Heat Dosage and Oviposition Depth Influence Egg Mortality of Two Common Rangeland Grasshopper Species

Rangeland fire is a common naturally occurring event and management tool, with the amount and structure of biomass controlling transfer of heat belowground. Temperatures that grasshopper eggs are exposed to during rangeland fires are mediated by species-specific oviposition traits. This experiment examined egg mortality in two slant-faced grasshopper species with differing oviposition traits, namely Aulocara elliotti (Thomas) and Opeia obscura (Thomas). We hypothesized that A. elliotti egg mortality would increase with fire intensity because the shallow egg location below the soil surface would result in exposure to higher temperatures, and that the deeper O. obscura eggs would not be affected by fire intensity. Fire intensity did not significantly affect the mortality of O. obscura eggs, with very low mortality in all treatments. Fire intensity significantly affected mortality of A. elliotti eggs, which are laid in shallow egg pods with the midpoint of the egg clutch at a depth of ～ 0.825 cm. Aulocara elliotti egg mortality increased with higher levels of heat application, with 79% egg mortality in the 4 500 kg · ha^?1 heat treatment. Heat effects on A. elliotti egg mortality were similar to those previously observed for another shallow-egg-laying species. Limited research has examined if rangeland fires reduce population densities of specific economically important grasshopper species. The results from this experiment indicate that grasshopper species with the midpoint of the egg pod less than 1 cm below the surface are likely in general to be vulnerable to fire-induced egg mortality during rangeland fires.     

In-vitro comparison of 3 knotting techniques for lateral fabellotibial suture stabilization

This study evaluated the biomechanical characteristics of a single self-locking knot (sSLK) and a double self-locking knot (dSLK) compared with the square knot (SQ) for stabilization of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Each knot underwent monotonic tensile and cyclical loading. Starting tension, elongation, stiffness, and load to failure were all evaluated. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Starting tension, overall stiffness, and load to failure were all significantly greater in both the sSLK and dSLK compared with the SQ. There was no difference in elongation among the knots. There were no significant differences in starting tension, elongation, stiffness, and load to failure between the sSLK and the dSLK. The self-locking knots were stronger and stiffer than the SQ; there is no biomechanical advantage in using the dSLK compared with the sSLK.     

Subacute atropine toxicity in a pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps.

Atropine, an anticholinergic agent commonly used in human and veterinary medicine, is reported to cause toxicity associated with its antimuscarinic action. A juvenile pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps, was treated with atropine in an attempt to relieve symptoms similar to pyloric stenosis, as has been used in humans. Two doses of 0.01 mg/kg were given i.m., 12 hr apart, followed by three doses of 0.005 mg/kg i.m. s.i.d. over the next 3 days. Symptoms associated with atropine toxicity developed gradually and included hyperexcitability, a generalized ascending paralysis of body musculature, shallow, rapid respiration, vomiting, aspiration of seawater, and pulmonary edema. Treatment with physostigmine salicylate (two doses of 2 mg i.m., I hr apart) was effective in counteracting the paralysis, as well as other symptoms, beginning in as little as 17 min after the first dose, and the whale was back to swimming on its own after 8 hr. All overt symptoms of atropine toxicity were gone in about 24 hr, but there were other possible sequella that lasted much longer.     

Sero-prevalence and identification of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale</Emphasis> in broiler flocks in south-eastern Iran

Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale is a gram negative bacterial pathogen causing respiratory tract infections in poultry. Tracheal, lung and serum samples were obtained from 21 broiler flocks of 8 farms from a slaughterhouse located in south-eastern of Iran. Among 630 tracheal and lung samples from samples resulting from 315 chickens, 11 (3.5%) ORT isolates were identified using biochemical tests. The isolates originated from 9 (42.9%) flocks out of 4 farms. All of the isolates were recovered from tracheal swabs and showed an API 20NE identification biocode 0-2-2-0-0-0-4. Of the 420 serum samples examined by ELISA, 134 (31.9%) sera from 17 (81.0%) flocks were positive for ORT antibodies. These results indicate that ORT is present in most broiler flocks with respiratory disorders in southeast Iran.     

