Effects of various feeding regimens on reproduction in broiler-breeder males

A study was conducted using commercial broiler-breeder males and females maintained in all-litter pens allowed to mate naturally. Using a separate feeding arrangement, males were given a diet containing either 12% or 14% protein. Body weights were maintained at either 90% or 100% of the recommended level. Females were provided feeders with grills which denied males access to the feed, while male feeders were elevated 46 cm above the floor to deny female access to that feed. In control pens, males and females ate from the same feeders and received a breeder diet with 14% protein. Eggs produced in pens where the males and females were fed separated showed significantly higher fertility (4.2%) than eggs from control pens. No differences in percentage fertility were noted between the two dietary-protein levels or body-weight groups of males fed separately. Furthermore, no differences were measured in percentage hatch of fertile eggs among any of the treatment groups. Males in control pens showed significantly heavier body weights and breast-angle measurements starting at 32 and 40 wk of age, respectively. No treatment effect was measured for male pododermatitis. The male control birds had heavier testes weights than the males in the groups with restricted body weights. However, semen concentration was not affected. This indicates that the improved fertility was related to the size and weight of the males, not to their ability to produce semen. The reduced fertility associated with excess male body weight may be both physical and physiological in nature.

Digital dermatitis in dairy cattle

A condition of digital dermatitis causing lameness in a dairy herd is described. The lesion was a small circumscribed area of epidermal inflammation in the skin immediately above the coronet between the bulbs of the heel. Topical treatment, consisting of excoriation and application of a gentian violet and tetracycline aerosol spray, was effective. Although the high incidence and rapid onset of the condition suggested an infectious cause, no organism was isolated consistently.

[Detrimental sequelae of a sodium hydroxide standing foot bath for cattle for the control of Italian interdigital dermatitis]

Eighteen cases of severe damage to digits of cattle are reported. These animals had been standing in a footbath containing sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite for the treatment of digital dermatitis. The lesions on the digit and their healing are discussed in this paper.

A field trial comparing the efficacy of sulphamonomethoxine, penicillin, and tarantula poison in the treatment of pododermatitis circumspecta of cattle

Nearly 80% of 87 cattle suffering for the first time from pododermatitis circumspecta were cured by each of the three drugs under test. Sixty and 73% of those cured by sulphamonomethoxine and penicillin, respectively, and 29% of those cured by the tarantula poison (Theranekron), showed relapses within 6 months. Of the 92 cattle with previous records of pododermatitis circumspecta, sulphamonomethoxine cured 44%, penicillin 73% and Theranekron 32%. Of the latter three groups 72-80% showed relapses within the subsequent 6 months. The results of surgical treatments were, possibly, improved by the prior administration of Theranekron. In addition, in a pilot trial, the demarcation of a gangreneous udder half of a goat suffering from blue-bag, appeared to be accelerated by the parenteral administration of Theranekron.

[Incidence and treatment of dermatitis digitalis in dairy cows]

In dairy cows of the Black Pied Lowland, Bohemian Pied breeds and their crossbreds loosely in large cow houses VKK 900 on slatted floors, 24% incidence of dermatitis digitalis was recorded during the period of one year. Relations between the occurrence of this disease, age and efficiency of dairy cows, time of parturition and season of the year were studied. Therapeutical effects of several methods of treatment were evaluated and compared. No effect of age and efficiency of dairy cows, nor of the year season on the occurrence of this disease was observed. A significantly higher occurrence was proved in the period before and after parturition, when 80% of the total occurrence of digitalis dermatitis were diagnosed. During this period, however, the cows were housed in a stable with markedly worse environmental circumstance than those in production stable. 91% cases of dermatitis were diagnosed on the digits of pelvic limbs. Relapses were determined only in five dairy cows. There was no case of the disease occurring in calves reared in the prophylactorium of the calf house. Therapeutical results were best after repeated mass treatment of the digits of dairy cows in 5% formaldehyde baths. The results of this study point at a conclusion that probable pathogens of this disease are specific infection agents, or that there are more synergic pathogens. A significant pre-disposition factor are bad environmental circumstances.

