bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strategies for mastitis control: dry cow therapy and culling
Authors: BROWNING JW , MEIN GA , BRIGHTLING P. , NICHOLLS TJ , BARTON M. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The effects of three selection strategies for dry cow therapy on prevention of new infections and rate of antibiotic usage were compared. Quarter infection status of 1044 cows in 12 herds was determined by bacteriological methods at drying off, calving and three to five months into the following lactation. Cows that were uninfected at drying off were randomly allocated to treatment (whole udder, dry cow therapy) and non‐treatment groups. Infected cows were randomly allocated to whole udder or infected quarter only treatments. The strategies compared were blanket treatment (treat all quarters of all cows), selective cow treatment (treat all quarters of any cow infected in one or more quarters) and selective quarter treatment (treat infected quarters only).Selective cow treatment was identified as the preferred strategy. Blanket treatment resulted in increased antibiotic usage (15.5 vs 6.4 tubes per infection eliminated) with no additional benefit, and selective quarter treatment resulted in a higher new infection rate (6.4%vs 3.9% quarters) in the dry period. The prevalence of infection within a herd at drying off had no influence on new infection rates in the dry period or early lactation. The cure rate after dry cow treatment (mean of 66%) decreased significantly with increasing age (P < 0.001). Cows infected in the previous lactation contributed over 76% of infections at calving and nearly 70% at mid‐lactation. To lower the incidence of mastitis in a herd, a greater emphasis on culling of older infected cows and prevention of new infections during lactation is needed.
Effects of sodium monensin on reproductive performance of dairy cattle. II. Effects on metabolites in plasma, resumption of ovarian cyclicity and oestrus in lactating cows
Authors: ABE N. , LEAN IJ , RABIEE A. , PORTER J. , GRAHAM C. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY A randomised trial was conducted to determine the effects of sodium monensin on plasma metabolite concentrations, resumption of cyclicity and oestrus and milk production and milk composition of postparturient dairy cows. Cows treated with sodium monensin in a controlled‐release capsule had significantly lower plasma β‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentrations (P = 0.006) and tended (P = 0.07) to have significantly higher plasma glucose concentrations than untreated cows. Treatment did not significantly influence plasma free fatty acid, urea nitrogen or cholesterol concentrations. Despite higher plasma glucose concentrations and lower plasma BHB concentrations, periods from calving to first ovulation and oestrus were not reduced by treatment. This observation, with limited numbers of cows, is not consistent with a hypothesis that glucose or ketones are important metabolic regulators of pulsatile release of luteinising hormone and consequent resumption of cyclicity.While milk production and milk protein concentration did not significantly differ between groups, milk fat concentration was significantly lower for treated cows. Treated cows probably had lower dry matter intake than untreated cows as they produced 67 litres less milk per head and lost more weight than untreated cows during the study period, although weight and body condition score were not significantly affected by treatment. The lack of significance of these latter observations probably reflects the low statistical power of the study.
Reductions in milk production after induced parturition in dairy cows from commercial herds in south‐western Victoria
Authors: MORTON JM , BUTLER KL 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The milk production of cows after induced parturition was compared with that of non‐induced cows with similar calving dates, in 37 winter‐calving, pasture‐fed, commercial dairy herds in south‐western Victoria. Parturition was induced when most cows were between 27 and 35 weeks of pregnancy. Milk production was compared for the lactation that commenced immediately after induction. The percentage of cows whose lactations were terminated less than 120 days after calving was increased by induction. Mean percentages for untreated and induced groups were 3.0% and 5.4%, respectively. For cows with lactations of at least 120 days duration, lactation length was not affected by the prior induction of parturition. However, milk production during the subsequent lactation was 9.0% less in induced groups. Fat and protein concentrations were not substantially affected. The reduction in milk production was not affected by stage of pregnancy when cows were induced, but tended to be greater in herds that delayed milking of induced cows.
