Effect of intrauterine dextrose or antibiotic therapy on reproductive performance of lactating dairy cows diagnosed with clinical endometritis.

The objectives of this study were to assess the responses to treatments (clinical cure and cow survival 14 d posttherapy) of cows with clinical endometritis (CE) that received intrauterine infusion of a hypertonic solution of 50% dextrose (DEX) or subcutaneous ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) and subsequent pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI) in cows with CE compared with cows without CE. Cows (n=760) from 2 dairy herds were screened for CE using vaginoscopy and measurement of cervix diameters [exam 1; 26±3 d in milk (DIM)]. Cows with vaginal discharge scores of 2 or 3 (scale 0-3) were stratified by parity and randomly allocated into 1 of 3 treatment groups: (1) intrauterine infusion (∼200 mL) of 50% DEX solution (n=79); (2) 6.6 mg/kg single-dose of subcutaneous administration of CCFA (n=75); or (3) untreated control animals (CON, n=83). Fourteen days posttherapy (at 40±3 DIM), cows with CE were re-examined (exam 2; 40±3 DIM) to assess the response to treatments. All cows were presynchronized with 2 injections of PGF(2α) given 14 d apart (starting at 26±3 DIM) followed by Ovsynch (OV; GnRH-7 d-PGF-56 h-GnRH 16 h-timed-AI) 12 to 14 d later. Cows displaying signs of standing estrus any time during the protocol were inseminated, whereas the remaining cows were subjected to timed AI 16 h after the second GnRH of OV. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via transrectal ultrasonography at 39±3d post-AI followed by pregnancy reconfirmation 30 d after the first pregnancy diagnosis. Uterine swabs revealed that Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Escherichia coli were the most predominant bacteria isolated at the time of treatments. Mortality within 14 d posttherapy was not different among treatment groups. Cows with CE had greater cervical diameter at exam 1 and decreased P/AI compared with cows without CE. Treatment with CCFA or DEX increased the proportion of cows with clear vaginal discharge (score 0; clinical cure) 14 d posttherapy compared with CON cows. Pregnancy per AI from DEX (29.8±4%) cows tended to differ from that of CON (21.1±4%) or CCFA cows (19.7±4%), but it resulted in similar P/AI as those cows without CE (39.1±2%). The use of intrauterine DEX alone or as an adjunct of antibiotic therapy for the treatment of CE needs further investigation.

Serum haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) complex as a biomarker of systemic inflammation in cattle.

A reliable and specific test that discriminates between acute neutrophil activation and chronic inflammatory disease may be useful in clinical decision making in a variety of conditions encountered in veterinary medical practice. An ELISA specific for neutrophil-derived haptoglobin-matrix metalloproteinase 9 (Hp-MMP 9) complexes was used to determine serum concentrations of Hp-MMP 9 and was compared to ELISA assays for Haptoglobin (Hp) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP 9) in 15 animals with acute sepsis, 10 animals with chronic inflammatory or metabolic disease and 10 healthy cows. Animal disease classifications were completed prior to the determination of serum concentrations of the 3 proteins. Duration of illness, disease process and lesions observed at necropsy were used to place animals into a specific classification. The serum MMP 9 concentrations in healthy cows differed significantly from those measured in sera of acutely septic and chronically ill animals. Serum haptoglobin concentrations in healthy cows were negligible when compared to animals with acute septic or chronic diseases. There was substantial overlap in MMP 9 and Hp concentrations between acute and chronic disease animals. In contrast, serum concentrations of Hp-MMP 9 complexes found almost exclusively in sera from acutely septic animals but not in chronically ill and normal cattle. The Hp-MMP 9 ELISA may be the serological test of choice in the determination of systemic inflammation associated with bacterial sepsis.

