bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reduced conception rates in dairy cattle associated with serological evidence ofLeptospira interrogansserovarhardjoinfection
Authors: Dhaliwal G. S. , Murray R. D. , Dobson H. , Montgomery J. , Ellis W. A.
Published: October 2010

Fertility data from 673 cows in five dairy herds with a moderate to high seroprevalence of microscopic agglutination titres (MAT) of ≥1:10 againstLeptospira interrogansserovar hardjo were collated to assess the relationship between pregnancy rates and antibody titres to serovar hardjo. A significant proportion of failures of conception (10 to 13 per cent, P<0.001) were associated with MATS of 1:10 to 1:100; the overall pregnancy rate of the seronegative cows was 28.5 per cent higher (P<0.001) than that of the cows with MATS of ≥1:100. First service pregnancy rates showed a similar trend but the differences were significant (P<0.05) only in cows with antibody titres ≥1:30. An assessment of other possible risk factors for reduced pregnancy rates, such as lactation number and calving to first service interval, had no effect on the statistical results of the study or its conclusions.
Force‐plate analysis of gait before and after surgical excision of calcified lesions of the supraspinatus tendon in two dogs
Authors: Muir P. , Johnson K. A. , Cooley A. J. , Manley P. A.
Published: October 2010

Two dogs with supraspinatus calcifying tendinopathy were lame in their forelimbs and were treated by the surgical excision of the calcified lesion. The lameness in both dogs improved after surgery without additional medical treatment, as evidenced by force‐plate analysis of their gait.
Efficacy of a commercial competitive exclusion product against a chicken pathogenic Escherichia coli and E coli 0157:H7
Authors: Hakkinen M. , Schneitz C.
Published: October 2010

The prevention of caecal colonisation of chicks by a poultry pathogenic Escherichia coli 020:K‐:H8 and the human pathogenic E coli 0157:H7 was studied in vivo in four oneweek laboratory trials. Chicks were treated with a competitive exclusion product on the day of hatch and challenged one day later. The poultry pathogenic serotype showed higher levels of caecal colonisation than the human pathogenic serotype, but the protection against both pathogens was highly significant.
Incidence of clinical mastitis in a random sample of dairy herds in the southern Netherlands
Authors: Miltenburg J. D. , de Lange D. , Crauwels A. P. P. , Bongers J. H. , Tielen M. J. M. , Schukken Y. H. , Elbers A. R. W.
Published: October 2010

The incidence of clinical mastitis and distribution of pathogens in dairy cows was estimated in 171 randomly selected dairy herds in the southern Netherlands. A total of 1103 quarter cases were reported. The average annual incidence rate was 12.7 quarter cases per 100 cows per year. The most frequent isolates from clinical cases wereEscherichia coli(16.9 per cent),Staphylococcus aureus(14.4 per cent),Streptococcus uberis(11.9 per cent) andStreptococcus dysgalactiae(8‐9 per cent). Most cases were reported in early lactation: 25.4 per cent in the first month of lactation for all cows, and 39.1 per cent in the first month for first lactation cows. The rear quarters had a significantly higher incidence rate than the front quarters. Cows with anE coliinfection showed more general clinical signs than cows infected withS aureus, S uberisandS dysgalactiae. A significantly higher incidence was observed in herds with a low (<150,000 cells/ml) bulk milk somatic cell count than in herds with a count above 250,000 cells/ml.
Evaluation of a simplified intravenous glucose tolerance test and a reflectance glucose meter for use in cats
Authors: Link K. R. J. , Rand J. S. , Hendrikz J. K.
Published: October 2010

A simplified intravenous glucose tolerance test has been developed for use in domestic cats and the results compared with those obtained using the standard test. The simplified test used two cephalic catheters, implanted in unsedated, unanaesthetised cats three hours before the test. Blood samples were collected before and after intravenous administration of glucose (0.5 g/kg bodyweight). Blood glucose concentration was measured with a reflectance glucose meter and an automated chemistry analyser. There were no significant differences between the results derived from the two tests. Because the simplified glucose tolerance test is easier to perform, requires no anaesthesia, uses only cephalic catheters and can be done on an outpatient basis, it is more cost effective and more clinically applicable. There were no significant differences between the results of glucose measurements with the two machines and the simplified glucose tolerance test can therefore be carried out with the reflectance glucose meter.
Bovine immunodeficiency‐like virus: inactivation in milk by pasteurisation
Authors: Venables C. , Lysons R. , Horigan M. , Stagg D. , Dawson M.
Published: October 2010

Bioassay was used to determine whether bovine immunodeficiency‐ like virus (BIV) in milk was inactivated by pasteurisation. Three groups of three calves were inoculated with virus (BIV isolate FL112), milk seeded with virus and milk seeded with virus that had been pasteurised before inoculation, respectively. Seroconversion to BIV was monitored for 12 months by an indirect immunofluorescence assay. The presence of BIV proviral DNA in peripheral blood was determined by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The animals were euthanased and virus isolation and PCR were attempted on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, prescapular lymph node and spleen. Transmission of BIV was confirmed in the groups that were inoculated with the virus and with the virus in milk, but no evidence of its transmission was demonstrated in the group that received the pasteurised inoculum.
Novel ELISA for detection ofNeospora‐specific antibodies in cattle
Authors: Williams D. J. L. , McGarry J. , Guy F. , Barber J. , Trees A. J.
Published: October 2010

