Trace Minerals Nutrition in Goats.

This article is an overview of trace mineral nutrition, disease association with dietary inadequacy of trace minerals, and the associated diseases in goats. The trace minerals most commonly associated with deficiency-related diseases encountered in clinical veterinary medicine, Copper, Zinc, and Selenium, are discussed in greater detail than those less commonly associated with diseases. However, Cobalt, Iron, and Iodine are also discussed. The signs of deficiency-associated diseases, along with diagnostic evaluation to confirm such diseases, are also discussed.

Andrology laboratory review: Evaluation of sperm concentration.

This article is the result of the work of the andrology task-force of the Association of Applied Animal Andrology, American College of Theriogenologists, European College of Animal Reproduction, Society for Theriogenology, and National Association of Animal Breeders. It is intended to serve as a comprehensive reference on methods to evaluate sperm concentration and to contribute to the adoption of best practices in veterinary andrology laboratories. The information covered in the article includes sample preparation and the use of manual counts, spectrophotometers, computer-assisted semen analysis, NucleoCounter, and flow cytometry. Emphasis is given to the principles of the methods and equipment, performing the evaluation, and common mistakes and/or pitfalls. In addition, the precision and accuracy of the different methods are also discussed.

Pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous selenium in adult llamas.

Selenium (Se) deficiency disease has been described in camelids and only clinical data is available for administration of parenteral Se supplements. This study investigated the pharmacokinetic effects of subcutaneous Se injection (0.1 mg/kg) in llamas fed a diet adequate in Se. Absorption of Se was rapid with peak whole blood Se concentration at the first sampling time. Significant differences in whole blood Se concentration from before injection of Se were not found past 2 days after Se injection. Parenteral Se is unlikely to have a long-term effect on whole blood Se concentration in llamas fed adequate dietary Se.

Evaluation of bovine viral diarrhea virus in New World camelids.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of experimental infection with bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) on llamas and their fetuses, evaluate seroprevalence of BVDV in llamas and alpacas, and genetically characterize BVDV isolates from llamas. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 4 pregnant llamas for the experimental infection study and 223 llamas and alpacas for the seroprevalence study. PROCEDURE: Llamas (seronegative to BVDV) were experimentally infected with a llama isolate of BVDV via nasal aerosolization. After inoculation, blood samples were collected every other day for 2 weeks; blood samples were obtained from crias at birth and monthly thereafter. For the seroprevalence study, blood was collected from a convenience sample of 223 camelids. Isolates of BVDV were characterized by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: Viremia and BVDV-specific antibody response were detected in the experimentally infected llamas, but no signs of disease were observed. No virus was detected in the crias or aborted fetus, although antibodies were evident in crias after colostrum consumption. Seroprevalence to BVDV was 0.9% in llamas and alpacas. Sequences of the llama BVDV isolates were comparable to known bovine isolates. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that llamas may be infected with BVDV but have few or no clinical signs. Inoculation of llamas during gestation did not result in fetal infection or persistent BVDV infection of crias. Seroprevalence to BVDV in llamas and alpacas is apparently low. The most likely source for BVDV infection in camelids may be cattle.