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Congenitally deformed tibia-fibulas of both hind limbs were diagnosed in a four-month-old, female, domestic shorthair cat that was unable to bear weight and whose movement was painful on both stifle and hock joints. Bleeding was observed repeatedly from the wound made by deformed tibias at the cranial sides of hock joints where the bones were exposed. Radiography and computed tomography revealed a corn-shaped tibia and bow shaped fibula which extended cranio-distally without formation of the hock joints. Femoro-tarsal arthrodesis was successfully executed on both hind legs after exclusion of the deformed and pliable tibia-fibulas. Follow-up radiography showed that bone fusions had gradually improved and were without complications. Postoperatively, the cat was capable of walking on the corrected hind legs and running on the movement of hip joints. To the authors' knowledge, this is the 1st reported case of femoro-tarsal arthrodesis in a cat. In this case, femoro-tarsal arthrodesis resulted in a satisfactory outcome for congenitally deformed tibia-fibulas in cat.

D-alanine (DAL) has been successfully used as a marker of bacterial nitrogen (N) in the small intestine of cows. This study compares DAL contents of intestinal bacteria in digesta of cows and pigs with respect to diet and sampling site. In isolated ileal bacteria of pigs a DAL/N ratio (41.72 ± 3.19 mg/g, n = 18) was found, which was not different from that in rumen bacteria (40.11 ± 1.95 mg/g, n = 18) but higher than in duodenal bacteria of cows (38.09 ± 2.09 mg/g, n = 18, P < 0.001). The DAL/N ratio in ileal bacteria of pigs was independent of the diet (P = 0.38) but it tended to be affected by the animal (P = 0.095). In bacterial preparations derived from cows, the DAL/N ratio depended on the diet (P = 0.04) and the site of sampling (P = 0.004). Our findings indicate that a general value for DAL/N ratio in pig or cow intestinal contents to calculate bacterial N should not be used.

: A 3-year-old Doberman Pinscher was referred to the Clinic for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty of Ljubljana for cardiologic examination due to lethargy, inappetence and lateral abdominal wall oedema. The dog had been treated at the primary veterinary practice for tooth granuloma two days before the presentation. During the course of the disease a presumptive diagnosis necrotizing fasciitis was ascertained and Serratia marcescens organism was isolated from the ventral body wall tissue, from the wound in the oral cavity and other organs in the body. Systemic signs developed concomitantly with the progression of the local disease. Due to grave prognosis the dog was euthanised. This is the first report of a necrotizing fasciitis in a dog caused by S. marcescens and also the first one suspected to occur after the dental procedure.

In this study, the circulus arteriosus cerebri of the squirrel was investigated. Ten squirrel were used. Coloured latex was given from left ventriculi of the all squirrels. Circulus arteriosus cerebri was examined after the dissection was made. The basilar artery was formed by merge of the right and left vertebral artery. The caudal communicans artery which was caudal part of circulus arteriosus cerebri was formed by the basilar artery on sulcus pontocrurale. From caudal to cranial, the branches originated from the basilar artery and circulus arteriosus cerebri to cerebrum and cerebellum were as follows: the caudal cerebelli artery,rami ad pontem, the rostral cerebelli artery, the caudal choroidea artery, the caudal cerebral artery, the internal ophtalmic artery, the rostral choroidea artery, the media cerebral artery, rami striati and the rostral cerebral artery. In squirrels a variability was observed in the branches that the rostral cerebral artery gives, and their endings. It was determined that the internal carotid artery didn't exist in 4 animals when the right and left vertebral artery were ligatured. It was found that the internal carotid artery didn't contribute to the arterial blood to circulus arteriosus cerebri and the arterial blood to circulus arteriosus cerebri of squirrels is provided via only the basilar artery.

