bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of two non‐antibiotic therapies, oxytocin and topical liniment, against bovine staphylococcal mastitis
Authors: Knight C. H. , Fitzpatrick J. L. , Logue D. N. , Platt D. J.
Published: October 2010

Eight cows were challenged by a single quarter intramammary infusion of a relatively low‐virulence strain ofStaphylococcus aureuson four occasions five weeks apart and, after each challenge, each cow received one of four treatments, according to a duplicated Latin‐square design. The treatments were massage alone (negative control), massage with a proprietary liniment, oxytocin, and a single course of a proprietary intramammary antibiotic. The massage treatments were applied at every milking for three weeks, oxytocin was given for one week, and the antibiotic was given after three successive milkings. Milk samples were collected immediately before and for three weeks after each challenge, and a scoring system was used to quantify the presence of bacteria during the whole of the period. None of the treatments completely eliminated bacteria from all the cows. Relative to the negative control, the liniment had no significant effect, but both oxytocin and the antibiotic reduced the numbers of bacteria significantly and did not differ significantly in efficacy.
Prevalence and pathogenicity of retroviruses in wildcats in France
Authors: Fromont E. , Pontier D. , Sager A. , Jouquelet E. , Artois M. , Léger F. , Stahl P. , Bourguemestre F.
Published: October 2010

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are frequently encountered in domestic cats (Felis catus) and in wild felids, but only FeLV has been previously identified in wildcats (Felis silvestris) . Thirty‐eight wildcats, either captured alive or found dead, were sampled in eastern and central France. Nine of them (23.7 per cent) carried the FeLV p27 antigen, and three (7.9 per cent) had antibodies to FeLV. There was a significant relationship between two measures of body condition and FeLV status; the FeLV‐positive cats being in poorer condition than the FeLV‐negative cats. The results suggest that FeLV is common in wildcats and may increase mortality in this species. The FIV‐positive results constitute the first indication of a Flv‐related virus in wildcats.
Omphalocele in a foal
Authors: Steinman A. , Kelmer G. , Avni G. , Johnston D. E.
Published: October 2010

An omphalocele was detected at birth in a male Arabian foal. The mass contained small intestine and after releasing a constricting band at the body wall, the contents slipped easily back into the abdomen. On the outside was the hairless pink membrane. The interior, now empty of small intestine, contained the umbilical arteries and vein, and a large urachus that extended from the bladder to the opening at the extremity of the mass. Six days after corrective surgery the foal was sent home and remained healthy.
Application of an indirect ELISA to milk samples to identify cows withMycoplasma bovismastitis
Authors: Byrne W. J. , McCormack R. , Ball H. J. , Brice N. , Baker S. E. , Ayling R. D. , Nicholas R. A. J.
Published: October 2010

An indirect ELISA was used to detect antibodies toMycoplasma bovisin milk samples collected from a herd withM bovismastitis. Antibodies were detected in samples from nine cows which had developed clinicalM bovismastitis. Milk from only three consistently antigen‐negative cows tested positive forM bovisantibodies. These results indicate the potential value of the indirect ELISA for the detection of cows which have recently developedM bovismastitis during the early stages of an outbreak.
Clinical and laboratory observations in 91 dogs infected withDirofilaria immitisin northern Greece
Authors: Polizopoulou Z. S. , Koutinas A. F. , Saridomichelakis M. N. , Patsikas M. N. , Desiris A. K. , Roubies N. A. , Leontidis L. S.
Published: October 2010

The medical records of 91 dogs with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection were reviewed, and diagnoses were established by using parasitological and immunological methods. Twenty‐one animals were asymptomatic (stage 1), 57 had mild to moderate clinical signs (stage 11), and 13 had the severe form of the disease including right congestive heart failure and the caval syndrome (stage 111). Thoracic radiography revealed right ventricular enlargement in 38 of the dogs, pulmonary vascular enlargement in 43, and parenchymal lesions in 27. Only the cardiac and vascular changes were correlated positively with the clinical stages.D immitismicrofilaraemia was detected in 75 of 85 dogs. Occult infection occurred only in eight stage 11 and two stage Ill dogs. Thirty‐two of the dogs were treated with thiacetarsamide and 39 were treated with melarsomine, and no differences were found in terms of drug efficacy or complication rate; nine stage 11 dogs suffered pulmonary thromboembolism and one suffered acute liver disease and there were six fatalities. The 50 treated dogs in stages 11 and Ill which were followed up for six months all recovered completely. The performance of 38 of 61 working dogs was completely restored, and the performance of another four was partially restored.
Diagnosis of Lyme disease in two cows by the detection ofBorrelia burgdorferiDNA
Authors: Lischer C. J. , Leutenegger C. M. , Braun U. , Lutz H.
Published: October 2010

Two cows from different herds in a district of Switzerland known to harbour ixodid ticks had erythematous lesions on the hairless skin of the udder, were in poor general condition with a poor appetite and decreased milk production, and had a stiff gait and swollen joints. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu strictu DNA was detected in samples of synovial fluid and milk from one of the cows and Borrelia afzelii DNA was detected in synovial fluid from the other by means of a real‐time PCR.
Gender, age, breed and distribution of morbidity and mortality in insured dogs in Sweden during 1995 and 1996
Authors: Egenvall A. , Hedhammar A. , Bonnett B. N. , Olson P.
Published: October 2010

