bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of the prevalence of Salmonella species on commercial laying farms in the United Kingdom
Authors: Snow L. C. , Davies R. H. , Christiansen K. H. , Carrique‐Mas J. J. , Wales A. D. , O'Connor J. L. , Cook A. J. C. , Evans S. J.
Published: October 2010

A survey of salmonella infection on 454 commercial layer flock holdings in the uk was carried out between October 2004 and September 2005. Fifty‐four (11·7 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval 9·3 to 14·0 per cent) were salmonella positive. The most common serovar identified was Salmonella Enteritidis at a prevalence of 5·8 per cent, and 70 per cent of these isolates were phage types 4, 6, 7 and 35. Salmonella Typhimurium was the second most prevalent serovar, found in 1·8 per cent of the farms. Of the three other serovars given top priority by the eu because of their public health significance, Salmonella Virchow and Salmonella Infantis were each isolated from one holding, but Salmonella Hadar was not isolated from any of the holdings. Analysis of antimicrobial resistance patterns revealed that over 76 per cent of the isolates were sensitive to all of the 16 drugs tested, and all the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, apramycin, amikacin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, neomycin and cefotaxime.
Spirorchiidiosis (Digenea: Spirorchiidae) and lesions associated with parasites in Caribbean green turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Authors: Santoro M. , Morales J. A. , Rodríguez‐Ortíz B.
Published: October 2010

Forty‐seven nesting green turtles (Chelonia mydas) were examined for parasitic pathogens. Four species of cardiovascular flukes (Digenea: Spirorchiidae), Learedius learedi, Hapalotrema postorchis, Monticellius indicum and Amphiorchis solus were collected from 39 of 40 of the turtles, and Neospirorchis species were identified in seven of the 47 by histological examination. The pathological changes associated with the spirorchiids and their eggs included aneurysms, arteritis of great vessels with dark nodular thickenings, endocarditis, haemorrhagic lesions, thrombi, vasculitis, and granulomatous reactions in all the turtles. Ozobranchus branchiatus (Hirudinea: Ozobranchidae) leeches were found on the skin of 27 of the 47 turtles and were associated with traumatic purulent and ulcerative dermatitis. Oesophagitis associated with Rameshwarotrema uterocrescens (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) was recorded in 11 of 43 of the turtles. Petechial haemorrhages and unspecific crater‐like ulcerated lesions on the gastric mucosa associated with Charaxicephaloides species and Charaxicephalus robustus (Digenea: Pronocephalidae) were observed in four of 40 of the turtles. Cholycystitis and ectasia of mucosal glands associated with Rhytidodoides similis (Digenea: Rhytidodidae) were observed in one of the 47 turtles. Fibropapillomas were observed on the skin of one turtle and fibromas on the skin of two of them.
Studies on the aetiology of non‐suppurative encephalitis in pigs
Authors: Bukovsky C. , Schmoll F. , Revilla‐Fernändez S. , Weissenböck H.
Published: October 2010

Thirty‐eight natural cases of aetiologically unclear non‐suppurative encephalitis in pigs were studied retrospectively. Brain samples were examined for the presence of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV‐2), porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV), porcine enteroviruses (PEVs), ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV‐2), Borna disease virus (BDV) and suid herpesvirus type 1 (SuHV‐1) by molecular biological and immunohistochemical methods. Histological examination of the brains revealed variable degrees of lymphohistiocytic encephalitis or meningoencephalitis, characterised predominantly by perivascular mononuclear infiltrates. Two cases could be attributed to PCV‐2 infection by in situ hybridisation: viral nucleic acid was found in the mesencephalon, the cerebellum and the medulla oblongata, mainly in the cytoplasm of macrophages, endothelial cells and some glial cells, which were predominantly found in the meninges and around blood vessels. Real‐time PCR detected PCV‐2 DNA in brain samples from seven other pigs. There was no evidence of PRRSV, BDV, SuHV‐1, PEVs or OvHV‐2 in any of the brain samples examined.
Thyroid hormone concentrations in young, healthy, pretraining greyhounds
Authors: Shiel R. E. , Brennan S. F. , Omodo‐Eluk A. J. , Mooney C. T.
Published: October 2010

Total thyroxine (T4) concentrations were below the non‐breed‐specific reference range in 42 of 46 healthy young greyhounds (91·3 per cent) and 16 (34·8 per cent) were at or below the limit of detection of the assay. Free T4 concentrations were below the standard reference interval in 20·5 per cent of the animals and 13 per cent were at or below the limit of detection of the assay. In contrast, all the dogs' total tri‐iodothyronine concentrations were within or above the non‐breed‐specific reference range and 67 per cent were within the upper half. All the dogs' thyroid stimulating hormone concentrations were within the non‐breed‐specific reference range. The results show that young greyhounds have markedly lower total and free T4 concentrations than other breeds, and neither analyte can reliably be used to investigate the hypothyroidism in this breed as values were found below the limit of detection of each respective assay.
Antagonistic effects of yohimbine in pigs anaesthetised with tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine
Authors: Kim M‐J. , Park C‐S. , Jun M‐H. , Kim M‐C.
Published: October 2010

