Sequence polymorphism in the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers differs among Theileria species

The genomic region spanning the two ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S rRNA gene was cloned and sequenced from sixteen Theileria isolates. Each Theileria species possessed ITS1 and ITS2 of unique size(s) and species specific nucleotide sequences. Varying degrees of ITS1 and ITS2 intra- and inter-species sequence polymorphism were found among ruminant Theileria species. The spacers were most polymorphic in the agent of tropical theileriosis, Theileria annulata, and were more conserved in two benign species, Theileria buffeli and Theileria sergenti Chitose. Phylogenetic analysis of the rDNA ITS1-5.8S rRNA gene-ITS2 region clearly separated each taxon, placing them in three clusters. One held T. annulata, Theileria parva, and Theileria mutans, with the latter two most closely related. The second held T. sergenti Ikeda, T. sergenti Chitose, and T. buffeli, with the latter two most closely related. The third cluster held the Theileria ovis isolates.     

Bilateral subcutaneous fibrosarcomas in a cat following feline parvo-, herpes- and calicivirus vaccination

A crossbred cat developed a subcutaneous fibrosarcoma on the left side of the thorax at the site of previous administration of a feline parvo-, herpes- and calicivirus vaccine. A few months later the cat developed a second mass on the right side of the thorax after a booster vaccine had been administered at this site. This unique case of bilateral fibrosarcomas in a cat shortly after vaccination with parvo-, herpes- and caliciviruses suggests an individual disposition for the development of vaccine-associated sarcomas and a possible triggering of this type of pathological response which could have precipitated the development of the second tumour. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case of vaccine-induced fibrosarcomas occurring bilaterally after injection of a feline parvo-, herpes- and calicivirus containing vaccine at different sides of the thorax.     

Conjugated linoleic acid and black currant seed oil in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis: a preliminary report

Although conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) shows inhibitory effects on histamine release, eicosanoid production and pruritus in laboratory rodents, its use in canine atopic dermatitis (AD) has not been reported. The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy of CLA, black currant seed oil (BSO) or a combination of both, compared to placebo, in dogs with AD and to evaluate any changes in fatty acid metabolism with these treatments. Twenty-four dogs with AD were randomly allocated to four groups, and were treated orally each day for two months with either 1 mL/10 kg CLA (80% purity), 1 mL/10 kg pure BSO, 1 mL/10 kg CLA+1 mL/10 kg BSO, or 1 mL/10 kg sugar syrup (placebo). Serum was obtained on days 0, 30 and 60 for analysis of CLA metabolites, linoleic acid (LA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA). At the same time point, the owners were asked to assess pruritus and the veterinarians evaluated any skin lesions present. Although the best clinical results occurred with BSO treatment alone, improvement of clinical signs and pruritus was not significant with any of the treatments. Serum levels of GLA and DGLA significantly increased in BSO-treated dogs, but not in the CLA+BSO group. CLA at the dosage used in this study was not efficacious in treating canine AD, whereas BSO may help some dogs with AD, although further studies are necessary before this can be recommended as a treatment.     

Poisoning in ostriches following ingestion of toxic plants - field observations

Data from post-mortem and field studies were obtained that discussed poisoning in ostriches following ingestion of toxic plants. From the notes, all plants studied caused death in ostriches and there was systemic organ damage. Poisoning from Sarcostemma viminale (Melktou) resulted in beak patting, muscular tremors and head flopping, followed by collapse and violent kicking before death. Ingestion of Combretum oatesii (Red wings) seeds from plants in free grazing pastures resulted in vomiting, restlessness, eyelid flicking, collapse and kicking movements. Dichapetalum cymosum (Gifblaar) killed an ostrich after episodes of shaking legs, rapid respiration and bradycardia and hyperaemia of the lungs, liver and kidneys. Poisoning from Senecio sceleratus (Ragwort) caused skin haemorrhages and bleeding in tracheal mucous membranes, the pericardium, diaphragm and interperitoneal membrane. Consumption of drupes from Melia azedarach (Syringa berry) caused muscle tremors, kicking movements and respiratory distress. Lantana camara (Cherry pie) poisoning resulted in extremely inflamed eyes with copious yellow exudates extending down their beaks and onto their necks. Bentonite was administered by gavage at a dose of 5 g/kg. Poisoning in these cases is usually associated with the farmer allowing his/her birds to roam free-range in paddocks in which toxic plants are growing. Toxic plants should be removed from grass cut for hay. The author is willing to send photographs of all poisonous plants if requested by a reader.     

