bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the potential toxicity of a poison for rabbits, pindone (2‐pivalyl 1, 3 indandione), to domestic animals
Authors: MARTIN GR , SUTHERLAND RJ , ROBERTSON ID , KIRKPATRICK WE , KING DR , HOOD PJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The toxicity of pindone, a rabbit poison, to horses, cattle, goats, chickens, dogs and cats was investigated, using extension of prothrombin time (PT) as an index of poisoning. The daily dose of pindone, administered for 5 days, ranged from 0.3 mg/kg for dogs to 2.5 mg/kg for chickens. This range of dose rates was considered to be indicative of the worst possible case that could arise following a campaign of baiting for rabbits. Although significant elevations in PT (more than double baseline values) were noted in all species other than horses, clinical signs of anticoagulant poisoning were not observed in any of the species tested. From the observed PT, cattle and cats appeared to be the most susceptible, and horses the least susceptible, to pindone toxicity. The half‐lives of the elevated PT were calculated as 3.1 days for cattle, 2.8 days for goats and chickens, 1.9 days for horses and dogs and less than one day for cats. It is proposed that these half‐lives can be used as a guide for determining the duration of treatment of pindone‐affected animals.
Long‐acting selenium treatments for sheep
Authors: JUDSON GJ , ELLIS NJS , KEMPE BR , SHALLOW M.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY An intraruminal selenium (Se) pellet and a subcutaneous depot of barium selenate, equivalent to 1.6 mg Se/kg body weight, were each effective in maintaining increased blood Se concentrations for at least 200 weeks in ewes at pasture. These treatments given to the ewes 23 to 26 weeks before lambing increased the Se status of their lambs for 4 to 6 months.
Field comparison of the interferon‐gamma assay and the intradermal tuberculin test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis
Authors: WOOD PR , CORNER LA , ROTHEL JS , BALDOCK C. , JONES SL , COUSINS DB , McCORMICK BS , FRANCIS BR , CREEPER J. , TWEDDLE NE
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY An extensive field comparison of the gamma interferon (IFN‐γ) assay and the single intradermal tuberculin test for the diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis was conducted in Australia. The specificity of the IFN‐γ assay was determined by testing more than 6000 cattle from tuberculosis‐free herds and varied from 96.2% to 98.1%, depending on the cut‐off point chosen to define a positive reactor. For the sensitivity trial, cattle from herds being de‐populated because of bovine tuberculosis were examined with both assays. The sensitivity of the IFN‐γ assay was shown to be significantly higher than the single intradermal tuberculin test and varied from 76.8% to 93.6% depending on the method of interpretation. A maximum overall sensitivity of 95.2% was obtained by testing with the IFN‐γ and the tuberculin test in parallel. The superior sensitivity of the IFN‐γ assay and the ability to adjust the sensitivity of the system depending on the task involved, will provide the Australian Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign with a valuable additional test to enable it to accomplish its goals.
Practical aspects of the estimation of the time of ovulation and of insemination in the bitch
Authors: WRIGHT PJ
Published: March 2008

The aims of this study were to assess the precision of the estimates of the time of ovulation derived by various methods, and to define the most appropriate methods for the determination of the optimal time for insemination of bitches with fresh semen (artificial insemination or natural mating), or with frozen‐thawed semen. In 11 Labrador bitches, ovulation was estimated (plasma LH surge + 48 h) to occur 9 to 20 d after the start of the cycle, 0 to + 4 d after the onset of positive postural reflexes (2 bitches showed no positive postural reflexes), ‐ 4 to + 7 d after reaching a vaginal cytological eosinophilic index (El) of 100%, over a range of 2.5 to 5.5 d based on plasma progesterone concentrations of 4 to 10 ng/ml, over a range of 2 to 3 or 4 d based on 2 indirect methods of estimating the time of the plasma LH surge from plasma progesterone concentrations. Assuming fertilisation occurs 2 to 3 d after ovulation, these findings indicate that for fresh semen (with an estimated lifespan of > 4 days) an appropriate procedure would be to inseminate/mate on the day after the onset of positive postural reflexes; then 3 days later. For bitches not showing positive postural reflexes, insemination should occur when the vaginal El = 90% and then each 3 d until day 1 of dioestrus (D1). For frozen‐thawed semen (with a lifespan of >24 h) insemination should occur 4 to 5 d after the plasma LH surge. Thus, 1 insemination is required after direct measurement of the plasma LH surge, or 3 inseminations at 24 h intervals based on the less precise indirect assessment of the time of the plasma LH surge derived from measurement of plasma progesterone concentrations.
Monensin controlled‐release intraruminal capsule for control of bloat in pastured dairy cows
Authors: LOWE LB , BALL GJ , CARRUTHERS VR , DOBOS RC , LYNCH GA , MOATE PJ , POOLE PR , VALENTINE SC
Published: March 2008

Monensin, a polyether ionophore antibiotic, is potentially an important agent for bloat relief in dairy cows grazing temperate legume‐based pasture. A series of studies was undertaken to determine the effect of monensin, when delivered continuously in the rumen of lactating dairy cows by means of controlled‐release capsules (monensin CRC). Such devices release approximately 300 mg/head/day for 100 d. A short‐term pilot study made at Ruakura, New Zealand, tested monensin CRC in cows selected for high susceptibility to bloat and grazing lucerne (Medicago sativa) or red clover (Trifolium pratense). Treatment significantly reduced the incidence of bloat, while milk yield and protein yield were increased. There was no effect on fat yield.

