An adenovirus linked to mortality and disease in long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) in Alaska

An adenovirus was isolated from intestinal samples of two long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) collected during a die-off in the Beaufort Sea off the north coast of Alaska in 2000. The virus was not neutralized by reference antiserum against known group I, II, or III avian adenoviruses and may represent a new serotype. The prevalence of the virus was determined in live-trapped long-tailed ducks at the mortality site and at a reference site 100 km away where no mortality was observed. Prevalence of adenovirus antibodies in serum samples at the mortality site was 86% compared to 10% at the reference site. Furthermore, 50% of cloacal swabs collected at the mortality site and only 7% of swabs from the reference site were positive for adenoviruses. In 2001, no mortality was observed at either of the study areas, and virus prevalence in both serum and cloacal samples was low, providing further evidence that the adenovirus was linked to the mortality event in 2000. The virus was used to infect long-tailed ducks under experimental conditions and resulted in lesions previously described for avian adenovirus infections and similar to those observed in long-tailed duck carcasses from the Beaufort Sea. The status of long-tailed ducks has recently become a concern in Alaska due to precipitous declines in breeding populations there since the mid-1970s. Our findings suggest that the newly isolated adenovirus is a disease agent and source of mortality in long-tailed ducks, and thus could be a contributing factor in population declines.     

Effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs

Administration of morphine before anesthesia leads to gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in over 50% of dogs during the subsequent anesthetic. This GER is clinically silent but can lead to aspiration pneumonitis, esophagitis and esophageal stricture. In this prospective clinical study we aimed to determine the effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs were admitted to the study if they were healthy, and had no history of vomiting or dysphagia. Dogs were fasted for an average of 18.2 ± 4.3 (mean ± SD) hours prior to induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia in all dogs included acepromazine, morphine, thiopental and isoflurane in oxygen. By random allocation, half the dogs received metoclopramide (M) as an IV bolus (0.4 mg kg^–1) and then infusion (0.3 mg kg^–1hour^–1), the others received equivalent volumes of saline (S). To measure esophageal pH a sensor-tipped catheter was placed with the tip 5–7 cm cranial to the lower esophageal sphincter, and connected to a computer for continual data collection. The pH of any fluid running from the mouth or nose was measured. Gastro-esophageal reflux was defined as a decrease in esophageal pH below 4 or an increase above 7.5. Fisher's Exact test was used to test significance of differences in incidence between groups. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were created for each outcome to assess the effects of risk factors on outcome. There were seven cases of GER in 16 dogs receiving M and 8/14 in those receiving S. There were no significant differences between M and S treated dogs in age, weight, duration of anesthesia and fasting, thiopental dose or incidence of vomiting. The administration of metoclopramide at this dose did not significantly reduce the incidence of GER in these anesthetized dogs.     

Castile: A multiple-purpose,high yielding full-season golden nematode resistant potato variety

Castile is a golden nematode Race A (Globodera rostochiensis) resistant potato variety with the potential to produce high marketable yields of attractive tubers suitable for tablestock and processing. Tubers are oblong to long, slightly flattened with a smooth white skin and moderately shallow eyes. Vines of this variety are large, providing a dense canopy, and require a full growing season similar to that needed for Katahdin. Timely irrigation produces high marketable yields, stress conditions can limit yields. Specific gravity in New York State averages 0.005 above Katahdin and 0.009 below Atlantic. Tuber flesh is bright white. Baking and french fry quality is good. Chip color, when tubers are stored at 10 C for 120 days, is equivalent to Atlantic. Castile is resistant to corky ring spot, pinkeye, and moderately resistant to Fusarium rot.     

Observations on a heard of beef cattle maintained in a tsetse area

Summary Three groups of Boran cattle were maintained under different trypanocidal drug regimes for 29 months in an area of “medium” tsetse challenge. The development of immunity to trypanosomiasis in the cattle was assessed on the basis of changes in trypanocidal drug requirement, development of parasitaemia, ability to maintain normal blood values, growth and response to challenge after the withdrawal of the drugs. Observations were also made on serum antibody content by immunofluorescence and on serum immunoglobulin levels. Cattle treated with Berenil on the development of clinical disease developed a partial immunity to trypanosomiasis after two years. Cattle treated as a group with Berenil on the development of patent parasitaemia in any one animal of the group did not develop immunity. Cattle treated as a group with Samorin using the same criterion for treatment developed a degree of immunity to the disease. It was concluded that group treatment with Samorin was the most suitable of the three regimes examined for the maintenance of beef cattle in a tsetse infested area.

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Resumen Se mantuvieron tres grupos de ganado Boran durante 29 meses bajo differentes regímenes terapéuticos en un área donde la concentración de moscas tsetse era mediana. Se llevó a cabo la evaluación del desarrollo de la inmunidad contra la tripanosomiasis teniendo como base los diferentes cambios en el requerimiento de drogas, desarrollo de parasitemia, abilidad para mantener los valores sanguíneos normales, crecimiento y respuestas a la descarga de parásitos después del retiro de la terápia. Se hicieron también observaciones del nivel de anticuerpos séricos por inmunofluorescencia y se determinó el nivel de inmunoglobulinas. Los animales tratados con Berenil cuando mostraban signos clínicos de la enfermedad, desarrollaron una inmunidad parcial a la tripanosomiasis después de dos a?os. Los animales tratados en grupo con Berenil cuando se detectó parasitemia en cualquier animal del grupo no desarrollaron inmunidad. El ganado tratado con Samorin en base de grupo siguiendo el mismo criterio para el tratamiento, desarrolló cierto grado de resistencia a la enfermedad. Se concluye que el tratamiento de grupo utilizando Samorin fue el mejor de los tres regímenes estudiados para el mantenimiento de ganado de carne en un área infestada de moscas tstse.

