Veterinary Record Open最新文献

Background: Pigs are frequently colonised with Salmonella enterica, and this constitutes a major risk for human salmonellosis. The infection can be assessed by the serological response of pigs to S enterica. A longitudinal study was undertaken on-farm to correctly describe this serological response and investigate factors associated with age at Salmonella seroconversion.

Methods: Three pig farms and in each farm three successive batches were considered. Per batch, 40 piglets were selected at random from 10 sows (four piglets per sow). Blood was sampled from sows one week after farrowing and from piglets at weeks 1, 6, 10, 14, 18 and 22 and at the slaughterhouse. Salmonella antibodies were detected in serum using a commercial ELISA test. Factors related to farm characteristics, batch management system, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome infection, and sows' Salmonella serological status were recorded to assess their effect on age at seroconversion.

Results: At week 1 after farrowing, 96.5 per cent of the sows had antibodies against Salmonella. The serological results of piglets at weeks 1 and 6 only were positively correlated with those of the sows. The average age at Salmonella seroconversion was 137±2.2 days (confidence interval at 95 per cent). The first seroconversions occurred from weeks 10 to 14, but most of the pigs (54.6 per cent) were seropositive at the end of the fattening period, with variations between farms and batches (28.9-75.7 per cent). Herd/farm was significantly associated with age at seroconversion.

Conclusion: This longitudinal study allowed the authors to follow precisely the evolution of Salmonella seroconversion from maternity to slaughterhouse and confirm the relationship between the seroconversion of sows and serology of their piglets. Moreover, factors related to farm practices and management as a whole are more influential than individual factors (at the pig level) on age at Salmonella seroconversion.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks engender a severe economic impact on the poultry industry and public health. Migratory waterfowl are considered the natural hosts of HPAI virus, and HPAI viruses are known to be transmitted over long distances during seasonal bird migration. Bird migration is greatly affected by the weather. Many studies have shown the relationship between either autumn or spring bird migration and climate. However, few studies have shown the relationship between annual bird migration and annual weather. This study aimed to establish a model for the number of migratory waterfowl involved in HPAI virus transmission based on meteorological data. From 136 species of waterfowl that were observed at Futatsudate in Miyazaki, Japan, from 2008 to 2016, we selected potential high-risk species that could introduce the HPAI virus into Miyazaki and defined them as 'risky birds'. We also performed cluster analysis to select meteorological factors. We then analysed the meteorological data and the total number of risky birds using a generalised linear mixed model. We selected 10 species as risky birds: Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Northern pintail (Anas acuta), Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope), Eurasian teal (Anas crecca), Common pochard (Aythya ferina), Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), Northern shoveler (Anas clypeata), Common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna), Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) and Herring gull (Larus argentatus). We succeeded in clustering 35 meteorological factors into four clusters and identified three meteorological factors associated with their migration: (1) the average daily maximum temperature; (2) the mean value of global solar radiation and (3) the maximum daily precipitation. We thus demonstrated the relationship between the number of risky birds and meteorological data. The dynamics of migratory waterfowl was relevant to the risk of an HPAI outbreak, and our data could contribute to cost and time savings in strengthening preventive measures against epidemics.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe how canine diabetes mellitus (CDM) is monitored in primary care practice (PCP) and to report outcomes.

Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: PCP.

Participants: 40 dogs of 22 different pedigrees and five crossbreeds. Median age at diagnosis was nine years and six months (eight years six months to 10 years five months). Dogs were diagnosed with CDM between January 1, 2008 and December 30, 2012 and remained with the practice to the study end or until death.

Primary and secondary outcome measures: Stability achievement and death or euthanasia. Consultations for each dog were identified and recorded through records collected from the PCP (January 1, 2008 to December 30, 2012).

Results: A median of three consultations per dog occurred in the first month, subsequently falling to a median of one consultation every 19 days thereafter. After the first month postdiagnosis, weight and single blood glucose concentrations were most frequently recorded at 66.8 and 42 per cent of consultations respectively and a blood glucose curve was performed infrequently (17.4 per cent). Serum biochemistry was measured at 8 per cent of consultations and urine culture at only 0.8 per cent. Median survival time (MST) for all dogs was eight months (2-21 months). Eighteen dogs stabilised within three months of diagnosis and their MST was 20.5 months, (10.25-25.75 months), significantly longer than the 22 dogs not achieving stability within three months (MST 2.5 months, 0-5.5 months) (P<0.001). Those dogs not surviving beyond the first month had significantly fewer consultations than those still alive (P<0.005).

