A herd level analysis of urinary tract infection in dairy cattle.

Cystitis, urethritis and pyelonephritis in cattle most commonly result from ascending urinary tract infection with Corynebacterium renale, Corynebacterium cystidis, Corynebacterium pilosum or Escherichia coli. We describe the clinical, bacteriological, clinical-pathological and epidemiological findings in a dairy cattle herd with urinary tract infection (UTI). Blood and urine samples from 17 calves and 19 cows were submitted to laboratory examinations. Depression, muscle wasting, weakness and frequent urine dribbling were the main characteristics of UTI in calves. Affected cows showed weight loss and an abrupt reduction in feed intake and milk production. Enlargement of the left kidney and loss of normal lobulation were evident on rectal examination. E. coli was the most frequent cause of UTI but C. renale, alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus spp., Proteus spp. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp. and Oligella urethralis were isolated as well. Differences in total protein and several protein fractions were found between affected and healthy animals.

Haematological and biochemical measurements in healthy, adult, free-ranging golden jackals (Canis aureus syriacus) held in captivity.

Blood from 31 healthy, free-ranging golden jackals held in captivity for seven days was collected while they were anaesthetised. Haematological and serum biochemical measurements were analysed and the 95 per cent confidence interval for each variable was compared with the reference value for domestic dogs. The measurements of their red blood cells were within the reference interval for dogs, but the jackals had higher white blood cell counts and eosinophil counts than dogs. The male jackals had a higher haematocrit, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, and a lower red blood cell distribution width than the female jackals. High activities of muscle enzymes were detected in many of the jackals, in several of which the activity of creatine kinase exceeded 5000 U/l; these were considered abnormal.

Four-year survey of urinary tract infections in calves in Israel.

The prevalence of urinary tract infections in calves aged seven days to three months in three dairy cattle herds ranged from 0.5 to 1.6 per cent, with an average of 1.1 per cent. The mortality rate reached 16.1 per cent. The morbidity rate of the female calves was 1.4 per cent and that of the male calves 0.8 per cent. The bacteria isolated from urine, and from vaginal and preputial swabs were Escherichia coli (35 per cent), Corynebacterium renale (14 per cent), plasma coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species (12 per cent), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12 per cent), Proteus species (12 per cent) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (5 per cent). The affected calves had a significantly lower serum concentration of inorganic phosphorus (P < 0.01).

Photosensitivity in feedlot calves apparently related to cocoa shells.

Primary photosensitization was observed in 11/78 cross-breed calves. The skin lesions were diffuse dermatitis with thickening and wrinkling with areas of alopecia. The severe photosensitivity dermatitis was associated with cocoa shell ingestion. The lesions resolved after removal of the cocoa shells from the feed ration and prevention of exposure to sunlight. Cocoa shells may contain photodynamic agents that cause photosensitization in calves.

Value of measurements of the serum activities of creatine phosphokinase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase for predicting whether recumbent dairy cows will recover.

Over a period of seven years, 262 recumbent dairy cows were investigated, and serum samples were analysed for creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities. The results from cows for which all three measurements were available, were analysed statistically by the non-parametric receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method, to evaluate the value of the serum enzyme activities for predicting a failure to recover. The sensitivity and specificity of the activity levels were calculated over all cut-off points, and ROC curves were created by plotting sensitivity as a function of 1--specificity at each cut-off point for samples grouped by the interval after the cows became recumbent. The predictive values of the tests were compared by calculating the areas under the curves, and the positive and negative predictive values of the tests were calculated and plotted against the prevalence of a failure to recover. The results from each of the enzymes were significantly better than from a random test with no discriminatory ability. The optimal cut-off points maximising the sensitivity and specificity of the tests were 2330, 2225 and 171 U/litre for CPK, LDH and AST, respectively. The predictive value of AST was significantly better than that of CPK or LDH, and measures made on the second and third day of recumbency were significantly better with optimal cut-off points of 128 and 189 U/litre, respectively.

Intra-uterine Infection with Babesia bovis in a 2-day-old Calf.

