A comparison of four methods of analgesia in cats following ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative administration of oral carprofen, subcutaneous ketoprofen, and local nerve block with bupivacaine in preventing postoperative pain-associated behavior in cats after ovariohysterectomy. ANIMALS: Fifty-two female intact cats. Materials and methods Cats received butorphanol (0.44 mg kg(-1) IM), carprofen (2.2 mg kg(-1) PO), ketoprofen (2.2 mg kg(-1) SQ), or bupivacaine infiltration block (1.1 mg kg(-1) SQ) before surgery. Cortisol and drug concentrations and visual analog scale (VAS) and interactive visual analog scale (IVAS) pain-associated behavior scores were measured 2 hours before and 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after ovariohysterectomy. RESULTS: Cats receiving butorphanol had significantly increased IVAS scores 2 hours after surgery compared with baseline measurements. Cats receiving carprofen, ketoprofen, and bupivacaine had significant increases from baseline in VAS and IVAS scores 1 and 2 hours after surgery. VAS and IVAS scores for cats receiving bupivacaine were significantly greater 1 and 2 hours after surgery than for cats that received butorphanol. Cats receiving carprofen had significant increases in cortisol 1 hour after surgery and significant decreases 24 hours after surgery compared with baseline measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preoperative carprofen and ketoprofen have effects on pain-associated behavior similar to butorphanol in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Cats receiving bupivacaine blocks may require additional analgesics immediately after surgery.     

Impact of ovariohysterectomy and food intake on body composition, physical activity, and adipose gene expression in cats

The mechanisms contributing to BW gain following ovariohysterectomy in domestic cats are poorly understood. Moreover, the effects of food restriction to maintain BW following spaying have been poorly studied. Thus, our primary objective was to determine the effects of spaying and food restriction to maintain BW on adipose and skeletal muscle mRNA abundance and activity levels in cats. After a 4-wk baseline period (wk 0), 8 adult (approximately 1.5 yr old) domestic shorthair cats were spayed and fed to maintain BW for 12 wk. After 12 wk, cats were fed ad libitum for an additional 12 wk. Body composition was determined, activity levels were measured, and adipose and muscle biopsies were collected at wk 0, 12, and 24. Fasting blood samples were collected at wk 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24. To maintain BW post-spay, food intake was decreased (P < 0.05) by 30%. During this phase, mRNA abundance of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase and leptin was decreased (P < 0.05), representing only 52 and 23% of baseline expression, respectively. Interleukin-6 mRNA, however, was increased (P < 0.05) 2-fold. Physical activity was decreased (P < 0.05) by wk 12, most dramatically during the dark period (approximately 20% of baseline activity). During ad libitum feeding (wk 12 to 24), food intake, BW, body fat percentage, and total fat mass were greatly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with wk 0, circulating leptin concentrations tended to increase (P < 0.10) by wk 18 and 24 (4.45 vs. 10.02 and 9.14 ng/mL, respectively), whereas glucose (91 vs. 162 mg/dL) and triacylglyceride (30 vs. 48 mg/dL) concentrations were increased (P < 0.05) by wk 24. Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase, hormone sensitive lipase, and adiponectin mRNA were decreased (P < 0.05) at wk 24. Adipose interleukin-6 mRNA was increased (P < 0.05) at 24 wk. Physical activity was further decreased (P < 0.05) by wk 24, during the light (60% of baseline) and dark (33% of baseline) periods. In summary, spaying and food restriction affect physical activity levels and several genes associated with lipid metabolism (decreased lipoprotein lipase), food intake (decreased leptin expression), and insulin insensitivity (increased interleukin-6). By identifying these changes, targets for nutritional intervention or lifestyle management have been identified that may curb the risk of obesity and related disorders in spayed cats.     