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies toNeosporaspecies in cattle was developed. Whole formalin‐fixedNeospora caninum(NC‐Liverpool) tachyzoites were used as antigen and a monoclonal antibody to bovine immunoglobulin light chain and an anti‐mouse horseradish peroxidase conjugate were used to reveal bound antibody. A panel of 46 sera, negative by the immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), were used in the ELISA at a serum dilution of 1:500 to calculate the negative cut‐off value of OD405= 0.77. There was a 95 per cent agreement between the results of the ELISA and the IFAT with 104 serum samples. The specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA were 96 per cent and 95 per cent, respectively, when compared with the IFAT. No significant cross‐reaction was observed with sera from cattle infected experimentally withToxoplasma gondii, Cryptosporidium parvum, Babesia divergens, Sarcocystis cruzi, Eimeria alabamensisorE bovis. A significantly modified version of the test is now commercially available.
Sclerosing adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct in a cat
Authors: Pastor J. , Majo N. , Arbona C. , Garcia F. , Velarde R. , Pumarola M. , Lavin S.
Published: October 2010

Sclerosing adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct and pyometra were diagnosed in a 17‐year‐old entire female Siamese cat which had had anorexia, depression, acute icterus and abdominal distension for a week. Clinical signs derived from the tumour were minimal and non‐specific until the diffuse thickening of the bile duct obstructed bile flow and acute icterus resulted. Sclerosing adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct is a human variant of bile duct carcinomas that has not, to the authors' knowledge, previously been described in the cat, but it appears to be as invasive as other feline hepatic tumours.
An outbreak of respiratory disease in horses associated withMycoplasma felisinfection
Authors: Wood J. L. N. , Chanter N. , Newton J. R. , Burrell M. H. , Dugdale D. , Windsor H. M. , Windsor G. D. , Rosendal S. , Townsend H. G. G.
Published: October 2010

Lower respiratory tract disease developed in a group of racehorses in training between two and six years of age. Disease was observed in 22 of 25 horses for which full records were available. Seroconversion toMycoplasma feliswas demonstrated by indirect haemagglutination assay in 19 of 22 paired sera and high titres (≥64) were found in convalescent sera from the three remaining horses. Evidence of respiratory viral infection was confined to seroconversions to equine herpesvirus‐ 4 in two of the horses. Tracheal wash samples, taken from four horses with visibly increased tracheal mucopus, contained more than 104 colony forming units/mlM felisand high proportions of neutrophils. This is the first description of an outbreak of lower respiratory tract disease in horses in training associated withM felisinfection.
Eradication of porcine factor H deficiency in Norway
Authors: Høgåsen K. , Jansen J. H. , Harboe M.
Published: October 2010

In pigs a hereditary deficiency of the complement‐inhibitory protein factor H consistently leads to the development of lethal membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. This autosoipal recessive disease has been a common cause of early losses of piglets in the Norwegian Yorkshire breed, but has not been reported in the Norwegian Landrace breed. The aim of the present work was to identify carriers of factor H deficiency and to eradicate the disease from commercial pig populations. Factor H in plasma was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Sixteen known carriers of the disease (parents of factor H‐deficient offspring) had half the level of factor H (median 110, range 87 to 156 mg/litre) recorded in 17 homozygous healthy Yorkshire pigs (median 212, range 183 to 293 mg/litre) and 20 Landrace pigs (median 227, range 200 to 255 mg/litre). Factor H analysis in 397 piglets produced by the mating of known carriers revealed an approximately 1:2:1 distribution of individuals with very low, half‐normal and normal levels of factor H representing homozygous deficient, heterozygous and homozygous healthy individuals. Thus, carriers could be identified reliably by measuring the plasma concentration of factor H. Most of the population of Norwegian Yorkshire breeding pigs (490 pigs) was therefore examined, and a half‐normal factor H level consistent with the carrier state was found in 13.5 per cent. These animals were prevented from breeding and since then no losses of piglets suspected of being due to factor H deficiency have been reported. No carrier was identified among 102 Norwegian Landrace boars, almost excluding the existence of factor H deficiency in this breed.
Treatment of a keratoma in a Clydesdale horse
Authors: Chan C. C‐H. , Munroe G. A.
Published: October 2010

A keratoma was diagnosed in a six‐year‐old Clydesdale gelding with recurrent ‘pus in the foot’. The keratoma was excised through an inverted ‘V’ dorsal wall hoof resection up to 2 cm distal to the coronary band, the foot was bandaged and shod, and the horse treated with antibiotics and phenylbutazone. The dorsal hoof wall regrew completely and the horse gradually returned to full work.
Enzymuria as an index of renal damage in canine leishmaniasis
Authors: Palacio J. , Liste F. , Gascón M.
Published: October 2010