Twelve healthy two‐month‐old Landrace x Yorkshire pigs of both sexes were randomly assigned to receive either tiletamine and xylazine (zx) or zolazepam and xylazine followed 20 minutes later by yohimbine (zxy). The pigs' scores for immobilisation and analgesia, and their rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, pO2, pCO2, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, glucose and total plasma proteins were determined before and five, 25, 45, 65 and 85 minutes after the administration of the tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine. The mean total scores for immobilisation and analgesia of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of the zx pigs after 85 minutes. The mean rectal temperatures of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs after 25, 45 and 65 minutes. The mean respiratory rates of the zx pigs were significantly lower than those of zxy pigs after five minutes. The mean pCO2 of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs five minutes after the administration of yohimbine. The mean glucose concentration of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs after 65 and 85 minutes. The mean concentration total protein of the zxy pigs were significantly lower than those of zx pigs throughout the period of anaesthesia. Both groups became laterally recumbent within three minutes. When recovering from anaesthesia, the pigs treated with yohimbine took significantly less time to achieve sternal recumbency (mean [sd] 52·2 [8·9] v 76·2 [20·6] minutes) and less time to be able to stand (mean [sd] 77·0 [9·8] v 98·7 [15·8] minutes), and walk (mean [sd] 81·3 [11·3] v 110·8 [18·6] minutes).
Diagnosis of equine infectious anaemia during the 2006 outbreak in Ireland
Authors: Cullinane A. , Quinlivan M. , Nelly M. , Patterson H. , Kenna R. , Garvey M. , Gildea S. , Lyons P. , Flynn M. , Galvin P. , Neylon M. , Jankowska K.
Published: October 2010

In 2006 there was an outbreak of equine infectious anaemia (eia) in Ireland. This paper describes the use of the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical cases of the disease. In acute cases the elisa s and the immunoblot were more sensitive than the agid. In one mare, fluctuating antibody levels were observed in all the serological assays before it seroconverted by agid. Viral rna and dna were detected by rt‐pcr and pcr in all the tissues from the infected animals examined postmortem. The pcr detected viral dna in plasma regardless of the stage of the disease. In contrast, the rt‐pcr detected rna in only 52 per cent of the seropositive animals tested and appeared to be most sensitive for the detection of virus early in infection. Both pcr and rt‐pcr demonstrated potential to detect acutely infected horses earlier than some of the official tests. The serological data suggest that the usual incubation/seroconversion period for this strain of the virus was approximately 37 days but may be more than 60 days in a few cases.
Relationship between the serum concentrations of serotonin and lipids and aggression in dogs
Authors: Çakiroǧlu D. , Meral Y. , Sancak A. A. , Çifti G.
Published: October 2010

The serum concentrations of serotonin and lipids — triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein — were determined in 18 normal dogs and 23 dogs diagnosed as aggressive on the basis of interviews with their owners and an assessment of their behaviour with reference to a canine overt aggression chart. The serum serotonin levels in the aggressive dogs were significantly lower than in the normal dogs (P<0·01), but the differences in serum lipids between the two groups were not statistically significant.
Economic cost of difficult calvings in the United Kingdom dairy herd
Authors: McGuirk B. J. , Forsyth R. , Dobson H.
Published: October 2010

Information on the losses associated with lower milk production and reproductive performance, as well as information from a survey of uk dairy herds using beef semen was used to estimate the economic importance of calving difficulties in uk dairy herds. The survey covered information on cow and calf mortality, cow culling and the need for veterinary assistance, the incidences of which were related to the degree of calving difficulty experienced. The total cost of a slightly difficult calving was estimated to be approximately £110, and of a seriously difficult calving between £350 and £400, depending on assumptions of the veterinary costs. However, the major costs were associated with the labour required at the delivery, the increase in the number of days open, and the costs associated with the deaths of cows and calves, and cow culling.
Evaluation of foot pain in the standing horse by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Sherlock C. E. , Kinns J. , Mair T. S.
Published: October 2010

The records of 41 horses with previously undiagnosed foot pain that had been examined by standing magnetic resonance imaging were reviewed and follow‐up information was obtained from their owners two years after the examination. A range of soft tissue and osseous abnormalities were identified, with multiple lesions frequently occurring. Deep digital flexor tendonitis was recorded in 12 of the horses, and distension of the distal interphalangeal joint was identified in 15, but it was not always associated with lameness; in contrast, distension of the navicular bursa was always associated with lameness in the seven affected horses. Navicular bone lesions were identified in 13 of the horses, often in the absence of radiographic changes. Follow‐up information was obtained for 35 of the horses, 27 of which were alive; of these, 16 had returned to their previous level of performance. Of the five horses with navicular bursal changes, four had been euthanased owing to lameness and the other had returned to work at a reduced level.
Eradication of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma by motherless rearing of lambs
Authors: Voigt K. , Krämer U. , Brügmann M. , Dewar P. , Sharp J. M. , Ganter M.
Published: October 2010

