bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of surgical or banding castration on stress responses and behaviour of bulls
Authors: FISHER AD , KNIGHT TW , COSGROVE GP , DEATH AF , ANDERSON CB , DUGANZICH DM , MATTHEWS LR 
Published: March 2008

Objective To compare the effects of surgical and latex banding methods of castration in 14‐ and 9‐month‐old bulls. Design Two randomised, controlled experiments. Procedure In Experiment 1, following administration of local anaesthetic, 14‐month‐old bulls were castrated by either surgical or banding methods, or left entire. Behavioural, plasma cortisol, plasma haptoglobin and bodyweight responses were recorded. A group of steers from the same mob was used as an additional comparison for bodyweight data. In Experiment 2, following administration of local anaesthetic, 9‐month‐old bulls were castrated by either surgical or banding methods and cortisol, haptoglobin and bodyweight responses were recorded. Entire bulls from the same group were used as an additional comparison for bodyweight data. Results In Experiment 1, surgical castrates exhibited more leg stamping and tail swishing than banded or entire animals in the hours after castration. Surgical castrates in both experiments also showed an increase in plasma haptoglobin, which resolved after 4 days. Plasma cortisol was generally not affected by castration. Surgical castrates grew more slowly than entire bulls, but faster than banded animals, in the 56 days after treatment. In Experiment 1, after 56 days, the bodyweights of surgical and banded castrates were not different from the bodyweights of the steers. Fourteen‐month‐old banded cattle developed persistent wounds above the latex band which remained for several weeks after scrotal dehiscence, but this did not occur in the 9‐month‐old animals. Conclusion The banding procedure produced fewer acute effects, but a greater suppression of growth than surgical castration and induced prolonged wound formation in the older age group, suggesting that this procedure may not be as suitable for yearling cattle.
Prevalence of antibodies to Leptospira serovars in beef cattle in central Queensland
Authors: BLACK PF , CORNEY BG , SMYTHE LD , DOHNT MF , NORRIS MA , SYMONDS ML 
Published: March 2008

Objective To obtain up‐to‐date data on the prevalence of antibodies to Leptospiraserovars in central Queensland beef herds preliminary to assessing their role in bovine subfertility and the role of cattle as a zoonotic reservoir.Design Sera from 2857 female cattle in 68 central Queensland beef herds were tested for antibodies to 14 Leptospiraserovars using the microscopic agglutination test. Vaccination use and age of cattle were collected to enable the calculation of crude and age‐stratified seroprevalences.Results The most commonly detected antibodies were to serovars hardjo (15.8% crude seroprevalence), tarassovi (13.9%), pomona (4.0%) and szwajizak (2.2%). Vaccinates were omitted from the hardjo and pomona seroprevalence data. The seroprevalence for hardjo and pomona tended to increase with age of the animals.Conclusion These results are broadly similar to those of previous serological surveys. The data suggest that serovars other than hardjo, pomona and tarassovi, are unlikely to have a significant role in bovine subfertility and that cattle are unlikely to be a source of human infection with them in central Queensland.
Epidemiology and diagnosis of subclinical iodine deficiency in crossbred cattle of Punjab
Authors: RANDHAWA CS , RANDHAWA SS 
Published: March 2008

Objective To determine the prevalence of iodine deficiency in crossbred cows (taurus x indicus) of Punjab and to assess the diagnostic value of the plasma concentrations of thyroid hormones, total cholesterol and free fatty acids in iodine deficiency. The efficacy of ethiodised oil, as a long‐term supplement of iodine, was also evaluated.Procedures Base‐line survey of iodine status was conducted by measuring plasma inorganic iodine (PII) concentration in 48 crossbred cows from 31 dairy units. Concentrations of plasma triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), total cholesterol and free fatty acids were compared between iodine deficient and normal cows. Circulating T4 and T3 concentrations were also determined before and after injection of ethiodised oil in cows with low PII levels. Results The mean prevalence of iodine deficiency was 35.9% and showed considerable geographical variation from 0 to 86% within Punjab. Cardinal clinical signs of iodine deficiency were absent and basal plasma T3 and T4 concentrations and their ratio did not differ between deficient and control cows. Activity of circulating T4 and T4:T3 ratio increased in response to ethiodised oil injection and persisted beyond 70 days after injection. Conclusion Asymptomatic iodine deficiency is prevalent in crossbred cows of Punjab and response to iodine supplementation is the most reliable index of thyroid dysfunction associated with iodine deprivation. The results of this study also support the view that injection of 1 mL of 78% ethiodised oil can prevent iodine deficiency for more than 70 days.
