Competition Horses Housed in Single Stalls (I): Behavior and Activity Patterns during Free Exercise According to Its Configuration

Although welfare of animals has become more important, housing horses in systems that limit natural behavior patterns is still widespread. Single stalls are the predominant housing system in Germany, especially for competition horses. Free exercise on fields or paddocks helps to improve welfare for the animals, but allowing it is not taken for granted by many horse keepers. In the present study, three common management practices were investigated with regard to their effect on the behavior of six competition horses housed in single stalls: 2-hour turnout after training in groups of two horses (group turnout [GT]), solitary turnout (ST) after training for 2 hours, and no turnout (NT) in addition to training. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the horses’ behavior during turnout, training, and in the stable caused by the treatments. This article focuses on the behavior and activity patterns during turnout. The horses’ behavior was observed directly by the scan sampling method (5-minute interval), and the distance covered during turnout was measured by global positioning system devices. During turnout, the horses spent most of the time eating. After 1 hour of being turned out, eating decreased, and occupation, locomotion, and social interaction increased. When turnout was allowed in groups (GT), the horses spent more time in social interactions and less time walking and trotting than in ST. Therefore, they also covered a greater distance in ST than in GT. The distance covered in ST also showed a greater deviation both within and between days compared with GT.     

Concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoids in common beef cattle feedstuffs

Quantification of the pro-vitamin A carotenoids in feedstuffs commonly fed to livestock has been ignored for many years. A greater dietary concentration of vitamin A has the potential to limit adipogenesis in cattle, thereby reducing carcass quality and value. A survey of 18 feedstuffs commonly fed to beef cattle was conducted for determination of vitamin A equivalents based on analysis of carotenoids. The pro-vitamin A carotenoids of interest were β-carotene, α-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin. Collaborators in 5 states collected the feedstuffs and then shipped them to The Ohio State University for compilation and analysis. Carotenoids were extracted from the feedstuffs and then quantified using HPLC with photodiode array analysis. Fresh fescue pasture contained approximately 10 times more vitamin A equivalents than hay and 5 times more than corn silage (39,865, 2,750, and 6,900 IU of vitamin A/kg of DM for fresh pasture, hay, and corn silage, respectively). Beta-cryptoxanthin and α-carotene could not be detected in any forage samples. Hay and corn silage vitamin A equivalents decreased over extended periods of time from harvest to sample collection. Corn was the only feedstuff to have appreciable concentrations of all 3 pro-vitamin A carotenoids quantified. Corn processing had a minimal impact on the vitamin A equivalents. High-moisture corn contained 54% more vitamin A equivalents than whole shelled corn (378 and 174 IU of vitamin A/kg of DM, respectively). Pro-vitamin A carotenoids were more concentrated in corn coproducts than in whole shelled corn. The drying of distillers grains with solubles may significantly degrade β-carotene (800 and 480 IU/kg of DM for wet and dry distillers grains, respectively). Soybean-based feedstuffs contain a small concentration of pro-vitamin A carotenoids, at 55 and 45 IU of vitamin A/kg of DM for soybean meal and soybean hulls, respectively. Overall, there was considerable variation in the pro-vitamin A content of feedstuffs based on location and storage conditions. An extensive analysis of feedstuffs would need to be conducted for an accurate estimation of the vitamin A content of feedlot cattle diets.     

Inflammation-associated responses in piglets induced with post-weaning colibacillosis are influenced by dietary protein level