Vedaprofen therapy in cats with upper respiratory tract infection or following ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVES: The antipyretic and analgesic efficacy of vedaprofen (at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg) was evaluated after repeated once-daily administration (for three or five days) to 80 cats with upper respiratory tract disease or 302 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. METHODS: Both clinical trials were randomised, double blinded and placebo controlled. RESULTS: In the upper respiratory tract disease trial, vedaprofen produced a significant reduction in rectal temperature when compared with cats administered antimicrobial treatment only. This antipyretic activity lasted at least four hours after administration on the first day of treatment (day 0) and at least eight hours on day 1 and day 2. Significantly more cats in the treatment group were classified as having returned to normal on day 5, day 6 and day 7 compared with the placebo group. In the ovariohysterectomy trial, scores for behaviour (on day 1, day 2 and day 3) and appetite (on day 1 and day 2) were significantly better in the vedaprofen group than in the placebo-treated cats. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Vedaprofen produced a clinically relevant reduction in body temperature and a more rapid return to normality in cats with upper respiratory tract disease. Vedaprofen treatment also resulted in more rapid recovery, presumably through the relief of pain and inflammation, in cats that had undergone soft tissue surgery.     

Assessment of the influence of surgical technique on postoperative pain and wound tenderness in cats following ovariohysterectomy

Elective ovariohysterectomy was performed on 66 cats. Surgical approach was flank (group F) or midline (group M) allocated by block randomisation. Pre-anaesthetic medication was acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg) via intramuscular injection. Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous thiopentone, and maintained with halothane in 100% oxygen. Carprofen (4 mg/kg) was administered by the subcutaneous route immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Postoperative pain and wound tenderness were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 11-12 and 20-24h after the end of surgery, and the assessment outcome marked on visual analogue scales (VAS). Intervention analgesia (if pain VAS was >40 mm) was pethidine 4 mg/kg via intramuscular injection. Area under the curve (AUC) for VAS for pain and VAS for wound tenderness for each cat were calculated. AUC for wound tenderness was significantly greater for group F (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference for AUC for pain between the groups. In conclusion, wounds after flank ovariohysterectomy are significantly more tender than after midline ovariohysterectomy in the cat. This indicates that interactive methods, including wound palpation, must be used to assess postoperative pain and the findings should be appropriately weighted in the overall assessment.     

Behavioral alterations and severity of pain in cats recovering at home following elective ovariohysterectomy or castration

OBJECTIVE: To identify behavioral alterations in client-owned cats recovering at home following elective ovariohysterectomy or castration and determine owner perceptions regarding severity of postoperative pain. DESIGN: Cohort study. Animals-145 cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy (n = 80) or castration (65) at 4 veterinary clinics in Finland. PROCEDURES: Owners were asked to complete a questionnaire on their cats' behavior during the 3 days after surgery. Owners were also asked to indicate their perceptions of the severity of postoperative pain during these days by use of a 100-mm visual analog scale. RESULTS: Owners consistently indicated that there were changes in their cats' behavior, with the most commonly reported alterations being a decrease in overall activity level, an increase in the amount of time spent sleeping, a decrease in playfulness, and altered way of movement. Changes (ie, either an increase or decrease) in aggressive behavior were rare. Median pain score the day of surgery was 15.0 mm for male cats and 25.0 mm for female cats. Behavior score was significantly associated with day of observation, type of surgery (ovariohysterectomy vs castration), owner-assigned pain score, and veterinary clinic. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that behavioral alterations can be detected for several days after surgery in cats recovering at home following ovariohysterectomy or castration and emphasized owner concerns about the existence of postoperative pain.     

双孔腹腔镜猫卵巢子宫切除术对炎性反应的影响

为了研究双孔腹腔镜猫卵巢子宫切除术对炎性反应的影响,并和开腹卵巢子宫切除术进行对比,为腹腔镜手术的发展提供科学理论依据。方法:术后测定白细胞(WBC)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的水平。结果:显示腹腔镜手术组(LOVH)的WBC和IL-6在各时间点均低于开腹手术组(OVH)。结论:双孔腹腔镜猫卵巢子宫切除手术引起的机体炎性反应程度比开腹手术轻,有利于手术后机体的更快恢复。     

The effects of body weight,body condition score,sex, and age on serum fructosamine concentrations in clinically healthy cats

