Reno-, hepato- and splenomegaly of common carp fingerlings (Cyprinus carpio L.) diseased in swimbladder inflammation caused by Sphaerospora renicola Dyková et Lom, 1982

The weight of internal organs (swimbladder, kidney, liver, spleen) in relation to the body weight was studied in common carp fingerlings divided into three groups on the basis of swimbladder appearance and microscopic examination of the kidney. The fish had been collected from different Hungarian fish farms at the time when swimbladder inflammation (SBI) usually occurs (in July and August). The first group comprised fish with severe signs of SBI and massive renal sphaerosporosis, the second group consisted of fish with milder swimbladder changes and/or kidney infection by a low number of Sphaerospora renicola, while the third group was constituted by infection-free common carp fry. Statistical analysis of swimbladder, kidney, liver and spleen weight in relation to the body weight revealed that in the infected groups the internal organs were substantially enlarged. This suggests that in common carp fry with SBI the swimbladder changes are accompanied by reno-, hepato- and splenomegaly.     

The surgical technique and the age of the horse both influence the outcome of mosaicplasty in a cadaver equine stifle model

Six pieces of grafts, 6.5 mm in diameter, 20 mm in length, were taken from each of 170 cadaver hindlimbs, using the cranial surface of the medial femoral trochlea for harvesting. The age of the horses varied between 4 months and 23 years. 30 limbs under the age of 12 years were selected for transplantation. Three of six grafts were transplanted into the medial femoral condyle using different combinations of tunnel depth and dilation. With ageing, a significant decline in transplantability was detected. In general, mosaicplasty cannot be recommended in horses above 11 years. Based on a previous clinical case (Bodó et al., 2000), a good surface alignment was indeed achieved with a combination of graft length drilling and dilation in most cases. However, the occasional entrapment of cartilage debris under the graft prevented perfect alignment in the present cadaver study in 27% of the grafts transplanted in this manner. Since the protrusion of grafts never exceeded 1.5 mm, we conclude that drilling 3-5 mm deeper than graft length with graft length deep dilation can avoid disadvantageous protrusion of the transplanted hyaline cartilage caps, achieving bone decompression at the same time.     

Epidemiological, clinical, echo-doppler characteristics of mitral valve endocardiosis in Cavalier King Charles in France: a retrospective study of 451 cases (1995 to 2003)

A study performed on 451 Cavalier King Charles showed that 40.6% of dogs had a left apical systolic heart murmur, whose prevalence increased with age (> 11-year-old, 100%), but was not different between males and females. Mitral valve endocardiosis represented 93.3% of the ultrasonographic abnormalities.     

The Effect of Supplementation with Fresh Browse of Ziziphus mauritiana or Combretum aculeatum on Feed Intake,Nitrogen Utilization and Growth of Grazing Range Sheep

The influence of 0, 60 or 120 min access to a grove of either Ziziphus mauritiana (Ziziphus) or Combretum aculeatum (Combretum) on forage intake and on the digestibility, growth and excretion of nutrients was determined using 40 Oudah rams grazing for 7 h/day on poor-quality dry season pasture in the Sahel. The effects of browse species and browsing duration (0, 30, 60 or 120 min) on the ruminal ammonia content were also evaluated using 8 mature fistulated rams. Ziziphus increased both total digestible organic matter and total dry matter intakes per (kg live weight)^0.75 without decreasing herbage intake, whereas 60 or 120 min access to Combretum reduced herbage intake by 6.3% and 4.2%, respectively. The digestibility of the diet decreased (p<0.05) with the duration of access to the groves. Despite the provision of more nitrogen (N) than in the control diet, ruminal NH₃-N decreased 24 h after browsing commenced. The reduced live weight gain of sheep browsing Combretum may indicate more deleterious compounds in Combretum than in Ziziphus. Ziziphus appears to have more potential than Combretum to increase sheep production in low-input crop/livestock systems.     