Urinary enzyme activities of alanine aminopeptidase, gammaglutamyl transpeptidase, alkaline phosphatase, N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase and β‐glucuronidase were determined in 15 dogs with leishmaniasis and in a group of eight normal dogs. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations were also measured and renal histology was examined. All the affected dogs had renal lesions. However, no significant differences in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations were found between the control group and the affected group. The urinary enzyme activities of gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (P<0.01), N‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucosaminidase (P<0.01) and β‐glucuronidase (P<0.05) were significantly higher in the affected dogs. Urinary enzymes therefore seem to be a more sensitive and reliable test for assessing early renal damage in canine leishmaniasis than serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen concentrations.
Eradication of Aujeszky's disease virus from a Swedish pig herd using gI‐/TK‐ vaccine
Authors: Engel M. , Wierup M.
Published: October 2010

An attenuated glycoprotein I‐negative (gI‐)/thymidine kinasenegative (TK‐) constructed vaccine was used to eradicate Aujeszky's disease virus from a large farrow‐to‐finish herd in Sweden. The herd had had problems every year for seven years and two attempts to eradicate the virus without vaccination had failed. At the start of the vaccination programme 86 per cent of the 396 breeding animals were seropositive to the virus. In spite of evidence of virus circulation in the fattening units, no fatteners were vaccinated. The breeding stock was vaccinated every four months and monitored serologically. Seropositive sows and boars were culled at an economic rate. During the programme, four breeding animals seroconverted to gI. Another seven animals which seroconverted to gI were suspected to have been infected shortly before the first test and vaccination. When all the seropositive breeding animals had been culled, the fattening units were sampled and no seropositive animals were found. The herd was declared gInegative 39 months after the start of the programme. Monitoring of the herd for another four years, until all the vaccinated animals had been culled, showed that the herd remained free from Aujeszky's disease virus.
Evaluation of the effects of nursery depopulation on the profitability of 34 pig farms
Authors: Dee S. A. , Joo H. S. , Polson D. D. , Marsh W. E.
Published: October 2010

The financial impact of nursery depopulation was assessed on 34 pig farms by constructing a partial budget model to measure the profitability of the nursery production. The model measured margin over variable cost and used production data generated from a previous study; it assumed that fixed costs remained constant throughout the study and that feed cost, weaned pig cost and market price per nursery pig also remained fixed. The mean margin over variable cost per sow on the 34 farms after nursery depopulation was £116. Thirtytwo of the farms showed reductions in this cost, ranging from £20 to £408 per sow, in the 12 months after nursery depopulation compared with the previous 12 months. Of the two farms which did not show an increase in profitability, one showed no change and the other showed a net loss of £8 per sow. The sows' serostatus for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection was monitored but there was no significant difference between the margin over variable cost per sow of the seropositive (£130) and seronegative (£170) herds.
Age‐related disease in recurrent outbreaks of phocid herpesvirus type‐I infections in a seal rehabilitation centre: evaluation of diagnostic methods
Authors: Harder T. C. , Vos H. , de Swart R. L. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E.
Published: October 2010

The prevalence and clinical signs of phocid herpesvirus type‐1 (PhHV‐1) infections among harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in a seal rehabilitation centre in the Netherlands were monitored between June and September 1993 and 1994 when 34 and 36 seals, respectively, were rehabilitated. In both years PhHV‐1‐related disease outbreaks occurred in the pupping season. PhHV‐1 infections were diagnosed by the demonstration of a more than four‐fold increase in virus neutralising serum antibodies in paired serum samples, by the isolation of the virus from swab samples in primary seal kidney cells, and by the detection of PhHV‐1 DNA with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in swab samples. This assay targets a 290 bp fragment of the glycoprotein D (gD) gene equivalent of PhHV‐1. The PCR assay when combined with Southern blotting (PCR‐SB) was approximately 1000 times more sensitive than virus isolation when tested with serially diluted samples from PhHV‐l‐infected cell cultures. In contrast with virus isolation, the PCR‐SB scored as positive all the animals with serological evidence of PhHV‐1 infection. The majority of seals present in the centre during the outbreaks contracted the infection and developed benign upper respiratory disease. However, the severity of PhHV‐1‐ related disease was inversely correlated with age and fatal generalised infections occurred only in neonates.
Culling in 50 dairy herds in England
Authors: Esslemont R. J. , Kossaibati M. A.
Published: October 2010

A survey of 50 Friesian/Holstein dairy herds (average size 178 cows) in England investigated the rate of culling and the reasons for disposal and death over three years from 1990 to 1992. The average total annual culling rate was 23.8 per cent (22.0 per cent sold and 1.8 per cent died). Of the disposals, 54 per cent were culled by the end of their fourth lactation. Poor fertility was the most important reason for culling (36.5 per cent of disposals), followed by management policy (11.5 per cent), mastitis (10.1 per cent), bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) (7.4 per cent) and lameness (5.6 per cent). The most common causes of death were mastitis (8.9 per cent) and BSE (11.5 per cent), but 46 per cent died for unknown reasons.
Percutaneous ultrasound‐guided abomasocentesis in cows
Authors: Braun U. , Wild K. , Merz M. , Hertzberg H.
Published: October 2010