Background: Serum fructosamine (SF) concentrations depend on plasma glucose concentrations and are used to evaluate glycemic control in animals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Despite the strong association between obesity and DM, the effects of body weight (BW) and body condition on SF concentrations in clinically healthy cats have not been reported. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of BW, body condition score (BCS), sex, and age on SF concentrations in healthy cats. Methods: BW, BCS, and SF concentrations were determined in 84 clinically healthy client‐owned cats (50 neutered males, 33 spayed females, and 1 intact female) of known age. The cats were enrolled prospectively in the study. Results: Mean BW, median BCS, and mean SF concentrations for the 84 cats were 5.4 kg, 5/9, and 268.7±45.5 μmol/L (range 197–399), respectively. BW was weakly but significantly correlated with SF (r=.26; P=.02), whereas BCS was not. Cats weighing >5.4 kg and cats with BCS>5/9 had higher mean SF concentrations compared with cats weighing <5.4 kg and cats with BCS <5/9, respectively. Cats categorized as normal weight to obese by BW (BW≥4.0 kg) had higher mean SF concentrations compared with cats categorized as lean (BW<4.0 kg). For domestic shorthair cats, the same was true for BCS: cats with BCS≥4/9 had higher mean fructosamine concentrations than those with BCS<4/9. Male cats had significantly higher mean SF concentrations compared with female cats (285.1±45.3 vs 244.5±33.9 μmol/L, P<.001). Age did not affect mean SF concentrations. Conclusions: BW is positively correlated with SF concentration, and lean cats have lower SF concentrations than normal and obese cats. In contrast to previous reports, mean SF concentrations were higher in male cats than in female cats, even when males and females were matched based on BW, BCS, and age.     

Plasma fentanyl concentrations in awake cats and cats undergoing anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy using transdermal administration

Objective To measure the plasma fentanyl concentrations achieved over time with transdermal fentanyl patches in awake cats and cats undergoing anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy. Study design Randomized prospective experimental study. Animals Twenty‐four purpose‐bred cats. Methods Cats were randomly assigned to three groups for Part I of a larger concurrent study. Group P received only a 25 μg hour^?1 transdermal fentanyl patch. Group P/A received the patch and anesthesia. Group A received only anesthesia. After a minimum 1‐week washout period, the cats were randomly reassigned to two groups for Part II of the larger study. Group P/A/O received the patch, anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy. Group A/O received anesthesia and ovariohysterectomy. Patches were left in place for 72 hours and plasma samples were obtained for fentanyl analysis while the patches were in place, and for 8 hours after patch removal for cats in Group P, P/A, and P/A/O. Results The 25 μg hour^?1 transdermal fentanyl patches were well tolerated by the cats in this study (mean body weight of 3.0 kg) and no overt adverse effects were noted. Mean plasma fentanyl concentrations over time, mean plasma fentanyl concentrations at specific times (8, 25, 49, and 73 hours after patch placement), time to first detectable plasma fentanyl concentration, time to reach maximum plasma fentanyl concentration, maximum plasma fentanyl concentration, mean plasma fentanyl concentration from 8 to 73 hours, elimination half‐life, and total area under concentration (AUC) were not statistically different among the groups. Conclusions Halothane anesthesia and anesthesia/ovariohysterectomy did not significantly alter the plasma fentanyl concentrations achieved or pharmacokinetic parameters measured, when compared with awake cats. There was a high degree of individual variability observed both within and between groups of cats in parameters measured. Clinical significance The high degree of variability observed suggests that careful observation of cats with fentanyl patches in place is required to assess efficacy and any potential adverse effects. Anesthesia and anesthesia/ovariohysterectomy do not appear to alter plasma fentanyl concentrations achieved by placement of a 25 μg hour^?1 transdermal fentanyl patch when compared to cats not undergoing these procedures.     

Effects of feeding schedule on body condition, aggressiveness, and reproductive failure in group-housed sows

