The seroprevalence of canine respiratory coronavirus and canine influenza virus in dogs in New Zealand

Abstract

AIM: To determine whether canine respiratory coronavirus (CRCoV) and canine influenza virus (CIV) are present in dogs in New Zealand.

METHODS: Serum samples from 251 dogs of varying age, breed and clinical histories were tested for the presence of antibodies to CRCoV and CIV, using indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) analysis. The population sampled represented a wide geographic area but principally encompassed the central and lower North Island of New Zealand.

RESULTS: Seventy-three of the 251 samples (29%) were seropositive for CRCoV. Dogs <2 years old were less likely to be seropositive for CRCoV than older dogs. None was seropositive for CIV.

CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the presence of antibodies to CRCoV in dogs in New Zealand. Young dogs are less likely to be seropositive than older dogs, probably due to increased opportunity for exposure to CRCoV over time. Serum antibodies to CIV were not detected in any of the dogs sampled, suggesting that this virus is unlikely to be present in dogs in New Zealand.

CLINICAL RELEVENCE: Canine respiratory coronavirus is present in New Zealand. Although the role of this virus in canine infectious tracheobronchitis has not been fully elucidated, evidence suggests that it may have a causal role in this disease. Veterinarians should consider CRCoV as a differential diagnosis in cases of respiratory disease in dogs in New Zealand. While CIV appears not to be currently present in New Zealand, veterinarians should consider infection with this virus as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with respiratory signs.     

如何提高仔猪饲料中小麦的利用率

<正>用最具成本效益的方法配制猪饲料是提高养猪场经济利润的一种重要手段。但是,具有最低成本的饲料配制方法往往会就几种主要饲料原料的饲喂价值进行过于简单的假设,同时还假定各饲料原料的养分具有相加性。这种情况会因饲料添加剂的加入而进一步混乱,或受到潜在的损害,因为饲料添加剂旨在使饲料释放更多的能量和/或氨基酸。因此,饲料配方师不得不充分确保某种添加剂将持     

Atmospheric residence time of CH3Br estimated from the junge spatial variability relation

The atmospheric residence time for methyl bromide (CH3Br) has been estimated as 0.8 +/- 0.1 years from its empirical spatial variability relative to C2H6, C2Cl4, CHCl3, and CH3Cl. This evaluation of the atmospheric residence time, based on Junge's 1963 general proposal, provides an estimate for CH3Br that is independent of source and sink estimates. Methyl bromide from combined natural and anthropogenic sources furnishes about half of the bromine that enters the stratosphere, where it plays an important role in ozone destruction. This residence time is consistent with the 0.7-year value recently calculated for CH3Br from the combined strength estimates for its known significant sinks.     

Management of bilateral flexural deformity of the metacarpophalangeal joints in three alpaca crias

Three neonatal alpacas were treated for MCP flexural deformities. Two crias responded well to conservative therapy using splints made from fibreglass cast material. One cria with severe deformity failed to respond to conservative treatment but recovered satisfactorily after transection of the suspensory ligament in both legs. It seems that mild cases of flexural deformity of the MCP joint in alpaca crias respond well to conservative therapy but that surgical correction may be required in more severe cases. Sequential transection of the structures limiting extension of the MCP joint may result in fewer complications than previously reported techniques.     

Feeding strategies to achieve correct metamorphosis of Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., using enriched Artemia

Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus L., larvae were reared under four different Artemia feeding regimes for 40 days from day 20 post first feeding. Three Artemia enrichments were used: Super Selco? (SS), AlgaMac 2000? (AM) and a particulate mix of AlgaMac 2000? with tuna orbital oil (TOO/AM). The SS and AM Artemia were tested in three different combinations: (1) a 1:1 ratio continuously to day 60 (AM/SS); (2) a 1:1 ratio to day 41, then AM only (AM/SS-41): and (3) AM only to day 41, then a 1:1 ratio (AM-41). The fourth treatment comprised TOO/AM Artemia, which was fed continuously. At day 60 post first feeding, measurements were made of survival and growth rates, postmetamorphic characteristics (i.e. eye migration and pigment distribution), and lipid composition. The mean survival rates ranged from 65.1% to 84.5%. Specific growth rates varied from 7.64 to 8.13. The eye migration indices were between 2.3 and 2.6. These parameters did not differ significantly among treatments (P 0.05). A significantly greater proportion of fry (P<0.05) exhibited‘perfect metamorphosis’(correct pigment distribution and complete eye migration) in the AM/ SS-41 and AM-41 treatments (59.8 ± 3.03% and 54.6 ± 1.08%, respectively) compared to the AM/SS and TOO/AM treatments (35.9 ± 4.02% and 39.9 ± 6.43%, respectively). The fatty acid compositions of livers and eyes varied according to feeding regime, but did not correspond to the metamorphosis characteristics of the fry.     

Factors influencing the stability of labelled microbial materials in soils

The effect of freshly added substrate on carbon turnover of a microbial population and the priming action on stabilized soil organic constituents were investigated in the laboratory. ¹³C-labelled glucose. NH₄NO₃, or both were added to samples of a Brown Chernozemic soil which had been initially amended with ¹⁴C-glucose and incubated 2 months under field conditions. At the end of 14 days laboratory incubation. 39 per cent and 33 per cent of the ¹³C had been respired as CO₂ from the glucose and glucose plus NH₄NO₃ treatments, respectively. These two treatments resulted in a marked priming of native ¹²C during the second and third days of incubation and a second priming peak during the fifth day. In contrast, there was only a small priming action of the ¹⁴C-labelled materials. Addition of NH₄NO₃ by itself had no effect on the amount of ¹²C or ¹²C respired.Appreciable amounts of ¹⁴C were mineralized following treatments known to partially sterilize soil. Freezing and thawing was more effective than wetting and drying, but less effective than CHCl₃ vapour in releasing stabilized ¹⁴C materials. The amount of labelled-¹⁴C mineralized during incubation after treatment with chloroform vapour was greater than could he accounted for by the decrease in soil biomass.     

