Seizure Disorders in 43 Cattle

Background

Large animals have a relatively high seizure threshold, and in most cases seizures are acquired. No published case series have described this syndrome in cattle.

Objectives

To describe clinical findings and outcomes in cattle referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Turin (Italy) because of seizures.

Animals

Client‐owned cattle with documented evidence of seizures.

Methods

Medical records of cattle with episodes of seizures reported between January 2002 and February 2014 were reviewed. Evidence of seizures was identified based on the evaluation of seizure episodes by the referring veterinarian or 1 of the authors. Animals were recruited if physical and neurologic examinations were performed and if diagnostic laboratory test results were available.

Results

Forty‐three of 49 cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 8 months. Thirty‐one animals were male and 12 were female. Piedmontese breed accounted for 39/43 (91%) animals. Seizures were etiologically classified as reactive in 30 patients (70%) and secondary or structural in 13 (30%). Thirty‐six animals survived, 2 died naturally, and 5 were euthanized for reasons of animal welfare. The definitive cause of reactive seizures was diagnosed as hypomagnesemia (n = 2), hypocalcemia (n = 12), and hypomagnesemia‐hypocalcemia (n = 16). The cause of structural seizures was diagnosed as cerebrocortical necrosis (n = 8), inflammatory diseases (n = 4), and lead (Pb) intoxication (n = 1).

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

The study results indicate that seizures largely are reported in beef cattle and that the cause can be identified and successfully treated in most cases.     

2015 ACVIM Small Animal Consensus Statement on Seizure Management in Dogs

This report represents a scientific and working clinical consensus statement on seizure management in dogs based on current literature and clinical expertise. The goal was to establish guidelines for a predetermined, concise, and logical sequential approach to chronic seizure management starting with seizure identification and diagnosis (not included in this report), reviewing decision‐making, treatment strategies, focusing on issues related to chronic antiepileptic drug treatment response and monitoring, and guidelines to enhance patient response and quality of life. Ultimately, we hope to provide a foundation for ongoing and future clinical epilepsy research in veterinary medicine.     

Seizure activity in dogs is associated with enhanced TIMP-2 expression of microglia

In the pathogenesis of epilepsy aberrant synaptic plasticity plays an important role. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors (TIMPs) are responsible for nervous tissue remodelling resulting in synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS) and might therefore be crucially involved in epileptogenesis. To assess the potential pathogenetic role of microglial MMPs and TIMPs in seizure induction, twenty-four dogs suffering from different intracranial diseases with and without seizure activity were comparatively examined. Microglial cells were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and their expression profiles of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-12, MMP-13, MMP-14, TIMP-1, TIMP-2, and RECK (reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs) were examined via quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Interestingly, a significant up-regulation of TIMP-2 expression was found for the first time in dogs suffering from seizures. In conclusion, microglial TIMP expression might be involved in seizure generation.     

在动物卫生监督行政处罚中没收与查封、扣押及先行登记保存的区别

在查处一起经营病死猪肉案件中,动物卫生监督执法人员在扣押病死猪肉这一行政强制措施时,使用了先行登记保存的证据保存措施,而没有使用扣押行     

Suspected Limbic Encephalitis and Seizure in Cats Associated with Voltage‐Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Complex Antibody

Background

Treatment‐resistant complex partial seizures (CPS) with orofacial involvement recently were reported in cats in association with hippocampal pathology. The features had some similarity to those described in humans with limbic encephalitis and voltage‐gated potassium channel (VGKC) complex antibody.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate cats with CPS and orofacial involvement for the presence of VGKC‐complex antibody.

Animals

Client‐owned cats with acute orofacial CPS and control cats were investigated.

Methods

Prospective study. Serum was collected from 14 cats in the acute stage of the disease and compared with 19 controls. VGKC‐complex antibodies were determined by routine immunoprecipitation and by binding to leucine‐rich glioma inactivated 1 (LGI1) and contactin‐associated protein‐like 2 (CASPR2), the 2 main targets of VGKC‐complex antibodies in humans.