The principles of maedi‐visna eradication programmes were applied to a field trial for the eradication of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (opa). In two maternal flocks the prevalence of gross and histological lesions in slaughtered animals was 18·3 per cent and 29·8 per cent, respectively. The lambing period was supervised for three consecutive years from 1999 to 2001, during which the lambs were taken away from their mothers at birth, deprived of maternal colostrum, and hand‐reared away from other sheep. Over the three‐year period, 322 hand‐reared animals, mainly male lambs between 10 and 14 months old, were slaughtered; their lungs were examined grossly, 52·5 per cent of them were examined histologically, and 105 samples of caudal mediastinal lymph nodes were examined by pcr. No opa tumours were detected in the slaughter specimens from the derived flock, but one lamb had histological lesions in one lung location; intrauterine transmission was ruled out in this case. No clinical opa has subsequently been observed in the hand‐reared flock. Bronchoalveolar lavage samples from the breeding stock were examined by pcr in order to rule out further subclinical cases of opa. No Jaagsiekte retrovirus was detected in any of the 488 samples.
One‐step method for catheterising the jugular vein of cats to enable repeated blood sampling
Authors: Lainesse C. , Boysen S. R. , Doucet M. Y.
Published: October 2010

A one‐step method for catheterising the jugular vein of cats for taking multiple blood samples was developed, with the aid of radiography, to determine an appropriate internal catheter length for adult cats. The effects of multiple blood sampling and heparin flushes on the cats' haematocrit and blood total solids were also assessed. Seven healthy adult cats were used. A total of 128 of 132 (97 per cent) blood samples were collected successfully through a 19 G, 30·5 cm catheter introduced as a central venous catheter and maintained in place during two periods of 48 hours. The haematocrit and total solids were significantly decreased in all the cats, but no clinically significant blood loss or coagulation disorders were observed.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein (gfap) and anti‐gfap autoantibody in canine necrotising meningoencephalitis
Authors: Toda Y. , Matsuki N. , Shibuya M. , Fujioka I. , Tamahara S. , Ono K.
Published: October 2010

To establish clinical markers for canine necrotising meningoencephalitis (nme) and to elucidate its pathogenesis, glial fibrillary acidic protein (gfap) and anti‐gfap autoantibodies were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (csf) of 32 dogs with nme, 23 dogs with other inflammatory central nervous system (cns) diseases, 27 dogs with miscellaneous cns diseases and 25 healthy dogs, including five pugs. The dogs with nme had the highest levels of anti‐gfap autoantibodies. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of anti‐gfap autoantibodies for nme were 91 per cent and 73 per cent, respectively. Some of the dogs with nme and the healthy pugs, had high csf concentrations of gfap, suggesting a breed‐specific fragility of astrocytes. The leakage of gfap and the development of autoimmunity may be key to understanding the pathogenesis of nme.
Actinomycesspecies as a cause of abscesses in nine horses
Authors: Fielding C. L. , Magdesian K. G. , Morgan R. A. , Ruby R. E. , Sprayberry K. A.
Published: October 2010

The characteristics, history, clinical signs, treatment and outcome of nine horses with abscesses caused byActinomycesspecies were reviewed.dnasequencing was used to determine the species of one of the isolates. The horses were one to 11 years of age, and the abscesses were most commonly located in the submandibular and retropharyngeal regions. The bacterium was usually cultured as the sole isolate and the horses were most often affected in the autumn. Most of the abscesses were treated with antimicrobials and drainage, but some of them recurred. The horses with submandibular abscesses had residual scar tissue that in some cases did not resolve.
Ultrasonographic findings in cows with right displacement of the abomasum and abomasal volvulus
Authors: Braun U. , Feller B.
Published: October 2010

Seventeen cows with right displacement of the abomasum (rda) without abomasal volvulus, nine cows with abomasal volvulus and 10 clinically healthy cows were examined ultrasonographically. A 5·0 MHz transducer was used to scan the eighth to 12th intercostal spaces and the cranial and caudal aspects of the flank on the right side. The position, size and dorsal and ventral margins of the abomasum were determined at each imaging position. In both groups of diseased cows, the ventral abomasum contained fluid ingesta, which appeared hypoechogenic with diffuse echogenic stippling. The abomasal folds could be seen clearly as echogenic sickle‐shaped structures within the ingesta. The dorsal abomasal gas cap varied in size and was characterised by reverberation artefacts, which appeared as echogenic lines running parallel to the body surface. Compared with the healthy cows, the abomasum was larger and located significantly closer to the midline of the dorsum in both groups of cows. Compared with the cows withrda, the abomasum in the cows with abomasal volvulus was significantly smaller in the eighth intercostal space and significantly larger in the 11th intercostal space. It was not possible to differentiate betweenrdaand abomasal volvulus on the basis of the ultrasonographic findings.
Elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from a seedstock breeding farm and a supplying boar stud by a modified test and removal method
Authors: Yang J. S. , Moon H. J. , Lee C. S. , Park S. J. , Song D. S. , Kang B. K. , Choi J. U. , Park B. K.
Published: October 2010

To eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (prrsv) from a supplying boar stud, samples of serum and semen from 118 boars were assessed three times a month by an indirect fluorescent antibody (ifa) test to detect antibodies, and by a nested reverse transcriptase‐pcr(nrt‐pcr) to detect the genome ofprrsv. The boars detected as persistently infected carriers were culled. Aprrsv‐negative population of boars was established after three months and no semen positive for the virus was detected for six months. Subsequently, a three‐step plan was introduced to eliminateprrsvfrom the seedstock breeding farm during three parity cycles on the farm over 15 months, each step taking five months. In step 1, umbilical cords taken from piglets at birth and serum samples taken from their dams at the start of weaning were subjected toifaand nrt‐pcranalysis. The sows withprrsvdetected in serum by nrt‐pcrwere regarded as carrier sows and culled. The rates of detection ofprrsvwere reduced from 5 per cent to 2·5 per cent in the sera of the sows, and from 14·8 per cent to 1·8 per cent in the umbilical cords of the piglets. In step 2, the sows that had farrowed the piglets withprrsvdetected by nrt‐pcrin their cords were considered to have transmitted the infection and removed. During step 2, the virus detection rates in umbilical cords by nrt‐pcrwere reduced, but not completely eliminated. In step 3, 10‐week‐old nursery pigs with antibodies toprrsvin their serum byifaandelisawere culled. The three steps established theprrsv‐negative state of the multisite farm containing the breeding and nursery farm, and theprrsv‐negative state of both the multisite farm and the supplying boar stud was evaluated by monthly monitoring over at least one parity cycle of the farm for five months.
Prevalence of clinical signs of disease in Danish finisher pigs
Authors: Petersen H. H. , Nielsen E. O. , Hassing A‐G. , Ersbøll A. K. , Nielsen J. P.
Published: October 2010

Between December 1999 and February 2001, two visits, eight weeks apart, were made to 90 herds of Danish finisher pigs. The prevalence of clinical signs was recorded by three veterinary technicians from the Danish Bacon and Meat Council according to a standardised procedure; they had been trained and their observations were monitored and validated before and during the study. A total of 154,347 finisher pigs were examined and 22,136 clinical signs were recorded. Vices accounted for 43 per cent of the signs. The highest mean prevalence was observed for ear necrosis (4·44 per cent), followed by respiratory signs (2·17 per cent), lameness (1·92 per cent), other skin diseases (1·73 per cent), tail bites (1·26 per cent), umbilical hernia (0·78 per cent), flank bites (0·52 per cent), diarrhoea (0·27 per cent), respiratory distress (0·12 per cent), atrophic rhinitis (0·10 per cent), recumbency (0·09 per cent) and central nervous disease (0·05 per cent). The prevalence of atrophic rhinitis was higher in conventional herds than in specific pathogen‐free herds. The prevalence of clinical signs of atrophic rhinitis was higher among finishers weighing 51 to 75 kg than among finishers weighing up to 50 kg, and the prevalence of respiratory signs was higher among finishers weighing 51 to 75 kg then among finishers weighing 76 to 100 kg.
Quantitative and qualitative assessments of intraoral lesions in 180 small herbivorous mammals
Authors: Jekl V. , Hauptman K. , Knotek Z.
Published: October 2010

Between 2002 and 2005 210 rabbits, 257 guinea pigs and 123 chinchillas were examined; oral disease was diagnosed in 38·1 per cent of the rabbits, 23·4 per cent of the guinea pigs and 32·5 per cent of the chinchillas. In the rabbits, the maxillary right P3, mandibular right P3, P4 and M1 and mandibular left P3, P4, and M1 were the teeth most frequently affected; in the guinea pigs, the mandibular right P4 and both the mandibular left incisor and P4 were most often affected; and in the chinchillas the maxillary right P4 and M1 and maxillary left P4 were most often affected. The incisors and first mandibular cheek teeth of the guinea pigs were significantly more often affected than those in the chinchillas or rabbits. Bilateral lesions of the maxillary cheek teeth were significantly more common in the chinchillas. The highest incidence of gingival hyperplasia was recorded in the rabbits. The incidence of gingival erosions and gingivitis were significantly higher in the chinchillas.
Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome in Danish pig herds: productivity, clinical signs and pathology
Authors: Nielsen E. O. , Enøe C. , Jorsal S. E. , Barfod K. , Svensmark B. , Bille‐Hansen V. , Vigre H. , Bøtner A. , Baekbo P.
Published: October 2010

A case‐control study of 74 herds with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (pmws) and 74 matched control herds was carried out. In the case herds the mortality rates of weaner and finisher pigs were 11·2 and 5·2 per cent respectively, compared with 3·1 and 3·2 per cent in the control herds. In most case herds, pmws developed within the first four weeks after weaning. Wasting, diarrhoea and respiratory signs were observed in 10 per cent of the weaner pigs (7 to 30 kg) in the case herds compared with 7 per cent in the control herds. The average daily gains of the weaner pigs and finisher pigs were 36 g and 52 g less in the case herds than in the control herds. By examining three weaner pigs from each herd the pmws diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry in 78 per cent of the case herds, but at least one pmws ‐positive weaner pig was found in 19 of the control herds. The prevalence of pmws ‐positive pigs among illthriven weaner pigs was 45 per cent (101/222) in the case herds, and 12 per cent (27/222) in the control herds. Specific gross pathological findings were associated with a positive pmws diagnosis; pigs with heavy, rubber‐like lungs, atonic intestines, and enlarged bronchial and inguinal lymph nodes, had a 0·7 probability of a positive pmws diagnosis by laboratory examinations. However, for illthriven pigs, this probability of having pmws was equal in the case herds and the control herds.
Relationships between age at first calving and first lactation milk yield, and lifetime productivity and longevity in dairy cows
Authors: Haworth G. M. , Tranter W. P. , Chuck J. N. , Cheng Z. , Wathes D. C.
Published: October 2010

