The digestibility of milk substitutes with various soybean products in young calves

Digestibility trials were performed to study the suitability of mixtures made up of treated soybean and whey powder for replacing skim milk powder. Three different milk replacers were used, the replacers T-18/II and T-18/III containing Plyllac preparations manufactured by different technologies. When using the T-18 preparation with 18% fat content it was found that the protein source may contain 25% Plyllac preparation and 11% sweet whey powder. In two cases, at the age of 5 and 7 weeks, the digestibility of the crude protein in the T-18/II preparation was found to deteriorate significantly. For this reason, the authors suggest this milk replacer to be used from the 5th week of life. Trials were performed with 3 milk replacers (lactine preparations) containing Plyllac preparations of different manufacturing technology (35%), treated soybean (10%) and sweet whey powder (10%). It was found that the use of Plyllac preparations, i.e. of treated soybean in larger amounts causes the nutrient digestibility, mainly that of crude protein, to be significantly lower at the age of 3 and 5 weeks than that at the age of 7 to 9 weeks. No significant differences were found in the digestibility of the various Plyllac preparations manufactured by different technologies. The milk replacer lactine is recommended for use from the 5th week of life on.     

Effect of fulvic and humic acids on performance, immune response and thyroid function in rats

Effect of humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) on production parameters, immune response and thyroid function of rats were investigated in two experiments. First experiment: control or 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8% HA- or FA-supplemented diets. Second experiment: control and 0.4% HA- or FA-supplemented diets. The feeding period lasted 26 days in both trials. No significant changes were observed in production parameters. Ovalbumine antibody titre of rats on HA- or FA-supplemented diets showed dose-dependent (at 0.4% supplementation) and significant (p < 0.05) increase (350 and 418% respectively) over the control (100%). Dose-related increase of plasma TSH (r = 0.99), and decrease of the T(4)/T(3) ratio (r = -0.97) was observed in FA-supplemented rats. Second experiment: both FA and HA stimulated the immune response by the 14th day (mean values: control: 685.79; FA: 1131.37; HA: 1055.6099) and 26th day (control: 544.31; FA: 1969.83; HA: 1600.00). No significant differences were noted with lymphocyte stimulation test. Diameter of the 'B'-dependent lymphoid tissues in the ileum and spleen were significantly (p < 0.05) larger in both the FA- and HA-treated animals. Humic acid and FA supplementation resulted in strong humoral immune stimulation. Our data also indicate that FA content is responsible for the mild hypothyroid effect of humic substances.     

Comparison of acetate tape impression with squeezing versus skin scraping for the diagnosis of canine demodicosis

This study compared the sensitivity of acetate tape impression and skin squeezing with that of deep skin scraping for the diagnosis of demodicosis in dogs. Demodex canis was detected in 100% of acetate tape impressions obtained after skin squeezing and in 90% of deep skin scrapings. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the techniques in the total number of mites detected. Acetate tape impression with skin squeezing was found to be more sensitive than deep skin scraping and is an alternative diagnostic method for canine demodicosis.     

Effect of milk substitutes with various soy bean products on the N metabolism in calves

N-balance trials on young calves aged 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 weeks, respectively, revealed that a mixture of soybean and whey powder accounting for 39.5% of the total protein amount can be fed without any disadvantage. Feeding this mixture gave N-balance results differing only slightly in the groups aged 7, 9 and 11 weeks. The milk replacer with a higher proportion of soybean and whey powder revealed a more unfavourable N-balance. This allows to conclude that milk replacers containing soybean preparations can be successfully applied to young calves from 5 weeks on, no disadvantages being likely as to N-balance and live weight gain.     

Snake envenomation in cats and its detection by rapid immunoassay

Objective To determine the usefulness of a snake venom detection kit (SVDK) in the management of envenomed cats.
Design A clinical study.  

Animals

Twenty-two cats were investigated.
Procedure Cats injected subcutaneously with approximately 0.25 or 1.0 lethal dose (LD) of tiger snake venom or 1 or 4 LD of brown snake venom were observed for clinical symptoms of envenomation at intervals over the ensuring 24 to 48 hours(h). Blood and urine samples were taken at regular intervals and assayed in a quantitative laboratory assay for snake venoms. Selected samples were assayed in parallel in a rapid, semi-quantitative SVDK.
Results The studies showed that it was important to estimate the elapsed time from envenomation to presentation. If this time was less than 8 h, blood was the most appropriate sample and a negative result should exclude serious envenomation. If the elapsed time exceeded 8 h, it was essential that urine be sampled. Venom levels in urine were high at 8 h and approached the level of test sensitivity over 24 to 48 h; however by this time clinical signs were obvious in endangered cats.  

Conclusions

Careful use of the SVDK is a valuable aid in the management of a potentially envenomed cat.