Calpain-1 activity in bovine muscle is primarily influenced by temperature, not pH decline

The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the conditions (temperature and pH) that exist in early postmortem muscle of normally chilled and delay chilled beef carcasses to provide a model for in vitro work and 2) determine the mechanism by which early postmortem temperature/pH conditions found in beef muscle influence the enzymes that regulate the aging process in vitro. For objective 1, 7 finished beef animals (HCW 385 ± 8 kg) were harvested with the right sides subjected to normal chilling (2.3°C) approximately 1.25 h postmortem and the left sides subjected to ambient temperature (delay chilling; 22.6°C) for an additional 4.75 h postmortem and then allowed to chill at 2.3°C. Delay chilled carcasses had a more rapid pH decline (P < 0.05) and a slower rate of carcass cooling (P < 0.05). No differences were observed between normally chilled and delay chilled samples for sarcomere length or postmortem proteolysis of troponin T (TnT; P > 0.10). Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was reduced in steaks from normally chilled carcasses at 14 d (P < 0.05), while results indicated a strong, positive correlation between 14-d WBSF and 3-h longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) temperature (r = 0.67, P < 0.01) as well as a strong, negative correlation between 14-d WBSF and 6-h LM pH (r = -0.65, P < 0.02). These results were used to design the methodology for objective 2, where isolated myofibrils were subjected to μ-calpain digestion at 4 or 22°C with either a fast or slow initial pH decline. As expected, digestions with a fast initial pH decline had lower pH values in the early time points of the incubation (P < 0.05). No differences were detected in μ-calpain activity or in the degradation of intact TnT between the fast and slow pH decline treatments (P > 0.10); however, warmer digestions resulted in a tendency for increased activation of μ-calpain (P < 0.10) and a significant reduction in intact TnT (P < 0.05). Additionally, a temperature × time interaction was revealed in μ-calpain activity and in the degradation of intact TnT (P < 0.05). Specifically, assayed calpain activity was lower at 0.17, 0.33, 1, and 3 h and greater at 72 h in warmer digestions, while intact TnT disappearance was greater as both time and digestion temperature increased. Meat aging and μ-calpain activity are influenced by both temperature and pH, but more research is necessary to fully realize their relationships.

Caspase-3 does not enhance in vitro bovine myofibril degradation by μ-calpain

Tenderness is a key component of palatability, which influences consumers' perception of meat quality. There are a variety of factors that contribute to the tenderness of beef carcasses, including postmortem proteolysis. A more complete understanding of this biological mechanism regulating tenderness is needed to ensure consistently tender beef. Numerous reports indicate µ-calpain is primarily responsible for the degradation of proteins postmortem. Meanwhile, it has been shown that caspase-3 can cleave calpastatin, the inhibitor of µ-calpain. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if in vitro degradation of calpastatin by caspase-3 can enhance the postmortem breakdown of myofibrillar proteins by µ-calpain. Bovine semitendinosus muscles were excised from two carcasses 20 min postmortem. Muscle strips were dissected from the semitendinosus, restrained to maintain length, and placed in a neutral buffer containing protease inhibitors. Upon rigor completion, myofibrils were isolated from each strip, and sarcomere length was determined. Samples with similar sarcomere lengths were selected to minimize the effect of sarcomere length on proteolysis. Myofibrils were then incubated at 22°C with either µ-calpain, µ-calpain+calpastatin, µ-calpain+caspase-3+calpastatin, or caspase-3+calpastatin for 0.25, 1, 3, 24, 48, or 72 h at a pH of 6.8. Proteolysis of troponin T (TnT) and calpastatin was evaluated using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting techniques. Analysis of Western blots confirmed significant degradation of calpastatin by caspase-3 (P<0.05). Additionally, Western blots revealed intact calpastatin disappeared rapidly as a result of digestion by µ-calpain. Although caspase-3 did not significantly degrade TnT (P>0.05), all µ-calpain digestion treatments resulted in substantial TnT breakdown (P<0.05). Degradation of TnT did not differ between the µ-calpain+calpastatin and µ-calpain+caspase-3+calpastatin digestions (P>0.05). Results of this study indicate caspase-3 cleavage of calpastatin does not enhance in vitro degradation of TnT by µ-calpain.

