Status of wildlife health monitoring in the United Kingdom

There is a clear need to monitor the health of wildlife in the UK, to help to understand the population dynamics of endangered species and to detect any harm to the welfare of wild animals caused by human beings. Despite previous proposals, there has been little progress in the development of a national programme of monitoring. With notable exceptions, the current schemes for investigating the morbidity and mortality of wild animals cover only limited groups of animals and are fragmented and uncoordinated. They consist of statutory schemes of restricted scope, and studies in universities, institutes and wildlife rehabilitation centres with limited funding. As a result, significant disease incidents may remain undetected and others may not be investigated fully, posing risks to the welfare and conservation of wildlife, the welfare of domestic animals, and in some cases to human health. Coordinated national schemes for the surveillance of the health of wildlife are already established in France, the USA and Canada and their best characteristics could be used to develop a scheme for the UK.     

Evaluation of carbon dioxide laser and conventional incisional techniques for resection of soft palates in brachycephalic dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcome, healing, and effect of tracheostomy in conventional incisional and carbon dioxide (CO2) laser techniques for resection of soft palates in brachycephalic dogs. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. ANIMALS: 20 adult brachycephalic dogs. METHODS: Dogs were randomly allocated into 4 groups, and 1 of the following was performed: palate resection by use of a CO2 laser; incisional palate resection and closure with suture; and palate resection by use of a C02 laser or incision with tracheostomy. A clinical score for respiratory function was assigned to each dog at 0, 2, 8, 16, and 24 hours. Biopsy specimens of incision sites obtained at days 0, 3, 7, and 14 were examined. Data were analyzed to determine the effects of technique on clinical and histologic outcome. RESULTS: Mean surgical time for laser (309 seconds) was significantly shorter than for sharp dissection (744 seconds). Surgical technique significantly affected clinical scores at 3 of the 5 postoperative time points, but differences were not clinically apparent. Tracheostomy significantly affected clinical scores at 3 of 5 postoperative time points. After tracheostomy tube removal, clinical scores were similar to those of dogs without tracheostomies. Inflammation, necrosis, and ulceration were evident in all groups at day 3; these lesions had almost resolved by day 14. Most complications were associated with tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical outcomes appear to be similar with the laser and incisional techniques. Regarding surgical time and ease, laser resection of the soft palate appears advantageous. Tracheostomy is not warranted in dogs that have uncomplicated surgeries and recoveries.     

In vitro detection of Shiga toxin using porcine alveolar macrophages.

Porcine alveolar macrophages were found to be highly susceptible to the cytolytic effects of a toxin (Shiga toxin [Stx]) produced by certain strains of Escherichia coli and sometimes associated with clinical disease in pigs and other animals. In comparison with the cells that are most commonly used for Stx detection and titration in vitro (namely, Vero cells), porcine alveolar macrophages appeared to be generally more sensitive and test results could be obtained in less time. Moreover, unlike Vero cells, porcine alveolar macrophages need not be continuously propagated to ensure immediate availability. They can simply be removed from a low-temperature repository, thawed, seeded, and shortly thereafter exposed to the sample in question. These characteristics suggest that porcine alveolar macrophages may be useful in developing a highly sensitive and timely diagnostic test for Stx.     

Alteration of body composition in rats: effect of organic chromium and L-carnitine

A growth trial was carried out to test the effect of organic, trivalent chromium and L-carnitine on the body composition of growing rats. At the same time, an evaluation of different measurement methods (weight of epididymal fat pad, adipocyte morphometry, total body electrical conductivity) was performed. Outbred Wistar rats of 30 days of age were fed diets of different (0, 10 and 20%) protein level. The diets were supplemented with 4 mg/kg Cr as chromium nicotinate, and 100 mg/kg L-carnitine. The experimental feeding lasted 15 days, after a 5-day-long adjustment period. It was found that Cr addition increased feed intake. Both treatments caused changes in body composition, increasing fat and protein deposition. Organic chromium had no effect at either protein level, while L-carnitine improved the protein retention only at an optimum (20%) protein supply. No statistically significant correlation was found between total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) and body composition, which could be attributed to the great individual differences. A close correlation was found among total body fat percentage, weight of epididymal fat pad and the adipocyte surface. The data suggest that there is an interaction between dietary protein supply and the effect of repartitioning agents.     

