Digesta kinetics, energy intake, grazing behavior, and body temperature of grazing beef cattle differing in adaptation to heat

The objective of this study was to determine whether digesta kinetics, energy intake (EI, kcal ME intake x kg(-.75) x d(-1)), grazing behavior, or body temperature differed by breed, lactational state, or season of the year among cattle presumed to vary in adaptability to the subtropics. Two-year-old lactating and nonlactating Brahman x Angus (BA; n = 5, n = 5), Tuli x Angus (TA; n = 5, n = 4), and Angus (A; n = 4, n = 4) cows were used. During both early (ES) and late summer (LS), lactating cattle vs nonlactating cattle had greater gastrointestinal tract load (CM2) and EI (P < .01), although passage rate did not differ (P > .48). During LS, lactating cattle had decreased early morning rectal temperatures (P < .05) and spent more time grazing during the day compared with nonlactating cattle (P < .001). Among breeds, A had the largest CM2 (P < .01 compared with BA and P = .068 compared with TA) and accumulated the greatest heat during the day (P < .05). Due to greater daytime shading (P < .01) and less daytime grazing (P < .05), A had lower (P < .05) early morning and comparable (P > .26) late afternoon rectal temperatures compared with BA and TA. With data pooled over both grazing trials, BA cattle had the smallest CM2 (P < .01), and in ES they spent the least amount of time in the shade (P < .001). The TA spent more time in the shade than did BA (P < .001) during ES and less during LS (P < .001) and had similar (P > .28) early morning rectal temperatures compared with BA during ES and LS. During LS, TA spent more time in the sun and less time in the shade than did either A or BA (P < .001). During ES, EI did not differ among breeds (P > .50). During LS, EI for lactating A was greater than for BA and TA (P < .05), and EI for nonlactating BA was less than for A and TA (P < .05). Bite rate per minute for lactating cattle during ES was reduced (P < .03) by increased body condition score. Tuli x Angus cattle appear to be comparable to BA with respect to heat adaptation. It appears that EI demands are greater in a hot environment.     

Thoracic vertebral chordoma in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A castrated adult male 1.0-kg domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was referred for evaluation of a mass of >5 mo duration that was associated with the thoracic spine. The ferret had motor dysfunction and no conscious proprioception or pain perception in either hind limb. Segmental reflexes were present. Survey radiography, myelography, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass involving the ninth and 10 thoracic vertebrae and compressing the spinal cord. Decompressive surgery was performed, but clinical signs persisted. A diagnosis of chordoma was made using histopathology and immunohistochemistry. This is the first reported case of a chordoma involving the thoracic vertebrae in a domestic ferret.     

Synovial fluid analysis in cattle: a review of 130 cases

OBJECTIVE: To compare synovial fluid characteristics of cattle with infectious and noninfectious arthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMAL OR SAMPLE POPULATION: 130 cattle. METHODS: Synovial fluid was analyzed for total nucleated cell count (NCC), absolute number and percentages of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear cells, total protein (TP) concentration, and specific gravity. Cattle were categorized as having infectious or noninfectious arthritis based on physical and lameness examinations, joint radiographs, and microbial culture results. Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare synovial fluid analysis data from different categories. Selection of cut-off values for the calculation of likelihood ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values was based on examination of the distribution of the data using histograms. RESULTS: Cattle with infectious arthritis had significantly higher numbers of total NNC, PMN cells, TP concentration, and specific gravity (P = .0001) and a significantly higher percentage of PMN cells compared with cattle with noninfectious arthritis (P = .0001). The percentage of mononuclear cells was significantly higher in cattle with noninfectious arthritis (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Synovial fluid analysis is useful for differentiation of infectious and noninfectious causes of joint disease in cattle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cattle with a synovial fluid total NCC > 25,000 cells/microL, a PMN cell count > 20,000 cells/microL or more than 80% PMN cells, and TP > 4.5 g/dL should be considered to have infectious arthritis.     

Results of the German investigation in the EU Project "Salmonella in Pork (Salinpork)"--2. Investigations in a slaughterhouse

In 1997 bacteriological examinations for the distribution of Salmonella in slaughterhouses were carried out in Germany within the framework of an international study "Salmonella in Pork (Salinpork)". During 6 days, 1,200 swab and water samples from slaughtered pigs and the environment were taken. 4.4% of the samples (n = 53) were Salmonella positive. S. typhimurium was isolated mainly (69.8%; n = 37), and 6 phagetypes were differentiated. In addition, S. derby and S. panama could be demonstrated. The resistance pattern of the different isolated S. typhimurium-phagetypes are presented. The phagetype DT 104 was multiresistant to ampicillin, spectinomycin, streptomycin, sulphonamide and tetracycline. In comparison with the serological prevalence of 7.3% of the fattening pigs in the farms (Part 1), only 1.0% of the samples taken from the surface of the carcass were Salmonella-positive. Swabs taken from the liver were in 2.7% positive and samples from the tongue gave in 5.3% of the cases Salmonella-positive results. In the examination of the environment Salmonella was demonstrated mainly from the water outlets, whereas Salmonella could not be isolated from water of the scalding tank. There was only one case (0.7%) in which Salmonella could be isolated from the hands of the personnel, and also only one swab of the polishing machine was positive (1.1%). But 6.7% samples of the saw were Salmonella-positive. A comparison of repeated, at intervals taken samples showed that the number of Salmonella-positive samples was higher in the last examination round of the particular slaughter days. The reason is suspected in the increasing number of slaughtered pigs and supplying farms, which may increase the probability of bringing in Salmonella.     