More than 200,000 dogs insured by one Swedish company at the beginning of either 1995 or 1996 were included in a retrospective, cross‐sectional study. They could be covered for veterinary care at any age, but were eligible for life insurance only up to 10 years of age. Accessions for veterinary care that exceeded the deductible cost were used to calculate the risk of morbidity. The morbidity and mortality data have been stratified by gender, age, breed, location and human population density. In each year, 13 per cent of the dogs experienced at least one veterinary care event and the mortality risk was 3‐0 per cent. The risk of morbidity varied with age, gender, breed, and location. The risk of mortality increased principally with age. It was possible to derive population‐based risks of morbidity and mortality from these insurance data.
Urethral duplication and chromosomal translocation in a Swiss braunvieh heifer
Authors: Braun U. , Gonshor B. , Feige K. , Gardelle O. , Suwattana D. , Stranzinger G.
Published: October 2010

As it was urinating, a six‐month‐old Swiss braunvieh heifer produced a second stream of urine from a fistula that opened on the ventrolateral margin of the left vulval lip. A catheter was introduced into this opening and passed easily into the bladder. Urethrography showed that the fistula joined the urethra in the midpelvic region and that a single canal originated from the bladder. Endoscopy confirmed this finding and also revealed a duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix, a division of the cranial vagina by a septum and a fibrous band in the region of the hymenal ring. Cytogenetic examination revealed reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 20q23 and 22q23. A diagnosis of urethra duplex, duplication of the vaginal portion of the cervix and reciprocal autosomal translocation between chromosomes 20 and 22 was made on the basis of these findings.
Study of the hyaloid apparatus in the neonatal thoroughbred foal
Authors: Munroe G.
Published: October 2010

Over 80 per cent of 169 neonatal thoroughbred foals had some part of the hyaloid artery present bilaterally and its degree of completeness, colour and character was statistically symmetrical. The complete artery was present in over 60 per cent of the foals. The incidence of the hyaloid artery and its completeness, colour and character were related to the age of the foal. The hyaloid system atrophies in the early stages of the neonatal period and generally its presence did not cause any significant ocular problems. The presence and morphology of the posterior pupillary membrane was highly correlated with the presence, completeness, colour and character of the hyaloid artery.
Newcastle disease: outbreak losses and control policy costs
Authors: Leslie J.
Published: October 2010

The costs of controlling and eradicating the epidemic of Newcastle disease in Northern Ireland in 1973 are presented. The parameters of the 1973 epidemic have been adjusted to simulate the effect of the same epidemic in 1997, taking into account the relative changes of input and output prices, and the changes in the structure of the poultry industry. The costs and their distribution between producers, government and the industry, in 1973 and 1997 are compared, and the costs of an alternative vaccination strategy are compared with the eradication policy in both years.
Induction of zinc deficiency in sheep and its correction with a soluble glass bolus containing zinc
Authors: Kendall N. R. , Telfer S. B.
Published: October 2010

Balance studies were carried out on four Suffolk‐cross lambs which were fed a diet containing only 1‐2 mg zinc/kg dry matter; zinc deficiency was induced within three weeks. After a period during which the deficiency was relieved by a pica, the zinc deficient state was re‐established. Each sheep was then treated with a soluble glass bolus containing zinc, cobalt and selenium. The plasma zinc concentration of the sheep rapidly increased and was maintained for between six and 10 weeks. The bolus was able to supply the daily requirement of the sheep for zinc, with no detrimental effect on their copper status.
Effects of the dose of Ehrlichiaphagocytophila on the severit of experimental infections in lambs
Authors: Stuen S. , Artursson K.
Published: October 2010

Twenty‐one lambs were used to investigate whether their response to an infection with Ehrlichia phagocytophila was dose‐dependent. Four groups of four lambs were infected intravenously with a dilution in physiological saline of Ephagocytophila‐infected sheep blood containing either 1‐3 x 105 infected cells, or approximately 43 infected cells, 4‐3 infected cells, or 1‐3 infected cells (mean values) and four lambs were left uninfected. The incubation period was significantly shorter in the lambs infected with the highest dose of Ephagocytophi/a. However, the clinical and haematological changes observed, and the weekly weight gains of the lambs were independent of the dose of Ephagocytophila. As little as one Ephagocytophila infected cell may be enough to transmit the infection.
Assessment of the value of the vertebral heart scale in the radiographic diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs
Authors: Lamb C. R. , Tyler M. , Boswood A. , Skelly B. J. , Cain M.
Published: October 2010