Lifetime records of 442 Holstein cows on one farm in North Queensland, Australia, were analysed to evaluate the effects of age at first calving (afc) and first lactation milk yield on parities per lifetime, longevity, milk yield in subsequent lactations, lifetime milk production and the longevity index (li), that is the proportion of a cow's life spent in active milk production. The mean daily yield in the first lactation was a reliable indicator of milk yield in subsequent lactations, estimated lifetime production, longevity and li. The afc had no effect on lifetime days in milk. Neither the afc nor the milk yield in the first lactation significantly affected the number of parities per lifetime. For the majority of cows, which produced less than 30 l/day in the first lactation, there was a significant positive relationship between longevity and afc. However, none of the cows that produced more than 30 l/day in the first lactation survived for more than two lactations. The optimal afc was thus two to two‐and‐a‐half years, as these cows had the highest first lactation yield, estimated lifetime production and li. The optimal mean daily yield in the first lactation was 20 to 30 l/day, as these cows lived longer and had a higher li and lifetime production.
Risk of pyometra in bitches treated for mismating with low doses of oestradiol benzoate
Authors: Whitehead M. L.
Published: October 2010

A review of the literature concerning the effect of oestrogens for treating mismating in bitches on the occurrence of pyometra indicated that low doses of oestradiol benzoate substantially increase the incidence of pyometra. A retrospective study of the clinical records of aukgeneral practice found that the incidence of pyometra in the four months after administration of low doses of oestradiol benzoate was 8·7 per cent, whereas the incidence in the practice's untreated at‐risk population was estimated to be less than 1·32 per cent per interoestrus interval, suggesting that more than 85 per cent of pyometras occurring within four months of treatment are iatrogenic.
Use of laboratory data to reduce the time taken to detect new diseases: vida to FarmFile
Authors: Gibbens J. C. , Robertson S. , Willmington J. , Milnes A. , Ryan J. B. M. , Wilesmith J. W. , Cook A. J. C. , David G. P.
Published: October 2010

The analysis of laboratory data can provide information about the health of livestock populations; in Great Britain the Veterinary Investigation Diagnosis Analysis (vida) system has provided such data since 1975. However vida covers only known diagnoses, with limited epidemiological characterisation. The unexpected outbreak of bse showed that it was necessary to improve surveillance to detect new diseases, and a necessary update of the vida database for the millennium date change provided the opportunity. The information required to enhance the value of laboratory data was identified, a new form and database, ‘FarmFile’, were designed to record it, and they began to be used in 1999. The detection of new diseases depends on making comparisons with the expected or ‘usual’ levels of unexplained disease. The data are analysed quarterly to assess any changes in the levels of unexplained disease in different species, categorised in terms of clinical sign or body system, by comparison with previous years. No new diseases have been detected either through FarmFile or more traditional means since the new analyses started in earnest in 2004, but they have indicated that an unexplained event was not a new disease of concern, and developments continue to improve the system's sensitivity and specificity.
Blood culture and stimulation conditions for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in cervids by the Cervigam assay
Authors: Waters W. R. , Palmer M. V. , Thacker T. C. , Orloski K. , Nol P. , Harrington N. P. , Olsen S. C. , Nonnecke B. J.
Published: October 2010

Mitogen‐ and antigen‐induced interferon‐γ (ifn ‐γ) responses of peripheral blood leucocytes from cervids were evaluated by a commercial whole‐blood assay. The assay was applied to Mycobacterium bovis ‐infected white‐tailed deer and reindeer, M bovis bcg ‐vaccinated white‐tailed deer and elk, and unvaccinated, uninfected white‐tailed deer, fallow deer, elk and reindeer. The responses of the M bovis ‐infected white‐tailed deer to pokeweed mitogen (pwm) varied with time and between individuals. The responses of the M bovis ‐infected reindeer to pwm and M bovis purified protein derivative (ppd) were positively associated. Samples from tuberculosis‐free captive herds in various parts of the usa were also evaluated. Four per cent of fallow deer, 20 per cent of elk, 44 per cent of white‐tailed deer, and 91 per cent of reindeer had responses to pwm exceeding 0·25 Δ optical density, that is, pwm stimulation minus no stimulation. The specificity of the responses to M bovis ppd and a Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex‐specific antigen resat‐6:cfp‐10, excluding animals not responding to pwm, ranged from 78 per cent to 100 per cent and was dependent upon the species and the positive response cut‐off value. The results show that the commercial assay is valid for the detection of tb in reindeer; however, further development of the assay will be required before it is used in surveillance programmes for white‐tailed deer, fallow deer, and elk.
Autologous platelet concentrates as a treatment for musculoskeletal lesions in five horses
Authors: Argüelles D. , Carmona J. U. , Climent F. , Muñoz E. , Prades M.
Published: October 2010

Two horses with acute tendinopathy of a superficial digital flexor tendon (sdft) and three horses with chronic proximal desmitis of the suspensory ligament (pdsl) were treated by injecting autologous concentrates of their platelets into the lesions. The lesions were monitored ultrasonographically and clinically. There were significant ultrasonographic and clinical improvements in the two horses with sdft, but no ultrasonographic improvements in the horses with pdsl; however, they improved clinically and became less lame. All the horses had returned to their pre‐injury level of performance by six months after the completion of the treatment, and none of them had suffered a recurrence after 20 months.
Diagnostic and prognostic indicators of omasal impaction in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Toor A. S. , Saini N. S.
Published: October 2010

