Cat and dog ownership and management patterns in central Italy

Three hundred and ninety-seven randomly selected households were interviewed by telephone to determine the numbers and management of owned cats and dogs in the Teramo Province of Italy. The households were selected using stratified random sampling for each municipality; municipalities were combined into coastal, central hills and mountain regions for analysis. The interviews were completed during May and June of 2004 with a response rate of 74% (397/536). Forty-six percent of households (n=181) owned pets; 15% of all households (n=60) owned cats and 33% (n=130) owned dogs. Twenty-seven of these households (7%) owned both cats and dogs. Data were provided on 91 cats evenly divided between males and females. The median age was 3 years (range 0.2-10 years). Forty-one percent of cats (36/87) entered the household as strays. Nearly half lived entirely outside. Seventy percent (62/88) had visited a veterinarian at least once; 43% (39/91) were sterilized. About 1/3 had had a litter and all litters were considered accidental rather than planned. Age, indoor/outdoor status, veterinarian visit and region were all associated with sterilization. Age, confined to a yard, veterinary visit and region were associated with allowing the cat to roam freely. Data were provided on 182 dogs. Sixty-two percent (113/181) were male, with a median age of 4 years (range newborn to 17 years) and 40% (72/181) were purebred. Almost half were acquired as a gift. Sixty-two percent (112/180) were kept entirely outside despite the fact that 82% (147/180) were considered companions rather than working dogs. Almost all of the dogs had been to a veterinarian at least once; only 20% (n=29) were sterilized. Male dogs were significantly less likely to be sterilized than females. Almost half the dogs had had at least one litter. Seventy-six percent (137/180) of dogs knew some basic commands. Sex, source and training to sit/stay/come were significantly associated with whether the dog was sterilized. Dog size, confinement to a yard, trained to leash walk, veterinary visit and region were predictors of roaming freely. Source and trained to leash walk were associated with dog registration. For cats and dogs, education about sterilization seemed to be critically important. For dogs, factors relating to training, which may reflect the strength of the human-animal bond, were also important.     

Health of non-ambulatory, non-injured pigs at processing

Loss of pigs during or after transport is a welfare concern, but also an economic concern for producers. Transport losses include animals that are dead on arrival (DOA) at the plant, pigs that are injured, and pigs which are not obviously injured but unwilling or unable to walk (non-ambulatory, non-injured or NANI). The objective of this research was to assess the health of non-ambulatory, non-injured (NANI) pigs relative to control pigs at the processing plant by looking at a range of measures, including complete blood chemistry, anatomy, and pathology to determine potential factors associated with pigs going down. Data were collected from NANI and control pigs at five plants in the midwest USA. Feet and legs and internal organs were inspected and the severity of the pathology scored. Alveolar macrophages were collected and counted. Blood was collected for analysis of hematology, blood chemistry and cortisol concentrations. Titers to common porcine respiratory viruses were measured in pigs from one plant. Hoof and pad problems did not differ overall between control and NANI pigs, however the percentage of severe foot problems was greater (P < 0.05) in NANI compared with control pigs at plants A and E. The percentage of total ulcers, rhinitis, and empty stomachs differed (P < 0.05) between control and NANI pigs at individual plants, but not overall. Blood hematology and chemistry differed (P < 0.05) between NANI and control pigs. Cortisol concentrations did not differ between NANI and control pigs. Titers to swine influenza virus (SIV) H1N1 and H3N2 and porcine circovirus (PCV) were lower (P < 0.01) among NANI compared with control pigs. However, more (P < 0.01) NANI pigs were positive for SIV H1N1 and H3N2 compared with control pigs. Blood hematology, chemistry, and pathology indicate a large difference between NANI and controls pigs. No single health problem was higher among NANI pigs compared to plant-matched control pigs. Rather, several problems appear to contribute to pigs becoming NANI which may differ from one plant too another.     

Exploring animal rabies endemicity to inform control programmes in Punjab,India

Previous studies estimate that one‐third of the annual global burden of rabies (~20,000 cases) occurs in India. Elimination of canine rabies is essential to reduce this burden. Surveillance of animal cases can assess both the risk to humans and the efficacy of control strategies. The objective of this study was to describe the spatial and temporal occurrence of reported confirmed cases of rabies in animals in Punjab, India, from 2004 to 2014. We analysed passive surveillance data on 556 samples submitted from 2004 to 2014 to GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. Regression and time series analyses were conducted to understand seasonal and long‐term variation of cases and identify cross‐correlation of monthly cases between species. Spatio‐temporal analyses assessed spatial autocorrelation of date of reporting, mean geographic centres of disease occurrence and clustering of cases using Kulldorff's space‐time permutation statistic. The annual number of submissions and proportion of confirmed cases were consistent throughout 2004–2014. Most submissions (320; 57.6%) were confirmed rabies cases, including dogs (40.6%), buffalo (29.7%) and cattle (23.1%). Regression analysis of monthly cases in dogs showed seasonal variation with significant increases in cases in March and August. Monthly case numbers in buffalo decreased over time. Long‐term temporal trend was not detected in dog and cattle cases. Time‐series models identified significant cross‐correlation between dog and buffalo cases, suggesting that buffalo cases were spillover events from dogs. Significant spatio‐temporal variation or clusters of cases were not detected. These results indicate that rabies cases in animals—and therefore, the potential for exposure to humans—were temporally and spatially stable during 2004–2014 in Punjab, India. The endemic nature of rabies transmission in this region demands a coordinated, sustained control programme. This study provides baseline information for assessing the efficacy of rabies control measures and developing seasonally targeted dog vaccination and rabies awareness strategies.     

