Veterinary Medicine and Science最新文献

Background and objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of diverse protein sources (soybean, mustard, rapeseed and black cumin [BC]) as dietary supplements on production performance, egg quality and gut microflora of Shaver Brown 579 commercial layers.

Methods: A randomized design allocated 324 hens over 4 months into six treatments with six replications for each treatment, each replication containing 09 birds. The treatments included T0 (control diet), T1 (basal diet + soybean), T2 (basal diet + mustard), T3 (basal diet + rapeseed), T4 (basal diet + mustard + BC) and T5 (Basal diet + Rapeseed + Black cumin). Production performances were assessed monthly and egg quality characters were assessed at 44th and 52nd weeks.

Results: Hens on diets featuring mustard, rapeseed and BC exhibited significantly higher body weight gain (BWG), without substantial impact on feed intake. The highest final body weight was observed in T5, with no mortality occurrences. No significant differences emerged in egg production, albumen index, shape index, shell breaking strength, shell thickness or shell percentage compared to control groups. However, egg weight showed significance in the third month (p < 0.05). Notably, dietary protein sources influenced gut microflora significantly (p < 0.05), with T0 having the highest microbial load and T5 the lowest. Egg production cost was the lowest in T4 (7.13 Tk. or $0.067/egg), where mustard oil cake and BC replaced soybean meal (SBM), whereas T1 recorded the highest cost (7.68 Tk. or $0.072/egg) using SBM.

Conclusion: Mustard meal, rapeseed meal and BC are effective SBM substitutes in layer diets without any adverse effect on egg quality or production. These findings highlight the potential of mustard meal, rapeseed meal and BC as quality protein sources in commercial layer nutrition.

Objective: We hypothesized that variations in oestradiol and progesterone concentrations are significantly correlated with intraocular pressure (IOP) in female dogs and that this association is influenced by systemic physiological parameters such as age, body weight and blood pressure (BP).

Animal studied: This study was performed on 37 female dogs, aged between 1 and 7 years (median: 2.5 years, range: 1-7 years), with a mean weight of 23.15 ± 9.72 kg.

Procedures: The relationships between right intraocular pressure (RIOP) and left (LIOP) with systolic and diastolic BP, serum oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels were assessed. Additional factors, such as age, pulse and body temperature, were also analysed for their correlations with IOP and hormonal levels.

Results: Weak and insignificant positive correlations were noted between E2 and RIOP (r = 0.112, p = 0.255) and P4 and RIOP (r = 0.098, p = 0.283). No significant relationships were identified between E2, P4 and LIOP (E2: r = 0.242, p = 0.112; P4: r = 0.020, p = 0.460). A moderate positive association was identified between systolic BP and LIOP (r = 0.437, p = 0.003), whereas a slight positive correlation was noted between systolic BP and RIOP (r = 0.282, p = 0.045). Substantial negative associations were identified between P4 and systolic BP (r = -0.445, p = 0.010) as well as diastolic BP (r = -0.489, p = 0.005). A strong correlation was found between body weight and RIOP (r = 0.591, p < 0.001) as well as LIOP (r = 0.408, p = 0.006).

Conclusion: This preliminary study highlights that reproductive hormones like E2 and P4, along with factors such as age and body weight, significantly impact physiological parameters, including heart and ocular health in female dogs. Thus, variations in reproductive hormones and factors like age and body weight should be considered when evaluating ocular health in female dogs.

Background: Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and probiotics are used in equine practice. Understanding veterinarians' perceptions and practices is crucial for effective implementation.

Objective: (1) Evaluate the prevalence, usage patterns and perceived effectiveness of probiotics and FMT among equine veterinarians in France and Belgium. (2) Assess their knowledge, practices and influencing factors across demographics and settings. (3) Explore links between FMT protocols and treatment satisfaction.

Study design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: An online survey collected demographic data and responses on the use of probiotics and FMT. Analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and logistic regression models.

Results: Ninety-six equine veterinarians participated, practicing in Belgium (52.1%), France (39.6%) or both (8.3%). Probiotic use was reported by 82.1%, more frequent in field than clinical practice (odds ratio [OR] = 3.61, 95% CI [1.09, 12.02], p = 0.036) and in France than Belgium (OR = 5.08, 95% CI [1.44, 17.94], p = 0.012). Probiotics were used for chronic diarrhoea (88.0%), acute diarrhoea (67.6%) and inflammatory bowel diseases (45.9%). Most veterinarians (83.3%) defined probiotics well, but 16.7% misidentified non-probiotic products. FMT was used by 76.0%, mainly occasionally and therapeutically, more in clinical than field practice (OR = 4.79, 95% CI [1.03, 22.27], p = 0.046). In theory, 58.3% prioritized infection-free donors, but only 22.5% tested donors before FMT, mostly using coprology (93.8%). Those who tested donors reported higher perceived efficacy (p = 0.0029).

