Renal abscesses in bobby calves

Extract

Sir,—In an earlier communication (N.Z. Vet. J., 11: 125, 1963), I reported a case of Sleepy Foal disease with atypical symptoms which were toxaemia and pain that became so acute that humane destruction was necessary within thirty-six hours. The only lesions evident on post-mortem examination were multiple glomerular abscesses in the renal cortex. These were considered to be haematogenous in origin and to have developed ante-parturiently. The causal organism was Actinobacillus equuli (Bact. viscosum equi).     

Mortalities in bobby calves associated with long distance transport

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how distance of transportation and time of year affects mortality of bobby calves. METHOD: The overall mortality of bobby calves transported by road to an abattoir in Northern Victoria was investigated by the analysis of mortality data from 1998 to 2000 from the abattoir records. RESULTS: Mortality of bobby calves increased exponentially with distance of transportation to the abattoir. The association between distance travelled and mortality was greatest in August. The increased mortality associated with greater distance travelled occurred during transportation rather than after arrival at the abattoir. The highest mortality of bobby calves was seen in October, followed by September, and the lowest was observed in August. CONCLUSION: Limits on the distance of transportation of bobby calves should be incorporated into future codes of practice to reduce the mortality of bobby calves.     

Antimicrobial resistance in bacteria from Swiss veal calves at slaughter

Bacteria with antimicrobial resistance can be transferred from animals to humans and may compromise antimicrobial treatment in case of infection. To determine the antimicrobial resistance situation in bacteria from Swiss veal calves, faecal samples from 500 randomly selected calves originating from 129 farms were collected at four big slaughterhouses. Samples were cultured for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus sp. and Campylobacter sp. and isolated strains were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to selected antimicrobial agents by the minimal inhibitory concentration technique using the broth microdilution method. From 100 farms, data on farm management, animal husbandry and antimicrobial treatments of the calves were collected by questionnaire. Risk factors associated with antimicrobial resistance were identified by logistic regression. In total, 467 E. coli, 413 Enterococcus sp. and 202 Campylobacter sp. were isolated. Of those, 68.7%, 98.7% and 67.8%, respectively, were resistant to at least one of the tested antimicrobial agents. Resistance was mainly observed to antimicrobials frequently used in farm animals. Prevalence of resistance to antimicrobials important for human treatment was generally low. However, a rather high number of quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter sp. were detected. External calf purchase, large finishing groups, feeding of milk by-products and administration of antimicrobials through feed upon arrival of the animals on the farm significantly increased the risk of antimicrobial resistance at farm level. Participation in a quality assurance programme and injection of a macrolide upon arrival of the animals on the farm had a protective effect. The present study showed that veal calves may serve as a reservoir for resistant bacteria. To ensure food safety, veal calves should be included in the national monitoring programme for antimicrobial resistance in farm animals. By improving farm management and calf husbandry the prevalence of resistance may be reduced.     

Implant sequence effects in intact male Holstein veal calves: live and slaughter traits

Seven sequences of growth promotant implants were used in special-fed intact male Holstein veal calves (n = 443). Calves received implants 4 d after arrival at the veal barn, 42, and 84. The following implants were used: placebo (0), Z (36 mg zeranol), ET (20 mg estradiol, 200 mg testosterone), EP/2 (10 mg estradiol, 100 mg progesterone), EP (20 mg estradiol, 200 mg progesterone), and EBA (24 mg estradiol, 120 mg trenbolone acetate). The following sequences were compared: 0-0-0 (negative control), 0-ET-ET, Z-ET-ET, 0-EP-EP, Z-EP-EP, 0-EP/2-EBA, and Z-0-EBA. From 0 to 42 d, Z implants increased (P<.05) ADG by 3.4% compared to placebo. However, implant schemes without an initial Z implant (0-ET-ET and 0-EP-EP) had higher (P<.05) mean ADG for the period from d 42 to 84. From 84 d to the end of the experiment, only the 0-EP/2-EBA treatment increased (P<.05) ADG compared to 0-0-0. Over the entire trial 0-ET-ET, 0-EP-EP, Z-EP-EP, and 0-EP/2-EBA implant sequences increased (P<.05) ADG by 3.2, 3.2, 2.4, and 4.7%, respectively, compared to the 0-0-0 sequence. Blood traits measured within 2 wk before slaughter were not affected by implant sequence, except that sequences with EP had higher (P<.05) leukocyte counts than were observed for the other sequences. Testicular weight was less (P<.01) for all of the implant sequences than for the negative control and less (P<.05) for Z-ET-ET than for 0-ET-ET, 0-EP-EP, 0-EP/2-EBA, and Z-0-EBA. The type and frequency of medical treatments did not differ among implant sequences for any of the 42-d phases, or over the entire trial. Generally, the growth promotant implants currently approved for beef cattle resulted in approximately 50% of the increase in growth rate in Holstein intact bull calves, as has been observed in beef-type steers or heifers.     

