A total of 774 pigs were enrolled in 13 cohorts across 7 commercial farms to examine the effect of nursery feeding program on serum haptoglobin, subsequent growth performance, and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. Pigs were weaned [23.4 ± 0.2 days of age and 5.3 ± 1.5 kg body weight (BW)] and randomly assigned to either a complex (HC: highly digestible sources of proteins, including animal proteins; N = 346) or simple (LC: corn- and soybean meal-based; N = 340) diet for 37.7 ± 1.7 days over 3 phases (1 pen per diet per cohort; pen was the experimental unit; n = 13); sex was balanced between treatments. Thereafter, pigs received common grower-finisher diets. At a targeted BW of 118 kg, pigs (subset: n = 275 and 258 for HC and LC, respectively) were processed to evaluate carcass characteristics. Nursery feeding program did not influence BW, BW gain, or serum haptoglobin at any stage of production. Feed cost was reduced by $2.82 per pig during the nursery period for the LC-fed pigs (P < 0.001). Loin eye depth, back fat depth, carcass weight, percent lean yield, and carcass gross revenue at slaughter were not influenced by nursery feeding program. Feeding LC nursery diets on commercial farms is a feasible way to reduce feed cost without negatively impacting serum haptoglobin, growth performance during or after the nursery period, or carcass value.

OBJECTIVE To determine the amount of negative pressure generated by syringes of various sizes with and without an attached thoracostomy tube and whether composition of thoracostomy tubes altered the negative pressure generated. SAMPLE Syringes ranging from 1 to 60 mL and 4 thoracostomy tubes of various compositions (1 red rubber catheter, 1 polyvinyl tube, and 2 silicone tubes). PROCEDURES A syringe or syringe with attached thoracostomy tube was connected to a pneumatic transducer. Each syringe was used to aspirate a volume of air 10 times. Negative pressure generated was measured and compared among the various syringe sizes and various thoracostomy tubes. RESULTS The negative pressure generated decreased as size of the syringe increased for a fixed volume across syringes. Addition of a thoracostomy tube further decreased the amount of negative pressure. The red rubber catheter resulted in the least amount of negative pressure, followed by the polyvinyl tube and then the silicone tubes. There was no significant difference in negative pressure between the 2 silicone tubes. The smallest amount of negative pressure generated was −74 to −83 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Limited data are available on the negative pressure generated during intermittent evacuation of the thoracic cavity. For the present study, use of a syringe of ≥ 20 mL and application of 1 mL of negative suction volume resulted in in vitro pressures much more negative than the currently recommended pressure of −14.71 mm Hg for continuous suction. Additional in vitro or cadaveric studies are needed.

OBJECTIVE To compare use of a 3-level self-locking suture (3LSLS) technique with use of a previously described modified 3-loop pulley (M3LP) technique to repair rupture of the proximal aspect of patellar tendons in limbs from canine cadavers. SAMPLE Paired hind limbs of 6 adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES A limb from each pair was randomly assigned to be repaired by the 3LSLS technique or M3LP technique with size-2 ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene and size-0 monofilament polypropylene suture, respectively. Limbs were prepared, and each patellar tendon was transected at a site chosen to simulate rupture at the proximal aspect. Tendons were repaired with the assigned techniques and mechanically tested with a biaxial servohydraulic test system; the clamp was distracted until the repair failed. Force at 1 -mm gap formation, 3-mm gap formation, and repair failure and gap size at failure were measured and compared between methods. Mode of failure was recorded. RESULTS There was no significant difference between methods for the force required to produce a 1 - or 3-mm gap in the repair. The 3LSLS technique required a significantly higher load for complete failure; gap formation immediately before failure was significantly greater for this method than for the M3LP technique. Four of 6 repairs with the M3LP technique and 0 of 6 repairs with the 3LSLS technique failed by suture breakage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The 3LSLS technique with size-2 ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene suture was as effective at resistance to 1 - and 3-mm gap formation as the M3LP with size-0 monofilament polypropylene suture.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) for the assessment of prostatic tumors in dogs and to compare results for TRUS with results for other imaging modalities. ANIMALS 10 client-owned male dogs. PROCEDURES Client-owned dogs identified with prostatic carcinoma were enrolled. Fluoroscopy, transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS), TRUS, and MRI were performed on all dogs. Tumor measurements, urethral penetration (identification of abnormal tissue within the urethral lumen), and tumor extension into the urinary tract were recorded for all imaging modalities. Agreement between results for MRI (considered the criterion-referenced standard) and results for other modalities were compared. RESULTS Median body weight of the 10 dogs was 26.3 kg (range, 9.4 to 49.5 kg). No complications were encountered during or after TRUS. Significant moderate to good agreements (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.60 to 0.86) among TAUS, TRUS, fluoroscopy, and MRI were identified for tumor length and height. Assessments of urethral penetration and tumor extension into the bladder with TRUS did not differ significantly from those made with MRI and were superior in terms of absolute agreement with MRI when compared with those for TAUS. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE TRUS was successfully and safely used to evaluate prostatic carcinoma in dogs. There was moderate to good agreement with MRI results for tumor height and length measurements, and TRUS was found to be superior to TAUS for some assessments. Transrectal ultrasonography can be considered an adjunctive imaging modality for the performance of prostatic interventional procedures or assessment of response to treatment.

