Effects of individual housing design and size on behavior and stress indicators of special-fed Holstein veal calves.

The objectives of this study were to determine effects of housing design (calves tethered in open stalls vs untethered in individual pens) and widths of 56, 66, and 76 cm (2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments) on indicators of stress and behavior in special-fed veal calves. Three production cycles (groups) were used, each with 36 Holstein bull calves. Calves (n = 108) were randomly allotted to treatments upon arrival at the facility. Blood samples were collected four times (wk 4, 9, 13, and 18) during the 18-wk production cycle. Blood serum values for cortisol and alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) exhibited few treatment differences. Blood leukocyte differential counts at 4 and 18 wk (segmented neutrophils [N], banded neutrophils, lymphocytes [L], basophils, and the N:L ratio) were not different (P > .05) among housing designs or widths. However, there were differences (P < .05) in monocytes and eosinophils during the 28-d period after arrival; calves in stalls 76 cm wide had the greatest percentage of both leukocytes, and calves in the 66-cm stalls had the lowest monocyte percentage. Calves were recorded on videotape during wk 4, 13.5, and 18 to determine frequencies and durations of postures and behaviors (e.g., lying, standing, chewing, tongue playing, grooming, and investigative activities). There were no consistent differences (P > .05) in postures or behaviors among calves in different housing designs or widths. Calves spent approximately 71 and 31% in lying and standing positions, with no preference for the right or left side while recumbent. There was a tendency for calves in wider stalls or pens at wk 9 and 18 to exhibit more self-grooming activities. Tongue playing and investigative and chewing activities were exhibited in all treatments, but no differences (P > .05) were observed. However, calves housed in the 56-cm pens displayed difficulty in changing from lying to a standing position and were unable to extend one or more legs while recumbent. Even though there were few differences in behavioral, physiological, growth, or anatomical traits in this study, further increases in age and(or) weight of finished calves will require a reassessment of the appropriateness of individual veal calf housing design and dimensions.     

Respiratory disease outbreak in a veterinary hospital associated with canine parainfluenza virus infection

A cluster of canine parainfluenza virus infections was identified in a veterinary referral hospital. While hospital-associated outbreaks of canine parainfluenza virus infection have not been previously reported, veterinary hospitals possess some of the same risk factors that may be present in traditional high-risk sites such as kennels. Hospital-associated transmission of canine respiratory pathogens, therefore, must be considered.     

Immunophysiological responses of horses to a 12-hour rest during 24 hours of road transport

Thirty-eight mature horses were assigned to one of two equal groups to evaluate two treatments consisting of either 24 hours of continuous road transport (24T) or two 12-hour periods of transport separated by off-loading, resting and feeding the horses for 12 hours (12/12T). A subset of six horses from each group served as controls for the other group. The horses were loaded into a commercial straight-deck trailer and travelled loose in one of two standard-sized compartments. After the journeys the horses were put back into their paddocks for a 24-hour recovery period. Venous blood samples were collected before loading, after unloading and after the 24-hour recovery period. Transport significantly increased the horses' cortisol concentrations, neutrophil counts and neutrophil:lymphocyte (nl) ratios, and decreased the numbers of all the lymphocyte subpopulation cell types. Collectively, no significant differences were observed between the two treatments in the horses' cortisol concentrations, total leucocyte counts, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, nl ratios, and the cd8a+ and cd21+ lymphocyte subpopulations, but there were differences in the numbers of cd3+, cd4+, and cd8b+ subpopulations. The inclusion of a 12-hour rest-stop interrupted the transport-related decline in the lymphocyte subpopulations and allowed them to recover towards their resting levels.     

头孢拉定对母猪产后肺炎的疗效试验

进行了头孢拉定对母猪产后肺炎混合感染的疗效试验,并设对照组进行比较.结果：静脉注射头孢拉定组治愈率、死亡率、仔猪发病率、仔猪成活率、仔猪断奶体质量分别为86.67%、0、12.5%、90.5%和6.3 kg;统计学分析结果显示,静脉注射头孢拉定组的治愈率、仔猪成活率和仔猪断奶重显著高于对照组（P＜0.01）,死亡率、仔猪发病率明显低于对照组（P＜0.01）,疗效显著.     

Dogs on livestock farms: A cross‐sectional study investigating potential roles in zoonotic pathogen transmission

Dogs are often present on livestock farms, where they serve important management and companion roles, yet may be involved in zoonotic pathogen transmission. Numerous factors can potentially alter the risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens, such as the dog's access to livestock, close dog–human contact and an increasing immunocompromised human population. The objective of this study was to quantify and qualify dog ownership among livestock owners, their dog husbandry and biosecurity practices, the dogs’ access to livestock and potential risks for zoonotic pathogen transmission. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 2,000 presumed Ohio livestock owners. Data were collected on demographics, dog husbandry practices, attitudes surrounding zoonotic diseases and attachment to and preventive veterinary care for the dogs. There were 446 responders who met the study inclusion criteria as an Ohio livestock farm owner, with 297 (67%) also owning dogs. Approximately 52% of dog‐owning households included at least one individual at higher disease risk (i.e., <5 years, ≥65 years, diagnosed with an immunocompromising condition). Most respondents had little/no concern for disease transmission from livestock to dogs (90%), from dogs to livestock (87%) and from dogs to people (94%). Dogs were allowed access to livestock by 70% of respondents and nearly all (96%; 198) indicated at least one higher risk dog–livestock management practice. In addition, many reported never leashing or fencing their dog (61%) and rarely to never picking up dog faeces (76%). Households with higher risk members reported similar husbandry, biosecurity and concern levels as households without those members (all p > .05). Numerous opportunities for zoonotic pathogen transmission and low level of zoonotic disease concern suggest a need for improved education and outreach for the livestock dog‐owning community, particularly for higher risk households.     

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in Fresh and Frozen Semen from Rams in Brazil

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of genomic DNA of Toxoplasma gondii in semen samples from commercial rams in artificial insemination centres in Brazil, as well as in fresh semen from rams in the northeast of Brazil. In total, 108 semen samples were obtained from artificial insemination centres, and genomic DNA of T. gondii was detected in 24 of 108 (22.2%). The prevalence of antibodies anti‐Toxoplasma gondii among sheep on rural properties was 9.2% (10/109), and 100% of the semen samples of these animals were positive in the PCR for T. gondii DNA. The molecular identity was confirmed through sequencing, which indicated 99.9% similarity with the T. gondii DNA sequences stored in the GenBank. This study reports the first occurrence of T. gondii DNA in the semen of rams, which came from artificial insemination centres in Brazil, as well as the occurrence of T. gondii DNA in the fresh semen of naturally infected rams in the northeast of Brazil.     

Tumour angiogenesis,anti‐angiogenic therapy and chemotherapeutic resistance

In order for a tumour to continue to grow and disseminate, it must acquire a new blood supply. Neovascularisation can be enacted by a number of different mechanisms. This dependence of tumour progression on an augmented vascular supply has been exploited by the development of anti‐angiogenic drugs, which are designed to inhibit new blood vessel formation or disrupt existing tumour‐associated vasculature, both leading to ischaemic–hypoxic tumour cell death. However, the clinical benefits of these therapeutic approaches are frequently variable and often transient, the neoplasm sometimes being able to use other neovascularisation mechanisms to maintain its blood supply and thus evade the current anti‐angiogenic therapy. Tumours may also develop a more malignant phenotype following this treatment. Clinical outcomes may be improved by simultaneously inhibiting different angiogenic pathways, abetted by more effective drug delivery regimens such as metronomic chemotherapy and the concurrent use of other antitumour modalities.