Influence of amount and frequency of protein supplementation to ruminants consuming low-quality cool-season forages: efficiency of nitrogen utilization in lambs and performance of gestating beef cows

We evaluated the influence of amount and crude protein (CP) supplementation frequency (SF) on nitrogen (N) use by wethers and the performance of late-gestation beef cows. In exp. 1, seven Western whiteface wethers (31.8 ± 1.4 kg) were used in an incomplete 7 × 4 Latin square to evaluate intake and N use. Wethers received one of the seven treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial design containing two levels of supplemental soybean meal offered at a rate of 100% (F) or 50% (H; 50% of F) of the estimated CP requirement daily, once every 5, or once every 10 d, plus a non-supplemented control (CON). Low-quality cool-season forage (4.9 % CP; dry matter [DM] basis) was provided daily for ad libitum intake. Experimental periods lasted 30 d. In exp. 2, 84 Angus × Hereford cows (560 ± 35 kg) were stratified by age, body condition score (BCS), and expected calving date and allocated to 1 of the 21 feedlot pens (three pens per treatment). Pens were randomly assigned to receive the same treatments as in exp. 1 and cows had free access to low-quality cool-season forage (2.9% CP; DM basis). Cow body weight (BW) and BCS were measured every 14 d until calving and within 24 h after calving. In exp. 1, supplementation did not alter total DM and organic matter (OM) intake (P ≥ 0.26), but both parameters linearly decreased as SF decreased (P = 0.02). Supplementation increased DM, OM, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (P ≤ 0.02). Additionally, F feeding linearly increased DM, OM, and NDF digestibility as SF decreased (P ≤ 0.04). Digestibility of N, N balance, and digested N retained were greater with supplementation (P < 0.01), and N digestibility linearly increased as SF decreased (P = 0.01). Mean plasma urea-N concentration was not only greater (P < 0.01) for supplemented vs. CON wethers but also greater (P = 0.03) for F vs. H. In exp. 2, pre-calving BCS change was greater (P = 0.03) for supplemented cows. A linear effect of SF × supplementation rate for pre-calving BCS change was noted (P = 0.05), as F-supplemented cows lost more BCS compared with H as SF decreased. When considering supplementation intervals greater than 5 d, reducing the quantity of supplement provided, compared with daily supplementation, may be a feasible management strategy to maintain acceptable nutrient use and animal performance while reducing supplement and labor costs.     

Cranial cruciate ligament rupture in small dogs (<15 kg): a narrative literature review

Small breed dogs (<15 kg) affected by cranial cruciate ligament rupture secondary to cranial cruciate ligament disease are usually middle-aged (mean age at presentation: 5.4 to 9.8 years); terrier breeds, miniature and toy poodles are over-represented. Small breed dogs have a different morphology of the proximal tibia compared to medium and large breed dogs with a steep tibial plateau angle (mean tibial plateau angle 28.8° to 36.3°), absent base of the flare of the tibial tuberosity and a caudally bowed fibula. There is a lack of evidence regarding the optimal management of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in small dogs. The treatment options consist of conservative management, extracapsular stabilisation, cranial closing wedge ostectomy, tibial plateau levelling osteotomy and tibial tuberosity advancement. The limited evidence available shows that conservative management is likely to result in prolonged recovery time (average time to recovery approximately 4 months). There is paucity of reports focussing on extracapsular stabilisation in small breed dogs, and questions have been raised regarding the early failure of the extracapsular suture subject to higher loads due to the steep tibial plateau angle of small breed dogs. Cranial closing wedge ostectomy and tibial plateau levelling osteotomy have been reported to have low major complication rates and good subjective outcomes. It is controversial whether tibial tuberosity advancement is a suitable technique in dogs with steep tibial plateau angle, which includes most small breed dogs.     

Species-specific differences of the avian oesophagus: Histological and Ultrastructural study

The oesophagus is a muscular tube comprised of cervical and thoracic regions. Several studies have clarified the histological structure of the oesophagus. However, its histoarchitecture in relation to variable dietary habits of each species is still unclear. In the current study, 21 pigeons, cattle egrets and ducks, n = 7, each was used. Macroscopically, the oesophagus of cattle egrets either the cervical or thoracic parts was the longest among the pigeons and ducks. Histologically, the oesophagus comprised of four distinct tunicae: mucosa, propria submucosa, musculosa and adventitia or serosa. A great structural variation in these layers among the three investigated species was recorded. In the cervical oesophagus of pigeons, the superficial squamous cells showed perinuclear halo zone, the propria submucosa was characteristically lacked any gland. Moreover, its musculosa was very thick. On the other hand, the intraepithelial glands were characteristically distributed along the whole length of the cattle egret’s oesophagus. Interestingly, the cervical esophagus of the ducks showed submucosal associated lymphatic tissue; diffuse and nodular Ultrastructurally, the oesophageal glands showed secretory granules of variable electron densities, electron - lucent in the pigeons and ducks and electron - dense in the cattle egrets.     

Removal of a fragmented nasogastric tube from the transverse colon of a horse undergoing exploratory celiotomy for colic

This report describes the clinical course and surgical findings of a 5-year-old Warmblood gelding referred for colic with a previous history of intermittent colic episodes, and gastric ulcers diagnosed by gastroscopy in the preceding months. The horse underwent medical treatment but remained painful and surgery was elected. The horse underwent an exploratory laparotomy during which an impaction was identified in the transverse colon that was associated with an approximately 1 metre segment of nasogastric tube. The foreign body was removed via an enterotomy in the left dorsal colon, and the horse recovered well from surgery. No complications were encountered post-operatively.     