von Willebrand's disease in Dobermann dogs in Australia
Authors: STOKOL T. , PARRY BW , MANSELL PD 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY Over a 5‐year period (1988–92), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag) concentrations were determined on plasma samples from 614 Dobermanns. The vWf:Ag concentration was < 50 canine units (CU)/dL in 373 dogs (61%); these dogs were classified as carriers of the von Willebrand's disease (vWD) gene. In order to identify which dogs were at risk of haemorrhage due to vWD, we determined a cut‐off vWf:Ag concentration below which dogs could be considered at risk. This cut‐off was chosen in order to minimise the number of dogs genuinely at risk of haemorrhage, being wrongly classified as not at risk. This was done without sacrificing the specificity of the cut‐off to any great extent. A vWf:Ag concentration of < 36 CU/dL was empirically chosen as the optimum cut‐off concentration. In 282 dogs (76% of the carriers), the vWf:Ag concentration was below this cut‐off and these dogs were, thus, classified as being at risk of haemorrhage due to vWD.Haemorrhage attributable to vWD was seen in 107 dogs (29% of the carriers, or 17% of all the dogs). Haemorrhage mostly followed trauma or surgery, but spontaneous genitourinary and gastrointestinal haemorrhages were also frequent. Of these dogs, 92 were of known age, with a median of 3 years, and 102 were of known sex, with 61% being female. In 89 dogs in which the severity of haemorrhage was subjectively assessed, mild and moderate bleeding occurred with similar frequency (48% and 43%, respectively). There were 8 cases of severe haemorrhage, with two deaths. The likelihood of haemorrhage was related to the vWf:Ag concentration: only 8% of 91 dogs with concentrations between 36 and 49 CU/dL had haemorrhage attributable to vWD, but 36% with concentrations < 36 CU/dL did so. Furthermore, dogs with haemorrhage attributable to vWD had significantly (P < 0.001) lower vWf:Ag concentrations (median 12 CU/dL, n = 107) than dogs with no such history (median 30 CU/dL, n = 132).The data indicate that vWD is a significant problem in the Dobermann breed in Australia and we accordingly recommend that steps be taken to reduce its prevalence, such as the establishment of a national testing scheme to determine the vWD status of all dogs used for breeding.
Blood supply of the ovine adrenal gland and its relevance in adrenal autotransplantation
Authors: HARDY KJ , WRIGHT RD , McDOUGALL JG 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY The arterial supply and venous drainage of 62 left and 5 right ovine adrenal glands is described, and the contribution of individual arteries to successful adrenal gland autotransplantation was evaluated. Arterial flow was measured by direct collection from the draining adrenal vein. Assessment of function of the transplanted adrenal gland was made from survival of the sheep and by the cortisol response to infusion of ACTH and the aldosterone secretory response to infusion of angiotensin II or potassium. For the left adrenal, the principal arterial supply was from the renal artery in 21 (34%), a lumbar artery in 32 (52%), and the anterior mesenteric artery in 3. The total blood flow was 5.0 ± SEM 0.4 mL/min, the flow from the renal branch 2.3 ± 0.3 mL/min, and the principal lumbar branch 2.6 ± 0.3 mL/min. Venous drainage from the left adrenal was via a major adrenal vein to the left renal vein, but additional tributaries to the renal vein were present in 26%. The arterial supply to the adrenal is regional and omission of a branch at transplantation could result in infarction of portion of the gland. By defining arterial supply and measuring blood flow, selection of the appropriate artery or multiple arteries can achieve an adrenal gland autotransplant survival of 90%.
Field trial of a staphylococcal mastitis vaccine in dairy herds: clinical, subclinical and microbiological assessments
Authors: WATSON DL , McCOLL ML , DAVIES HI 
Published: March 2008

Objective To assess the efficacy of a new staphylococcal mastitis vaccine under commercial dairying conditions. Design A field trial involving 1819 cows and heifers conducted on seven dairy herds in Victoria. The trial was done ‘blind’; approximately half the animals were vaccinated and the remainder were untreated controls. Procedure The vaccine was given twice during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. Effects of vaccination were assessed, during the ensuing lactation, on the basis of clinical and sub‐clinical mastitis and microbiological investigations of the milk. Results A total of 273 cases of clinical mastitis were recorded. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 112 of these, 45 cases in vaccinates and 67 cases in controls; the difference was not statistically significant. One herd was notable in having a high incidence of clinical staphylococcal mastitis. This herd accounted for 15.8% of the animals in the field trial but 54.5% of cases of clinical staphylococcal mastitis. For this herd, vaccinated animals had significantly lower incidence of clinical staphylococcal mastitis and prevalence of subclinical mastitis, relative to controls. An unexpected feature of the trial as a whole was the low incidence of clinical mastitis from which S aureus was isolated in pure culture (26.3% of cases) and the high incidence of clinical Streptococcus uberis mastitis (22.7% of cases). Conclusions The trial showed that the vaccine was efficacious in reducing the incidence of clinical mastitis and prevalence of subclinical mastitis in a herd that had a serious staphylococcal mastitis problem.