Three hundred and thirty-one (331) horses out of 371 cases (i.e. 351 individuals discharged from the clinic) were followed up in order to evaluate long-term survival rate and complications after colic surgery. Twenty horses were subjected to surgery twice during the period of this study. Out of the sample of 331 patients, 302 animals (91.2%) survived at least 11 months after the operation. Twenty-nine horses (8.8%) died or had to be euthanized. Colic episode was considered to be the cause of death in 23 (79.3%) out of 29 patients. Seven colic patients had to be reoperated. The remaining six patients died of a cause unrelated to the gastrointestinal disease. Seven out of 302 long-term surviving patients needed the second operation within the first 11 months after the first surgery. Colic episode was reoperated in another 15 patients after 12 months to 4 years after the first operation. Conservative treatment was necessary in another 10 long-term surviving horses. In eight long-term surviving horses and in one patient that did not survive 11 months, incision hernias were identified as the postoperative complication. Twenty-one horses out of 331 were subjected to relaparotomy during their first hospitalization. Eighteen out of these (85.7%) survived 11 months after the surgery; the remaining three were euthanized within six months due to colic.

An approximately 7-year-old 1.7kg, female Siamese cat with a history of a malocclusion and an inability to open its mouth was referred the Animal Medical Center, Chonbuk National University. The cat had shown signs since it was adopted four years earlier but the cause was not determined. The mandible was deviated 2 mm to left, the mouth could be opened only 2 mm and attempts to open the jaws caused considerable pain. Radiographs indicated new bone formation and a loss of joint space in the right temporomandibular joint(TMJ). 3-dimensional CT showed bony fusion and bone thickness in the right TMJ. The physical, 3-dimensional CT and radiographic examinations revealed right TMJ ankylosis. Under general anesthesia, surgical treatment was performed to remove the ankylosis block with subsequent interpositional arthroplasty using a temporalis myofascial flap. The patient showed distinct improvement in both the articular functionality and clinical signs.

Avian tuberculosis (ATBC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in birds in zoos and breeding establishments. The primary sources of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) of serotypes 1, 2 and 3 are infected animals (esp. birds), who shed MAA in different ways and thus contaminate the environment. The first aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of the diagnostic methods that are routinely used for the diagnosis of ATBC (skin test, serology and culture of faeces and eggs) in naturally infected hens with different levels of infection. The second aim was to determine the excretion rate of MAA in faeces and eggs. The tuberculin skin test gave a positive result in nine (42.9%) infected hens of which four (57.1%) and one (14.3%) were heavily and slightly infected hens, respectively. A positive serological response to MAA-b antigen (water bird isolate of serotype 1) was observed in five (23.8%) and to MAA-p antigen (pig isolate serotype 2) in seven (33.3%) hens. No correlation between serological and skin-test data was found. The results show that both techniques, serological and skin-test data are inadequate for the diagnosis of ATBC. In consecutively euthanized hens, with heavy infection and tuberculous lesions, serological positivity was significant (P < 0.05) in comparison with slightly infected hens lacking tuberculous lesions. Faecal culture detected MAA in 50 (29.8%) of 168 samples collected for eight days before euthanasia. MAA excretion in faeces was intermittent, but significantly (P < 0.01) higher in heavily infected hens. No mycobacteria were detected in any of the 43 examined eggs, which implies that the shedding of MAAand/or transmission of ATBC through eggs may not be frequent events.

The perception of exogenous chemical substances, olfactory navigation and the use of the olfactory sense by birds to search for food are reviewed. Many results suggest that the olfactory sense is one of the important components of the navigation system in birds. The olfactory mechanisms used by homing pigeons to navigate homeward from distant sites have been well studied. The scent of potential food, carcasses, is a positive attracting percept for Vultures. Procellariiform seabirds (petrels, albatrosses and shearwaters) are able to localize food sources by using their olfactory sense. Procellariforms are sensitive to scented compounds associated with their primary prey: krill-related odors (pyrazines and trimethylamine), odors associated with phytoplankton (dimethyl sulfide - DMS) and ammonia. Anting is a specific type of behavior of over 200 bird species. Birds probably use anting to control ectoparasites, inhibit the growth of fungi or bacteria, to soothe skin irritated during the molting period, and to remove toxic formic acid from ants prior to their consumption. Insectivorous birds react to insect malodorous substances, produced by insect groups as a chemical defense against predators.