Infection of a canine macrophage cell line with leishmania infantum: determination of nitric oxide production and anti-leishmanial activity

We have previously shown that resistance to Leishmania infantum in dogs is associated with a Th1 type of immune response. In this study, we use a canine macrophage cell line (030-D) that can readily be infected with this protozoan parasite. Our aim is to further characterize the effector mechanisms involved in killing of Leishmania parasite in dogs. We observed that activation of 030-D cells by incubation with a supernatant derived from a Leishmania-specific T cell line containing IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and interleukin-2 (IL-2) resulted in enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production by these cells. In addition, we observed enhanced anti-leishmanial activity of infected 030-cells after activation. Both, NO production and anti-leishmanial activity were abrogated by addition of L-N(G)-nitroargininemethyl ester (L-NAME), an analogue of L-arginine. Thus, NO play an important role in the anti-leishmanial activity of these canine macrophages. We propose the infection of the 030-D cell line as a good in vitro model to further investigate parasite-host cell interactions in dogs, a natural host of Leishmania parasites.     

M-MODE AND DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN NORMAL FERRETS SEDATED WITH KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND MIDAZOLAM

M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic values were obtained from 30 normal adult ferrets (14 neutered females, 13 neutered males, 3 intact males) sedated with an intramuscular combination of ketamine hydrochloride and midazolam. Routine M-mode measurements of the left and right ventricle, left atrium (LA) and aorta (AO) and Doppler measurements of aortic and pulmonic outflow, and mitral inflow were recorded. The following values were calculated: LA:AO diameter, ratio of peak E: peak A wave velocity (E:A ratio) for mitral inflow, and stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) for both pulmonary and aortic outflow tracts. Maximal aortic velocities (AOmax) and velocity-time integral values (AO VTI) were significantly less than corresponding pulmonary outflow tract values (PAmax, PA VTI) but there was no difference in calculated values for SV, CO or CI. Calculated CO values were in the range expected based on the size of the species. Difficulties in aligning the aortic outflow tract for Doppler imaging may make pulmonary outflow Doppler values more consistent for use in estimating volume flow in ferrets.     

Efficacy of non-acaricidal containing otic preparations in the treatment of otoacariasis in dogs and cats

Eighty-nine cats and 38 dogs naturally infested with the ear mite Otodectes cynotis were randomly allocated into two treatment groups. One group was treated with a product containing miconazole nitrate, polymyxin B sulphate and prednisolone acetate, the other with a combination of diethanolamine fusidate, framycetin sulphate, nystatin and prednisolone. The treatment (five drops in each ear) was applied twice daily for 14 days, and its efficacy was evaluated on days 7, 14 and 21 on the basis of an otoscopic examination of the external ear canal, a microscopical examination of scrapings for the presence of ear mites and clinical signs of pruritus, pain, erythema and/or exudate. Both treatments were highly effective, and there were no significant differences between the two products, either in efficacy or in the clinical improvements observed. Apart from an allergic reaction in one cat treated with the second product, no adverse effects were observed.     

Genetic analysis of vesicular stomatitis virus-New Jersey from the 1995 outbreak in the western United States

OBJECTIVE: To compare molecular associations between the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-New Jersey isolates of the 1995 outbreak with those from previous outbreaks between 1982 and 1985 in the western United States. SAMPLE POPULATION: 23 virus isolates considered representative of the 1995 outbreak of vesicular stomatitis. PROCEDURE: Viral gene coding for surface-envelope protein G was evaluated by use of nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: Changes in up to 0.77% of the nucleotide bases and 1.35% of the amino acids were detected among the 1995 viral isolates, whereas changes in up to 3.2 and 2.9% of the nucleotides and amino acids, respectively, were found, compared with the 1982 to 1985 viruses. Insertions or deletions were not found in the entire gene, which spanned 1,554 nucleotide bases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the 1995 VSV-New Jersey belongs to a lineage distinct from that of the 1982 to 1985 viruses that caused previous outbreaks in the western United States. Furthermore, it also is distinct from strains from Central America and from the Georgian Hazelhurst strain.     

Effect of sodium bisulfate on skin and hooves of horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety of sodium bisulfate for use in horse barn environments by determining its irritant effect on skin and hooves. ANIMALS: 6 female mixed-breed ponies. PROCEDURE: Sodium bisulfate was applied to clipped intact skin of 6 ponies to evaluate its irritant effect after single (48 hours) and repetitive (6 h/d for 10 days) applications; similar areas of skin were used as untreated control sites. In addition, sodium bisulfate was applied to the sole of both front hooves of each pony and covered with wet gauze, and the entire hoof was covered with adhesive tape for 48 hours. RESULTS: Contact with moistened sodium bisulfate for 48 hours had no effect on pony skin. Contact with sodium bisulfate for 6 hours on 10 consecutive days did not cause gross changes but did cause mild to moderate microscopic changes including epidermal necrosis, hyperkeratosis, capillary congestion, edema, and diffuse mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate. All changes were limited to the epidermis and superficial dermis. Gross changes in hoof sole, signs of lameness, and increase in digital pulse pressure or pulse intensity were not detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Duration of contact with sodium bisulfate in this study was in excess of that expected under typical husbandry conditions. Despite this fact, gross changes in skin and hooves were not detected. Microscopic lesions were confined to the epidermis and superficial dermis. Results suggest that contact with sodium bisulfate under these conditions is safe.