Therapeutic Efficacy of Zinc Sulphate Used in Clustered Model Treatment in Alleviating Zinc Deficiency in Cattle and Its Effect on Hormones,Vitamins and Production Parameters

A survey was conducted in 10 districts of northern India. Significant deficiency of zinc was observed in soil, fodders and (cattle) serum samples. The animals showed typical signs of zinc deficiency, namely stiff gait, swelling of hocks and knees, subcutaneous fluid accumulation, rough coat, etc. of variable intensity. A clustered model therapeutic trial was conducted and zinc-deficient cattle were divided into three groups. Group A was provided with mineral mixture containing zinc sulphate. Group B was given mineral mixture without zinc sulphate and group C was given no mineral mixture. Significant improvement (p < 0.01) was observed in the haemoglobin (Hb), total white blood cells (WBC) and total erythrocyte count (TEC) levels at the 7th day of treatment in the animals of group A. Significant improvement in enzyme serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) was observed in group A animals at the 7th day, while improvement in asparatate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) was observed after 21 days of treatment. Regarding hormones, significant improvement was observed in thyroxine (T₃) and triiodothyronine (T₄), oestrogen and progesterone in group A animals within 14 days of treatment. The values of vitamin A showed a highly significant (p < 0.01) improvement within 7 days of treatment in group A animals and that of vitamin E on the 21 st day of treatment. The milk yield of lactating cattle and body weight of growing calves in group A showed highly significant (p < 0.01) increases at about 14 and 30 days, respectively. It is concluded that zinc sulphate supplementation is highly effective in alleviating zinc deficiency and improving various biochemical and production parameters in cattle. The clustered model treatment provides a better indicator of the most limiting element under field conditions where simultaneous deficiency of various minerals is prevalent.     

Efficacy and safety of a purified porcine insulin zinc suspension for managing diabetes mellitus in dogs

The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a purified porcine insulin zinc suspension for treating dogs with uncomplicated diabetes mellitus. Fifty-three dogs were treated for 60 days after an initial dose determination period. The means of the blood glucose concentrations during 12-hour glucose curves and the means of the blood glucose nadir concentrations during 12-hour glucose curves for all dogs were determined before beginning insulin therapy (time 0), at the end of the dose determination period (time 1), 30 days after time 1 (time 2), and 60 days after time 1 (time 3). Presence of polyuria, polydipsia, and ketonuria was determined at each time point. Adequacy of control of hyperglycemia was based on 12-hour blood glucose curves and improvement in clinical variables (results of physical examinations, historic information, polyuria, polydipsia, and ketonuria). Safety was evaluated by questionnaire, performance of physical examination, CBC, serum chemistry profile, and urinalysis. The means of the blood glucose concentrations during 12-hour glucose curves and the means of the blood glucose nadir concentrations during 12-hour glucose curves for all dogs at times 1, 2, and 3 were significantly lower compared with time 0 (P < .0001). There was a reduction in the proportion of dogs with polyuria, polydipsia, and ketonuria of 82, 86, and 80%, respectively. All of the dogs had adequate glycemic control at time 1, 66% at time 2, and 75% at time 3. At time 3, 66% of dogs required insulin injections q12h. Other than hypoglycemia, there were no important adverse effects of insulin administration. The insulin, was safe and efficacious for reducing blood glucose and clinical signs in dogs with diabetes mellitus.     

Influence of Fluid Therapy on Gentamicin Pharmacokinetics in Colic Horses

The aminoglycoside antibiotic gentamicin is commonly used in equine medicine for the prevention and treatment of Gram-negative and staphylococcal bacteria in surgically treated colic patients. The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin in these patients might be altered by the disease status, and/or under the influence of fluid therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous fluid treatment on gentamicin kinetics in colic patients. Colic patients subjected to laparotomy were given fluid infusions according to clinical status. Following gentamicin administration, blood samples were taken for gentamicin analysis at different time points, and the main pharmacokinetic parameters including Vc, Vss, t(1/2) and MRT were calculated. Horses undergoing fluid therapy showed a significantly different t(1/2), clearance and MRT as compared to non-infused patients. However, taking into account the clinical status of the patients receiving fluid support, the data suggest that endotoxaemia, rather than fluid therapy, influence gentamicin pharmacokinetics following laparotomy.     

