Yeast (different sources and levels) as protein source in diets of reared piglets: effects on protein digestibility and N-metabolism

The aim of this study was to examine the feeding value of different yeasts as a substitute for soya bean meal, the main protein source in diets of weaned piglets. Tested two yeasts were already available on the market, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis (beer and milk yeast), which replaced 40% of the soya bean meal in the diets. Furthermore, a yeast (Kluyveromyces fragilis) grown on whey, a side-product of cheese production, was used in increasing concentrations in the diets, so that increasing amounts of the soya bean meal (20%, 40% and 60%) could be replaced. As proved in these experiments, a replacement of 60% of the soya protein with whey yeast protein had positive effects on the performances (daily weight gain) and on the N-metabolism and did not have negative effects on the health or the faeces consistency. The whey yeast stands out because of its high protein quality (N-digestibility and N-retention). Furthermore, the replacement of soya bean meal with highly digestible yeasts is welcomed under the aspect of animal health, because of the reduction of anti-nutritive soya components (stachyose, glycinin) in diets of weaned piglets. The controlled production conditions of the yeasts result in a high feed safety; in addition, the yeast as an end-of-pipe-product is a resource conserving and valuable feed. A main stimulus for the use of yeasts, however, in a food production controlled by economic standpoints, is their price and the costs of other competing feeds.     

Consequences of the judgment of the Federal Constitutional Court on the fighting dog problem

The Federal Constitutional Court decided with its "Dangerous dog-judgment" about the constitutional complaint of 53 dog breeders on the federal act combating dangerous dogs. This judgment was a so-called Pyrrhic Victory for the appellants. The Court declared the legislative competence of the federal level in this issue for null and void. But the statutory prohibition for breeding Pitbull-Terrier-, American Staffordshire-Terrier-, Staffordshire-Bullterrier-, Bullterrier-races and cross breeding out of this dogs will be governed in police laws by the Laender finally. The Standing Conference of the Ministers for Internal Affairs declared an appropriate recommendation. The use of the category "race" was refused by experts in discussions as completely wrong and not acceptable. But the Federal Constitutional Court reasons that the legislator can use the category "race" within his scope of evaluation and prognostication in accordance with the Constitution for the ban of import of dangerous dogs. The Court demands--because of the weak data background - that the legislator monitors the legislation, to adjust it according to current developments. The Constitutional Court creates with the judgment "dangerous dogs" legal certainty. The jurisprudence of the administrative courts of the Laender and of the Federal Administrative Court based on the category "race" was approved as well as the police laws of the Laender dealing with dangerous dogs.     

The use of sarmazenil in the treatment of a moxidectin intoxication in a foal

A13-day-old Arabian Thoroughbred filly weighing 40 kg (88 1b) was presented to the University of Zurich Equine Clinic with a history of depression after deworming with moxidectin at a dose of 2 mg/kg (recommended dose 0.4 mg/kg body weight)^a the day before admission. The foal was found recumbent 12 hours after drug administration and was in an unconscious state 6 hours later     

Pharmacokinetics and renal toxicity of three once-a-day doses of amikacin in cows

Pharmacokinetic variables of amikacin in cows were determined after administration of amikacin sulphate either intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) at a dose of 25 mg/kg per day for three days. Amikacin concentrations at time zero and maximum serum concentrations were 240.8 microg/mL and 122.53 microg/mL, respectively. The elimination half-life remained unchanged during the three days of administration (T1/2beta = 1.33 +/- 0.029 h for the IV route and T1/2beta = 2.75 +/- 0.38 h for the IM route). Apparent volumes of distribution suggest limited distribution out of the central compartment (VdAUC = 0.154 +/- 0.005 L/kg; Vdc = 36.50 +/- 2.35 L; Vdss = 0.092 +/- 0.004 L/kg). Bioavailability after IM administration was 95%. Serum profiles of urea, creatinine, albumin, electrolytes and pH after 5-day treatment with amikacin at a dose of 25 mg/kg per day IM revealed no changes. Assessment of diffusion of amikacin to milk by a commercially available screening method to detect antibiotic residues revealed that amikacin could not be detected by the fifth milking period after the last treatment. These results suggest that it would be rational to use a large single-daily dose of amikacin for future clinical trials in cows.     