In order to assess the influence of the vertebral heart scale (VHS) on the accuracy of the radiographic diagnosis of cardiac disease, thoracic radiographs of 50 dogs with proven cardiac disease, 26 with other thoracic diseases, and 50 with no clinical signs of cardiovascular or respiratory disease were mixed and examined by three independent, blinded observers chosen to represent a range of radiographic abilities. They first examined all the radiographs without making measurements of VHS and made a diagnosis. They then re‐examined the radiographs, and measured VHS on both lateral and dorsoventral or ventrodorsal radiographs before again recording a diagnosis without reference to their original diagnoses. For all the observers, the dogs with cardiac disease had a higher mean VHS than the normal dogs. A VHS over 10.7 on the lateral radiograph was a moderately accurate sign of cardiac disease. The observers' accuracy of diagnosis did not change significantly as a result of using VHS as an adjunct to a subjective assessment of the radiographs.
Identification of morbilliviruses of probable cetacean origin in carcases of Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus)
Authors: van de Bildt M. W. G. , Martina B. E. E. , Vedder E. J. , Androukaki E. , Kotomatas S. , Komnenou A. , Sidi B. A. , Jiddou A. B. , Barham M. E. O. , Niesters H. G. M. , Osterhaus A. D. M. E.
Published: October 2010

Two morbilliviruses were isolated from carcases of Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus) which had died in coastal areas of Greece and Mauritania. They were characterised as being closely related to the previously identified dolphin and porpoise morbilliviruses on the basis of their serological cross‐reactivities in immunofluorescence assays, and sequence homologies in their N and P genes. The results suggest that morbilliviruses of aquatic mammals may cross barriers between species of different orders.
Survey of the effectiveness of stunning procedures used in Spanish pig abattoirs
Authors: Velarde A. , Gispert M. , Faucitano L. , Manteca X. , Diestre A.
Published: October 2010

Two pig abattoirs (A and B) equipped with an automated head‐only and head‐to‐chest electrical stunning system, and two (C and D) equipped with a manual carbon dioxide stunning system, were evaluated to compare the effectiveness of stunning in a total of 10,454 pigs slaughtered under commercial conditions. In the abattoirs with the electrical stunning system, the percentage of animals that responded to a nose prick was significantly lower (P<0.05) in abattoir B, where a higher current intensity was used (P<0.05), than in abattoir A. No righting reflex was observed in the electrically stunned pigs. In the abattoirs with the carbon dioxide stunning system, the percentage of animals that responded to a nose prick and showed a righting reflex was significantly lower (P<0.05) in abattoir C, where the duration of the carbon dioxide cycle was longer and the interval between discharge from the system to sticking was shorter (P<0.05), than in D. Comparing the electrical and carbon dioxide stunning systems, the pigs stunned with carbon dioxide were significantly more responsive to a nose prick (P<0.05) and 25 per cent of them showed a righting reflex. Under the conditions of the study the fully automated head‐only stunning with additional chest electrodes appeared to be more effective and less susceptible to incorrect handling than the manual carbon dioxide stunning system.
Retrospective study of the relationships between age, inflammation and the isolation of bacteria from the lower respiratory tract of thoroughbred horses
Authors: Chapman R S. , Green C. , Main J. P. M. , Taylor P. M. , Cunningham F. M. , Cook A. J. C. , Marr C. M.
Published: October 2010

A total of 1235 tracheal aspirates taken from 724 thoroughbreds in race training, aged from two to 10 years, were examined cytologically and bacteriologically. An inflammation scoring system on a scale of 0 to 9 was devised to allow the severity of lower airway disease to be assessed from the cytological results. The inflammation scores were closely related to the isolation of bacteria (P<0.001), and the most common bacterial isolates wereStreptococcus zooepidemicus,Streptococcus pneumoniaeandPasteurella/Actinobacillus‐like species. Lower airway disease was less common in older horses (P=0.031), and the groups at highest risk were the two‐ and four‐year‐olds. Lower airway inflammation was more common in the four‐year‐olds at National Hunt yards than in the four‐year‐olds at flat racing yards (P=0.040, odds ratio=3.80).
Survey of retinal haemorrhages in neonatal thoroughbred foals
Authors: Munroe G.
Published: October 2010

Twenty‐seven of 167 neonatal thoroughbred foals (16 per cent) were found to have retinal haemorrhages after a careful examination of the entire fundus. Experience in differentiating haemorrhages from other lesions, and the selection of foals from normal populations, were considered to have an important effect on their apparent incidence. Bilateral haemorrhages were more common and there was a significantly higher incidence in female foals. The numbers of haemorrhages ranged between one and 20; 36 per cent of eyes with retinal haemorrhages had the small punctate type and 56 per cent had the splash‐like form. There was no change from one type of haemorrhage to another, and the patterns of resolution were similar. The haemorrhages were in the tapetal fundus, except two that were recorded in the optic disc, and they resolved within 10 days. No short‐ or long‐term ocular or neurological effects of the retinal haemorrhages were detected, and they were not related to the incidence of abnormal foal behaviour.
Risk assessment of organoleptic postmortem inspection procedures for pigs
Authors: Pointon A. M. , Hamilton D. , Kolega V. , Hathaway S. C.
Published: October 2010