Risk factors for dystocia in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus)
Authors: AUDIGÉ L , WILSON PR , MORRIS RS 
Published: March 2008

Objective To analyse data from a study of deer herd health and productivity to identify potential risk factors for the occurrence of dystocia. Design A 2‐year longitudinal observational study of 14 red deer farms was carried out in New Zealand. About 2700 hinds were monitored each year for individual characteristics including body condition score (BCS), and reproductive performance. Grazing and calving management practices were recorded. During calving, farmers recorded calving difficulties (dystocia) that needed human assistance or caused the death of the hind. Risk factors potentially affecting the occurrence of dystocia were identified and analysed by multivariable statistical techniques. Results The percentage of hinds with dystocia was 0.52% (95% CI 0.32 to 0.78). Hinds with a post‐winter BCS over 3.5 were 2.7 times as likely to experience dystocia as hinds scoring 3.5 or less. Given the same BCS class, bodyweight gain in late pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of dystocia. Grazing steep paddocks in the last trimester of pregnancy decreased the risk of dystocia in hinds with a BCS over 3.5. Conclusions The risk of dystocia on red deer farms may be reduced if key individual animal, management and environmental factors are optimal.
Feline polycystic kidney disease in Persian and other cats: a prospective study using ultrasonography
Authors: BECK C , LAVELLE RB 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of feline polycystic kidney disease in Persian cats presented to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital between February and August 1999.DesignA prospective clinical study using client owned animals was performed.ProcedureTwo hundred and fifty Persian cats, ranging in age from 13 weeks to 10 years, were presented to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital for ultrasound examination of both kidneys. The cats were placed in dorsal and lateral recumbency and alcohol and ultrasonic coupling gel were applied to the skin. The kidneys were examined ultrasonographically in longitudinal, sagittal and transverse planes. Results were recorded for each cat at the time of examination as either negative or positive for PKD. In addition 14 Exotics (short‐haired Persians), 4 Ragdolls and 3 British Short‐Hair cats were examined.ResultsForty five percent of Persian cats examined were found to be positive for feline polycystic kidney disease on the basis of presence of anechoic cysts within the renal parenchyma. These cats ranged in age from 13 weeks to 10 years. Fifty per cent of the Exotic cats were positive for polycystic kidney disease whereas all Ragdolls and British Short Hairs were negative for the disease. Only one positive cat was reported to be showing clinical signs of renal disease.ConclusionThe prevalence of feline polycystic disease in Persian cats presented to the University of Melbourne between February and August 1999 was 45%. Exotic cats were found to have the slightly higher incidence of 50%.
Combined xylazine and ketamine as an analgesic regimen in sheep
Authors: HUGHAN SC , LOOSE JM , CADDY DJ , CANNY BJ , TILBROOK AJ , YOUNG IR 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo determine whether low dose xylazine with ketamine reduces the concentrations of cortisol and prolactin in sheep postoperatively and to characterise the effects of the drugs on behaviour during recovery.DesignAnalysis of variance was used to compare the effects of anaesthesia, surgery and combined ketamine/ xylazine treatment on the plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations and on behavioural variables in pregnant ewes subjected to abdominal surgery.ProcedureTwelve ewes were randomly assigned to receive either ketamine/xylazine or placebo in association with anaesthesia and surgery. Both groups of ewes underwent anaesthesia alone followed a week later by anaesthesia with laparotomy and hysterotomy. Plasma cortisol and prolactin concentrations were assayed during these procedures and for 5 days afterwards. Behavioural observations were made remotely during recovery from anaesthesia and anaesthesia plus surgery.ResultsThe concentrations of cortisol in the plasma of pregnant ewes undergoing surgery were increased by preoperative handling and the onset of thiopentone/halothane anaesthesia, with a further increase during surgery (P = 0.033). Cortisol concentrations decreased over the first four postoperative hours (P = 0.029) and were normal by 24 h. The drug treatment did not affect the immediate responses of ewes to anaesthesia or surgery, although treated ewes had lower cortisol concentrations than saline‐treated controls over the first five postoperative days (P = 0.018).Prolactin concentrations increased in response to anaesthesia (P = 0.047), but were not affected by surgery or the drug treatment.Drug‐treated ewes had prolonged sleeping time after surgery (P = 0.002), but they took no longer to stand than saline‐treated controls and required fewer attempts to stand successfully (P = 0.025).ConclusionAt the doses used, ketamine and xylazine did not mitigate the immediate endocrine consequences of surgery but the behavioural data provide a basis for further investigations that may lead to improvements in analgesic treatments.
