Evaluation of gastric pressures as an indirect method for measurement of intraabdominal pressures in the horse

Objective – To develop an indirect method for measurement of intraabdominal pressures in the standing horse using measurement of gastric pressures as a less invasive technique, and to compare this method with direct intraabdominal pressures obtained from the peritoneal cavity. Design – Prospective, experimental study. Setting – University‐based equine research facility. Animals – Ten healthy adult horses, 7 geldings and 3 mares. Interventions – Gastric pressures were measured using a nasogastric tube with a U‐tube manometry technique, while intraperitoneal pressures were measured with a peritoneal cannula. Measurements of intraabdominal pressure were obtained by both methods, simultaneously, and were evaluated using 5 increasing volumes of fluid infused into the stomach (0, 400, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 mL). Bias and agreement between the 2 methods were determined using Bland‐Altman analysis and Lin's concordance correlation coefficients. Measurements and Main Results – Mean gastric pressure was 14.44±4.69 cm H₂O and ranged from 0 to 25.8 cm H₂O. Intraperitoneal pressure measurements were generally subatmospheric, and ranged from ?6.6 to 3.1 cm H₂O (mean±SD, ?1.59±2.09 cm H₂O). Measurements of intraperitoneal pressures were repeatable; however, intra‐ and interindividual variance was significantly larger for measurements of gastric pressures. The mean and relative bias for comparison between the 2 techniques was 15.9±5.3 cm H₂O and 244.3±199.2%, respectively. The Lin's concordance correlation coefficient between gastric and intraperitoneal pressures was ?0.003 but this was not statistically significant (P=0.75). Conclusions – There was no statistical concordance between measurements of intraabdominal pressure using gastric and intraperitoneal pressure measurement, indicating that gastric pressures cannot be substituted for intraperitoneal pressure measurement. Direct measurement of intraperitoneal pressures may be a more consistent method for comparison of intraabdominal pressures between horses, due to less variability within and between individuals.     

Influence of milking units and working vacuum level on the mechanical milking of goats

The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the effect of working vacuum levels (35 and 44 kPa) and liners dimensions (mouthpiece lip diameter and overall length, 20–185 and 22–170 mm) on the main milking characteristics of goats. The results highlight that both the working vacuum level and the liner dimension have influenced the milk flow curve parameters. The maximum variations were found for peak flow rate, which increased significantly with liner dimensions of 20–185 mm at a working vacuum level of 44 kPa as well as average milk flow rate and for plateau phase duration. The incorrect adoption of operative parameters and unsuitable milking machine components, might affect the performance of the mechanical milking and negatively affecting animal productions and welfare.     

A graphic method for the statistical evaluation of metabolic tests]

A graphical method was developed for the statistical evaluation of the results of metabolic tests; this method affords evaluation with due respect to the variance of characters in selected sets and the size of the tested group of animals. In principle, the method is based on the determination of the arithmetical mean and a 95% confidence interval of the selective mean of the values for each parameter of biochemism in each group of animals; these values are then expressed as per cent with regard to a mean reference value. Graphical comparison is enabled for both score and interval estimation of the distribution of a character in the studied group of animals, with a reference interval and reference mean.     

Contamination of the bovine streak canal during mechanical milking

A newly recognised problem of petechial haemorrhages in external adipose tissue of lambs was investigated at a meat works. The causal factor was electrical stunning, but animal- associated predisposing factors were also important as indicated by a decline in prevalence as the killing season progressed. It is suggested that these are associated with the age of the lambs and, thereby, the maturity of tissues. Histologically, the lesions showed focal capillary haemorrhage, platelet and fibrin thrombi, and concentration of leucocytes about the thrombus. Although this distribution superficially resembled a reactive change, it was concluded that it was an agonal lesion and suggested that the concentration of leucocytes was a result of a filtration phenomenon.     

Association of automatic milking systems milking frequency in primiparous and multiparous cows with their yield and milkability

The aim of the study was to determine the association of automatic milking systems milking frequency (≤2.40, 2.41–2.80 and >2.80 times/day) in primiparous and multiparous cows with their daily milk yield and milkability. The analysis included of the milk production level and the interaction between milking frequency per day and daily milk yield. Regardless of the daily production level, most primiparous cows were milked 2.41–2.80 times/day and most multiparous cows >2.80 times/day. Higher daily milk yield and a more favourable effect of increasing milking frequency on this parameter were observed in multiparous cows, with an increase from 29.7?kg (milking frequency ≤2.40 times/day) to 31.1?kg milk (>2.80 times/day). In primiparous cows, this increase was smaller and amounted to 0.8?kg milk (from 29.2 to 30.0?kg).     

Current aspects of the use of automated milking systems

Automatic milking systems offer not only a marked improvement of the working conditions in dairy farms but also they may be able to improve the quality of life of the dairy farmer, the health and performance status of the cow and the milk quality. The current stage of development of automatic milking systems indicates that there are still some deficiencies in fulfilling the requirements of the milk hygiene regulations, the early identification of health problems and allowing veterinary measures. This paper details some aspects of cow and udder health and milk quality under the condition of automatic milking systems by discussing actual problems and potential future advantages.     

