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.     

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.     

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in veal calves

The pharmacokinetic disposition of florfenicol was described in veal calves after administration of a single 22-mg/kg dose intravenously, orally after a 12-h fast and orally 5 min post feeding. Both serum concentrations and urinary excretion were studied. After intravenous administration the median elimination half-life was 171.9 min while the half-life of the distribution phase was 5.9 min. The median body clearance (Cl) and apparent volume of distribution (Vz) were 2.85 ml/kg/min and 0.78 l/kg, respectively. Following oral administration the median bio-availability (f) was 0.88 for calves dosed after a 12-h fast and 0.65 for calves dosed 5 min post feeding. Calves given the oral doses had a complex absorption pattern with delayed absorption. Slightly more than 50% of the administered dose both orally and intravenously was recovered as unchanged florfenicol in the urine by 30 h.     

Transportation of veal calves in Switzerland

The analysis and optimization of transportation routes of calves to slaughterhouses by means of a GIS (geographical information system) route planning and time limitation software for the fleet management in transportation industry was performed. As basic data the farms (last locations of the calves) and the slaughterhouses were available in each case with addresses and coordinates. 150 data records from 258 veal calves could be evaluated. None of the calves was transported longer than 6 hours. Therefore, in all cases the Swiss law for animal protection was obeyed concerning maximum length of transportation time. In the road model, 82% of calves were transported too far.     

Pharmacokinetics, metabolism and renal clearance of flumequine in veal calves

The pharmacokinetics of flumequine was studied in 1-, 5- and 18-week-old veal calves. A two-compartment model was used to fit the plasma concentration-time curve of flumequine after the intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg of a 10% solution. The elimination half-life (t1/2 beta) of the drug ranged from 6 to 7 h. The Vd beta and ClB of 1-week-old calves (1.07 l/kg, 1.78 ml/min/kg) were significantly lower than those of 5-week-old (1.89 l/kg, 3.23 ml/min/kg) and 18-week-old calves (1.57 l/kg, 3.10 ml/min/kg). After the oral administration of 10 mg/kg of a 2% flumequine formulation mixed with milk replacer, the Cmax was highest in 1-week-old (9.27 micrograms/ml) and lowest in 18-week-old calves (4.47 micrograms/ml). The absorption was rapid (Tmax of approximately 3 h) and complete. When flumequine itself and a formulation containing 2% flumequine and 20 X 10(6) iu of colistin sulphate were mixed with milk replacer and administered at the same dose rate, absorption was incomplete and Cmax was lower. The main urinary metabolite of flumequine was the glucuronide conjugate (approximately 40% recovery within 48 h of intravenous injection) and the second most important metabolite was 7-hydroxy-flumequine (approximately 3% recovery within 12 h of intravenous injection). Only 3.2-6.5% was excreted in the urine unchanged. After oral administration a 'first-pass' effect was observed, with a significant increase in the excretion of conjugated drug. For 1-week-old calves it is recommended that the 2% formulation should be administered at a dose rate of 8 mg/kg every 24 h or 4 mg/kg every 12 h; for calves over 6 weeks old, the dose should be increased to 15 mg/kg every 24 h or 7.5 mg/kg every 12 h. The formulation containing colistin sulphate should be administered to 1-week-old calves at a flumequine dose of 12 mg/kg every 24 h or 6 mg/kg every 12 h.     

Lung and pleural lesions of veal calves at slaughter and their relationship with carcass weight

Summary

At slaughter the lungs of 2138 veal calves (13 transport groups, mainly from different farms) were examined. Lung and pleural lesions were classified by degree of extension and pathomorphological features, and the accompanying carcass weights were measured. Seventeen percent of the calves had extensive lung lesions, extensive pleural lesions or both, and their mean carcass weight was reduced by 4.3 kg (p<0.05). The percentage of calves with extensive lesions varied between transport groups from 4% to 33%. All pleural lesions were adhesive. Most lung lesions (93%) were classified as cuffing/exudative pneumonia. Slaughterhouse inspection of lungs can be used as a non‐clinical parameter of respiratory disease in veal calves.     

