Nocardial infections of animals in New Zealand, 1976–78

Nocardiaspecies that are common in the soil environment can cause disease in man and animals. These infections are usually considered rare, and there have been only four cases of animal disease previously reported in the New Zealand literature. A limited survey, with the co-operation of staff from animal health laboratories, revealed a further 34 cases of Nocardia infection between 1976–78, and this figure is likely to be conservative. Twenty-six cases were mastitic infections and one was an isolate from a bovine placenta; the majority of infected animals were reported from the South Auckland and Waikato regions. The remaining cases were fatal infections of cats, dogs and a seal. Diagnostic tests on the causative organisms from 27 cases for which cultures were available all proved to be N. asteroides strains. Improved epidemiological data may help relate occurrence of disease in animals to the distribution of Nocardia in nature, but this is dependent on recognition of the organism by the specialists involved in the field and laboratory. Without epidemiological data, it will not be possible to evaluate the effects on animals of increasing the multiplication of Nocardia, for example by adding sewage sludge to soil.     

Reversible chemical restraint of free-range cattle with a concentrated combination of tiletamine–zolazepam,ketamine, and detomidine

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a concentrated combination of tiletamine–zolazepam [TZ, 0.53 mg/kg body weight (BW)], ketamine (Ket, 0.53 mg/kg BW), and detomidine (Det, 0.04 mg/kg BW) in the immobilization of free-range cattle for clinical procedures. The combination was administered intramuscularly to 53 animals. Anesthesia was reversed with the α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist atipamezole. Locoregional anesthesia was provided with lidocaine when required. The TZKD combination induced suitable immobilization for minor surgical procedures or medical treatments. Anesthetic onset was rapid, taking a mean of 6.1 min [standard deviation (SD) 2.8 min]. The duration of anesthesia depended on the time of administration of the antagonist; the animals recovered in the standing position in 12.9 ± 8.9 min after the administration of atipamezole. The quality of anesthesia and analgesia were satisfactory. In conclusion, this TZKD combination can be used for both immobilization and minor surgical procedures in free-range cattle.     

Impact of a Mastitis control program in Valdres,Norway, during 1982–1985

The present study examined the effect of the mastitis control program (MCP) on milk production, incidence of mastitis, incidence of teat lesions, culling, log₁₀ of the bulk tank milk somatic cell count (LBMSC) and economic returns in Valdres, Norway, during 1982–1985. The major economic impact of the MCP was due to improved milk quality and to a lesser degree due to increased milk production. This might be explained by the Norwegian policy aimed at reducing the milk surplus through production quotas. The net present value of MCP, using a 15% discount rate, for an average 12-cow herd was 5599-3372 Nkr ($800-482) for production within or above the milk production quota, respectively. Since the program was provided free of charge to the individual farmer, this was also the net benefit to the MCP-participating farmer.     

Increasing circulation of Alaria alata mesocercaria in wild boar populations of the Rhine valley,France, 2007–2011

The presence of the mesocercarial stage of Alaria alata (Goeze, 1792) in wild boar meat represents a potential risk for human, but little is known about the circulation of mesocercaria in wild boar populations. Routine Trichinella inspection, mandatorily performed in wild boar in France, also allowed detecting mesocercaria. We analyzed the results of this detection in the carcasses of 27,582 wild boars hunted in 2007–2011, in 502 hunting areas of the Rhine valley. Prevalence was globally low (0.6%), but 12% of the hunting areas were affected. These were clustered in lowlands of the Rhine valley, and prevalence strongly decreased with increasing elevation. In the lowlands, prevalence doubled between 2007 and 2011. This time trend and the geographic aggregation of positive wild boars suggest risk management measures based on targeted surveillance, control and prevention.     

Serological status of Canadian cattle for brucellosis,anaplasmosis, and bluetongue in 2007–2008

A national bovine serological survey was conducted to confirm that the prevalence of brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis does not exceed 0.02% (95% confidence) in live cattle in Canada. Sampling consisted of a systematic random sample of 15 482 adult cattle slaughtered in federally inspected abattoirs, stratified by province. Samples were tested to detect antibodies for brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis. All samples were negative for brucellosis. Three samples were seroreactors to bluetongue, 2 of which originated from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and 1 from Ontario, which after follow-up, was considered an atypical result. A total of 244 samples were seroreactors to Anaplasma and follow-up identified infection in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. In conclusion, the Canadian cattle population remains free of brucellosis and free of bluetongue outside the Okanagan Valley. Canada is no longer free of anaplasmosis and will be unable to claim freedom until eradication measures are completed.     