A systematic quantification of foodborne hazards in abnormal and normal tissues of pig carcases was undertaken to provide a risk‐based assessment of the effectiveness of traditional organoleptic meat inspection. A total of 36,059 pigs, representing all major pig‐producing areas and systems in Australia, were inspected on a seasonal basis at three abattoirs over 12 months. The prevalence of grossly detectable abnormalities of possible food‐borne disease significance was recorded. A subset of the grossly detectable abnormalities, together with tissues classified by inspection as normal (controls) were submitted for the detection of a broad range of food‐borne hazards. The potential exposure of consumers to hazards in fresh pork was characterised as the number of carcases per 10,000 containing hazards in selected tissues. The results indicated that the level of exposure of consumers to microbiological hazards in fresh pork is unlikely to be reduced significantly by the detection and removal of gross abnormalities in the tissues examined. On the basis of carcase throughput, the rate of contamination of normal lymph nodes was commonly 100 times higher, and no hazards were isolated from two types of grossly abnormal nodes. While further processing, cooking and handling may alter the exposure characterisation, the study nevertheless identifies the proportional contribution of abnormal and normal tissues to risks to consumers and clearly identifies the need for consideration of ‘visual only’ inspection in the re‐evaluation of traditional inspection procedures.
Trends of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial isolates from a small animal referral hospital
Authors: Normand E. H. , Gibson N. R. , Carmichael S. , Reid S. W. J. , Taylor D. J.
Published: October 2010

A longitudinal, retrospective investigation was made of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial isolates obtained from clinical cases in a small animal hospital between 1989 and 1997. Isolates ofEscherichia coliandStaphylococcusspecies were used as Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive indicator organisms, respectively, and the annual prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was calculated for each organism to each of nine (forE coli) and 11 (forStaphylococcusspecies) appropriate antimicrobials, including enrofloxacin. Using a chi‐square test for trend, statistically significant, rising trends were identified in the resistance ofE colito amoxycillin (P=0.04), clavulanate‐amoxycillin (P<0.01) and streptomycin (P<0.01), and in the resistance ofStaphylococcusspecies to erythromycin (P<0.01). There was an equivocal, rising trend for the resistance ofStaphylococcusspecies to cephalexin. No significant trends were apparent for any of the other 15 organism/drug interactions. The annual prevalence of multiple drug resistance was calculated forE coli,Proteusspecies,Pseudomonasspecies, staphylococci and streptococci, but no statistically significant trends were identified.
Production factors that influence the hygienic condition of finished beef cattle
Authors: Davies M. H. , Webster S. D. , Hadley P. J. , Stosic P. J.
Published: October 2010

A survey was conducted at five UK abattoirs to trace the source of dirty beef cattle and identify factors in the production chain that contributed to their dirtiness. The Meat Hygiene Service Clean Livestock score categories were used and the animals' histories were traced back to their farm of origin. Comprehensive information was collected relating to the farm, transport and lairage phases for 675 cattle from 85 batches. The mean score of the animals on arrival at the abattoir was 1.57, with 2.8 per cent in categories 3 and 4, and none in category 5. Regression analysis, blocking the data by farm of origin, revealed that age, feed type, coat length, clipping, journey distance and time, and abattoir were the six principal factors that affected the scores. Cattle under 20 months of age were cleaner than older cattle. Dry diets resulted in lower scores than wet diets. ‘Shorthair’ cattle were cleaner than ‘medium’ or ‘longhair’ cattle, and cattle which had been clipped were cleaner than unclipped animals. The cattle which had travelled over 150 miles (15 per cent) were dirtier than the others. Within each abattoir there were variations in score between 1 and 4, and the mean scores of the five abattoirs ranged from 1.19 to 1.76. A significant part of this variation could only be accounted for by unmeasured variables such as abattoir management practice, assessors' categorisations and climate.
Ultrasonographic diagnosis of pericardial effusion and atrial dilation in a spur‐thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca)
Authors: Redrobe S. P. , Scudamore C. L.
Published: October 2010

Ultrasonography was used to diagnose pericardial effusion, atrial dilatation and liver masses in a spurthighed tortoise which was more than 80 years old and suffering from posthibernation anorexia, lethargy, oedema and pneumonia. The tortoise was treated twice with frusemide and ceftazidime for the pneumonia, resulting each time in a temporary remission for about a month. After a further recurrence, the animal was euthanased and the lesions predicted by ultrasound were confirmed postmortem. It is suggested that ultrasound may be useful for the differentiation of cardiac problems from other causes of posthibernation lethargy in the tortoise.
Detection of granulocytic Ehrlichia species DNA by PCR in persistently infected dogs
Authors: Egenvall A. , Lilliehöök I. , Karlstam E. , Bjöersdorff A. , Olsson Engvall E. , Artursson K. , Heldtander M. , Gunnarsson A.
Published: October 2010

Three female beagle dogs inoculated with granulocyticEhrlichiaspecies were monitored for four to six months to determine whether there was evidence that the organisms persisted. The dogs were inoculated intravenously with blood containing anEhrlichiaspecies closely related toEhrlichia equiandEhrdichia phagocytophila, and identical to the human granulocytic ehrlichiosis agent with respect to its 16S rRNA gene sequence. The clinical signs were evaluated, and blood samples were collected for haematology, serum biochemistry and serology. Ehrlichial inclusions in the blood were monitored by microscopy, and ehrlichial DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PcR). Two of the dogs were injected with prednisolone on days 54 to 56 and days 152 to 154 after infection, and the other was injected with prednisolone on days 95 to 97 after infection. The dogs were euthanased and examined postmortem. Ehrlichial inclusions were demonstrated in the neutrophils and seroconversion occurred shortly after inoculation. Two of the dogs developed acute disease with rectal temperatures above 39.°C, after which no further clinical signs were observed. The administration of corticosteroids seemed to facilitate the detection of ehrlichial inclusions. Ehrlichial DNA was detected intermittently by PCR in blood samples from two of the dogs throughout the study. Persistent infection was demonstrated up to five‐and‐a‐half months after inoculation.
Epidemiological and diagnostic observations following the elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus from a breeding herd of pigs by the test and removal protocol
Authors: Dee S. A. , Molitor T. W. , Rossow K. D.
Published: October 2010

