Effects of different types of solid feeds on health status and performance of Swiss veal calves. I. Basic feeding with milk by-products.

The objective of this study was to identify a suitable alternative to the current practice of complementing the feeding of milk by-products with straw. The influence of 5 different types of solid feeds on health and performance of Swiss veal calves was investigated in 2 production cycles of 200 veal calves each with a mean initial age of 40 days (d). The calves were housed in groups of 40 in stalls with outside pen. Liquid feeding consisted of a milk by-product combined with an additional skim milk powder ad libitum. Groups were assigned to 1 of the 5 following experimental solid feeds provided ad libitum: mix (composition: soy flakes, corn, barley, wheat, oat, barley middling, plant oil, molasses), whole plant corn pellets, corn silage, hay, and wheat straw as control. Daily dry matter intake per calf averaged 2.25 kg of the liquid food, 0.16 kg of straw, 0.33 kg of mix, 0.47 kg of corn silage, 0.38 kg of corn pellets, and 0.39 kg of hay. No significant differences (P > 0.05) among groups were found in calf losses that amounted to 4.8 % (68 % because of gastrointestinal disorders). Four percent of the calves were slaughtered prematurely. Daily doses of antibiotics were higher in the mix (36.9 d, P < 0.01) and in the corn silage groups (35 d, P < 0.01) compared to control. Compared to the 4 other groups, calves of the straw group showed the highest prevalence of abnormal ruminal content (73 %, P < 0.05), of abnormal ruminal papillae (42 %, P < 0.05), of abomasal fundic lesions (13.5 %, P < 0.1), and the lowest number of chewing movements per bolus (45, P < 0.05). The hemoglobin concentration averaged 85 g/l at the beginning and 99 g/l at the end of the fattening period with no significant differences among groups (P > 0.1). The duration of the fattening period averaged 114 d, slaughter age 157 d, and carcass weight 122 kg. The average daily weight gain (ADG) was highest in the control group straw (1.35 kg), and lowest in the hay group (1.22 kg, P < 0.01). The number of carcasses classified as C, H, and T (very high to medium quality) was lower in the hay group compared to straw (P < 0.01). No significant differences between groups were found in meat color (P > 0.1): 73 % of the carcasses were assessed as pale (267/364), 18 % as pink (66/364), and 9 % (31/364) as red. The results reveal that whole-plant corn pellets are most consistent with an optimal result combining the calves' health and fattening performance. Therefore, it can be recommended as an additional solid feed for veal calves under Swiss conditions.

Le but de cette étude était de trouver une alternative adéquate à l'affouragement complémentaire de paille chez les veaux d'engraissement. Au cours de 2 périodes d'engraissement avec chaque fois 200 veaux débutant leur engraissement à l'âge de 40 jours, on a étudié l'influence de 5 fourrages grossiers différents sur la santé et la productivité. Les veaux étaient détenus par groupe de 40 avec un accès libre à un enclos extérieur. Le fourrage liquide se composait d'un sous-produit lacté complété par la poudre de lait et offert ad libitum. On a offert à chaque groupe un des fourrages expérimentaux suivant : mix (composition : flocons de soya, maïs orges, blé, avoine, farine d'orge, huile végétale, mélasse), cubes de mais plante entière, silo de mais, foin et paille de blé pour le groupe de contrôle. La consommation journalière en poids de matière sèche s'élevait en moyenne par veau à 2.25 kg pour l'aliment liquide, 0.16 kg pour la paille, 0.33 kg pour le mix, 0.47 kg pour le silo de mais, 0.38 kg pour les cubes de mais et 0.39 kg pour le foin. Il y avait pas de différence significative entre les groupe quant aux pertes qui atteignaient un total 4.8 % (68 % pour des problèmes gastro-intestinaux). 4 % des veaux ont du être abattu précocement. Les veaux des groupes mix et silo de mais ont été traités plus longtemps avec un antibiotique que le groupe de contrôle paille (groupe mix : 36.9 jours, P < 0.01, groupe silo de mais 35 jours, P < 0.01). En comparaison avec les 4 autres groupes, les veaux du groupe paille présentaient plus de contenu anormal de la panse (73 %, P < 0.05), ils avaient plus fréquemment des villosités de la panse anormales (42 %, P < 0.05), plus fréquemment des lésions de la caillette (13.5 %, P < 0.01) et ils montraient la moins bonne rumination (45 coups par bolus, P < 0.05). La concentration moyenne en hémoglobine était de 85g/l au début et 99 g/l à la fin de l'engraissement sans différence significative entre les groupes (P > 0.01). La durée moyenne d'engraissement était de 180 jours, l'âge moyen d'abattage de 157 jours et le poids moyen à l'abattage de 122 kg. La prise de poids moyenne journalière était la plus importante chez les veaux du groupe paille (1.35 Kg) et la plus faible chez les veaux du groupe foin (1.22 kg, P < 0.01) Le nombre de carcasses classées bonnes à très bonnes était plus faible dans le groupe foins que dans le groupe paille. Pour ce qui est de la couleur de la viande, on ne pouvait pas constater de différence significative entre les groupes (P > 0.1): 73 % des carcasses était classées comme claires (267/364), 18 % comme roses (66/364) und 9 % comme rouges (31/364). Les présents résultats montrent que les cubes de mais plante entière correspondent le mieux aux besoins en matière de santé et productivité des veaux d'engraissement. Ils peuvent être donc recommandés comme alternative à l'affouragement de paille chez les veaux en Suisse.

