X-Chromosomal Monosomy (77, XO) in a Doberman Pinscher With Gonadal Dysgenesis

A 6-month-old stunted female Doberman Pinscher was found to have a 77,X0 chromosomal complement. The ovaries were small, consisting primarily of interstitial-type cells and solid epithelial cords. The dam, sire, and a male littermate had normal karyotypes.     

Supplementary biotin for sows: effect on claw integrity

Eighty female pigs were fed, from 25 kg liveweight, either basal diets calculated to provide 32 micrograms available biotin/kg (control diet) or basal diets supplemented with 350 micrograms biotin/kg. Their claws were examined and lesions recorded at 170 days of age and when each of their first four litters was weaned. The incidence of horn 'defects' (superficial bruises, abrasions and cuts in the soft heel) remained at a low level throughout the trial. Neither the number of claws affected with lesions nor the number of lesions per sow differed between treatments at 170 days of age. Between 170 days of age and first weaning the incidence of hoof lesions increased greatly. At first weaning and for the remainder of the trial biotin supplemented sows had significantly fewer claw lesions per sow than controls (P less than 0.05 or greater). The predominant injuries to the foot were cracks which occurred mainly in two associated regions, the heel/toe junction and the heel, and the sidewall and adjacent white-line region of the toe. The differences in foot damage did not result in differences in culling rate. It was concluded that supplemention of the diet of breeding sows with biotin from an early stage of development made a significant contribution to the maintenance of their horn integrity.     

Evaluation of commercial oral replacement formulas in healthy neonatal calves

Effects of 5 commercial oral replacement formulas on hematologic and plasma biochemical values, body weight, and prevalence of diarrhea were studied in healthy neonatal calves. Products were fed according to manufacturers' recommendations beginning at 3 to 7 days of age for 3 days. Whole milk, diluted 1:1 with commercial formulas, was fed for 3 days thereafter. There were no consistently significant (P greater than 0.05) effects of commercial product feeding with time or by treatment, as compared with those in whole milk-fed controls, on the hematologic or biochemical values of PCV, leukocyte count, platelet count, or plasma K, Cl, glucose, and lactic acid concentrations. Plasma Na concentrations decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) with age in all groups. After 2 weeks, milk-fed calves had gained 2.09 +/- 0.96 kg, and calves fed all but 2 hypertonic energy-dense products 1 and 5 had significant (P less than 0.05) weight losses (up to 2.95 +/- 1.34 kg). Transition to a diet of whole milk and commercial product at one half each of their standard doses resulted in a significant (P less than 0.05) occurrence of diarrhea. Seemingly, such formulas should not be fed to healthy calves on a long term basis. The product with the lowest osmolal and caloric content was associated with the greatest weight loss.     

Neosporosis in a young dog presenting with dermatitis and neuromuscular signs

A 16-week-old, male boxer dog developed multifocal nodular dermatitis followed by rapidly progressive and fatal neuromuscular disease. Protozoal tachyzoites were demonstrated by aspiration and biopsy of dermal lesions. Necropsy and histology revealed necrotising inflammation associated with intralesional protozoal organisms in various organs including the brain, heart, skeletal muscle and skin. Serology suggested active infection with Neospora caninum. Immunohistochemistry provided a definitive diagnosis. Dermatitis is a finding rarely associated with juvenile neosporosis. The possible role of immunosuppression is discussed.     

Oxidative and nitrosative responses of the chicken macrophage cell line MQ-NCSU to experimental Salmonella infection

Phagocytes limit replication or kill ingested organisms by producing toxic reactive oxygen and nitrogen species via NADPH oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The present experiments were to investigate the production and the possible roles of superoxide, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) in the MQ-NCSU chicken macrophage cell line infected with Salmonella in vitro. After infection, intracellular Salmonella viable counts remained constant until 24 h post infection (PI) and started to decline from 48 h PI. Infection of cells with S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis and S. Gallinarum, as well as exposure to S. Enteritidis LPS induced low, but significant concentrations of superoxide 1 to 2 h PI, as determined by reduction of ferricytochrome c. There was no difference in superoxide production in infected cells and control cells after 4 h. Increased H2O2 was observed from cells infected with all the different Salmonella species between 2 and 3 h of infection. Nitrite was always greater in infected cells compared to uninfected cells at all times. However, Salmonella was not completely eliminated from the cells though these cells are capable of eliciting a noticeable oxidative burst response and great nitrosative responses, indicating that a strong oxidative burst (and other mechanism/s) is essential for the elimination of intracellular Salmonella.     

Comparison of the properties of hyaluronate products used in treatment of joint dysfunction in horses

A standardized investigation was conducted to compare the biophysical properties of hyaluronate products used in the treatment of joint dysfunction in horses. Results showed that two of the five products, Hyvisc® and Hylartin®V, contained higher-weight molecular hyaluronate (greater than 1.5×10⁶). Other investigations have shown that higher molecular weight hyaluronate is effective in providing physical resistance to shear, in stimulating endogenous hyaluronate synthesis, and in inhibiting excess cell proliferation which may be associated with synovial pannus formation. It is suggested that the therapeutic benefits of hyaluronate products may be dependent on the molecular size of the hyaluronate molecules. Higher molecular weight hyaluronate products would be expected to be more effective than lower molecular hyaluronate products in providing therapeutic benefits.     

Molecular discrimination of Campylobacter coli serogroup 20 biotype I (Lior) strains.

Plasmid, protein and restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) profiles and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis were used to effect a molecular discrimination of twenty-seven Campylobacter coli serogroup 20, biotype 1 (Lior) strains. These strains were not outbreak-associated but were isolated from a number of different countries and different animal and environmental sources. Each of the techniques was able to discriminate, to various degrees, between the serogroup 20, biotype 1 strains. The choice of a particular technique depends to a large extent on the level of discrimination desired, the previous experiences of the investigator and on the laboratory facilities at hand. REA profiles demonstrated the greatest degree of discrimination between these strains. Plasmid and protein profiles could discriminate reasonably well. Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis (allozyme typing) and protein profiles may prove effective in subgrouping serogroup 20, biotype 1 strains.     

Water intake of weaned piglets from three to seven weeks old

One hundred and two large white cross landrace piglets weaned at 21 (+/- 1) days old were randomly allocated to one of two commercial early weaning diets for a four week growth trial. The piglets were housed in groups of between six and 10. After initial moderate restriction the piglets were fed ad libitum. Food intakes and weight gains were recorded weekly. Water consumption of individual pens of piglets was recorded daily. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on mean daily feed intake, daily liveweight gain or food conversion ratio. The relationship between water and food intake, piglet weight and daily gain was examined using regression and multiple regression analyses. Water intake was related to all these parameters, with daily feed intake being the best single predictor of water intake. The relationship was described by the equation: water intake (litres/day) = 0.149 + 3.053 feed intake (kg/day).