Idiopathic systemic granulomatous disease with encephalitis in a horse

A 14-year-old standardbred mare with clinically suspected acute bronchitis was killed because of rapidly progressing central nervous disturbances. Necropsy revealed systemic granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis involving the lungs, thoracic lymph nodes, ribs, and liver. In the cerebrum there was a severe subacute bilateral encephalitis and malacia predominately affecting the white matter, and vasculitis with perivascular infiltration of lymphocytes, macrophages, and giant cells. A causative infectious agent could not be detected by Ziehl-Neelsen, Grocott, or Giemsa stains, by periodic acid-Schiff reaction of tissue sections, nor by bacterial and fungal cultures. Therefore, idiopathic systemic granulomatous disease (ISGD) was diagnosed and an immune-mediated pathogenesis was suspected. Inflammatory involvement of the brain has hitherto not been reported in cases of equine ISGD. This case seems to be an uncommon variant of ISGD with encephalitis and lack of dermal involvement.     

夏季高温对不同产量奶牛生产性能的影响

为了探讨夏季高温对高产和低产奶牛产奶量和乳组成的影响,选择40头健康荷斯坦奶牛,分为高产组和低产组,每组20头,高产奶牛日产奶量在35 kg以上,低产奶牛日产奶量为20~30 kg。试验在夏季进行,试验期间每日8:00、14:00和20:00记录奶牛的呼吸数和直肠温度,每周记录3天奶牛产奶量,每周选1d的混合奶样测定乳成分。结果表明:在牛舍平均温湿指数为81.9条件下,高产奶牛的产奶量下降了29.3%(P0.01),低产奶牛的产奶量下降了7.6%(P0.05);高、低产奶牛的乳脂率分别升高了10.21%和8%(P0.05),而乳蛋白率没有显著变化。高产奶牛的乳脂率显著高于低产奶牛(P0.05)。由此可见,高温季节高产奶牛的产奶量下降幅度大于低产奶牛,具有较高的乳脂率。     

An outbreak of sand impaction in postpartum dairy cows

Twenty-two cases of indigestion occurred in a 650-cow herd. Five cows had severe sand abomasal impaction, diagnosed by laparotomy. The pH of prepartum cows' urine was < 6.0 and of sand 8.0. Feed showed a dietary cation-anion difference < or = -110 mEq/kg. After feeding management corrections, no more cases were diagnosed.     

Relation between stockperson behavior toward cows in a holding area and milk yields

To assess the effects of negative and positive behaviors on milk yields, this study examined the attitudes and behaviors of stockpersons toward their cows and milk yields at a farm where 15 workers milked 67 cows as rotating shift work. At a holding area when moving cows to the parlor, stockperson behaviors were observed at 34 milkings. Behaviors were classified as negative (NEG) or positive (POS): NEG were attempts to move cows using touching (NT), vocalization (NV), and gestures (NG); POS were communications without attempting to move cows, consisting of touch (PT) or vocalization (PV). Numbers of NV and NEG were negatively correlated with milk yields of first parity (p < .05). Average milk yields of first parity and all cows were higher when PT were observed (p < .001, p < .0001) and POS were observed (p < .001 and p < .0001). Numbers of PT were positively correlated with milk yields of first parity (p < .05). Average milk yields of second parity were higher when PV was observed (p < .01). Positive behaviors, especially touching, are related to higher herd milk yields. Negative behaviors such as negative vocalizations are related to lower yields of younger cows.     

中国西门塔尔牛测定日产奶量性状协方差函数估计

利用第一泌乳期5700个测定日奶量数据，使用DFREML(3．1)估计了测定日产奶量的方差协方差。得出方差一协方差函数矩阵，发现勒让德多项式的协方差函数最佳配合阶数是9，误差方差回归阶数是5。第一泌乳期加性遗传协方差除泌乳初期约40～60天内测定日产奶量协方差较大外，其它日产奶量的协方差均接近x轴。     

Concentrations of oestrone sulphate during pregnancy in milk from Jersey and Friesian dairy cows differing in milk yields and composition

Oestrone sulphate concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in milk samples obtained weekly during pregnancy from Jersey and Friesian cows, with each breed grazed at two different stocking rates. Mean milk yields differed significantly (P<0.05) between the four herds, while mean percentage milk fat and protein values differed significantly (P<0.05) between the two breeds. In all four herds, oestrone sulphate concentrations in milk rose progressively during pregnancy from a mean value of approximately 80-100 pg/ml at 60-80 days of pregnancy to a plateau value of approximately 1 ng/ml at 181-200 days. In non-pregnant cows, oestrone sulphate concentrations in milk ranged from non-detectable to 110 pg/ml, with a mean +/- s.e.m. value of 59 +/- 4 pg/ml. There was considerable variation in milk oestrone sulphate concentrations between cows in each herd, and oestrone sulphate concentrations could also fluctuate markedly within cows from week to week. Despite this variation, the concentration of oestrone sulphate in 98% of milk samples obtained after 120 days of pregnancy was greater than the highest concentration found in milk from non-pregnant cows. Measurement of oestrone sulphate concentrations in milk samples taken at least 120 days after mating or insemination may provide an alternative, non-invasive means of determining or confirming pregnancy in New Zealand dairy cows.     

