bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of metabolic profiles for the assessment of dietary adequacy in UK dairy herds
Authors: Macrae A. I. , Whitaker D. A. , Burrough E. , Dowell A. , Kelly J. M. 
Published: October 2010

Between April 1999 and March 2004, metabolic profile analyses were performed on individual blood samples from 35,506 dairy cattle in the uk. Assessment of the cows' energy status by the analysis of plasma samples for (β‐hydroxybutyrate, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids showed that 70·4 per cent of the cows in early lactation (10 to 20 days calved), 57·1 per cent of the cows in mid‐lactation (51 to 120 days calved) and 57·7 per cent of the dry cows within 10 days of their predicted calving date had one or more energy metabolites outside the optimum range; in addition, 16 per cent of the cows in early lactation, 5·6 per cent of those in mid‐lactation and 20·5 per cent of the dry cows within 10 days of their predicted calving date had a low plasma urea nitrogen concentration, indicating poor intakes of effective rumen‐degradable protein. Abnormalities in the concentrations of magnesium, inorganic phosphate, copper, selenium and iodine were relatively uncommon. The transitional period, particularly in late pregnancy, was commonly identified as a constraint on productivity. Nutritional problems were most commonly associated with poor feed intakes and poor feed management, rather than with the formulation of the rations.
Herd health planning: farmers' perceptions in relation to lameness and mastitis
Authors: Bell N. J. , Main D. C. J. , Whay H. R. , Knowles T. G. , Bell M. J. , Webster A. J. F. 
Published: October 2010

Between December 2002 and December 2003, the herd health planning activities on 61 dairy farms in the uk were compared with several measures of lameness and mastitis. Lameness had been reported as a problem in 53 of the herds directly by the farm and in the other eight by the nominating local veterinary practice; 54 of the farms also reported having a mastitis problem. Fifty‐three (87 per cent) of the farms had some form of written herd health plan, of which 21 (40 per cent) had been in place for 12 months or less. All the farms were recording mastitis in some way, although 38 (62 per cent) of the farmers did not review these records and only four retained the results of a comprehensive record review. Farms defined as having a high incidence of mastitis were more likely to be reviewing their health records, but farms defined as having a high prevalence of lameness in a sentinel group of early lactation heifers were less likely to be reviewing their health records.
Effects of UVB radiation on calcium metabolism in psittacine birds
Authors: Stanford M. 
Published: October 2010

The effects of providing ultraviolet (uv) radiation (285 to 315 nm, ultraviolet B) on calcium metabolism in two groups of 20 healthy grey parrots (Psittacus e erithacus) fed either a seed or pellet‐based diet were investigated. There was a significant increase in the concentration of ionised calcium in the plasma of both groups, independent of the calcium and vitamin D3 content of the diets fed, and a significant increase in the plasma concentration of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol in only the seed‐fed group. In a separate study there were no significant increases in plasma ionised calcium or 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol between March and August in a group of 28 South American parrots (Pionus species) exposed to unfiltered natural sunlight.
Epidemiology of salmonella infections in pig units and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the strains of Salmonella species isolated
Authors: Mejía W. , Casal J. , Zapata D. , Sánchez G. J. , Martín M. , Mateu E. 
Published: October 2010

One hundred and thirteen finishing pig units and 74 sow units in Catalonia, Spain, were examined to determine the prevalence of salmonella infections and the factors that could be associated with them. Pooled faecal samples were taken from the finishing units, and samples of faeces were collected from individual sows. The Salmonella isolates were serotyped, phage typed and examined for their antimicrobial susceptibility to 18 common antimicrobial drugs. In addition, blood samples from pigs on 141 farms were analysed by elisa. In both the bacteriological and serological surveys, a questionnaire with 84 questions was completed for each farm. Salmonella species were isolated from 20 per cent of the finishing units and 24 per cent of the sow units; 14 serotypes were detected in the finishing pigs and 11 in the sows. More than 30 per cent of the strains were resistant to tetracycline, sulphonamides, ampicillin or streptomycin, and 69 per cent of the strains were resistant to three or more agents up to 10 compounds. Seventy‐seven per cent of the farms had at least one seropositive animal, and 26 per cent of these farms had an individual seroprevalence of 50 per cent or more. The factors associated (P<0·05) with the excretion of Salmonella species in the finishing units were the practice of raising livestock other than pigs (odds ratio [or]=6·18), the herd size (or =5·87), and a past history of clinical salmonellosis (or =4·97). For the sows, the factors associated (P<0·05) with the excretion of Salmonella species were having open‐flushed drainage of sewage (or =34·48), a lack of rodent control measures (or =0·05) and the number of sows in the unit (or =9·26). Factors associated with seropositivity in the finishing units were a lack of bird‐proof nets (or =0·30) and the use of water from private wells (or =3·64).
Efficacy of licofelone in dogs with clinical osteoarthritis
Authors: Moreau M. , Lussier B. , Doucet M. , Vincent G. , Martel‐Pelletier J. , Pelletier J‐P. 
Published: October 2010