Following the pilot study, 6 large‐scale field experiments involving a total of 368 lactating dairy cows, were made in Australia and New Zealand to confirm the effectiveness of monensin CRC for bloat control and to measure the effect of such treatment on milk production and composition. A severe bloat problem occurred in 2 experiments, mild bloat occurred in 2 others, while no visual signs of bloat were observed in the remaining 2 experiments. Bloat was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by monensin CRC treatment when data was pooled over the 4 experiments in which bloat occurred. Daily milk yield was increased in all experiments from a mean of 17.7 in untreated groups to 18.8 kg/head/day (P < 0.05) in monensin CRC‐treated cows. Protein percentage was not affected by treatment, while there was a decrease from 4.29 to 4.10% fat, although total fat yield was not affected. No monensin residues were detected in serial samples of milk taken from 2 of the field experiments using an assay with a sensitivity of method of less than 2.5 ng/ml.

Treatment of dairy cows grazing temperate legume pastures with monensin CRC reduced the severity of bloat and increased milk production, which could lead to the commercial use of the product on Australian and New Zealand dairy farms.
Vaccine efficacy for reducing turbinate atrophy and improving growth rate in piggeries with endemic atrophic rhinitis
Authors: KABAY MJ , MERCY AR , LLOYD JM , ROBERTSON GM
Published: March 2008

Two vaccines, based on formalin‐killed whole cells of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida type D and Bordetella bronchiseptica combined with a partially toxolded cell extract of P multocida, were prepared with Freund's incomplete adjuvant (vaccine 1) or by alum precipitation (vaccine 2). Each was tested for safety and efficacy in reducing the severity of nasal turbinate atrophy and improving the growth rate of pigs in three Western Australian commercial piggeries with endemic atrophic rhinitis.

In safety experiments with vaccine 1, no adverse clinical effects were observed in vaccinated sows or their progeny. Piglets receiving vaccine 2 showed no injection site abnormalities, pyrexia or turbinate atrophy.

In field trials, vaccine 1 significantly reduced the prevalence of moderate to severe nasal turbinate atrophy (Done score 3 to 5) when used in two piggeries (A and B). Progeny from vaccinated sows in piggery B also grew significantly faster than controls. When vaccine 2 was used in piggery A at a later date and in another piggery (C), growth rate was not improved in either piggery and the prevalence of moderate to severe turbinate atrophy was reduced only in piggery C.
Cryptococcosis in seven horses
Authors: RILEY CB , BOLTON JR , MILLS JN , THOMAS JB
Published: March 2008

The clinical, radiographic and post‐mortem findings in 6 horses with cryptococcal pneumonia and one horse with an abdominal cryptococcal granuloma are described. In pulmonary cryptococcosis, the lesions were either diffuse and multiple, with bilateral lung involvement, or localised mainly to the dorsocaudal region of one lung. The cases of diffuse multiple cryptococcosis were thought to be associated with haematogenous spread of the fungus after gastrointestinal infection and dissemination from regional lymph nodes. The localised form of the disease was thought to have been associated with inhalation of cryptococci. In all cases of pulmonary cryptococcosis, encapsulated yeast‐like organisms were demonstrated in Wright's‐stained sediment of tracheal washes. In the horse with the abdominal granuloma, cryptococci were present in a fine needle aspirate sample. Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii were recovered from 2 of the 5 horses in which cultures were attempted. In addition to a history of previous illness that may have predisposed to infection, most horses in this report had been in areas in which Eucalyptus camaldulensis, or the closely related E rudis, were growing. In humans, an epidemiological relationship between E camaldulensis and infection with C neoformans var gattii has been suggested. Cases of equine cryptococcosis carry a poor prognosis and treatment was not attempted in any of these cases.
VIDEO REVIEW
Authors: Mitten RW
Published: March 2008

