Interaction between copper and zinc in sheep parenterally treated with zinc oxide

Changes in copper and zinc concentrations in the blood serum of sheep were studied in clinical conditions for sixty days in relation to the intramuscular application of zinc oxide at a dose of 10 mg Zn per kg liveweight; zinc oxide was administered in a developmental preparation. Serum concentrations of zinc started increasing significantly the eighth day after administration (p less than 0.01), the maximum values were found out on the twelfth day (21.19 +/- 3.89 mumol X l-1). Significantly higher concentrations of zinc in the blood serum of test sheep were observed as soon as on the eighth day (p less than 0.01), in comparison with the untreated group, and they persisted till the end of investigation (p less than 0.01). Simultaneously with the changes in serum zinc concentrations, copper metabolism was influenced when the statistically higher values of copper concentrations in the blood serum of the test group were recorded the eighth and twelfth days (p less than 0.01), in comparison with the control animals. In the remaining period, serum copper concentrations did not show any mathematical dependence and the equalization to the original values in the treated group occurred at the end of the experiment. The above-mentioned results from the sheep treated with zinc oxide refer to a possibility of influencing mutually the copper and zinc metabolism also parenterally; this could be utilized during the treatment of secondary deficiencies, or toxicosis.     

A fatal disease outbreak in sheep associated with Salmonella enteritidis ser Havana

A disease outbreak with a mortality rate of 50% in a mob of wether lambs is described. Salmonella enteritidis ser Havana and pathogenic levels of Trichostrongylus sp. were implicated as causal agents.     

Experimentally induced cholangiohepatopathy by dosing sheep with fractionated extracts from Brachiaria decumbens.

Cholangiohepatopathy was induced in 5 lambs by oral administration of extracts from signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) in Brazil. Grossly there were pale foci multifocally distributed throughout the hepatic parenchyma in 4 lambs. The microscopic changes, which were similar to those produced by other steroidal sapogenins-containing plants such as Tribulus terrestris and Panicum spp., included multifocal cholangitis, bile duct proliferation, and the presence of crystals in the biliary system.     

Serum calcium response following oral zinc oxide administrations in dairy cows

Six non-pregnant cows were allocated into 3 groups. Group 1 comprised a pair of lactating cows, whereas groups 2 and 3 each comprised a pair of non-lactating cows. The cows in groups 1 and 2 were dosed intraruminally by stomach tube with zinc oxide at 120 mg Zn per kg of bodyweight at weekly intervals for a period of 33 days. Each cow received a total of 4 doses of zinc oxide. Group 3 served as non-treated control group. Blood samples were collected from all 6 cows daily. Serum was analysed for concentration of calcium. Within 12-24 h of each zinc oxide administration the serum calcium of the lactating cows dropped dramatically indicating the existence of an antagonistic effect between Zn and Ca. The first Zn induced hypocalcaemic episode in the lactating cows was followed by a rise in serum calcium to a level above the pre-dosing level and above the mean value of the control group. The depth of the hypocalcaemic response decreased with the number of zinc oxide dosings. This effect was explained as a response from the stimulation of the calcium homeostatic mechanisms. In the Zn dosed non-lactating cows responses were similar but less clear. The perspective of these findings is discussed in relation to resistance towards parturient hypocalcaemia.     

Prognostic factors associated with survival in dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis

Prognostic factors associated with survival in dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) were investigated through a retrospective study. Using case records, 48 dogs diagnosed with LPE were classified as survivors (n = 32) or non-survivors (n = 16), and the clinical and clinicopathological parameters were reviewed between the 2 groups by using univariate and multivariate prognostic analysis. Compared to the hospital population, non-survivors had an overrepresentation of the Shiba breed. Results of univariate analysis indicated that anorexia, severe weight loss, packed cell volume, and total protein were significantly associated with survival for 6 months after diagnosis. In multivariate analysis, anorexia and hypoproteinemia were significantly associated with survival. Furthermore, initial response to treatment was strongly associated with poor prognosis. Based on these clinical and laboratory parameters such as anorexia, hypoproteinemia and initial response to treatment, it may be possible to predict poor prognosis in canine LPE.     

Hypocalcaemia associated with high dose rates of zinc oxide to lactating dairy cows

Clinical hypocalcaemia was associated with single doses of three oi more days’ supply of zinc oxide to dairy cows for facial eczema control. Experimental hand dosing of a single dose of zinc oxide (40 and 120 mg Zn/kg h wt) to Jersey cows caused a significant drop in serum calcium concentration at 24 h followed by a rise to concentrations higher than controls at subsequent samplings over four days. At the highest zinc dose rate, 78% of serum calcium values were equal to or lower than the lowest control value at 24 h post dosing. Serum magnesium concentrations had a reciprocal relationship to the calcium levels at all samplings. Serum zinc concentrations were most elevated over the 48 h post dosing, returning to normal levels at the fifth day. Following the highest zinc dose milk yields were reduced by approximately 1.5 kg milk/cow/day for 48 h. Similar results were obtained when cows grazed pasture on which large amounts of zinc oxide had been sprayed.     

Cryptosporidiosis associated with bacterial enteritis in a goat kid

A 7-day-old male Nubian-Alpine crossbred goat was examined because of listlessness, anorexia, and diarrhea. The presumptive diagnosis was severe enteritis. Large numbers of Clostridium perfringens and a non-pathogenic heavily encapsulated Escherichia coli were isolated from the feces. Cryptosporidium parvum was identified on the qualitative fecal examination. The kid improved after treatment with fluids and antibiotics.     