The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Sydney
Authors: BIDGOOD A. , COLLINS GH 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYFour hundred and four dogs from 9 pounds in Sydney were examined for circulating microfilariae and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. One hundred of these were also examined post mortem for adult heartworms. The prevalence of infection in the 404 dogs as shown by serology was 11.4%, and 5.9% had circulating microfilariae of D immitis. Adult heartworms were present in 15 of 100 dogs. Dipetalonema reconditum microfilariae were present in 3.7% of dogs. Dirofilariosis is still a common and important parasite of dogs in the Sydney region and chemoprophylaxis is recommended.
Combination chemotherapy of canine and feline cryptococcosis using subcutaneously administered amphotericin B
Authors: MALIK R. , CRAIG AJ , WIGNEY DI , MARTIN P. , LOVE DN 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYSix cases (3 cats, 3 dogs) of cryptococcosis were cured using combination chemotherapy that included amphotericin B. We developed a simple, practical and inexpensive method of administering amphotericin B as a subcutaneous infusion during the treatment of these patients. For this, the calculated dose of amphotericin B (0.5 to 0.8 mg/kg) was added to 400 mL, for cats, or to 500 mL, for dogs, of 0.45% saline containing 2.5% dextrose. These amounts were given subcutaneously 2 or 3 times weekly over several months, to a total cumulative dose of 8 to 26 mg/kg body weight. Subcutaneous infusions were generally well tolerated by the animals, although concentrations of amphotericin B in excess of 20 mg/L resulted in local irritation. This protocol enabled the administration of larger, and thus more effective, quantities of amphotericin B without producing marked azotaemia.
Importance of Staphylococcus hyicus ssp hyicus as a cause of arthritis in pigs up to 12 weeks of age
Authors: HILL BD , CORNEY BG , WAGNER TM 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYLame pigs, up to 12 weeks of age, were necropsied to establish a diagnosis. Of 175 pigs examined, 165 were confirmed to have arthritis by histopathological examination of joint tissues. Lesions were most common in the elbow and tarsal joints and least common in the joints of the feet. Typically, there was severe fibrinopurulent inflammation of synovial membranes regardless of the bacteria isolated. A bacterial aetiology was found in 114 (69%) of the 165 pigs. In arthritic pigs in which an aetiology was established the causative agents were Staphylococcus hyicus ssp hyicus (24.6%), Streptococcus equisimilis (26.3%), Actinomyces pyogenes (13.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (7.9%) and Haemophilus parasuis (7.9%). While gender did not affect the prevalence of arthritis, there was an age influence, most of the pigs culled for arthritis being under 6 weeks of age.
Evaluation of the effect of ketoprofen on experimentally induced ephemeral fever in dairy heifers
Authors: FENWICK DC , DANIEL RCW 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo evaluate ketoprofen for the therapy of ephemeral fever. DesignA blind controlled clinical trial. AnimalsSixteen cattle (one immature Holstein bull, eight Holstein and seven Jersey heifers). ProcedureEphemeral fever was induced by the intravenous injection of blood leucocyte layer from a clinical case. Ketoprofen solution or a coded placebo was injected intramuscularly at the rate of 3 mg/kg daily for three days. ResultsKetoprofen reversed locomotor dysfunctions significantly compared with controls, but did not have any effect on rectal temperatures, leucocyte counts, plasma fibrinogen concentrations, ionised Ca‐concentrations or the presence of dyspnoea. ConclusionKetoprofen is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of locomotor symptoms of milk fever, but has no effect on the duration of clinical respiratory abnormalities.
