bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between food deprivation before transport and aggression in pigs held in lairage before slaughter
Authors: Brown S. N. , Knowles T. G. , Edwards J. E. , Warriss P. D.
Published: October 2010

Pigs from three farms were deprived of food for up to one hour, 12 hours or 18 hours before being sent for slaughter. In lairage, the animals' behaviour was monitored, and at slaughter a blood sample was collected and analysed for cortisol, lactate and creatine phosphokinase, potential indicators of stress and physical activity. The carcases were assessed for skin damage as an index of fighting, and rigor in the hind leg as an indicator of stress and/or fatigue. Measurements were also made of cold carcase weight, backfat thickness and liver glycogen concentration. General activity was very high on entry to the lairage pen. Drinking and mounting occurred almost immediately. Fighting developed after an exploratory period, and could last up to 60 minutes. There were large differences in the behaviour of pigs from the three farms. Pigs from farm A fought frequently but showed little mounting activity, whereas pigs from farm C were involved in mounting but little fighting. The period of food deprivation had no effect on average skin damage or rigor score, but the frequency of carcases with the highest scores was different. The pigs deprived of food for up to an hour had the lowest incidence of severe skin damage and high rigor scores. Boars had a higher incidence of severe skin damage but a lower incidence of carcases with a high rigor score than gilts. Liver glycogen was almost completely depleted in the pigs deprived of food for 12 and 18 hours and was lower in the pigs deprived for up to an hour than in animals fed immediately before slaughter. The period of food deprivation had no effect on the levels of cortisol, creatine phosphokinase or lactate in the blood.
Incidence of foot and skin lesions in nursing piglets and their association with behavioural activities
Authors: Mouttotou N. , Green L. E.
Published: October 2010

A total of 356 piglets from one farm were examined for foot and skin lesions every day for the first 10 days after birth, and then on altemate days until they were weaned. Over a period of 24 days 100 per cent of the after birth, and then on altemate days until they were weaned. Over a period of 24 days 100 per cent of the piglets examined developed sole bruising, and 49‐1 per cent developed sole erosions. Sole bruising lasted for an average of 13 days and sole erosions for seven days. At the beginning of the study, a higher proportion of piglets had mild sole bruising; from three to nine days of age piglets had moderate sole bruising but from days 10 to 20 mild bruising was again observed more frequently. Skin lesions were observed on the carpal aspect of the front limbs; 60.9 per cent of the piglets developed skin abrasions, 70.7 per cent developed healed wounds and 90 per cent developed hairless patches. The skin abrasions lasted on average for six days, the healed wounds for five days and the hairless patches for eight days. Piglets which developed sole bruising and/or sole erosions on the first day of life were significantly heavier than those which did not. Continuous observations of the piglets' behaviour during the first six days of life showed that sole bruising increased as the total time spent in the creep area or lying near the sow on the solid floor increased. During the first three days of life skin abrasions increased as the total time spent lying in the creep area increased. There was a positive correlation between the total time piglets spent suckling and the incidence of carpal skin abrasions between four and six days of age. Piglets with sole bruising, sole erosions or carpal skin abrasions spent less time during the day in ‘other’ activities such as walking, playing or fighting.
Spinal cord injury in small animals 2. Current and future options for therapy
Authors: Jeffery N. D. , Blakemore W. F.
Published: October 2010

Although there can be substantial spontaneous improvements in functional status after a spinal cord injury, therapeutic intervention is desirable in many patients to improve the degree of recovery. At present only decompressive surgery and the neuroprotective drug methylprednisolone sodium succinate are effective and in widespread clinical use. There are limitations to the efficacy of these therapies in some clinical cases and they cannot restore satisfactory functional status to all patients. Many drugs have been investigated experimentally to assess their potential to preserve injured tissue and promote functional recovery in clinically relevant settings, and several of them would be suitable for assessment in future veterinary clinical trials. In addition, experimental techniques designed to mould the response of the CNS to injury, by the promotion of axonal regeneration across the lesion and the encouragement of local sprouting of undamaged axons, have recently been successful, suggesting that effective therapy for even very severe spinal cord injury may soon be available.
Effects of lairage time on body temperature and glycogen reserves of broiler chickens held in transport modules
Authors: Warriss P. D. , Knowles T. G. , Brown S. N. , Edwards J. E. , Kettlewell P. J. , Mitchell M. A. , Baxter C. A.
Published: October 2010

Commercial broiler chickens killed in two processing plants, one in the south of England, the other in Scotland, in two seasons (winter and summer) and on two occasions in each season, were used to investigate the effects of killing the birds immediately on arrival or holding them in lairage for one, two, three or four hours. The two most important consequences of holding the birds in lairage were that their body temperature increased and their liver glycogen was depleted. The body temperature increased with the time they were held in lairage, although most of the increase occurred in the first hour and the increase was greater in summer when ambient temperatures were higher. Liver glycogen depletion became apparent after about one to two hours in lairage. No evidence was obtained that the birds were significantly dehydrated or physically stressed by being kept longer in lairage.
Observations on ascites in nine cattle
Authors: Milne M. H. , Mellor D. J. , Barrett D. C. , Fitzpatrick J. L.
Published: October 2010

