Hormonal profiles, behavioral responses, and short-term growth performance after castration of pigs at three, six, nine, or twelve days of age

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of castration on short-term growth performance, hormone profiles, and behavior in pigs at 3, 6, 9, or 12 d of age. Ninety intact male pigs were assigned randomly to a treatment age by litter [3, 6, 9, or 12 d of age; n = 9 to 13 pigs per treatment (age) group]. Pigs within a single litter were then assigned to noncastrated (NC) or castrated (CAS) treatment groups according to BW. Pigs were nonsurgically fitted with jugular catheters, and blood samples were drawn immediately before castration (0 h) and at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 24, and 48 h after castration. Body weights were obtained when pigs were catheterized and again at 24 and 48 h after castration. Serum samples were analyzed for cortisol, porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). No differences were detected in initial BW of pigs, and there was no overall treatment effect on growth performance of pigs at 24 or 48 h posttreatment. A time x treatment interaction was detected (P < 0.01) for serum cortisol concentrations, such that cortisol was greater in CAS pigs than in NC pigs. No overall effect of age at castration was observed on cortisol concentrations. At 24 h after castration, serum cortisol concentrations returned to baseline in all treatment groups; however, at 48 h after castration, overall cortisol concentrations were elevated (P < 0.01) in the 6-, 9-, and 12-d-old pigs in both the CAS and NC groups compared with baseline concentrations. Total cortisol and porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin were used to calculate the free cortisol index (FCI). A time x treatment interaction was observed (P < 0.01) for FCI, such that FCI was greater in CAS males than in NC males. The FCI was also affected by age (P < 0.01). There was a time x treatment x age interaction (P < 0.01) for serum DHEA-S, such that DHEA-S concentrations decreased in CAS animals but increased in NC animals, and DHEA-S concentrations increased with age. During the first 2 h after castration, there was an overall age effect (P = 0.01) on the time that pigs spent standing, such that 3-d-old pigs stood more than 6-, 9-, or 12-d-old pigs. Treatment did not influence the time that pigs spent nursing, lying, standing, or sitting, although there was a trend (P = 0.08) for CAS pigs to be less active than NC pigs. These data indicate that castration is stressful regardless of age; however, the stress associated with handling seems to increase as pigs age.     

Frequency and risk factors for urinary tract infection in cats with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Identification and control of infections are important in the management of diabetic cats. Urinary tract infections have not been well characterized in diabetic cats. This retrospective study was performed to review and characterize urinary tract infections in diabetic cats. HYPOTHESIS: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats. ANIMALS: A review was made of the medical records of 141 diabetic cats that had had urine obtained for culture by antepubic cystocentesis and that had not been treated with antibiotics, undergone urinary tract catheterization or urinary tract surgery within 2 weeks of urine collection or had urethral obstruction at the time of urine collection. METHODS: A review of medical records. RESULTS: Urinary tract infection was identified in 18 of 141 diabetic cats. Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (67%). Female cats were at increased risk (prevalence odds ratios [POR], 3.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 10.2; P = .013). Clinical signs of lower urinary tract disease and findings on urine sediment examination were good predictors of positive urine cultures. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infections are common in diabetic cats regardless of status of diabetic control, suggesting routine monitoring with urine sediment exams or urine culture is warranted.     

Papillomavirus-associated basosquamous carcinoma in an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus).

A 5-yr-old female Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) had a small raised pigmented mass removed from the lateral canthus of the left eye. Six additional variably sized, raised, smooth to cauliflower-like skin masses were observed randomly distributed throughout the left wing membranes. Four masses were removed and diagnosed microscopically as basosquamous carcinomas and papillomas. Additional masses, removed 6 mo and 1 yr later, showed bony invasion and squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemistry detected positive intranuclear staining for bovine papillomavirus antibody in all samples. Polymerase chain reaction done on DNA extracts from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue amplified a 450 base-pair segment analogous to the L1 region of human papillomavirus types 96 and 5. Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis of sequenced amplicons suggests a novel chiropteran papillomavirus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of papillomavirus-associated carcinoma in a chiropteran species.     

Residues of fluoroquinolone drugs in the cloacal gland and other tissues of Japanese quail

1. In this study we investigated the residues of fluoroquinolone drugs (ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin) in the cloacal gland (a site of foam synthesis) and other tissues such as breast muscle, testes, brain, kidney and plasma. 2. Fifty-four healthy male Japanese quail were selected at random from a flock, maintained under uniform husbandry conditions and divided into three groups, each of 18 birds. Group I (control) received 1 ml vehicle (normal saline 0.9% (w/v) NaCl) daily for 12 d through the intraperitoneal route. Birds of groups II and III received ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin by the same route at the rate of 10 and 12 mg/kg body weight, respectively, every day for a similar period. 3. Birds from each group were killed, at 1, 5 and 10 d after the cessation of treatment, to collect the cloacal gland together with other tissues that were analysed for residual drugs. 4. Cloacal gland retained the maximum drug residues of ciprofloxacin (60%) and pefloxacin (80%) on d 10 compared with that on d 1 after drug withdrawal. The drug residues were found 60 and 80% in ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups, respectively, in the cloacal gland tissue even on d 10 after withdrawal of the treatment. 5. In the ciprofloxacin-treated group, all tissues except cloacal gland contained very small amounts of the drug residues on d 10 after treatment ended. In the pefloxacin group the cloacal gland, breast muscle and kidney retained a fairly high amount of drug even on d 10 after treatment ceased. No residues of pefloxacin were detectable in testes and brain throughout. 6. In conclusion, the cloacal gland in Japanese quail acted as the largest sink for the fluoroquinolone drugs. Ciprofloxacin was more widely distributed in different tissues and persisted for a shorter period than pefloxacin.     