Results

Five of the 14 affected cats, but none of the 19 controls, had VGKC‐complex antibody concentrations above the cut‐off concentration (>100 pmol/L) based on control samples and similar to those found in humans. Antibodies in 4 cats were directed against LGI1, and none were directed against CASPR2. Follow‐up sera were available for 5 cats in remission and all antibody concentrations were within the reference range.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Our study suggests that an autoimmune limbic encephalitis exists in cats and that VGKC‐complex/LGI1 antibodies may play a role in this disorder, as they are thought to in humans.     

Idiopathic Epilepsy in the Italian Spinone in the United Kingdom: Prevalence,Clinical Characteristics,and Predictors of Survival and Seizure Remission

Background

There is lack of data on idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in the Italian Spinone (IS).

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of IE in the IS in the United Kingdom (UK) and to investigate predictors of survival and seizure remission.

Animals

The target population consisted of 3331 IS born between 2000 and 2011 and registered with the UK Kennel Club (KC). The owners of 1192 dogs returned phase I questionnaire. Sixty‐three IS had IE.

Methods

Population survey. The owners of all UK KC‐registered IS were invited to complete the phase I questionnaire. Information from the phase I questionnaire and veterinary medical records was used to identify IS with IE and obtain data on treatment and survival. Additional information was obtained from owners of epileptic IS who completed the phase II questionnaire.

Results

The prevalence of IE in the IS in the UK was estimated as 5.3% (95% CI, 4.03–6.57%). Survival time was significantly shorter in IS euthanized because of poorly controlled IE compared with epileptic IS that died of unrelated disorders (P = 0.001). Survival was significantly longer in IS with no cluster seizures (CS) (P = 0.040) and in IS in which antiepileptic medication was initiated after the second seizure rather than after ≥3 seizures (P = 0.044). Seizure remission occurred only in 3 IS.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The prevalence of IE in IS (5.3%) is higher than in dogs (0.6%) in the UK. Idiopathic epilepsy in IS has a severe phenotype. Antiepileptic medication initiation after the second seizure and aggressive treatment of CS may improve survival.     

猪胴体分级标准初探

<正>猪胴体分级的目的是确定屠体某些特性,并根据这些特性指标决定屠体及其产品的价值,使产销双方有共同标准可以遵循,在公平合理交易原则下,防止产生纷争。良好的分级标准和制度能确实反映市场需要,进而敦促生产者谋求改进肉猪屠体品质。我国原有的猪胴体品质分级标准已经不适合使     

高致病性禽流感免疫的管理环节

一 严管疫苗生产环节 兽用生物制品生产厂家多,品种较多,质量不一,免疫效果各异,特别是高致病性禽流感疫苗,由于生产时间较短,疫苗质量不够稳定,副作用较为严重,包装规格单一,技术服务滞后．严重地影响了高致病性禽流感的免疫效果。如有的厂家疫苗生产的批准文号和疫苗产品不相符。有的中试产品或有临时批准文号的疫苗,不按规定范围随意大面积推广,有的同一厂家生产的疫苗,不同批次质量不一,免疫效果差异较大。     

