Prospective analysis for community participation in trypanosomosis control in The Gambia

The shift towards community participation in the eradication of trypanosomosis calls for investigation the underlying incentive structure for individuals in the community to cooperate in the provision of various control methods. Survey data were used to assess patterns of the community’s demand for insecticide pour-ons and trypanocidal drugs and factors affecting individual} demand in The Gambia. The results show that insecticide pour-on is strongly preferred. Similarly, farmers revealed a preference for community-based provision scheme. Factors affecting an individual farmer’s decision to invest in either pour-on or trypanocidal drugs were highlighted. While there are many factors associated with farmer’s decisions to invest in trypanosomosis control methods and to participate in collective actions, the results indicate that farmers} are ready to anticipate complete privatization of veterinary services through community-based schemes.     

Septicaemia secondary to infection by Corynebacterium macginleyi in an Indian python (Python molurus)

A seven-year-old female Indian python (Python molurus) weighing about 35kg was euthanased after several clinical episodes of stomatitis, pneumonia, ophthalmitis and dystocia over a period of four years. The animal had been maintained in a terrarium in a circus truck at an adequate temperature. During shows, however, the snake was considered to be exposed to stressful conditions for several hours at a time at low temperatures and with noise and bright lights. A post-mortem examination indicated ulcerative stomatitis, osteomyelitis, severe pneumonia and numerous granulomata and multifocal necrosis in stomach and spleen. Corynebacterium macginleyi was isolated in pure culture from the ulcerative stomatitis, and mixed with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from the lungs and spleen. The findings indicated that the snake had died from a septicaemic process caused by C. macginleyi, probably originating from the stomatitis. The role of S. maltophilia as a secondary agent is discussed. The stress of the circus show and poor husbandry may have predisposed the animal to infection and septicaemia. This is the first report of C. macginleyi causing disease in a snake.     

Prevalence of species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium found in 1-2-year-old dairy cattle in the eastern United States

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in 1-2-year-old heifers was determined for 571 animals on 14 dairy farms in seven states on the East Coast of the United States. A fecal specimen collected directly from each heifer was processed to concentrate oocysts that were then examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For every PCR-positive specimen the 18S rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium was sequenced. Cryptosporidium was identified by PCR from heifers on 13 of 14 farms. On all except four farms groups of heifers were housed in a barn or in large covered pens. Others were pastured. From many of the same farms an earlier study reported that 41% of 393 pre-weaned calves and 26.2% of 447 post-weaned calves were infected. In the present study, 11.9% of 571 heifers were infected with Cryptosporidium, 0.7% with Cryptosporidium parvum, the zoonotic species. Of 68 PCR-positive specimens characterized by gene sequencing 1, 4, 10, 24, and 29 calves were infected with Cryptosporidium suis, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium deer-like genotype, Cryptosporidium bovis, and Cryptosporidium andersoni, respectively. These findings demonstrate a lower prevalence of infection in 1-2-year-old dairy cattle than in younger cattle as well as a change in the diversity of species present. Consequently, the risk of humans acquiring infection with C. parvum from exposure to feces from yearling and older cattle appears much lower than from exposure to pre-weaned calves.     

Ossifying fibroma in a miniature rex rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

In humans and animals, ossifying fibroma is a benign neoplasm that most frequently affects the mandible, often resulting in cosmetic deformities and malocclusion. It is considered rare in animals and most frequently affects young horses. A surgical biopsy of a solitary mass located beneath the gingiva in the right maxillary region, which had overgrown teeth and expanded the adjacent hard palate from a 6-year-old miniature Rex rabbit was submitted for light microscopic examination. The submitted incisional biopsy specimen was pale pink, firm, and nodular. Histopathologically, the neoplasm was composed of fibroblastic cells separated by abundant collagen. The neoplastic cells were interwoven with osteoblasts surrounding islands of mineralized, bony matrix containing few, widely spaced, often empty, lacunae. Minimal inflammation was present. Based on the histopathologic features, the tumor was diagnosed as an ossifying fibroma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ossifying fibroma in a rabbit.     