Investigation of the immediate analgesic effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for treatment of navicular disease in horses

OBJECTIVES: To measure the acute analgesic properties of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in horses with navicular disease using objective ground reaction forces (GRF). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: Nine client-owned horses with unilateral forelimb lameness caused by navicular disease. METHODS: Horses were trotted at 3 m/s over a force plate to record pre-treatment GRF of the lame and contra-lateral forelimbs. After ESWT of the lame limb, applied with a radial unit to each of the frog and heel bulb areas with 1500 pulses at 4 bar and 10 Hz, GRF measurements were repeated at 15 minutes and 24-hour intervals for 7 days. From the 5 trials recorded at each time, peak vertical force (PVF) was calculated and averaged. Data were compared between limbs and over time using a 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean (+/-SD) PVF was significantly different between lame (day 1; 4339+/-626 N) and contra-lateral (day 1; 5236+/-515 N) limbs pre-treatment (P<.05). After ESWT treatment, this difference remained unchanged at 15 minutes and from days 1 to 7. To confirm navicular disease, palmar digital analgesia significantly reduced the lameness (lame 5144+/-430 N; contralateral 5082+/-586 N; P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: Single ESWT treatment applied in this manner does not influence lameness in horses with navicular disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although many equine regulatory commissions currently ban the use of ESWT before competition, our results suggest that such regulations may be unfounded. Further research is required to determine the long-term analgesic properties of this frequently used treatment modality in equine athletes.     

Evaluation using hoof wall strain gauges of a therapeutic shoe and a hoof cast with a heel wedge as potential supportive therapy for horses with laminitis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate using strain gauges, a hoof cast with heel wedge, and a therapeutic shoe with unsupported toe for their effectiveness in redistribution of load from the dorsal hoof wall. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro biomechanical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty forelimb specimens. METHODS: Rosette strain gauges were placed on the dorsal and lateral hoof wall of 20 normal shaped hooves. Limbs were loaded vertically using a tensile testing machine with a 1 Hz sinusoidally cycling load up to 3000 N during 15 seconds. Mean values of principal strain and direction at 2500 N load were calculated for 3 experimental conditions (unshod, therapeutic shoe with unsupported toe, and hoof cast with heel elevation) and tested by ANOVA (P<.05). RESULTS: Vertical limb loading in an unshod hoof leads to a biaxial compression of the dorsal wall with high longitudinal compression (epsilon2 = -1515 microm/m). Principal strain at the dorsal wall (epsilon2) was decreased by 23% with the therapeutic shoe and by 59% with the hoof cast. On the lateral hoof wall principal strain was unchanged with the shoe, but increased by 34% with the cast. CONCLUSIONS: Strain measurements indicate unloading of the dorsal hoof wall by both methods with the cast being more effective than the shoe. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The hoof cast with wedge offers substantial unloading of the dorsal wall, but increases load on the quarter. Therefore a hoof cast would likely be most helpful in acute laminitis when palmar structures can still bear load. The therapeutic shoe offers rehabilitation and regrowth of the dorsal wall without increased load on the quarter wall.     

Dry cow therapy with a non-antibiotic intramammary teat seal - a review

: Dry cow antibiotic therapy is used to eliminate existing intramammary infections and to prevent new infections in the dry period. It is implemented as part of a total management system known as the 'Five-Point Plan' for mastitis control. Recent public concerns over the widespread prophylactic use of antibiotics, coupled with an increasing interest in organic farming, have lead to a re-evaluation of the treatment of cows at drying-off. As a result, attention has focussed on the use of novel alternatives to antibiotic therapy at the end of lactation. One such therapy involves the application of a non-antibiotic bismuth-based intramammary teat seal designed for use in cows with low cell counts at the end of lactation. Like the keratin plug that forms naturally in teats of cows that have been dried-off, teat seal forms a physical barrier to invading pathogens. To date, a number of independent studies have shown that teat seal is as effective as traditional dry cow antibiotic products in preventing the occurrence of new infection during the dry period in cows with somatic cell counts of ≤200,000 cells ml-1 at drying-off. This paper reviews the efficacy of teat seal in preventing dry period mastitis in both conventional and organic dairying systems.     

