Tierarztliche Praxis最新文献

Newborn dairy calves (n = 82) were investigated for relations between frequency and intensity of sucking movements at the one hand and course of parturition, values of a modified Apgar-Score, time between birth and first standing as well as parameters in the blood (lactate, glucose, immunoglobulins, pH, base excess, pCO2) and the incidence of newborn diseases at the other hand. In another group 101 dairy and 533 crossbred calves (dairy x beef) were compared with regard to the course of parturition, vitality, sucking behaviour and the ability to stand and drink without help 12 hours post natum. Sucking behaviour can be recommended as a criterion of vitality alone or as part of a modified Apgar-Score. A frequency of 80 and more intensive sucking movements/min sucking time and the ability to stand and drink without human help within 12 hours post natum are physiological. In milk x beef crossbred calves this ability can be impaired even in cases of normal birth.

Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, can infect both mammals and birds. The purpose of the present survey was to determine the presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi in different populations of pigeons. 1043 sera from pigeons (carrier-, urban-, show-pigeons) were examined by standard serological methods. B.burgdorferi shows crossreaction with B. anserina. Therefore all sera were evaluated by IFAT and ELISA for both Borrelia species. The results demonstrate no evidence for the pigeons (Columba livia var. domestica vel urbana) to be reservoir for Borrelia burgdorferi.

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was established to detect autoantibodies in canine patients with hypothyroidism. Thyroglobulin, purified from thyroid glands of euthanized, healthy dogs, was used as antigen. Utilizing this test system, sera of 39 patients with hypothyroidism were screened for the presence of thyroglobulin specific autoantibodies. Positive titers were found in 38% of these dogs, whereas 18 out of 72 patients (25%) with other internal diseases showed a positive reaction. In addition 21 healthy dogs were tested for the presence of anti-thyroglobulin autoantibodies. Three dogs were found to be positive in the ELISA. Development of autoantibody titers was followed up in four cases over a period of one year. A steady decline of autoantibody titers was observed in three patients with hypothyroidism, whereas titers of one healthy dog remained high over this period.

1644 quarter milk samples of 948 dairy cows with subclinical mastitis, collected from 63 veterinary practices all over Germany origined by 262 livestocks with problems in udder health were examined semiquantitatively by "Aulendorfer Mastitistest" for cell count and additionally bacteriologically. Potentially udder pathogenic bacteria were tested for in vitro-sensitivity to penicillin G, ampicillin, oxacillin, cefacetril, tylosin, neomycin, gentamicin, polymyxin B and enrofloxacin. 24.5% of all tested milk samples were bacteriologically negative. In 35.3% of the bacteriological positive milk samples Staphylococcus (S) aureus was detected. Enterococci, Streptococcus (Sc.) uberis, Sc. dysgalactiae and Sc. agalactiae were found in 8.9%, 8.2%, 8.1% and 4.9% of all positive milk samples, respectively. G-streptococci were found only occasionally. Apathogenic bacteria like coagulase-negative staphylococci, micrococci, aerobic bacilli and coryneforms were detected in 45.0% of all positive milk samples. Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, klebsiella spp., proteus spp. and other coliforms) were isolated in 3.3% of all cases and should be considered as insignificant for the subclinical mastitis of dairy cows in Germany. Against S. aureus cefacetril and oxacillin were mostly effective in vitro, whereas penicillin G was ineffective because 40% of these bacteria are penicillinase-positive. Streptococci and enterococci were mostly sensitive to cefacetril, oxacillin, penicillin G and ampicillin. Concerning the distribution of bacteria regional differences were recognized. Regional differences concerning in vitro-sensitivity were negligible. The results are discussed.

The site of Sirkeli Höyük is located on the Cukurova-Plain in southern Turkey upon the river Ceyhan. During the excavation bones were recovered from strata that date from the Chalkolithikum (4th millenium B.C.) to Hellenistic-Roman Times (2nd/1st century B.C.). The analysis of these remains evaluates the nutritional habits of the Höyük inhabitants and the reconstruction of the former landscape. Apparently it consisted of a vast steppe with gallery forests along the rivers and fens. The identification of the deer bones posed considerable problems, because the site is located in the region, where the distribution areas of European and Persian Fallow Deer overlap. Up to now these cervides were usually regarded as two different species. Antler morphology as well as size variation in the bones of prehistoric Fallow Deer suggest a closer relationship between the two forms, for which a subspecific status is proposed.

