Longitudinal development of kinematics in shetland ponies and the influence of feeding and training regimes

Nowadays, ponies are used more and more for competitive equine sports, driving and racing. The locomotor performance of ponies, however, has been evaluated in only a few kinematic and kinetic studies. To compare the longitudinal development of locomotor characteristics in the pony to the same process in the horse, the kinematics of 23 Shetland ponies were recorded at the trot on a treadmill (3 m/s) at ages 4 and 30 months using a modified CODA-3 apparatus. Furthermore, the influence of specific feeding and training regimes on this development was evaluated. It appeared that stride and stance duration increased with age, but the swing duration and pro/retraction range were similar at foal and mature age. Fore- and hindlimb maximal joint flexion at swing was larger in the mature ponies compared to foals. The elbow and shoulder joint were kept in a more extended position and the stifle joint more flexed, while scapula and pelvis were kept in a more vertical position. These effects are similar to those found in horses. The majority of both temporal and angular kinematic variables correlated significantly between foals and mature ponies. Ponies that were restricted in their feeding, resulting in a low body condition score, demonstrated a flatter gait than ponies fed ad lib (4 cm more height, 60 kg more weight), which trotted at the same velocity with significantly more joint flexion. Extra sprint training on top of free paddock exercise did not significantly influence the longitudinal development of kinematics. From these data, it can be concluded that the longitudinal development of locomotor characteristics in ponies is similar to that in horses. Fatter animals show a more animated gait, while extra sprint training added to free paddock exercise has no detectable effect on the development of kinematics. Aside from training or feeding regimes, in the Shetland pony breed, it appears possible to recognise 'good movers' at a young age.     

Heparinised blood ionised calcium concentrations in horses with colic or diarrhoea compared to normal subjects

Our objectives were to 1) establish ionised calcium (ICa), C-terminal PTH and biologically active PTH (intact molecule) concentrations in blood from normal horses, 2) examine the stability of ionised calcium and acid-base values in stored equine heparinised blood and serum and 3) check the applicability of the formulas based on these parameters in certain disease states. Mean +/- s.d. % ionised calcium in heparinised blood of normal Warmbloods was 51 +/- 2.7 (n = 20) of total calcium, range 1.45-1.75 mmol/l (n = 15) at Michigan State University and 1.43-1.69 mmol/l (n = 20) at Utrecht University. Mean +/- s.d. EDTA plasma concentration for intact +/PTH in normal horses measured 0.6 +/- 0.3 pmol/l (n = 11). Both mean serum and the heparinised blood ionised calcium concentrations changed (not significantly) after 102 h storage at room temperature. Six cycles of freezing and thawing did not affect serum ionised calcium concentration significantly. Ionised calcium concentration and pH in heparinised blood of 20 normal Warmbloods were used to calculate the regression equation for the prediction of the adjusted ionised calcium concentration to a pH of 7.4. The linear regression equation found was: adjusted plasma ICa at pH 7.4 mmol/l = -6.4570 + 0.8739 x (measured pH) + 0.9944 x (measured ICa mmol/l). By means of this formula, mean adjusted ionised calcium concentration in heparinised blood calculated was 100% of the actual value given by the analyser in the normal horses. When using this formula in horses with colic or diarrhoea, mean adjusted ionised calcium concentration was underestimated by 0.2 and 0.3%, respectively. Furthermore, to adjust the measured ionised calcium concentration in heparinised blood to a pH of 7.4 in healthy as well as in 2 groups of diseased horses 2 formulas with a good prediction are now available.     

Oestrus control and the incidence of mammary nodules in bitches,a clinical study with two progestogens

Summary

The incidence, size and location of mammary nodules were established in 10 practices in The Netherlands by the clinical examination of bitches in which oestrus was controlled with proligestone (P), 331 animals, or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP), 341 animals and in 339 animals never medicated with such compounds.

In comparison with the unmedicated controls and the P‐medicated animals of comparable age the incidence of mammary nodules of all sizes was significantly increased in the MAP‐medicated animals.

There was no significant difference in nodule incidence between the P‐medicated animals and the control animals.

Based on the assumption that nodules above a certain size are most likely tumours, these results indicate that oestrus control with MAP stimulates tumour development even in animals medicated for less than four years.

The practical value of the reported differences, especially in relation to the subsequent requirement for surgical removal of tumours in bitches, medicated for oestrus control, is discussed.     

Monitoring and identification of residues of anabolic preparations in slaughtered cattle by HPLC with diode array detection

Summary

The new combination of isocratic high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with on line UV spectrum detection via a diode array configuration has been applied to the detection and identification of anabolics present in application sites of cattle.

