Physiological changes and digestive capabilities of newly received feedlot cattle.

Newly arrived feedlot calves undergo numerous stressors that result in 1) transient endocrine responses, 2) altered products of energy and protein metabolism, 3) changes in appetite and growth rate, 4) possible limited compromise of digestive and rumen function, and 5) a challenged immune system. The most consistent endocrine and metabolic responses to marketing, transport, and feedlot adaptation are seen with cortisol and epinephrine. In contrast to earlier work done with indirect in vitro gas production measurements, recent research has shown that the ruminal microbial population is able to effectively digest available substrate immediately following a calfs weaning, trucking, and 24 h of feed and water deprivation. Additionally, a period of feed and water deprivation up to 72 h coupled with 8 h of trucking does not reduce the concentration or total numbers of either the viable cellulolytic or total bacteria present in the rumen of newly weaned or feedlot-adapted calves. However, ruminal volume, DM, total weight of ruminal contents, and total protozoal numbers decrease as duration of feed deprivation increases. To compensate for the reduced DMI that occurs in the first 2 wk after arrival at the feedlot, increased nutrient density is needed to meet an animal's requirements for nutrients. Limited data suggest that newly arrived calves prefer a diet that is similar in moisture and texture to feeds with which they are familiar. Additionally, modification of the stress-associated behavior using trainer animals may improve the feed intake of newly received calves and may reduce calf morbidity.     

Expression and location of IGF binding proteins-2, -4, and -5 in developing fetal tissues.

Insulin-like growth factors are associated with myogenesis in vivo, and their actions are mediated by IGF binding proteins (IGFBP). Sites of IGFBP production and their location during early development are not clear. The objective of this research was to examine the developmental expression and location of IGFBP-2, -4, and -5 mRNA and peptides in developing porcine skeletal muscle and liver. Pregnant pigs were euthanatized at various times postconception (pc). Developmental expression of IGFBP was evaluated using total RNA extracted from skeletal muscle and liver of 30-, 44-, 59-, 68-, 75-, 89-, and 109-d pc fetuses and from adult and neonatal pigs. Localization of IGFBP-2, -4, and -5 mRNA and peptides was examined by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry of muscle samples from contralateral pelvic limbs of each pig. Overall muscle IGFBP gene expression decreased (P < .05) with increasing age. Moreover, expression of liver IGFBP-2 and -5, but not of IGFBP-4, was greater (P < .05) during prenatal than during postnatal periods. The majority of immunoreactive IGFBP was located in developing muscle cells, with little localized to connective tissue, except at later stages of development. These data show that IGFBP-2, -4, and -5 expression is time- and tissue-dependent in fetal liver and muscle.     

Evaluation of scratches as an essential element in the development of avian cellulitis in broiler chickens.

Currently, the published cellulitis models do not adequately address the actual pathogenesis as seen in the commercial broiler industry. In this model, small dermal scratches were made on the skin of broiler chickens, which were then placed on litter seeded with avian cellulitis-associated Escherichia coli. The research confirms scratches are required for the induction of avian cellulitis. The research also confirms that "type I" cellulitis lesions or those previously thought to be due to hatchery-borne infections can be induced with scratches. The described methods provide a realistic model for cellulitis development that will improve the reliability of prophylactic and therapeutic-regimen efficacy testing data, thereby providing information more directly useful to the commercial broiler industry.     

Feather folliculoma in a captive-bred barn owl (Tyto alba).

Proliferative cutaneous lesions are frequently encountered in examination of avian species. Tumors of the skin have been reported in many bird species, although comparatively less is known about the incidence of integumentary neoplasia in nondomesticated species than in production or companion species. An adult male, 9-yr-old, captive-bred barn owl (Tyto alba) was presented for examination of a proliferative skin mass of several months' duration on the left wing. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the owl recovered uneventfully. Light microscopic examination of tissue sections of the mass revealed a focal, unencapsulated, well-demarcated, multiloculated mass that consisted of variably sized cystic spaces lined by stratified squamous epithelium and containing concentric laminations of keratin and foci of feather differentiation. A histopathologic diagnosis of feather folliculoma was made. This neoplasm has not previously been described in owls. Its incidence and documentation are significant in that this neoplasm should be considered as a differential diagnosis of proliferative skin lesions in this raptorial species.     

Copper toxicosis in cattle fed chicken litter

Cattle from 2 herds developed copper toxicosis after the ingestion of chicken litter. The affected animals were adult Holstein cows and crossbred steers that ate 9 to 16 kg of litter/day. These cattle developed a sudden onset of weakness, depression, anorexia, icteric mucous membranes, and dark reddish brown urine. Liver copper concentrations in 2 cattle (1 from each herd) were 436 and 730 ppm. Results of copper analyses of chicken litter ranged from 620 to 920 ppm. Sodium molybdate and sodium thiosulfate were added to the ration of the dairy herd. Two cows with clinical signs of copper toxicosis recovered after being given additional sodium molybdate and thiosulfate supplements, orally.     

STATIC AND DYNAMIC 18FDG‐PET IN NORMAL HISPANIOLAN AMAZON PARROTS (AMAZONA VENTRALIS)

Positron emission tomography (PET) is often used to stage and monitor human cancer and has recently been used in a similar fashion in veterinary medicine. The most commonly used radiopharmaceutical is 2‐Deoxy‐2‐[¹⁸F]‐Fluoro‐d ‐glucose (¹⁸F‐FDG), which is concentrated and trapped within cells that use glucose as their energy substrate. We characterized the normal distribution of ¹⁸F‐FDG in 10 healthy Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) by performing whole body PET scans at steady state, 60 min after injection. Significant variability was found in the intestinal activity. Avian species are known to reflux fluid and electrolytes from their cloaca into their colon. To evaluate reflux as the cause of variability in intestinal distribution of ¹⁸F‐FDG, dynamic PET scans were performed on the coelomic cavity of six Hispaniolan Amazon parrots from time 0 to 60 min postinjection of radiotracer. Reflux of radioactive material from the cloaca into the colon occurred in all birds to varying degrees and occurred before 60 min. To evaluate the intestinal tract of clinical avian patients, dynamic scans must be performed starting immediately after injection so that increased radioactivity due to metabolism or hypermetabolic lesions such as cancer can be differentiated from increased radioactivity due to reflux of fluid from the cloaca.     

Development of equine post anaesthetic myelopathy: Thirty cases (1979–2010)

Post anaesthetic myelopathy is a rare but devastating complication of equine anaesthesia and there is a need for better understanding of the condition and to raise veterinary awareness. The aim of this study was to collect data on unreported cases and combine those with reported cases to better identify possible risk factors and early clinical signs and outcomes of horses developing post anaesthetic myelopathy (PAM). A survey was conducted to identify cases of equine PAM. Records were also requested via the American College of Veterinary Anaesthesiologists listserve. Additional cases of PAM were located through review of the literature. Eighteen new cases and 12 published cases were identified. Large‐framed breeds between 6–24 months of age were more commonly affected (23/30). The majority of horses were positioned in dorsal recumbency during anaesthesia. Lack of movement and deep pain of the rear limbs, loss of anal tone and lack of panniculus response from the mid to caudal thorax distally were the most common clinical findings. Reported treatments resulted in no improvement of clinical signs and all horses died or were subjected to euthanasia from a few hours to 8 days post operatively. Poliomyelomalacia of the caudal spinal cord is the most common histopathological finding. Although a rare complication it is a catastrophic risk that can be eliminated by performing a standing operation. Hopefully in the future better understanding of this condition will lead to prevention and treatment strategies.