bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of crib‐biting and gastric inflammation and ulceration in young horses
Authors: Nicol C. J. , Davidson H.P. D. , Harris P. A. , Waters A. J. , Wilson A. D.
Published: October 2010

Nineteen young horses that had recently started to perform the stereotypy of crib‐biting were compared with 16 non‐stereotypic horses for 14 weeks. After initial observations of their behaviour and an endoscopic examination of the condition of their stomachs, the horses were randomly allocated to a control or an antacid diet. At the start of the trial, the stomachs of the crib‐biting foals were significantly more ulcerated and inflamed than the stomachs of the normal foals. In addition, the faecal pH of the crib‐biting foals (6.05) was significantly lower than that of the normal foals (6.58). The antacid diet resulted in a significant improvement in the condition of the horses' stomachs. The crib‐biting behaviour declined in most of the foals, regardless of their diet, but tended to decline to a greater extent in the foals on the antacid diet.
Epidemiological investigations of outbreaks of bovine ephemeral fever in Israel
Authors: Yeruham I. , Braverman Y. , Yadin H. , Chai D. , Van Ham M. , Tiomkin D. , Frank D.
Published: October 2010

In two epidemics of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) in Israel, one in 1990 and one in 1999, the virus was probably carried by vectors transported by air currents across the Rift Valley and through the Red Sea trough. The disease broke out under optimal ecological conditions among vulnerable cattle populations and spread rapidly; it developed in the spring and summer and ended soon after the daily average ambient temperature fell below 16°C in late autumn. The proportion of herds affected reached 78.4 and 97.7 per cent in 1990 and 1999, respectively. The highest rates of incidence, morbidity and mortality were recorded in dairy cattle herds in the Jordan Valley, the initial focus of the outbreaks, with a morbidity of 20 and 38.6 per cent in 1990 and 1999, respectively, and mortality among the affected animals of 2 and 8.6 per cent in 1990 and 1999, respectively. In 1991, the disease recurred sporadically in the central and southern regions of Israel in only three herds, but in 2000 the disease returned on an epidemic scale, and 85 per cent of herds were affected, with morbidity and mortality rates of 4.3 and 0.3 per cent, respectively. In the 1999 epidemic, the morbidity rate decreased from 38.6 per cent on average in the Jordan Valley to 12.8 per cent in the inner valleys and 5.3 per cent on the Mediterranean coastal plain, but the mortality rate increased from 8.6 per cent in the Jordan Valley to 14.3 per cent in the inner valleys, and to 28 per cent on the Mediterranean coastal plain, where the outbreak declined. An average of 2.7 per cent of the animals experienced a second attack of the disease two to six weeks later. The epidemic in 2000 was milder and shorter than that in 1999. All the cattle affected in both outbreaks were more than three months old. The vector(s) is not known for certain but the available evidence indicates that mosquitoes, and not Culicoides species, are the natural vectors of BEF virus in Israel.
Effectiveness of treatment with lincomycin hydrochloride and/or vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae for controlling chronic respiratory disease in a herd of pigs
Authors: Mateusen B. , Maes D. , Verdonck M. , de Kruif A. , Van Goubergen M.
Published: October 2010

A herd of pigs infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae was used in a double‐blind randomised trial to assess the effectiveness of three control strategies against chronic respiratory disease in growing‐finishing pigs. One group of 61 pigs received 220 ppm lincomycin hydrochloride in the feed from day 71 to day 91, a second group was vaccinated against M hyopneumoniae at four and 28 days of age, and a third group received both treatments; a fourth group was left untreated as a control. Throughout the nursery‐finishing period (day 29 to slaughter) the average daily weight gain and feed conversion rate of all the treated groups were slightly better than in the controls, but there were no significant differences between them. There were no significant differences between the treated groups in terms of clinical signs, serology, pathology or mortality, which was very low throughout the trial.
Study of clinical mastitis in British dairy herds with bulk milk somatic cell counts less than 150,000 cells/ml
Authors: Peeler E. J. , Green M. J. , Fitzpatrick J. L. , Green L. E.
Published: October 2010

A 12‐month prospective study of clinical mastitis was conducted in 482 British dairy herds with a bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) of less than 150,000 cells/ml. The mean proportion of cows in the herd with clinical mastitis was 23.1 per cent (range 0 to 80), with a mean of 1.50 quarter cases per cow. The mean incidence rate of clinical mastitis was 36.7 quarter cases per 100 cow years (range 0 to 208.2). Twelve per cent of the quarter cases showed systemic signs, including inappetence and severe lethargy. Over 22 per cent of quarter cases occurred in the first seven days of lactation and over 50 per cent occurred in the first 90 days of lactation. Cluster analysis indicated that the main difference between herds with a low and average incidence of mastitis was the proportion of clinical cases occurring in the first seven days of lactation, 14 per cent compared with 44 per cent, respectively. The risk of severe clinical mastitis compared with mild clinical mastitis decreased significantly as the individual cow somatic cell count (scc) in the month before clinical mastitis was diagnosed increased.
Long‐term outcome of 56 dogs wioth nasal tumours treated with four doses of radiation at Ointervals of seven days
Authors: Mellanby R. J. , Stevenson R. K. , Herrtage M. E. , White R. A. S. , Dobson J. M.
Published: October 2010