Number and distribution of Australian veterinarians in 1981, 1991 and 2001
Authors: HEATH TJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To analyse the number and distribution of the Australian veterinary work‐force, and to assess changes in it that have occurred since 1981. Procedure The postcode and gender of each veterinarian who was registered, resident and apparently working in each state and territory in 1981, 1991 and 2001 was obtained from veterinary board lists, entered on an Excel data base, and analysed using the statistical program SAS System 7 for Windows 95. The Official Australian Postcode Map was used to determine the location of postcode areas, and publications of the Australian Bureau of Statistics provided data on human populations. Results At the end of June 2001, 6358 veterinarians were registered, resident and apparently working in a state or territory of Australia. This was 100% higher than in 1981. Over the intervening 20 years, the number had increased by 3181, 2001 of whom were female. Between 1981 and 1991 the increase in major cities was 898 and in rural areas 682, of whom 357 were male. Between 1991 and 2001 the increase in cities was 1139 and rural areas 462, of whom only 98 were male. The density of veterinarians in Australia ‐ 330/million people ‐ is higher than in the UK (213/million), USA(218/million) and Canada (250/million). Conclusions The relative number of veterinarians in Australia is now higher than in the UK, USA and Canada, and is likely to continue to increase. There is evidence of maldistribution, with many rural practices facing shortages of veterinarians with the experience and inclination to maintain veterinary services over the longer term, and some cities likely to become overcrowded with veterinarians.
Effect of periparturient diseases accompanied by excessive vulval discharge and weaning to mating interval on sow reproductive performance
Authors: WALLER CM , BILKEI G , CAMERON RDA 
Published: March 2008

Objective To evaluate the effect of periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge, and weaning‐to‐mating intervals, on sow fertility and litter size. Design Reproductive data were collected and analysed from 19 Hungarian swine herds over a 4 year period. Conception rates, farrowing rates and litter sizes of sows with periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge were used to evaluate the relationship between duration of vulval discharge and subsequent fertility and litter size. The possibility of interactions between weaning‐to‐mating intervals and duration of vulval discharges was investigated to determine if there was any effect on subsequent fertility and litter size. Results and conclusions Both parity 1 and parity 2 to 8 sows having had periparturient disease accompanied by vulval discharge in excess of 6 days duration had significantly (P < 0.001) lower subsequent fertility (conception, farrowing and adjusted farrowing rates) compared with sows of similar parity where the duration of vulval discharge was <4 or 4 to 6 days. There was no difference in fertility rates between sows, in both parity categories, with vulval discharge for <4 days compared with 4 to 6 days. A duration of vulval discharge in excess of 6 days in parity 1 sows significantly reduced litter size (total born and live‐born) in subsequent farrowings, but not in parity 2 to 8 sows. There was no interaction between the duration of vulval discharge and post‐weaning to mating intervals. However sows with weaning to mating intervals between 7 and 10 days had smaller (P < 0.001) subsequent litter sizes compared with 3 to 6 or 11 to 14 day intervals. It was concluded that the duration of vulval discharge in excess of 6 days was an indication of a severe persistent endometritis adversely affecting fertility of sows.