Correlation of serum cardiac troponin I and myocardial damage in cattle with monensin toxicosis.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is used as a biomarker of myocardial injury in people and small animals. Little is known about the diagnostic use of cTnI in cattle. HYPOTHESIS: Serum cTnI correlates to myocardial function and histopathologic lesions in cattle with monensin-induced myocardial injury. ANIMALS: Ten healthy cows. METHODS: Experimental study. Animals received 1 dose of monensin PO; 30 mg/kg (n = 1) or 40 mg/kg (n = 1) (Group A) or 50 mg/kg monensin (n = 8) (Group B) of body weight. Repeated measurements were performed of serum cTnI, biochemistry, and ECG and echocardiography until study termination at 80 (Group A) and 144 hours (Group B) after dosing. Semiquantitative histopathologic examinations of the heart were performed in each cow. A scoring system with regard to the magnitude of myocardial injury was established and a total heart score was compared with maximum cTnI concentration measured after monensin administration. Five hearts from healthy cows served as controls. RESULTS: Increased cTnI (>0.07 ng/mL) was found in 9/10 cows. cTnI was significantly associated with left ventricular shortening fraction (r(2)= 0.51; P= .02) and myocardial histopathologic lesion score (r(2)= 0.49; P= .021). All cows (n = 7) with evidence of myocardial necrosis had a cTnI concentration > or = 1.04 ng/mL. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: cTnI is related to myocardial necrosis and severity of myocardial damage in cattle with monensin toxicosis. cTnI could become a useful diagnostic tool in the noninvasive assessment of myocardial injury in cattle with naturally occurring cardiac disease.

Activation of the immune system is the pivotal event in the production of wasting disease in pigs infected with porcine circovirus-2 (PCV-2).

Porcine circovirus (PCV)-2, a newly described single-stranded circular DNA virus pathogen of swine is the cause of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In gnotobiotic piglets, PCV-2 infection alone produces asymptomatic infection without evidence of overt PMWS. Gnotobiotic piglets infected with PCV-2 were injected with keyhole limpet hemocyanin in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (KLH/ICFA), and the effects on virus production and development of PMWS were determined. In the first experiment, piglets were injected subcutaneously on the left hip and shoulder, and viral burden was assessed in regional lymph nodes draining the injection sites and in contralateral lymph nodes 13-14 days after infection. Immune activation increased the number of virus antigen-positive cells in draining lymph nodes and increased the amount of infectious virus recovered by 1-4 log10. In a second experiment, the effects of injections of KLH/ICFA with or without concurrent stimulation of peritoneal macrophages by intraperitoneal injections of thioglycollate broth on induction of PMWS was assessed. All immunized piglets developed moderate to severe PMWS, whereas none of the piglets infected with PCV-2 alone developed PMWS. In PMWS-affected piglets, extensive replication of PCV-2 was documented by both immunocytochemistry and quantitative viral titrations. Thus, immune activation is a key component of the pathogenesis of PCV-2-associated PMWS in swine.

Synovial fluid analysis in cattle: a review of 130 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare synovial fluid characteristics of cattle with infectious and noninfectious arthritis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMAL OR SAMPLE POPULATION: 130 cattle. METHODS: Synovial fluid was analyzed for total nucleated cell count (NCC), absolute number and percentages of polymorphonuclear (PMN) and mononuclear cells, total protein (TP) concentration, and specific gravity. Cattle were categorized as having infectious or noninfectious arthritis based on physical and lameness examinations, joint radiographs, and microbial culture results. Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance was used to compare synovial fluid analysis data from different categories. Selection of cut-off values for the calculation of likelihood ratios, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values was based on examination of the distribution of the data using histograms. RESULTS: Cattle with infectious arthritis had significantly higher numbers of total NNC, PMN cells, TP concentration, and specific gravity (P = .0001) and a significantly higher percentage of PMN cells compared with cattle with noninfectious arthritis (P = .0001). The percentage of mononuclear cells was significantly higher in cattle with noninfectious arthritis (P = .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Synovial fluid analysis is useful for differentiation of infectious and noninfectious causes of joint disease in cattle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cattle with a synovial fluid total NCC > 25,000 cells/microL, a PMN cell count > 20,000 cells/microL or more than 80% PMN cells, and TP > 4.5 g/dL should be considered to have infectious arthritis.

