Fulltext search in archive

In the last few years, it has become easier to diagnose congenital brain malformations in dog's ante-mortem. This is probably due to the wider availability of advanced diagnostic imaging, in particular computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Despite this, there is still not much literature available about potential treatments, outcome and overall prognosis with respect to the patient's quality of life. We present three cases of Dandy-Walker malformation in Polish hunting dogs with up to five years follow up including assessment of their quality of life. A nine-week-old Polish hunting dog was presented with progressive signs of ataxia that had developed over the preceding few weeks. MRI revealed a Dandy-Walker malformation. The dog underwent MRI at the ages of 12 and 36 months, and his neurological condition was followed for five years. No other subsequent abnormities were found on further diagnostic tests. The dog showed transient behavioural problems which improved after castration and training. The ataxia seen at first visit improved with time and intensive physiotherapy, and the dog was considered to have a good quality of life in the owner's eyes. A further two cases shared a similar disease course. Dandy-Walker malformation was confirmed with MRI, but diagnostic imaging could not be reported here because the owner did not consent to publication. The Dandy-Walker malformations described in these three Polish hunting dogs had a stable disease course and revealed that dogs suffering from this condition may have a good quality of life, providing no other abnormalities are detected and rehabilitation is performed.

The standardisation of protocols and discussion of therapeutic procedures in the rehabilitation of turtles affected by oil spills are necessary to optimise the recovery time and increase the chances of survival of these animals. This study aimed at reporting the processes adopted for the stabilisation, decontamination, rehabilitation and release of an oiled olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), rescued alive on September 23, 2019, at Santa Rita Beach, Extremoz municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Its entire body was covered by oil. At first, the animal was mechanically dry cleaned using a gauze soaked in mineral oil in the keratinised regions (carapace and plastron) and a gauze soaked in vegetable oil was used on the oral, nasal, ocular, and cloacal mucous membranes. The second stage of the oil removal consisted of washing the animal with heated pressurised water (39 °C) and a neutral detergent using a soft foam sponge. The animal received treatment with antitoxins, antibiotics, analgesics, gastrointestinal protectors, and fluid therapy. After 7 days of treatment, the blood count showed that all the parameters were within the normal range. The oil cleaning process and the therapeutic protocol used in the rehabilitation of the olive ridley sea turtle were efficient.

A two-year-old female Prague Ratter dog was presented for evaluation of cough, exercise intolerance and worsening dyspnea. A previous treatment with antibiotics did not resolve the clinical signs. A diagnostic approach revealed peripheral eosinophilia, endoscopic bronchial changes, and bronchoalveolar lavage with eosinophilic inflammation. Thoracic radiographs revealed a solitary mass and bilateral interstitial lung pattern. These radiographic findings were confirmed by computed tomography and ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lung mass. Treatment with prednisolone and azathioprine was initiated. Two months afterwards, the granuloma was no longer detectable radiographically. All medication was gradually discontinued after nine months and currently, after almost three years, the dog remains free of clinical signs.

A patellar luxation and concomitant cranial cruciate ligament rupture is a common pathology in dogs. Diagnosis is based on clinical evidence of a patellar luxation and stifle joint instability. However, diagnostic imaging is required to assess the number of skeletal deformities and signs of instability. Surgical options include both soft tissue and osseous techniques, although, in most cases, a combination of multiple procedures is necessary to correct the patellar luxation and restore the stifle joint stability. Complication rates are generally low, but can include reluxation and implant-associated complications. This article describes the patellar luxation and cranial cruciate ligament rupture signs in dogs, including the clinical presentation and diagnosis, and discusses current treatment options.

The case study aims to describe the nephrotic syndrome (NS) in a castrated 3-year-old male Cocker Spaniel dog. The patient arrived at the hospital with a loss of appetite and weakness. Skin oedema with ascites was observed along with hypoalbuminaemia, hypoproteinaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, and proteinuria (urine protein to creatinine ratio = 22.4). Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with NS, although a renal biopsy was not conducted. Prednisolone (1 mg/kg, p.o. q12 h) and mycophenolate mofetil (10 mg/kg, p.o. q12 h) were prescribed as the immunosuppressive drugs, and previously cryopreserved allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (2 × 10⁷ cells/kg) were injected intravenously. After several weeks of treatment, the patient recovered from NS. This is the first case report on immunosuppressive drugs and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells being used to treat a dog with NS.