Bovine reproductive disorders are of growing interest from both economic and health standpoints. The role that fungi play in these processes is becoming increasingly important. Study of the seroprevalence of anti-Aspergillus antibodies in cow sera taken from herds with previous reproductive disorders is therefore of great interest. We used an indirect ELISA technique, that had shown suitable results in previous studies in other animal species. Thirteen percent of the 387 animals tested in the current study were positive, accounting for 41% of herds. When this technique was applied to the sera of two fetuses, that were aborted due to aspergillosis, a significant difference in anti-Aspergillus antibody levels was found compared with those in control sera. The ELISA technique was compared with PLATELIA and PCR for 24 ELISA-positive cattle sera; these assays resulted in only one and three positive results, respectively. In conclusion, the ELISA analysis showed a significant seroprevalence of Aspergillus antibodies in herds with previous reproductive disorders. There is therefore a need for more attention to be paid to Aspergillus in the differential diagnoses of these conditions and to improve preventive methods to effectively control this organism.

A mixed infection with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) in one naturally infected red deer stag from a game park is described. The animal was euthanized because of symptoms of poor condition, weight loss and chronic diarrhoea. In spite of that, pathological lesions were observed only in the mesenteric lymph nodes, which were five to ten times enlarged with confluent caseous granulomas of 1 to 10 mm in size. Mycobacteria were isolated from all studied samples: a mixed infection of MAP and MAH was confirmed by multiplex PCR for the detection of IS 900, IS9011, IS1245 and dnaJ. MAP of the identical IS900 BstEII RFLP type C1 was isolated from all tissue samples and faeces. MAH isolates were detected in six examined tissue samples, including three mesenteric lymph nodes with caseous granulomas. Only minor differences in the band numbers and position of four different IS1245 PvuII RFLP patterns of MAH isolates were found. It follows from these results that red deer may potentially be infected with MAH, when a MAP infection is under way.

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.

An outbreak of koi herpesvirus (KHV) infection associated with high mortality of common and koi carp was recorded in the USA and Israel in 1998. At present, this disease is viewed as one of the most significant factors that can adversely affect common and koi carp breeds. The disease has spread worldwide including European countries neighbouring with the Czech Republic (CR), i.e. Germany, Poland, and Austria. To monitor the situation in the CR, samples were collected from a total of 138 common and koi carps in seven and eight locations in CR respectively, and were examined between 2005 and 2006. Locations owned by the major producers of common and koi carp were selected with respect of potential occurrence of the KHV virus. No records of increased mortality and morbidity were noticed there. Preferentially carps with non-specific symptoms of disease were sampled, often with isolated skin erosions. To obtain detailed picture about health condition of examined fish the bacteriological and haematological examinations were accomplished. The next part of the examined samples were carp and koi carp for export from professional breeders, imported koi carp and fish from breeds with increased mortality (45 and 21 fish in 2005 and 2006, respectively) The only virological testing was done in this case. The culture and PCR method, according to Gilad et al. (2002) showed negative results for virus KHV in all years. Retrospective investigation by PCR method according to Bercovier et al. (2005) showed positivity in five locations in 2005. In 2006, KHV virus was not detected in any of the selected locations. The aim of our study was to find out the presence/absence of KHV in selected locations and potential correlation of virological, bacteriological and haematological findings. The results of first testing for presence of koi herpesvirus indicates the necessity of regular KHV monitoring in the Czech Republic in the next period.

This article describes the cardiac anatomy of an 18-years-old male tiger that died at a local zoo. In general, the cardiac anatomy of this animal corresponded with that described for domestic carnivores. The left atrium received four pulmonary veins. In the right ventricle the musculus papillaris magnus and m. papillaris subarterial had the same size. In the left ventricle there was a greater development of the musculus papillaris subauricularis. The trabeculae carnae had a conspicuous size in a large part of the ventricles. The left coronary artery predominated, being responsible for the irrigation of the majority of the cardiac region; it divided itself into the ramus interventricularis paraconalis and circumflexus, the latter giving off the ramus interventricularis subsinuosus.