OBJECTIVE To compare IV doses of alfaxalone and ketamine needed to facilitate orotracheal intubation and assess effects of each treatment on selected physiologic variables in goats undergoing orthopedic surgery with isoflurane anesthesia. ANIMALS 18 healthy adult goats. PROCEDURES Behavior was assessed before and after sedation with midazolam (0.1 mg/kg, IV) for IV catheter placement. Anesthesia was induced with additional midazolam (0.1 mg/kg, IV) and alfaxalone (n = 9) or ketamine (9) at 2 mg/kg, IV, over 30 seconds. An additional dose of alfaxalone or ketamine (1 mg/kg) was given IV if needed for intubation; anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen and IV fluids with ketamine (0.5 to 1 mg/kg/h). Direct systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressures; heart rate; and respiratory rate were recorded before induction, immediately after intubation, and during surgery. Qualitative anesthetic induction and recovery characteristics were assessed. Variables were compared within and between groups by statistical methods. RESULTS No preinduction variables differed significantly between groups. Postintubation and 30-minute intraoperative SAP, DAP, and MAP were higher for the ketamine group than for the alfaxalone group; within the alfaxalone group, postintubation SAP, MAP, and respiratory rate prior to mechanical ventilation were lower than respective preinduction values. All alfaxalone-group goats were intubated after 1 dose of the induction agent; 5 of 9 ketamine-group goats required an additional (1-mg/kg) dose. Postoperative recovery was good to excellent for all animals. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both drugs were suitable for induction of anesthesia after sedation with midazolam, but most goats required higher doses of ketamine to allow intubation. For situations in which alfaxalone administration is appropriate, the potential for decreased arterial blood pressures and respiratory rate should be considered.

Acute upper respiratory disease in chickens is a major cause of economic losses due to high mortality rates especially in poorly managed cases. Respiratory disease in poultry is initiated by variety of viruses, bacteria and fungi. The current study aims to investigate the prevalence of avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC), their proteases and other virulence genes in respiratory viral disease outbreaks in broiler chickens. Quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed on samples from 25 farms with respiratory affections, APEC was isolated and virulence determinants in E. coli were investigated phenotypically and genotypically. E. coli was isolated from different flocks (100%, n=25). They were positive to Congo red binding (100%, n=25), iss gene (100%, n=25), iutA gene (92%, n= 23), tsh gene (24%, n=6), vat gene (20%, n=5). Presence of iss gene and CR binding proves that all isolates are APEC. Although the entire 25 APEC isolates carried more than one virulence gene; either 2 genes (n=17), 3 genes (n=7) and 4 genes (n=1), no effect of the number of genes harbored on the mortality rates in different flocks was observed. The presence of two serine proteases genes (tsh and vat) was confirmed in a total of 10 isolates (40% of the isolates) with positivity to tsh gene (24%) and vat gene (20%). qRT-PCR for detection of IBV-S1, AIV-H9, AIV-H5 and velogenic NDV-F genes revealed that 96% (n=24), 44% (n=11), 12% (n=3) and 4% (n=1) of 25 farms were positive to IBV, AIV-H9, velogenic NDV and AIV-H5, respectively. The results showed that among the 25 flocks, single viral infection was observed in 12 flocks (11 IBV and 1 AIV-H9), while mixed viral infections were detected in 13 flocks; IBV/AIV-H9 (n=9), IBV/velogenic NDV (n=3) and IBV/AIV-H9/AIV-H5 (n=1).The average mortality rate was the lowest in flocks infected with IBV, higher rates of mortality were observed in flocks infected with AIV-H9, velogenic NDV and AIV-H5. Flock age seems to affect the mortality rate in flocks infected with AIV-H9 where flocks aging 16:20, 21:25 and 26:30 days suffered from 2.38%, 8.13%, 11.48% average mortality rates, respectively.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of virgin olive oil on some blood parameters in male Albino rats. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats, (90-110 g), were used in the present study and were divided into three groups (10 in each), 1st group (control), received basal diet and supplemented with 1ml saline. 2nd and 3rd groups received basal diet, and supplemented daily with 1ml/100gm B.W and 2ml/100 gm B.W of virgin olive oil (VOO), respectively. Blood samples were collected weekly from all rats. Whole blood was obtained for determination of some haematological parameters, while sera were collected for the assay of T3 and T4 hormone.

