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Gabapentin is used in goats to treat chronic pain associated with lameness. However, pharmacokinetic data and clinical effectiveness trials are lacking. The objective of the study was to describe the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in goats following a single oral dose. Six Spanish-crossbred goats were enrolled. Each goat was administered gabapentin at a target dose of 15 mg/kg per os. Serial blood samples were collected out to 60 h post-gabapentin administration for plasma gabapentin concentration determination. Plasma samples were analyzed for gabapentin concentration using ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. Individual animal pharmacokinetic outcomes were determined using non-compartmental analysis. Gabapentin was detectable in the plasma of all goats at 60 h post-administration. The mean (±SD) C max was 2.01 ± 0.62 μg/mL which occurred at 8.47 ± 1.9 h. The mean terminal half-life (T 1 / 2 ) and mean resident time were determined to be 8.52 ± 1.8 and 18.7 ± 4.0 h, respectively. This study indicates gabapentin is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of goats. Further research is needed to determine an optimal dose for clinical efficacy in goats., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Assistance during calving and cesarean section (C-section) are important risk factors for the failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) in beef calves, which increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in beef calves during the preweaning period. Colostrum replacement recommendations for beef calves, and especially for those delivered by C-section, are unavailable. The objective of this study was to determine whether or not colostrum replacement or supplementation with a commercially available product could increase serum IgG concentrations in beef calves delivered by elective C-section, compared to beef calves that nursed colostrum naturally. An elective C-section was performed in 32 pregnant beef cows and first-calf heifers. Immediately after delivery, newborn calves were randomly assigned to one of three different treatment groups. Group A calves ( n = 7) were fed one packet of a commercial colostrum replacer (CR) product providing 60 g of IgG within 30 min of life. A second packet of the same CR was fed at 6 h of life. Group B calves ( n = 13) were fed the same CR at the same frequency as group A; however, these calves were reunited with their dams after the second CR feeding to allow additional nursing of maternal colostrum. Group C calves ( n = 12) were united with their dams immediately after surgery without colostrum intervention. Serum IgG levels at 48 h of life were greater in group C calves and in calves born to multiparous cows. Based on the results of this study, neither colostrum replacement nor supplementation result in higher serum IgG concentrations in beef calves delivered by elective C-section compared with natural nursing.

Background: Down cow syndrome is commonly described in dairy cattle. The diagnosis and treatment of nonambulatory cattle is challenging and prognostic indicators of this condition in beef cattle have not been determined., Objectives: Evaluate records of beef cattle (≥2 years of age) presented to 2 referral hospitals for inability to stand and identify prognostic indicators for survival to discharge., Animals: Sixty-three adult beef cattle treated for inability to stand at 2 referral hospitals., Methods: Medical records of 63 beef cattle presented for inability to stand between January 2010 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Continuous and categorical variables were included in univariate and multivariate regression models to evaluate their association with outcome., Results: Of 63 animals included in the study, 19% (12/63) were discharged, and the remaining 81% (n = 51) either died (11.1%) or were euthanized (69.8%). The odds of being discharged increased with each additional day of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR], 2.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39-6.89) and with each additional flotation therapy session (OR, 2.108; 95% CI, 1.209-4.219). Down beef cattle with a diagnosis of calving peripheral nerve paralysis and capable of walking out the tank after the first flotation session were 6.66 (95% CI, 1.58-35.51) and 30 (95% CI, 4.4-614.98) times more likely to be discharged compared with cattle that had other diagnoses and those that were unable to walk out the tank, respectively., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Treatment of nonambulatory beef cattle carries a poor prognosis. Practitioners can use information from our study as a guide for treatment or euthanasia decisions of nonambulatory beef cattle., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Objective: This study sought to determine whether firocoxib (FIRO) or meloxicam (MEL) was effective at providing analgesia after surgical castration in goats., Animals: 18 intact male crossbred goats (6 to 8 months old) were enrolled with a mean weight of 32.6 (± 2.9) kg., Methods: Surgical castration was done under injectable anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. Twelve bucks were surgically castrated and given either FIRO (n = 6) or MEL (n = 6). Six bucks served as controls (CNTLs) and were not castrated. Outcome measurements included visual analogue scale, infrared thermography, plasma cortisol, plasma substance P, and kinetic gait analysis. All outcome measurements were obtained at -24, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours., Results: All 3 treatments were significantly different from each other at the 24- and 48-hour time points, with MEL animals having lower visual analogue scale scores when compared to FIRO animals; CNTL animals exhibited the lowest plasma cortisol levels (3.19 ng/mL; 95% CI, -1.21 to 7.59 ng/mL) followed by FIRO (7.45 ng/mL; 95% CI, 3.10 to 11.80 ng/mL) and MEL (10.24 ng/mL; 95% CI, 5.87 to 14.60 ng/mL). FIRO had an average mean decrease in gait velocity change (-54.17 cm/s; 95% CI, -92.99 to -15.35 cm/s), while MEL had an increase in gait velocity when compared to baseline values (14.54 cm/s; 95% CI, -24.27 to 53.36 cm/s). Control animals had an average mean of -3.06 cm/s (95% CI, -41.88 to 35.75 cm/s)., Clinical Relevance: Results from this study showed that there were some analgesic effects from administering MEL when compared to bucks that received a placebo treatment (CNTL).

Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of chronic Anaplasma marginale infection in beef bulls from eastern Kansas and compare breeding soundness parameters between A marginale-infected and uninfected bulls. We hypothesized that bulls with chronic anaplasmosis would have inferior breeding soundness exam (BSE) outcomes as a result of persistent A marginale infection or the consequence of initial clinical disease compared to uninfected bulls., Animals: 535 client-owned beef bulls from eastern Kansas undergoing routine BSE., Methods: Complete BSEs were conducted by participating veterinarians according to the second edition of the Society for Theriogenology Manual for Breeding Soundness Examination of Bulls. Blood samples were collected for PCV determination and analysis of A marginale infection status via quantitative PCR and cELISA. Logistic and linear regression methods were used to evaluate factors associated with A marginale infection status and BSE parameters., Results: Prevalence of chronic A marginale infection was 46% (245/535) among bulls. Unsatisfactory BSE outcome was not statistically associated with chronic anaplasmosis in this study population, although more bulls with chronic anaplasmosis had unsatisfactory BSE outcomes (15.0 ± 2.4% vs 12.0 ± 2.2%)., Clinical Relevance: Chronic anaplasmosis is prevalent among eastern Kansas breeding bulls; however, no negative association between chronic anaplasmosis and breeding soundness at time of BSE was observed.