The present study concentrated on the development of an analytical method for determination of emissions of volatile organic compounds from crude and heat treated amaranth (genus Amaranthus L.) samples. Emitted substances were collected by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method and identified by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The list of identified abundant organic compounds exceeds one hundred substances of different classes. Total concentrations of quantified volatile organic compounds ranged between 2.2 and 68.9 μg/g of dried sample. Hexanal and acetic acid were found as the most abundant compounds detected in amaranth samples. It was found that heat treatment (popping) of amaranth samples changed their composition of volatile organic compounds dramatically. The highest volatile organic compound emissions were found in popped grain amaranth in comparison to all crude grains and amaranth biomasses.

The material of the present study was composed of 30 eyes with luxatio lentis occurring in 20 dogs. Unilateral lens luxation was determined in a half of the animals while bilateral luxation was determined in the other half. Lenses in 19 of the 30 eyes were luxated in the anterior direction (63.3%), three were luxated in the posterior direction (10%) and eight were subluxated (26.6%). The distribution of patient dogs based on the breeds showed that the incidence of lens luxation was higher in Terrier, Cocker Spaniel and crossbreed dogs compared to the other breeds. The results of etiological classification of the diseases which are generally seen in older dogs (on average 7.2 years old) were as follows: congenital in two patients, primary luxation in four patients, and secondary luxation in 14 patients. Secondary luxations diagnosed in 14 animals were determined to have developed as a result of trauma in two dogs, glaucoma in one dog, uveitis in one dog, and senile degeneration and/or cataract in 10 dogs. Bilateral (two dogs) and unilateral (five dogs) intracapsullar lens extraction (ICLE) was applied to these animals. The primary disease was to be kept under control by treating those with secondary lens luxation for uveitis or glaucoma. A severe progressive intraocular inflammation developed in one patient. Enucleation was conducted on this patient due to buphthalmus developing in a short time. These results may be helpful to small animal veterinarians dealing with this disease which results in blindness unless early diagnosis and surgical treatment are conducted.

Carpal flexural deformity was determined in a total of 31 puppies, of which 28 were brought to our clinic, and 3 were reported by a practicing veterinary surgeon. Ages of the puppies ranged between 6-24 weeks. The dogs belonged to 10 different breeds. Following clinical and radiological examination of the puppies, blood samples were taken and calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) values were recorded. Slight increases in these mineral values were determined in some of the patients. A splint with a caudal aluminium support, padded with a large amount of cotton, was applied to all puppies with deformity. This splint was kept on for 10 days, and repeated in some cases. The diets of the puppies were planned.

The objective of our study was to test amaranth grain or dried biomass in the diet for broiler chickens as a resource of protein replacing animal protein. Further, the effect of amaranth on broiler performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality were assessed in a feeding trial. The experimental groups of broilers were fed feed mixtures with crude amaranth grain (AC), heat processed amaranth grain (AP) or dried above-ground biomass (AB). Control groups (C) received the diet containing animal proteins. The results obtained in the experimental groups of broiler chickens can be compared to the control group in all the production indicators under investigation. On day 42 of the experiment, live weight (g) of female broilers ranged from 2 205.1 ± 152.5 (AP) to 2 254.0 ± 136.5 (C), and that of male broilers from 2 375.1 ± 233.0 (AC) to 2 506.0 ± 286.0 (C). Feed conversion ranged from 1.80 kg in control group of male broiler chickens to 1.91 kg in experimental group of male broilers (AB). Percentage yield in female broiler chickens ranged from 70.8 ± 1.74 (AB) to 72.4 ±3.34(AC) or 72.4 ± 1.98 (C), and in male broilers from 72.8 ±3.55(AP) to 75.1 ±2.44(AB). Our results showed that amaranth can fully replace meat-and-bone meals in the diets for broiler chickens.

