Absence of the dens in a 9.5-year-old rottweiler with non-progressive clinical signs

Absence of the dens is rarely described in large breed dogs. In this rottweiler, mild neurological deficits seen at 6 mo of age did not progress for the 9.5 y of the dog's life despite lack of surgical intervention. This finding underscores the marked differences between small and large breeds.     

Pain management in horses and farm animals

Objective: This review discusses the different analgesic drugs and routes of administration used in large animals for acute pain management. General guidelines and doses are given to assist in choosing techniques that provide effective analgesia. Etiology: Noxious stimuli are perceived, recognized, and localized by specialized sensory systems located at spinal and supraspinal levels. Diagnosis: Localizing the source of the noxious stimulus as well as understanding the behavioral aspects and physiological changes that result from such insult is important to adequately diagnose and treat pain. Pain assessment is far from being definite and objective; not only are there species differences, but also individual variation. In addition, the behavioral and physiological manifestations vary with the acute or chronic nature of pain. Therapy: Pain management should include (1) selecting drugs that better control the type of pain elicited by the insult; (2) selecting techniques of analgesic drug administration that act on pathways or anatomical locations where the nociceptive information is being processed or originating from; (3) combining analgesic drugs that act on different pain pathways; and (4) provide the best possible comfort for the animal. Prognosis: Providing pain relief improves the animal's well being and outcome; however, interpreting and diagnosing pain remains difficult. Continuing research in pain management will contribute to the evaluation of the pathophysiology of pain, pain assessment, and newer analgesic drugs and techniques.     

Wide Distribution of Pasteurella haemolytica Type 1 Over the Nasal Mucosa of Cattle

Studies on the site of proliferation of Pasteurella haemolytica in the bovine nasal cavity have been carried out.

P.haemolytica were isolated from 15 selected major anatomical areas of the nasal cavity in calves with high numbers of P.haemolytica following shipment from Western Canada. When the organisms were present in the nasal cavity of live animals in low numbers, they were isolated from many, but not all, areas. P.haemolytica was isolated post mortem from one or more selected areas of several nasal cavities in spite of negative antemortem cultures.

By the direct fluorescent antibody technique, P.haemolytica was demonstrated at the surface of nasal epithelial cells. Organisms were not seen in or between epithelial cells nor in the ducts nor alveoli of glands. The findings were similar when high and low numbers of P.haemolytica were present in the nasal cavity.

     

Successful treatment of a splenic abscess secondary to migrant metallic wires in a horse

This case report discusses a successful partial splenectomy for treatment of a splenic abscess in a horse. A 2-year-old Thoroughbred colt was hospitalised 5 weeks after an episode of severe colic that was followed by gradual weight loss and anorexia, pyrexia for 5 days and dehydration on the day of referral. A large splenic abscess was identified ultrasonographically. Following initial medical treatment, an exploratory laparotomy was performed. Multiple adhesions were released and a partial splenectomy conducted to remove the abscess. Migrant metallic wires penetrating from the small intestine into the splenic parenchyma were found to be the cause for the adhesions and the abscess. This paper summarises the potential advantages of utilising a partial vs. a total splenectomy and highlights the potential complications of these surgical procedure in equines.     

Effects of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH,ruminal fermentation and performance of growing Holstein‐Zebu cross steers

Our objective was to determine the effect of forage ensiling and ration fermentation on total mixed ration pH, ruminal fermentation and animal performance. Thirty Holstein‐Zebu cross steers were allotted to feeding treatments for 188 days in a randomized complete block design including: fresh grass‐total mixed ration (GTMR; pH 4.7), grass silage‐TMR (STMR; pH 4.0) and fermented‐TMR (FTMR; pH 3.5). Average daily gain for STMR was greatest during the first 3 months period; however, that for FTMR tended to be greater than GTMR during the second 3 months period (P < 0.10). During the second period dry matter intake for STMR was the greatest (P < 0.01), but feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01) and cost per gain (P < 0.01) were the least for FTMR. Protein digestibility tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for FTMR than STMR and fat digestibility was greater (P < 0.05) for GTMR and FTMR than STMR. FTMR had less (P < 0.01) ruminal NH₃‐N content than STMR. Total volatile fatty acids post‐feeding was greatest for GTMR (P < 0.01). Ruminal proportions of acetic and butyric acids were greater for FTMR than GTMR (P < 0.05); in contrast, propionic acid was greater for GTMR (P < 0.05). Utilizing silage or total ration fermentation did not negatively impact on ruminal pH. STMR and FTMRs can be used to maintain performance of growing crossbred Holstein steers.     

Risk factors for lower respiratory tract disease in a cohort of feedlot cattle

Using data collected from company lot records, potential risk factors related to feedlot management, the cattle, and climate were determined. The risk factors were analyzed by use of weighted multiple regression techniques to determine their effects on the incidence of lower respiratory tract disease in a cohort of 95 lots containing 17,696 cattle. The gender of the cattle, the number of days that groups of cattle filled a lot, pregnancy checking of heifers, and the average temperature change in the first 14 days in which the cattle were on feed significantly influenced the incidence of lower respiratory disease. The incidence of lower respiratory tract disease was most influenced by risk factors in the first 30 days on feed.