Pathological Lesions in Swine at Slaughter: I. Baconers

An extended disease recording programme in pigs has been carried out by the meat inspection service at Sentralslakteriet, Forus, Stavanger. A data system including 57 disease codes has been applied. In the period 1975–1977 an average of 85,000 baconers were slaughtered yearly. About 39 % of these were given disease remarks; 42–47 % of the lesions were directly related to the parasites Sarcoptes scabiei (rind lesions) and Ascaris suum (white spots in the livers). The thoracic cavity was the most commonly affected part of the body with 30–35 % of all recorded lesions.Sixteen disease codes occurred at frequencies above 0.3 %, and they encompassed approx. 97 % of all recorded lesions. Scabies occurred at an average of 12 % of the fatteners. Parasitic hepatitis of severe and moderate degrees were seen in about 11 %, pleurisy in 7 %, pneumonia — severe and moderate — in 5.4 %, pericarditis in 4.3 %, pyaemia and abscess/-es in 2.5 %, tail lesions in 2.3 %, perihepatitis and other non-parasitic liver lesions in 2.2 %, polyarthritis and arthritis in 1.7 %, tuberculous lesions in the cervical lymph nodes in 0.9 %, peritonitis in 0.9 % and atrophic rhinitis — external lesions — in 0.8 % of the carcasses. The majority of the other 41 disease codes occurred at frequencies below 0.1 %.A seasonal variation was pronounced in scabies, numerous white spots in the liver, and tuberculous lesions in the cervical lymph nodes. It could be noted in pleurisy, pericarditis, perihepatitis and other non-parasitic liver lesions, arthritis and atrophic rhinitis, but not in pneumonias, moderate number of white spots in the liver, tail lesions, pyaemia, abscess/-es, peritonitis and polyarthritis.     

Veterinary Work in the Field with Fish and Other Aquatic Species

Veterinarians who work with fish and other aquatic species often must perform examinations, diagnostic investigations, and treatments away from the clinic or laboratory. Careful planning is important, and attention to biosecurity is essential. Various items of equipment form part of the field kit for such work and range from measuring scales to surgical instruments and anesthetic agents. Excellent recordkeeping at the site is essential.     

Histomorphometry of fragmented medial coronoid process in dogs: a comparison of affected and normal coronoid processes

OBJECTIVE: To determine if fatigue microdamage is associated with fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight dogs were admitted for subtotal coronoid ostectomy as treatment for FMCP. Surgical specimens of medial coronoid process (MCP) were retrieved from treated dogs. Normal MCP were collected from 5 age- and breed-matched dogs and 2 age-matched research beagles that were euthanatized for reasons other than elbow disease. METHODS: MCP specimens from affected elbows were classified into 4 groups based on disease severity. Specimens were bulk-stained for microdamage using 1% basic fuchsin, embedded in polymethylmethacrylate and sectioned at 130 microm. Specimens were evaluated using epifluorescent microscopy (425-440 excitation, 475 nm barrier filter) for diffuse damage (D.DX), osteocyte loss, and porosity. Cartilage thickness was evaluated using bright field microscopy. Qualitative observations were also made. RESULTS: MCP specimens from affected elbows had increased D.Dx, increased osteocyte loss, and greater porosity than normal groups. Specimens classified as severe FMCP (Classes 3, 4) had the most fatigue microdamage. Some Class 1 specimens, defined as having no visible fissuring of the articular cartilage (AC), had large microcracks in trabecular bone. CONCLUSIONS: Accumulation of subchondral fatigue microdamage, is associated with MCP fragmentation. Fissuring occurs in the subchondral bone before gross fibrillation of articular cartilage develops. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Accumulation of fatigue microdamage in the MCP is important in the pathogenesis of FMCP. The underlying cause of this microdamage accumulation must be identified before treatment plans that will prevent further osteoarthritis of the elbow joint can be designed.     

MAF takes over TB scheme — A reply

Madam:— I refer to the letter by Joe Tyndel “MAF takes over Tb scheme” (N.Z. vet. J. 34: 138). While not disagreeing with the sentiment of Dr Tyndel's letter which is a welcome first public correspondence about MAF moves towards commercialisation, I do wish to correct a major inaccuracy contained in the letter.     

Review of surrogacy program for endangered victorian brush-tailed rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) with special reference to animal husbandry and veterinary considerations.

A surrogacy program to increase the reproductive rate of the critically endangered Victorian brush-tailed rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), initially developed in semicaptive conditions, was established in close captivity at Adelaide Zoological Gardens in 1998. Pouch young were removed from their mothers on days 8-20 or 40-45 after parturition and placed onto the teat of a tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) or yellow-footed rock wallaby (Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus) surrogate mother. During the early years of the program, mortality of brush-tail pouch young was high (12/16, 75%), both before transfer while still on their mother (5/16) and after transfer to a surrogate mother (7/11). Changing pouch young transfer methodology and improving the health status of the surrogate animals during the later years of the program significantly reduced the mortality of brush-tail pouch young (8/29). Under the new methodology, no mortality of brush-tail pouch young was observed between birth and the time of transfer, (0/29), and after transfer, pouch young mortality rate was eight of 29 (28%). Factors implicated in the improved success of the program included 1) the early transfer (between days 8 and 20) of brush-tail pouch young from mother to surrogate mother, 2) review of the veterinary history and health of the animals selected to act as surrogate mothers, and 3) increased access to grazing pasture for foster mothers. The reproductive rate of the brush-tail females in the later years of the breeding program was sixfold above natural birthing rates. These and other factors important in establishing a breeding program of this nature are discussed.