The duration of lot-feeding of sheep before sea transport

Adult wethers (n = 750) were lot-fed for 13 days, 8 days or 3 days before a simulated voyage lasting 18 days to examine whether the period of lot-feeding affected the proportion of sheep that ate pelleted feed and their body weight change during simulated shipping. There was no significant difference in the proportion of non-feeders between treatment groups on days 7 and 14 of the voyage. Body weights were not significantly different between the treatment groups on days 14 and 18 of the voyage. Overall body weight loss, from the farm to the end of simulated shipping, was 4.08 kg (+/- 0.28, s.e.m.), 4.58 kg (+/- 0.28) and 4.51 kg (+/- 0.28) in sheep lot-fed for 13 days, 8 days and 3 days, respectively, and was not significantly different between treatments. It was concluded that lot-feeding for 13 days conferred no advantage in body weight or numbers of non-feeders compared with shorter periods in this study.     

Pathogenesis studies with Australian bat lyssavirus in grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus)

OBJECTIVE: To examine the susceptibility of the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) to Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL), and to provide preliminary observations on the pathogenesis of the disease in flying foxes. PROCEDURE: Ten flying foxes were inoculated intramuscularly with ABL, and four with a bat-associated rabies virus. Inoculated animals were observed daily, and clinical samples collected every 9 to 14 days. Animals with abnormal clinical signs were euthanased, and samples collected for histological, serological, virological and immunohistological examinations. At 3 months post inoculation (PI), all survivors were euthanased, and each submitted to a similar examination. RESULTS: Three ABL-inoculated flying foxes, and two rabies-inoculated animals developed abnormal clinical signs between 15 and 24 days PI. All three ABL-inoculated animals had histological lesions consistent with a lyssavirus infection, and lyssaviral antigen was identified in the central nervous system (CNS) of each. Virus was isolated from the brain of two affected animals. Of the rabies-inoculated flying foxes, both had histological lesions and viral antigen in the CNS. Virus was recovered from the brain of only one. None of the five affected flying foxes developed anti-lyssavirus antibodies, but, by 3 months PI, five of the seven ABL-inoculated survivors, and one of the two rabies virus-inoculated survivors, had seroconverted. The dynamics of the immune responses were quite variable. CONCLUSIONS: The response of flying foxes to ABL, administered by a peripheral route of inoculation, was similar to that of bats inoculated peripherally with bat-derived rabies viruses.     

Unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques and residual effects in dogs

Objectives To investigate the use of unguided bronchoalveolar lavage techniques in dogs without fibreoptic bronchoscopy, using an adapted single vascular catheter and a double-lumen catheter made from two single vascular catheters.
Animals Sixty-nine dogs were examined with the single-catheter technique and 110 dogs with the double-catheter technique.
Design A prospective study.
Procedure Sixty-nine and 220 samples, collected with the single catheter and the double catheter respectively, were examined cytologically Lungs of 69 dogs were examined grossly and histologically. Radiographic examination was performed on 11 dogs.
Results The double-catheter technique produced samples with significantly higher cellularity (P < 0.01) and fewer red blood cells (P < 0.01) than the single-catheter technique. Repeat samples collected with a double catheter were not significantly different (P > 0.01) in any value. A reference range for nucleated cell counts of 62 to 1210 – 10⁶/L was calculated from 57 clinically and histologically normal dogs. The major residual effects of the technique were localised pulmonary oedema, and alveolar distension with collapse and congestion of distant parenchyma. Thoracic radiographs revealed increased lung opacity for at least up to 7 h after the procedure.
Conclusions The cellularity of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained was adequate and sufficient fluid was retrieved when the single catheter was located in a proper position. However, the double catheter obtained better samples more quickly and easily, with less damage to the respiratory tract.     

FACIAL FIBROSARCOMA IN TWO COWS

Fibrosarcoma is a common tumor affecting bone, but is uncommon in cows, Reported here are two bovine cases of facial fibrosarcoma that were very invasive.