Effects of different types of solid feeds on health status and performance of Swiss veal calves. II. Basic feeding with whole milk.

The objective of this study was to identify a suitable alternative to the current practice of complementing the feeding of whole milk with straw. The influence of 3 different solid supplements on the health and performance of Swiss veal calves was investigated during 3 production cycles of 90 veal calves each with a mean initial age of 42 days and a mean initial weight of 68.7 kg. The calves were housed in groups of 30 in stalls strewn with wheat straw without outside pen. Liquid feeding consisted of whole milk combined with an additional skim milk powder ad libitum. Groups were assigned to one of the three following experimental solid feeds provided ad libitum: Pellet mix (composition: oat hulls, corn [whole plant], barley, sunflower seeds, squeezed grains of corn, molasses and a pellet binder), whole plant corn pellets, and wheat straw as control. Calves of the straw group showed significantly more abomasal lesions in the fundic part as compared to the pellet mix and corn pellets groups (P < 0.001), the prevalence of insufficient papillae was highest (P < 0.05), and ruminating behavior was unsatisfactory. In contrast to the pellet mix and straw groups, performance of calves in the corn pellets group was good. Additionally, prevalence of abomasal fundic lesions was lowest (P < 0.001), and rumen development was best in calves of the corn pellets group (P < 0.01). As in part I, the results reveal that whole-plant corn pellets are most consistent with an optimal result combining the calves' health and fattening performance. Therefore, it can be recommended as a solid supplement for veal calves basically fed whole milk under Swiss conditions.

Le but de cette étude était de trouver une alternative adéquate à la paille utilisée actuellement en tant qu'adjonction au lait entier. Pour cela, on a étudié l'effet de trois aliments solides différents sur la santé et la productivité de veaux suisses durant 3 périodes d'engraissement avec à chaque fois 90 veaux, une durée d'engraissement moyenne de 42 jours et un poids moyen de 68.7 kg au début de l'engraissement. Les veaux ont été détenus par groupes de 30 dans des écuries paillées sans enclos extérieur. L'alimentation liquide ad libitum se composait de lait entier complété par de la poudre de lait maigre. Les groupes ont reçu aléatoirement l'un des trois aliments solides testés, à savoir : cubes mélangés (composés de son d'avoine, de maïs plante entière, de graines de tournesol, de maïs aplati, de mélasse et de LignoBond DD comme agglomérant), cubes de maïs plante entière ou paille (groupe de contrôle). Les veaux du groupe «paille¼ présentait, comparativement à ceux des deux autres groupes, significativement plus de lésions de la caillette dans la zone du fundus (< 0.001), le nombre de veaux avec des villosités de la panse insuffisamment développées était plus élevé (P < 0.05) et la rumination était insatisfaisante. Contrairement à ceux des groupes «cubes mélangés¼ et «paille¼, les performances des veaux complémentés avec des cubes de maïs étaient bonnes et leurs carcasses correspondaient au mieux à la demande du marché. En outre, la prévalence de lésions de la caillette dans la zone du fundus était la plus basse chez les veaux nourris avec des cubes e maïs (P < 0.001) et le développement de la panse était le meilleur (P < 0.01). Comme dans la partie I de cette étude, les résultats présentés indiquent que les cubes de maïs plante entière sont une alternative applicable à l'affouragement de paille tel que pratiqué jusqu'à maintenant pour les veaux d'engrais.

