MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF INTRACRANIAL TISSUE ACCUMULATIONS IN DOMESTIC DUCKS (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) WITH FEATHER CRESTS

The crested breed of domestic duck (Anas platyrhynchos f. dom.) has been described as a variety which has high pre- and postnatal mortalities, malformations in skull and brain anatomy, and several central nervous deficiencies. In addition, intracranial tissue accumulations have been diagnosed in purebred Crested ducks. The incidence, heredity and inheritance of these accumulations as well as their pathogenesis are still generally unknown. The aims of this study were to examine the head of Crested ducks, plain-headed duck breeds, and their crossbreeding relating to the incidence of intracranial alterations. These examinations were performed using magnetic resonance imaging. We found a high incidence of intracranial tissue accumulations in domestic ducks with feather crests. Creasted ducks had more intracranial tissue deposits than plain-headed ducks (p < 0.001). In the present study a correlation between the volume of the crest cushion and the volume of the intracranial tissue deposit could not be found (r = 0.014). Some of the Crested ducks had encephaloceles in addition to the crest cushion.     

Effects of an additional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy with carprofen (Rimadyl Rind) in cases of severe mastitis of high yielding cows

This field study focuses on the possible effects of a combination of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment (carprofen) and a local and parenteral antibiotic on cure rates, survival rate and return to milk production of severe clinical mastitis cases. 69 cows in 3 herds (blocked by parity) with severe clinical mastitis during the first 120 d of lactation (median = 28 d) were treated with antibiotics and one-half of these cows were treated with 1.4 mg/kg bodyweight carprofen (Rimadyl Rind, Pfizer GmbH Tiergesundheit, Germany). Double milk samples for bacteriology were collected from clinically affected udder quarters before treatment and at 14 (+/- 3) and 21 (+/- 3) days after commencement of treatment for cytomicro-temperature, clinical, bacteriological, cytobacteriological cure rate and in the number of cows that were defined as treatment failures (i.e., died, re-treated, relapse). Six (22.2%) vs. seven (19.4%) cows in the carprofen and control groups failed, respectively. The milk yield was significantly higher in the carprofen-treated group compared with the control group after treatment. The present work gives first indications that treatment of cows with severe clinical mastitis with a combination of carprofen and antibiotics could result in a faster return to milk production compared to treatment with antibiotics alone. If this effect can be affiliated to the administration of carprofen alone has to be examined in further studies.     

Congenital neuropathy and dilution of feather melanin in nestlings of urban-breeding northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis).

A pair of northern goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) breeding in a public park in the city center of Hamburg, Germany, raised 12 healthy and five aberrant offspring between 1996 and 2000. Aberrant nestlings (three males and two females) had pale silver-blue plumage and displayed severe locomotor disorders. Histopathologically, the defects were characterized by adendritic feather melanocytes and mild degeneration of the cerebellar white matter. Epidemiologic results were suggestive of a hereditary autosomal recessive defect, which may have originated from close inbreeding during the foundation of Hamburg's urban population of northern goshawks.     

The role of hemoglobin denaturation and band 3 clustering in red blood cell aging

As hemoglobin begins to denature, it forms hemichromes that cross-link the major erythrocyte membrane-spanning protein, band 3, into clusters. These clusters provide the recognition site for antibodies directed against senescent cells. These antibodies bind to the aged red cell and trigger its removal from circulation.     

A field study evaluation of Petrifilm™ plates as a 24-h rapid diagnostic test for clinical mastitis on a dairy farm

Clinical mastitis is one of the most common and expensive diseases of dairy cattle. To make an informed treatment decision, it is important to know the causative pathogen. However, no detection of bacterial growth can be made in approximately 30% of all clinical cases of mastitis. Before selecting the treatment regimen, it is important to know whether the mastitis-causing pathogen (MCP) is Gram-positive or Gram-negative. The aim of this field study was to investigate whether using two 3M Petrifilm™ products on-farm (which conveys a higher degree of sample freshness but also bears a higher risk for contamination than working in a lab) as 24-h rapid diagnostic of clinical mastitis achieved results that were comparable to the conventional microbiological diagnostic method.