Signs of ascites were observed in only nine of 1863 cattle examined over a period of five years. The ascites was most commonly associated with either primary or secondary cardiac disease; cattle with ascites have a poor prognosis because the condition is usually assocaited with terminal disease. Two animals had cor pulmonale with chronic pneumonia, three had cardiomyopathy, one had bacterial endocarditis, two had thrombosis of the caudal vena cava and one had diffuse abdominal epithelioid mesothelioma.
Comparison of the measurement of total carbon dioxide and strong ion difference for the evaluation of metabolic acidosis in diarrhoeic calves
Authors: Grove‐White D. H. , Michell A. R.
Published: October 2010

Eighty−four calves with diarrhoea were treated with fluids and 13 apparently healthy calves of similar ages were sampled as controls. Their total blood carbon dioxide (TCO2) was measured with a Harleco apparatus and 31 of the calves were treated with oral fluids and 53 with parenteral fluids. The oral fluid contained 1 18 mmol/litre Na+, 25 mmol/litre K+, 1 10 mmol/litre glucose, 108 mmol/litre bicarbonate (HCO3− as citrate), 43 mmol/litre Cl−, 4 mmol/litre Ca++, 4 mmol/litre Mg++ and 20 mmol/litre glycine, and the parenteral fluid contained 144 mmol/litre Na+, 4 mmol/litre K+, 35 mmol/litre HCO3 − and 1 13 mmol/litre Cl−. Both treatments resulted in significant improvements in acid−base status as demonstrated by an increase in TCO2, and the treatment was successful in 27 of the 31 calves receiving oral fluids and in 45 of the 53 calves receiving parenteral fluids. Thirty−seven of the calves treated parenterally were very severely acidotic (TCO2 <8 mmol/litre) initially and they received an additional 400 mmol HCO3 − added to the first 5 litres of infusion. Treatment was successful in 33 of these calves. The decision to administer additional bicarbonate was made on the basis of their acid−base status as measured with a Harleco apparatus. The strong ion difference (Na++K+−CI−) (SID) of the calves was calculated retrospectively. There was a significant correlation between the SID and TCO2 of the calves treated with oral fluids but not among the control calves or the calves treated parenterally. Furthermore, measurements of the change in SID during therapy gave little indication of the change in acid−base status as measured by the Harleco apparatus, with the SID decreasing (suggesting a worsening of acid−base status) in 16 calves in which the TCO2 increased (suggesting an improvement in acidbase status). There was a significant correlation between the change in SID and the change in TCO2 during treatment in the calves receiving oral fluids but not in the calves treated parenterally.
Prevention and treatment of Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection in rabbits with fenbendazole
Authors: Suter C. , Müler‐Doblies U. U. , Deplazes P. , Hatt J‐M.
Published: October 2010

The efficacy of fenbendazole for preventing an experimental infection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and for eliminating the spores from the central nervous system of naturally infected rabbits was investigated. Fenbendazole (20 mg/kg bodyweight daily) was administered from seven days before until two or 21 days after rabbits had been infected orally with 106 spores of E cuniculi. Both regimens were effective in preventing the establishment of the parasites, as demonstrated by negative parasitic‐specific serology and by the failure to isolate the parasite from brain tissue. In naturally infected, seropositive rabbits, parasites were successfully isolated from seven of nine untreated animals, but not from the brain tissue of eight animals treated with fenbendazole‐medicated pellets for four weeks.
Ultrasonographic appearance of the superficial supramammary lymph nodes in lactating dairy cattle
Authors: Bradley K. J. , Bradley A. J. , Barr F. J.
Published: October 2010

The superficial supramammary lymph nodes of 54 lactating dairy cows were examined ultrasonographically with a 7‐5 MHz linear transducer; each node was measured in two planes within 24 hours of recording the milk somatic cell count. In most cows, the nodes were well demarcated from the surrounding tissue. The parenchyma of the nodes ranged from hypoechoic to anechoic, with a central bright hyperechoic area, and a thin hyperechoic line surrounded the nodes. The size of the nodes varied, but their internal architecture remained relatively consistent. Their mean length was 7.4 cm (range 3.5 to 15 cm) and their mean depth was 2.5 cm (range 1.2 to 5.7 cm). They were significantly larger in cows with more lactations (P<0.05), but there were no correlations between their size and either the time calved or the milk somatic cell count. The lymph nodes on sides which were positive in a California milk test were significantly larger than those on sides which were negative (P<0.05).
Development of a behaviour‐based scale to measure acute pain in dogs
Authors: Holton L. , Pawson P. , Nolan A. , Reid J. , Scott E. M.
Published: October 2010

A composite scale for assessing pain in dogs in a hospital setting has been developed on the basis of observations of their behaviour. Initially, 279 words and expressions suggested by 69 veterinary surgeons were reduced into 47 words and expressions which were allocated into seven behaviour categories: demeanour and response to people, posture, mobility, activity, response to touch, attention to painful area and vocalisation. Three statistical methods, hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and analysis of variance with multiple comparisons and empirical cumulative distributions, were used to validate these procedures, and a questionnaire accompanied by a list of definitions was designed around the expressions. The new composite scale is more detailed than previously reported scales for assessing pain in dogs on the basis of their behaviour, and the methods used in its development are based on sound scientific principles.
Status of wildlife health monitoring in the United Kingdom
Authors: Sainsbury A. W. , Bennett P. M. , Cunningham A. A. , Kirkwood J. K.
Published: October 2010