Leg health and performance of broiler chickens reared in different light environments

1. The effects of light source and intensity on leg health and performance of female ROSS 308 broiler chickens were investigated in a 2 x 2 experimental design (8 groups of 275 chicks) of two light sources (Osram biolux and Osram warm-white) and two light intensities (5 and 100 clux, adjusted to fowl-perceived illuminance). 2. At 41 d of age, body weight, gait-score, footpad dermatitis and hock-burn were measured on 50 birds from each light environment. In addition, weekly feed intake and body weight were determined on a group basis and mortality was recorded continuously. 3. The light environment did not affect the severity of the gait-score or hock-burns. The risk of moderate to severe lameness and hock-burns increased with body weight. Birds weighing more than 2400 g had an increased probability of moderate footpad lesions in biolux light. 4. Weight and gait-score, as well as gait-score and hock-burn were positively correlated. Podo-dermatitis was weakly correlated with hock-burn, which contradicts earlier findings. The light environment did not affect feed intake, body weight or mortality. 5. The light sources and intensities employed in this study did not adversely affect production or leg health of broiler chickens reared semi-commercially.     

Failure of a recombinant Schistosoma bovis-derived glutathione S-transferase to protect cattle against experimental Fasciola hepatica infection

The potential of a recombinant Schistosoma bovis 28-kDa glutathione S-transferase (rSb28GST) to protect cattle against Fasciola hepatica was tested in a vaccination trial. Thirty two calves were randomly divided into four groups of eight animals. Calves of the three vaccine groups received two intramuscular injections at 3 weeks interval, of 0.250mg rSb28GST in either aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)(3)), Quil A, or PBS emulsified in an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA).Animals of the control group received injections of Al(OH)(3)/PBS only. All animals were challenged orally with a total of 360 metacercariae of F. hepatica, spread over 6 weeks.All groups of vaccinated animals produced measurable IgG antibody titers to rSb28GST after vaccination. Animals immunised with FCA adjuvanted vaccine had the highest and more durable antibody titers and only sera from this group recognised an approximately 24kDa protein band from F. hepatica, that is thought to be a F. hepatica GST. Despite a good antibody response differences in cumulative faecal egg output between the groups were not statistically significant. In addition, no significant difference was found between groups in terms of total worm numbers or percentage of immature flukes recovered at necropsy. In conclusion, the recombinant S. bovis 28kDa GST was not found to adequately protect cattle against experimental F. hepatica challenge, using either aluminium hydroxide, Quil A or FCA as adjuvant.     

Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum in the cow: inspection in an east Switzerland abattoir

On the basis of meat inspection in an abattoir in the eastern part of Switzerland, the incidence of liverflukes in cattle was recorded weekly during one year. The prevalence was compared with surveys from the seventies and nineties. The average incidence of Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection did not change. Although the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica apparently slightly decreased, an actual decrease of liverflukes could not be demonstrated.     

Idiopathic mucosal lesions of the arytenoid cartilages of 21 Thoroughbred yearlings: 1997-2001

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Mucosal ulcers and, occasionally, small granulomas on the axial surface of one or both arytenoid cartilages have been found in TB yearlings presented for post sale endoscopic examination. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, endoscopic characteristics and outcome of a group of Thoroughbred yearlings affected with mucosal ulcers and granulomas of the arytenoid cartilage. HYPOTHESIS: The incidence of mucosal ulceration of the arytenoid cartilages of yearling Thoroughbreds is relatively high compared to other upper airway abnormalities; and that the majority of mucosal ulcers heal uneventfully, although a small percentage may progress to a granuloma and, less commonly, to arytenoid chondropathy. METHODS: The findings of post sale, upper airway endoscopic examinations of 3312 Thoroughbred yearlings, during a 5 year period, were reviewed, including those abnormalities listed in the conditions of sale and others not listed but considered likely to cause airway obstruction. Information obtained from the medical record of horses that had mucosal ulceration or granuloma of the arytenoid cartilage included the location and size of the lesion(s), sex of the affected horse and the presence and nature of other concurrent abnormalities of the upper portion of the respiratory tract. Additional information included treatment and results of follow-up, endoscopic examination by the authors or attending veterinarian. RESULTS: Mucosal lesions were seen in 0.63% of yearlings evaluated, which represented the most common, documented condition of the upper portion of the respiratory tract. The mucosal ulcers of 15 of 19 horses were considered to have healed without complication during follow-up examination; one of the 19 horses was lost to follow-up. Two horses affected with bilateral, arytenoid mucosal ulceration developed a granuloma at each site of ulceration. One horse developed a granuloma at a site of ulceration and, subsequently, arytenoid chondropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Arytenoid mucosal ulceration in sales yearlings was a relatively commonly encountered abnormality and a small percentage progressed to granuloma or chondropathy. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The mucosa of the arytenoid cartilage, particularly at the rostral margin of the vocal process, should be examined carefully during endoscopic examination of the upper portion of the respiratory tract of Thoroughbred yearlings presented for sale. Because a small percentage of mucosal ulcers may progress to granuloma or, less commonly, chondropathy, identification of mucosal ulcers of the arytenoid cartilage seen during post sale, endoscopic examination warrants notification to the purchaser and sales company. Medical therapy of affected horses should be considered and follow-up endoscopic examination performed to determine if the lesion has healed.