ECG Interpretation in Dogs and Cats, Video produced by Provet for the Unit of Veterinary Continuing Education of the Royal Veterinary College
Resection and anastomosis of the small colon in four horses
Authors: DART AJ , SNYDER JR , PASCOE JR
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: Resection and anastomosis of the small colon was performed on 4 horses with vascular lesions (strangulating lipoma, mesenteric tear, dissecting haematoma) or functional obstruction (stricture) of this area of the bowel. The anastomoses were performed using a variety of suture materials in 2 layers. An appositional, full‐thickness, simple, Interrupted pattern was used in the first layer in all cases and oversewn with either a Cushing pattern (3 cases) or a Utrecht pattern (1 case). Post‐operative complications associated with suture material and surgical technique were not seen. All horses were discharged from the hospital and all were alive more than one year after discharge.
Antibody responses to avian encephalomyelitis virus vaccines when administered by different routes
Authors: SHAFREN DR , TANNOCK GA , GROVES PJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: Antibody responses to a commercial avian encephalomyelitis virus (AEV) vaccine administered by different routes were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Responses to single doses of vaccine administered by the ocular route to 10% of a flock were comparable with those obtained when all birds received a single dose in the drinking water. However, ocular vaccination of 5% of the flock resulted in significantly lower responses than those obtained when 10% were vaccinated. Maternal antibody was shown by the ELISA to persist in chickens from vaccinated flocks for up to 21 days after hatching. Day‐old chickens with serum absorbances of <0.3 at 492 nm, as determined by the ELISA, were shown to be susceptible to intracerebral challenge with the neurotropic Van Roekel strain of AEV.
Mesothelioma in horses
Authors: COLBOURNE CM , BOLTON JR , MILLS JN , WHITAKER D. , YOVICH JV , HOWELL JMcC
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: Pleural mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma with spread to the pleural cavity were diagnosed in 2 horses. Clinical signs included respiratory distress, depression and pleural pain. The affected body cavities contained copious, serous effusions containing very large neoplastic mesothelial cells with densely‐staining cytoplasm, hyperchromic nuclei and prominent, often multiple, nucleoli. Ultrastructurally, the neoplastic cells appeared as solid aggregates, with profuse microvillous borders and neolumen formation. Cytological examination, together with confirmative ancillary diagnostic tests, including electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, may be used to obtain an ante‐mortem diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Within and between observer agreement on ultrasonic evaluation of bovine ovarian structures
Authors: LEAN IJ , ABE N. , DUGGAN S. , KINGSFORD N.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: A diagnostic ultrasound unit with a 5 MHz probe was used to examine ovarian structures in vitro from 32 reproductive tracts obtained at slaughter from young cows. Agreement between and within observers, and between observers and dissection results was evaluated using the kappa statistic. Agreement was high (kappa from 0.531 to 0.969) for all evaluations of corpora lutea. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of both positive and negative findings for presence of a corpus luteum was > 0.9. Agreement between and within observers was little better than chance for follicies measuring 4 to <6 mm and for follicies measuring 6 to <10 mm. However, agreement between observers and dissection results indicated that observers could detect follicies 4 to <6 mm and 6 to <10 mm (kappa 0.301 to 0.731 and 0.414 to 0.612, respectively). Kappa values within and between observers and between observers and dissection results for observations of follicies measuring 10 mm were almost all >0.4 indicating that large follicies can be readily detected using ultrasound. It is suggested that further validation of ultrasound methods is needed to determine whether follicies measuring <4 mm can be accurately identified, and whether follicies can be accurately identified and monitored over a number of days. The ultrasound unit was useful for detecting the presence of corpora lutea and follicies. However, agreement between and within observers on the presence of follicies measuring <10 mm was poor.
Reduced growth of Lucilia cuprina larvae fed serum from sheep treated with anthelmintics
Authors: EAST IJ , KERLIN RL , EISEMANN CH
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: The effect of three commonly used anthelmintics, levamisole hydrochloride, ivermectin and closantel, on the development of the sheep blowfly, Lucil***ia cuprina, was determined. Sheep were treated with each antheimintic using the manufacturers' recommended dose for heiminth control. Both ivermectin and closantel significantly (p <0.05) reduced the growth rate of larvae of L cuprina cultured in vitro on serum from these sheep. Levamisole hydrochloride had no effect. ***ivermectin was effective for less than 6 days after treatment, whereas closantel significantly reduced larval growth 21 days after treatment. Dose‐response experiments showed that lower concentrations of both ivermectin and closantel were not as effective in reducing larval growth.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Bailey GD
Published: March 2008

