Induction of bovine polioencephalomalacia with a feeding system based on molasses and urea.

Polioencephalomalacia (PEM), a disease first described in the United States and related to intensive beef production, appeared in Cuba coincident with the use of a new, molasses-urea-based diet to fatten bulls. Because the only experimental means so far of reproducing PEM has been with amprolium, a structural analog of thiamin, the present study attempted to induce the disease using the molasses-urea-based diet. Six Holstein bulls (200-300 kg) were studied during consumption of three successive diets: 1) commercial molasses-urea-restricted forage diet of Cuban feedlots, 2) a period in which forage was gradually withdrawn and 3) a forage-free diet composed only of molasses, urea and fish meal. PEM was reproduced in this way. At ten-day intervals, blood concentrations of glucose, lactate, pyruvate and urea were measured, as well as when clinical signs of PEM appeared. The signs, clinical course and lesions of the experimentally induced disease were comparable to those of field cases. The biochemical results suggested a block in pyruvate oxidation as in PEM elsewhere in the world. No evidence existed of urea intoxication. In addition, brain and liver concentration of total thiamin from field cases and normal animals were found to be similar.     

Parasites of Dogs from Indian Settlements in Northwestern Canada: A Survey with Public Health Implications

A total of 959 faecal samples were obtained from dogs in 12 native communities in Northern Saskatchewan, Central and Northern Alberta and the Northwest Territories. All samples were examined using a flotation technique. Samples from an area of endemic human amoebic infections were also examined by a formol-ether sedimentation method. Eighteen necropsies were performed.

Entamoeba histolytica cysts were recovered from dog faeces at Loon Lake, Saskatchewan.

Toxocara canis had low incidence in Saskatchewan and Central Alberta, and appeared to be almost non-existent further North. Toxascaris leonina was found in all areas surveyed. Canine hookworm infections were plentiful in all areas, the highest incidence being recorded from Northern Alberta and Northwest Territories. Many Taenia (or Echinococcus) infections were found consistently in all areas. Only one infection with Dipylidium caninum was discovered.

Metorchis conjunctus infections were found to be common in the Saskatchewan reserves. Infections with Diphyllobothrium sp. were found in all communities with access to good fishing. One specimen of Dioctophyma renale was recovered at necropsy.

Infections with parasites of no known zoonotic importance such as Trichuris, Alaria and Isospora species were also recorded.

     

Use of Mailed Questionnaire Data in a Study of Swine Congenital Malformations

A study was designed to evaluate the representativeness and accuracy of data collected on swine birth defects by mailed questionnaire. The study was conducted in the three contiguous counties of Johnson, Lafayette and Pettis in west central Missouri. A personal interview survey and an examination of malformed pigs were used to validate mailed questionnaire data which estimated the frequency and distribution of malformations observed in pigs over a six month period. This period between April and September 1970 was defined as the study period. The results were compared to a previous six month period (April-September 1969), or baseline period, when only the mailed questionnaire was used. The frequency and distribution of the reported malformations by type did not differ significantly (at the p=0.05 level) between the study period (70.4% response) and the baseline period (31.3% response). Evaluation of this and additional data collected during the study suggested that the mailed questionnaire can be used effectively to estimate the frequency and distribution of swine malformations within a defined geographic area.     

A Brief Review of Bovine Coccidiosis in Western Canada

Coccidiosis of beef cattle, in both its enteric and nervous forms, seen in feedlots in Western Canada is discussed. Cases of coccidiosis accompanied by nervous signs, occasionally up to 30% of those affected enterically, are most common during the coldest winter months. The pathogenesis of the nervous form of the disease is unknown. Clinical management of disease outbreaks using various chemotherapeutics is described. The importance of using anticoccidial drugs before the onset of clinical signs in cattle in contact with sick animals is discussed.     

Granulomatous Dermatitis in Carnivores Associated with Dermatophyte Infection

Nine cases of granulomatous dermatitis in carnivores (eight dogs, one cat) are described. In three cases, in which there were no fungi in hair shafts, nor any other evidence of mycotic infection initially, fungal elements were demonstrated in the granulomas with the aid of special stains (PAS and Grocott). Granulomatous dermatitis in case of dermatophyte infections is thought to be an hypersensitivity reaction and has been reported to occur in a variety of mammals. It is suggested that pyogranulomatous skin reactions and trichogranulomas could be associated with dermatophytes and it is recommended to carry out further laboratory studies in order to detect fungi in such cases.     

Experimental Edema Disease of Swine (E. Coli ENTEROTOXEMIA) III. Pathology and Pathogenesis

Experimental colibacillary (Escherichia coli) enterotoxemia as described in this report mimics natural edema disease both clinically and in gross pathology. The histopathology is characterized by accumulations of non-inflammatory edema and by arteriopathy. The smaller arterial and arteriolar changes recorded here are similar to those described in natural edema disease. The vascular changes described in recovered cases of experimental colibacillary enterotoxemia concur with those reported in so-called subacute and chronic edema disease. The arteriolar changes that occur in colibacillary enterotoxemia of swine are comparable to those associated with hypertension.

Thin sections of cerebral cortex from four pigs with acute experimental edema disease were examined by electron microscopy in an attempt to demonstrate brain edema. Sections from one pig taken during the convulsive phase of disease revealed dilatation of perivascular glial processes. However, examination of sections taken from three other pigs during an earlier phase of the neurological disturbance revealed no significant lesions. We were unable to ascertain the role of brain edema in the pathogenesis of the nervous system disturbance in these experiments.