Improved simple T-cannula technique to facilitate surgery and daily skin care of growing pigs.

In order to further increase the stability of the cannula behind the ribs and to facilitate cannula exteriorization in growing pigs, the present study aimed to evaluate whether elongation of the cannula flange could increase the stability of the cannula behind the ribs and to develop a tool to improve the exteriorization of the cannula through the ribs. Moreover, it was assessed whether a special skin protection paste and soft polyurethane foam material used in daily skin care could prevent erythema around the fistula. The feasibility of both, the modified simple T-cannula and daily skin care procedure, was evaluated in a digestibility experiment. Simple T-cannulae were made of high-molecular-weight polyethylene and inserted into the distal ileum of eight growing pigs (average body weight at surgery 30 kg). Modifications in the cannula design included a longer flange (11 cm) that was narrowed from the center to the ends and a bending of the flange to adapt it to the curve of the costal arch. In order to reduce the damage to the thread on the outer cannula barrel during surgery, a special surgical plug in conjunction with a screw thread on the inside of the barrel was developed. With respect to the daily cleaning of the fistula, a special skin protection paste was applied on the skin around the fistula to create a waterproof film that entirely sealed the skin. Additionally, foam material was inserted between the retaining ring and the skin to absorb the leaking digesta. Monitoring of the pigs throughout the trial showed that modifications in cannula design proved to be useful as they facilitated exteriorization of the cannula through the ribs and stability of the cannula behind the ribs. Moreover, the use of the skin protection paste and foam material during postsurgical treatment of growing pigs effectively prevented skin irritation around the flank area.

Evaluation of a biocide footbath solution in the occurrence and healing of digital dermatitis lesions in dairy cows: A clinical trial.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the implementation of different footbathing practices using a new biocide solution (Pink-Step™, Qalian, France) in the healing and the occurrence of bovine digital dermatitis (bDD) lesions. The investigation was conducted through a controlled within cow clinical trial in which the hind feet of cows from each farm were allocated either to the control group or to a moderate (MR) or (IR) intensive footbath-regimen groups. The trial involved 1036 cows (2072 feet) from 10 dairy farms located in western France where bDD was endemic. Split-footbaths were placed at the exit of the milking parlor of each farm, allowing the biocide to be administered to one side of the cows while using the other empty side as a negative control. The administration frequency for MR was of 2 days/week/1st-month, then 2 days/2 weeks/2nd-month, and then 2 days/month, and for IR was of 2 days/week/1st-2nd months, and then 2 days/2 weeks. Footbaths were administered during 140 days (approx.), and feet were evaluated for the at least once a month in the milking parlor. Nested survival models were used to estimate the relative impact of the footbath regimens and other concomitant risk factors on the time that bDD lesions occurred or healed. No effect of Pink-Step™ was evidenced on the bDD occurrence during the trial. The risk for bDD occurrence was increased by poor feet cleanliness at both the cow (HR 1.69, CI 1.21-2.39) and farm level (HR 2.06, CI 1.44-2.94). Otherwise, the use of Pink-Step™ in an IR was effective in improving the healing of bDD lesions (HR 1.79, CI 1.12-2.88). The time to healing was also improved in inactive lesions (HR 2.19, CI 1.42-3.37). Conversely, the time to healing was delayed in feet receiving hoof-trimming (HR 0.41, CI 0.26-0.62), in cows with a contralateral bDD lesion (HR 0.32, CI 0.22-0.46) or in late lactation (HR 0.61, CI 0.43-0.85), and finally in farms with more than 100 cows (HR 0.48, CI 0.34-0.67). These findings reinforce the crucial role of hygiene in bDD dynamics and highlight the importance of implementing multiple control measures simultaneously, such as hygiene improvements in the barn, early detection and treatment of bDD lesions and the correct usage of individual and collective treatments. The implementation of Pink-Step™ represents a promising strategy for reducing the persistence of bDD lesions in affected herds.