Forty piglets (average body weight = 5.32 kg) were used to investigate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) content on immunological responses following a challenge with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88. Pigs, housed 4 per pen, were randomly allotted to 2 diets: 1) a high, 225 g/kg CP diet (HCP) or 2) a low, 176 g/kg CP diet (LCP) supplemented with crystalline amino acids. Pigs were orally challenged with 6 mL of an ETEC K88 suspension containing 10¹⁰ cfu/mL on d 8 after weaning. Blood samples were collected from 10 pigs (1 pig/pen) on d 7 (at weaning), −24 h, 8 h, 72 h and 7 d after the challenge for determination of plasma urea N (PUN) and serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and haptoglobin (Hp). Tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-1β and Hp were measured as indicators of inflammatory responses. The concentrations of serum TNF-α at 8 h, 72 h and 7 d after challenge were similar to the level observed at 24 h before challenge but higher (P < 0.05) than the weaning level. Pigs fed the LCP diet had lower (P = 0.032) concentrations of IL-1β (72 vs. 116 pg/mL) at 8 h post-challenge compared with those fed the HCP diet. Likewise, pigs fed the LCP diet tended to have lower (P = 0.088) concentration of Hp (9 vs. 25 mg/dL) compared with those fed the HCP diet at 8 h post-challenge. Compared with the weaning concentration, PUN concentration at 72 h after ETEC challenge was higher (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the HCP diet. The results indicate that the LCP diet supplemented with crystalline amino acids reduced inflammatory responses, as indicated by serum IL-1β, in piglets infected with ETEC K88.     

Exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus in German shorthaired pointer dogs: disease development,progression and evaluation of three immunomodulatory drugs (ciclosporin,hydroxychloroquine, and adalimumab) in a controlled environment

Six German shorthaired pointer dogs (two females, four males) with exfoliative cutaneous lupus erythematosus (ECLE) were studied in a controlled setting until disease progression necessitated euthanasia. During investigations into the heredity of disease, five dogs received immunomodulatory drugs to alleviate clinical signs (lameness, erythema, scaling, erosions/ulcers). One dog served as a control and received only baths and oral fatty acids. Four dogs received ciclosporin (5–10 mg/kg once daily) for 4.5 months to 2 years. Ciclosporin decreased erythema and arthralgia, but did not halt worsening of lesions. Three dogs received hydroxychloroquine (5–10 mg/kg once daily) for 8 weeks, 7 months, and 9 months, respectively, with no side effects. Hydroxychloroquine appeared to slow clinical progression in two dogs on extended treatment and normalized globulin levels in all three dogs while receiving the drug. Four dogs, including the control dog, were euthanized between 1 and 4.5 years of age. Two remaining male dogs received a tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α antagonist, adalimumab, at 0.5 mg/kg every 2 weeks for 8 weeks then weekly for 8 weeks. Serum TNF‐α levels were not significantly altered nor were quantifiable changes seen in skin lesions or lameness. Subsequently, the dogs were maintained on hydroxychloroquine for another year. This is the first study to evaluate the use of a TNF‐α inhibitor for canine lupus and the first to address the safety of long‐term administration of hydroxychloroquine, albeit in a small number of dogs. The study documents the progression of ECLE and generally poor response to therapy.     

Cutaneous hyalohyphomycosis in a girdled lizard (Cordylus giganteus) caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii and successful treatment with voriconazole

The Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii was associated with dermatomycosis and high mortality in a group of captive giant girdled lizards (Cordylus giganteus). Treatment of one of the infected girdled lizards with voriconazole, which was selected on the basis of in vitro sensitivity testing of the isolate, resulted in resolution of lesions and negative fungal cultures from the skin. Three hours after oral administration of 10 mg/kg, the plasma level of voriconazole exceeded the 0.25‐μg/mL minimal inhibitory concentration tenfold. In conclusion, administration of voriconazole at 10 mg/kg of body weight once daily for 10 weeks resulted in clinical cure and was well tolerated. A longer follow‐up time and larger studies will be necessary to determine the long‐term efficacy and safety of this treatment in giant girdled lizards.     

Alveolar recruiting maneuver in dogs under general anesthesia: effects on alveolar ventilation,gas exchange,and respiratory mechanics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a recruiting maneuver (RM) on lung aeration, gas exchange, and respiratory mechanics during general anesthesia in mechanically ventilated dogs. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan, an arterial blood sample, and measurement of respiratory mechanics were performed 10 min before (baseline) and both 5 and 30 min after a vital capacity RM in 10 dogs under general anesthesia. The RM was performed by inflating the lung at 40 cm H₂O for 20 s. Lung aeration was estimated by analyzing the radiographic attenuation of the CT images. Lung aeration and gas exchange improved significantly 5 min after the RM compared to baseline and returned to values similar to baseline by 30 min. Static lung compliance was not significantly affected by the RM. An RM induces a temporary improvement in lung function in healthy dogs under general anesthesia.