Phenotypic characterisation of Australian sheep and cattle isolates of Mannheimia haemolytica, Mannheimia granulomatis and Mannheimia varigena
Authors: BLACKALL PJ , BISGAARD M , STEPHENS CP 
Published: March 2008

Objective To perform a comprehensive phenotypic characterisation of 35 isolates of bacteria previously identified as haemolytic Pasteurella‐Actinobacillus and obtained from cattle and sheep. Design The 35 isolates that had been obtained from Australian animals, 30 from cattle and five from sheep, were compared with reference strains of the five recognised species of the genus Mannheimia ‐ M haemolytica, M glucosida, M granulomatis, M ruminalisand M varigena. Results Thirty‐four of the isolates could be confidently assigned to three species of the genus Mannheimia. Twenty‐nine were M haemolytica, with 25 being isolated from cattle and four from sheep. All but three of the bovine M haemolytica were isolated from pneumonic lungs. Of the three remaining bovine M haemolytica isolates, one was obtained in pure culture from a bovine milk sample and the other two as part of a mixed flora associated with a middle ear infection of a calf suffering mucosal disease. Of the four ovine M haemolytica isolates, two were isolated in pure culture from milk and two, also in pure culture, from pneumonic lungs. Three bovine isolates were identified as M granulomatis ‐ one from a tongue abscess, one from a jaw abscess and one from a lung showing suppurative bronchopneumonia. Two bovine isolates were identified as M varigena‐ one coming from an udder and the other from a spleen. The available diagnostic records provided no information on whether these isolates were associated with a disease process. The remaining isolate was obtained from an ovine tongue abscess and could not be assigned to a recognised species within the genus Mannheimia. Conclusion The study represents the first time that M haemolytica, M granulomatis and M varigena have been recognised as being present in cattle and sheep in Australia. Veterinary laboratories that encounter Pasteurella‐Actinobacillus‐like organisms from cattle and sheep should attempt as complete a characterisation as possible to help improve our knowledge of the disease potential of these organsims.
Effect of the interval between shearing and dipping on the spread of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep
Authors: PATON MW , BULLER NB , ROSE IR , ELLIS TM 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo determine whether the spread of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection to sheep in dips could be controlled by increasing the time between shearing and dipping.DesignAnimals and procdureOne hundred and ninety‐five sheep were found to be negative for C pseudotuberculosis exposure by assay of CLA toxin antibody, were divided into four treatment groups. Each was shorn at either 0, 2, 4 or 8 weeks before dipping in a solution containing C pseudotuber‐culosis. Blood samples were taken 6 weeks after dipping and sheep were slaughtered 12 weeks after dipping. A fifth smaller group of 14 sheep shorn 26 weeks before dipping, was also exposed to C pseudotuberculosis and was slaughtered with the other sheep.ResultsThe occurrence of caseous lymphadenitis abscesses did not differ between groups or with sheep shorn 26 weeks before dipping. The proportion of sheep that sero‐converted to the C pseudotuberculosis toxin and cell wall ELISA was larger in sheep dipped immediately after shearing than in sheep in the other groups.ConclusionsDelaying dipping until 8 weeks after shearing did not decrease the C pseudotuberculosis infection rate due to dipping. Sheep dipped immediately after shearing developed higher concentrations of antibody to C pseudotu‐berculosis than sheep when dipping occurred between 2 and 8 weeks and later after shearing.