A retrospective study was undertaken on 56 dogs treated for nasal tumours by megavoltage radiotherapy with a hypofractionated schedule consisting of four doses of 9 Gy given at intervals of seven days. The dogs were followed until they died or were euthanased. The clinical signs had improved in 53 of the 56 dogs by the end of the treatment schedule. Mild acute radiation side effects were observed in the majority of the dogs but late radiation side effects were rare. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis revealed a median survival time after the final dose of radiation of 212 days. The oneand two‐year survival rates were 45 per cent and 15 per cent. Fifty of the dogs were euthanased because the initial clinical signs recurred.
Evaluation of the SNAP Foal IgG test for the semiquantitative measurement of immunoglobulin G in foals
Authors: Pusterla N. , Berger Pusterla J. , Spier S. J. , Watson J. L. , Puget B.
Published: October 2010

The SNAP Foal IgG test (IDEXX) as evaluated for its accuracy and usefulness by measuring blood samples collected from 42 foals between 24 and 48 hours after birth. The results were compared with the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) test as the reference method. The SNAP test was quick and easy to perform, and the results were similar to those obtained by SRID in 64 per cent of the samples. The best results were found with low (<400 mg/dl) and high (>800 mg/dl) concentrations of immunoglobulin G, with an accuracy of 80 per cent and 89 per cent, respectively. The intermediate concentrations were usually lower when measured by the SNAP test than by the SRID test, possibly owing to the variable volume of blood added to the test with the sample loop.
Dissemination of central nervous system tissue during the slaughter of cattle in three Irish abattoirs
Authors: Prendergast D. M. , Sheridan J. J. , Daly D. J. , McDowell D. A. , Blair I. S.
Published: October 2010

Sponge samples were taken from the carcases, meat, personnel and surfaces involved in stunning slaughter and dressing/boning activities at three abattoirs, and from retail beef products. The samples were examined for the presence of central nervous system (cNs)‐specific proteins (syntaxin 1 B and/or glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), as indicators of contamination with CNS tissue. Syntaxin 1 B and GFAP were detected in many of the sponge samples taken along the slaughter line and in the chill rooms of all three abattoirs; GFAP was also detected in one sample of longissimus muscle (striploin) taken in the boning hall of one of the abattoirs but not in the other two abattoirs or in retail meats.
Comparison of ropivacaine with a combination of ropivacaine and fentanyl for the caudal epidural anaesthesia of mares
Authors: Ganidagli S. , Cetin H. , Biricik H. S. , Cimtay I.
Published: October 2010

Two groups of six mares aged from eight to 18 years were anaesthetised by caudal epidural injections of ropivacaine (0.5 per cent, 0.1 mg/kg) or a combination of ripovacaine (0.08 mg/kg) and fentanyl (100 μg) in a randomised study. The onset of anaesthesia was significantly more rapid (P<0.001) and it lasted significantly longer (P<0.001) in the group anaesthetised with the combination of drugs. The surgical comfort scores of the group anaesthetised with the combination were higher than those of the group anaesthetised with ropivacaine alone (P<0.001), and the quality of intraoperative analgesia, as assessed by the surgeon, was significantly improved. There were no differences between the groups in their average scores for the levels of ataxia and sedation, in their behaviour, or in the incidence of side effects.
Acute phase protein concentrations in serum and milk from healthy cows, cows with clinical mastitis and cows with extramammary inflammatory conditions
Authors: Nielsen B. H. , Jacobsen S. , Andersen P. H. , Niewold T. A. , Heegaard P. M. H.
Published: October 2010

The concentrations of the two acute phase proteins, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, in serum and milk were compared in 10 cows with clinical mastitis, 11 cows with extramammary inflammatory conditions and 10 clinically healthy control cows. The concentrations of both acute phase proteins were higher in the serum and milk of the cows with mastitis than in the cows in the other two groups. Four of the cows with extramammary inflammatory conditions had serum amyloid A concentrations in serum above 100 pg/ml, but negligible concentrations in milk, indicating that a pathogen must be present in the mammary gland for serum amyloid A to accumulate in milk. The acute phase protein concentrations in milk increased significantly with increasing somatic cell count, suggesting that they may be indicators of the severity of an infection.
Factors affecting the herd level of antibodies againstMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosisin dairy cattle
Authors: Fredriksen B. , Jarp J. , Djønne B. , Tharaldsen J. , Nyberg O.
Published: October 2010

A case‐control study was made of Norwegian dairy herds with high and low herd levels of antibodies againstMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis. A high proportion of the herds had a considerable number of seropositive cows, and environmental and management factors were examined for possible associations with the high serological levels of antibodies. The most important appeared to be: geographical location, red deer (Cervus elaphus) gaining access to the pastures for cattle, the observation of wild birds in the feed storage, and herds sharing common pasture with other herds of cattle. However, diagnostic tests showed that none of the animals in the case herds was infected withM a paratuberculosis.
Risk factors associated with the prevalence of interdigital dermatitis in sheep from 1999 to 2000
Authors: Wassink G. J. , Green L. E. , Grogono‐Thomas R. , Moore L. J.
Published: October 2010