农药对环境和人体危害的探讨

本文简述了农药对环境的污染及对人体健康的影响,并提出几点减轻危害的意见     

One or Two Feeders for Groups of 16 Growing–Finishing Pigs: Effects on Health and Production

Over a 3-year period, seven batches of growing-finishing pigs in groups of 16 pigs (total 672 pigs) were fed using one or two singlespace feeders. The pigs with access to two feeders had a significantly lower number of skin lesions (P<0.0001) and higher daily weight gain than did the pigs with access to one feeder (863 vs. 837 g day- 1 , P<0.05). The within-pen variation in daily weight gain was higher in the pens with one feeder than in the pens with two feeders (SD 139 vs. 106g day- 1 , P<0.0001). The pigs with access to two feeders consumed more feed during the period when they were allowed to eat ad libitum , in comparison to the pigs with access to one feeder (2.07 vs. 1.97 kg day- 1 , P<0.05). The feed conversion ratio of the pigs did not differ between the two treatments. No differences in carcass meat percentage, health or number of remarks at slaughter were detected. A comparison was made between using computerized IVOG® feeders, with individual recording of feed intake, and conventional feeders. The feed conversion ratio was poorer for the pigs fed with the IVOG-feeders than for those fed with conventional feeders. The automatic recordings from the IVOG-system showed that there had been a higher daily feed intake during the ad libitum period. During the restricted period the pigs had a lower daily weight gain than with the conventional feeders.     

几种保健品对早期断奶仔猪应激腹泻的影响

试验用膨化大豆为主要蛋白质原料配制仔猪料,观测了分别以血浆蛋白粉、痢菌净、黄霉素、盐霉素及氧化锌为主成份配制的几种营养保健品对28日龄断奶仔猪应激反应的影响.结果表明,不同营养保健品在仔猪日增重、饲料效率及腹泻率等方面功能各有不同,但差异不显著(P>0.05).本结果对养猪生产、饲料生产商合理应用保健品以及研制高保健性能仔猪料具有实用价值.     

保持公羊精液卫生无菌的措施

公羊包皮、四肢被毛、母台羊、采精及精液处理环境条件、饲养条件、人员操作、精液稀释液等十大因素可能是造成精液污染的主要因素。因此,必须从上述各方面采取技术措施保持精液卫生无菌。     

Effect of dietary non-starch polysaccharide solubility and inclusion level on gut health and the risk of post weaning enteric disorders in newly weaned piglets

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) solubility and inclusion rate on gut health and development, performance and risk of post weaning enteric disorders (PWED) using NSP sources known not to affect digesta viscosity. The experiment consisted of a 2 × 3 factorial combination of NSP type (sNSP vs insoluble NSP (iNSP); inulin vs purified cellulose) and inclusion level (50 vs 100 vs 150 g/kg). Piglets were weaned at 28 days (day 0) and fed ad libitum until slaughter on day 14. There were no incidences of PWED. NSP solubility had little effect on performance, but sNSP diets resulted in lower caecal and colonic pH and higher colonic Lactobacilli to coliform ratio compared to iNSP diets. Increasing NSP levels significantly reduced caecal and colonic pH but decreased empty body weight percentage (P = 0.067). These results suggest that gut health may benefit most from diets containing appropriate sources of predominantly sNSP rather than iNSP. The optimal level of such sNSP will likely depend upon the level of risk of PWED in order to balance the trade off between maximising performance and improving gut health. Effects of NSP feeding under a higher infectious pressure remains to be assessed.     

Outdoor environments in healthcare settings: A quality evaluation tool for use in designing healthcare gardens

This article presents the first outline of a quality evaluation tool (QET) to be used in the process of designing outdoor environments in healthcare settings, e.g. healthcare gardens. Theory triangulation is used to integrate theories and evidence from selected research on people's health/well-being and the outdoor environment. The results first present the theoretical principles underlying the tool and justifying its practical construction. Then, 19 environmental qualities constituting the backbone of the practical tool are presented, including six qualities based on the need to be comfortable in the outdoor environment and 13 qualities based on the need for access to nature and surrounding life. Furthermore, this work presents suggestions of how the tool might include concepts dealing with how users can become involved in the design process, as well as general design guidelines corresponding to the various needs and wishes users may have. The paper ends with a discussion that, among other things, relates the QET to evidence-based design, salutogenesis and pathogenesis.     

奶牛健康监测与评价

牛奶的安全问题与奶牛的健康息息相关,只有健康的奶牛才能生产出健康的牛奶.牛群健康管理需要随时观察、定时检测,做到“未病先防”.因此,建立奶牛健康预警系统尤其重要,通过对单个敏感指标（乳体细胞数、牛乳pH、电导率、直肠温度、产奶量等）的变化和行为学观察及体况评分、运动评分、健康指数可以及时发现亚健康牛,减少疾病造成的损失,确保原料奶的品质安全.