bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of campylobacter, salmonella and mycoplasmas in house crows (Corvus splendens) in Malaysia
Authors: Ganapathy K. , Saleha A. A. , Jaganathan M. , Tan C. G. , Chong C. T. , Tang S. C. , Ideris A. , Dare C. M. , Bradbury J. M.
Published: October 2010

House crows (Corvus splendens) in Selangor, Malaysia were examined for the presence of Campylobacter species, Salmonella species, Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae by serology, culture and pcr. For the detection of Campylobacter and Salmonella species swabs were taken either from the intestine or cloaca. For the detection of mycoplasmas, swabs were taken either from the choanal cleft or trachea for culture and pcr and serum samples were tested by the rapid serum agglutination (rsa) and monoclonal antibody‐blocking elisa (mbelisa) for antibodies to M gallisepticum and M synoviae. For campylobacter, 25·3 per cent of the crows were positive by culture, and the species identified were Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli. No Salmonella species were isolated. Four of 24 swabs were positive for M gallisepticum dna but none gave positive results for M synoviae dna. No M gallisepticum or M synoviae antibodies were detected by rsa but 60 per cent of the sera gave positive reactions for M gallisepticum and 13 per cent gave positive reactions for M synoviae by mbelisa.
Lack of gnb3 exon 9 polymorphism in primary hypertensive and normotensive dogs
Authors: Kuppinger O. , Fischer E. , Sum S. , Hirschberger J. , Rausch W. P. , Keene B. W. , Tippett F. , Schulz R.
Published: October 2010

The 5500T allele variant of the c 5500t single nucleotide polymorphism in the human G protein β3 subunit (gnb3) has been reported to be associated with primary hypertension. In this study, the gnb3 gene of primary hypertensive and normotensive dogs was examined for an analogous nucleotide polymorphism associated with hypertension. The genomic gnb3 dna, with 10 exons and nine introns coding for 340 amino acids, is described. pcr product sequencing of the gnb3 exon 9 from 25 dogs (including five hypertensive animals) failed to detect any nucleotide polymorphism. In contrast to human beings, there was no polymorphism at either the analogous nucleotide or in the respective exon. Only the human hypertension‐associated thymine was detected, regardless of whether the dogs were hypertensive or normotensive. Furthermore, examinations of 565 dogs of 85 distinct breeds for the presence of the human 5500C nucleotide at the analogous nucleotide side failed to detect a cytosine that is present with high allele frequency in normotensive man. Owing to the lack of allele variance, it is concluded that canine primary hypertension is not associated with a polymorphism at either the respective human hypertension‐associated nucleotide site or in the entire exon.
Ultrasonographic evaluation of the size of the adrenal glands of 24 diseased cats without endocrinopathies
Authors: Zatelli A. , D'Ippolito P. , Fiore I. , Zini E.
Published: October 2010

The ultrasonographic measurements of the adrenal glands of 24 diseased cats without a clinically or laboratory identifiable endocrinopathy were evaluated retrospectively. The mean (sd) thickness of the left adrenal glands was 3·8 (0·8) mm and their mean length was 11·3 (2·8) mm; the thickness of the right glands was 4·5 (1·0) mm and their length was 9·8 (2·4) mm. The products of thickness and length were 43·9 (20·2) mm2 for the left gland and 45·7 (19·7) mm2 for the right gland. There were no significant correlations between the bodyweight, body surface area or body condition scores of the cats and the thickness, length or the product of thickness and length of either gland.
Evidence of indirect transmission of classical swine fever virus through contacts with people
Authors: Ribbens S. , Dewulf J. , Koenen F. , Maes D. , de Kruif A.
Published: October 2010

A strict system for visiting experimentally inoculated and susceptible weaner pigs was used to examine the potential indirect transmission of classical swine fever (csf) virus by people wearing contaminated boots, gloves and coveralls. The inoculated and susceptible pigs were housed in separate compartments, between which the airborne transmission of the virus was impossible. A worst‐case scenario with an intensive visiting protocol and no form of disinfection or hygiene was established. Fifteen days after the pigs were inoculated, infection was detected in one contact pig, and it was concluded that under the conditions of the experiment csf virus could be transmitted by contact with people.
Comparison of two doses of ropivacaine for lumbosacral epidural analgesia in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Amarpal  , Kinjavdekar P. , Aithal H. P. , Singh G. R. , Pawde A. M. , Singh T. , Sharma A. , Pratap K.
Published: October 2010

Six male buffalo calves aged from six to eight months and weighing 100 to 120 kg were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of caudal epidural analgesia produced by doses of 37·5 mg (5 ml) and 75 mg (10 ml) ropivacaine (0·75 per cent). The study was completed in two phases. In phase 1, all the animals were used twice to evaluate the analgesic and clinical effects of two doses of ropivacaine. In phase 2, the animals were divided into two groups of three to evaluate the effects of two doses of ropivacaine on some haemodynamic and acid‐base parameters. Signs of analgesia, as evidenced by a loss of response to pinprick stimulation, were recorded only at the tail, perineum and hindlimbs of the animals given 5 ml ropivacaine, but they extended from the tail to the thorax (T9) in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine. The duration of analgesia was five to six hours in the animals given 5 ml ropivacaine and seven to eight hours in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine. Animals of both groups became recumbent, but the score for ataxia was higher in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine. The respiratory rate decreased significantly (P<0·05) below the baseline in the animals given 10 ml ropivacaine, but the rectal temperature, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure and acid‐base and electrolyte parameters did not change significantly in either group.
Staphylococcal infections in rabbit does on two industrial farms
Authors: Segura P. , Martinez J. , Peris B. , Selva L. , Viana D. , Penades J. R. , Corpa J. M.
Published: October 2010

