Factors influencing the incidence and scale of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in southwest England

Bovine tuberculosis (TB) in cattle is a major economic problem in Britain. In the past 25 years, the infection has been concentrated in the southwest region of England. We investigated the effects of agricultural and farm-management characteristics on the occurrence and scale of TB in cattle in the region (1988-1996) using logistic and linear regression. Factors relating to the existence of previous infection in cattle and the management of cattle and badgers are all linked to the incidence of the infection--but those related specifically to the management of cattle are of overriding importance in determining the scale of the problem. Although our analysis was conducted at a large spatial scale, the results suggest that improvements to the procedure for testing and managing TB in cattle, reductions in cattle stocking density, a greater human input in herd management and more-carefully targeted badger culling all might contribute to reducing the incidence and/or number of herd breakdowns.     

Urinary glucocorticoid excretion in the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets

Hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets is usually associated with unaltered plasma concentrations of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), although the urinary corticoid/creatinine ratio (UCCR) is commonly elevated. In this study the urinary glucocorticoid excretion was investigated in healthy ferrets and in ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism under different circumstances. In healthy ferrets and in one ferret with hyperadrenocorticism, approximately 10% of plasma cortisol and its metabolites was excreted in the urine. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed one third of the urinary corticoids to be unconjugated cortisol; the other peaks mainly represented cortisol conjugates and metabolites. In 21 healthy sexually intact ferrets, the UCCR started to increase by the end of March and declined to initial values halfway the breeding season (June). In healthy neutered ferrets there was no significant seasonal influence on the UCCR. In two neutered ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism the UCCR was increased, primarily during the breeding season. In 27 of 31 privately owned ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism, the UCCR was higher than the upper limit of the reference range (2.1 x 10(-6)). In 12 of 14 healthy neutered ferrets dexamethasone administration decreased the UCCR by more than 50%, whereas in only 1 of the 28 hyperadrenocorticoid ferrets did the UCCR decrease by more than 50%. We conclude that the UCCR in ferrets primarily reflects cortisol excretion. In healthy sexually intact ferrets and in ferrets with hyperadrenocorticism the UCCR increases during the breeding season. The increased UCCR in hyperadrenocorticoid ferrets is resistant to suppression by dexamethasone, indicating ACTH-independent cortisol production.     

Parasitic health of olive baboons in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda

This study examined the endoparasite load of a group of olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) that share their habitat with a population of mountain gorillas (Gorilla gorilla berengei) in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. During a 2-week period in June 2002, shared habitat was substantiated by noting the ranging patterns of both species and recording observations and trail remains with a global positioning system (GPS). Parasite load was determined by collecting fecal samples preserved in 10% formalin and analyzed by sedimentation techniques and immunofluorescent antibodies (IFA). Bwindi baboons were infected with Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Eimeria, Ascaris spp., Strongyloides spp., Trichuris spp., Hymenolepis spp., and Ternidens diminuta. Of these, the Bwindi mountain gorillas had previously been found to carry Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Strongyloides spp., and Trichuris spp., but not Eimeria, Ascaris, Hymenolepis, or T. diminuta. This study is the first to record Giardia in olive baboons and demonstrates that at least three parasite species in Bwindi baboons have yet to be found in Bwindi gorillas. Early monitoring is essential to the health and well being of both of these sympatric primate species, especially as they continue to interact more often and over a larger area.     

Intracranial fusariosis: a novel cause of fungal meningoencephalitis in a dog

The Fusarium species are a group of saprophytic fungal organisms that are occasionally the cause of opportunistic infections in humans and animals. Central nervous system disease associated with a Fusarium species is most commonly described in horse, resulting in equine leukoencephalomalacia. This report describes a 2-year-old, spayed, female German Shepherd Dog with meningoencephalitis secondary to infection with Fusarium spp. Meningoencephalitis in dogs secondary to a species of Fusarium has not been previously reported. The diagnosis was made based on the histopathologic examination of brain tissues postmortem and special immunohistochemical stains specific for Fusarium solani. The clinical signs in this dog were indicative of multifocal brain disease and included seizures and a paradoxical vestibular syndrome. The clinical findings, diagnostic and histopathologic test results, and the comparative characterizations of other disseminated fungal diseases, especially aspergillosis, are described.     

