A brief review and observations on clinical ketosis in non-lactating pregnant dairy cattle

The carbohydrate and glucose metabolism is briefly discussed. A review is given of the aetiology of the different types of ketosis in ruminants with the emphasis on the cow. Clinical ketosis in non-lactating pregnant animals is highlighted in a study of 20 cases, 16 in-calf heifers and four three-year-old cows. Fourteen animals had primary clinical ketosis thought to be mainly due to underfeeding. Six animals-had secondary clinical ketosis and were suffering from accompanying primary diseases. Treatment and possible causative factors are discussed. The introduction of heifers into mobs of older cows together with the change from free grazing to being break fed seems to be a major cause of underfeeding and stress.     

A review of some modern equine anthelmintics

Thiabendazole was the first of several benzimidazole anthelmintics and was superior to previously available drugs in both-efficiency and safety. Of the “second generation” of benzimidazoles, mebendazole and cambendazole are widely used inhorses and provide wider efficacy spectra and lowerdose rates compared with thiabendazole. Thiabendazole has proven activity against larval strongyles, but requires high dose rates. Two organophosphates, dichlorvos and haloxon have been formulated as horse anthelmintics. Pyrantel and its analogue morantel, are reported as efficient equine anthelmintics, but only in-feed and pasteformulations are recommended by the manufacturer as suitable for horses. Strains of small strongyles tolerant to benzimidazoles have been reported in U.S.A. and U.K. The addition of a piperazine salt to approximately half recommended dose rate, or the use of pyrantel, removed the tolerant nematodes.     

Weaning and weaning management of foals: A review and some recommendations

Weaning represents one of the most stressful periods in a foal's life. Access to the dam's milk provides the foal with both physical nourishment and a sense of emotional security; removal of this access at weaning can result in stress that predisposes the weanling to disease, injury, or reduced growth rates. Many different weaning systems have been devised by mare owners and breeding farm managers, but regardless of the system employed, reduction of stress at the time of weaning should be the primary concern. Research indicates that partial, gradual weaning techniques are least stressful for the weanling when compared to total and abrupt weaning. Studies also suggest stall weaning of foals in pairs may be more stressful than stall weaning of individual foals. Regardless of the method chosen, however, adequate consumption of creep feed by the foal prior to the initiation of weaning can significantly reduce weaning stress in gradual, abrupt, and stall weaning systems.     

Equine laryngeal hemiplegia part II: some clinical observations

Some clinical features of laryngeal hemlplegia in 127 horses arc described. Possible aetiologic factors were found in only 11% of affected animals. The onset of clinical signs was either sudden or insidious. The majority of cases were presented because of an abnkmal respiratory noise made at exercise. Other clinical signs, particularly those usually attributed to laryngopalatal dislocation, were observed in a substantial proportion of affected animals. In all cases surveyed the left arytenoid was affected, although in 3 animals a bilateral laryngeal dysfunction was noted. Thirty of 65 animals examined with a fibreoptic endoscope had other upper respiratory tract abnormalities in addition to abnormal arytenoid movements. Electrocardiographic examination of 45 affected horses did not reveal a significantly higher incidence ot abnormalltles than that observed in the racing population. The majority of haemograms taken from affected animals were also within normal limits.     

Poxvirus infection in the domestic cat: some clinical and epidemiological observations

The clinical findings from 30 cases of feline poxvirus infection in the UK are reviewed and some epidemiological observations described and discussed. In most cases the clinical signs consisted of skin lesions only, although systemic signs were also occasionally seen. Over half the cats had a history of a single recent lesion, assumed to be primary, on the head, neck or a forelimb. Twenty-nine of 30 cats developed more widespread secondary skin lesions. Cat-to-cat transmission was apparently rare. More cases were recognised in the autumn than at other times of the year. The possibility of a wild mammal reservoir of infection is discussed.