用特异性DNA探针和聚合酶链反应检测副结核分枝杆菌

副结核病是一种可以引起腹泻和消瘦的反刍动物慢性肠炎,病原为副结核分枝杆菌(Mp)。在美国,2.9％的奶牛和0.8％的肉牛感染本病。全世界牛的流行率为0～15％。由于缺乏适宜的诊断方法,妨碍了对本病的控制。目前的诊断方法中,粪便培养不仅生长极为缓慢,而且常因污染而使培养失败。免疫学方法如Johnin皮肤试验、ELISA及     

用乳酸防治大蜂螨

乳酸为无色或微黄色的稠状液体,味酸,略带特有的香味,可以跟水以任何比例混融,其比重为1.22克/厘米~3。乳酸在所有的动物组织及血液中均含有。人的机体每天产生这种酸达150克。它被广泛应用于工农业上,例如制革工业上用它作媒染剂,农业上用于青贮饲料,就是利用发酵产生的     

Effects of feeding buffering mineral mixture on subacute rumen acidosis and some production traits in dairy cows

This trial was designed in order to evaluate the incidence of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA) during early lactation and to investigate the possibilities for its prevention by use of a buffering mineral mixture. On the beginning of the trial it was found that the pH value of rumen fluid in 4 animals was lower than normal (pH < 6.0) and that 20% of animals have had SARA. The control and the experimental group of cows were fed the same meal with exception of concentrated feed which in the experimental group contained the mineral mix with buffering activity in amount of 1%. Continuous addition of buffering mineral mixture in the amount of 1% in concentrated feed for early lactation cows successfully prevents SARA formation and leads to increased milk production, as well as increased milk fat and protein content.     

Experimental hyperlipemia induces insulin resistance in cats

The effect of experimental hyperlipemia on insulin sensitivity was evaluated in seven healthy cats. Serum triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher when lipid-heparin was administered (2,894 ± 1,526 mg/dl and 4.54 ± 0.70 mEq/l, respectively) than when saline was administered (70 ± 42 mg/dl and 0.22 ± 0.08 mEq/l, respectively). A glucose clamp test revealed that the mean glucose infusion rate when lipid-heparin was administered (5.80 ± 0.67 mg/kg/min) was significantly (P<0.05) lower than when saline was administered (8.52 ± 1.83 mg/kg/min). These results suggest that experimental hyperlipemia induced insulin resistance in the healthy cats.     

Ovine craniofacial malformation: A morphometrical study

Craniofacial malformation in 64 sheep was phenotypically described as mandibular distoclusion. Digital radiographs were examined in order to determine the degree of morphological changes in certain bones of the skull. Therefore, laterolateral standardised digital radiographs were used to determine anatomic reference points. Subsequently, five reference lines were defined and 16 linear and seven angular measurements were determined to describe malformations in the bones of the skull. Statistical analysis revealed a significant shortening of the rostral part of the corpus mandibulae and of the ramus mandibulae. However, the molar part of the mandible remained unchanged. These morphological changes caused premolar and molar malocclusion. No further craniofacial abnormalities, such as an elongation of the maxilla or of the incisive bone, were identified. In conclusion, the phenotypically observed mandibular distoclusion is caused by a shortening of specific parts of the mandible. This form of ovine craniofacial malformation is therefore best described as brachygnathia inferior.     

British Veterinary AssociationAnnual General Meeting Liverpool, September 29, 2012

The 2012 Annual General Meeting of the British Veterinary Association will be held at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Liverpool, on Saturday, September 29, 2012, at 16.00.