Correlations of measurements of subclinical claw horn lesions in dairy cattle

Measurements were made of the extent of sole and white line lesions on the claws of 115 Holstein-Friesian cows on at least three and at most 16 occasions, and some cows were followed up to their third lactation. All the measurements were made between 12 weeks before calving and 45 weeks after calving. In total, 1016 repeated observations were made. Correlations were calculated between pairs of claws, between types of lesion (sole and white line), and between pairs of the different measurements (number of lesions, proportion of the claw affected, maximum severity score and proportion of the claw affected weighted for severity). The outer hind claws had the greatest extent of lesions of both types. Spearman correlation coefficients and confidence intervals measured the strength of the association. All the associations between claws were positive, suggesting that the lesions did not occur in isolation. Sole and white line lesions were not associated at individual observation points. Lesions on the left and right claws were markedly similar, except for sole lesions on the two inner hind claws, and for white line lesions on the two outer hind claws.     

Effect of pharmacological concentrations of zinc oxide with or without the inclusion of an antibacterial agent on nursery pig performance

A study involving nine research stations from the NCR-42 Swine Nutrition Committee used a total of 1,978 crossbred pigs to evaluate the effects of dietary ZnO concentrations with or without an antibacterial agent on postweaning pig performance. In Exp. 1, seven stations (IA, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, and OH) evaluated the efficacy of ZnO when fed to nursery pigs at 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000, or 3,000 mg Zn/kg for a 28-d postweaning period. A randomized complete block experiment was conducted in 24 replicates using a total of 1,060 pigs. Pigs were bled at the 28-d period and plasma was analyzed for Zn and Cu. Because two stations weaned pigs at < 15 d (six replicates) and five stations at > 20 d (18 replicates) of age, the two sets of data were analyzed separately. The early-weaned pig group had greater (P < 0.05) gains, feed intakes, and gain:feed ratios for the 28-d postweaning period as dietary ZnO concentration increased. Later-weaned pigs also had increased (P < 0.01) gains and feed intakes as the dietary ZnO concentration increased. Responses for both weanling pig groups seemed to reach a plateau at 2,000 mg Zn/kg. Plasma Zn concentrations quadratically increased (P < 0.01) and plasma Cu concentrations quadratically decreased (P < 0.01) when ZnO concentrations were > 1,000 mg Zn/kg. Experiment 2 was conducted at seven stations (KY, MI, MO, NE, ND, OH, and OK) and evaluated the efficacy of an antibacterial agent (carbadox) in combination with added ZnO. The experiment was a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design conducted in a total of 20 replicates. Carbadox was added at 0 or 55 mg/kg diet, and ZnO was added at 0, 1,500, or 3,000 mg Zn/ kg. A total of 918 pigs were weaned at an average 19.7 d of age. For the 28-d postweaning period, gains (P < 0.01), feed intakes (P < 0.05), and gain:feed ratios (P < 0.05) increased when dietary ZnO concentrations increased and when carbadox was added. These responses occurred in an additive manner. The results of these studies suggest that supplemental ZnO at 1,500 to 2,000 mg Zn/kg Zn improved postweaning pig performance, and its combination with an antibacterial agent resulted in additional performance improvements.     

Effect of whole-body vibration in the vertical axis on cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in piglets

