Use of imidacloprid-permethrin to prevent transmission of Anaplasma phagocytophilum from naturally infected Ixodes scapularis ticks to dogs

One group of eight beagles was treated with a combination of imidacloprid and permethrin 7 days before exposure to Ixodes scapularis ticks that were naturally infected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. A second group of eight beagles was not treated and was also exposed to infected ticks. Seven of eight non-treated dogs--but none of the treated dogs--developed specific antibodies to A. phagocytophilum. Results of this study indicate that a combination of imidacloprid and permethrin can prevent transmission of A. phagocytophilum to dogs if administered before exposure to infected ticks.     

OSTEOCHONDROSIS IN THE LATERAL FEMORAL CONDYLES OF A HORSE

Osteochondrosis of the lateral femoral condyles was diagnosed radiographically in an 8-month-old, female Arabian horse, which had been presented with a hindlimb lameness. The diagnosis was confirmed by gross and microscopic pathology. The location of the lesions was considered unusual for osteochondrosis in the horse.     

Dysgenesis of the tubal system in an infertile mare karyotype 63,X:64,XY:65,XXY

A Thoroughbred mare, barren during three years at stud, unresponsive to therapy, and not palpably abnormal anatomically was found to have hypoplasia of the uterine tubes after excision at laparotomy. The cause was an unbalanced genotype. The mosaic karyotype, determined on a blood sample, was indispensible in diagnosis and the case extends the potential for cytogenetic prognostic procedures.     

Brightness of venous blood in South American camelids: implications for jugular catheterization

Objective  To compare the brightness of South American camelid venous blood to that of Equidae.
Study design  Prospective clinical evaluation.
Animals  Twelve South American camelids (eight llamas, four alpacas), eight horses and ponies (control group).
Methods  Appropriately sized catheters were placed in the jugular vein of each animal under local anaesthesia. The blood spilt before the catheter was capped was caught on a white tile. A sample of blood was drawn for blood-gas analysis. The brightness of the blood (both on the tile and in the syringe) was matched to a colour chart (1 = darkest red, 8 = brightest red) by a single observer under bright light conditions. Packed cell volume (PCV) and partial pressure of oxygen (PvO₂) in the blood were also measured on the syringe blood. Normally distributed data were compared using a two tailed t -test, and non-normally distributed data were compared using a Mann–Whitney U -test. Significance was set at p  < 0.05.
Results  Camelid venous blood was significantly brighter red than that of horses and ponies both on the white tile ( p  = 0.0003) and in the syringe ( p  = 0.0001). PCV was significantly lower in camelids (32 ± 4%) compared with horses (37 ± 5%). Partial pressure of oxygen values were similar between groups.
Conclusions and clinical relevance  Jugular venous blood in alpacas and llamas is significantly brighter red than that of horses. Colour should not be used as a sole determinant of venous or arterial catheterization in this species.     

Lactose Synthase Components in Milk: Concentrations of α-Lactalbumin and β1,4-Galactosyltransferase in Milk of Cows from Several Breeds at Various Stages of Lactation

It is believed that milk production is determined by the number and activity of mammary secretory cells. Secretory activity, as assessed by milk volume, depends on secretion of the major osmole in milk, lactose, which is produced by lactose synthase. The amount of either of the two proteins in lactose synthase may regulate milk production. The objective of this study was to determine whether the concentrations in milk of the two components of lactose synthase, α‐lactalbumin (α‐LA) and β1,4‐galactosyltransferase (B4GALT), were related to genetic background, stage of lactation, breed or parity of dairy cows. α‐Lactalbumin and B4GALT concentrations were measured by ELISA and by enzyme assays, respectively, from single milk samples. Two herds with a total of 279 cows were used in the analysis. One herd contained Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Holstein and Jersey cows; the second herd contained two groups of cows; Holsteins selected for high milk production and Holsteins with 1960s genetics. The α‐LA concentration in milk was greater in Jerseys and Ayrshires than in Holsteins and Brown Swiss. However, no difference in α‐LA concentration was observed in milk from high and low genetic merit cows in the Minnesota herd or among different genetic backgrounds in the Illinois herd. β1,4‐Galactosyltransferase concentrations were similar for all groups that were analyzed. α‐Lactalbumin concentrations were positively correlated with milk protein concentration, milk fat concentration and lactose concentration. β1,4‐Galactosyltransferase concentration in milk exhibited a strong positive correlation with number of days in milk. Although the concentration of B4GALT increased as lactation progressed, the values did not show any correlation with persistency of lactation or late lactation milk production. In conclusion, this survey shows that the two components of lactose synthase are each correlated to protein concentration and individually correlated to the concentration of other milk components and stage of lactation.     