The goal of this study was to determine the optimal location for ultrasound‐guided centesis of the bovine abomasum and to assess the safety of the procedure. In the first part of this study, the technique was applied to 50 clinically healthy cows which were slaughtered within two hours of the procedure. The abomasum and peritoneum were then examined for lesions. In all but one cow, the location for abomasocentesis was 10 to 27 cm caudal to the xiphoid and on the ventral midline or up to 10 cm to the right of it. No peritoneal lesions were observed in any of the cows. In all cases, the site of centesis was visible as a localised haemorrhage on the serosal surface of the abomasum. In 41 of the cows, a haematoma was visible on the mucosal surface of the abomasum. In the second part of the study, 10 cows were monitored clinically for 10 days after abomasocentesis, to assess the safety of the procedure. The appetite, general behaviour, attitude and rectal temperature of the cows remained normal. The haematocrit, total and differential leucocyte counts, and the concentrations of total solids and fibrinogen were determined daily and remained within their normal ranges. At slaughter minimal changes, such as localised reddening and adhesions between the site of the puncture in the abomasum and the abdominal wall, were visible in three of the cows.
Histological and bacteriological evaluation of digital dermatitis in cattle, with special reference to spirochaetes andCampylobacter faecalis
Authors: Döpfer D. , ter Huurne A. A. H. M. , Cornelisse J. L. , van Asten A. J. A. M. , Koopmans A. , Meijer F. A. , Schukken Y. H. , Szakáll I. , Klee W. , Bosma R. B.
Published: October 2010

Tissue samples from the feet of slaughtered cattle exhibiting different stages of digital dermatitis were sectioned and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and silver staining techniques. Three morphological variations of spirochaetes were observed, whereas control samples from feet which were macroscopically negative for digital dermatitis were also negative for spirochaetes. In an immunofluorescence test, [i]Campylobacter faecalis[/i] was found to be abundant on superficial wound smears from the classical ulceration of digital dermatitis.
Monensin toxicity in a flock of ostriches
Authors: Baird G. J. , Caldow G. L. , Peek I. S. , Grant D. A.
Published: October 2010

A total of 42 birds from a flock of 104 farmed ostriches showed signs of toxicity after the accidental inclusion of monensin in their concentrate ration. The initial clinical signs were muscle weakness and ataxia which progressed to recumbency, dyspnoea and death, despite intensive supportive therapy. The serum activity of the enzymes creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase was high in the affected birds, indicating significant muscle pathology. Few gross lesions were identifiable postmortem, but widespread lesions of degenerative myopathy were present at the histopathological level. However, these degenerative changes were restricted to the skeletal muscle and there was no evidence of cardiomyopathy in any of the birds examined. The birds were fed a ration which contained 215 to 224 ppm monensin for 13 days. New clinical cases ceased to occur shortly after the withdrawal of the source of monensin, but all the individuals which showed clinical signs of toxicity died or were euthanased on humane grounds.
Seroconversion in an industrial unit of rabbits infected with a non‐pathogenic rabbit haemorrhagic disease‐like virus
Authors: Capucci L. , Nardin A. , Lavazza A.
Published: October 2010

A serological survey of 238 rabbits for antirabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) antibodies was made in an industrial rabbitry where no signs of the disease had been reported for four years. Seroconversion was repeatedly detected and was due to a calicivirus antigenically related to RHDV but without its pathogenicity. There was a seroprevalence of 33.3 per cent among young animals at weaning at 31 days old, 27.6 per cent at five to seven days after weaning, 56.1 per cent at 13 to 14 days after weaning, 90.3 per cent at 19 to 20 days and 100 per cent at 32 to 33 days after weaning, and all the breeding rabbits were seropositive. In the last group and in the young at weaning, the anti‐RHDV antibodies were mainly class IgG, but they were IgM and IgA at 13 to 14 days after weaning. In older fattening rabbits, there was a decrease of IgM and IgA and an increase of IgG confirmed seroconversion without any specific signs of rabbit haemorrhagic disease. On the basis of these results, the probable time of infection of the meat rabbits with this non‐pathogenic virus was immediately after weaning.
Cutaneous protothecosis in a dog
Authors: Ginel P. J. , Pérez J. , Molleda J. M. , Lucena R. , Mozos E.
Published: October 2010

A dog was infected systemically withPrototheca wickerhamiibut showed only cutaneous protothecosis. The lesions appeared progressively and consisted of non‐pruritic scrotal swelling and ulceration, cutaneous nodules, crusty ulcerative lesions over the trunk and serous rhinitis. The diagnosis was based on skin biopsy findings and specific culture. Microscopic examination revealed a diffuse pyogranulomatous dermatitis and numerous protothecal organisms of different sizes within the cytoplasm of phagocytic cells. Treatment with oral ketoconazole for six months resolved all the clinical signs except the scrotal granuloma which, although it was significantly reduced, had to be removed surgically. However, after five months the condition returned.
Gas bubble disease in farmed fish in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Saeed M. O. , Al‐Thobaiti S. A.
Published: October 2010

