[Pathophysiological significance of steatorrhea as well as of hydroxystearic acids in the feces of calves with diarrhea]. / Pathophysiologische Bedeutung von Steatorrhoe sowie von Hydroxystearinsäuren im Kot von Durchfallkälbern.

UNLABELLED: The objective of this study was to determine the digestibility of milk lipids in calves with diarrhoea, the pathophysiological effects of fat intake on the course of the disease and the conversion of malabsorbed longchain fatty acids to secretory effective hydroxy fatty acids by the intestinal flora. ANIMALS: 32 male calves of the breed "Deutsches Fleckvieh" with spontaneous occurring diarrhoea, age 3-14 days. Reference group: 6 clinically healthy calves of the same age group. Feed: whole milk, daily ration corresponding to 10% of the BM, divided into 3 meals; supplementary oral rehydration solution as required. METHODS: Quantitative collection of the faeces excreted over a period of at least 72 hours, determination of fatty acids and glycerides, identification and quantification of hydroxystearic acids in the faeces by gas chromatography; calculation of the apparent digestibility of the milk lipids. RESULTS: The apparent digestibility of the milk lipids was in part considerably reduced in direct relation (r = 0.8) to the severity of the diarrhoea. In the case of daily fecal outputs of over 50 g/kg BM (watery diarrhoea), the apparent fat digestibility was reduced below 50%. Even so, the apparent digestibility correlated positively with the milk intake (r = 0.5). The fat excretion in the patients showed an average of 1.4 g/kg BM/24 h and was thus nearly nine times higher in comparison to the reference group (0.16 g/kg BM/24 h). In the case of severe diarrhoea, fat excretion rates of over 2 (up to max. 5.8) g/kg BM in 24 hours were recorded. However, in the main (approx. 70%) it was not glycerides but nonesterified fatty acids. A part of the longchain fatty acids were converted to hydroxy fatty acids by the intestinal flora. It was possible to quantify alpha-, 10(9)- and 12-hydroxystearic acids individually in the faeces of both healthy calves and those with diarrhoea. However, the total concentration of hydroxystearic acids in the faces of 26 out of 32 patients was considerably under the secretory effective concentration of 2 mmol/kg (mean = 1.5 mmol/kg), the other six lay between 2.9 and 11.6 mmol/kg. Only a weakly positive correlation (r = 0.23 or 0.24) existed between the amount of milk intake and the fecal concentration resp. excretion of hydroxystearic acids. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence that the consumption of milk lipids influenced the diarrhoea negatively. In individual cases, it could not be completely excluded that fluid and electrolyte absorption was affected by hydroxystearic acids produced in the intestine, but the quantitative effects of this process are of minor significance in comparison to other diarrhoea inducing factors.

[Case report: photosensitization followed by chronic exungulation in cattle]. / Photosensibilitätsreaktion gefolgt von chronischem Ausschuhen beim Rind.

Isolated cases of photosensitization in grazing cattle are observed in a greenland district of North West Germany close to the North Sea. With adequate treatment the disease usually takes a benign course. Sometimes, however, also the claws are involved in the disease process with the consequence that the photodermatitis later on is followed by chronic exungulation. Details of a respective case are described and documented by pictures: A non-pregnant heifer (age 2 years) was falling sick with acute photodermatitis and Pododermatitis/-dermatosis coronaria aseptica in late autumn (November). After treatment and housing of the patient the acute symptoms (dermatitis, lameness) subsided. About 3 months later deep horizontal circular fissures of the horn wall about 2 cm beneath the coronary band could be observed in all 8 claws - the beginning of chronic exungulation. Subsequently the distally growing "old" horn-capsulars became progressively smaller and movable. The patient, being again on pasture (on soft ground) in the next grazing season, showed recurring lameness. The lameness could be improved by repeated cutting of the horn-wall at the tip of the claws. The "new horn-shoes" had normal conformation and full weightbearing capacity. The heifer calved in September; her milkproduction was in the average of 3 years 9.428 kg. The cause of the photosensitization could not be identified.

[Enzootic calcinosis in sheep after consumption of golden oat grass (Trisetum flavescens L., P. B.)]. / Enzootische Kalzinose beim Schaf nach Verzehr von Goldhafer (Trisetum flavescens L., P. B.).