A total of 208 sows and 288 gilts (PIC line C29) were used to determine the influence of feeding frequency (2 vs. 6 times/d, floor fed) on performance and welfare measurements on a commercial sow farm. Treatments consisted of feeding similar amounts of feed to each sow (2.5 kg) or gilt (2.05 kg) over 2 (0700 and 1530) or 6 times daily (0700, 0730, 0800, 1530, 1600, and 1630). There were 8 sows or 12 gilts in each pen. Gilts and sows were moved to pens 1 to 4 d after breeding. In sows, there were no differences (P > 0.10) in ADG, backfat change, or variation in BW. There was a trend (P < 0.08) for sows fed twice daily to farrow more total pigs born, but number born alive or other reproductive performance traits were not different (P > 0.10) among treatments. Sows fed 6 times per day had increased vocalization during the morning (P < 0.07) and afternoon (P < 0.01) feeding periods compared with sows fed twice daily. Sows fed twice daily had more skin (P < 0.01) and vulva (P < 0.04) lesions as well as a small increase in feet and leg (P < 0.01) and hoof (P < 0.02) problems. In this commercial facility, the standard management protocol required moving gilts to a different gestation facility on d 42. On d 42, two pens of gilts with similar breeding dates and treatment were combined and moved to another facility with larger pens until farrowing. Gilts fed 6 times daily had a tendency for greater ADG (P < 0.07) from d 0 to 42 and a tendency for greater (P < 0.09) backfat on d 42. After movement to the larger groups from d 42 to farrowing, ADG was similar (P > 0.10) for gilts fed 2 or 6 times daily. Gilts fed twice daily had lower BW variation at d 42 (P < 0.04) and tended to at farrowing (P < 0.10). In gilts, there were no differences (P > 0.10) for reproductive performance, skin and vulva lesions, and feet and leg scores. In conclusion, there were few growth, farrowing, or aggression differences among gilts fed 2 or 6 times daily. This suggests that either feeding method is suitable for group-housed gilts. Among sows, feeding frequency resulted in few growth or farrowing performance differences. Feeding 6 times daily resulted in a small but significant reduction in skin and vulva lesions and structural problem scores while increasing vocalization. Increasing the feeding frequency from 2 to 6 times daily does not appear to have a negative or positive impact on performance or welfare of group-housed gilts and sows.     

Effects of postpartum dietary fat and body condition score at parturition on plasma, adipose tissue, and milk fatty acid composition of lactating beef cows

Two experiments were conducted with lactating Angus x Gelbvieh beef cows to determine the effects of postpartum lipid supplementation, BCS at parturition, and day of lactation on fatty acid profiles in plasma, adipose tissue, and milk. In Exp. 1, 36 pri-miparous cows (488 +/- 10 kg of initial BW; 5.5 +/- 0.02 initial BCS) were given ad libitum access to hay and assigned randomly to a low-fat (control) supplement or supplements with cracked, high-linoleate safflower seeds (linoleate) or cracked, high-oleate safflower seeds (oleate) from d 3 to 90 of lactation. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric; safflower seed diets provided 5% of DMI as fat. Plasma and milk samples were collected on d 30, 60, and 90 of lactation. Adipose tissue biopsies were collected near the tail-head region of cows on d 45 and 90 of lactation. In Exp. 2, 3-yr-old cows achieving a BCS of 4 +/- 0.07 (479 +/- 36 kg of BW) or 6 +/- 0.07 (580 +/- 53 kg of BW) at parturition were used in a 2-yr experiment (n = 36/yr). Beginning 3 d postpartum through d 61 of lactation, cows were fed diets similar to those of Exp. 1. Adipose tissue and milk samples were collected on d 30 and 60, and plasma was collected on d 31 and 61 of lactation. Responses to postpartum dietary treatment were comparable in both experiments. Cows fed linoleate and oleate had greater (P < 0.001) total fatty acid concentrations in plasma than cows fed control. Except for 15:1, milk fatty acids with <18 carbons were greatest (P < or = 0.01) for cows fed control, whereas milk from cows fed linoleate had the greatest (P < or = 0.02) 18:1trans-11, 18:2n-6, and cis-9, trans-11 CLA. Milk from cows fed oleate had the greatest (P < 0.001) 18:1cis-9. In Exp. 1, total fatty acid concentrations in adipose tissue samples decreased at d 90 compared with d 45 of lactation, but the fatty acid profile of cow adipose tissue was not affected (P = 0.14 to 0.80) by dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, the percentage of cis-9, trans-11 CLA in adipose tissue of cows with a BCS of 6 decreased (P = 0.001) from d 30 to 60 of lactation. Plasma and milk fatty acid composition reflected alterations in postpartum diet. Less medium-chain fatty acids and more 18-carbon fatty acids in milk were indicative of reduced de novo fatty acid synthesis in the mammary gland of beef cows fed lipid supplements; however, the metabolic demands of lactation prevented the deposition of exogenously derived fatty acids in adipose tissue through d 90 of lactation.     