Role of leptin in farm animals: a review

The discovery of hormone leptin has led to better understanding of the energy balance control. In addition to its effects on food intake and energy expenditure, leptin has now been implicated as a mediator of diverse physiological functions. Recently, leptin has been cloned in several domestic species. The sequence similarity suggests a common function or mechanism of this peptide hormone across species. Leptin receptors are expressed in most of tissues, which is consistent with the multiplicity of leptin functions. The main goal of this review was to summarize knowledge about effect of leptin on physiology of farm animals. Experiments point to a stimulatory action of leptin on growth hormone (GH) secretion, normal growth and development of the brain. Surprisingly, leptin is synthesized at a high rate in placenta and may function as a growth factor for fetus, signalling the nutritional status from the mother to her offspring. Maturation of reproductive system can be stimulated by leptin administration. Morphological and hormonal changes, consistent with a major role of leptin in the reproductive system, have also been described, including the stimulation of the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin. Leptin has a substantial effect on food intake and feeding behaviour in animals. Administration of leptin reduces food intake. Its level decrease within hours after initiation of fasting. Leptin also serves as a mediator of the adaptation to fasting, and this role may be the primary function for which was the molecule evolved.     

Use of pressure platform gait analysis in cats with and without bilateral onychectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) in cats that had or had not undergone bilateral forelimb onychectomy. ANIMALS: 26 healthy adult cats. PROCEDURE: Onychectomized cats (n = 13) had undergone surgery more than 6 months prior to the study. The PVF and VI were collected from all limbs of each cat with a 2-m pressure platform walkway. Cats were allowed to walk at a comfortable velocity, and acceleration was restricted to +/- 0.5 m/s2. Five valid trials were recorded for each cat with all trials collected in a single 1-hour session. All forces were normalized to and expressed as a percentage of the cat's body weight. RESULTS: Gait data were successfully collected in all cats. No significant difference was found for PVF or VI between cats that had or had not had onychectomy. Limb loads were greater in forelimbs than hind limbs for all trials. Mean PVF and VI in the forelimbs of cats in the nononychectomy group were 56.41% and 18.85%, respectively. Mean PVF and VI in the hind limbs of cats in the nononychectomy group were 50.22% and 14.56%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Gait analysis was successfully performed in cats with a pressure platform walkway. The absence of differences in PVF and VI between the 2 groups of cats suggests that bilateral forelimb onychectomy did not result in altered vertical forces measured more than 6 months after surgery in cats.     

Evaluation of assays for perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of immunofluorescence asssays for perinuclear antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCAs) and antibodies to Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCAs) in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and assess the clinical value of these serologic markers of the disease. ANIMALS: 39 dogs with IBD, 18 dogs with acute diarrhea, 19 dogs with chronic non-IBD-associated diarrhea, 26 healthy dogs of various breeds and age, and 22 healthy young working dogs. PROCEDURE: Sera obtained from the dogs in each group were added to canine granulocyte- and Saccharomyces cerevisiae-mounted slides for detection of pANCAs and ASCAs via immunofluorescence techniques. Sensitivity and specificity (with 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were calculated for the group of dogs with IBD versus each of the 2 groups of healthy dogs, the group of dogs with acute diarrhea, and the group of dogs with chronic non-IBD-associated diarrhea. RESULTS: Among the 39 dogs with IBD, 20 yielded positive results via the pANCA assay (sensitivity, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.67]) and 17 yielded positive results via the ASCA assay (sensitivity, 0.44 [95% CI, 0.22 to 0.69]). The specificity of the pANCA assay in the 4 groups of non-IBD-affected dogs ranged from 0.83 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.96) to 0.95 (95% CI, 0.72 to 1.00). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Immunofluorescence assays for pANCA and ASCA appear to be useful for the detection of IBD in dogs. The pANCA immunofluorescence assay had high specificity for canine IBD, and pANCAs appear to be accurate markers of intestinal inflammation.     