Lameness continues to be a critical health and welfare concern associated with goat production. Amphotericin B (amp B) is an antimicrobial successful in inducing transient lameness for research purposes previously in livestock animals. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify which of three varying doses of amp B would be most effective in inducing lameness in meat type goats and (2) develop a facial grimace scale for goats. Lameness was produced by an intra-articular injection of amphotericin B into the left hind lateral claw distal interphalangeal joint with either a 5 mg/0.25 mL (high-low, 5 mg of amphotericin B in a volume of 0.25 mL), 5 mg/0.5 mL (high-high, 5 mg of amphotericin B in a volume of 0.5 mL), or a 2.5 mg/0.25 mL (low-low, 2.5 mg of amphotericin B in a volume of 0.25 mL). A saline treatment of 0.5 mL was used as control (0.9% sterile saline solution). Lameness response was analyzed by infrared thermography (IRT) at the induced joint, mechanical-nociception threshold (MNT), visual lameness scoring (VLS), a visual analogue scale (VAS), kinetic gait analysis (KGA), plasma cortisol (CORT), substance P (Sub P), and behavior scoring. The IRT and MNT values differed by timepoint ( P  ≤ 0.0001). Results from VLS showed the HL treatment was the most effective at inducing lameness (6/6 goats became lame compared to HH 4/6 and LL 2/6). At 24, 48, and 72 h, VAS scores were significantly higher when comparing HL to all other treatment groups ( P  = 0.0003). Both behavior observers (1 and 2) reported a significant time effect ( P  = 0.05), with goats exhibiting more facial grimacing at 24 h post-lameness induction. From these data, an optimal dose for a repeatable lameness induction model in goats was aquired. An effective Goat Grimace Scale (GGS) was also developed to evaluate pain responses in goats., Competing Interests: The author and co-authors do not have any conflicts of interest to disclose., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Background: Natural service breeding is common in U.S. cow-calf operations. Diseases impacting bull reproductive performance have significant economic consequences for producers. Anaplasmosis may be an underappreciated cause of poor reproductive performance in bulls. The primary systemic effects of bovine anaplasmosis including anemia, fever, and weight loss, can all result in unsatisfactory reproductive performance. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate breeding soundness examination (BSE) outcomes and clinical changes in bulls during and upon resolution of clinical anaplasmosis. Anaplasma marginale-challenged bulls were observed for clinical disease and infection progression and changes in breeding soundness compared to uninfected control bulls for 16 weeks., Results: All Anaplasma marginale-challenged bulls were PCR-positive, seropositive, and showed clinical signs by 3-, 17-, and 24-days post-challenge, respectively. Clinical signs of anaplasmosis included pallor, icterus, fever (≥ 40.2 °C), and weight loss. Acute anemia was observed in all challenged bulls with PCV nadirs ≤ 18% and peak percent parasitized erythrocyte ≥ 50%. Decreased scrotal circumference and poor semen quality (e.g., increased percentage of abnormal spermatozoa, decreased progressively motile sperm), were initially observed within days after onset of clinical anaplasmosis signs and continued weeks beyond disease resolution. Control bulls remained negative for A. marginale., Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that clinical anaplasmosis reduces breeding soundness in beef bulls. Anaplasmosis should be considered as a differential for bulls with decreased semen quality, especially within endemic areas. A 90 day or greater retest window is recommended for bulls of unsatisfactory breeding potential recently recovered from clinical anaplasmosis., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Anaplasmosis is an economically-significant, hemolytic, tick-borne disease of cattle caused by Anaplasma marginale which can cause clinical anemia and death. Current control options are limited, and FDA-approved antimicrobial control options do not have a defined duration of use. A practical and routinely used anaplasmosis control method involves feeding free-choice chlortetracycline (CTC)-medicated mineral to pastured cattle for several months. Constant antimicrobial use poses the risk of expediting the development and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in off-target commensal bacteria in the bovine gastrointestinal tract. The objective of this study was to determine the CTC-susceptibility of Escherichia coli isolated from anaplasmosis endemic beef cattle herds provided different FDA-approved free-choice CTC-medicated mineral formulations, all intended to provide cattle a dosage of 0.5 to 2.0 mg CTC/lb bodyweight per day. A closed-herd, comprised of Hereford-Angus cows, naturally endemic for anaplasmosis, were grazed in five different pastures with one herd serving as an untreated control group. The other cattle herds were randomly assigned one of four FDA-approved CTC-medicated mineral formulations (700, 5000, 6000, and 8000 g CTC/ton) labeled for "the control of active anaplasmosis" and provided their respective CTC-medicated mineral formulation for five consecutive months. Fecal samples were collected monthly from a subset of cows ( n = 6 or 10) per pasture. Fecal samples were cultured for E. coli isolates and the minimal inhibitory concentration of CTC was determined. Baseline CTC-susceptibility of E. coli was variable among all treatment and control groups. The susceptibility of E. coli isolates was significantly different between study herds over the treatment period ( p = 0.0037 across time and 0.009 at the final sampling time). The interaction between study herds and treatment period was not significant ( p = 0.075).

Objective: To determine anti-bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) antibody titers for nasal secretions and serum from beef calves following administration of a modified-live (MLV) BRSV vaccine., Animals: 60 healthy newborn purebred beef calves., Procedures: Calves were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: intranasal (IN)-SC (IN MLV BRSV vaccine within 24 hours of birth and SC MLV BRSV vaccine at 2 months of age), SC-IN (SC MLV BRSV vaccine within 24 hours of birth and IN MLV BRSV vaccine at 2 months of age), or NO-IN (no vaccine within 24 hours of birth and IN MLV BRSV vaccine at 2 months of age). Nasal secretion and serum samples were collected for determination of anti-BRSV antibodies within 24 hours of birth and 2 and 6 months of age., Results: Titers of anti-BRSV IgA antibodies in nasal secretions and BRSV neutralizing antibodies in serum were similar among groups at each sampling time. Within 24 hours of birth, nasal anti-BRSV IgA titers were negligible. At 2 months, mean nasal anti-BRSV IgA titers for calves in IN-SC, SC-IN, and NO-IN groups were 192.84, 224.49, and 114.71, respectively., Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Concentrations of anti-BRSV IgA antibodies in the nasal secretions and BRSV neutralizing antibodies in the serum of young beef calves following an MLV BRSV vaccine protocol that consisted of IN or SC vaccine within 24 hours of birth and vice versa at 2 months of age were not different from that following only an IN MLV BRSV vaccine at 2 months of age. However, the lack of any differences may have been attributed to other factors.

