Retrospective Review of Carriage Horse and Mule Welfare in Charleston,South Carolina (2009–2012)

Equine Welfare and Carriage Horse Companies have been recently highlighted as matters of public concern, although little data exists to describe working conditions, municipal regulations, and veterinary attention. In light of the current pandemic of unwanted horses in this country, it is prudent for the veterinary community to identify objective measurements of satisfactory equine welfare in the carriage horse industry to regulate and maintain working horses in sound conditions. Retrospective data from a carriage company in South Carolina was collected from 2009 to 2012. Variables included days in work, hours and/or tours worked, veterinary charges, management practices, and environmental conditions. City veterinary reports were also reviewed for all five local carriage companies. The average number of days in work per animal ranged from 163 to 188 per year. On average, each animal performed 4.6 hour long tours per working day, resulting in an average 865 tours per year. Each animal cost on average $2.00 per day in veterinary costs, and $0.84 of each animal's tour went toward veterinary bills. Welfare among carriage horses is a subject on which equine veterinarians should be well versed; not only to answer questions from clientele but also to promote good working and living conditions for these animals in an effort to stem the number of unwanted horses in America. The carriage company reported in detail here provides acceptable welfare for their animals. Prospective studies are needed to collect objective, evidence-based data regarding stress levels in the animals.     

Evaluation of Specific Infection Control Practices Used by Companion Animal Veterinarians in Community Veterinary Practices in Southern Ontario

This study evaluated specific infection control practices in community veterinary practices in southern Ontario. Environmental disinfection, management of infectious patients and antimicrobial use in clean surgical procedures were investigated. Community companion animal veterinary practices (n = 101) in Southern Ontario were recruited, and a questionnaire was administered to one veterinarian and one veterinary technician from each practice. The veterinarian questionnaire gathered data on clinic demographics, management of infectious patients, infectious diseases of concern, environmental disinfection and antimicrobial use in surgical procedures. The veterinary technician questionnaire gathered data on environmental disinfection. None of the veterinary practices had a formal infection control programme. Sixty‐five per cent (n = 66) of the veterinary practices did not have an isolation area and 61% (n = 40) of these practices did not employ any specific infection control measures for infectious cases. The products most frequently used for environmental disinfection were hydrogen peroxide based or quaternary ammonium compounds. Bleach was the agent most commonly used for environmental disinfection of infectious body fluids; however 60% of the veterinarians and 40% of the veterinary technicians did not identify a product for environmental disinfection of infectious body fluids. Twenty‐four per cent of the veterinarians reported using antimicrobials in animals undergoing elective sterilization surgeries and 60% reported using antimicrobials in other clean surgical procedures. There is a need for community veterinary practices to develop infection control programmes specific to their individual practice. In addition, veterinarians should discontinue the common use of antimicrobials for clean elective sterilization surgical procedures.     

Pregnancy termination in dogs with non-hormonal compounds: evaluation of selected derivatives

Four non-hormonal, pregnancy-terminating compounds have been studied in bitches. One of these, 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-s-triazole[5,1-a]isoquinoline (DL 717-IT or L 12717), has been found to be very efficacious after a single subcutaneous injection. This compound appears to be promising for use in veterinary practice.     

Evaluation of a new non-hormonal substance for terminating pregnancy in bitches in clinical trials

A new non-hormonal contragestational agent (DL 717-IT), the 2-(4 chlorophenyl)-s-triazole |5,1-a|-isoquinoline, was tested in clinical trials to determine its efficacy for interrupting the pregnancy in the bitch. Five hundred and sixty-five bitches were given a single intramuscular injection of the drug between the first and 15th day after the mating. Of the 475 bitches that received 2–5 mg/kg, 430 (90-5 per cent) did not whelp at all, 15 (3-2 per cent) delivered a few stillborn or weak puppies that died some hours after birth, and 30 (6-3 per cent) delivered at least one normal live pup. Of 90 bitches treated with 3–5 mg/kg, 87 (96-7 per cent) did not whelp at all, two (2-2 per cent) delivered a few stillborn or weak puppies that died some hours after birth, and one (1 1 per cent) delivered normal live puppies. DL 717-IT, owing to the high effectiveness and minimal side effects, must be considered a very reliable drug for the interruption of pregnancies in the bitch.     