Use of dimethylformamide to cryopreserve alpaca semen previously incubated with collagenase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of collagenase and two final dimethylformamide (DMF) concentrations (4% and 7%) on alpaca frozen-thawed sperm quality. A total of 25 ejaculates from 5 alpaca were obtained using electroejaculation. Each individual ejaculate was evaluated and then diluted 4:1 in a solution of 1 mg/ml collagenase in HEPES-TALP medium and incubated for 4 min at 37°C. Subsequently, samples were diluted in TRIS-fructose-citric acid-egg yolk and cooled to 5°C. Then, each sample was divided in two aliquots and DMF at final concentration of 4% or 7% was added, equilibrated for 1 hr at 5°C and frozen over liquid nitrogen vapours. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate the sperm morphometry, and Completely Random Block designs were used to analyse sperm motility, viability, membrane function and acrosome status. After collagenase incubation, none of the samples showed thread formation, and sperm parameters were preserved. Non-progressive motile sperm were higher (p < .05) in equilibrated samples (4% DMF: 31.8 ± 8.3% and 7% DMF: 36.3 ± 11.8%) compared to raw (10.1 ± 4.3%) and frozen-thawed semen (4% DMF: 9.7 ± 1.8% and 7% DMF: 7.5 ± 3.2%). Sperm membrane function, membrane integrity and intact acrosomes were higher (p < .05) in raw semen (40.1 ± 12.2%, 94.6 ± 3.2% and 91.3 ± 8.1%) compared to frozen-thawed samples (4% DMF: 19.8 ± 4.7%, 53.2 ± 2.7%, 65.7 ± 8.7% and 7% DMF: 20.4 ± 4.5%, 54.1 ± 1.4%, 64.6 ± 9.1%). Length of the sperm head was lower in frozen-thawed samples, being statistically different with 4% DMF compared to pre-freezing samples. The ratio between acrosome and head areas was greater (p < .05) in frozen-thawed samples. Incubation of raw alpaca semen with collagenase decreased the thread formation without affecting sperm quality. Frozen of collagenase treated alpaca semen with 4% or 7% DMF did not preserve the sperm parameters in thawed samples.     

Diagnosis and treatment of mastitis in mares

Infection and inflammation of the udder (mastitis) is a common condition affecting all domestic mammals, but it appears to be less prevalent in mares than in dairy cows and dairy goats. The seemingly reduced incidence of mastitis in mares can be partially explained by the smaller size and relatively concealed location of the mare’s udder, coupled with a smaller storage capacity than cows and goats. Mastitis can affect lactating, peripartum, dry mares, mares at dry-off or prepubertal foals. Common clinical signs include swollen mammary tissue, abnormal mammary gland secretion, fever and anorexia; less common signs are hindlimb lameness and a swollen mammary vein. On rare occasions, mastitis pathogens can severely affect the nursing foal and mares may develop fibrotic tissue and consequent agalactia in the side(s) or quarter(s) affected. Based on the clinical presentation, mastitis can be classified as acute or chronic, and clinical or subclinical. Diagnosis is based on the clinical signs aided with aerobic culture and cytological evaluation of the gland secretion. In addition, these ancillary tests can also be used to assess prognosis and duration of treatment. Mares suffering from mastitis may present neutrophilia and hyperfibrinogenaemia. Treatment for mastitis includes antimicrobial therapy (systemic and/or locally), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, frequent milking and cold hosing with/without hot-packing applied on the gland. While the frequent monitoring of mares after weaning and reducing food intake should be part of common practices at weaning, cleaning of the udder, control of insect populations and frequent milking of mares with a foal unable to nurse can also aid in preventing mastitis.     

Effects of season on the reproductive organs and steroid hormone profiles in guinea hens (Numida meleagris)

1. The study documented gross anatomical and histological differences in the reproductive organs of 28 breeding and non-breeding female guinea fowls. Peripheral progesterone and 17β-oestradiol concentrations were also compared in breeding and non-breeding hens.

2. In non-breeding females, all ovarian and oviducal gross anatomical features had significantly regressed. Histologically, some of the changes in a regressing oviduct include systematic changes in height and size of all epithelial cells in all regions of the duct, absence/sparse ciliation of portions of surface epithelium in the magnum, isthmian and uterine regions, general loss of cytoplasmic mass, reduction in size and degeneration of tubular glands. Mucosal folds in all regions of the oviduct except the infundibular lip were higher in breeding females.

3. No difference was found between the two groups in plasma progesterone concentrations. Breeding females, however, had higher peripheral oestradiol concentrations than non-breeding females. About 2 h prior to oviposition, plasma oestradiol concentrations peaked at 2.4-fold (230 pg/ml) compared with baseline concentration and plasma progesterone concentrations by nearly 9-fold (5.29 ng/ml) of baseline.

4. Significant regression and changes in the histological structure of the ovary and oviduct had occurred in non-breeding females, and lower peripheral oestrogen concentrations may be responsible for this phenomenon.

     

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis of the spine in a nine‐year‐old cat

A nine‐year‐old intact female domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for paraparesis, ataxia and severe spinal hyperaesthesia. Neurological examination indicated a T3‐L3 spinal cord segment lesion. Computed tomography of the thoracolumbar and lumbosacral vertebral column was performed. This showed contiguous smooth new bone formation ventral and lateral to the vertebrae extending from the cranial thoracic area to the lumbosacral junction and appearing similar to canine diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. There was also marked dorsolateral stenosis of the vertebral canal at the level of T4‐T5 because of degenerative changes of the facet joints. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first published report of feline diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.