There is a clear need to monitor the health of wildlife in the UK, to help to understand the population dynamics of endangered species and to detect any harm to the welfare of wild animals caused by human beings. Despite previous proposals, there has been little progress in the development of a national programme of monitoring. With notable exceptions, the current schemes for investigating the morbidity and mortality of wild animals cover only limited groups of animals and are fragmented and uncoordinated. They consist of statutory schemes of restricted scope, and studies in universities, institutes and wildlife rehabilitation centres with limited funding. As a result, significant disease incidents may remain undetected and others may not be investigated fully, posing risks to the welfare and conservation of wildlife, the welfare of domestic animals, and in some cases to human health. Coordinated national schemes for the surveillance of the health of wildlife are already established in France, the USA and Canada and their best characteristics could be used to develop a scheme for the UK.
Histological diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA in a wire‐haired dachshund
Authors: Jolly R. D. , Ehrlich P. C. , Macdougall D. F. , Franklin R. J. M. , Palmer A. C.
Published: October 2010

A four‐year‐old wire‐haired dachshund developed progressive neurological signs of ataxia, intention tremor and finally dysuria. Two years later, histopathology showed that neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord were distended with lipopigment which was also present in macrophages. Ultrastructurally, the pigment in the neurons occurred predominantly as electron‐dense membranous whorls and stacks. There were a few vacuolated macrophages in the meninges. Hepatocytes were highly vacuolated and electron microscopy suggested that they were empty membrane‐bound vesicles. The disease was diagnosed as mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA because of its similarity to other biochemically confirmed cases in the same breed and in a New Zealand huntaway dog. Additional lesions included calcium oxalate uroliths, severe secondary calcification of tissues including the brain and storage deposits in some neurons, and lesions which may have been associated with high levels of the substrate, heparan sulphate.
Use of breed‐specific ranges for the vertebral heart scale as an aid to the radiographic diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs
Authors: Lamb C. R. , Wikeley H. , Boswood A. , Pfeiffer D. U.
Published: October 2010

The vertebral heart scale was measured on right lateral recumbent thoracic radiographs of 320 dogs of six popular breeds, including for each breed at least 20 dogs with no clinical signs of cardiovascular or respiratory disease and at least 19 dogs with cardiac or respiratory disease. There were significant differences between the mean values of the scale for the different breeds; the normal boxer dogs had a significantly higher mean value than the normal dogs of all the other breeds, and the labrador retrievers had a significantly higher mean value than all the other breeds except the boxer and the cavalier King Charles spaniel. For all the breeds except the boxer, there was a trend for dogs with cardiac disease (but not respiratory disease) to have higher mean values on the scale than normal dogs of the same breed; however, at the optimal value of the scale for distinguishing between dogs of each breed with and without cardiac disease, the sensitivity and specificity were relatively low, in the range 58 to 83 per cent. The scale was most accurate for the diagnosis of cardiac disease in the Yorkshire terrier and the cavalier King Charles spaniel, breeds affected by predominantly dilative forms of cardiac disease. In contrast, it was very inaccurate in the boxer, a breed that has a higher incidence of cardiac diseases associated with concentric hypertrophy.
Confirmation of the presence of Mycoplasma bovis in Hungarian cattle with pneumonia resembling pleuropneumonia
Authors: Bashiruddin J. B. , De Santis P. , Varga E. , Stipkovits L.
Published: October 2010

Cattle from several farms in Hungary were investigated for the presence of mycoplasmal infections after the discovery of pulmonary lesions in some animals at slaughter. The pneumonic lesions, which resembled those of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (cBPP) macroscopically and histologically were found to be caused by Mycoplasma bovis and not Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (Mmmsc) which is the causative agent of CBPP. No other bacterial pathogens were isolated. Negative results in complement fixation tests also showed that there was no serological evidence of CBPP. PCR tests for the detection of the M mycoides cluster and specifically for MmmSc were also negative. However, PCR and bacteriological culture detected cases of M bovis and the pneumonias may therefore be attributed to this mycoplasma.
Parasites from Indo‐Pacific hump‐backed dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded in Hong Kong
Authors: Parsons E. C. M. , Overstreet R. M. , Jefferson T. A.
Published: October 2010

Between 1993 and 1998,28 Indo‐Pacific hump‐backed dolphins (Sousa chinensis) and 32 finless porpoises (Neophocaena phocaenoides) stranded in Hong Kong territorial waters were examined postmortem for parasites. The nematode Halocercus pingi was discovered in the lungs of one hump‐backed dolphin and in 10 finless porpoises, typically within abscesses or granulomata, and they were frequently accompanied by a catarrhal exudate and lesions characteristic of pneumonia. Seven of the 10 finless porpoises were calves with substantial lungworm infections, and three were neonates with visible fetal folds and umbilical remnants, suggesting that H pingi is transferred to the neonate before birth or during lactation. Electron micrographs of Hpingi should allow the nematode to be identified by other researchers. An ectoparasitic stalked barnacle (Xenobalanus globicipitis) was recovered from a finless porpoise, the first time that this species of bamacle has been recorded in Hong Kong's territorial waters.
Pestiviral infections in sheep and pigs in Northern Ireland
Authors: Graham D. A. , Calvert V. , German A. , McCullough S. J.
Published: October 2010