Infection with Babesia bovis was diagnosed in a 2-day-old female calf apparently transmitted in utero. The calf was born as the second calving to a cross-bred beef cow permanently on pasture. Diagnosis was based upon identification of B. bovis in peripheral blood smears and clinical signs which included fever, jaundice, pale mucous membranes and convulsions. Anaemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytopenia and lymphocytosis were noted at the febrile acute stage of the disease. The blood smears revealed evidence of regeneration of toxic neutrophils with a left shift, severe spherocytosis and high degree of basophilic stippling. Elevated concentration of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatine kinase were also noted, and were probably the result of haemolysis, dehydration and muscle damage because of recumbancy. Elevated total bilirubin concentration following haemolysis resulted in jaundice. The neurological symptoms observed were probably caused by sludging of parasitized erythrocytes in the brain capillaries. The calf recovered following treatment with diminazene aceturate and the recovery was followed up clinically, haematologically and biochemically.

Lethality in a ram from the bite of a Palestine viper (Vipera xanthina palestinae).

A lethal bite to a 5-y-o ram from a Palestine viper is described. Severe edematous swelling in the pectoral area developed into skin, subcutaneous and muscle necrosis, accompanied by tachypnea, tachycardia, salivation and depression. Prominent biochemical findings were increased LDH, CK, urea and protein. The ram died because delayed treatment prevented successful antivenin administration.

Congenital thymic aplasia in a Holstein-Israeli female calf.

An unusual case of congenital thymic aplasia in a Holstein-Israeli female calf is described. The most prominent clinical findings were diarrhoea and weakness. At necropsy, the only significant pathological finding was the marked decrease in thymus size. Histologically, this organ was composed of loose connective tissue in which a few lymphocytes were scattered randomly.

An apparently gluten-induced photosensitivity in horses.

Primary photosensitization was observed in 3 Appaloosa mares. The skin lesions were diffuse erythema followed by edema and subsequently weeping and finally dry gangrene and ulceration. The severe photosensitivity dermatitis was apparently induced by gluten ingestion. Resolution of lesions occurred after withdrawal of the suspected dairy concentrate feed and prevention of exposure to sunlight. Neither the ponies nor donkey, which were not fed with the suspected concentrate, exhibited similar skin lesions or other clinical abnormalities. Gluten metabolites may contain photodynamic agents that cause photosensitization in horses.

A generalized staphylococcal scalded skin-like disease in lambs.

An idiopathic disease involving skin and kidneys was seen in two Merino lambs from the same herd. A generalized skin exfoliation in association with acute renal failure were the most prominent clinical features. The condition resembled staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome of man, and pure cultures of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated from the lesion. Acute renal failure was diagnosed by clinical, biochemical and histological criteria, and necropsy.

Lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme distribution and patterns in chicken organs.

Unlike most mammals, chicken lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes cannot be separated using the 'Titan-Gel' electrophoresis. However, using isoelectric focusing at a pH range of 3.0 to 9.0, a good and clear separation of all five isoenzymes was achieved. Generally, three characteristic groups were seen: (a) those having a cathodic domination (breast muscle and serum) with mainly lactate dehydrogenase-5 (b) those having an anodic domination (heart, muscle, liver, pancreas, kidney, erythrocytes) of mainly lactate dehydrogenase - 1 and 2 and (c) those with a more uniform distribution (spleen, lung, and brain). The total lactate dehydrogenase activity was the highest in the breast muscle, followed by the heart muscle, liver and serum with the lowest activities in the lung and pancreas.

Isolation of Corynebacterium pilosum and Actinomyces pyogenes from cystitis and vulvovaginitis infection in a 2-month-old female calf.

Cystitis and vulvovaginitits, due to Corynebacterium pilosum and Actinomyces pyogenes infection in a 2-month-old female calf, is described. The prominent clinical signs were urinary incontinence, adherence of triple phosphate crystals to the vulvar hair and ulceration on the vulva, the ventral side of the tail skin and the perineum. Only a mild inflammation of the bladder mucosa and submucosa was seen on histological examination.

Laminitis and dermatitis in heifers associated with excessive carbohydrate intake: skin lesions and biochemical findings.

The effects of a sudden addition of a large quantity of readily fermentable carbohydrate to the feed ration of pregnant heifers are described. Clinical and pathological changes caused by the resulting disease were confined to the digits and skin. The 4 acutely affected heifers were reluctant to get up or move (group II). They tended to lie down or stand with feet bunched together and the back arched, often shifting weight from limb to limb. They walked stiffly with great tenderness and pain in the digits. Extreme pain was noticed when the digits were examined. In 4 of 8 heifers, separation of the sole at the heel, with leakage of exudate, and under-running of the sole were observed. Necrotic dermatitis of the legs, alopecia and hyperkeratosis of the tail were noticed in all 8 heifers. Skin lesions appeared simultaneously. Four of the heifers (group I) recovered, and the other 4 (group II) were sent to slaughter. No post mortem examination was performed. The biochemical findings revealed a significantly higher concentration of total serum globulins and sodium, and increased activity, in CK, LDH and AST. A significantly decreasing pattern was noted in blood urea concentration, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin and calcium. No significant differences among the various groups were found in the activities of amylase, GGT, and concentration of creatinine, total bilirubin, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium and potassium.

