Editorial Note

In the article “Experimental infection of the possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) with Leptospira interrogans serovar balcanica. I. A comparison of laboratory techniques for the detection of leptospiraemia and leptospiruria” by S. C. Hathaway (N.Z.vet.J.29: 121-5) Tables II and III did not relate to the text. All reprints of this article will contain the correct Tables.     

Finding Avian Health Information

This article explores informational resources and basic search strategies used to locate documents for practicing evidence-based avian medicine. It discusses selected databases that are available for locating articles and documents relating to avian health, which would include companion birds, avian wildlife, and birds maintained in zoological collections. Tables are incorporated to identify which electronic databases contain specific avian journals and subsequent number of avian veterinary documents appearing in each listed publication.     

Oral surgery. Radical resection of maxillary and mandibular lesions

The results obtained following both maxillectomy and mandibulectomy in animals with benign disease show that these procedures are practical. The challenge is to select those animals with malignant disease where the disease is sufficiently localized so that radical resection will be curative, or where residual disease can be controlled by adjuvant therapy. The series of cases reported in Tables 1 and 2 represent animals treated during the "developmental phase" of these procedures. With 5 years of case experience now available, the usefulness and limitations of these procedures are becoming clearer.     

The influence of the pH of feed on the acid-base balance of mink.

The acid-base balance in small carnivores (mink, Mustela vison) was examined during 6 feeding periods, when the same animals were given different feeds during a prolonged time. The feeds consisted of normal farm feed to which different amounts of sulphuric acid-preserved feed and feed silaged with organic acids were added (Tables I--II). When the pH of the feed was decreased to below 5.5, the acid-base balance of the animals was changed and metabolic acidosis occurred (Tables III--V, Fig. 1). On neutralization of the acid-preserved feed a normal acid-base balance could be maintained. However, the growth of the animals was reduced after prolonged feeding with silage as they lost weight during the following periods (Table vii).     

A method to rapidly convert Newcastle disease virus and infectious bronchitis virus ImmunoComb scores into conventional hemagglutination-inhibition titers

ImmunoComb scores are highly correlated to hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) titers against infectious bronchitis virus and Newcastle disease virus. Statistical calculations permit using an individual COMBSCORE to predict the corresponding HI titer value. Tables are presented to facilitate the transformation of COMBSCORES into HI titers.     

Localization of glycoconjugates in dog parotid gland by lectin histochemistry

Parotid glands from adult dogs were stained with a battery of seven horseradish peroxidase-conjugated lectins (PNA, UEA, LTA, DBA, SBA, WGA and ConA). In some cases (PNA and DBA) neuraminidase digestion was followed by lectin staining. Acinar cells contained conspicuous quantities of oligosaccharides with terminal sialic acid radicals. Galactosil-(13)N-acetylgalactosamine was the most abundant penultimate sugar linked toN-acetylneuraminic acid. Sialylated components having the terminal dimer sialic acid-N-acetylgalactosamine were found in the acinar cells. Secretory cells presented a heterogeneous distribution of glycoconjugates with terminal fucose and -N-acetylgalactosamine. Fucose,N-acetylglucosamine and -N-acetylgalactosamine were present on the apical cytoplasm and surface of the striated and interlobular duct cells. This glycosidic composition was unaffected by extensive selective breeding. The role of abundant amounts of sialic acid radicals in the oral mucosa was considered.Abbreviations HRP horseradish peroxidase - PBS phosphate-buffered saline see also Tables I and III     

乳牛产乳量与几项系统因子间的回归关系及其应用

本文以武汉市武昌奶牛场、八一奶牛场 1995～ 1999年 5 6 3头荷斯坦牛的产奶量记录为材料 ,采用多项式回归法 ,研究了武汉市荷斯坦奶牛产奶量与其泌乳天数、胎次和产犊月份 (季节 )几项因素之间的一元回归关系以及与年—季、胎次和泌乳天数之间的多元回归关系。得出了 4个最优回归方程 ,其拟合度 (R2 )分别达到 0 95 6 (P<0 0 1)、0 990 (P <0 0 1)、0 988(P <0 0 1)、0 5 6 3(P <0 0 5 ) ,并据此制订了武汉市乳牛产奶量的校正系数表 ,供生产实际应用     

