Myocardial fibrosis of cattle in Hesse]

Between 1986 and 1989 there were 9 cases of idiopathic congestive heart failure at this clinic. Normally heifers in the last 1/3 of pregnancy and young cows aged between 2.5 and 3.5 years were affected, but the disease also occurred in one younger (1.5 years), one older (6 years) and in one male animal. In contrast to other reports, myocardial fibrosis in the State of Hesse was only seen in the Rotbunte breed. The animals suffered from a severe heart failure with venous congestion and congestive edema of the brisket, the submandibular area and the ventral abdomen. In most cases there is no precise difference in history, clinical findings and laboratory findings between myocardial fibrosis, traumatic pericarditis and endocarditis valvularis. Only pathological and histological examinations of the heart confirm a suspected myocardial fibrosis: The heart is enlarged and dilatated and seems to be non-elastic. Microscopically a scattered interstitial fibrosis and signs of myocardial degeneration are visible.     

The clinical effectiveness of FSH-P for induction of superovulation in cattle]

The clinical efficacy of FSH-P for the initiation of superovulation in cattle was examined on 1000 animals of the Deutsche Schwarzbunte and Rotbunte breeds of RPN Verden during the years 1988 and 1989. In untreated cattle only one embryo is found (R. J. Mapletoft 1983, Roselius 1989). In the group of the FSH-P treated animals, the number of transferable embryos was 5.8 +/- 3.6. The 25% percentile was 3 and the 75% percentile was 8. A seasonal dependence was not found.     

Accumulated occurrence of lipomatosis in a cattle herd in Assiut (Egypt)

A total number of 30 native breed cows were used in this investigation. Ten animals were clinically healthy and kept as control, while 20 diseased cows were selected according to rectal findings. At the beginning of the disease, the cows appeared obese with marked deposition of fat in the subcutaneous tissue at the lumbosacral area, later on they became emaciated. Additional signs were digestive disturbance in form of diarrhea or constipation and tympany. Rectal examination revealed hard irregular masses of various size which were palpated in the pelvis, the perirenal area around the colon and the rectum. More information about the nature and character of the lesions were taken from slaughtered cows. Biochemical analysis, including total lipids, cholesterol triglycerides and creatine kinase, were carried out in both healthy and diseased cows. In advanced cases of bovine lipomatosis hyperlipemia and hypercholesterolemia as well as increased creatine kinase values were constant findings. The aetiology of this disease is still unknown.     

The effect of environmental factors on the occurrence of udder diseases]

The influence of housing factors on udder diseases was investigated in 2156 tiestall barns with 41893 cows and in 98 loose housed herds with 4126 cows. In loose housed herds less teat injuries were observed and also less mastitis than in tiestall barns. Within the different tiestall systems there was a trend to more udder diseases in short standings with a dung grid than in other systems. The ordinary neck chain and the "Grabner"-tethering system showed better results than the horizontal chain and the yoke tying system. Stall partitions between the cows caused a marked reduction of udder diseases. The installation of a cow trainer showed advantages regarding udder diseases. Inaccurate standing measurements (length and width) caused more udder diseases. When the metal grid was in poor condition, the incidence of teat injuries as well as udder diseases of heifers increased. Teat injuries and udder infections were more frequent when limb or digit injuries were found. Regular hoof care twice a year reduced the udder disease rate. Bedding material influenced the incidence of udder diseases positively. On farms where the cows were on pasture, the incidence of udder infections was higher than on farms where the cows were permanently housed. Heifers that were tied as calves or as juveniles showed significantly less udder diseases than those that were raised in groups. Faults in milking, defects in milking machines and deficits in milking hygiene showed a negative effect on udder diseases.     