Frequencies of blood type A, B and AB in non-pedigree domestic cats in Turkey

OBJECTIVES: To determine the distribution of blood types and to estimate the proportion of matings at risk for neonatal isoerythrolysis in non-pedigree domestic cats. METHODS: The present survey determined the frequency of blood types in 301 cats from four distinct regions of Turkey. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-anticoagulated blood samples were typed by simple tube and slide agglutination assays. Serum obtained from type B cats and an anti-B solution, prepared with Triticum vulgaris, were used to determine type A and type B blood, respectively. RESULTS: Of the 301 cats typed, 220 had type A blood, 74 had type B and seven had type AB. There was a significant difference (P<0.01) between the locations of the cats, with fewer type B cats in the eastern than in the western parts of Turkey. Risk for the development of neonatal isoerythrolysis due to A-B mismatch was estimated to be 18.6 per cent. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The overall type B frequency in Turkish domestic cats is high. Thus, untyped transfusions in these cats carry a high risk of life-threatening acute haemolytic transfusion reactions and neonatal isoerythrolysis. It is therefore strongly recommended that blood typing be performed before breeding or transfusing in order to minimise blood type incompatibility risks.     

Effect of intravenous administration of ketamine on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in anesthetized dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 6 plasma ketamine concentrations on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 dogs. PROCEDURE: In experiment 1, the MAC of isoflurane was measured in each dog and the pharmacokinetics of ketamine were determined in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs after IV administration of a bolus (3 mg/kg) of ketamine. In experiment 2, the same dogs were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen. A target-controlled IV infusion device was used to administer ketamine and to achieve plasma ketamine concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, and 11 microg/mL by use of parameters obtained from experiment 1. The MAC of isoflurane was determined at each plasma ketamine concentration, and blood samples were collected for ketamine and norketamine concentration determination. RESULTS: Actual mean +/- SD plasma ketamine concentrations were 1.07 +/- 0.42 microg/mL, 1.62 +/- 0.98 microg/mL, 3.32 +/- 0.59 microg/mL, 4.92 +/- 2.64 microg/mL, 13.03 +/- 10.49 microg/mL, and 22.80 +/- 25.56 microg/mL for target plasma concentrations of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, and 11 microg/mL, respectively. At these plasma concentrations, isoflurane MAC was reduced by 10.89% to 39.48%, 26.77% to 43.74%, 25.24% to 84.89%, 44.34% to 78.16%, 69.62% to 92.31%, and 71.97% to 95.42%, respectively. The reduction in isoflurane MAC was significant, and the response had a linear and quadratic component. Salivation, regurgitation, mydriasis, increased body temperature, and spontaneous movements were some of the adverse effects associated with the high plasma ketamine concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ketamine appears to have a potential role for balanced anesthesia in dogs.     

Na(+), K(+)-ATPase content in skeletal muscle of dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism

Several hormones regulate Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase content in the muscle cell membrane, which is essential for maintaining muscle cell excitability. Chronic glucocorticoid excess is associated with muscle weakness and reduced endurance. We hypothesized that chronic glucocorticoid excess affects Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase content in canine skeletal muscle, and contributes to reduced endurance and muscle weakness associated with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (PDH) in dogs. Therefore, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase content in skeletal muscle was evaluated before and after hypophysectomy and hormone replacement (cortisone and l-thyroxin) in dogs with PDH (n = 13), and in healthy controls (n = 6). In addition, baseline and exercise-induced changes in plasma electrolyte concentrations and acid–base balance were evaluated before and after hypophysectomy in dogs with PDH. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase content of gluteal muscle in dogs with PDH was significantly lower than in control dogs (201 ± 13 pmol/g versus 260 ± 8 pmol/g wet weight; P < 0.01). Similar differences were found in palatine muscle. After hypophysectomy and on hormone replacement, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase was increased (234 ± 7 pmol/g wet weight). Both plasma pH and base excess in dogs with PDH (7.44 ± 0.01; 1.7 ± 0.6 mmol/l, respectively) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than after hypophysectomy and hormone replacement (7.41 ± 0.01; −0.2 ± 0.4 mmol/l, respectively). Exercise induced respiratory alkalosis, but did not result in hyperkalemia in dogs with PDH. In conclusion, chronic glucocorticoid excess in dogs with PDH is associated with decreased Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase content in skeletal muscle. This may contribute to reduce endurance in canine PDH, although dogs with PDH did not exhibit exercise-induced hyperkalemia. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase content normalized to values statistically not different from healthy controls after hypophysectomy and hormone replacement.     

