Habitat use and home range of black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) on farmlands in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) are an abundant mesopredator on farmlands (croplands and rangelands) across South Africa. Given their adaptability in a changing anthropogenic landscape, knowledge of spatial movements can provide important ecological information on the species. We captured, collared and monitored five black-backed jackals in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal to determine their home range and habitat use in farmlands. The 95% fixed kernel (95% FK) home range sizes were large, showing a marked seasonal variation in movement. One adult male dispersed 150?km over two seasons (winter and spring) and thereafter settled into a home range that it maintained. Transient home ranges of males and juveniles were larger than resident home ranges. The mean resident home ranges (95% FK) across seasons for adult males, adult female and juvenile males were 11.4 ± 4.3 km², 5.6 ± 0.36?km² and 2.15 ± 0.45?km², respectively. The mean transient home ranges (95% FK) of all the seasons for adult and juvenile males were 1 181.93 ± 575.81 km² and 104.27 ± 35.64?km², respectively. Adult jackal preferred croplands in spring, summer and autumn but avoided croplands in winter. Variable habitat use and large home ranges in our study confirmed the species’ ability to adapt to agricultural areas.     

Salivary testosterone measurements in growing pigs: validation of an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay and its possible use as an acute stress marker

This study aimed to validate the use of an automated chemiluminescent immunoassay analyser for salivary testosterone measurements in growing pigs and study how circadian pattern during daytime and stress can influence its values. The test method had intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation lower than 10%. The method showed good linearity and recovery, and detection limits were low enough to detect salivary testosterone levels. No significant differences were observed in testosterone concentrations at different sampling time, and age and gender did not influence circadian pattern. In addition, this assay was used to quantify testosterone in two models of acute stress and, in both cases, significant increases (P < 0.01) in salivary testosterone were detected. Therefore, the automated assay system tested for porcine testosterone determinations would be suitable for its use in saliva samples and, furthermore, salivary testosterone levels could be used as a possible marker of acute stress in pigs.     

Schmallenberg virus epidemic: Impact on milk production,reproductive performance and mortality in dairy cattle in the Netherlands and Kleve district,Germany

Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a novel orthobunyavirus that rapidly spread throughout north-western Europe in 2011, caused congenital malformations in lambs and goat kids (Van den Brom et al., 2012) and newborn calves (Hoffmann et al., 2012). The impact of the SBV epidemic seemed limited however, in terms of the number of affected herds with malformed offspring (European Food Safety Authority, 2012b). Nevertheless, little is known with regard to the overall within-herd impact of SBV infection. The objective of the current study was to quantify the impact of the 2011 SBV epidemic on the productivity of dairy cattle in the Netherlands and the district of Kleve, Germany.     

Suspected venous air embolism in three horses

Venous air embolism was suspected in 3 hospitalised horses on the basis of an inadvertently open jugular venous line. Subsequently the 3 horses developed clinical signs including cardiovascular collapse, cardiac dysrhythmia, pulmonary oedema, behavioural abnormalities and neurological signs consistent with central nervous system injury. Treatment included intranasal oxygen therapy, i.v. fluid administration and anti‐inflammatory therapy. Specific therapy aimed at treating air embolism in man is reviewed, with pertinent therapy potentially applicable to horses emphasised.     

Composition of individual nucleobases in diets containing different products from bacterial biomass grown on natural gas, and digestibility in mink (Mustela vison)

The objectives of the present study were to quantify the amount of nucleic acids, to examine the nucleobase composition and to determine the digestibility of individual nucleobases in diets containing various products from bacterial biomass grown on natural gas, including autolytic and hydrolytic fractions, using mink (Mustela vison) as a model animal. The diets consisted of cod fillet (control), commercial basic BioProtein, and five experimentally produced autolytic and hydrolytic fractions of the bacterial protein meal as protein sources. Each diet was assigned to four adult male mink, housed individually in cages equipped for controlled feeding and quantitative collection of faeces. Faeces were collected for 4 days, and the individual nucleobases in diet and faeces were analysed by HPLC after hydrolysis using HClO(4). The content of nucleobases in the diets containing bacterial protein meal was 37% to 205% higher than in the control diet. The nucleobase-nitrogen in the control diet amounted to 4.3% of the total nitrogen content, whereas the experimental bacterial protein diets contained from 7.4% to 17.4% of the total N content in the form of nucleic acids. The various methods used to produce the bacterial protein fractions clearly affected both the amount of nucleic acids and the molar proportions of the individual nucleobases. The average digestibility of the nucleobases was 95%, and all the individual nucleobases were highly digestible. Uracil showed the highest digestibility (on average 96.8%), whereas thymine showed the lowest digestibility (on average 93.6%).     