The main reasons for culling adult rabbit does on two Spanish rabbit farms were investigated for a year. The most important conditions were mastitis (33·3 per cent), followed by subcutaneous abscesses (9·9 per cent) and pyometra (8·7 per cent). Staphylococcus aureus infections were the most severe problem, the organism being isolated from 69·2 per cent of infected animals. Pasteurella species were more prevalent in cases of pyometra and pneumonia. Two strains of S aureus were identified by using polymorphism of the coagulase gene as the criterion. One of these strains was responsible for the majority of the staphylococcal infections and was isolated from several pathological processes.
Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of intramuscular and intravenous doses of dexmedetomidine and medetomidine in dogs and their reversal with atipamezole
Authors: Granholm M. , McKusick B. C. , Westerholm F. C. , Aspegrén J. C.
Published: October 2010

Two hundred and twelve dogs were treated either intravenously or intramuscularly with either dexmedetomidine or medetomidine in a randomised double‐blinded multicentre clinical study during procedures such as dental care, radiography and otitis treatment. Sedative, analgesic and cardiorespiratory parameters and body temperature were assessed for three hours after the treatments. Approximately half the dogs were given atipamezole intramuscularly after the completion of the procedure, and the other dogs were allowed to recover spontaneously. Dexmedetomidine and medetomidine induced similar clinical effects, and the procedure was completed successfully in 97 per cent of cases. There were few adverse side effects, but they included prolonged sedation, hypothermia, apnoea and bradycardia; no adverse effects were observed after the administration of atipamezole, which effectively reversed all the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine and medetomidine.
Factors affecting bacterial counts during preparation of the hands for aseptic surgery
Authors: Corder K. , Knowles T. G. , Holt P. E.
Published: October 2010

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of four hand preparation techniques in removing bacteria from the hands preoperatively. The effect of bacteriological swabbing itself on bacterial counts was also investigated. The numbers of bacteria obtained from the dominant and non‐dominant hands were also determined. The techniques all used 4 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate, and consisted of rubbing for five minutes with one application of antiseptic; rubbing for five minutes with five applications of antiseptic; rubbing for one minute with one application of antiseptic; and scrubbing with a brush for five minutes with one application of antiseptic. The results showed that the four techniques were equally effective at removing bacteria. There was no significant difference in the bacterial counts obtained from the dominant and non‐dominant hands. The wearing of gloves for up to 30 minutes after scrubbing had no effect on the bacterial counts. Swabbing itself significantly reduced the number of bacteria cultured from the hands.
Survey of the incidence and aetiology of mastitis on dairy farms in England and Wales
Authors: Bradley A. J. , Leach K. A. , Breen J. E. , Green L. E. , Green M. J.
Published: October 2010

A survey of clinical and subclinical mastitis was carried out on 97 dairy farms in England and Wales, selected at random from members of a national milk recording scheme. The farmers were asked to collect aseptic milk samples from five consecutive cases of clinical mastitis and from five quarters with high somatic cell counts using a defined protocol, and they completed a questionnaire that included information on the cows sampled, the herd and the history of mastitis in the herd. The samples were collected throughout the year. The mean incidence of clinical mastitis was 47 cases per 100 cows per year (estimated from historic farm records) and 71 cases per 100 cows per year (estimated from the samples collected). Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli were isolated in pure culture from 23·5 per cent and 19·8 per cent, respectively, of the clinical samples; 26·5 per cent of the clinical samples produced no growth. The most common isolates from the samples with high cell counts were coagulase‐negative staphylococci (15 per cent), S uberis (14 per cent) and Corynebacterium species (10 per cent). Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase‐positive staphylococci together accounted for 10 per cent of the samples with high somatic cell counts; 39 per cent produced no bacterial growth.
Bilateral metatarsophalangeal valgus and subluxation in two adult llamas treated by medial bone plate arthrodesis
Authors: Woodford N. , D'Alterio G. L. , Owen M.
Published: October 2010

The clinical signs and diagnostic imaging of two adult llamas with severe metatarsophalangeal valgus angular limb deformity causing metatarsophalangeal instability, severe osteoarthritis and marked bilateral hindlimb lameness are described. The metatarsophalangeal axis was corrected and arthrodesis of the metatarsophalangeal joint was achieved by distal medial metatarsal condylectomy and the medial application of a custom‐made angled 4·5 mm dynamic compression plate. A secure construct with normal limb angulation and a good biomechanical outcome was achieved in each of the hindlimbs of both llamas. The development and final dimensions of the implants are described to assist decision making during the evaluation of the surgical management of such cases.
Detection of an isoform of α1 ‐antitrypsin in serum samples from foals with gastric ulcers
Authors: Taharaguchi S. , Nagano A. , Okai K. , Miyasho T. , Taniyama H. , Kuwano M. , Yokota H.
Published: October 2010