As part of an investigation into improving the treatment and control of lameness in sheep flocks in England and Wales, a postal survey was conducted in November 2000. Farmers were asked to estimate the prevalence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in their flocks. In the ewes the prevalence of interdigital dermatitis remained relatively stable throughout the year, but there was a large increase in lambs during late spring and early summer. Logistic regression models were used to assess statistically significant risk factors associated with prevalences of the condition of 5 per cent or more in ewes and 10 per cent or more in lambs. Factors that increased the risk in ewes were ‘sometimes/never’ catching lame sheep compared with ‘always’ farm land 100 m or less above sea level and renting‐in winter grazing; factors that increased the risk in lambs were a prevalence of 5 per cent or more of footrot in ewes, ‘sometimes/never’ catching lame ewes compared with ‘always’, ‘sometimes/never’ treating ewes with footrot with parenteral antibiotics compared with ‘always’ showing sheep at agricultural events, farm land 100 m or less above sea level, and a prevalence of 5 per cent or more of interdigital dermatitis in ewes. Turning sheep on to a field which had been free from livestock for at least two weeks after footbathing decreased the risk of interdigital dermatitis in lambs. Footbathing without the use of a clean field compared with not footbathing did not significantly affect the prevalence of the interdigital dermatitis.
Left perinephric abscess associated with nephrolithiasis and bladder calculi in a bitch
Authors: Agut A. , Laredo F. G. , Belda E. , Soler M. , Seva J.
Published: October 2010

An eight‐year‐old, entire female Pekingese cross, weighing 3–8 kg, had been inappetent with fever, depression, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea for seven days. The radiographic and ultrasonographic findings were consistent with glomerulonephritis, nephrolithiasis in both kidneys, bladder calculi and an accumulation of fluid in the left perinephric space. The clinical signs, together with the results of the diagnostic imaging, suggested that this fluid could be pus. A definitive diagnosis of a subcapsular abscess in the left kidney was established when this kidney was removed surgically. A histopathological examination of the kidney revealed a diffuse suppurative interstitial nephritis, membranous glomerulonephritis and an abscess invading the perinephric adipose tissue from the renal cortex. Twelve months after surgery the dog remains clinically stable, but owing to the disease of its remaining kidney its long‐term prognosis is poor.
Pharmacokinetics of amoxycillin and the rate of depletion of its residues in pigs
Authors: Martinez‐Larrañaga M. R. , Anadón A. , Martinez M. A. , Díaz M. J. , Frejo M. T. , Castellano V. J. , Isea G. , De La Cruz C. O.
Published: October 2010

Six pigs were used in a two‐period crossover study to investigate the pharmacokinetics of amoxycillin after single intravenous and oral doses of 20 mg/kg bodyweight. Twelve pigs were used to study the residues of the drug in muscle, kidney, liver and fat after they had received daily oral doses of 20 mg/kg amoxycillin for five days. The mean (sd) elimination half life (t½β) and mean residence time of amoxycillin in plasma were 3.38 (0.30) and 3.54 (0.43) hours, respectively, after intravenous administration and 4.13 (0.50) and 4.47 (0.30) hours, respectively, after oral administration. After oral administration, the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) was 7.37 (0.42) μg/ml and it was reached after 0.97 (0.29) hours. Six days after the last oral dose, the mean concentration of amoxycillin in the pigs' kidneys was 21.38 ng/g and in the liver it was 12.32 ng/g, but no amoxycillin could be detected in fat or muscle; the concentrations of amoxycillin in edible tissues were less than the European Union maximal residue limit of 50 μg/kg.
Serological study of contagious agalactia in herds of goats in the Canary Islands
Authors: Assunção P. , De la Fe C. , Ramirez A. S. , Poveda J. B. , Andrada M.
Published: October 2010

An indirect ELISA, using local strains of Mycoplasma agalactiae and Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides large colony (MmmLc), was applied to evaluate the seroprevalence of M agalactiae and MmmLc in flocks of goats on each of the Canary Islands. In total 3890 samples of serum were collected from 204 flocks. The results indicated that the seroprevalence of both organisms is high on all the islands; average values of 55 per cent and 67 per cent were recorded, respectively, for M agalactiae and MmmLc.
Epidemiological investigations of the 2001 foot‐and‐mouth disease outbreak in Argentina
Authors: Perez A. M. , Ward M. P. , Carpenter T. E.
Published: October 2010

A total of 2126 herds, an attack rate of 0.82 per cent, were affected during an epidemic of foot‐and‐mouth disease in Argentina in 2001. The spatial and temporal distribution of the epidemic was investigated using nearest‐neighbour and spatial scan tests and by estimating the frequency distributions of the times to intervention, and distances and times between outbreaks. The outbreaks were clustered and associated significantly (P<0.01) with herd density; 94 per cent were located in the Pampeana region, where the cattle population is concentrated, which had an attack rate of 1.4 per cent. The clustering results suggested that the virus had spread locally between outbreaks. Most of the outbreaks were separated by one day and the maximum distance between outbreaks was almost 2000 km, indicating that the infection spread rapidly over large distances. The index outbreak was detected more than 15 days after the primary outbreak, and restrictions on the movement of cattle were probably not enforced until about one month after infection occurred. As in other major epidemics, the period between the first outbreaks and the effective application of control strategies was probably crucial in determining the progress of the epidemic.
Endoscopic renal evaluation and biopsy of chelonia
Authors: Hernandez‐Divers S. J.
Published: October 2010

