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Health assessment of individuals is an important aspect of monitoring endangered wildlife populations. Haematological and biochemical values are a common health assessment tool, and whilst reference values are well established for domestic species, they are often not available for wild animal species. This study established 31 haematological and biochemical reference intervals for golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) nestlings in Scotland, in order to improve the understanding of the species’ health and support conservation efforts. Reference intervals were created from 47 nestlings (ages 2–7.5 weeks old) across 37 nests, to date, the largest sample of wild individuals of this species and age cohort sampled for these purposes. Upper reference intervals for concentrations of lymphocytes, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, and monocytes, calculated in this study, are higher than those found for adult raptors and the interval span is higher than that observed in adult raptors for concentrations of AST, albumin, eosinophil, LDH, and monocyte count. Statistically significant positive correlations were found with age and concentrations of haemoglobin, lymphocytes, serum pH, and creatine kinase, and significant negative correlations with age for concentrations of thrombocytes, heterophils, total protein, globulin, and lactate dehydrogenase. Packed cell volume was significantly higher for females than males, and concentration of calcium and eosinophils were higher for individuals in good body condition than those in moderate body condition. The reference intervals produced by this study will be of important use to the veterinary and conservation management communities and will aid the long-term monitoring of the Scottish golden eagle population health.

Eimeria crecis and Eimeria nenei have been detected in association with enteric disease (‘coccidiosis’) in the corncrake (Crex crex: Family Rallidae, Order Gruiformes). Both parasite species are common in apparently healthy free-living corncrakes, but captive-bred juvenile birds reared for reintroduction appeared particularly susceptible to clinical coccidiosis. We investigated the occurrence and relative pathogenicity of these Eimeria species in this juvenile corncrake population and developed a diagnostic species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for their identification. PCR amplification and sequencing of 18S rDNA was performed on genomic DNA extracted from samples of corncrake intestine, liver and spleen. Sequences generated were used to design a GeneScan diagnostic PCR assay targeting a species-specific TTA indel located within the 18S rDNA – the results suggested this assay was more sensitive than the 18S rDNA/amplicon sequencing approach. Eimeria sp. DNA (consistent with Eimeria sp. infection) was detected at a high prevalence and E. crecis was the predominant species. Each Eimeria species was detected in cases with and without histological evidence of coccidiosis: parasite detection was not statistically associated with disease. In addition to intestinal tissue, liver and spleen samples were positive for Eimeria sp. DNA. Its detection in tissues other than intestine is unusual and a novel finding in corncrakes, although extra-intestinal infection occurs with closely-related Eimeria species in cranes (Family Gruidae, Order Gruiformes). Eimeria sp. infection of corncrakes appears typically to be chronic, and to exhibit extra-intestinal spread: as in cranes, these characteristics may be adaptations to the host’s migratory nature.

Objective. The objective of the current study was to compare two methods to estimate daily milk production in crossbred hair ewes. Materials and methods. Eight multiparous, crossbred (Pelibuey x Katahdin) lactating hair ewes were used in a completely randomized design with repeated measurements, for 56 days. Ewes were fed ad libitum with a diet based on concentrate. Milk production was estimated twice a week for each ewe by both methods, suckled-hand (SH) and weigh-suckle-weigh (WSW) method. Results. Milk production (p>0.05) means were 1031.9±95.6 and 1119.0±95.6 g/day/ewe for SH and WSW method, respectively. Conclusions. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found between methods for milk yield.RESUMENObjetivo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar dos métodos para estimar la producción diaria de leche en ovejas de pelo cruzadas. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron ocho ovejas multíparas, cruzadas (Pelibuey x Katahdin) y lactantes, en un diseño completamente al azar, con medidas repetidas, durante 56 días. Las ovejas fueron alimentadas ad libitum con una dieta basada en concentrado. La producción de leche se estimó dos veces a la semana a cada oveja, mediante ambos métodos, el doble pesaje del cordero-ordeño manual de la ovejas (DPC-OMO) y el doble pesaje del cordero (DPC). Resultados. La producción de leche estimada (p>0.05) fue de 1031.9±95.6 y 1119.0±95.6 g/día/ovejas para el DPC-OMO y DPC, respectivamente. Conclusión. No se encontraron diferencias significativas (p>0.05) entre métodos de estimación de la producción de leche.