Lot Feeding in Australia – A Survey of the Australian Lot Feeding Industry, RW Tucker, PS Watts, SL Lott and P Jukes
Field observations in Israel on hypersensitivity in cattle, sheep and donkeys caused by Culicoides
Authors: YERUHAM I , BRAVERMAN Y , ORGAD U
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Hypersensitive lesions in the skin of sheep, cattle and donkeys from various regions in Israel are described. No cause other than insect bites was found. The animals were free of ticks, lice, fleas and blackflies, and of all the prevailing insect groups; Culicoides spp were considered as the most probable cause of the hypersensitivity. Lesions on the legs and abdomen were attributed mainly to C obsoletus Melgen, C schultzel gp and C puncticollis Becker, and less to C Imicola Kieffer. Lesions on the back, flanks, neck and head were attributed mainly to C Imicola, less to C newsteadl Austen and rarely to C pullcaris Linnaeus.
Resistance to synthetic pyrethroids in South Australian populations of sheep lice (Bovicola ovis)
Authors: JAMES PJ , SAUNDERS PE , COCKRUM KS , MUNRO KJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Lice were collected from 71 flocks detected as Infested at market Inspection in 1990 and 1991, from 16 flocks where resistance was suspected and from 31 flocks from Kangaroo Island. Susceptibility to cypermethrin was measured by a treated surface technique and survival of lice at 5 ppm or greater was taken as an indication of resistance. The prevalence of resistance was 34% in louse populations from the market inspection sample, 50% in flocks in which resistance was suspected and 68% in flocks from Kangaroo Island. Most resistance factors were in the range 1 to 20 although one louse population with a resistance factor of 91 was found on Kangaroo Island.
The development of high synthetic pyrethroid resistance in Bovicola (Damalinia) ovis and the implications for resistance management
Authors: MARTIN PJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A field strain of the sheep body louse, Bovicola (Damallnia) ovis, was tested In vitro against a range of synthetic pyrethrolds (SP) and demonstrated a degree of resistance 80 to 900 times that of a susceptible strain. The dose response of this strain was compared with that of other strains showing low and Intermediate resistance. These data, and those from other reported cases suggest that SP resistance In sheep lice develops sequentially through a low level stage with resistance factors of 20 or less. Further selection results in the development of strains with resistance factors of up to several hundred. The implication is that preventing or managing resistance requires proper lice control management Including choosing a chemical capable of eradicating lice populations.
The effect of time between doses on serological response to a recombinant multivalent pilus vaccine against footrot in sheep
Authors: SCHWARTZKOFF CL , LEHRBACH PR , NG ML , POI A.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The response of sheep to a recombinant multivalent footrot vaccine containing pilus antigens was examined after the administration of two doses of vaccine at Intervals ranging from 2 to 52 weeks. Agglutinating antibody titres were measured 3 weeks after the second vaccination and showed that lengthening of the interdose interval results in higher agglutinin titres. The capability of sheep to mount an increasingly strong immune response as the interval between doses is increased provides an opportunity to maximise the usefulness of vaccination by administering the first dose well before an expected footrot transmission period. This advantage of increasing the interdose interval has not been reported for traditional, whole‐cell footrot vaccines, and use of the new pilus vaccine in this manner may improve prospects for disease control. Furthermore, sheep given a third dose either 6 or 12 months after their initial two‐dose vaccination program achieved significantly higher titres than those elicited after the second dose, suggesting the likelihood of further improvement in disease control in successive seasons.
BOOK REVIEW
Authors: Sutherland A K
Published: March 2008

Equine Nutrition: Proceedings of a seminar held in Canberra December 1991
Reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares on six commercial stud farms
Authors: BRÜCK I , ANDERSON GA , HYLAND JH
Published: March 2008

The records of 1630 mare years from 6 Thoroughbred stud farms in south eastern Australia were analysed for the years 1981 to 1986. Overall pregnancy and foaling rates were 83.9% and 69.3%, respectively. When calculated per served oestrous cycle, pregnancy and foaling rates were 54.7% and 43.1%, respectively. Pregnancy and foaling rates were higher (P < 0.001) for mares 3 to 10 years of age than for older mares. There was no difference in the pregnancy rates of maiden, barren and foaling mares. The foaling rate was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in mares that became pregnant during the first served oestrous cycle (77.8%) than in mares that needed two served oestrous cycles to become pregnant (65.4%).

Of all diagnosed pregnancies, 19.5% were not completed. Pregnancy loss was lower (P < 0.05) in maiden (12.4%) than in barren (19.7%) or foaling (20.9%) mares.