Main limitations: Potential selection bias, as participation was voluntary. Generalizability might be limited by focus on France and Belgium. Sample size, while informative, should be expanded.

Conclusion: Probiotics and FMT were commonly used therapeutically by equine veterinarians in France and Belgium. Although probiotic use was widespread, some misunderstandings remained. FMT protocols varied, with donor faeces often untested. Treatment satisfaction was generally positive but estimated success rates varied. Standardized FMT protocols are needed to improve outcomes and consistency.

Understanding laboratory variables in animals undergoing haemodialysis is essential for optimizing therapeutic strategies. This study investigated the laboratory variables of uraemic crisis dogs undergoing intermittent haemodialysis (IHD). Medical records of dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in uraemic crisis and those with acute kidney injury (AKI) undergoing IHD between 2017 and 2024 were reviewed. Fifty-eight dogs and 149 sessions were included. A high prevalence of anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia was observed at admission to the IHD, with the prevalence increasing as the number of sessions increased. Among the dogs with AKI and CKD, 84.6% and 78.1%, respectively, had anaemia. Acidaemia, metabolic acidosis and secondary respiratory alkalosis were common and were corrected after the sessions. Among dogs whose pH was within the reference range at admission to IHD, 43.5% exhibited reductions in bicarbonate and PCO₂. The prevalence of metabolic acidosis was 40.6% in CKD and 34.6% in AKI. After the sessions, there were decreases (p ≤ 0.001) in RBC, haematocrit, MCHC, platelets, creatinine, urea, phosphorus, plasma proteins and potassium, and increases (p ≤ 0.043) in MCV, pH, HCO₃, the anion gap, chloride, sodium and ionized calcium. There was an average decrease in haematocrit of 3.42-5% per session (p < 0.0001). The documented laboratory changes support early therapeutic planning. Acid-base correction and toxin removal highlight the efficacy of IHD, while the progression of anaemia and hypoalbuminaemia requires continued monitoring. Estimating the average decrease in haematocrit per session allows for the prediction of haematocrit decline, enabling more precise planning of priming fluid selection and blood product replacement.

Background: Hypocalcaemia in relation to postpartum diseases is well researched in bovine medicine, with findings extrapolated from this species for clinical evaluation in the canine. In bitches, the association of serum ionized calcium (iCa²⁺) and the incidence of mastitis and metritis, along with clinical hypocalcaemia signs in bitches, has not yet been evaluated. iCa²⁺ and dystocia have been previously assessed with mixed conclusions.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare serum iCa²⁺ concentrations between bitches that did or did not develop mastitis, metritis or dystocia. A secondary objective was to assess iCa²⁺ concentrations throughout the estrous cycle, including pregnancy and lactation.

Methods: An observational cohort study was conducted in a guide dog population, with serum samples collected to measure iCa²⁺ concentrations at four different time points (pre-breeding, late gestation, 24 hours postpartum and 10 weeks postpartum) over a 2.5-year sampling timeframe. Cohorts studied included bitches that did and did not develop postpartum diseases.

Results: During 82 estrous cycles recorded from a total of 59 bitches, the overall incidence of mastitis, metritis and dystocia in this population was 21%, 15% and 38%, respectively. Differences in iCa²⁺ concentrations were not significant for bitches with mastitis, metritis or dystocia at any time point. iCa²⁺ concentrations measured at pre-breeding, late gestation, 24 hours postpartum and 10 weeks postpartum were not different between groups.

Conclusions: iCa²⁺ concentrations do not appear to be related to the incidence of dystocia, mastitis or metritis, as documented in this study.

Bovine bacterial mastitis is an inflammation of cows' udders by bacterial infection, leading to significant economic, animal welfare and public health consequences. Conventional diagnostic tests are expensive, time-consuming, and require specialised laboratories, making them unsuitable for on-farm surveillance and timely interventions. As an alternative, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has gained attention as a rapid, cost-effective and sensitive molecular diagnostic. LAMP amplifies DNA at a constant temperature, offering a simple and efficient method for bacterial detection. This review compiles studies on LAMP assays developed to detect major mastitis-causing bacteria. Thus, a total of 18 LAMP assays were identified using PRISMA guidelines. Colourimetric and turbidity-based LAMP assays were most frequently used. Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus uberis and Escherichia coli were the most common bacteria detected. While LAMP demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity in laboratory settings, its efficacy in field conditions remains uncharacterised. Nevertheless, the simplicity of sample preparation, resistance to inhibitors, short turnaround time, ease of running and simple-to-interpret results make LAMP a promising method for on-farm diagnosis. Overall, this review highlights the current state of LAMP developed for bovine mastitis and identifies gaps for future studies.

Background: Abattoir surveillance is the font of valuable information on the incidence and epidemiology of animal disease, having both public and animal health importance. A cross-sectional study followed by simple random sampling was conducted from December 2021 to May 2022 to identify the major causes of edible offal condemnation and to estimate the financial losses attributed to edible offal condemnation in cattle slaughtered at Bahir Dar municipal abattoir, northwestern Ethiopia, using antemortem and post-mortem examination.