Ketamine–propofol for total intravenous anaesthesia in rabbits: a comparison of premedication with acepromazine–medetomidine,acepromazine–midazolam or acepromazine–morphine

ObjectiveTo describe ketamine–propofol total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) following premedication with acepromazine and either medetomidine, midazolam or morphine in rabbits.Study designRandomized, crossover experimental study.AnimalsA total of six healthy female New Zealand White rabbits (2.2 ± 0.3 kg).MethodsRabbits were anaesthetized on four occasions, each separated by 7 days: an intramuscular injection of saline alone (treatment Saline) or acepromazine (0.5 mg kg^–1) in combination with medetomidine (0.1 mg kg^–1), midazolam (1 mg kg^–1) or morphine (1 mg kg^–1), treatments AME, AMI or AMO, respectively, in random order. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with a mixture containing ketamine (5 mg mL^–1) and propofol (5 mg mL^–1) (ketofol). Each trachea was intubated and the rabbit administered oxygen during spontaneous ventilation. Ketofol infusion rate was initially 0.4 mg kg^–1 minute^–1 (0.2 mg kg^–1 minute^–1 of each drug) and was adjusted to maintain adequate anaesthetic depth based on clinical assessment. Ketofol dose and physiological variables were recorded every 5 minutes. Quality of sedation, intubation and recovery times were recorded.ResultsKetofol induction doses decreased significantly in treatments AME (7.9 ± 2.3) and AMI (8.9 ± 4.0) compared with treatment Saline (16.8 ± 3.2 mg kg^–1) (p < 0.05). The total ketofol dose to maintain anaesthesia was significantly lower in treatments AME, AMI and AMO (0.6 ± 0.1, 0.6 ± 0.2 and 0.6 ± 0.1 mg kg^–1 minute^–1, respectively) than in treatment Saline (1.2 ± 0.2 mg kg^–1 minute^–1) (p < 0.05). Cardiovascular variables remained at clinically acceptable values, but all treatments caused some degree of hypoventilation.Conclusions and clinical relevancePremedication with AME, AMI and AMO, at the doses studied, significantly decreased the maintenance dose of ketofol infusion in rabbits. Ketofol was determined to be a clinically acceptable combination for TIVA in premedicated rabbits.     

Comparative evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of sulfadiazine-trimethoprim,oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin and florfenicol on Staphylococcus aureus–induced arthritis in broilers

1. Staphylococcus aureus is an important human and veterinary pathogen that causes economic loss in the poultry industry. This study aimed to compare therapeutic efficacy of 4 commonly used antibiotics in poultry on S. aureus–induced arthritis in broilers.

2. Sixty broilers, 8 weeks of age, were assigned at random into 7 groups as follows: (1) negative control (n = 5); (2) vehicle control (n = 5); (3) sulfadiazine-trimethoprim, 250 ml/1000 l drinking water (n = 10); (4) oxytetracycline 20%, 1 mg/l drinking water (n = 10); (5) florfenicol 10%, 1/1000 v/v in drinking water (n = 10); (6) enrofloxacin 10%, 1/1000 v/v in drinking water (n = 10) and (7) positive control (n = 10).

3. Birds in group 2 were injected with 1 ml of sterile TSB medium into the right tibiotarsal joint on d 0 while other birds (except group 1) were challenged with 1 ml of 1.2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/ml suspension of S. aureus bacteria.

4. Antibiotic therapy was started from d 4 post challenge and continued for 5 d. At the end, birds were weighed and clinical severity of arthritis was determined. After blood collection, birds were slaughtered and tibiotarsal and hip joints were evaluated grossly. The content of inflammatory exudates of tibiotarsal joint and the degree of femoral head necrosis were recorded. Mucin clot test and histopathological evaluation were performed on right tibiotarsal joint. Serum interleukin 6 was also assayed.

5. Sulfadiazine-trimethoprim had higher therapeutic efficiency with regard to most of the assayed criteria, whereas none of the antibiotics significantly affected femoral head necrosis and body weight. These data will help clinicians to have better antibiotic choice in field conditions.