Serological surveys were carried out to determine the prevalence of pestiviral infections in sheep and pigs in Northern Ireland. Sera from 918 ewes in 92 flocks from 10 regions were tested by ELISA for antibodies to border disease virus and positive results were obtained from 49 ewes (5.3 per cent) in 28 flocks (30.4 per cent). There were highly significant geographical variations in its flock prevalence ranging from 0 per cent in the Enniskillen region to 70 per cent in the Coleraine region. There was no significant association between the proportion of seropositive flocks and the presence of cattle on the farm (P=0.583). In the positive flocks, the average rate of seroprevalence was 17.5 per cent, and the highest was 40 per cent. Comparative neutralisation studies on 14 positive sera with bovine viral diarrhoea virus type I (BvDv I) and border disease virus revealed higher titres (≥four.fold) to BVDV I in all cases. Only one positive result was obtained when fluids from 186 aborted ovine fetuses were tested for border disease virus by ELISA. Serum samples from 680 pigs in 46 herds were tested for virus neutralising antibodies to border disease virus. Twenty sera (2.9 per cent) were cytotoxic, and only one of the remaining 660 sera gave a positive result. This sample tested negative for classical swine fever by ELISA, and comparative neutralisation studies showed that it had a four.fold higher titre to BVDV I than to border disease virus.
Magnetic resonance imaging of two normal equine brains and their associated structures
Authors: Vázquez J. M. , Gil F. , Ramírez G. , Rivero M. , Ramírez J. A. , Vilar J. M. , Arencibia A.
Published: October 2010

Magnetic resonance images were obtained from two isolated horses' heads. Ten mm thick, Ti ‐weighted images were taken with a 1.5 Tesla magnet and a body coil, and compared with the corresponding frozen cross‐sections of the heads, relevant structures being identified and labelled at each level. The images should provide reference material for clinical magnetic imaging studies of horses' heads.
Prevalence, incidence, signs and treatment of clinical listeriosis in dairy cattle in England
Authors: Erdogan H. M. , Cripps P. J. , Morgan K. L. , Cetinkaya B. , Green L. E.
Published: October 2010

The prevalence, incidence and clinical signs of listeriosis in dairy cattle in England were investigated by means of a postal questionnaire survey of 1500 dairy farmers. The response rate was 64.1 per cent. Overall the farm prevalence of listeriosis was 11.7 per cent, 9.3 per cent for milking cows, 5.0 per cent for replacement heifers and 1.4 per cent for dairy calves. The within‐herd incidence rate per thousand animal.years was 51.4 for all cases, 39.7 for milking cows, 86.6 for replacement heifers and 73.7 for dairy calves. Most cases of clinical listeriosis were reported between December and May, and the most common signs were silage eye, followed by nervous signs. The results of the questionnaire were validated internally by re‐estimating the farm prevalence by including only those cases diagnosed by a veterinarian or veterinary investigation centre; the prevalence did not change significantly. The proportion of cases which were culled or died of encephalitic listeriosis was compared with the proportion diagnosed during statutory BSE reporting. The fact that the two proportions were similar provided external validation for the results of the questionnaire.
Epidemiology of equine grass sickness: a literature review (1909–1999)
Authors: McCarthy H. E. , Proudman C. J. , French N. P.
Published: October 2010

The geographical spread of grass sickness between 1909 and 1999, particularly in England and Wales, is described, and the experimental investigations to identify a causal agent are summarised. The epidemiological techniques used to investigate grass sickness vary from clinical observations, to more advanced methods such as case‐control studies using logistic regression analyses. Several risk factors for grass sickness have been reported consistently (age, time of year and recent movement to new pasture or premises) and several others have been reported for which the findings remain inconsistent (weather, pasture type, breed, supplementary feeding and use of anthelmintics).
Avulsion of the tibial tuberosity with separation of the proximal tibial physis in seven dogs
Authors: Pratt J. N. J.
Published: October 2010

Seven dogs developed avulsions of the tibial tuberosity apophysis in combination with a fracture of the proximal tibial physis. Six of them were small terrier breeds, treated by internal fixation using two Kirschner wires and a tension band in five cases, and crossed Kirschner wires alone in the other. The seventh case was managed conservatively. The tension band repair was simple, provided adequate fixation and avoided the placement of implants across the proximal tibial physis.
Factors associated with the introduction of classical swine fever virus into pig herds in the central area of the 1997/98 epidemic in the Netherlands
Authors: Elbers A. R. W. , Stegeman J. A. , de Jong M. C. M.
Published: October 2010

