Veterinary Science & Technology

Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a ketone measured in blood or milk of dairy cattle after calving for detection of ketosis. Blood test strips, milk test strips, DHIA milk meter collected samples and hand stripped milk samples, both latter milks tested with Fossomatic analyzer, were compared for BHB measurement. Blood and milk samples were collected on the same day from 446 Holstein cows between 1–14 DIM in 5 herds for BHB testing as described above. Most test methods had continuous results but one (milk strip) had categorical results (ranges of μmol BHB /L); analysis compared whether or not each pair of BHB tests categorized the same cows as ketotic or non-ketotic (concordant, C) or disagreed on their status (discordant, D). Blood strips detected 53 ketotic (K) (≥ 1200 μmol BHB/L), 393 non-ketotic (N); milk strips detected 34 K (≥ 200 μmol BHB/L category on strip), 408 N; milk meter Foss detected 29 K (≥ 200 μmol/L), 399 N; stripped milk Foss detected 41 K (≥ 200 μmol/L), 297 N. Test comparisons: blood/milk strips 15 K/K, 371 N/N (87% C), 37 K/N, 19 N/K (13% D); blood/milk meter Foss 10 K/K, 357 N/N (86% C), 42 K/N, 19 N/K (14% D); blood/stripped milk Foss 10 K/K, 266 N/N (82% C), 31 K/N, 31 N/K (18% D); milk strips/ milk meter Foss 7 K/K, 372 N/N (89% C), 27 K/N, 22 N/K (11% D); milk strips/stripped milk Foss 16 K/K, 287 N/N (90% C), 10 K/N, 25 N/K (10% D); milk meter Foss/stripped milk Foss 5 K/K, 272 N/N (84% C), 20 K/N, 33 N/K (16% D). Results show that the BHB test methods agreed well for most non-ketotic cows, but tests did not agree well on classification of ketotic cows. Calibration improvements are a priority for improved Fossomatic testing of BHB in milk.

The use of anthelmintics in Kinta district has been ineffective in varying degrees in small ruminants due to anthelmintic resistance. In 2012, two goat farms experiencing severe mortality up to 30% in the flock were tested for anthelmintic resistance using the Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) with four anthelmintic from the group; Benzimidazoles, Imidazothiazoles, Macrocyclic Lactones and Salicylanilides. Fifteen animals were used in each group and treated according to the recommended dose rates based on body weights and faecal egg counts and larval cultures were conducted. Results showed that Haemonchus contortus and Trichostongylus colubriformis in these two farms were resistant to all the four anthelmintic group tested. As these two farms were actively exporting their animals to the other farm, the results in this paper indicate that nematode resistant worms are actively dispersed to the other farms in the country. This would be a factor that will hinder the actions taken to alleviate the nematode anthelmintic resistance problem in Malaysia.

Coloboma is a genetic disorder which occurs due to a defect in the eye structure such as iris, lens, choroid plexus or optic disc. In this report, coloboma with posterior synechia in the right eye and iris prolapse in the left eye of a kitten are reported. A two-month-old female domestic short-hair cat with discrete from eyes, hyperemia, purulent discharge and photophobia was referred to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran. In clinical examination of the eyes, the lack of lateral part of the upper eyelid and posterior synechia in the right eye and iris prolapse in the left eye were found. Bacterial conjunctivitis was detected as well. The kitten case history showed a hereditary reason for the right eye deficiency and a traumatic reason for the left eye iris prolapse. Eye examination revealed no other hereditary disorders. Because of the limited disorder of the right eyelid, treatment was based on topical antibiotic and anti-inflammation drugs. Surgery was performed to treat the left eye iris prolapse. The present case is the first report of coincidence of upper eyelid coloboma with posterior synechia in cat in veterinary literature.

Background: The characteristic clinical manifestations, oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory Cytokines in liver abscess in camel are poorly defined.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to investigate liver abscess in camel at the slaughter house and to address its effect on blood cellular and biochemical values particularly oxidative stress markers and proinflammatory cytokines.

Methods: Thirty-five camels with liver abscess and 15 healthy camels were included in this study. Complete blood picture, and selected biochemical parameters were carried out. Bacteriological examination was also carried out.

Results: Clinical signs were recorded. The hematological picture of diseased camels revealed reduction in the total erythrocytic count and hemoglobin level associated with elevation in leucocytic count and neutrophils percentage. The biochemical analysis of serum samples revealed increase in the levels of liver enzymes associated with reduction in the levels of total proteins, albumen and glucose levels in diseased camels when compared to their levels in healthy ones. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase with significant reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione were evident when compared to their levels in healthy camels. There was elevation in the levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 in diseased camels when compared to their levels in normal ones. The isolated bacteria from liver abscess were Fusobacterium necrophorum, Corynebacterium psuedotuberclosis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus spp.

Conclusions: Oxidative stress and proinflammatory Cytokines could be used as biomarkers of liver abscess in camel.

Out of 503 dogs samples analyzed 104 were males and 303 females and out of these 359 (71.4%) were positive for haemoparasites. Babesia spps (94.4%) had the highest prevalence compared to Trypanosomes 5.0% and Anaplasma spps 45.0%. Most of the dogs had mixed infections of Babesia and Anaplasma spps. The prevalence was higher in females 76.3% compared to males 54.0%. Out of the areas sampled, MOUAU community had 20.0%, Oboro 91.4%, Oloko 8.0%, Ibere 18.0%, Ariam 59.0% and Usaka 58.3%. The highest prevalence was recorded in December (90.0%), March (83.3%) and November (83.3%) whilst the remainder of the months had April (77.1%); May (70.0%); June (68.0%); July (63.3%) and August (53.1%). There were significant decreases in the PCV and Hb of the infected groups.