Comparison of flank and midline approaches to the ovariohysterectomy of cats

In a survey of uk veterinary practitioners, 96 per cent indicated that they performed ovariohysterectomy on cats via flank laparatomy rather than a midline coeliotomy. At a veterinary teaching hospital 32 cats were spayed by the midline approach and 34 by the flank approach, by undergraduate students under the continuous supervision of a veterinary surgeon. The duration of each part of the procedures was recorded and information was obtained from the students, the supervisors and the owners of the cats by means of questionnaires. The total duration of the surgery and the students' assessment of the difficulty of the surgery were not significantly different between the two groups. The time taken from the skin incision to entering the peritoneum was significantly longer with the flank approach, but finding the uterus took significantly longer with the midline approach. There was a high incidence of wound complications, in the form of swelling, redness or discharges, but the only statistically significant difference between the groups was a greater incidence of discharges in the cats spayed via the flank (five cases) than in the cats spayed via the midline (one case).     

Effects of body condition score at calving and feeding various types of concentrate supplements to grazing dairy cows on early lactation performance

The objective of the experiment reported here was to establish the effect of canola meal supplements of different protein degradability on the performance of grazing dairy cows with different body condition scores (BCS) in early lactation, and to compare this with feeding a cereal grain supplement instead. The experiment included a total of 72 cows in six treatments in a 2 ^* 3 factorial design, incorporating two BCS at calving (4.1 and 5.6 units on an 8-point scale), and three early lactation pelleted supplements. The three pelleted supplements were 100% wheat (wheat supplement), 50% wheat and 50% untreated mechanically extracted canola meal (a rumen degradable protein supplement), and 50% wheat and 50% canola meal that had been subjected to additional heat and pressure (a rumen undegradable protein supplement). It was hypothesised that fat cows would perform best with the treated canola meal supplement, which provided most rumen undegradable protein, whereas the type of protein would not be important for thin cows, and neither would the type of supplemental energy. Cows grazed pasture after calving at a daily pasture allowance of 35–40 kg DM/cow and were offered 6 kg concentrates each day. Cows were fed these diets for 92 days on average, from calving until three weeks into the mating period. Both canola meal-based supplements resulted in higher (P < 0.05) daily milk production than the wheat supplement (33.3 and 34.0 v. 30.5 kg/cow) in both thin and fat cows. Body condition score at calving positively (P < 0.05) affected average milk yield (31.6 v. 33.7 kg/cow), however, there was a time × BCS × supplement interaction whereby the fatter cows benefited from the use of either of the canola meal supplements for a longer period than did the thin cows. Average milk fat concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) where the canola meal supplements were fed (39.3 and 39.6 v. 35.6 g/kg), and in fat cows relative to thin cows (40.0 v. 36.3 g/kg). Serum urea concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in cows fed wheat than in those fed either of the canola meal supplements (3.1 v. 4.3 and 4.2 mmol/L). Serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were lowest (P < 0.05) where wheat pellets were fed, and highest (P < 0.05) where treated canola meal pellets were fed, and plasma glucose concentrations were highest with wheat and lowest with the treated canola meal pellets. Thus, the hypothesis was not supported by the results of this experiment.     

Genetic parameters for weight,weight adjusted for body condition score,height, and body condition score in beef cows

Weight (CW, n = 61,798), weight adjusted for condition score (WA), hip height (CH, n = 56,494), and condition score (CS, n = 61,434) of cows (2 through 8 yr of age) produced by crosses of 22 sire breeds with Angus and Hereford dams in the first four cycles of the Germplasm Evaluation (GPE) Program at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center were used to estimate genetic parameters with REML. The model included sire breed, dam breed, age in years, season of measurement (1 to 4) and their interactions, and year of birth and pregnancy-lactation code (PL) as fixed effects for CW and CS. The model for CH excluded PL. Random effects were additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Univariate analyses of all data, by season and by year of age, bivariate analyses between pairs of seasons and ages (2 to 6), and between traits were done. Estimates of heritability and repeatability over all ages were 0.49, 0.54, 0.68, and 0.16, and 0.65, 0.67, 0.75, and 0.30 for CW, WA, CH, and CS, respectively. Corresponding estimates for each age and season were similar for all traits and cycles. Estimates of genetic and permanent environmental correlations were close to unity for all pairs of seasons and traits. Genetic correlations were greater than 0.92 for all pairs of ages for CW, WA, and CH, and greater than 0.67 for CS. Genetic correlations were 0.80, 0.86, 0.43, and -0.04 for CW-CH, WA-CH, CW-CS, and CH-CS, respectively. Results suggest that repeatability models can be used to model weights and heights in this population.     

