Health indicators in surplus calves at the time of arrival at auction markets: Associations with distance from farms of origin in Québec, Canada.

This study evaluated the associations between estimated distance from farms' locations to auction markets, and health indicators of surplus dairy calves sold during summer 2019 and winter 2020 in Québec, Canada. A total of 3,610 animals from 1,331 different farms were used in this cross-sectional cohort study. Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) were obtained for each farm and the 2 participating livestock auction markets. Calves' abnormal physical signs (APS) were noted upon arrival at the auction market as they were examined by trained research staff. The haversine distance between the farm and the auction market was evaluated using geographic coordinates and categorized. Generalized linear mixed models were used for statistical analyses. The main APS observed were ocular discharge (34.9%), abnormal hide cleanliness (21.2%), swollen navel (17.2%), dehydration score 1 (at least one of the 2 following clinical signs: persistent skin tent or sunken eye, 12.9%), and dehydration score 2 (both clinical signs mentioned above, 6.5%). Calves from farms located at greater distances from the auction markets (≥110 km) had a higher risk ratio [RR = 1.08; 95% confidence internal (CI) = 1.03, 1.13] for dehydration than those from lesser distances (0-25 km). During the summertime, a RR of 1.18 (95% CI = 1.15, 1.22) was observed for dehydration compared with wintertime. A 2-way interaction between estimated distance and season showed a higher prevalence of ocular discharge for calves from farms at distances greater than or equal to 110 km during the summer (RR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.20) than for calves from farms located at lesser distances (0-25 km). These results demonstrate that calves from farms located at greater distances from the auction markets had more APS, mainly during the summer. A better understanding of the transport conditions and interaction with management at the farm of origin is determinant to mitigate the impact of the journey on surplus calf health.

Scoping review on clinical definition of bovine respiratory disease complex and related clinical signs in dairy cows.

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) is a worldwide multifactorial infectious disease. Antimicrobials are commonly used for treating BRD because bacteria are often involved. The clinical diagnosis of BRD is a challenge, especially in adult dairy cows, where information on this syndrome is scant. Having a definition based on consistent and reliable clinical signs would improve the accuracy of BRD diagnosis and could help to develop an optimal treatment approach by an early detection. The aim of this scoping review was to review clinical signs that could be recognized by producers in dairy cattle suffering from naturally occurring infectious respiratory disease, as reported in the literature. A review of the literature was performed for articles published between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 2020. The search of literature in English, French, and Italian languages included 2 different databases (Pubmed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/; CAB abstract, https://www.cabi.org/publishing-products/cab-abstracts/). Clinical signs were categorized as follows: (1) "general manifestations of disease," which included behavioral changes or fever; (2) "alterations in respiratory function," which included clinical signs specifically associated with the respiratory tract examination; and (3) "clinical signs of other body systems," which included clinical signs related to other systems such as diarrhea or subcutaneous emphysema. The focus of the review was on clinical signs that could be monitored by animal handlers and producers. A total of 1,067 titles were screened, and 23 studies were finally included. The most common general clinical signs were increased body temperature (reported in 83% of studies, n = 19), change in feed intake (26%, n = 6), altered mentation (22%, n = 5), and decreased milk production (17%, n = 4). The alterations in respiratory function noted were nasal discharge (74%, n = 17), cough (65%, n = 15), altered respiratory dynamic or dyspnea (61%, n = 14), increased respiratory rate (43%, n = 10), and ocular discharge or lacrimation (30%, n = 7). The clinical signs associated with infectious respiratory disease reported in the 23 studies generally lacked a clear description of what constitutes a deviation from normality (0-50% of studies clearly reported what was considered normal versus abnormal depending on the clinical signs). This limitation prevented any comparison between studies that apparently reported the same "clinical sign," but possibly referred to a different assessment and definition of what was considered normal versus abnormal. Therefore, the definition of clinical signs in a repeatable way with validated interobserver agreement to determine the optimal combination for the diagnosis of BRD in dairy cows is needed. This could lead to a more judicious use of antimicrobials for respiratory disease in adult dairy cows.

Bayesian assessment of diagnostic accuracy of a commercial borescope and of trimming chute exams for diagnosing digital dermatitis in dairy cows.