The protocol of test and removal for the elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus was applied to an 825‐sow breeding herd. All the adult animals were tested and serum samples analysed by ELISA and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Eighty‐eight animals (10.7 per cent) were removed from the herd and, of these, three were ELISA‐positive and PcR‐positive, and 85 were ELISA‐positive and PCRnegative. They tended to be either individual sows, or groups of four to six animals housed in adjacent gestation stalls. Four of the ELISA‐positive, PCR‐negative sows were slaughtered and PRRS virus nucleic acid was detected in a sample of sternal lymph node from one of them. After the completion of the test and removal protocol, the breeding and finishing populations were monitored for 12 consecutive months by ELISA. The 960 samples taken were negative for PRRS virus antibodies.
Comparison of in vitro activity of danofloxacin, florlenicol, oxytetracycline, spectinomycin and tilmicosin against Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony type
Authors: Ayling R. D. , Baker S. E. , Nicholas R A. J. , Peek M. L , Simon A. J.
Published: October 2010

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (Mic) and minimum mycoplasmacidal concentrations (MMc) of the antimicrobials danofloxacin, florfenicol, oxytetracycline, spedinomycin and tilmicosin were determined in vitro for 20 isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony type (Mmmsc), the causative agent of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP). The majority of strains were most susceptible to tilmicosin, followed by danofloxacin, oxytetracycline, florfenicol and spectinomycin with Mic0values of 0‐015, 0‐25, O‐5, 1 and 8 pg/ml, and MMC50 values of 0‐06, 0‐5, 8, 8 and 16 pg/ml, respectively. However, tilmicosin had poor mycoplasmacidal activity against two recent strains from Portugal. There was no evidence of resistance to danofloxacin in any of the strains.
Assessment of the qualit of radiographs in 44 veterinary clinics in Great Britain
Authors: Ewers R. S. , Hofmann‐Parisot M.
Published: October 2010

The quality of radiographic images, radiographic equipment and radiation safety were assessed objectively in 44 veterinary clinics in Great Britain, and a questionnaire was used to survey opinion on the general standard of radiography and aspects of the radiographic techniques used. Good or tolerable films were produced by 56 per cent of the clinics but there was a tendency to produce films that were too dark. Poor exposure factors were chosen in 49 per cent of the films. A significant number of films (27 per cent) were underdeveloped whereas only 11 per cent were overdeveloped. Many of the errors were due to operator error or inadequate technique, whereas, in the questionnaire, many clinics suggested that their problems were due mainly to faulty or inadequate equipment.
Verocytotoxin‐ producing Escherichia coli 0157 on a farm open to the public: outbreak investigation and longitudinal bacteriological study
Authors: Pritchard G. C. , Carson T. , Willshaw G. A. , Cheasty T. , Bailey J. R.
Published: October 2010

Verocytotoxin‐producing Escherichia coli (vTEC) 0157 phage type 2 (PT2) was isolated from three calves and two goats on a farm open to the public. Phenotypic and DNA‐based typing showed that the strains were identical or very closely related to those obtained from an outbreak of VTEC 0157 infection in two separate family groups who visited the farm. No VTEC 0157 PT2 was isolated again from the farm during a 12‐month longitudinal bacteriological study undertaken after the infected animals had been removed. However, phenotypically and genotypically indistinguishable VTEC 0157 PT21/28 strains were detected in two of 474 faecal samples collected at monthly visits from 15 species of animals of various ages. The two isolates were obtained from calves from different sources sampled 146 days apart, suggesting that the infection had persisted on the farm although it was not detected in the other species. The same strain was subsequently isolated from another calf housed in the same pen as one of the infected calves. The longest period during which the organism was excreted was seven days. No VTEC 0157 was isolated either from 204 replacement animals (including 138 orphan lambs and 10 calves) brought in from various sources, and sampled while they were kept in isolation for two weeks before being introduced to the farm, or from environmental samples. During the study a visitor became ill with VTEC 0157 PT2. However, the isolate was distinct from those recovered from the farm and there was no evidence to suggest that the visit was the source of the infection.
Intra‐atrial rhabdomyoma causing chylopericardium and right‐sided congestive heart failure in a dog
Authors: Mansfield C. S. , Callanan J. J. , McAllister H.
Published: October 2010

A six‐year‐old Staffordshire bull terrier had a four‐week history of progressive lethargy, ascites and exercise intolerance. A mass 3 cm in diameter obliterating the right atrial lumen was detected by echocardiographic examination. There were lactescent pericardial and serosanguineous pleural effusions. Histological and immunochemical examinations showed that the mass was a primary rhabdomyoma.
Early diagnosis of pregnancy in sows by ultrasound evaluation of embryo development and uterine echotexture
Authors: De Rensis F. , Bigliardi E. , Parmigiani E. , Peters A. R.
Published: October 2010