Twelve of 46 female buffaloes with abdominal disorders were diagnosed with omasal impaction. They had been fed finely chopped machine‐prepared straw. They were characterised by anorexia, an absence of defecation, abdominal distension, ruminal hypomotility or atony and a suspension of rumination. Omasal impaction was confirmed upon left flank laparorumenotomy on the basis of the size of the omasum and the consistency of its contents. After ruminal evacuation, a long flexible pipe was introduced through the reticulo‐omasal orifice and the omasal contents were flushed back into the rumen with water under moderate pressure. Hyponatraemia, hypochloraemia, hypokalaemia and hypophosphataemia were consistent features in most cases. However, two buffaloes that later died had lower levels of plasma chloride, no reticulo‐omasal orifice tone and were in an advanced stage of pregnancy. The level of total protein in peritoneal fluid was higher than normal, but the total white cell count was within the normal range. All the animals started passing faeces 36 to 48 hours after surgery. The presence of reticulo‐omasal orifice tone and a plasma chloride level above 75 mmol/l were indicators of a good prognosis.
Prevalence of subclinical mastitis and associated risk factors in smallholder dairy cows in Tanzania
Authors: Karimuribo E. D. , Fitzpatrick J. L. , Swai E. S. , Bell C. , Bryant M. J. , Ogden N. H. , Kambarage D. M. , French N. P.
Published: October 2010

A cross‐sectional study was carried out on 200 randomly selected farms in each of the Iringa and Tanga regions of Tanzania to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for subclinical mastitis in dairy cows kept by smallholders. Subclinical mastitis was assessed using the California mastitis test (cmt), and by the bacteriological culture of 1500 milk samples collected from 434 clinically normal cows. The percentages of the cows (and quarters) with subclinical mastitis were 75·9 per cent (46·2 per cent) when assessed by the cmt and 43·8 per cent (24·3 per cent) when assessed by culture. Factors significantly associated with an increased risk of a cmt ‐positive quarter were Boran breed (odds radio [or]=3·51), a brought‐in cow (rather than homebred) (or =2·39), peak milk yield, and age. The stripping method of hand milking was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of cmt ‐positive quarters (or =0·51). The cmt ‐positive cows were more likely to be culture positive (or =4·51), as were brought‐in (or =2·10) and older cows.
Study of the short‐ and long‐term outcomes of 65 horses with peritonitis
Authors: Henderson I. S. F. , Mair T. S. , Keen J. A. , Shaw D. J. , McGorum B. C.
Published: October 2010

The records of 65 horses with peritonitis examined at twoukreferral centres over a period of 12 years were reviewed. Peritonitis was defined in terms of the horse's peritoneal fluid containing more than 5 × 109nucleated cells/l. Horses that had developed peritonitis after abdominal surgery or a rupture of the gastrointestinal tract were excluded. Of the 65 horses, 56 (86 per cent) survived to be discharged. Follow‐up information was obtained from practice records and telephone calls to the owners for 38 of the horses. Of these, 32 (84 per cent) had survived for at least 12 months and were considered to be long‐term survivors; the others six were euthanased within 12 months. Thirteen (34 per cent) of the horses discharged had experienced complications that could have been sequelae to peritonitis and eight of the 13 were euthanased. The cause of the peritonitis was identified in 15 cases; survival rates were lowest in horses with peritonitis secondary to urinary tract involvement or intra‐abdominal masses. Of the other 50 cases, 47 (94 per cent) survived to discharge, but two were euthanased owing to recurrent colic.
Necrosis of the nasal conchae in 12 horses
Authors: Cehak A. , von Borstel M. , Gehlen H. , Feige K. , Ohnesorge B.
Published: October 2010

Twelve horses with a history of a unilateral malodorous nasal discharge were examined clinically, endoscopically and radiographically. The head of one of the horses was examined by computed tomography. Tissue samples were taken for microbiology from four of the horses and for histology from three. The conchal necrosis was unilateral in 11 of the horses and bilateral in the other, and no particular concha was affected more than the others. The affected tissue was removed transendoscopically with a polypectomy snare while the horses were sedated and standing. Mild disinfectants were used locally in six of the horses. After the removal of all the necrotic tissue, the affected concha healed without any complications in all 12 horses.
International disease monitoring, April to June 2008
Authors: Sabirovic M. , Roberts H. , Hall S. , Elliott H. , Coulson N.
Published: October 2010

African swine fever virus circulating between wild boar and domestic pigs in the Caucasus region

Bluetongue remains a threat to uk farming, while circulation of both btv‐1 and btv‐8 has been reported in France

Classical swine fever in wild boar populations in eastern Europe

Foot‐and‐mouth disease outbreaks across Africa, South America and the Middle East

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza across Asia, and occasionally in Europe, in wild birds and domestic poultry

Sporadic reports of cases of rabies in illegally imported domestic dogs in western Europe

