic in February, 1976, 19 had heavy infestations, whilst 78 were infested.     

Outbreak of parasitic peritonitis in reindeer in Finland

In 2003, there was an outbreak of peritonitis in reindeer in the southern and middle part of the Finnish reindeer herding area caused by the filarioid nematode Setaria species. In the province of Oulu, the proportion of reindeer viscera condemned owing to parasitic lesions increased from 4.9 per cent in 2001 to 40.1 per cent in 2003. In 2004, the focus of the outbreak moved approximately 100 km north. A total of 260 adult and pre-adult Setaria species nematodes were collected for morphological and molecular studies. The parasite was indistinguishable in terms of morphology and molecular biology from Setaria tundra. Samples of parasites were also collected from wild cervids. In elk, only a few cases of pre-adult encapsulated S tundra nematodes were detected on the surface of the liver but there was no peritonitis. Two roe deer had S tundra nematodes in their abdomen but no peritonitis. Of 34 wild forest reindeer, 21 had changes associated with S tundra. At meat inspection of the affected reindeer carcases, the changes observed included ascites, green fibrinous deposits, adhesions, and live and dead S tundra nematodes. There were histological lesions of granulomatous peritonitis with lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic infiltration. No specific bacterial growth was found. The parasitic infection had no significant effects on the pH or the organoleptic quality of the meat. There was a significant positive correlation between the worm count and the degree of peritonitis (P<0.001) and a negative correlation between the degree of peritonitis and the thickness of the back fat layer (P=0.015).     

小灰水浸提液处理青稞秸秆后在瘤胃中消失率的变化特点

西藏饲草资源有限,牛羊生产性能低,特别是冬春季节,牛羊多处于半饥饿状态。提高西藏牛羊对饲草的利用率,是西藏牛羊养殖业的重要目标之一。本试验选用西藏农牧民最常用的燃料-牛粪灰,按一定的比例水浸提牛粪灰中的碱性物质和矿物质,再按一定的比例浸泡装入青稞秸秆的无纺布滤袋内,置入羊瘤胃内测定对主要物质的消失率。结果表明:牛粪灰中K+含量较高,达到(28.4594±1.6483)mg/g,Cu2+含量为(0.5492±0.0025)mg/g,同时含有大量的其他微量元素及CO32-盐和PO43-盐。经试验,当灰水比为0.88∶10时,pH值最高,达到10.18。用这一比例灰水浸提液浸泡填入青稞秸秆的滤袋48 h后,消化后再测定总养分、纯纤维素、NDF、ADF在瘤胃中的消失率,分别显著提高了4.45%、4.89%、6.95%和5.80%。由此可见,利用廉价的牛粪灰水浸提液浸泡秸秆能显著地提高纤维素在牛羊瘤胃中的利用率。     

驯鹿狂蝇生活习性的观察

对感染驯鹿狂蝇幼虫驯鹿进行了剖检观察，证实狂蝇幼虫主要寄生于驯鹿鼻腔及咽喉黏膜，在当年的7月到翌年1月主要以一期幼虫为主，从翌年2～3月开始快速生长发育，在4～6月多为二、三期幼虫。从翌年5月开始，成熟的三期幼虫随驯鹿打喷嚏排出体外羽化为成蝇。通过对驯鹿狂蝇生活史的观察，表明在大兴安岭地区，驯鹿狂蝇三期幼虫在50％～70％的湿度、21．5℃的平均温度及21．5℃下的451．5～666．5℃总积温下，经21～31d羽化为成蝇，羽化率为59．6％。成蝇出现于6～9月份，在7～8月份达高峰期。驯鹿狂蝇1年发生一个世代，在驯鹿体内的寄生生活长达9～10个月；雌性成蝇每次产胎蚴30-80条，一生共产800～1000条；雌蝇寿命比雄蝇长，约为1～3周。     