Laminitis and interdigital dermatitis and heel horn erosion. A European perspective

Laminitis is one of the most important claw disorders in dairy herds. Nutrition, calving, burdening of the lateral claw of the rear feet, and hereditary susceptibility are all contributing factors. Interdigital dermatitis in cattle may be a result of infection by Bacteroides nodosus and Fusobacterium necrophorum. If this infection becomes chronic, heel horn erosion is its consequence.

Pemphigus foliaceus of the footpads in three dogs

Severe hyperkeratinization and villous hypertrophy of the footpads were seen in 3 middle-aged dogs. Peeling, fissuring, swelling, and ulcerations were noted on the margins of severely affected pads. Pain was evident in palpation and ambulation. Lesions were compatible with the traditional diagnosis of "hard pad disease". Histopathologic findings were diagnostic for canine pemphigus foliaceus in all 3 dogs, and direct immunofluorescence in an intercellular pattern was seen in both dogs that were tested. All 3 dogs responded to immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids.

A cage-related foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal-sized single comb white Leghorn layers

Studies were conducted to determine if wire cage floors were involved in producing a foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal-sized Single Comb White Leghorn layers. Dermatitis scores were found to be higher for dwarf birds reared in cages versus litter floors. The use of plastic-coated cage floor inserts and wooden perches reduced the incidence of dermatitis in caged dwarf birds. Normal-sized layers consistently exhibited a lower incidence of dermatitis than did dwarf hens.

Effect of several dermatitis preventing agents on foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal sized single comb white Leghorn layers

Studies were conducted to determine the effects of increased dietary levels of vitamin and trace mineral mixtures, methionine, meat and bone meal, fish meal, and safflower oil on foot pad dermatitis in dwarf and normal size Single Comb White Leghorn layers. All layers were maintained in individual wire cages throughout a 40-week experiment period. Individual birds were scored for the incidence of foot pad dermatitis and production parameters were recorded. No significant decrease in the incidence of dermatitis was observed from the following dietary supplements: a 50% increase in a vitamin or a complete trace mineral mixture; a 50% increase in an iron, copper, iodine, and cobalt or a manganese and zinc mixture; .05% methionine; 5% meat and bone meal; 3% herring fish meal; or 2% safflower oil. It was concluded that these mixtures or supplements containing such dermatitis preventative agents as pantothenic acid, zinc, and linoleic acid appeared without effect in minimizing expression of the condition in dwarfs.

An observation of dermatitis in caged dwarf and normal-sized Single Comb White Leghorn laying hens

Dermatitis was observed on the feet of Single Comb White Leghorn hens. Dermatitis scores and score ranges showed lesions to be predominately on the feet of dwarf compared with normal-sized hens. Statistical analysis by log-linear models showed that the percent incidence was closely related to the strains of hen tested and, to a lesser extent, to the type of ration fed the birds.

Cutaneous diseases of the paw

Cutaneous disorders of the paw remain a challenging clinical entity. The presenting appearance of the various etiologies is often amazingly similar. However, by using a standardized diagnostic method, one can systemically rule in or out the more common causes and objectively establish a working differential diagnosis. Therapeutic and prognostic considerations are dependent on the etiology. General dermatologic principles apply to the paw as well as to the other areas of the skin; however, because of the known frequency of relapses and therapeutic difficulties, one must approach any case of pododermatitis with a realistic attitude and anticipation of prolonged therapy.

[Formalin foot baths in the prevention of interdigital dermatitis in cattle]

Formalin (= approximately 35 per cent formaldehyde) foot baths are used with variable success to prevent interdigital dermatitis, eczema of the interdigital skin accompanied by secondary destruction of the bulb horn. Experimental studies were done in vivo and in vitro to determine the significance of the temperature and concentration of the formalin solution and the method of bathing (standing in a bath for sixty minutes or walking through a bath, in which case each foot is immersed twice in the solution). The results show that a low temperature of the bathing solution (10 degrees C), which theoretically produces poor disinfection (Table 3), does not necessarily imply inadequate disinfection in actual practice (Table 4) as the solution will adhere to the interdigital skin for about thirty minutes (Table 2) and very rapidly will acquire the temperature of the skin (20 degrees-30 degrees C, Table 1). Therefore contact between the interdigital skin and grass, mud, dung and so on has to be prevented for the first thirty minutes after bathing. The more intensive contact between formalin and skin in a stationary foot bath offers advantages over the pass-through bath (Table 4). When a 3 percent formalin solution in a pass-through bath fails to produce satisfactory results, a 5 percent solution may be used. This concentration will result in more effective disinfection (Table 4); higher concentrations may cause skin lesions. Repeated daily disinfection does not produce further reduction of the bacterial flora on the interdigital skin to a significant degree (Table 5). In addition to the disinfecting effect, the hardening effect on the interdigital skin may be of importance.