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and Puma Lentivirus in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi): Epidemiology and Diagnostic Issues

This study documents the seroprevalence of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and puma lentivirus (PLV) in free-ranging and captive Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) (n = 51) and translocated Texas cougars (P. concolor stanleyana) (n = 10) from 1985 to 1998. The sera were tested for anti-FIV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot tests. The ELISAs were read kinetically (KELA) and the sera were retrospectively examined by PLV peptide ELISA. Eleven panthers and one cougar were positive by KELA; 4 panthers and 4 cougars were equivocal; 35 panthers and 5 cougars were negative; and 1 panther had no data. Seven of the 11 KELA-positive panthers were also positive by Western blot tests and all but one were positive by PLV peptide ELISA. Ten KELA-negative and Western blot-negative cats, were positive by PLV peptide ELISA. KELA results varied within cats from one sample period to the next, but PLV peptide ELISA results were consistent. Territorial sympatry and mating behaviour, noted from radiotelemetry location data on the cats, may have contributed to viral transmission between seropositive animals. These findings suggest that Florida panthers and the introduced Texas cougars have been exposed to FIV and/or PLV.     

Mating and dispersal behaviour of Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) in relation to resistance management for rice transformed with Bacillus thuringiensis toxin genes

Information on the mating and dispersal behaviour of the rice stem borers Scirpophaga incertulas and Chilo suppressalis is necessary for the design of resistance management strategies for rice varieties genetically engineered with toxin genes from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We investigated whether S. incertulas and C. suppressalis move from the site of adult eclosion before mating to determine the likelihood that random mating will occur between adults eclosing in fields of Bt rice and refuge fields of non-Bt rice. Observations were made under laboratory, screenhouse and field conditions. Almost all S. incertulas males and females flew out of sight after cuticle expansion and hardening, as did most C. suppressalis. Approximately 15% of C. suppressalis females called and mated within 3?m of the site of eclosion, and approximately 5% of C. suppressalis males mated within 5?m of the site of eclosion. These results suggest that random mating is likely to occur between S. incertulas eclosing in Bt rice fields and nearby refuge fields. Although a small proportion of C. suppressalis did not move far before mating, random mating of moths from Bt and nearby refuge fields is also likely to occur in this species if Bt-resistant moths are rare.     

Introduction and elimination of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in a commercial beef herd: a case study

Routine Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus (BVDV) monitoring of a commercial beef herd in southern New South Wales over a 10-year period provided an opportunity to assess the impact of the introduction of BVDV on that herd. BVDV antibody testing provided strong evidence that the herd was initially free of BVDV (2009–2011). Testing from 2012 suggested BVDV had been introduced into the herd and this was confirmed in 2015 with the identification of persistently infected (PI) animals. Having become established in the herd, the owners then set out to eliminate BVDV from the herd. Antigen testing aimed at identifying PI animals revealed BVDV was already absent from the herd. Subsequent antibody testing confirmed that the herd was now free from BVDV. Despite the incursion of BVDV in this herd, there was little measurable impact on reproductive performance (pregnancy rates), although suspected increased calf losses from birth to calf marking were reported. This is the first time such self-clearance has been documented as part of a longitudinal study under Australian conditions.