Oedema disease of weaned piglets is caused by shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), typically harbouring the stx2e gene and F18 adhesins. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a commercially available oedema disease vaccine on the zootechnical performance, mortality and individual antibiotic treatment in a herd, in which non-typical STEC strains without F18 adhesin have been identified. The zootechnical performance (average daily gain, total weight gain), mortality and individual antibiotic treatment were compared between vaccinated and non-vaccinated control piglets in a monocentric field efficacy study, which was performed using two groups in a parallel, randomised design. A significantly higher average daily gain and total weight gain were recorded in the vaccinated piglets in comparison to the controls. The lower morbidity, mortality and antibiotic treatment in piglets in the vaccine group were not statistically significant. As a conclusion, the positive effect of the vaccination was confirmed in the herd with prevalent STEC not harbouring F18 adhesin. The vaccine was, therefore, also effective against oedema disease caused by such unusual STEC isolates, under the conditions of this study.

A 2-year-old, castrated, male Russian blue cat presented with acute dyspnoea, cyanosis, and lethargy. A thoracic radiography revealed a large cranial mediastinal mass; the computed tomography revealed caudal lobe atelectasis of the right lung with pericardial and pleural effusions. The cytodiagnostic tests revealed high-grade CD4⁺ CD8⁺ T-cell mediastinal lymphoma as clinical stage Vb; l-asparaginase-cyclophosphamide-doxorubicin-vincristine-prednisolone (l-CHOP)-based chemotherapy was initiated, following which the mass shrunk rapidly; 1 week after the initiation of chemotherapy, the appetite-related and respiratory symptoms improved dramatically, and the pleural and pericardial effusion resolved. The patient remains in complete remission three years after the initiation of the l-CHOP chemotherapy. Therefore, the accurate diagnosis and instantaneous initiation of chemotherapy may resolve life-threatening pleural and pericardial effusions in cats with high-grade aberrant T-cell mediastinal lymphoma.

In this study, we investigated whether the mathematical formulas, which generally reveal the external quality characteristics of living organisms, yield the correct results in goose eggs. For this purpose, three genotypes and 555 eggs were studied that were grouped into Native (n = 356), Chinese (n = 163) and Linda (n = 36), which were raised in Aksaray province. The averages in the Native, Chinese and Linda geese were 5.43, 5.38 and 5.7 cm, respectively, in breadth; were 8.12, 8.03 and 8.67 cm in length, respectively; the shape index was 66.9, 67.2 and 66.7 cm, respectively; the egg volume was 142.8, 138.8 and 172.5 cm³, respectively; the egg surface area was 136.9, 134.3 and 155.4 cm², respectively; the egg weight was 159.1, 154.5 and 192.3 g, respectively; the specific gravity of the eggs was 1.11, 1.11 and 1.12 g/cm³, respectively; the shell thickness was 0.510, 0.504 and 0.555 mm, respectively; the shell weight was 14.79, 14.32 and 18.26 g, respectively; the shell volume was 70.06, 67.82 and 86.41 cm³, respectively; the shell specific gravity was 2.111 3, 2.111 0 and 2.113 5 g/cm³, respectively; and the shell ratio was 9.29, 9.26 and 9.49 g, respectively. The number of pores is calculated as 14 828, 14 502 and 17 152, respectively. Although the formulas used give compatible results, there is a need for formulas that calculate closer to the truth rather than formulas that calculate the egg weight and egg shell weight.