Rift Valley fever continues to be reported in ruminants in Africa

— These are among matters discussed in the international disease monitoring report for April to June 2008, prepared by defra 's Food and Farming Group, International Animal Health
Evaluation of a commercially available apparatus for measuring the acute phase protein serum amyloid A in horses
Authors: Jacobsen S. , Kjelgaard‐Hansen M.
Published: October 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of an immunoturbidometric assay for measuring the acute phase protein serum amyloid A (saa) in horses in clinical practice. The assay was compared to a previously validated assay, and overlap performance was assessed by measuring the concentration of saa in clinically healthy horses and horses with inflammatory and non‐inflammatory diseases. In pools of serum with low and high saa concentrations the assay's intra‐assay coefficients of variation were 11·7 per cent and 4·6 per cent, and its interassay coefficients of variation were 9·1 per cent and 5·6 per cent, respectively. Slight inaccuracies were observed, but they were negligible in comparison with the range of the saa response. The assay systematically underestimated the concentrations of saa in comparison with the results of the validated assay. The assay detected the expected difference in saa concentrations between the healthy and diseased horses.
Ability of antibodies to two new caliciviral vaccine strains to neutralise feline calicivirus isolates from the uk
Authors: Addie D. , Poulet H. , Golder M. C. , McDonald M. , Brunet S. , Thibault J‐C. , Hosie M. J.
Published: October 2010

This study examined a panel of 110 uk field isolates of feline calicivirus (fcv) for susceptibility to cross‐neutralisation by a panel of eight antisera raised in cats infected with fcv strains F9, 255, fcvg1 and fcv431. The pairs of antisera raised against F9 or 255, neutralised 20 and 21 per cent or 37 and 56 per cent of field strains of virus respectively. In contrast, the pairs of antisera raised against the newer vaccine strains fcvg1 or fcv431 neutralised 29 and 70 per cent or 67 and 87 per cent of field strains respectively. Antisera raised against the two newer strains, namely fcvg1 and fcv431, neutralised a greater proportion of field strains of calicivirus than antisera raised against the older fcv vaccine strains F9 and 255.
Outbreak of bovine tuberculosis featuring anergy to the skin test, udder lesions and milkborne disease in young calves
Authors: Houlihan M. G. , Dixon F. W. , Page N. A.
Published: October 2010

A severe outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in a 1300‐head, multisite dairy herd in Great Britain had several unusual features, including anergy to the tuberculin skin test, milkborne disease in calves and a farm cat, and a risk of human infection. The outbreak was controlled by culling 221 cattle over 15 months, by using the γ‐interferon (γ‐ifn) test and by the examination of milk samples. The γ‐ifn test detected infected animals that were not detected by the skin test.
Factors affecting the mortality of pigs being transported to slaughter
Authors: Averós X. , Knowles T. , Brown S. N. , Warriss P. D. , Gosálvez L. F.
Published: October 2010

A multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify and quantify the effects of factors affecting the mortality of pigs being transported to slaughter under commercial conditions. A survey of 739 journeys to 37 slaughterhouses in five eu countries was carried out, and information potentially related to the welfare and mortality of the pigs and the number of injuries were recorded. The average temperature during the journey, its duration, the average loading time per pig, the recorded injuries, fasting before transport, and the interaction between fasting and journey duration were used in the final model. The average mortality was 0·11 per cent and the average proportion of injured pigs was 0·36 per cent, and these figures were significantly correlated (P<0·001). In 29 per cent of the journeys the pigs were not fasted before being loaded, which doubled the risk of mortality irrespective of whether the pigs were injured or not. The risk of mortality increased with average temperature. In journeys with fasted pigs that did not have any recorded injury, average temperature was more important than the duration of the journey. The risk of mortality increased as the average time taken to load them decreased, and the risk was highest when the pigs were not fasted and when injuries were recorded. Other factors such as the country, loading density, availability of drinking water and type of ventilation did not affect the risk of mortality.
Sarcina‐like bacteria associated with bloat in young lambs and calves
Authors: Edwards G. T. , Woodger N. G. A. , Barlow A. M. , Bell S. J. , Harwood D. G. , Otter A. , Wight A. R.
Published: October 2010

Sarcinaspecies are fastidious Gram‐positive anaerobic bacteria that occur in cubical packets of eight or more cells. In 2006 to 2007, they were associated with cases of acute abomasal bloat in young lambs and calves. Two incidents were in lambs aged three to six weeks that were found dead, with one or two cases in each of a group of 15 and 100 lambs. Three incidents were recorded in small groups of calves up to 10 days of age, two cases in each incident, with the calves found dead or dying after a short illness characterised by bloat. Their gross lesions included emphysema and oedema of the abomasal wall, mucosal hyperaemia and haemorrhage, and rupture of the abomasum. Histological lesions included abomasitis with congestion, haemorrhage, emphysema and oedema. Bacteria characteristic ofSarcinaspecies were observed in sections associated with the superficial mucosa of these cases, but the bacteria were not detected in cultures.
Seroprevalence of bluetongue serotype 8 in cattle in the Netherlands in spring 2007, and its consequences
Authors: van Schaik G. , Berends I. M. G. A. , van Langen H. , Elbers A. R. W. , Vellema P.
Published: October 2010