Determination of serum insulin concentration during intravenous glucose tolerance testing of healthy bulls.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the insulin response curve during IV glucose tolerance testing of mature Holstein bulls. ANIMALS: 8 Holstein bulls between 5 and 8 years old and weighing between 911.5 and 1035.5 kg. PROCEDURE: A 50% glucose solution was rapidly administered IV so that each bull received a mean dose of 258 mg of glucose/kg of body weight. Serum glucose and insulin concentrations were determined before and 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes after glucose infusion. RESULTS: Serum glucose concentrations 30 and 60 minutes after infusion were significantly greater than baseline concentration. Concentrations returned to baseline values 120 minutes after infusion. Serum insulin concentration was significantly greater 30 minutes after glucose administration, compared with baseline and 240-minute concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous glucose tolerance testing of mature Holstein bulls resulted in a characteristic insulin response curve. Baseline and peak insulin concentrations were higher in these bulls, compared with values reported for mature Norwegian Red cows.

Lymphosarcoma of the frontal sinus and nasal passage in a cow.

A 5-year-old cow was evaluated because of a 2-week history of ataxia and other vague neurologic signs. Previous treatments included intravenous and orally administered calcium, but improvement was not seen. Bilateral mucoserous nasal discharge and a pair of firm, smooth masses caudodorsal to the eyes were found on the frontal bones on physical examination. The cow's condition deteriorated rapidly within 48 hours; head pressing and inability to rise were observed. The frontal sinuses were radiographically normal. Trephination of the frontal sinuses revealed a space-occupying mass that was interpreted on histologic examination to be lymphosarcoma. Other evidence of neoplasia was not discovered on gross necropsy or histologic examination. Primary lymphosarcoma has not been described at this location in cows. Clinically it resembles chronic frontal sinusitis, and trephination may be necessary to differentiate the 2 diseases.

Production of gastroesophageal erosions and ulcers (GEU) in gnotobiotic swine monoinfected with fermentative commensal bacteria and fed high-carbohydrate diet.

Erosions and gastroesophageal ulcers (GEU) were produced in the pars esophagea of young gnotobiotic swine fed a carbohydrate-enriched liquid diet and monoinfected with two different fermentative commensal bacteria, Lactobacillus and Bacillus sp. In contrast, piglets, fed a similar diet and inoculated with Gastrospirillum sp. (Helicobacter heilmannii), a helicobacter species that colonizes the gastric mucosa, did not develop GEU. Experimental GEU likely develops secondary to epithelial damage mediated by microbial-origin acids whose production is potentiated by high dietary carbohydrate and parietal cell-origin hydrochloric acid.

Intussusception in cattle: 336 cases (1964-1993).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors and to describe clinical and laboratory findings, surgical management, and postoperative outcome for cattle with intussusception. DESIGN: Hospital-based, case-control epidemiologic study and retrospective case series. SAMPLE POPULATION: Medical records of cattle admitted to 17 veterinary medical teaching hospitals in North America. PROCEDURE: Epidemiologic analysis of demographic data and detailed analysis of medical records for selected cattle. RESULTS: 336 cattle with intussusception were identified, 281 had small intestinal, 7 had ileocolic, 12 had cecocolic, and 36 had colocolic intussusceptions. Sex and season were not significantly associated with cattle developing intussusception, whereas calves < 2 months old were at greater risk of developing small intestinal intussusception than older cattle. Analysis of medical records of 57 cattle with intussusception revealed that these cattle were mildly hyponatremic, hypochloremic, hypocalcemic, azotemic, and hyperglycemic. Right flank laparotomy with a cow in a standing position, followed by intestinal resection and end-to-end anastomosis was the most common means of surgical correction. Overall survival rate (20/57; 35%) and postoperative survival rate (20/46; 43%) for cattle with intussusception were much lower than previously reported. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Although rare in cattle, intussusception was most common in calves < 2 months old. Survival rate for cattle treated for intussusception was low (< 50%).