Do labour productivity and preferences about work load distribution affect reproduction management and performance in pig farms

Increases in labour productivity are essential factors, as well as technical effectiveness, for the competitiveness of pig farming. However, the preferences of farmers for controlled (i.e. limited) daily working hours or available days for vacation also increase. The objective of this study was to explore how these preferences about work might be associated to specific combinations of practices or affect performance. The study was carried out by direct investigation of the stockbreeders. Data analysis used factorial analysis to identify relationships between practices, labour productivity, sow productivity and work load distribution. Results showed independence between sow productivity and labour productivity. Three independent types of preferences about work load distribution were identified: the limitation of density of daily work, the avoidance of insemination activities during the weekend and the avoidance of farrowing supervision during the weekend. These preferences about work load distribution were mainly related to weaning, oestrus detection and insemination techniques. A relationship was also seen between farrowing and cross-fostering techniques, and labour and sow productivity. Results suggest that preferences about work load distribution influence the choice of reproduction practices without influencing performance. Finally, concerning the labour productivity, it was linked with some specific techniques at farrowing but the results also indicated that it was mainly related to the size of farrowing batches.     

An Epidemiologic and Economic Study of Respiratory Diseases in Two Conventional Danish Swine Herds. II: Associations Between Lesions Present at Slaughter and Mean Daily Gains During Specific Intervals of the Growth Period

A total of 578 slaughter pigs from 2 Danish conventional farrow-to-finish operations (Herds a and B) were followed from an age of 14 days to slaughter. Pigs were weighed at 3 weeks intervals and at slaughter and extended post mortem examination of the plucks was done. Regression models with second and third order interaction terms demonstrated that Mycoplasma-like pneumonia, complicated pneumonia, anterio-ventral pleuritis, pericarditis, fissures and atrophic rhinitis, separately and through interactions with other lesions, significantly reduced mean daily gains during specific intervals of the growth period in 2 conventional swine herds. It is likely that the periods of reduced growth reflect the times when the diseases were in the acute and early recovery stages. Maximum estimated reductions in daily gains associated with the combined lesions were 82 grams and 283 grams during the interval 120-140 days in Herds A and B, respectively. Although dorso-caudal pleuritis and parietal pleuritis had minor negative effects during 2 intervals neither had a significant adverse effect on total growth rate in either herd (Paisley et al. 1993). R² values for the regression models were less than 0.27 showing that the lesions present at slaughter explained less than 27% of the variation in herd mean daily gains during any interval.     

A commercial trial evaluating three open water sources for farmed ducks: effects on health and production.

1. The present study investigated the effects on Pekin duck health and production of three open water resources in a commercial setting. The three resources were: narrow troughs (15?cm wide and 8?cm deep), intermediate troughs (20?cm wide and 12?cm deep) and wide troughs (50?cm wide and 8?cm deep). A total of 23 flocks of ducks were investigated, with an average size of 4540?±?680 individuals and a final stocking density always under 17?kg/m².

2. The health of the birds was considered to be of a good standard overall. The only health difference among the resources was that the foot condition of ducks provided with wide troughs was worse than those with intermediate troughs, whilst the foot condition of birds with narrow troughs was intermediate. The open water resources did not differ in their effects on the production measures assessed.

3. Properly managed open water did not have any major negative effects on the health or production of commercial Pekin ducks. Wide, intermediate and narrow troughs did not differ substantially in measures of health or productivity.     

Development of a composite orthopaedic pain scale in horses

This study addresses development and validation of a composite multifactorial pain scale (CPS) in an experimental equine model of acute orthopaedic pain. Eighteen horses were allocated to control (sedation with/without epidural analgesia - mixture of morphine, ropivacaine, detomidine and ketamine) and experimental groups: amphotericin-B injection in the tarsocrural joint induced pain and analgesia was either i.v. phenylbutazone administered post-induction of synovitis, or pre-emptive epidural mixture, or a pre-emptive combination of the 2. Inter- and intra-observer reproducibility was good (0.8相似文献   

Neurologic abnormalities as the predominant signs of neoplasia of the nasal cavity in dogs and cats: seven cases (1973-1986)

Neurologic abnormalities were the predominant historic and physical findings in 5 dogs and 2 cats with primary nasal cavity tumors that had invaded the cranial vault. Seizures, behavior changes, and obtundation were the most common signs. Other neurologic signs included paresis, ataxia, circling, visual deficit, and proprioceptive deficit. Although 1 dog and 2 cats had historic findings of mild respiratory disease, no physical abnormalities related to the respiratory tract were found in any of the 7 animals. Nasal cavity neoplasia was suggested by radiographic and computed tomographic studies and was confirmed histopathologically in each case. The nasal tumor types in the 5 dogs were epidermoid carcinoma (n = 1), adenocarcinoma (n = 2), solid carcinoma (n = 1), and anaplastic chondrosarcoma (n = 1). An esthesioneuroblastoma was found in each cat. Radiation therapy was effective for 3 months in palliating the clinical signs in the 2 dogs in which it was used. Neoplasia of the nasal cavity should be considered in the differential diagnosis for animals with neurologic signs suggestive of cerebral disorders.