Generation of Airborne Particles from Different Bedding Materials Used for Horse Keeping

Among other factors (eg, feed), bedding material has an important effect on stable air quality with respect to airborne particle formation. This study was designed to establish which material is suited to create an improved stable environment for horses. First, the following materials were analyzed under standardized conditions in a laboratory experiment: wheat straw, dry wood shavings, hemp shives, linen shives, wheat straw pellets, paper cuttings (unprinted newspaper). The second investigation was carried out under in situ conditions in which three of these bedding materials (wheat straw, wood shavings, and straw pellets) were analyzed under practical conditions. In both experiments, airborne particle concentrations were detected online with the gravimetrically measuring analyzer TEOM 1400a (Rupprecht & Patashnick Co., Franklin, MA). In the laboratory experiment, the TEOM was equipped successively with different inlets to measure the particle fractions PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and PM₂₀. During the in situ experiment, only the fraction PM₁₀ was detected. In the laboratory experiment, hemp and linen had the highest generation of airborne particles in all fractions. The lowest particle generation was detected with straw pellets. Results of the in situ investigation supported results of the laboratory experiment with respect to mean particle generation of straw pellets. With an average of 111.2 ± 149.2 μg/m³, it was significantly lower than the mean particle generation of wheat straw with 227.5 ± 280.8 μg/m³. The particle generation of wood shavings had an average of 140.9 ± 141.9 μg/m³ and also was significantly lower than the generation by wheat straw. An activity-correlated variation of particle concentrations was found. In conclusion, taking both experiments into consideration, straw pellets seemed to be suitable for horse stables, to promote an improvement in the stable climate in relation to airborne particle formation.     

PALLIATIVE IRRADIATION OF SCOTTISH FOLD OSTEOCHONDRODYSPLASIA

This report describes palliative irradiation as treatment for Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia. A 3-year-old female spayed Scottish Fold cat suffering from osteochondrodysplasia was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Zurich. Based on the breed, history, clinical signs, radiographic findings, and the histologic diagnosis of a biopsy specimen, Scottish Fold osteochondrodysplasia was confirmed. To control the exostoses leading to inflammatory processes and pain, radiotherapy was initiated as palliative treatment. This was successful in relieving the clinical signs within a few weeks. The short- and long-term results after radiotherapy are presented and discussed with a comparable human disease, the plantar heel spur, which also responds well to radiotherapy.     

Incidence and risk factors of heat-related illness in dogs from New South Wales,Australia (1997–2017)

Heat Related Illness (HRI) in dogs is expected to increase as heatwaves surge due to global warming. The most severe form of HRI, heat stroke, is potentially fatal in dogs. The current study investigated the incidence and risk factors for HRI in dogs in NSW, Australia, from 1997 to 2017. We identified 119 HRI cases during this period, with a fatality rate of 23%. Dog breeds at elevated risk of HRI were Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, British Bulldog, French Bulldog, Maremma Sheepdog, Italian Greyhound, Chow Chow, Airedale Terrier, Pug, Samoyed, English Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Border Collie, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and pooled non-Australian National Kennel Council breeds (which included the American and Australian Bulldog) when compared with cross breeds (i.e., the reference variable). As expected, HRI cases were more likely in December and January, during the Australian summer and during hotter years (e.g., 2016). There were no differences in the risk of HRI between males and females nor between desexed or un-desexed dogs; but older dogs were at increased risk of HRI. These findings underscore the need for data collection that will enable the incidence of HRI in dogs to be monitored and to better understand canine risk factors particularly as temperatures will continue to rise due to global warming. The risk of mortality from HRI underpins the need for education programs focussed on prevention and early identification of HRI so that owners present affected dogs to their veterinarian as promptly as possible.     

苹果良好农业操作规范的研究与建立

良好农业操作规范是实行农产品生产全程质量控制的有效手段,在全世界得到广泛应用。笔者引进世界上最为先进、实用的良好农业操作规范体系EUREPGAP,在消化、吸收的基础上,研究建立了适合中国国情的苹果良好农业操作规范,包括"可追溯性"、记录保存和内部自查"、"品种和砧木"、"园址选择与管理"、土壤管理"、肥料施用"、灌溉"、"植物保护"、"采收"、采后处理"、"废物、污染物的管理、回收和再利用"、"员工的健康、安全和福利"和"环境问题"等13章和52个记录表格,并引用了13项国家标准、4项农业行业标准和3项法律法规。