Faecal Oestrogens and Progesterone Metabolites in Mares of Different Breeds During the Last Trimester of Pregnancy

Non‐invasive pregnancy diagnosis in mares by measuring faecal oestrogens has been performed over years with great accuracy. However, results have indicated breed‐related differences in the amount of excreted steroids during late pregnancy. Therefore faecal samples were collected during the last 4 months of pregnancy of Thoroughbred (n=10), New Forest pony (n=9), Shetland pony (n=10) and Iceland pony mares (n=11). Concentrations of oestrogens, 20α‐hydroxy‐ and 20‐oxopregnanes were measured using enzyme immunoassays. Breed differences concerning both levels (though significant only in case of oestrogens) and time course of measured steroids were observed. There was a highly significant time effect (p < 0.00001) and an interaction between time and breeds (p < 0.02) for all steroids measured, suggesting that the time effect differs for different breeds. Oestrogen concentrations showed a decrease towards parturition, whereas in 20α‐hydroxy‐ and 20‐oxopregnane levels a pronounced increase was found 2 and 1 months, respectively, before parturition. A breed effect was only significant (p=0.001) when comparing oestrogen concentrations and was mainly due to Iceland ponies, which had the lowest concentrations especially during the last 2 months of pregnancy. An almost significant (p=0.06) breed effect was found for 20‐oxopregnanes. In Iceland mares an additional increase in faecal pregnane content was already observed earlier, reaching maximum levels before the 60th day ante‐partum (a.p.), followed by a decrease until the 30th day a.p. The ratio of 20‐oxopregnanes to oestrogens in the samples was significantly higher (p < 0.006) in Iceland ponies in comparison with any other breed throughout all months before parturition. The breed differences observed in the amounts of oestrogens and/or progestagens present during late pregnancy may demonstrate micro‐evolutionary changes in the endocrine system of a species.     

Recommendations on vaccination for Latin American small animal practitioners: a report of the WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines Group

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association Vaccination Guidelines Group has produced global guidelines for small companion animal practitioners on best practice in canine and feline vaccination. Recognising that there are unique aspects of veterinary practice in certain geographical regions of the world, the Vaccination Guidelines Group undertook a regional project in Latin America between 2016 and 2019, culminating in the present document. The Vaccination Guidelines Group gathered scientific and demographic data during visits to Argentina, Brazil and Mexico, by discussion with national key opinion leaders, visiting veterinary practices and review of the scientific literature. A questionnaire survey was completed by 1390 veterinarians in five Latin American countries and the Vaccination Guidelines Group delivered continuing education at seven events attended by over 3500 veterinarians. The Vaccination Guidelines Group recognised numerous challenges in Latin America, for example: (1) lack of national oversight of the veterinary profession, (2) extraordinary growth in private veterinary schools of undetermined quality, (3) socioeconomic constraints on client engagement with preventive health care, (4) high regional prevalence of some key infectious diseases (e.g. feline leukaemia virus infection, canine visceral leishmaniosis), (5) almost complete lack of minimal antigen vaccine products as available in other markets, (6) relative lack of vaccine products with extended duration of immunity as available in other markets, (7) availability of vaccine products withdrawn from other markets (e.g. Giardia vaccine) or unique to Latin America (e.g. some Leishmania vaccines), (8) accessibility of vaccines directly by pet owners or breeders such that vaccination is not delivered under veterinary supervision, (9) limited availability of continuing education in veterinary vaccinology and lack of compulsion for continuing professional development and (10) limited peer-reviewed published scientific data on small companion animal infectious diseases (with the exception of leishmaniosis) and lack of support for such academic research. In this document, the Vaccination Guidelines Group summarises the findings of this project and assesses in evidence-based fashion the scientific literature pertaining to companion animal vaccine-preventable diseases in Latin America. The Vaccination Guidelines Group makes some recommendations on undergraduate and postgraduate education and academic research. Recognising that current product availability in Latin America does not permit veterinarians in these countries to vaccinate according to the global World Small Animal Veterinary Association guidelines, the Vaccination Guidelines Group makes a series of “pragmatic” recommendations as to what might be currently achievable, and a series of “aspirational” recommendations as to what might be desirable for the future. The concept of “vaccine husbandry” is addressed via some simple guidelines for the management of vaccine products in the practice. Finally, the Vaccination Guidelines Group emphasises the global trend towards delivery of vaccination as one part of an “annual health check” or “health care plan” that reviews holistically the preventive health care needs of the individual pet animal. Latin American practitioners should transition towards these important new practices that are now well embedded in more developed veterinary markets. The document also includes 70 frequently asked questions and their answers; these were posed to the Vaccination Guidelines Group during our continuing education events and small group discussions and should address many of the issues surrounding delivery of vaccination in the Latin American countries. Spanish and Portuguese translations of this document will be made freely available from the on-line resource pages of the Vaccination Guidelines Group.     

