Surgical correction of rectovaginal fistula in mares and subsequent fertility

Objective To evaluate the fertility of mares bred at various intervals relative to surgical management of rectovaginal fistula (RVF). Materials and Methods Surgical repair of RVF was performed in 28 mares at variable times relative to foaling (30 days to 24 months) and also relative to rebreeding (same cycle or delayed). Postoperative fertility was then evaluated. Results Two mares were already pregnant at the time of surgery and 20 of 23 mares (87%) that were bred immediately prior to or following surgery conceived from their first service. When mares were bred in the same cycle as surgery, the next cycle following surgery or in the following breeding season after surgery the pregnancy rate was 5/5, 5/6 and 10/12, respectively, and the foaling rates were 4/5, 4/6 and 7/12. The two mares already pregnant at the time of surgery foaled successfully. Conclusions Excellent fertility can be achieved following surgical repair of RVF and our results suggest that delaying breeding until the following breeding season is not necessary. In addition, breeding in the same cycle as the surgical repair is a previously unreported technique that should be considered to maintain normal fertility and a yearly foaling interval.     

The interpretation of serum biochemistry test results in domestic animals

The interpretation of serum biochemistry tests used in the investigation of disease was reviewed. Different methods of calculating reference ranges for biochemical constituents of serum were discussed. Reference ranges in current laboratory use were analyzed statistically to produce means and coefficients of variation.     

Biochemical and physiological parameters and estimated work output in draught horses pulling loads for long periods

A study was undertaken in five draught horses of 648±33 kg body weight to find the effects of continuously pulling loads on their cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic responses. A cart equipped with an odometer, for measuring distance, and a hydraulic dynamometer, for measuring draught force, was used. Heart and respiration rates and rectal temperatures were recorded. Blood samples for measuring arterial and venous pH and blood gases, haemoglobin, glucose and lactic acid concentrations and the serum activity of the enzymes creatine phosphokinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were taken before exercise and immediately after each journey (morning and afternoon) of the daily work.Draught exercise, with loads which generated forces of between 0.57 and 0.59 kN, at speeds of 1.60 to 2.11 m/s, for 8 h daily for five consecutive days, with resting intervals of 10 min each hour, was well tolerated. Exercise tolerance was evaluated from the recovery from the changes observed in the biochemical and physiological parameters induced by the work. The analysis of these showed that, when the horses were subjected to prolonged periods of resting, their loss of fitness for work was shown by significant increases in the serum activity of muscle-derived enzymes and in blood lactate concentrations during the first day of work. However, over the following days the horses adapted to the work, so that the decreases in serum enzyme activities and blood lactate concentrations were reduced. Since similar observations have been described for racehorses, the determination of blood lactate concentrations and the serum activities of muscle-derived enzymes, specifically CK, seem to be good indicators of fitness in draught horses.     

Intravenous anaesthesia using detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin for laparotomy in pregnant pony mares

Objective To characterize intravenous anaesthesia with detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin in pregnant ponies. Animals Twelve pony mares, at 260–320 days gestation undergoing abdominal surgery to implant fetal and maternal vascular catheters. Materials and methods Pre‐anaesthetic medication with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (30 µg kg^?1), butorphanol (20 µg kg^?1) and detomidine (10 µg kg^?1) preceded induction of anaesthesia with detomidine (10 µg kg^?1) and ketamine (2 mg kg^?1) IV Maternal arterial blood pressure was measured directly throughout anaesthesia and arterial blood samples were taken at 20‐minute intervals for measurement of blood gases and plasma concentrations of cortisol, glucose and lactate. Anaesthesia was maintained with an IV infusion of detomidine (0.04 mg mL^?1), ketamine (4 mg mL^?1) and guaiphenesin (100 mg mL^?1) (DKG) for 140 minutes. Oxygen was supplied by intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) adjusted to maintain PaCO₂ between 5.0 and 6.0 kPa (38 and 45 mm Hg), while PaO₂ was kept close to 20.0 kPa (150 mm Hg) by adding nitrous oxide. Simultaneous fetal and maternal blood samples were withdrawn at 90 minutes. Recovery quality was assessed. Results DKG was infused at 0.67 ± 0.17 mL kg^?1 hour^?1 for 1 hour then reduced, reaching 0.28 ± 0.14 mL kg^?1 hour^?1 at 140 minutes. Arterial blood gas values and pH remained within intended limits. During anaesthesia there was no change in heart rate, but arterial blood pressure decreased by 10%. Plasma glucose and lactate increased (10‐fold and 2‐fold, respectively) and cortisol decreased by 50% during anaesthesia. Fetal umbilical venous pH, PO₂ and PCO₂ were 7.34 ± 0.06, 5.8 ± 0.9 kPa (44 ± 7 mm Hg) and 6.7 ± 0.8 kPa (50 ± 6 mm Hg); and fetal arterial pH, PO₂ and PCO₂ were 7.29 ± 0.06, 4.0 ± 0.7 kPa (30 ± 5 mm Hg) and 7.8 ± 1.7 kPa (59 ± 13 mm Hg), respectively. Surgical conditions were good but four ponies required a single additional dose of ketamine. Ponies took 60 ± 28 minutes to stand and recovery was good. Conclusions and clinical relevance Anaesthesia produced with DKG was smooth while cardiovascular function in mare and fetus was well preserved. This indicates that DKG infusion is suitable for maintenance of anaesthesia in pregnant equidae.     

