Blood chemistry and hematology of gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups from birth to postweaning.

Serum and plasma samples were collected from 92 gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups, all less than 5 wk old, and from 21 yearlings during the breeding season at the Isle of May, Firth of Forth, Scotland, for hematologic and clinical chemistry analysis. In the pups, total WBC, total protein, and glucose values increased until weaning and declined during the postweaning fast. Liver enzymes, particularly alkaline phosphatase, were high at birth and decreased steadily with age, most rapidly during the postweaning fast. In the yearlings, total WBC, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and rectal temperatures were significantly higher than in the pups and glucose levels were significantly lower. Therefore, consideration should be given to the growth phase of gray seal pups (lactation or postweaning fast) or stage of development when hematology and clinical chemistries are used for diagnostic purposes.     

Impact of a sustained-release ivermectin bolus on weight gain in breeding age Holstein heifers under commercial pasture conditions in southern Québec.

This field trial was designed to test the effect of treatment with a sustained-release ivermectin bolus on average daily and total weight gain in breeding age Holstein heifers under commercial pasture conditions in southern Quebec. One hundred and twelve heifers from 12 herds were randomly assigned at turnout either to treatment with a commercially-available ivermectin bolus or to remain as untreated controls. Ninety-six heifers, 49 treated animals and 47 controls, completed the trial. Animals were weighed at turnout, midseason, and at the end of the grazing season. Fecal samples were collected at each of these times and nematode eggs counted. Nematode egg excretion was relatively low throughout the pasture season, which was abnormally warm and dry until midsummer. Over the entire pasture season, average daily weight gain was higher in treated than in control animals (difference = 0.08 kg/day, P = 0.010). Total weight gain was also higher in treated animals than in control animals (difference = 12.82 kg, P = 0.013). The results of this study suggest that preventive treatment of breeding age, grazing dairy heifers with a sustained-release ivermectin bolus provides a significant weight gain advantage, in situations with moderate utilization of moderately contaminated pastures.     

A Comparison of Indirect Blood Pressure Monitoring Techniques in the Anesthetized Cat

Objective —To determine the accuracy of three indirect blood pressure monitoring techniques (oscillometric technique [OS], Doppler [DOP], and optical plethysmography [OP] [blood pressure determined with a pulse oximeter waveform]) when compared with direct arterial pressure measurement in cats. Study Design —Prospective study. Animal Population —Eight healthy (five female, three male), domestic short-hair cats, weighing 3.5 ± 0.8 kg Methods —Cats were anesthetized with isoflurane. The inspired concentration of isoflurane was adjusted to produce mild hypotension (80 to 100 mm Hg direct systolic), moderate hypotension (60 to 80 mm Hg direct systolic), and severe hypotension (<60 mm Hg direct systolic). Indirect pressure measurements were obtained from the thoracic limb and compared with concurrent direct measurement using regression analysis and a modification of Bland and Altman's technique. Results —All three techniques underestimated systolic pressure. OS produced the best prediction of systolic pressure with a bias ± precision of -15.9 ± 8.1 mm Hg. DOP and OP were relatively inaccurate with a bias ± precision of -25 ± 7.4 mm Hg and -25 ± 7.5 mm Hg. All three techniques correlated well with direct pressure with r values of 0.81, 0.88, and 0.88 for OS, DOP, and OP. DOP and OP provided an accurate prediction of direct mean arterial pressure with a bias ± precision of -0.8 ± 6 mm Hg and 0.6 ± 5.5 mm Hg. Correlation was good between DOP and mean arterial pressure with r = 0.89. Correlation was also good between OP and mean arterial pressure with r = 0.90. Conclusions —OS provided the most accurate prediction of direct systolic pressure. DOP and OP provided a good prediction of mean arterial pressure in the cat. Clinical Relevance —All three of these techniques are useful for detecting trends. Direct monitoring of blood pressure should be considered if accurate blood pressure measurement is required.     

Isolation of Mycobacterium species from raw milk of pastoral cattle of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania

A study to determine the secretion of Mycobacterium spp. in milk from indigenous cattle was carried out in pastoral cattle reared in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The study was aimed at elucidating the dangers associated with milk-borne zoonoses in a society where milk is normally consumed raw. Out of 805 milk samples, 31 (3.9%) were positive for mycobacteria. There was a preponderance of atypical mycobacteria (87%) whereas only two isolates (6.5%) were confirmed as M. bovis. Atypical mycobacteria included: M. terrae (n=7), M. fortuitum (n=2), M. flavescens (n=13), M. gordonae (n=1) and M. smegmatis (n=4). Although the number of M. bovis positive samples was low, the habit of pooling milk may still pose great public health dangers to milk consumers in this part of the world. Moreover, isolation of atypical mycobacteria should also be considered to be a danger to human health in countries such as Tanzania, where the number of people with lowered immunity due to HIV infection is on the increase.