Influence of feeding various quantities of wet and dry distillers grains to finishing steers on carcass characteristics, meat quality, retail-case life of ground beef, and fatty acid profile of longissimus muscle

Two hundred forty Angus crossbred steers were used to determine the influence of feeding various quantities of wet and dry distillers grains to finishing steers on carcass characteristics, meat quality, retail-case life of ground beef, and fatty acid profile of LM. Three replications of 5 dietary treatments were randomly applied to 15 pens in each of 2 yr. A finishing diet containing dry-rolled corn, soybean meal, and alfalfa hay was fed as the control diet. Wet distillers grains with solubles (DGS) or dry DGS was added to the finishing diets at either 20.0 or 40.0% of the dietary DM to replace all soybean meal and part of the cracked corn in treatment diets. Carcasses of steers fed DGS had greater (P < 0.05) fat thickness (1.47 vs. 1.28 cm), greater (P < 0.05) USDA yield grades (3.23 vs. 2.94), and smaller (P < 0.05) percentage of yield grades 1 and 2 (41.1 vs. 60.4%) than carcasses of steers fed the control diet. Longissimus muscle from steers fed dry DGS had greater (P < 0.05) ultimate pH values (5.52 vs. 5.49) than LM from steers fed wet DGS. Ground beef from steers fed DGS had greater (P < 0.05) concentrations of α-tocopherol (1.77 vs. 1.43 μg/g) than ground beef from steers fed the control diet. Ground beef from steers fed 40% DGS had greater (P < 0.05) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (2.84 vs. 2.13 mg/kg) on d 2 of retail display than ground beef from steers fed 20% DGS. Longissimus muscle of steers fed DGS had less (P < 0.05) C17:0 and more (P < 0.05) C18:0, C18:1t, C16:1c9, C18:2c9c12 (where t is trans and c is cis), and total PUFA than LM of steers fed the control diet. Feedlot steers fed DGS may need to be marketed earlier than normal to avoid excess external fat and carcasses with a greater numerical yield grade. These data suggest feeding DGS to finishing steers will have no adverse or beneficial effects on glycolytic variables (dark cutters), retail display life of ground beef, or meat tenderness. However, beef from cattle finished on diets containing DGS will likely have a greater proportion of PUFA and therefore may be more susceptible to oxidative rancidity.

Enhancement technology improves palatability of normal and callipyge lambs

The objective of this research was to determine if BPI Processing Technology (BPT) improved palatability of normal (NN) and callipyge (CN) lamb meat and to determine the mechanism by which palatability was improved. Ten ewe and 10 wether lambs of each phenotype were slaughtered, and carcass traits were assessed by a trained evaluator. The LM was removed at 2 d postmortem. Alternating sides served as controls (CON) or were treated with BPT. Muscles designated BPT were injected to a target 120% by weight with a patented solution containing water, ammonium hydroxide, carbon monoxide, and salt. Muscle pH, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS), sarcomere length, cooked moisture retention, and desmin degradation were measured. A trained sensory panel and a take-home consumer panel evaluated LM chops. Callipyge had a heavier BW and HCW, less adjusted fat thickness, reduced yield grades, and greater conformation scores than NN (P < 0.05). For LM, NN had shorter sarcomeres, smaller WBS values, greater juiciness ratings, more off-flavors, reduced consumer ratings for raw characteristics (like of portion size, like of color, like of leanness, overall like of appearance) and greater consumer ratings for eating characteristics (like of juiciness, like of flavor) than CN (P < 0.05). For LM, BPT had greater cooked moisture retention, smaller WBS values, greater juiciness ratings, less off-flavors, and greater consumer ratings for raw characteristics (like of portion size, like of color, overall like of appearance) and eating characteristics (like of juiciness, like of flavor) than CON (P < 0.05). Significant phenotype × treatment interactions occurred for LM muscle pH, desmin degradation, tenderness, consumer like of texture/tenderness, and consumer overall like of eating quality (P < 0.05). For LM, BPT increased muscle pH more for NN than CN (P < 0.01) and increased desmin degradation for NN but decreased desmin degradation for CN (P < 0.01). The BPT enhancement improved LM tenderness ratings for CN more than NN (P < 0.05). For consumer like of texture/tenderness, BPT improved ratings for CN more than NN (P < 0.01). For consumer overall like of eating quality, BPT improved ratings for CN more than NN (P < 0.05). In summary, BPT had little to no effect on sarcomere length and desmin degradation, but improved palatability of NN and CN lamb by increasing cooked moisture retention, improving consumer acceptability of CN to near-normal levels.