Sixty‐nine tortoises, turtles and terrapins representing 28 species of the order Chelonia, class Reptilia were evaluated by endoscopy for renal disease. Under general anaesthesia, coelomic and/or extracoelomic endoscopic evaluations and biopsies of the kidney(s) were undertaken. Endoscopic approaches required a 2 to 4 mm skin incision in the prefemoral fossa, and minimal blunt dissection through the subcutaneous tissues. For the coelomic approach the coelomic aponeurosis of the transverse and oblique abdominal muscles was penetrated so that the cranioventral kidney(s) could be examined and biopsied. The extracoelomic approach required the endoscope to be advanced in a caudodorsal direction, between the coelomic aponeurosis and the broad iliacus muscle, so that the dorsolateral kidney(s) could be examined and biopsied. Both techniques were safe and effective for obtaining renal biopsies for histological examination and microbiological culture. Several renal pathologies were identified including glomerulonephrosis, tubulonephrosis, interstitial nephritis, uric acid accumulation, tubulonephritis, glomerulonephritis, renal oedema, glomerulosclerosis, nephrosclerosis, soft tissue mineralisation, and pyelonephritis. Several infectious conditions were identified, including a predominance of Gram‐negative bacterial infections, two cases of hexamitiosis, and one case of mycobacteriosis.
Randomised, controlled field trial of two new techniques for the castration and tail docking of lambs less than two days of age
Authors: Kent J. E. , Thrusfield M. V. , Molony V. , Hosie B. D. , Sheppard B. W.
Published: October 2010

Two methods to reduce the pain associated with the castration and tail docking of lambs with rubber rings were tested by 10 shepherds, each using 60 housed lambs. In 20 of the lambs the innervation to the scrotum, testes and tail was crushed with a ‘Big Nipper’ bloodless castrator, and in 20 local anaesthetic (2 per cent lignocaine with adrenaline) was injected with a newly developed high‐pressure jet injector under the rubber rings after they had been applied; 10 lambs were given a placebo treatment and 10 were treated by the shepherds' routine elastrator ring procedure. Both new methods significantly decreased the incidence of limb and tail movement by 78 per cent and the time spent by the lambs in abnormal postures, when compared with either the shepherds' routine treatment or the placebo treatment. An experienced observer and most of the shepherds also assessed that the lambs suffered signficantly less pain when treated by the two new methods than when they were treated with rubber rings alone. No detrimental long‐term effects of the two new methods were observed. On average the new methods took 68 seconds to apply, compared with 29 seconds for the rubber rings; of the two new methods most shepherds preferred using the pressure jet injector.
Immunoglobulin A monoclonal gammopathy in two horses with multiple myeloma
Authors: Puisterla N. , Magdesian K. G. , Stacy B. A. , Vernau W. , De Cock H. E. V.
Published: October 2010

The clinical findings in two horses with secretory multiple myeloma and secondary immunoglobulin A (IgA) monoclonal gammopathy were non‐specific and included weight loss, pale mucous membranes, limb oedema and bacterial respiratory tract infection. Consistent laboratory abnormalities included hyperproteinaemia, hyperglobulinaemia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypercalcaemia. The diagnosis was based on the presence of IgA monoclonal gammopathy in serum and urine and bone marrow plasmacytosis (>10 per cent). One horse was euthanased; it had neoplastic plasma cell infiltrates in its kidneys, spleen, liver, bone marrow, myocardium and adrenal glands. The other horse was treated for a bacterial pneumonia and was still alive six months after it was first examined.
Relationship of speed of slaughter on infected premises and intensity of culling of other premises to the rate of spread of the foot‐and‐mouth disease epidemic in Great Britain, 2001
Authors: Honhold N. , Taylor N.M. , Mansley L.M. , Paterson A.D.
Published: October 2010

During the foot‐and‐mouth disease epidemic in the UK in 2001, two major control policies were the rapid identification of cases and the culling of animals on infected premises and on dangerous contact premises. Dangerous contact premises were divided into two groups, premises contiguous to an infected premises and non‐contiguous premises. In England, the largest numbers of geographically clustered infected premises were in Cumbria, the South West (Somerset, Devon and Cornwall) and the Settle/Clitheroe area straddling the Yorkshire‐Lancashire border. in each of these clusters, the rate of spread of the disease, the average time from the first lesion to slaughter on infected premises, and the intensity of culling of contiguous premises and non‐contiguous premises were calculated for seven‐day periods. Linear regression analysis was used to look for relationships between these factors and the rate of spread of the disease. The average time from the first lesion to slaughter had a statistically significant relationship in two of the three clusters and the intensity of culling of non‐contiguous premises had a significant relationship in one. The intensity of culling of contiguous premises had no significant relationship in any of the three clusters.
Use of endoscopy and renal biopsy for the diagnosis of kidney disease in free‐living birds of prey and owls
Authors: Müller K. , Göbel T. , Müller S. , Hermanns W. , Brunnberg L.
Published: October 2010

Eighty‐nine free‐living birds of prey and owls were examined and blood samples and radiographs were taken. In addition, 126 specimens of renal tissue were obtained without complications, with a mean postbiopsy haemorrhage time of 67 seconds. On average, the samples were 2.2 mm long, 1.3 mm wide and 1.0 mm deep and they all contained proximal and distal tubuli and from one to 89 glomeruli; 49 of them contained from one to four intralobular veins, and on average each sample contained 10.7 per cent air sac tissue; 113 of the 126 samples could be evaluated histologically.
Biological availability of inhaled fluticasone propionate in horses
Authors: Laan T. T. J. M. , Westermann C. M. , Dijkstra A. V. , van Nieuwstadt R. A. , Fink‐Gremmels J.
Published: October 2010

