Frequency of a FAS ligand gene variant associated with inherited feline autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome in British shorthair cats in New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS

To determine the frequency of the FAS-ligand gene (FASLG) variant associated with feline autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (FALPS) and the proportion of carriers of the variant in three British shorthair (BSH) breeding catteries in New Zealand.     

Multiple viral plaques with sebaceous differentiation associated with an unclassified papillomavirus type in a cat

Abstract

CASE HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS

A 15-year-old neutered male domestic short-haired cat was presented due to multiple 0.5–2?cm-diameter crusting plaques in the left preauricular region, over the bridge of nose, and in the right periocular region. The plaques did not appear to cause discomfort.     

Prevalence and risk factors for cats testing positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus infection in cats entering an animal shelter in New Zealand

Abstract

AIMS

To estimate the prevalence of cats testing positive for antibodies to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) antigens in domestic cats entering a New Zealand animal shelter, based on a commercial point-of-care ELISA, to identify risk factors associated with cats testing positive, and to compare the results obtained from the ELISA with those obtained using PCR-based testing.     

The importance of zoonoses

Abstract

Extract

There are approximately 200 infectious diseases of animals, birds, and fish, and almost half of these are zoonoses (Meyer, 1954 Meyer, K. F. 1954. Bull. Epizoot. Dis. Africa, 2: 427–427.  [Google Scholar]). This paper deals with the main points of but a few which are important in the countries of Asia and the Pacific area. These have been stressed recently at a seminar in Japan sponsored by the World Health Organization and Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. A global picture is given also, as the problems of the zoonoses are greater overseas than they are in New Zealand. To keep the problems in perspective, it should be stated that the zoonoses account for only a small percentage of human illness, partly owing to such notable achievements as pasteurization of milk for human consumption and meat inspection.     

Further investigation of equine fescue oedema induced by Mediterranean tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected fungal endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala)

Abstract

AIMS

To determine if equine fescue oedema (EFO) induced by grazing Mediterranean-type tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala) could be prevented by treatment with the corticosteroid, methylprednisolone, and anti-histamine, cetirizine, and to determine concentrations of lolines, specifically N-acetyl norloline (NANL), in grasses grazed by horses that did and did not develop EFO.     

Immunoprotection of recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eg</Emphasis>.P29 against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus granulosus</Emphasis> in sheep

Objective

This study aims to investigate the immunoprotection of recombinant Eg.P29 (rEg.P29) vaccine and analyze the underlying mechanism in sheep.

Methods

Three groups of male sheep were immunized subcutaneously with rEg.P29 and PBS, Freund’s complete adjuvant as controls, respectively. After prime-boost vaccination, the sheep were challenged with encapsulated Echinococcus granulosus eggs. The percentage of protection in sheep was determined 36 weeks after the infection. Humoral immune response was analyzed for specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgE levels. Moreover, cytokines including interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4,and IL-10 were also evaluated.

Results

Immunization with rEg.P29 induced protective immune responses up to 94.5 %, compared with immunoadjuvant group. The levels of specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2, and IgE as well as IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 significantly increased after two immunizations (P < 0.05); however, the levels of IgM and IL-10 did not show difference.

Conclusion

rEg.P29 showed Immunoprotection and induced Th1 and Th2 immune responses; hence, rEg.P29 is a potential vaccine for E. granulosus infection.

     

A study of the pattern of staphylococcal contamination of the udders of cows in a dairy herd

Abstract

Extract

The results of the 1965–6 New Zealand national mastitis survey (Anon., 1967 Anon Ann. Rep. Res. Div. N.Z. Dept. Agric. 1966–67 1967 77 78  [Google Scholar]) indicated that β-haemolytic staphylococci were the most common bacteria isolated from the milk of dairy cows. Effective control of β-haemolytic stapyhlococci on a national scaledepends ultimately upon an understanding of population changes of this organism within the cow and within the herd.     