Vibration, being a consequence of motion during transport, may impair the welfare of pigs. Therefore, the primary objectives of this study were 1) to evaluate during transport simulation the use of ACTH and cortisol plasma levels, which are part of a basic adaptation mechanism of pigs and 2) to define comfort conditions for pigs related to the frequency and acceleration of vibration. Pigs with a body weight between 20 and 25 kg were vibrated in the vertical direction for 2 h at 2, 4, 8, and 18 Hz, in combination with root mean square acceleration magnitudes of 1 or 3 m/s2. Blood was sampled at regular intervals before, during, and after vibration as the pig's behaviors were recorded. Data on ACTH, cortisol, and behavior could be collected from 104 vibrated pigs and 21 controls. In addition, eight animals (3 controls, 5 vibrated) were treated with 0.1 mg of dexamethasone/kg BW, eight animals (3 controls, 8 vibrated) with 0.1 mg naloxone/kg BW, and six (2 controls, 4 vibrated) with a physiological salt solution. Blood samples were taken and products were administrated via an intravenous catheter. The pigs spent less time lying during both hours of vibration treatment than during control conditions. Compared with 2 and 4 Hz, time spent lying was 10 times shorter at 8 Hz and 18 times shorter at 18 Hz. At 1030, ACTH levels were significantly higher than basal levels in animals vibrated at 2 (P < 0.0001), 4 (P < 0.002), and 18 Hz (P < 0.0006). After 1 h, levels returned to basal values. Cortisol levels increased very rapidly after the beginning of vibration (P < 0.0001) and remained higher until 1 h after cessation of vibration (P < 0.003). An inferrence of the lines of equal responses for ACTH and cortisol indicated that, in the beginning of vibration exposure, pigs were extremely susceptible to vibrations at lower frequencies (2 and 4 Hz), whereas at the end of vibration exposure the responses were higher at 18 Hz. The application of dexamethasone and naloxone underpinned the emotional component of the response strategy of pigs to vibration. Hence, vibration during transport should be minimized in order to enhance the adaptive capacities of pigs.     

Calculation of urinary enzyme excretion, with renal structure and function in dogs with pyometra

The urinary enzyme markers of renal damage, alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal biopsies were studied to evaluate renal status in dogs with pyometra. After ovariohysterectomy, urinary enzymes were measured daily for 12 days in 55 dogs, and again at a later follow-up visit. Thirteen dogs had high levels of at least one enzyme at initial presentation. Seventeen dogs had a transient increase in urinary enzyme values between one and five days after surgery. Enzyme values usually declined to low activities within 12 post-operative days. Renal biopsies demonstrated tubular abnormalities in many dogs. Mean GFR was 2.4 and 2.0 ml min(-1) kg(-1), respectively on day 1 post-operatively and at the follow-up visit 1-4 months later. High urinary enzyme values often reflected extensive lesions in renal proximal tubular cells and sometimes reduced GFR.     

Use of a murine xenograft model for canine transmissible venereal tumor

OBJECTIVE: To develop a murine model for canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT). ANIMALS: Thirty-three 6-week-old NOD/LtSz-scid (NOD/SCID) mice and seven 6-week-old C57BL/6J mice. PROCEDURE: Samples of CTVT were excised from a 3-year-old dog and inoculated SC into ten 6-week-old NOD/SCID mice to induce growth of xenograft transmissible venereal tumor (XTVT). To establish mouse-to-mouse transmission, samples of XTVT were removed and inoculated SC into 4 groups of 6-week-old NOD/SCID mice and into a control group. Samples of CTVT were also inoculated into immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice for a mouse antibody production (MAP) test. The canine and xenografted tumors were evaluated cytologically and histologically, and polymerase chain reaction was performed for detection of the rearranged LINE/c-MYC junction. RESULTS: 8 of 10 NOD/SCID mice that were inoculated with CTVT developed tumors 3 to 10 weeks after inoculation. In the second-generation xenograft, all mice developed tumors by postinoculation day 47; 1 X 10(6) of XTVT cells were enough to create a xenograft. Metastases developed in 4 of 20 mice. Xenografted and metastatic tumors retained cytologic, histologic, and molecular characteristics of CTVT. Results of the MAP test were negative for all pathogens. CONCLUSION: We established an NOD/SCID murine model for XTVT and metastasis of CTVT. This model should facilitate study of tumor transplantation, progression, and metastasis and should decrease or eliminate the need for maintaining allogenic transfer in dogs.     