To evaluate the effect of licofelone, an arachidonic acid substrate with combined inhibitory activity against 5‐lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenases 1 and 2, a double‐blind, randomised and placebo‐controlled study was conducted in 33 client‐owned dogs that were lame owing to hindlimb osteoarthritis. Seventeen of the dogs received a placebo and 16 were treated with 2·5 mg/kg licofelone twice a day for 28 days. The dogs' lameness was assessed on a visual analogue scale (vas), and by force plate analyses at baseline and 14 and 28 days after starting the treatment. After 14 days the mean (se) change in peak vertical force in the licofelone‐treated dogs (1·7 [0·8] per cent bodyweight) was significantly greater (P<0·05) than in the placebo‐treated dogs (−0·3 [0·6] per cent bodyweight), and after 28 days the difference had increased. In contrast, the dogs' lameness, as assessed by the vas values, had decreased significantly over baseline in both the treated and control groups.
Elimination of strains of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 from the tonsils of carrier sows by combined medication and vaccination
Authors: Swildens B. , Nielen M. , Wisselink H. J. , Verheijden J. H. M. , Stegeman J. A. 
Published: October 2010

The effect of vaccination with a killed whole‐cell vaccine of extracellular factor‐positive Streptococcus suis serotype 2 (S suis 2 ef +) combined with medication with amoxicillin on the presence of virulent S suis 2 ef + strains on the tonsils of sows and their offspring was evaluated. In two herds, 14 pregnant sows that carried these virulent strains, as detected by pcr in three consecutive tonsillar brush samples, were selected and randomly assigned to be treated or left untreated as controls. The treated sows were vaccinated at six and three weeks before the expected farrowing date and medicated from one week before expected farrowing until the end of the experiment. Two weeks before parturition, the sows were housed in individual isolation farrowing rooms, and the sow and its litter were sampled by using tonsil brushes and tonsil swabs, respectively. Approximately 27 days postpartum, the sows and their piglets were euthanased and their tonsils were collected and analysed by pcr. No S suis 2 ef + could be detected in the tonsils of the seven treated sows, but the tonsils of the seven untreated sows remained positive. Only one of the litters of the untreated sows became infected, five days after birth, and none of the litters of the treated sows became infected.
Behavioural responses of poultry during kosher slaughter and their implications for the birds' welfare
Authors: Barnett J. L. , Cronin G. M. , Scott P. C. 
Published: October 2010

Measurements were made during Shechita (kosher) slaughter of 692 meat chickens, including the behaviour of the birds during the procedure and the times from their removal from the crate, to neck cutting, bleed‐out and shackling. Four of 100 birds showed a mild physical response to neck cutting but the others showed no response. Approximately 60 per cent of the birds showed a physical response to touching the eye or eyelid at up to 5 seconds after neck cutting, but by 15 seconds none showed this response. The birds became unable to retain their posture and suffered involuntary muscular contractions at 12 to 15 seconds after neck cutting and had lost approximately 40 per cent of their total blood volume by 30 seconds after neck cutting.
Total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol or propofol/ketamine in spontaneously breathing dogs premedicated with medetomidine
Authors: Seliškar A. , Nemec A. , Roškar T. , Butinar J. 
Published: October 2010

