The effect of vitamin E on cellulitis in broiler chickens experiencing scratches in a challenge model

Two experiments are described; each experiment contained five treatments with each treatment consisting of a specific diet and vitamin E at 8.82 mg, 41.89 mg, 74.96 mg, 108.03 mg, or 141.10 mg vitamin E per kilogram of feed. Birds were raised with continuous feed containing the various levels of vitamin E available throughout the experiment. At 4 wk of age, the birds were scratched on the breast and placed onto avian cellulitis Escherichia coli-seeded litter. One week later, the birds were euthanatized and lesion presence was noted. There appeared to be a positive correlation between vitamin E and the inhibition of cellulitis formation when the birds were fed a diet containing 74.96 mg vitamin E/kg feed. Conflicting results were seen in the two experiments when the birds were fed 41.89 and 108.03 mg vitamin E/kg feed. Both experiments had a high incidence of cellulitis in birds whose diets consisted of 141.10 mg vitamin E/kg feed.     

Lactoferrin increases sperm membrane functionality of frozen equine semen

During cryopreservation, sperm was submitted to an increase in reactive oxygen species generation. This work aimed to improve the quality of frozen equine sperm after the addition of antioxidants lactoferrin (Lf) and catalase (Cat) to a freezing extender. Semen from six stallions was frozen with the extenders: F1) control, INRA 82 freezing extender, F2) F1 + 500 μg/ml Lf and F3) F1 + 200 IU/ml Cat. After thawing, sperm motility parameters, membrane functionality and integrity, and acrosome integrity and spontaneous acrosome‐reacted sperm were evaluated with a computer‐assisted sperm analysis, a hypoosmotic swelling test and epifluorescent microscopy, respectively. Nitrite, hydroperoxide and iron concentrations of frozen semen were measured with spectrophotometry. The percentage of functional membrane sperm treated with Lf was higher (50.7% ± 11.6%) compared to that of the control (37.6% ± 15.6%), while the iron (61.4 ± 11.6 vs 73.3 ± 13.8 mg/dl) and nitrite concentrations (16.3 ± 7.1 vs 25.9 ± 4.2 μM/μg protein) were lower, respectively (p < .05). Thus, it can be suggested that Lf protect stallion spermatozoon during freezing as it has increased the percentage of sperm with functional membrane and decreased the lipid oxidant agents.     

Systemic granulomatous disease in dairy cattle during a dicyandiamide feeding trial

CASE HISTORY: Mature, in-calf, non-lactating, Friesian or Friesian-cross cows were fed dicyandiamide (DCD) at daily doses of 0.15 g/kg (Group 1; n=31), 0.45 g/kg (Group 2; n=21) and 0.75 g/kg (Group 3; n=12), as part of a safety trial, which also included a control group (n=15). Daily health observations were carried out on each cow until Day 86 of the study. On Day 28 one cow from Group 3 was observed with signs of disease, and subsequently disease was noted in other cows.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Clinical signs in the first case included depression, pyrexia (40.9°C), salivation and dehydration, in addition to progressive weight loss, followed by death on Day 32. Other cows from all treatment groups developed clinical signs of disease resulting in euthanasia of seven animals. Disease occurred in 10/12 (83%) cows in Group 3, 11/21 (52%) cows in Group 2, and 7/31 (23%) cows in Group 1. Clinical signs were variable and included dermatitis and pruritus of the head and neck, petechial haemorrhages, pyrexia, weight loss, thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, and regenerative anaemia.

PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Gross findings included generalised lymphadenopathy, subcutaneous oedema, petechiation of mucosal and serosal surfaces, and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Histologically, multiple organs and tissues contained inflammatory foci characterised by infiltrates of lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages and occasionally prominent multinucleated giant cells and eosinophils.

DIAGNOSIS: Multisystemic granulomatous and haemorrhagic syndrome resembling cell-mediated hypersensitivity, associated with DCD ingestion.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE:: This is the first report of toxicity in cattle associated with ingestion of DCD. The proportion of affected cows increased with increasing dose of DCD, but not all cattle in the high dose group developed disease, therefore additional factors may determine whether or not an individual cow will develop DCD-associated disease.     

