Genetic effects on ewe productivity of crossing D'man and Sardi breeds of sheep

Data from 364 ewes of Sardi (S), D'man (D), S x DS, DS x S, S x D, D x S (F1), F2, D x DS and DS x D breed groups mated to F1 rams were analyzed for fertility, number of lambs born alive, litter size at weaning, litter weight at weaning per ewe joined and mean lamb weight at 60 d. Each ewe was exposed in two seasons and had one or two lambings. Effects of breed group were significant for all traits. The highest number of lambs born alive and litter size at weaning were recorded in D'man (1.84 and 1.45, respectively) and D x DS (1.81 and 1.43, respectively). F1 ewes (S x D and D x S) had the highest fertility (.94) and litter weight at weaning per ewe exposed (13.8 kg). Mean lamb weight at 60 d was highest for S x DS and Sardi ewes (13.4 kg and 13.2 kg). D'man additive effects were positive and significant for number of lambs born alive, litter size at weaning and litter weight at weaning per ewe joined; were significant but negative for mean lamb weight at 60 d; and were not significant, although positive, for fertility. Significant individual heterosis was found for fertility, litter weight weaned and mean lamb weight at 60 d. Maternal heterosis and direct epistatic recombination effects were small for all traits.     

Efficacy of parenteral antibiotics for disease prophylaxis in feedlot calves

Trimethoprim-sulfadoxine (TMPSDX) and two formulations of oxytetracycline (OTC) were examined for their prophylactic efficacy in feedlot calves when given by intramuscular injection on arrival at a large commercial feedlot. The study included 2,112 high-risk feeder calves that developed disease early in the feeding period. Both formulations of OTC reduced bovine respiratory disease morbidity during the first two weeks on feed and for the entire feeding period by 15-19% (p<0.05), and they also reduced all fatal fibrinous pneumonia by 67% and 84% (p<0.05). All three drugs significantly reduced all fatal disease in animals first treated during the second week on feed, but not for the overall feeding period. Oxytetracycline with 2-pyrrolidone reduced the incidence of all fatal disease by 44% (p<0.05) during the entire feeding period. The case fatality risk for calves first treated during the second week on feed was lower (p<0.05) in the TMPSDX group and in the OTC with polyvinyl-pyrrolidone group.     

Breed, sex and age distribution in dogs with chronic liver disease: a demographic study

Breed, sex and age distribution were studied in dogs with histopathologically diagnosed chronic (active or progressive) hepatitis and liver cirrhosis in Sweden. The study was based on clinical and histopathological records obtained during three years from a histopathological laboratory and during six years from an animal hospital. Some breeds were significantly (P<0–001) over-represented: American and English cocker spaniels, labrador retrievers and West Highland white terriers. In both spaniel breeds the males were most frequent whereas in the labrador retriever, the females were over represented. In the West Highland white terrier there was no sex difference. The average age at presentation was approximately five years in spaniels and West Highland white terriers and seven years in labrador retrievers. The high incidence of chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis in certain breeds indicate that hereditary factors may be of importance in the development of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis.     

Prevalence of serum antibodies against Bartonella species in the serum of cats with or without uveitis

Bartonella henselae has been implicated as a causative agent of chronic uveitis in people and in some cats. The objective of this study was to determine whether Bartonella species seroprevalence or titer magnitude varies among cats with uveitis, cats without ocular diseases recorded and healthy cats, while controlling for age and risk of flea exposure based on state of residence. There was no difference in seroprevalence rates or titer magnitude between cats with uveitis and cats with non-ocular diseases. Healthy cats were more likely to be seropositive for Bartonella species than cats with uveitis. The median Bartonella species titer was 1:64 for all groups, although healthy cats were more likely to have higher titers than cats with uveitis and cats with non-ocular disease. The results suggest that serum antibody tests alone cannot be used to document clinical uveitis associated with Bartonella species infection.     

Amyloid A in equine colostrum and early milk

The objective of this study was to investigate the protein, amyloid A3 (AA3), in equine colostrum and early milk. We hypothesized that AA3 was consistently present in equine colostrum and early milk, that no correlation existed between serum and colostrum concentrations of this protein in individual mares at parturition and that colostrum/milk concentrations of this mammary protein may be affected by age, breed, length of gestation and/or induction of parturition. Thirty-eight peripartum mares and seven non-pregnant, non-lactating mares were included in the study. Mean serum concentrations of this protein in the pregnant and non-pregnant mares were consistent with previous reports. Amyloid A3 was found in all colostrum and early milk samples at consistently higher concentrations than in peripartum maternal serum. There was no correlation between serum AA and colostrum AA3 concentrations at parturition. Age and breed effects were not significant. Increased gestation length and induction of parturition were associated with decreased colostrum and milk AA3 concentrations. We conclude that AA3 is consistently present in equine colostrum and early milk. The production of this protein in the mammary gland is likely to be under different stimulus to the production of serum AA, and may have protective effects in the neonatal intestine.     

Migration of a Kirschner wire to the heart in a Yorkshire terrier

A 12-year-old, male Yorkshire terrier was presented for acute pulmonary oedema. Thoracic radiographs showed a linear metallic foreign body within the cardiac silhouette. Echocardiogram showed a hyperechoic line extending through the left ventricle, the mitral valve, leading into the left atrium. A 4 cm long Kirschner wire was surgically removed by left fourth thoracotomy. The dog died two days after surgery for acute pulmonary oedema. Necropsy showed thrombi on the mitral leaflets that impeded their movement.     

Evaluation of Salmonella-lytic properties of bacteriophages isolated from commercial broiler houses

Because of recent interest in bacteriophage therapy in poultry, information regarding the interaction of bacteriophages and potential host bacteria in the environment should be collected. The present studies were initiated with a rather typical commercial broiler integrator within the south-central United States to examine environmental Salmonella levels in two broiler complexes, attempt to isolate Salmonella-lytic bacteriophages, and elucidate a possible reason for differing apparent Salmonella prevalence. Significantly (P < 0.05) less Salmonella was isolated from houses in complex 1 (15/44 [34%] Salmonella-positive drag swabs) as compared to houses in complex 2 (22/24 [92%]). A total of seven Salmonella-lytic bacteriophages were isolated from Salmonella-positive environments, and two bacteriophages were isolated from a single Salmonella-negative house. During the initial bacteriophage isolation, individual bacteriophages did not replicate in the Salmonella host isolated from the same environment, and lysis of additional Salmonella hosts relied on high numbers of bacteriophage to be present. This suggests that the presence of these bacteriophages in the environment of a commercial broiler house had little to no effect on the presence of Salmonella. This study highlights the need to find additional bacteriophage sources, more effective isolation methods, and more innovative approaches to using bacteriophages to treat enteric disease.