Factors Responsible for Smaller Pelvic Muscle Mass in Dysplastic Dogs

Pectineus muscles of 23 German shephard dogs were studied. 10 dogs had normal hips, 13 dogs had hip dysplasia. The relative weight of each pectineus muscle was determined, when the dogs were 24 months old. Cryostat sections were stained for demonstration of ATPase, thereby differentiating muscle fibres into type I (slow twitch), type II (fast twitch) and intermediate fibres. The results (Tables 1–3) shows, that the relative pectineus muscle weight was smaller in dysplastic dogs and there were significantly fewer type I muscle fibres in the pectineus muscles of dysplastic dogs.     

Studies on the Occurrence of Peptococcus Indolicus and Corynebacterium Pyogenes in Apparently Healthy Cattle

A total of 1050 samples from apparently healthy cattle were examined bacteriologically with special regard to Pc. indolicus and Cb. pyogenes.Pc. indolicus was found in 58 % of 130 samples from tonsils (slaughterhouse material), in 23 % of 620 samples from the vagina of cows, in 22 % of 100 samples from the vagina of calves and heifers, in 5 % of 100 samples from the conjunctival sac of cows, and in 10 % of 100 samples from the nasal cavity of cows (Table 1). Cb. pyogenes was found in 51 %, 17 %, 19 %, 8 %, and 6 %, respectively. Both organisms were found in each of 9 herds examined, though with varying frequency (Tables 2, 3, and 4).Altogether Pc, indolicus was found in 254 (24 %) and Cb. pyogenes in 205 (20 %) of the samples examined (Table 1). In 127 samples both organisms were present. Eleven of the strains of Pc. indolicus were β-hemolytic, the rest non-hemolytic.By gel diffusion analysis the strains of Pc. indolicus as well as those of Gb. pyogenes could be identified with strains originating from pathological conditions in cattle. With Serotype B occurring most frequently, usually two or three different types of Pc. indolicus were found in each of the herds examined (Tables 5, 6, and 7).The investigation has shown that Pc. indolicus is widespread among healthy cattle, and given evidence to suggest that Pc. indolicus and Cb. pyogenes are natural cohabitants.     

Esophagostomy Tubes: Don't Underutilize Them!

Critical care veterinarians observe a wide variety of patients who easily become malnourished and display negative nitrogen balance due to inappetance, complete anorexia, vomiting, or inability to normally prehend food, as in patients with head and facial trauma (Tables 1 and 2). Negative nitrogen balance is associated with delayed wound healing and increased incidences of gastroinstestinal mucosal atrophy, bacterial translocation, sepsis, and mortality. Early interventional nutrition is necessary for maintenance of normal function and for proper healing to occur. While total parenteral nutrition (TNP) is an option, enteral nutrition is preferred whenever possible. Enterocytes undergo atrophy within several days in the absence of direct trophic stimuli Within the intestinal lumen.
"If the gut works, use it" has gained widespread Popularity in early interventional nutrition in the critically ill veterinary patient. Force-Feeding is often stressful for both patient and caretaker alike. Instead, tube feeding is often well tolerated and an easier route for enteral nutrition. The following methods of tube feeding have been described: nasoesophageal, nasogastic, nasojejunostomy, esophagostomy, pharyngostomy, gastrostomy, and jejunostomy.
Esophagostomy tubes were first described for use in human patients with maxillofacial and cervical neoplasta. Later, Dr. Crowe described their use for veterinary patients (1989). Since that time, several methods for esophagostomy tube placement have been proposed. The modified percutaneous method is one of the easiest to perform, and requires minimal equipement.     

First cases of animal diseases published in 2005

In 2003, Veterinary Quarterly started with the publication of a series of articles reviewing reports on "first cases" of animal diseases. Till now six articles have been published. They were arranged in order of animal species. Each article concerned only one species. Starting at this seventh publication, each article discusses "first cases" on more than one animal species. In this article 15 cases published in 2005 are discussed: one in birds, two in cats, three in cattle, four in dogs, two in goats, one in hares, and two in horses. Of each case a short introduction, the bibliographical data of the publication, the abstract of the author(s) (except one case) and some additional information (mainly) derived from the article are given.     