Four outbreaks of gas bubble disease were encountered among farmed fish in Saudi Arabia. Two of them occurred among subadult (52.5 g) saltwater tilapia (Oreochromis spilurus), the first affecting about 50 per cent of the stock and resulting in about 30 per cent mortality, and the second affecting about 25 per cent of the population with about 5 per cent mortality. Another outbreak occurred among adult (270 g) brackish water (0.5 per cent salinity) tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), affecting about 40 per cent of the population with about 25 per cent mortality. The fourth outbreak occurred among three‐month‐old (15 g) grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) and resulted in 10 per cent mortality. In all cases the total water gas pressure ranged between 111.2 and 113.4 per cent saturation and nitrogen was supersaturated while oxygen was undersaturated. The outbreaks were alleviated by reducing the gas pressure by splashing the source water or by switching to a source of water with lower gas pressure. However, in O niloticus the conditions of gas supersaturation resulted in a heavy infection by monogenetic trematodes which was treated with formalin at 40 mg/litre for seven hours on five successive days.
Effectiveness of SAG1 oral vaccine for the long‐term protection of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) against rabies
Authors: Artois M. , Cliquet F. , Barrat J. , Schumacher C. L.
Published: October 2010

Three groups of 10 foxes were vaccinated by the direct oral instillation of 2 ml of SAG1 rabies virus vaccine containing 106 MICLD50 (107 TCID50/ml) infectious viral particles/ml. SAG1 is a natural variant of the attenuated rabies vaccine strain SAD Bern and was selected in the presence of monoclonal antibodies. The strain is devoid of residual pathogenicity for the fox and the highly susceptible adult laboratory mouse by the oral, intramuscular and intracerebral routes. The foxes were challenged six, 12 and 18 months later with a virulent vulpine street rabies virus (GS 7‐1‐1). They all survived, whereas seven of eight unvaccinated control foxes died.
Naturally occurring persistent and asymptomatic infection of the guttural pouches of horses withStreptococcus equi
Authors: Newton J. R. , Wood J. L. N. , Dunn K. A. , DeBrauwere M. N. , Chanter N.
Published: October 2010

During an outbreak of strangles on a farm with approximately 1500 horses, the spread ofStreptococcus equiinfection was monitored by repeated nasopharyngeal swabbing and culture. In order to control the infection and prevent new introductions of strangles on to the premises, a system of quarantine and swabbing of cases and all incoming animals was instituted. Long‐term carriage of the organism was detected in four clinically healthy convalescent animals, and in two of 350 new ponies; it persisted for between seven and 39 months, but it was detected only intermittently by the culture of swabs which was a much less sensitive method than the culture of guttural pouch lavages taken by endoscopy (45 per cent v 88 per cent sensitivity, respectively, for any single sample). Repeated swabs were often negative for several weeks between positive samples. Nonetheless, in all but one of the long‐term carriers,S equiwas detected by culture of repeated swabs taken over a period of less than two to three months. Infection was detected unilaterally in the guttural pouches of five of the carriers and was accompanied by large numbers of neutrophils in the lavage samples whether or not there was empyema. Abnormalities of the affected guttural pouches were detectable by radiography but only after the instillation of contrast medium. The study indicated that clinically healthy long‐term carriers ofS equipresent a serious risk of spreading strangles, particularly because they may be detected only by repeated nasopharyngeal swabbing over two to three months.
Probability of detecting antibodies to bovine herpesvirus 1 in bulk milk after the introduction of a positive animal on to a negative farm
Authors: Frankena K. , Franken P. , Vandehoek J. , Koskamp G. J. , Kramps J. A.
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this study was to assess the probability that the introduction of one or more bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV‐1)‐seropositive animals would result in the bulk milk of a clean herd becoming BHV‐1‐positive. Probability calculations (stochastic and deterministic) were based on the distribution of the log(titre) of 828 positive animals and the daily milk production of the herds and of the individual cows. They showed that the probability in average sized herds of 45 dairy cows is only between 10 and 25 per cent and that even in small herds of 25 cows the introduction of a positive animal would go undetected in the majority of cases. It is concluded that if the bulk milk has become BHV‐1‐positive it is most likely that the infection has spread.
Ultrasonographic examination of the abomasum of 50 cows
Authors: Braun U. , Wild K. , Guscetti F.
Published: October 2010

The purpose of this study was to determine the position, appearance and dimensions of the abomasum of 50 healthy 4 cows by ultrasonography. The ventral abdominal region caudal to the xiphoid process was examined with a 3.5 MHz linear 5 transducer. The abomasum could be visualised from both sides 2 and from the ventral midline of 47 of the cows. The abomasum could be clearly differentiated from adjacent organs because of its contents, which appeared as a heterogeneous, moderately echogenic structure with echogenic stippling. However, the wall of the abomasum appeared, if at all, as a narrow echogenic line. Parts of the abomasal folds were visible occasionally as echogenic structures within the abomasum. Slow movement of the feed in the abomasum was also often visualised. The pylorus was positively identified in only one cow. The cranial margin of the abomasum was situated up to 15 cm caudal to the xiphoid process. The abomasum was between 7.4 and 42.9 cm long, and its maximal extent, measured from the ventral midline to the left, was from 5.0 to 26.0 cm in the cranial region and from 5.0 to 16.0 cm in the caudal region. From the ventral midline to the (b) right, it was from 5.0 to 33.0 cm in the cranial region and from 28.0 to 36.0 cm in the caudal region. The minimal dorsoventral 5, dimension of the abomasum ranged from 0.7 to 7.2 cm, and its maximal dorsoventral dimension ranged from 3.6 to 11.1 cm.
Paratuberculosis in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Authors: Greig A. , Stevenson K. , Perez V. , Pirie A. A. , Grant J. M. , Sharp J. M.
Published: October 2010