Delivery of growth factors using gene therapy to enhance bone healing

OBJECTIVE: To review the delivery of growth factors using gene therapy for enhancing long-bone fracture healing. STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS: MEDLINE and CAB Abstracts literature search (1980-2004). RESULTS: Non-union and infected non-union are relatively common complications of long-bone fractures in human and veterinary patients. Growth factors are cytokines that regulate many cell functions important in fracture healing. Exogenous growth factors can be delivered to the fracture site as recombinant proteins or using gene therapy. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 and -7 (rhBMP-2 and -7), in particular, enhance fracture healing in numerous experimental and clinical studies. Some limitations with use of recombinant proteins may be overcome by use of gene therapy. Gene therapy involves delivery of the growth factor gene to cells at the fracture site using a viral or non-viral vector. The gene is then expressed (protein synthesis) by cells at the fracture site. Delivery of the BMP gene to the fracture site using gene therapy has been evaluated in laboratory animal models of non-union, with favorable results and without complications. CONCLUSION: Delivery of growth factors, particularly members of BMP family, to the fracture site using gene therapy may be a method to enhance fracture healing. Use of this technology may improve the prognosis for patients with long-bone fractures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinical application of gene therapy could improve the prognosis for human and veterinary patients with long-bone fractures, but has not been evaluated clinically.     

Current trends in the treatment of Sarcoptes, Cheyletiella and Otodectes mite infestations in dogs and cats

Abstract   For a number of reasons, several of the more 'traditional' ectoparasiticides in the small animal veterinarian's armoury have been withdrawn over the past few years. New, safer products which are long-acting and easier to apply than the conventional dips, rinses and aerosol sprays of the past have replaced them. However, relatively few such novel acaricidal preparations have become commercially available. Consequently, practitioners and researchers frequently experiment with the drugs they have at their disposal to assess their efficacy against a variety of target acarids when used at different dosages and/or via different routes of administration, compared with those recommended by the manufacturer. This paper reviews the anecdotal and peer-reviewed reports describing the use of modern acaricides in dogs and cats that have recently appeared in the veterinary literature. It should be stressed, however, that no medicine should be prescribed for extra-label use without the informed consent of the owner.     

The Role of Exogenous Insulin in the Complex of Hepatic Lipidosis and Ketosis Associated with Insulin Resistance Phenomenon in Postpartum Dairy Cattle

As a result of a marked decline in dry matter intake (DMI) prior to parturition and a slow rate of increase in DMI relative to milk production after parturition, dairy cattle experience a negative energy balance. Changes in nutritional and metabolic status during the periparturient period predispose dairy cattle to develop hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. The metabolic profile during early lactation includes low concentrations of serum insulin, plasma glucose, and liver glycogen and high concentrations of serum glucagon, adrenaline, growth hormone, plasma β-hydroxybutyrate and non-esterified fatty acids, and liver triglyceride. Moreover, during late gestation and early lactation, flow of nutrients to fetus and mammary tissues are accorded a high degree of metabolic priority. This priority coincides with lowered responsiveness and sensitivity of extrahepatic tissues to insulin, which presumably plays a key role in development of hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. Hepatic lipidosis and ketosis compromise production, immune function, and fertility. Cows with hepatic lipidosis and ketosis have low tissue responsiveness to insulin owing to ketoacidosis. Insulin has numerous roles in metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Insulin is an anabolic hormone and acts to preserve nutrients as well as being a potent feed intake regulator. In addition to the major replacement therapy to alleviate severity of negative energy balance, administration of insulin with concomitant delivery of dextrose increases efficiency of treatment for hepatic lipidosis and ketosis. However, data on use of insulin to prevent these lipid-related metabolic disorders are limited and it should be investigated.