The absence of neuromas in beaks of adult hens after conservative trimming at hatch
Authors: LUNAM CA , GLATZ PC , HSU Y‐J 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo determine the effects of the amount of beak removed and cauterisation time on neuroma formation in hens. DesignA pathology study with controls. AnimalsTwenty domestic fowl were beak‐trimmed. Three non‐beak‐trimmed domestic fowl were used as controls. ProcedureBeaks of two age groups with two levels of beak removal and either 2 s or 4 s cauterisation, were investigated macroscopically and microscopically for deformities. ResultsScattered trauma‐associated neuromas were present in the beaks of pullets 10 weeks after moderate trimming at hatch. Neuromas were not present in beaks of adult hens that had been similarly trimmed. Sensory corpuscles were present 10 and 70 weeks after moderate trimming, though fewer in number than in intact control hens. In contrast, trauma‐associated neuromas persisted in beaks of 70‐week‐old hens that had been severely trimmed at hatch. A range of deformities that were absent in moderately trimmed hens, were observed in hens with severely trimmed beaks. Receptors were not seen in severely trimmed beaks. ConclusionBeak‐trimming at hatch induces the formation of neuromas, regardless of the amount of tissue removed. There is a critical amount of beak tissue that can be removed, beyond which trauma‐associated neuromas will not resolve, but will persist in mature hens.
Concentrations of thyroid hormones and iodothyronine binding proteins in serum of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: LAWSON VERONICA J. , CURTIS ANDREA J. , MICHELANGELI VALDO P. , STOCKIGT JAN R. , CARRICK FRANK N. , BARLOW JOHN W. 
Published: March 2008

Objective To examine circulating total and free thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) concentrations, determine serum iodothyronine binding characteristics and estimate thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) activity in sera of coastal and inland koalas. Design A prospective study. Procedure Koala serum T3 and T4 were measured by radioimmunoassay. T4 binding parameters were determined by radioligand binding and electrophoresis. Koala TSH values were determined by bioassay. Results Mean total T4 concentrations were 3.2 ± 2.1 nM although values were significantly higher in inland‐dwelling females in comparison to coastal‐dwelling males. Free T4 was 3.3 ± 2.1 pM. Total and free T3 were 0.4 ± 0.2 nM and 1.4 ± 0.9 pM respectively, although these values were at the lower end of the assay detection limit and should be viewed with reservation. Electrophoresis of [125I]‐T4‐labelled serum revealed only two proteins of electrophoretic mobility similar to human transthyretin (TTR) and albumin. Scatchard analysis of T4 binding to serum gave a curvilinear plot, which could be resolved into two binding sites with affinities identical to that of TTR and albumin but both of low concentration. The bioactivity of the TSH present in the sera was measured using a cell line (JP09) transfected with the human TSH receptor. The mean level of stimulation found in the sera corresponded to a bovine TSH activity of less than 10 mU/L. Conclusion These results suggest that the serum concentrations of free and total thyroid hormones in koalas are low compared to other marsupials and very low compared to eutherian mammals. The mechanism of maintenance of euthyroidism in this species remains to be determined.
Contagious ecthyma in the live sheep export industry
Authors: HIGGS ARB , NORRIS RT , BALDOCK FC , CAMPBELL NJ , KOH S. , RICHARDS RB 
Published: March 2008

Objective:To investigate control options for contagious ecthyma (scabby mouth) in Australian sheep exported live to the Middle East. Design:Prevalence, vaccination and modelling studies. Procedure:One hundred and forty weaner sheep (less than 1 year old) on each of 106 farms in Western Australia (WA) and 18 farm groups of adult wethers received at a WA commercial feedlot were examined for lesions of scabby mouth. Sheep on a total of 26 farms in 3 States were divided into treatment and control groups for the vaccination study. A simple deterministic compartmental model was developed to establish which parameters had the greater effect on disease prevalence. Results:The proportion of farms with evidence of scabby mouth in weaner sheep was 23.6% and, on those farms with the disease, the overall prevalence was 6.1%. At the feedlot, 4 out of 18 farm groups had 5 or more sheep with lesions on arrival. The overall prevalence in the 4 diseased groups was 5.2%. Sheep vaccinated on farm before trucking to the feed‐lot had a lower prevalence of scabby mouth at the end of simulated shipping than controls. The main determinant of scabby mouth prevalence was the proportion of sheep immune to the disease. Conclusion:A program of vaccination for scabby mouth will reduce the prevalence of disease during live export. However, using current technology it is not possible to deliver shipments of sheep to the Middle East that are guaranteed completely free of scabby mouth.