The case of the two year old thoroughbred filly presented here has been diagnosed with and treated for equine gastric ulceration syndrome (EGUS). The results of her examination are documented over a five month period. The patient was finally hospitalised with acute severe colic. Absence of chronic clinical problems common for pyloric stenosis can be attributed to the permanent antiulceration medication of the filly. The diagnosis of pyloric stenosis was made by exploratory laparotomy and confirmed by necropsy.

An outbreak of tuberculosis among bovines and pigs caused by Mycobacterium caprae is described in this paper. After tuberculin skin tests with bovine purified protein derivates (PPD) six cattle and one sow, own by a small family farm, tested positive whilst three pigs were suspected in 2004. All animals were euthanised and checked for gross pathological lesions. Generalised lesions were found in five cattle and two sows; however one calf and two gilts had lesions that were localised in the submandibular lymph nodes. Mycobacteria were isolated from tissue samples of six cattle and four pigs. Mycobacterial isolates were identified using classical biochemical tests and molecular methods (PCR, GenoType MTBC) as M. caprae. Mycobacterial Interspersed Repetitive Unit (MIRU) typing of isolated mycobacteria showed an identical number of repeats in 12 different loci. Results of the research confirmed the domination of M. caprae among infected cattle in Croatia; however this paper was the first to confirm a case of M. caprae in pigs. The source of the infection was not found.

A 10-week-old, 4.5 kg female Weimaraner dog was referred to theChonbukNationalUniversity, Animal Medical Centre with signs of regurgitation after weaning. The cervical oesophagus was palpable as a flaccid, air-filled cavity. The thoracic radiographs revealed oesophageal dilatation cranial to the heart and constriction at the level of third rib. A presumptive diagnosis was made as persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). A left 4th intercostal thoracotomy was performed and the definitive diagnosis was made as PRAA with left ligamentum arteriosum (LA) and an aberrant left subclavian artery (SA). The oesophagus was found dually compressed and severely necrosed. The corrective surgery comprised of transection of the LA as well as resection and anastomosis of the oesophagus, which resulted in a complete alleviation of the clinical signs.

The process of leukocyte cytolysis and the manifestations of apoptosis and secondary necrosis of neutrophil granulocytes (hereafter only "neutrophils") were studied on four virgin heifers after the induction of leukocyte influx into the mammary gland and after their lavage in in vitro conditions. Phosphate buffered saline, muramyl dipeptide and a lipopolysaccharide were used for influx induction. Cytolysis and apoptosis were induced with heat stress, ultraviolet irradiation and spontaneous aging for 24 hours. The cytolysis was detected indirectly by determining the lactate dehydrogenase activity in the cultivation medium after the enzyme was released through cell lysis. The neutrophil apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and two staining methods (i) simultaneous staining with Annexin V labelled FITC and propidium iodide and (ii) with SYTO 13. It was found that leukocytes of the mammary gland of virgin heifers undergo spontaneous aging during in vitro incubation. The fraction of lysed leukocytes rose in the course of the in vitro incubation and reached 21% up to 34% after 4 hours and 73% up to 79% after 24 hours, depending on the inductor of influx used. From among them, phosphate buffered saline resulted in the lowest incidence of cytolysis, the lipopolysaccharide in the highest incidence. The differences in the effect of influx inductors on leukocyte cytolysis became manifest during the first 4 hours of incubation in particular; the differences between inductors became insignificant after 24 hours. Heat stress, unlike ultraviolet irradiation, resulted in a significant increase in the fraction of lysed leukocytes. Ultraviolet radiation induced neutrophil apoptosis in a dominant way, while the effect of influx inducers and/or of the staining method used for flow cytometry had no effect. Heat stress also induced neutrophil apoptosis but to a lower extent than ultraviolet irradiation. Spontaneous leukocyte aging during the in vitro incubation resulted in an increasing share of apoptotic neutrophils depending on the duration of incubation. An increase in the share of necrotic neutrophils was only significant after influx induction with the lipopolysaccharide, but not after induction with buffered saline. Highly significant correlation between the percentage representation of apoptotic neutrophils and the percentage proportion of lysed leukocytes was shown, both after influx induction with phosphate buffered saline, and with the lipopolysaccharide and after both staining techniques (r = 0.767; 0.932; 0.966; 0.922). Statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between the proportion of necrotic neutrophils and the share of lysed leukocytes only after influx induction with the lipopolysaccharide (r = 0.579; 0.765). After the influx induction with phosphate buffered saline and staining with Annexin V and propidium iodide, statistically significant negative correlation between the percentage share of necrotic neutrophils and the percentage of lysed leukocytes (r = -0.653) was demonstrated. Thus it means that situations can occur when the more leukocytes succumb to cytolysis, the smaller the share of necrotic neutrophils that can be detected with flow cytometry. One can state that the in vit