Twins were diagnosed in 7.8% of all pregnancies. If one conceptus was lost without external interference, 84.1% of pregnancies went to term. If one conceptus was manually crushed, 55.9% of pregnancies were maintained. If prostaglandin was used to terminate twin pregnancies, 60% of mares so treated produced foals the following year.
Free radical oxidation products in plasma and synovial fluid of horses with synovial inflammation
Authors: AUER DE , NG JC , WRIGHT AA SEA
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY: Free radical oxidation products, namely conjugated dienes, ultraviolet fluorescence (excitation 325 nm, emission 395 nm) and visible fluorescence (excitation 360 nm, emission 460 nm) were measured in equine synovial fluid exposed to free radicals In vitro and in the plasma and synovial fluids of horses with synovial effusions. The synovial effusions were induced by intra‐articularly administered carrageenin (0.3 ml, 1%), which rarely resulted in clinical lameness. The free radicals were generated In vitro by mixtures of iron and ethylene diamine tetra acetate (Fe/EDTA) or mixtures of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase (HX/XO). The conjugated diene concentrations and intensity of ultraviolet fluorescence were negligible in plasma and synovial fluid specimens. No increase resulted from incubation of synovial fluids with either a free radical generating system or as a result of the induced inflammation. The intensity of visible fluorescence did not increase in specimens incubated with Fe/EDTA. However, the intensity of visible fluorescence increased in specimens incubated with HX/XO, in synovial effusions induced by carrageenin, in plasma and in synovial fluids aspirated from saline injected controls. The results indicate that the intensity of visible fluorescence of equine synovial fluid increases after exposure to free radicals and during synovitis in the horse, suggesting a possible role for free radicals in the pathogenesis of equine inflammatory joint diseas
Osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx in racing horses
Authors: WHITTON RC , KANNEGIETER NJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe clinical presentation and outcome of treatment is presented for 26 cases of osteochondral fragmentation of the plantar/palmar proximal aspect of the proximal phalanx. Twenty‐three were racing Standardbreds and three were racing Thoroughbreds. The most common reason for presentation was an inability to run straight at high speed. Only eight horses presented for lameness, although on examination 19 were lame. A positive flexion test was recorded in 90% of affected fetlock joints and effusion in 48%. Arthroscopic fragment removal was performed on 23 occasions in 21 horses and arthrotomy in one horse. Of the 16 horses that had returned to racing, 12 had improved their performance, while three showed no improvement, and one was retired for other reasons. In three horses refragmentation occurred after surgery, two of which had improved after initial arthroscopic removal. Degenerative changes within the fetlock joint were detected at surgery in eight horses. Of the four horses treated conservatively, one returned to its previous level of performance temporarily after intra‐articular medication, one showed no improvement and two were still resting. Plantar/palmar osteochondral fragmentation of the proximal aspect of the first phalanx is a common cause of low‐grade lameness in racing horses, and arthroscopic removal results in improvement in race performance in a high percentage of cases.
Dietary management of renal senescence and failure in dogs
Authors: KRONFELD DS
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe need for dietary management of renal senescence and the beginning of chronic renal failure should be evaluated in all middle‐aged dogs. One survey found that 35% were overweight and 10% underweight; another that 25% were mildly azotaemic, with 5% showing slight clinical signs of chronic renal failure. Dogs in prime condition or overweight are candidates for a diet low in energy (for example 3.0–3.3 kcal/g dry matter, DM), but thin dogs need a higher caloric density (such as 4.0–4.5 kcal/g DM). Healthy older dogs need higher dietary protein than the minimum for maintenance (about 20% on a metabolisable energy basis, ME) of young mature dogs. Thin older dogs showing signs of renal insufficiency may benefit from moderate protein and near‐minimal phosphorus in the diet. In dogs with chronic renal failure, clinical, haematological and biochemical responses to the combination of low protein (13–16% ME) and low phosphorus (0.4% DM) were positive in one clinical trial but not in three others. Only beneficial responses, such as less proteinuria, less renal impairment and lower mortality, have been reported for diets containing low phosphorus and moderate protein (20–31% ME). Individual dietary goals for energy, protein and phosphorus should be chosen for each middle‐aged or older dog; these goals may be met by a single product or mixtures of products.
Nutritional support of hospitalised dogs and cats
Authors: DONOGHUE SUSAN
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYNutritional support of hospitalised dogs and cats improves recovery from illness, reduces mortality, and improves responses to trauma and stress. The primary goal of nutritional support is to prevent use of tissue protein. This is accomplished by the provision of sufficient calories and dietary protein in optimal proportions. For nutritional support, calorie intake is adjusted according to the patient's metabolic rate so that the animal may be fed above or below its usual intake. Nutritional support should always be started gradually, no matter what the final calorie goal may be. For many sick dogs fed enterally, diets provide about 30% of calories from fat and at least 27% of calories from protein. Carbohydrates in nutritional support diets should not include maize, wheat or, especially, soy. Sick cats fed enterally should receive at least 30% of calories from both fat and protein.
Clinical nutrition of exotic pets
Authors: DONOGHUE S , LANGENBERG J
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Successful nutritional management requires knowledge of the natural history of exotic pets, nutrient contents of foods, and roles of water, calories, and nutrients in optimal health. Unestablished dietary requirements, lack of balanced commercial diets and mismanagement by owners cause nutritional problems that affect health and recovery from illness and trauma. When presented with a sick exotic pet, veterinarians should check for provision of appropriate wholesome water and food in optimal amounts. Malnutrition and dehydration are common in exotic pets and often result from mismanagement. Starvation is common in carnivores eating whole vertebrate prey, whereas specific nutrient deficiencies are more common in herbivores and insectivores. The more common nutritional deficiencies are calcium and vitamin D3, vitamin A, thiamin, and vitamin E. When treating sick exotic pets, nutrition and fluid support may be critical to recovery.
Tackling the knowledge explosion without overloading the student
Authors: BUSHBY PHILIP A
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Assessment of today's approach to veterinary education reveals a system overloaded with facts and students stressed to memorise and recall medical information. The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine has chartered a path to reduce the curricular information overload. The innovative incorporation of computers into the curriculum coupled with problem‐based learning activities are preparing students to find information and learn on their own.
Food safety and residues in Australian agricultural produce
Authors: NICHOLLS TJ , MCLEAN GD , BLACKMAN NL , STEPHENS IB
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA brief history of food safety in Australia in the context of the development of scientific knowledge is presented. Australia's food and food commodity residue and contamination surveillance and monitoring programs are outlined. Although chemical residues are perceived as a major health risk by the general community, the risk of food causing illness or death because of chemical residues is low. The major threat to human health from food is microbiological contamination, in terms of deaths, sickness and economic loss.