Ultrasound scans were used to image pathological features in sea turtles. Scans were carried out in 19 loggerhead sea turtles, weighing from 2 to 21 kg, during the course of clinical examinations using 3.5 and 7.5 MHz sector transducers. The examination was performed after placing turtles in dorsal recumbency. Turtles were manually restrained and, in order to find the most suitable acoustic windows, were held down either by their heads (left and right cervicobrachial windows), front flippers (left and right axillary windows) or back flippers (left and right prefemoral and postfemoral windows). The right and left cervicobrachial windows allowed visualisation of the liver and gallbladder; the stomach was localised through the left prefemoral acoustic window; the intestinal loops were observed through the left and right prefemoral acoustic windows; the bladder was identified through both prefemoral acoustic windows. The pathological findings were as follows: idiopathic ileus, an intestinal linear foreign body and smooth muscle hypertrophy, presence of calculi and sediment in the gallbladder. These results highlight the importance of ultrasound examination along with clinical examination in sea turtles for the evaluation of coelomic pathologies.

The poor state of health and increased mortality rate of young roe deer, as reported by South Moravian hunters, caused by the increasing numbers of adult nematodes in the lungs of roe deer prompted us to identify the parasites using a combination of morphological measurements and a phylogenetic SSU rRNA analysis. The study was conducted in a 294 ha game reserve in South Moravia, Czech Republic. Molecular and morphometric techniques were used to identify adult nematodes collected from the respiratory tracts of nine 4-5 months old roe deer in poor health (low body weight of 3-4 kg, poor haircoat quality, and, in some cases, symptoms of diarrhoea). The morphological identification was based on a combination of adult worm characteristics corresponding to Dictyocaulus capreolus. A small subunit rRNA (SSU) partial sequence analysis showed the highest identity scores (99%) corresponding to the sequences of D. capreolus from a roe deer (GenBank: AY168859) from Sweden and the outcomes of the phylogenetic analyses resulted in a tree with a high branch support for two groups, with our sequences forming a well-supported clade with D. capreolus and Dictyocaulus sp. ex Capreolus capreolus (FJ589016) and Dictyocaulus sp. ex Rupicapra rupicapra (FJ589019) sequences from Spain. The examined roe deer have shown symptoms of diarrhoea, anorexia, and respiratory tract inflammation indicating that there might be a connection to the clinical importance of the Dictyocaulus infection.

The avermectin and pyrantel resistance of equine parasites was monitored on four farms in the Czech Republic in 2014. The aim of the testing was to investigate the anthelmintic resistance of cyathostomins and ascarids. One hundred and eighty-six horses were included in the test, 54 of which were infected by ascarids and 174 by cyathostomins. Faecal egg count reduction tests were used to assess anthelmintic resistance. The faecal egg count reduction for ascarids was within the range of 87.9% to 100% for avermectins and 100% for pyrantel embonate. Faecal egg count reduction for cyathostomins ranged from 99% to 100% for avermectins and 89.3% to 98.2% for pyrantel embonate.

The aim of this study was to analyse ovarian activity and pregnancy in 140 Pura Raza Espanola mares over a period of two consecutive years. The data were analysed using SPSS software to evaluate the effects of age, category of mares and season on pre-ovulatory follicle size, ovulation rate, interval from foaling to pregnancy, gestation length, incidence of twin pregnancies and pregnancy losses. The results showed that follicular diameter was significantly (P < 0.05) smaller in fillies (3-year-old) and maiden mares than in older and multiparous mares. Within the group of animals treated with gonadotropin hormone hCG, 87.23% ovulated 48 h following administration. Length of gestation varied from 305 to 356 days and all gestation pregnancies of less than 305 days resulted in a non-viable foal. In addition, foaling season affected (P < 0.05) the post-partum conception interval and the length of gestation, which were shorter and longer in the winter foaling, respectively. Regarding the other parameters, mares of this stud exhibited relatively very low rates of double ovulations, twin pregnancies and pregnancy losses. We conclude that age and category of mares and foaling season influence fertility and foaling rates by affecting pre-ovulatory follicle size, pregnancy loss and gestation length.