Effects of dietary fat and crude protein on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in finishing steers fed differing levels of dried distillers grains with solubles

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary protein and fat from distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality in finishing steers. Angus-cross steers (n = 105; 443 +/- 20 kg of BW) were blocked by BW and randomly assigned to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: 1) corn-based diet with DDGS included at 25% of DM (CON), 2) CON with DDGS included at twice the amount of CON (50% of DM; 50DDGS), 3) CON with added corn protein to equal the CP in the 50DDGS diet (CON+CP), 4) CON with added vegetable oil to equal the fat in the 50DDGS diet (CON+VO), and 5) CON with protein and fat added to equal the CP and fat in the 50DDGS diet (CON+CPVO). Steers were fed to a common 12th-rib fat depth endpoint (1.3 +/- 0.2 cm; 68 to 125 d on trial). Loins and rounds were collected from 44 carcasses for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), ether extract, and case-life analyses. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Contrasts between 1) CON vs. elevated CP diets (50DDGS, CON+CP, and CON+CPVO; EP), 2) CON vs. elevated fat diets (50DDGS, CON+VO, and CON+CPVO; EF) and 3) CON vs. diets with elevated CP and fat (50DDGS and CON+CPVO; EPF) were analyzed. There were no differences in days on feed or DMI among treatments. Steers fed CON had greater ADG (P <or= 0.03) than EP, EF, and EPF diets. Steers fed CON also had greater G:F (P <or= 0.04) than EP and EPF steers. Final BW was greater for CON than EP and EPF diets (P <or= 0.03). Likewise, CON steers had heavier HCW than EPF steers (P = 0.04). Dressing percent, 12th-rib fat depth, LM area, KPH, and yield grade were not affected by treatment (P >or= 0.06). Steers fed the CON diet had greater marbling scores (P <or= 0.03) and quality grades (P <or= 0.02) compared with those fed EP, EF, and EPF diets. There were no differences in WBSF, ether extract, or lipid oxidation due to treatment (P >or= 0.44). However, CON steers had greater (P = 0.02) L* values than EF-fed steers and greater b* values than EP, EF, and EPF steers (P <or= 0.02) during retail display of ground product. Data from this study illustrate that live animal performance, marbling and quality grade, and color stability of ground product during retail display are negatively affected when DDGS are increased from 25 to 50% of the diet DM. This response appears to be due to elevated dietary fat, elevated CP, and a combination of elevated fat and protein within in the diet.

Cutaneous melanocytomas in 10 young cattle

Ten melanocytomas from 10 cattle were diagnosed by histopathologic examination of biopsy specimens submitted to the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Missouri, between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 1993. One tumor was congenital; the others were first noticed between 2 months and 2 years of age (means = 9.9 months). Six tumors occurred in purebred (3) or crossbred (3) Angus cattle; one tumor each occurred in a Holstein, a Shorthorn, a Simmental, and a beef calf of unrecorded breed or coat color. Five calves were female, and five were male. Five tumors occurred in truncal dermis or subcutis (three in abdominal skin), four occurred on a limb, and one occurred on the jaw. Tumors varied in histologic appearance, but all were pigmented and all had few mitotic figures. Outcome was known for 8/10 cattle. In four cattle followed for at least 1 year, the tumor did not recur after surgical excision. Another heifer had residual gray tissue at the tumor site after surgery but remained in the herd without regrowth of the tumor 30 months after excision. Three other calves were slaughtered within 6 months of excision without apparent recurrence of the tumor.

Congenital megalourethra in a male Charolais calf

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Duodenal perforation and abdominal abscess in a cow

A mature Jersey cow developed duodenal perforation and localized abscessation. After failure of a right flank marsupialization procedure, a side-to-side duodenojejunal anastomosis was created. The duodenum distal to the anastomosis was ligated and the original duodenal fistula was closed with chromic gut sutures. The abscess cavity was sutured to the right lateral body wall for drainage, and the cow recovered slowly.

Fatal transesophageal carotid arterial perforation by thorns in a calf

A Charolais bull calf died about 4 days after perforation of the left common carotid artery by thorns of a twig that had become lodged temporarily in the esophagus. The calf initially drooled blood-tinged saliva and drank with difficulty. Necropsy revealed severe anemia and a large volume of blood in the gastrointestinal tract.

