Facial swelling and discharging lesions associated with abnormalities of the mandible in kunekune pigs

Abstract

CASE HISTORIES: Four adult kunekune pigs developed facial swelling at the base of the right ear that ruptured and discharged food material. A further six pigs that had similar clinical signs were reported by members of the New Zealand Kunekune Association who responded to an email survey, one of which was confirmed by post-mortem examination.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Inside the mouth of each pig there was an opening at the junction of the body and ramus of the mandible just lateral to the most caudal visible molar that was impacted with masticated feed. The food packed into the mandible resulted in infection and progressive erosion of the medullary cavity of the bone until it reached the ramus where it eroded through the lateral cortex. The feed material then tracked through the soft tissues to form a subcutaneous abscess, which eventually ruptured resulting in a draining lesion. In Case 2, which had had the lesion for 2 years, the cavity in the mandible was lined with mucosa that had healed to the skin to produce a fistula. In all four pigs there was also a lesion in the left side of the mandible that was not as developed as that on the right side.

DIAGNOSIS: The facial swellings were produced by feed material that had impacted into the mandible through an opening immediately caudal to the cheek teeth and then emerged through one or more lesions in the lateral aspect of the ramus of the mandible.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although it has not been previously reported, anecdotal reports and our survey suggest that this condition may occur relatively frequently in kunekune pigs. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis for facial swellings and discharging lesions in these animals.     

Effect of Sperm Cryopreservation and Supplementing Semen Doses with Seminal Plasma on the Establishment of a Sperm Reservoir in Gilts

Frozen-thawed (FT) boar sperm have a reduced fertile life, due in part to a capacitation-like status induced by cooling. Reversal of this cryocapacitation in vitro by exposure to boar seminal plasma (SP) has been demonstrated. The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of SP on the ability of FT sperm to create an oviductal sperm reservoir following artificial insemination (AI). In Experiment one, 35 pre-pubertal gilts were injected (IM) with 400 IU eCG plus 200 IU hCG to induce oestrus. At detection of oestrus, gilts were inseminated with 3 x 10(9) live sperm, either fresh (FS; n = 13), FT (n = 10), or FT supplemented with 10% v/v SP (n = 12). Gilts were killed 8 h later, their reproductive tracts recovered and the uterotubal junctions (UTJs) flushed to recover sperm. Fewer (p < 0.01) sperm were recovered following FT, compared to FS, inseminations, and there was no evident effect of SP. In Experiment two, 30 pre-pubertal gilts received IM injections of 1000 IU eCG followed by 5 mg pLH 80 h later to control time of ovulation. Gilts were inseminated with 3 x 10(9) live FS sperm (n = 6), FT sperm (n = 15) or FT sperm plus 10% SP (n = 9) at 12 h before ovulation and then sacrificed 8 h later. The UTJs were dissected and flushed for sperm recovery. Fewest (p < 0.001) sperm were recovered following FT insemination and there was no evident effect of SP. These data demonstrate that the size of the sperm reservoir is markedly reduced in gilts inseminated with FT sperm. However, the lack of effect of SP suggested that either it did not reverse cryocapacitation or that such a reversal does not impact the in vivo ability to create a sperm reservoir.     

Follicular,Oocyte and Embryo Features Related to Metabolic Status in Primiparous Lactating does Fed with High‐Fibre Rearing Diets

Fertility of primiparous lactating does in the early postpartum (pp) period is very low mainly due to pronounced deficient energy intake, influencing oocyte and embryo developmental competence. The hypothesis used in this work was that high‐lignin fibre diet supplied during the rearing period could increase feed intake and, consequently, improve the reproductive physiology and metabolic status of primiparous does in the early pp period. Diets with high‐lignin [HL: 15.8% dry matter (DM)] or standard‐lignin content (SL: 4.9% DM) were supplied until parturition time. No diet effects in serum oestradiol, progesterone concentrations and follicle categories were found in the histological study. Metaphase II rate of in vitro‐matured oocytes was significantly higher in the SL vs the HL group (p < 0.001). Cytoplasmically degenerated oocytes (in terms of abnormal distribution of cortical granules) and follicular atresia rate were significantly lower in the SL group than in the HL group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.005 respectively). In addition, HL‐fed does showed lower number of viable embryos and higher rate of retarded in vivo‐recovered embryos compared with the SL group (p < 0.05). Neither in vitro embryo development of viable embryos nor conception rate was significantly different between groups. Feed intake increased during the first pregnancy in the HL group (p < 0.05), but not during early lactation. Serum protein, non‐esterified fatty acid and leptin concentrations, as well as estimated body composition were similar in does fed with both diets. In conclusion, the enhancement of reproductive management by using highly lignified products in rearing diets does not seem to report physiological reproductive benefits affecting oocyte maturation rate and embryo viability in primiparous lactating does.     

