Disease of geese caused by a new herpesvirus

A goose flock farmed outdoors in south-eastern Queensland suffered an outbreak of peracute disease with high death rate (97%). Small button ulcers and large plaques overlying lymphocyte aggregates were present on the mucosa of the small intestine of affected birds. Small white foci of necrosis and focal haemorrhages were seen in the livers. Numerous intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed microscopically in hepatocytes and a herpesvirus which grew rapidly in chicken kidney cells was isolated from tissues. Duck virus enteritis (DVE) was suspected but DVE antiserums failed to neutralise the virus. Further serological studies with a limited range of known avian herpesviruses have failed to identify the virus. Experimental transmission resulted in high mortality in geese (100%), lower mortality in ducklings and nil mortality in chickens. Surveillance studies showed no evidence of infection in domestic and wild birds beyond the original farm and the infection appears not to have been established in the area. Wild ducks, which were frequent visitors to the farm dam, were considered the most likely source of the infection.     

A Comparison of Methods for Proximal Palmar Metacarpal Analgesia in Horses

Three techniques for inducing analgesia of the proximal metacarpal region were evaluated for the frequency of inadvertent injection into the middle carpal and carpometacarpal joints. Using methylene blue solution as a marker dye and 30 fresh cadaver specimens each, three clinicians performed either 30 infiltrations at the origin of the suspensory ligament (method A), 30 palmar and palmar metacarpal nerve blocks at the proximal end of the metacarpus (method B), or 30 palmar and palmar metacarpal nerve blocks at the distal aspect of the accessory carpal bone (method C). The frequency of inadvertent injection into the distal carpal joints was 37, 17, and 0% for methods A, B, and C, respectively. The association between method and injection into the joints was significant (p less than 0.01). Infiltration of the distal carpal joints occurred with injection distances from the carpometacarpal joint of 1.5 to 4.5 cm. Although there was no joint injection with method C, the carpal synovial sheath was inadvertently infiltrated in 68% of the specimens. Injection into the distal carpal joints can occur when deep injections are made into the proximal palmar aspect of the metacarpus because of the distopalmar outpouchings of the carpometacarpal joint between the axial surfaces of the second and fourth metacarpal bones and the abaxial surface of the suspensory ligament.     

Aspects of reproduction in female Bos indicus cattle: a review

SUMMARY Differences occur between female Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle in various aspects of reproductive physiology and behaviour. These may be associated with different natural and human selection pressures, compounded by strong genotype-environment interactions. B indicus cattle are better adapted for tropical environments (despite overall poor cattle reproductive rates in these regions) which tend to be more stressful for B taurus genotypes. Conversely, B taurus cattle generally show superior reproductive and productive traits under more favoured, temperate conditions. Despite genotype-environment effects, B indicus females are generally considered to take longer to achieve puberty and to have longer gestation lengths, exhibit prolonged postpartum anoestrus, show greater seasonality of reproductive traits (tending to be long-day breeders), display a shorter, less overt oestrus as well as less tendency to allow riding behaviour by subordinate females. Some groups appear to have increased losses both during pregnancy and in the neonatal period. On the positive side, B indicus females respond well to managerial and nutritional interventions, tend to have greater reproductive longevity and they generally exhibit strong maternal traits. Culling of infertile females and selection for greater male scrotal circumference and sex-drive, in conjunction with the use of target weights, body condition scoring and weaning stratagems can improve reproductive rates in B indicus females.     

Evaluation of an Omental Pedicle Extension Technique in the Dog

A two-step omental pedicle extension technique was performed on 10 dogs. Step 1 of the pedicle extension involved release of the dorsal leaf of the omentum from its pancreatic attachment, whereas step 2 consisted of an inverse L-shaped incision to double the length of the pedicle. The pedicle dimensions were measured and the distance reached when extended toward the hind limb, forelimb, and the muzzle recorded after each stage of the procedure. The vascular patency of the pedicle was determined by intravenous injection of flu-orescein dye after the second stage of omental extension. Mean pedicle lengths were 44.5 cm with the first stage of extension and 82.0 cm after full extension. The mean width at the caudal extent of the pedicles after dorsal and full extension was 30.4 cm and 17.2 cm, respectively. Eight of the 10 pedicles were patent after full extension. The fully extended omental pedicles reached and, in most cases, extended beyond the distal extremities and the muzzle. The findings in this study suggest that the canine omentum can be extended to any part of the body without being detached from its vascular supply.