The normal microflora of the female rabbit''s genital tract.

Microorganisms associated with the vagina, cervix and uterus of rabbits were isolated and identified. The predominant microorganisms isolated from the vaginas and cervices were coagulase-negative staphylococci, micrococci, and nonfermentative bacilli. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were isolated frequently, but in small numbers, from the uteri. The pH of the rabbit vagina was found to be near neutrality. Our data indicate that the genital flora of female rabbits is relatively simple, regarding the number and type of microorganisms.     

DIMENSIONS OF THE PROSTATIC AND MEMBRANOUS URETHRA IN NORMAL MALE DOGS DURING MAXIMUM DISTENSION RETROGRADE URETHROCYSTOGRAPHY*

Prostatic and membranous urethral diameter was measured in 24 normal mature male Beagle dogs during maximum distension retrograde urethrocystography. This technique involved retrograde urethral distension by infusion with contrast medium until the urinary bladder was distended and the vesicourethral junction remained opened as observed by fluoroscopy. Lateral and ventro-dorsal radiographs were made during subsequent injections of 5–10 ml of contrast medium. The prostatic urethra was consistently greater in diameter than the membranous urethra. However, the numerical ratio between the prostatic urethral diameter and the membranous urethral diameter varied among these dogs by a factor of 2 at the numerical extremes.     

Evaluation in Appalachian pasture systems of the 1996 (update 2000) National Research Council model for weaning cattle

This study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the National Research Council's (2000) Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle computer model when used to predict calf performance during on-farm pasture or dry-lot weaning and backgrounding. Calf performance was measured on 22 farms in 2002 and 8 farms in 2003 that participated in West Virginia Beef Quality Assurance Sale marketing pools. Calves were weaned on pasture (25 farms) or dry-lot (5 farms) and fed supplemental hay, haylage, ground shell corn, soybean hulls, or a commercial concentrate. Concentrates were fed at a rate of 0.0 to 1.5% of BW. The National Research Council (2000) model was used to predict ADG of each group of calves observed on each farm. The model error was measured by calculating residuals (the difference between predicted ADG minus observed ADG). Predicted animal performance was determined using level 1 of the model. Results show that, when using normal on-farm pasture sampling and forage analysis methods, the model error for ADG is high and did not accurately predict the performance of steers or heifers fed high-forage pasture-based diets; the predicted ADG was lower (P < 0.05) than the observed ADG. The estimated intake of low-producing animals was similar to the expected DMI, but for the greater-producing animals it was not. The NRC (2000) beef model may more accurately predict on-farm animal performance in pastured situations if feed analysis values reflect the energy value of the feed, account for selective grazing, and relate empty BW and shrunk BW to NDF.     

A model for teaching raptor medicine in the veterinary curriculum

Injured or sick wild avian species, especially raptors (birds of prey, including hawks, owls, falcons, and eagles), can present different challenges to veterinary students and veterinarians who are trained in companion avian medicine (e.g., parrot medicine). Proper capture and restraint, feeding, housing, and certain diagnostic and treatment techniques involving raptors require different skills, knowledge, and resources than working with parrots. We developed an innovative raptor medicine program that enables students to acquire proficiency in safe capture, restraint, and examination techniques and in common diagnostic and treatment procedures. A self-assessment survey was developed to determine students' confidence and proficiency in 10 procedures taught in the lab. Groups were compared by class status (Year 1 vs. Year 2 and 3) and level of prior raptor experience (non-experienced or experienced). In surveys conducted before and after teaching two sets of raptor training labs, students rated themselves significantly more proficient in all 10 diagnostic and treatment procedures after completing the two raptor laboratories. The greatest improvements were observed in technical skill procedures such as fluid administration, intramuscular injections, cloacal swabs, venipuncture, and bandaging. Our approach to incorporating elective wildlife learning experiences into the veterinary curriculum may be replicable in other veterinary schools, with or without a wildlife rehabilitation program.     

Genome sequence diversity and clues to the evolution of variola (smallpox) virus

Comparative genomics of 45 epidemiologically varied variola virus isolates from the past 30 years of the smallpox era indicate low sequence diversity, suggesting that there is probably little difference in the isolates' functional gene content. Phylogenetic clustering inferred three clades coincident with their geographical origin and case-fatality rate; the latter implicated putative proteins that mediate viral virulence differences. Analysis of the viral linear DNA genome suggests that its evolution involved direct descent and DNA end-region recombination events. Knowing the sequences will help understand the viral proteome and improve diagnostic test precision, therapeutics, and systems for their assessment.