Multi-drug-resistant Enterococcus spp. as a cause of non-responsive septic synovitis in three horses

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Three Thoroughbred horses, a 6-week-old filly (Case 1), a 15-year-old broodmare (Case 2) and a yearling filly (Case 3), sustained synovial sepsis secondary to trauma.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Case 1 presented with a heel bulb laceration communicating with the distal interphalangeal joint. Arthroscopic lavage was performed and treatment commenced using systemic and local broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs. A pure growth of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus gallinarum was cultured from samples of synovium and joint fluid. Antimicrobial treatment was changed according to the susceptibility results. Response to treatment was poor and despite repeat arthroscopic lavage and intra-osseous regional perfusion of antimicrobials the filly was subject to euthanasia 24 days after the initial injury. Post-mortem examination confirmed septic synovitis, cartilage degeneration and osteomyelitis.

Case 2 sustained a full thickness wound to the carpus which was sharply debrided and closed. The wound dehisced with effusion within the tendon sheath. Drainage was established and treatment included systemic broad spectrum antimicrobials, topical lavage with povodine-iodine and manuka honey infusion. A mixed infection including MDR Enterococcus faecalis was cultured from the synovial fluid. Antebrachiocarpal joint effusion developed 21 days after initial injury and joint sepsis was confirmed. Arthroscopic lavage and tendon sheath debridement were performed, followed by treatment with systemic and local antimicrobials. The mare improved and was discharged. Three months later lameness recurred and corticosteroids were administered intra-articularly. The mare became non-weight bearing lame and was subject to euthanasia. Post-mortem examination confirmed joint sepsis of the antebrachiocarpal and intercarpal joint.

Case 3 presented with a complete articular open fracture of the tibial crest. Under general anaesthesia the fracture was stabilised and the wounds debrided and closed. Systemic broad-spectrum antimicrobials were administered. Six days later the wound dehisced and a bone fragment was removed. Three weeks post-surgery the wound deteriorated with a purulent discharge. Culture of the discharge revealed a mixed bacterial infection, including a MDR Enterococcus faecalis. Femoropatellar joint involvement was confirmed, and treatment included joint lavage, local and systemic antibiosis, and manuka honey instilled into the wound. The filly initially improved, and then deteriorated such that euthanasia was performed.

DIAGNOSIS: All three cases had synovial sepsis with MDR Enterococcus spp.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased awareness of MDR pathogens in equine wound infections is essential. Prompt diagnostic testing, appropriate therapy, infection control strategies and on-going monitoring and management are vital to limit the clinical impact of these organisms.     

Distribution of thiobacillus ferrooxidans and leptospirillum ferrooxidans: implications for generation of acid mine drainage

Although Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferrooxidans are widely considered to be the microorganisms that control the rate of generation of acid mine drainage, little is known about their natural distribution and abundance. Fluorescence in situ hybridization studies showed that at Iron Mountain, California, T. ferrooxidans occurs in peripheral slime-based communities (at pH over 1.3 and temperature under 30 degreesC) but not in important subsurface acid-forming environments (pH 0.3 to 0.7, temperature 30 degrees to 50 degreesC). Leptospirillum ferrooxidans is abundant in slimes and as a planktonic organism in environments with lower pH. Thiobacillus ferrooxidans affects the precipitation of ferric iron solids but plays a limited role in acid generation, and neither species controls direct catalysis at low pH at this site.