The objective of this study was to find serum indicators of gastric ulcers in foals. By using two‐dimensional electrophoresis of serum proteins, three distinct spots were detected in samples from foals with gastric ulcers detected endoscopically. One of them appeared with high frequency and was identified by partial digestion with trypsin and subsequent nano‐electrospray ionisation‐tandem mass spectrometry (nanoesi‐ms/ms) analysis as an α1 ‐antitrypsin. Western blot analysis, using an antibody against human α1 ‐antitrypsin, revealed at least two bands, of molecular weight 58 kDa and 55 kDa, in the sera. The 55 kDa band was detected in 44 of 47 serum samples from foals with gastric ulcers, but in only three of 22 serum samples from healthy foals.
Infection dynamics of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in a continuous‐flow population of pigs also infected with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Authors: Fano E. , Pijoan C. , Dee S.
Published: October 2010

Twenty‐eight 10‐week‐old pigs were inoculated intratracheally with 1 × 105 colour‐changing units/ml Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain 232, and another 32 pigs were not inoculated but were divided into 12 direct‐contact pigs and 20 indirect‐contact pigs. Thirty‐five days later, the inoculated pigs were inoculated intranasally with 1 × 102·4 tcid50 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (prrsv) strain mn 30‐100. Viraemia, seroconversion and the transmission of prrsv in the M hyopneumoniae ‐infected pigs were then assessed for four months. Three groups of 10 age‐matched gilts were introduced as sentinels into the experimental barn on days 28, 56 and 84 after the prrsv infection. The persistence of prrsv was evaluated in both the experimentally and naturally infected pigs, which were slaughtered 120, 135 and 150 days after the infection. The period of viraemia and the extent of seroconversion were similar to those observed in studies of pigs infected only with prrsv, suggesting that under the conditions of the study M hyopneumoniae did not affect these features of the disease. A delayed pattern in the seroconversion and proportion of pcr ‐positive pigs was observed in the direct and indirect contact groups, and the persistence of prrsv in tissues was confirmed by pcr at 120 and 150 days after infection only in the directly inoculated pigs and not in the direct‐ or indirect‐contact groups of pigs.
Incidence of histomonosis in turkeys in France since the bans of dimetridazole and nifursol
Authors: Callait‐Cardinal M‐P. , Leroux S. , Venereau E. , Chauve C. M. , Le Pottier G. , Zenner L.
Published: October 2010

Between April 2003 and March 2005, 113 outbreaks of histomonosis were recorded in standard turkey farms in France, and 15 cases were recorded in turkey breeding centres. Most of the cases were in north‐west France, the principal farming area for turkeys. The majority of the cases occurred during the hottest months, from April to September. Large numbers of cases occurred among birds from four to eight weeks of age, but there were some cases in three‐week‐old birds and some in birds up to 17 weeks of age. In most of the standard turkey flocks the mortality was less than 10 per cent, but it was above 30 per cent in nearly 20 per cent of the outbreaks. In the breeding flocks, the average mortality was 60·2 per cent. The size of the flocks, the sex of the birds and the age at which the first clinical signs appeared did not seem to influence the mortality.
Retrospective study of the effect of intra‐articular treatment of osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints in 51 horses
Authors: Labens R. , Voûte L. C. , Mellor D. J.
Published: October 2010

Osteoarthritis of the distal tarsal joints, affecting the centrodistal and tarsometatarsal joints, is a common cause of hindlimb lameness in horses. This paper describes the outcome of the intra‐articular treatment of 51 horses with the condition with either methylprednisolone acetate (mpa) or triamcinolone acetonide (tr), either with or without hyaluronic acid (ha). The outcome was assessed in terms of the changes in the horses' grade of lameness. Follow‐up information was obtained from the owners by means of a telephone questionnaire. Horses treated once with mpa or tr, either with or without ha, improved after a median of 56 days (P<0·0001), and there was no significant difference between mpa and tr. There was no significant further improvement in the horses treated twice. In the horses in which there was a diffuse increase in the uptake of a radiopharmaceutical by the distal tarsal joints, identified by scintigraphy, the lameness tended to improve (P=0·032), whereas in the horses in which the uptake was focal, it did not. At telephone follow‐up 13 of 34 horses were reported to have had a positive outcome, but the outcome in the other 21 was reported to have been negative.
International disease monitoring, July to September 2007
Authors: Sabirovic M. , Raw L. , Hall S. , Elliott H. , Coulson N.
Published: October 2010

African swine fever spreading in Armenia and Georgia, with the possibility of a more general spread into neighbouring countries

Bluetongue virus serotype 1 detected in Portugal for the first time

Several thousand outbreaks of bluetongue serotype 8 reported in north‐west Europe

Highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial ducks in southern Germany

Low pathogenic avian influenza detected in free‐range ducks in central Portugal

—These are among matters discussed in the international disease monitoring report for July to September 2007, prepared by defra 's Food and Farming Group, International Trade Core Function
Control of diabetes mellitus in cats with porcine insulin zinc suspension
Authors: Martin G. J. , Rand J. S.
Published: October 2010

