Surgical Correction of a Persistent Right Aortic Arch in a Foal

A persistent right fourth aortic arch causing esophageal stenosis was diagnosed in a foal. Presenting signs included cervical swelling that developed following introduction to solid feed at weaning, and symptoms of chronic aspiration pneumonia. The esophagus was distended at the thoracic inlet; neither an endoscope nor a small nasogastric tube could be passed through the strictured esophagus at the heart base. The esophagus was seen to be dilated to the level of the heart base on plain and contrast radiographs. A left lateral thoracotomy through the fifth intercostal space was used to gain access for surgical correction of the defect. Radiographic and clinical evaluation of the foal 2 and 6 months following surgery showed a gradual decrease in size of the esophageal dilatation and an enlargement in the functional diameter of the esophagus at the previously strictured area at the heart base. Ten months following surgery the colt was eating normally and was of normal height and weight.     

Esophageal dysfunction in a weanling thoroughbred

A 6-month-old Thoroughbred colt was examined because of persistent dysphagia noted since birth. Moderately severe regurgitation occurred when the colt ate semi-solid food or drank. Complete esophageal impaction developed when the colt ate solid material. Endoscopic examination revealed ulceration, dilatation and lack of peristalsis in the area of the previous impaction. Barium esophagram demonstrated the dilatation in the area of the previous impaction. Esophageal manometry revealed prolonged simultaneous contractions throughout the esophagus suggesting the presence of a motor abnormality. The colt was maintained on a slurry of complete pelleted feed, but the esophageal dysfunction persisted until euthanasia at 17 months of age. Gross post mortem and histologic examinations showed no abnormalities in the muscularis mucosa, myenteric plexus, vagus nerve, or brain stem. The history, signs, and manometric findings suggested esophageal dysfunction in this colt. Motor disorders of the esophagus should be considered in horses with persistent dysphagia or recurrent episodes of choke and esophageal manometry can help characterize these disorders.     

Idiopathic megaesophagus in a calf: clinical and pathologic features

A 4-month-old female Gelbvieh calf regurgitated 3 to 9 minutes after eating hay but not after eating grain or drinking water. A fiberoptic endoscopic examination and positive-contrast radiography revealed megaesophagus. The calf was euthanatized, and necropsy revealed a dilated esophagus (12 cm long) proximal to the thoracic inlet. Histologically, the major portion of the muscular layers of the esophagus was replaced by fat cells.     

生物奶牛粪饲料在生长獭兔生产中的应用研究

随着养殖业的不断壮大,仅靠挖掘常规饲料资源的潜力已不能缓解饲料供应不足的局面,我们需要另辟蹊径,寻找、开发安全有效的非常规饲料资源。因此本课题组开展了利用生物发酵奶牛粪替代麸皮用于獭兔饲养的试验。结果表明,奶牛粪经生物发酵后营养价值提高;生物发酵牛粪替代麸皮,饲料成本降低,而且能够提高生长獭兔生产性能,提高饲料消化率,降低腹泻率,改善被毛品质,具有生态效益和经济效益双重优势。     

Genetic relationships between feed efficiency in growing males and beef cow performance

Most studies on feed efficiency in beef cattle have focused on performance in young animals despite the contribution of the cow herd to overall profitability of beef production systems. The objective of this study was to quantify, using a large data set, the genetic covariances between feed efficiency in growing animals measured in a performance-test station, and beef cow performance including fertility, survival, calving traits, BW, maternal weaning weight, cow price, and cull cow carcass characteristics in commercial herds. Feed efficiency data were available on 2,605 purebred bulls from 1 test station. Records on cow performance were available on up to 94,936 crossbred beef cows. Genetic covariances were estimated using animal and animal-dam linear mixed models. Results showed that selection for feed efficiency, defined as feed conversion ratio (FCR) or residual BW gain (RG), improved maternal weaning weight as evidenced by the respective genetic correlations of -0.61 and 0.57. Despite residual feed intake (RFI) being phenotypically independent of BW, a negative genetic correlation existed between RFI and cow BW (-0.23; although the SE of 0.31 was large). None of the feed efficiency traits were correlated with fertility, calving difficulty, or perinatal mortality. However, genetic correlations estimated between age at first calving and FCR (-0.55 ± 0.14), Kleiber ratio (0.33 ± 0.15), RFI (-0.29 ± 0.14), residual BW gain (0.36 ± 0.15), and relative growth rate (0.37 ± 0.15) all suggest that selection for improved efficiency may delay the age at first calving, and we speculate, using information from other studies, that this may be due to a delay in the onset of puberty. Results from this study, based on the estimated genetic correlations, suggest that selection for improved feed efficiency will have no deleterious effect on cow performance traits with the exception of delaying the age at first calving.     