A matched case‐control study of 135 infected and 99 uninfected pig herds from the central area of the 1997 to 1998 epidemic of classical swine fever (CSF) in The Netherlands was undertaken to identify factors associated with the introduction of the virus. The herds were matched on the basis of herd type and the shortest geographical distance between pairs of herds. Data on management, hygienic measures, experiences during the depopulation of an infected nearest neighbour, and the frequency of contact with professionals and other agencies were collected by means of a questionnaire taken by personal interview. There were no significant differences between the infected and uninfected herds in the median total number of contacts per year with professionals and other agencies either with or without contact with the pigs. On the basis of a multivariable analysis, five variables were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of infection: (1) the presence of commercial poultry on the premises; (2) visitors entering the pig units without wearing an overcoat or overalls and boots supplied by the farm; (3) the driver of the lorry transporting pigs for the Pig Welfare Disposal Scheme (PWDS) using his own boots instead of boots supplied by the farm; (4) herds of moderate size (500 to 1000 animals) and very large herds (>7000 animals) were at greater risk than small herds (<500 animals); and (5) an aerosol, produced during high‐pressure cleaning of the electrocution equipment used to kill the pigs on a neighbouring infected herd less than 250 m away was carried by the wind on to the premises. Two variables were significantly associated with a decreased risk of csFv‐infection: (1) more than 30 years of experience in pig farming; and (2) additional cleaning of the lorries used to transport pigs for the PWDS before they were allowed on to the premises. In the opinion of the cooperating farmers, airborne transmission of the virus and its transmission during the depopulation of an infected neighbour were among the most important routes of infection.
Safety and efficacy of an oil‐adjuvant vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia in buffalo calves: cross‐protection between the serotypes B:2,5 and E:2,5
Authors: Shah N. H. , Shah N. H. , Jacobs A.A. C. , de Graaf E K.
Published: October 2010

The safety, efficacy and duration of immunity of an improved oil‐adjuvant vaccine against haemorrhagic septicaemia, containing inactivated cells of Pasteurelia multocida serotype B:2,5, were tested in young buffalo calves in Pakistan. For safety testing, five buffalo calves were vaccinated intramuscularly with twice the normal dose, and six weeks later with a normal dose. Except for a transient rise in rectal temperature at six hours after the vaccinations, no systemic reactions were observed. The buffaloes remained in good condition and had a normal appetite. No local reactions were observed at the injection site. For efficacy testing two trials were carried out. In the first, buffalo calves were vaccinated intramuscularly either with two doses two‐and‐a‐half months apart, or with a single dose, or left unvaccinated. They were challenged subcutaneously with virulent Pmultocida after eight, 13 or 15 months. After challenge at eight months the four buffaloes given two doses and the buffalo given one dose were protected, whereas the control animal developed the typical signs of the disease. After the challenges at 13 and 15 months, the vaccinated animals were still protected whereas the control animals died. In the second trial, buffalo calves were vaccinated intramuscularly either with two doses two months apart, or with a single dose at two months or left unvaccinated. The buffaloes were challenged after eight or 14 months. After challenge at eight months the four control animals died, whereas three of the four buffaloes given a single dose were protected. After challenge at 14 months, the three control animals died, whereas four of the five buffaloes given two doses and both the buffaloes given a single dose were protected. To test for cross‐protection against the heterologous serotypes E:2,5 and B:3,4, groups of mice were vaccinated once or left unvaccinated. Four weeks later, the vaccinated and control groups were challenged with a dilution series of the different challenge cultures. The vaccine appeared to induce protection against challenge with different strains of serotypes B:2,5 and E:2,5 but not against strains of serotype B:3,4.
In vitro antibiotic sensitivity of strains of Ornithobacterium rhinotrachealeisolated in the Netherlands between 1996 and 1999
Authors: van Veen L. , Hartman E. , Fabri T.
Published: October 2010

All the strains of Omithobacterium rhinotrachealeisolated in the Netherlands between 1996 and 1999 were tested in the agar gel diffusion test for their sensitivity to amoxycillin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulphonamide (TMP/s). The percentages of strains sensitive to amoxycillin and tetracycline decreased in successive years from approximately 62 per cent to 14 per cent, and four strains were resistant to enrofloxacin or TMP/S. Twelve multiresistant strains were tested against seven alternative antibiotics; they were resistant to all of them except clavulanic acid‐potentiated amoxycillin.
Clostridium perfringensβ2‐toxin in an African elephant (Loxodonta africana) with ulcerative enteritis
Authors: Bacciarini L. N. , Gröne A. , Pagan O. , Frey J.
Published: October 2010

A 22‐year‐old female African elephant (Loxodonta africana) developed diarrhoea of unknown cause which lasted for two days. The animal was euthanased after it remained recumbent and refused to get up. Gross pathological changes were present mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. The intestinal contents were watery and dark brown. Several areas of the mucosa of the small intestine were covered minimally to moderately with fibrin and had a few 0.1 × 10 to 15 cm linear ulcerations. Microscopical lesions consisted of discrete areas of necrosis of the surface and crypt epithelium without overt inflammatory infiltrates. Culture of the small intestinal contents resulted in a moderate growth of Clostridium perfringens. No salmonella were found in the small or large intestine. PCR of the isolate of C perfringensrevealed the presence of the β2‐toxin gene cpb2and the α‐toxin gene cpabut no other known toxin genes. The expression of the β2‐toxin gene in vivo was demonstrated by the immunohistochemical localisation of the β2‐toxin to the microscopical lesions in the small intestine.
Detection of antibodies to Borna disease virus in Turkish cats by using recombinant p40
Authors: Helps C. R. , Harbour D. A. , Turan N. , Yilmaz H. , Bilal T.
Published: October 2010