Two operators attempted to detect pregnancy ultrasonographically in 196 sows daily from 15 to 25 days after insemination; 20 unbred sows were also investigated. The probe was applied transcutaneously on the right abdominal wall near the last three mammary glands. During each examination, the embryos were visualised and their transverse and longitudinal dimensions were measured. Pregnancy was confirmed by an ultrasonographic detection of embryos five days after the first ultrasound diagnosis and finally 30 to 32 days after insemination. The accuracy of diagnosis was less than 83 per cent on days 15, 16 and 17 but improved to more than 90 per cent from day 18 onwards. The uterine echotexture was studied in seven sows at oestrus and 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25 days after insemination. The echotexture was more homogeneous from days 15 to 25 after insemination than at oestrus.
Some aspects of erythrocyte metabolism in a dog with polycthaemia vera
Authors: Comazzi S. , Paltrinieri S. , Agnes F. , Sacchet A. , Milani F.
Published: October 2010

An 11‐year‐old female crossbred dog showed signs of polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, posterior weakness and ataxia. Clinical and laboratory findings suggested the diagnosis of polycythaemia vera. The haematological values shown over a six‐month period are presented. In four samples some aspects of erythrocyte function (glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] and pyruvate kinase [PK] activities, 2,3 diphosphoglycerate [2,3 DPG] concentration, osomotic fragility and intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations) were studied. Variable activities of G6PD and PK, probably related to different reticulocyte number, were detected together with normal osmotic fragility and intracellular sodium and potassium concentrations. 2,3 DPG concentration was higher than normal in all four samples. This could be interpreted as a response to a low tissue perfusion rather than a higher content of 2,3 DPG in red blood cells from the polycythaemic dog.
Temporal aspects of the epidemic of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Great Britain: individual animal‐associated risk factors for the disease
Authors: Stevenson M. A. , Morris R. S. , Lockhart J. W. , Lin D. , Jackson R. , Wilesmith J. W. , Ryan J. B. M.
Published: October 2010

The objectives of this study were first to determine the cumulative incidence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the British cattle population from July 1986 to June 1997, secondly, to identify individual animal‐associated risk factors that influenced the age of onset of clinical signs in confirmed BSE cases, and, thirdly, to assess the effectiveness of the measures introduced to control BSE during the epidemic. The analyses were based on the population of British cattle at risk, derived from agricultural census data collected between 1986 and 1996, and BSE case data collected up to June 30,1997. The unit of interest was individual adult cattle recorded on annual agricultural censuses between June 1986 and June 1996. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis techniques were used to characterise the age of onset of clinical signs. In total 167,366 cases of BSE were diagnosed in Great Britain up to June 30,1997. The cumulative incidence of BSE between July 1986 and June 1997 was 1.10 (95 per cent confidence interval [ci] 1.09 to 1.10) cases per 100 adult cattle at risk. Cattle from the South east, South west and Eastern regions of England had 4.26 to 5.96 (95 per cent cl 4.15 to 6.14) times as great a monthly hazard of being confirmed with BSE as cattle from Scotland. Compared with cattle born before June 1985, those born between July 1987 and June 1988 had 22.5 (95 per cent cl 22.1 to 22.8) times the monthly hazard of being confirmed with BSE, whereas those born in the 12 months after July 1988 had only 7.39 (95 per cent cl 7.24 to 7.54) times the monthly hazard of being confirmed with BSE. This reduction in hazard was directly attributable to the ban on the use of ruminant protein as a feed instituted in July 1988. Successive cohorts from 1989 to 1991 experienced further reductions in the hazard of experiencing BSE. The additional decrease in hazard observed for the 1990 cohort may be attributed to the effect of the Specified Bovine Offal ban instituted in September 1990.
Prevalence of vacuolar lesions consistent with scrapie in the brains of healthy cull sheep of the Shetland Islands
Authors: Begara‐McGorun I. , Clark A. M. , Martin S. , Jeffrey M.
Published: October 2010

To determine the levels of background scrapie‐like pathology in the brains of clinically normal adult sheep, the brains of 1106 sheep from 28 known scrapie‐infected flocks and nine apparently uninfected flocks were examined during 1998 and 1999. One per cent of the brains had vacuolar pathology and disease‐specific accumulations of prion protein consistent with a diagnosis of scrapie. All the positive animals had at least one allele of the prion protein gene encoding valine at codon 136, and originated from flocks in which cases of clinical scrapie had been confirmed within the last four years. The parasympathetic nucleus of the vagal nerve was the most consistently and severely affected nucleus in the medulla oblongata, suggesting that the infection enters the brain via ascending fibres of the vagus nerve.
Demography and dog‐human relationships of the dog population in Zimbabwean communal lands
Authors: Butler J. R. A. , Bingham J.
Published: October 2010