Evaluation of a bovine visual pregnancy test for the detection of pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins in sheep

As sheep produce similar pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins (PAGs) to cattle, a commercially available bovine visual pregnancy test based on the detection of PAGs (visual‐PAG‐test) was evaluated in sheep. The test was performed with whole blood (WhB), plasma (P) and serum (S) of 163 pregnant and 153 non‐pregnant ewes. Additionally, 11 pregnant ewes were tested weekly from day 14 to 49 of gestation and monthly from day 60 to day 149. Ten ewes were sampled weekly from the date of lambing until day 63 post‐partum (p.p.). The sensitivity in mid‐pregnancy (n = 163) was 98.16% (WhB), 99.39% (P) and 99.39% (S) compared to transabdominal ultrasonography as the gold standard while the specificity (n = 153) was 94.12% (WhB), 76.47% (P) and 93.46% (S), respectively. During early pregnancy, all 11 ewes were correctly identified as pregnant on day 42 (100%); however, the test sensitivity decreased to 54.6% (WhB) and 63.6% (S and P, respectively) at day 49. The ewes were again consistently identified as pregnant on day 63 (P) or on day 119 (S, WhB). The test was consistently negative from day 42 p.p. onwards in eight out of ten ewes. Two ewes remained consistently positive until the last sample on day 63 p.p. In conclusion, the test could be used to accurately select pregnant ewes at day 42 with a drop in sensitivity at day 49. The sensitivity of the visual‐PAG‐test was good in mid to late pregnancy, and early detection of pregnancy was possible in individual animals. In some ewes, the PAGs were however detectable for more than 63 days p.p.—the previous breeding history should therefore always be taken into account for correct interpretation of the test results.     

Effects of the Progesterone Receptor Antagonist Aglepristone on Implantation Administered on Days 6 and 7 after Mating in Rabbits

There is no safe and accurate method for early termination of pregnancy in the rabbit. So this study was carried out to determine the effect of aglepristone administration in preventing early pregnancy before implantation in this species. Twenty‐two animals (10–12 months old, New Zealand White rabbits) were naturally mated and pregnancies were confirmed in all animals by ultrasonographic examinations on day 6 after mating (5–7.5 MHz linear array transducer Dynamic Imaging Sonostar, UK) and the animals were grouped randomly: Group I & Group III: Aglepristone (Alizin^®, Virbac; 10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was injected twice, 24 h apart, on days 6 and 7 after mating (n = 5; n = 8). Group II & Group IV: The same volume of 0.9% NaCl solution was subcutaneously injected in the same interval and served as controls (n = 5; n = 3). Ultrasonographical examination of the uterus was performed daily from day 7 to day 11 post‐mating to test aglepristone efficiency. Blood samples were collected between days 6 and 30, centrifuged at 3070 g for 10 min and stored at ?20°C. The does in aglepristone groups (Group I, III) were not pregnant whereas all animals in control groups were pregnant (Group II, IV). The does in group I & III were examined only clinically and ultrasonographically; however, does in groups III and IV were laparomized on days 6, 7, 9 and 11 post‐mating to control countable implantation sites. No implantation sites were present in group III whereas they were seen obviously in group IV. Side effects were not observed. The mean serum progesterone (P4) concentrations were not significantly different between control and treated does (p > 0.05). The results indicate that aglepristone treatment on days 6 and 7 after mating could prevent pregnancy after unwanted matings without any side effects in the rabbit. Aglepristone treatments are possibly not affecting further fertilities before implantation.     

