The use of tiletamine hydrochloride and zolazepam hydrochloride for sedation of the mountain brushtail possun Trichosurus caninus Ogilby (Phalangeridae: Marsupialia)

SUMMARY A combination of tiletamine hydrochloride and zolazepam hydrochloride in a 1:1 ratio by weight was used successfully to sedate mountain brushtail possums, Trichosurus caninus, in the field. A standard total dose of 50 to 60 mg provided adequate sedation for the completion of a range of handling procedures. We describe the induction time, dose rate and side-effects associated with the use of tiletamine and zolazepam in T caninus.     

CASE REPORT AND CLINICAL REVIEW: Acute lameness associated with osseous metastasis of a peri-renal carcinoma in a horse

We present a case of aggressive metastatic carcinoma in a horse that was initially presented for shoulder lameness. Although radiography and scintigraphy were useful for localising a lesion in the proximal humerus, subsequent development of non-specific signs of systemic disease prompted further evaluation. Haematology and blood biochemistry, urinalysis and ultrasonography were all instrumental in identifying renal involvement. A diagnosis of a peri-renal mass causing secondary renal failure prompted euthanasia of the horse because of the poor prognosis. Antemortem findings were supported by necropsy, with secondary lesions also identified in the spleen, liver, 8th left rib and proximal humerus. Histological examination yielded a diagnosis of undifferentiated metastatic carcinoma.     

Reductions in milk production after induced parturition in dairy cows from commercial herds in south-western Victoria

SUMMARY The milk production of cows after induced parturition was compared with that of non-induced cows with similar calving dates, in 37 winter-calving, pasture-fed, commercial dairy herds in south-western Victoria. Parturition was induced when most cows were between 27 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. Milk production was compared for the lactation that commenced immediately after induction. The percentage of cows whose lactations were terminated less than 120 days after calving was increased by induction. Mean percentages for untreated and induced groups were 3.0% and 5.4%, respectively . For cows with lactations of at least 120 days duration, lactation length was not affected by the prior induction of parturition. However, milk production during the subsequent lactation was 9.0% less in induced groups. Fat and protein concentrations were not substantially affected. The reduction in milk production was not affected by stage of pregnancy when cows were induced, but tended to be greater in herds that delayed milking of induced cows .     

Sialomucin Complex (Muc4) Expression in Porcine Endometrium During the Oestrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy

The non‐invasive type of implantation in the pig is characterized by the maintenance of a thick glycocalyx coating on the uterine epithelial surface microvilli. Present study investigated the alteration in the sialomucin complex (Muc4) expression during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in the pig. Endometrial tissue samples were immunostained with the primary antibody to the Muc4 transmembrane subunit ASGP‐2. Muc4 immunostaining increased in the surface and glandular epithelia between days 5 and 10 of oestrous cycle. Immunostaining continued to increase on day 12 with the greatest intensity of uterine Muc4 immunostaining detected on day 15 of the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Endometrial Muc4 expression in cyclic gilts decreased dramatically during early proestrous but continued to remain abundant in the surface and glandular epithelium of pregnant gilts during the period of conceptus attachment to the uterine surface.     

The Effect of Parity of the Dam on Sexual Maturation,Serum Concentrations of Metabolic Hormones and the Response to Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone in Bull Calves

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of parity of the dam on age at which a scrotal circumference (SC) ≥ 28 cm was attained and the LH response to Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone (LHRH) in bull calves. We also wanted to confirm, in a large group of bull calves, that the LH response to LHRH could be used to select early maturing bulls. Body weight and SC of the bull calves were measured every other week. At 15, 20 and 25 weeks of age, calves received 4.12 nm /kg body weight of LHRH ischio‐rectally and blood samples were taken every 15 min for 4 h. Calves from primiparous and multiparous dams were separated into two sub‐groups based on age at which an SC ≥ 28 cm was attained (early or late). An SC ≥ 28 cm was attained earlier in calves born to multiparous as compared with primiparous dams (p < 0.05). At 20 and 25 weeks of age, peak serum LH concentrations (LH‐peak) and area under the LH response curve (LH‐AUC) in response to LHRH were higher (p < 0.01) in calves born to multiparous as compared with primiparous dams. In calves born to multiparous dams the LH‐peak at 15 and 25 weeks of age and the LH‐AUC at 15 weeks of age were lower (p < 0.05) in calves that attained an SC ≥ 28 cm early as compared with late. The LHRH‐challenge test sensitivity and specificity ranged from 46% to 86%. We concluded that parity of the dam affected age at which SC ≥ 28 cm was attained and the LH response to LHRH in bull calves. Serum LH responses to LHRH at 15 and 25 weeks of age, in calves born to multiparous dams, show some promise for development into a test to select early maturing bull calves.     

Use of two polysaccharide antigens in ELISA for the detection of antibodies to Echinococcus granulosus in sheep sera

Polysaccharide antigens were obtained from either the secretions produced during in vitro cultivation of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces or from mouse hydatid cyst membranes by phenol extraction. When either of these antigens was used in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay antibody activities were detected in sera from sheep infected 27 or more weeks earlier with at least 100 E granulosus eggs. These antibody responses were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than those of sheep infected with Taenia hydatigena or T ovis and tested with the E granulosus antigens. Very high cross-reacting antibody responses in sera from sheep recently infected with T hydatigena were only detected with the protoscoleces secretions antigen. Neither antigen was sufficiently sensitive or specific for serodiagnostic use. However, when sera were first tested with one antigen and then with the other, and only sera that were positive in both tests were regarded as positive, the overall sensitivity and specificity of this two antigen method increased to about 80 per cent.