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Résumé Trois groupes de bovins Boran ont été maintenus vingt neuf mois, sous différents traitements trypanocides, dans une zone “moyennement” infestée de tsé-tsé. Le développement de l'immunité à la trypanosomiase a été évalué à partir des changements dans les besoins en trypanocides, du développement de la parasitémie, de l'aptitude à maintenir les valuers normales du sang, de la croissance et de la réaction à l'infection après la suppression des médicaments. Des observations ont aussi été faites sur la présence d'anticorps sériques par immunofluorescence et sur les teneurs en immunoglobines sériques. Le bétail traité au Berenil à l'apparition de signes cliniques a été partiellement immunisé au bout de deux ans. Dans le groupe du bétail traité au Berenil à l'apparition d'une parasitémie évidente, aucun animal n'a présenté d'immunité. Le groupe de bovins traité au Samorin, selon les nêmes critères a été bien immunisé.

     

Response to nasopharyngeal oxygen administration in horses with lung disease

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Guidelines for administration of oxygen to standing horses are unavailable because previous investigations of the efficacy of oxygen administration to increase arterial oxygenation in standing horses have produced equivocal results. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of nasal oxygen supplementation on inspired and arterial blood gas tensions in control horses and those with moderate to severe recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). METHODS: Normal horses (n = 6) and horses during an attack of RAO induced by stabling (n = 6) were studied. Oxygen was administered through either one or 2 cannulae, passed via the nares into the nasopharynx to the level of the medial canthus of each eye. Intratracheal inspired oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration and arterial blood gas tensions were measured at baseline and during delivery of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 l/min oxygen. RESULTS: Nasal cannulae and all but the highest oxygen flow rates were well tolerated. Fractional inspired oxygen concentration (F(I)O2) increased with flow but was significantly lower at all flow rates in horses with RAO compared with controls. Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) was significantly increased (P < 0.001) by all flow rates, but was always lower in RAO-affected animals. At 30 l/min, PaO2 increased to 319 +/- 31 mmHg in control horses and 264 +/- 69 mmHg in horses with RAO. Additionally, a large arterial to end-tidal gradient for CO2 in RAO-affected horses was observed, indicating increased alveolar deadspace ventilation in these animals. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nasal cannulae to deliver oxygen effectively increases both F(I)O2 and PaO2 in horses with moderate to severe RAO. Oxygen flow rates up to 20 l/min are well tolerated, but flow rates of 30 l/min produce occasional coughing or gagging. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Oxygen therapy delivered by means of an intranasal cannula is a highly effective means of increasing arterial oxygen tension in horses with respiratory disease. Generally, flows of 10-20 l/min should be effective. If higher flows (20-30 l/min) are necessary, they should be delivered by means of 2 cannulae.     

Role of dietary calcium and available phosphorus in the aetiology of tibial dyschondroplasia in growing turkeys

1. Large White male turkeys from a heavy commercial male-line were fed 16 diets containing 4 concentrations of calcium (6, 10, 14 and 18 g/kg) and available phosphorus (3, 5, 7 and 9 g/kg) in a 4 x 4 factorial experiment. There were three replicates (pens) of each treatment and the skeletal health, morphology and mineral status of 4 turkeys from each pen were assessed at 7, 10 and 13 weeks of age. 2. The prevalence of tibial dyschondroplasia increased after 7 weeks of age and was present in 50 and 71% of turkeys respectively at 10 and 13 weeks. The lesion was localised in the caudal aspect of the proximal tibiae. Dietary calcium and available phosphorus did not affect the prevalence of the lesion except in turkeys on the diet containing 6 g calcium/kg, where body weight and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia were low. 3. Histological investigation showed no evidence of rachitic changes. 4. Low dietary calcium was associated with lower tibial plateau angles at 10 and 13 weeks of age. Tibial torsion and the angle of rotation were not affected by dietary treatments or age. Tibial torsion and the angle of rotation were not affected by dietary treatments or age. 5. Increasing dietary calcium increased tibial radiodensity, cortical density and the widths of the cortex and proximal tibiotarsus. Radiodensities increased to 10 weeks and were significantly lower at 13 weeks of age. 6. Bone ash, calcium and phosphorus declined with age, particularly between 10 and 13 weeks, whereas bone calcium: phosphorus ratios were not affected by dietary treatment or age. 7. Dietary calcium was positively associated with blood calcium and calcium ion concentrations and was without effect on blood phosphorus. Available phosphorus was associated positively with increased blood phosphorus and lower calcium ion concentrations but had no effect on total calcium. Alkaline phosphatase activity was low at high concentrations of dietary calcium with low available phosphorus and there was higher activity on diets containing low calcium and high available phosphorus.