bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Presence of cervical vertebral malformation in Dobermann puppies and the effects of diet and growth rate
Authors: BURBIDGE HM , PFEIFFER DU , GUILFORD WG 
Published: March 2008

Objective To investigate the relationship between diet, growth rate and the presence of caudal cervical malformation in Doberman puppies. Design A prospective study of 15 Dobermann puppies from three unrelated litters, aged from 0 to 16 weeks. Procedure The growth rate in terms of body weight gain and increase in ulna length were measured weekly for all puppies. In addition the nutritional quality of the diets was assessed. Radiographs of the cervical spine were taken at 6 and between 12 and 16 weeks of age and examined for the presence of caudal cervical vertebral malformation. A mixed model for repeated measures data was used to investigate the relationship between the growth rate of the puppies and the fixed effects age, dam, diet, gender and presence of caudal cervical malformation. Results Five of the puppies had changes consistent with caudal cervical malformation. The diets fed were either balanced or transiently deficient in protein, calcium, phosphorus and/or magnesium. There was no significant association between growth rate and the variables dam, gender and the presence of caudal cervical vertebral malformation. There was no significant association between diet and increase in ulna length, but a trend existed between body weight gain and the feeding of a balanced diet (P = 0.0672). Conclusion Caudal cervical vertebral changes can be detected radiographically as early as 6 weeks of age in some Dobermann puppies. A balanced diet and growth rate are not significant factors in its initial development.
Campylobacterspecies in cats and dogs in South Australia
Authors: BAKER J , BARTON MD , LANSER J 
Published: March 2008

BackgroundCampylobacter enteritis was the most frequently notified infectious disease in Australia in 1996 andCampylobacterspecies have been associated with extra‐intestinal infections such as purulent arthritis and Guillian‐Barré syndrome. Dogs and cats are known to carry campylobacteria and contact with household pets have been implicated as possible sources of human infection.ObjectiveTo provide information on the species of campylobacter carried by cats and dogs in South Australia.MethodsFaecal samples were collected from stray and owned cats and dogs and feral cats. Campylobacter‐like organisms were isolated using selective media and filtration methods. They were then characterised by biochemical tests, antibiotic resistance and growth patterns under various conditions. Husbandry factors that could have influenced the carriage rates were examined both as single variables and in a multivariate logistic regression.ResultsCampylobacter upsaliensisandC jejuniwere found in 11% and 4% of cats, respectively, whereas 34% dogs carriedC upsaliensis, 7%C jejuniand 2%C coli.Intensive housing and open drains were found to be significant risk factors and increased the carriage rate by 2 and 2.6 times, respectively.ConclusionDogs and cats are a potential reservoir for human enteric infections with campylobacters.
Haematology of foetal sheep
Authors: ALSALAMI MT , FILIPPICH LJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To describe the ontogeny of blood cells throughout foetal development in sheep.DesignA haematological study on blood and bone marrow from 42 sheep foetuses aged between 19 days gestation and full term.ProcedureVirgin Merino ewes were mated and the developing foetuses removed surgically at different stages of gestation. Blood and bone marrow samples were collected, stained for cytological examination or processed for electron microscopy. Blood samples were also examined haematologically. Foetuses were incubated with 3H‐thymidine and autoradiographed.ResultsDuring the first 4 weeks of development primitive erythroblast constituted the majority of the circulating blood cells. Definitive erythroid cells, originating in the liver, first appeared in the blood at around 27 days gestation and entirely replaced the primitive erythroblasts by 50 days gestation. Leukocyte numbers, especially lymphocyte count, increased rapidly after 49 days gestation. Erythropoiesis predominated in the marrow of all foetuses older than 70 days. In bone marrow, myelopoiesis was the major activity and lymphopoiesis was not significant.ConclusionsRed blood cell numbers and haemoglobin content progressively increases during foetal development. Primitive erythroblasts are not the precursors of the definitive erythroblasts. There are no significant differences in morphological features or maturation sequence between hepatic and bone marrow erythroblasts. Myelopoiesis is a major activity of bone marrow rather than of foetal liver.
Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of bats infected by Australian bat lyssavirus
Authors: HOOPER PT , FRASER GC , FOSTER RA , STORIE GJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To describe the lesions and distribution of viral antigens in bats infected by Australian bat lyssavirus.DesignA retrospective histopathological and immunohistochemical study of bats naturally infected with the virus.ProcedureTissues from 37 infected bats were examined. Nineteen flying foxes (fruit bats) and two insectivorous bats were examined in detail. Brains of another 16 flying foxes were poorly fixed and were examined less fully.ResultLesions varied considerably between individuals and, where present, were mostly those of nonsuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis and ganglioneuritis similar to lesions seen in rabies and rabies‐like diseases. The number of cells with intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (Negri bodies) was variable; none were seen in some bats. Intracytoplasmic vacuolation of neurons was a common finding. Lesions occurred throughout the central nervous system but were most frequent and severe in the hippocampus, thalamus and midbrain, and medulla oblongata and pons. Indirect immunoperoxidase tests for lyssavirus antigen reactions varied in intensity and distribution, but also occurred mostly in the hippocampus, thalamus and midbrain, and medulla oblongata and pons. In peripheral tissues, reactions were seen in autonomic ganglia, in nerve plexuses of the gastrointestinal tract, in nervous tissues within muscles and immediately adjacent to individual muscle fibres, in an adrenal medulla, and in epithelial tissues in one of eight salivary glands examined.ConclusionThe main lesion in Australian bat lyssavirus infection is nonsuppurative inflammation similar to that seen in rabies and other rabies‐like diseases, except that the number of Negri bodies is more variable. Reactions to immunoperoxidase tests for lyssavirus vary in intensity and distribution and may occur in both central and peripheral nervous systems. These reactions do not always occur in the salivary glands, even if brain infection is present.
Effects of phenobarbitone on serum biochemical tests in dogs
Authors: FOSTER SF , CHURCH DB , WATSON ADJ 
Published: March 2008

ObjectivesTo investigate effects of phenobarbitone on serum activities of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and gamma‐glutamyl transferase and concentrations of bilirubin, albumin, cholesterol and total protein in dogs.AnimalsTen crossbreed experimental dogs and 10 client‐owned dogs of mixed breeds treated chronically with phenobarbitone to control seizures.ProceduresExperimental dogs were allocated to treatment (6 mg/kg oral phenobarbitone, n = 6) and control (no treatment, n = 4) groups in which serum biochemical tests were performed at intervals during a 3‐month period. Biochemical tests were performed once on the 10 epileptic dogs.ResultsPhenobarbitone caused increased serum alkaline phosphatase activity but did not affect gammaglutamyl transferase activity or bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin and total protein concentrations. Phenobarbitone had minimal effect on alanine aminotransferase activity.ConclusionsIndividual dogs treated with phenobarbitone may have small increases in serum alanine aminotransferase activity and variable increases in alkaline phosphatase activity but are unlikely to have alterations in gamma‐glutamyl transferase activity or bilirubin, cholesterol, albumin or total protein concentrations.
Temporal patterns and quantification of excretion ofMycobacterium aviumsubspparatuberculosisin sheep with Johne's disease
Authors: WHITTINGTON RJ , REDDACLIFF LA , MARSH I. , McALLISTER S. , SAUNDERS V. 
