Review of the measuring precision of the new Meibometer® MB550 through repeated measurements in dogs

Objective A meibometer is a device to measure the delivery rate of lipids on the eyelid margin. The aim of this study is to determine the measuring precision of the new Meibometer^® MB550 (Courage-Khazaka electronic GmbH, 50829, Cologne, Germany), linked to a computer, by means of repeated measurements in dogs by different examiners. Procedure Two investigators measured the lipid rate on the eyelid margin in 10 healthy dogs for 10 days. One examiner measured the right eye (OD) and the other measured the left eye (OS) for 5 days. After 5 days, the eyes to be measured were switched between the examiners. The new device was able to record all measurement values as charts and curves in comparison to the previous Meibometer, which displayed only one value. Results Mean meibomium lipid level ± SD in the OD and OS of 10 dogs in 10 days was 211 ± 48 MU and 205 ± 41 MU (meibometer units), respectively. There was no significant difference between OD and OS, but a broad distribution of the values could be found. Gender did not influence the measurements. A significant difference was determined between the measurements in the first 5 days to those in the following 5 days. There was, therefore, also a significant difference in the measurements of the 2 examiners. Conclusion Meibometry is a minimally invasive lipid measuring method on the eyelid margin. Repeated measurement results obtained by two examiners, with the new device Meibometer MB550 linked to a computer, showed a wide range of values. The measuring precision of the new Meibometer MB550 is therefore questionable.     

Bacterial cholangiohepatitis in a dog

A 9-year-old female Yorkshire terrier was presented for vomiting and diarrhea. Blood chemistry tests revealed hepatic dysfunction, cholestasis, and inflammation. Liver ultrasonography and liver biopsy were consistent with cholangiohepatitis. Fine-needle aspiration of the gallbladder revealed the presence of bacteria later identified as Clostridium spp. The cholangiohepatitis was successfully treated.     

Prevalence and genetic characterization of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in cats from Italy

One hundred and eighty one cats living in central Italy were tested for the presence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infection by IFAT test and specific PCRs. Overall eight (4.4%) samples were IFAT-positive for Giardia. All the IFAT-positive samples for Giardia scored positive for the PCRs, and three more samples IFAT-negative generated PCR products leading to a total 6.1% molecular positivity rate for Giardia. All the examined samples were negative for Cryptosporidium. Sequencing of samples molecularly positive to Giardia indicated that three cats harbored the zoonotic Giardia duodenalis Assemblage A, whereas all other positive animals were infected with the feline-specific G. duodenalis Assemblage F. Phylogenetic analysis carried out on the sequences obtained supported the clustering of the isolates within Assemblages A and F. The results here presented provide data on the occurrence of Giardia genotypes in cats living in close contact with humans highlighting the potential importance of this protozoan disease for the public health.     

Historical Forage Productivity and Cost of Capital for Cow-Calf Production in California

Exposure of livestock grazing to forage productivity variation and to market fluctuations affects the risk of investment and returns from cow-calf operations, but little work has been done to empirically compare these returns to the returns that would be demanded by financial markets from assets with similar risk and return characteristics. This study uses historical forage production data from three rangeland locations in California, and cattle and hay prices, to simulate financial statements for three hypothetical cow-calf producers in the period 1988–2007. Return on investment from year to year incorporates the variability and risk associated with dependence on natural forage production. Performance is then compared to the actual performance of a diversified portfolio of assets using the Capital Asset Pricing Model, from which the theoretical cost of capital for these hypothetical grazing enterprises is derived. Much like other agricultural enterprises, cow-calf production in California has low market risk and a low theoretical cost of capital. This theoretical cost of capital is still greater than the historical return from livestock production (excluding land appreciation) in the western United States, adding further backing to the point often made in the literature that ranchers who engage in cow-calf production are receiving benefits beyond the commercial returns from livestock production alone.     

Correlation between corneal sensitivity and quantity of reflex tearing in cows,horses, goats,sheep, dogs,cats, rabbits,and guinea pigs

Objective Guinea pigs have a very low threshold of corneal sensitivity and at the same time nearly no reflex tearing compared to dogs, cats, and horses. The question arose whether there is a general correlation between corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing. Animals studied Totally 160 animals of 8 different species (20 animals per species) were investigated. Procedures The corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured with a Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometer. The palpebral fissure length (PFL) was measured with a calliper ruler. The Schirmer tear test (STT) was modified by adapting the width of the STT strip to the PFL of every species. For the STT II, 0.4% oxybuprocaine was applied. Results Corneal touch threshold: Cows (1.67 g/mm²), horses (1.23 g/mm²), sheep (1.13 g/mm²), goats (1.44 g/mm²), dogs (2.16 g/mm²), and cats (1.33 g/mm²) show similar CTT values. In contrast, rabbits (6.21 g/mm²) and guinea pigs (7.75 g/mm²) show a significantly lower CTT. Tear Production Difference STT I ? STT II: Rabbits have the greatest decline in tear production with 38.4%, followed by sheep (33.3%), dogs (31.1%), cats (24.7%), cows (23.7%), horses (18.0%), and goats (14.0%). Guinea pigs have no decline, but a slight increase of ?16.0%. Correlation CTT and STT II ? STT I Difference: Pearson’s correlation coefficient shows a small, but significant correlation. The coefficient of determination can only forecast a value with 7.1% certainty. Conclusions The high variance and low reproducibility of results suggest that the measuring devices are inappropriate to assess the evaluated parameters. Therefore, no assured correlation between the corneal sensitivity and the quantity of reflex tearing could be found.