Comparison of gene expression profiles of the jejunum of broilers supplemented with a yeast cell wall-derived mannan oligosaccharide versus bacitractin methylene disalicylate

1. The addition of yeast cell wall (YCW) mannan fractions or low concentrations of antibiotics to the diet of broilers positively affects gut health by improving intestinal cell morphology and improves feed efficiency and performance; however the exact mechanisms are unclear. Based on these production responses, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of supplementing YCW and bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD) in the diet on mRNA levels in the jejunum of 6-week-old broilers.

2. Dietary treatments were a maize-soya control diet and the control diet with the addition of YCW or BMD. Birds (n = 7) from each dietary treatment were randomly selected and killed at d 42. Whole jejunum (with serosa) samples were collected for RNA isolation. Gene expression analysis was performed using the AffymetrixGeneChip Chicken Genome Array (Santa Clara, CA, USA).

3. Supplementation with YCW resulted in 928 genes that were significantly changed (456 down-regulated, 472 up-regulated) and supplementation with BMD resulted in 857 genes that significantly changed (408 down-regulated, 449 up-regulated). In addition, 316 genes were significantly changed by both YCW and BMD (146 down-regulated, 170 up-regulated).

4. BMD increased the expression of genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and decreased expression of genes associated with T-helper cell pathways. Gene expression profiles from birds fed on diets containing YCW showed changes on a genomic level that correspond to slower gut cell turnover and therefore increased energy preservation for growth.

5. In conclusion, supplementation with BMD or YCW had similar influences on the number of differentially expressed genes in the jejunum. Biological functions common to both YCW and BMD with positive activation scores included antiviral response and antimicrobial response. Genes that were affected by BMD or YCW classified into both different and common biological functions and pathways related to improved metabolism and health in the jejunum.     

Ultrasonography of the urinary tract in 29 female Saanen goats

The left and right kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra of 29 female clinically healthy Saanen goats were examined via transcutaneous and transrectal ultrasonography. In order to establish reference values the examinations were performed using a 5.0 MHz linear transducer to scan the right caudal costal part of the abdominal wall, right and left dorsal flanks and right and left inguinal regions of standing goats. A 5.0 MHz intracavity probe was used for transrectal ultrasonographic examination of the urinary bladder and urethra. The kidneys were examined in longitudinal and cross section and assessed subjectively. They could usually be seen from the 12th intercostal space on the right side and dorsal right flank. The right kidney was 8.0 ± 0.67 cm long and the left was 8.4 ± 0.64 cm long. The ureters could not be visualized in any of the goats. The length of the urinary bladder was 5.1 ± 1.38 cm, and its largest cross-sectional diameter was 2.6 ± 1.01 cm. The urethra was seen in 23 goats and appeared as echogenic lines with no visible lumen. The transition from the neck of the bladder to the internal urethral orifice extended beyond the brim of the pelvis in only one goat.     

Use of stakeholder analysis to inform risk communication and extension strategies for improved biosecurity amongst small-scale pig producers

Extension and communication needs amongst small-scale pig producers, described as pig producers with less than 100 sows, have been previously identified. These producers, who are believed to pose a biosecurity risk to commercial livestock industries, are characterized by a lack of formal networks, mistrust of authorities, poor disease reporting behaviour and motivational diversity, and reliance on other producers, veterinarians and family for pig health and production advice. This paper applies stakeholder identification and analysis tools to determine stakeholders' influence and interest on pig producers' practices. Findings can inform a risk communication process and the development of an extension framework to increase producers' engagement with industry and their compliance with biosecurity standards and legislation in Australia. The process included identification of stakeholders, their issues of concerns regarding small-scale pig producers and biosecurity and their influence and interest in each of these issues. This exercise identified the capacity of different stakeholders to influence the outcomes for each issue and assessed their success or failure to do so. The disconnection identified between the level of interest and influence suggests that government and industry need to work with the small-scale pig producers and with those who have the capacity to influence them. Successful biosecurity risk management will depend on shared responsibility and building trust amongst stakeholders. Flow-on effects may include legitimating the importance of reporting and compliance systems and the co-management of risk. Compliance of small-scale pig producers with biosecurity industry standards and legislation will reduce the risks of entry and spread of exotic diseases in Australia.