Survey of how different groups of veterinarians manage the use of neuromuscular blocking agents in anesthetized dogs

Objective

To analyze practice habits associated with the use, reversal and monitoring of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in dogs by different groups of veterinarians.

Piglet gut microbial shifts early in life:causes and effects

The gut microbiome has long been known to play fundamentally important roles in the animal health and the well-being of its host. As such, the establishment and maintenance of a beneficial gut microbiota early in life is crucial in pigs, since early gut colonizers are pivotal in the establishment of permanent microbial community structures affecting the health and growth performance of pigs later in life. Emphasizing this importance of early gut colonizers, it is critical to understand the factors impacting the establishment of the piglet gut microbiome at weaning. Factors include, among others, diet, in-feed antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotic administration. The impact of these factors on establishment of the gut microbiome of piglets at weaning includes effects on piglet gut microbial diversity, structure, and succession. In this review, we thoroughly reviewed the most recent findings on the piglet gut microbiome shifts as influenced by weaning, and how these microbiome changes brought about by various factors that have been shown to affect the development of microbiota in piglets. This review will provide a general overview of recent studies that can help to facilitate the design of new strategies to modulate the gut microbiome in order to enhance gastrointestinal health, growth performance and well-being of piglets.     

Zinc‐boron interaction effects in oilseed rape

The interaction effect of applied zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on early vegetative growth and uptake of Zn and B by two oilseed rape (canola) (Brassica napus L.) genotypes was investigated in a sand culture experiment under controlled environmental conditions. Two genotypes (Yickadee and Dunkeld) were grown at three Zn levels (0.05, 0.25, and 2.0 mg kg^‐1 soil) and two B levels (0.05 mg kg^‐1 soil and 0.5 mg kg^‐1 soil). Dunkeld produced significantly higher shoot and root dry matter than Yickadee at low Zn and low B supply indicating the superiority of Dunkeld over Yickadee for tolerance to both low Zn and low B supply. Chlorophyll content of fresh leaf tissue was increased significantly by an increase in Zn and B supply. Zinc deficiency enhanced B concentration in younger and older leaves. Boron concentration was higher in older leaves than in the younger leaves irrespective of B deficiency and sufficiency indicating immobility of B in two oilseed rape genotypes tested. Zinc concentration was higher in younger leaves than in the older leaves indicating mobility of Zn. An increased supply of Zn enhanced B uptake under high boron supply only. Zinc uptake in Dunkeld was enhanced significantly with an increased rate of B supply under high Zn supply, while the effect was not significant in Yickadee. Dunkeld proved to be more efficient in Zn and B uptake than Yickadee.     

A perfect time to harness advanced molecular technologies to explore the fundamental biology of Toxocara species

Toxocarosis is of major canine health and socioeconomic importance worldwide. Although many studies have given insights into toxocarosis, to date, there has been limited exploration of the molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, epidemiology and ecology of Toxocara species as well as parasite–host interactions using ‘-omic’ technologies. The present article gives a background on Toxocara species and toxocarosis, describes molecular tools for specific identification and genetic analysis, and provides a prospective view of the benefits that advanced molecular technologies will have towards better understanding the parasites and disease. Tackling key biological questions employing a ‘systems biology’ approach should lead to new and improved strategies for the treatment, diagnosis and control of toxocarosis.     

Diagnostic testing for fungal diseases.

Fungal infections can be challenging to diagnose, and accurate interpretation of laboratory data is important to ensure the most appropriate treatment for the patient. An overview of the nonspecific diagnostic aids and specific fungal diagnostics is presented. Additionally, a brief summary of the role of free-living saprophytes and pathogenic dimorphic fungi is discussed in relation to exotic animals seen in veterinary practice. The important fungal diseases are reviewed with reported prevalence, hosts and with specific diagnostic testing recommendations.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—RADIOGRAPHIC,ULTRASONOGRAPHIC, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC,AND FLUOROSCOPIC APPEARANCE OF A DISTAL PELVIC LIMB ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION IN A YOUNG GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG

A German shepherd puppy presented for evaluation of a suspected arteriovenous fistula on the distal aspect of the right pelvic limb. Radiographs demonstrated expansion and resorption of the tarsal and metatarsal bones, and ultrasound detected a vascular abnormality. Using computed tomographic angiography, a complex arteriovenous malformation (AVM) involving the distal tibia, tarsus, and the metatarsus and an osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesion of the talus were identified. Based on these findings, therapeutic limb amputation was performed. Fluoroscopic angiography, vascular casting, and dissection were then used to further characterize features of this previously unreported AVM with concurrent bony lesions and OCD.     

