Monitoring presence and annual variation of trichomoniasis in mourning doves

Information about the annual variation of trichomoniasis in mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) may be important in understanding mechanisms affecting mourning dove populations. The objectives of this study were to monitor the presence and annual variation of Trichomonas gallinae for 6 yr in a local mourning dove population using hunter-killed doves. During 1998-2003, 4052 hunter-killed doves were sampled for the presence of T. gallinae; 226 (5.6%) tested positive (4.4%-10.6% range). Results of the monitoring effort were relatively consistent during the 6-yr period, with the presence of T. gallinae being within the range of previously reported estimates for mourning doves. Asymptomatic carriers in one segment of the dove population may provide a mechanism for spreading the disease to other segments of the mourning dove population.     

Abomasal cannulation in the milk-fed calf using a 7 mm polyurethane tube

The main objective of this study was to develop a simple and effective surgical technique for abomasal cannulation in neonatal calves. General anaesthesia was induced in 12, 3-day-old male dairy calves and a polyurethane cannula surgically implanted in the abomasal body (n = 12) and pyloric antrum (n = 6) through a right paracostal incision. Fifteen cannulae remained in situ from day 3 to 34 of life (mean: 29 days), and three cannulae were extruded 13-14 days after placement. Calves were clinically healthy and gained weight during the study. Cannulae were well tolerated by the calves and abomasal contents did not leak from the cannula sites. Necropsy examination revealed firm adhesions between the abomasum and parietal peritoneum at the cannula sites with no evidence of leakage or peritonitis. We conclude that surgical placement of polyurethane tubes designed for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy provided a useful method for cannulation of the abomasum of neonatal calves. The cannulation technique can be used for experimental studies, as well as for nutritional and fluid support of sick calves that cannot be managed by oral treatment.     

Yeast (different sources and levels) as protein source in diets of reared piglets: effects on protein digestibility and N-metabolism

The aim of this study was to examine the feeding value of different yeasts as a substitute for soya bean meal, the main protein source in diets of weaned piglets. Tested two yeasts were already available on the market, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis (beer and milk yeast), which replaced 40% of the soya bean meal in the diets. Furthermore, a yeast (Kluyveromyces fragilis) grown on whey, a side-product of cheese production, was used in increasing concentrations in the diets, so that increasing amounts of the soya bean meal (20%, 40% and 60%) could be replaced. As proved in these experiments, a replacement of 60% of the soya protein with whey yeast protein had positive effects on the performances (daily weight gain) and on the N-metabolism and did not have negative effects on the health or the faeces consistency. The whey yeast stands out because of its high protein quality (N-digestibility and N-retention). Furthermore, the replacement of soya bean meal with highly digestible yeasts is welcomed under the aspect of animal health, because of the reduction of anti-nutritive soya components (stachyose, glycinin) in diets of weaned piglets. The controlled production conditions of the yeasts result in a high feed safety; in addition, the yeast as an end-of-pipe-product is a resource conserving and valuable feed. A main stimulus for the use of yeasts, however, in a food production controlled by economic standpoints, is their price and the costs of other competing feeds.     

Consequences of the judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court on the fighting dog problem

The Federal Constitutional Court decided with its "Dangerous dog-judgment" about the constitutional complaint of 53 dog breeders on the federal act combating dangerous dogs. This judgment was a so-called Pyrrhic Victory for the appellants. The Court declared the legislative competence of the federal level in this issue for null and void. But the statutory prohibition for breeding Pitbull-Terrier-, American Staffordshire-Terrier-, Staffordshire-Bullterrier-, Bullterrier-races and cross breeding out of this dogs will be governed in police laws by the Laender finally. The Standing Conference of the Ministers for Internal Affairs declared an appropriate recommendation. The use of the category "race" was refused by experts in discussions as completely wrong and not acceptable. But the Federal Constitutional Court reasons that the legislator can use the category "race" within his scope of evaluation and prognostication in accordance with the Constitution for the ban of import of dangerous dogs. The Court demands--because of the weak data background - that the legislator monitors the legislation, to adjust it according to current developments. The Constitutional Court creates with the judgment "dangerous dogs" legal certainty. The jurisprudence of the administrative courts of the Laender and of the Federal Administrative Court based on the category "race" was approved as well as the police laws of the Laender dealing with dangerous dogs.     

Non-pruritic granuloma in Norwegian forest cats

The eosinophilic granuloma complex is a group of skin disorders common in cats. This paper describes the clinical, haematological and histopathological features of 17 related Norwegian forest cats, six of which had a linear granuloma on the caudal thigh, three of which also had a granuloma on the lower lip, and one of which had a granuloma in combination with an indolent ulcer. The high prevalence of the disease in this population is suggestive of a genetic background.     

Pharmacokinetics and renal toxicity of three once-a-day doses of amikacin in cows

Pharmacokinetic variables of amikacin in cows were determined after administration of amikacin sulphate either intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) at a dose of 25 mg/kg per day for three days. Amikacin concentrations at time zero and maximum serum concentrations were 240.8 microg/mL and 122.53 microg/mL, respectively. The elimination half-life remained unchanged during the three days of administration (T1/2beta = 1.33 +/- 0.029 h for the IV route and T1/2beta = 2.75 +/- 0.38 h for the IM route). Apparent volumes of distribution suggest limited distribution out of the central compartment (VdAUC = 0.154 +/- 0.005 L/kg; Vdc = 36.50 +/- 2.35 L; Vdss = 0.092 +/- 0.004 L/kg). Bioavailability after IM administration was 95%. Serum profiles of urea, creatinine, albumin, electrolytes and pH after 5-day treatment with amikacin at a dose of 25 mg/kg per day IM revealed no changes. Assessment of diffusion of amikacin to milk by a commercially available screening method to detect antibiotic residues revealed that amikacin could not be detected by the fifth milking period after the last treatment. These results suggest that it would be rational to use a large single-daily dose of amikacin for future clinical trials in cows.     

Long‐Term Totally Implantable Venous Access Ports in Dogs and Cats Receiving Chemotherapy

Introduction:  We evaluated the totally implantable subcutaneous vascular access port (VAP) in 16 cancer patients undergoing intermittent chemotherapy for more than 30 months.
Methods:  Ports were surgically placed (The CompanionPort, Norfolk Vet Products, Skokie, Illinois 60076) in the jugular vein of 12 dogs and 4 cats between 1/2002 and 7/2004. Body weight determined polyurethane catheter size (4, 5, 7 fr.). The polysulfone port, surrounded by titanium, was anchored to subcutaneous tissue in the dorsolateral neck and confirmed with C‐arm fluoroscopy. All blood samples were obtained via VAP. Nine anticancer agents, other medications, crystalloids/colloids, and whole blood were administered. Ports were flushed every 4–5 weeks with heparinized saline solution (100 IU/ml). Removed catheters were submitted for bacteriology.
Results:  Seven of 16 animals are still alive. VAP were used for 1.5 to more than 30 months with 4–60 injections/port. Catheter tips were visualized from the left atrium distally into the caudal vena cava. Adverse events included post‐operative subcutaneous bruising and/or hematoma (4/16), difficult aspiration (4/16), catheter malposition (1/16), positional flushing (1/16), and occlusion requiring replacement (1/16). No thrombus formation or extravasation was evident. Bacterial colonization without signs of septicemia was observed in 3/4 catheters.
Conclusions:  VAP are an effective way of achieving long‐term venous access in the dog and cat. Complications are typically minor and infrequent.