Effect of dietary phosphate restriction on renal secondary hyperparathyroidism in the cat

Twenty-three cats with stable chronic renal failure (CRF) were examined in a prospective study of the effects of feeding a veterinary diet restricted in phosphorus and protein with or without an intestinal phosphate binding agent (aluminium hydroxide) on plasma phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Fifteen cats accepted the veterinary diet; compliance was not achieved in the remaining eight (due to limited intake by the cats or owner resistance to diet change). Feeding the veterinary diet was associated with a significant fall in plasma phosphate and PTH concentrations by five months, with only two cats requiring aluminium hydroxide therapy. The maximum decrease in plasma PTH concentration was not associated with a significant change in plasma 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol concentration. Euparathyroidism was achieved in eight cats. Conversely, in cats with CRF fed proprietary diets over the same time period, mean plasma PTH concentrations did not change significantly; indeed, in seven of the eight cats, PTH concentrations increased. Dietary therapy alone or in combination with intestinal phosphate binders does reduce PTH concentrations in cats with CRF and, when effective control of phosphate intake is achieved, plasma PTH can be normalised.     

Effects of sulfanilamide on boar sperm quality,bacterial composition,and fertility during liquid storage at 17°C

Sulfanilamide (SA) is an effective broad‐spectrum antibacterial agent in human and veterinary medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of SA on boar sperm quality during liquid storage at 17°C and determine the optimal concentration of SA and its effects on bacterial growth, microbial composition, and maternal fertility. Boar ejaculates were diluted with a basic extender, containing different concentrations of SA, and stored in a 17°C incubator for 6 days. The sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity, and acrosome integrity were measured daily. The results showed that when the concentration of SA was 0.02 g/L, the sperm quality parameters were significantly higher than those of all other treatment groups (p < .05). We also monitored the bacterial growth and compared the differences in the microbial species between the 0.02 g/L SA group and the control by 16S rDNA sequencing. The results revealed that some bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas, were considerably lower in the 0.02 g/L SA group than in the control group (p < .05). In addition, preserved semen was used for artificial insemination, and results showed that 0.02 g/L SA group had a higher litter size, and its pregnancy rate was 92.5%.     

A review of immunologic diseases of the dog.

The following review is based on notes used in the teaching of clinical immunology to veterinary students. Immune diseases of the dog are placed into six different categories: (1) type I or allergic conditions; (2) type II or auto- and allo-antibody diseases; (3) type III or immune complex disorders; (4) type IV or cell-mediated immune diseases; (5) type V conditions or gammopathies; and (6) type VI or immunodeficiency disorders. Separate discussions of transplantation immunology and the use of drugs to regulate unwanted immune responses are also included.     

A retrospective analysis of radiation oncology related scientific articles in the journal Veterinary Radiology and Ultrasound: Trends over 40 years (1976‐2015)

The journal Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound is a veterinary specialty journal devoted to the fields of veterinary diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology. The purpose of this retrospective, observational study is to evaluate progressive trends in radiation oncology articles published in Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound during the 40‐year period (1976‐2015) and describe a shift of trends through several viewpoints. This 40‐year period was divided into four subperiods: Period 1 (1976‐1985), Period 2 (1986‐1995), Period 3 (1996‐2005), and Period 4 (2006‐2015). These articles were divided into six categories based on the nature of the study: 1) studies related to teletherapy with endpoints being patient outcome, 2) radiation therapy dosimetry/planning, 3) patient setup, 4) reviews, 5) case reports, and 6) others. The number of radiation oncology articles in Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound has increased over the 40‐year period. The number of authors per article has increased between Periods 1 and 3. The number of articles related to linear accelerator has increased between Periods 3 and 4. The median number of treated patients per clinical article related to teletherapy ranged from 15 to 21, which has not changed significantly over the 40‐year period. The most commonly used radiation therapy protocols during Periods 2 and 3 were fine‐fractionated protocols (defined as 10 or more fractions), whereas coarse‐fractionated protocols were more common during Periods 1 and 4. Findings from this study highlight the notable changes of trends in veterinary radiation oncology articles published in Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound, which clearly reflect changes in the field of veterinary radiation oncology during the past 40 years.     