A survey of wild rabbits in Tayside, Scotland revealed that 67 per cent were infected withMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis. In general, the infected rabbits had histopathological changes within the lymph nodes and intestines which were consistent with the changes due to paratuberculosis in ruminants. The survey raises the possibility that rabbits and other wildlife may be involved in the epidemiology of paratuberculosis, a possibility which has important implications for the control of the disease.
Comparison of fluid and flunixin meglumine therapy in combination and individually in the treatment of toxic mastitis
Authors: Green M. J. , Green L. E. , Cripps P. J.
Published: October 2010

During a three‐year study, 54 cows with toxic mastitis were allocated randomly to one of three treatment groups (A, B and C). Each cow was re‐examined within 24 hours of the initial examination, and, during this time, group A received fluid therapy (45 litres of intravenous isotonic electrolyte solution) and flunixin meglumine (2000 mg), group B received fluid therapy only, and group C received flunixin meglumine only. In addition all the cases were treated with parenteral and intramammary tetracyclines, oxytocin and calcium boroglucoanate. There was no significant difference in the rate of survival between the treatment groups and 29 of the cows (53.7 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval of 39 to 67 per cent) survived.
Neuropathology of scrapie: a study of the distribution patterns of brain lesions in 222 cases of natural scrapie in sheep, 1982–1991
Authors: Wood J. L. N. , McGill I. S. , Done S. H. , Bradley R.
Published: October 2010

Detailed neuropathological findings in 222 cases of naturally occurring scrapie from Great Britain are described. The material consisted of formalin‐fixed brain from eight breeds of sheep submitted between 1982 and 1991. Paraffinembedded histological sections were made from several specified brain areas, including the medulla oblongata, cerebellum, pons, mesencephalon, diencephalon, septal area, basal ganglia and frontal cortex. Sections were examined by conventional and polarised light microscopy and the type and distribution of the lesions were recorded. Histologically, the lesions included vacuolation of neuronal perikarya and grey matter neuropil, neuronal degeneration (especially ‘dark’ neurons) and loss, a reactive glial (predominantly astrocytic) response and amyloidosis. Vacuolar lesions were present in the cerebral cortex of 37 per cent of cases, centred around the superior frontal gyrus. Vacuolar lesions were detected in the neocortex for as long as sections have been taken from the superior frontal gyrus and are thus probably not a new feature of the disease. The distribution of vacuolation in the grey matter neuropil could be classified into seven patterns. Data from individual breeds of sheep showed that in some breeds there were significant differences in the age at which animals with different patterns of vacuolation died from scrapie.
Malignant ventricular dysrhythmia in broiler chickens dying of sudden death syndrome
Authors: Olkowski A. A. , Classen H. L.
Published: October 2010

A flock of broiler chickens was monitored intensively for overt signs indicative of sudden death. Electrocardiographic tracing of terminal cardiac activity was obtained from six broilers succumbing to sudden death syndrome and from six control chickens which were killed by cervical dislocation. Normal sinus rhythm, heart rate and electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern with P, QRS, and T deflections were observed for two to three minutes in the control chickens. The ECG tracing from birds dying of sudden death syndrome showed no identifiable P, QRS, or T waveforms. Initial more regular oscillatory waves resembling ventricular flutter, changed to irregular, undulating waves characteristic of ventricular fibrillation. A straight line, indicating cessation of heart activity, appeared within four to six minutes of the onset of clinical signs. It was concluded that the sudden death syndrome is associated with an acute cardiovascular failure caused by a lethal cardiac dysrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation.
Stabilisation of a mandibular fracture in a cow by means of a pinless external fixator
Authors: Lischer C. J. , Fluri E. , Auer J. A.
Published: October 2010

A four months pregnant, four‐year‐old Brown Swiss cow with mandibular fractures of the right horizontal ramus and the symphysis was treated surgically with a new pinless external fixator. Healing was complicated by the sequestration of bone at the fracture site. After the sequestrum had been removed a radiographic examination revealed that the fracture had healed completely.
A cohort study to examine maternally‐associated risk factors for bovine spongiform encephalopathy
Authors: Wilesmith J. W. , Wells G. A. H. , Ryan J. B. M. , Gavier‐Widen D. , Simmons M. M.
Published: October 2010

This long‐term cohort study, initiated in July 1989, was designed to examine maternally‐associated risk factors for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), forming part of the epidemiological research programme to assess the risks of non‐feedborne transmission of BSE. In this study, the incidence of BSE in offspring of cows which developed clinical signs of BSE is compared with that in offspring, born in the same calving season and herd, of cows which had reached at least six years of age and had not developed BSE. All offspring were allowed to live to seven years of age. The results indicate a statistically significant risk difference between the two cohorts of 9.7 per cent and a relative risk of 3.2 for offspring of cows which developed clinical BSE. However, there is some evidence that this enhanced risk for offspring of BSE cases declined the later the offspring was born, but was increased the later the offspring was born in relation to the stage of the incubation period of the dam. The results presented cannot distinguish between a genetic component and true maternal transmission or a combination of both risks, but they do not indicate either that the BSE epidemic will be unduly prolonged or that the future incidence of BSE in Great Britain will increase significantly.
Clinical manifestations of infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia
Authors: Harrus S. , Aroch I. , Lavy E. , Bark H.
Published: October 2010