     

Immobilization,cardiopulmonary and blood gas effects of ketamine–butorphanol–medetomidine versus butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine in free-ranging serval (Leptailurus serval)

ObjectiveTo compare ketamine–butorphanol–medetomidine (KBM) with butorphanol–midazolam–medetomidine (BMM) immobilization of serval.Study designBlinded, randomized trial.AnimalsA total of 23 captures [KBM: five females, six males; 10.7 kg (mean); BMM: 10 females, two males; 9.6 kg].MethodsServal were cage trapped and immobilized using the assigned drug combination delivered via a blow dart into gluteal muscles. Prior to darting, a stress score was assigned (0: calm; to 3: markedly stressed). Drug combinations were dosed based on estimated body weights: 8.0, 0.4 and 0.08 mg kg^–1 for KBM and 0.4, 0.3 and 0.08 mg kg^–1 for BMM, respectively. Time to first handling, duration of anaesthesia and recovery times were recorded. Physiological variables including blood glucose and body temperature were recorded at 5 minute intervals. Atipamezole (5 mg mg^–1 medetomidine) and naltrexone (2 mg mg^–1 butorphanol) were administered intramuscularly prior to recovery. Data, presented as mean values, were analysed using general linear mixed model and Spearman’s correlation (stress score, glucose, temperature); significance was p < 0.05.ResultsDoses based on actual body weights were 8.7, 0.4 and 0.09 mg kg^–1 for KBM and 0.5, 0.4 and 0.09 mg kg^–1 for BMM, respectively. Time to first handling was 10.2 and 13.3 minutes for KBM and BMM, respectively (p = 0.033). Both combinations provided cardiovascular stability during anaesthesia that lasted a minimum of 35 minutes. Recovery was rapid and calm overall, but ataxia was noted in KBM. Stress score was strongly correlated to blood glucose (r² = 0.788; p = 0.001) and temperature (r² = 0.634; p = 0.015).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth combinations produced similar effective immobilization that was cardiovascularly stable in serval. Overall, BMM is recommended because it is fully antagonizable. A calm, quiet environment before drug administration is essential to avoid capture-induced hyperglycaemia and hyperthermia.     

Immunochemical Localization of Megalin,Retinol-binding protein and Tamm–Horsfall Glycoprotein in the Kidneys of Dogs

Megalin, retinol-binding protein (RBP) and Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) are involved in the renal metabolism of vitamin A in canine species. The presence of megalin, RBP and THP in the kidneys of dogs was investigated using immunohistochemical methods. Megalin was highly expressed in the apical membrane of the proximal convoluted and straight tubule cells. Immunoreactive RBP was detected below the apical plasma membrane, as well as in basolateral granules of the proximal convoluted tubule cells. THP immunoreactivity was seen in the epithelial cells lining the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Furthermore, THP was displayed in a scattered pattern within the distal convoluted tubules. The co-localization of megalin and RBP coincides with biochemical studies that have shown megalin to be responsible for renal RBP absorption in the proximal convoluted tubules after filtration through the renal glomerulus. The presence of THP, the carrier for vitamin A in canine urine, showed that vitamin A excretion in the urine of dogs is not merely a filtration process but also seems to be a pathway located in the distal part of the nephron.     

Ehrlichia canis in dogs of Mexico: Prevalence,incidence, co–infection and factors associated

Rickettsial infections in dogs of Mexico were investigated. A total of 246 dogs were blood sampled and initially screened to detect Ehrlichia canis, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia rickettsii by a quantitative real–time PCR (qPCR) assay. Sixty–five dogs were monitored and sampled twice 7–8 months apart. Using the qPCR, 72 positive dogs to E. canis were detected (prevalence of 29.26%). These dogs were also tested by nested PCR to detect the same pathogens. None of the studied dogs were positive to E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, R. rickettsii nor A. phagocytophilum by both PCR assays. The cumulative incidence of E. canis infection was 38.46%. Sequencing analysis of the nested PCR products revealed 100% and 98.1% identity of E. canis and R. parkeri, respectively. We found a dog co–infected with E. canis and R. parkeri.     

Retrospective study of the temporal distribution of vesicular stomatitis in cattle in Costa Rica, 1972–1986

The temporal distribution of vesicular stomatitis in cattle in Costa Rica, from 1972 to 1986, was analysed using the time series analysis. Seasonal fluctuations were observed with the highest occurrence in the dry season. The possible existence of 3–4-year cycles was demonstrated.     