The amount of scientific data evaluating sheep pain responses after analgesia treatment is limited. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FLU) and meloxicam (MEL) at relieving post-surgical pain in sheep and to evaluate the utility of the Sheep Grimace Scale (SGS). Thirty ewes were assigned to one of three treatment groups: oral MEL or intravenous FLU to manage pain associated with a laparotomy procedure, or a non-surgical control (CON) group. Behavior and physiologic outcome measures were collected pre-procedure and up to 48 h post-procedure. There were no significant differences in behavior, gait, degree of inflammation or pain around the surgical site when MEL and FLU sheep were compared, suggesting that both drugs provided similar levels of analgesia. Significant differences in behavior, gait, abdominal inflammation and pain were found when surgical sheep were compared to non-surgical controls. More work is needed to characterize the amount of pain relief provided by MEL and FLU. The SGS had moderate reliability between scorers; however, the results were inconsistent with the other study outcome measures. The SGS may have some utility as a pain assessment tool but should be used in conjunction with other pain measures.

Lameness is a serious health concern for livestock species. Understanding individual animal response to pain and characterization of lameness are critical when developing appropriate treatments. The objectives of this pilot study was to evaluate two different lameness models and measures for determining response to induced lameness in meat goats. Lameness was induced by intraarticular injection into the left hind lateral claw distal interphalangeal joint with either amphotericin B (Amp-B) or kaolin-carrageenan (K-C). Response to lameness was characterized by behavior scoring, visual lameness scoring (VLS), infrared thermography (IRT) of the affected digit, pressure mat gait analysis (PMT), and plasma cortisol (CORT) analysis. Lame goats had higher VLS compared to controls ( P = 0.003). Maximum temperatures measured in hooves from lame vs control goats were significantly higher ( P = 0.003). Pressure mat analysis demonstrated, when compared to controls, lame goats had decreased force ( P = 0.013), impulse ( P = 0.007), contact pressure ( P = 0.007), and contact area of the left hind limb ( P = 0.009). Mean CORT levels 4 and 6 h after lameness induction were higher in lame goats ( P = 0.005, P = 0.01). The two lameness methods reliably induced lameness of varying severity in healthy meat goats., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science 2020.)

