Study on gastrointestinal parasitic infections of Raeini goats

Raeini breed is the most productive Cashmere goat in Iran. Helminthes infections cause major economic losses globally to the livestock industries and farming communities. The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal prevalence and intensity of Eimeria and gastrointestinal helminth parasitic infections in Raeini goats in Iran. A total of 438 faecal samples were randomly taken from clinically healthy goats in Raeini Goats Research Center of Iran. Faecal samples were collected from each goat once and eggs per gram of faeces [EPG] and faecal oocysts counts [OPG] were estimated using the modified McMaster technique. Oocysts were found in 391 [89.27%] goats. Five species of Eimeria including, E. arloingi, E. parva, E. ninakohlyakimovae, E. christenseni, E. faorei and one Eimeria spp were identified in faecal samples. E. arloingi [92.07%] predominated in all categories and was followed by E. parva, E. ninakohlyakimovae and E. christenseni. Trichuris spp. egg was the only nematode egg which was found in 196 [44.75%] faecal samples. The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes infections during autumn and winter were significantly higher than summer [P<0.05]. The association between the prevalence of Eimeria oocysts and gastrointestinal nematode infection and the age or sex categories was not significant [P>0.05]

Hypospadias in goats

Hypospadias is an uncommon congenital defect of urinary tract in farm animals. This defect has been recorded rarely in calves, lambs and foals in the world. The aetiology of hypospadias is not well understood, it seems to be multifactorial and may be related to genetic, endocrinological, and environmental factors. During April to October 2007, twenty-four goat kids with sings of hypospadias were referred to the Veterinary Hospital of Kerman University, Iran. The age of patients ranged from one week to three months old. Penile and testicular hypoplasia were observed in all of them. In one case, ectopic penis [between anus and scrotum] was found. In one goat, opening of the urethra was located in the scrotal region and in the others it was in the penile position. Urine had leaked into the subcutaneous tissue of the ventral abdominal wall and prepuce but the skin of the swollen area was normal and no signs of urine scalding were visible. For the treatment of patients, penile urethrostomy at the proximal region of the defect was performed by suturing the urethral epithelium to the skin with 3-0 nylon sutures in a simple interrupted pattern. There was no complaint about postoperative complications from goat's owners

Serological study of bovine viral respiratory diseases in dairy herds in Kerman province, Iran

Respiratory disorders are major concern for dairy cattle industry. Viruses and bacteria in combination with stress play a key role in triggering acute respiratory infections. The most important viral agents are bovine viral diarrhoea virus [BVDV], bovine herpes virus type 1 [BHV-1], bovine respiratory syncytial virus [BRSV], parainfluenza virus type 3 [PIV-3] and bovine adenovirus [BAV]. This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the serological status of BVDV, BHV-1, BRSV, PIV-3 and BAV in dairy herds in Kerman province, Iran. From June to November 2007, 181 serum samples were collected from 1-3-year-old cattle from 15 industrial dairy farms in Kerman province using cluster sampling. The samples were tested by commercial indirect ELISA kits. Antibodies were detected against BVDV, BHV-1, BRSV, PIV-3 and BAV in 77.90, 30.39, 100, 100 and 100% of serum samples, respectively. All farms were positive at least for one of these viruses and antibodies against all the 5 viruses were detected in 4 [26.66%] herds among 15 dairy farms. According to the present study, BVDV, BRSV, PIV-3 and BAV are common viruses in dairy herds in Kerman province