Pesticides are used extensively especially in developing countries like Egypt to control pest either in animal or in agriculture, which may lead to harmful residues in foods of animal origin. The current study was conducted to estimate the residue level of OC and pyrethroid in 320 beef and sheep samples (160each) collected from different shops at Beni-Suef governorate during summer and winter season. The collected samples were liver, muscle, kidney, and fat (80 each; 4o from each animal species).Among fourteen organochlorine compound examined, only Alpha HCH was detected in samples of cattle and sheep collected through winter season in a level below the MRL, while through summer season, only Alpha HCH and Delta HCH were detected in sheep samples in a level below the MRL. Pyrethroid pesticides residues represented by cypermethrin, deltamethrin, Es-fenvalerate, permethrin were not detected through winter season, while they were detected in muscles of cattle and fat of sheep through summer season, while Labdacyhalothrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, Meothrin were detected in most of examined samples from different species through winter and summer seasons, most of these results revealed higher mean level than the maximum residue limits . From these results most of OC could not be detected may be due to these compounds not used science 1970, on other hand pyrethroid it still used nowadays in Egypt either in agriculture or as spray in animals to control ectoparasites spatially in summer season.

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of geographical area (central and southwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina) on hematological and biochemical blood parameters of autochthonous Pramenka sheep. Materials and The study included 104 sheep from the Vlasic mountain (central part) (n = 52) and Livno (southwestern part) (n = 52). Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein into Vactuainer tubes with EDTA anticoagulant for hematological, for glucose, analyses and BD Vacutainer® SST II gel for biochemical analyses. All hematological and biochemical analyses were performed within the next 24 hours, and until then the samples were kept at 4 °C. Hematological parameters included total Red Blood Cell (RBC), White Blood Cell (WBC), Hemoglobin concentration (Hb), Hematocrit (Hct), Mean Corpuscolar Hemoglobin (MCH), Mean Corpuscolar Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and White Cell Differential Count (WCDC). Analyzes are carried out using the automated veterinary hematological analyzer Advia 120 SIEMENS. Blood in the serum tubes was allowed to clot for at least 30 min prior to centrifugation. Serum samples were kept frozen at -20 °C until biochemical analyses were performed. Biochemical parameters were determined by analyzer Olimpus AU400 with Beckman Coulter reagens according to the manufacturer’s protocol. Parameters for biochemistry panel included: total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), globulin (GLO), urea (BUM), creatinine (CRE), glucose (GLU), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), cholesterol (CHO), bilirubin (BIL), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P),sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). All analyzes were tested to spectrophotometric method, except for Na, K, Cl, which were generated by ISE method, or by ion selective method. BHBA and NEFA were constructed with reagents from Randox.Results: The values of WBC (p<0.05), RBC (p<0.001), Hb (p<0.001), PCV (p<0.001), MCV (0.05), NEU (p<0.01) from the Livno area, while the value of LYM (p<0.05) was determined for sheep from the Vlasic area. The correlative values between RBC: Hb (P<0.001), RBC:PCV (P<0.001), WBC:NEU (P<0.001), WBC:LYM (P<0.001), WBC:BAS (P<0.001) areas. The correlative correlation at P<0.01 was established between RBC:MCH, RBC:PLT, RBC:MPV in sheep from Vlasica area, while correlative values at P<0.05 were established between RBC:MPC, WBC:MON for sheep from the Livno area. The values of BHB (p<0.001), total protein (p<0.001), albumin (p<0.001), urea (p<0.001), AST (p<0.001), cholesterol (p<0.001) , magnesium (p<0.001) were determined for sheep in area Livno. The values of NEFA (p<0.001), creatinine (p<0.01), glucose (p<0.001), bilirubin (p<0.001), phosphate (p<0.001) were established for sheep in the Vlasic area. Correlative correlation (P<0.001) between total protein:chloride, calcium:phosphates, sodium:chlorides was found in animals from Vlasic area, while correlation was found (P<0.05) between sodium:chloride in animals from the Livno area.It was concluded that values showed significant differences for individual haematological and biochemical parameters in sheep for both investigated areas.