Ultrasonography of the equine neonatal kidney

Ultrasonography is important in the clinical examination of the foal. The ultrasonographic appearance and size of the neonatal kidneys were defined and an imaging protocol established in 6 normal Thoroughbred foals (mean age +/- s.d. 5.0 +/- 3.2 days). Characteristically, in both the heart-shaped right kidney and bean-shaped left kidney, the renal cortex was more echogenic than the medulla. The terminal recesses, renal crest and pelvis were identified, as was the ureter, which contained anechoic urine in its lumen. The renal, interlobar and arcuate vessels were seen. For the right kidney, the ultrasonographic probe was placed at the 14-17th intercostal spaces and paralumbar fossa. For the left kidney, the probe was at the 16th or 17th intercostal spaces and paralumbar fossa. Perirenal structures, including the caudate lobe of the liver, the dorsal extremity of the spleen, the adrenals, the aorta and caudal vena cava were also identified. An understanding of the ultrasonographic appearance of the normal neonatal kidney, accompanied by a routine imaging protocol to ensure that all regions of each kidney are examined, permit a more informed interpretation of renal images in the first few days postpartum.     

Efficacy of long-acting oxytetracycline alone or combined with streptomycin in the treatment of bovine brucellosis

Twenty-nine Brucella abortus culture-positive cows were treated with a long-acting oxytetracycline (20 mg/kg of body weight, IM) alone or combined with streptomycin (25 mg/kg, IM or IV) or were re-treated with the same product. There appeared to be a synergism by the 2 drugs. Of 21 courses of treatment with the combined antibiotics, 14 (67%) were considered successful. Only 3 of 14 (21%) were successful using oxytetracycline alone. The period from onset of therapy to cessation of shedding in udder secretions was variable. Four cows that ceased shedding were culture-positive in tissues taken at slaughter. The titers on tube agglutination and complement-fixation tests were of limited value in short-term evaluations of therapeutic regimens.     

261 Bisamratten im Aalfang

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Zum Schwimmverhalten der Bisamratte (Ondatra zibethica Link 1795)

A seldom position of the body of swimmingO. zibethica (s. figure) was observed twice in ponds near Ilmenau/Thuringia and Bautzen/Saxony.     

Effects of different forms and origins of oilseeds on dynamics of ruminal biohydrogenation of long‐chain fatty acids in vitro

Dietary unsaturated fatty acids (FA) are intensively hydrogenated in the rumen, resulting in reduced amount of poly‐unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and accumulation of several biohydrogenation (BH) products. In this study, BH of PUFA originating from different oilseeds (linseed, soya beans, sunflower seed and rapeseed) present in crushed oilseeds or their free oils were assessed in vitro. The assay substrates were incubated in buffered rumen fluid for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h. After incubation, the FA pattern of the incubated samples was analysed using gas chromatography. Biohydrogenation is defined as disappearance of double bonds (DB) calculated from the contents of unsaturated FA. After 24‐h incubation, the DB contents of all oilseeds were reduced (p < 0.001) by 40–60%. The reduction was higher (p < 0.001) for the crushed form compared with the oil form. In addition, linseed and sunflower seed known as oilseeds with high contents of linolenic acid C18:3 c9,12,15 (LNA) and linoleic acid C18:2 c9,12 (LA), respectively, showed a higher (p < 0.001) accumulation of the BH intermediates conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, isomer C18:2 c9t11) and vaccenic acid (C18:1 t11) for the crushed form, when compared with the oil. These results suggest an inherent effect of the physical form of the assay oilseeds on in vitro BH. Changes in FA pattern during BH in vitro can be attributed to both source and physical form of the assay oilseeds. However, further investigations are warranted to ensure whether the observed in vitro effects on ruminal BH can be confirmed in vivo.     

Slug control in Australian canola: monitoring, molluscicidal baits and economic thresholds

Exotic slugs have become serious pests of canola, at establishment, in Southern Australian high-rainfall cropping zones. Slugs were monitored using relatively inexpensive 300 mm x 300 mm terracotta tiles acting as refuges. An investigation was made of the effects of the time of application of chelated iron baits on the slug species Deroceras reticulatum Müller and Lehmannia nyctelia Bourguignat. Baits reduced the number of surface-active slug species. A single application at sowing provided greater efficacy than one application before sowing, and efficacy was comparable with that of two applications. Canola seedling densities showed a negative response to D. reticulatum numbers; the presence of even one individual per refuge trap reduced seedling numbers below optimum densities. Thistles and other vegetation were associated with increased numbers of slugs. European guidelines for slug monitoring and damage appear to be at least partly applicable to Australian conditions.