The aim of this study was to reveal the branches of the descending palatine artery, and its relation to the vomeronasal organ inAngoragoats. For this purpose, ten heads of adultAngoragoats obtained from a slaughterhouse were used. The ramifications of the latex enjected descending palatine artery and their vomeronasal organ-related findings were revealed by fine dissection and transverse sections. Arterial blood reached the caudally vomeronasal organ primarily via the sphenopalatine artery, and also cranially via a fine branch of the major palatine artery by crossing the palatine fissure. The average diameters of both the descending palatine artery and its branches were thicker on the left side than on the right, and its ramifications were not variable in this species.

A total of 842 wild boar of differing ages, originating from 29 (37.7%) of the 77 districts in the Czech Republic, were examined during the hunting seasons from 2002 to 2005. Of them, 274 (32.5%) of the animals were wild specimens and 568 (67.5%) from game parks. Out of 786 animals, the following were included in the study: 668 piglets, 61 juveniles, 32 adult males and 25 adult females. A total of 2 704 samples from various tissues and faeces were examined: 309 separately collected faecal samples from 309 (36.7%) animals, 2 332 samples from various tissues and 63 faecal samples from 533 (63.3%) animals. Mycobacteria were isolated from 75 (8.9%) animals from 11 of the districts. Neither a causative agent of bovine tuberculosis, nor any other members of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were isolated from any of the animals. From one (0.1%) animal, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis of IS900 RFLP type A-C10 was isolated from intestinal lymph nodes, which was also isolated within the same district during other studies of cattle and free living ruminants. The causative agent of avian tuberculosis, M. a. avium (IS901+ and IS1245+), was isolated from 7 (0.8%) animals; among them tuberculous lesions were detected in intestinal lymph nodes, with gross tuberculous lesions visible on two animals. The causative agent of avian mycobacteriosis M. a. hominissuis (IS901- and IS1245+) was detected in lymph nodes without gross lesions in one (0.1%) animal. From 45 (5.5%) animals without lesions, atypical mycobacteria of the following nine species were isolated from pulmonary lymph nodes, small and large intestine, intestinal mucosa and faeces: M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, M. scrofulaceum, M. triviale, M. terrae, M. phlei, M. abscessus, M. flavescens, and M. smegmatis. Due to a high density of wild boar and their large migration radius, they can be viewed as a potential source for mycobacterial infections as well as other infectious agents.

The aim of this study was to reveal morphological and morphometrical properties of the sacculus rotundus (SR) and ileum in the Angora rabbit. For this purpose, a total of thirteen adult healthy Angorarabbits of both sexes were used. At the level of the junction of the ileum and SR, the ileum invaginated into the SR by protruding in 9 Angorarabbits, but joined directly the SR in 21. Numerous aggregate lymph follicles located just under the tunica serosa formed outstanding macroscopic polygonal areas on the external surface of the SR. In the inner wall of the SR, irregular projections were seen grossly. The saccorotundocecal orifice was found to be bordered laterally by two folds facing the cecum. These folds enclosed small polygonal spaces with mushroom shaped protrusions. The mean lengths and weights of SR and ileum in male were larger than those in female, and the related values also had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the ileum, the SR had short and thick villi, had a large amount of crypts and aggregated lymphoid follicles, and had a much thicker wall and much wider lumen. The crescent-like-hollows were detected between the lamina propria and the apical portions of the lymph follicles. The results from this study are thought to shed light on future studies on the digestive system and proper diagnosis of pathological disorders related to it in the Angora rabbit, and to contribute to the present morphological knowledge on the SR and ileum in this species.