The cat-scratch disease (CSD) is known as a nosological entity since 1950. It was diagnosed by the clinical symptoms, epidemiologic data, and the intracutaneous test of Hanger and Rose. The aetiologic agent is Bartonella (formerly Rochalimaea) henselae occurring in thirty to fifty percent of healthy cats. The gramnegative alpha-2-proteobacteria cause the CSD but also fever in healthy humans. Patients suffering from AIDS show bacillary angiomatosis, bacillary peliosis hepatis, endocarditis, and septicemia. There is an open question for other aetiologic agents causing CSD as cofactors. For example, Afipia felis is found to a certain extent from patients suffering from CSD. Furthermore, Rothia dentocariosa was isolated in lymphnodes of CSD patients, and also other grampositive rods may play an important role together with B. henselae in CSD.

Back fat thickness was measured at six points in 251 beef heifers aged 3 to 17 months, in 27 beef bulls aged 15 months and in 200 SMR-cows of different age. This was paralleled by estimation of body composition based on total body water analysis. All groups of animals showed the same pattern of back fat thickness for the measuring points investigated. This lead to the result of one optimum measuring point for determination of back fat thickness, which will be described. The portion of body fat relative to body weight change showed great variations in dependence on age. Therefore live weight is of limited relevance for the estimation of body condition. The correlation coefficients between back fat thickness and body fat content were estimated to be between 0.80 and 0.87 for all groups investigated. Change in back fat thickness by 1 mm corresponded to gain or loss of around 5 kg body fat in all animal groups. Hence, measurement of back fat thickness is a suitable method for objective estimation of body condition.

The negative impact of a parasitic infection not only affects the weight gain of the replacement heifer, but also her reproductive performance and hence the productivity of a cow-calf herd. A parasitic infection in the period between weaning and first service can put at risk the continuous weight gain essential for early reproductive maturity at 14-15 months. If, as a herd measurement, the so-called "critical minimum bodyweight" is not achieved by the timing set in the insemination or service plan, negative economic effects result, in the form of prolonged service periods and longer calving patterns. An effective parasite control plan in this critical time frame results in securing a high level of fertility. Such a parasite control programme should be carried out as a strategic measure, taking into account the age of the animal (susceptibility) and the natural risk of infection (pasture contamination). The treatment at the end of the grazing period at the time of housing is of particular importance.

Over a period of five years 28 dog eyes were treated by evisceration and implantation of an intrascleral silicone prosthesis. During an average follow-up period of 2.93 years the only complication noted was a mild entropion in one case. The majority of dog owners were satisfied with the cosmetic result. All of them would again opt for this procedure and prefer it to an enucleation. The postoperative management was well tolerated by both animals and owners. After careful preoperative work-up and ruling-out of intraocular neoplasms, evisceration/prosthesis is a simple and practical method to salvage buphthalmic eyes and globes with beginning phthisis bulbi. Intraocular tumors and septic endophthalmitis are the two principal contraindications. In addition, eyes with deep or even perforated corneal ulcers should not be fitted with an intrascleral prosthesis.

Six commercial hedgehog feedstuffs were evaluated (palatability, composition and digestibility of crude nutrients and minerals). 14 healthy adult hedgehogs were fed these products and one self mixed diet based on minced beef and egg. The composition of all commercial diets was very similar. The components used mostly were cereal products but also animals like insects and prawns were seen. Gross energy was between 1.9 and 2.3 MJ/100 g DM. The concentrations of the minerals were partly very low (Ca, P) and in some products the relation between Ca and P was unsuitable. Even with individual differences between the animals the palatability of the self mixed diet was generally higher. Contrary to the self mixed diet the digestibility of crude protein of the commercial feed was moderate (93 vs. 73-77%). Crude fat was highly digestible (80-92%). In spite of a low activity of amylase in pancreas and chyme the digestibility of the nitrogen free extracts was very high (67-86%), probably due to thermal processing of the cereals. Since crude fibre has a negative effect on total digestibility (r = -0.78) its concentration should be under 3% in the whole diet. The average net absorption rates of minerals were: Ca: +/-0%; P: 50%; Mg: 24%; K: 85% and Na: 80%. Based on this knowledge first recommendations for the composition of nutritionally balanced complete feeds are given.