Conclusions: This pilot study indicates dogs with CDM managed solely in PCP experience limited monitoring tests and have lower MST than reported in the literature. Recruitment of a larger cohort of CDM cases from a larger number of PCP will help determine whether these results accurately represent this demographic and verify if infrequent testing is associated with a poor outcome. Importantly, prospective evaluation of decision-making around monitoring CDM in PCP is required, to help determine the effectiveness and feasibility of more frequent monitoring strategies, such as those recommended by the American Animal Hospital Association, particularly to influence MST.

Objectives and design: This trial evaluated the effect of bandaging of acute painful ulcerative bovine digital dermatitis (DD) lesion (stage M2) in dairy cows, tested using two different topical treatments.

Design: Randomised clinical trial.

Setting: This study was conducted using Holstein-Friesian cows ranging in age from heifers to fourth lactation in a single dairy herd and diagnosed with acute ulcerative DD lesions (stage M2) on the first examination (week 0). Cows were randomly assigned into either a non-bandaged or bandaged group across two treatment conditions: topical chlortetracycline spray (CTC) and Intra Hoof-Fit Gel (IHF). Lesions received standardised bandaging and treatment on a weekly basis. Unhealed lesions could receive up to five repeated treatments, at weekly intervals, within a four-week period. Both M-stage and locomotion were also evaluated and scored weekly. Cows with healthily formed skin (stage M0) were deemed healed and subsequently released from the study.

Results: In total, 163 M2 lesions were diagnosed at week 0. Bandaged M2 lesions had a significantly higher probability of cure than non-bandaged lesions regardless of treatment type (HR: 4.1; P<0.001; 95 per cent CI: 2.5 to 6.8). Most healing occurred within the first three weeks of trial. Furthermore, bandaged lesions (group 2 and group 4) were significantly less likely to progress into the chronic hyperkeratotic or proliferative stage (M4) than non-bandaged lesions in group 1 and group 3 (HR: 0.10; P<0.001; 95 per cent CI: 0.04 to 0.22). Out of concern for the cow's wellbeing, this study investigated the effects of bandaging on locomotion. Bandaging had no effect on locomotion for either cows treated with CTC (group 1: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1-2; group 2: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1-3; P=0.3) or IHF (group 3: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1-2; group 4: median Sprecher score, 2; IQR=1-3; P=0.3).

Background: Due to increasing popularity in Sweden during the last decade, alpacas are frequently encountered by practising veterinarians and pathologists. Knowledge regarding their health and diseases under Swedish conditions is, however, limited.

Objectives: To improve knowledge about the health of alpacas in Sweden by collecting information on diseases and health status.

Design: A retrospective study was made of 93 necropsies conducted on alpacas in Sweden during the period 2001-2013.

Setting: Data were obtained from the two major veterinary pathology centres in Sweden. The alpacas were hobby or farm animals and they were submitted by veterinarians in local practices or at a national animal healthcare organisation.

Results: The digestive system was most frequently affected (29 per cent), with parasitic gastroenteritis (17 per cent) and hepatic disease being especially prevalent (15 per cent fascioliasis and 7 per cent hepatitis). Cardiovascular conditions (9 per cent), systemic diseases (7 per cent) and perinatal deaths were also common, including abortions (10 per cent) and fatal septicaemia (4 per cent). Wasting/emaciation was a frequent finding (26 per cent). Other diagnoses included dermatitis (8 per cent), diseases of the central nervous system (8 per cent), traumatic injuries (7 per cent), neoplasia (5 per cent), pneumonia (5 per cent) and nephritis (3 per cent).

Conclusions: This study identified areas of concern regarding diagnostic and pathological procedures, for which specific measures have been recommended. One particular cause for concern was the number of deaths from emaciation in weanling alpacas during late winter or early spring. For adult alpacas, infectious and non-infectious causes of death were approximately equally frequent. Many of the diseases were considered clinically acute but pathology often showed them to be chronic conditions that had eventually deteriorated and presented as acute cases in the late stages. This study revealed similarities in the health/disease status reported in other European countries and in North America. The results can be used by alpaca keepers and veterinary practitioners to improve management, diagnosis and treatment of alpacas.