Differences in blood supply to the cerebral cortex between sheep and calves during slaughter

Using methylene blue boli, injected via an intracardiac catheter, the blood supply to the brain in two one- to 10-day-old calves and three adult sheep was studied during and after severance of the common carotid arteries and jugular veins. Passage of dye through cerebral vessels could not be observed in the exposed cerebrum of sheep after bilateral severance of major blood vessels. When vessels were severed on one side only, the passage of dye was noted for at least 53 seconds. In calves, after bilateral severance, sequential boli of dye could be detected passing through the cerebral vessels for more than 100 seconds. These results provide an explanation and support for the belief that there are major differences in the onset of insensibility between sheep and calves subsequent to severance of the common carotid arteries and jugular veins. The differences in blood supply to the brain which were demonstrated could be accounted for by differences in the blood supply to the brain by the vertebral artery in sheep and cattle. The effects of slaughter on the blood supply to the eye are discussed as a possible explanation of the disparity between results of studies in this general field which have used retinal responses in their investigations and those which have not.     

Application of in vitro fertilisation techniques to obtain calves from valuable cows after slaughter.

The ovaries of two infertile cows of high breeding value were recovered after slaughter, and a total of 222 oocytes were obtained. Of these, 156 were classified as of good or fair quality and were subjected to in vitro maturation, in vitro fertilisation (using frozen semen from three bulls of high breeding value) and in vitro culture procedures. After eight days, 27 embryos were obtained, of which 13 were transferred fresh, and 14 were frozen. Three recipients of fresh embryos became pregnant; two calved and one aborted at four months. One of eight recipients of frozen-thawed embryos became pregnant but aborted at three months.     

Chlortetracycline residues in the meat of slaughter calves in relation to transmissible microbial resistance to antibiotics

The occurrence of chlortetracycline residues in the meat of slaughter calves in 62% herds under study (the additive of the medicated premix AUREOVIT to feed without observing the withdrawal times) did not influence significantly the Gram-negative resistant and R+ microflora isolated from the same material, in comparison with control herds that were administered no antibiotics. Neither was the spectrum of donors and transferring R plasmids influenced significantly nor the incidence of different resistance determinants. The effect of chlortetracycline addition to feed was negative (at P = 0.05) only in the occurrence of R+ microflora isolated from stable environment where the slaughtered calves had been housed.     

Use of ELISA to assess lungworm infection in calves

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was applied to the detection of lungworm infections in calves. In experimentally infected animals different responses to larval and adult worm antigens were observed. The response to adult worm antigens was delayed in vaccinated animals when infection occurred by the gradual uptake of infective larvae from contaminated pasture. A serological survey in The Netherlands demonstrated a high incidence of lungworm infection in both vaccinated and unvaccinated herds. There was a good correlation between anti-adult worm and anti-larval ELISA-titres. ELISA appeared to be a useful technique for assessing the level of lungworm infection in a herd.     