The cardiorespiratory parameters, the depth of anaesthesia and the quality of recovery were evaluated in six spontaneously breathing dogs that had been premedicated with medetomidine (40 μg/kg, supplemented with 20 μg/kg an hour later), administered with either propofol (1 mg/kg followed by 0·15 mg/kg/minute, intravenously), or with ketamine (1 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/kg/hour, intravenously) and propofol (0·5 mg/kg followed by 0·075 mg/kg/minute, intravenously). The dogs' heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure were higher and their minute volume of respiration and temperature were lower when they were anaesthetised with propofol plus ketamine, and a progressive hypercapnia leading to respiratory acidosis was more pronounced. When the dogs were anaesthetised with propofol/ketamine they recovered more quickly, but suffered some unwanted side effects. When the dogs were anaesthetised with propofol alone they recovered more slowly but uneventfully.
Risk factors for Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 infection in Danish genetic specific pathogen‐free pig herds
Authors: Zhuang Q. , Barfod K. , Wachmann H. , Mortensen S. , Lavritsen D. T. , Ydesen B. , Willeberg P. 
Published: October 2010

Between 1994 and 1998, 297 genetic specific pathogen‐free (spf) pig herds participated in a monthly clinical and serological monitoring programme for infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 (ap‐2). The average annual herd‐level incidence was 3·4 per cent but there was a significant decreasing trend. A risk index, summing up the exposure from ap‐2 ‐infected neighbouring pigs within a 3 km radius, was derived from a geographical information system. A survival analysis indicates that the risk of ap‐2 infection increased in proportion to the risk index, suggesting that local spread of ap‐2 from infected neighbours was a significant factor. However, herd‐specific purchase policies were not apparently associated with the risk of ap‐2 infection.
Treatment of spontaneous pyometra in 22 bitches with a combination of cabergoline and cloprostenol
Authors: England G. C. W. , Freeman S. L. , Russo M. 
Published: October 2010

Twenty‐two bitches with ultrasonographically diagnosed spontaneous pyometra were treated with a combination of 5 μg/kg cabergoline per day and 5 μg/kg cloprostenol every third day, and potentiated sulphonamide twice a day. Bitches with either open‐cervix or closed‐cervix pyometra showed a rapid clinical improvement, associated with a reduction in plasma progesterone concentration, increased vulval discharge and a reduction in the diameter of the uterus. The haematological profiles of 21 of the bitches returned to normal within six days of treatment, and their biochemical profiles returned to normal within nine days; 19 of the bitches were managed successfully by a 10‐day period of treatment. Two bitches required a further three days of treatment, and in one bitch with a partial uterine torsion the treatment was not successful. Adverse effects of the treatment were limited to the 60 minutes immediately after the administration of prostaglandin, and included retching, vomiting, mild abdominal straining, diarrhoea and panting. The incidence of adverse effects was reduced after each successive dose of prostaglandin. Eleven of the 21 successfully treated bitches were mated at the next oestrus, and seven became pregnant; their litters were smaller than the published breed averages. In four of the bitches the pyometra recurred after the next oestrus.
Use of pressure waves to confirm the correct placement of epidural needles in dogs
Authors: Iff I. , Moens Y. , Schatzmann U. 
Published: October 2010

An epidural puncture was performed using the lumbosacral approach in 18 dogs, and the lack of resistance to an injection of saline was used to determine that the needle was positioned correctly. The dogs' arterial blood pressure and epidural pressure were recorded. They were randomly assigned to two groups: in one group an injection of a mixture of local anaesthetic agents was made slowly over 90 seconds and in the other it was made over 30 seconds. After 10 minutes contrast radiography was used to confirm the correct placement of the needle. The mean (sd) initial pressure in the epidural space was 0·1 (0·7) kPa. After the injection the mean maximum epidural pressure in the group injected slowly was 5·5 (2·1) kPa and in the group injected more quickly it was 6·0 (1·9) kPa. At the end of the period of measurement, the epidural pressure in the slow group was 0·8 (0·5) kPa and in the rapid group it was 0·7 (0·5) kPa. Waves synchronous with the arterial pulse wave were observed in 15 of the dogs before the epidural injection, and in all the dogs after the epidural injection.
Influence of prostaglandin E2 on parturition in cattle
Authors: Hirsbrunner G. , Zanolari P. , Althaus H. , Hüsler J. , Steiner A. 
Published: October 2010

