Description and evaluation of a right flank, mini-laparotomy approach to canine ovariohysterectomy

Surgical ovariohysterectomy (OVH) using a right flank approach was performed in 114 bitches as part of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme at Help in Suffering, Jaipur, India. Incision length, duration of surgery and postoperative pain scores were recorded for each animal. The mean weight of the bitches was 13.7 kg, and the mean body condition score was 4.5 on a 1-9 scale. Mean surgical incision length and time were 22 mm and 11 minutes 4 seconds, respectively. It was seen that 86.1 per cent of bitches required no additional postoperative analgesia. These findings compare favourably with other techniques for OVH, including laparoscopic techniques. The surgical approach described may be an alternative for canine OVH, particularly in a shelter setting.     

Demonstration of non-inferiority of a novel combination intramammary antimicrobial in the treatment of clinical mastitis

AIM: To test the non-inferiority of a novel combination intramammary product containing penicillin and cloxacillin to a reference intramammary product containing oxytetracycline, oleandomycin, neomycin and prednisolone with regard to bacteriological cure and clinical cure.

METHODS: Clinical cases of mastitis were sourced from 30 spring-calving dairy farms in the Southland region of New Zealand. Affected quarters were infused three times at 24 hourly intervals with either the novel combination product containing 1?g penicillin and 200?mg cloxacillin, or a reference product containing 200?mg oxytetracycline, 100?mg oleandomycin, 100?mg neomycin and 5?mg prednisolone. Cows were enrolled when a farmer detected a case of clinical mastitis. Milk samples were collected for microbiological culture immediately before treatment (Day 0) and on Days 9, 16 and 23. Bacteriological cure was compared for 187 and 178 quarters treated with the reference and novel product, respectively, and clinical cure was compared for 235 and 223 quarters, respectively. Non-inferiority was assessed by calculating the difference in cure rates between the two products and constructing a 95% CI around the difference, using the variance inflation factor to account for herd level clustering. The non-inferiority margin was 20% for both bacteriological and clinical cure. Generalising estimating equation models were used to determine predictor variables.

RESULTS: The bacteriological cure percentage, adjusted to account for herd-level clustering, was 8.5 (95% CI=?1.7–21.8)% higher for quarters treated with the novel than the reference product. The adjusted clinical cure percentage was 0.3 (95% CI=?11.2–12.0)% higher for clinical quarters treated with the novel than the reference product. Bacterial species was the only covariate for bacteriological cure (p=0.003), and quarter score at enrolment (indicating udder inflammation) was the only covariate for clinical cure (p=0.032) in the multivariable models.

CONCLUSION: The novel combination product was demonstrated to be non-inferior to the reference product with regards to both bacteriological cure and clinical cure.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians treating mastitis now have access to this novel combination intramammary product, and demonstration of its non-inferiority compared to the existing reference product will provide options for treatment approaches. The novel product contains fewer antimicrobials; which are of a narrower spectrum of activity.     

Defoliation Effects on Herbage Production and Root Growth of Wet Meadow Forage Species

Root growth is important to the competitive ability of plants, and understanding how herbage defoliation affects root growth has implications for development of management strategies. Objectives were to determine the effects of defoliation intensity and frequency on root characteristics and herbage production of slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus [Link.] Shinners), Nebraska sedge (Carex nebrascensis C. Dewey), and “Steadfast” birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Plants of each species were transplanted into containers that had been placed in the ground at wet meadow field sites the prior year. There were eight replications of a control and five defoliation treatments, which were combinations of different frequencies (two or five times) and intensities (light or heavy) and haying. Treatments were applied for a single growing season, and aboveground biomass was collected. Containers were extracted in October, and plant crowns, rhizomes, and roots were separated from the soil. Defoliation treatment did not affect total root weight, length, and surface area of Nebraska sedge or birdsfoot trefoil (P>0.10). Slender wheatgrass total root weight was less when defoliated five times (4.46 g·container^?1) than when defoliated twice (6.62 g·container^?1) during the growing season. More frequent defoliation of slender wheatgrass also reduced length (20%) and surface area (21%) compared to less frequent defoliation. However, defoliation frequency did not affect aboveground biomass. Defoliation intensity did not affect aboveground production or root characteristics of the three species. Abundant soil moisture in meadows likely buffers negative effects of defoliation. For all species, two defoliation events (e.g., haying followed by grazing) does not appear to negatively affect root growth and herbage production.     

Pathological changes in horses dying with equine influenza in Australia, 2007

Analysis of pathology results from the 2007 equine influenza (EI) outbreak in Australia indicate that young foals in na?ve horse populations are prone to developing broncho-interstitial pneumonia, and that this can be a rare manifestation of EI virus infection in mature horses. All horses may develop secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia, with mature horses more likely to die. EI outbreaks among heavily pregnant mares can result in increased neonatal losses because of premature placental separation and dystocia causing fetal hypoxia.     

Electrical nerve stimulation to facilitate placement of an indwelling catheter for repeated brachial plexus block in a traumatized dog

A 10-year-old, 7 kg, male mixed breed dog was presented, following a dog fight, with open fractures of the radius and ulna and extensive skin and muscle lesions. Using electric nerve stimulation, an indwelling catheter was positioned in the axillary space and 2 mg kg(-1) bupivacaine was injected. Complete sensory and motor blocks were obtained allowing amputation distal to the non-traumatized tissue and debridement of the limb. The injection of bupivicaine was repeated 5 hours after the first bolus and a similar result was obtained in term of muscle relaxation and pain alleviation. Subsequent injections were not successful in providing the same effect, most likely as a result of catheter displacement and alternate means of analgesia were used.     

Experimental demonstration of guiding and bending of electromagnetic waves in a photonic crystal

The routing and interconnection of optical signals through narrow channels and around sharp corners are important for large-scale all-optical circuit applications. A recent computational result suggests that photonic crystals may offer a novel way of achieving this goal by providing a mechanism for guiding light that is fundamentally different from traditional index guiding. Waveguiding in a photonic crystal and near 100 percent transmission of electromagnetic waves around sharp 90 degree corners were observed experimentally. Bending radii were made smaller than one wavelength.     

DISEASES OF CATTLE IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS

SUMMARY Between 1967 and 1977 a study was made of diseases of cattle in the Solomon Islands. Tuberculosis was found in only 3 herds and was eradicated by 1975. Brucellosis serology revealed very few reactors and by 1977 the herds involved were considered free of the disease. Significant serological reactions were found to Leptospira interrogans serovars pomona, hardjo, autumnalis and jez-bratislava. There was evidence that infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and mucosal disease were present. Seventeen parasites were identified of which Haematobia irritans exigua, Haemonchus placei, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Ceylonocotyle streptocoelium were widely distributed. Nutritional stress occurred under some forms of husbandry but environmental stress was minimal. The Solomon Islands are therefore in a most favourable situation with regard to diseases of cattle.     

Toxicity episodes involving agricultural chemicals and other substances in birds in Victoria, Australia

A series of case reports detailing observations on toxicity episodes in birds caused by a variety of agricultural chemicals and other substances is presented. These problems arose as a result of ignorance, accident and malicious intent. The episodes involved maldison, monocrotophos, fenitrothion, trichlorofon, dieldrin, chlordane, endrin, metaldehyde, bromadiolone, arsenic, lead and zinc. An unresolved episode where toxicity was implicated is also included.