Current distribution of sarcoptic mange in wombats

Objective To determine the distribution and prevalence of sarcoptic mange in wombats, particularly the common wombat ( Vombatus ursinus ).
Design Questionnaire survey in two parts.
Procedure Questionnaires were distributed to biologists, rangers, animal carers and naturalists. Part 1 of the questionnaire aimed to determine the present distribution of sarcoptic mange in wombats (103 responses). Part 2 invited respondents to assess the prevalence of sarcoptic mange in wombats over a 3 month period (four responses). Information on wombats from 66 localities was received. Each locality represented an area of about 2500 km².
Results Mange was observed at 93% of localities surveyed and Sarcoptes scabiei was present in common wombats at 52% of localities. Sarcoptic mange was highly prevalent (22%) in two common wombat populations in Victoria. Anecdotal evidence suggested that mange epizootics are sporadic, cause significant morbidity and mortality and have a substantial effect on local abundance. The respondents did not report sarcoptic mange in either northern hairy-nosed wombats ( Lasiorhinus krefftii ) or southern hairy-nosed wombats ( Lasiorhinus latifrons ).
Conclusions Sarcoptic mange occurs in common wombat populations throughout the range of the common wombat including Tasmania and Flinders Island. While mange epizootics are sporadic, they have the potential to threaten the long-term survival of small, remnant populations.     

Confirmation of spatial patterns and temperature effects in Bluetongue virus serotype-8 transmission in NW-Europe from the 2007 reported case data

Two separate analyses were carried out to understand the epidemiology of Bluetongue virus serotype 8 (BTV-8) in 2007 in North West Europe: First, the temporal change in transmission rates was compared to the evolution of temperature during that season. Second, we evaluated the spatio-temporal dynamics of newly reported outbreaks, to estimate a spatial transmission kernel. For both analyses, the approach as used before in analysing the 2006 BTV-8 epidemic had to be adapted in order to take into account the fact that the 2007 epidemic was not a newly arising epidemic, but one advancing from whereto it had already spread in 2006. We found that within the area already affected by the 2006 outbreak, the pattern of newly infected farms in 2007 cannot be explained by between-farm transmission, but rather by local re-emergence of the virus throughout that region. This indicates that persistence through winter was ubiquitous for BTV-8. Just like in 2006, we also found that the temperature at which the infection starts to spread lies close to 15 °C. Finally, we found that the shape of the transmission kernel is in line with the one from the 2006 epidemic. In conclusion, despite the substantial differences between 2006 and 2007 in temperature patterns (2006 featured a heat wave in July, whereas 2007 was more regular) and spatial epidemic extent, both the minimum temperature required for transmission and the transmission kernel were similar to those estimated for the 2006 outbreak, indicating that they are robust properties, suitable for extrapolation to other years and similar regions.     

Supplemental fat in high-energy rations for lactating cows: effects on intake, digestion, milk yield, and composition

Supplemental fats (SF) have special value in the diets of dairy cows with superior productive ability, because the high energy density of SF allows greater energy consumption and direct transfer of the fatty acids (FA) of the SF to milk fat; this increases metabolic efficiency. Some SF, especially oils with a high degree of unsaturation, disturb ruminal fermentation, decrease fiber digestibility, and lower milk fat test; however, oilseeds (e.g., whole cottonseed) can be fed without observable ruminal inhibition, probably because of a slow release of the oil into ruminal contents. A number of commercial fat supplements are available that have little effect on ruminal fermentation and are highly digestible postruminally. A product of the calcium salts of palm oil fatty acids was shown to have a NE for lactation of more than three times that of corn. As the emphasis in milk pricing formula changes from milk fat to milk protein, there is greater concern regarding the propensity of fat supplements to decrease milk protein (casein) percentage. In two studies, a supplement of ruminally protected lysine and methionine largely prevented the reduction in casein percentage that occurred with feeding SF, indicating that the amino acid profile of undegraded dietary protein is important with regard to preventing the lower casein percentage. Combining fat supplements that are slowly released in the rumen with those that are inert in the rumen will allow maximal use of SF.     

Spatial Variability of Turbulent Mixing in the Abyssal Ocean

Ocean microstructure data show that turbulent mixing in the deep Brazil Basin of the South Atlantic Ocean is weak at all depths above smooth abyssal plains and the South American Continental Rise. The diapycnal diffusivity there was estimated to be less than or approximately equal to 0.1 x 10(-4) meters squared per second. In contrast, mixing rates are large throughout the water column above the rough Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and the diffusivity deduced for the bottom-most 150 meters exceeds 5 x 10(-4) meters squared per second. Such patterns in vertical mixing imply that abyssal circulations have complex spatial structures that are linked to the underlying bathymetry.     

Pharmacokinetics of diacetoxyscirpenol in cattle and swine: effects of halothane

In swine and cattle given 0, 0.1, or 0.5 and 0, 0.5 mg of diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS)/kg of body weight, IV, respectively; DAS had a large volume of distribution and total body clearance. The shortness of the interval between halothane and DAS exposures significantly (P greater than 0.05) decreased DAS biotransformation. Urinary excretion of DAS as a parent compound was not an important route of elimination. In swine and cattle, DAS was transformed by sequential deacetylation to monoacetoxyscirpenol and scirpentriol.     

BOOK REVIEW

ECG Interpretation in Dogs and Cats, Video produced by Provet for the Unit of Veterinary Continuing Education of the Royal Veterinary College     

Trona and sodium bicarbonate in beef cattle diets: effects on site and extent of digestion

Six yearling Hereford X Angus steers (avg 272 kg), each with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulas were used in a 6 X 6 Latin-square metabolism trial to evaluate the impact of NaHCO3 and trona (a ground, nonrefined ore with chemical composition NaHCO3-Na2CO3-2H2O) on site and extent of digestion of nutrients in the digestive tract. The diets were 50:50 or 90:10 (cracked corn-based concentrate:cottonseed hulls) with no buffer, 1% NaHCO3, or 1% trona. Intake, across all treatments, averaged 2.4% of body weight. Dry matter (DM) and starch digestibility (via indigestible acid detergent fiber) before the duodenum was decreased (P less than .10) with trona in the 50:50 diet. Digestibility of DM, crude protein and starch before the ileum were greater (P less than .05) in the 90:10 diet vs 50:50 diet. Total tract digestibility was similar across buffer treatments in the 90:10 diet. Addition of NaHCO3 increased (P less than .05) digestibility of dry matter and cell solubles in the 50:50 diet. Organic matter and crude protein digestibility were also increased (P less than .10) with NaHCO3. Apparent crude protein and cell solubles digestibility were greater (P less than .10) with trona than NaHCO3 in the 50:50 diet. This trial indicates that buffers provide overall enhancement of diet digestibility in mixed grain/roughage diets.