A double‐blinded, randomised, placebo‐controlled field study of the influence of prostaglandin E2 (pge2) on cattle at parturition was carried out. The extent of cervical opening and the intensity of labour were scored before administration of the compound and 10 minutes later; routine birth assistance was then continued by the veterinarian. Successful birth occurred more quickly in the cows treated with pge2. The extent of cervical opening before the administration of the drug had a significant effect on the time to delivery, but the intensity of labour and a concomitant infusion of calcium did not have significant effects on this period. The less open the cervix before administration of the drug, the more the duration of parturition differed between the two groups, with the placebo group taking longer. A telephone follow‐up inquiry found no significant differences between the cows postpartum; there were cases of mastitis and hypocalcaemia in both groups. The incidence of retained fetal membranes and the mortality of the calves were higher in the placebo group, but in neither case was the difference significant.
Use of force sensors to detect and analyse lameness in dairy cows
Authors: Kujala M. , Pastell M. , Soveri T. 
Published: October 2010

Force sensors were used to detect lameness in dairy cows in two trials. In the first trial, leg weights were recorded during approximately 12,000 milkings with balances built into the floor of the milking robot. Cows that put less weight on one leg or kicked frequently during milking were checked first with a locomotion scoring system and then with a clinical inspection. A locomotion score of more than 2 was considered lame, and these cows' hooves were examined at hoof trimming to determine the cause and to identify any hoof lesions. In the second trial 315 locomotion scores were recorded and compared with force sensor data. The force sensors proved to be a good method for recognising lameness. Computer curves drawn from force sensor data helped to find differences between leg weights, thus indicating lameness and its duration. Sole ulcers and white line disease were identified more quickly by force sensors than by locomotion scoring, but joint problems were more easily detected by locomotion scoring.
Subclinical hypocalcaemia in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus)
Authors: van der Kolk J. H. , van Leeuwen J. P. T. M. , van den Belt A. J. M. , van Schaik R. H. N. , Schaftenaar W. 
Published: October 2010

The hypothesis that hypocalcaemia may play a role in dystocia in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) was investigated. The objectives of the study were to measure the total calcium concentration in elephant plasma; assess the changes in parameters of calcium metabolism during a feeding trial; investigate a possible relationship between calcium metabolism and dystocia; and assess bone mineralisation in captive Asian elephants in vivo. The following parameters were measured: total and ionised calcium, inorganic phosphorous and magnesium, the fractional excretions of these minerals, intact parathyroid hormone, 25‐OH‐D3 and 1,25‐OH‐D3. Radiographs were taken from tail vertebrae for assessment of bone mineralisation. The mean (sd) heparinised plasma total calcium concentration was 2·7 (0·33) mmol/l (n=43) ranging from 0·84 to 3·08 mmol/l in 11 Asian elephants. There was no significant correlation between plasma total calcium concentration and age. Following feeding of a calcium rich ration to four captive Asian elephant cows, plasma total and ionised calcium peaked at 3·6 (0·24) mmol/l (range 3·4 to 3·9 mmol/l) and 1·25 (0·07) mmol/l (range 1·17 to 1·32 mmol/l), respectively. Plasma ionised calcium concentrations around parturition in four Asian elephant cows ranged from 0·37 to 1·1 mmol/l only. The present study indicates that captive Asian elephants might be hypocalcaemic, and that, in captive Asian elephants, the normal plasma concentration of total calcium should actually be around 3·6 mmol/l and normal plasma concentration of ionised calcium around 1·25 mmol/l. Given the fact that elephants absorb dietary calcium mainly from the intestine, it could be concluded that elephants should be fed calcium‐rich diets at all times, and particularly around parturition. In addition, normal values for ionised calcium in captive Asian elephants should be reassessed.
International disease monitoring, January to March 2008
Authors: Sabirovic M. , Raw L. , Hall S. , Elliott H. , Coulson N. 
Published: October 2010