There are risks from disease in undertaking wild animal reintroduction programmes. Methods of disease risk analysis have been advocated to assess and mitigate these risks, and post‐release health and disease surveillance can be used to assess the effectiveness of the disease risk analysis, but results for a reintroduction programme have not to date been recorded. We carried out a disease risk analysis for the reintroduction of pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae) to England, using information gained from the literature and from diagnostic testing of Swedish pool frogs and native amphibians. Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis were considered high‐risk disease threats for pool frogs at the destination site. Quarantine was used to manage risks from disease due to these two agents at the reintroduction site: the quarantine barrier surrounded the reintroduced pool frogs. Post‐release health surveillance was carried out through regular health examinations of amphibians in the field at the reintroduction site and collection and examination of dead amphibians. No significant health or disease problems were detected, but the detection rate of dead amphibians was very low. Methods to detect a higher proportion of dead reintroduced animals and closely related species are required to better assess the effects of reintroduction on health and disease.

Objective. The objective of the current study was to compare two methods to estimate daily milk production in crossbred hair ewes. Materials and methods. Eight multiparous, crossbred (Pelibuey x Katahdin) lactating hair ewes were used in a completely randomized design with repeated measurements, for 56 days. Ewes were fed ad libitum with a diet based on concentrate. Milk production was estimated twice a week for each ewe by both methods, suckled-hand (SH) and weigh-suckle-weigh (WSW) method. Results. Milk production (p>0.05) means were 1031.9±95.6 and 1119.0±95.6 g/day/ewe for SH and WSW method, respectively. Conclusions. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found between methods for milk yield. Objetivo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue comparar dos métodos para estimar la producción diaria de leche en ovejas de pelo cruzadas. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron ocho ovejas multíparas, cruzadas (Pelibuey x Katahdin) y lactantes, en un diseño completamente al azar, con medidas repetidas, durante 56 días. Las ovejas fueron alimentadas ad libitum con una dieta basada en concentrado. La producción de leche se estimó dos veces a la semana a cada oveja, mediante ambos métodos, el doble pesaje del cordero-ordeño manual de la ovejas (DPC-OMO) y el doble pesaje del cordero (DPC). Resultados. La producción de leche estimada (p>0.05) fue de 1031.9±95.6 y 1119.0±95.6 g/día/ovejas para el DPC-OMO y DPC, respectivamente. Conclusión. No se encontraron diferencias significativas (p>0.05) entre métodos de estimación de la producción de leche.

Objetivo. Evaluar la reparación tisular posterior a la realización de técnicas de palatectomía parcial, como tratamiento de la palatitis en equinos. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 12 caballos, divididos aleatoriamente en dos grupos, ambos con seis animales, a los del primer grupo se les practicó palatectomía parcial con suturación y a los del segundo grupo, se les realizó palatectomía parcial y luego cauterización. Los grupos fueron divididos en tres subgrupos de dos animales cada uno. A los primeros subgrupos, suturados y cauterizados, se les tomó biopsia el día 5; a los segundos subgrupos, el día 15 y a los terceros el día 30 posquirúrgico. Resultados. El día 5 posquirúrgico, en ambos grupos se observó la presencia de infiltrado celular inflamatorio de tipo mononuclear (macrófago), inicio del proceso de epitelización, proliferación fibroblástica y formación de nuevos vasos sanguíneos; notándose severa ulceración del epitelio con abundantes detritos celulares solo en los animales cauterizados. El día 15 posquirúrgico, en los animales suturados, se observó infiltrado celular mononuclear, proliferación epitelial y fibroblástica, y presencia de nuevos vasos sanguíneos. Las muestras de los animales cauterizados, presentaron además, ulceración epitelial, detritus celulares y formación de tejido de granulación desorganizado. El día 30 posquirúrgico, los animales suturados, no mostraron inflamación evidente, el epitelio se observó con características normales aunque más grueso que el adyacente. En los animales cauterizados, no se observó infiltrado celular mononuclear, aunque continuaba la ulceración epitelial, igualmente existía, proliferación fibroblástica desorganizada y abundantes fibras colágenas. Conclusión. Es posible concluir que el proceso de reparación tisular se vio favorecido por la técnica de palatectomía parcial con suturación.

