Computed tomography of the upper cheek teeth in horses with infundibular changes and apical infection

Reasons for performing study: Infundibular changes are frequently encountered computed tomographic studies of the equine maxillary cheek teeth but the possible importance of this finding is not known. Infundibular caries is a possible cause for pulpitis and apical infection in some horses. Objectives: To study the relationship between the 2 pathologies and the frequency of changes. Methods: The maxillary cheek teeth 108‐ 208 , 109–209 and 110–210 of 25 horses were evaluated using computed tomography and both the prevalence of infundibular and apical infection changes as the possible link with apical infection evaluated statistically. Results: The prevalence of infundibular changes was high in both normal and diseased teeth. Both apical infection and the occurrence of infundibular changes were more prevalent in 109–209 and 110–210. In spite of this, the 2 processes could not be linked to one another. No differences were noted between the left and right sides. Conclusions: A direct relationship between the 2 processes was not established statistically and other underlying causes for the high occurrence of both apical infection and infundibular changes in diseased and normal 108‐ 208 , 109–209 and 110210 are considered.     

The effects of low levels of dietary trace minerals on the plasma levels, faecal excretion, health and performance of pigs in a hot African climate

The present study was performed in order to evaluate the effects of lower than usual industry levels of dietary trace minerals on plasma levels, faecal excretion, performance, mortality and morbidity in growing-finishing pigs in a hot African climate. Group 1 (n = 100 pigs) received a diet with common industry levels of trace minerals. Group 2 (n = 100 pigs) received reduced dietary trace mineral levels but were fed the same basic diet as Group 1. Mortality, morbidity, pig performance and carcass measurements were evaluated. Two pigs in Group 1 and three pigs in Group 2 died. Thirteen pigs in Group 1 and 27 pigs in Group 2 were medically treated (P < 0.05). Carcass masses, back fat depth, loin depth, and lean percent were not significantly different between the groups. However, the carcasses when evaluated revealed a non-significant higher back fat thickness, lower loin eye area and percentage of fat-free lean in barrows compared to gilts within each group. Despite lower initial masses, pigs fed diets containing industry levels of trace minerals were heavier (P < 0.05) and had a higher (P< 0.05) than average daily gains compared to those that received a diet containing lower levels of trace minerals. Faecal zinc excretion was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed with lower dietary zinc levels. Copper, manganese and iron excretion were not affected (P > 0.05) by the dietary levels of these trace minerals. Plasma trace mineral concentrations were not affected by the dietary treatment.     

Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: A Case Report and Review

A 15 year-old Thoroughbred mare was examined for lethargy, fever, and inappetence of 1-day duration. A hard-bodied tick was removed from the horse. A complete blood count (CBC) demonstrated leukopenia with lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia. Morulae were visualized in circulating granulocytes. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the identity of these organisms as Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The horse was treated symptomatically for fever and inappetence with flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg [0.5 mg/lb]) and oral electrolyte paste. Oxytetracycline (6.6 mg/kg [3 mg/lb] intravenously every 24 hours) treatment was begun as soon as a definitive diagnosis was determined. The mare responded to treatment, but she was switched to oral doxycycline (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb] every 12 hours) after 5 days because of perivascular swelling at the injection site. Complete resolution of clinical signs was seen. There was no evidence of recurrence 1 year later. No additional horses at the farm were affected. The horse in this report presented for lethargy, inappetence, and fever, with limited other abnormalities. This represents a classical presentation of a mild to moderate case of anaplasmosis, which had not previously been reported in Virginia. The disease may be more widespread than has been previously reported, and it should warrant inclusion on a complete differential diagnosis list in a case of fever of unknown origin.     

Intestinal malabsorption and cryptosporidiosis in an adult dog

Chronic intestinal cryptosporidiosis was diagnosed as the cause of chronic diarrhea and weight loss in an adult dog without obvious signs of immunosuppression. Results of tests for digestive function suggested that the dog had impaired intestinal absorption or bacterial overgrowth. The nutrient malabsorption might have resulted in or have been caused by the cryptosporidiosis. Temporary clinical improvement without reduction in fecal oocyst concentration was noticed following treatment with clindamycin. The dog was euthanatized. At necropsy, the dog was found to have chronic lymphoplasmacytic enteritis and cryptosporidiosis. A veterinary student that worked in the ward where the dog was kept developed cryptosporidal diarrhea.     

Utilization of nitrogen and energy by Holstein steers fed formaldehyde- and formic acid-treated alfalfa or orchardgrass silage at two intakes

Our objective was to measure the utilization of energy (E) and N by Holstein steers when fed alfalfa and orchardgrass silages offered at 65 and 90 g DM/kg live weight (LW).75 daily. Twelve steers adapted to the Beltsville respiration chambers were assigned to three Latin squares with 42-d periods. Steers in one square had permanent catheters in the portal and two mesenteric veins. Energy and N balance were measured during a 7-d collection of feces and urine that included a 3-d measurement of respiratory exchange. Energy and N variables were not different between catheterized and uncatheterized steers. Apparent digestibilities of DM, OM, CP, neutral detergent solubles and permanganate lignin were higher (P less than .01) and digestibilities of NDF and ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose were lower (P less than .01) for steers consuming alfalfa compared to orchardgrass silage. When fed alfalfa, steers' daily gross energy intake, DE, urine energy, ME, heat production and tissue energy retention were greater (P less than .01) and fecal energy losses were less (P less than .01) than when they were fed orchardgrass. Partial efficiency of ME use for tissue energy (TE) was greater (P less than .01) for steers when fed alfalfa (46.1%) than when fed orchardgrass (35.6%). Apparent ME (kcal/LW.75) required for maintenance of TE was similar for steers when fed alfalfa (133.9) and orchardgrass (131.2) silages. Nitrogen retention (g/d) was 48% greater (P less than .01) for steers when fed alfalfa (30.6) than when fed orchardgrass (20.7). This study demonstrates that steers used ME from alfalfa more efficiently for TE deposition than ME from orchardgrass.     