Hematology and serum biochemistry of captive Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) in Wildlife Reserves Singapore

The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) faces threat of extinction due to illegal trafficking of its scales for the purpose of traditional medicine in the Asian region. Ex-situ captive breeding and reintroduction programs have been identified to be a key effort in the conservation of the species. The establishment of blood parameters for captive Sunda pangolins are vital to assess the health in these animals during health assessments. The objective of this study is to establish blood parameters for captive Sunda pangolins and compare the blood parameters with the established blood reference ranges for rescued wild Sunda pangolins in Singapore. Blood parameters for hematology and serum biochemistry were established from 13 clinically normal captive Sunda pangolins. Male captive Sunda pangolins were found to have significantly (P<0.05) higher potassium compared to the female captive Sunda pangolins. Captive Sunda pangolins were found to have significantly (P<0.05) lower white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil counts, alanine phosphatase (ALP) and phosphorus and significantly (P<0.05) higher PCV, TP, globulin and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) when compared with rescued wild Sunda pangolins from the previous study.     

Objective interpretation of bovine clinical biochemistry data: application of Bayes law to a database model

With the advent of animal-side biochemistry analysers in veterinary practice, the requirement for ready access to reliable means for interpretation of the results is of increasing importance. At the University of Glasgow Veterinary School (GUVS), a large computerised hospital database containing extensive clinical, laboratory, and pathological information has been maintained. A retrospective study was undertaken to investigate plasma biochemistry results and corresponding post mortem diagnosis data from 754 unwell cattle which had presented to GUVS over the study period. Initial analysis of the clinical biochemistry data from this unwell population revealed that the parameters did not follow a normal distribution. This finding suggested that the accepted reference range method for the interpretation of clinical biochemistry data may provide limited information about the unwell animal. By applying a combination of percentile analysis and conditional probability techniques to the hospital data, the development of a means of clinical biochemistry interpretation was developed whereby a clinician could determine whether a value was abnormal, the degree of abnormality, and the most likely associated diseases. For example, a urea value of 30 mmol/1 lay within the top 5% of results, and one of the most common diseases associated with this urea value was pyelonephritis. Furthermore, a Bayesian approach allowed the quantification of the relationship between any plasma biochemistry value and disease through the generation of a ratio termed the ‘biochemical factor’. Using the same example, given a urea value of 30 mmol/1, pyelonephritis was eight times more likely than before any biochemistry information was known. The results from the study were used to form the basis of a software system which may ultimately be used by the clinician to aid in the recognition, treatment and prevention of disease in the veterinary domain.     

碎米替代玉米对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清生化及蛋白质代谢的影响

文章旨在研究日粮用碎米完全替代玉米对断奶仔猪生长性能、血清生化及蛋白质代谢的影响.试验将180头21?d断奶、平均体重为(6.48±0.04)kg的仔猪随机分为2组,每组5个重复,每个重复18头.两组断奶仔猪分别饲喂以45％玉米和碎米为主的日粮,试验共持续14?d.结果:与玉米组相比,碎米组仔猪断奶后8～14?d平均日...     