Published: March 2008

ObjectivesTo determine the frequency of excretion ofMycobacterium aviumsubspparatuberculosisin Merino sheep with Johne's disease and to quantify excretion in a group of Merino sheep.DesignA pen and laboratory experimentProcedureSeven sheep selected from an affected flock on the basis of acid‐fast bacilli in the sheep's faeces were housed and total daily faecal output was collected, weighed and subjected to culture forM aviumsubspparatuberculosis.An end‐point titration method was used to enumerate viableM aviumsubspparatuberculosisin a 15 day pooled sample from five sheep that had acid‐fast bacilli in their faeces while housed.ResultsFour sheep with subclinical multibacillary Johne's disease excretedM aviumsubspparatuberculosiseach day for 11 days of cultural observation. A further three sheep were intermittent excreters but lacked other evidence of infection withM aviumsubspparatuberculosis.The average number of viable bacteria excreted was 1.09 × 108per gram of faeces while total daily excretion was 8.36 × 1010viableM aviumsubspparatuberculosisper sheep. Examination of faecal smears stained with Ziehl Neelsen was an unreliable means of assessing daily excretion in individual animals except in those with severe lesions.ConclusionExcretion ofM aviumsubspparatuberculosisin Merino sheep with multibacillary Johne's disease occurred daily, proving that environmental contamination can be continuous on farms with endemic ovine Johne's disease. Faecal culture is a useful method for detecting infection as it does not appear to be affected by the timing of collection of a sample from sheep with multibacillary disease however, to maximise the sensitivity of disease surveillance using faecal culture, sampling rates should be adjusted to take account of the proportions of multibacillary and paucibacillary cases.
The role of lectures in veterinary education
Authors: MCLENNAN MW , HEATH TJ 
Published: March 2008

Objective To study the role of lectures from the perspective of staff and students involved in the veterinary course at The University of Queensland Methods The Nominal Group Technique of Delbecq et al, which provides the maximum opportunity for group members to put forward points, was used to help develop a questionnaire which was completed by 351 students (a response rate of 84%) and 35 staff (76%) from the five years of the veterinary course, and was analysed using the SAS System for Windows. Results Almost all the staff and students agreed that lectures should fulfil many roles including stimulating and motivating students and encouraging them to think, as well as presenting ideas and concepts and an indication of the structure and relevance of the material. They should provide a guide for effective deep learning, but not encourage rote (or superficial) learning. A smaller percentage of staff and even fewer students agreed that lectures did fulfil these roles, especially those directed at encouraging students to look beyond simple memorisation of facts. The perceived disparity between reality and the ideal was greater amongst the older, clinical students than amongst their more junior colleagues. Conclusions The focus of attention in lectures needs to change from the superficial, rote learning of information to deep, active learning directed at using information to solve problems that are perceived by the students to be relevant. If done in a stimulating and interesting way, this should develop skills in reasoning and critical analysis as well as providing a framework for storage and recall. It should also increase the motivation towards learning both during the veterinary course, and over the professional lifetime. Furthermore, the place of the lecture in veterinary education needs to be reassessed regularly in the face of newly‐emerging educational technology.
Synchronising ovulation in dairy cows with either two treatments of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone and one of prostaglandin, or two treatments of prostaglandin
Authors: JEMMESON A. 
Published: March 2008

Objective To compare oestrus synchronisation using two treatments of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and one of prostaglandin F2∝aL(PG) with a double prostaglandin synchronisation protocol under southern Australian conditions. Design A clinical trial. Procedure Eight hundred and forty, seasonally calving, lactating dairy cows within nine herds in the Tallangatta district of northeast Victoria were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups. The treatment (GnRH) group received gonadotropin‐releasing hormone followed by prostaglandin F2∝aL and then a second treatment with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone. These cows were inseminated at a fixed time after the second gonadotropin‐releasing hormone treatment. Cows in the control (PG) group received two injections of prostaglandin F2∝aL, 14 days apart, and were inseminated according to detected oestrus. Results The effect of GnRH treatment on first service conception rate (CRS1) and 30 day pregnancy rate (PR30) varied between herd (P < 0.001 and P < 0.02, respectively). A significant difference in CRS1 between treatment (GnRH) and control (PG) groups existed in pooled data from eight of the nine herds (38.1% vs 65.9%, P < 0.001). A significant difference also existed in PR30 between treatment (GnRH) and control (PG) groups in pooled data from eight of the nine herds (64.1% vs 72.4%, P = 0.03). Pregnancy rates after 56 days of mating for both groups were not significantly different (79.8% vs 84.1%, P = 0.13 for treatment (GnRH) and control (PG) groups, respectively). Submission rates (proportion of cows submitted for insemination) for the treatment (GnRH) groups were 100%. There was significant variation in submission rates in the control (PG) groups. Conclusion The GnRH protocol may be of benefit in herds where a poor response to the double prostaglandin program is anticipated. However, in the majority of herds in this trial, the double prostaglandin program achieved better results with fewer inseminations.