Bone strength of laying hens kept in an alternative system, compared with hens in cages and on deep-litter

1. Observations of vigorous wing movements and measurements of bone strength were compared in two experiments with birds in three different housing systems: a semi-intensive alternative system under development, a battery cage system and a deep-litter system. 2. A significant effect of housing system on the frequency of vigorous wing movements was found. The highest frequency was seen in the deep-litter system, about half this number in the alternative system, while in the battery cages they were never observed. 3. Corresponding to this a reduction in humerus strength of 9% was found in hens from the alternative system and of 45% in hens from cages, compared with deep-litter. A reduction in tibial breaking strength was also found in caged hens, when compared to deep-litter hens. 4. Keeping hens in cages thus restricts their movements, especially wing movements, to the degree that bone strength is greatly reduced. 5. This has welfare implications, for hens with low bone breaking strength risk a possibility of breakage, especially when handled and transported. When alternative systems are designed opportunities for movement in the three dimensions should be considered.     

The vitamin A requirement and the vitamin A status of growing cattle. 1. Studies of calves

Five experiments with 18 to 36 male calves each of the black and white dairy cattle breed (age: 14-21 days, initial live weight: approximately 45 kg per animal) were carried out in order to investigate the influence of various vitamin A supply (0-80,000 IU per 100 kg LW and day) on dry matter intake and weight gain as well as the vitamin A status of liver and blood plasma over 84 days. The calves consumed a diet free of carotene and vitamin A consisting of milk replacer, concentrate and chopped wheat straw. The calves were fed in three experiments for a longer time in order to observe the further vitamin A depletion. Nine animals consumed an unsupplemented ration, nine other one got 10,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg LW and day. Biopsies of liver and plasma samples were taken from 4 animals per group every four weeks. The various vitamin A supplementation did not significantly influence the dry matter intake (Mean: 1.67; 1.48 to 1.80 kg DM per animal and day) and the weight gain of calves (Mean: 702, 599 to 770 g per animal and day). First vitamin A deficiency symptoms (reduced feed intake, decreased weight gain, diarrhoea etc.) were observed in animals of unsupplemented group after 100 days of experiments. After 84 days the vitamin A concentration of liver of animals of unsupplemented groups decreased to 1.3-32.2% compared with the begin of experiments (60.6-155.7 mumol/kg fresh matter). Up to 51% of initial concentration were found when 10,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg LW and day were fed. About 25,000 IU vitamin A per 100 kg LW and day were required in order to keep the initial level of vitamin A concentration of liver. The plasma vitamin A concentration is unsuitable for estimation of vitamin A status of calves. The concentration of vitamin A of liver and plasma amounted to 114 mumol per kg and 0.25 mumol per litre at the begin of experiments. The vitamin A concentration of liver of unsupplemented group decreased to 20 mumol per kg, that of plasma increased to 0.28 mumol per 1 at the end. A strong vitamin A deficiency (liver concentration: less than 10 mumol/kg) may cause a decrease of vitamin A concentration of blood.     

Disassociation of bactericidal and fungistatic activities from the oxidative burst of avian macrophages

Avian peritoneal exudate macrophages, when exposed to phagocytic stimuli, produced an appreciable oxidative burst as measured by production of chemiluminescence, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide. Metabolic inhibitors of the oxidative burst and scavengers of oxygen radicals clearly inhibited macrophage chemiluminescence, but had no significant effect on macrophage bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli or fungistatic activity against Candida tropicalis. Therefore, avian macrophages were capable of oxygen-independent bactericidal and fungistatic activities.     

Vitamin K-dependent multifactor coagulopathy in Devon Rex cats

A coagulopathy attributable to a deficiency of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (II, VII, IX, and X) was diagnosed in 3 Devon Rex cats. There was no evidence for exposure to vitamin-antagonist-related rodenticides. The cats did not have evidence of hepatic disease, gastrointestinal disease, or fat malassimilation. Oral treatment with vitamin K1 resulted in normalization of clotting factor concentrations. However, when treatment was discontinued in 2 cats, prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin values became prolonged again, although the cats did not have clinical signs of a bleeding disorder.     

Enteral nutrition by tube

When oral intake is unsatisfactory or contraindicated, maintenance of nutrition by tube feeding is an alternative to the parenteral route. A large volume of research data supports the decision to use the enteral route whenever possible. Entry of food into the alimentary tract is a stimulus to structural and functional maintenance of that tract. Enteral nutrition can be given via indwelling nasoesophageal, pharyngostomy, esophagostomy, percutaneous or surgical gastrostomy, or enterostomy tube. Use of an appropriate catheter, familiarity with the technique used, and careful patient selection and monitoring are important factors in successful tube feeding. Blenderized pet food diets should be fed whenever possible; commercially available liquid diets provide an alternative when tube caliber or patient factors preclude the use of blenderized foods.