Healthy horses received aerosolised, intranasal or oral doses of 3 mg of fluticasone propionate evenly divided over morning and evening treatments for seven days. The bioavailability of the drug was determined in terms of the suppression of the endogenous cortisol concentrations in the horses during the period of treatment. The horses which received the aerosolised drug had significantly lower concentrations of endogenous cortisol on days 5 and 8 than the horses which received aerosolised placebo. The horses which received nasal and oral doses of fluticasone propionate showed no significant changes in their endogenous cortisol concentrations.
Computed tomographic measurements of the hip morphology of 10 healthy German shepherd dogs
Authors: Ocal M. K. , Kara M. E. , Turan E.
Published: October 2010

Linear measurements were made by computed tomography of the diameter of the femoral head, the width and depth of the acetabulum and the dorsal and ventral acetabular rim distances in 10 healthy German shepherd dogs, and angular measurements were made of the axial acetabular index, acetabular anteversion, and the dorsal and ventral centre‐edge angles. There were no significant differences between the measurements made on the left and right sides. The width of the acetabulum was about twice its depth, and was a little larger than the diameter of the femoral head. The mean values of the axial acetabular index, acetabular anteversion, and ventral and dorsal centre‐edge angles were 100.9°, 25.1°, 48.0° and 12.2°, respectively.
Errors associated with milk cell counting
Authors: Hillerton J. E. , Berry E. A. , Gravenor M. B. , Middleton N.
Published: October 2010

The accuracy of somatic cell counts in milk samples was investigated in four studies. First, the counts recorded by one milk buyer in one supply over six months ranged from 105,000 to 401,000 cells/ml with no apparent changes in the volume of milk consigned or the level of mastitis in the herd that would explain this wide range. Secondly, the counts in daily samples from one bulk milk supply for 28 days ranged from 84,000 to 282,000 cells/ml, again with no apparent changes in the performance of the herd to explain the wide range. Thirdly, the replicated counts recorded for one sample by three separate laboratories agreed closely; however, when a sample with a high cell count was interspersed then two of the three laboratories reported high cell counts suggestive of ‘carry‐over’ in excess of the 2 per cent ‘allowable’. Finally, cell count data from three separate laboratories on samples from 21 cows for 33 days revealed problems with the misidentification of samples on the farm in 1 per cent of the samples, and misidentification and mishandling of 1 to 2·6 per cent of the samples in the laboratories. All three laboratories differentiated samples from cows with subclinical and clinical mastitis, but the mean cell count of the uninfected cows varied between the laboratories with one of them recording statistically significantly higher counts over the period.
Prevalence of BSE in cattle found dead, euthanased or emergency slaughtered on farms in western France in 2000, 2001 and 2002
Authors: Morignat E. , Calavas D. , Cohen C. , Ducrot C. , Roy P.
Published: October 2010

The overall trend and the trend within birth cohorts of the prevalence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle found dead, euthanased or emergency slaughtered on farms in the Bretagne, Basse Normandie and Pays de la Loire regions of France, during the periods from August 7 to December 22 in 2000, 2001 and 2002, were analysed by non‐conditional logistic regression, adjusted for the region and for the type of animals. The overall prevalence of BSE during these three periods decreased from 2.71 per 1000 in 2000 to 1.41 per 1000 in 2001 and 0.42 per 1000 in 2002. The prevalence within birth cohorts started to decrease for the cohort born between July 1, 1995 and June 30, 1996 (cohort 95/96) and the trend was reinforced for cohort 96/97, suggesting that the exposure of animals to the BSE agent had started to decrease for animals born after July 1995, that is, one year before the ban on specified risk materials in meat and bone meal was implemented in France. However, considering that most of the animals would have been infected at between six and 18 months of age, the decrease may have been due, at least partly, to this control measure.
Evaluation of baseline indices of sensibility in captive cetaceans
Authors: Butterworth A. , Kestin S. C. , McBain J. F.
Published: October 2010

Twelve possible tests of sensibility and six possible tests of vitality were evaluated for their ease of application and the reliability of the animals' responses in 25 animals of six species of captive cetaceans. The protocols for the application of the tests and the responses observed are described.
Effects of a single dose of dexamethasone‐21 ‐ isonicotinate on the metabolism of heifers in early lactation
Authors: Jorritsma R. , Thanasak J. , Houweling M. , Noordhuizen J. P. T. M. , Müller K. E.
Published: October 2010

Eight Swedish crossbred heifers, about two‐and‐a‐half years old, were given a single intramuscular dose of dexamethasone‐21‐isonicotinate between nine and 15 days after they had calved and eight similar heifers were left untreated. The treatment had no significant effects on the lipolytic activity of the heifers' fat tissues, and no effect on the concentrations of non‐esterified fatty acids and β‐hydroxybutyrate in blood or the triacylglycerol content of the liver. However, there were significant increases in plasma glucose concentrations two days after the injection and in plasma insulin concentrations two and four days after the injection.
Investigation of palpation as a method for determining the prevalence of keel and furculum damage in laying hens
Authors: Wilkins L. J. , Brown S. N. , Zimmerman P. H. , Leeb C. , Nicol C. J.
Published: October 2010