An outbreak of dictyocaulosis in lactating cows on a dairy farm

CASE DESCRIPTION: The owner of a herd of 74 Holstein-Friesian cattle reported decreased milk production, weight loss, and coughing among lactating cows. Owner-initiated antimicrobial treatment was unsuccessful; 1 lactating cow died, and 50% of the lactating cows had clinical signs of respiratory distress, such as tachypnea and coughing. CLINICAL FINDINGS: On the basis of history, physical examination findings, and fecal examination results, affected animals were determined to have Dictyocaulus viviparus (lungworm) infestation. The disease history suggested that the herd contained cows with subclinical patent lungworm infestations; after introduction of susceptible heifers, the pastures had become heavily infested with D viviparus and clinical problems subsequently developed in both newly introduced and resident cows. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Affected and unaffected heifers and adult cows were treated with a pour-on formulation of eprinomectin (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb]). One animal died, but 2 weeks after treatment, clinical signs among affected cattle were markedly improved. Ten weeks after treatment, milk production improved from 23 kg/cow/d (51 lb/cow/d) to 28 kg/cow/d (62 lb/cow/d). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The outbreak provides additional evidence that dictyocaulosis is becoming more common among adult dairy cattle, rather than almost exclusively affecting young stock. This may be attributable to anthelmintic use and management practices on dairy farms. Combined with anecdotal reports of an increase in the incidence of dictyocaulosis among adult cattle in North America, D viviparus infestation should be included as a differential diagnosis for decreased milk production, weight loss, and coughing among adult dairy cattle.     

奶牛饲喂高蛋白质尿素复合营养舔砖的效果

随着人民生活水平的提高 ,对奶制品需求越来越多 ,在奶牛头数短期内不可能激增的情况下 ,尽快缓解矛盾的唯一办法是改善饲养管理提高奶牛日产奶量。目前奶牛饲养水平低下的主要症结是严重缺乏蛋白质饲料。解决的主要途径是充分利用尿素等非蛋白氮 (ＮＰＮ)。尿素等ＮＰＮ是反刍动物瘤胃微生物的一大氮源。尿素蛋白质当量为 2 88% ,豆饼含蛋白质 43 % ,也就是说 ,理论上 1ｔ尿素相当于 7ｔ豆饼含蛋白质量。虽然经过一个半世纪 ,对反刍动物利用ＮＰＮ在理论与实践中都取得了重大进展 ,逐步形成了瘤胃微生物利用ＮＰＮ的机制以及反刍动物氮平衡…     

Use of systemic disease signs to assess disease severity in dairy cows with acute coliform mastitis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of systemic disease signs for classifying severity of acute coliform mastitis in dairy cows. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 144 dairy cows. PROCEDURE: Cows were examined at the time of initial identification of disease (time 0) and classified as having mild, moderate, or severe disease on the basis of rectal temperature, hydration status, rumen contraction rate, and attitude. A CBC and serum biochemical analyses were performed, and milk samples were submitted for bacterial culture at time 0 and 48 hours later. RESULTS: 69 cows were classified as having mild disease, 44 as having moderate disease, and 31 as having severe disease. Median WBC and neutrophil counts were significantly lower in cows with moderate or severe disease at time 0 than in cows with mild disease. Band neutrophil count was significantly higher at 48 hours and serum calcium concentration was significantly lower at time 0 and at 48 hours in cows with severe or moderate disease, compared with cows with mild disease. Twenty-eight, 51, and 77% of cows with mild, moderate, and severe disease, respectively, had > 100,000 colony-forming units/ml of milk at time 0. The odds that a cow with severe disease would die or be culled were 3.6 times the odds for a cow with moderate disease and 11.2 times the odds for a cow with mild disease. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that a classification scheme based on readily observable systemic disease signs can be used to classify disease severity in cows with acute coliform mastitis.     

Loss of milk yield due to Akabane disease in dairy cows

Akabane disease is an infection with clinical signs of congenital malformation and abortion in ruminants. Abnormal parturitions caused by Akabane disease result in great economic loss. The purpose of this study is to estimate the reduction in the milk yield from abnormal parturition due to Akabane disease. The data were collected from 33 Holstein cows on 11 farms. The animals had abnormal parturitions during the period from September 1998 to March 1999, and were diagnosed as having Akabane disease. The mean and standard deviation of the rate of reduction in the milk yield of 33 cows after abnormal parturition caused by Akabane disease was -11.4 +/- 14.9%. The means and standard deviations of the rate of reduction of four cows calving abnormally at 220-239 days of gestation, nine cows calving abnormally at 240-270 days of gestation, and 20 cows calving abnormally at 271-300 days of gestation were -26.6 +/- 24.7%, -14.7 +/- 11.0%, and -6.9 +/- 12.3%, respectively. In this study, we demonstrated that the rate of reduction in the milk yield in cows affected by Akabane disease was -11.4 +/- 14.9%, but values as high as -26.6 +/- 24.7% were reached in the comparison with the milk yield obtained after normal parturition.     