Identification of avian strains of Pasteurella multocida in India by conventional and PCR assays

The prevalence of capsular and somatic serotypes were studied among 123 Pasteurella multocida strains isolated from chickens (n = 94), ducks (22), quails (4), turkeys (2) and geese (1) from different geographical regions of India. All strains exhibited similar cultural and morphological characteristics. Ninety-two of the isolates belonged to serotype A:1, the most prevalent serotype, with serotypes A:3, A:1,3, D:3 and F:3 having two isolates each. Only one isolate was positive for serotypes A:4 and D:1. Twenty isolates were untyped. A multiplex capsular PCR assay generated amplicons of sizes 460, 1044, 657 and 854 bp in 106 isolates identified as capsular serotype-A, 15 in serotype D and two in serotype F. Capsular types B and E were not detected in any of the avian isolates studied. The present findings suggest that a multiplex capsular PCR assay may be suitable for the rapid initial identification serotypes P. multocida during epidemiological studies of fowl cholera.     

Effect of embryo age on the viability of equine embryos after cooled storage using two transport systems

The aim of this study was to compare the viability of 7- and 8-day-old equine embryos cooled and stored for 6 or 24 hours in two different transport systems. Embryos (n = 97) were recovered on day 7 or 8 and assigned to 10 groups (n = 10/group). Embryos within the same age group (D7 or D8) were evaluated immediately after collection (Group-0h) or after storage in an Equitainer at 5°C for 24 hours in 5 ml Emcare Holding Solution (EHS) (Group-E-24h) or 5 ml Ham's F10 (Group-H-24h) or in a refrigerator at 5°C in 500 ml Emcare Flushing Solution (EFS) for 6 hours (Group-B-6h) or 24 hours (Group-B-24h). After collection or storage, embryos were incubated in 1 μg/ml DAPI to determine the percentage of dead cells per embryo (DAPI positive, fluorescent cells). Subsequently, embryos were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde and re-stained with DAPI to determine the total number of cells. The percentage of dead cells in group-0h and B-6h was similar and significantly lower than for embryos stored for 24 hours in groups B-24h, E-24h, and H-24h. The percentage of dead cells was similar for embryos stored in an Equitainer (groups E-24h and H-24h) and was significantly higher for embryos stored 24 hours in EFS (Group B-24h). Within each storage system (0h, B-6h, B-24h, E-24h, and H-24h) no significant difference in the percentage of dead cells was observed between 7- and 8-day-old embryos. Storage in 500 ml EFS at 5°C for 6 hours resulted in embryos of better quality than after the traditional 24-hour storage in an Equitainer, suggesting that this simplified system offers a good alternative for short-term storage and transport.     

Effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation and feeding period on pork quality

Feeding increased levels of dietary vitamin E can inhibit lipid oxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of levels of dietary alpha-tocopherol acetate (VE) and feeding duration on meat quality and lipid oxidation. Eighty-one pigs were allocated to 1 of 3 diets containing 40, 200, or 400 IU of VE/kg of feed, and each diet group was divided into 3 feeding periods (3, 6, or 9 wk). Carcass characteristics and meat quality were evaluated. Oxidative stability of fresh and cooked pork patties and pork chops was determined after chilled or frozen storage. Increasing dietary concentrations of VE did not affect any growth performance parameter. Drip loss, however, decreased (P < 0.05) with increased dietary VE levels. Moreover, an increased duration of VE feeding improved (P < 0.05) pH and drip loss. Less lipid oxidation (P < 0.05) was detected in fresh ground pork from pigs fed greater concentrations of VE after 4 d of storage. A greater (P < 0.05) resistance to oxidation in cooked ground pork was observed in pigs fed 200 or 400 IU of VE/kg at 2 and 6 d of storage. Fresh and cooked pork patty oxidation decreased (P < 0.05) linearly as feeding duration increased from 3 to 9 wk. After 6 mo of freezer storage, lipid oxidation of pork chops from pigs fed 200 or 400 IU of VE/kg was lower (P < 0.05) than for pigs fed 40 IU of VE/kg. Likewise, lipid oxidation of pork chops of pigs fed VE for an extended period of time (6 wk) was lower (P < 0.05) after 9 mo of storage. Fatty acid profiles of neutral lipid fraction of the LM became more unsaturated (P < 0.05) with added VE to the feed. These results indicate an increased intake of dietary VE concentration, and prolonged feeding of VE can improve drip loss and reduce lipid oxidation in ground pork and pork chops. This study suggests that supplementation with 200 IU of VE/kg of feed for 6 wk before market is beneficial in improving lipid stability and pork quality.