Old breaks of the keel and furculum were identified by palpation in 500 end‐of‐lay hens from 10 flocks housed in free‐range and barn systems, and the results were compared with the results obtained by a full dissection and inspection. The method was considered to be sufficiently precise to be used as a diagnostic tool although people using it would need to be trained. The results obtained by dissection indicated that 50 to 78 per cent of the birds in the flocks had breaks of the furculum and keel, but no other breaks of bones were detected.
Management of leishmanial osteolytic lesions in a hypothyroid dog by partial tarsal arthrodesis
Authors: Franch J. , Lafuente P. , Diaz‐Bertrana M. C. , Munilla A. , Durall I. , Pastor J. , Torrent E.
Published: October 2010

A five‐year‐old male boxer, previously diagnosed with leishmaniasis and hypothyroidism, had gradually become unable to bear weight on its left hindlimb. Physical examination revealed a left popliteal lymphadenopathy, mild crepitus, and severe swelling of the left tarsal joint, a radiographic examination of which revealed severe bone destruction of the talus and a periosteal reaction of the calcaneus. Laboratory findings and serological tests suggested an active leishmanial infection, and a Leishmania species was identified by direct cytology of a sample from the osteolytic area and by indirect immunohistochemistry of a bone biopsy. The dog's condition improved when it was treated with meglumine antimonate and allopurinol. Because of the large osteolytic area and the increased use of the affected leg, a partial tarsal arthrodesis was performed to prevent a fracture. Five months after the surgery, the osteolytic area had healed completely and the calcaneus periosteal reaction had disappeared.
Diagnostic investigation into the role of Chlamydiae in cases of increased rates of return to oestrus in pigs
Authors: Camenisch U. , Lu Z. H. , Vaughan L. , Pospischil A. , Sydler T. , Corboz L. , Wittenbrink M. M. , Zimmermann D. R.
Published: October 2010

Cervical swabs and serum samples were taken from Swiss herds of sows with high rates of irregular return to oestrus (group A) and from control herds without reproductive problems (group B. The genital tracts of 21 slaughtered sows of group A were also examined. The swabs and genital tracts were screened for Chlamydiae by a new 16S rRNA PCR and the sera by an ELISA for Chlamydiaceae lipopolysaccharide. Chlamydophila (Cp) abortus was isolated from seven of the 65 swabs taken from group A but from none of the 128 swabs taken from group B. Chlamydia suis was present in swabs from both groups A (1.5 per cent) and B (2.3 per cent). In addition, Cp abortus was detected in 33.3 per cent of the genital tracts. Of the 193 sera tested, 61.7 per cent were positive, with no significant difference between group A (52.3 per cent) and group B (66.4 per cent). Chlamydia ‐like organisms were detected in 28.2 per cent of the swabs from group A and in 22 per cent of those from group B.
Measurement of the thickness of the corium and subcutaneous tissue of the hind claws of dairy cattle by ultrasound
Authors: van Amstel S. R. , Palin F. L. , Shearer J. K.
Published: October 2010

The thickness of the subsolar soft tissue layer (dermis and subcutaneous tissue) of the hind lateral and medial claws of 23 Holstein dairy cattle was measured by ultrasound imaging. The results showed that on average the subsolar soft tissue layer of the lateral hind claw was significantly thicker (4.29 mm) than that of the medial hind claw (3.92 mm).
Stabilisation of scoliosis in two koi (Cyprinus carpio)
Authors: Govett P. D. , Lewbart G. A. , Olby N. J. , Marcellin‐Little D. J. , Rotstein D. S. , Reynolds T. L.
Published: October 2010

Two koi (Cyprinus carpio) from the same pond developed similar lesions of scoliosis. Radiographic examinations showed that their spines had become malaligned as a result of vertebral compression fractures involving T14 to T16. The vertebrae in both fish were stabilised with screws, k‐wire and polymethylmethacrylate. They both appeared to improve after surgery, but they began to decline and died within three months. A postmortem examination revealed multi‐organ inflammation that was not associated with the surgical implants.
Antibodies to selected pathogens in free‐ranging terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals in Canada
Authors: Philippa J. D. W. , Martina B. E. E. , Kuiken T. , Van de Bildt M. W. G. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E. , Leighton F. A. , Daoust P. Y. , Nielsen O. , Pagliarulo M. , Schwantje H. , Shury T. , van Herwijnen R.
Published: October 2010

Antibody titres to selected pathogens (canine adenovirus [CAV‐2], feline herpesvirus [FHV], phocine herpesvirus [PHV‐1], canine distemper virus, dolphin morbillivirus [DMV], phocine distemper virus [PDV], parainfluenza virus type 3 [P13], rabies virus, dolphin rhabdovirus [DRV], canine coronavirus, feline coronavirus, feline leukaemia virus, Borrelia burgdorferi and Toxoplasma gondii) were determined in whole blood or serum samples from selected free‐ranging terrestrial carnivores and marine mammals, including cougars (Felis concolor), lynxes (Felis lynx), American badgers (Taxidea taxus), fishers (Martes pennanti), wolverines (Gulo gulo), wolves (Canis lupus), black bears (Ursus americanus), grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), polar bears (Ursus maritimus), walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) and belugas (Delphinapterus leucas), which had been collected at several locations in Canada between 1984 and 2001. Antibodies to a number of viruses were detected in species in which these infections have not been reported before, for example, antibodies to cav‐2 in walruses, to pdv in black bears, grizzly bears, polar bears, lynxes and wolves, to DMV in grizzly bears, polar bears, walruses and wolves, to P13 in black bears and fishers, and to DRV in belugas and walruses.
Inheritance and determinants of pulmonary oedema in Swedish hunting dogs
Authors: Egenvall A. , Swenson L. , Andersson K.
Published: October 2010