The role of the vertebral arteries in maintaining spontaneous electrocortical activity after electrical stunning and slaughter in calves

This paper examines the role of the vertebral arteries of calves in determining the time to loss of spontaneous electrocortical activity after slaughter by a throat-cut severing the soft tissues of the neck ventral to the spinal column. Four calves with the vertebral arteries ligated took 43 +/- 1.3 s to lose cortical activity after the throat was cut. Four similar animals with intact vertebral arteries and the rostral end of the common carotid arteries clamped immediately after slaughter, to ensure that vertebral blood passed to the brain, took 51 +/-25 s to lose cortical activity. It was concluded that factors other than blood flow from the vertebral arteries contribute to the prolonged time to loss of electrocortical activity after slaughter that has been observed in some calves.     

The relationship between clinical signs of respiratory system disorders and lung lesions at slaughter in veal calves

The presence and severity of lung lesions recorded post-mortem is commonly used as an indicator to assess the prevalence of respiratory problems in batches of bovines. In the context of a welfare monitoring based on on-farm measures, the recording of clinical signs on calves at the farm would be more convenient than the recording of lung lesions at slaughter. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between clinical respiratory signs at farm and post-mortem analyses of lung lesions observed at slaughter in veal calves. If clinical signs were a good predictor of lung lesions it could be possible to integrate only those measures in a welfare monitoring system. One-hundred-and-seventy-four batches of calves were observed 3 times: at 3 and 13 weeks after arrival of the calves at the unit and at 2 weeks before slaughter. For each batch a maximum of 300 calves was observed and the proportions of calves showing abnormal breathing, nasal discharge and coughing were recorded. Post-mortem inspection was carried out on a sample of lungs belonging to calves from the observed batches. Each examined lung was classified according to a 4-point scale for pneumonia from healthy lung (score 0) to severe lesions (score 3). The clinical signs recorded infra vitam were significantly correlated with moderate and severe lung lesions for observations at 13 weeks and 2 weeks before slaughter and the level of the correlation was highly variable (r(sp) from 0.16 to 0.40). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created and the area under the curves showed that batches with a high proportion of lungs with moderate or severe lesions could not be accurately detected by the three clinical signs of respiratory disorders. These results suggest that both clinical signs and post-mortem inspection of lung lesions must be included in a welfare monitoring schemes for veal calves.     

Use of urinary furazolidone determination in calves in laboratory diagnosis

We examined 41 samples of calf urine in order to determine the urinary furazolidone excretion. 26 calves were administered furazolidone in the form of Terapeutan T in a therapeutic dose of 5 kg per os individually, which represents approx. 3 mg of furazolidone per kg body weight per day over 5 days. 11 calves were administered with twice the therapeutic dose, i.e. 6 mg furazolidone per kg live body weight over the same 5 days. A triple strength dose was administered to two calves on the 2nd and 3rd days and after administration we observed the furazolidone excretion in urine. The dynamics of furazolidone excretion in urine of one calf we determined even after the fivefold dose in comparison with the therapeutic dose, administered in the course of 2 days after application of the double dose, which was administered over 4 days. During administration of 3 mg and 6 mg furazolidone respectively per kg of live weight per kg furazolidone was excreted in urine minimally and only rarely (7.6%). During administration of higher doses furazolidone was found in the urine of all individuals. The highest urinary concentration of furazolidone in calves was determined after administration of the fivefold dose in comparison with the therapeutic dose, i.e. 15 mg furazolidone per kg live weight in the 4th hour after urine collection (23.0 mg furazolidone per liter urine). When this dose was administered over 2 days, it did not effect any clinical symptoms of disease. It has proved to be well founded to determine the furazolidone level in calf urine in laboratory diagnostics. The examination contributes to the estimation of the furazolidone dose, administered to calves. Urinary furazolidone concentrations greater than 1.0 mg.l-1 provide warning signals of overdosage with this chemotherapeutic. For urine furazolidone determination we utilized the photometric method, described by Herret and Buzard (1960).     