Use of low carbohydrate, high protein diets in cats with diabetes mellitus

The goal of this randomized, double‐blind study was to compare the effects of feeding a low carbohydrate, high protein diet versus a maintenance diet in a group of cats with diabetes mellitus treated with insulin glargine twice daily. All cats with naturally occurring diabetes mellitus not currently treated with insulin glargine or diabetogenic drugs or being fed a low carbohydrate, high protein diet were eligible for inclusion. Baseline testing included a physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemistry profile, urinalysis and urine culture, serum thyroxine concentration, and serum fructosamine concentration. All cats were treated with insulin glargine (starting dose of 0.25 U/kg) twice daily. Insulin was adjusted as needed for glucose regulation. Cats were randomized to receive either a low carbohydrate, high protein diet or a feline maintenance diet. Re‐evaluations were performed on all cats at weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10, and included an assessment of clinical signs, physical examination, 12‐h blood glucose curve, and serum fructosamine concentrations. Changes in continuous variables over the course of the study were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Ten cats have completed the study. There were no significant differences between diet groups at baseline for age, gender, weight, body condition score, serum glucose or fructosamine concentrations. Although there was not a significant difference over time in clinical signs, insulin doses, or peak or nadir glucose concentrations between diet groups, diet did have a significant effect on serum fructosamine concentrations (p = 0.01). Six of the 10 cats that have completed the study achieved complete remission by the end of the study period, with no statistical difference between diets. The study's results indicate that diet can have significant effects on glucose regulation in cats receiving insulin glargine for treatment of feline diabetes mellitus.     

The Role of the Endometrium in Endocrine Regulation of the Animal Oestrous Cycle

A critical analysis of the results of research in the function of the endometrium was carried out and a view point presented. The role of the endometrium in endocrine regulation of the oestrus cycle can be summarized as follows: 1. The transfer of prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) from the uterus to an ovary, which causes luteolysis, occurs mainly via the lymphatic pathways. 2. The system of retrograde transfer of PGs enables PGF_2α and PGE₂ to reach the myometrium and endometrium with arterial blood at high concentration. In the luteal phase, PGF_2α, together with the increasing concentration of progesterone, constricts the arterial vessels of the uterus; in the follicular phase and in early pregnancy, PGE₂ together with oestrogen and embryonic signals, relaxes the arterial vessels. In addition, this system protects the corpus luteum from premature luteolysis during the cycle and luteolysis during early pregnancy. 3. In days 10–12 of the cycle, the blood flow in the uterus decreases by 60–70% in pigs and around 90% in sheep. This causes ischaemia and local hypoxia confirmed by the presence of hypoxia inducible factor and thus remodelling of the endometrium commences. 4. The pulsatile elevations in PGF_2α concentration occurring in the blood flowing out of the uterus during the period of luteolysis and the next few days, do not result from increased PGF_2α synthesis as suggested in numerous studies. They are the effect of excretion of PGF_2α and its metabolites together with lymph and venous blood and tissue fluids in which prostaglandin accumulates.     

Secondary Intracranial Neoplasia in the Dog: 177 Cases (1986–2003)

Background: This study investigates the frequency, location, and clinical findings associated with 177 secondary brain tumors in dogs.
Hypothesis: Secondary intracranial neoplasia is more common than primary intracranial neoplasia in dogs during the time period studied, and hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is the most common secondary intracranial tumor.
Animals: One hundred and seventy-seven client-owned dogs presented to the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital between 1986 and 2003.
Methods: Medical records were searched for a diagnosis of intracranial neoplasia in dogs who underwent complete postmortem examination. Of these dogs, those with a diagnosis of primary intracranial neoplasia were excluded.
Results: Of the 177 secondary brain tumors, 51 (29%) were HSAs, 44 (25%) were pituitary tumors, 21 (12%) were lymphosarcomas, and 21 (12%) were metastatic carcinomas. The average age at diagnosis was 9.6 ± 3.0 years. Most tumors were located in the cerebrum, and a mentation change was the most common presenting clinical sign. On postmortem examination, the same tumor that was in the brain was also present in the lung in 84 cases (47%), in the kidney in 62 cases (35%), and in the heart in 55 cases (31%).
Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Secondary intracranial neoplasia in dogs was more common than primary intracranial neoplasia during the time period studied. Many of these dogs had related disease in other body systems that was apparent on diagnostic tests such as thoracic radiography.     

Modelling spring and autumn calving systems in beef herds of the Salado region of Argentina

Spring calving is recommended for beef herds in the Salado region of Argentina, but autumn calving is an alternative being used by some farmers. This study explored the biological and economic feasibility of autumn calving in cow–calf systems and their long-term performance compared with spring calving. Reproduction and calf performance data were collected from an autumn calving herd (1999–2005) and from a spring calving herd (1966–1995) at the INTA-Balcarce Research Station (37°45′ S; 58°18′ W). Similar data were obtained from a commercial farm which practiced both autumn and spring calving (1998–2003). These data showed that autumn calving is feasible in the region, provided that cows calve with a high condition score. This is a major difference with spring calving, where cows can normally gain weight during breeding. A climatically driven computer model was used to compare, at farm level, the effect of calving season across a range of combinations of weaning dates and stocking rates. Spring calving systems had greater production potential (15–20%) and profitability (17–28%) at high stocking rates. However, at low to moderate stocking rates, calving season had little effect on expected production and risk efficiency. This suggests that autumn calving could be a suitable alternative for the Salado region of Argentina. To exploit its potential, however, calf weaning age should be greater than with spring calving.