Blood thiamine levels in normal cattle and sheep at pasture

Analysis of whole blood samples from 174 cattle and 174 sheep from 3 geographical regions of New Zealand over a 10 month period showed a mean (range) thiamine level of 122 nmol/l (71–237 nmol/l) for cattle and 118 nmol/l (67–227 nmol/l) for sheep. Regional and seasonal differences were noted with levels tending to rise over the summer period. A reference range of 75–185 nmol/l is proposed for both cattle and sheep to cover these variations. Levels below 50 nmol/l are considered indicative of deficiency.     

Application of subjective methods to the determination of the likelihood and consequences of the entry of foot-and-mouth disease into New Zealand

New Zealand has a history of continuous freedom from foot-and-mouth disease and relies on a two-tier system of surveillance to maintain this status. The first involves border control procedures and stringent importation standards, and the second is an exotic disease and pest response programme. As part of an economic evaluation comparing the exotic disease and pest response programme against a hypothetical lower grade “measured response programme” subjective judgements of the risks involved were required. Twenty-eight selected animal health professionals, predominantly veterinarians, were posted a questionnaire that used three techniques (single point estimates, three point estimates and elicitation methods) to determine the risk components in a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The two key variables were the probability of an outbreak in New Zealand, and the number of secondary properties to which the disease spread during the epidemic. A Delphi conference of ten selected participants then focused mainly on the two key variables, with a second round postal extension to this group for the first variable. The individual data sets were then analysed and combined using a stochastic simulation technique. The final mean probability of an outbreak was about once in 50 years (0.0199). The mean numbers of farms to which disease would spread during an epidemic under the existing exotic disease and pest response programme, a measured response programme which allowed vaccination and a measured response programme which excluded vaccination were estimated to be 61, 478 and 2230 respectively. The policy implications arising from the quantification of these two key variables are that more expenditure on preparedness is justifiable and current resource planning is barely adequate.     

Effects of hyperimmune equine plasma on clinical and cellular responses in a low-dose endotoxaemia model in horses

Endotoxaemia is a major cause of equine morbidity, and plasma from horses immunised against Escherichia coli is used in its treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hyperimmune plasma on the clinical and leukocyte responses, including production and activity of TNFα, in an in vivo endotoxin challenge model. Pre-treatment with hyperimmune equine plasma had no significant effect on peak total plasma TNFα concentration (occurring 90min after the administration of 30ng/kg LPS). However, the bioavailable (unbound) TNFα measured by bioassay was significantly reduced in plasma-treated horses (1044.44±193.93pg/ml at 90min) compared to saline treated controls (1373.92±107.63pg/ml; P=0.05). Therefore, although pre-treatment with hyperimmune equine plasma did not significantly modify the clinical signs of endotoxaemia in this model, there was some evidence of reduced TNF bioactivity, which may be due to factors in the plasma which bind and reduce the activity of this cytokine.     

Effects of landscape composition and configuration on northern flying squirrels in a forest mosaic

Habitat loss and sometimes habitat fragmentation per se affect species survival, reproduction, dispersal, abundance and distribution. However, understanding the independent effects of fragmentation (i.e., landscape configuration) has been limited because it is frequently confounded with landscape composition (i.e., habitat amount). We assess the independent effects of landscape composition and configuration on the occurrence of northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) in New Brunswick, Canada after controlling for local site conditions. We measured landscape structure using an “organism-based” approach; landscape structure was characterized quantitatively using a spatially explicit local-scale distribution model for northern flying squirrels.     

Inter-annual variation in prevalence and intensity of mite parasitism relates to appearance and expression of damselfly resistance

Background  

Insects can resist parasites using the costly process of melanotic encapsulation. This form of physiological resistance has been studied under laboratory conditions, but the abiotic and biotic factors affecting resistance in natural insect populations are not well understood. Mite parasitism of damselflies was studied in a temperate damselfly population over seven seasons to determine if melanotic encapsulation of mite feeding tubes was related to degree of parasitism, host sex, host size, emergence timing, duration of the emergence period, and average daily air temperature.     

Comparison of the time required to administer three different fluke and worm combination products to commercial beef cattle at housing

Larger livestock units, a decline in the farm labor force, animal welfare concerns, and a trend toward more selective use of drugs have increased the focus on animal handling, time management, convenience, and compliance in administering veterinary therapeutics. This study was undertaken to quantify and compare the time needed to treat commercial beef cattle with three fluke and worm combination products with different administration profiles. Young beef cattle (n = 270) weighing approximately 400 kg were allocated to batches of five, which were randomly assigned to receive ivermectin + clorsulon injection, ivermectin + closantel injection, or levamisole + triclabendazole oral drench. The mean time needed to administer ivermectin + clorsulon (single injection) to five cattle was 31 seconds, which was significantly less than the 100 seconds needed for ivermectin + closantel (two injections) and the 126 seconds needed for levamisole + triclabendazole (P less than .001). Such quantitative data can allow for better planning and selection of parasiticide treatment approaches at the farm level.     

An outbreak of Brucella abortus biovar 2 in Canadian cattle

An outbreak of brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus biovar 2 was identified in cattle in Alberta in December 1986. This was the only clinical infection discovered since the national cattle herd was declared brucellosisfree in 1985. It was the first report of B. abortus biovar 2 in Canadian cattle. The outbreak, involving three herds containing purebred Hereford cattle, was spread by the private treaty sale of untested cattle, and was identified following investigation of an abortion. The source of infection for the outbreak was not established, but several possibilities were identified including infected herds present in the area during the mid-1970's, latent infection originating in a Saskatchewan herd during the early 1960's, American cattle imported during the early 1970's, and brucellosis-infected bison in Wood Buffalo National Park. The containment and elimination of this nidus of infection appears to have been successful, and the national cattle herd at the time of writing is free of the disease.     

Comparison of two strategies for use of translaminar and contact fungicide in the control of potato late blight in the highland tropics of Ecuador

Strategies based on using the translaminar fungicide cymoxanil for control of potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, were compared in the highland tropics of Ecuador in three separate field experiments. In one strategy, a commercial formulation of cymoxanil mixed with mancozeb was sprayed sequentially three times early in the season; this was then followed by three sequential sprays of a commercial product containing mancozeb alone. For the other strategy, the same commercial products were alternated. For each strategy, a spray interval of 14 d was used after the contact/translaminar mixture and 10 d after sprays containing mancozeb alone. Both strategies were evaluated with a manually operated knapsack sprayer but with two levels of application quality. High quality was achieved with a constant pressure valve and a new nozzle, while for low quality, fungicide was applied without a valve and using a damaged nozzle. All treatment combinations gave adequate disease control and no consistent effect of application strategy or application quality could be measured on disease severity or yield. However, approximately twice the volume of fungicide was applied using poor quality equipment, regardless of the application strategy. Advantages and disadvantages of the strategies and their potential effects on fungicide resistance are discussed.