The required dose rate of porcine insulin zinc suspension to control the signs of diabetes mellitus in 25 cats was assessed, and their response to insulin treatment was investigated over 12 months. The cats required a median dose of 0·5 iu/kg bodyweight twice a day, and only two of the cats required doses higher than 1·0 iu/kg twice a day. Their lowest blood glucose concentration was on average significantly higher during the night than during the day. Seven of the cats went into diabetic remission during the study, and the control of the clinical signs in the others was either excellent or good by the end of the study.
Pharmacokinetics of a single intravenous dose of marbofloxacin in adult donkeys
Authors: González F. , Rodríguez C. , De Lucas J. J. , Waxman S. , San Andrés M. D. , Serres C. , Nieto J. , San Andrés M. I.
Published: October 2010

Six donkeys each received 2 mg/kg marbofloxacin as a 10 per cent aqueous solution administered intravenously. Principal pharmacokinetic parameters were determined and two efficacy indices were computed by using pharmacokinetic parameters and selected mic90 values of marbofloxacin against pathogenic equine strains to predict the efficacy of the drug at this dose. The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in donkeys was characterised by a large mean volume of distribution at a steady state (1·15 [0·09] l/kg) and a long mean (sd) elimination half‐life of 9·24 (1·96) hours. It was also characterised by a relatively slow total body clearance of 0·10 (0·02) l/kg/hour, slower than in horses. Using mic90 values of marbofloxacin against pathogenic equine strains with a daily dose of 2 mg/kg, appropriate values of efficacy indicators were obtained only for Enterobacteriaceae. Daily intravenous doses of 0·33, 2·62 and 20 mg/kg were calculated for evaluation in clinical trials of infections due to Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci, respectively.
Detection of the genome of Chlamydophila abortus in samples taken from the uteri of 304 sheep at an abattoir
Authors: Michalopolou E. , Leigh A. J. , Cordoba L. G.
Published: October 2010

A pcr was used to detect the genome of Chlamydophila abortus in samples of uterine tissue collected from 304 sheep by a sterile technique at an abattoir. The stage of pregnancy of the sheep was determined by measuring the dimensions of the embryo/fetus, and its morphology was recorded. Only samples from non‐pregnant sheep and sheep up to 100 days of gestation were retained; the clinical history of the animals was unknown. The total prevalence of the chlamydial genome was 30·9 per cent, with a significantly higher prevalence in the pregnant animals (46·9 per cent). Higher detection rates were recorded during early gestation than during mid‐gestation.
Management of fractures near the carpal joint of two calves by transarticular fixation with a circular external fixator
Authors: Aithal H. P. , Amarpal  , Kinjavdekar P. , Pawde A. M. , Singh G. R. , Hoque M. , Maiti S. K. , Setia H. C.
Published: October 2010

A four‐ring circular external skeletal fixation device was evaluated for transcarpal fixation of compound fractures in two calves. Case 1 was an eight‐month‐old female Holstein‐Friesian × indigenous breed calf weighing 72 kg, which had a Salter‐Harris type II fracture at the distal metaphysis of the right radius/ulna with an open contaminated wound on the medial aspect of the carpus. Case 2 was an 18‐month‐old crossbred Haryana heifer weighing 105 kg, which had a comminuted fracture at the proximal end of its left metacarpus with severe soft tissue trauma and an open wound on the medial aspect. In both cases, the fractures were repaired with four‐ring circular fixators by fixing the proximal two rings in the distal radius/ulna and the distal two rings in the metacarpus. Postoperatively, both calves were treated with analgesic and anti‐inflammatory drugs and antibiotic, and the pin‐bone interfaces and the open wound were cleaned regularly with povidone‐iodine solution. In both animals weight bearing was good to excellent in the immediate postoperative period. The fixator was well maintained and tolerated by the animals until the fractures healed after 45 to 60 days. The movement of the carpal joint was slightly affected when the fixator was removed on day 60, but a follow‐up examination after one year showed that both calves had normal functional usage of the limbs.
World Rabies Day: focusing attention on a neglected disease
Authors: Briggs D. , Hanlon C. A.
Published: October 2010

Rabies kills 55,000 people every year mainly in Africa and Asia, despite being entirely preventable through vaccination and prompt medical treatment. Spurred on by this statistic, the first ever World Rabies Day will be held on September 8 in order to raise global awareness of rabies prevention and control. The driving force behind the initiative is the Alliance for Rabies Control, a charity formed in 2006 by a group of researchers and professionals committed to eradicating rabies. To mark the event, The Veterinary Record has commissioned experts in the field of rabies control to discuss what veterinary surgeons have done and can do to tackle this devastating disease. The message that emerges is that veterinary surgeons, in close collaboration with the medical profession, have a vital role to play. In the first article, Deborah Briggs from Kansas State University and Cathleen Hanlon from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the usa describe the impetus behind the day, who is supporting it and what it hopes to achieve. Articles on the following pages describe other veterinary contributions to this field.
Breeding for resistance to mastitis in United Kingdom sheep, a review and economic appraisal
Authors: Conington J. , Cao G. , Stott A. , Bünger L.
Published: October 2010