Concurrent spirochaetal infections of the feet and colon of cattle in Japan
Authors: SHIBAHARA T. , OHYA T. , ISHII R. , OGIHARA Y. , MAEDA T. , ISHIKAWA Y. , KADOTA K. 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo describe spirochaetal infections in the feet and colon of cattle affected with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) and colitis respectively.Procedure Eighty‐two slaughtered animals were macroscopically examined for the presence of PDD. Tissues of two cattle affected with PDD were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and bacteriology for spirochaetal infection.ResultsTwo adult cattle (a 2‐year‐old beef bullock and 7‐year‐old Holstein dairy cow) were affected with PDD. Histologically, numerous argyrophilic and Gram‐negative filamentous or spiral spirochaetes were found deep in the PDD lesions. Epithelial and goblet cell hyperplasia and oedema of the lamina propria mucosa with macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the caecum and colon in the cattle. Numerous spirochaetes were present in the crypts and some had invaded epithelial and goblet cells, and caused their degeneration. Immunohistochemically the organisms stained positively with polyclonal antisera against Treponema pallidum and Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae. Ultrastructurally, the intestinal spirochaetes were similar to the spirochaetes in PDD. They were 6 to 14 μm long, 0.2 to 0.3 μm wide and had 4 to 6 coils and 9 axial filaments per cell. Campylobacter species were isolated from the PDD and intestinal lesions, but spirochaetes were not.ConclusionConcurrent infections with morphologically similar spirochaetal organisms may occur in the feet and colon of cattle in Japan.
An estimate of specificity for a Johne's disease absorbed ELISA in northern Australian cattle
Authors: PITT DJ , PINCH DS , JANMAAT A. , CONDRON RJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To estimate the specificity of an absorbed enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay kitd for Johne's disease (JD) when used in mature cattle populations resident in northern Australia. Design Blood samples were collected from beef cattle in northern Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia, and from dairy cattle in northern Queensland. The specificity of a serological test for JD was estimated by testing the blood samples with an absorbed ELISA kit. Further samples were collected from cattle with positive ELISA results to determine the presence or absence of infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis. Procedure During 1995 and 1996, blood, tissue and gut contents were collected from beef cattle at abattoirs in Queensland and the Northern Territory; and blood and faecal samples were collected from dairy cattle in herds assessed to be most at risk for JD in northern Queensland. The blood samples were tested using an absorbed ELISA kit. Tissues and gut contents from beef cattle that had positive ELISA results were cultured for M avium subsp paratuberculosis, and tissues were examined histo‐logically. Faecal samples from dairy cattle with positive ELISA results were cultured for M avium subsp paratuberculosis. Results Estimates of specificity for this absorbed ELISA in mature northern Australian cattle were 98.0% (97.0 to 98.8%, 95% CI) in beef cattle, and 98.3% (96.7 to 99.3%, 95% CI) in dairy cattle. Conclusion Estimates of specificity in this study were lower for beef cattle from the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia and for dairy cattle from northern Queensland than those quoted from studies on cattle in southern Western Australia. This should be considered when serological testing using the JD ELISA is carried out on northern Australian cattle.
Derivation, safety and efficacy of a Marek's disease vaccine developed from an Australian isolate of very virulent Marek's disease virus
Authors: KARPATHY RC , FIRTH GA , TANNOCK GA 
Published: March 2008

Objective To develop a serotype 1 Marek's disease (MD) vaccine from a very virulent MDV (vvMDV) pathotype and demonstrate safety and efficacy against early challenge with very virulent field strains in the presence of maternal antibody. Study design Strain BH 16 was isolated and attenuated by serial cell culture passage. One of two cloned passages was selected for vaccine development following early laboratory‐scale protection trials in commercial birds. Comparative protection trials were carried out on the BH 16 vaccine and on a CVI 988 Rispens vaccine using commercial and SPF chickens. Challenge viruses used were either a low passage strain BH 16 virus, the Woodlands No. 1 strain or MPF 57 strain of MDV. The BH 16 vaccine was back‐passaged in SPF chickens six times and virus recovered from the final passage and the original vaccine virus were tested for safety. The immunosuppressive potential of the BH 16 and Rispens vaccines was also assessed in parallel. Results The BH 16 and Rispens vaccines induced comparable levels of protection when used as monovalent or multi‐valent vaccines, although protection achieved with the mono‐valent vaccines was lower. No gross tumour formation was evident in any birds receiving the BH 16 vaccine or bird‐passaged virus, although microscopic lesions were present in 2/12 birds that received the bird‐passaged virus. In tests for immunosuppression, there was no histological evidence of damage to either the bursa of Fabricius or the thymus. Conclusion The BH 16 vaccine was shown to be safe and at least as protective as the Rispens vaccine against three highly virulent MD challenge viruses.