Lung and pleural lesions of veal calves at slaughter and their relationship with carcass weight

At slaughter the lungs of 2138 veal calves (13 transport groups, mainly from different farms) were examined. Lung and pleural lesions were classified by degree of extension and pathomorphological features, and the accompanying carcass weights were measured. Seventeen percent of the calves had extensive lung lesions, extensive pleural lesions or both, and their mean carcass weight was reduced by 4.3 kg (p less than 0.05). The percentage of calves with extensive lesions varied between transport groups from 4% to 33%. All pleural lesions were adhesive. Most lung lesions (93%) were classified as cuffing/exudative pneumonia. Slaughterhouse inspection of lungs can be used as a non-clinical parameter of respiratory disease in veal calves.     

Oral absorption and bioavailability of flumequine in veal calves

Summary

The oral absorption and bioavailability of flumequine was studied in 1‐, 5‐ and 18‐week‐old calves following intravenous and oral administration of different formulations of flumequine (Flumix^®, Flumix C^® and pure flumequine). Increasing age had a negative influence on the C_max after the administration of Flumix^®, based on a larger V_D in the older calves. The C_max decreased from 5.02 ± 1.46 μg/ml in the first week to 3.28 ± 0.42 μg/ml in the 18th week. Adding colistin sulfate to the flumequine formulation and administring pure flumequine mixed with milk replacer had a negative effect on the C_max of flumequine after oral administration of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight. The bioavailability of the orally administered flumequine formulations was 100% in all cases except after the administration of Flumix C^®, for which it was 75.9 ± 18.2%. The urinary recovery of flumequine after intravenous injection of a 10% solution varied from 35.2 ± 2.3% for Group B. to 41.2 ± 6.3% for Group C.

The dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight Flumix^® twice daily in 1‐week‐old veal calves is sufficient to reach therapeutic plasma concentrations, based on a MIC value of 0.8 μg/ml of the target bacteria.

In older calves it is advisable to increase the dosage 7.5 or 10 mg/kg body weight every 12 hours. In combination with colistin sulfate it is also advisable to increase the dosage slightly because of the negative effect of the colistin sulfate on the C_max of flumequine.     

Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline and therapeutic implications in veal calves

Pharmacokinetic parameters of oxytetracycline were analysed in healthy preruminant veal calves after intravenous, intramuscular and oral administration. The serum half-lives in the β-elimination phase of both 10% and 20% solutions after i.v. injection of 10 mg/kg were similar (7.07 ± 1.36 h and 7.16 ± 1.17 h, mean ± SD), whereas the total body clearance and the apparent volume of distribution were higher for the 20% solution. Serum concentrations above 0.5 μg/ml were maintained with both formulations during 12–24 h but were only above 4 μg/ml to 5 h. Intramuscular administration of the 20% solution gave a complete absorption with two rate constants of absorption, a faster (t_1/2a1= 0.27 h) and a slower one (t_1/2a2= 10.90 h) responsible for the delayed elimination half-life after this route of application (t_1/2β= 9.83 ± 1.35 h). Mean serum concentrations reached a maximum level of 3.01 ± 0.72 μg/ml at 4.01 ± 2.84 h and decreased to 0.5 μg/ml between 12 and 24 h. 50 mg/kg given orally with a milk replacer were found to have a mean bioavailability of 46.35%. A mean serum peak level of 4.99 ± 1.37 μg/ml was achieved at 9.16 ± 1.99 h and the mean concentration was still above 0.5 μg/ml after 48 h. The elimination half-life (t_1/2β= 10.66 ± 3.15 h) reflected the slow absorption step (t_1/2a2= 10.15 h) following that responsible for the initial faster absorption (t_1/2a2= 1.99 h). Comparison of the area under the serum curves gave mean values of 117% for tetracycline and of 53% for chlortetracycline relative to oxytetracycline (arbitrarily fixed at 100%) after identical oral dosage of the three tetracyclines. We also propose and discuss a dosage schedule based on minimal inhibitory concentrations of different susceptible pathogens     