The epidemiology and diagnosis of bluetongue with particular reference to Corsica

Bluetongue (BT) and/or BT viruses (BTV) have been identified in the Mediterranean basin and the Balkans each year from 1998 to 2002 and in particular BTV serotype 2 in the French Island of Corsica (2000 and 2001). In response to these virus incursions, the French Veterinary Authorities carried out epidemiological studies that included virological, serological and entomological analysis, and two vaccination campaigns performed in the winter of 2000/2001 and the winter and spring of 2001 and 2002. Rapid and reliable serotype differentiation is essential at the start of an outbreak to allow an early selection of vaccine to control the spread of the virus. Thus, molecular tools, that complement conventional methods, have been developed for early detection of infection, determination of the serotype, and differentiation between natural infection and vaccination. Serological results showed that the first vaccination campaign during the winter of 2000/2001 did not provide full protection for all sheep and during the summer of 2001, 335 sheep flocks in Corsica were again infected by BTV 2 (7-fold more that in 2000). Entomological studies have demonstrated that the only proven vector of the disease, Culicoides imicola, was present in the island in 2000 and that it has successfully established itself in Corsica. The safety and immunogenicity of the commercial South African vaccine were studied. Fourteen sheep were vaccinated and then observed for clinical signs. Blood, sera, spleen and lymph nodes were collected and analyzed, and the results confirmed the safety and potency of using this vaccine to protect sheep from clinical disease. As a result, an intensive vaccination campaign was performed during winter and spring 2001/2002. No cases of BT had been observed by the end of summer 2002, indicating that the vaccination campaign has been successful in protecting sheep from infection.     

Wild ostrich (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Struthio camelus australis</Emphasis>) reproduction in Orbata,a nature reserve in Tunisia

The aim of the current investigation was to determine wild ostrich reproductive behaviour in Orbata Nature Reserve by observing 16 hens and 28 cocks over a seven-year period. Intense laying commenced in January, one month after the cessation of the rainy season, and 92% of the eggs were produced during the dry season (January to May, peaking in March). Over the seven years, 1,322 eggs were laid in 69 nests, which corresponded to an annual average production of 19.2 ± 9.1 eggs/nest and 11.8 eggs/hen. 24 nests (34.78%) were non-brooded, 17 nests (24.64%) were deserted in the course of incubation, and 28 nests (40.58%) possessed hatched eggs. All the non-incubated nests had egg losses equivalent to 46.6 ± 12.6%. Hatchability success of incubated eggs was 41.9 ± 12.0%. Ostriches tended to dig their nests adjacent to the reserve enclosure which had direct access by road and track, the latter subjecting them to human disturbance and predation. The systematic obstruction of these nests stimulated ostriches to build additional nests within the reserve perimeter. The authors discussed the results recorded in an ostrich flock in relation to the environmental factors (climatic factors, food disponibility and predation) and suggested possibilities for improved wildlife management.     

Evaluation of hematological,biochemical and oxidative stress profile in calves under propofol anesthesia

Veterinary Research Communications - Propofol is a widely used drug in veterinary medicine to induce anesthesia; as well as the chosen compound for protocols of intravenous anesthesia. The present...     

Cross-sectional study on prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in domestic ruminants in an endemic area of the Canary Islands (Spain)

Trypanosoma evansi is the most widely spread of the pathogenic African trypanosomes of animals. The disease (surra) was first diagnosed in the Canary Islands in a dromedary camel in 1997; thus, a control plan was implemented achieving the eventual eradication of T. evansi from most of the infected areas in the Archipelago. However, a little area remains still infected despite the use of the same control measures. To evaluate possible reservoirs in the area a representative sample of domestic ruminants was examined by serological, parasitological and molecular tests. Of a total of 1228 ruminants assessed, 61 (5%) were serologically positive (7 cattle, 21 goats, 33 sheep), but T. evansi could be demonstrated in none of them. According to FreeCalc assessment, cattle and goat populations would be free from disease; however, the results from sheep are not adequate to conclude that the population would be free from disease. As a conclusion, surveillance must be exercised on ruminant farms in the surroundings of the infected area in order to evaluate the possible extension of the disease and their potential role as reservoirs of T. evansi.