Association between liver copper concentration and subclinical hepatitis in Doberman Pinschers

The prevalence of subclinical hepatitis was investigated in a group of 106 randomly selected 3-year-old Doberman Pinschers. Histopathologic examination of liver samples from 65 dogs (52 dogs with high bile acids, alkaline phosphatase activity, or alanine aminotransferase activity or with copper granules in hepatocytes in a liver aspirate and 13 normal dogs) revealed subclinical hepatitis in 22 dogs (19 females and 3 males). Liver copper concentrations measured by instrumental neutron activation analysis was significantly higher (mean +/- SD; 419 +/- 414 microg/g dry matter) in dogs with hepatitis than those without liver disease (197 +/- 113 microg/g; P = .0008). At 2.6 +/- 0.6 years hepatitis persisted in 5 of 16 dogs available for examination. One dog with a high copper concentration but normal liver subsequently developed subclinical hepatitis after 3 years. During the follow-up period, the average copper concentration of the 6 dogs with persistent subclinical hepatitis was 939 +/- 299 microg/g and had continued to rise significantly (P = .02). The hepatitis in these dogs was associated with apoptotic hepatocytes and copper-laden Kupffer cells in centrolobular regions. The results of this study suggest that there is a relationship among copper storage, hepatocellular damage, and hepatitis in Doberman Pinschers.     

Suspected air embolism through the thoracic ventral internal vertebral venous plexus during hemilaminectomy in dogs

Venous air embolism entering via the ventral internal vertebral venous plexus was suspected during thoracic spinal surgery in two dogs. In both cases, air was seen bubbling from a pool of blood on the floor of the vertebral canal accompanied by sudden cardiopulmonary disturbances: low end‐tidal carbon dioxide pressure, tachycardia and reduction in oxygen in the blood. One dog became dyspnoeic and one died.     

Heredity of navicular disease

Bone structure, nutrient canals, form and definition, and a total evaluation of both fore navicular bones were radiologically evaluated in 169 three- and four-year-old Dutch warmblood mares divided into eleven daughter (half sister) groups. On the basis of the 'total evaluation', differences between the three- and four-year-old horses were detectable. Using the 'total evaluation', significant differences were found between daughter groups consisting of three-year-old mares. These differences support the theory that podotrochleosis may be (partly) due to the presence of genetic factors. The possibilities concerning selection are presented. The results of the radiological evaluation of the stallion do not have predictive value as far as his progeny is concerned.     

Cowpoxvirus infection in the Patagonian cavy (Dolichotis patagonum) emerging disease in an educational animal park the first reported case

Generalized cowpox infection in the Patagonian cavy may represent a threat to the health of immunocompromised persons. We report the first case of cowpoxvirus infection in the Patagonian cavy in an educational animal park. The mara developed extensive pox lesions, shedding large amounts of viral particles. The ending of vaccination programmes against smallpox in the late 1970's may lead to an increase in susceptibility of humans to zoonotic poxviruses.     

Comparative study of the effect of the effect of carbadox, olaquindox and cyadox on aldosterone, sodium and potassium plasma levels in weaned pigs

To study the effects of olaquindox and cyadox on aldosterone, sodium and potassium in the blood in comparison with the effects of carbadox, weaned pigs were fed these compounds in different doses. Pigs treated with 100 and 200 ppm carbadox showed a significant decline of aldosterone after five and three weeks, respectively, compared with control values. In the 200 ppm group treatment was interrupted at week 4. With olaquindox a continuous, significant decline was found from 50 ppm and above after five weeks, and from 25 ppm and above (but excluding the 100 ppm group), after six weeks. In the cyadox groups a significant decline was measured after six weeks in the 50, 200 and 400 ppm groups. Only the 200 ppm group had an earlier response at three and five weeks. A decrease of sodium to hyponatraemic levels in the carbadox groups was seen after three weeks in the 200, and after five weeks in the 100 ppm group. In the olaquindox groups only the 200 ppm dosage showed a consistent decrease to hyponatraemic levels from four weeks treatment. In the cyadox groups the 200 ppm dosage reached a hyponatraemic level after six weeks. An increase of potassium to hyperkalaemic levels occurred at 100 and 200 ppm carbadox dosage after four and three weeks, respectively, and at 200 ppm olaquindox dosage after four weeks. No hyperkalaemic levels were seen in the cyadox groups. It is concluded that the toxic effect of olaquindox, despite minor differences, is comparable with that of carbadox but that cyadox is less toxic.     