Myotonia associated with hyper-adrenocorticism in two dogs

Two dogs developed a disabling gait abnormality characterised by stiffness. The abnormality was consistent with a diagnosis of myotonia secondary to hyper-adrenocorticism. The first dog had iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism, and its signs improved substantially after corticosteroid administration was gradually withdrawn. The second had pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, but myotonic signs progressed despite effective mitotane therapy. Procainamide administration reduced the myotonic stiffness in the second case.     

Unifocal internal and external bone lengthening with circular external skeletal fixator in 5 dogs

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of treatment of long bone defects and extremity shortness in 5 dogs using circular external skeletal fixator. In one case a bone necrosis and osteomyelitis shortened radius by 7.0 cm; however in others extremity shortening between 3.0 and 6.0 cm affected radius-ulna or tibia. 2 or 3 rings of 80.0-100.0 mm diameters, and 3 rods were used as a circular external skeletal fixator. The distractions at the rate of 0.5 mm X 2 times/day were performed following a latent period of 3 days after the corticotomy. Unifocal internal lengthening for case 1 and unifocal external lengthening for the others were performed. Distraction was performed between 30 and 70 days (mean 50 days). It was noted that the circular external skeletal fixator was well-tolerated in all cases. The first usages of limbs in all cases were on postoperative day between 8 and 43 (mean 22 days). The radiographic follow-up examinations revealed a complete consolidation on postoperative day between 35 and 75 (mean 55.6 days). The fixators were removed on the postoperative day between 45 and 85 (mean 65 days). The treatment was successful in restoring the appropriate length of the limbs. After removing the fixator, functional and cosmetic results were graded as excellent in 3 cases, good in one case and fair in one case.     

Total intravenous anesthesia with propofol and S(+)‐ketamine in rabbits

ObjectiveTo evaluate total intravenous anesthesia with propofol alone or in combination with S(+)-ketamine in rabbits undergoing surgery.Study designProspective, randomized, blinded trial.AnimalsNine 6-month-old New Zealand white rabbits, weighing 2.5–3 kg.MethodsAnimals received acepromazine (0.1 mg kg^?1) and buprenorphine (20 μg kg^?1) IM, and anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg kg^?1) and S(+)-ketamine (1 mg kg^?1) IV. Rabbits received two of three treatments: propofol (0.8 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) (control treatment, P), propofol (0.8 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) + S(+)-ketamine (100 μg kg^?1 minute^?1) (PK100) or propofol (0.8 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) + S(+)-ketamine (200 μg kg^?1 minute^?1) (PK200). All animals received 100% O₂ during anesthesia. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, hemoglobin oxygen saturation and respiratory rate were measured every 5 minutes for 60 minutes. Blood-gas parameters were measured at zero time and 60 minutes. Additional propofol injections, if necessary, and recovery time were recorded.ResultsAn increase in heart rate was observed in P and PK200 up to 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Blood pressure decreased from baseline values during the first 10 minutes in P and PK200, and during the first 15 minutes and between 45 and 55 minutes in PK100. A reduction in respiratory rate was observed after 5 minutes in all treatments. Respiratory acidosis was observed in all treatments. Six (2.8) [median (interquartile range)] further propofol injections were necessary in P, which differed statistically from PK100 [1 (0.2)] and PK200 [2 (0.6)]. Recovery time was shorter in P compared with PK100 and PK200, being [7.5 minutes (4.11)], [17.5 minutes (10.30)], and [12 minutes (10.30)], respectively.Conclusions and clinical relevanceS(+)-ketamine potentiates propofol-induced anesthesia in rabbits, providing better maintenance of heart rate. All of these techniques were accompanied by clinically significant respiratory depression.     