Characterization of the complex carbohydrates in the zona pellucida of mammalian oocytes using lectin histochemistry

The objective of this study was to characterize the glycoconjugates present in the zona pellucida of the follicular oocytes in sheep, goats and pigs. The zona pellucida was stained with periodic acid-Schiff, low iron diamine, high iron diamine, and nine different lectin horseradish conjugates: Con-A, SBA, DBA, PNA, RCA-I, GSA-II, WGA, LTA and UEA-I. Staining with DBA, PNA, SBA and RCA-I was performed with and without saponification with KOH and sialidase digestion. The results showed the presence of neutral and acidic glycoconjugates with different terminal sugars and also sialic acid radicals in the zona pellucida of all the animals studied. In particular, the positive staining with WGA, SBA, PNA and RCA-I suggests the presence of oligosaccharides with N-acetyl-d-glucosamine and sialic acid linked to the penultimate -N-acetyl-d-galactosamine and to the disaccharide galactosyl-(1-3)-N-acetyl-d-galactosamine. The terminal trisaccharide sialic acid galactosyl-(1-4)-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine was identified only in the zona pellucida of ovine and procine oocytes. Thus, the zona pellucida exhibited species-specific variations in the content and distribution of lectin-binding patterns that may reflect the species specificity of gamete interaction.Abbreviations HID high iron diamine - HRP horseradish peroxidase - LID low iron diamine - PAS periodic acid-Schiff - PBS phosphate-buffered saline; see also Tables I and II     

The estimation of egg weight from egg gradings

A method is described for the estimation of mean egg weight from data giving the proportions of eggs in different weight grades. Tables are presented in which mean egg weights have been calculated for a range of grading figures, using both the British Egg Marketing Board and the European Economic Community grading systems.     

Comparative Studies on Corynebacter1Um Pyogenes Toxin Formation in Monocultures and Mixed Cultures: The Demonstration of a Stimulating Effect of Peptococcus Indolicus and Stuart-Schwan Cocci

The growth and the toxin (i.e. hemolysin) producing capacity of Corynebacterium pyogenes were studied in monocultures and in co-cultures with 1 or more of the organisms frequently accompanying it in summer mastitis in cattle (Peptococcus indolicus, Stuart-Schwan cocci, Bacteroides melaninogenicus subsp. levii, Fusobacterium necrophorum and Streptococcus dysgalactiae) or with organisms seldom associated with summer mastitis (Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae, non-toxic staphylococci and Escherichia coli).Pc. indolicus, and to some extent also Stuart-Schwan cocci, stimulated the growth as well as the hemolysin producing capacity of Gb. pyogenes (Table 1) while Str. dysgalactiae, Str. uberis, Str. agalactiae, E. coli and the majority of the staphylococci reduced these activities. Most F. necrophorum strains stimulated the growth, but not the hemolytic activity. With B. melaninogenicus the results were inconclusive.The effect of Pc. indolicus appeared to be associated with the production of a filterable factor (Tables 2 and 3).Mouse toxicity and hemolytic activity of culture filtrates were closely correlated (Table 4).     

Acid-base indices in ovine blood and cerebrospinal fluid]

By means of the Astrup apparatus (Blood Microsystem BMS 2) acid-base indices in blood and cerebro-spinal fluid of clinically healthy Merino sheep at the age of one year (15 head) and of two or three years (41 head) were determined. Blood collected anaerobically from v. jugularis and liquor collected by means of the suboccipital punction in heparinized syringes and/or caplaris and liquor collected by means of the suboccipital punction in heparinized syringes and/or capillaries were examined immediately after the collection. Following indices were obtained and re-counted according to nomograms: actual pH, partial CO2 pressure--pCO2 base excess--BE, base buffer--BB, standard bicarbonate--SB, actual bicarbonate--AB, total CO2--tCO2 (Tables I, II). Indices of pH, pCO2, BE and BB indicated statistically significant differences in values when comparing liquor with venous blood (in younger ewes). As the values of the sheep cerebro-spinal fluid indices examined are not to be found in literature, the above stated values can be recommended to be used as basic values for a given age group.     