A six year old male iguana (Iguana iguana) was brought to our clinic after a fall from a height of 1.5 meters. The patient showed apathy, dehydration, and paresis of all the limbs. Postural reflexes, palpebral reflex, and response to painful stimuli were minimal. The patient had extremely high levels of uric acid (1 734.0 µmol/l) and phosphorus (9.80 mmol/l), ratio of calcium to phosphorus (0.18), leucocytosis (23.3×10⁹/l) with heterophilia (17.10×10⁹/l), and high activity of ALT, AST and CK (2.09, 6.59, and 260.0 µkat/l). Tracheoscopy and pneumoscopy revealed presence of blood clots in the trachea and lungs with haemorrhage within the parenchyma. Based on the results of the clinical examination, endoscopy and laboratory diagnostics, the clinical diagnosis was chronic kidney failure, liver lipidosis and lung haemorrhage. Because of a very poor prognosis, the patient was euthanised. At necropsy, the signs of visceral gout and hepatomegaly with diffuse yellowish white discoloration and with dotted brown pigmentation were also observed. The kidneys were enlarged, and stained brown grayish. The gross and histopathological examination confirmed the clinical diagnosis of visceral gout, chronic kidney failure, liver steatosis and granulomatous pneumonia, with lung haemorrhage associated with urate deposits in lung tissue and posttraumatic status.

The ultrastructure of the tracheal epithelium in rabbits exposed for 96 hours to 35-37% O2 was studied in our experiments. Due to the influence of mild normobaric hyperoxia, massive differentiation of new secretory elements was initiated and resulted in apparent changes in goblet cells distribution. 60 ± 4% of goblet cells took part in the formation of voluminous intraepithelial mucous glands. Ciliated cells were less damaged than the goblet ones. Tiny signs of pathological alteration of deeper portions of their cytoplasm and apical blebbing accompanied with destruction of some kinocilia were encountered. The ciliary border was slightly impaired. Mild, but significant decrease in the mean number of kinocilia/μm2 went along with significant increase in percentage of altered cilia. Among the altered kinocilia, the slightly altered pathological cilia with local swellings of the ciliary membranes or with tiny vacuoles situated in their shafts were the most numerous. Hyperoxia did not influence the process of ciliogenesis in the ciliated cells. As morphological signs of impairment of the vital self-cleaning ability of the airway epithelium, layers of inspissated mucus were encountered in the area of the ciliary border. From morphological point of view, mild hyperoxia caused moderate damage to the airway epithelium.

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 circulus arteriosus cerebri of the porcupine was investigated in this study. Five porcupines were used. Coloured latex was given from the left ventricles of three and from the communis carotid artery of two porcupines. The circulus arteriosus cerebri was examined after dissection was done. The basilar artery was formed by a merge of the right and left vertebral artery. The caudal communicans artery which was the caudal part of circulus arteriosus cerebri was formed by the basilar artery on crus cerebri. From caudal to cranial, the branches originating from the basilar artery and circulus arteriosus cerebri to cerebrum and cerebellum were as follows: caudal cerebelli artery, media cerebelli artery, rostral cerebelli artery, caudal choroidea artery, artery which extended to the mesencephalon, caudal cerebral artery, internal ophthalmic artery, rostral choroidea artery, media cerebral artery, rami striati and rostral cerebral artery. The rostral cerebral artery dexter and sinister joined to each other by the rostral communicans artery, forming the circulus arteriosus cerebri. It was determined that the internal carotid artery did not participate in the formation of circulus arteriosus cerebri and the arterial blood to the circulus arteriosus cerebri of porcupine is provided via the basilar artery only.

