Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: G.A. Papadopoulos Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Harelbeke, Belgium Author-Name: D.G.D. Maes Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Harelbeke, Belgium Author-Name: G.P.J. Janssens Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Harelbeke, Belgium Title: Mineral accretion in nursing piglets in relation to sow performance and mineral source Abstract: The present study investigated the effect of a moderate substitution of inorganic mineral sources with chelated mineral sources from four weeks prior to parturition throughout lactation on sow and litter performance. In addition, the aims were to determine whether the mineral source and litter performance affect mineral status and accretion in piglets at birth and at weaning. Forty gestating sows in a commercial pig herd were selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups, with part of the Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe content of the feed added as either an inorganic mineral source or a chelated mineral source. From each sow, one piglet was randomly selected at birth and at weaning for total body mineral analysis. Neither the performance of the sows and the piglets nor the total body mineral concentrations of the piglets at birth and at weaning were significantly different between the two diet groups (P > 0.05). Fe, Na and P content of piglets at birth were inversely correlated with birth weight (r = -0.447, P = 0.004 for Fe; r = -0.431, P = 0.005 for Na; r = -0.340, P = 0.032 for P). Daily accretion rate of K and Ca of piglets was positively correlated with piglet growth performance during the entire lactation period (r = 0.469, P = 0.008 for K; r = 0.581, P < 0.001 for Ca), and negatively correlated with number of liveborn piglets (r = -0.424, P = 0.014 for K, and r = -0.405, P = 0.027 for Ca). In conclusion, the study documented that partial substitution of inorganic minerals with a chelated mineral source failed to exert significant effects on performance and total body mineral concentrations. The importance of the influence of sow milk production on mineral body stores in piglets warrants further investigation. Keywords: sow, chelated minerals, piglet growth, mineral accretion Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 41-46 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/28/2009-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/28/2009-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0001.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:28-2009-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: M. Trckova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: H. Vondruskova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: Z. Zraly Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: P. Alexa Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Hamrik Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Kummer Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Maskova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: V. Mrlik Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: K. Krizova Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Slana Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Leva Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: I. Pavlik Author-Workplace-Name: Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic Title: The effect of kaolin feeding on efficiency, health status and course of diarrhoeal infections caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains in weaned piglets Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of kaolin feeding on health status, body weight gain (BWG), course of diarrhoeal infections caused by enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli (ETEC) and the level of mycobacterial contamination in weaned piglets. The testing was performed in two experiments involving 40 weaned piglets at the age of 28 days. In the infection-free experiment, piglets were fed a diet without (C0) or with 1% content of kaolin (K0) for 20 days. Subsequently, all of them were fed the same diet without kaolin supplementation for 39 days. Identical diets were fed during the infection experiment, and moreover, both groups (CI and KI) were orally infected with ETEC (O141:F18ac, STa+) on Day 1 of experiment. The short-term feeding of kaolin to weaned piglets had a significant positive effect on their BWG. During the period of feeding the kaolin-containing diets, BWG in C0 and K0 were 0.20 and 0.29 kg, respectively (P < 0.05), and in CI and KI 0.13 and 0.19 kg, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no evidence of side effects to their health, neither was there any change in biochemical and haematological profiles. In the infection experiment, a protective effect of kaolin on the course of ETEC infection was evident. Colonization and shedding of ETEC by piglets fed the kaolin diet were milder and had a shorter duration in comparison with control piglets. The culture examination of pure kaolin and kaolin containing diets for mycobacteria were negative. Potentially pathogenic mycobacteria occurring in the environment were isolated from faeces and tissues of pigs. According to these results, supplementation of diets with 1% kaolin to prevent diarrhoea in piglets and to support their growth in the critical post-weaning period could be recommended. Keywords: kaolinite, aluminosilicate, clay, feed additives, enterosorbents, pig, growth, serum biochemistry, haematology, diarrhoea, Mycobacterium avium complex, feed safety Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 47-63 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/5/2009-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/5/2009-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0002.