Bovine anaplasmosis is the most prevalent tick-transmitted disease of cattle worldwide and a major obstacle to profitable beef production. Use of chlortetracycline-medicated feed to control active anaplasmosis infections during the vector season has raised concerns about the potential emergence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria that may pose a risk to human health. Furthermore, the absence of effectiveness data for a commercially available, conditionally licensed anaplasmosis vaccine is a major impediment to implementing anaplasmosis control programs. The primary objective of this study was to develop a single-dose vaccine delivery platform to produce long-lasting protective immunity against anaplasmosis infections. Twelve Holstein steers, aged 11 to 12 wk, were administered a novel 3-stage, single-dose vaccine against Anaplasma marginale, a major surface protein 1a. The vaccine consisted of a soluble vaccine administered subcutaneously (s.c.) for immune priming, a vaccine depot of a biodegradable polyanhydride rod with intermediate slow release of the vaccine for boosting immune response, and an immune-isolated vaccine platform for extended antigen release (VPEAR implant) deposited s.c. in the ear. Six calves were randomly assigned to 2 vaccine constructs (n = 3) that featured rods and implants containing a combination of 2 different adjuvants, diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Dextran and Quil-A (Group A). The remaining 6 calves were randomly assigned to 2 vaccine constructs (n = 3) that featured rods and implants containing the same adjuvant (either DEAE-Dextran or Quil A) (Group B). Twenty-one months post-implantation, calves were challenged intravenously with A. marginale stabilate and were monitored weekly for signs of fever, decreased packed cell volume (PCV) and bacteremia. Data were analyzed using a mixed-effects model and chi-squared tests (SAS v9.04.01, SAS Institute, Cary, NC). Calves in Group A had higher PCV than calves in Group B (P = 0.006) at day 35 post-infection. Calves in Group A were less likely to require antibiotic intervention compared with calves in Group B (P = 0.014). Results indicate that calves exhibited diminished clinical signs of anaplasmosis when antigen was delivered with a combination of adjuvants as opposed to a single adjuvant. This demonstrates the feasibility of providing long-lasting protection against clinical bovine anaplasmosis infections using a subcutaneous ear implant vaccine construct., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Control of active bovine anaplasmosis in the United States is predicated on the use of chlortetracycline (CTC)-medicated feed throughout the vector season. However, data describing population pharmacokinetics of chlortetracycline in cows, on pasture, having free-choice access to CTC-medicated mineral for consecutive months is lacking. This study documented plasma-CTC concentrations in grazing cows during peak vector season in an anaplasmosis endemic herd. Each pasture was administered one of the four Food and Drug Administration approved CTC-medicated mineral formulations and were assigned as follows: 0.77 g/kg, Aureo Anaplaz C700 Pressed (Sweetlix Livestock Supplements, Mankato, MN); 5.5 g/kg, Purina Anaplasmosis Block (Purina Animal Nutrition, Gray Summit, MO); 6.6 g/kg, Stockmaster Aureo FC C6000 Mineral (Hubbard Feeds, Mankato, MN); 8.8 g/kg, MoorMan's Special Range Minerals AU 168XFE (ADM Animal Nutrition, Quincy, IL). Blood samples were collected monthly for determining plasma drug concentration by Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and mass spectrometry. Continued plasma-CTC monitoring allowed for characterization of trends between treatment groups (pastures), age groups (<3 yr or >4 yr), and sampling times (June to October). Results indicate formulation (pasture) and time were significant factors affecting concentrations of CTC in plasma. Cows exposed to 5.5 g/kg block formulation recorded higher CTC plasma concentrations compared with other pasture groups ( P = 0.037). Plasma-CTC concentrations increased over time (month of measurement; P = 0.0005). Specifically, concentrations measured after 5 months of continuous CTC treatment were higher than those measured in earlier months., (Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science 2020.)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of late-gestation vaccination of beef heifers with 2 doses of a killed-virus (KV) vaccine containing bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1), bovine viral diarrhea virus 1 (BVDV-1), and bovine viral diarrhea virus 2 (BVDV-2) on the serum concentrations of antibody against BoHV-1, BVDV-1, and BVDV-2 in heifers and their calves and on the IgG concentration in the calves. Of the 47 pregnant beef heifers selected, 26 received 2 doses of the vaccine at 6.5 to 8 mo of gestation (at pregnancy check), and 21 received 2 doses of saline. The mean log 2 serum titers of neutralizing antibody against BoHV-1, BVDV-1, and BVDV-2 before vaccination did not differ significantly between the treatment groups; however, at calving all 3 mean titers were significantly greater ( P < 0.05) in the vaccinated heifers than in the control heifers. At 24 h after birth the mean serum IgG levels in the calves did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, at 30.18 and 32.28 g/L, respectively ( P < 0.05); however, the mean log 2 serum titers of antibody to all 3 viruses were greater in the calves nursing colostrum from the vaccinated heifers than in the calves nursing colostrum from the nonvaccinated heifers and significantly so for BoHV-1 and BVDV-1 ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.009, respectively). Thus, late-gestation vaccination of beef heifers could result in a greater and more consistent deposition of specific antibodies in colostrum, reducing the variability of initial titers in calves and increasing the duration of maternal immunity., (Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.)