Recombinant p40 produced by baculovirus was used in an ELISA to screen samples of serum taken from 80 cats in Istanbul. The sera were also analysed for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukaemia virus (FeLV). Antibodies to Borna disease virus‐ (BDV) p40 were detected in 34 (42.5 per cent) of the 80 cats. Seventy‐three per cent of the sera which were positive for FIV and 26 per cent of the sera which were negative for FIV had antibodies to BDV. There was no difference in the percentage of sera which were positive for BDV between the cats that were positive or negative for FeLv. Three of the cats had neurological disease and two of these had antibodies to BDV. Six sera with low, medium or high optical densities (ODs) by ELISA were analysed by Western blotting. Only the sera with medium and high ODS reacted specifically with p40 at a dilution of 1 in 1000.
Dissecting aneurysm of the carotid artery as a cause of respiratory distress in adult cattle
Authors: Chandler K. J. , Barrett D. C. , Fitzpatrick J. L. , Thomson H. , McNeil P. E.
Published: October 2010

A two‐and‐a‐half‐year‐old Friesian cow and a five‐year‐old Charolais cow developed severe respiratory distress and palpable swellings to the left of the larynx as a result of a dissecting aneurysm of the common carotid artery. Neither cow responded to medical treatment. The underlying pathogenesis of the condition was uncertain, but direct trauma to the carotid artery was a possible contributory factor. Aneurysms of the common carotid artery should be considered when swelling occurs in the region of the larynx or when respiratory distress is due to laryngeal compression.
Observations on the distribution and control of Salmonella species in two integrated broiler companies
Authors: Davies R. , Breslin M. , Corry J. E. L. , Hudson W. , Allen V. M.
Published: October 2010

The effectiveness of deaning and disinfecting broiler farms and the persistence of Salmonella species in two integrated broiler companies was investigated for two years. Both companies used a cleaning and disinfection regime which included the application of a spray of phenolic disinfectant followed by fogging with formaldehyde solution, and this was highly effective in preventing carry‐over of infection in the broiler houses. The disinfection of service areas and areas outside the houses was less effective but it had no influence on the Salmonella status of later flocks. Both companies had persistent problems with the contamination of pellet cooling systems in their feedmills with Salmonella 4, 12:d:‐ in company A, and with Salmonella binza and Salmonella ohio in company B. The hatcher incubators of both companies were also persistently contaminated with Salmonella livingstone and Salmonella thomasville in company A and with Salmonella senftenberg in company B. At both companies sites Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium DT104 were also isolated occasionally from various locations.
Suspected protozoal myeloencephalitis in a two‐month‐old colt
Authors: Gray L. C. , Magdesian K. G. , Madigan J. E. , Sturges B. K.
Published: October 2010

A two‐month‐old Appaloosa colt developed neurological signs shortly after birth involving deficits affecting cranial nerves IV, VIl, Vil, IX, X and XII, and possibly nerve VI. The most likely differential diagnoses were congenital anomalies, meningoencephalitides, trauma or nutritional causes. The foal was investigated by the analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), electromyelography (EMG), brain auditory evoked responses, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), peripheral nerve biopsy, and Western blot analysis for the presence of intrathecal antibodies toSarcocystis neurona, the causative agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Significantly abnormal EMG findings included spontaneous electrical activity of the tongue, suggesting denervation. The MRI was useful in ruling out masses, congenital anomalies and focal abscessation. The cytology of CSF revealed mild mononuclear reactivity. Western blot testing of CSF was positive, indicating the intrathecal presence of antibodies toS neurona. The foal was treated with pyrimethamine and trimethoprim‐sulphadiazine for two months and returned to nearly normal neurologic status.
Helminth control used by trainers of thoroughbreds in England
Authors: Earle C. G. , Kington H. A. , Coles G. C.
Published: October 2010

A telephone survey was conducted of the methods used to control parasitic worms at 106 thoroughbred training yards. Most of the horses were allowed access to grass and were therefore at risk of infection. The control methods relied primarily on the use of anthelmintics and appeared reasonably successful because only 44 per cent of trainers reported observing clinical signs of nematode infections. They dosed their horses frequently, 40 per cent treating every four to six weeks and 25 per cent treating every seven to eight weeks. New arrivals on yards were usually treated with anthelmintic but the strategies used would be unlikely to prevent the introduction of anthelmintic‐resistant nematodes on most yards or to deal with encysted cyathostomes. Trainers were responsible for the design of most control schemes, and only 42 per cent of them based their choice of anthelmintic on veterinary advice.
Identification of bluetongue virus serotype 2 (Corsican strain) by reverse‐transcriptase PCR reaction analysis of segment 2 of the genome
Authors: Zientara S. , Sailleau C. , Dauphin G. , Roquier C. , Rémond E. M. , Lebreton F. , Hammoumi S. , Dubois E. , Agier C. , Merle G. , Bréard E.
Published: October 2010