Pharmacokinetic studies of levofloxacin after oral administration in healthy and febrile cow calves

The present experiment was designed to study the pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin in six healthy cross bred female cow calves (4 to 6 months age) weighing between 40 to 80 kg. Plasma from blood was separated by centrifugation at 10,000 rpm. Quantitative estimation of levofloxacin was done by UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 286 nm. The mean maximum plasma concentration (Cp_max ) of levofloxacin in febrile calves (5.28?±?0.32 µg/ml) did not differ significantly as compared with healthy calves (4.50?±?0.22 µg/ml) after single dose (20 mg/kg) oral administration. The mean therapeutic plasma concentration ( Cp_ther ) of levofloxacin was maintained for longer period in febrile calves (10 h) as compared to healthy calves ( 8 h). The mean maximum urine concentration (Cu_max) in febrile (40.86?±?2.19 µg/ml) also did not differ significantly as compared with healthy calves (39.38?±?2.43 µg/ml). No significant difference in various pharmacokinetic parameters of plasma was observed in healthy calves ( β?=?0.23?±?0.01/h ; t1/2 β?=?3.00?±?0.17 h and MRT?=?4.66?±?0.14 h ) and febrile calves ( β?=?0.23?±?0.01/ h; t1/2 β?=?3.05?±?0.16 h and MRT?=?5.04?±?0.14 h ) . The mean value of β, and t ½ β calculated in urine also did not differ between healthy and febrile calves. However, the value of MRT(3.79?±?0.07 h) and Cl_B(1.65?±?0.09 ml/kg/min) calculated in urine of febrile calves significantly(p?B?=?2.09?±?0.13 ml/kg/min). Based on kinetic profile levofloxacin may be given orally at the dose rate of 1.49 mg/kg B.W.at 8 h intervals in febrile calves.     

Outcome of surgical correction of meconium impactions in 8 foals

Meconium impactions are only rarely refractory to medical therapy. The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcome of 8 foals that required an exploratory celiotomy to correct a meconium impaction. Between 1984 and 1992, 24 foals were referred with a primary diagnosis of meconium impaction. All foals were treated medically prior to and following referral. Of the 24 foals, 8 had impactions requiring surgical intervention. Exploratory celiotomies were performed, and the impaction was reduced manually or by enterotomy. Follow up information was available on 7 foals. All survived surgery and were discharged. Four of the 8 foals matured and raced. Two foals were euthanatized due to extensive serosal adhesions and one foal was euthanatized due to an unrelated orthopedic condition. Our results support the decision for an exploratory surgery only after aggressive medical therapy has failed. Several treatment options have been developed in recent years that have reduced the number of foals that may require surgery.     

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.     

BILOBED GALLBLADDER IN A CAT: ULTRASONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE

A five-month-old male domestic shorthair cat presented with a history of vomiting for 4 days. An ultrasound examination of the abdomen was performed as part of the diagnostic workup. The gallbladder appeared to be bilobate. The cat died the following day from renal failure. At necropsy, a bilobed gallbladder was confirmed and considered to be a congenital anomaly unrelated to the cat's death.     

Assessment of antibiotic use in farm animals in Rwanda

The irrational use of antibiotics in humans and animals is highly related to the emergence and increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria worldwide. A cross-sectional survey aimed at evaluating the current level of practices regarding antibiotic use in farm animals in Rwanda was carried out countrywide. Interviews were conducted on 229 farmers rearing different types of animals. The study has revealed that almost all respondent farmers could name at least one antibiotic used in farm animals and peni-streptomycin was named by most of them (95.6%). The use of antibiotics in farm animals was observed in the majority of respondents (97.4%). It was found that 44.4 and 26.5% of respondents reported that they used antibiotics for disease prevention and growth promotion, respectively. The use of non-prescribed antibiotics in animals was also reported by more than the half of respondent farmers (55.6%). The majority of farmers had a moderate level of practices regarding antibiotic use in farm animals (73.5%), very few had a high level (26%) and only one respondent had a low level. The high level of practices in regard to antibiotic use in animals was associated with the location of the farm, the type of reared animals, and the rearing system. The results of this study give an insight into antibiotics usage practices in farm animals in Rwanda. The generated information can guide sensitizations and promotions of the prudent use of antibiotics among farmers in order to limit the increase of antibiotic resistance in the country.