Mucosal uptake,mucosal transfer and retention of iron in veal calves

A method for studying iron absorption in humans was adapted to veal calves. Three 10-week-old calves with moderate (calves 1 and 2) or severe (calf 3) iron deficiency were given an abomasal injection of⁵⁹Fe and⁵¹Cr and all their faeces were collected over 15 days in order to measure mucosal uptake, mucosal transfer and retention of iron. The mucosal uptake was 62.2, 53.4 and 71.8% in calves 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The iron retention measured 14 days after administration of the test dose was 57.4, 52.3 and 56.4% in calves 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Maximal plasma activity was found in all three calves between 1 1/2 and 2 h after injection of the test dose. The plasma activity decreased rapidly, with a slight increase between the 5th and the 10th hour. After 21 h, less than 0.25% of the injected dose was still present in 1 litre of plasma. Not all the⁵¹Cr was recovered in the faeces. No⁵⁹Fe was found in the urine but some⁵¹Cr could be detected. The results of this study show that the method described is useful for measuring the different steps of iron absorption in iron-deficient veal calves.Abbreviations Hb haemoglobin concentration - MCV mean corpuscular volume - PCV packed cell volume - PI plasma iron - RBC red blood cell count - R iron retention - TIBC total iron-binding capacity - TIBC-SAT saturation of the total iron-binding capacity - U mucosal uptake     

Oral absorption and bioavailability of flumequine in veal calves

The oral absorption and bioavailability of flumequine was studied in 1-, 5- and 18-week-old calves following intravenous and oral administration of different formulations of flumequine (Flumix, Flumix C and pure flumequine). Increasing age had a negative influence on the Cmax after the administration of Flumix, based on a larger VD in the older calves. The Cmax decreased from 5.02 +/- 1.46 micrograms/ml in the first week to 3.28 +/- 0.42 micrograms/ml in the 18th week. Adding colistin sulfate to the flumequine formulation and administring pure flumequine mixed with milk replacer had a negative effect on the Cmax of flumequine after oral administration of 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight. The bioavailability of the orally administered flumequine formulations was 100% in all cases except after the administration of Flumix C, for which it was 75.9 +/- 18.2%. The urinary recovery of flumequine after intravenous injection of a 10% solution varied from 35.2 +/- 2.3% for Group B, to 41.2 +/- 6.3% for Group C. The dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight Flumix twice daily in 1-week-old veal calves is sufficient to reach therapeutic plasma concentrations, based on a MIC value of 0.8 micrograms/ml of the target bacteria. In older calves it is advisable to increase the dosage 7.5 or 10 mg/kg body weight every 12 hours. In combination with colistin sulfate it is also advisable to increase the dosage slightly because of the negative effect of the colistin sulfate on the Cmax of flumequine.     

Relative bioavailability of microgranulated sulfadimidine in veal calves

The kinetics of free and microgranulated sulfadimidine were compared in milk-fed calves dosed orally (180 mg/kg) in a crossover study. Microgranulation results in delayed absorption of sulfadimidine and poor bioavailability, with the area under the plasma concentration-time curve ( AUC (O-oo)) reduced from 7400 to 3781 μg·h/mL, and maximum plasma concentration ( C _max) reduced from 188.1 ± 39.0 to 84.41 ± 22.6 μg/mL. It is concluded that sulfadimidine microgranulated with long chain fatty acids is not suitable for use in milk-fed calves; the gastrointestinal transit time is too rapid to allow full release of the drug, markedly limiting its bioavailability. In adult animals, or in the young of other animal species in which digesta transit time is slower than in calves, the bioavailability of microgranulated sulfadimidine may be much greater.     

A survey of abomasal ulceration in veal calves

Abomasal ulceration was found in 264 of 304 commercially reared veal calves at slaughter. The incidence and severity of lesions were greatest in loose housed calves with access to straw and fed milk substitute ad libitum. The majority of lesions were located in the distal pylorus. There was no evidence that the abomasal erosions and ulcers found in the majority of veal calves affected their growth rate or were deleterious to their welfare. It is suggested that pyloric ulceration may be related to the diet of veal calves.     

温湿度与母猪受胎率关系的研究

通过对中山市某大型猪场 449头母猪第一情期受胎率的统计及其与温湿度等主要气候生态因子的相关分析表明 ,气温对母猪第一情期受胎率的影响较大 ,它们之间呈极显著的负相关关系。其中月均气温、平均最高气温、平均最低气温及高于 30℃天数与母猪第一情期受胎率的相关系数分别为 - 0 8875 ,- 0 850 7、 - 0 90 84和 - 0 90 5 9,而气湿与情期受胎率的相关系数只有 - 0 2 65 7,经检验相关关系不显著 (P >0 0 5)。高温高湿的气候 ,最易使母猪第一情期受胎率下降。改善养猪的环境 ,夏季要注意防暑或调整日粮或配种时间 ,以提高受胎率     