In 12 sheep (Coburger Fuchsschaf; 10 female, 1 male, 1 wether), grazing on a pasture with approximately 20 (to 40)% golden oat grass and fed the respective hay, clinical findings and outcome of Trisetum flavescens induced calcinosis were controlled for 2 1/2 years. Besides lameness typical for calcinosis (slightly bent carpus and relatively stretched position of tarsal and fetlock joints when standing, 'kneeling' on the carpi) the patients showed increasing impairment of the circulatory and respiratory systems (holosystolic endocardial murmur, congestion, exspiratory dyspnoea etc.). 4 of the 12 sheep died (2) or had to be euthanatized (2) because of peracute heart failure; 5 patients showing chronic circulatory insufficiency as well as 1 animal suffering from severe lameness had likewise to be euthanatized (Ubersicht 1-3). One calcinotic ewe (No. 12), still alive at the time of this evaluation (2003), gave birth to 2 healthy lambs and nursed them. The ram (No. 5) had to be eliminated for another disease. The mostly severe calcifications of the cardiac valves, the endocardium and the arterial vessels as observed during the pathomorphological examination are consistent with the clinically diagnosed cardiovascular insufficiency. Furthermore, calcification of several tendons and ligaments, the kidneys and in 3 cases of the pulmonary parenchyma could be found. Clinical observations and post mortem findings showed a remarkable individual variation. Compared to calcinosis in cattle, in sheep the functional disturbance of the circulatory system was striking.

[Bile acid concentrations in serum, bile and feces of healthy calves and calves with diarrhea]. / Untersuchungen über die Gallensäuren-Konzentrationen in Serum, Galle und Fäzes bei gesunden und bei durchfallkranken Kälbern.

On 32 calves (age 3 to 14 days) with spontaneously occurring diarrhoea, the following investigations were carried out: Regular examination of serum bile acid concentrations, collection of the entire faeces with determination of bile acid concentrations, as well as microbiological examinations. Six clinically healthy calves served as control group. In addition, bile acids in bile were determined in 16 other calves of the same age group and in 6 beef bulls. There was no significant influence of daytime or feed intake on serum bile acid concentration in diarrhoeic or healthy calves. Possibly due to the low concentrations of bile acids in the bile of young calves (4.8 +/- 3.7 mmol/l, compared to 57 +/- 13 mmol/l in the bulls), the concentrations in faeces were also rather low (control group 623 +/- 92, calves with diarrhoea 318 +/- 277, after diarrhoea. 794 +/- 935 mumol/kg). Most of it was cholic acid, whereas only traces of desoxycholic acid were found. In spite of the comparatively low concentrations of fecal bile acids, the diarrhoeic calves excreted larger amounts of bile acids than the healthy calves (12.7 +/- 13.5 vs. 1.4 +/- 0.8 mumol/kg), but this was independent of the type of enteropathogen or pathogen combinations which were detected. There were no indications for a direct influence of the diarrhoea by bile acids. However, through enteral bile acid losses, profuse diarrhoea lasting several days can cause a reduction in the total bile acid pool.

[Cecal intussusception in calves]. / Blinddarminvaginationen beim Kalb.

Among the patients admitted to the II. Medical Animal Clinic of the University of Munich from 1986 through 1994, there were 51 calves at an age of up to three months with intussusceptions in the caecal region. The following forms were observed: caecocaecal (n = 12), caecocolic (n = 22), ileocaecocolic (n = 6), ileocaecal (n = 8), and jejunoileocolic (n = 3). In 40 cases, the intussusception occurred in the course of diarrheal disease. The most important signs were scant faeces, that often contained blood and/or mucus, and the finding of a hard viscus upon abdominal palpation. Colic was observed in 27% of patients. In 18 cases, surgical intervention was not attempted because of the advanced stage of the disease or severe accompanying disease. From the remaining 33 calves, eight were cured. The others were either destroyed or died because of extensive peritonitis or other diseases. This report is to draw attention to the fact that (caecal) intussusception should be considered in diarrheal calves when faecal output decreases suddenly, and the general state deteriorates.

[Abomasal ulcers in calves: clinical investigations and experiences]. / Labmagengeschwüre beim Kalb: klinische Untersuchungen und Erfahrungen.