The physical state and plasma biochemical profile of young calves on arrival at a slaughter plant

AIM: To determine the welfare of calves arriving at a slaughter plant by assessing their physical state and plasma biochemical profile. METHODS: Calves (n=7,169) aged 4-10 days, were examined immediately after they were unloaded from trucks (n=20) and categorised on physical grounds as being in an 'unacceptable', 'marginal' or 'acceptable' state. 'Unacceptable' calves were lying down, unable to walk, extremely weak or seriously injured. 'Marginal' calves had a wet umbilicus, were hollow sided, apparently immature, or weak and slow and unsteady on their feet. 'Acceptable' calves were strong, walked freely, round-sided, bright and alert and had a dry umbilicus. After unloading, 27 'unacceptable', 306 'marginal' and 289 'acceptable' calves were weighed, examined clinically and a blood sample was taken from each. A second blood sample was taken from 118 of these calves, 12-15 hours later. The packed cell volume (PCV) and plasma concentrations of glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), total plasma proteins (TPP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), urea, creatine kinase (CK) and lactate were measured. RESULTS: Only 27 of the 7,169 calves examined (0.4%) were categorised as being in an 'unacceptable' state on arrival and these were euthanased shortly after unloading. Generally, the plasma biochemical profiles of the 'acceptable' calves were similar to those of 'marginal' animals. However the glucose concentration of 'marginal' calves was lower than that of 'acceptable' calves, suggesting that they had lower energy reserves. After 12-15 h in lairage, plasma glucose concentration decreased and the BHB concentration increased in both 'acceptable' and 'marginal' calves compared with concentrations measured on arrival. CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of calves presented for slaughter in an 'unacceptable' state was small (0.4%). However, 4% of calves were classified as 'marginal' and failed to meet all the requirements of the code of recommendations and minimum standards governing the welfare of young calves in New Zealand. The categorisation of calves by a physical assessment was supported by results of plasma biochemistry. As a result, plasma biochemical profiles are considered unnecessary for making decisions regarding the welfare status of calves arriving at a slaughter plant; an assessment of their physical state is sufficient.     

Comparison of production characteristics from birth through slaughter of calves sired by Angus, Charolais or Piedmontese bulls

Birth, weaning, growth and carcass records for calves sired by Angus, Charolais or Piedmontese bulls were used to evaluate the potential contribution of Piedmontese to beef production in the U.S. Bulls were mated by AI to Hereford and crossbred cows and heifers. Calves were born during fall 1985 or spring 1986. Statistical models used to analyze the importance of sire breed used sire nested within sire breed as a random effect. Effects of sex, birth season, contemporary group, dam breed and parity were considered fixed and tested with the residual error. Piedmontese-sired calves had the longest gestation length, followed by Charolais and Angus-sired calves (287.5, 285.0 and 282.8 d, respectively). Breed of sire was not significant for birth weight, but Piedmontese- and Charolais-sired calves had longer cannon bones than Angus-sired calves. Differences were found for weaning hip height, but weaning weights, weaning muscle scores and ADG during the preweaning period were similar for calves by the three sire breeds. When fed to a similar fat thickness, Angus-sired calves required fewer days on feed, produced lighter carcasses and gained less per day than Charolais- or Piedmontese-sired calves. Piedmontese-sired calves required more days on feed than Charolais-sired calves when slaughtered at a similar subcutaneous fat thickness. Piedmontese-sired calves produced carcasses with a larger average rib eye area, higher dressing percentage and lower (more desirable) yield grade than Charolais- or Angus-sired calves. No significant sire breed differences were detected for tissue cholesterol content.     

Use of antimicrobial drugs in Swedish dairy calves and replacement heifers

A total of 3081 heifer calves in 122 Swedish dairy herds were monitored from birth to first calving, and all their diseases and treatments were recorded. There were 1268 cases of infectious diseases, of which 335 (26.4 per cent) were treated with antimicrobial drugs. Just over 90 per cent of the treatments were given during the first 210 days of the calves' lives, but only 61.8 per cent of the total quantity of antimicrobial drugs was consumed during this period. The most common diseases from birth until 210 days were respiratory diseases and diarrhoea; treatments for mastitis and interdigital phlegmon (foul in the foot) were more common after 420 days of age. Slightly more than 60 per cent of the treatments were given by the farmers without prior consultation with a veterinary surgeon.     