Survival of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and preservation of immunoglobulin G in bovine colostrum under experimental conditions simulating pasteurization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Mycobacterium paratuberculosis could survive in colostrum after pasteurization. Additionally, this study investigated the effect pasteurization had on IgG concentration in colostrum. ANIMALS: Colostrum samples were collected from cattle (beef and dairy) owned by the state of Ohio. PROCEDURE: Colostrum was divided into aliquots and inoculated with variable concentrations of M paratuberculosis (ATCC No. 19698: 10(4), 10(3), and 10(2) colony-forming units/ml). Half the samples at each concentration were subjected to pasteurization temperatures (63 C) for 30 minutes and the remainder were kept at approximately 20 to 23 C. All samples were incubated (Herrold's egg yolk medium with and without mycobactin J) and observed for growth during the next 16 weeks. Additionally, the IgG concentration of colostrum was determined by radioimmunoassay before and after pasteurization. Samples that coagulated at pasteurization temperatures were mechanically resuspended before measurement of IgG concentration. RESULTS: Growth of M paratuberculosis was retarded but not eliminated by pasteurization. Growth was observed in all unpasteurized samples incubated on Herrold's egg yolk medium with mycobactin J but in only 2 of 18 pasteurized samples similarly cultured. Growth from pasteurized samples appeared 5 to 9 weeks after growth was observed from nonpasteurized samples. Mean colostral IgG concentration was 44.4 g/L in nonpasteurized samples and 37.2 g/L in pasteurized samples, a decrease of 12.3%. High-quality colostrum (> 48 g of IgG/L) had a significantly greater loss of IgG concentration than did colostrum of lesser quality (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Pasteurization lessened, but did not eliminate, growth of M paratuberculosis from experimentally inoculated colostrum samples. Pasteurization resulted in a significant decrease in colostral IgG concentration but not to an unmanageable level that would preclude the colostrum's use for passive transfer of immunity. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Colostrum is macrophage rich and may serve as a source of M paratuberculosis infection to calves. Pasteurization of colostrum may lessen the risk of infection, but will not totally eliminate M paratuberculosis.

Prevalence of lesions associated with subclinical laminitis in first-lactation cows from herds with high milk production.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prevalence of lesions associated with subclinical laminitis in first-lactation Holstein cows during early lactation and pregnant Holstein heifers during late gestation in herds with high milk production. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS: 203 cattle in 13 herbs. PROCEDURE: Cattle were placed in lateral recumbency to allow visual examination and photography of their hooves. Claws on a forelimb and hind limb were examined on all cattle. Observable categories of lesions considered to be associated with subclinical laminitis in our study included yellow waxy discoloration of the sole, hemorrhage of the sole, separation of the white line, and erosion of the heel. RESULTS: Lesions in at least 1 of the categories were found in all herds. Lesions in all categories were found in 11 of 13 herds. Among claws, hemorrhage of the sole was observed most frequently in the lateral claw of the hoof of the hind limb. When days in milk was treated as a covariate, significant (P < 0.01) differences were detected in the prevalence of lesions between herds. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Because the prevalence of lesions differed significantly among herds, it is logical to believe that causative factors and corrective measures also may have differed among herds.

Isolation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from colostrum and milk of subclinically infected cows.

Mycobacterial culture was performed on colostrum, milk, and feces from 126 clinically normal cows of a single herd with high prevalence of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection. Thirty-six (28.6%) cows were determined to be shedding the organism in the feces. Of the 36 fecal Culture positive cows, M paratuberculosis was isolated from the colostrum of 8 (22.2%) and from the milk of 3 (8.3%). Cows that were heavy fecal shedders were more likely to shed the organism in the colostrum than were light fecal shedders.

Occurrence of gastric ulcers in gnotobiotic piglets colonized by Helicobacter pylori.

Archival gastric tissues from 10 of 39 gnotobiotic piglets colonized with Helicobacter pylori 26695 contained stromal leukocytic inflammation along with ulcers and erosions. In contrast, gastric tissues from 54 archival control piglets were devoid of both inflammation and ulcers. These data confirm the hypothesis that H. pylori infection alone is ulcerogenic.

Umbilical hernias, umbilical abscesses, and urachal fistulas. Surgical considerations.

Swellings of the umbilical stalk, with or without herniation, are common findings in calves. Differentiation of involved structures is helpful in deciding the surgical approach and type of anesthesia required. This article deals with clinical signs, diagnostic procedures, and surgical techniques used to repair problems related to the umbilical stalk.

