Medical and Surgical Management of Conditions of the Penis and Prepuce.

The inability of a bull to reproduce due to its inability to impregnant fertile cows is called impotentia generandi. This infertility may be due to the inability to achieve erection, the inability to complete coitus, or the inability to produce an adequate volume of morphologically normal spermatozoa. Therapies targeting the urogenital tract of the bull can restore reproductive capabilities. Veterinarians can provide consultation regarding both management and selection criteria that will, in some cases, lower the overall risk of loss associated with the development of some conditions of the penis and prepuce.

Abnormalities of the Scrotum and Testes.

Abnormalities of the bovine scrotum and testes are an important cause of infertility. Proper evaluation of the male reproductive system is a critical first step in screening for such abnormalities. Excessive periscrotal fat, cutaneous scrotal defects, and unilateral scrotal swelling are common deformities that warrant further investigation. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention are often needed to restore reproductive soundness. This article reviews these conditions and provides therapeutic modalities.

Kansas beef bulls with chronic anaplasmosis demonstrate satisfactory breeding soundness outcomes at breeding soundness examination.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of chronic Anaplasma marginale infection in beef bulls from eastern Kansas and compare breeding soundness parameters between A marginale-infected and uninfected bulls. We hypothesized that bulls with chronic anaplasmosis would have inferior breeding soundness exam (BSE) outcomes as a result of persistent A marginale infection or the consequence of initial clinical disease compared to uninfected bulls. ANIMALS: 535 client-owned beef bulls from eastern Kansas undergoing routine BSE. METHODS: Complete BSEs were conducted by participating veterinarians according to the second edition of the Society for Theriogenology Manual for Breeding Soundness Examination of Bulls. Blood samples were collected for PCV determination and analysis of A marginale infection status via quantitative PCR and cELISA. Logistic and linear regression methods were used to evaluate factors associated with A marginale infection status and BSE parameters. RESULTS: Prevalence of chronic A marginale infection was 46% (245/535) among bulls. Unsatisfactory BSE outcome was not statistically associated with chronic anaplasmosis in this study population, although more bulls with chronic anaplasmosis had unsatisfactory BSE outcomes (15.0 ± 2.4% vs 12.0 ± 2.2%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Chronic anaplasmosis is prevalent among eastern Kansas breeding bulls; however, no negative association between chronic anaplasmosis and breeding soundness at time of BSE was observed.

Theileria orientalis Ikeda in Cattle, Alabama, USA.

Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype, a parasite causing a disease in cattle that leads to significant economic challenges in Asia, New Zealand, and Australia, has been identified in seven U.S. States since 2017. Two previously validated PCR tests for Theileria followed by DNA sequencing were performed to test blood samples collected from 219 cattle in Alabama, USA, during the period of 2022-2023. Bidirectional Sanger sequencing revealed that the MPSP gene sequences (639-660 bp) from two cattle in Lee and Mobile Counties of Alabama exhibited a 100% match with those of recognized T. orientalis Ikeda strains, and showed similarities ranging from 76% to 88% with ten other T. orientalis genotypes. A high copy number of T. orientalis Ikeda was detected in the blood of infected cattle (ALP-1: 1.7 × 105 and 1.3 × 106/mL whole blood, six months apart; ALP-2: 7.1 × 106/mL whole blood). Although the confirmed competent vector for T. orientalis Ikeda, Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, has not yet been identified in Alabama, the persistent nature of T. orientalis Ikeda infection and the detection of a high pathogen burden in seemingly healthy cattle in this study suggest that other tick species, as well as shared needles and dehorning procedures, could facilitate pathogen transmission within the herd. Continued investigations are necessary for the surveillance of T. orientalis Ikeda and Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks in Alabama and other U.S. states, along with assessing the pathogenicity of T. orientalis Ikeda infections in cattle.

Prevalence of AO blood group and level of agreement for AO blood-typing methods in pet pigs from Louisiana.

OBJECTIVES: Pet pigs are a species of growing medical interest, and evidence-based practices for blood transfusions are needed. The objectives of this study were to quantify the prevalence of 3 blood group (Bg) phenotypes ("A" and "Aweak " resulting from EAAAA and EAAAO , "0" from EAA00 , or "-" from EAA00 or SSS alleles) in pet pigs and compare results using a human blood-typing card (EldonCard), standard saline agglutination (SSA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Ninety-seven pet pigs from Louisiana. INTERVENTIONS: Blood was sampled from randomly selected pet pigs of various breeds, anticoagulated with EDTA, and typed using each investigated test according to the manufacturers' directions or standard laboratory technique. Samples for PCR analysis were stored at -80°C until analysis. Phenotypes were screened via EldonCard. Association between Bg and sex was investigated using chi-square test, with significance at P < 0.05. Kappa (κ) statistic was used to measure the level of agreement between the 3 tests. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pot-bellied pigs represented the majority (84.5%) of this population, with 52 (53.6%) males and 45 (46.4%) females. Genotypic frequencies were 30%, 30%, and 40% for "EAAAA ," "EAAAO ," and "EAA00 ," respectively. Based on EldonCard, 38 phenotypes were classified as "A," 5 as "Aweak ," and 54 as "0" or "-." Results were identical for Bg, with the 3 tested techniques in 90% (45/50) of samples. Agreement between EldonCard and PCR was almost perfect (49/50 [98%], κ = 0.959; P < 0.001). Agreement between SSA and PCR, and EldonCard and SSA was substantial (46/50 [92%], κ = 0.803, P < 0.001 and 93/97 [95.9%], κ = 0.764, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The most common blood type was "0" or "-" (55.7%), followed by "A" (39.2%) and "Aweak " (5.1%). There was strong agreement between EldonCard and PCR testing. EldonCard allowed for rapid and reliable phenotype identification ("A," "Aweak ," and "0" or "-") and represents a clinically applicable laboratory method for blood typing in pet pigs.