The percolation phase transition in sea Ice

Sea ice exhibits a marked transition in its fluid transport properties at a critical brine volume fraction pc of about 5 percent, or temperature Tc of about -5 degreesC for salinity of 5 parts per thousand. For temperatures warmer than Tc, brine carrying heat and nutrients can move through the ice, whereas for colder temperatures the ice is impermeable. This transition plays a key role in the geophysics, biology, and remote sensing of sea ice. Percolation theory can be used to understand this critical behavior of transport in sea ice. The similarity of sea ice microstructure to compressed powders is used to theoretically predict pc of about 5 percent.     

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilization on Quality Characteristics of Four Turf Mixtures Under Different Wear Treatments

ABSTRACT

The effect of three nitrogen (N) application regimes on the color, turf quality, cover, and clipping weights of four different sports type mixtures were evaluated under different wear frequencies for three years in an irrigated field. Nitrogen was applied monthly at rates of low (2.5 g N m^{? 2}), medium (5.0 g N m^{? 2}), and high (7.5 g N m^{? 2}). The turf mixtures were subjected to four different wear treatments at frequencies of zero (control), once per week, once biweekly, and once per month for approximately eight months each experimental year. Wear treatments reduced turf color and quality, cover percentage, and clipping yield. Application of wear every week was detrimental to turf characteristics, whereas wear once every month generally had no significant effect. Nitrogen fertilization resulted in improved color and quality, and increased cover percentage and clipping yield.     

Multi-drug-resistant Enterococcus spp. as a cause of non-responsive septic synovitis in three horses

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Three Thoroughbred horses, a 6-week-old filly (Case 1), a 15-year-old broodmare (Case 2) and a yearling filly (Case 3), sustained synovial sepsis secondary to trauma.

CLINICAL FINDINGS: Case 1 presented with a heel bulb laceration communicating with the distal interphalangeal joint. Arthroscopic lavage was performed and treatment commenced using systemic and local broad spectrum antimicrobial drugs. A pure growth of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus gallinarum was cultured from samples of synovium and joint fluid. Antimicrobial treatment was changed according to the susceptibility results. Response to treatment was poor and despite repeat arthroscopic lavage and intra-osseous regional perfusion of antimicrobials the filly was subject to euthanasia 24 days after the initial injury. Post-mortem examination confirmed septic synovitis, cartilage degeneration and osteomyelitis.

Case 2 sustained a full thickness wound to the carpus which was sharply debrided and closed. The wound dehisced with effusion within the tendon sheath. Drainage was established and treatment included systemic broad spectrum antimicrobials, topical lavage with povodine-iodine and manuka honey infusion. A mixed infection including MDR Enterococcus faecalis was cultured from the synovial fluid. Antebrachiocarpal joint effusion developed 21 days after initial injury and joint sepsis was confirmed. Arthroscopic lavage and tendon sheath debridement were performed, followed by treatment with systemic and local antimicrobials. The mare improved and was discharged. Three months later lameness recurred and corticosteroids were administered intra-articularly. The mare became non-weight bearing lame and was subject to euthanasia. Post-mortem examination confirmed joint sepsis of the antebrachiocarpal and intercarpal joint.

Case 3 presented with a complete articular open fracture of the tibial crest. Under general anaesthesia the fracture was stabilised and the wounds debrided and closed. Systemic broad-spectrum antimicrobials were administered. Six days later the wound dehisced and a bone fragment was removed. Three weeks post-surgery the wound deteriorated with a purulent discharge. Culture of the discharge revealed a mixed bacterial infection, including a MDR Enterococcus faecalis. Femoropatellar joint involvement was confirmed, and treatment included joint lavage, local and systemic antibiosis, and manuka honey instilled into the wound. The filly initially improved, and then deteriorated such that euthanasia was performed.

DIAGNOSIS: All three cases had synovial sepsis with MDR Enterococcus spp.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Increased awareness of MDR pathogens in equine wound infections is essential. Prompt diagnostic testing, appropriate therapy, infection control strategies and on-going monitoring and management are vital to limit the clinical impact of these organisms.