A vasectomy technique for Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

Bats in captivity reproduce well and contraceptive techniques are needed. In initial attempts at vasectomy using a prescrotal approach, it was difficult to identify the mesoductus deferens. The technique described here uses a scrotal approach with exteriorization of the testis, followed by identification and ligation of the mesoductus deferens. Nine Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) underwent vasectomy for this study. No postoperative complications were seen (n = 18 testes), but some of the testes (5/18, 27%), which previously moved freely from the scrotum to the abdominal cavity, were still adhered to the scrotal sac 14 mo postoperatively. This technique appears safe, is fast, and is relatively easy to perform.     

Comparison of Seven Digital Cameras for Digitizing Radiographs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate seven digital cameras for their ability to adequately capture quality radiographic images and their relative cost effectiveness. Radiographs of line pair (LP) phantoms (ranging from 0.6 to 16.6 LP/mm) and a 20-step contrast phantom were photographed at a near distance of 30.0 cm and a far distance (determined for each camera) at which a full 14 x 17 in film filled the viewfinder. Of the seven cameras tested, the Canon EOS-D30 consistently performed the best in LP/mm resolved (7.7 at close distance, 1.4 at far distance) and in contrast latitude (all 20 steps at both close and far distances). The Canon EOS-D30, determined to be the best camera used in this study for photographing radiographic images, is also the most expensive camera that was used. Two cameras, the Nikon Coolpix 995 and the Sony DSC-F707, were very close to the Canon in performance at considerably less cost. Certain inexpensive cameras may not be acceptable choices for teleradiology.     

Variance component estimation on the frequency of pathologic changes in the navicular bones of Hanoverian Warmblood horses

The results of a standardized radiological examination of 3748 young Hanoverian Warmblood horses selected for sale at auction as riding horses were used to quantify the influence of systematic effects on and to estimate genetic parameters for the prevalence of pathologic changes in the navicular bones. Radiographic findings in the navicular bones of the front limbs were analyzed as all‐or‐none traits. The pathologic changes were mostly classified as slight [PCN(I); 14.9%], less often as moderate [PCN(II); 5.3%] or severe [PCN(III); 1.8%]. Date and year of auction had a significant influence on the prevalence of documented radiographic findings. The prevalence of PCN(I) was further significantly dependent on the examiner, the type and the quality of auction. PCN(II) was significantly more prevalent in male than in female horses. The age, the anticipated suitability and the region of origin of the horses did not have any significant influence on the prevalence of pathologic changes in navicular bones. A higher percentage of genes of the Hanoverian and the Holstein Warmblood horse increased the probability of PCN(I) classification. A significant influence of the sire was found for PCN(I) and PCN(II), and of the male founder for PCN(II) and PCN(III). The female founder was significant only for PCN(II). In general, radiographic findings of any severity in front left and right navicular bones were significantly correlated with each other. Restricted maximum likelihood (REML) was used for the estimation of genetic parameters. The analyses were performed multivariately in linear animal and sire models including height at withers as a separate trait. Heritability estimates for the prevalence of PCN(I), PCN(II) and PCN(III) of horses of both sexes ranged between h² = 0.09 and 0.21. When distinguishing between findings in males and females, somewhat implausible estimates were obtained for PCN(II) in females, which might have been caused by their low prevalence. The additive genetic correlations between the investigated traits indicated that radiographic findings consistent with navicular syndrome have a uniform genetic pattern in males and in females, and irrespective of their severity. However, their genetic correlation to height at withers was found to be inconsistent and, therefore, not to be utilizable for selection.     

Results from the treatment of advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in cats, using a combination of intralesional carboplatin and superficial radiotherapy: a pilot study

Six cats with an advanced stage squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal planum were treated with a combination of superficial radiotherapy and intralesional carboplatin therapy. This multimodality protocol was well tolerated by the majority of cats and resulted in complete responses in all cats (100%). Median follow‐up for all cats is 268 days, and the median time‐to‐recurrence, time‐to‐progression and overall survival have not yet been reached. Our study, although limited in number of animals and with a relatively short median follow‐up compared to other studies for this disease, suggests that a combination of radiotherapy and intralesional carboplatin is a useful treatment option for an advanced stage SCC of the nasal planum in cats and warrants further application of the multimodality approach presented here.     