The relationship between the rate of intake of trichostrongylid larvae and the occurrence of diarrhoea and breech soiling in adult Merino sheep
Authors: LARSEN JWA , ANDERSON N. 
Published: March 2008

Background and objective A hypersensitive inflammatory response, associated with the ingestion of trichostrongylid larvae, is a major cause of diarrhoea and soiling of the breech with faeces in adult Merino sheep (‘hypersensitivity scours’). This response is characterised by an infiltration of eosinophils and altered lymphocyte populations in the gut of affected sheep. The objective of this study was to investigate the numbers of Ostertagia circumcincta and Trichostrongylus vitrinus infective larvae that were needed to induce diarrhoea in adult Merino sheep grazing improved pastures. Method Sheep from three farms were categorised as either being susceptible, or not susceptible, to hypersensitivity scours, then transported to an experimental farm and grazed on pastures with low numbers of trichostrongylid infective larvae. They were ranked by farm of origin and previous worm egg count, then systematically allocated to one of five dose‐rate groups and infected with 0, 2, 4, 10 or 20 × 103 trichostrongylid infective larvae per week for 13 weeks. Results In sheep selected as being susceptible to hypersensitivity scours, the lowest dose rate of infective larvae (2000 per week) was as effective in inducing diarrhoea as the highest dose rate (20,000 per week). In contrast, even the highest larval dose did not induce diarrhoea in sheep selected as not susceptible to hypersensitivity scours. Sheep selected with an increased susceptibility to hypersensitivity scours also had a significantly higher amount of moisture in their faeces at all times except during summer. Conclusions The apparent lack of a threshold dose of trichostrongylid infective larvae needed to induce hypersensitivity scours suggests that even improved worm control programs, which substantially decrease the ingestion of larvae, may not be able to reduce the prevalence of hypersensitivity scours or the severity of breech soiling. Controlled‐release anthelmintic capsules will control breech soiling but are often not a cost‐effective strategy. Thus, genetic selection of less susceptible sheep is probably the best long‐term option for the control of hypersensitivity scours, and the assessment of faecal moisture may be a convenient marker of susceptibility to this syndrome.
Novel Propionibacterium infection in cattle
Authors: FORBES‐FAULKNER JC , PITT D. , NORTON JH , THOMAS AD , BERNARD K. 
Published: March 2008

Objective To describe four cases of infection in cattle, from geographically different places, with a presumptive new species of Propionibacterium, which causes granulomatous lesions in the head, thorax, abdomen, pelvic area and skin. Procedure Gross lesions, ranging from 0.5 to 15 cm and detected during routine carcase inspection at the abattoir, were submitted to the laboratory for routine testing in the National Granuloma Submission Program.The bacterium isolated was identified using morphological characteristics, biochemical reactions, cell wall components, products of fermentation and 16S rRNAgene sequencing. Results Gross lesions submitted for examination consisted of a fibrous outer capsule enclosing thick yellow pus‐like material. A Gram‐Glynn stain of the histological sections revealed colonies of Gram‐positive, filamentous, branching bacteria. Bacteriological culture, cell wall analysis, biochemical reactions and 16S rRNA sequencing identified the organism as a Propionibacterium sp closely related to P cyclohexanicum and the P freudenreichii cluster. Conclusion This is the first report of a Propionibacterium sp closely related to P cyclohexanicum and the P freudenreichii cluster associated with extensive granulomatous lesions in cattle in Queensland. Sequencing data are suggestive of a previously undescribed species of the Propionibacterium genus.