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:5-2009-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: H. Bandouchova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Sedlackova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Hubalek Author-Workplace-Name: University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Author-Name: M. Pohanka Author-Workplace-Name: University of Defence, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Author-Name: L. Peckova Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: F. Treml Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: F. Vitula Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Author-Name: J. Pikula Author-Workplace-Name: University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic Title: Susceptibility of selected murine and microtine species to infection by a wild strain of Francisella tularensis subsp. holoarctica Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare susceptibility of BALB/c mice, common voles (Microtus arvalis) and yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis) to infection by a virulent Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica strain. Median survival in these three species following experimental infection with 320 colony forming units of F. tularensis (both intraperitoneally and subcutaneously) amounted to 4.5, 7 and 4 days, respectively. Survival curves of BALB/c and yellow-necked mice were very similar and were significantly different from that of common voles. LD50 was 0.5 and 37.9 colony forming units in BALB/c mice and common voles, respectively. The bacterial burden in the spleen, liver, lung, kidney and blood of common voles started to develop later post exposure and amounted to lower levels (except in kidneys) than in BALB/c mice. The results demonstrate that yellow-necked mice are even more susceptible to infection by F. tularensis than BALB/c mice and that the common vole is a small mammalian host with a susceptibility which is two-orders-of-magnitude lower. Keywords: tularaemia, survival time, minimum infectious dose, LD50, bacterial burden Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 64-74 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/1913-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1913-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0003.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:1913-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Prohaczik Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary Author-Name: M. Kulcsar Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary Author-Name: Gy. Huszenicza Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary Title: Metabolic and endocrine characteristics of pregnancy toxemia in the ferret Abstract: Metabolic and endocrine characteristics of pregnancy toxemia are well documented in small ruminants, but less known in other species. The objective of this study was to measure plasma levels of certain metabolites and metabolic hormones related to the energetic status in blood from sick and healthy, non-pregnant (control) ferrets. Blood was collected from moribund, hypothermic, late pregnant females suffering from pregnancy toxemia (n = 4) and from healthy female ferrets (n = 14) to measure glucose, ketone (βOH-butyrate, BHB), insulin, thyroxine (T4) and 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations. In contrast to healthy animals, hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia, hypoinsulinemia and decreased T4 and T3 levels were detected in females with pregnancy toxemia and necropsy showed excessive hepatic lipidosis. In summary, it can be concluded that pregnancy toxemia caused by a negative energy balance in ferrets resembles the late-gestational hyperketonemia of twin-pregnant ewes, and moreover that similar endocrine changes may occur. Keywords: gestational ketosis, insulin, thyroxine (T4), 3, 3', 5-triiodo-thyronine (T3) Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 75-80 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/19/2009-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/19/2009-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0004.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:19-2009-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: L.D. Singla Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India Author-Name: G.S. Aulakh Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India Author-Name: R. Sharma Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India Author-Name: P.D. Juyal Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India Author-Name: J. Singh Author-Workplace-Name: College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, India Title: Concurrent infection of Taenia taeniaeformis and Isospora felis in a stray kitten: a case report Abstract: The present report describes a unique case of acute diarrhoea, dehydration and weakness in a stray female kitten due to concurrent infection of Taenia taeniaeformis and Isospora felis. Death occured before any treatment could be attempted and postmortem examination revealed the presence of live tapeworms embedded in the mucosa of the small intestine. The tapeworms were identified as Taenia taeniaeformis by Scanning Electron and Light microscopy. The uterus of the tapeworms was filled with eggs. The intestinal contents were yellow in colour and upon their examination by faecal floatation the presence of Isospora oocysts was revealed. On histopathological examination, necrotic enteritis along with endogenous tissue stages of Isospora spp. were observed in the intestine. The other cats in the area were found to pass eggs and/or gravid segments of T. taeniaeformis in their faeces. Infection with the metacestodes (Cysticercus fasciolaris) of this indirectly transmitted parasite was found in the liver of the intermediate hosts, i.e., the wild rats Bandicota bengalensis. Keywords: acute diarrhoea, coccidian, necrotic enteritis, tapeworm Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 81-83 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/1914-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/1914-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0005.