Satisfactory breeding potential is transiently eliminated in beef bulls with clinical anaplasmosis.

BACKGROUND: Natural service breeding is common in U.S. cow-calf operations. Diseases impacting bull reproductive performance have significant economic consequences for producers. Anaplasmosis may be an underappreciated cause of poor reproductive performance in bulls. The primary systemic effects of bovine anaplasmosis including anemia, fever, and weight loss, can all result in unsatisfactory reproductive performance. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate breeding soundness examination (BSE) outcomes and clinical changes in bulls during and upon resolution of clinical anaplasmosis. Anaplasma marginale-challenged bulls were observed for clinical disease and infection progression and changes in breeding soundness compared to uninfected control bulls for 16 weeks. RESULTS: All Anaplasma marginale-challenged bulls were PCR-positive, seropositive, and showed clinical signs by 3-, 17-, and 24-days post-challenge, respectively. Clinical signs of anaplasmosis included pallor, icterus, fever (≥ 40.2 °C), and weight loss. Acute anemia was observed in all challenged bulls with PCV nadirs ≤ 18% and peak percent parasitized erythrocyte ≥ 50%. Decreased scrotal circumference and poor semen quality (e.g., increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, decreased progressively motile sperm), were initially observed within days after onset of clinical anaplasmosis signs and continued weeks beyond disease resolution. Control bulls remained negative for A. marginale. CONCLUSION: This pilot study demonstrates that clinical anaplasmosis reduces breeding soundness in beef bulls. Anaplasmosis should be considered as a differential for bulls with decreased semen quality, especially within endemic areas. A 90 day or greater retest window is recommended for bulls of unsatisfactory breeding potential recently recovered from clinical anaplasmosis.

Pharmacokinetic profiles of three dose rates of morphine sulfate following single intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous administration in the goat.

This study aimed to evaluate pharmacokinetic profiles of morphine in goats following a single dose administered intravenously, intramuscularly, or subcutaneously at 0.1 mg/kg, 0.25 mg/kg, and 0.4 mg/kg. Study population included eight healthy adult goats in a randomized cross-over study. Serial plasma samples were collected and morphine was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Data fit a two-compartment model following intravenous administration and a non-compartmental model following both intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. Plasma elimination half-life was 2.88 ± 1.13 h (0.1 mg/kg), 2.30 ± 0.49 h (0.25 mg/kg), and 2.67 ± 0.82 h (0.4 mg/kg) following IV morphine. Intramuscular Cmax values were 13.4 ± 2.77 ng/ml (0.1 mg/kg), 34 ± 11.50 ng/ml (0.25 mg/kg), and 68.9 ± 24.5 ng/ml (0.4 mg/kg). Intramuscular Tmax f(h) or IM dosing (in hrs) was 0.19 ± 0.14 (0.1 mg/kg), 0.24 ± 0.24 (0.25 mg/kg), and 0.21 ± 0.24 (0.4 mg/kg). Subcutaneous Cmax values were 9.88 ± 3.31 ng/ml (0.1 mg/kg), 28.5 ± 11.6 ng/ml (0.25 mg/kg), and 39.4 ± 14.3 ng/ml (0.4 mg/kg). Subcutaneous Tmax (h) values for SC dosing were 0.36 ± 0.21 (0.1 mg/kg), 0.31 ± 0.17 (0.25 mg/kg), and 0.4 ± 0.13 (0.4 mg/kg). Intramuscular bioavailability values were 153.77 ± 12.60% (0.4 mg/kg), 104.8 ± 25.12% (0.25 mg/kg), and 100.7 ± 29.57% (0.1 mg/kg). Subcutaneous bioavailability values were 130.58 ± 19.07% (0.4 mg/kg), 116.6 ± 27.03% (0.25 mg/kg), and 111.6 ± 23.24% (0.1 mg/kg). No adverse effects were observed. Assuming plasma concentration required to induce analgesia is 16 ± 9 ng/ml in goats, as demonstrated in humans, it is suggested to administer morphine intramuscularly at 0.4 mg/kg every 3-4 h or SC every 2-3 h. This is a speculative conclusion therefore further studies evaluating pharmacodynamics and plasma analgesic threshold in goats is recommended.