The emerging influences in food safety are scientific and technical developments, deregulation, social and demographic factors, and the media. The risk of disruption of domestic and export markets by food safety issues is considerable. The emergence of international standards for food production and processing will enable commercial contractual arrangements to minimise the frequency of disruptive food safety incidents.
Programs for surveillance and monitoring of antibacterial residues in Australia, 1989 to 1993
Authors: NICHOLLS TJ , BLACKMAN NL , STEPHENS IB , WILD RJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThe development of a State‐based confirmatory testing capability for antibiotic residues in meat in Australia has allowed the rapid feedback to producers failing to comply with antibiotic maximum residue limits. The identification of problem areas in various categories of livestock, and subsequent focused surveillance programs, has reduced the prevalence of antibacterial residues in both domestic and export meat products. Failure to observe withholding periods of antibacterial drugs after treatment is the most significant cause of non‐compliance. In the period July 1991 to June 1993 the compliance rate for antibacterial residues for all species was 99.9%.
Prevalence of proliferative enteritis on pig farms in Australia
Authors: HOLYOAKE PK , CUTLER RS , CAPLE IW
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYThree surveys, undertaken to assess the prevalence of proliferative enteritis (PE) on pig farms in Australia and to investigate risk factors associated with clinical disease, indicated that PE was a common disease in pig farms. Forty of the 71 (56%) randomly‐selected producers had either observed PE or had a veterinarian diagnose the disease in their herd during 1988 to 1990. A relatively low prevalence of the disease was recorded at veterinary diagnostic laboratories, and this suggested that diagnoses of PE were often not confirmed by histopathological examination of the intestines of affected pigs. Non‐haemorrhagic PE occurred most often in six‐ to 24‐week‐old pigs, but was also reported in 52‐week‐old pigs. Proliferative haemorrhagic enteropathy usually affected pigs over 16 weeks of age, but was also reported in pigs as young as six weeks and as old as four years of age. A survey of pig‐specialist veterinarians indicated that most veterinarians diagnosed PE based on clinical and gross pathological examination of affected pigs, without laboratory confirmation. There were difficulties associated with measuring the prevalence of PE among herds, including the effectiveness of antibacterials for its prevention and control, its subclinical nature and probable mis‐diagnoses. This study highlighted the need for an ante‐mortem diagnostic test to measure the prevalence of PE more accurately.
Reproductive performance in South Australian dairy herds
Authors: WILSON TD , MCLEAN DM , SALTER CF , BARTSCH BD
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Herd breeding records (161) were examined from a random 10% sample of dairy farms (96) in South Australia with more than 40 cows and suitable breeding records for 1988 and/or 1989. Of these farms, 53 (55.2%) had a year‐round calving pattern, 42 (43.8%) claimed to be seasonal and one was changing from a year‐round to a seasonal pattern. Only 14.6% of farmers observed oestrous behaviour outside milking times and 18.8% used tailpaint. Overall, the average proportion of unobserved heats was estimated to be 32%. Artificial insemination (AI) was carried out on 85.4% of farms (16.7% used AI alone and 68.7% also used bulls) of which 32.9% used commercial technicians and 67.1% were do‐it‐yourself operators. Overall, the average 30‐day submission rate was 59.9% and the average 49‐day non‐return to service rate was 58.9%. Investigation into the probable causes of suboptimal reproductive performance gave a tentative diagnosis of inefficient oestrous detection, deferral of service, inadequate nutrition, poor AI technique, insufficient bulls, and venereal/other diseases in 69.1, 32.1, 27.2, 28.4, 13.6 and 7.4% of records, respectively.
Salmonella serovars and phage types in humans and animals in Australia 1987–1992
Authors: MURRAY CJ
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY This report summarises the range of Salmonella serovars and phage types found in humans in Australia during the years 1987 to 1992 inclusive, and compares them with serovars from food animals and raw meats for the same period. It also compares the major serovars found from different animal sources with their frequency from humans. The common serovars from animal feeds are compared with their frequency from animals.
Some toxicity thresholds for the clinical effects of common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) envenomation in the dog
Authors: LEWIS PF
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom was administered experimentally to dogs at doses from 0.25 lethal dose (LD) to 20 LD. Haemolysis and increased creatine kinase values occurred rapidly after injection of sublethal (subparalytic) doses, but the clotting time of blood was extended and blood became incoagulable only when dogs were dosed with 10 LD or more of venom. Haemolysis, although of a low threshold of toxicity, was not severe and should not greatly affect the lethality of the venom. Coagulopathy is a sign that the dog has been lethally envenomed and will need to be given antivenom if skeletal muscle paralysis is to be overcome.
Myotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom in the dog
Authors: LEWIS PF
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The myotoxicity and neurotoxicity of common tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) venom are major factors in the pathogenesis of envenomation in the dog. Histological examination of the tissues of experimentally envenomed dogs has demonstrated the importance of muscle damage in affecting the clinical syndrome of tiger snake envenomation.

Within one hour of injection of the venom into dogs, there was selective involvement of some muscles. Cardiac and smooth muscles were not significantly affected. The severity of myofibre damage was influenced by the amount of venom injected. Immobilisation under general anaesthesia resulted in significant protection against the myotoxic effects of high doses of venom.