By using information derived from questionnaires sent to registered owners of drever dams and sires in Sweden with offspring born in 1992 and/or 1994, two groups of offspring were identified: one with one parent said to have had breathing difficulties after hunting, and another with both parents unaffected. Questionnaires were sent to the owners of these offspring, and multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the offspring data, with the status of their sire and dam with respect to breathing difficulties after hunting included as covariates. For the outcome ‘breathing difficulties after hunting’ in the 266 offspring, the odds ratio (OR) was 4·4 (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 1·8 to 10·8) if the dam was affected and 3·9 (95 per cent CI1·2 to 11·1) if the sire was affected. The OR for male offspring was 2·4 (95 per cent CI1·1 to 5·7). The heritability of the condition was estimated to be 0·34 from the dogs born in 1992, and 0·28 from the dogs born in 1994.
Survey of condition‐based prescribing of antimicrobial drugs for dogs at a veterinary teaching hospital
Authors: Rantala M. , Huovinen P. , Hölsö K. , Lilas A. , Kaartinen L.
Published: October 2010

A database of the prescriptions of antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of common infectious diseases in dogs at the Finnish Veterinary Teaching Hospital was searched to determine to what extent national guidelines were being followed. Twenty‐two per cent of 5918 dogs were treated orally with antimicrobial drugs. The most commonly used drugs were beta‐lactams (49 per cent) of which cephalexin and amoxycillin‐clavulanate were most widely prescribed. The usage of fluoroquinolones was only 2·8 per cent. The prescription of antimicrobials for pyoderma was contrary to Finnish guidelines, but the use of cephalexin or amoxycillin‐clavulanate as first‐line drugs instead of macrolides or lincosamides or trimethoprim‐sulphonamides was acceptable because of the presence of resistance by canine staphylococci. The drug most commonly used to treat acute urinary tract infections was trimethoprim‐sulphonamide, in agreement with the guidelines. Antimicrobial drugs were used excessively after surgical procedures, and for treating acute gastrointestinal disturbances and small wounds and traumas.
Acquired idiopathic laryngeal paralysis as a prominent feature of generalised neuromuscular disease in 39 dogs
Authors: Jeffery N. D. , Talbot C. E. , Smith P. M. , Bacon N. J.
Published: October 2010

A retrospective evaluation of 17 dogs treated surgically for idiopathic acquired laryngeal paralysis demonstrated a marked variability in outcome, with many dogs continuing to exhibit weakness and exercise tolerance. In a subsequent prospective study, 22 consecutive affected dogs were tested for neurological deficits by neurological examination, electrodiagnostic evaluation, and blood analysis to measure thyroxine and thyroid‐stimulating hormone and to detect any evidence of myasthenia gravis. Clinical neurological deficits and/or electrodiagnostic abnormalities were found in each case. There was limited evidence that specific neurological deficits were associated with a poor prognosis for full recovery of exercise tolerance. None of the dogs was positive for anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibodies, and only three showed evidence of thyroid dysfunction.
Postmortem diagnosis of preclinical and clinical scrapie in sheep by the detection of disease‐associated PrP in their rectal mucosa
Authors: González L. , Dagleish M. P. , Bellworthy S. J. , Sisó S. , Stack M. J. , Chaplin M. J. , Davis L. A. , Hawkins S. A. C. , Hughes J. , Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2010

Samples of tissue from the central nervous system (CNS), the lymphoreticular system (LRS) and the rectal mucosa of a large number of scrapie‐exposed sheep, with and without signs of clinical disease, were examined immunohistochemically for evidence of disease‐associated prion protein (PrPd). The rectal mucosa has received almost no attention so far in scrapie diagnosis, despite its abundant rectoanal mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue, and its accessibility. The scrapie‐confirmed cases included 244 with clinical disease, of which 237 (97·1 per cent) were positive in the rectal mucosa, and 121 apparently healthy sheep, of which 104 (86 per cent) were positive in the rectal mucosa. PrPd was detected in 86·4 to 91·5 per cent of the other LRS tissues of the healthy sheep examined and in 77·7 per cent of their CNS tissues. The stage of infection, therefore, affected the probability of a positive result in the rectal mucosa, whereas the breed, PrP genotype, age and sex had little or no independent effect. Accumulations of PrPd were observed in the rectal mucosa and other LRS tissues of VRQ/ARR sheep with preclinical and clinical scrapie, albeit with a lower frequency and magnitude than in sheep of other PrP genotypes. Western immunoblotting analyses of samples of rectal mucosa gave the characteristic PrP glycoprofile, with a sensitivity similar to that of immunohistochemistry.
Estimating the body temperature of groups of pigs by thermal imaging
Authors: Warriss P. D. , Pope S. J. , Brown S. N. , Wilkins L. J. , Knowles T. G.
Published: October 2010

Measurements on 28 pens of pigs containing 384 animals to be slaughtered at a commercial abattoir showed that the mean ear temperatures of the pigs in each pen, measured with a thermal imaging camera, were significantly correlated (r=0·71, P<0·001) with the mean temperature of the blood the pigs lost at exsanguination. In measurements on 220 pigs in 16 of the 28 pens, the mean activity of serum creatine kinase was positively correlated with the mean ear temperature (r=0·55, P<0·05) and the mean concentration of serum cortisol was positively correlated with the mean blood temperature (r=0·50, P<0·05), suggesting that the hotter pigs were suffering from a higher level of stress.
Inactivation of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents during the manufacture of dicalcium phosphate from bone
Authors: Grobben A. H. , Steele P. J. , Somerville R. A. , Taylor D. M.
Published: October 2010