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:1914-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: E.M. Martin-Suarez Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: A. Galan Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Author-Name: J.M. Molleda Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain Title: Reincident corneal epithelial inclusion cyst in a dog: a case report Abstract: An unilateral corneal epithelial inclusion cyst (CEIC) in a 8-years-old female mixed Poodle is reported. The cyst had been observed for 60 days, was unique, not congenital and only one eye was involved. One year prior to the referral the dog was treated with antibiotics due to an ocular trauma caused by a fight with a cat. In the same eye, palpebral melanocytic tumor and corneal dystrophy were also observed. In order to remove the CEIC a superficial keratectomy was performed. Collagen contact lens and topical antibiotics were the medical treatment of choice. Fifteen month after surgery the dog was referred for recurrence of the CEIC. A second keratectomy and similar topical treatment was attempted again. A second recurrence 16 months after surgery has not been observed to the date. Cytology and histology analysis of the cyst confirmed the diagnosis of the CEIC. Microbiologic studies were also realized and Staphylococcus epidermidis was aisled twice in fifteen months. In this case a relapsing CEIC is reported associated to S. epidermidis contamination. Corneal dystrophy and palpebral melanoma were concomitant lesions, although no relations with the CEIC were concluded. Keywords: corneal epithelial inclusion cyst, corneal disease, dog Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 84-88 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/3003-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/3003-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0006.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:3003-VETMED Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: A. Prohaczik Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary Author-Name: M. Kulcsar Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary Author-Name: Gy. Huszenicza Author-Workplace-Name: Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary Title: Deslorelin treatment of hyperoestrogenism in neutered ferrets (Mustela putorius furo): a case report Abstract: Hyperoestrogenism causing progressive alopecia in neutered ferrets may be induced by ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and nodular hyperplasia of the adrenocortex (hyperadrenocorticism, NHA). The objective of the study was to determine whether a slow-release implant of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, deslorelin, has any value in therapy of hyperoestrogenism of adrenocortical origin (NHA). Three supposed cases of NHA with alopecia and other clinical signs of hyperoestrogenism (n = 2 spayed females in oestrous and n = 1 castrated male) were treated with a subcutaneous implant of 4.7 mg deslorelin acetate. Blood samples were collected, and plasma levels of estradiol (E2) were determined just before, and some weeks after treatment. For realistic monitoring, blood samples for E2 determination were also taken from intact, healthy (untreated control) females after the beginning of heat (n = 5), or 9-21 days after, with hCG induced ovulation (n = 6), or out of breeding season (n = 3). Before treatment, all three alopecic ferrets showed elevated E2 concentrations (99.45-139.9 pmol/l) similar to the untreated control females in oestrous (61.6-123.02 pmol/l) (P = 0.229). Some weeks after the deslorelin administration, the hair of these ferrets began to grow again and the elevated E2 concentrations significantly decreased compared to the pre-treatment values (P = 0.035). E2 concentrations reached the basal level (12.89-16.08 pmol/l) typical for that of the untreated control females in anoestrus or in luteal phase (12.0-30.58 pmol/l) (P = 0.137). All treated ferrets were examined again 19-21 months after implant insertion (the implant still being present) and all of them had normal hair and were clinically healthy. These observations prove that deslorelin can suppress the E2 production of NHA, and is therefore a useful tool in the therapy of hormonal alopecia neutered ferrets. Keywords: deslorelin, GnRH analogue, estradiol, hyperadrenocorticism Journal: Veterinární medicína Pages: 89-95 Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Year: 2009 DOI: 10.17221/25/2009-VETMED File-URL: http://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/doi/10.17221/25/2009-VETMED.html File-Format: text/html X-File-Ref: http://agriculturejournals.cz/RePEc/caa/references/vet-200902-0007.txt Handle: RePEc:caa:jnlvet:v:54:y:2009:i:2:id:25-2009-VETMED