Dogs are Zimbabwe's primary vector for rabies, and the majority live in communal lands (traditional agropastoralist rural areas). In 1994, a household questionnaire survey was conducted to provide baseline data on the demography and dog‐human relationships of the dogs in the communal lands. The survey showed that all the dogs were owned, and there was no evidence of a feral population. They were unrestricted and semi.dependent on people. The numbers of dogs per capita varied little in each communal land, resulting in higher dog densities in communal lands with higher human densities, and indicating that people were not intolerant of dogs at higher densities. The population turnover was rapid: the life expectancy of the dogs was 1.1 years, the mean age 2.0 years, and 71.8 per cent died in their first year. The population was heavily skewed towards juveniles, with 40.8 per cent aged less than 12 months. Despite the high juvenile mortality, the population was growing by 6.52 per cent per annum. It was estimated that in 1994 there were 1.36 million dogs in communal lands.
Stereological study of the adrenal gland of calves treated with clenbuterol
Authors: Blanco A. , Monterde J. G. , Artacho‐Pérula E. , Roldán‐Villalobos R.
Published: October 2010

Stereological methods were used to investigate the morphometric variations in the adrenal cell population of calves dosed orally with clenbuterol at an anabolic dose of 20 μg/kg bodyweight per day for 12 weeks. In the treated group the size of the nuclei increased with respect to the control group, and the increases were significant for the maximum linear parameters in all the regions except the zona fasciculata. The largest increases were observed in the epinephrine‐producing cells. The quantitative stereological data showed highly significant increases in the nuclear volume fraction, the nuclear surface density and the numerical density in the zona fasciculata of the treated group.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum in 17 dogs
Authors: Lascelles B. D. X. , Parry A. T. , Stidworthy M. F. , Dobson J. M. , White R. A. S.
Published: October 2010

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal planum was diagnosed in 17 dogs over a period of 11 years. Ulceration, bleeding and sneezing were the most common clinical signs. One dog had cytological evidence of metastasis to the local lymph node. The dogs were treated by surgical resection, fractionated megavoltage irradiation, or a combination of the two. Surgical resection gave the most favourable results; four of six dogs were cured but a recurrence of the tumour was predicted in the other two on the basis of incomplete or marginal resection. Radiotherapy alone was not as effective; one of four dogs was cured, and the tumour recurred in the others within 24 weeks (median eight weeks). Combined surgical resection and radiotherapy did not produce a cure in any of the seven remaining dogs, and the tumour recurred within 12 weeks (median nine weeks). Three dogs had cytological evidence of lymph node metastasis when the tumour recurred. The dogs' prognosis was adversely affected by the interval between their initial examination and treatment, but there was no apparent association between the histological grade of the tumour and the clinical outcome.
Prolongation of epidural anaesthesia in dogs with bupivacaine in a lipid emulsion
Authors: Franquelo C. , Manubens J. , Cristòfol C. , Valladares J. E. , Arboix M. , Toledo A.
Published: October 2010

An aqueous solution and a lipid emulsion of bupivacaine were administered epidurally in doses of 1.8 mg/kg to six beagle dogs following a randomised two‐phase crossover design. The aqueous solution was absorbed rapidly and the mean (sd) peak venous plasma concentration of bupivacaine, 1.4 (0.4) μg/ml, was detected after five minutes. After administration of the lipid emulsion, the peak plasma concentration of bupivacaine, 0.6 (0.2) μg/ml, was detected after 30 minutes. The mean (sd) t½β of the aqueous preparation was 149.1 (32.6) minutes, and of the lipid emulsion 119.2 (34.0) minutes. Both preparations had a similar bioavailability. The mean time to the onset of motor block after the administration of the aqueous solution, 2.3 (2.2) minutes, was significantly shorter (P=0.028) than after the administration of the lipid emulsion, 9.4 (1.9) minutes, and the duration of the motor block induced by the lipid emulsion, 217.6 (26.2) minutes, was significantly longer (P=0.043) than for the aqueous solution, 158 (48.8) minutes. During anaesthesia, the plasma concentrations of bupivacaine ranged between 1.3 and 0.2 μg/ml. Non‐significant changes in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were observed which coincided with the peak plasma concentrations of bupivacaine.
Use of an antibiotic footbath in the treatment of bovine digital dermatitis
Authors: Laven R. A. , Proven M. J.
Published: October 2010

One hundred and eleven dairy cows with digital dermatitis, on six commercial farms, were used to test the efficacy of a footbath containing erythromycin for treating the condition. Four days after 55 of the cows had walked through the footbath after two successive milkings their lesions were significantly less active and painful than those of the 56 untreated cows. These 56 cows were then treated in the same way and both groups were re‐examined seven days later. There were no significant differences between the clinical signs observed in the two groups, and the benefits of the treatment had persisted for the 11 days of the trial.
Investigation of romifidine and detomidine for the clinical sedation of horses
Authors: Freeman S. L. , England G. C. W.
Published: October 2010

The effects of two intravenous doses of romifidine (80 and 120 μg/kg) and one dose of detomidine (20 μg/kg) were compared in a blinded study in 30 horses requiring to be sedated for routine dental treatment. Several physiological parameters were assessed before and for two hours after the administration of the drugs, and the horses' teeth were rasped 30 minutes after they were administered. Romifidine produced a dose‐dependent effect on most parameters. Detomidine at 20 μg/kg was similar to romifidine at 120 μg/kg in the magnitude of its sedative effects, but was similar to romifidine at 80 μg/kg in its duration. There were no significant differences between the three treatments in terms of the clinical procedure score.
Cardiopulmonary effects of romifidine and detomidine used as premedicants for ketamine/halothane anaesthesia in ponies
Authors: Freeman S. L. , Bowen I. M. , England G. C. W. , Bettschart‐Wolfensberger R.
Published: October 2010