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) synthesis inhibiting effects of intravenous (IV) and transdermal (TD) flunixin meglumine in eight, adult, female, Huacaya alpacas. A dose of 2.2 mg/kg administered IV and 3.3 mg/kg administered TD using a cross-over design. Plasma flunixin concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Prostaglandin E 2 concentrations were determined using a commercially available ELISA. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed using noncompartmental methods. Plasma PGE 2 concentrations decreased after IV flunixin meglumine administration but there was minimal change after TD application. Mean t 1/2 λz after IV administration was 4.531 hr (range 3.355 to 5.571 hr) resulting from a mean Vz of 570.6 ml/kg (range, 387.3 to 1,142 ml/kg) and plasma clearance of 87.26 ml kg -1  hr -1 (range, 55.45-179.3 ml kg -1  hr -1 ). The mean C max, T max and t 1/2 λz for flunixin following TD administration were 106.4 ng/ml (range, 56.98 to 168.6 ng/ml), 13.57 hr (range, 6.000-34.00 hr) and 24.06 hr (18.63 to 39.5 hr), respectively. The mean bioavailability for TD flunixin was calculated as 25.05%. The mean 80% inhibitory concentration (IC 80 ) of PGE 2 by flunixin meglumine was 0.23 µg/ml (range, 0.01 to 1.38 µg/ml). Poor bioavailability and poor suppression of PGE 2 identified in this study indicate that TD flunixin meglumine administered at 3.3 mg/kg is not recommended for use in alpacas., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) synthesis inhibiting effects of intravenous (IV) and transdermal (TD) flunixin meglumine in eight adult female Boer goats. A dose of 2.2 mg/kg was administered intravenously (IV) and 3.3 mg/kg administered TD using a cross-over design. Plasma flunixin concentrations were measured by LC-MS/MS. Prostaglandin E 2 concentrations were determined using a commercially available ELISA. Pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed using noncompartmental methods. Plasma PGE 2 concentrations decreased after flunixin meglumine for both routes of administration. Mean λ z -HL after IV administration was 6.032 hr (range 4.735-9.244 hr) resulting from a mean V z of 584.1 ml/kg (range, 357.1-1,092 ml/kg) and plasma clearance of 67.11 ml kg -1  hr -1 (range, 45.57-82.35 ml kg -1  hr -1 ). The mean C max , T max, and λ z -HL for flunixin following TD administration was 0.134 μg/ml (range, 0.050-0.188 μg/ml), 11.41 hr (range, 6.00-36.00 hr), and 43.12 hr (15.98-62.49 hr), respectively. The mean bioavailability for TD flunixin was calculated as 24.76%. The mean 80% inhibitory concentration (IC 80 ) of PGE 2 by flunixin meglumine was 0.28 μg/ml (range, 0.08-0.69 μg/ml) and was only achieved with IV formulation of flunixin in this study. The PK results support clinical studies to examine the efficacy of TD flunixin in goats. Determining the systemic effects of flunixin-mediated PGE 2 suppression in goats is also warranted., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Lameness in cattle is a welfare concern and is associated with important economic losses in beef cattle operations. Infection of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIJ) results in severe lameness and if left untreated carries a poor prognosis. Diagnosis of DIJ infection is challenging in the field. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with septic arthritis of the DIJ in beef cattle. Thirty-nine beef cattle with a complaint of single-foot lameness were used in this study. History and lameness examination data were recorded and analyzed. Radiographic changes and cytology of synovial fluid of the affected DIJ were used to define the presence (cases) or absence (controls) of DIJ infection. Asymmetric swelling at the coronary band of the affected foot and a lameness score of ≥4/5 significantly increased the odds (odds ratio [OR]=63.2 and OR=120, respectively) of diagnosis of septic arthritis of the DIJ in beef cattle with a single-foot lameness compared to cattle with no asymmetry of the coronary band or lameness scores <3. Routine lameness examination findings could be used in the field to rapidly recognize infection of the DIJ in lame beef cattle., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Obstructive urolithiasis commonly affects male goats. Perineal urethrostomy (PU) can be a permanent treatment option but is generally considered undesirable because of the risk of stricture of the urethral stoma. Limited information exists regarding long-term outcome and complications in goats undergoing PU for treatment of obstructive urolithiasis., Objectives: To determine short-term and long-term outcome and complications in goats undergoing PU for treatment of obstructive urolithiasis., Animals: Twenty-five client-owned goats., Methods: Multi-institutional retrospective case series., Results: Of the 25 goats, 13 (52%) were alive at the time of follow-up. Mean time from surgery to follow-up was 34 months (range, 4-65). Nine goats (36%) died between discharge and follow-up with a mean survival time of 46 days (range, 5-120). Cause of death in 7 of 9 (78%) goats was related to urolithiasis. Goats treated by use of a modified proximal perineal urethrostomy (MPPU) were significantly more likely to survive at least 150 days postoperatively (P < .01). The most common postoperative complications were hemorrhage (10/25 [40%]) and surgical site infection (3/25 [12%]). Hemorrhage was significantly associated with MPPU (P < .0001). Stricture of the surgical stoma occurred in 7 of 22 (32%) discharged goats. Mean time to stricture was 65 days (range, 10-240)., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Perineal urethrostomy can provide effective long-term resolution of obstructive urolithiasis in goats. Re-obstruction or stricture seems most likely within the 1st 2 months after surgery. MPPU may provide better long-term results but should be approached cautiously because it can be associated with life-threatening hemorrhage., (© 2018 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Eating habits in cattle are less discriminant than other ruminants, and they more often accidentally ingest strange objects while feeding. Penetrating foreign bodies may cause mild to severe peritonitis, penetrate the diaphragm to cause pleuritis or pericarditis, or cause localized abscesses in the thorax or abdomen. Because these objects are most often metal, a common term for this problem is hardware disease. An accurate history and thorough physical examination often yields a diagnosis; however, ancillary diagnostics can enhance accuracy and disease magnitude before exploratory surgery. Treatment encompasses controlling infection and inflammation and foreign body removal; preventive measures are emphasized., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