Macromineral status of dairy cows with concurrent left abomasal displacement and fatty liver.

AIM: To evaluate the macromineral status of field cases of dairy cows surgically treated for left abomasal displacement (LDA), with concurrent fatty liver of different severity, and compare this for animals that died or recovered. METHODS: Sixty-eight Holstein dairy cows with LDA and 110 control cows, from 28 farms, were used in the study. Blood samples and liver biopsies were obtained during standing surgery for correction of LDA, and from control cows. The concentration of macrominerals in serum, and of total lipids (tLPD) and triglycerides (TG) in liver were determined. Liver was examined histologically, and classified for its severity of fatty liver. Cows with LDA were grouped according to severity of fatty liver. Cows in Groups 1 to 3 recovered, whereas those in Group 4 died within 4 weeks of surgery. Group 1 = mild (n=4) or moderate (n=6 cows, n=4 heifers) fatty liver, Group 2 = moderate to severe fatty liver (n=13), Group 3 = severe fatty liver (n=15 cows, n=5 heifers), Group 4 = severe fatty liver (n=17 cows, n=4 heifers). RESULTS: The concentration of macrominerals in serum was affected by the concurrence of fatty liver and LDA; Ca, K and Mg were significantly (p<0.05) lower in animals that died than those that survived. For cows with severe fatty liver, concentrations of tLD and TG were higher in the animals that died compared with those that recovered (p<0.01). Cows with LDA and severe fatty liver that died were earlier in lactation (median days in milk (DIM) 13 days) compared with the other cows with LDA (median DIM 21-26 days) (p<0.05); they were also significantly older (median 6 years old) than cows in the other groups (median 4 or 5 years old) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Concentrations of macrominerals in serum were influenced by the concurrence of LDA and fatty liver. Animals with low concentrations of Ca, K and Mg had a guarded prognosis. The concentration of K should always be evaluated in cows with LDA and concurrent fatty liver when providing a prognosis. Most cows with severe fatty liver were detected in the first 4 weeks of lactation, but older animals and those that had more recently calved had a worse prognosis.

Fatores de risco, achados clínicos, laboratoriais e avaliação terapêutica em 36 bovinos com deslocamento de abomaso / Risk factors, clinical and laboratorial findings and therapeutic evaluation in 36 cattle with abomasal displacement

A contínua seleção genética para maior produção de leite em conjunto com o aumento da capacidade digestiva e profundidade corporal aumentou a susceptibilidade à ocorrência de abomasopatias, incluindo o deslocamento do abomaso. Este trabalho objetivou realizar um estudo retrospectivo sobre o deslocamento de abomaso em 36 bovinos atendidos na Clínica de Bovinos, Campus Garanhuns da Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, durante o período de janeiro de 2000 a fevereiro de 2009. Foram diagnosticados 27 casos de deslocamento do abomaso à direita, seis casos de deslocamento do abomaso à esquerda e três casos de vólvulo abomasal. Onze casos considerados moderados, sem grave distensão abdominal, apetite presente para a forragem e delimitação de som metálico até o 8º espaço intercostal, foram tratados clinicamente; enquanto 20 casos com distensão abdominal moderada a severa, associada a distúrbios sistêmicos, foram considerados graves e tratados cirurgicamente. Duas vacas foram eutanasiadas devido peritonite difusa ou alterações graves na serosa do abomaso, totalizando 18 animais submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico. Dois animais foram encaminhados para abate e três vacas chegaram prostradas e morreram sem receber nenhum tratamento. A análise dos fatores de risco identificou a estação chuvosa como estatisticamente significativa. O maior número de deslocamento do abomaso ocorreu em vacas mestiças com 24 casos (66,6 por cento), seguida por bovinos da raça Holandesa com 11 (30,5 por cento) e Gir com um (2,9 por cento) caso. A composição da alimentação oferecida variou bastante e caracterizou-se por conter excesso de carboidratos e, na maioria dos casos, fibra de baixa qualidade. Os sinais clínicos mais frequentes foram comportamento apático, desidratação, timpanismo ruminal leve a severo com motilidade ausente ou diminuída, som de líquido ao balotamento do flanco direito, som de chapinhar metálico e/ou observação de uma estrutura similar a uma víscera...