The time required to achieve endotracheal intubation in dogs: a comparison of veterinary students and qualified veterinary surgeons

ObjectiveTo determine whether final year veterinary students take longer to perform endotracheal intubation than qualified veterinary surgeons.Study designObservational cohort study.AnimalsA total of 38 healthy mesocephalic dogs undergoing general anaesthesia for a clinical purpose unrelated to this study.MethodsTime to successful endotracheal intubation, measured from termination of intravenous induction drug administration to confirmation of endotracheal intubation, was recorded for two groups: final year veterinary students (group S) and qualified veterinary surgeons (group V). Animal age, breed and anaesthetic induction agent were also recorded. Following normality testing the groups were compared for each variable using the Student’s t test or Mann–Whitney U test where appropriate. The level of significance was defined as p < 0.05. Timed data are presented as median and interquartile range.ResultsTime to successful intubation was 54.2 (31.3) seconds in group S and 11.7 (8.5) seconds in group V, the difference being significant (p < 0.001). There was also a significant difference between groups for animal age (p = 0.036) but not for breed (p = 0.573) or induction agent (p = 0.239).Conclusionsand clinical relevance Veterinary students take longer to achieve successful endotracheal intubation of anaesthetized healthy dogs compared with qualified veterinary surgeons. To mitigate any additional risk of dogs developing hypoxaemia, it is recommended that a 55 second time limit is set after which the supervisor intervenes and takes over the intubation procedure. Preoxygenation may be used as an additional mitigation strategy.     

Prevalence of onychectomy in cats presented for veterinary care near Raleigh,NC and educational attitudes toward the procedure

ObjectiveThe current prevalence of onychectomy (declawing) in cats is unknown, and education regarding the procedure appears to vary greatly among veterinary schools. The purpose of this project was to determine the prevalence of onychectomized cats near Raleigh, NC and to document the frequency and style (laboratory or lecture) with which the procedure is taught in USA veterinary schools.AnimalsOne thousand seven hundred ninety four cats ranging in age from 8 days to 21 years, of which 938 (52.3%) were female and 1719 (95.8%) were sterilized.MethodsData were collected over a 10-week period regarding cats seen for appointments in five veterinary facilities (two cat-only, two general, and one tertiary). Data collection included signalment and onychectomy status. During this time, 28 veterinary schools were polled regarding education of veterinary students in onychectomy.ResultsThree hundred and seventy four (20.8%) cats had undergone onychectomy. A significantly higher percentage of declawed cats were seen in the general practices compared with the other practice types (p < 0.030). Younger cats had a higher rate of onychectomy (p < 0.001). Twenty-six veterinary schools responded to the survey (93%). Fourteen (54%) of the responding schools did not include in their core curriculum a lecture or surgical laboratory providing instruction in the onychectomy procedure.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAlmost 21% of cats seen in veterinary hospitals near Raleigh, NC were declawed. Less than 50% of veterinary schools in the USA include a mandatory lecture or laboratory to teach the procedure. There appears to be a discrepancy between the popularity of the onychectomy procedure and the emphasis placed on relevant instruction in veterinary schools in the USA.     