Diphallia or penile duplication is a rare congenital abnormality thought to result from duplication of the cloacal membrane in the early developmental stages in the uterus. The present case concerned a 4-year old intact male German shepherd dog. The patient presented with a complaint of paraphimosis. Clinical, laboratory, radiological and ultrasonographic examinations were carried out. Semen samples collected prior to surgery were examined. Following amputation, the penis with paraphimosis was sent for histopathological investigation. Karyotype analysis of the patient was also performed. As well as the first report of this abnormality in Turkey, this case report represents the first report of this condition in a German shepherd dog.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of storage time at +4 °C on haematological indicators in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum, 1792). For this purpose, 60 Italian trout were evaluated and red blood cells, white blood cells, thrombocyte count, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were determined. After blood collection (T₀), all samples were immediately analysed using an automatic method to assess the haematological parameters and then divided into two different aliquots and stored at +4 °C. The first aliquot was refrigerated for 168 h (T₁), the second one for 336 h (T₂). Statistical analysis (one-way repeated-measures ANOVA) showed a significant effect of storage time (P < 0.05) on red blood cells, thrombocyte count, haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. The obtained data expand our knowledge of haematological evaluation techniques and could contribute to the development of an appropriate method for haematological analysis that is suitable for the evaluation of the health status of wild and farmed fish.

This study was aimed at determining the presence of C. burnetii in cattle and sheep herds in the Kars region of Turkey using serological and molecular methods. As a serological technique, C.burnetii IgG in blood sera and milk samples were investigated with ELISA. The results of these examinations revealed that 108 (43.2%) out of 250 sheep blood serum samples and 52 (14.85%) out of 350 cattle blood serum samples were seropositive for C. burnetii antibodies by ELISA. Out of 350 cattle and 250 sheep milk samples examined with ELISA, 36 (10.28%) and 42 (16.8%) were found to be seropositive, respectively. For molecular analysis, a Trans-PCR amplifying the IS1111A transposase gene of C. burnetii was conducted. Five (1.42%) out of 350 cattle milk samples, and one (0.4%) from 250 sheep milk samples were found to be positive for C. burnetii DNA. The results obtained in this study have demonstrated the presence of Q fever in cattle and sheep in the Kars region, and the dissemination of the infectious agent within milk. This situation poses a potential risk for animal and human health. Ultimately, this study points the way to future investigations into the presence of C. burnetii, which causes Q fever in cattle and sheep, and will contribute to the protection and control of the disease.

In several European countries (e.g., Poland) blood glucose level is the main indicator of feline diabetes mellitus. We describe a case of an adult domestic cat (Felis catus) that exhibited no symptoms of diabetes except high glucose level in blood (≈200 mg/dl) that indicated a possibility of early stage of this disease. However, further investigations including serum fructosamine level determination, systematic urine monitoring as well as comparative analyses of glucose level in blood samples collected at the veterinary clinic and at home revealed that the cat was suffering from stress-induced hyperglycaemia brought on by the car ride and visit to the veterinary clinic. This case highlights the fact that determining blood glucose level alone is insufficient in feline diabetes mellitus diagnosis and can lead to unnecessary treatment with potential adverse effects on feline health.

A honeybee colony, part of an apiary of nine, showed abnormalities in brood pattern and was thus presented for study. A classic veterinary medicine approach has allowed the diagnosis of a severe case of sacbrood virus (SBV) confirmed by a high viral load in affected larvae. SBV is known to infect larvae of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), resulting in failure to pupate and ultimately death of infected larvae. Several contributing factors combined, among them the parasite Varroa destructor, have been identified in this particular affected colony to explain the clinical outbreak of the disease whereas, in the majority of cases, infected colonies remain asymptomatic. As no specific cure of honeybee viruses is available, the management of these contributing factors is essential, including feeding of colonies and control of the Varroa parasite. After implementation of management solutions, the colony rapidly recovered in six weeks, but did not recommence honey production and remained at higher risk of a winter collapse. An earlier control management would have been more effective: regular visits of the colonies by the beekeepers should be the rule in order to detect abnormalities and also to detect and eliminate as early as possible the combination of factors that contribute to the proliferation of the virus.

Information provided in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) portal database of the European Commission on "crustaceans and products thereof" for Bangladesh during 2000-2012 was investigated to analyse the trends of occurrences. A total of 159 (10.56%) notifications (alert - 40; border rejection - 47; information - 72) were recorded for Bangladesh against a worldwide 1505 notifications. During the period 120 (20.27%) notifications were identified for residue of veterinary medicinal products against 592 notifications recorded in the portal. Forty-eight consignments were re-despatched to Bangladesh while 11 consignments were destroyed at the European border as a consequence of the notifications by the European countries.