Analgesic, behavioral, and hemodynamic and respiratory effects of midsacral subarachnoidally administered ropivacaine hydrochloride in mares

Objective To determine the analgesic, behavioral, hemodynamic and respiratory effects of midsacral subarachnoid administration of ropivacaine hydrochloride solution in mares. Study design Randomized, blinded study. Animals Ten healthy mares, weighing from 470 to 560 kg. Methods Intravascular and subarachnoid catheters were placed after infiltration of the skin and subcutaneous tissues with 2% lidocaine. Ropivacaine (0.2%, 5 mL) or 0.9% NaCl was then administered subarachnoidally at the midsacral (S2–S3) vertebrae. Analgesia was determined by lack of sensory perception to electrical stimulation (>40 mA) and absence of response to needle pricks extending from coccygeal to S1 dermatomes. Numerical scores of sedation, change in pelvic limb position, sweating in analgesic zones, urination, behavior, response to noise, and compliance with restraint were determined. Two‐way anova with repeated measures and Dunnett's t‐tests were used to evaluate differences between the listed numerical scores, and cardiovascular and respiratory variables before and during a 5‐hour testing period. Results Subarachnoidally administered ropivacaine‐induced variable analgesia extending bilaterally from the coccyx to S1, with minimal sedation and change in pelvic limb position in standing mares. Perineal analgesia was attained at 7.5 ± 2.6 minutes and lasted for 218 ± 44 minutes (mean ± SD). Subarachnoid ropivacaine significantly reduced respiratory rates and did not change heart rate, rectal temperature, arterial blood pressure, PCV, arterial gas tensions (PaO₂ and PaCO₂), pH, and arterial standard bicarbonate and base excess from baseline. Conclusion and clinical relevance Ropivacaine (0.2% solution, 5 mL 500 kg^?1) can be administered subarachnoidally at midsacral (S2–S3) vertebrae to produce prolonged (>3 hours) bilateral perineal analgesia with minimal changes of behavior, and circulatory and respiratory disturbances in standing mares.     

Onset of luteal activity in foaling and seasonally anoestrous mares treated with artificial light.

Sixty-four mares (27 foaling, 37 barren or maiden), mainly Finnhorses, were subjected to treatment with 14.5 h of light and 9.5 h of darkness, starting at the beginning of December. The onset of cycling in non-foaling mares was estimated by weekly serum progesterone determinations. All of the non-foaling mares cycled in the middle of March. They started to cycle on average in the middle of February, 11.1 weeks after the beginning of the trial. There were statistically significant differences in relation to breed (Finnhorses started to cycle 2 weeks later than warm blooded, p less than 0.02) and in relation to age (brood mares with mean age 10 years, started to cycle 10 days later than those 3 years old, p less than 0.03). However, there was no statistical significant relation to previous lactation, although lactating mares lactating up to the previous autumn started to cycle 7 days later than dry mares (p less than 0.15). Artificial insemination of 14 mares in the 2nd oestrus of the year, in March, resulted in 12 foalings in the subsequent year (86%). The following winter, all pregnant mares (N = 27) were exposed to the same kind of light treatment, starting on 1st December. The 1st mare foaled at the end of January. The time from foaling to 1st post partum ovulation was significantly longer (17.0 days) in foalings taking place within 10 weeks from the beginning of the light treatment period, than in foalings occurring after more than 10 weeks of lighting (12.1 days) (p less than 0.01).     

复方中草药添加剂对哺乳母猪泌乳力的影响

选用18头经产约克母猪,随机分为药物组和对照组,每组9头,用蒲公英、王不留行、漏芦、续断组成复方中草药添加剂对哺乳母猪进行20d的饲养试验。结果表明:药物组比对照组窝重提高15.04%(P<0.01),成活率提高6.03%(P<0.05),平均日增重提高6.47%(P<0.05)。     