Reproductive Performance and Milk Production of Damascus Goats Fed Acacia Shrubs or Berseem Clover Hay in North Sinai,Egypt

Thirty-three adult Damascus does (29±1.1 kg BW) were fed 0.6 kg per head per day of a concentrate diet plus ad libitum rice straw (Oryza sativa, control, R), or green acacia (Acacia saligna, A) or berseem clover hay (Trifolium alexandrinum, B). All treatment groups had free access to underground saline water containing 3600 ppm TDS. The DM intake was lower (p<0.05) for the R group but did not differ between the other two groups. The DM intake of acacia was 0.64 kg per head per day (1.98% BW) during pregnancy and 0.93 kg per head per day (2.95% BW) during lactation. The drinking water differed (p<0.05) between the three dietary treatments; group B had the highest mean intake and group A had the lowest. The percentage kidding and the litter weight at birth did not differ significantly between the groups. However, the number of kids weaned/doe kidding and the weight of the kids weaned/doe kidding were significantly higher for group B. The mean body weight of the kids at birth and at weaning were significantly lower for group R. The total milk yield over 10 weeks and the milk composition (total solids, fat and protein percentages) were significantly different between the three groups; group B having the highest means and group R the lowest. These results suggest that supplemental feeding is required to enhance the productivity of goats in arid or semi-arid environments and Acacia saligna should not be used fresh in excessive quantities for extended periods.     

Prevalence of IgG Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in Veterinary and Undergraduate Students at Virginia Tech,Blacksburg, Virginia

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed parasitic protozoan that infects humans and other warm‐blooded vertebrates. Felids are the only definitive host for T. gondii, and they excrete oocysts in their faeces. The national prevalence in humans is declining in the United States. This zoonotic organism is of particular interest due to its importance in pregnant women, in individuals with altered immune systems, and in reactivated ocular infections. Exposure to the parasite in humans is usually associated with consumption of raw or undercooked meat or by accidental ingestion of oocysts. It was hypothesized that veterinary students would have a greater chance at exposure to the parasite than an average population of undergraduate students due to increased contact with cats who are infected. A commercially available ELISA was used to examine serum samples from 336 students (252 veterinary students and 84 undergraduate students) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and the Virginia‐Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine for serum IgG antibodies to T. gondii antigen. The prevalence of T. gondii in these subjects was 5.6% in veterinary school students (n = 252) and 2.4% in undergraduates (n = 84). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in veterinary versus undergraduate students. The overall prevalence of 4.8% in all students in this study reflects the continuing decline of antibodies to T. gondii in humans in the United States.     

2-(1,1''-biphenyl-4-yl)-1,2,4-triazole[5,1-a] isoquinoline (L 14105), a potential orally active contragestational agent for the bitch: studies in the rat, hamster and dog

In the search for second generation post-coital pregnancy terminating agents belonging to the class of 2-phenyl-triazole[5,1-a]isoquinolines, the contragestational profile of (1,1'-biphenyl)-4-yl-1,2,4-triazole[5,1-a]isoquinoline, referred to as L 14105, was investigated in hamsters, rats, and bitches. Following subcutaneous or intramuscular administration in oily vehicles, L 14105 shows a very high anti-fertility activity in the three animal species, being from 1.8 to 2.5 times more effective than the parent drug, DL 717-IT. Unlike DL 717-IT, L 14105 possesses a high activity when administered by the oral route. The results obtained in the bitch make it confirm its potential use as a new orally active agent for the interruption of unwanted pregnancies.     

Oestrogen and Progesterone Receptors and COX‐2 Expression in Endometrial Biopsy Samples During Maternal Recognition of Pregnancy in Llamas (Lama glama)

Endometrial expression of oestrogen receptor‐α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR) and cyclooxigenase‐2 (COX‐2) was evaluated in non‐pregnant and pregnant llamas during the period when luteolysis/maternal recognition of pregnancy is expected to occur. Females (n = 28) were divided into two groups: non‐pregnant llamas were induced to ovulate with a Buserelin injection, and endometrial biopsies were obtained on day 8 (n = 5) or 12 (n = 5) post‐induction of ovulation. Animals of the pregnant group (n = 18) were mated with a fertile male. Pregnancy was confirmed by the visualization of the embryo collected by transcervical flushing in 5 of 9 animals on day 8 post‐mating and by progesterone profile on day 12 post‐mating in 4 of 9 animals, when endometrial biopsies were obtained. An immunohistochemical technique was used to evaluate receptors population and COX‐2 expression. Pregnant llamas showed a higher percentage of positive cells and stronger intensity for ERα than for non‐pregnant llamas in stroma on day 8 and in the luminal epithelium on day 12 post‐induction of ovulation, while a deep decrease in endometrial PR population was reported in pregnant llamas on that day in luminal and glandular epithelia and stroma. In the luminal epithelium, COX‐2 expression was lower in pregnant than in non‐pregnant animals. Briefly, the increase of ERα in pregnant llamas gives further support to the hypothesis that oestrogens are involved in the mechanism of maternal recognition of pregnancy. Endometrial PR decrease in pregnant llamas might be a necessary event to allow the expression of proteins involved in conceptus attachment, a mechanism widely accepted in other species. Moreover, embryo seems to attenuate maternal PGF_2α secretion during early pregnancy by decreasing the endometrial expression of COX‐2 in the luminal epithelium of pregnant llamas.     