An outbreak of granulomatous peritonitis caused by injectable selenium in a flock of Merino sheep

During meat inspection, unusual pigmented lesions were found in the abdomens of 411 sheep from a flock raised in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. In each affected sheep there were multiple discrete, soft, yellow homogeneous plaques beneath the parietal peritoneum and extending into marginating facial planes of the diaphragm and body wall. Microscopically, the lesions consisted of focal granulomatous peritonitis with intracellular acicular refractile golden-brown crystals. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed intralesional barium and selenium, two components of an injectable selenium compound administered to the sheep 6-8 months prior, which contains the yellow pigment, iron oxide. The mechanism of subperitoneal deposition of the compound could not be confirmed, but is presumed to have involved intraperitoneal injection of barium selenate. Meat inspectors and diagnosticians should consider barium selenate injection-site granulomas as a possible explanation for yellow pigmented lesions, especially in livestock from selenium-deficient areas. Animal care providers should be aware that incorrect administration of barium selenate can result in losses from condemnation or downgrading of meat product.     

Effect of somatic cell count on milk and protein yields and female fertility in Tunisian Holstein dairy cows

The effects of test-day somatic cell scores (SCS) variations on milk and protein yields, and calving to first service and calving to conception intervals were studied in Tunisian Holsteins. There were 34,129, 25,700, and 18,077 test-day production records collected on first, second, and third parity cows, respectively. Records were of cows calving between 1996 and 2004 in 160 herds. Somatic cell scores and milk and protein yields were analysed using a linear model that included herd-test-day date and herd–year interactions, calving season, calving age, and calving to conception interval. Reproductive trait model included herd–year interaction, calving season, calving age, and month of insemination. Effects of SCS on milk and protein yields were studied by regressing current test-day yields on corresponding and preceding test-day SCS, while effects of SCS on fertility traits were investigated by separately regressing calving to first service and calving to conception intervals corrected for environmental and management factors on SCS corrected for actual milk yield. A cow produced around 19.0 kg (SD = 8.0 kg) and 0.6 kg (SD = 0.3 kg) milk and protein yields on a daily basis and had an average of 3.8 (SD = 2.1) SCS in the first three lactations. SCS varied consistently (p < 0.05) with herd-test-day date and herd–year interactions in all lactations. Days in milk, calving age, and calving to conception interval were all together important sources of variation (p < 0.05) for SCS mainly in the first and second parities. Test-day milk and protein yields were unfavourably affected by high SCS recorded in the same test-day and with a lesser degree by SCS observed in the nearest preceding test-day. Reduction in milk and protein productions from increased SCS varied from 0.23 to 1.76 kg and from 6 to 75 g, respectively. Likewise, increased test-day SCS lengthened both calving to first service (mean interval = 94.9 days; SD = 49.1 days) and calving to conception (mean interval = 161 days; SD = 69.6 days) intervals by 1.3 to 2.0 days for each unit increase in SCS. Using SCS in addition to milk traits as a criterion to select semen and improving veterinary care should result in increased milk and protein yields and in satisfactory fertility measures.     

Cutaneous and systemic granulomatous disease associated with hairy vetch toxicosis in a French Holstein dairy herd

This report describes an outbreak of hairy vetch toxicosis afflicting a herd of cattle with a fatal cutaneous and systemic granulomatous disease. It highlights how this condition remains poorly recognized by cattle production professionals in Europe and the need for communication about vetch-associated diseases.     

Changes in milk yield in dairy cows associated with metabolic and reproductive disease and lameness

A study was undertaken of 1594 lactations occurring in 732 British Friesian, Ayrshire and Holstein crossbred cows. One thousand two-hundred of these lactations were used to consider the association between the occurrence of hypocalcaemia, ketosis, hypomagnesaemia, dystocia, retained placenta, endometritis and lameness and changes in milk yield. A statistical technique was applied which used the relationship between pairs of consecutive lactations in the same cow to assess losses in milk yield associated with disease relative to an individual's own potential. Seven hundred and seventy-two pairs of consecutive lactations from the 1200 lactations were available for this purpose.Average significant reductions of 6–7% in peak milk yield occurred in lactations in which the cow had a retained placenta or ketosis. Cows which had ketosis showed a slower decline in milk yield in later lactation and there was no overall significant difference in 305-day milk yield, However, for cows which had a retained placenta, there was no corresponding reduction in rate of decline, and 305-day milk yield was on average 7% lower. There were no significant associations between hypocalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, dystocia or endometritis and milk yield.Cases of lameness, which occurred during a 20-week period following peak yield and were mainly associated with lesions involving the interdigital cleft and sole or white line sites of the claw, were more common in cows which had higher than average peak milk yields. Heel lesions appeared to be associated with lower than average 305-day yields, but this may have been due to variations in incidence with season.