Result: Out of 334 cattle investigated, 3.6% (12/334) cattle showed detectable abnormalities including diarrhoea in 0.6% (2/12), lameness in 0.9% (3/12) and tick infestation in 1.2% (4/12), and nasal discharge in 0.9% (3/12) in cattle during an antemortem examination. However, in post-mortem examination, 22.16% (74/334) of cattle revealed lesions in visceral organs including the liver (14.6%), lung (9.9%), kidney (1.8%), heart (2.4%) and tongue (0.9%). The major causes that were identified in the current study include calcification, fasciolosis, hydatid cyst, cirrhosis, abscess, pneumonia, haemorrhage, emphysema, congestion, pericarditis, Cysticercus bovis, nephritis and renal calculi. Among the putative risk factors, only body condition was shown to have statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) with the prevalence of major causes of organ condemnation upon post-mortem examination. The overall financial losses incurred due to organ condemnation were estimated to be $475.19, with an annual loss of $15,447.85.

Conclusion: The current study implies that there was considerable edible offal condemnation resulting in significant economic loss. This instigates that it is crucial to adopt efficient animal management practices, conduct regular health assessments of animals and provide educational programmes for animal owners on disease prevention strategies like deworming to reduce the incidence of organ condemnation and its financial impacts in the region.

Background: Medical ozone is used in various treatments due to its oxidising properties.

Objective: We aimed in this study to evaluate the impact of intrarectal ozone therapy on haematological and biochemical parameters, as well as the pain induced by the procedure in sport horses.

Study design: In vivo experiment with 12 Quarter Horses (3 males and 9 females) used as their own controls to assess the effects of ozone therapy.

Methods: Blood samples were collected before treatment (Control), 24 h after ozone therapy (24 h post-treatment), and 7 days after the last day of ozone therapy (7 days post-treatment). These samples were analysed for haematological and biochemical parameters. Pain assessment, clinical evaluation, and the measurement of heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) were conducted before and during ozone therapy.

Results: Ozone therapy significantly affected haemoglobin (F_2,20 = 5.55; p = 0.012), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations (MCHC) (F_2,20 = 16.01; p < 0.001), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity (F_2,20 = 20.49; p < 0.001). Specifically, haemoglobin concentration decreased 24 h after ozone therapy, MCHC levels increased 7 days post-ozone therapy, and AST activity decreased 7 days post-ozone therapy. Blood smears taken 24 h post-treatment revealed red blood cells with membrane deformities, which normalised by 7 days post-treatment. None of the animals exhibited clinical symptoms, although pain scores increased, although pain scores increased (before: 4.2 ± 0.4; during: 5.3 ± 0.4; F_1,107 = 5.20; p = 0.025). The reduction in haemoglobin was likely due to oxidative damage, which stimulated the production of erythrocytes with higher haemoglobin content. Lower AST levels suggested an absence of liver damage. The increase in pain scores suggests that using lower concentrations or doses in future studies might alleviate discomfort in the animals.

Main limitations: The study's applicability is limited by the small sample size, particularly the number of males, yet the findings provide valuable insights.

Conclusions: Overall, the administration of intrarectal ozone therapy over a 7-day period in horses was associated with favourable haematological modifications, which may suggest an enhancement in systemic tissue oxygenation.

Background: Smallholder dairy farming in southern Ethiopia, particularly in the Gamo and Wolaita zones, is constrained by seasonal feed shortages, high reliance on costly commercial concentrates, and underutilisation of locally available feed resources.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess how socio-economic and seasonal factors interact with the use of indigenous alternative feeds to enhance dairy productivity.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 264 dairy-producing households (132 per zone), selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations, and analysed using descriptive statistics, two-way ANOVA, and index ranking.

Results: The mean household size was 6.12 ± 2.16, and 62.2% of respondents were male. Commercial concentrate use was significantly higher in Gamo (61.6%) than in Wolaita (44.8%) (p < 0.001). Fresh/cut-and-carry feeding practices dominated in Gamo (82.9%), whereas Wolaita farmers preferred mixing alternative feeds with salt or grain (60.8%) (p < 0.001). Key indigenous species such as Vernonia amygdalina showed high preference indices (Gamo: 0.977; Wolaita: 0.985). Seasonal feed availability differed significantly between wet (30.8%) and dry seasons (20.5%) (p = 0.040). Improved animal health was more frequently reported in Wolaita (80.0%) than in Gamo (63.1%) (p = 0.002), while increased milk yield was reported by nearly all farmers (Gamo: 98.8%, Wolaita: 99.6%). Local availability and feeding value were the primary criteria for selecting indigenous fodder, with index values ranging from 0.689 to 0.803.

Conclusions: The study concludes that indigenous feeds hold strong potential to address feed scarcity and enhance dairy productivity. Targeted extension, conservation techniques, and seed dissemination are recommended to strengthen adoption.