Milk urea-nitrogen negatively affected first-service breeding success in commercial dairy cows in Prince Edward Island, Canada

Our objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between milk urea-nitrogen concentrations ([MUN]) and first-service breeding success (FSBS) in a large number of commercial dairy herds, using various timings on [MUN]. All commercial dairy herds in Prince Edward Island on monthly milk testing (n=198) formed the sampling frame. Milk components, [MUN], 24-h milk production, and breeding data for all cows from these farms were gathered electronically from a central database. A first service between 1 June 1999 and 31 May 2000 was classified successful (FSBS=1) if it was the cow's last service and she calved 270-290 d later. Mixed logistic-regression modeling was used to determine the association between FSBS (the outcome variable) and the [MUN] closest to first service, controlling for other possible confounders and clustering effects of cows within the study herds. The final dataset included 2787 successful and 3015 unsuccessful first services. A change in [MUN] on the test closest to first service from 10 to 20 mg/dL was associated with a 13.9% reduction in the odds of FSBS (controlled for parity, milk production and days in milk).     

Detection and molecular characterization of calf diarrhoea bovine coronaviruses circulating in South Korea during 2004-2005

Although the widespread occurrence of calf diarrhoea (CD) bovine coronavirus (BCoV) infections have been reported in most cattle producing countries, only the genetic differences in the BCoVs from American and Canadian isolates and/or strains have been identified and compared. Hence, it is unclear if the BCoVs circulating in the other countries have distinct genetic characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of CD BCoVs based on the deduced amino acid (aa) sequences of the spike (S) and haemagglutinin/esterase (HE) proteins in South Korea. RT-PCR and nested PCR using the primer pairs specific to the nucleocapsid gene, BCoVs detected the BCoVs in 56 (15.6%) of 359 diarrhoeic faecal samples. Phylogenetic analysis of the entire S gene indicated that 10 Korean CD BCoV strains clustered with other Korean BCoV strains with different clinical forms but were different from the American and Canadian BCoV strains. Moreover, the phylogenetic data of the aa sequences of the HE gene revealed all the Korean CD strains to be distinct from the other Korean BCoV strains with different clinical forms. These results suggest that the Korean BCoVs cause endemic infections in diarrhoeic calves in Jeonnam province and have taken a different evolutionary pathway from the BCoVs in other countries. Moreover, the different BCoV strains are circulating in the different clinical forms in South Korea. These results also suggest that vaccines against the BCoVs can be developed with each Korean BCoV in different clinical forms.     

Effects of intermittent suckling and creep feed intake on pig performance from birth to slaughter

An experiment was conducted to determine if the improved creep feed intake observed during intermittent suckling (IS) is important for postweaning performance. Therefore, creep feed intake of litters was assessed, and within litters, eaters and noneaters were distinguished using chromic oxide as an indigestible marker. Batches of sows were suckled intermittently (IS, 7 batches; n = 31) or continuously (control, 7 batches; n = 31). In the IS group, litters were separated from the sow for a period of 12 h/d (0930 to 2130), beginning 11 d before weaning. Litters were weaned at 4 wk of age. Litters had free access to creep feed from 1 wk of age onward. Five days after weaning, the piglets were moved as a litter to weanling pens. At 8 wk of age, 2 barrows and 2 gilts were randomly chosen from each litter and moved to a finishing facility. Feed intake was improved by IS during the last 11 d of lactation (IS, 284 +/- 27 vs. control, 83 +/- 28 g/piglet; P < 0.001) and after weaning during the first (IS, 201 +/- 24 vs. control, 157 +/- 25 g x piglet(-1) x d(-1); P < 0.05) and second (IS, 667 +/- 33 vs. control, 570 +/- 35 g x piglet(-1) x d(-1); P < 0.05) wk. Thereafter, no differences were found to slaughter. Weaning BW was lower in IS litters (IS, 7.1 +/- 0.01 vs. control, 8.1 +/- 0.01 kg/piglet; P < 0.05), but 7 d after weaning BW was similar (IS, 8.5 +/- 0.2 vs. control, 8.7 +/- 0.2 kg/piglet; P = 0.18), and no differences were found to slaughter. The percentage of eaters within a litter was not increased by IS during lactation (IS, 23 +/- 4.5% vs. control, 19 +/- 4.1%; P = 0.15). Weaning BW did not differ between eaters and noneaters (eater, 7.7 +/- 0.1 vs. noneater, 7.5 +/- 0.08 kg/piglet; P = 0.63). From 1 until 4 wk after weaning, piglets that were eaters during lactation had heavier BW than noneaters (eater, 20.3 +/- 0.3 kg vs. noneater, 18.2 +/- 0.2 kg; P < 0.05). The influence of eating creep feed during lactation on BW and ADG and the influence of suckling treatment never showed an interaction. We conclude that IS increases ADFI during lactation on a litter level and improves ADG in the first week and ADFI in the first and second weeks after weaning. No long-term effects on ADFI or ADG were observed throughout the finishing period. In the current experiment, in which creep feed intake was low, the percentage of eaters within a litter was not increased, suggesting that creep feed intake of piglets that were already eating was stimulated by IS. Further, piglets that were eaters during lactation had heavier BW up to 4 wk after weaning.     

Diagnosis of Sarcoptic Mange in Slaughtered Swine

Veterinary Research Communications - Galuppi, R., Avenoso, A.M., Leotti, G., Ostanello, F., Poglayen, G. and Tampieri, M.P., 2007. Diagnosis of sarcoptic mange in slaughtered swine. Veterinary...     