Combination of the characteristic retention time in the HPLC chromatogram and a comparison of the full spectrum between 190–400 nm of the anabolic components with that of a standard resulted in a very reliable identification. By means of this method 117 samples of application sites were investigated for the presence of anabolic residues. Of the xenobiotic anabolics, 19‐nortestosterone (NT) was found most frequently (in 96 cases), whereas diethylstilbestrol (DES) was found in only 11 cases.

In all samples the identification of NT and DES was confirmed by high resolution gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GCMS).     

Streptococcus suis type 2 infections in pigs in the Netherlands (part two)

Summary

Since 1983 some pig breeding and fattening farms in the Netherlands have been faced with a considerable mortality in pigs due to Streptococcus suis type 2 infections. The most predominant clinical feature of S. suis type 2 infection is meningitis, although sudden deaths often occur. It was noted that some affected farms had imported breeding stock from the United Kingdom.

Tonsils of slaughter pigs were collected from herds with and without a history of S. suis type 2 infections. Bacteriological examination was done by using an elective‐selective medium. No significant difference was found in carrier rates of S. suis type 2 between clinically healthy and affected herds (38% vs. 45%).

A cohort study was carried out by regular bacteriological examination of tonsil biopsies on a farm with a high incidence of streptococcal meningitis. Twenty‐seven percent of the pigs were carriers of S. suis type 2 at nine weeks of age. Possible methods for disease control are discussed.     

Clinical Leptospira interrogans serogroup Australis serovar lora infection in a stud farm in the Netherlands

Summary

A Leptospira interrogans serogroup australis serovar lora infection in a stud farm is reported. During three successive years (1984–1986) clinical leptospirosis with a severe often rapid, fatal course was seen in 12 foals.

Clinical examination revealed severe respiratory distress, depression and pyrexia. Other symptoms were diarrhea (2), jaundice (1), and an unsteady gait (1). Morphological characteristics of the disease were massive pulmonary haemorrhage and haemorrhagicthrombotic or extracapillary glomerulonephritis with tubulonephrosis and interstitial oedema. In most foals high or increasing MAT titres to serovar bratislava were found; from one foal Leptospira interrogans serovar lora was isolated.

Serological examination of all 56 mares at the farm (August 1986) revealed antibodies to serovar bratislava in 64 per cent of the animals. These findings support the idea that Leptospira interrogans serovar bratislava and closely related strains (in this study serovar lora) may be adapted to and maintained by the horse population.     

Systemic fungicidal and insecticidal activities of 1- and 2-[bis (dimethylamido)phosphoryl]-3-alkyl-5-anilino-1,2,4-triazoles

The compounds referred to in the title have been investigated for fungicidal, insecticidal and acaricidal activities in laboratory and greenhouse tests. Several representatives of this class of compounds were active against powdery mildew on apple, cucumber, and barley, and against aphids and spider mites, both when applied to the leaves and when added to the nutrient solutions of test plants. Treatment of leaf halves resulted in protection of the entire leaves. A striking difference in pesticidal activity was observed between two series of isomers. Representatives of the series with the phosphoryl group in the 1-position showed much greater pesticidal activities than their corresponding isomers with the phosphoryl group in the 2-position. The optimum activity within the two homologous series (R-H, CH₃ ... C₆H₁₃) was determined: generally the lower homologues (R-H, CH₃, C₂H₅ and i-C₃H₇) showed the greatest pesticidal activity in the systemic tests. After leaf-application the influence of the length of R was less pronounced or even reversed.Samenvatting De in de titel genoemde stoffen zijn onderzocht op fungicide, insecticide en acaricide werking in laboratorium en kasproeven. Verscheidene vertegenwoordigers van dit type verbindingen waren werkzaam tegen echte meeldauw van appel, komkommer en gerst, en tegen bladluizen en spint, dit zowel na toepassing op de bladeren als na toevoeging aan de voedingsoplossingen van proefplanten. Behandeling van bladhelften resulteerde in bescherming van de gehele bladeren. Een opvallend verschil werd waargenomen tussen de werking van twee reeksen isomeren. Vertegenwoordigers van de reeks met de fosforylgroep op de 1-plaats waren veel werkzamer dan hun isomeren met de fosforylgroep op de 2-plaats. Het optimum binnen de twee homologe reeksen (R-H, CH₃ ... C₆H₁₃) werd bepaald: in het algemeen waren de lagere homologen (R-H, CH₃; C₂H₅ en i-C₃H₇) het werkzaamst in de systemische proeven. Na een preventieve bladbespuiting was de invloed van de lengte van R minder uitgesproken of zelfs omgekeerd.