Fats and amino acids in broiler rations. 5. Energy-protein balance in starter rations

An attempt has been made to establish, under the conditions prevailing in the United Kingdom, an optimum energy‐protein balance for broiler starter rations. It has been shown that either increasing the supply of protein or energy‐yielding nutrients in the starter diet can lead to an improvement in overall growth performance. It is suggested that such an advantage is more apparent with cocks than pullets and more likely to be observed with birds of high growth potential.

No particular merit could be shown for the use of sesame meal supplemented with lysine as the sole source of protein‐rich material.     

Attraction of male Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks to females in relation to feeding

Five experiments were carried out on the movement of partially fed male Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks on rabbits towards other ticks of the same species. Male ticks pre-fed for 5 days were attracted towards pre-fed females, slightly attracted towards other pre-fed males, but not attracted towards nymphal ticks or recently relinquished feeding sites of adult or nymphal ticks. Female ticks fed for 5 days or longer were particularly attractive to male ticks which had also fed for 5 days or longer. Eight-week-old female ticks were most attractive to males, and 8-week-old male ticks most attracted to females. It is suggested that the male ticks may be attracted to the females by means of a sex pheromone, as has been shown in other ixodid tick species.     

The influence of graded levels of atmospheric ammonia on chickens

Studies have been carried out to ascertain the effects of ammonia on the performance of White Leghorn hens housed in various environments of defined temperature and humidity. At 18° C. and 67 per cent relative humidity, the use of atmospheres containing 105 p.p.m. of ammonia by volume, significantly reduced egg production after 10 weeks’ exposure. No effects were observed on egg quality. However voluntary food intake was reduced in ammoniated atmospheres and live‐weight gain was lower. No recovery in production occurred when the treated groups were maintained for a further 12 weeks in an atmosphere free of ammonia.

When White Leghorn hens were housed at an environmental temperature of 28° C., body weight declined. The decrease in live‐weight was greatest at the high ammonia concentration of 102 p.p.m., and was significant after only 1 week's exposure to ammonia. Food intake of the controls was approximately 25 per cent lower at 28° C. than at 18° C., whilst 100 p.p.m. of ammonia further reduced food intake by more than 10 per cent. In one experiment at 28° C., egg production was significantly reduced after 7 weeks' exposure to ammonia.

In a subsequent trial, a high protein, vitamin and mineral diet prevented the onset of any deleterious effects of ammonia on egg production, even though food consumption fell to 75 g./bird/day at 29° C., 43 per cent relative humidity and 104 p.p.m. of ammonia. When a diet low in energy level was fed to hens subjected to high concentrations of ammonia, their voluntary food intake did not increase, and their production deteriorated rapidly.     

Comparative speed of kill of selamectin, imidacloprid, and fipronil-(S)-methoprene spot-on formulations against fleas on cats

The speed of kill of selamectin, imidacloprid, and fipronil-(S)-methoprene against Ctenocephalides felis infestations on cats for one month following a single treatment was evaluated. Eighty cats were randomly allocated so that there were 20 cats in four different treatment groups. On Days -2, 7, 14, 21, and 28, each cat was infested with 100 adult C. felis from the Kansas 1 flea strain. Following initial application only imidacloprid had caused a significant reduction in adult fleas on treated cats within 6 hours, but by 24 hours all three formulations had killed 96.7% of the fleas. At 7 days post treatment, all three formulations reduced flea populations within 6 and 24 hours by 68.4% and 99.4%, respectively. At 21 and 28 days after treatment, none of the formulations killed significant numbers of fleas as compared to controls within 6 hours of infestation. At 28 days after treatment, selamectin, fipronil-(S)-methoprene, and imidacloprid had killed 99.0%, 86.4%, and 72.6% of the fleas within 48 hours of infestation, respectively. This study demonstrates that the speed of kill of residual flea products on cats decreases throughout the month following application. It also demonstrated that selamectin provided the highest level of residual activity on cats against the Kansas 1 flea strain.     

Preventing parasites in cats

The monthly administration of broad-spectrum heartworm medications can effectively prevent a variety of internal and external parasitic diseases in cats. Although not every parasite can be stopped, many of the common feline parasites are susceptible to these agents. This article discusses the epidemiology and prevention strategies for those parasites that can be controlled by the administration of ivermectin, milbemycin oxime, or selamectin, either alone or in conjunction with an external parasiticide.     

What is the likelihood that Thoroughbred foals treated for septic arthritis will race?

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Septic arthritis is a serious problem in the neonate, with a poor prognosis being reported for recovery. The impact of neonatal septic arthritis on the likelihood that Thoroughbred (TB) foals will start on a racecourse is not known. HYPOTHESIS: The development of septic arthritis in a TB foal significantly reduces the likelihood that it will race when compared to foals from the same dam. METHODS: Medical records of 69 foals treated for septic arthritis were reviewed. The dam's foaling records were reviewed and lifetime racing records were then retrieved for both the affected foals and at least one of their siblings (controls). Outcomes that were statistically evaluated included discharge from the hospital and whether the foal eventually raced. Univariate analyses of categorical variables were conducted for each outcome. The number of affected and unaffected foals that raced at least once were compared using regression analysis. Survival analysis was used to compare age at first race between the study and comparison groups. RESULTS: Foals with septic arthritis were less likely to start on a racecourse compared to controls (odds ratio [OR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.62, P = 0.001), while those foals that were discharged from the hospital were also less likely to start on a racecourse compared to controls (OR 036; CI 0.15-0.83, P = 0.008). The presence of multisystem disease was associated with a decreased likelihood of surviving to be discharged (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.90; P = 0.005), but did not affect the likelihood that they would start in at least one race if discharged successfully (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.04-2.81; P = 0.34) compared to the other foals with septic arthritis. Log-rank comparison of survival curves confirmed that foals discharged following treatment for septic arthritis took significantly longer to start in their first race compared to the sibling population (mean age of study group 1757 days, CI 1604-1909; mean age of sibling group 1273 days, CI 1197-1349; P = 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: The development of septic arthritis in a TB foal significantly reduces the likelihood that it will start on a racecourse when compared to controls. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Accurate figures allowing a realistic assessment of the athletic future of a foal following treatment for septic arthritis are of significance for both owner and treating veterinarian.     

制粒工艺疑难解答

<正>1颗粒质量与生产率问题颗粒质量问题是指颗粒耐久性低于可接受水平,生产效率问题是指低于可接受的颗粒质量和设计能力。国家和地区间的可接受水平各不相同,这取决于很多因素,如:技术、生产能力、饲料原料和市场方面的压力。从实践上,很可能是市场情况决定了非综合性生产企业的颗粒质量。因此,生产企业必须首先建立颗粒质量可接受性和保持接近耐久性的目的。     

Partial mandibular condylectomy and temporal bone resection for chronic,destructive, septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint in a horse

Sepsis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of the horse is rare. This case report describes the use of radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography to diagnose sepsis of the TMJ in a 2‐year‐old Thoroughbred filly. The mandibular condyle and temporal bone were partially resected to successfully remove necrotic tissue within and surrounding the TMJ. Sepsis resolved and the horse returned to race training. Follow‐up computed tomography examination showed generation of a mandibular ‘pseudocondyle’ at 8 months post operatively.