Situation in the Caucasus region remains uncertain with regard to African swine fever
Bluetongue virus serotype 8 spreads further into new regions in Europe; bluetongue virus serotype 1 spreads northwards in Europe
Classical swine fever reported in wild boar in Hungary and Croatia and domestic pigs in Russia and El Salvador
Various foot‐and‐mouth disease serotypes continue to circulate in Africa, the Middle East and Asia
Highly pathogenic avian influenza: sporadic reports in both wild birds and domestic poultry over wider geographic areas in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe
Low pathogenic avian influenza: sporadic outbreaks reported in some countries in southern Europe and in the Caribbean
Sporadic outbreaks of Newcastle disease reported in eastern Europe
Sporadic cases of Rift Valley fever continue to be reported from endemic regions
— These are among matters discussed in the international disease monitoring report for January to March 2008, prepared by defra 's Food and Farming Group, International Animal Health
Milk yield and survival of Holstein‐Friesian dairy cattle after laparoscopic correction of left‐displaced abomasum
Authors: Jorritsma R. , Westerlaan B. , Bierma M. P. R. , Frankena K. 
Published: October 2010

The milk yield and survival of 91 Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows that had had a left‐displaced abomasum (lda) corrected laparoscopically were compared with those of 193 control cows matched for herd, parity and calving date. Ninety per cent of theldatreatments were performed within four weeks after calving. The risk of being culled during the whole observational period of at least three years was 1·5 times greater for theldacows than for their matched herdmates (P&lt;0·01). The risk of being culled in the current lactation was 1·8 times greater for theldacows (P=0·01), but risk of being culled after the next calving following theldacorrection was similar for both groups. For the lactation in which theldawas corrected, there was no difference in the 305‐day milk production of 80 of theldacows and 182 of the matched cows; however, the mean interval from calving to first service during the same lactation was longer for theldacows (115 v 98 days) and the mean calving interval was also longer (451 v 418 days).
Clinical, clinicopathological and histological changes observed in 14 cats treated with glucocorticoids
Authors: Lowe A. D. , Campbell K. L. , Barger A. , Schaeffer D. J. , Borst L. 
Published: October 2010

Fourteen cats were given immunosuppressive doses of either prednisolone (4·4 mg/kg/day) or dexamethasone (0·55 mg/kg/day) for 56 days. Complete blood counts, serum biochemistry profiles and urinalyses were performed on days 0 and 56, and liver biopsies were taken laparoscopically on day 56, because of evidence of hepatic disease on the serum biochemistry profiles. There were significant increases in the cats' mean white blood cell counts, neutrophil counts and monocyte counts, and significant decreases in their mean lymphocyte counts and eosinophil counts. There were consistent increases in the serum concentrations of albumin, glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol. Glycogen deposition, consistent with a steroid hepatopathy, was present to varying degrees in all the liver biopsies. One of the cats developed adverse clinical signs including anorexia, icterus, pruritus and medial curling of the pinnae, some of which were suspected to be related to the glucocorticoid therapy.
Effects of allopurinol on plasma uric acid levels in normouricaemic and hyperuricaemic green iguanas (Iguana iguana)
Authors: Hernandez‐Divers S. J. , Martinez‐Jimenez D. , Bush S. , Latimer K. S. , Zwart P. , Veldhuis Kroeze E. J. B. 
Published: October 2010

A two‐phase cross‐over therapeutic study was performed with 19 green iguanas (Iguana iguana) maintained within a preferred optimum temperature range of 26 to 37°C. During phase 1, they were fed a normal vegetarian diet and medicated orally with either allopurinol or a placebo control once a day for seven days. Uric acid concentrations, total protein, packed‐cell volumes (pcv) and bodyweights were recorded from each lizard before and after treatment to determine the effects of allopurinol. In phase 2, after a 10‐day washout period, the iguanas were fed a high protein diet to induce hyperuricaemia. Normo‐ and hyperuricaemic iguanas that received 24·2 (3·2) mg/kg allopurinol had significantly lower mean (sd) uric acid concentrations (100·3 [53·1] μmol/l) than the controls (159μ3 [100·3] μmol/l). There were no detectable interactions between the doses of allopurinol or placebo, and the iguanas' diet, weight,pcvor total protein. The allopurinol was well tolerated, and there was no significant clinical, gross or histological evidence of hepatic or renal toxicity in the iguanas that received the drug. However, in the kidneys of the hyperuricaemic iguanas that did not receive allopurinol there were proliferative changes in the glomeruli and degeneration of tubular epithelia. Allopurinol given orally at 25 mg/kg daily is able to reduce plasma uric acid levels by 41 to 45 per cent, and is therefore recommended for the treatment of hyperuricaemia in the green iguana.