The objective of this study was to investigate the development of rumen mucosa and the level of plasma IGF-1 in calves induced by different amounts and types of milk replacers and solid diet. Forty-five male Holsteincalves 7 days of age were assigned to three groups: group I milk free replacer, late weaned; group II milk free replacer, early weaned, and group III milk replacer, early weaned. All animals received additional concentrate, water and maize silage were offered ad libitum. In each group, three calves were slaughtered at 41 days of age. The concentration of ruminal total SCFA and the molar proportion of butyrate did not differ between the groups, but the molar proportion of acetate was lower (P = 0.01) and the proportion of propionate was higher (P = 0.02) in early weaned calves. Compared to the late weaned calves (group I) the length, width and surface of the papillae of atrium ruminis, the length and width of the papillae of ventral ruminal sac and the length of the papillae of ventral blind sac were greater (P < 0.05) in the early weaned calves fed low amounts of milk and high amounts of concentrate (group III). Furthermore, there was a tendency of plasma IGF-1 concentration to be increased (P = 0.1) in early weaned calves. The plasma levels of glucose and insulin were decreased (P < 0.01, and P = 0.03, respectively). Positive correlations existed between papillae length and plasma IGF-1 concentrations (P < 0.10). Insulin and glucose concentrations were negatively correlated with parameters of papillae development (P < 0.1). In conclusion, the development of rumen papillae was stimulated in calves consuming increased amounts of concentrate. The effect was not correlated with the molar proportion of butyrate, but with the molar propionate proportion in the rumen and with the plasma IGF-1 concentration

Bovine tuberculosis was last detected in cattle and pigs in the CzechRepublicin 1995. Since March, 31, 2004(Commission Decision No. 2004/320/EC) the Czech Republichas been included amongst states free from bovine tuberculosis within the European Union. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate results of intravital and post-mortem diagnosis of mycobacterial infections in slaughtered cattle and pigs from 2000 to 2004. When bovine tuberculosis in cattle was investigated, a tuberculin skin test with bovine tuberculin was performed every year and a skin test with avian tuberculin was simultaneously conducted in the animals with a positive response. A total of 2 419 889 animals were examined with a positive response being found in 123 (0.005%) of them. After slaughter, bovine tuberculosis was not detected in any of these animals by gross and/or laboratory examinations. With avian tuberculin, 40 349 animals were tested and positive responses were detected in 43 (0.1%) of them; the incidence was similar in all the years monitored. Tuberculous lesions were detected in 209 (0.01%) of 1 967 211 slaughtered cattle. Mycobacteria were present in 40 (21.3%) of 188 animals examined by laboratory methods: 26 isolates of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (18 isolates of serotype 2 and 8 isolates not typeable), 11 isolates of M. a. hominissuis (1 isolate of serotype 8 and 10 isolates not typeable), and 3 isolates of atypical mycobacteria. Tuberculous lesions were detected in 49 312 (0.22%) of 22 312 580 slaughtered pigs by veterinary-meat inspection. During the 5-year-period monitored, the incidence of tuberculous lesions decreased from 0.37% in 2000 to 0.10% in 2004. The following mycobacteria were isolated from 757 (33.5%) of 2 261 animals whose organs were examined by culture: 203 isolates of M. a. avium (180 isolates of serotype 2, 3 isolates of serotype 2/8, and 20 isolates not typeable), 442 isolates of M. a. hominissuis (1 isolate of serotype 1, 262 isolates of serotype 8, 35 isolates of serotype 9, 1 isolates of mixed serotypes 8/9, and 143 isolates not typeable), and atypical mycobacteria (n = 112). In both animal species, M. avium complex members prevailed: M. a. avium was the most prevalent subspecies in cattle, M. a. hominissuis in pigs. The main sources of M. a. avium and M. a. hominissuis are free living birds and contaminated external and stable environments (i.e. drinking water, feeds, and feed supplements), respectively. During the entire period monitored, miliary or generalized tuberculosis was not detected in any of the animals. The decreased incidence of tuberculous lesions in pigs was particularly a result of preventive measures adopted to control the occurrence of atypical mycobacteria.