Secretion of adequate levels of progesterone from a proper corpus luteum (CL), which develops out of the cells of a healthy preovulatory follicle, is a key-factor for establishment of a pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between morphological and secretory characteristics of preovulatory follicles and their corresponding corpus luteum with regard to the post-partum period in high-yielding dairy cows. Therefore, ultrasound-guided aspirations of preovulatory follicles were performed repeatedly, using 20 first lactating cows between 26 and 121 days after parturition. Heat was induced with a PGF analogon followed by administration of a GnRH analogon. The dominant follicle was aspirated 21 h after administration of the GnRH analogon. The diameters of the follicles were estimated at aspiration and the morphology of the resulting luteal tissue was examined on day 14 after follicle aspiration using ultrasonographic examinations. Concentrations of progesterone (P₄) and 17-beta-oestradiol (E₂) were determined in the follicular fluids (FF) and P₄ concentration was estimated at the time of CL examination in plasma. A CL development occurred in 82% after dominant follicle aspiration. The interval of time between parturition and follicle aspiration did not affect the investigated variables. The diameter of the aspirated preovulatory follicle was positively correlated to the cross-section area of the developed luteal tissue (R = 0.60; P < 0.01) as well as to the plasma P₄ concentration on day 14 after follicle aspiration (R = 0.47; P < 0.05). Also, E₂ concentrations in FF were positively correlated to cross-section area of the luteal tissue (R = 0.54; P < 0.05). Comparing the FF of the follicles that gave rise to a CL after aspiration to follicles that did not, both types had comparable P₄, but the former type harboured higher E₂ concentrations. In conclusion, preovulatory follicle diameter as well as steroid concentrations in the follicular fluid could be used prospectively to identify cows which will have well-developed CLs and high plasma P₄ levels later. On the other hand, CL development after follicle aspiration can be used as a retrospective quality parameter of dominant follicles. These results will help to identify suitable animals for breeding or recipients for embryo transfer.

Some species of invertebrates especially bryozoans (Bryozoa syn. Ectoprocta) and marine sponges (Porifera) are very important sources of pharmacologically exploitable compounds. These substances are probably produced to protect themselves from fish predators and may be an advantage in competition. The real sources of compounds with these antipredatory effects are probably not marine invertebrates themselves, but microscopic symbionts or food which they feed on. Bryostatins from bryozoan species Bugula neritina are produced by a bacterial symbiont called Candidatus Endobugula sertula. They have significant anti-cancer effects, but also other therapeutic benefits. Compounds with the structure of bryostatins were also discovered in some other invertebrates. Sponges are a source of many compounds, e.g., ara-A (vidarabine), manzamine, lasonolides, spongistatins, peloruside and others with antimicrobial, anti-cancer, immunosuppressive and similar activities. Other important sources of compounds with medical effects are tunicates (Tunicata syn. Urochordata) and some snails (Mollusca). One drug was developed from tunicates - Yondelis against refractory soft-tissue sarcomas. Certain other drugs originate from snails: e.g., prialt, which acts against chronic pain in spinal cord injury.

A three day-old Japanese black calf was admitted with a history of abdominal distension and absence of defecation. Dilated loops of the small intestine and hypoplasia of the colon and rectum was observed upon a contrast radiographic examination in the standing position. At necropsy atresia coli with undeveloped rectum and patent anal opening was found. We conclude that a contrast radiograph in the standing position is useful for diagnosing atresia coli in such cases.