Effects of pregnancy and lactation on the body composition of first-litter female swine

A total of 64 gilts initially weighing 120 kg were used to evaluate body composition occurring during pregnancy and lactation. All animals were fed a 14% protein corn-soybean meal diet. Eight gilts were slaughtered each at breeding, 57 and 105 d postcoitum and at 5 and 25 d postpartum, with a corresponding number of nongravid females killed at similar periods except at 5 d postpartum. Chemical composition of the empty body (ingesta-free) and maternal body (empty body minus reproductive products) was determined. Gravid gilts were heavier with larger quantities of water, protein and fat than nongravid gilts by the termination of pregnancy, but these differences were attributable to the products of conception. After the reproductive tissue components were subtracted, no indication of pregnancy anabolism was evident. Hydration in gravid swine was evident at 105 d postcoitum but was attributed to the higher water contribution from conceptus products, not maternal tissue. Maternal body fat appeared to fluctuate during gestation and lactation, whereas body protein and ash content were less affected. Both the empty body and maternal body contained approximately 83.5% protein and 16.5% ash when expressed on a fat-free dry basis, suggesting that compositional changes during reproduction largely reflect water and fat content changes in the dam's body. Carcass measurements generally reflected body compositional data.     

Indices of renal function: values in eight normal foals from birth to 56 days

A series of blood and urine samples was collected from each of eight normal foals between birth and eight weeks. Blood chemistry relating to renal function was evaluated as well as physical and chemical characteristics of urine. During the first 4d of life it was impractical to suggest meaningful normal values due to wide variation among foals and with time. Serum urea and plasma creatinine fell markedly to levels less than those previously reported for normal adult horses, while urine, mildly hypersthenuric at birth, rapidly became hyposthenuric. There was also a marked proteinuria during the first 48h. After 4d clinicopathological values stabilised. Urea and creatinine remained at subadult levels and hyposthenuria was maintained. While there was some variation with time, generally the urinary activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) was greater in foals than in adults; plasma potassium, the creatinine clearance ratio of potassium (% Cr K), serum inorganic phosphate and the creatinine clearance ratio of phosphate (% Cr PO4) were greater than in adults while plasma chloride and the creatinine clearance ratio of chloride (% Cr Cl) were lower in foals than in adults. Urinary pH was acidic and epithelial cells and calcium oxalate crystals more prevalent in the urine of foals than in that of adults. The information presented here will be useful in the diagnosis and management of renal disease and azotaemia in foals.     

Determination of methomyl in rape seeds,oils and meals

Methomyl added to rape seeds, oils or meals was detected by a thin-layer chromatographic-enzyme inhibition technique. The limit of detection in the presence of oil or meal extractive was 20 mg or 0.01 mg/kg. The amounts of methomyl recovered from oils and meals fortified at 0.01 to 20 mg/kg were comparable to the standard. When stored at 4 °C, methomyl in oil or meals, or in chloroform extracts, was stable for at least 10 and 21 days, respectively. No degradation was observed when methomyl was heated in ethanol at 72 °C for 2 h. Methomyl and its oxime were also detected with either iodo- or chloroplatinate reagent after t.l.c. The detection limits were approximately 600 mg for methomyl and 190 for the oxime.     

Evaluation of d,l-ethionine as a mechanism for pancreatic islet regeneration in dogs

Objective To determine whether induction of pancreatic necrosis and islet proliferation by d,l‐ethionine has potential for treating dogs with b ‐cell insufficiency. Design Eighteen mixed breed dogs of both sexes were given d,l‐ethionine at 100 mg/kg three times weekly for 2 weeks; 6 dogs were euthanased at 2, 14 and 28 d after the last dose. Methods Clinical signs during administration and recovery were assessed. Routine biochemical analyses were performed before each ethionine dose and then once weekly. Faecal samples were examined weekly for malassimilated nutrients and blood. Blood coagulation screening tests (OSPT and APTT) were determined on four dogs after ethionine administration. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were conducted before the first and after the last ethionine dose and then fortnightly. All dogs were necropsied and pancreas, liver, kidney and jejunum were examined microscopically. Results During ethionine administration all animals displayed vomiting, inappetence, diarrhoea (often with blood), weight loss and depression. Three dogs were euthanased prematurely due to severe illness, but those allowed to recover were eating and brighter 7 d after cessation of ethio‐nine administration. Serum concentrations of TLI, amylase and lipase increased initially, then decreased, during administration but returned to normal during recovery. Concentrations of ALT, ALP, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin increased during administration then decreased slowly. Histological examination revealed hepatic lipidosis and necrosis, but no renal or jejunal lesions. In most dogs, faecal examination demonstrated increased undigested starch and muscle, as well as increased digested and undigested fat, during ethio‐nine administration or early during the recovery period, suggesting transient malassimilation. APTT was unchanged but OSPT was prolonged in all dogs. There was no impairment of insulin secretion or glucose intolerance and C‐peptide concentrations were unaffected. Immediately after ethionine administration there was delayed insulin degradation and by day 43 there was evidence of increased insulin sensitivity. Conclusion d,l‐ethionine administration in dogs appeared not to interfere with insulin secretion, but caused clinical signs and laboratory changes indicative of pancreatic exocrine necrosis, severe hepatobiliary disease and transient malas‐similation. Pancreatic and hepatic dysfunction was severe but clinical recovery occurred after ethionine administration ceased. The severe side‐effects observed with d,l‐ethionine should preclude its potential use for treating diabetes mellitus in dogs.