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in spring 2007, at the end of the first bluetongue outbreak season, to determine the geographical spread of bluetongue virus serotype 8 (btv‐8) infection in cattle in the Netherlands and the consequences for some production parameters. Blood samples from cattle submitted to the laboratory of the Dutch Animal Health Service for other voluntary and obligatory health programmes were tested serologically for btv‐8. In total, 37,073 samples were tested and 659 (1·78 per cent) were seropositive. The samples came from 5436 herds, of which 45 per cent of herds had only one sample submitted from them. The prevalence was highest in the south of the country, where the outbreak had started, and decreased towards the north. In 340 herds more than 50 per cent of cattle were tested, of which 156 herds were located in infected compartments, and in 37 of these herds (10·9 per cent) at least one positive cow was detected. The average within‐herd prevalence in the 37 herds was 39·3 per cent: 2·2 per cent in 11 dairy herds, 68·4 per cent in 20 small‐scale herds and 14 per cent in four suckler cow herds. The prevalence differed significantly between herd types but did not show a geographical trend. The average net return for milk production amounted to €2417/cow/year and it decreased significantly on average by €48/cow/year in the bluetongue‐infected dairy herds during the bluetongue period. On the small‐scale farms, the incidence of mortality increased by 3·2 (95 per cent confidence interval [ci] 1·2 to 9·1) times in the infected herds during the bluetongue period, but the voluntary culling rate decreased by a factor of 2·3 (95 per cent ci 1·1 to 4·8).
Fasting and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations in 10 healthy female red‐eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans)
Authors: Knotkova Z. , Dorrestein G. M. , Jekl V. , Janouskova J. , Knotek Z.
Published: October 2010

The fasting and postprandial serum concentrations of bile acids and other blood constituents were measured in a group of 10 clinically healthy, female, six‐year‐old captive red‐eared terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). The terrapins were housed in a temperate room and maintained in four aquaria in which the water temperature ranged from 24 to 27°C and the temperature above the basking site ranged from 27 to 30°C. The serum concentrations of bile acids were measured four times in a period of five months, and at the second sampling the fasting and two postprandial (after 24 and 48 hours) serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and bile acids were determined. Coelioscopy revealed vitellogenic and previtellogenic follicles on the ovaries of all the terrapins, and eggs with calcified shells were detected in two of them. The livers were mostly pink to deep yellow in colour, with sharp edges, a smooth serosal surface, distinct large superficial vessels, and multifocal melanin deposits. Liver biopsies revealed fine, more or less oil red O‐positive lipid droplets in all the hepatocytes, but in none of the cases was it considered to be pathological lipidosis. The mean (sd) bile acid concentrations ranged from 7·35 (4·52) to 10·04 (7·40) μmol/l. The fasting and postprandial concentrations were 3·1 (2·3), 4·5 (5·4) (24 hours) and 2·2 (1·5) (48 hours) μmol/l. High concentrations between 27·6 and 66·6 μmol/l were associated with lipaemia. There were no significant differences between the biochemical profiles of the fasting and postprandial serum samples.
Experimental infection studies of ukCulicoides species midges with bluetongue virus serotypes 8 and 9
Authors: Carpenter S. , McArthur C. , Selby R. , Ward R. , Nolan D. V. , Mordue Luntz A. J. , Dallas J. F. , Tripet F. , Mellor P. S.
Published: October 2010

This paper describes a rapid, standardised method for testing the susceptibility to bluetongue virus (btv) of northern Palaearctic Culicoides species midges that can be used to assess the competence of both field‐caught and laboratory‐infected midges. The method has been used to show that Culicoides scoticus can replicate btv serotype 8 and btv serotype 9 strains to more than 3 log10 tcid 50/midge, the first evidence of the potential of this species to transmit btv.
Determination of renal vascular resistance in dogs with diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism
Authors: Novellas R. , Ruiz de Gopegui R. , Espada Y.
Published: October 2010

In dogs, diabetes mellitus and hyperadrenocorticism are causes of hypertension associated with increases in vascular peripheral resistance. In human patients, the renal resistive index (ri) and pulsatility index (pi) are related to hypertension and diabetes and are used as indicators of disease severity. In this study the renal vascular resistance was measured in 12 dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, three with diabetes mellitus and four with both conditions, and the possible relationships between the two indices, blood pressure and biochemical parameters were investigated. Hypertension, defined as a systolic blood pressure more than 150 mmHg, was recorded in two of the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and three of the dogs with hyperadrenocorticism and diabetes. The overall mean values for RI, PI and systolic blood pressure were higher in the diseased group of dogs than in 27 healthy dogs, and both indices were correlated with blood glucose concentration.
Relationship between the nuclear morphology of the sperm of 10 bulls and their fertility
Authors: Vieytes A. L. , Cisale H. O. , Ferrari M. R.
Published: October 2010

The relationships between the fertility and nuclear morphology, chromatin maturity and chromatin condensation of the sperm of three bulls with a calving rate over a year of more than 65 per cent, four bulls with a calving rate between 65 per cent and 35 per cent, and three bulls with a calving rate of less than 35 per cent were studied. The sperm nuclei were stained with the Feulgen reaction, and chromatin condensation and maturation were evaluated in situ by staining with toluidine blue and acid aniline blue. Nuclear chromatin decondensation was induced with dithiothreitol; this showed that in the bulls with low fertility, more than 35 per cent of nuclei were decondensed, and that one of them had the lowest percentage of normal nuclei (64·9 per cent) and stronger positive reactions to the acid aniline blue and toluidine blue stains than the other bulls.