In October 2000, bluetongue virus was detected on the French island of Corsica. The disease was also reported in Sardinia, Calabria, Sicily and on the Spanish islands of Majorca and Minorca. This paper describes the use of molecular techniques for a rapid identification and serotype determination of serotype 2 of the virus. The nucleotide sequences of segments 2 and 7 of the genome of the Corsican strain were determined and its phylogenetic relationships are described.
Clinical findings and treatment of listeriosis in 67 sheep and goats
Authors: Braun U. , Stehle C. , Ehrensperger E
Published: October 2010

This paper describes the clinical findings and treatment of 67 sheep and goats with listeriosis. In 55 of them the diagnosis was made on the basis of the typical signs, which included vestibular ataxia, circling, head tilt and unilateral cranial nerve deficits, but in 12 animals a definitive diagnosis was made only after postmortem examination. The most significant haematological and biochemical findings were a high haematocrit in 16 animals, a high concentration of total protein in 33, a high concentration of bilirubin in 39 and a high concentration of urea nitrogen in 28 animals. Twenty‐eight of the animals had a metabolic acidosis. Thirty‐nine animals were treated with antibiotics, intravenous sodium chloride and glucose solutions and sodium bicarbonate. Ten of them survived and the others were euthanased because their condition deteriorated. Of the 10 that survived, nine were able to stand when they were first examined and one was in lateral recumbency. Of 15 animals treated with chloramphenicol, one survived; of 11 animals treated with oxytetracycline, two survived; and of nine animals treated with gentamicin and ampicillin, six survived.
Embryo collection in prepubertal gilts and attempts to develop an improved embryo transfer technique
Authors: Wallenhorst S. , Holtz W.
Published: October 2010

Prepubertal gilts were treated with 1500 iu equine chorionic gonadotrophin, followed 72 hours later by 500 iu human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and inseminated 36 and 48 hours later. Embryos were collected at slaughter 168 hours after the hCG treatment. Blastocysts classified as ‘good’ or ‘fair’ were transferred to synchronised recipients, either by conventional surgical means or by a ‘semi‐endoscopic’ approach, and the recipients were slaughtered four weeks later. Of 238 donor gilts, 98.4 per cent had responded with a mean (se) 23.5 (1.0) ovulations and 19.1 (1.0) ova or embryos, of which 47 per cent were considered morphologically intact and transferable. The large proportion of non.transferable embryos was not associated with the age or weight of the gilts, the season or with their housing conditions. Conventional surgical transfer of 15 to 20 (mean 17.4) blastocysts to synchronised recipients yielded 88 per cent (14 of 16) pregnancies with between seven and 14 (mean 8.2) viable fetuses, and an embryo survival rate of 47 per cent in the pregnant recipients and 41 per cent in all the recipients. The corresponding data for the semi.endoscopic transfers were 16 to 20 (mean 17.7) blastocysts transferred, 47 per cent (eight of 17) pregnancies, four to 12 (mean 7.3) viable fetuses per pregnant recipient and an embryo survival rate of 41 per cent in the pregnant recipients and 19 per cent in all the recipients. Significantly fewer of these recipients became pregnant and a significantly smaller proportion of the embryos survived (P<0.05).
Estimating the risk of importation of foot‐and‐mouth disease into Europe
Authors: Gallagher E. , Kelly L. , Wooldridge M. , Ryan J. , Leforban Y.
Published: October 2010

The opinions of a number of recognised world experts on foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) were sought in order to answer key questions relating to the importation of the disease into European countries from countries outside Europe. In addition, their opinions were sought on where in Europe a primary outbreak of FMD was most likely to occur and the number of outbreaks likely to occur within European countries in the next five years. The Balkans group of countries was considered to be the most likely group within Europe to have a primary outbreak of FMD and also most likely to have the highest number of primary outbreaks. Turkey was considered to be the country outside Europe which was most likely to be the source of an outbreak within Europe as a whole, and the illegal importation of livestock was considered to be the most likely route of introduction of FMD into Europe. Results specific to the Islands group of countries, which included the UK and Ireland, suggested that this group was likely to have a mean of one primary outbreak of FMD in the five years from September 2000, and that the importation of foodstuffs by people entering those countries from Turkey was the most likely source of an outbreak.
Effect of condensed tannins on egg hatching and larval development of Trichostrongylus colubriformis in vitro
Authors: Molan A. L. , Waghorn G. C. , McNabb W. C.
Published: October 2010