Acquired incarcerated inguinal hernia: a review of 13 horses

The case records of 13 horses with acquired incarcerated inguinal hernia in January-August 1983, were reviewed. Nine cases were in stallions. The remaining four involved eventration 5-48 hours following castration. Ages ranged from 1-17 years. Horses showed a variable degree of colic. Bowel was felt to pass through the internal inguinal ring on rectal examination in most cases. The physical features of the scrotum varied considerably. Resection of ischemic jejunum and/or ileum was necessary in three horses. Two horses were euthanized at surgery (one with bilateral ischemic jejunum, one with bowel perforation), and a further horse on day 16 postsurgery following development of multiple adhesions. All stallions were castrated. Follow-up for 6-24 months (mean 12.7) disclosed that all ten discharged horses were alive and healthy (recovery rate 77%).

Survey with follow-up of 67 dogs with testicular sertoli cell tumours

Sixty-seven cases of canine sertoli cell tumour are reviewed. The mean age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (sd +/- 2.1, range 3 to 17). The most commonly affected breeds were boxer, cairn terrier, labrador retriever, border collie, German shepherd and rough collie. The left side was affected in 28 dogs (42 per cent), the right in 35 (52.5 per cent) and both sides in four (6 per cent). Twenty testicles were abdominal (left, seven; right, 13), seven were inguinal (left, four; right, three) and 44 were scrotal (left, 21; right, 23). Hormonal signs were evident in 38 (57 per cent) animals (feminisation with alopecia in 21, symmetrical alopecia alone in 17). Other types of testicular tumours were found in 12 dogs (18 per cent) of this series. Of 42 dogs which were castrated and discharged, 38 were available for follow-up study and survived for between one week and five years. Two of the 15 dogs which were subject to post mortem examination had metastases. Two others which died after failure of remission, or a recurrence of the hormonal changes probably also had metastases. Two of the 25 dogs which were presented initially for other reasons, but had sertoli cell tumours, were found to have metastases post mortem. The boxer, cairn terrier, border collie, Shetland collie and pekingese had a higher risk of sertoli cell tumour than other breeds.

Survey of lameness in British dairy cattle

During 1977 a survey was undertaken by practising veterinary surgeons of the incidence of different lesions causing lameness in dairy cattle. Forty-eight veterinary practices participated and they treated 7526 cases of lameness in 1821 herds. The average incidence of lameness among all cows was 5.5 per cent and the annual incidence among practices ranged from 1.8 to 11.8 per cent. Most lesions (88.3 per cent) occurred in the feet; the commonest were foul of the foot (16.7 per cent), white line abscess (15.6 per cent), sole ulcer (13.6 per cent), punctured sole and pus (10.4 per cent) and underrun heel (8.7 per cent). These proportions varied in different parts of the country. Eighty-four per cent of foot lesions occurred in the hind feet and of these lesions 85 per cent occurred in the outer claw; 42 per cent of foot lesions occurred in abnormally shaped claws. The remaining 11.7 per cent of lesions occurred in the legs and trunk, 76 per cent of which occurred in the hindlimb. Trauma was the main cause of leg lesions, which occurred most frequently in the joints and ligaments.

Visits to European veterinary schools by United Kingdom veterinary school staff

In 1979 a questionnaire was sent to 355 academic staff of the six United Kingdom veterinary schools concerning visits to European veterinary schools, as information was sought by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons on staff mobility. Two hundred and thirty seven (67 per cent) replied. Within the previous five years, 32 per cent of 236 staff had made at least one such visit. A further 15 per cent had visited a school more than five years previously, while 53 per cent had made no visit. The sources of finance were extra-university funds (38 per cent of the visits), home university (28 per cent), host university (15 per cent) and personal funds (18 per cent). The British Council was the most frequent outside source. The reasons given by staff for not having visited a school in the last five years were lack of funds (65 per cent of non-visitors), lack of contacts (48 per cent) and lack of time (47 per cent). Inability to speak a foreign language (27 per cent), lack of interest (8 per cent) and other reasons (14 per cent) were also cited. Twenty nine different schools had been visited by 73 individuals in the last five years, Hanover and Utrecht most frequently. Language fluency of the staff was generally poor. There was overwhelming support for the improvement of the facilities and arrangements for study and teaching visits to veterinary schools in European countries.