Dicalcium phosphate was prepared from industrial crushed bone artificially contaminated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents in two experiments carried out in an accurately scaled‐down laboratory model of the industrial manufacturing process. In one experiment, 10 g of mouse brain infected with the 301V strain of mouse‐passaged bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent was added to the crushed bone; in the other experiment, 10 g of hamster brain infected with the 263K strain of hamster‐passaged scrapie agent was added. Samples of the infectious brain and dried dicalcium phosphate were assayed for the amount of 301V or 263K infectivity present. The titre of infectivity of the 301V ‐infected brain was 107·7 intracerebral ID50 /g; that of the 263K ‐infected brain was 108·0 intracerebral ID50 /g. The titres of the dried samples of dicalcium phosphate were 102·5 ID50 /g in the experiment spiked with 301V and 102·7 ID50 /g in the experiment spiked with 263K. The calculated clearance factors were 103·9 for the experiment with 301V and 103·8 for the experiment with 263K.
Factors affecting the monetary return from programmes for synchronising oestrus in dairy cows with gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2α
Authors: Laven R. A. , Stewart J. , Dyer C.
Published: October 2010

Synchronisation, using a combination of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone and prostaglandin F2α injections, is commonly used to control the reproductive cycle of dairy cows. A simple model that could predict the monetary return from synchronisation would be a valuable tool in determining whether it would be worthwhile. This study used data from three controlled clinical trials to investigate the effects of six factors (interval between calving and synchronisation, 21‐day submission rate, number of cows synchronised, average age, pregnancy rate of non‐synchronised cows and season) on the return from synchronisation. The results suggests that the herd’s submission and pregnancy rates, the time between calving and synchronisation, and the number of cows synchronised can all significantly affect the return from synchronisation, but only time since calving significantly affected the return in all three trials. They also suggest that there is no simple linear relationship between these factors and the return from synchronisation.
Suspected adverse reactions, 2005
Authors: Dyer F. , Spagnuolo‐Weaver M. , Tait A.
Published: October 2010

Reports to the UK Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS) in 2005 decreased by 2 per cent compared with 2004

The numbers of reports involving pigs, fish and birds increased, while reports involving rabbits continued to decline

There was a marked increase in the number of reports involving accidental ingestion of palatable tablets containing a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug authorised for use in dogs

There was an increase in the number of reports of suspected adverse reactions in humans compared with 2004

– These are some of the findings under the SARSS in 2005, as discussed in the following article by Fabia Dyer, Martha Spagnuolo‐Weaver and Alex Tait of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate
On‐farm eradication of foot‐and‐mouth disease as an alternative to mass culling
Authors: Poulin M. C. , Christianson W. T.
Published: October 2010

A control and eradication programme for foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) was initiated on a 1500‐sow farm in Asia as an alternative to mass culling. The programme was based on mass vaccination and exposure to FMD virus to ensure the development of effective immunity throughout the population. Pigs are not long‐term carriers of FMD virus and it should be eliminated by 21 days after infection. Entry of breeding stock was temporarily halted and the sow herd was partially depopulated in order to create a buffer between the infected and uninfected animals. After exposure to the virus and partial depopulation, the virus was eliminated through unidirectional pig flow and strict all‐in/all‐out procedures, and by thorough cleaning and disinfection of the buildings. Twelve months after the initial outbreak, the eradication plan was completed and successful. In parallel with the eradication programme, a small‐scale isolated weaning project was carried out with the sow population that was moved out of the affected farm; 708 piglets were weaned to a separate facility 300 m away. No clinical signs of FMD were observed and the piglets remained serologically negative.
Survey of the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions in small animals in general practice
Authors: Hill P. B. , Lo A. , Eden C. A. N. , Huntley S. , Morey V. , Ramsey S. , Richardson C. , Smith D. J. , Sutton C. , Taylor M. D. , Thorpe E. , Tidmarsh R. , Williams V.
Published: October 2010

A survey was made of the prevalence, diagnosis and treatment of dermatological conditions in small animals in general practice in the UK. Out of 3707 small animal consultations in general practice that were observed and recorded, 795 (21·4 per cent) involved animals that had a dermatological problem. In dogs and exotic species, pruritus was the most common presenting sign, accounting for 30 to 40 per cent of the dermatological consultations. In cats, cutaneous swellings were the most common presentation (36 per cent). A diagnosis or recommendation for treatment was made on the basis of the presenting clinical signs and physical examination alone in 576 (72 per cent) of the cases, and various diagnostic tests were performed in the other cases. In dogs, parasitic infestations, bacterial infections and neoplasia accounted for the majority of the diagnoses. In cats, parasites and bacterial infections were the most common. In exotic species, parasites accounted for over 80 per cent of the dermatological diagnoses. In dogs, the most common final diagnoses were otitis, pyoderma, anal sac impaction, flea infestation and atopic dermatitis. In cats, abscesses, flea infestation, and otitis were the most common diagnoses. In exotic species, the most common diagnosis was an unspecified mite infestation. Systemic antibiotics were prescribed in 196 cases (25 per cent), systemic glucocorticoids were prescribed in 162 cases (20 per cent) and treatment with an ectoparasiticide was prescribed in 167 cases (21 per cent).