Mastitis is a problem in the sheep industry, and its incidence varies widely with how it is recorded, the breed of sheep and the farm. Virtually all the published information about the genetics of mastitis refers to dairy breeds of cattle and sheep, and there is little information for meat sheep breeds. Many dairy breeding programmes worldwide use the somatic cell count (scc) in milk as an indicator of resistance to clinical and subclinical mastitis, but it is difficult to measure in meat sheep breeds. Molecular genetic technologies may therefore be a more practical way to assess susceptibility to mastitis. This paper reviews the genetics of mastitis and considers the opportunities for breeding for resistance to mastitis, with particular reference to sheep. In addition, to investigate the potential economic effects of mastitis in a purebred sheep population, a computer model of flock dynamics was developed. By making a modest set of assumptions about the key farm parameters that influence lowland sheep production, the model showed that breeding for resistance (or other control methods), if it could reduce the risk of contracting mastitis by 10 per cent, would be worth £8.40 per ewe, equivalent annually to £2·7 million for the purebred sector of the Texel breed alone.
Diagnosis of preclinical scrapie in live sheep by the immunohistochemical examination of rectal biopsies
Authors: González L. , Dagleish M. P. , Martin S. , Dexter G. , Steele P. , Finlayson J. , Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2010

In most sheep infected with a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (tse) the disease‐associated prion protein (PrPd) accumulates in tissues of the lymphoreticular system, suggesting that it might be detected in biopsy specimens. A procedure has been developed to obtain biopsy specimens of rectal mucosa in which PrPd has been detected by immunohistochemistry in preclinically infected sheep of all susceptible PrP genotypes. It is probable that PrPd increases with the age of sheep or period of incubation. PrPd was detectable approximately halfway through the incubation period, with sheep of some PrP genotypes showing positive results earlier than others. For a preclinical diagnosis, the risk of a false negative result was approximately 9 per cent for samples containing 10 follicles, a figure that was reached in 87 per cent of the biopsies. The rectal biopsies had the same sensitivity and time of onset of PrPd accumulation as biopsies of the palatine tonsil, but provided larger numbers of follicles. The procedure is simple and quick, does not require dedicated specific instruments, sedation or general anaesthesia, and can be performed repeatedly on the same sheep without detrimental effects to either the animal or the number of follicles obtained.
Application of a modified form of the Glasgow pain scale in a veterinary teaching centre in the Netherlands
Authors: Murrell J. C. , Psatha E. P. , Scott E. M. , Reid J. , Hellebrekers L. J.
Published: October 2010

The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale was developed to measure acute pain in dogs in a hospital setting. In this investigation a modified version of the scale was applied in a centre with a different surgical case load and analgesic protocols, and where English is not the first language, to test its validity in a different clinical environment. The modified scale was used to score pain in 60 dogs during the 24 hours after surgery. Their levels of sedation and a clinical impression of their pain were scored at the same time. Three questions were considered; first, how the modified pain score was related to the pain assessed subjectively, secondly, how it related to variables such as the surgical procedure and the dog's health and thirdly, how it changed over time. The mean modified pain scores for the dogs rated subjectively as having no, mild, moderate or severe pain were significantly different, indicating that the modified scale distinguished between pain of different severities. The changes in the dogs' scores also followed the expected changes in their level of pain with time, providing empirical evidence that the scale measures pain.
Low ratios of sodium to potassium in the serum of 238 dogs
Authors: Nielsen L. , Bell R. , Zoia A. , Mellor D. J. , Neiger R. , Ramsey I.
Published: October 2010

Serum sodium:potassium (Na:K) ratios are often reported in biochemical studies of dogs, although their value has not been assessed. The aims of this study were to identify diseases associated with a low Na:K ratio in dogs and to compare their prevalence with the prevalence in dogs from the same referral hospital with normal Na:K ratios. A total of 238 dogs with a Na:K ratio less than 27 were identified from medical records. Sample contamination withedtawas suspected in 74 cases (31 per cent) and these and two cases that had been supplemented with potassium were removed from the analysis. The remaining 162 cases and 147 control dogs were divided into five categories depending on the organ system affected. Among the cases there were significantly more in the endocrine category than among the control dogs. Hypoadrenocorticism was the most single common cause of a low Na:K ratio and affected 27 (16·7 per cent) of the cases. Other clinical problems associated with low Na:K ratios included different urogenital, cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.
Use of cardiac troponin kits for the qualitative determination of myocardial cell damage due to traumatic reticuloperitonitis in cattle
Authors: Gunes V. , Atalan G. , Citil M. , Erdogan H. M.
Published: October 2010

This study was designed to investigate whether kits to measure circulating cardiac troponin‐I (cTn‐I) and cardiac troponin‐T (cTn‐T) can be used to determine myocardial cell damage in cattle with traumatic reticuloperitonitis (trp). Twenty cattle with trp were compared with 10 clinically healthy cattle. cTn‐I and cTn‐T were determined qualitatively and cTn‐I was determined quantitatively; biochemical analyses were also performed on both groups. The mean serum concentrations of total protein, globulin, glucose and calcium, and the mean activities of creatine kinase mb, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase were higher in the cattle with trp than in the control group. The cTn‐I and cTn‐T kits both gave positive results in three of the cattle with trp and the quantitative measurement of cTn‐I was positive in 11 of the trp cases. Both tests were negative in the healthy cattle.
Epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism in a commercial sheep flock and its implications for control programmes
Authors: Wilson D. J. , Sargison N. D. , Scott P. R. , Penny C. D.
Published: October 2010