Detection of embryonic mortality in cattle using sonography]

In 70 pregnant cattle the diameter of conceptus, the size of embryo and corpus luteum were estimated with a 5 MHz-linear array scanner on days 22, 25, 28, 35 and 42 (+/- 1 day) after insemination. Additionally, the milk progesterone level was determined. Embryonic mortality was found in 7 cases, in 3 cows on day 35, in 4 cows on day 42. The lack of embryonic heart beat was the first sign; later in pregnancy significant differences in sizes of conceptus and embryo compared with physiological pregnancies occurred. Membranes and bubble-like structures became visible in the lumen of the conceptus. The conceptus could be detected until the following oestrus, which began 8 to 42 days after embryonic death. The corpus luteum remained until proestrus. This correlated positively with the progesterone levels.     

Hematologic and clinico-chemical research findings in calves and young cattle with ileus

The impairment of fluid, electrolyte and acid-base status which is observed in calves and juvenile cattle as a result of ileus and subileus is not only dependent on form and site of the obstruction, but is also influenced considerably by the duration of the condition and any coexisting disease. This publication reviews the most important blood, urine and ruminal fluid parameters in such patients. The diagnostic significance of the laboratory values under discussion is not so great with obstructions to the caudal part of the digestive tract. However, markedly raised ruminal fluid chloride levels, combined with hypochloraemia and a metabolic acidosis, are indicative of an "abomasoruminal reflux syndrome" resulting from an obstruction in the region of the abomasum or cranial small intestine.     

Hypopituitarism as the possible cause of prolonged gestation in cattle]

Multiple malformations were shown in a bovine fetus delivered at slaughter after a gestation period of 469 days. Hypoplasia of the adenohypophysis and a bilateral agenesis of the adrenal cortex suggest that the failure of initiation of parturition resulted from a fetal deficiency of ACTH and glucocorticoid hormones. ACTH, GH (growth hormone) and prolactin could not be demonstrated immunohistochemically within the adenohypophysis. However, TSH immunoreactive pituitary cells were demonstrable. Nevertheless, considering the extremely reduced size of the adenohypophysis a fetal deficiency of TSH is suspected. This view is supported by a bilateral hypoplasia of the thyroid gland. Additionally, the complex fetal endocrine dysfunction had led to a growth retardation of the fetus.     

A balloon probe for the treatment of recurrent bloat in calves and young cattle

For the treatment of recurrent bloat a soft-rubber balloon tube which is inserted through the nose into the rumen and can stay there for several days was developed. The inflated balloon ensures a floating of the tip of the tube in the dorsal gas cap above the rumen contents. The tube can also be used as a prophylactic measure to avoid excessive ruminal gas accumulation in recumbent patients during surgery. This report describes the experiences with this balloon tube gathered in 23 clinical patients.     

Infection with Leptospira interrogans, serovar mozdok, in cattle]

In East Germany the same serovar, Leptospira mozdok, of the Pomona serogroup is found in cattle as well as in swine populations (Zieris 1989). Nowadays cases of bovine leptospirosis caused by infection with L. pomona have no significance. There are marked epizoological differences between infection with L. mozdok and L. pomona. The main source of infection with L. mozdok for cattle is the black striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius). Secondary homonomous transmission occurs among the cattle. The clinical course of both infections is the same--including peracute, acute and chronic forms. Important prophylactic measures are effective rodent control and optimising hygiene conditions both in housing and on pasture. Veterinarians in abattoirs must consider leptospirosis in the differential diagnosis in cases with icteric signs, especially when the meat is derived from emergency slaughter.     

Papillomatosis of cattle and its relationship to equine sarcoid]

The aetiology and the pathogenesis of equine sarcoids are described. Aspects of therapy are discussed.     

Multiple myeloma/plasmacytoma in a young dog]

A multiple myeloma in an unusually young Cairn terrier (13 months, female) is described. Radiographically, pelvic tumor masses and characteristic systemic osteolysis were found at the end of the 4 week disease course. Therapeutic attempts were hopeless at this stage of the disease, but a form of chemotherapy is recommended.