Laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and ovariectomy in standing horses using the EnSeal® tissue-sealing device

In the present series of cases, 8 laparoscopic cryptorchidectomies and 4 laparoscopic ovariectomies were carried out in sedated standing horses. Sedation involved a lesser anaesthesiological risk than does general anaesthesia. As compared to laparotomic exposure, the minimally invasive laparoscopic intervention provided better visualisation, shorter operative time and faster recovery. The blood vessels supplying the testes and ovaries and the suspensory ligaments of the organs were sealed and cut with EnSeal?, an adaptive bipolar electrosurgical blood vessel- and tissue-sealing device. The clinical use of the blood vessel- and tissue-sealing device proved to be successful in all cases. Gradual separation of the intact tissue from the treated, compacted, dehydrated and homogenised tissue areas and occlusion of the lumen of blood vessels treated with the device could be observed in all histological sections. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of EnSeal? for laparoscopic cryptorchidectomy and ovariectomy in horses.     

Effects of AGRADO® on Growth Performance and Health of Newly Received Feedlot Calves

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of an antioxidant (AGRADO®; Solutia Inc., St. Louis, MO) on the growth, gain to feed ratio, and health of receiving calves. In Experiment 1, 96 mixed breed heifer calves (206 ± 1.4 kg initial BW) were purchased at sale barns and delivered as a single group to the research facility near Fayetteville. All heifers were fed a total mixed diet containing 30% cottonseed hulls, 53% cracked corn, and 11% soybean meal for 42 d with either 0 or 150 mg AGRADO®/kg diet. Fewer (P<0.05) of the heifers fed supplemental AGRADO® were treated for respiratory disease (73% vs 83%), and medication cost was lower (P<0.05) for heifers fed supplemental AGRADO ($6.33 vs $9.49 per pen). Supplemental AGRADO® did not affect (P>0.10) ADG, daily feed intake, and gain to feed ratio. In Experiment 2, 86 bull and steer calves (237 ± 2.2 kg initial BW) were managed and fed as in Experiment 1 for a 41-d study. In this trial, supplemental AGRADO® had no significant effect on the number of sick calves or medication costs, but gain to feed ratio was improved (P<0.05) during the first 28 d of the trial. These results indicate that supplemental AGRADO® may improve the health or growth performance of newly received feedlot cattle.     

Case Study: Synchronization of Estrus and Fertility in Gilts Administered P.G. 600® After Treatment with Regu-mate® for 14 or 18 Days

The objective was to determine the effects of duration of progestin exposure prior to gonadotropin treatment on the synchronization of estrus and fertility in gilts. Gilts were fed daily a complete diet containing 15 mg Regu-mate® (Intervet America Inc., Millsboro, DE) for 14 (n = 19) or 18 (n = 18) d. Twenty-four hours after the last feeding of Regu-mate®, all gilts received an i.m. injection of P.G. 600® [400IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); Intervet America Inc.]. Gilts were bred artificially 12 and 24 h after first detection of standing estrus. More 18-d (33.3%) than 14-d treated gilts (5.3%) were in estrus on the peak day (d 4.0) after P.G. 600® injection (P=0.02). The percentage of gilts displaying estrus < 7 d after P. G. 600® injection was greater (P=0.06) for the 18-d treatment (88.9%) than for the 14-d treatment (63.2%). Farrowing rate tended to be greater (P=0.17) for gilts exposed to Regu-mate® for 18 d (75%) compared with 14 d (50%). Total pigs born (P=0.43), pigs born live (P=0.63), stillborns (P=0.62), and total litter weight (P=0.52) were similar between groups. The number of mummified fetuses tended to be higher (P=0.11) for gilts in the 18-d treatment group (0.8 ± 0.2) compared with the 14-d treatment group (0.2 ± 0.3). In summary, the precision of estrus synchronization and reproduction was greater in gilts given P.G. 600® after 18 d compared with 14-d Regu-mate® treatment.     

Effect of Tomanol® on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of penicillin G in dairy cows

Summary

Following concomitant intravenous administration of Tomanol® and sodium penicillin G to six Dutch Friesian dairy cows a significant decrease in total body clearance of penicillin (34.7%) and a prolongation of the elimination half‐life of penicillin (17.2%) was observed. Tomanol® did not affect other pharmacokinetic parameters such as rate constants of drug transfer (k₁₂/k₂₁, α en β), distribution volume of the central compartment (V₁), and extrapolated serum drug levels. Intravenous or intramuscular administration of Tomanol® had no effect on the tissue distribution of penicillin G, because neither a change in the ratios of muscle to serum and of kidney cortex to serum nor a change in an induced steady state level of low penicilline G serum concentrations was observed. From the data obtained it is concluded that concomitant Tomanol® administration with penicillin induces an elevation of the serum penicillin concentration and prolongs the persistence of penicillin residues in carcass meat and organs.     

Effects of Final Implant Type and Supplementation of Melengestrol Acetate® on Finishing Feedlot Heifer Performance,Carcass Characteristics,and Feeding Economics

Three finishing experiments were conducted in commercial feedlots to determine effects of implant programs on finishing heifer performance, carcass characteristics, and economics. A total of 3,307 heifers were used in the three experiments. Overall, four treatment comparisons were tested within the three separate experiments. Treatment groups included the following: 1) heifers implanted with Synovex® Plus (Fort Dodge Animal Health; Fort Dodge, IA) but not fed melengestrol acetate (MGA®; Pharmacia and Upjohn Company; Kalamazoo, MI), 2) heifers implanted with Synovex® Plus and fed MGA®, 3) heifer implanted with Revalor®-H (Intervet Inc.; Millsboro, DE) and fed MGA®, and 4) heifers implanted with Finaplix®-H (Intervet Inc.) and fed MGA®. Common treatments of Synovex® Plus and dietary MGA® as well as Finaplix®-H and dietary MGA® were used in each of the three experiments. Finishing heifers fed MGA® and implanted with Synovex® Plus had 3.9 and 4.1% greater (P<0.10) ADG than did heifers implanted with Revalor®-H or Finaplix®-H and fed MGA®, respectively. Daily gain did not differ for heifers implanted with Revalor®-H or Finaplix®-H. Feeding MGA® to heifers implanted with Synovex® Plus increased ADG and decreased deleterious effects on quality grade; however; carcasses had greater fat thickness. Fewer carcasses of heifers fed MGA® and implanted with Synovex® Plus or Revalor®-H were graded Choice in comparison with the carcasses of those implanted with Finaplix®-H. When selling heifers on a carcass-merit basis, net returns did not differ among heifers implanted with Synovex® Plus, Revalor®-H, or Finaplix®-H when fed MGA®. When selling heifers on a dressed basis, net return was maximized (P<0.10) with the use of Synovex® Plus and supplementation with MGA® compared with Synovex® Plus and no MGA® supplementation, Revalor®-H and MGA® supplementation, and Finaplix®-H and MGA® supplementation.