Lesions in the kidneys of experimentally envenomed dogs were acute tubular necrosis and the variable presence of a small amount of proteinaceous material in tubules. These lesions, which were similar to those in cases of natural snake bite, were indicative of a direct nephrotoxic effect, which could be complicated by the effects of myoglobinuria. These findings emphasise the need for supportive treatment aimed at maintenance of renal function in the treatment of dogs suffering from tiger snake envenomation.
Polyarthritis in wild mice (Mus musculus) caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis
Authors: TAYLOR JD , STEPHENS CP , DUNCAN RG , SINGLETON GR
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Mice trapped on farms in south‐eastern Queensland had chronic abscessating osteoarthritides mainly involving the carpi and tarsi. Pleomorphic bacteria were shown by silver staining to be plentiful within lesions. Streptobacillus moniliformis was isolated from the joints, and streptobacillary polyarthritis was diagnosed. Other lesions observed included subcutaneous and hepatic abscesses.
Simulation of the economic impact of transmissible gastroenteritis on commercial pig production in Australia
Authors: MULLAN BP , DAVIES GT , CUTLER RS
Published: March 2008

A simulation model (AUSPIG) was used to predict the effect of an increase in piglet deaths, and a reduction in growth rate and an increase in feed conversion ratio of grower pigs on the profitability of two herds representative of the Australian pig industry caused by the introduction of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGE) into those herds. For each herd, mortality rates for piglets under 1 week of age of 50% and 95% were assumed to represent a ‘moderate’ and a ‘severe’ outbreak, respectively. A reduction in net revenue of 70% was predicted to occur in the 6 months after a ‘moderate’ outbreak of TGE (100% for a ‘severe’ outbreak). This represents a total loss of between $260 and $330 per breeding sow in the 12 months after infection with the TGE virus. The likely financial impact of an outbreak of TGE on an Australian piggery is substantial and should be considered when addressing quarantine issues.
Disease‐husbandry associations in farmed crocodiles in Queensland and the Northern Territory
Authors: BUENVIAJE GN , LADDS PW , MELVILLE L. , MANOLIS SC
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY To investigate husbandry‐disease associations in farmed crocodiles 7 farms in Queensland and the Northern Territory were visited and details of past and present farm design and husbandry practices were recorded. In addition pathological examination of 300 (mostly young) crocodiles was carried out (85 necropsied, one biopsied and 214 examined retrospectively).

Mortality rate and occurrence of disease, especially opportunistic infections with bacteria and fungi, were highest during winter months and in farms located at greater latitudes. A difference in the presence and prevalence of disease between the initial establishment phase of Northern Territory crocodile farms (1984–87) and currently (1988–91) was apparent; parasitic infections are now relatively infrequent and bacterial septicaemias and mycoses less common as a result of some provision of artificial heating for juveniles.

Gross and microscopic changes observed in visceral and periarticular gout, bacterial hepatitis/septicaemia, deep and superficial mycosis, pentastomiasis and other parasitic infections are described.
A comparison of stress in surgically and non‐surgically mulesed sheep
Authors: CHAPMAN RE , FELL LR , SHUTT DA
Published: March 2008

