The detection of Salmonella typhimurium varatio copenhagen DT 2 in purebred pigeons

On the occasion of a large exhibition of pure-breed fancy pigeons 398 animals from 49 different dovecotes were examined for Salmonella shedding. Faecal samples were taken after caging of the birds for the exhibition and after 3 days, before the end of the exhibition. Salmonella were detected in faeces of 28 out of 398 pigeons (7.04%). 10 birds were Salmonella positive only after caging for the exhibition, 10 other animals only before the end of the exhibition, and 8 pigeons at both occasions. The Salmonella positive birds originated from 15 different dovecotes, i.e. in ca. 30% of the dovecotes at the exhibition at least 1 Salmonella positive pigeon was identified. The share of positive birds in these dovecotes varied between 5% and 83%. All Salmonella isolates belonged to the serovar Typhimurium variant copenhagen and were of phage type DT 2. The results of this study do not provide complete evidence on the spreading of Salmonella organisms from birds infected at time of caging to other pigeons during the exhibition, however, such transmission cannot be excluded. In only 18 dovecotes pigeons were immunised against Salmonella Typhimurium. However, in these dovecotes all breeder birds but only 13% of the young pigeons had been immunised. Among the vaccinated breeder pigeons the number of Salmonella positive birds was considerably lower (not significant) than among the non-vaccinated breeders. There is epidemiological evidence that vaccination of pigeons has a considerable protective effect against Salmonella exposure. However, in order to effectively reduce Salmonella findings in pure-breed fancy pigeons it is recommended to provide vaccination to pigeons in a greater number of dovecotes and to include the progeny, too.     

Eradication of Prototheca zopfii infection in a dairy cattle herd

Protothecosis is a severe form of mastitis in dairy cows caused by colorless algae of the genus Prototheca. Since P. zopfii is highly resistant to all known chemotherapeutics, infected cows must be removed from the herd. Eradication measures are difficult since many chronically infected cows may become intermittent shedders. Therefore, cultural methods are insufficient for control measures. In order to eradicate Prototheca zopfii-mastitis in dairy cattle herds, two isotype specific indirect ELISA for detection of IgA and IgG1 in whey were used in a dairy herd highly affected with protothecal mastitis. All cows (n = 313) were tested four times in intervals of six months. Milk specimens were examined in parallel by cultivation and serologically using two indirect ELISA systems for specific IgA and IgG1 in whey. Cows tested Prototheca positive were consequently separated from the herd and slaughtered. At the first examination, 15.6% of the animals were found positive by culture, and 23.3% were positive in at least one of the ELISA systems. Within two years, protothecal prevalence and incidence decreased to zero indicating that the eradication strategy used was successful. In summary, serological identification of P. zopfii-infected lactating cows is an useful tool to eradicate protothecal bovine mastitis in infected herds.     

Canine panosteitis: an idiopathic bone disease investigated in the light of a new hypothesis concerning pathogenesis. Part 1: Clinical and diagnostic aspects

Panosteitis, an idiopathic bone disease of young dogs, was investigated in the light of a new, empirically based hypothesis governing its pathogenesis. Extensive clinical observations suggest a close relationship between the incidence of this disease and the commercialization of various protein-rich, high-calorie dog foods. The theory of an "osseous compartment syndrome" provides a hypothetical pathogenesis, which corroborates this findings. An excessive accumulation of protein causes intraosseous edema due to its osmotic effects. Because bone is a rigid compartment, this leads to an increase in intramedullary pressure and compression of blood vessels. Subsequent osseous ischemia leads to a deficient metabolic state (decreased oxygenation, inadequate influx of nutritive substances, local acidosis, decreased removal of metabolites, disruption of local biochemical processes, etc.), and a vicious circle is created due to the resulting local inflammation. The disease is aggravated by increased metabolism due to excessive physical activity. Within the context of a pilot study, clinical, radiographic, scintigraphic and thermographic examinations and a therapeutic trial with benzopyron were carried out. In addition, more modern investigative tools, including osteomyelography, magnetic resonance tomography and intraosseous pressure measurements were used to provide objective data concerning the pathogenesis of panosteitis. In most cases, clinical remission was seen within days of monotherapy with the proteolytic substance, benzopyron (Cumartrin). This finding appears to corroborate our hypothesis.     

Health of cows,calves and young stock on 26 organic dairy herds in Sweden

The health and housing of the stock on 26 organic dairy herds in four counties in eastern Sweden were studied for one year. The herds ranged in size from 12 to 64 cows, and their milk production from 3772 to 10,334 kg per cow per year. A large-animal practitioner visited the farms three times during the year, and a random sample of a third of the cows in each herd were examined. The calves and young stock and their housing were also studied. The calves were in good condition in all but four herds; their serum immunoglobulins varied from almost none to high levels. The young stock were in good condition and in good housing in 20 herds. No cows with clinical signs of metabolic disorders were found. Body condition scores were adequate or good except in two herds. Acetone was analysed in milk samples from individual cows three to six weeks postpartum, and only sporadic cases with high levels were found. The incidence of diseases treated by a veterinarian was lower in the organic herds than the average for the conventional herds in the local dairy association. The findings at the farm visits supported these data, and it is evident that a good standard of health and welfare can be achieved in organic dairy herds.     

Pyogranulomatous myocarditis due to Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia in two harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia was diagnosed in a dead, stranded harbour porpoise from the German Baltic Sea and in a live harbour porpoise by-caught in inner Danish waters and taken into captivity. Lesions included pyogranulomatous myocarditis, necrotising suppurative bronchopneumonia, pyelonephritis, osteomyelitis and leptomeningitis, and abscesses in lymph nodes and skeletal muscles. The captive animal had fibrinous suppurative epicarditis and pyogranulomatous myocarditis with abscesses. In both animals the organism was suspected to have entered through skin lesions or via the respiratory tract.     

Treatment of temporary upward fixation of the patella in an alpaca by abrasion trochleoplasty and imbrication of the medial retinacular fascia

A two-year-old female alpaca suddenly became lame on its right hindlimb. Eight days later clinical and radiographic examinations showed that the patella had become temporarily fixed within the supratrochlear notch of the femur. Under general anaesthesia an abrasion trochleoplasty followed by fascial imbrication was carried out. After two weeks in supporting slings, the animal put full weight on the leg, and six months after the surgery it showed no signs of lameness or recurrence of the upward fixation.     

Static space requirements of male meat turkeys

The area covered by standing male meat turkeys between 11 and 21 weeks of age was measured by planimetry on photographs taken from directly above the birds. There was a strong relationship (r = 0.86) between their liveweight and the area covered, and a formula was derived for the calculation of the area covered by turkeys weighing between 7.6 and 21.8 kg. A comparison with the formula developed on theoretical grounds in 1995 by the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) showed that for heavy turkeys the FAWC formula is not valid, because it yields values which are about 50 per cent too low.