Surgical treatment of laryngeal diphtheria in calves

In contrast to Belgium, the Netherlands and parts of France, laryngeal diphtheria in calves is infrequently stated in German speaking areas. The main symptom is dyspnoea. Poor keeping conditions, lack of vitamin A as well as lesions in the laryngeal area foster an infection with Fusobacterium necrophorum. The lingering, unnoticed onset of the disease is often followed by peracute dyspnoea, which is in most cases characterized by a far away audible rattle, by temperature above normal and by a general feeble condition connected with a limited ability of the calf to stand properly. Due to acute danger of asphyxia a conservative treatment by painting the pharyngeal and laryngeal area with antiseptics in connection with local and/or parenteral administration of antibiotics is not promising any more at this point. On the basis of profound laryngoscopic, radiological or sonographical examinations and differentiation from differential diagnoses (e. g. paralysis of vocal cords without signs of inflammation) an operation has to follow to rescue the animal. Surgical method, anaesthesia, after-treatment and prognosis will be described in this article

Effects of duration of storage and storage temperature on cell counts of bovine blood samples as determined by an automated haematology analyser

Analysis of blood cells is an important part of many scientific investigations in the field of cattle herd health. Over the last 30 years, automated blood analysis has all but replaced manual counting of blood cells using counting chambers. The present study investigated the effects of prolonged storage and storage temperatures on cell counts as determined by a haematology analyser. Blood samples from 20 clinically healthy cows were repeatedly analysed with a Cell-Dyn 3500 (Abbott Diagnostika, Delkenheim), within 24 hours after collection and after storage at either 4° C or 20° C. The counts of most blood cells were more stable in samples stored at 20° C than those stored at 4° C. For at least 8 h, the counts of all analysed cell types, with the exception of lymphocytes, remained within ±3 standard deviations that were calculated for fresh samples, provided that the blood was stored at 20° C

Measurement of immunoglobulin concentration in goat colostrum

Failure of transfer of passive immunity is a major cause of increased susceptibility to infectious agents in newborn kids. Feeding of high quality colostrum is the most effective way to obtain sufficient immunoglobulin. The aims of the present study are (1) to evaluate the density measurement using a hydrometer to estimate the immunoglobulin concentration in caprine colostrum and (2) to measure the effect of colostrum temperature on density and subsequently on immunoglobulin estimations. First colostrum of 30 multiparous goats has been studied. Colostrum had a dry matter of 29.0 ± 6.3%. The fat concentration was 94.5 ± 39.9 g/L and protein concentration was 148.4 ± 28.9 g/L. Mean total immunoglobulin concentration was 54.4 ± 26.4 g/L measured by ELISA as reference method. Total immunoglobulin was subdivided into subclasses: immunoglobulin G (1 and 2) 49.1 ± 25.7 g/L (90.3%), immunoglobulin M 3.19 ± 1.66 g/L (6.0%) and immunoglobulin A 2.00 ± 1.03 g/L (3.7%). Density measurements (1044.3 ± 7.3 g/L) using a hydrometer devised for cow colostrum were compared to density measured by a pycnometer (1044.6 ± 8.3 g/L) which is the reference method. Colostrum density measured with the hydrometer showed a correlation with results obtained using the reference method (r = 0.99, P < 0.01). As in colostrum of several other species the density is temperature dependent. Therefore, a correction to the temperature for which the hydrometer is designed is necessary. Regression analysis between density and immunoglobulin concentration revealed only a moderate R2 value (0.44). Therefore, the value of density to predict immunoglobulin concentration is limited

Evaluation of the Cell-Dyn 3500 haematology analyser for bovine blood

A complete blood count provides critical information for disease diagnosis as well as prophylaxis in herd health programmes. During the last 30 years, automated haematology analysers have increasingly replaced microscopic methods. Because most haematology analysers are made for human blood, adjustments are required for the examination of blood from domestic animal species. A total of 399 blood samples, collected from cows immediately prior to parturition to 5 days post partum, were analysed using the blood analyser Cell-Dyn 3500 (Abbott Diagnostica, Delkenheim, Germany). Results of erythrocyte, platelet and leucocyte counts as well as haematocrit were compared with results obtained using reference methods. The two parameters, carry-over and within-batch precision, were within the tolerated ranges. High correlations were calculated for erythrocytes (r=0.859), leucocytes (r=0.960), haematocrit (r=0.968) neutrophils (r=0.973), eosinophils (r=0.876) and lymphocytes (r=0.802). Moderate correlations were calculated for platelets (r=0.706) and monocytes (r=0.578) whereas no meaningful correlation could be established for basophilic granulocytes

Progesterone and pregnanediol-glucuronid concentrations in saliva, milk and urine of female alpacas and their application in pregnancy diagnosis

The objective of the present study was the measurement of the pregnancy associated hormones progesterone (P4) and pregnanediol-glucuronide (PdG) in saliva, milk and urine of alpacas and their potential use in pregnancy diagnosis. Samples of blood, saliva, milk and urine were obtained from 36 female alpacas before mating and throughout the pregnancy. Concentrations of P4 and PdG were determined using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Pregnancy was checked by ultrasonography at any sampling time. The milk samples were also tested using a commercial on-farm progesterone kit which was designed for dairy cattle. BA-Concentrations of P4 in blood, milk and urine and urine PdG concentrations were significantly higher in pregnant than in not pregnant alpacas. There was no difference in concentrations of P4 or PdG in saliva. The accuracy of the progesterone kit was 90% for diagnosis of pregnancy and 69% for non-pregnancy. However, 70% of the false positive results also showed relatively high P4 milk concentrations in the EIA. Values of P4 in blood and PdG in urine are comparable to previous reports in alpacas and therefore can be confirmed as an indicator for pregnancy. Saliva seems unsuitable in pregnancy diagnosis in alpacas, whereas milk seems to be an adequate alternative. The use of milk and urine would simplify the pregnancy diagnosis in alpacas since in contrast to the current methods (e. g. blood progesterone) the owners can take the samples. The avoidance of blood sampling results in a considerable stress reduction for the animals. P4 measurement in milk and PdG measurement in urine are good alternatives in pregnancy diagnosis during the first month of pregnancy, when a trans-abdominal ultrasonographic examination is not yet reliable. However, since high values of P4 and PdG only show the presence of active luteal tissue and therefore are indirect markers of pregnancy the diagnosis should be confirmed using ultrasound later in pregnancy