Massive scrotal swelling in two unusual cases of canine sertoli-cell tumour

Two cases of Sertoli-cell tumour in dogs in which the presenting sign was a partially reducible scrotal swelling are described. In one animal intravenous extension of the tumour had led to varicosity of the testicular vein while lymphatic extension had resulted in the formation of both sublumbar and intrathoracic growths. In the second animal there was massive hydrocoele and some varicosity of the distal testicular vein and there was again lymphatic spread with tumours in the sublumbar lymph nodes and the spleen. Both animals showed changes considered to be evidence of feminisation.

Comparison of standard chelating agents for acute mercuric chloride poisoning in mice

A comparison in mice has been made of the effectiveness of five chelating agents used clinically for acute mercuric chloride poisoning, or recommended for such use. The compounds examined were N-Acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (NAPA), D-penicillamine (DPA), 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS), and 2,3-dimercaptopropanol-1 (BAL). The test of effectiveness was their ability to reduce the mortality of acute mercuric chloride poisoning when administered 20 minutes after the mercury at chelate:mercury mole ratios of 10, 15, 20, and 30. All except BAL were found to be effective at the highest mole ratio tested, but N-Acetyl-D,L-penicillamine and sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropanesulfonate were significantly more effective than DMSA and BAL at mole ratios of 10:1. The relative effectiveness does not correlate with available data on stability constants. The toxicity of BAL itself becomes apparent at mole ratios of 20:1 and above.

Extramural study experience and practical experience of final year veterinary students of nine European schools

Arrangements for extramural education including "seeing practice" experience in nine European veterinary schools (Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Helsinki, Stockholm, Hannover, Ghent, Toulouse and Vienna) are described. Considerable differences existed between three UK schools, and between them and the Continental schools, where arrangements were usually voluntary. The amount of extramural experience in different types of work was quantified by student questionnaires. An average of 12 weeks' experience in farm practice was gained by 83 per cent of the 339 students, six weeks' small animal work by 48 per cent, four weeks in an abattoir by 43 per cent and other periods in specialised practices, laboratories and veterinary faculties. Practice abroad was experienced by 10 per cent. The total experience of different medical and surgical conditions varied considerably between schools as a result of disease eradication (eg, swine fever in UK), non-occurrence (canine leptospirosis in Sweden and Finland) or the availability of surgical or reproductive material, as well as on other factors.

Demographic studies on final year veterinary students of nine European schools

In 1975 a survey of some aspects of veterinary student selection, background and education as well as intended employment after qualification was conducted in the veterinary schools at Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Helsinki, Stockholm, Hannover, Ghent, Toulouse and Vienna. In all schools student selection was primarily based on academic ability. A numerus clausus existed in six of the nine schools. No sex discrimination in student selection was practised in seven of the nine schools. The proportion of male students in the final year of 1975 ranged from 57 per cent in Glasgow to 97 per cent in Ghent. The parents of the students were predominantly of socioeconomic classes 1 (28 per cent), 2 (38 per cent) or 3 non manual (20 per cent), and no significant differences were found between the UK and the continental schools. Six per cent of the parents were veterinarians while 15 per cent were farmers. The financing by students of their veterinary studies varied markedly between schools. Over 80 per cent of the students wished to go first into general practice, with little tendency, except among UK students, to go into employment abroad first.

Phenotypic intersex (female pseudohermaphroditism) in a dachshund dog

A male miniature rough-haired dachshund, presented with episodic haematuria, was found to be a female pseudohermaphrodite. A littermate also had an abnormality of the urogenital tract and their dam had received a progesterone implant during pregnancy. Chromosome analysis of the intersex revealed XX/XY mosaicism in certain tissues.

Toxicity of chelated mercury

The oral and iv acute toxicities of several mercury chelates were determined in mice in a search for relationships bearing on the effectiveness of various chelating agents in therapy. It was found that the toxicity was independent of the stability constant for the mercury chelate when the toxicity was expressed on a molar basis. For the mercury chelates of sulfhydryl containing chelating agents, the oral toxicity was unexpectedly low, presumably due to the poor absortion of these materials from the G.I. tract. The results suggest that the toxicities of mercury complexes are independent of the stability constant of the complex over the range of stability constant from 10(23) on down, provided chelation does not drastically alter the distribution of the complex in the body.