黄连提取物对高饲养密度下肉鸡生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响

文章旨在研究高密度饲养条件下肉鸡日粮添加黄连提取物对其生长性能、血清生化指标及肠道微生物的影响。试验将640只平均体重为（42.12±0.16）g的肉鸡随机分为4组（T1～T4）,每组4个重复,每个重复40只。T1组肉鸡在高密度（20/m2）下饲喂基础日粮,T2组肉鸡在正常饲养密度（10只/m2）下饲喂基础日粮,T3组肉鸡在高饲养密度下饲喂基础日粮+20 mg/kg黄连提取物,T4组在正常饲养密度（10只/m2）饲喂基础日粮+20 mg/kg黄连提取物。在为期42 d的饲养试验结束后分析相关指标。结果：T4组22～42 d肉鸡平均日增重、22～42 d和1～42 d采食量最高（P＜0.05）,而T1组1～42 d肉鸡平均日增重和采食量最低（P＜0.05）。T1组肉鸡法氏囊重量分别较T2～T4组显著降低了18.53%、17.42%和18.89%（P＜0.05）。T4组肉鸡血清SOD和T-AOC活性最高（P＜0.05）,但血清丙二醛含量较T1组显著降低了29.04%（P＜0.05）。T1组肉鸡回肠大肠杆菌数量最高,分别较其他组显著提高了7.22%、6.93%和8.10%（P＜0.05）,但T1组肉鸡回肠乳酸杆菌数量较其他组显著降低了14.21%、15.74%和17.62%（P＜0.05）。T4组肉鸡回肠双歧杆菌数量较T1组显著提高了5.41%（P＜0.05）。结论：在高饲养密度条件下肉鸡日粮中添加20 mg/kg黄连提取物可以改善肉鸡生长性能和肠道有益菌数量,提高血清抗氧化指标,降低氧化应激。 [关键词]黄连提取物|饲养密度|肉鸡|生长性能|肠道微生物|血清生化     

Hematology and Clinical Pathology Data in Chronically Starved Horses

Hematology and serum/plasma biochemistry are important diagnostic aids to assess metabolic status in starved horses and to rule out pathologic conditions that present as emaciation. This article reviews the interpretation of these parameters, using 10 chronically starved horses as examples. The study was conducted on these 10 neglected horses belonging to both sexes, aged between 4 and 25 years. The animals were divided into two groups according to their body condition scoring (BCS): A (n = 6; BCS of 3 or lower) and B (n = 4; BCS higher than 3). A complete clinical examination was carried out, and venous blood samples were taken to perform hematological, biochemical, and serological determinations. The findings indicated that the most emaciated horses (group A) presented normocytic normochromic anemia, with higher numbers of both immature and mature neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils, and lower number of lymphocytes. Furthermore, horses in group A showed lower serum concentrations of urea, triglycerides, bile acids, alkaline phosphatase, and a lower urea/creatinine ratio. Both groups of horses presented with hypomagnesemia. In conclusion, the knowledge of the laboratorial findings in emaciated horses is useful in scoring the intensity of the emaciation, and in establishing a prognosis and a plan to recover the health status of these animals.     

Onset of luteal activity in non-foaling mares during the early breeding season in Finland.

The luteal activity in mares was studied in the Equine Research Station (ERS) and in trotting stables (TS) in South-Finland. The mares were Standardbreeds in the TS and mainly Finnhorses in the ERS. Between January and June blood was collected once a week for serum progesterone determinations. The mares in the ERS were distributed in 1 of 3 groups: three-years old not yet in training (N = 38), brood mares (N = 21) and mares in training (N = 47). A 4th group was the mares in training in the trotting stables (N = 73). Every 5th mare in the ERS and every 4th mare in the trotting stables were cycling already at the beginning of the year. Onset of luteal activity in anoestrous mares was most common in the middle of May. Over 95% of the mares were cycling at the beginning of June. In the ERS 40% of the Finnhorse mares in training were cycling through the winter. The three-years old and the brood mares were all anoestrous during winter. They started to cycle on average before the middle of May. Anoestrous training mares started before the middle of April. Anoestrous Finnhorse mares began to cycle later than warm blooded mares in all of the groups studied. Mares which had foaled the previous year were more often anoestrous during the winter than dry mares. The time of year when cycling began in a particular mare tended to be the same from year to year (p less than 0.01).     

Effects of rearing systems on growth performance,carcass yield,meat quality,lymphoid organ indices,and serum biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of free‐range system (FRS) and conventional cage‐rearing system (CRS) on growth performance, carcass yield, meat quality, lymphoid organ indices, and serum biochemistry of Wannan Yellow chickens. At 56 days of age, a total of 640 male chickens were randomly allocated to FRS and CRS groups, each of which included 4 replicates with 80 chickens in each replicate. The experiment lasted from 56 to 112 days of age. The results showed that CRS chickens exhibited better final body weight, average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio, whereas FRS chickens showed better breast and leg yields, shear force, meat color, lower drip loss, and decreased abdominal fat deposition. Moreover, the absolute thymus weight and thymus to body weight ratio of FRS birds were significantly higher than those of CRS birds (p < 0.05). Additionally, FRS chickens had significantly reduced glucose, total protein, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents, but enhanced levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the FRS has advantages in breast and leg yields, meat quality, and some serum biochemical parameters of Wannan Yellow chickens, whereas it has negative effects on growth performance.