Survey on the disposal of waste milk containing antimicrobial residues on Swiss dairy farms.

Feeding waste milk containing antimicrobial residues (WMA) to calves has been associated with increased antimicrobial resistance in calves' commensal bacterial flora. The objectives of this study were (1) to document practices related to the disposal of WMA on Swiss dairy farms and (2) to evaluate the association between farm characteristics and the feeding of WMA to calves. A web-based questionnaire on practices surrounding waste milk disposal was completed by 1,625 dairy producers (10.9% of solicited producers). Logistic regression models were built to evaluate the association between herd characteristics and the practice of feeding WMA. Waste milk produced during and up to the first milking after completion of antimicrobial treatment or during the withdrawal period was fed to at least some of the calves on 47.3% of respondents' farms. Farms in organic production had lower odds of feeding WMA to calves than nonorganic farms [odds ratio (OR) 0.59]. Farms located in the eastern region of Switzerland, as opposed to those in the western region, had increased odds of feeding WMA to calves (OR 2.01). A yearly average bulk tank somatic cell count ≥150,000 cells/mL was associated with increased odds of feeding WMA to calves compared with the reference category of <100,000 cells/mL (OR 1.62). An average cow-level annual milk production ≥8,500 L was associated with increased odds of feeding WMA to calves compared with farms in the interquartile range with a production of 6,500 to 8,499 L (OR 1.24). Further research is warranted to investigate dairy farmers' motivations affecting this practice, and to quantitatively define calves' exposure to antimicrobial residues and the resulting antimicrobial resistance in calves' commensal flora on these farms.

Use of MALDI-TOF to characterize staphylococcal intramammary infections in dairy goats.

The most common pathogens causing intramammary infections (IMI) in dairy goats are staphylococci. Gene sequencing has been the reference method for identification of staphylococcal species, but MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry could represent a rapid and cost-effective alternative method. The objectives were to evaluate the typeability and accuracy of partial gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF for identifying staphylococci isolated from caprine milk samples, and to evaluate the relationship between staphylococcal species IMI, milk somatic cell score (SCS), and milk yield (MY). A composite (goat-level) milk sample was collected from all 940 lactating goats in a single herd. Dairy Herd Information Association test-day data for parity, days in milk, SCS, and MY were retrieved from Dairy Herd Information Association records. Milk samples were cultured on Columbia blood agar, and isolates from samples that yielded a single colony type of a presumptively identified Staphylococcus spp. were identified by PCR amplification and partial sequencing of rpoB, tuf, or 16S-rRNA, and MALDI-TOF. Mixed linear models were used to evaluate the relationship between staphylococcal IMI, SCS, and MY. The goat-level prevalence of staphylococcal IMI based on isolation of a single colony type was 24.4% (213/874). Seventeen goats had a contaminated sample. Among the remaining goats (n = 857), the most common species causing single colony-type IMI were Staphylococcus simulans (7.9%), Staphylococcus xylosus (3.5%), Staphylococcus caprae (3.6%), Staphylococcus chromogenes (2.9%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.2%). The typeability of staphylococcal isolates with partial housekeeping gene sequence analysis (rpoB, complemented by tuf and 16S as needed) was 97.7%. The typeability and accuracy of MALDI-TOF were 84 and 100%, respectively. Overall, only Staphylococcus chromogenes IMI was associated with a higher SCS than goats with no growth. After adjusting for parity and stage of lactation, staphylococcal IMI status was not significantly associated with MY. For the staphylococci isolated from goats in this herd, MALDI-TOF proved an accurate method of speciation with a relatively high typeability. An association between staphylococcal IMI, SCS, and MY was not defined using goat-level data with the exception of S. chromogenes IMI, which was associated with a higher SCS than goats with no growth.

Ultrasound evaluation of tympanic bulla in calves.

An ultrasonographic approach for the tympanic bulla in calves is described. Ultrasound evaluation was performed through a lateral approach on 7 fetuses, 2 newborn calves, and 4 living calves of various ages. The probe was positioned caudal to the vertical mandibular ramus, ventral to the base of the ear. Three different positions of the probe were used. The tympanic bulla and adjacent structures were successfully identified and their ultrasonographic appearance described. Fluid within the tympanic bulla was visualized in 12 bullae in the cadavers and in 6 bullae in live calves. Ultrasound imaging has been shown to be useful but its diagnostic value remains to be studied in clinical cases of otitis media in calves.

RésuméÉvaluation échographique des bulles tympaniques chez le veau. Une technique d'échographie de la bulle tympanique chez le veau a été développée. L'échographie a été réalisée par approche latérale sur 7 cadavres de fœtus puis sur 2 veaux naissants et 4 veaux vivants d'âge variable. La sonde était placée caudalement au rameau mandibulaire, à la base de l'oreille. Trois différentes positions de sonde ont été utilisées. La bulle tympanique et les structures adjacentes ont pu être identifiées et leur apparence échographique a été décrite. Du liquide dans la bulle tympanique a pu être visualisé dans la majorité des bulles sur les cadavres (n = 12) et dans quelques bulles chez les veaux vivants (n = 6). L'échographie a été démontrée utile mais son application sur des cas cliniques d'otite moyenne reste à évaluer.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Presumptive bovine neonatal pancytopenia in a Holstein calf in Québec.

An 18-day-old heifer was presented with fever, depression, tachycardia, tachypnea, and prolonged bleeding time. Blood tests revealed severe anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leucopenia. The animal was negative by PCR for bovine virus diarrhea virus antigen. The findings supported a diagnosis of bovine neonatal pancytopenia. Treatments included fresh whole blood transfusion and antibiotics. The animal recovered fully.

Ultrasonography of the Tympanic Bullae and Larynx in Cattle.

Diseases of the middle ear or the larynx are not numerous in cattle but their diagnosis can be challenging for veterinary practitioners in the field. This article presents the ultrasonography of these 2 anatomic structures in order to provide new diagnostic tools to veterinary practitioners in the field. Brief anatomic reminders are first reported. The scanning techniques and normal images are then described. Finally, abnormal images of specific conditions are presented.