Relationship of growth depression from salt deficiency and biotin intake to foot pad dermatitis of turkey poults

Foot pad lesions in turkey poults were visually and microscopically examined in two experiments. Poults with normal growth had a high incidence of foot pad dermatitis. Histology of the foot pads indicated a biotin deficiency. Foot pad dermatitis was infrequent when growth was reduced as a result of lowered dietary salt intake. No histologic evidence of biotin deficiency was found in foot pads of poults fed a diet containing no supplemental salt.

Anatrichosoma sp. infestation in the footpads of a cat

A nematode of the genus Anatrichosoma caused extensive necrosis and sloughing of the footpads of a domestic cat. No male worms were found but a description of the female is given. This is the first report of Anatrichosoma sp. in the Republic of S.A. as well as the first report of it in a cat.

Influence of wet litter and supplemental biotin on foot pad dermatitis in turkey poults

Two experiments were conducted with day-old Broad Breasted white turkey male poults to determine whether wet litter and supplemental biotin would influence the severity of foot pad dermatitis. Poults grown on wet litter had a significantly increased incidence of foot pad dermatitis. The addition of biotin to the corn-soy diet resulted in a decreased severity of foot pad dermatitis in poults maintained on dry litter; however, it did not influence the severity of the lesions when poults were maintained on wet litter. Histological examination of the foot pad tissue indicated that poults which received the control diet were deficient in biotin.

Effect of wet litter and supplemental biotin and/or whey on the production of foot pad dermatitis in broilers

An experiment was conducted to determine whether increasing the moisture content of the litter would increase foot pad dermatitis in broilers, and to determine whether supplemental biotin or dried whey would affect this condition. Broilers grown on wet litter had significantly increased incidence of foot pad dermatitis. The addition of 3% of partially delactosed whey to the diet resulted in increasing the foot pad dermatis. The addition of biotin decreased foot pad dermatis. Examination of foot pad tissue indicated that the birds receiving the control diet were deficient in biotin.

Sulfur amino acid requirement and foot pad dermatitis in turkey poults

Five experiments were conducted with Large White poults to determine the effect of methionine and other sulfur-containing compounds on the incidence and severity of dermatitis and on growth and feed efficiency to three or four weeks of age. The poults were housed in battery brooders with wire screen floors in four experiments" and in floor pens with litter in one experiment. Male turkeys were used in four experiments and female turkeys in one experiment. Either a corn-soy diet or a cornstarch-soy diet was used as the basal diet in the various studies. A high incidence of foot-pad dermatitis was observed in poults fed the basal diets unsupplemented with methionine. A high incidence of a dermatitis on the upper part of the beak was also observed in poults maintained in battery brooders but not in floor pens. Adding methionine to the diets significantly lowered the incidence and severity of dermatitis, but cystine and potassium sulfate failed to modify dermatitis. Some foot-pad dermatitis was still observed in poults fed levels of methionine more than adequate to meet the requirements for optimum growth and feed efficiency. The incidence and severity of foot-pad dermatitis generally increased with age during the experiment among poults fed methionine-supplemented diets. Although methionine deficiency is a major cause of foot-pad dermatitis in poults, other environmental or dietary factors also appeared to be involved in the development of the condition. The methionine requirement for optimum growth, feed efficiency, and prevention of dermatitis was approximately 0.6% or 2.1 g. per mcal. of metabolizable energy (M.E.). This is higher than the present recommendation of the National Research Council. With corn-soybean meal diets the requirement for total sulfur amino acids is approximately 1.05% or 3.7 g. per mcal. of M.E.