Knemidokoptic mange of the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

A budgerigar brought to the Wallaceville Animal Research Station for examination showed a severe chronic lesion of the beak and ceres. The lesion was heavily encrusted and showed honey-comb-like pitting (Fig. 1). Four birds of a flock of fifty were similarly affected. Mites were found in scrapings taken from the base of the beak and were identified as Knemidokoptes pilae, Lavoipierre and Griffiths, 1951 Evans, G.O. and Browning, E. 1955. Econ. Ser. Brit. Mus., 17 [Google Scholar].     

Oocyte maturation,embryo development and gene expression following two different methods of bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes vitrification

Objective

To examine the maturational competence, embryo development and expression of genes involved in oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion (GDF9, BMP15, HAS2, TNFAIP6, FGF17 and FSHr) following two standard methods of bovine COCs vitrification.

Methods

Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from slaughtered ovaries and then distributed into three groups: non-vitrified COCs (control), vitrification 1 group (V1); vitrification was performed by 15% ethylene glycol (EG) and 15% DMSO in holding media (TCM-199 with 20% FCS); and vitrification 2 group (V2); vitrification was performed by 40% EG in holding media. After vitrification, COCs were warmed in two steps and cultured and then evaluated for nuclear maturation, embryo development and gene expressions.

Results

The mean (±SD) percentages of nuclear maturation and blastocyst/cleaved were higher in control group (79.5 ± 8.0 and 31.0 ± 5.1%) than the V1 (34.8 ± 9.1 and 4.4 ± 5.1%) and V2 (47.8 ± 11.7 and 7.1 ± 5.8%) groups (P < 0.05), respectively. Further, COCs in V2 group showed higher mean (±SD) percentages of cleavage compared to V1 group (31.8 ± 1.0 vs 21.7 ± 2.8%; P < 0.05). GDF9 and BMP15 expression levels were higher in COCs in the control than of the vitrification groups (P < 0.05). In addition, expression level of GDF9 and BMP15 was higher in V2 group than in V1group (P < 0.05). The expression of HAS2 and FGF17 in V1 group was lower (P < 0.05) than that of the V2 groups.

Conclusions

Expression of oocyte maturation genes was affected by vitrification procedure and conditions. Using EG alone for vitrification of bovine immature COCs, resulted in higher expression of GDF9, BMP15 and production of more in vitro matured and cleaved oocytes.

     

The experimental production of hyperkeratosis in young calves by the use of a pentachlorinated naphthalene compound

Abstract

Extract

Following the occurrence in the field of typical cases of hyperkeratosis (Haughey and Cooper, 1953 Haughey, K. G. and Cooper, B. S. 1953. N.Z.vet.J., 1: 99–103. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) which was associated with the use of a pentachlorinated naphthalene wood preserving compound, it was decided to attempt to reproduce this disease under experimental conditions.     

The control of parasitism by management

Abstract

Extract

In considering any system of parasite control by management, it is useful to have a reasonably clear conception of the problem involved. Taylor (1957) Taylor, E. L. 1957. Vet. Rec., 69: 557–557.  [Google Scholar] has given some idea of the enormous biotic potential of the gastro-intestinal parasites of sheep. A sheep carrying quite a moderate infestation will distribute some 500,000 worm eggs each day on to the pasture it is grazing. Moreover, with present-day trends in farming efficiency, it is as well to know that, on any given area, these parasites tend to increase as the square of the number of animals depastured on it.     

A preliminary experiment on the effect of selenium on the growth rate of calves

Abstract

Extract

Drake et al. (1960 Drake, C, Grant, A. B. and Hartley, W. J. 1960. N.Z. vet. J., 8: 7–7. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) have shown that selenium will control outbreaks of lamb and hogget ill-thrift on the pumice soils of the Rotorua-Taupo area. As an ill-thrift problem also exists in calves on the newly-broken-in farms in the same area, it was decided to investigate the effect of oral selenium and other minerals in the control of this problem.     