The epidemiology of nematode infections in a uk commercial crossbred sheep flock was studied from January 2004 to January 2005. The ewes were treated orally with moxidectin when they were turned out of the lambing shed on to nematode‐contaminated pasture, and the lambs were treated orally with ivermectin throughout the summer in accordance with the farm's usual practice, with the aim of near‐suppressive nematode control. The lactating ewes experienced a significant increase in faecal egg count during the early summer, after the period of persistence of the moxidectin treatment had ended. The ewes' and lambs' egg outputs were dominated by Teladorsagia species, despite the persistence of the effect of moxidectin against this genus. The gimmers (primiparous two‐year‐old ewes) had a significantly greater faecal egg count at lambing than the three‐ to four‐year‐old ewes, but the older ewes had significantly greater post‐treatment increases. The population of Trichostrongylus species appeared to follow accepted epidemiological patterns, with no evidence of summer trichostrongylosis. In late summer and autumn the faecal egg output of the ewes was primarily due to large intestinal nematodes.
Clinicopathological presentation of cardiac disease in cattle and its impact on decision making
Authors: Bexiga R. , Mateus A. , Philbey A. W. , Ellis K. , Barrett D. C. , Mellor D. J.
Published: October 2010

The records of 116 cattle suffering from cardiac disease were examined retrospectively. On the basis of the results of postmortem examinations there were 52 cases of endocarditis, 39 of pericarditis and 25 congenital cardiac defects. The most useful clinical tool for differentiating between these conditions was auscultation of the heart. The cases of pericarditis were characterised by muffled heart sounds, and the cases of endocarditis and congenital cardiac defects were characterised by a cardiac murmur. Endocarditis could be differentiated from congenital cardiac defects by the presence of a jugular pulse, venous distension, oedema, a reduced appetite, pain and polyarthritis, whereas congenital defects were associated with conformational abnormalities. These two conditions could also be differentiated by differences in the plasma sodium concentration, the albumin:globulin ratio, red blood cell count, lymphocyte count and haematocrit. The ability to differentiate between these three groups of cardiac diseases can help the veterinary practitioner in deciding whether treatment, economic salvage (slaughter for human consumption) or disposal (slaughter not for human consumption) is likely to be the best option.
Management practices associated withMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosisinfection and the effects of the infection on dairy herds
Authors: Diéguez F. J. , Arnaiz I. , Sanjuán M. L. , Vilar M. J. , Yus E.
Published: October 2010

During 2004, a survey ofMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis(map) was conducted in 101 randomly selected dairy herds to investigate associations between the infection status of the herds, different management practices, and possible disease indicators, such as indices of mastitis and reproductive performance. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire through personal interviews with the farmers and veterinarians in charge of each farm. At the same time, blood samples were taken from cattle over one year old and analysed with a commercialelisato detect antibodies tomap. Statistical analyses indicated that the following management practices constituted major risk factors: utilisation of colostrum from cows with a previous positivemapdiagnosis, and housing replacement calves with adult cattle before they were six months old. Seropositivity tomapwas related to the herds' bulk tank somatic cell counts and incidence of clinical mastitis, but not to their reproductive performance.
Serological changes observed in horses infected withAnoplocephala perfoliataafter treatment with praziquantel and natural reinfection
Authors: Abbott J. B. , Mellor D. J. , Barrett E. J. , Proudman C. J. , Love S.
Published: October 2010

The serological changes in two groups of horses known to be harbouringAnoplocephala perfoliatawere studied; 12 were treated with 1·5 mg/kg praziquantel and 200 μg/kg ivermectin, and 14 were treated with 200 μg/kg ivermectin. Serological and faecal analyses were carried out on each animal at intervals for 758 days. The titres of antibodies specific forA perfoliatadecreased from the day of treatment to day 28 in both groups, and continued to decrease in the group treated with praziquantel and ivermectin, with the first significant decrease from the other group at day 121. From day 151 to day 295 the first significant increase in antibody levels in the group treated with both drugs was observed; noA perfoliataeggs were detected in the faeces of these animals until day 295 when five of the 10 were positive.
Effects of bites by the European adder (Vipera berus) in seven Swedish horses
Authors: Anlén K. G.
Published: October 2010

The effects on seven horses of bites by the European adder (Vipera berus) are described and compared with previously available information. The clinical signs varied from local swelling and mild systemic signs to severe systemic signs, including systemic inflammatory response, severe tissue necrosis, ventricular tachycardia and dysphagia. Two of the horses were treated with ‘Zagreb’ antiserum, and three that were not treated with antiserum were euthanased owing to complications related to the bites.
Effects of processing barley on its digestion by horses
Authors: Vervuert I. , Voigt K. , Hollands T. , Cuddeford D. , Coenen M.
Published: October 2010