African horse sickness: The potential for an outbreak in disease‐free regions and current disease control and elimination techniques

African horse sickness (AHS) is an arboviral disease of equids transmitted by Culicoides biting midges. The virus is endemic in parts of sub‐Saharan Africa and official AHS disease‐free status can be obtained from the World Organization for Animal Health on fulfilment of a number of criteria. AHS is associated with case fatality rates of up to 95%, making an outbreak among naïve horses both a welfare and economic disaster. The worldwide distributions of similar vector‐borne diseases (particularly bluetongue disease of ruminants) are changing rapidly, probably due to a combination of globalisation and climate change. There is extensive evidence that the requisite conditions for an AHS epizootic currently exist in disease‐free countries. In particular, although the stringent regulations enforced upon competition horses make them extremely unlikely to redistribute the virus, there are great concerns over the effects of illegal equid movement. An outbreak of AHS in a disease free region would have catastrophic effects on equine welfare and industry, particularly for international events such as the Olympic Games. While many regions have contingency plans in place to manage an outbreak of AHS, further research is urgently required if the equine industry is to avoid or effectively contain an AHS epizootic in disease‐free regions. This review describes the key aspects of AHS as a global issue and discusses the evidence supporting concerns that an epizootic may occur in AHS free countries, the planned government responses, and the roles and responsibilities of equine veterinarians.     

Soil water stress: Its effects on phenology, physiology, and morphology of containerized Douglas-fir seedlings

Containerized Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) seedlings were subjected to six moisture-stress treatments (ranging from 7 to 65% soil water content by volume) for 12 weeks. At the end of this period, there were significant differences in phenological, physiological, and morphological responses among the seedlings in the various moisture-stress treatments. In general, seedlings grown under very high or very low soil moisture conditions were adversely affected, while those grown under moderate conditions (29 to 53% soil water content) exhibited optimum growth, bud development, and nutrient and starch reserves. The use of vector analysis was found to be helpful in data interpretation. The results indicate the importance of closely monitoring nursery moisture regimes in order to achieve the best seedling quality.     

Seedling emergence, growth, and allocation of Oriental bittersweet: effects of seed input, seed bank, and forest floor litter

The establishment of invasive plant populations is controlled by seed input, survival in the soil seed bank, and effects of soil surface disturbance on emergence, growth, and survival. We studied the invasive vine Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. (Oriental bittersweet) to determine if seedlings in forest understory germinate from the seed bank or from seed rain. We also conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the role of leaf litter mass and physical texture on seedling survival, growth, and allocation. In the understory of an invaded mixed hardwood forest, we measured seed input, seedling emergence with seed rain, and seedling emergence without seed rain. Mean seed rain was 168 seeds m⁻²: mean seedling emergence was 107 m⁻², and there was a strong correlation between seed rain and seedling emergence. The ratio of seedlings to seed input (0.61) was close to the seed viability (0.66) leaving very few seeds to enter the seed bank. Seed bank germination under field conditions was low (1 seedling m⁻²). Soil cores were incubated in a greenhouse to determine seed bank viability, and germination from these soil cores did not occur. To determine how litter affects seedling establishment and growth, we measured seedling emergence and biomass allocation in a greenhouse experiment. Seeds were placed below intact and fragmented deciduous leaf litter in amounts ranging from zero to the equivalent of 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Seedling emergence was not affected by fragmented litter, but decreased to <20% as intact litter increased to 16 Mg ha⁻¹. Increasing litter resulted in greater allocation to hypocotyl and less to cotyledon and radicle, and this effect was greater in intact litter. C. orbiculatus seedlings achieve emergence through forest floor litter through plasticity in allocation to hypocotyl growth. The low survival of C. orbiculatus in the seed bank suggests that eradication of seedling advance regeneration and adult plants prior to seed rain may be an effective control strategy. However, the intact forest floor litter of an undisturbed forest will not prevent seedling establishment.