Tracheal collapse.

Tracheal collapse in calves usually is associated with dystocia at birth, especially breech presentations. Inspiratory dyspnea typically is seen within the first several months of life and may worsen progressively. Lateral cervical radiographs are useful in defining the affected segments as well as identifying previously fractured ribs. Surgical stenting of the trachea will improve the calf's condition, but because this procedure is done on young calves, the tracheal diameter of the affected segment is permanently limited by the size of the prosthesis.

Surgical treatment of pleuritis and pericarditis.

Surgery of the bovine chest is rarely attempted; however, there are distinct indications and procedures available to treat both pericarditis, suppurative pleuritis and pleural effusions. Open lavage of the pericardial sac or pleural space has proven successful in carefully selected cases. The surgical procedures for pericardiotomy and thoracotomy are discussed.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of pyelonephritis in a cow.

A 2-year-old Holstein cow was examined because of a 2-month history of anorexia, decreased milk production, and a white vaginal discharge. Results of physical, laboratory, and ultrasound examinations were consistent with pyelonephritis. Through ultrasound examination, the right kidney and ureter were identified as structurally involved. Right nephrectomy was performed. Eight months after nephrectomy, the cow was clinically normal. In this cow, ultrasonography helped to determine disease severity, to direct the course of treatment, and to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and prognosis.

Concurrent infections of Giardia and Cryptosporidium on two Ohio farms with calf diarrhea.

Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections were diagnosed by immunofluorescence assay on two Ohio dairy farms with calf diarrhea problems. On the first farm, all nine diarrheic calves sampled once in June had Giardia cysts in their feces. On the second farm, all five diarrheic calves examined at the beginning of the diarrhea outbreak in March had Giardia infection. When resampled, the overall infection rate of normal and diarrheic calves was 82.4% in April, and 40.0% in August after the diarrhea subsided. Positive calves ranged from 11 to 164 days of age, and 22.2% of them were as young as 1 to 3 weeks of age. Eight of nine diarrheic calves (88.8%) on the first farm had Cryptosporidium infection. Lower infection rates (< 30%) were found on the second farm. Six of 10 positive calves were 11-22 days old, three were 164-177 days old, and one was 71 days old. Five of these 10 positive calves were also positive for Giardia infection. Five diarrheic calves on the northern Ohio farm and one diarrheic calf on the central Ohio farm were treated with metronidazole after failing to respond to antibiotic therapy. Clinical improvement was observed in all calves within 48 h after the start of treatment. The high Giardia infection rates and intensities in calves of a wide age range and the clinical response to metronidazole suggest that Giardia infection contributed to the outbreaks of diarrhea.

Isolation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from mononuclear cells in tissues, blood, and mammary glands of cows with advanced paratuberculosis.

Seven mature dairy cows from 6 herds were obtained with history, clinical signs of disease, and laboratory findings suggestive of advanced paratuberculosis. A surgically implanted collection chamber was used to obtain peripheral tissue fluid. Blood, mammary gland flush fluid, and collection chamber flush fluid (CCFF) samples were obtained 6 times over a 2-week period from each cow. Mononuclear cell-rich portions of these fluids obtained by gradient centrifugation were submitted for bacteriologic culture of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and for total and differential cell counts. Bacteriologic culture of feces for M paratuberculosis and complete necropsy performed on each cow at the conclusion of the study confirmed the diagnosis of paratuberculosis. Numbers of tissue macrophages obtained from CCFF samples were lower than expected. Mean (+/- SD) differential count of tissue macrophages collected from CCFF was 65.57 (+/- 23.39). Mean calculated tissue macrophages (total cell count x differential count) collected from CCFF samples was 623.1 (+/- 784.55) cells/microliters. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was isolated from 1 of 42 (2.4%) collections of mononuclear cell-rich portions of plasma and from 2 of 42 (4.8%) CCFF samples. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was not isolated from any collections of mammary gland flush fluid. The collection and processing techniques used in this study did not enhance detection of M paratuberculosis infection in cows with advanced paratuberculosis, beyond that of ileocecal lymph node biopsy or fecal culture.