Attempted transmission of Ehrlichia risticii by field-captured Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae)

The capability of field-collected American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis, to infect horses with Ehrlichia risticii, causative agent of Potomac horse fever (PHF), was examined by allowing adult ticks collected from horse farms with a history of PHF to feed on susceptible horses. More than 500 male and female ticks attached and fed on 3 test horses; however, no clinical or serologic evidence of PHF was observed in treated or control horses. All horses were challenge exposed with E risticii-infective blood by inoculation at 60 to 65 days after ticks fed, and all developed clinical PHF with subsequent seroconversion. The data, therefore, indicated that adult D variabilis, a common parasite of horses on Maryland premises where PHF is enzootic, may not serve as a vector of E risticii.     

Plasma levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite and progesterone in repeat breeder heifers.

A detailed clinical-endocrine investigation was performed in 6 repeat breeder heifers (RBH) with the aim being to ascertain whether endocrine asynchronism exists at luteal regression and during early pregnancy. The heifers were first studied during an open cycle and then after insemination when 3 heifers became pregnant. Circulating plasma levels of PGF2 alpha metabolite were measured every 2nd h, while progesterone (P4) levels were measured every 6th h. The oestrous period and intervals between the onset of oestrus and ovulation were relatively longer, compared with what is normally seen in heifers. Plasma levels of P4 at the onset of oestrus were higher than normal, but it was concluded that the plasma levels of PGF2 alpha metabolite and P4 in RBH at luteal regression and early pregnancy were normal.     

Regulation of urease production in soil by microbial assimilation of nitrogen

Summary Studies of the effects of different forms of N on urease production in soils amended with organic C showed that although microbial activity, as measured by CO₂ production, was stimulated by the addition of NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^- to C-amended soils (200 mol glucose-C g^–1 soil), urease production was repressed by these forms of N. The addition of L-methionine sulfoximine, an inhibitor of inorganic N assimilation by microorganisms, relieved the NH₄ ⁺ and NO₃ ^- repression of urease production in C-amended soil. The addition of sodium chlorate, an inhibitor of NO₃ ^- reduction to NH₄ ⁺ by microorganisms, relieved the NO₃ ^- repression of urease production, but did not eliminate the repression associated with NH₄ ⁺. These observations indicate that microbial production of urease in C-amended soils is not directly repressed by NH₄ ⁺ or NO₃ ^-, but by products formed by microbial assimilation of these forms of N. This conclusion is supported by our finding that the biologically active L-isomers of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartate, and glutamine, repressed urease production in C-amended soil, whereas the D-isomers of these amino acids had little or no influence on urease production. This work suggests that urease synthesis by soil microorganisms is controlled by the global N regulon.     

Pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol in calves during the first weeks of life

The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol, either administered as the monosuccinate ester or as a veterinary formulation, were studied in calves from the first day of life to the age of 10–12 weeks and compared with the results obtained in adult cattle. (1) After intravenous injection of 0.15 mmol/kg chloramphenicol monosuccinate, the plasma elimination half life of intact ester fell from a value of 33 min on the first day of life to 15 min at the age of 10–12 weeks (value in cows = 14 min). Free chloramphenicol reached maximal plasma concentrations after 2–3 h on the first day of life, but in less than 15 min in cows. The elimination half-life fell from about 15 h on day 1 to 4.8 h at the age of 10–12 weeks (4.2 h in cows). The bioavailability of the ester was more than 90% on Day 1, but declined to 50–60% from Day 7 on account of rapid renal excretion: 21–28% of the total dose was excreted as intact ester in a 2 h period following injection in calves aged 10–12 weeks. (2) The veterinary formulation of chloramphenicol proved toxic when administered intravenously at a dose of 0.15 mmol/kg, and even a dose of 0.093 mmol/kg was less well tolerated than 0.15 mmol/kg of the monosuccinate ester. (3) The pharmacokinetics of chloramphenicol fitted an open two-compartment model, the half-life of the elimination phase corresponded well to the values determined in the experiments with the monosuccinate ester. (4) The intramuscular injection of 0.15 mmol/kg of the ester or 0.093 mmol/kg of chloramphenicol provided ‘therapeutic’ plasma concentrations (≥ 5 μg/ml) within 15–30 min and for about 24 h in calves aged 7 days. (5) Chloramphenicol crossed the placenta when given to cows shortly before a Caesarian section, but equilibrium was not reached within 50–100 min. (6) The binding of chloramphenicol to serum proteins was dependent both on total protein and drug concentrations. It rose from less than 30% on day 1 to about 40% in adult cattle. (7) Recommendations for a dosage regime for chloramphenicol in calves are made on the basis of the pharmacokinetic data.     

Behavioural and physiological responses of sheep to 16 h transport and a novel environment post-transport

The effect of a novel lairage environment on the ability of sheep to recover from 16 h of transport was investigated. Sheep were transported from grass paddocks to either novel outside paddocks or inside pens, and housed groups were transported to either familiar or novel inside pens. During transport, sheep from outside paddocks lay down less than those from inside pens. In sheep transported to inside pens, those from outside paddocks spent more time lying and spent less time eating; hay and water intakes during the first 12 h post-transport were lower than those previously kept inside. There was no obvious effect of a novel environment post-transport on blood biochemistry, suggesting that the lower post-transport feed and water intakes in a novel environment did not have a significant effect on the ability of the sheep to recover from the feed and water deprivation associated with transport.     