Four horses were randomly fed a diet containing rolled, micronised or extruded barley; the barley intake was adjusted to supply 2 g starch/kg bodyweight per day. During a 10‐day acclimatisation period the horses were also fed 1 kg grass hay/100 kg bodyweight per day. Samples of blood and breath were collected at the end of each period after the test meal of barley had been fed after a 12‐hour overnight fast. The glycaemic and insulinaemic responses of the horses were measured as an indication of the pre‐caecal digestibility of starch, and postprandial breath hydrogen and methane were measured to detect microbial fermentation of starch. The highest peak serum glucose and serum insulin concentrations were observed after feeding the extruded barley, lower concentrations were observed after feeding the micronised barley and the lowest concentrations were observed after feeding the rolled barley. Breath hydrogen increased within four hours of feeding all the barley diets, and the mean (sd) peak hydrogen concentrations were 98·3 (55·2) ppm for rolled barley, 59·3 (31·5) ppm for micronised barley and 96·1 (51·9) ppm for extruded barley. There were wide variations within individual horses but these concentrations were not significantly different. Breath methane concentrations were very variable and, although there were no significant differences, there was a trend for higher methane concentrations after the feeding of rolled barley.
Postmortem condemnations of processed broiler chickens in western France
Authors: Lupo C. , Chauvin C. , Balaine L. , Petetin I. , Péraste J. , Colin P. , Le Bouquin S.
Published: October 2010

A total of 404 broiler chicken flocks processed in 15 slaughterhouses in western France were studied to estimate the condemnation prevalence and describe the official reasons for condemnation and the main macroscopic lesions observed in a sample of the condemned carcases. The condemnation rate was 87 per 10,000 birds slaughtered (95 per cent confidence interval 79 to 95 per 10,000) but differed significantly according to the type of poultry produced (standard, light, heavy or certified). The main reasons for condemnation were emaciation and congestion, with rates of 30 and 22 per 10,000 birds slaughtered, respectively. Congestion was significantly associated with arthritis and ascites, whereas infected skin lesions were associated with bruises and abnormalities of colour, odour or conformation.
Long‐term management of sabulous cystitis in five horses
Authors: Rendle D. I. , Durham A. E. , Lloyd D. , Summerhays G. E. S. , Hughes K. J.
Published: October 2010

Five horses with sabulous cystitis were managed for up to three years. They were treated by emptying the bladder through a urinary catheter and saline lavage with cytoscopic guidance to remove residual sabulous material. The cystitis was treated with antimicrobial and anti‐inflammatory medications, and bethanechol chloride was also administered. Frequent catheterisation and emptying of the bladder was an alternative to regular cystoscopic examination with saline lavage but it resulted in the development of a urethral stricture in one case. Four of the horses returned to work and one was retired owing to persistent incontinence.
Investigation of the prevalence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in dairy cows in South Korea
Authors: Lee D‐H. , Park S‐W. , Choi E‐W. , Lee C‐W.
Published: October 2010

Blood samples were collected from 1328 dairy cows of different parities in 46 herds in two regions of South Korea and tested for bovine viral diarrhoea virus (bvdv) by reverse transcriptase‐pcr(rt‐pcr) for the detection of viral sequences in whole blood and by a commercialelisafor the detection ofbvdv‐specific antibodies. None of the animals was positive byrt‐pcrbut 770 (58 per cent) were seropositive. The proportion of seropositive cows increased with their parity, but there was no difference between the seroprevalence ofbvdvamong the cows in the two regions.
Relationships between the concentrations of trichloroacetic acid‐soluble copper and caeruloplasmin in the serum of cattle from areas with different soil concentrations of molybdenum
Authors: Suttle N. F.
Published: October 2010

The concentrations of trichloroacetic acid (tca)‐soluble copper and caeruloplasmin were determined in 345 serum samples taken from cattle in March 1998 by eight Scottish Agricultural College veterinary disease surveillance centres serving areas with soils ranging from being ‘high’ in molybdenum (Thurso) to ‘low’ (Perth and St Boswells). The mean concentrations varied significantly between the centres, with Thurso having the lowest values for both variables. There were strong linear regressions (r>0·8) between caeruloplasmin andtca‐soluble copper for each centre but no significant differences in slope or intercept between the areas with the highest and lowest soil molybdenum, and the pooled regression accounted for 88 per cent of the variation. The distribution of the ratios of caeruloplasmin totca‐soluble copper, unlike those of the individual variables, was not normal, and 70 per cent of the values fell within 10 per cent of the mean ratio of 20·3 mg/μmol and close to the 22 mg/μmol copper expected in pure caeruloplasmin. Low ratios were generally associated with lowtca‐soluble copper. Ratios above 24 were found in 8 per cent of the samples and were probably attributable to acute‐phase reactions and the non‐specificity of the assay for caeruloplasmin.
Treatment of 11 dogs with meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin with a combination of prednisolone and cytosine arabinoside
Authors: Menaut P. , Landart J. , Behr S. , Lanore D. , Trumel C.
Published: October 2010

The records of 11 dogs with evidence of meningoencephalomyelitis of unknown origin were reviewed. Two of them had had a focal form of the disease and the other nine a disseminated form. The forebrain was involved in five of the nine dogs with disseminated disease, the brainstem in all nine and the cerebellum in one. They had been treated with courses of cytosine arabinoside every three weeks and immunosuppressive doses of prednisolone. Their response to the treatment, in terms of quality of life, was judged by their owners and referring veterinarians to have been excellent in five, good in five and poor in one; their survival times ranged from 78 days to more than 603 days. The cumulative probability of survival at two years was 58·4 per cent. No signs of myelosuppression or other side effects associated with cytosine arabinoside were observed.
Associations between pathogens in healthy pigs and pigs with pneumonia
Authors: Palzer A. , Ritzmann M. , Wolf G. , Heinritzi K.
Published: October 2010