Probable toxicosis in cattle in Israel caused by the oak Quercus calliprinos.

A probable outbreak of oak (Quercus calliprinos) toxicosis in a herd of beef cattle--heifers and first-calving cows--grazing in the Judean foothills of Israel is described. Toxicosis probably occurred because of the consumption of oak leaves and buds during a period of pasture scarcity without any feed supplementation. A progressive syndrome of wasting, dullness, anorexia, polyuria, nephrosis, constipation and recumbency, culminating in death, was seen. A high mortality rate of 83% (38/46 animals) was noted. The clinical-pathological findings revealed increases in blood urea, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and inorganic phosphorus. Decreases were found in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total serum protein, albumin (ALB), triglyceride (TG), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and chloride (CI). The main pathological findings were severe nephrosis, chronic interstitial nephritis, and occasional intestinal ulceration. On the basis of epidemiology, clinical signs, clinical-pathological and pathological findings and renal histology, a tentative diagnosis of oak toxicosis was made.

Clinical, clinico-pathological and serological studies of Babesia ovis in experimentally infected sheep.

Clinical, clinico-pathological and serological studies were performed in sheep experimentally infected with Babesia ovis. Acute babesiosis occurred in all the lambs infested with adult Rhipicephalus bursa ticks and in one lamb infested with the larvae. The rate of parasitaemia and the degree of anaemia were not correlated. Decrease in the packed-cell volume ranged from 30 to 40%. Parasitized erythrocytes were not observed to block capillaries in the brain, which explained the absence of nervous symptoms in acute babesiosis. The kidneys were the most severely affected organs, exhibiting acute glomerulonephritis. The lesions observed were suggestive of vascular alteration and vascular stasis, leading to anoxia of the tissues. A disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) syndrome was recorded in sheep infected with babesiosis. A marked increase in the enzymes of the transaminase groups, mainly aspartate aminotransferase (AST), was observed. Enzymatic changes (increases in AST, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and decreases in sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malic enzyme (MEZ)), decreases in total proteins and albumin, and increases in urea and creatinine might reflect the degree of severity of the damage to the liver and kidney tissues. Most of the lambs (85%) that were infested with larvae, and all lambs infested with adult R. bursa ticks, reacted serologically to B. ovis antigen. The serological reactions following infestation with the larvae occurred much later than those following infestation with the adult stage. The lambs which were infested with larvae showed mild clinical reactions when challenged by infected R. bursa adults, as compared with the reactions to the challenge in naive control animals. The serological findings, in addition to the fact that one splenectomized lamb reacted to larval infestation with acute ovine babesiosis, show that the preimaginal stages of R. bursa can transmit B. ovis, usually causing a sub-clinical disease. It is suggested that infections derived from preimaginal ticks in the winter can preimmunize sheep for the subsequent more severe infections derived from adult ticks in the summer. Furthermore, in the absence of a reliable vaccine against B. ovis, grazing flocks in the enzootic regions should be exposed to the preimaginal stages during their activity period (October-February) before exposure to the adult ticks in spring and summer (April-July).

The toxic effects of monensin and chloramphenicol on laying turkey breeder hens.

A case report of choramphenicol and monensin poisoning in turkey breeder hens is presented in which anorexia and a fall in egg production were features. An experiment study was then conducted in turkey breeding hens given increasing levels of monensin and chloramphenicol singly or in combination. Monensin fed at levels of 42 or 85 ppm had no adverse effect on egg production but chloramphenicol in the drinking water at 500 mg/l for 4 days caused a 9.2% fall in egg production compared to control untreated birds. When 500 mg/l chloramphenicol and 42 ppm monensin were given together for 8 days there was lameness, 12% mortality, but no drop in egg production. When 70 ppm monensin and 500 mg/l chloramphenicol were given together for 4 days, 14 of 22 birds died and egg production in the remainder ceased. Withdrawal of monensin arrested mortality but egg production did not recover. Serum creatine phosphokinase levels in this group were 20 times greater than those of the controls and were similar to birds studied in the case report.