Neospora caninuminfections in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: REICHEL MP 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo review the current state of knowledge ofNeospora caninuminfections with particular reference to Australia and New Zealand.ProcedureSeveral databases were searched electronically including Medline, Current Contents, Vet CD using several Key words (Neospora caninum, neosporosis, abortion, cattle, dogs) and authors names. References in original articles were also traced and use made of the author's own original research in the field.ConclusionN caninumis recognised worldwide and is also widespread, in particular in dairy cattle, in Australia and New Zealand. It has been reported in both countries retrospectively (in dogs) from the early 1970s. Abortion storms in dairy herds appear to be the most common feature. Recent reports indicate that the dog is the definitive host, in which the sexual cyle is completed. Further studies are however required to establish important aspects of the epidemiology, such as mode of transmission. In the absence of an effective vaccine, the most effective control strategy is selective culling of infected animals and the prevention of access of dogs to expelled placentas and foetuses and, possibly, to raw beef.
Towards an understanding of equine pleuropneumonia: factors relevant for control
Authors: RACKLYEFT DJ , RAIDAL S , LOVE DN 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo review relevant literature on factors associated with the development of equine pleuropneumoniaDesignA review of the literature using a range of databases including Current Contents, Medline, ChemAbstracts, Biological Abstracts and CAB and a comprehensive search strategy which involved use of keywords, author and subject category searches. Additional sources included review of articles cited by key accumulated references.ResultsSince the early years of this century, many of the ‘gaps’ in our knowledge of the pathogenesis of this disease have been filled. We now know that equine pleuropneumonia results from contamination of the lower respiratory tract with bacteria similar to the normal oropharyngeal microbiota of the horse and that transportation of any mode, especially over long distances (and consequently with no or short rest periods), is the single most important predisposing factor for this disease. This is associated with restraint of horses such that they are unable to lower their heads, which leads to increased opportunity for lower respiratory tract contamination and a reduced opportunity for clearance. Strenuous exercise also results in lower respiratory tract contamination and exercise subsequent to transportation exerts additive detrimental effects on the defenses of the lower respiratory tract.Clinical ImplicationsWhile modern veterinary medicine and surgery have significantly reduced the death rate from pleuropneumonia, horses that develop the disease have a high probability of not returning to their prior use. This underscores the importance of developing the most effective strategies for its prevention.
Clinical abnormalities detected in post‐race examinations of poorly performing Standardbreds
Authors: KNIGHT PK , EVANS DL 
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo describe the clinical abnormalities found on post‐race examination of poorly performing Standardbreds.MethodThe results of 541 post‐race veterinary examinations on Standardbreds were analysed. The horses were selected for examination by the stipendiary stewards on the basis of poor performance from a population of approximately 20,000 runners which competed at Harold Park Paceway, Sydney.ResultsClinical abnormalities were detected on post‐race examination in 264 of the 541 poorly performing horses. Some horses displayed more than one abnormality. Twenty three individual abnormalities were reported. Seventy three horses had suffered interference‐type injuries (cross firing, scalping, over reaching) during the race. Lameness was the second most commonly found abnormality (n = 60), with 73% of these lamenesses being in a forelimb. Twenty nine horses had sacroiliac pain (representing 10.6% of the abnormalities detected). Poor recovery, exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage, respiratory infection or nasal discharge, gluteal pain, unilateral nasal haemorrhage and mouth injuries complete the list of the ten most common findings.ConclusionInterference‐type injuries, lameness and sacroiliac pain were the most common abnormalities found on post‐race examination of Standardbreds, which performed poorly.