A method of extraction in the detection of residual inhibiting substances in the tissues of pigs and calves after unavoidable slaughter

Differences were studied in detecting residues of inhibitory substances in tissue samples of pigs and calves after emergency slaughter. Samples of liver, heart, kidney and muscle of 30 pigs and 16 calves were examined. Solid samples of organ tissues placed on an agar medium and extracts of the solid samples placed into agar pits were used for detection. Samples were parallelly subjected to the microbiologic diffusion method, using the S. aureus CCM 2022 and B. subtilis CCM 1999 microorganisms. The method of obtaining the extracts from solid samples of the organs was proposed and tested at our own workplace. The presence of inhibitory substances was displayed by the formation of inhibition zones. Results of the positive samples in calves (7 samples) and in pigs (3 samples) point out explicitly to the fact that the extracts of the tissue samples display positively larger inhibition zones in comparison with the solid samples. B. subtilis was demonstrated to be more sensitive than S. aureus, comparing the used microorganisms.     

Risk factors for death and unwanted early slaughter in Swiss veal calves kept at a specific animal welfare standard

Calf losses (CL, mortality and unwanted early slaughter) in veal production are of great economic importance and an indicator of welfare. The objective of the present study was to evaluate CL and the causes of death on farms with a specific animal welfare standard (SAW) which exceeds the Swiss statutory regulations. Risk factors for CL were identified based on information about management, housing, feeding, and medication. In total, 74 production cohorts (2783 calves) of 15 farms were investigated. CL was 3.6%, the main causes of death were digestive disorders (52%), followed by respiratory diseases (28%). Factors significantly associated with an increased risk for CL were a higher number of individual daily doses of antibiotics (DDA), insufficient wind deflection in winter, and male gender. For administration of antibiotics to all calves of the cohort, a DDA of 14-21 was associated with a decreased risk for CL compared to a DDA of 7-13 days.     

代乳料营养水平对0～4月龄育肥奶公犊屠宰性能和肉品质的影响

为了研究不同营养水平代乳料对0~4月龄育肥奶公犊屠宰性能和肉品质的影响,选用40头健康无病、体质量和出生日期相近的荷斯坦奶公犊,随机分为4组(每组10头)并饲喂不同营养水平的代乳料,即代乳料Ⅰ组(22%CP,16.00 MJ/kg DE),代乳料Ⅱ组(20%CP,16.00 MJ/kg DE),代乳料Ⅲ组(22%CP,15.00 MJ/kg DE),代乳料Ⅳ组(20%CP,15.00 MJ/kg DE)。试验期120d。试验结果表明:代乳料蛋白质水平对奶公犊眼肌面积和宰前活重的影响均表现出显著差异(P0.05),随蛋白水平的提高而提高。蛋白质水平为22%的代乳料组试验牛的眼肌面积和宰前活重20%代乳料组分别提高4.58%和1.19%(P0.05)。与15 MJ/kg能量水平代乳料组相比,16 MJ/kg能量水平代乳料组的净肉重达到70.09kg,提高了3.74%(P0.01),净肉率提高了3.25%(P0.01),胴体产肉率提高了2.29%(P0.05),并提高了牛肉中粗蛋白和粗脂肪的含量(P0.05),而对牛肉的剪切力、肉色和蒸煮损失无影响。饱和脂肪酸(SFA)的含量随蛋白水平的提高而降低,与20%蛋白水平代乳料相比,22%蛋白水平代乳料的饱和脂肪酸含量为50.96%,降低了2.65%(P0.01);单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)和多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的含量随能量水平的提高而提高,与15 MJ/kg能量水平代乳料组相比,16 MJ/kg能量水平代乳料组的MUFA和PUFA含量分别提高了3.46%(P0.05)和5.50%(P0.05)。在本试验中,Ⅰ组的净肉率和眼肌面积最高,牛肉中的粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量最高。综上所述,提高代乳料的能量和蛋白水平,可以提高奶公犊的屠宰性能,改善肉品质。建议0~4月龄育肥奶公犊用代乳料的适宜能量和蛋白水平为DE 16.00 MJ/kg,CP 22%。