Interrelationships among Production and Clinical Disease in Dairy Cattle: A Review

Epidemiological evidence is presented in order to answer two questions. The first question is: “Does high milk production put a cow at increased risk of disease?” The answer to this question seems to be “maybe” for milk fever, but “no” for most other common diseases (veterinary-assisted dystocia, retained placenta, metritis, cystic ovary, ketosis, left displaced abomasum, and mastitis). The second question is: “Is low milk production a consequence of disease?” For most diseases the answer is a cautious “yes”.     

Survey of equine castration techniques,preferences and outcomes among Australian veterinarians

Objectives

(1) To collect the perceptions of veterinarians performing equine castrations in Australia on techniques, preferences and outcomes, (2) to investigate veterinarian use and experience with the Henderson castrating instrument and (3) to investigate potential associations between demographics, castration methods and techniques, and complications.

Design

Online survey of members of the Australian Veterinary Association’s Special Interest Group, Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA).

Methods

A link to the survey was included in the EVA e‐newsletter and practices on the EVA website were contacted by telephone and follow‐up email. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine associations between ligation and complications. A generalised linear model with a negative binomial family was used to determine associations between count response variables and categorical independent variables.

Results

Responses were obtained from 138 veterinarians (response rate, 13.1%) who performed 5330 castrations over 12 months. Castrations were most commonly performed in the field, on anaesthetised horses, using emasculators, via an open approach and without ligation of the spermatic cord. Estimated complications after use of emasculators were swelling (25%), haemorrhage (5%) and infection (5%). The Henderson instrument was used by approximately 10% of respondents and its use for castration was associated with fewer reports of postoperative swelling compared with emasculators (P = 0.002). Rates of evisceration with the Henderson and emasculator methods were comparable (0.43% and 0.9%, respectively).

Conclusion

Castration preferences varied widely among survey participants. Reported complication types and rates were comparable to those reported previously in other countries. Perceptions that the Henderson instrument was associated with less swelling should be investigated further via a prospective controlled investigation.     

Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: current understanding and recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Equine Endocrine Group

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current knowledge and opinions about the epidemiology, clinical findings (including sequelae), diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, particularly in the Australian context. This information and the recommendations provided will assist practitioners in making informed decisions regarding the diagnosis and management of this disorder.     

CORRELATIONS AMONG ULTRASONOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENTS OF OPTIC NERVE SHEATH DIAMETER,AGE, AND BODY WEIGHT IN CLINICALLY NORMAL HORSES

Early diagnosis of high intracranial pressure (ICP) is critical for minimizing progressive brain injury due to reduced cerebral perfusion. In people, detecting enlargement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by transpalpebral ultrasonography has been found to be an accurate test for high ICP. Aims of this prospective, observational, cross‐sectional study were to test hypotheses that (1) ultrasonographic measurement of ONSD would be repeatable in horses, (2) have acceptable interobserver agreement, and (3) would be correlated with age and body weight. The sample population included 48 horses without clinical signs of high ICP and with varying ages and body weights. Two observers independently performed ONSD measurements in both eyes. All measurements ranged from 2.6 to 6.5 mm. The mean difference of repeated measures within observers was ≤0.1 mm and the coefficients of variation ranged from 5.0% to 8.8%. The mean difference of measures between observers was ≤0.2 mm. After correcting for performing multiple tests, no significant rank correlation (all r < 0.4 [absolute value]) was detected between ONSD and age or body weight. However, we observed smaller ONSD in foals versus adults (all P ≤ 0.002). In the foals, all observed measures of rostrocaudal and dorsoventral ONSD were <5 mm. In the adults, all observed measures of rostrocaudal and dorsoventral ONSD were ≤6.5 mm. Findings indicated that ultrasonographic ONSD measurement is a feasible test for use in horses of varying ages and sizes. Further investigation of this ultrasonographic measure as a clinical test for horse with suspected high ICP is warranted.     

Mental health in the veterinary profession: an individual or organisational focus?

