Herd health and production management system in dairy cows

The implementation of an integrative programme of herd health and production management in dairy cows requires monitoring a large category of data: general status of the animals, clinical exam, paraclinical exams (ultrasound, blood and urine biochemistry, bacteriological, virusological, serological), reproduction parameters, housing conditions, nutrition, milk production and its quality, veterinary actions and their results. The analysis and synthesis of all the data will allow us to establish a herd diagnostic, the influence of hazard factors on health and production and the elaboration of a plan for short and longterm action

Strangulation obstruction of the small intestine in horse

Equine colic is a relatively common disorder of the digestive system and should be treated as an emergency. A twist in the small intestine of a horse cause the blood supply to be cut off, resulting in necrotic tissue. The aim of the study was to describe associations between prognostic indicators and diagnoses in equine colic caused by strangulation obstruction of the small intestine. Signs of abdominal pain included: agitation, excessive sweating, flank watching, pawing, frequent lying down, kicking at the abdomen, rolling, tachycardia, absence gut sounds, presence tympanic sounds, abdominal distension, lack of defecation, playing in the water bucket but not drinking and abnormalities at rectal examination. Flunixin meglumine and xylazine were used in every colic case to help control the abdominal pain. Volvulus/torsion of the small intestine resulted in severe pain was difficult to relieve with analgesics. A nasogastric tube was used to relieve the amount of gas pressure in the gut, giving gas and fluids an avenue to travel away from the gut. IV fluids were necessary for dehydrated or in shock horses. Progressive pain with poor response to medical intervention, lack of fever and serosanguineous peritoneal fluid were clinical features that helped distinguish strangulating lesions of the small intestine from simple obstructions and enteritis. Finally horses were euthanized due to grave or poor prognosis. Strangulating obstruction of the small intestine is one of the most lethal forms of equine colic. Minimization of colic episodes depends on management factors, including feeding large quantities of forage, minimizing the amount of concentrate fed and ensuring adequate parasite control

Use of Spirulina platensis and Curcuma longa as Nutraceuticals in Poultry

Since the banning of antibiotics in animal feeds (2006), there has been an increase in the number of studies looking for alternatives to stimulate the gut immune system. The main objective of our review article is to underline the nutraceutical properties of Curcuma longa and Spirulina platensis in the broiler chicken industry, and the experimental data were obtained by analyzing literature sources. Spirulina platensis is widely recognized as a valuable protein source, containing approximately 55–70% protein, 25% carbohydrates, essential amino acids, and 18% fatty acids. It is also rich in various vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, vitamin C, gamma-linolenic acid, phycocyanins, tocopherols, chlorophyll, beta-carotenes, carotenoids, exhibiting positive effects on growth performance, gut integrity, and immunity. The anti-inflammatory effect of spirulina supplementation at different levels showed a decrease in caspase-3 and the TNF-α immunolabeling index; a reduction in IL-1β, IL-2 and IFN-γ; and an increase in the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4. Spirulina inhibits the synthesis of cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-gamma in addition to the activities of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzymes. Turmeric also positively influences the growth, egg production, and overall health of chickens. Curcumin, the most potent component of turmeric, possesses additional pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, and anticancer effects. Its immunomodulatory properties greatly enhance the immune system response, acting as a natural antibiotic against pathogens and decreasing levels of proinflammatory interleukins IL-1β, IL-6, IL-2, IL-18, and TNF-α

Very-Low-Frequency Spike–Wave Complex Partial Motor Seizure Mimicking Canine Idiopathic Head Tremor Syndrome in a Dog

Canine idiopathic head tremor syndrome (CIHTS) represents a benign condition characterized by episodic, uncontrolled movement of the head. Even though the condition might be an expression of a partial motor epilepsy, to date, there is a limited number of studies describing the electroencephalographic features. In this report, we describe the case of a dog diagnosed with partial motor epilepsy resembling CIHTS symptomatology, a new slow spike–wave complex pattern similar to that of Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in humans identified on electroencephalographic examination. We also studied the efficacy of phenobarbitone therapy over a period of two years