OBJECTIVE To identify and evaluate 3 types of angiographic catheters for retrograde urinary bladder catheterization in healthy male goats. ANIMALS 12 sexually intact yearling Alpine-cross bucks. PROCEDURES Three 5F angiographic catheters of the same length (100 cm) and diameter (0.17 cm) but differing in curvature at the tip were labeled A (straight tip), B (tip bent in 1 place), and C (tip bent in 2 places). During a single anesthetic episode, attempts were made to blindly pass each catheter into the urinary bladder of each goat. Order of catheters used was randomized, and the veterinarian passing the catheter was blinded as to catheter identity. The total number of attempts at catheter passage and the total number of successful attempts were recorded. RESULTS Catheter A was unsuccessfully passed in all 12 goats, catheter B was successfully passed in 8 goats, and catheter C was successfully passed in 4 goats. The success rate for catheter B was significantly greater than that for catheter A; however, no significant difference was identified between catheters B and C or catheters A and C. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE 2 angiographic catheters were identified that could be successfully, blindly advanced in a retrograde direction into the urinary bladder of healthy sexually intact male goats. Such catheters may be useful for determining urethral patency, emptying the urinary bladder, and instilling chemolysing agents in goats with clinical obstructive urolithiasis.

Background: Little is known about the occurrence rate, underlying etiology or treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in beef calves., Objective: Describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of left displacement of the abomasum in 4 beef calves., Animals: Four client-owned beef breed calves with left displaced abomasum (LDA)., Methods: Retrospective case series. Hospital medical records were reviewed to identify all beef breed cattle under the age of 6 months diagnosed with LDA., Results: Four beef calves were treated for left displacement of the abomasum. All four had a history of decreased appetite and left-sided abdominal distention. Two had recently been treated for necrotic laryngitis and one was being treated for clostridial abomasitis. Ultrasonography confirmed the abomasum to be displaced between the rumen and the left body wall in all calves. The calves were initially treated by rolling to correct the abomasal displacement. The abomasum redisplaced in 3 of 4 calves within 1 hour to 6 days; 1 calf developed a mesenteric volvulus. A right paramedian abomasopexy was performed in all cases. Three of 4 calves grew well and remained in the herd 6-18 months later; 1 calf was euthanized because of complications associated with necrotic laryngitis., Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Left displacement of the abomasum should be considered as a differential diagnosis for beef calves with abdominal distention. Concurrent necrotic laryngitis can increase the risk of abomasal displacement in beef calves. Treatment should include surgical correction as rolling is not curative and might be associated with mesenteric volvulus., (Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)

Metritis is a cause of postparturient uterine disease in dairy cattle and is most commonly associated with watery fetid red-brown uterine discharge occurring in the first 21 days postpartum. The most severe form of metritis (puerperal metritis) often warrants antibiotic therapy. This article analyzes the current literature to determine the efficacy of ceftiofur in the treatment of metritis. Evidence-based review of the current literature suggests that there is evidence for the use of ceftiofur in the treatment of metritis. However, review of the literature also reveals the need for more studies with negative control groups., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Approximately 13% of 654 Reserve Component Gulf War veterans (18% women, 65% ground forces, between 24 and 61 years of age, average 40.2 yr.) surveyed in the Ohio Desert Storm Research Project reported that they had probably been exposed to nerve or mustard gas agents, while another 32% thought such exposures were possible. Reports of exposure were found, through ordinary least squares regression analysis, to be associated with membership in ground forces (Army/Marine Corps) (b = .29), geographical location (b = .17), ethnic minority status (b = .07), education (b = -.10), intrinsic religiosity (b = .10), and also reporting having had physiological reactions to vaccines or pyridostigmine bromide pills (b = .24). Reports were not associated significantly with subjective health before the war, age, or sex.