Anaerobic bacterial pericardial effusion in a cat

A 9-year-old male cat was presented for evaluation of chronic weight loss and was subsequently diagnosed with pericardial effusion. The effusion was quantified as a septic exudate caused by the anaerobic bacterium Peptostreptococcus. Antibiotic therapy resulted in complete resolution of the pericardial effusion. As Peptostreptococcus is a common oral bacterium and the cat had a previous dental procedure, it is speculated that the pericardial effusion was secondary to bacteraemia from the dental procedure.     

Identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in feline fecal samples by polymerase chain reaction assay

Pentatrichomonas hominis is considered to be a commensal protozoan of the vertebrate digestive tract. On the basis of light microscopic examination of feces, some investigators presumptively identified P. hominis as a causative agent of feline diarrhea. However, molecular identification of P. hominis infection in the cat has not been reported. Another trichomonad, Tritrichomonas foetus, is recognized as an intestinal pathogen in cats and often presumptively diagnosed on the basis of the presence of trichomonads in diarrheic feces. It is of importance to determine if cats are natural hosts for P. hominis, as the presence of this organism could result in inaccurate assumption of T. foetus infection. In this study, we used a species-specific PCR assay to identify P. hominis 18S rRNA genes in fecal samples collected from a convenience population of cats in which a high prevalence of T. foetus infection had been previously identified (cat show) or suspected (submitted for T. foetus diagnostic testing). The prevalence of T. foetus infection in these samples was 31% and 28.6%, respectively. P. hominis infection was identified by PCR of DNA extracted from feces of five cats (1.9% and 2.1% of fecal samples, respectively). All cats in which P. hominis was identified were also infected with T. foetus. PCR identification of P. hominis infection in the cat should facilitate future studies to determine the pathogenicity of this species and enable differentiation of P. hominis from other known or as-yet unidentified species of trichomonads that may infect cats.     

Diagnostic procedures and surgical treatment of craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in calves

OBJECTIVE: To report use of ultrasonographic examination of the coxofemoral joint, a surgical technique for repair of craniodorsal coxofemoral dislocation, and outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case reports. ANIMALS: Calves (n=4) with coxofemoral luxation. METHODS: Craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation was diagnosed by physical examination, radiographic, and ultrasonographic findings. Open surgical reduction of the femoral head was performed using a modified caudal approach. RESULTS: Craniodorsal luxation of the femoral head and the presence of an intact femoral neck were confirmed by ultrasonography. All luxations were successfully reduced and reluxation did not occur. At follow-up, 1 heifer had calved and 1 was 5 months pregnant. One calf died of bronchopneumonia 6 days after surgery. One calf had severe coxofemoral degenerative joint disease diagnosed (ultrasonography, radiography, and arthrocentesis) 3 months after surgery and confirmed by necropsy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography proved to be a simple and effective non-invasive technique for diagnosis of coxofemoral luxation. Immediate surgical intervention in hip dislocation in calves is necessary to avoid unnecessary trauma to subchondral structures. In calves, open instead of closed surgical reduction appears preferable because it allows access to the acetabular cavity for removal of debris. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonography should be considered a supplementary but not an alternative to radiographic examination for diagnosis of coxofemoral luxation and for follow-up examinations after reduction.     

Selenium supplementation of young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Two selenium (Se) supplementation trials were conducted in successive years involving a total of 70 red deer calves 3-15 months of age grazing pasture containing 30-57 ppb of Se on a dry matter basis. The trials compared growth rate, whole blood Se and glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) concentrations of calves which received periodic doses of oral Se or a single injection of barium selenate (equivalent to 50 mg Se) or no Se supplementation. There were no significant weight gain differences between treated and untreated groups in either trial. Whole blood GSHpx levels were strongly correlated with blood Se levels (r = 0.9278) and produced the following regression equation: GSHpx = 0.0155 Se - 2.292. In both years the 3 month old calves had GSHpx levels of 6-9 kU/I which probably derived from maternal transfer of Se. The GSHpx levels in unsupplemented calves declined from these levels to a minimum in winter (group means approximately 2.6) and then progressively rose the following spring and summer. Periodical oral dosing with Se or a single injection of barium selenate significantly elevated blood Se and GSHpx levels throughout the trials.     

Serological detection of multiple retroviral infections in cattle: bovine leukemia virus, bovine syncytial virus and bovine visna virus

Individual experimental animals used in our studies on bovine leukemia virus (BLV) are routinely screened for the presence of antibodies to the three bovine lymphotropic retroviruses. We utilized these screening methods to examine frozen sera from eight herds for antibodies to BLV, bovine visna virus (BVV) and bovine syncytial virus (BSV). Serum samples from 235 animals in four dairy and four beef herds were analyzed. Detection methods used included indirect fluorescent antibody tests of virus-infected cell cultures (BLV, BSV, BVV) and agar gel immunodiffusion (BLV). Sera from the BLV-infected animals in the dairy herds showed the highest single (50%, 49/97) and multiple (30%, 29/97) infections compared with 5% (7/138) and less than 1% (1/138), respectively in the beef herds. Single BVV infections were not detected in the dairy herds, but 11% (11/97) of the sera contained antibodies to BVV plus BLV or BSV. Five sera from beef cattle had antibodies only to BVV and four were obtained from one herd. Only one beef serum of the 138 tested demonstrated multiple antibodies (BLV, BVV).