Efficacy of a novel copper‐based footbath preparation for the treatment of ovine footrot during the spread period
Authors: REED GA , ALLEY DU 
Published: March 2008

Objective:To determine the efficacy of a novel copper based footbath preparation (CHF‐1020) for treatment of ovine footrot during the spread period. Design:A series of field trials with treated and control groups run together. Animals:Mobs of at least 125 sheep on each of six properties in southern New South Wales with equal numbers of controls. Procedure:Sheep of group A were treated after minimal paring by making them stand in CHF‐1020 for 15 minutes. Treatment was undertaken at intervals throughout the period of the trials (14 September to 17 December 1993). Group A sheep were run on the same pasture as those from group B (untreated sheep). Results:The percentage of sheep exhibiting clinical signs of ovine footrot at the start of the trial ranged from 35 to 88% at score 3 or higher, using a 0 to 5 footscoring system. During the trial, the percentage of infected sheep (greater or equal to score 2) in group B increased and ranged from 40 to 90%. The level of infected sheep in group A on each property was reduced progressively to 1 to 16%. Cure rates of 45 to 94% were achieved, with the lowest rate being on a property with a metal footbath. The next lowest cure rate was 73%. Results indicated that treatment should be undertaken at 2‐weekly intervals while spread continues. Treated sheep can be returned to contaminated pastures. Conclusion:CHF‐1020 is effective during the spread period and can be used for the progressive eradication of ovine footrot.
Behavioural and EEG changes in sheep in response to painful acute electrical stimuli
Authors: ONG RM , MORRIS JP , O'DWYER JK , BARNETT JL , HEMSWORTH PH , CLARKE IJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To measure acute pain in sheep, based on a human pain model, and examined changes in both electroencephalogram frequency spectrum and behavioural responses to increased electrical stimulation in sheep. Design Analysis of variance (treatment and animal effects) for stimulus intensity where each animal received each electric shock treatment given in the order 0, 5,10 and 20 mA. Procedure Eight sheep with electrodes implanted over the surface of the brain were examined for escape‐avoidance and electroencephalogram responses to four levels of electrical stimulation from 0–20 mA. Results With increasing stimulus intensity at the time of feeding, the sheep were more hesitant to return to the feeder or remain near the feeder following stimulation. There was little difference between the 0 and 5 mA stimuli for any of the behaviour variables (P > 0.05). However, there were marked increases in the time taken to re‐approach the feeder after receiving an electric shock of 5 mA and of 20 mA (P < 0.05; mean values 3 and 119 s, respectively) and remaining near the feeder for 5 s (P < 0.001; mean values 10 and 167 s, respectively). Following the stimulus, there was an overall increase in the electroencephalogram power spectrum in the first four seconds, which then rapidly returned to normal. In particular, the 20 mA stimulus resulted in higher absolute power values than in the control (0 mA) treatment for delta 2 (P < 0.001), theta 1 (P < 0.05), theta 2 (P < 0.05), alpha 1 (P < 0.001), alpha 2 (P < 0.001) and beta 1 (P < 0.01) band‐widths. Similarly, for the 10 mA stimulus, the absolute power values were greater than the control treatment for delta 2 (P < 0.05), alpha 1 (P < 0.01), alpha 2 (P < 0.001) and beta 1 (P < 0.01) bandwidths. Conclusion The experiment suggests that a human acute pain model is applicable to sheep and that these electroencephalogram changes may provide a good measure of acute pain in sheep.