The relative effectiveness of some chelating agents as antidotes in acute cadmium poisoning

An examination has been made of the relative effectiveness of three chelating agents in reducing lethality in acute cadmium poisoning. The chelating agents used were sodium 2,3 dimercaptosulfonate (DMPS), N-Acetyl d,1 penicillamine (NAPA), and 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). For cadmium acetate administered ip at a level of 16.9 mg/kg, the oral administration of the chelating agents at a 20:1 mole ratio in three doses subsequent to the cadmium acetate at 20 minutes, 90 minutes, and 210 minutes resulted in a significant enhancement of the survival rate for all three compounds. At this level none of the control animals survived beyond 2 days. On the basis of the experiments carried out here the survival rates decreased in the order sodium 2,3 dimercaptopropane-sulfonate greater than 2,3 dimercaptosuccinic acid greater than N-Acetyl d,l penicillamine. In a study of the effect of the mole ratio of the chelating agent sodium 2,3 dimercaptopropanesulfonate to cadmium acetate on the survival rate, it was found that the survival rate attained a maximum for values between 20 and 60 and dropped off at both higher and lower values. It was also found that for at least one set of conditions, younger animals were better able to survive the administration of cadmium acetate and the antidote than older animals.

Lidocaine concentrations associated with intravenous regional anesthesia of the distal limb of cattle

Cannulation for injection of lidocaine HCl was done in 3 distal veins in the hindlimb of 5 young Friesian cattle maintained in a light plane of general anesthesia. The local and systemic plasma and tibiotarsal joint synovial fluid concentrations of lidocaine (British lignocaine) were estimated for 60 minutes after the drug (10 ml, 2% (w/v)) was injected into the veins distal to a tourniquet. The lidocaine concentration in the distal veins was high but variable initially, and fell markedly over the 60 minutes. The systemic circulation always had a low but measurable concentration of lidocaine that became slightly higher in the 5 minutes after tourniquet release. According to the concentrations found, the risk of toxicity of lidocaine by using this technique in clinical practice would appear negligible.

Discrete prostatic (paraprostatic) cysts in the dog

A description is given of the history, clinical features, surgery, outcome and pathology of 12 dogs with discrete prostatic cysts over 50 ml in volume. The dogs were middle-aged and presented with either urinary or alimentary signs or both. The cyst was usually palpable in the posterior abdomen as a smooth, non-painful mass, readily demonstrable on contrast radiography (pneumocystogram). Attempts were made to drain and resect the cysts, but resection often proved difficult due to its attachment to the region of bladder neck and ureters. In no case could the origin be shown to be from an enlarged uterus masculinus. The cyst content was invariably sterile, but its nature and the pathology of the cyst wall varied considerably between individuals. Since the long-term outcome was only satisfactory in three cases, the prognosis must be guarded.

Hip dysplasia in beef cattle

A bilateral hip lameness has been found in young beef bulls of the Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Galloway and Charolais breeds in the United Kingdom, North America and Australia. The incidence is usually small and sporadic, but up to half of the male animals on one farm may be affected clinically by the time they are one year old. Clinical lameness begins at three months to two years old, and very occasionally up to three years of age; some calves are obviously affected at birth. Aberdeen Angus cattle tend to be affected earlier than other breeds. Clinical evidence of the condition is almost entirely confined to the male.

Lower urinary tract pathogens in the dog and their sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents

Ninety-six urine samples were collected by a sterile technique from 75 dogs affected with urinary tract disease (cystitis, urolithiasis, prostatitis, etc) involving bacteruria. The infecting organisms were isolated and tested against sensitivity discs (penicillin G, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, sulphamethoxazole/trimethaprin and Sulphatriad). The commonest isolate was Escherichia coli, which was generally sensitive to several agents, though in eight cases it was resistant to all drugs. Next in order were Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus spp. A double infection was present in 11 cases. Further data give a breakdown for sex and the clinical diagnosis, neither of which was related to any particular organism.

Slaughterhouse condemnations for hind leg disease in cattle

Hindlimb condemnations occurred in 0-11 per cent (194/173,580) of all cattle at a large Scottish slaughterhouse over a 22-month period. Cows and bulls were more frequently involved than steers or heifers. Gross pathology, studied in 42 cattle (21 per cent of the total condemned), revealed osteoarthritis of the stifle and hip respectively in 19 and 16 cases. The traumatic lesions included meniscal damage, anterior and other ligamentous rupture. The UK loss from such condemnation is estimated at over pounds200,000 in January 1977.