Serum vitamin D3 (25-OH vit D3) concentrations and hemogram changes in calves with enzootic pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Enzootic pneumonia is an important disease complex associated with insufficient colostrum intake after birth, adverse environmental conditions, and stress. Vitamin D deficiency may be an important predisposing factor for this disease. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate in calves with enzootic pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 30 calves, aged 3-5 months, under the same care and feeding conditions were used. Groups were formed according to Clinical Respiratory Scoring as the group with mild/moderate enzootic pneumonia (n = 10), the group with severe enzootic pneumonia (n = 10), and the healthy control group (n = 10) without any disease. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of animals in all groups on Day 0; a complete blood count was performed, and serum vitamin D levels were measured using the Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. RESULTS: Although no statistical differences were observed in total leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels between groups, statistically significant differences in blood neutrophil, monocyte, and erythrocyte counts were found between the groups. Monocyte counts were statistically decreased in the mild/moderate group compared with the control group. Neutrophil counts were significantly higher in the mild/moderate and severe groups than in the control group. Erythrocyte counts were increased in the mild/moderate and severe groups compared with the control group. Vitamin D concentrations were statistically lower in the mild/moderate and severe groups than in the control group. However, no statistical differences in Vitamin D concentrations were observed between the mild/moderate and severe groups. There was a negative and significant correlation between erythrocyte counts and vitamin D concentrations (r = -0.64, P < .0001). While erythrocyte counts increased in the severe group compared with the mild/moderate group, vitamin D concentrations decreased. Also, a negative and significant correlation was observed between platelet counts and vitamin D concentrations (r = -0.74, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study determined that serum vitamin D concentrations in calves with pneumonia were lower than those in healthy calves. Detailed studies on the etiologic and prognostic importance of low vitamin D levels in calves with enzootic pneumonia may provide valuable data for prevention and treatment.

Clinic Congenital Neosporosis in a Calf.

Neosporosis is an infectious disease which is caused by a protozoan called Neospora caninum and characterized by endemic and epidemic abortions in adult cattle and congenital encephalomyelitis in calves. Our case was a female calf from the Holstein breed which was born in a farm with abortion and infertility problems and was unable to stand up after birth.. It was stated that it was the third pregnancy of the mother cow and that the previous pregnancy was aborted in the fifth month. In clinical examination, sucking reflex of the calf was present and there was spastic paralysis starting from pelvic muscle in rear limbs. Blood (EDTA and spare tube) sample was taken from the cow and from the calf before sucking first colostrum and cerebrospinal fluid was collected from the calf.. Based on the clinical and serological findings, a diagnosis of congenital neosporosis was made. As a result, neosporosis must be considered in the clinical diagnosis of calves with neurological symptoms during the neonatal period.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease in cattle, Western Turkey.

In 2007, an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) occurred in Turkey. On the basis of clinical investigation, 41 cattle were suspected to have EHD. Reverse transcription-PCR and sequence analyses indicated that the virus belonged to EHD virus serotype 6, thus confirming EHD virus infection of cattle in Turkey.

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). ANIMALS STUDIED: Clinically, out of 81 animals examined, 46 were found to be suffering from IBK of variable severity. The ocular secretions were collected and cultured for Moraxella bovis. The study included 36 Holstein cattle from which M. Bovis was isolated. These animals ranged between 4 and 28 months of age. PROCEDURES: The severity of the clinical findings were scored as normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Clindamycin was injected subconjunctivally at a total dose of 150 mg (1 mL), once daily for 3 days to the test group (n = 18); isotonic saline solution (1 mL) was administered to the control group. After treatment, all cattle were re-examined and clinical response was evaluated on days 3, 7 and 15 post-treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and prior to treatment, all active lesions such as blepharospasm, epiphora, photophobia, chemosis, corneal edema, and corneal ulceration were generally resolved by day 15 after subconjunctival injection of clindamycin. Severity of IBK lesions increased on days 3 and 7, compared to baseline in the control group administered isotonic saline solution. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that subconjunctival injection of clindamycin is effective in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

Salt poisoning in beef cattle.

Salt poisoning has been described under various circumstances in adult cattle. Presenting clinical signs in 6 Holstein beef cattle with such poisoning were primarily dysfunction of the central nervous system and included ataxia, opisthotonus, nystagmus, depression, muscle twitching and intermittent convulsions, as well as abdominal pain and polydipsia. Diarrhea occurred in 2, and blindness in 3/6 cattle. Hypernatremia (161.8 - 178.8 mmol/L) and hyperosmolality (331.81 - 366.18 mOsm/L) were present in all animals. To treat the affected cattle, access to fresh water was restricted, vascular volume was expanded with isotonic saline and then hypotonic fluid (5% Dextrose solution) i.v. and dexamethasone im was administered. Although biochemical parameters returned to normal reference ranges, 3/6 affected animals remained blind.