Mastitis diagnostics and performance monitoring: a practical approach

In this paper a review is given of frequently used mastitis diagnostic methods in modern dairy practice. Methods used at the quarter, cow, herd and regional or national level are discussed, including their usability for performance monitoring in udder health. Future developments, such as systems in which milk-derived parameters are combined with modern analytical techniques, are discussed. It is concluded that, although much knowledge is available and science is still developing and much knowledge is available, it is not always fully exploited in practice.     

Continuous infusion of propofol or intermittent bolus of tiletamine‐zolazepam in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

ObjectiveTo investigate an infusion of propofol for anesthesia in comparison to tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia, evaluating physiological variables and recovery in squirrel monkeys.Study designProspective non-blinded randomized study.AnimalsEight healthy squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), aged 3 years and weighing 0.340–0.695 kg.MethodsPremedication was intramuscular midazolam (0.5 mg) and meperidine (4 mg). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) propofol (4 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) and maintained with propofol starting at 0.4 mg kg^?1 minute^?1 (PRO, n = 4) or IV tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg kg^?1) and maintained with supplementary doses of TZ (TZ, n = 4). Cardiopulmonary variables were measured continuously. Arterial blood gases and lactate concentration were measured at the end of anesthesia. Quality and times of recovery were determined. Repeatedly measured data for significant differences were tested between groups with t-test and within groups by anova.ResultsMedian time for induction of anesthesia in PRO was 180 seconds. Mean maintenance infusion rate of propofol was 0.43 ± 0.05 mg kg^?1 minute^?1, varying during the 1 hour period. One monkey died after administration of TZ; others required 1, 4, or 8 supplemental doses. Cardiopulmonary variables were similar between groups, but hypotension was recorded. Recovery times to ventral recumbency in PRO (32 ± 17 minutes) and TZ (84 ± 11 minutes) and normal ambulation in PRO (58 ± 22 minutes) and TZ (358 ± 109minutes) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Recovery quality was superior in PRO, with less ataxia and fewer unsuccessful attempts to stand. Lactate concentration was not different between treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCardiopulmonary variables were similar between protocols, aside from the higher incidence of hypotension in PRO, indicating that further studies with a larger number of animals are required. Compared to tiletamine-zolazepam, propofol anesthesia provided faster and superior anesthetic recovery in these animals.     

Detection and isolation of Toxoplasma gondii from fresh semen of naturally infected dogs in Southern Brazil

The aim of this study was to isolate Toxoplasma gondii and determine the viability of the parasite in fresh semen samples of clinically healthy adult dogs naturally infected. Eleven seropositive dogs with T. gondii IgG antibodies from southern Brazil were selected to confirm the presence and viability of T. gondii in fresh semen samples using in vitro isolation in Vero cell culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing analysis. The presence of viable T. gondii was confirmed by in vitro isolation and PCR in five semen samples. The ITS1 region of the isolated protozoa (TG S4) was amplified and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence obtained was 99% compatible with the T. gondii DNA sequences stored in the GenBank. It has been shown that T. gondii tachyzoites may be isolated in vitro from fresh semen samples of clinically healthy dogs seropositive for T. gondii.     

A preliminary study on the use of tempe-based formula as a weaning diet in Nigeria

Tempe, an Indonesian mold fermented food, was prepared from cowpeasand soybeans using the traditional oriental process with modifications whereappropriate. Four complementary foods were developed from whole maizemeal or dehydrated fermented maize (ogi) flour fortified with eithercowpea tempe or soybean tempe. Wholesomeness and potentials of thevanilla-flavored foods as weaning diets were determined. The nutrientcontent of all the developed products were within the range prescribed bythe FAO/WHO pattern for processed weaning foods. The products hadloose bulk densities between 0.40–0.55 g/ml and packed bulk densitiesbetween 0.68–0.75 g/ml; reconstitution indexes were between92.30–104.00 g/ml; viscosities were 34.2–65.0 CP at 70 ^°C and45.0–76.9 CP at 30 ^°C. Total plate counts ranged from 3.2 ×10³ – 4.3 × 10⁴cfu/g; coliforms staphylococcus, mold, andyeast were absent in some of the products. The results on sensoryattributes showed that tempe-based weaning diets were comparable withMameal, a commercial product. Maize and maize-fortified diets wereslightly higher in packed bulk density. Fortification reduced the viscosityof the diets and the values reduced with increasing temperature. Tempe-based weaning foods reconstituted easily in hot water, while cookingdestroyed most of the microorganisms present. Maize-based tempefortified foods were relatively inexpensive and have potential as weaningfoods.