The veterinary profession is experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, with attrition recognised as a substantial contributor. Research has also indicated increased levels of mental ill health and alarming suicide rates in practitioners. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of eleven modifiable workplace factors on mental health outcomes, job appreciation and intention to leave the veterinary profession. The second aim was to ascertain whether workplace factors influence mental health outcomes after controlling for individual resilience. An online survey was completed by 73 practising Australian veterinarians. Unfavourable workplace factors correlated with adverse outcomes including depression, stress, reduced job appreciation and increased likelihood of leaving both the role and the profession. Workplace factors remained linked with the outcomes of job appreciation, depression and stress whilst controlling for practitioner resilience. Job appreciation was a significant predictor of intention to leave both the current role and the profession. Via multiple linear regression, two categories were identified as associated with improved psychological outcomes and job appreciation. These were workplace factors that represent breaks from workload and control or decision latitude in the workplace. Whilst resilience represents a key area for intervention, workplace factors potentially represent an easier-to-modify area for intervention.     

Descriptive epidemiology of culling in dairy cows from 34 herds in New York State

Data on parity, disease, farmers' stated primary reasons for culling and stage of lactation at diagnosis and at culling were used to describe patterns of culling in Holstein lactations from 34 New York herds. Of 7763 lactations, 18.7% ended in culling [death (95 cows), sales for dairy purposes (104 cows), or slaughter]. The culling rates for specific reasons were: dairy purposes 1.3%, low production 3.8%, reproduction 4.8%, udder problems 4.0%, feet and legs 1.2%, old age 0.3%, accidents 0.3% and miscellaneous reasons 2.9%. Culling increased with parity (at least through Lactation 6) and primarily was due to production, reproduction and udder problems. Culling for these 3 reasons peaked immediately after calving, again between 151 and 240 days post-partum (poor milk production) and at >240 days post-partum (poor reproductive performance). First-lactation cows sold for dairy use tended to be sold in early lactation. Death in older cows usually occurred early in lactation and was due to udder problems or to miscellaneous causes.

Compared to lactations without the disease, lactations with a diagnosis of downer cow, clinical mastitis or treat problems were 3.5, 2.0 and 2.7 times more likely to end in culling, respectively. Among cows diagnosed with a disease and culled, many were culled the same day or within 30 days of the diagnosis. Such “immediate” culling upon diagnosis was especially typical of cows with milk fever, downer cow syndrome, left displaced abomasum, teat problems, and foot and leg problems (and for some cases of clinical mastitis), implying that these disorders led to “forced” culling, which was particularly costly to the farmers.     

von Willebrand disease phenotype and von Willebrand factor marker genotype in Doberman Pinschers

OBJECTIVE: To define the relationship between clinical expression of a type-1 von Willebrand disease phenotype and genotype at 2 von Willebrand factor marker loci in Doberman Pinschers. ANIMALS: 102 client-owned Doberman Pinschers. PROCEDURES: Dogs were recruited on the basis of plasma von Willebrand factor concentration, clinical history, and pedigree. Blood samples and response to a history questionnaire were obtained for each dog. Plasma von Willebrand factor concentration was measured by use of an ELISA, and genotyping was performed via polymerase chain reaction for 1 intragenic and 1 extragenic von Willebrand factor marker. Amplification product size was determined by use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (intragenic marker) or automated sequence analysis (extragenic marker). Western blots were prepared from a subset of dogs with low plasma von Willebrand factor concentration to evaluate multimer distribution. RESULTS: Strong associations were detected between plasma von Willebrand factor concentration and von Willebrand factor marker genotype. Twenty-five dogs had substantial reduction in plasma von Willebrand factor concentration and multiple hemorrhagic events. All were homozygous for a 157-base-pair intragenic marker allele and homozygous or compound heterozygous for 1 of 4 extragenic marker alleles. These marker genotypes were exclusively detected in dogs with low plasma von Willebrand factor concentration, although some dogs with these genotypes did not have abnormal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Type-1 von Willebrand disease in Doberman Pinschers is associated with the von Willebrand factor gene locus; however, the expression pattern in this breed appears more complex than that of a simple recessive trait.     