The continuous genetic selection for high milk production in association with greater digestive capacity and corporal depth increases the susceptibility for abomasopathies including abomasal displacement. The present work aimed to accomplish a retrospective study on abomasal displacement in 36 cattle attended at Bovine Clinic, Garanhuns Campus, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, through January 2000 to February 2009. Twenty seven cases of right abomasal displacement, six cases of left abomasal displacement and three of abomasal volvulus were diagnosed. Eleven moderate cases, without severe abdominal distention, appetite for roughage and metallic sound (ôpingõ) reaching at the most the 8th intercostal space were treated conservatively, and 20 severe cases with moderate to severe abdominal distention associated to systemic disturbances were treated surgically. Two cows were euthanized due to diffuse peritonitis or severe alterations in the abomasal serosa totalizing 18 animals submitted to the surgical treatment. Two animals were slaughtered and three cows arrived prostrated and died without receiving any treatment. Risk factor analysis identified rainy season as statistically significant. The greater number of abomasal displacement was in crossbred cows with 24 cases (66.6 percent), followed by Holstein and Gir cattle with 11 (30.5 percent) and one (2.9 percent) cases, respectively. Food composition varied greatly and characterized by excess of carbohydrates and in most cases low quality fibers. Most frequent clinical signs were apathy, dehydration, light to severe ruminal bloat with reduced or absent motility, splashing sound during right flank ballottement, ping and a distended viscera-like structure in the side of the displacement; liquid, blackish and fetid feces. Hematology reveals leukocytosis with neutrophilia and hyperfibrinogenemia in most cases. Ruminal fluid analysis showed compromised flora and fauna dynamics and increased...

Intoxication of sheep with quebracho tannin extract.

This experiment was carried out to study the toxicity of quebracho tannin extract (containing 760 g of condensed tannins [CTs] per kg), with the aim of validating its use as a feed additive for improving the digestive utilization of protein-rich feeds. Four groups (Q(0), Q(1), Q(2) and Q(3)) of four sheep were dosed intra-ruminally once daily, for up to 21 days with, respectively, 0, 0.5, 1.5 or 3.0 g quebracho tannin extract/kg live-weight (LW). Feed intake, live-weight changes, plasma biochemistry, indicators of hepatic detoxification function, gross lesions and histopathology were examined. Animals in groups Q(0), Q(1) and Q(2) consumed all the offered feed. In contrast, feed intake was practically nil after 6 days of quebracho dosing in group Q(3), this being associated with a loss of 4.7+/-1.30 kg LW in 10 days (P<0.05). Sheep from groups Q(0), Q(1) and Q(2) remained healthy throughout the experiment. Ewes from group Q(3) became weak and depressed on day 5 and after 8 days of dosing remained recumbent. They were humanely killed after 10 days to avoid suffering. In general, neither gross lesions nor microscopical changes were observed in animals from groups Q(0), Q(1) and Q(2). However, Q(3) sheep showed striking lesions in the digestive tract (well-demarcated ulcers filled with necrotic material in the mucosa of the rumen and reticulum, distension of abomasum and small intestine, and dense mucous material in the caecum), and changes in plasma biochemistry. Cytochrome P-450 and glutathione concentrations were significantly reduced in Q(3) sheep (P<0.05). It is concluded that quebracho tannin extract is not toxic for ruminants, except in concentrations too high to be encountered under practical conditions.

Electroacupuncture and moxibustion for correction of abomasal displacement in dairy cattle.

