Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Paclikova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Kohout Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Vlasin Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Diagnostic possibilities in the management of canine prostatic disorders Abstract: Various prostatic disorders are described in older intact dogs. Progression of disease commences quite often in dogs aged 5.5 years or older. Clinical symptoms are transient in the beginning, and are difficult to recognize. In fact, patient feels very little, if any, discomfort as troubles develop subsequently. As an exception to the rule there is acute inflammation, symptoms of which are severe, sometimes even life threatening. Diagnosis not meticulously established, when procedure is not met properly, (e.g. recognition of prostatitis without identification of infectious agent) this may result in development of chronic disease, which is often hard to manage. Rectal palpation should be part of routine examination in all older dogs, while correct diagnostic protocol should follow. By means of precise diagnostic protocol, we are able to identify the problem early, often in the curable stage of disease; therefore we are able to maintain fertility of the patient, as well. So far, described prostatic disorders are benign hyperplasia (BPH), squamous metaplasia, prostatic inflammation, both acute and chronic, prostatic cysts and abscesses and neoplasia. Keywords: dog, prostate gland, urology Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 1-13 Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/5511-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5511-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200601-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:51:y:2006:i:1:id:5511-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Wojdak-Maksymiec Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Agricultural University of Szczecin, Poland Author-Name: M. Kmiec Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Agricultural University of Szczecin, Poland Author-Name: J. Ziemak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Agricultural University of Szczecin, Poland Title: Associations between bovine lactoferrin gene polymorphism and somatic cell count in milk Abstract: The study included 124 Polish Black-and-White dairy cows of various share of the Holstein-Friesian (HF) breed. Lactoferrin (LTF) gene polymorphism was obtained with PCR-RFLP method using EcoRI enzyme. Two alleles of LTF, A and B, were found in the studied population. Their frequencies were 67.74% and 32.56%, respectively. The alleles controlled the occurrence of three genotypes: AA, BB and AB, of frequencies equal to 37.90%, 2.42% and 59.68%, respectively. It was established that statistically significant associations exist between the somatic cell count (SCC) and LTF genotype, lactation month and parity as well as the HF gene share. No significant association was found between somatic cell count and season. The highest somatic cell count (transformed to a logarithmic scale) was found in milk of the AB genotype, whereas the lowest one was found in cows of the AA genotype. Keywords: lactoferrin, polymorphism, somatic cell count, bovine Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 14-20 Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/5512-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5512-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200601-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:51:y:2006:i:1:id:5512-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V. Vecerek Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Malena Author-Workplace-Name: State Veterinary Administration, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Malena Author-Workplace-Name: State Veterinary Administration, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: E. Voslarova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Chloupek Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The impact of the transport distance and season on losses of fattened pigs during transport to the slaughterhouse in the Czech Republic in the period from 1997 to 2004 Abstract: The welfare conditions in animal transport have a significant impact on the levels of stress burden on animals before slaughter in the slaughterhouse, and have an impact on veterinary decision-making about meat and organ edibility, and also on the quality of slaughtered animal meat. The ratio of ensuring the level of welfare in animal transport can be taken as the numbers of animals having died during transport and having died in the slaughterhouse shortly after transport is completed. As to the kinds of animals raised for meat, the issue of mortality in relation to transport is especially significant in pigs. In the period from 1997 to 2004, the transport of slaughter pigs, in terms of the protection of the animals against cruelty, was monitored in theCzechRepublic. The aim was to ascertain pig losses in relation to transport to the slaughterhouse, to find out the impact of transport distance on losses of these pigs, and to determine the impact of the different seasons on losses of these pigs. The data concerning pigs fed for slaughter in the slaughterhouse (fattening pigs) was analysed, the data did not include the information concerning small sows, sows and boar kept for breeding and now excluded from breeding and slaughtered in the slaughterhouse. We have established the pig mortality level to be 0.107% ± 0.013%. However, this mortality level changed depending on the transport distance - from 0.062% ± 0.007% in the case of transport distances up to 50 km, to 0.335% ± 0.113% in the case of transport distances over and above 300 km. The level of losses of pigs increased with the length of transport distances, which is given to the long-term and higher-stress burdens in these pigs caused by longer