Strategies for Using eFSH for Superovulating Mares

The standard treatment for superovulation of mares is to administer equine follicle-stimulating hormone (eFSH) for 4 to 5 days to stimulate multiple follicles and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to induce synchronous ovulations. Objectives of this study were: (1) to determine whether a short-term (3-day) eFSH treatment protocol would result in similar ovulation and embryo recovery rates compared with the standard eFSH protocol; (2) to determine the efficacy of a decreasing dose of eFSH (step-down protocol) on ovulation rate and embryo recovery; (3) to compare the efficacy of hCG and recombinant equine luteinizing hormone (reLH) for inducing ovulation in FSH-treated mares; and (4) to compare embryo recovery rates and embryo size when mares are flushed at 6.5 or 7.0 days after ovulation. Forty light-horse mares were used in 2005 (experiment 1) and 20 different mares were used in 2006 (experiment 2). In experiment 1, mares were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (1) untreated controls, (2) standard eFSH treatment (12.5 mg intramuscularly twice daily), and (3) 3-day eFSH treatment. In experiment 2, mares were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) untreated controls, (2) standard eFSH protocol, (3) 3-day eFSH treatment, and (4) step-down eFSH treatment (12.5 mg twice daily day 1, 8.0 mg twice daily day 2, 4.0 mg twice daily day 3). Within each treatment, mares were given either hCG (2,500 IU) or equine LH (750 mg, EquiPure LH; reLH) to induce synchronized ovulations. Embryo recovery was performed either 6.5 or 7.0 days after ovulation. In experiment 1, numbers of preovulatory follicles and ovulations were less for mares in the 3-day treatment group than the standard group, but were greater than for controls. Embryo recovery per flush was higher in the standard group (2.6) than the 3-day eFSH treatment (0.8) or control groups (0.8). In experiment 2, the number of preovulatory follicles and number of ovulations were greater in the standard and 3-day treatment groups than in control and step-down groups. The percent embryo recovery per ovulation and mean embryo grade were similar for all groups; however, the embryo recovery per flush was higher for mares in the standard treatment than controls (1.3 vs 0.6) but was similar to the 3-day (1.1) and step-down (0.8) treatments. Embryo recovery was similar for flushes performed on days 6.5 and 7.0 post-ovulation. The percentage of control mares ovulating within 48 hours in response to hCG or reLH was similar. In contrast, a higher percentage of eFSH-treated mares ovulated within 48 hours in response to reLH than hCG (92% vs 71%). In both years, the 3-day eFSH treatment protocol resulted in a greater number of preovulatory follicles and a greater number of ovulations than untreated controls. Unfortunately, the increased ovulation rate for mares administered eFSH for 3 days did not result in a greater number of embryos recovered per flush in either year. Use of a step-down eFSH treatment protocol resulted in fewer preovulatory follicles, fewer ovulations, and fewer embryos as compared with the standard eFSH treatment. In conclusion, the standard eFSH treatment resulted in a greater embryo recovery rate per cycle than either the 3-day or step-down treatment protocols. Recombinant equine LH was more effective than hCG in causing ovulation in eFSH-treated mares.     

Models for predicting protein requirements for meat quail

Three experiments were carried out to determine the crude protein requirements for maintenance (CPm) and weight gain (CPg) of meat quail and to develop protein‐requirement prediction models. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine CPm by the nitrogen‐balance technique. The regression of nitrogen balance on nitrogen intake revealed a CPm requirement of 2.94 g/kg^0.75/day. Experiment 2 was aimed at determining CPm by the comparative‐slaughter technique. Retained nitrogen (RN) and nitrogen intake (NI) were quantified considering the metabolic weight of the birds. The linear regression of RN on NI provided a CPm estimate of 6.63 g/kg^0.75/day. Experiment 3 was conducted to determine CPg. The regression of body nitrogen from the carcasses on fasted body weight revealed CPg estimates of 407.68 (0–7 days), 501.76 (8–14 days), 470.40 (0–14 days), 517.44 (15–21 days), 627.20 (22–28 days), 423.36 (29–35 days), and 517.44 mg/g (15–35 days). The protein‐requirement prediction models developed for meat quail aged 0–7, 8–14, 0–14, 15–21, 22–28, 29–35, and 15–35 days were CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0.408.G; CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0.502.G; CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0.470.G; CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0,517.G; CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0.627.G; CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0.423.G; CP = 2.94.W^0.75 + 0.517.G, respectively, where: W^0.75 =  metabolic weight (kg), and G =  daily weight gain (g).     

服务农业服务社会

在迎接新世纪,庆贺新千年的时候,饲料行业如同其他行业一样,也在筹划今后的发展问题。研究任何产业的发展,都要研究自身的特点,还要研究与其他产业的关联。饲料工业,是个关联性很强的产业。最明显的是,依托于农业,又服务于农业。饲料工业的原料,绝大部分直接来源于农业,没有农业作基础,就没有饲料工业;没有发达的农业,也就没有发达的饲料工业。因此,服务农业,是发展饲料工业的题中应有之义。民以食为天。服务于农业,服务于“菜篮子”工程,也就是服务于社会。我国饲料工业的发展,为农业,为养殖业,为人民生活的改善,做出了巨大的贡献。据国家…