Effect of age and carcase composition on the onset of sexual maturity in quail under normal feeding regimens

1. The effect of age and carcase composition on the onset of sexual maturity was investigated in Japanese quail (Cotumix coturnix japonica) reared under a normal feeding regimen.

2. At 42 d of age, when the quail had started to lay and hen day production was about 60%, layers were heavier and contained more carcase fat than those that were not laying.

3. The liver and the ovary weight were greater following the onset of sexual maturity than 1 or 2 weeks before (35 and 28 d respectively).

4. Carcase fat as well as age are critical requirements for the onset of sexual maturity in quail.     

Effects of remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to noxious stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 2 remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to nociceptive stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS: 8 adult cats. PROCEDURES: On 2 occasions, cats received acepromazine followed by propofol (6 mg/kg then 0.3 mg/kg/min, i.v.) and a constant rate infusion (CRI) of remifentanil (0.2 or 0.3 microg/kg/ min, i.v.) for 90 minutes and underwent mechanical ventilation (phase I). After recording physiologic variables, an electrical stimulus (50 V; 50 Hz; 10 milliseconds) was applied to a forelimb to assess motor responses to nociceptive stimulation. After an interval (> or = 10 days), the same cats were anesthetized via administration of acepromazine and a similar infusion regimen of propofol; the remifentanil infusion rate adjustments that were required to inhibit cardiovascular responses to ovariohysterectomy were recorded (phase II). RESULTS: In phase I, heart rate and arterial pressure did not differ between remifentanil-treated groups. From 30 to 90 minutes, cats receiving 0.3 microg of remifentanil/kg/min had no response to noxious stimulation. Purposeful movement was detected more frequently in cats receiving 0.2 microg of remifentanil/kg/min. In phase II, the highest dosage (mean +/- SEM) of remifentanil that prevented cardiovascular responses was 0.23 +/- 0.01 microg/kg/min. For all experiments, mean time from infusion cessation until standing ranged from 115 to 140 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the lower infusion rate of remifentanil allowed ovariohysterectomy to be performed, a CRI of 0.3 microg/kg/min was necessary to prevent motor response to electrical stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. Recovery from anesthesia was prolonged with this technique.     

泌乳期母猪的饲喂频率对其体况、生产和繁殖性能的影响

文章评估了哺乳期间母猪的饲喂频率(2或3次/d)对母猪体况、繁殖性能及仔猪生长性能的影响。试验选择68头母猪,随机分为8组(每组8~10头母猪),哺乳期间其中4组母猪每天饲喂2次,另外4组每天饲喂3次,母猪分为青年母猪(<2胎次)和老龄母猪(≥3胎次),试验结束后记录母猪体况评分、肩部组织病变、发情率、母猪生产及仔猪生长性能。结果显示:每天饲喂3次的母猪比饲喂2次的母猪采食量高(P<0.05),肩部组织病变低(P<0.05)。在每天饲喂3次的母猪中,青年母猪返情率为0%,老龄母猪返情率为29%,而在每天饲喂2次的母猪中,青年母猪发情率为20%,老龄母猪为5%。综上所述,在哺乳期,母猪每天饲喂3次较每天饲喂2次提高了采食量,对母猪体况评分和肩部组织病变有改善作用,同时也降低了年轻母猪的返情率。     

Effects of ovariohysterectomy on reactivity in German Shepherd dogs

This study investigated the effects of ovariohysterectomy on reactivity of German Shepherd dogs. Fourteen healthy dogs ranging in age from 5 to 10 months were assigned to an ovariohysterectomy or a sexually intact group. Their behaviours were digitally video recorded 4-5 months after treatment and analysed for treatment effects on reactivity. Responses to the approach of an unfamiliar human leading an unknown dog were assigned the following reactivity scores: severe reactivity, 3; moderate reactivity, 2; defensive or mild reactivity, 1; attentive or no reactivity, 0. Median reactivity scores in response to the approach of an unfamiliar human walking with an unknown dog were calculated for each observation period. Dogs in the ovariohysterectomized group showed more reactivity, and median reactivity scores were higher in the ovariohysterectomy group compared with those of the sexually intact group. Ovariohysterectomy of 5-10 month old German Shepherd bitches specifically, and perhaps bitches of any breed generally, may induce an increase in reactivity. Practitioners may benefit from recognizing that a range of behavioural changes may occur post-ovariohysterectomy.