改性柠条粉对奶牛采食量及消化率的影响

柠条(Caragana korshinskii)平茬时收获的枝条经粉碎制成柠条粉可作为奶牛粗饲料,但因其适口性差、采食量少、消化率利用率低,导致柠条饲用转化产业发展缓慢。试验研究了一种新型的改性加工方法处理柠条,利用该方法加工出的改性柠条粉饲喂泌乳奶牛,结果表明:与普通柠条相比,奶牛对改性柠条粉的采食利用率、日粮中的NDF消化率、日粮中的DM消化率分别提高了11.0、2.08、2.09个百分点。     

Endoscopically Guided Balloon Dilatation of Benign Esophageal Strictures in 6 Cats and 7 Dogs

Benign esophageal strictures in 6 cats and 7 dogs were treated with endoscopically guided balloon dilatation. Six of 13 had a history of anesthesia within 3 weeks prior to the onset of signs; 8 animals had a single stricture, and 5 had multiple strictures, for a total of 19 strictures. Four of the 19 strictures were in the upper esophagus, 11 were in the middle esophagus, and 4 were in the lower esophagus. The luminal diameters ranged from 1 to 18 mm, with a mean of 5.1 mm. Twelve animals survived the immediate postprocedure period and had a total of 50 dilatation procedures performed; the mean number of procedures per animal was 4.2 (range, 2 to 8). Complications included mild bleeding and tearing (11 of 13), moderate bleeding (1 of 13), and esophageal perforation (1 of 13). The cat with the perforation was subsequently euthanized. Follow-up information was available on the 12 remaining animals; 9 were known to be alive 6 to 59 months (mean, 28.2 months) after dilatation. Two were euthanized, 1 for persistence of signs and the other for unrelated causes. One animal died of possible aspiration pneumonia. Three of 13 animals had complete and 9 had partial resolution of signs. Of the 9 animals with partial resolution, 7 were substantially better with dietary modification, 1 was moderately better, and 1 had minimal improvement. Eleven of 13 animals (85%) had a successful outcome with moderate to complete resolution of signs. Thus, it is concluded that endoscopically guided balloon dilatation is an effective and relatively safe treatment for benign esophageal strictures in dogs and cats.     

复合草颗粒生产及饲喂奶牛试验

通过刈割-干燥-粉碎-配制-制粒程序将紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa)鲜草加工成理想的高附加值商品--复合草颗粒,同时采用随机编号、分组试验法,替代2.5、2.0 kg精饲料饲喂奶牛,测定替代量与产奶量、草料消耗成本之间的关系.结果表明,复合草颗粒是一种体积小,便于运输、贮藏,使用方便,适口性好,营养价值高的...     

北京地区规模化牛场玉米青贮和TMR颗粒度评价及常规营养成分研究

针对我国粗饲料资源较差以及广泛存在的青贮铡切较长等现实问题,本研究旨在为制定适合于中国饲料资源条件的青贮以及不同生长和泌乳阶段奶牛的TMR分级标准提供基础数据。本试验对北京地区规模化奶牛场的玉米青贮和TMR样品进行颗粒度筛分和常规营养成分测定,并与美国宾州颗粒度分级筛（PSPS）的TMR颗粒度和日粮NDF推荐值进行比较。通过比对发现我国玉米青贮的饲料颗粒度普遍偏大,第一层筛网上的饲料比例远超过宾州筛3%～5%的推荐值。新产牛和高产牛TMR样品位于第一层筛网上的饲料比例绝大多数超过了8%,第二层筛网上的饲料比例比美国推荐值要低15%～25%,这可能是由于粗饲料（青贮和干草）颗粒度过长造成的。高产牛和新产牛日粮NDF含量处于35%～42%,基本上在美国宾州筛推荐的中低产奶牛日粮的NDF范围,这与我国的粗饲料资源有限、质量不高、粗饲料铡切长度有关。因而,我国牧场不能照搬美国宾州筛的TMR分级标准,而应根据我国粗饲料的国情,制订适合于中国饲料资源条件的青贮与不同生长和泌乳阶段奶牛的TMR分级标准。     

关于发展奶牛饲料的几点建议

本文介绍了我国奶牛饲料业基本情况,提出了主要存在的饲料生产与奶牛饲养模式不相适应的问题,着重提出了“饲料配合”建设的意义,内容及可操作性,提出了当前发展我国奶牛业的策略。     

饮水中添加湿态发酵蛋白饲料提高奶牛产奶量试验

湿态发酵蛋白饲料是玉米经酵母发酵、提取酒精后,又经益生菌发酵、密封包装的产物,其可溶性好、易消化、易吸收、蛋白质含量高。通过对奶牛进行饲喂试验可知,奶牛日添加4kg该饲料,单产可提高2.18kg,每头牛日增利润2.03元,增产效果好,经济效益显著;另外,研究还发现,日添加4kg该饲料对乳成分无显著影响。     