Digital dermatitis (DD) is a worldwide infectious disease of cattle that causes lameness, discomfort, and economic losses. The reference standard test to diagnose DD is visual observation in a trimming chute, which cannot be practically performed daily on dairy farms. Moreover, some lesion misclassification may occur using this standard diagnostic method. The possibility of misclassification makes the use of a trimming chute debatable as a perfect reference standard test. The objective of this study was, therefore, to assess the diagnostic accuracy of a commercial borescope and trimming chute exam. The accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of the tests and DD prevalence were investigated using Bayesian latent class analyses. Our hypothesis was that a commercial borescope can be routinely used to diagnose DD in a milking parlor without previous feet cleaning. A cross-sectional study was performed in a freestall facility. The lesions were scored (M0, M1, M2, M3, M4, M4.1) in the milking parlor with a borescope, followed by an examination in the trimming chute 48 to 72 h after the borescope exam. A total of 870 hind feet were scored during 2 sessions of trimming chute exams and borescope exams in the milking parlor. The data were analyzed in 2 ways. First, data were dichotomized into DD lesions (M1, M2, M3, M4, M4.1) and absence of DD lesions (M0). Second, data were dichotomized into active DD lesions (M1, M2, M4.1) and inactive lesions (M0, M3, M4). A Bayesian latent class model allowing for conditional dependence between tests was used to estimate tests' accuracy, likelihood ratio, and DD prevalence. When the data were dichotomized into DD lesions (M1-M4.1) versus absence of DD (M0) lesions, the sensitivity and specificity of the borescope was 55% [95% credible interval (CrI) 40-71%] and 81% (95% CrI 75-88%). The sensitivity of trimming chute exams was 79% (95% CrI 68-88%), and specificity was 80% (95% CrI 71-89%). When the data were dichotomized into active lesions (M1, M2, M4.1) versus inactive lesions or absence of lesions (M3, M4, M0), the sensitivity and specificity of the borescope were, respectively, 32% (95% CrI 13-58%) and 91% (95% CrI 88-95%). The sensitivity and specificity of trimming chute exams were 91% (95% CrI 81-97%) and 81% (95% CrI 75-89%), respectively. In conclusion, it is possible to use the borescope in the milking parlor without cleaning the feet to monitor prevalence of DD lesions. However, an isolated borescope examination, especially for diagnosing active DD lesions, has low sensitivity for use as a surveillance method. For such use, the sensitivity could be improved by repeating the borescope exam on a regular basis.

Topical pharmacotherapy for skin cancer: part II. Clinical applications.

The purpose of the paper is to provide an in-depth, evidence-based analysis of the clinical use of topical treatments for skin cancer. A comprehensive review of topical drugs has been performed, including 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, diclofenac, ingenol mebutate, retinoids, resiquimod, piroxicam, dobesilate, and betulinic acid. The evaluated studies were rated according to their level of evidence level (I-V), as indicated by recent guidelines for evidence-based medicine, The Oxford 2011 Levels of Evidence. Therapeutic response is generally related to tumor type, extent, and localization, and also to patient compliance. Careful patient selection is required in order to achieve the desired goal of complete tumor clearance.

Evaluation of potassium monopersulfate footbath solution for controlling digital dermatitis in lactating dairy cattle. A randomized clinical trial.

Our objective was to assess potassium monopersulfate as a disinfectant used in footbath to control digital dermatitis (DD) in dairy cows. We hypothesized that a potassium monopersulfate solution would control DD. A 180-day randomized negative controlled trial was conducted in a 265-Holstein free-stall facility. Throughout the trial, foot bathing was performed bi-weekly using a split (left vs. right feet) footbath: one tub filled with 1% potassium monopersulfate (treatment), the other with tap water (control). Digital dermatitis lesions were scored during trimming chute examinations of the unwashed hind heels every 90 days using the modified M-scoring system. Digital dermatitis lesions were re-categorized into four variables: 1) inactive; 2) active; 3) any; 4) inactive or absence of DD lesions. Three longitudinal outcomes were characterized: risks of 1) developing a DD lesion; 2) reactivating an inactive DD lesion; 3) development of an inactive or the absence of the DD lesion. A generalized linear model was used to compare the variables and longitudinal outcomes between treated and control groups. Prevalence of active DD lesions increased from 12.5% to 39.9% between days 0 and 90. This significant increase in prevalence justified the discontinuation of the study on day 90 for ethical reasons. There was no statistical difference between treated and control groups for the first outcome (RR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.62, 1.7), the second outcome (RR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.62,-1.7); or the third outcome (RR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.37, 2.1). A 1% potassium monopersulfate footbath solution appears ineffective to control DD in this study.

Bayesian evaluation of the accuracy of a thoracic auscultation scoring system in dairy calves with bronchopneumonia using a standard lung sound nomenclature.

BACKGROUND: Although thoracic auscultation (AUSC) in calves is quick and easy to perform, the definition of lung sounds is highly variable and leads to poor to moderate accuracy in diagnosing bronchopneumonia (BP). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of an AUSC scoring system based on a standard lung sound nomenclature at different cut-off values, accounting for the absence of a gold standard test for BP diagnosis. ANIMALS: Three hundred thirty-one calves. METHODS: We considered the following pathological lung sounds: increased breath sounds (score 1), wheezes and crackles (score 2), increased bronchial sounds (score 3), and pleural friction rubs (score 4). Thoracic auscultation was categorized as AUSC1 (positive calves for scores ≥1), AUSC2 (positive calves for scores ≥2), and AUSC3 (positive calves for scores ≥3). The accuracy of AUSC categorizations was determined using 3 imperfect diagnostic tests with a Bayesian latent class model and sensitivity analysis (informative vs weakly informative vs noninformative priors and with vs without covariance between ultrasound and clinical scoring). RESULTS: Based on the priors used, the sensitivity (95% Bayesian confidence interval [BCI]) of AUSC1 ranged from 0.89 (0.80-0.97) to 0.95 (0.86-0.99), with a specificity (95% BCI) of 0.54 (0.45-0.71) to 0.60 (0.47-0.94). Removing increased breath sounds from the categorizations resulted in increased specificity (ranging between 0.97 [0.93-0.99] and 0.98 [0.94-0.99] for AUSC3) at the cost of decreased sensitivity (0.66 [0.54-0.78] to 0.81 [0.65-0.97]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: A standardized definition of lung sounds improved AUSC accuracy for BP diagnosis in calves.

Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome for cattle that developed retroperitoneal abscesses following paralumbar fossa laparotomy: 32 cases (1995-2017).

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and outcome for cattle that developed a retroperitoneal abscess (RA) following paralumbar fossa laparotomy (PFL). ANIMALS: 32 Holstein cows with RA. PROCEDURES: The record database of a veterinary teaching hospital was searched to identify cattle that were treated for an RA between January 1995 and March 2017. Cattle with an RA > 30 cm in diameter located 3.5 cm subjacent to the skin that had undergone a PFL < 3 months before examination for the RA were evaluated. Information extracted from the record of each cow included signalment; physical examination, clinicopathologic, and transabdominal ultrasonographic findings; treatments administered; and outcome. Milk production data were analyzed for the lactations before, during, and after RA treatment. RESULTS: Common physical examination findings were rumen hypomotility, anorexia, and fever, and common clinicopathologic findings were anemia and neutrophilia. Abdominal palpation per rectum and transabdominal ultrasonography facilitated RA diagnosis and identification of the optimal location for drainage. Thirty of 32 cows underwent surgical drainage of the RA and prolonged administration of systemic antimicrobials. Two cows were euthanized because of concurrent peritonitis, including 1 that underwent surgical RA drainage. Thirty cows were discharged from the hospital alive, and most returned to their previous level of milk production. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although uncommon, RA should be suspected in cows that develop anorexia and fever within 3 months after PFL. Cows with RA often returned to their previous level of milk production, but treatment was generally prolonged and costly.

Prevención / Prevention

En la actualidad, se cuenta con un grupo de vacunas desarrolladas para la prevención de infecciones bacterianas, incluso para realizar profilaxis. En la década de los 80 del siglo XX apareció la primera vacuna contra Haemophilus influenzae tipo b que redujo y prácticamente eliminó la enfermedad invasiva por esta bacteria. A inicios del año 2000 se observó una dramática reducción de enfermedad invasiva por neumococo, gracias a la introducción de la vacuna PCV-7 contra este germen. Sin embargo, surgieron serotipos no incluidos en esta vacuna, por lo cual se desarrollaron la PHiD-CV 10 y la PCV-13, con 10 y 13 serotipos, respectivamente. En contra del meningococo se han desarrollado vacunas polisacáridas que han demostrado efectividad, así como las conjugadas que pueden ser monovalentes y tetravalentes. La quimioprofilaxis se indica en casos específicos que se explican en forma detallada en este capítulo

Nowadays, several vaccines have been developed for the prevention of bacterial infections, and also for prophylaxis. In the 80's of the twentieth century came the first vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b, which reduced and virtually eliminated invasive disease by this bacterium. In early 2000, there was a dramatic reduction in invasive pneumococcal disease, with the introduction of PCV-7 vaccine against this germ. However, there were serotypes not included in the vaccine, which was developed by the Phido-CV 10 and PCV-13, 10 and 13 serotypes, respectively. Against meningococcus, polysaccharide vaccines have been developed that have demonstrated effectiveness, as well as the conjugate vaccines, which may be monovalent and tetravalent. Chemoprophylaxis is indicated in specific cases that are reviewed in detail in this chapter

Primer caso documentado en Venezuela de adrenoleucodistrofia ligada al cromosoma X / Documented case first in Venezuela of adrenoleukodystrophy thick X chromosome

La adrenoleucodistrofia ligada al cromosoma X (xALD) es un trastorno del metabólismo de los ácidos grasos de cadena muy larga (AGCML) que origina su acumulación en múltiples tejidos y plasma, lo que provoca disfunción del sistema nervioso y las glándulas suprarrenales. Se han descrito seis formas clínicas: Cerebral de la niñez, cerebral de la adolescencia, cerebral de la edad adulta, adrenomieloneuropatía, Addison solo y asintomática. Se presenta el caso de un paciente xALD de forma cerebral de la niñez, quien inicia en forma lenta y progresiva a la edad de 9 años deterioro neurológico dado por: diagrafía, dismetría, trastorno de la marcha, bradilalia, y disartria, acompañados por hipertonía generalizada, con daño de las funciones cognitivas y motoras, concomitantemente imágenes características en la RMN, cortisol normal y AGML elevados en plasma, lo cual confirma el diagnóstico. Conclusión: la xALD es una enfermedad recientemente descrita, de fácil diagnostico. En Venezuela sólo se ha diagnósticado clínicamente. En el paciente descrito se confirmo bioquímicamente la enfermedad en el Instituto Kennedy Krieger, EE.UU