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis associated with bacterial overgrowth in a dog

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis, associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, was diagnosed in a 3.5-year-old German Shepherd Dog with chronic intermittent diarrhea, using bacteriologic culture of duodenal juice and histologic examination of jejunal biopsy specimens. Oral administration of oxytetracycline alone resulted in clinical improvement and a marked decrease in the jejunal mononuclear cell infiltrate. Additional treatment with prednisolone administered orally resulted in almost complete clinical and histologic recovery. This case illustrates that small intestinal bacterial overgrowth may have to be considered as an underlying cause of lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis in the dog and that antibiotic treatment may be necessary to attain remission.     

Isolation of Salmonella dublin from a sheep in New Zealand

Extract

On March 8, 1964, formalinized samples of liver, kidney and lung and fresh samples of mesenteric lymph nodes and lung from a ram hogget were submitted to the Wallaceville Animal Research Centre. The animal had died suddenly and post-mortem examination revealed intense reddening of the intestinal and abomasal mucosa and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, with some consolidation and pleural adhesions. Small red spots were observed on the liver surface. The possibility of salmonellosis was considered and appropriate cultures were made of the fresh material in addition to aerobic cultures on blood agar.     

Haemorrhagic necrotising enteritis in foals associated with Clostridium perfringens

Two foals aged 35 and 48 h from 2 Thoroughbred studs died several hours after developing clinical signs of depression, severe haemorrhagic diarrhoea and dehydration. Both foals had an acute haemorrhagic enteritis extending from the anterior jejunum to the terminal ileum which was characterised histologically by villus necrosis. Necrotic villi were surrounded by large numbers of rod-shaped Gram positive bacteria. Clostridium perfringens was recovered from the intestines of both foals and the isolates were considered to be C. perfringens type C. Other cases of diarrhoea were also observed in foals of the same age on these 2 studs, but the aetiology of these was not determined.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with neosporosis in sheep and dogs from farms

This study aimed to establish the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with neosporosis in sheep and dogs from rural properties. 1497 blood samples were collected from sheep and 42 from dogs that cohabited with sheep from 16 farms located in the central region of S?o Paulo State, Brazil. For the detection of N. caninum antibodies it was performed the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT ≥ 25). For the epidemiological study it was applied a questionnaire for the owners or responsible from the sheep and dogs regarding informations related to neosporosis. The seroprevalence obtained out of the 1497 sheep sera tested was 8.0% (CI95%=6.7-9.2%) and out of the 42 dogs 4.8% (CI95%=0-7.2%). Variables statistically related to seropositivity for N. caninum in sheep were: dams well as water supply (P=0.0004; OR=2.15), presence of other domestic canids (P=0.0013; OR=2.38) and presence of reproductive problems (P=0.0031; OR=1.75).     

Testing a bivalent vaccine in sheep against experimental infection with Salmonella bovismorbificans and Salmonella typhimurium

Abstract

Extract

Increasing awareness of the threat from salmonellosis to animal and human health, and recognition of implications to the farming economy and meat marketing industry in New Zealand, have emphasized the need for effective measures for controlling this disease. As pointed out by Beckett (1967 Beckett, F. W. 1967. The use of Salmonella vaccine in outbreaks of salmonellosis in sheep. N.Z. vet. J., 15: 66–69. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), reduction in stocking rates or use of chemotherapeutic agents is often impracticable or ineffective. Other recent publications, drawing attention to the possible role of vaccination in controlling salmonellosis, have dealt with fundamental aspects of immunity (Jonas 1967 a Jonas, W. E. 1967a. Studies of the immunological aspects of salmonellosis of mice: active immunity. N.Z. vet. J., 15: 27–30. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]; b Jonas, W. E. 1967b. Salmonellosis of sheep: use of serum from a vaccinated ewe in a mouse passive protection test. N.Z. vet. J., 15: 55–61. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]) and with evaluation of an experimental vaccine under field conditions (Wallace and Murch, 1967 Wallace, G. V. and Murch, O. 1967. Field trials to assess the value of a bivalent killed salmonella vaccine in the control of ovine salmonellosis. N.Z. vet. J., 15: 62–65. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]).     

Chronic enteritis associated with Edwardsiella tarda infection in Rockhopper penguins

Salmonella arizonae 61:1,5, was isolated in pure culture from the eye of a horse with unilateral ulcerative keratitis. The eye responded well to treatment with atropine sulfate and polymyxin B-bacitracin-neomycin ophthalmic ointments. In swab specimens taken after the lesion had healed, Salmonella was not found to be a constituent of the bacterial flora of the horse's eyes.     

Multiple oral dosing of valacyclovir in horses and ponies

The aim of the current study was to investigate whether multiple oral dosing of valacyclovir could result in plasma concentrations exceeding the EC₅₀-value of acyclovir against equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) during the majority of the treatment period. Additionally, we wanted to determine the concentration of acyclovir in nasal mucus and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Valacyclovir was administered to four horses and two ponies, three times daily, at a dosage of 40 mg/kg, for four consecutive days. Blood was collected prior to each administration and 1 h after dosing. Nasal mucus samples and CSF were collected once during treatment; 1 h after the last administration. This dosage regimen resulted in plasma concentrations that were higher than the EC₅₀-value of 1.7 μg/mL, i.e. EC₅₀ of an isolate highly susceptible to acyclovir, for 80% of the treatment period; and higher than the EC₅₀-value of 3.0 μg/mL, i.e. EC₅₀ of an isolate less susceptible to acyclovir, for 60% of the treatment period. Concentration in nasal mucus samples and CSF was 0.36–1.17 μg/mL and 0.11–0.23 μg/mL, respectively. This study illustrates that multiple dosing of valacyclovir may result in a therapeutic benefit as plasma concentrations could be maintained above the EC₅₀-value of acyclovir against EHV1 for more than 50% of the treatment period. Acyclovir could be detected in both nasal mucus samples and CSF. However, these concentrations were lower than the EC₅₀.