The association between fetching for milking and dairy cows'' behaviour at milking, and avoidance of human approach — An on-farm study in herds with automatic milking systems

The present study explores the welfare aspects of involuntary milking in dairy herds with an automatic milking system (AMS) as it focuses on whether fetching of cows for milking may be related to fear/discomfort of the automatic milking unit (AMU) or the milking itself and further, may strain the human–animal relationship. Behavioural data on cow reluctance when entering the AMU, stepping and kicking behaviour during milking and avoidance of humans was collected at 6 two-day visits to 8 Danish commercial AMS herds during a year. The data set for the analysis included one observation per cow of reluctance when entering the AMU and behaviour during milking of a total of 869 cows; 255 cows fetched for milking and 614 non-fetched cows. For 82 of the cows fetched for milking and for 370 of the non-fetched cows the data further included one observation per cow of avoidance towards an approaching unfamiliar human in a test situation. Multivariate analyses by conditional hierarchical log-linear models showed that fetchings were more frequent the first 14 days of lactation (P < 0.001). The multivariate analysis showed no associations between fetching and reluctance at entering the AMU, nor an association to stepping and kicking during milking. However, compared to non-fetched cows, fetched cows were more frequently avoiding the test person in the human approach test (P < 0.001). It is concluded that fetching may strain the human–animal relationship.     

A differential lysis method for the isolation of Cowdria ruminantium DNA

In order to isolate pure Cowdria ruminantium DNA an enzymatic lysis procedure was used to lyse Cowdria-infected bovine endothelial cell cultures differentially. Infected host cells were treated with trypsin followed by DNase digestion and centrifugation. This method resulted in the isolation of intact Cowdria organisms and removed bovine DNA effectively.     

Effects of quarter individual and conventional milking systems on teat condition

An on-farm experiment was performed to investigate the effects of two milking systems on teat condition. An auto-tandem milking parlor made by GEA^® with a conventional milking cluster (CON) and a single tube milking system called MultiLactor^® (MULTI) from Siliconform GmbH were tested. For both milking system, in total 73 animals were milked over a period of seven months. To assess the effect of milking on teat condition, each teat was scored according to teat-condition evaluation systems. To evaluate teat condition, the teat color, ring formation at the teat base and formation of teat hyperkeratosis were assessed. The evaluation was conducted once a month after milking. The collected data were then statistically analyzed with generalized linear mixed models. The only differences found between the two milking systems occurred with respect to their effect on teat color. MULTI showed significantly better scores compared to CON. There were no significant differences between the milking systems with regard to teat-end hyperkeratosis and ring formation at the teat base.     

A method for the measurement of the gingival sulcus of sheep.

A method for measuring and comparing the depths of the gingival sulcus of sheep in the incisor region at necropsy is described. The method was devised to assess and compare dental health in groups of sheep with and without premature loss of incisor teeth (broken mouth). The technique involves the use of paper spills in combination with dental plaster models.     

Influence of milking technique, milking hygiene and environmental hygiene parameters on the microbial contamination of milking machines

It was the aim of this study to investigate the effect of various factors of the milking technique, milking hygiene and environment on microbial contamination of the milking machine. In 31 dairy herds, the degree of bacterial contamination was examined by taking swabs at four locations (teat cup liner, claw, short and long milk tube) before the milking procedure was started using a standardized protocol (DIN ISO 6887-1:1999). Furthermore, the total germ count was determined in the first milk entering the bulk tank as well as in the bulk tank milk following milking. For each farm, the quality of the milking process and the condition of the milking machine as well as of various environmental factors were recorded. A subjective evaluation of the status of the milking cluster or other parts of the milking machine ("good" or "moderate-poor") gave more information about bacterial contamination than the determination of age and type of material used. A temperature of the rinsing water of < 42 degrees C increased the contamination with Pseudomonas spp. and coliform bacteria. Milking clusters kept out of the cluster pick-up between milking had a higher risk of microbial contamination. Various methods of teat cleaning before milking or of postmilking teat disinfection did not affect the contamination of the milking machine and the bulk tank milk with environmental bacteria. Furthermore, type of bedding material affected bacterial contamination of milking clusters and bulk tank milk. In conclusion, our results suggest that the microbial contamination of the milking machine is not only influenced by the sanitation pro-     

Radiographic method for anatomic study of the teat canal: changes between milking periods.

Radiographs of the teat canal (papillary duct) of 14 Holstein-Friesian cows were made immediately after removal of the milking machine and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. The distal, middle, and proximal diameters of the canal were dilated when the machine was removed. The distal and the middle parts of the teat canal were more dilated than the proximal part of the canal. Two hours later, the canal was constricted in the 3 areas. During the next 6 hours, the canal dilated-the greatest kilation being at the proximal paet of the teat canal. The average lenght of the teat canal remained unchanged. Apparently, microorganisms can easily pass through the teat canal when it is dilated at the end of machine milking and for up to 2 hours after milking.     

Accuracy and reliability of mastitis detection with electrical conductivity and milk colour measurement in automatic milking

Abstract

Detection of mastitis and reliability of alarms were evaluated in eight herds with automatic milking. Herds were visited once to gather milk samples and the farmers followed up alarms for 15 to 30 days. Sensitivity of detecting quarters with SCC over the threshold value of 200,000 or 1,000,000 cells/ml was 18.0 to 42.9% in Group A, based on electrical conductivity (EC) and 5.5 to13.0% in Group B, based on EC and milk colour. Specificity was over 97.0%. In Group A, 6/17 of the EC alarms were false positives. None of the seven EC alarms in Group B was false positive. On the day that the farmer observed clinical mastitis, more than half of the quarters received alarms, but only milk from some quarters was automatically diverted. In total 58.4% (Group A) and 26.8% (Group B) of cows had alarms based on EC, and 84.1% (<20% true positives) and 12.0% (60–90% true positives) had alarms based on milk yield or milk colour during the follow-up period. The number of alarms was halved in Group A when a running average was applied to the algorithm of EC. The proportion of true positives simultaneously increased from 30% to 60%. In Group B, the number of alarms was almost doubled with algorithm manipulation, but the proportion of true positives declined from >80% to >70%.