O gluconato de clorexidina ou o álcool-iodo-álcool na anti-sepsia de campos operatórios em cäes / Chlorhexidine gluconate or alcohol-iodine-alcohol in the antisepis of surgical area in dogs

Foi comparada a efetividade da anti-sepsia de sítios operatórios em vinte e quatro animais, subdivididos em três grupos, utilizado água destilada (grupo controle), álcool-iodo-álcool (grupo I) e gluconato de clorexidina (grupo II). As amostras foram coletadas através de swab da pele, depois da tricotomia (T0), após anti-sepsia (T1) e duas horas após o uso do antiséptico(T2), e submetidas à contagem de Unidades Formadoras de Colônia (UFC)/ml. Nos três grupos, ocorreu crescimento bacteriano em T0; no T1 a reduçäo média de UFC/ml foi de 26,70j por cento para o grupo controle, 91,61 por cento para o grupo I e 96,67 por cento para o grupo II. No T2, as reduçöes nos respectivos grupos foram de 21,02 por cento, 91,56 por cento e 96,89 por cento. as duas técnicas utilizando anti-sépticos reduziram significativamente o número de bactérias da pele, tanto no T1 quanto no T2 (p< 0,05). A eqüiparidade entre os dois métodos ficou evidenciada, uma vez que näo foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre eles (p<0,05).

Efecto del zeranol sobre la maduración de piel en chinchilla lanígera (Eryomis laniger) / Zeranol effect over chinchilla's (Eryomis laniger) fur maturation

Con el objeto de evaluar el efecto de la lactona del ácido resorcílico (zeranol) sobre la maduración de la piel de chinchilla, se realizó un experimento en un diseño completamente al azar por grupo de edad y sexo. El estudio duró 4 meses en la época de verano-otoño (junio-septiembre). Se incluyeron 33 hembras vírgenes de 12 a 24 meses de edad, 60 machos de 12 a 18 meses; y 29 hembras en producción de 24 a 48 meses de edad; a la mitad de los animales se les implantó subcutáneamente 12 mg de zeranol. La evaluación visual se hizo cada 2 semanas y se obtuvieron las pieles cuando las 3 franjas del color del pelo presentaban el mismo nivel en toda la superficie del cuerpo, momento en el cual se considera como piel madura. Se realizó un análisis de sobrevida mediante el método de Log Rank ajustado por grupos, en el cual se encontró un efecto anagénico significativo (P< 0.01) del zeranol. El porcentaje de maduración en los animales implantados fue 84 por ciento, 94 por ciento y 50 por ciento en los machos, hembras jóvenes y hembras adultas, respectivamente; mientras que para los no tratados la maduración fue de 20 por ciento, 38 por ciento y 13.3 por ciento, para los mismos grupos. Se hicieron dos análisis de Log Rank ajustado por grupos de tratamiento, los cuales mostraron un efecto de edad y sexo; en ambos casos las hembras jóvenes presentaron un mayor porcentaje de maduración que las hembras adultas y que los machos (P< 0.01)

Análisis de la calidad de la capa pilífera interna (cachemira) en cabras criollas de San Luis Potosí, México / Internal hair cashmere quality analysis in Criollo goats in San Luis potosi, Mexico

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el potencial de producción de cachemira de las cabras criollas de San Luis Potosí. Se realizaron dos muestreos en 7 rebaños carpinos del municipio de Catorce en San Luis Potosí, encontrándose que entre el 22.33 por ciento y el 33.63 por ciento de los animales de cada rebaño presentaban una cubierta de vellón interior con apariencia de cachemira. El promedio de producción de este tipo de pelo fue de 13.06 g. Se estudió el díametro de las muestras colectadas utilizando un analizador de distribución de fibras. El promedio del diámetro fue de 14.38 micras, y la longitud promedio de las fibras fue de 3.11 cm. Al comparar los resultados de este trabajo con la literatura, y se encontró que las fibras obtenidas en las cabras criollas tienen las cualidades y características de la cachemira de primera calidad por tener menos de 16 micras de diámetro. Sin embargo, tanto la longitud como la producción promedio por animal son relativamente bajas, lo que dificultaría su industrialización. Esto abre la posibilidad de mejorar la producción mediante prácticas de selección, manejo y mejoramiento genético con el fin de producir animales con propóstios múltiples, que además de carne y leche produczan cachemira como un subproducto de alto valor, y ayude a mejorar el ingreso de los pequeños productores