Dietary protein concentration affects plasma arteriovenous difference of amino acids across the porcine mammary gland

The objective of this study was to determine whether the porcine mammary gland responds to increasing dietary CP concentration through changes in AA arteriovenous difference (a-v). Sixteen Landrace x Yorkshire lactating sows were provided ad libitum access to one of four isocaloric diets varying in CP concentration (7.8, 13.0, 18.2, and 23.5 %; as-fed basis). Litters were adjusted to 11 pigs within 48 h of birth. Sows were fitted with catheters in the carotid artery and main mammary vein on d 4. On d 10, 14, 18, and 22 of lactation, arterial and venous blood samples were obtained every 30 min over 6 h. Milk yield was estimated on d 11 and 21 using the D2O dilution technique. Final litter sizes on d 21 were 10.3, 11, 9.5, and 11 piglets for sows fed the 7.8, 13.0, 18.2, and 23.5% CP diets, respectively. Piglet ADG tended (P = 0.088) to increase with increasing dietary CP concentration and were 186, 221, 220, and 202 g for sows fed the 7.8, 13.0, 18.2, and 23.5% CP diet, respectively. Daily total milk yield on d 21 (kg milk/d) tended (P = 0.099) to increase, and average milk yield per nursed piglet (kg of milk-pig(-1)d(-1)) increased (P < 0.05) with increasing CP concentration and were, on a per-piglet basis, 0.95, 1.19, 1.14 and 1.13 kg of milk/d for the 7.8, 13.0, 18.2, and 23.5% CP diets, respectively. As dietary CP increased from 7.8 to 23.5%, isoleucine and leucine a-v increased linearly only (linear, P < 0.01); all other AA a-v increased, reached a maximum in sows fed 18.2% CP, and decreased thereafter in sows fed 23.5% CP (quadratic, from P = 0.10 to P < 0.05). Amino acid uptake by the entire udder and by each gland increased (linear, P < 0.05) with increasing dietary CP. Arteriovenous differences response to increasing day of lactation varied among AA, from no change for histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, and valine, to a linear trend increase for arginine (P = 0.055), leucine (P = 0.064), phenylalanine (P = 0.101), and threonine (P = 0.057). In summary, for the majority of AA, a-v increased with increasing dietary CP concentration from 7.8 to 18.2%, but decreased when CP concentration exceeded 18.2%. In contrast, mammary AA uptake, piglet ADG and milk yield per pig increased linearly with increasing dietary CP, suggesting a coordinated regulation between AA delivery and transport to meet the demand for milk yield.     

Cellulase Supplementation Does Not Improve the Digestibility of a High-Forage Diet in Horses

Six mature Arabian geldings were used in a two-period crossover study to investigate the effects of cellulase supplementation on fiber digestion. Horses were randomly assigned to either a control (CO; n = 3) or a cellulase (CE; n = 3) treatment for the first period and then treatments were switched for period 2. Each period consisted of a 10-day diet adaptation followed by a 3-day total fecal collection. The enzyme mixture contained 40,000 cellulase units/g and was fed at a rate of 3 g/day split evenly between two feedings. During the diet adaptation period, horses had ad libitum access to timothy hay and were also fed 165 g whole oats as a carrier for the supplement. When eating the CO treatment, horses consumed 16% more hay than when on the CE treatment (P = .004). Fecal output also tended to be greater when horses consumed the CO treatment as compared with CE treatment (P = .07). No differences were found between treatments for fecal percent dry matter (DM%), fecal neutral detergent fiber (NDF), fecal acid detergent fiber (ADF), fecal nitrogen (N), or fecal gross energy (GE). There was a trend for horses consuming the CO treatment to digest more NDF than when consuming the CE treatment (34.6% ± 1.5 vs 31% ± 1.5; P = .07). Horses also digested a greater %ADF, %N, and Mcal of energy when consuming the CO treatment than when consuming the CE treatment (P < .05). Cellulase addition to a hay-based horse diet decreased digestion of fiber components.