Claw lesions and lameness in sows are an important welfare concern as well as a cause of considerable economic loss. These problems are more common in group housing than in individual housing systems. Given that group housing for gestating sows will become mandatory in the EU from 2013 onwards, the aim of the present study was: (1) to determine the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in sows housed in groups during gestation, and (2) to analyze whether the type of group housing system and sow-related factors were associated with lameness and claw lesions. Eight Belgian pig herds with group housing of gestating sows were selected. Four herds used pens with electronic sow feeders (dynamic groups), the other four herds kept their sows in free access stalls (static groups). All sows were visually examined for lameness at the end of gestation. Claw lesions were scored after parturition. Information about feed, housing conditions and culling (strategy) was collected, as well as information about parity and breed. Of all 421 assessed sows, on average 9.7% (min. 2.4%, max. 23.1%) were lame. Almost 99% of the sows had one or more claw lesion with overgrowth of heel horn (93%) and cracks in the wall (52%) as the most prevalent lesions. Neither for lameness nor claw lesions was significant differences found between the two types of group housing. Lameness decreased while the mean claw lesion score increased with ageing. These results suggest that lameness can be caused by reasons other than claw lesions, especially in older sows. Although no difference was found between the two types of group housing, a huge variation between herds was observed. Moreover, as the prevalence of lameness and claw lesions in group housing is quite high and group housing will become mandatory in 2013, further investigation on risk factors of locomotor disorders in sows is necessary.

A four-year old, 26.5 kg, Boxer bitch was presented to the Department of Reproduction in the Clinic of Dogs and Cats with a six month history of vulvar swelling and vaginal discharge. General gynaecological examination showed an extremely swollen, oedematous and tough-elastic highly irritable vulva. A vaginal smear revealed the presence of superficial cells and red blood cells. After repeated unsuccesful administrations of HCG and GnRH the owner of the bitch agreed to surgical treatment. An ovariohysterectomy was performed and on the left ovary a grapefruit-size structure was found. Three nodular structures were found retroperitoneally and were also dissected. Histological examination showed a disgerminoma in metastasises, mitotically active with a bad prognosis. However, at a check up twenty months subsequently the patient was still alive.

An 8-year-old Italian saddle-horse gelding with a history of left guttural pouch empyema was referred to the clinic. Endoscopic examination showed a stenosis of the left pharingeal ostium that was treated with an endoscopic assisted electro-cauterization. Endoscopic follow-ups were performed before discharge and at six months after stenosis removal. No recurrence was observed, confirming the patency of the pharyngeal orifice.

Avian metapneumovirus causes an acute highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection primarily of turkeys and chickens. The disease can cause significant economic losses in turkey and chicken flocks, particularly when exacerbated by secondary pathogens. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of avian metapneumovirus antibodies in broiler and broiler breeder flocks in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. All the flocks had not been vaccinated against avian metapneumovirus. The province were divided into four geographic areas; southwest, southeast, northwest, and northeast. Flocks in each area, and 14-15 birds in each flock, were randomly sampled. The blood samples were taken regardless of the presence of any signs of respiratory or any other clinical disease in the flocks. A total of 435 blood samples were collected from 30 commercial chicken flocks (24 broiler flocks, aged between six and eight weeks, and six broiler breeder flocks, aged between 56 and 72 weeks). The presence of antibodies against avian metapneumovirus in each serum sample was tested twice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a commercial kit which was able to determine antibodies against A, B and C subtypes of avian metapneumovirus. Out of 347 serum samples obtained from broiler chickens, 167 (48.1%) were positive to avian metapneumovirus antibodies, which represented 20 (83.3%) of 24 examined broiler flocks. Out of 88 samples obtained from broiler breeder chickens, 82 (93.2%) were positive to avian metapneumovirus antibodies, which belonged to six (100%) of examined broiler breeder flocks. Detection of anti-avian metapneumovirus antibodies among broiler breeder (100%) was higher than broiler (83.3%) flocks. A higher rate of seropositivity (83.3% of samples and 100% of broiler flocks) was observed in northwest. The results of this study may indicate the possible involvement of avian metapneumovirus in the respiratory disease we are seeing in chickens in Iran. Its prevalence has to be investigated in other parts of Iran. Future work may and should include the use of molecular methods and isolation of the virus. Isolation of avian metapneumovirus will allow the possibility of making autogenous vaccines.

Guttural pouch mycosis is an emergency disease of the upper respiratory tract in equine species. In the present report a case of guttural pouch mycosis in a female, seven year-old pregnant donkey is described. A serious dyspnea which necessitated tracheotomy and preceding epistaxis was the most important clinical feature of guttural pouch mycosis in the donkey. A full and rapid effectiveness of the topical therapy, the protocol for which is described, is the main distinguishing feature with regard to treatment. In the Authors' knowledge a detailed description of clinical features, treatment and follow up of guttural pouch mycosis in a donkey is not available in the scientific literature. The anatomical and physiological peculiarity of donkeys could explain some of the differences with horses in clinical presentation and therapeutic management.