济南偷来藏獒十元一斤卖上桌 青岛3月多头名贵犬离奇失踪

商报济南消息,济南市一专业偷狗团伙自制抓狗工具,跨区域疯狂作案,盗窃狗300多头,其中涉及藏獒、哈士奇、黑背等名贵犬只,而这些名贵犬只却被偷狗贼以十元钱一斤的价格送上了饭桌。     

Plasma progesterone in reindeer in relation to ovariectomy and hysterectomy

Four semi-domesticated reindeer were ovariectomized and 3 both ovariectomized and hysterectomized, 30-70 days before expected parturition. Anaesthesia with etorphine/propyonylphenthiazine was followed by an increase in the plasma concentration of progesterone of peripheral blood. The concentration of progesterone returned to pre-anaesthetic values before ovariectomy. Ovariectomy did not result in any substantial change in the plasma progesterone concentration within an observation period of 35-120 min. Hysterectomy was followed by a marked decrease in peripheral plasma progesterone within 60 min. The progesterone concentration in ovarian venous blood was slightly higher than the jugular venous blood in 1 animal and 150 and 400 times higher in the 2 other animals examined. Thus, despite lack of marked changes of progesterone in jugular venous blood upon ovariectomy, it is concluded that the ovaries are a major production site of progesterone in pregnant reindeer. The progesterone in uterine venous blood was close to that in the jugular vein in 1 animal, and slightly higher in 2 others. This observation, and the maintenance of pregnancy in spite of ovariectomy in 2 out of 4 animals, point to the foeto-placental unit as an additional source of progesterone production.     

The calf mortality of the Anges? reindeer herd (author's transl)]

The heavy losses of reindeer calves in the Anges? forest herd and their seasonal occurrence are discussed on basis of the results obtained from the tables. The management, productivity and breeding conditions of this herd are estimated to be, for the most part the same as in other forest herds. The calf losses in the Anges? herd are high, during some years very high, while the reproductivity rate is comparable to that of the caribou. The extensive form of management makes it impossible to clarify most of the causes for the losses and their interrelationships. Preobrazhenskii (1961) emphasizes the importance of an intensive form of management and of counting the herd at least four times annually in order to control and prevent different kinds of losses. Skjenneberg & Slagsvold (1968) point out that the extensive form of management hinders progress in reindeer breeding, especially in the areas of selection and disease control. These statements seem to be highly relevant to Swedish reindeer breeding as well. The results from the tables clearly indicate the high total losses, the high losses during certain summers and the importance of accessible winter fodder for calf production and post-natal survival. It is important to investigate whether supplementary feeding with commercially available fodder, hay, and minerals would result in better economy in reindeer breeding. It is also desirable to investigate improved methods for supplementary feeding. During certain years calf losses are very high during the summer, but the relationships between different causes (such as stress, bloodsucking diphtera, parasites, keratitis etc.) are not clear. Surveillance of the animals during the calving season, marking of the calves before the fly season and summer heat, and developing a higher degree of domestication will probably result in smaller losses during spring and summer. If the practice of marking the calves in summer is to be continued, steps must be taken to protect the health of the animals. Such steps include making available sun shades, smoke fires against bloodsucking insects, running water, and salt and mineral feedings. Due to the extensive management form, it has not been possible to determine the extent of the real winter losses. For similar reasons the extent of the losses caused by parasites remains unclear. A continuous pathological examination of dead animals seems to offer the only possible method for clarifying the causal connections of the losses. As a consequence of the extensive form of management, the carcasses of animals that die during spring and summer are destroyed by heat and scavengers. One way of obtaining material useful for pathological examination would be a telemetric method, in which a radio signal is transmitted when the animals is dead or dying (Moell & Rehbinder 1975).     