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament associated with deformity of the proximal tibia in five dogs

Excessive mechanical stress due to caudal sloping of the tibial plateau may result in early breakdown of the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL). Five dogs with CrCL rupture associated with caudal sloping of the proximal tibial plateau are described. All were small dogs, of between three and six years of age, with a mean bodyweight of 9.3 kg, which had acute hindlimb lameness. Radiographic examination revealed cranial displacement of the tibia, with a tibial angle varying from 58 to 60 degrees. All cases were treated with a lateral fabellotibial suture and cranial cuneiform osteotomy of the proximal tibia. All dogs were using the operated limb three days after surgery, with normal gait re-established after a mean period of 10 days. Excessive tibial plateau sloping is not a frequent cause of hindlimb lameness in small animals, although it is important to consider it as a predisposing factor for rupture of the CrCL.     

A multisite case report on the clinical use of sevoflurane in dogs

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of sevoflurane as an inhalant anesthetic in dogs. Subjective and objective data from 196 clinical cases utilizing sevoflurane as the maintenance anesthetic was collected at three sites. After preanesthetic evaluation, the attending anesthesiologist assigned the dogs to one of the following six anesthetic protocols: protocol 1, oxymorphone premedication and thiopental induction; protocol 2, oxymorphone/acetylpromazine premedication and thiopental induction; protocol 3, xylazine/butorphanol premedication and thiopental induction; protocol 4, opioid premedication and propofol induction; protocol 5, optional premedication and mask induction with sevoflurane in oxygen; and protocol 6, optional premedication and optional induction. The average quality of induction, maintenance, and recovery was good to excellent in all protocols. The three most common side effects during maintenance and recovery were hypotension, tachypnea, and apnea. Sevoflurane produces anesthesia in dogs comparable to the other inhalation anesthetics currently used (i.e., halothane and isoflurane) for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.     

Salivary gland neoplasia in the dog and cat: survival times and prognostic factors

Twenty-four dogs and 30 cats with histopathologically confirmed salivary gland neoplasia were retrospectively reviewed in a multi-institutional study. The predominant presenting complaint for animals with salivary gland neoplasia was that of a mass being noted by the owner; other common complaints included halitosis, dysphagia, and exophthalmia. Siamese cats were overrepresented, indicating a possible breed predisposition. The most common histopathological type was simple adenocarcinoma. Cats had more advanced disease at diagnosis than did dogs, and clinical staging was prognostic in dogs. The median survival times for dogs and cats were 550 days and 516 days, respectively.     

Clinical and epidemiological findings during ram examination in 47 flocks in southern Greece

In a field investigation of 47 flocks in south Greece, a clinical examination for fertility evaluation was done on 293 rams. In each ram, a general-health examination, examination of the genital organs and libido evaluation were carried out. In 143 (49%) of the 293 rams examined, at least one abnormality was recorded. The median within-flock prevalence risk (PR) of at least one abnormality was 58.0%, that of general-health abnormalities was 33%, that of genital abnormalities was 20% and that of libido abnormalities 14%. The principal abnormalities observed during the general-health examination were interdigital dermatitis, injuries of the sole, blowfly myiasis and brisket sores. The principal abnormalities observed during the examination of the genitalia were testicular hypoplasia, nodules into the testicular parenchyma, ulcerative lesions characteristic of orf in the prepuce and blowfly myiasis on the preputial orifice. The principal abnormalities observed during the evaluation of libido were incomplete erection and inability to mount the ewe. A statistically significant (P<0.05) positive association was recorded between: ram:ewe ratio and general-health abnormalities PR; general-health abnormalities PR and at least one abnormality PR; genital abnormalities PR and libido abnormalities PR; genital abnormalities PR and at least one abnormality PR; lambing percentage and total lambs born per ewe. A statistically significant (P<0.05) negative association was recorded between: ram age and general-health abnormalities PR; ram age and any abnormality PR; general-health abnormalities PR and lambing percentage.