Effectiveness of vaccines and vaccination programs for the control of foot-and-mouth disease in Uganda, 2001–2010

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease of cloven-hoofed animals. In Uganda, FMD outbreaks are mainly controlled by ring vaccination and restriction of animal movements. Vaccination stimulates immunity and prevents animals from developing clinical signs which include lameness, inappetence, and decreased production. Ring vaccination and restriction of animal movements have, however, not successfully controlled FMD in Uganda and outbreaks reoccur annually. The objective of this study was to review the use of FMD virus (FMDV) vaccines and assess the effectiveness of vaccination programs for controlling FMD in Uganda (2001–2010), using retrospective data. FMD vaccine distribution patterns in Uganda (2001–2010) matched occurrence of outbreaks with districts reporting the highest number of outbreaks also receiving the largest quantity of vaccines. This was possibly due to “fire brigade” response of vaccinating animals after outbreaks have been reported. On average, only 10.3 % of cattle within districts that reported outbreaks during the study period were vaccinated. The average minimum time between onset of outbreaks and vaccination was 7.5 weeks, while the annual cost of FMDV vaccines used ranged from US $58,000 to 1,088,820. Between 2001 and 2010, serotyping of FMD virus was done in only 9/121 FMD outbreaks, and there is no evidence that vaccine matching or vaccine potency tests have been done in Uganda. The probability of FMDV vaccine and outbreak mismatch, the delayed response to outbreaks through vaccination, and the high costs associated with importation of FMDV vaccines could be reduced if virus serotyping and subtyping as well as vaccine matching were regularly done, and the results were considered for vaccine manufacture.     

Changes in technical efficiency of the broiler production in Poland, 1994–2013

1. The effects of changes in technical efficiency on the increase of broiler production are presented for the period 1994–2013 based on the panel data from seven farms located in southern and central Poland. A total of 766 cycles were analysed.

2. The Cobb–Douglas production function was used to assess the changes of output elasticities as well as technical changes in broiler production, for 5-year sub-periods separately.

3. Technical indices of broiler production significantly improved between years 1994–2013: feed conversion ratio decreased from 2.50 kg/kg to 1.78 kg/kg, mortality rate from 8.8% to 4.0% and daily weight gain increased from 37.1 g/d to 58.7 g/d, respectively.

4. Before accession to the EU, there was a substantial increase of fixed capital connected with modernisation of buildings and equipment. In the period 1994–2013, inputs of fixed capital per kilogram of livestock increased by 72% and at the same time the input of labour decreased by 56%.

5. Technical changes in years 1994–1998 contributed to a rapid production increase at a rate of 4.6% annually and only by up to 0.7% annually during 2009–2013. The slowdown of production rate increase after 2009 was partially caused by decreasing the stocking density.     

Anesthetic effects of ketamine–medetomidine–hydromorphone in dogs during high-quality,high-volume surgical sterilization program under field conditions

ObjectiveTo describe the anesthetic and adverse effects of an injectable anesthetic protocol in dogs as part of a high-volume sterilization program under field conditions in Belize.Study designProspective, observational, field study.AnimalsA total of 23 female and eight male dogs (14.2 ± 7.7 kg; age ≥ 8 weeks).MethodsUsing a volume per kg-based dose chart, dogs were administered ketamine (4.5 mg kg⁻¹), medetomidine (0.04 mg kg⁻¹) and hydromorphone (0.09 mg kg⁻¹) intramuscularly. After induction of anesthesia, an endotracheal tube was inserted and dogs were allowed spontaneous breathing in room air. Monitoring included peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, rectal temperature and end-tidal carbon dioxide (Pe′CO₂). Meloxicam (0.2 mg kg⁻¹) was administered subcutaneously after surgery. Data were analyzed with linear models and chi-square tests (p < 0.05).ResultsOnset of lateral recumbency (3.4 ± 2 minutes) was rapid. Desaturation (SpO₂ < 90%) was observed at least once in 64.5% of dogs and was more frequent in large dogs (p = 0.019). Hypercapnia (Pe′CO₂ ≥ 50 mmHg; 6.7 kPa) was observed in 48.4% of dogs. MAP was 111 ± 19 mmHg, mean ± standard deviation. Hypertension (MAP ≥ 120 mmHg), bradycardia (HR ≤ 60 beats minute⁻¹) and tachycardia (HR ≥ 140 beats minute⁻¹) were observed in 45.2%, 16.1% and 3.3% of dogs, respectively. Hypotension and hypothermia were not observed. Sex was not significantly associated with any complication. Return of swallowing reflex and time to standing were 71 ± 23 and 152 ± 50 minutes after injection, respectively. Return of swallowing was significantly longer in large dogs.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAt the doses used, ketamine–medetomidine–hydromorphone was effective in dogs for high-volume sterilization. In this field setting, adverse effects included hypoventilation, hypoxemia and prolonged recovery.