A retrospective study of canine house soiling: diagnosis and treatment

A retrospective study was conducted to determine the relative frequency and type of elimination problem seen in dogs at a university referral practice and to evaluate the efficacy of the suggested treatments. Cases presented to the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University between 1987 and 1996 were reviewed. Of 1,173 cases, 105 (9%) were house-soiling cases. Of these cases, the authors obtained outcome information from 70. Within the diagnosis of house soiling, incomplete housebreaking (n=59; 84%) were the most frequent referral cases, of which 48 cases (81%; 95% confidence interval, 69% to 90%) improved. Separation anxiety was considered the second most common underlying cause (n=27; 39%), of which 85% (n=23; 95% confidence interval, 66% to 96%) improved. Behavior modification was the most often suggested treatment (n=58), with 48 (83%) cases improving. Behavior modification consisted of accompanying the dog to the preferred elimination area, rewarding the dog for eliminating there, and punishing the dog only when caught in the act of house soiling. These results suggest that correct house training, behavior modification involving positive reinforcement, and appropriate punishment are essential to diminish house-soiling problems in dogs.     

Effects of oxypolygelatin and dextran 70 on hemostatic variables in dogs

Objective To evaluate and compare coagulation variables following the administration of oxypolygelatin and dextran 70 to clinically healthy dogs. Study design Randomized cross‐over experimental study. Animals A total of eight healthy adult female Beagles aged 2–4 years old and weighing 11.8 ± 2.7 kg. Methods The dogs received a 15‐minute intravenous (IV) infusion of 5 mL kg^?1 oxypolygelatin or 10 mL kg^?1 6% dextran 70. Before (PRE) and at 2, 5, and 24 hours after administration, packed cell volume (PCV), total solids concentration (TS), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen concentration (FIB), platelet numbers (Plat), factor VIII coagulant activity (VIII:C), von Willebrand factor antigen concentration (vWf:Ag) and platelet function and buccal mucosal bleeding time (BMBT) were measured. Platelet function was assessed using aggregation and by measuring ATP release from aggregating platelets over 6 minutes, with 20, 10, and 5 µm ADP and 5 and 10 µg of collagen mL^?1 as platelet activation agonists. Results All baseline values were within our normal ranges, except for one dog that had low vWf:Ag PRE values prior to both dextran and oxypolygelatin administration. Following dextran and oxypolygelatin administration, the PCV and TP were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Plat, FIB, and vWf:Ag decreased, while BMBT and VIII:C increased following dextran administration. Dextran also caused a significant decrease in platelet aggregation in response to ADP. Oxypolygelatin caused a significant decrease in vWf:Ag, Plat, and FIB compared to PRE values. The total amount of ATP released, standardized to platelet number, did not vary significantly for either group at any sampling time from PRE values. No significant changes from PRE values were noted at any time in either group for PT or APTT. Conclusion At the doses administered, both dextran and oxypolygelatin can interfere with hemostatic variables in healthy dogs, but dextran's effect is more profound and prolonged when compared to oxypolygelatin. Clinical relevance Oxypolygelatin causes fewer hemostatic abnormalities when compared to dextran, making it a superior colloid for administration at the doses tested.     

Evaluation of urine sulfated and nonsulfated bile acids as a diagnostic test for liver disease in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 3 methods for measuring urine bile acids (UBA) and compare their diagnostic performance with that of the serum bile acids (SBA) test and other routine screening tests in dogs with hepatic disorders. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 15 healthy dogs, 102 dogs with hepatic disorders, and 9 dogs with clinical signs of hepatic disorders that were found to have nonhepatic disorders. PROCEDURES: Blood and urine samples were collected from sick dogs and healthy dogs for serum biochemical analyses, and determination of concentrations of SBA and UBA. Urine samples were obtained from 15 healthy dogs to establish an upper cutoff value for UBA concentrations. The UBA were measured by use of a quantitative-linked enzymatic colorimetric method. Three analytical modifications were evaluated; 1 quantified only urine sulfated bile acids (USBA), 1 only urine nonsulfated bile acids (UNSBA), and 1 quantified both (USBA plus UNSBA). The UBA values were standardized with the urine creatinine concentration. RESULTS: The UNSBA-to-creatinine ratio and USBA plus UNSBA-to-creatinine ratio tests had the best diagnostic performance of the UBA tests; each had a substantially higher specificity, slightly higher positive predictive value, slightly lower negative predictive value, and lower sensitivity than the SBA test. These UBA-to-creatinine values were positively correlated with SBA values. The USBA-to-creatinine ratio had poor sensitivity, indicating a low rate of bile acid sulfation in dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The UBA can be measured in dogs with sufficient repeatability and accuracy for clinical application. The UNSBA-to-creatinine ratio and USBA plus UNSBA-to-creatinine ratio identified dogs with hepatic disorders nearly as well as the SBA test.