The effects of the changeover from conventional parlour to an automatic milking system (AMS) on behaviour and physiological parameters in dairy cows with and without previous experience in AMS milking were investigated. Heart rate increase was higher in unexperienced cows (UC) than in experienced cows (EC) during the first AMS visit (31 ± 2 and 12 ± 2 beats per min, respectively, P < 0.05). EC entered the automatic milking stall voluntarily without any intervention by the staff. In contrast, in UC the rate of voluntary visits was 4, 26, 40, 49, 63, 72, 76, 89, 91 and 94% during the first 10 d of AMS milking, respectively. Faecal cortisol metabolites were not affected by the changeover. In UC milk ejection was disturbed during the first visits, i. e. mean milk yield at the first milking in the AMS was significantly lower as compared to that in the parlour (67 ± 7%, P < 0.05), whereas milk ejection in EC was not disturbed. The total milk yield of the first 15 milkings differed significantly in UC (87.3 ± 2.4%) and EC (108.8 ± 3.3%) as compared to previous parlour yields (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cows with previous experience to AMS milking did not need a new adaptation period in the AMS after a transient period of parlour milking. In contrast, UC do need an intensive adaptation to the AMS in order to minimise production loss. Data clearly demonstrate that an adequate adaptation is crucial for successful milk production in AMS.

Ethiopia is one among the nations that possesses the largest number of livestock population in the African continent estimated to be 33 million cattle, 24 million sheep and 18 million goats. In contrast to the huge livestock resource, the livestock productivity is however, found to be very low. The major biological and socio-economical factors attributing to the low productivity includes: the low genetic potential and performance, poor nutrition (in quality and quantity terms), the prevailing of different diseases, traditional way of husbandry systems and inadequate skilled manpower, among others. Ethiopia is one of the African countries where tuberculosis is wide spread in both humans and cattle and the endemic nature of tuberculosis in humans and cattle has long been documented. The disease is considered as one of the major livestock diseases that results in high morbidity and mortality, although the current status on the actual prevalence rate of bovine tuberculosis (BTB) at a national level is yet unknown. Detection of BTB in Ethiopia is carried out most commonly on the basis of tuberculin skin testing, abattoir meat inspection and very rarely on bacteriological techniques. Recently undertaken studies indicated the prevalence rate of BTB with a range of 3.4% (in small holder production system) to 50% (in intensive dairy productions) and a range of 3.5% to 5.2% in slaughterhouses in various places of the country. BTB in cattle remains to be a great concern due to the susceptibility of humans to the disease. The infections mainly take place by drinking raw milk and occur in the extra-pulmonary form, in the cervical lymphadenitis form in particular. The aim of this paper is to review the status of BTB in Ethiopia in relation with the existing animal husbandry systems and abattoir meat inspection surveillances. Control measures, economic impacts and the zoonotic aspect of the disease are also briefly addressed.

The main obstacle in assessing the financial impact of foot-and-mouth disease inTurkeyis unavailability of reliable data. Considering this issue, this study aimed at using a Delphi Expert Opinion Survey (DEOS) method to obtain data required for economic analysis of FMD inTurkey. This study concluded that although there were problems in obtaining some information from the experts, in general theDelphitechnique is a promising way of obtaining animal health data, which is otherwise missing and/or not regularly recorded in developing countries.

The Web of Science database searched results for papers published from the Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic, were analysed. The Veterinary Research Institute has increased publication activity in 2001-2005; more than 4 times in comparison with the period 1990-2004. The impact factor of journals has increased 5.5 times. The collaboration with 31 foreign countries and 175 institutions resulted in the publication of 277 papers in 93 journals during the past five years. Positioning of the Veterinary Research Institute is now among the worldwide leading teams is evident in twelve research profiles. The Web of Science is an efficient tool for record analysis and researcher's and institution's publication activities.