This study was performed to investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion on abomasal displacement in dairy cattle. After acupuncture needles were inserted bilaterally into the acupoints, 'Pi yu', 'Wei yu' and 'Guan yuan yu' , electronic stimulation (5 Hz and 10 V, 20 minutes) was conducted once a day for 3 days consecutively. Modified moxa patch was also applied at the same acupoints as in acupuncture for 3 days consecutively. Ten among twelve cows with abomasal displacement were recovered by electroacupuncture and moxibustion, but two were treated with paramedian abomasopexy. It is considered that electroacupuncture and moxibustion may be convenient, safe and economical therapeutic alternatives available instead of surgical procedures on abomasal displacement in dairy cattle.

Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion for Correction of Abomasal Displacement in Dairy Cattle

This study was performed to investigate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion on abomasal displacement in dairy cattle.After acupuncture needles were inserted bilaterally into the acupoints, 'Pi yu', 'Wei yu' and 'Guan yuan yu', electronic stimulation (5 Hz and 10 V, 20 minutes) was conducted once a day for 3 days consecutively. Modified moxa patch was also applied at the same acupoints as in acupuncture for 3 days consecutively.Ten among twelve cows with abomasal displacement were recovered by electroacupuncture and moxibustion, but two were treated with paramedian abomasopexy. It is considered that electroacupuncture and moxibustion may be convenient, safe and economical therapeutic alternatives available instead of surgical procedures on abomasal displacement in dairy cattle.

Effects of dietary molybdenum on nematode and host during Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs.

The addition of molybdenum (0.05 mmol kg-1 dry-matter) to the diet of lambs given a trickle infection of Haemonchus contortus larvae (500 third stage larvae d-1 over six weeks) reduced mean faecal egg counts (epg) from 3952 to 2312 +/- 402 by 32 days (P less than 0.02) and greatly reduced the mean number of worms recovered from the abomasum 14 days after infection ceased (907 compared with 4167: P less than 0.01). Infection reduced haemoglobin concentrations less in lambs given molybdenum although the difference was small relative to the reduction in worm burden. Lambs not given molybdenum had low intraepithelial mast cell counts in the abomasal mucosa and less abomasal hypertrophy than expected from abomasal parasitism. Molybdenum did not consistently reduce the copper status of the host or the parasite. Previous exposure to molybdenum greatly reduced protein but not proteinase activity in, or secreted by, adult worms cultured for eight hours. It is suggested that molybdenum either increased the inflammatory response which preceded worm rejection or that it indirectly enhanced that reaction by reducing the effectiveness of copper-dependent, anti-inflammatory enzymes in the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Prevention of hydrolysable tannin toxicity in goats fed Clidemia hirta by calcium hydroxide supplementation.

Although plants containing hydrolysable tannins can be hepatotoxic, such poisoning has not been reported in Indonesia despite the presence of these plants. In order to determine the hepatotoxic potential of Indonesian plants, goats were intoxicated experimentally with the Indonesian plant Climedia hirta (harendong), which contained 19% hydrolysable tannin. The prophylactic effect of Ca(OH)2 supplementation on the disease was also examined. Two groups of goats were fed for 28 days with grain-based pellets containing 50% harendong leaf or 50% harendong leaf + 8% Ca(OH)2. Two control groups were fed similar pellets containing 50% of the non-toxic elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) with and without 8% Ca(OH)2. Serum enzymes indicative of liver damage were monitored during the experiment and histopathological examination of selected tissues was done at the conclusion of the experiment. In goats given unsupplemented harendong pellets there was a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase and glutamate dehydrogenase from 50.2 and 20.6 U l-1 to 219.6 and 63.3 U l-1, respectively. These changes were associated with moderate to severe nuclear plemorphism, vacuolation and megalocytosis of hepatocytes and deposits of brown pigment in the Kupffer cells. There was also nephrosis of the renal convoluted tubules and collecting ducts, abomasitis and enteritis. Biochemical and histological changes were reduced significantly in the harendong + Ca(OH)2 group and virtually absent from control groups. It is concluded that hydrolysable tannins in harendong leaf are hepato- and nephrotoxic and associated with gastroenteritis, but that poisoning may be ameliorated by Ca(OH)2 supplementation.