Effects of pasteurization of colostrum on subsequent serum lactoferrin concentration and neutrophil superoxide production in calves

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of pasteurization of colostrum on serum lactoferrin concentration and neutrophil oxidative function by comparing values from calves given pasteurized (76 C, 15 minutes) colostrum versus calves given fresh frozen colostrum. ANIMALS: 8 Holstein bull calves were used to study the effects of pasteurization of colostrum on the absorption of lactoferrin and neutrophil oxidative burst. Three additional calves were used to study the effect of exogenous lactoferrin on neutrophil oxidative burst. METHODS: Calves were fed fresh frozen or heat pasteurized colostrum (76 C for 15 minutes) via esophageal feeder within 4 hours of birth. Neutrophils were isolated from whole blood samples. Neutrophil oxidative burst was induced by phorbol ester (300 ng/ml) stimulation of cells (1 X 10(6) cells) at 37 C. Serum lactoferrin concentrations were compared, using immunoblot analysis. Serum IgG concentrations were determined by radial immunoassay. Comparisons were made between the use of the 2 types of colostrum in calves by measuring subsequent serum IgG and lactoferrin concentrations and neutrophil superoxide production. RESULTS: Serum IgG and lactoferrin concentrations increased more in calves receiving fresh frozen colostrum. Neutrophil superoxide production was higher in neutrophils prepared from calves receiving fresh frozen colostrum. Colostral lactoferrin addition to neutrophil incubations resulted in increased oxidative burst. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Compared with calves given fresh frozen colostrum, calves given pasteurized colostrum had decreased serum IgG and lactoferrin concentrations and neutrophil superoxide production 24 hours after administration. These results suggest that pasteurizing bovine colostrum at 76 C for 15 minutes has substantial effects on passive transfer of proteins and neutrophil function.     

Epidemiology of porcine non-specific colitis on Scottish farms

The objective of this study was to investigate epidemiological risk factors for porcine non-specific colitis (NSC). Forty-seven Scottish pig farms, with and without a clinical history of diarrhoea during the growing period (15-40 kg), were selected. The study included farm visits, clinical inspection of pigs, completion of farm management questionnaires, pathological tests into the cause of the diarrhoea and analysis of the non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content of feeds. The results from 17 farms designated as NSC and 10 control farms suggest dietary associations with NSC. Farms with NSC fed diets with significantly higher levels of NSPs, especially containing the sugars glucose, arabinose and xylose. Few management factors were identified, although the high prevalence of infectious colitis reduced the power of the study.     

Do Horses Prefer Certain Substrates for Rolling in Grazing Pasture?

We assessed whether rolling damage by grazing horses could be reduced by constructing areas assigned for rolling. A group of horses were enclosed in a paddock with and without rolling areas made of dry soil, sand, and straw. Their behavior was recorded for 1 week in the paddock without any treatment (control paddock). Then the horses were moved to another paddock with the rolling areas (rolling paddock). After a 3-week familiarization period, horses were observed for 1 week. In the rolling paddock, the frequency and time spent rolling were significantly greater in rolling areas than in nonrolling areas. Horses significantly preferred the soil rolling area than sand and straw (P < .05). Although rolling was considered the most relevant body care behavioral element, the effects of the substrate in rolling areas on other body care behavioral activities, such as mutual and self-grooming, also were investigated. The frequency and duration of mutual grooming and the duration of self-grooming decreased significantly in the rolling paddock compared with the control paddock (P < .05). Hence, offering a rolling area encourages horses to roll in these areas and keeps the pasture in good condition; therefore, grazing time can be increased, with less reliance on supplementary feed.     

Evaluation of a Collagenase Generated Osteoarthritis Biomarker in Naturally Occurring Canine Cruciate Disease

Objective— To determine the clinical value of a novel osteoarthritis (OA) biomarker in detecting canine cruciate disease.
Study Design— Cross sectional clinical study.
Animals— Dogs (n=22) with cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture and 12 control dogs.
Methods— Concentrations of collagenase-generated cleavage epitope of type II collagen (Col2-3/4C_{long mono}, or C2C) in serum, urine, and joint fluid were compared between a group of dogs with CCL rupture and a control group. Correlation of C2C concentrations to the clinical stage of stifle OA was also evaluated.
Results— There were no significant differences in C2C concentrations in serum, urine, and joint fluid between groups ( P >.05). Subjective scores of lameness, joint effusion, osteophytosis were significantly more severe in the CCL rupture group compared with the control group ( P <.05). There was no significant correlation of C2C concentrations with clinical stage of stifle OA ( P >.05).
Conclusion— This OA biomarker did not detect pathology associated with CCL rupture. Our results suggest that collagenase-specific degradation of type II collagen in articular cartilage may not be involved in the early stage of naturally occurring canine cruciate disease, and that pathology associated with naturally occurring CCL rupture is different from that of experimental OA model.
Clinical Relevance— C2C is not clinically useful in detecting CCL rupture in dogs.     

Education and the food-systems veterinarian: the impact of new information technologies

Food systems educators face a double challenge: (1) the inherent change in scope and perspective from raising animals to producing safe food in an environmentally conscientious manner; and (2) the unprecedented demand for higher education, both nationally and internationally. In the modern world, small numbers of producers are capable of feeding a growing population. As demographics have shifted from rural to urban areas, more global livelihoods are derived from manufacturing and services than from agriculture. Education, as one of those services, is accounting for an increasing percentage of world trade, through the physical translocation of students and, more recently, through online education. Within the veterinary realm, colleges outside the United States seek accreditation to better compete for students, and there is increasing pressure from private schools. Today's food systems require a high level of veterinary expertise, with specialization in a particular production system as well as the ability to contribute as part of a larger team that can address economic, bio-security, biological-waste, animal-welfare, food-safety, and public-health concerns. The need for different expertise from food systems specialists (indeed, shortages of all types of veterinary specialists), combined with global competition in education, is a call to action for the veterinary profession. This is an opportunity to revisit and reorganize the delivery of veterinary education, making use of new collaborative technologies for greater efficiency and effectiveness.