This paper describes five naturally occurring clinical cases of infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia that were the first serologically confirmed cases ofEhrlichia platysinfection in Israel. In the USA this disease is considered subclinical, but the dogs in this study developed distinct clinical abnormalities. The signs observed by the owners included anorexia, lethargy, depression, weight loss and a mucopurulent nasal discharge. The principal findings on physical examination included lymphadenomegaly, pale mucous membranes, fever and the presence of ticks. The main abnormal haematological and biochemical findings included thrombocytopenia, the presence of giant platelets, low haematocrit, monocytosis and low albumin concentrations. All five dogs were less than two years of age, and four were purebred dogs, suggesting that these two factors may be associated with increased risk to infection and clinical disease. Two of the dogs were seropositive toE canis, a finding which is compatible with other reports, and which confirms that combined infections ofE platysandE canisare common; it also suggests thatE canisinfections may contribute to the pathogenesis ofE platys. The distinct clinical manifestation of the disease in these five dogs suggests that there may be a different, more virulent strain ofE platysin Israel.
Management of headshaking in three horses by treatment for protozoal myeloencephalitis
Authors: Moore L. A. , Johnson P. J. , Messer N. T. , Kline K. L. , Crump L. M. , Knibb J. R.
Published: October 2010

Unlike the incidence of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), which appears to be increasing, headshaking is an uncommon problem for horses in Missouri and the adjacent states. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis was incriminated in three horses examined for the treatment of headshaking on the basis of a neurological examination, an analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and their response to treatment. The headshaking and stereotypical behaviour associated with EPM was successfully treated with potentiated sulphonamides and pyrimethamine.
Relationships between some soil parameters and the blood glutathione peroxidase activity of grazing sheep
Authors: Andrés S. , Jiménez A. , Mañé M. C. , Sánchez J. , Barrera R.
Published: October 2010

The relationships between some soil parameters and blood glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity in 15‐day‐old lambs was studied on 18 sheep farms. Soil samples were analysed for the proportions of sand, silt and clay, pH, and the concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, iron, nitrogen and sulphates. On the farms where the lambs had adequate GSHPx activity (≥130 iu/g Hb) the soils contained significantly more clay, phosphorus and sulphates, and significantly less iron and nitrogen, than on the farms where the lambs did not have adequate GSHPx activity.
Canine monocytic ehrlichiosis: a retrospective study of 100 cases, and an epidemiological investigation of prognostic indicators for the disease
Authors: Harrus S. , Kass P. H. , Klement E. , Waner T.
Published: October 2010

One hundred cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis diagnosed in Israeli dogs were confirmed by the presence of anti‐Ehrlichia canisindirect immunofluorescent antibody titres greater than 1:40. The disease occurred in all age groups and there was no sex predilection. German shepherd dogs were significantly over‐represented whereas crossbreed dogs were significantly under‐represented (P>0.0005). The most common clinical signs were depression, lethargy, lymphadenomegaly, fever, anorexia, panting, pale mucous membranes and bleeding, of which epistaxis was most common. Thrombocytopenia, anaemia (mainly normocytic normochromic) and lymphopenia were the predominant haematological findings. Forty‐nine of the 100 cases were followed up for a year. Thirty‐two dogs survived and 17 died. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to examine the effect of host, environmental, and haematological prognostic factors on survival. It was concluded that severe anaemia, severe leucopenia, pancytopenia, a tendency to bleed (especially epistaxis) and being a German shepherd dog were important indicators of poor survival in cases of monocytic ehrlichiosis in dogs.
Double‐labelling immunohistochemical study of megakaryocytes in African swine fever
Authors: Pérez J. , Bautista M. J. , Rodríguez F. , Wilkinson P. J. , Sierra M. A. , Martin de las Mulas J.
Published: October 2010

Bone marrow samples from pigs infected with the highly virulent Malawi'83 or moderately virulent Dominican Republic (DR'78) isolates of African swine fever virus were studied by means of a double labelling immunohistochemical technique which stained the major structural protein VP73 of the virus and megakaryocytes simultaneously. In pigs infected with the highly virulent Malawi'83 isolate, 2.2 per cent of megakaryocytes were VP73+five days after inoculation, and at six and seven days 2.5 and 9.5 per cent of megakaryocytes were VP73+. Some infected and uninfected megakaryocytes showed pyknosis and karyorrhexis, particularly at seven days after inoculation. However, in comparison with uninfected pigs, the number of megakaryocytes decreased only at seven days after inoculation. In pigs infected with the moderately virulent DR'78 isolate, only 0.2 per cent of megakaryocytes were VP73+at eight days after inoculation. However, at eight, nine and 10 days after inoculation the total number of megakaryocytes was significantly lower (P<0.01) than in control uninfected pigs, and the majority of the megakaryocytes showed signs of cell death such as pyknosis and karyorrhexis. The fact that this greater destruction of megakaryocytes was associated with the lower rate of infection of this cell type suggests that indirect damage to megakaryocytes is an additional mechanism of thrombocytopenia in acute and subacute African swine fever.
Lameness and foot lesions in adult British dairy goats
Authors: Hill N. P. , Murphy P. E. , Nelson A. J. , Mouttotou N. , Green L. E. , Morgan K. L.
Published: October 2010