The site of intestinal disappearance of DL-methionine and methionine hydroxy analog differs in pigs

A study was conducted with pigs to determine the sites of and the influence of dietary wheat middlings (WM) as a fiber source on the absorption of dl-Met (DLM) and dl-2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoic acid (HMTBA). Twelve 25-kg barrows were used in a replicated 6 × 4 incomplete Latin-square design with 6 diets and 4 periods per pig. Each pig was surgically fitted with simple T-cannulas in the terminal duodenum and ileum 2 wk before the initiation of the experiment and housed in a stainless-steel metabolism crate. The 6 diets were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial of WM at 0 (CON) or 8% and Met source including none, DLM, or HMTBA. Supplemental DLM doubled the duodenal free Met concentration from 9.6 to 19.6 g/100 g of DMI. Supplemental DLM also increased the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of free Met from 52 to 92% (P < 0.05). Adding 8% WM increased (P < 0.01) duodenal NDF concentrations by 2 g/100 g of DMI and decreased (P < 0.05) AID of free Met. No HMTBA was detected in digesta collected from the duodenum or ileum of pigs fed the CON + HMTBA or the WM + HMTBA diets, indicating complete absorption before the terminal duodenum regardless of WM inclusion. Interactions between Met supplementation and WM were observed for the digestibility of all other nutrients (P < 0.05). Fiber and AA digestibility in the ileum were the greatest for the CON + HMTBA diet, and least for the WM + HMTBA diet. The CON + HMTBA diet had greater AID of ADF, NDF, CP, and Thr, and greater AID of ADF, NDF, ash, Arg, Ile, Gly, and Pro when compared with the CON and CON + DLM diets, respectively (P < 0.05). The WM + HMTBA had less AID of ADF, CP, and all AA with the exception of Lys, Trp, and Val when compared with the CON + HMTBA (P < 0.05). In summary, absorption of HMTBA in the pig is complete by the end of the duodenum, but negative interaction between HMTBA and WM can decrease the AID of most AA.     

LongRange™ (eprinomectin 5%) extended-release injection parasiticide and the utility of extended-activity antiparasitics in cattle

An extended-release injection, which is administered at a rate of 1 mg eprinomectin/kg body weight, has been developed to provide up to 150 days control of parasites of cattle. The product can facilitate the achievement of two of the fundamental aims of parasite control. The first is protection of the host against the negative impact of susceptible parasites in order to ensure control of disease and to enhance performance. The second is to reduce parasite transmission and hence the challenge to animals when grazing. In addition, farmers and veterinarians can benefit from high levels of convenience and hence compliance from a single administration, which also limits handling stress in the cattle. This introductory paper provides some perspective on the practical applications for this extended-release product under various husbandry systems and in different classes of cattle and discusses its role in sustainable parasite control.     

Transplacental toxoplasmosis in a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) fetus

Toxoplasma gondii infection was diagnosed in a full term stillborn reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) fetus. The fetus had encephalitis and placentitis associated with T. gondii. Tissue cysts were identified histologically in sections of brain and tachyzoites were present in placenta and the myocardium. Protozoa in the brain, heart, and placenta stained positively with T. gondii antibodies, but not with Neospora caninum antibodies in an immunohistochemical test. The dam of the fetus had a 1:12,800 titer to T. gondii in the modified agglutination test employing whole tachyzoites and mercaptoethanol. This is the first confirmed report of T. gondii infection in reindeer.     

Rumen ciliate protozoal fauna of reindeer in Inner Mongolia, China

Rumen ciliate species and composition were surveyed on the reindeer kept in Inner Mongolia, China. As a result of survey, all the reindeer had the same 18 species of 8 genera of the ciliates in their rumen. Appearance of Entodinium parvum is the first record in this host species. Of the species detected, 15 species including Entodinium anteronucleatum, E. bicornutum, Enoploplastron confluens and Epidinium gigas which have been detected only from reindeer were common with those in the reindeer kept in the other areas, such as Alaska, Russia and Finland, indicating that every rumen ciliate faunae in reindeer has high similarity to each other, and suggesting that these hosts have been isolated from the other ruminants for long time and established characteristic ciliate fauna. The ciliate density was estimated as 1.1-2.5 x 10 (6)/ml, which value was fairly higher than those in domestic ruminants. Surface structures of characteristic species were observed by SEM.