Prevalence of respiratory pathogens in diseased, non-vaccinated, routinely medicated veal calves

The prevalence of respiratory pathogens in diseased veal calves was determined in 24 respiratory disease outbreaks in 15 herds in Belgium. Bacteria were cultured from nasopharyngeal swabs and seroconversion against viruses and Mycoplasma bovis was determined on paired sera. At the individual calf level, Mycoplasma species, Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida, were isolated from 70.5 per cent, 21.5 per cent and 26.0 per cent of swabs, respectively. At the herd level, the presence of M bovis could be confirmed in 84.6 per cent of the herds examined. Seroconversion against bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) was present in 71.4 per cent of herds, parainfluenzavirus type 3 in 53.3 per cent, bovine respiratory syncytial virus in 40.0 per cent, bovine adenovirus type 3 in 46.7 per cent, bovine coronavirus in 30.0 per cent, and bovine herpesvirus type 1 in 26.7 per cent. At postmortem examination, Mycoplasma species could be cultured from 61.9 per cent of pneumonic lungs (n=21). Sixty per cent of calves tested were positive for BVDV (n=20), and 20.0 per cent were positive for bovine respiratory syncytial virus (n=16).     

The pharmacokinetics and residues of clenbuterol in veal calves.

Seven female Brown Swiss calves were used to study the pharmacokinetics of clenbuterol after an effective anabolic dosage of 5 micrograms/kg of BW was given twice daily for 3 wk. Analyses of clenbuterol concentrations in different tissues was done by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Tissue samples were taken from three calves on the last day of administration and from two more after 3.5 or 14 d of clenbuterol withdrawal. The rate of clenbuterol elimination was dependent on time and tissue. Clenbuterol concentrations in the lung dropped from a mean of 76 ng/g to a level of less than .08 ng/g after 14 d, whereas in the liver the clenbuterol concentrations decreased from 46 ng/g to .6 ng/g within 14 d of withdrawal. Highest levels were always found in the eye: 118 ng/g, 57.5 ng/g, and 15.1 ng/g after 0, 3.5, and 14 d of withdrawal, respectively. These data reveal that different compartments contribute to the elimination of clenbuterol; therefore, concentrations in urine do not follow first order kinetics. An initial rapid decline in the concentration of clenbuterol in urine with a half-life of 10 h is followed by a slower elimination with a half-life of about 2.5 d. Treatments using the anabolic dose of 5 micrograms/kg of BW require longer withdrawal times than the therapeutic dose (.8 micrograms/kg BW).     

Pathology and residues in veal calves treated experimentally with clenbuterol

Six veal calves were medicated with clenbuterol at 20 μg kg bodyweight⁻¹ day⁻¹ for 42 days before they were slaughtered, to evaluate the lesions and residues in target organs. Compared with six unmedicated calves the most noticeable changes were tracheal dilatation, decreased uterine weight, slight mucous hypersecretion in the uterus and vagina and depletion of liver glycogen. The highest concentrations of clenbuterol (62 to 128 ng/g⁻¹) were recorded in the choroid/retina, and the aqueous humour had the lowest concentration (0·5 to 2·4 ng ml⁻¹). The residue concentrations were higher than the maximum residue level set for clenbuterol (0·5 ng g⁻¹)     

Relationships between acid-base balance, serum composition and colostrum absorption in newborn calves

Twenty-seven newborn Holstein bull calves were bottle-fed 2 litres of pooled colostrum which had been stored at -20 degrees C. Blood gas analysis before feeding showed a partially compensated respiratory acidosis in most of the calves, although they all appeared to be clinically normal. Mean venous blood pH was 7.346, carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) was 57.5 mmHg (7.6 kPa), bicarbonate was 30.6 mmol/l and base excess was 3.82 mmol/l. Mean serum IgG1 increased to 8.1 g/l after feeding colostrum. Several significant positive correlations were observed between post-absorptive serum protein, IgG1, IgM, gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma GT) and D-xylose. Calves with either low serum albumin, high serum CK or low serum gamma GT before feeding tended to have less absorption of colostral protein. It was concluded that reduced absorption of IgG1 from colostrum is associated with hypercapnia in apparently healthy newborn calves.