The post-parturient rise: A comparison of the pattern and relative generic composition of strongyle egg output from lactating and non-lactating ewes

Abstract

Extract

Madam: — From January 1984 to March 1986, this laboratory has undertaken a routine analysis of pasture plant leaf, maize silage, and lucerne hay for soduim. Preparation consisted of drying at 80°C for 48 hours in a hot air oven. The materials were then ground and digested in nitric perchloric acid. Sodum determination was made by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).(2) Allen, J.E. 1969. The preparatin of agricultural samples for analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Varian Aerograph, 12/69: A-1010 [Google Scholar]     

A survey of South Island pig herds for serological evidence of Aujeszky's disease

Abstract

Extract

Madam:– Aujeszky's disease (AD) was first diagnosed in New Zealand in 1976.(1 Anon. Aujeszky's disease in N.Z. pigs Surveillance New Zealand 1976 3 2 3 4  [Google Scholar]) While elinical AD has been uncommon and the disease has had no appreeiable impact on the production of pigmeat for the domestic market, the presence of infection denies New Zealand pigmeat acccss to a number of overseas markets.(1 Anon. Aujeszky's disease in N.Z. pigs Surveillance New Zealand 1976 3 2 3 4  [Google Scholar]) Access to these could be obtained if meat were derived from herds certified free from AD.     

Diseases of the central nervous system of pigs

Abstract

Extract

Sir — The recently published advances by Done (1957 Done, J. T. 1957. Vet. Rec., 69: 1341–1341.  [Google Scholar]). Done et al. (1957 Done, J. T., Brooksbank, N. H. and Buntain, D. 1957. Vet. Rec., 69: 67–67.  [Google Scholar]) and Harding cl al. (1957 Harding, T. D. J., Done, J. T. and Kershaw, G. F. 1957. Vet. Rec., 69: 824–824.  [Google Scholar]); ill Great Britain concerning the knowledge of different disease of the central nervous system ot pigs have prompted a closer examination of these diseases by Diagnostic Officers of the Animal Research Division in this country.     

A bovine lymphosarcoma

Abstract

Extract

A report in the recent literature of lympho-sarcoma in an Aberdeen Angus × Shorthorn × Guernsey heifer calf, 3 weeks old (Simon and Brewer, 1963 Simon, J. and Brewer, R. L. 1963. J. Amer. vet. med. Ass., 142: 1388–1388.  [Google Scholar]), has prompted the writer to record a case encountered in 1960.     

An outbreak of Pseudomonas mastitis

Abstract

Extract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection has been reported in association with an outbreak of mastitis following intramam-mary infusion of cows with dry cow therapy ⁽¹⁾ Blood, DC, Radostits, OM and Henderson, JA. 1985. “Chapter 15. Mastitis”. In Veterinary Medicine. A Text Book of the Diseases of Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Goats and Horses, Sixth Edtn, 479–480. Bath: Baillière Tindall.  [Google Scholar]. The mastitis in that case was clinically severe and the reported mortality rate was 17%. The contaminated material was infused at drying off and the cows became affected soon after calving (2–3 months later). We report a similar outbreak of mastitis in a Thames Valley dairy herd.     

Prevalence of dentigerous cysts (ovine odontogenic cysts) in ewes in the South Island of New Zealand

Abstract

Cysts in the anterior mandible of sheep are reportedly uncommon in New Zealand((1) Bruère, AN and West, DM. “Dentigerous cysts”. In The Sheep. Health, Disease and Production, 214–214. 1993–1993. Palmerston North: Foundation for Continuing Education of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.  [Google Scholar]) although their prevalence and economic significance are unknown. They usually develop around an unerupted permanent incisor, perhaps as a result of an abnormality in the eruption process, but their pathogenesis is not clear. They appear as solitary swellings which grow slowly and are lined by stratified squamous epithelium. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of these lesions in mixed-age ewes at meat plants in the South Island of New Zealand.     

Acorn poisoning in sheep

Abstract

Extract

Robins and Shapcott (1954 Robins, J. H. and Shapcott, R. 1954. N.Z. vet. J., 2: 55–55. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) recorded cases of presumed acorn poisoning in sheep.