The effects of condensed tannins extracted from seven forages on the viability of the eggs and first stage (L1) larvae of the sheep nematode Trichostrongylus colubriformis were evaluated in in vitro assays. The extracts of condensed tannins were obtained from Lotus pedunculatus (LP), Lotus corniculatus (LC), sulla (Hedysarum coronarium), sainfoin (Onobrychus viciifolia), Dorycnium pentaphylum (DP), Dorycnium rectum (DR) and dock (Rumex obtusifolius) . Extracts containing 200 to 500,μg/ml reduced the proportion of eggs that hatched. The larval development assay was used to evaluate the effect of the extracts on the development of either eggs or LI larvae to L3 infective larvae. Development was allowed to proceed for seven days by which time the larvae in control incubations had reached the infective L3 stage. Extracts containing 200 μg/mI from LP, DP, DR or dock prevented egg development, and only 11, 8 and 2 per cent of the eggs developed to 13 larvae with extracts from LC, sulla and sainfoin, respectively. When the concentration was 400 μg/mI no eggs developed to L3 larvae. The addition of the extracts after hatching also inhibited the development of Ll to L3 larvae; 200 μg/ml extracted from LP, LC, sulla, sainfoin, DP, DR and dock resulted in only 14, 18, 17, 15, 14, 16 and 4 per cent of Ll larvae developing to the L3 stage compared with 85 per cent for controls, and 400 μg/ml further reduced the development of Li larvae. Statistical analyses showed that when the extracts were added before hatching they were significantly (P<0.001) more effective at inhibiting the larval development than when they were added after hatching. The condensed tannins from dock had the greatest inhibitory effect on egg development followed by the tannins from DR, sainfoin, DP, LP, sulla and LC.
Comparative evaluation of ultrasonography and lung function testing with the clinical signs and pathology of calves inoculated experimentally with Pasteurella muftocida
Authors: Reinhold P. , Rabeling B. , Günther H. , Schimmel D.
Published: October 2010

Seventeen calves were inoculated intratracheally with Pasteurelia multocida D on three consecutive days with 10 ml of an inoculum containing 109 colony forming units/ml per day per calf. Before the first inoculation and 24 hours after the third, each calf was examined non‐invasively by means of a clinical examination, chest ultrasonography, and impulse oscillometry to measure the impedance of the respiratory system. The inoculation of P multocida caused fever and a significant increase in respiratory rate and a decrease in tidal volume. There were also significant changes in the ultrasonographic results and in the impedance of the respiratory system. The percentage of the total surface area of the lungs showing pathological changes when the calves were euthanased 48 hours after the third inoculation ranged from 0.4 to 39 per cent. There were statistically significant correlations between the ultrasound scores and the pathological findings and between the ultrasound scores and the respiratory rate and tidal volume. The changes in the impedance of the respiratory system were not correlated with either the ultrasonographic or the pathological findings.
Infectious agents identified in pigs with multifocal interstitial nephritis at slaughter
Authors: Drolet R. , Ribotta M. , Higgins R. , D'Allaire S. , Larochelle R. , Magar R.
Published: October 2010

One kidney was taken from each of 100 pigs at slaughter; 50 had gross lesions of multifocal interstitial nephritis and 50 had no gross lesions. Forty‐nine of the affected kidneys had lesions that were characterised by the presence of either a few randomly distributed or numerous widely disseminated pale foci, 1 to 3 mm in diameter, on the cortical surface (white‐dotted kidneys). Microscopically, these focal inflammatory lesions often had a distinct lymphofollicular pattern (follicular nephritis). Lesions of chronic vasculitis were observed in 21 of the affected kidneys. Histologically, the control kidneys had only small and sparse inflammatory foci. Standard bacterial cultures of kidneys of both groups were not significant, and cultures for the isolation of leptospires were all negative. Virological examination of the kidney homogenates by PCR did not reveal any porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and only a few cases were positive for the porcine circovirus type 1. However, porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV‐2) were detected in many kidneys of both groups but in a significantly higher proportion of the kidneys with interstitial nephritis. There was a significant association between the lesions and the presence of PPV and PCV‐2 with odds ratios of 7.5 (P<0.0001) and 3.4 (P=0.0074), respectively, and the odds ratio increased to 22.7 (P<0.0001) when both viruses were identified in the same kidney. However, a subsample of kidneys taken from both groups were negative by immunohistochemistry for the presence of PPV and PCV.2 antigens.
Temporal and geographical distribution of cases of foot‐and‐mouth disease during the early weeks of the 2001 epidemic in Great Britain
Authors: Gibbens J. C. , Wilesmith J. W.
Published: October 2010

Estimates of the likely dates of infection of the early cases of the 2001 foot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) epidemic indicate that at least 57 premises in 16 counties in Great Britain were infected before the first case was disclosed. Nationwide animal movement controls were imposed within three days of the first case being confirmed on February 20, when FMD was only known to be in two counties, and these controls limited its geographical spread. After the first few cases were confirmed, new cases were rapidly discovered, and the epidemic curve for the daily number of confirmed cases peaked five weeks later, 11 days later than the peak of the curve based on the estimated dates of infection. In the peak week, both curves showed an average daily number of 43 new cases. The estimated dates of infection are believed to be relatively unbiased for the early cases, for which they were derived from a known contact with infection. However, for the later cases they were estimated mainly from the age of the clinical signs of the disease, and were biased by species and other factors, a bias which would probably have made the estimated dates later than was in fact the case.
Normal haematological values of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) from an English rehabilitation centre
Authors: Lewis J. C. M. , Norcott M. R. , Frost L. M. , Cusdin P.
Published: October 2010

Blood samples were taken from 29 male and 21 female clinically normal European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) that had been overwintered in an English rehabilitation centre, and the mean (sd) and ranges of their haematological values were determined. The mean cellular volume and lymphocyte counts of the female hedgehogs were slightly but significantly higher than those of the male hedgehogs.