transportation times. The seasons are expressed by the individual months, and had an impact on the transported pigs' mortality number. Altogether, the highest losses occurred in the summer months, especially in June, July, and August. The increased mortality in the summer months is related to the higher ambient temperature in these months, which has a negative impact on the welfare of the pigs, and thus also on the higher pig losses during transport. The ascertained results produced evidence for the relatively high sensitivity of pigs to the stress burden caused by transport to the slaughterhouse and showing themselves in the number of pigs having died due to transport. The increasing transport distance and higher ambient temperature in the summer months show themselves in the increased number of pigs having died in relation to their transport to the slaughterhouse. Keywords: welfare, stress, slaughter pigs, transportation time, ambient temperature, summer months Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 21-28 Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/5513-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5513-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200601-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:51:y:2006:i:1:id:5513-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: K. Hauptmanova Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Maly Author-Workplace-Name: National Institute of Public Health, Prague, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Literak Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Changes of haematological parameters in common pheasant throughout the year Abstract: The haematological parameters of the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), the dynamics of changes in blood count parameters with regard to the season of the year and reproduction status, and the effects of sex and body condition on the haematological parameters of blood were studied. In total, 574 blood samples were collected. The samples were collected from pheasants from the age of 6 months, prior to the laying period, and after the laying period. Packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration significantly increased in males during the period of growth and decreased during the period of reproductive activity. Significantly higher values were detected in males compared to females in erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. A statistically significant positive relationship was detected between weight and the values of most of the parameters related to red blood cells. Keywords: haematology, Phasianus colchicus, erythrocytes, leucocytes Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 29-34 Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/5514-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5514-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200601-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:51:y:2006:i:1:id:5514-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A.C. Spichiger Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Author-Name: K. Allenspach Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Author-Name: Y. Zbinden Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Author-Name: M.G. Doherr Author-Workplace-Name: Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Author-Name: S. Hiss Author-Workplace-Name: Institute of Animal Science, Physiology and Hygiene, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Author-Name: J.W. Blum Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Author-Name: S.N. Sauter Author-Workplace-Name: Division of Nutrition and Physiology, Institute of Animal Genetics, Nutrition and Housing, Title: Plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in dogs with chronic enteropathies Abstract: Plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 were examined in dogs suffering from food-responsive diarrhea (group FRD) or inflammatory bowel disease (group IBD) before and after treatment and compared with IGF-1 values in healthy dogs (group C). Blood of 76 dogs was sampled (FRDbefore treatment, n = 23; IBD before treatment, n = 11; C, n = 42) and after treatment (FRD, n = 15; IBD, n= 8) with a hypoallergenic diet combined with (group IBD) or without prednisolone (group FRD). A clinical score (Canine IBD Activity Index = CIBDAI) was applied to judge the health status in all dogs. Plasma concentration of IGF-1, of total protein, albumin, glucose, urea, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and of the acute phase protein haptoglobin was measured in all dogs. The CIBDAI scores decreased during the treatment period in FRD and IBD (P < 0.05). IGF-1 concentrations were positively correlated with body weight (BW) (rsp = 0.65, P < 0.001) and values of IGF-1 were therefore normalized with BW. IGF-1/BW ratios were lower in FRD and IBD before treatment than in C (P < 0.01). IGF-1/BW ratios increased in FRD (P < 0.05) dogs during treatment. Plasma glucose concentration was lower in FRD dogs before treatment than in C (P < 0.05), and NEFA concentrations were higher in FRDdogs before and after treatment than in C (P < 0.001). Haptoglobin concentrations were higher in IBD dogs before and after treatment than in all other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic enteropathies reduce the plasma IGF-1 status in dogs. The increase of the IGF-1/BW ratio after treatment suggests that plasma IGF-1 concentration may help to judge the outcome of chronic enteropathies in dogs. Keywords: plasma insulin-like growth factor, metabolites, haptoglobin, food responsive diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 35-43 Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Year: 2006 DOI: 10.17221/5515-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5515-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200601-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:51:y:2006:i:1:id:5515-VETMED