Objetivo. Evaluar la reparación tisular posterior a la realización de técnicas de palatectomía parcial, como tratamiento de la palatitis en equinos. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 12 caballos, divididos aleatoriamente en dos grupos, ambos con seis animales, a los del primer grupo se les practicó palatectomía parcial con suturación y a los del segundo grupo, se les realizó palatectomía parcial y luego cauterización. Los grupos fueron divididos en tres subgrupos de dos animales cada uno. A los primeros subgrupos, suturados y cauterizados, se les tomó biopsia el día 5; a los segundos subgrupos, el día 15 y a los terceros el día 30 posquirúrgico. Resultados. El día 5 posquirúrgico, en ambos grupos se observó la presencia de infiltrado celular inflamatorio de tipo mononuclear (macrófago), inicio del proceso de epitelización, proliferación fibroblástica y formación de nuevos vasos sanguíneos; notándose severa ulceración del epitelio con abundantes detritos celulares solo en los animales cauterizados. El día 15 posquirúrgico, en los animales suturados, se observó infiltrado celular mononuclear, proliferación epitelial y fibroblástica, y presencia de nuevos vasos sanguíneos. Las muestras de los animales cauterizados, presentaron además, ulceración epitelial, detritus celulares y formación de tejido de granulación desorganizado. El día 30 posquirúrgico, los animales suturados, no mostraron inflamación evidente, el epitelio se observó con características normales aunque más grueso que el adyacente. En los animales cauterizados, no se observó infiltrado celular mononuclear, aunque continuaba la ulceración epitelial, igualmente existía, proliferación fibroblástica desorganizada y abundantes fibras colágenas. Conclusión. Es posible concluir que el proceso de reparación tisular se vio favorecido por la técnica de palatectomía parcial con suturación. Objective. To evaluate the tissue repair posterior to realization of technical partial paladin, as treatment of palatitis in equine. Materials and methods. 12 horses were used, divided aleatorily in two groups, both with six animals, to those of first group were practiced partial paladin with saturation and to those of the second group, partial paladin were practiced and then cauterization. The groups were divided in three subgroups of two animals each one. To the first ones sutured and cauterized, biopsy were taken the day 5; to the second ones the day 15 and at the third ones the day 30 post surgeon. Results. The day 5 post surgeon, in both groups the presence of cellular infiltrate inflammatory was observed of mononuclear type, initiation of the epithelization process, fibroblastic proliferation and formation of new sanguine vessels; being noticed severe ulceration of the epithelium with abundant cellular detrituses in the cauterized animals. The day 15 post surgeon, in the sutured animals was observed infiltrated cellular mononuclear, epithelial proliferation and fibroblastic, and presence of new sanguine vessels. Samples of the cauterized animals also presented epithelial ulceration, cellular detritus and formation of disorganized granulation tissue. The day 30 post surgeon the sutured animals didn’t show evident inflammation, the epithelium was observed with normal characteristics although thicker that the adjacent one. In the cauterized animals, infiltrated cellular mononuclear was not observed, although the epithelial ulceration continued, equally existed disorganized fibroblastic proliferation and abundant collagen fibers. Conclusion. It is possible to conclude that the process of tissue repair was favored by the technique of partial paladin with suturation.