The cardiopulmonary effects of romifidine at 80 pig/kg (R80) or 120 pig/kg (R120), and detomidine at 20 pg/kg (D20) when used as premedicants for ketamine/halothane anaesthesia were investigated in six ponies. Using a blinded crossover design, acepromazine (0‐04 mg/kg) was administered followed by the alpha‐2 agonist. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine at 2‐2 mg/kg and maintained with halothane (expired concentration 1‐0 per cent) in oxygen for three hours. During anaesthesia, arterial blood pressure, cardiac index, PaO2 and PmvO2 decreased, and systemic vascular resistance and PaCO2 increased. The cardiac indices for R80, R120 and D20 were, respectively, 39,39 and 32 ml/kg/minute at 30 minutes and 29, 29 and 26 ml/kg/minute at 180 minutes. The alpha‐2 agonists had similar cardiovascular effects, but PaO2 was significantly lower with R120. The quality of anaesthesia was similar in all three groups.
Prevention of blowfly strike on lambs with the insect growth regulator dicyclanil
Authors: Lonsdale B. , Schmid H. R. , Junquera P.
Published: October 2010

In three multicentered field trials run during 1995 to 1997, involving a total of 12,928 lambs, the preventive effects on blowfly strike of a ready‐to‐use 5 per cent dicyclanil pour‐on formulation and of a ready‐to‐use 6 per cent cyromazine pour‐on formulation were compared with untreated controls for periods of up to 22 weeks. Their efficacy was assessed by calculating the consolidated cumulative strike rate for each treatment group and the consolidated percentage reduction of flystrike achieved by the two formulations. The consolidated cumulative strike rate for all three years together reached 29‐2 per cent for the untreated control lambs at week 22, 2‐8 per cent for the dicyclanil‐treated lambs at week 22, and 6‐9 per cent for the cyromazine‐treated lambs at week 20. The consolidated cumulative percentage reduction of blowfly strike remained above 89 per cent for the dicyclanil‐treated lambs. For the cyromazine‐treated lambs the consolidated cumulative percentage reduction of blowfly strike reached 90 per cent during weeks 9 to 10, and 80 per cent during weeks 11 to 12.
Immunohistochemical study of Pneumocystis carini infection in pigs: evaluation of Pneumocystis pneumonia and a retrospective investigation
Authors: Kondo H. , Ito M. , Kadota K.
Published: October 2010

Infection with Pneumocystis cariniiwas demonstrated immunohistochemically in the lungs of pigs 15 to 75 days of age from a herd with epidemic pneumonia due to the organism. The distribution of the organism was centered on the airways, and extended progressively with age from the alveolar ducts to the alveoli. In a retrospective immunohistochemical study of 245 newborn to adult pigs which were necropsied between 1988 and 1995, P carinii infection was found in 87 pigs (35‐5 per cent) aged between 17 days to seven months. In the pigs aged between one and three months the infection rate was 63‐1 per cent. Pigs from herds in which suckler and weaner pigs shared the same air space were more heavily infected than those from the herds in which they were reared separately. There were no regional or seasonal variations in the level of infection, and the infection was not associated with any single disease.
Closure of the abdominal wall at the umbilicus and the development of umbilical hernias in a group of foals from birth to 11 months of age
Authors: Enzerink E. , van Weeren P. R. , van der Velden M. A.
Published: October 2010

The closure of the body wall defect at the umbilicus was studied in relation to the development of umbilical hernias in a group of 44 normal foals, 25 of which were followed from birth until five months of age, and 19 from birth until 1 1 months of age. At birth, 19 of the foals had a defect in the body wall at the umbilicus that was termed a ‘palpable umbilical ring’. In 18 of them this defect disappeared within four days, but in the other the ring did not close and a hernial sac with abdominal contents was palpable. This foal was considered to be the only foal to have a truly congenital umbilical hernia. Twelve foals developed an umbilical hernia between five and eight weeks of age. The prevalence of umbilical hernias was much higher than in other studies, possibly owing to the prospective nature of the study.
Factors affecting the effectiveness of head‐only electrical stunning in sheep
Authors: Velarde A. , Diestre A. , Ruiz‐de‐la‐Torre J. L. , Stub C. , Manteca X.
Published: October 2010

The effects of factors such as the position of the tongs, the presence of wool, and the wetness of the skin on the efficiency of the head‐only stunning procedure, and the duration of the periods of unconsciousness and analgesia were studied in lambs. The degree of insensibility was determined from the evaluation of physiological responses and electroencephalograms. The proportion of successfully stunned animals was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the animals stunned with the tongs in a frontal position than in those stunned with them in a caudal position, in the animals stunned with wet electrodes than in those stunned with dry electrodes and also in the animals without wool than in those with wool. The interval between stunning and sensibility to pain was affected significantly (P<0.01) only by the position of the tongs, being longer in animals with them in a frontal position than in those with them in a caudal position.