The Influence of a Particle Separation Technology on the Generation of Airborne Particles from Different Roughages and Bedding Materials Used for Horses

Four different types of bedding materials (wheat straw, wood shavings, hemp shives, flax shives) and two roughages (hay, haylage) were treated using an air-driven particle separation technology. The airborne particle and mold generation of both treated and untreated samples were then analyzed under standardized laboratory conditions. In addition, samples of all the treated materials were stored for 8 weeks either in a pressed or incoherent form and then analyzed again for their ability to generate airborne particles. The airborne particle concentrations were detected online with the gravimetrically measuring analyzer tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) 1400a that was equipped successively with different inlets to measure the particle fractions PM₂₀, PM₁₀, PM_2.5, and PM_1.0 (PM = Particulate matter). The particle separation resulted in a reduction in the airborne particle (PM₂₀) generation in all materials: hay 49.16 to 22.79 mg/m³ (53.6%), haylage 28.57 to 25.04 mg/m³ (12.3%), wood shavings 141.68 to 15.04 mg/m³ (89.4%), wheat straw 143.08 to 22.97 mg/m³ (83.9%), flax 135.11 to 53.31 mg/m³ (60.5%), and hemp 63.67 to 17.64 mg/m³ (72.3%). The 8-week storage of the treated materials as compressed materials led to a renewed significant increase in the airborne particle (PM₁₀) concentration in the haylage (+29.9%), wheat straw (+104.0%), wood shavings (+40.4%), and hemp shives (+30.7%). Storage of the incoherent materials caused a significant increase in these particles only in the wheat straw (+44.2%). The separation treatment reduced the mold production by 92.4% in the wood shavings, 88.0% in the wheat straw, and 85.8% in the hay.     

The use of a genetic-counselling program by Dutch breeders for four hereditary health problems in boxer dogs

Our group developed a genetic-counselling program for boxer-dog breeders in The Netherlands, using data for cryptorchidism (uni- and/or bilateral), epilepsy, knee-problems (including ligament rupture, fractured or ruptured meniscus, severe osteo-arthrosis of the knee, or a combination of these disorders), and schisis (including cheiloschisis, palatoschisis, or cheilopalatoschisis). We transformed the estimated breeding values (EBVs) into odds ratios (ORs), to enable the breeder to compare the risk for each of the traits for a certain dam-sire combination with the average population risk (set at 1). The goal of the study was to evaluate the use of our genetic-counselling program by Dutch breeders of boxer dogs. We asked breeders of the Dutch Boxer Club to send in an application form for genetic-counselling from June 1 to December 1, 2000. Breeders indicated on this application form three desirable sires for their dam (sire 1, sire 2, sire 3) in random order. On the basis of this information, a counselling report was produced which included ORs for the four diseases in litters of the dam-sire combinations indicated on the application form. Together with the counselling report, the breeders received an evaluation form. We received 129 application forms from 70 breeders, and collected 125 evaluations. Of these evaluations, 96 were informative about the influence of the counselling report on sire choice. The most-important criteria used by breeders to select sires were: the exterior characteristics (60%) and known progeny (52%). Although it was the first time breeders could make use of genetic-counselling, 32% of the breeders indicated that the genetic-counselling played a major role in their sire selection. Breeders expressed little difference in importance for the four genetic traits, but there was a tendency to consider epilepsy more than the others. Breeders hesitated to put long-term population interest above short-term personal interest. Nevertheless, the general conclusion of this study is that breeders acknowledge the value of counselling, especially to reduce the frequency of a threatening disease such as epilepsy.     

Tasco supplementation: effects on carcass characteristics, sensory attributes, and retail display shelf-life

Two hundred crossbred cattle (Bos indicus x Bos taurus) were supplemented with 2% Tasco (Ascophyllum nodosum) in a commercial finishing facility to evaluate marbling score, USDA quality grade, sensory traits, and retail display shelf life. Treatment animals (n = 100) received a steam-rolled corn (Zea mays)-based diet containing 2% Tasco meal (DM basis), for 14 d beginning at d 45 of the finishing period and again 14 d before slaughter. Control animals (n = 100) received a steam-rolled corn (Zea mays)-based diet without Tasco at identical feeding periods. Carcasses from Tasco-fed cattle exhibited greater marbling scores (P = 0.003) than controls. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.05) on sensory, shear, or purge attributes of striploin or inside round steaks with the exception of inside round steaks from Tasco animals having a greater initial tenderness (P = 0.03) and lower off-flavor score (P = 0.002) than control steaks. The LM samples from Tasco-fed cattle had a greater percentage of ether extractable fat (P = 0.001) and lower percentage of protein (P = 0.001) than controls. Inside round samples from treated animals exhibited a greater percentage of moisture (P = 0.03) than control steaks. Visual lean color of striploin steaks was not affected by Tasco supplementation (P = 0.26); however, steaks from Tasco-treated animals were more uniform and had less discoloration and browning than those from controls (P = 0.005, 0.04, and 0.05, respectively). Inside round visual scores and instrument values reflected similar treatment responses (P < 0.05), with a majority of the effects on muscle redness (CIE a*, hue angle) and measures of discoloration. Tasco steaks were generally more red and less discolored during extended postmortem aging and retail exposure (P < 0.05). The results from this study indicate that short-term supplementation of 2% Tasco meal in feedlot cattle increases carcass quality and prolonged retail shelf life.     

Cows, cats, and FSE: death penalty justified?

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies affect a number of mammalian species. The most common spongiform encephalopathies are scrapie in sheep and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. Feline Spongiform Encephalopathy (FSE) is a related disorder in domestic cats. Because of the link between BSE and FSE, cats are put on a par with cattle, in terms of politics and regulations. In the Netherlands, when a case of BSE is found on a farm, not only the ruminants, but also the cats are taken away for post-mortem examination. So far, the cats examined have always been negative for FSE. There are no scientific reasons for destroying the cats on farms where BSE has been found.