Effects of different forms of exercise on post inhibitory rebound and unwanted behaviour in stabled horses

Reasons for performing study: It is unknown if different locomotor activities are equally effective at meeting the stabled horse's need for exercise and if they attenuate unwanted behaviour. Hypothesis: Alternative forms of exercise influence the intensity of locomotor activities during a period of turn‐out (the so‐called rebound effect) and the occurrence of unwanted or undesirable activities during standard handling situations. Method: Twenty‐four horses kept in stables were randomly assigned to one of 4 exercise regimes (walker, treadmill, turn‐out and riding) for 4 consecutive days. Because these forms of exercise provide additional environmental stimulation, beyond that provided by exercise, each horse served as its own control in 4 corresponding (no exercise) control treatments presented in a balanced order. Unwanted behaviour was tested by taking horses to weighing scales and loading and unloading them onto a 4‐horse float by an experienced handler and the rebound effect was tested by releasing them into a large arena for a period of 15 min at the end of the exercise and control treatments. Results: Locomotor activities made up a large part of behaviour in the large arena following control treatments and all exercise regimes were sufficient to reduce the intensity of walking (P<0.05), trotting (P<0.01) and cantering (P<0.001) on release into a large arena. Exercise regime reduced the number of bucks (P<0.01) and rolling (P<0.05) during rebound tests suggesting that turn‐out was having a stronger effect than the other 3 exercise regimes. Exercise regimes significantly reduced the amount of unwanted behaviour and the number of commands given by the handler during weighing (P<0.05) but had no effect on these behaviours during loading onto a float. Conclusion: Providing stabled horses with one hour/day of exercise on a walker, treadmill, turn‐out or by being ridden are all effective at allowing expression of locomotor activities in stabled horses. Potential relevance: Providing stabled horses with regular exercise is likely to provide positive effects on horse welfare, training ability and handler safety.     

Use of personal protective equipment in a radiology room at a veterinary teaching hospital

The use of personal protective equipment by veterinary workers during radiographic imaging is inconsistent. While the self‐reported use of leaded aprons and thyroid shields approaches 100% in some studies, the use of leaded gloves and eyeglasses is much lower. Previous studies describing personal protective equipment use are based on self‐reporting. Objectives of this prospective, observational study were to describe use of leaded personal protective equipment during radiographic imaging by veterinary workers, and to compare observed use with self‐reported use. Use of leaded personal protective equipment during radiographic imaging by veterinary workers was observed over a 10 week period using two motion‐triggered video cameras, and a questionnaire was then completed by workers on their use of personal protective equipment. Workers restrained the animal during 91.8% (753/820) of exposures. An apron and a securely closed thyroid shield were worn for >99% of studies. Gloves were used correctly for 43.6% (156/358) of radiographic studies. Leaded eyeglasses were worn for 1.7% (6/358) of studies. Correct glove use was more frequent during regular working hours than after‐hours for both veterinarians (odds ratio 32.7, P = 0.001) and veterinary students (odds ratio 75.1, P < 0.001). The number of workers in the room was lower when animals were sedated (P = 0.002) or anesthetized (P = 0.017). Workers overestimated their frequency of glove use (P <0.001). In conclusion, workers use personal protective equipment less frequently in an unsupervised environment, and overestimate their use of personal protective equipment. Use of sedation or anesthesia decreases worker exposure to ionizing radiation.