In the first population‐based study of lameness and foot lesions in adult goats in the UK, a random sample of 307 adult goats from four large commercial dairy farms was examined. The overall proportion of lame goats was 91 per cent (2.6 to 24‐4 per cent). The abnormalities detected were horn separation (29.6 per cent), white line lesions (13.0 per cent) slippering (10.1 per cent), abscess of the sole (4.2 per cent), foreign body, and granulomatous lesions (1.0 per cent). Between 83‐1 and 95.5 per cent of the goats had overgrown horn on at least one foot. The number of feet of individual goats with horn separation followed a Poisson distribution suggesting that it was associated with environmental rather than genetic or nutritional factors. Horn separation, abscess of the sole and footrot were significantly associated with lameness, but white line lesions, slippering and granulomatous lesions were not. There were differences between the farms in the prevalence of lameness and foot lesions. Routine foot trimming was associated with a lower prevalence of lameness.
Influence of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the flexion test of the distal forelimb of the horse
Authors: Keg P. R. , van Weeren P. R. , Back W. , Bameveld A.
Published: October 2010

The influence of the force applied and its period of application on the outcome of the flexion test of the distal forelimb was investigated in a group of eight sound horses. The degree of lameness after the flexion test was scored by a standard clinical classification, and by measuring the angle of maximum fetlock extension by means of the infrared light‐based MacReflex gait analysis system. There was a good correlation between the clinical score and this electronically recorded kinematic parameter (r = 0.96). Both the force applied and the period of application affected the outcome of the test. Increasing the force applied by 25 per cent led to three horses being judged positive, instead of two when the normal force was applied. Doubling the time to 120 seconds resulted in four horses rather than two being classified as lame after the test. Reducing the force to 75 per cent or the time to 30 seconds resulted in all the horses being classified as sound. A flexion test lasting five minutes, either at 100 per cent force or at 75 per cent, classified six of the eight horses as lame. It is concluded that the flexion test should be defined more precisely in terms of these two factors in order to make its results more consistent and hence more useful.
Immunotoxicological effects on piglets of feeding sows diets containing aflatoxins
Authors: Silvotti L. , Petterino C. , Bonomi A. , Cabassi E.
Published: October 2010

Three groups of four Large White sows were fed diets containing either 800 ppb purified aflatoxin Bi (group 1), 800 ppb purified aflatoxin Gl (group 2) or 400 ppb Bi and 400 ppb Gl (group 3) throughout gestation and lactation. A control group of four sows was fed a diet free of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins Bi and Ml were found in milk samples taken five and 25 days after parturition from the sows of group 1, aflatoxin Gl was present in the milk of the sows of group 2 and all three aflatoxins were present in samples from the sows of group 3. The concentration of aflatoxin in the milk was about 1000‐fold lower than that in the feed, but increased over the 25 days after parturition. The piglet suckling on a central teat was selected from each sow, given sow milk until the fourth day of age, and was then free to eat prepared feed while suckling. At the 25th day of age the selected piglets were removed from the sow and sacrificed. Blood samples were collected from each piglet and cellular populations were separated for immunological measurements: an in vitro lymphocyte proliferation test, and tests to derive the phagocytic activity, phagocytic index and superoxide anion production of monocytederived macrophages were carried out along with studies on the motility, differential chemotaxis and chemotactic index of circulating granulocytes. The lymphoproliferative response to mitogens was reduced and monocyte‐derived macrophages failed to efficiently produce superoxide anions after oxidative burst stimulation in vitro, while their ability to phagocytose red blood cells was not compromised. Granulocytic cells showed a reduction of chemotactic response in vitro to chemoattractant bacteria factor and casein.
Displacement of the tubular genital tract of the ewe during pregnancy
Authors: Ayen E. , Noakes D. E.
Published: October 2010

The displacement of the tubular genital tract of ewes during pregnancy, in particular of the cervix relative to the cranial pelvic brim, was studied by sequential radiography using radio‐opaque markers attached surgically before tupping. In the first year, 13 two‐year‐old parous ewes were fed a complete pelleted diet containing either 15 or 25 per cent fibre throughout pregnancy. The distances between the markers attached to the tubulogenital tract increased and the distance between the cervix and the cranial pelvic brim increased slightly with advancing pregnancy; the diet had no effect. In the second year, only cervical displacement was studied in 11 ewes that had suffered a cervicovaginal prolapse the previous year, and in five of their female progeny. They were divided into two groups, one of which was fed a 15 per cent‐fibre complete pelleted diet and the other hay ad libitum throughout pregnancy. In two ewes, one from each dietary group, the prolapse recurred less than two weeks from term; initially it was a stage 2 prolapse, where the vaginal wall fails to return to its normal position when the ewe stands, but in one ewe it became a stage 3 prolapse, with the vagina completely everted and the cervix visible. During the stage 2 prolapse there was no evidence of caudal displacement of the cervix, whereas during the progression to the stage 3 prolapse the cervix became displaced 33 cm caudally over two to three hours.