Summary A comparison has been made in 9‐ to 10‐month‐old castrated male Merino sheep of the changes in plasma total cortisol concentration and behaviour after being treated by either the modified Mules operation or by topical application of a quaternary ammonium compound to achieve non‐surgical mulesing. After surgical mulesing, plasma total cortisol concentration increased immediately and rapidly and reached a peak value in 15 minutes, whereas after non‐surgical treatment an immediate rise did not occur, but a similar peak value was observed in blood samples collected 24 hours after treatment. The concentrations were lower in both groups at 48 hours. Likewise postural changes indicative of discomfort were immediately apparent in the surgically treated sheep, but not until 3 to 4 hours later in those treated non‐surgically. Arena testing revealed that a lasting aversion to the person who restrained them during treatment developed in the surgically mulesed sheep, but not in those treated non‐surgically. The non‐surgical procedure did not create large open wounds, as did the surgical operation, but still achieved similar enlargement of the bare area on the breech, and healing was quicker in the non‐surgically treated sheep.
Efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for the curative treatment of blowfly strikes in sheep
Authors: THOMPSON DR , RUGG D. , SCOTT PG , CRAMER LG , BARRICK RA
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A jetting fluid containing 7.5% w/v ivermectin, which was diluted to 0.03 mg/mL in water and applied using a standard hand jetting technique, was assessed for its efficacy in treating blowfly strikes on Merino sheep. Strikes were induced on sheep held under insectary conditions using laboratory‐reared Lucilia cuprina. All struck sheep jetted at 28,48 or 72 hours after exposure to flies were successfully treated. All 1st, 2nd and early 3rd instar larvae were killed within 24 hours of treatment.
The efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid for control of blowfly strike on sheep under field conditions
Authors: THOMPSON DR , EAGLESON JS , RUGG D. , SCOTT PG , CRAMER LG , BARRICK RA
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Seventeen trials involving 5737 sheep were conducted to test the efficacy of ivermectin jetting fluid (30 ppm in water) for the control of blowfly strike when applied to sheep either by standard hand jetting or through an automatic jetting race. Sheep were observed for up to 14 weeks after treatment and all strikes recorded. The level of fly challenge varied between trials, resulting in strike rates in untreated sheep ranging between 0 and 94%. At 12 weeks after treatment there were 93% fewer strikes in hand jetted sheep and 84% fewer strikes in machine jetted sheep when compared with untreated sheep. At this time point there was a 90%, 86% and 93% reduction in poll, body and breech strikes, respectively, when hand jetting was used, whereas machine jetting reduced poll, body, breech and pizzle strikes by 84%, 81%, 79% and 100%, respectively.
A comparison of the epidemiology of bovine ephemeral fever in South Korea and south‐western Japan
Authors: SHIRAKAWA H. , ISHIBASHI K. , OGAWA T.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) outbreaks were investigated in South Korea and Japan from 1953 to 1991, retrospectively. The epidemics occurred contemporaneously several times; particularly, those of 1988 and 1991. The initial outbreaks in the Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan, in 1988 and 1991 occurred about 1 month after those in Korea. Meteorological analysis showed that a low‐level jet stream through Jeonnam Province in Korea struck the Fukuoka Prefecture of Japan during the epidemic. The BEF epidemics of Fukuoka Prefecture may have originated from infected vectors carried on the low‐level jet stream.
Control of coccidia in young calves using lasalocid
Authors: McMENIMAN NP , ELLIOTT R.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Thirty‐six, 2‐ to 4‐day‐old Friesian bull calves were divided into 4 groups and fed milk replacer and calf starter pellets ad libitum in separate pens. Four treatments were applied; lasalocid in milk (1 mg/kg body weight/day) (M), lasalocid in starter (F), lasalocid in both milk and starter (M+F) and untreated (C). When the calves were about 2 weeks old they were each dosed orally with 550 000 sporulated Eimeria sp oocysts, mainly E zurneii and E bovis. The infection, detected by faecal excretion of oocysts, was suppressed in the M+F and M groups. There was significant excretion of oocysts in the F group but these calves did not show any clinical signs of coccidiosis. Untreated calves were affected with diarrhoea containing blood on the 24th day after inoculation. Body weight gain and intake of starter pellets was also depressed in the untreated calves during the time they were clinically affected. It is concluded that mixing lasalocid in milk replacer (or fresh milk) is an effective method of protecting young calves against early infection with coccidia.
The effect of feeding whole cottonseed on the fertility of bulls
Authors: CUSACK PMV , PERRY V.
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY 23 bulls were fed whole cotton seed (WCS) for 9 months, which resulted in the ingestion of 7.6 to 19.8 g free gossypol per head daily, or 20.4 to 50.8 mg per kg body weight daily. This level of free gossypol ingestion exceeded that of previous studies of a shorter duration in which gossypol was deemed to have affected bull fertility. There was no significant difference between treated and untreated bulls for total spermatozoal abnormalities, secondary spermatozoal abnormalities, scrotal circumference, scrotal circumference per kg body weight, percentage passing the Society for Theriogenology examination for breeding soundness, and mean breeding soundness examination score. There was a higher proportion of primary spermatozoal abnormalities in untreated than in WCS‐fed bulls (P = 0.05). Of the bulls that were prepuberal at the onset of the trial (n = 9), the mean age of onset of puberty was not significantly different in the WCS group than in the untreated group, but it approached significance (P = 0.05). There was no significant difference in the scrotal circumference at the onset of puberty between the two groups. Analysis of the bulls' drinking water showed they could have ingested sufficient minerals in the water to bind with the free gossypol ingested, thereby detoxifying it. This may also explain why the results of previous trials have been so variable.
Effect of storage on some constituents of camel serum
Authors: SAEED AHSAN , AFZAL M. , AKHTAR SAEED
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Effects of storage at room temperature (23–25°C) and refrigeration (4–5°C) on various biochemical constituents of camel serum were investigated. Albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) did not change over 9 days when stored at 4–5°C. At 4–5°C, creatinine, iron and glucose in camel sera remained stable for 6 days; total protein for 7 days; and blood urea nitrogen for 8 days. Decreased activities in creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were apparent after 1, 6 and 7 days, respectively. At room temperature, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and phosphorus were stable throughout the 9 days. Changes in glucose and iron occurred after 3 days. Stability at room temperature for LDH was 1 day; AST, 3 days; GGT and ALT, 6 days; and AP, 8 days. CK activity had already declined by 4 hours and by 9 days, only 34% activity remained.
Increased tolerance to annual ryegrass toxicity in sheep given a supplement of cobalt
Authors: DAVIES SC , WHITE CL , WILLIAMS IH
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY To determine whether oral cobalt supplements could modify the clinical onset of annual ryegrass toxicity, groups (n = 5) of sheep were dosed orally with 0, 4 or 16 mg cobalt/day. After 3 weeks on this treatment, toxic ryegrass seed was added to their feed to provide 0, 0.15 and 0.30 mg corynetoxins/kg body weight, daily. Sheep receiving cobalt ingested 30% more toxin than did unsupplemented sheep before clinical signs developed (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference between groups receiving 4 and 16 mg cobalt. The results showed that cobalt delayed, but did not prevent, the onset of clinical signs of annual ryegrass toxicity.