Influence of an omega-3 fatty acid-enriched ration on in vivo responses of horses to endotoxin.

Because certain inflammatory processes are dependent on the fatty acid composition of the cellular membrane, dietary manipulations that replace omega-6 fatty acids with omega-3 fatty acids may modify inflammatory responses. We investigated the effect of supplemental dietary linseed oil, containing the omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, on in vivo responses of horses to endotoxin. One group of horses (n = 6) was fed a control pelleted ration (0% linseed oil), and another group of horses (n = 6) was fed an 8% linseed oil pelleted ration. After 8 weeks of consuming these rations, all horses were given 0.03 micrograms of Escherichia coli 055:B5 endotoxin/kg of body weight, infused over 30 minutes. Horses were monitored over 24 hours. Compared with baseline values within each ration group, endotoxin infusion caused significant (P less than 0.05) increase in rectal temperature, heart rate, and plasma concentration of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, and fibrinogen and significant (P less than 0.05) decrease in total WBC count. Compared with baseline values within each ration group, endotoxin infusion failed to cause significant changes in prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin, thrombin, or whole blood recalcification times, serum concentration of fibrin degradation products, PCV, or plasma total protein concentration. Before and after endotoxin infusion, horses given the linseed oil ration had longer mean whole blood recalcification time and activated partial thromboplastin time than did horses fed the control ration.     

Intensive care of the patient after abdominal surgery

After surgical correction of the underlying abdominal disorder, careful postoperative care is the most important factor resulting in increased survival rates. Intensive care of the postoperative patient can be done practically and economically.     

Cryptosporidiosis in calves during the period of milk nutrition

It has been found out by examining faeces of 83 calves from calf house in Uhercice (Breclav district) that 52 calves excreted coccidium oocysts, genus Cryptosporidium Tyzzer, 1907, during the period of milk nutrition. The calves excreted oocysts from the eighth day of age, and at the end of the milk nutrition period (43rd-47th ridium Tyzzer, 1907, during the period of milk nutrition. The calves excreted oocysts of cryptosporidia were found in two thirds of calves suffering from diarrheas. By histological examination of a 27-day-old calf, developmental stages of this coccidium were found on the surface of villus epithelium in the distal part of ileum. Villi were shortened and expanded, submucous connective tissue was penetrated by inflammatory infiltrate with large quantity of eosinophil granulocytes. For demonstration of oocysts in faeces, Breza flotation method combined with sedimentation and staining by modified Giemsa panoptic method were used.