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between different pathogens in the development of pneumonia and bronchopneumonia in pigs. Samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 100 pigs showing no clinical signs and 239 pigs with clinical signs of respiratory disease were examined forMycoplasma hyopneumoniae,Mycoplasma hyorhinis,us‐type porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (prrsv),eu‐typeprrsv, porcine circovirus type 2 (pcv‐2), influenza virus type A, α‐haemolyticStreptococcusspecies, β‐haemolyticStreptococcusspecies,Pasteurella multocida,Bordetella bronchiseptica,Haemophilus parasuisandActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. These potential pathogens were detected more frequently in the pigs with respiratory problems than in the pigs with no clinical signs.pcv‐2and α‐haemolytic streptococci were the pathogens most frequently detected;A pleuropneumoniaewas isolated in only two cases. There were more often associations between the organisms in the pigs with clinical signs than in the healthy pigs. In particular, α‐haemolytic streptococci andM hyopneumoniaewere both associated with the presence ofM hyorhinis,eu‐typeprrsv,P multocidaandB bronchiseptica, and α‐haemolytic streptococci also occurred more often in pigs that were already infected with other pathogens.P multocidaandB bronchisepticawere both significantly associated withM hyopneumoniae, α‐haemolytic streptococci,eu‐typeprrsvandus‐typeprrsv.
Serum concentrations of cortisol and cortisone in healthy dogs and dogs with pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism treated with trilostane
Authors: Sieber‐Ruckstuhl N. S. , Boretti F. S. , Wenger M. , Maser‐Gluth C. , Reusch C. E.
Published: October 2010

The serum concentrations of cortisol and cortisone were measured in 19 healthy dogs and in 13 dogs with pituitary‐dependent hyperadrenocorticism (pdh) before and one hour after an injection of synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth). In the dogs with pdh, the cortisol and cortisone concentrations were measured before and after one to two weeks and three to seven weeks of treatment with trilostane. The dogs with pdh had significantly higher baseline and poststimulation concentrations of cortisol and cortisone, and higher baseline cortisol:cortisone ratios than the healthy dogs. During the treatment with trilostane, the poststimulation cortisol, the baseline and poststimulation cortisone concentrations, and the baseline and poststimulation cortisol:cortisone ratios decreased significantly. The decrease in poststimulation cortisone was significantly smaller than the decrease in cortisol.
Characteristics of 234 dog bite incidents in Ireland during 2004 and 2005
Authors: O'Sullivan E. N. , Jones B. R. , O'Sullivan K. , Hanlon A. J.
Published: October 2010

Information was obtained by telephone interview from 100 dog owners whose dog had bitten a person, and from 134 victims of bites by a dog not owned by the victim. Three‐quarters of the victims were female and aged from 21 to 60 years. The majority of the dogs were owned, male, two to six years old, over 10 kg in bodyweight and belonged to the popular breeds: collies, cocker/springer spaniels, terrier breeds, Jack Russell terriers, German shepherd dogs, golden retrievers and crossbreeds. The numbers of bites by the different breeds indicated that those that inflicted the most bites were the popular breeds rather than the breeds with any greater propensity to bite. Most attacks were rapid single bites and in 50 per cent of the cases, neither the owner nor the victim was able to identify any signal of the dog's intention to bite. Overall, 21 per cent of the incidents were rated as ‘serious’ and 2 per cent as ‘life threatening’. One fifth of the dogs were euthanased as a result of the incident. Half the incidents required professional medical assistance for the victim. Almost half the incidents took place while the victim was walking or passing close to the dog's territory, or while the victim was interacting with the dog at home.
Epizootic ulcerative syndrome affecting fish in the Zambezi river system in southern Africa
Authors: Andrew T. G. , Huchzermeyer K. D. A. , Mbeha B. C. , Nengu S. M.
Published: October 2010

In late 2006, diseased fish of a variety of species began to appear in the Chobe and upper Zambezi rivers in southern Africa. In April 2007, investigations showed that the levels of pesticides and heavy metals in the tissues of the fish were very low, discounting pollution as an underlying cause for the disease. However, histological evidence showed that the disease closely resembled the epizootic ulcerative syndrome caused by the oomycete Aphanomyces invadans, a serious aquatic pathogen that has been isolated from freshwater and estuarine fish in Japan, south‐east Asia, Australia and the usa since the 1970s, but not previously recorded in Africa.
Prevalence of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and humeral head osteochondrosis in dog breeds in Belgium
Authors: Coopman F. , Verhoeven G. , Saunders J. , Duchateau L. , Van Bree H.
Published: October 2010

The official screening results of the Belgian National Committee for Inherited Skeletal Disorders, an affiliate of the Belgian Kennel Club, have been used to estimate the prevalence of hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and humeral head osteochondrosis in the dog breeds in Belgium, and these have been compared with reported prevalence data from other countries. In some breeds, the prevalence of hip and elbow dysplasia is very high, both in Belgium and in other countries. Comparisons of the prevalence of hip dysplasia are not always feasible because different systems are used to evaluate the quality of the hips and because there is no strict consensus on what should be considered a diseased hip joint.