Data from a 1996-1997 survey of approximately 700 Reserve Component male veterans indicate that the consumption of pyridostigmine bromide pills, used as a pretreatment for potential exposure to the nerve agent Soman, was a significant predictor of declines in reported subjective health status after the war, even after controlling for a number of other possible factors. Reported reactions to vaccines and other medications also predicted declines in subjective health. While higher military rank generally predicted better health during and after the war, educational attainment, minority status, number of days in theater, and age generally did not predict changes in subjective health. Although servicemembers were directed to take three pills a day, veterans reported a range of compliance--less than a fourth (24%) followed the medical instructions compared to 61% who took fewer than three pills daily and 6% who took six or more pills a day. Implications for use of pyridostigmine bromide are discussed.

A 1999 study of United Kingdom servicemembers by Unwin, et al. recently found significant relationships between anthrax and other vaccinations, reactions to those vaccines, and later health problems for male current or former active military Gulf War veterans. Likewise, in 2000 Steele and in 1998 Gilroy found possible adverse effects of vaccinations on Gulf War veterans. However, the role of such vaccinations remains controversial; more recent government reports continue to dispute the existence of any data that might reflect adversely on the role of vaccinations on the health of Gulf War veterans. To address this controversy, the current study assessed similar relationships for over 900 Reserve Component Gulf War Era veterans from Ohio and nearby states. Gulf War veterans were more likely to report poorer health than non-Gulf veterans. Female veterans were more likely to report mild or severe reactions to vaccines than male veterans. Those veterans who received anthrax vaccine reported more reactions to vaccines than those who did not receive anthrax vaccine. Declines in long-term subjective health were associated with receipt of anthrax vaccine by Gulf War veterans but not for those who did not deploy to the Gulf, although few of the latter received anthrax vaccine. Regardless of deployment status, veterans who reported more severe reactions to vaccines were more likely to report declines in subjective health. Female veterans reported poorer health during the Gulf War than did male veterans, but sex was not related to veterans' reports of subjective health at subsequent times. It is recommended that servicemembers who experience severe reactions to anthrax vaccine be medically reevaluated before receiving further anthrax vaccine and that careful follow-ups be conducted of those receiving the vaccine currently, in accordance with Nass's 1999 recommendations. We also recommend that safer alternatives to thimerosal (a mercury sodium salt, 50% mercury) be used to preserve all vaccines.

The role of pyridostigmine bromide (PB) pills in explaining the long-term subjective health status of a sample of over 100 female Reserve Component Gulf War veterans was examined through regression analysis. Results fell just short of significance (p < .06) for the prediction of subjective health approximately six years after the war and were clearly not significant for the prediction of subjective health at previous times. Results parallel Golomb's 1999 RAND report, which found suggestive but not conclusive evidence for the possible adverse effects of Gulf War veterans' consumption of pyridostigmine bromide pills. Our data suggest that use of more than 10 pills may have been especially risky with respect to long-term subjective health.

Two low-dose intradermal regimens for hepatitis B vaccination were compared with the standard 1 ml dose administered intramuscularly to healthy, 22-42 year old individuals. All regimens were administered in an abbreviated time schedule. Nineteen individuals (ID-1 group) received three 0.1 ml (2 micrograms) doses intradermally at times 0, 1 month and 4 months. Twenty-four individuals (ID-2 group) received two injections of 0.2 ml (4 micrograms) each intradermally at time 0 and one 0.1 ml (2 micrograms) injection 4 months later. Twenty individuals (IM group) received the recommended three 1.0 ml (20 micrograms) doses intramuscularly at times 0, 1 month, and 4 months. No significant adverse reactions were attributable to the intradermal administration of vaccine although the majority of vaccinees developed small areas of induration and hyperpigmentation at the injection site that persisted for several months. One month following the last injection, all vaccinees had developed anti-HBsAg antibodies. One hundred percent of ID-1 and IM vaccinees and 95% of ID-2 vaccinees had protective levels of antibody (greater than or equal to 10 mIU ml-1). The geometric mean titre (GMT) for the IM group (2692 mIU ml-1) was somewhat higher than for the ID-1 (1230 mIU ml-1) and the ID-2 (851 mlU ml-1) groups, but the differences were not statistically significant. Since anti-HBs antibodies are thought to confer protection against hepatitis B, these results suggest that a shortened regimen of intradermal vaccine may be effective in healthy adults. However, no efficacy study has yet been done with intradermal hepatitis B vaccine.