OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of gentamicin, silver, or both additives in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP) biofilm formation in vitro. SAMPLE 4 preparations of PMMA beads (formed with no additive [control], gentamicin, silver, and gentamicin and silver). PROCEDURES Beads from each group were exposed to 10 MRSP isolates known to be strong biofilm formers. Following incubation, the beads were rinsed to remove planktonic bacteria, then sonicated to dislodge biofilm-associated bacteria. Resulting suspensions were serially diluted, plated on blood agar, and incubated overnight; CFUs were counted. Variance of mean CFU counts following log10 transformation was analyzed among PMMA groups. RESULTS None of the PMMA additives tested completely inhibited MRSP biofilm formation. There was a significant effect of gentamicin and gentamicin plus silver on this variable, compared with controls, but not of silver alone. There was no difference between gentamicin and gentamicin plus silver. When only isolates not susceptible to gentamicin were evaluated, there were no significant differences among PMMA additive groups. Within gentamicin-susceptible isolates, there was an impact of gentamicin and gentamicin plus silver, but no impact of silver alone and no difference between gentamicin and gentamicin plus silver. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Gentamicin-impregnated PMMA was effective at reducing biofilm formation of gentamicin-susceptible MRSP isolates but had no effect on isolates not susceptible to gentamicin. Silver-impregnated PMMA had no effect on MRSP biofilm formation. Results suggested that gentamicin-impregnated PMMA may not be effective in vivo against MRSP isolates not susceptible to gentamicin. Antibacterial efficacy of silver should not be assumed without proper testing of the target bacteria and specific silver compound.

A series of studies was conducted to identify a practical measure for preventing dental calculus formation in dogs. The studies involved a colony of 27 Beagles that received an initial dental prophylaxis. The dogs were then stratified on the basis of their normal rate of calculus formation and randomly assigned to parallel groups within each strata. During 4-week test periods, a variety of experimental regimens were instituted, followed by clinical assessments of calculus. Major observations were that a crystal growth inhibitor, soluble pyrophosphate, incorporated into a dry dog food modestly reduced calculus formation when used at high concentrations; anticalculus effects attributable to this agent were significant (P < 0.05) only when it was used as a surface coating the coating of dry dog chow or plain biscuits with a calcium sequestrant, sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP), provided the greatest benefit and resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in calculus formation of about 60 to 80%, depending on the dosage regimen; and the feeding of a single daily snack of 2 HMP-coated plain biscuits (0.6% HMP) decreased calculus formation by nearly 80%. We concluded that the coating of dry dog chow or plain dog biscuits with HMP is an effective means of reducing calculus formation in dogs.

A case of a cestode parasite (Choanotaenia infundibulum) egg wasfound in the intestine of chicken which was sent to the Veterinary Research Institute, Ipoh in February 2014 for post-mortem. Other parasites found in the intestine were adult tapeworm and oocyst ofcoccidia. The examination of the chicken intestine for helminth ova was undertaken using direct examination of a simple wet smear of the intestinal content which was observed under compound microscope.The cestode parasite was identified based on helminthological keys by Soulsby, 1982.

Essential oil (EO) from Brazilian red pepper leaves contains antimicrobial compounds that control Gram-positive bacteria in the rumen content, improving the efficiency of ruminal fermentation. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of the Brazilian red pepper leaves EO (Schinus terebinthifolius) as a substitute for monensin on performance, occurrence of coccidiosis by Eimeria ssp., carcass characteristics and meat composition of feedlot lambs. Forty-four lambs, 16 males (12 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês and 4 Santa Inês) and 28 females (16 ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês and 12 Santa Inês), with 21.4 ± 1.05 kg of initial body weight (BW), were used in a randomized complete block design. The experiment lasted 56 days, divided into 2 periods of 28 days each. The treatments were defined by the inclusion of 8 ppm of monensin (MON), and the doses 0.14% (14EO), 0.28% (28EO) and 0.42% (42EO) of red pepper leaves essential oil (EO). At the end of 56 days, 32 lambs were slaughtered for the measurement of carcass parameters and meat composition. There was no interaction among treatments and periods for average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency (FE) and oocyst of Eimeria ssp. in feces. The treatments did not affect the ADG, DMI and FE; however, the monensin inclusion decreased the oocyst of Eimeria ssp. (P = 0.01). There was a tendency (P = 0.06) of increase in hot carcass yield for lambs fed 28EO compared to 14EO. In addition, the cold carcass yield was higher (P = 0.02) in the animals fed 28EO and 42EO. The subcutaneous fat thickness was not affected by the experimental diets; however, there was a tendency for lambs from 28EO and 42EO treatments to present higher body wall thickness (P = 0.07) and Longissimus muscle area (P = 0.07) when compared to MON. The higher doses of red pepper leaves EO increased the percentage of crude protein (P < 0.01) and mineral matter (P = 0.02) in the chemical composition of meat. Although the performance of lambs did not change, the inclusion of 0.28 and 0.42% red pepper leaves EO improve the carcass characteristics and change the meat composition, demonstrating the potential of the use of this additive in confined lamb diets. However, the monensin has greater potential to control coccidiosis in feedlot lambs compared with red pepper leaves EO.