某奶牛场全混合日粮技术饲喂效果

全混合日粮(TMR)是现代标准化、规模化奶牛场普遍采用的饲喂技术。该技术是依据奶牛各阶段的营养需要,一次性供给奶牛精粗比合适、适口性较好、各部分营养浓度相同的日粮。[目的]为了定量分析TMR技术效果。[方法]采用全混合日粮技术饲喂奶牛。[结果]产奶牛奶量提高了10.8%,干物质、蛋白质、脂肪含量分别提高了1.6%,3.9%和4.6%,每头产奶牛日均增加效益10.7元。[结论]应用全混合日粮饲养技术可以提高产奶量、乳品质以及经济效益。     

The occurrence of a toxigenic strain of Fusarium tricinctum in connection with disease in a dairy cow]

The fungus Fusarium tricinctum, producing T-2 toxin, was isolated from mouldy maize silage. T-2 toxin was identified by TLC and by a bioassay. Consumption of mouldy silage resulted in a disease in a dairy cow, which had to be killed. The patho-anatomical findings obtained in the slaughtered cow generally suggested trichothecene poisoning. It was derived from these findings that the disease was due to the presence of trichothecenes in the feed.     

Megaesophagus and aspiration pneumonia secondary to gastric ulceration in a foal

A 3-month-old foal with a history of persistent fever and leukocytosis was found to have pneumonia, ulceration of the squamous portion of the stomach, and dilatation of the distal portion of the esophagus. The foal was euthanatized and necropsied. The distal portion of the esophagus was severely dilated, and there was severe ulceration and mural thickening of the stomach at the cardia. Because of the severe gastric ulceration and mural thickening, the gastroesophageal junction was fixed in an open position, permitting gastroesophageal reflux. The megaesophagus and pneumonia were considered to have resulted from chronic gastroesophageal reflux.     

TMR饲料质量评价体系的研究

本文从上海牛奶集团各个牧场TMR饲料推广的实际经验出发,对TMR饲料生产过程的重要环节进行评价,从而进一步研究TMR饲料产品的质量评价方法,构建了一套行之有效的TMR质量监控体系,为饲料产品安全、奶牛健康和乳制品安全提供重要保证。     

不同粗饲料对奶牛能量代谢的影响

本试验选择16头处于干奶期的健康荷斯坦奶牛,各试验牛体重、年龄、胎次相近,随机分成4组,每组4头。试验分为两期,一期饲喂基础日粮,二期以苜蓿、羊草、全株玉米青贮和干玉米秸秆各粗饲料替代30%基础日粮。考察不同粗饲料对奶牛能量代谢的影响。试验结果表明苜蓿的饲草相对饲用价值(RFV)值最高,一定程度上说明了苜蓿的营养价值最高,玉米青贮较玉米秸秆饲草相对饲用价值(RFV)值高,说明青贮改善了玉米秸秆的品质,提高其营养价值。     

Economic losses caused by paratuberculosis in a dairy herd: case report

The impact of clinical paratuberculosis in a 500 cow Jersey x Holstein dairy herd of loose housing system was followed up for three years. There was an increasing fall in annual milk production, namely 49, 474, and 1030 litres per cow, a decrease in the average age from 63.9 to 57.0 months, and of feed conversion from 60 to 39%. The effect of certain management deficiencies, existing throughout the study, is discussed.     

Estimation of Milk Production from Smallholder Dairy Cattle in the Coastal Lowlands of Kenya

A study was carried out on 92 smallholder farms in Kwale district in Coast Province of Kenya to estimate the milk yield. The effect of concentrate feed supplementation on milk yield was also evaluated. Data were collected during a one-year observational longitudinal study. Analysis was done for 371 observations following 63 calving events. The mean annual milk offtake was estimated at 2021 kg/cow. Forty-nine (77.8%) of the lactating cows were supplemented with concentrate feeds at varying rates of 0.5-3.0 kg/cow per day. Supplementary feeding of lactating cows led to a significantly higher mean daily milk yield compared to non-supplemented cows throughout the year (p < 0.05). The mean annual milk offtake from supplemented cows (2195 kg/cow) was 18.6% more than offtake from non-supplemented cows, a difference that was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Therefore, supplementary feeding of commercial feed concentrates was a rational management practice. It was also concluded that milk production from smallholder dairy cows in the coastal lowlands of Kenya was comparable to that from similar production systems but lower than national targets.     

添加高蛋白生物活性饲料饲喂奶牛的效果观测

加高蛋白生物活性饲料饲喂奶牛，可比对照组头均日产奶量提高0．92kg,增产率为7．01％，差异显著（P＜0．05），试验期内头均增加收益123．42元，其经济效益明显。     

A colon-associated cystic mass occurring in conjunction with cecal dilatation in a Holstein cow

A 7-year-old Holstein cow was presented for reduced appetite and decreased milk production. Based on physical examination, cecal dilatation was the primary differential diagnosis and was confirmed at surgery. However, in addition to the dilated cecum, 2 large cystic masses were found firmly attached to the proximal loop of the ascending colon.