The logical basis in the sense of section 17 number 1 of the Animal Welfare Act]

Since 1972 in Germany it is not allowed to kill vertebrates without a "reasonable reason". This is laid down in article 17 (1) of the Animal Protection Act. This theme--killing of animals--is one of the taboos in our society. The legislative background of killing vertebrates in regard to the "reasonable reason" is reported. Examples are given to illustrate the range of "reasonable reasons" for which animals are killed today.     

Fine tuning the history and physical examination: correlations with miscellaneous techniques

It may be unusual to think of a physical examination as a technique, but what better "instruments" do we have than our eyes, our ears, and our hands? Therefore, I will describe several "techniques" that I felt should be included in this journal, but that do not warrant an article of their own. This article will cover some parts of the routine physical examination, correct positioning of cats and consequences of bad positioning, radiographic techniques that will help diagnose heart failure more consistently, examination of dogs with lower airway disease, and examination of cats with aortic thromboembolism (ATE). Several "pearls" that may get lost in the other information is sprinkled throughout the article.     

Atrophic rhinitis in swine fattener herds. A field study of the spread of the disease with infected pigs bought at market

In three different fattener herds pigs primarily AR infected as baby piglets were mixed in the fattening units with healthy pigs at an age of 11--13 weeks. Snout alterations were registered on cut snouts at a slaughter weight of about 70 kg. Severe AR was registered in the groups of primarily infected pigs (Tables I--III). The incidence of snout alterations was lower in the groups of pigs infected at an age of 11--13 weeks, but was much higher than in the groups of healthy control pigs or in the normal pig population in the region (Table IV). The results indicate that pigs infected at a rather late age in the fattening units can develop severe atrophic rhinitis.     

Aspects of pharmacology in the neonatal foal

Other therapeutic agents used in foals for specific diseases are discussed elsewhere. The marked effect of species, age, and degree of maturity on drug metabolism in the neonate reinforces the danger of interspecies extrapolation of pharmacology, the need for information specific for the foal, and the necessity for monitoring drug levels in the individual. Suggested antimicrobial doses are listed in Tables 3, 4, and 6. Recommended doses of anticonvulsants and sedatives are listed in Table 8 and in the article "Intensive Care of the Neonatal Foal." The following are recommendations for drug therapy in the neonate: Avoid unnecessary administration of drug to the dam at parturition because of possible placental transfer of the drug with subsequent effects on the neonate. If possible, avoid unnecessary drug therapy in foals under 30 days of age. Select a drug that undergoes minimal biotransformation (hepatic metabolism) and is not highly protein bound. Owing to probable immunodeficiency in the neonate, broad-spectrum, bactericidal drugs are preferred for treatment of life-threatening infections. Every attempt should be made to identify the etiologic agent so that drug therapy can be based on cultures and sensitivity test results to maximize the benefit-risk ratio. Parenteral (intramuscular or intravenous) drug administration is preferable to oral. Avoid drugs that are known oxidants, which may produce hemolysis or methemoglobinemia. In general, the same or a slightly higher initial dose should be employed in the neonate, but it should be given less frequently than in the adult if it has a high potential to cause toxicity. When possible, individual monitoring of serum levels of potentially toxic drugs should be employed in premature and newborn foals unless specific drug pharmacokinetics are known for that age group.     

New findings on animal diseases published since 2003. 1. Dogs

This is the first article of a series of papers reviewing "new findings" on animal diseases. The articles are arranged in order of animal species. This article reviews seven publications on new findings on or directly related to dog diseases. The following seven cases are discussed: Canine sarcocystosis in Central America. Copper accumulation in a Skye terrier: Antemortem diagnosis and cytoprotective bile acid therapy. Keratinocyte culture and use of a cultured epidermal autograft. Line 1 insertion mutation in Factor IX of dogs with hemophilia B. Not previously described localization of the lesions in stifle osteochondritis dissecans. Panniculitis associated with pancreatitis: Antemortem diagnosis. Primary polydipsia associated with (and induced by?) gastrointestinal disease. After a short introduction, the bibliographical data, the abstract of the author(s) and some additional information derived from the article are given.