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was analyzed the efficiency of application multi-enzyme preparations (drugs) Ehkozim (contained beta-glucanases; endo-xilanase; cellulose) and Vitazim (contained complex of enzymatic carbohydrases: xylanase; cellulose; beta-glucanases) in diets of lying hens. Vitazim was applied for destruction of complex structures: dietary fibre, protein, starch. Ehkozim was applied for albuminolysis of the main nonstarch polysaccharides of fodders. It was established that application of preparations in feeding of lying hens promoted the increasing of biological value of poultry meat, and prove to be economically expedient. Poultry meat of analyzed samples in accordance with physical, chemical and bacteriological indices, as well as in accordance with biological value and harmlessness was not worse than meat of control samples. As a result of the realized bacteriological research of all experimental samples of meat and internal organs there were not stated microorganisms Е. coli, S. aureus, bacteria of sort Proteus, B. сеreus and sulfate-reducing clostridium, salmonellas.

Determination of productivity and natural resistance indexes of laying hens after application of dry multienzyme preparation Vitazim (xylanase, 3600 units/g; cellulose, 3000 units/g; beta-glucanase, 7000 units/g); as well as the specification of optimal doses the enzyme were realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Research results showed that the best indexes of egg yields of laying hens were obtained after application in the main poultry diet of enzyme preparation Vitazim in dose 500 g/t that made it possible to increase the productivity in the experimemtal group on 12%. Application of Vitazim also promoted the increasing of natural resistance level of laying hens. There was stated the positive effect of Vitazim on bactericidal activity of blood serum. Before the beginning of test this index was the level of 44,35+/-0,92 – 56,52 +/-1,63. By the 300-th day of life the bactericidal activity of blood serum in experimental group administrated Vitazim in dose 300 g/t exceeded the control idexes on 3,8%; in the second experimental group (Vitazim in dose of 500 g/h) – on 29,5%; in the third experimental group (/vitazim on dose of 700 g/h) – on 23,7%.Vitazim administration also exercised positive influence on lysozyme activity in blood serum of lying hens

In the conditions of the Republic of Belarus there was determined the efficiency of application of different levels of vitamins and trace elements in feeding of servicing bulls. In course of the study there was analyzed the influence of different levels of supply of servicing bulls with vitamins A, D, E and trace elements (copper; zinc; manganese; iron; cobalt; selenium) on their reproductive ability. On the basis of the experiment there was calculated the economic efficiency of application of the developed vitamin and mineral additive. Research results showed that application of the developed protein and mineral additive in diets of servicing bulls in winter and summer periods made it possible to increase the ejaculate volume on 7,4% and 12,4% (P less than 0,05), sperm activity on 6,7 % (P less than 0,05) and 7,3% (P less than 0,01), concentration of spermium in ejaculate on 6,3% and 7,8% (P less than 0,05). Also, it promoted the lowering of percentage of defective sperm doses.

Development of new selenium preparations in a complex with vitamins for the purpose of decrease of trace element toxicity and increase of its bioavailability is the topical problem of veterinary science. A new antioxidant water-soluble complex Aesel, which includes selenium as the activated product of interaction of methionine and sodium selenite, vitamins A and E, is researched. Lethal doses of the preparation for mice and rats were identified through intragastric and subcutaneous introduction. Due to the results of the research it was determined that Aesel is rated among the forth class of danger, so it is dangerous to a very little degree. Lethal doses of the preparation on the pure selenium, calculated on Pershin method, for rats at parenteral introduction is equal 5,48, at enteral introduction - 39, for mice at parenteral introduction - 7,72 mg/kg. Lethal doses of the preparation calculated on all making components equal to 39000 mg/kg.