Can treatment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachiaria decumbens</Emphasis> (signal grass) improve its utilisation in the diet in small ruminants?—a review

Brachiaria decumbens is an extremely productive tropical grass due to its aggressive growth habit and its adaptation to a varied range of soil types and environments. As a result of the vast availability, treated B. decumbens demonstrates as a promising local material that could be utilised as an improved diet for sheep and goats. Despite the fact that the grass significantly increases weight gains in grazing farm animals, there were many reports of general ill-thrift and sporadic outbreaks of photosensitivity in livestock due to the toxic compound of steroidal saponin found in B. decumbens. Ensiling and haymaking were found to be effective in removing toxin and undesirable compounds in the grass. Biological treatments using urea, activated charcoal, polyethylene glycol, and effective microorganisms were found to be useful in anti-nutritional factor deactivation and improving the nutritive values of feedstuffs. Besides, oral administration of phenobarbitone showed some degree of protection in sheep that fed on B. decumbens pasture. In this review, we aim to determine the effect of B. decumbens toxicity and possible treatment methods on the grass to be used as an improved diet for small ruminant.     

Genomic characterization of the first oral avian papillomavirus in a colony of breeding canaries (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Serinus canaria</Emphasis>)

Papillomaviruses are non-enveloped, DNA viruses that infect skin and mucosa of a wide variety of vertebrates, causing neoplasias or simply persisting asymptomatically. Avian papillomaviruses, with six fully sequenced genomes, are the second most studied group after mammalian papillomaviruses. In this study, we describe the first oral avian papillomavirus, detected in the tongue of a dead Yorkshire canary (Serinus canaria) and in oral swabs of the same bird and other two live canaries from an aviary in Madrid, Spain. Its genome is 8,071 bp and presents the canonical papillomavirus architecture with six early (E6, E7, E1, E9, E2, E4) and two late open reading frames (L1 and L2) and a long control region between L1 and E6. This new avian papillomavirus L1 gene shares a 64% pairwise identity with FcPV1 L1, so it has been classified as a new species (ScPV1) within the Ethapapillomavirus genus. Although the canary died after showing breathing problems, there is no evidence that the papillomavirus caused those symptoms so it could be part of the oral microbiota of the birds. Hence, future investigations are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of the virus.     

Knowledge,attitudes and practices towards <Emphasis Type="Italic">cystic echinococcosis</Emphasis> in livestock among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda

A cross-sectional study was done from March 2013 to May 2014 to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards cystic echinococcosis (CE) or hydatidosis among selected pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Uganda. A structured questionnaire was administered to 381 respondents. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to find the relationship between knowledge about CE and factors such as age, sex, and level of education across all regions. The odds ratio and confidence interval were used to determine the difference in responses across regions. It was shown that age above 36 years was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with awareness about CE in livestock. Likewise, uneducated (p < 0.0001) and agro-pastoralists (p = 0.01) were significantly less knowledgeable than the educated and pastoralists across all regions. The overall knowledge towards CE in livestock was low 17.8% (95% CI = 14.0–21.6). Dog ownership was high and they never dewormed their freely roaming dogs. Dogs shared water with livestock. In conclusion, knowledge about CE in livestock was low across all regions. Therefore, public health education and formulation of policies towards its control by the relevant stakeholders should be done. Also, the true prevalence of CE in livestock needs to be done so that the magnitude and its public health significance are elucidated.     

Haematological,biochemical and organ changes in broiler chickens fed varying levels of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Morinda lucida</Emphasis> (brimstone) leaf meal supplementation in the diets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of Morinda lucida leaf meal (MLLM) on the haematology, biochemical and organ changes of broiler chickens. One hundred and ninety-eight day-old Marshall broiler chicks were completely randomised into 6 treatments in a 3?×?2 factorial arrangement of three levels of M. lucida leaf meal supplementation (0, 0.1 and 0.2 g/kg) with or without medication. The treatment consisted of both negative (without MLLM and routine medication) and positive (containing no MLLM but with routine medication) control groups while each treatment was replicated thrice. MLLM-supplemented diets and routine medication decreased (p?<?0.05) the white blood cell count compared to the negative control. Dietary supplementation with MLLM in combination with normal routine medication increased (p?<?0.05) total serum protein when compared with treatment group without MLLM and routine medication. Dietary supplementation with MLLM and routine medication reduced (p?<?0.05) serum creatinine concentration of the broiler chickens. Birds fed with 0.2 g/kg MLLM supplement coupled with medication and those on negative control had higher (p?<?0.05) creatinine values. Serum enzyme activities reduced (p?<?0.05) following supplementation. MLLM supplementation recorded no significant effect (p?>?0.05) on the liver, kidney, heart and gizzard. M. lucida leaf meal can be compared to routine medication for improved health status of broiler chickens. Dietary inclusion with 0.1 g/kg MLML combined with routine medication could be used in producing healthy and safe chickens.