Observations and experiences as well as results of clinical investigations in 364 calves with clinically apparent abomasal ulcers (bleeding 28, deep 37, perforating 299) are communicated. The anamnestic data, evaluated systematically, allow to conclude, that influences of the feeding regime, in particular faults during the early weaning period, play an important role in the multifactorial etiology. Furthermore, symptoms, diagnosis and differential diagnosis as well as treatment and prevention are described. The various localizations (and ways) of perforating abomasal ulcers are demonstrated by schematic representations and by the respective findings at operation or at necropsy.

Evaluation of liver function tests in neonatal calves.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of tests for hepatic disease in young calves. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. ANIMALS: 28 clinically normal calves and 47 calves with histologically proven hepatic disease. PROCEDURE: Liver function tests and serum activity of liver-derived enzymes were determined on 28 clinically normal calves at birth and at 2 weeks of age. These values were compared with the results from 47 calves with hepatic disease verified by histologic examination. Upper limit of confidence interval was determined for the results on the clinically normal calves, and Student's t-test was used to identify significant differences in the data from calves of various age-groups. RESULTS: None of the results of the common tests for liver damage or function (measurement of bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase [GMD], alkaline phosphatase, L-lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, or alanine transaminase) were clinically useful when used alone for detection of hepatic disease in calves less than 6 weeks old. Sensitivity of gamma-glutamyltransferase, GMD, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase as indicators of hepatic disease in this population of calves was 0, 59, 80, and 9%, respectively. Direct bilirubin (sensitivity, 87%) was more sensitive than total bilirubin (sensitivity, 66%). Serum enzyme activity of most enzymes (P < 0.01), total bilirubin concentration (P < 0.001), and sulfobromophthalein sodium clearance half-life were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in newborn calves than in 2-week-old calves. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Clinical findings that indicate hepatic disease in calves that are less than 6 weeks old could be confirmed by measurement of serum activity of GMD or concentrations of total serum bile acids or direct bilirubin. Percutaneous liver biopsy may still be needed and may provide the most information.

[Bovine progressive degenerative myeloencephalopathy ("Weaver syndrome") in brown Swiss x Braunvieh cattle: reproductive occurrences, results of embryo transfer]. / Bovine progressive degenerative Myeloenzephalopathie ("Weaver-Syndrom") bei Brown Swiss x Braunvieh-Rindern: Fortpflanzungsgeschehen, Embryotransfer-Ergebnisse.

In the time between 1989 and 1991 seven Brown Swiss heifers, which had clinical signs of the Weaver syndrome were kept at the Bavarian Institute of Animal Breeding in Grub. This was in order to investigate this hereditary trait further. The number of animals carrying this genetic defect was increased by means of embryo transfer. Both cycle observations and ovary controls by means of rectal palpation resulted largely in physiological data and findings. All seven animals responded to superovulation treatment which was induced by sequential doses of p-FSH (32 mg) or of a single dose of 2,000 IU PMSG. The donors were flushed a total of 32 times without problem. On average 5.3 ova were recovered, 2.8 of which were viable and suitable for transfer. These are statistically only 50% of the normal value in a routine ET programme. Following the transfer of fresh and frozen embryos the pregnancy rate was 53%. There was only one abortion observed from 48 pregnancies.

A new quick-test for semiquantitative determination of beta-hydroxybutyric acid in bovine milk.

A new test strip for semiquantitative determination of beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB) in bovine milk has been tested in experimental investigations in three lactating cows. After intraruminal administration of butyric acid, the following parameters were determined during 7 hours: milk concentrations of BHB (quantitatively and semiquantitatively) and acetone (quantitatively), BHB concentration in blood and urine (quantitatively), acetone + acetic acid concentration in urine (semiquantitatively). The new quick-test proved to be highly sensitive and even subclinical or physiological levels of BHB in milk could be determined. It seems to be suitable not only for the diagnosis of clinically manifest ketosis in dairy cows, but also for the control of the energy metabolism on a herd basis and as an indicator of ketogenic feedstuffs in the ration.

Spinal dysmyelination in new-born brown Swiss x Braunvieh calves.

In four new-born Braunvieh calves suffering from connate recumbency and body tremor, a hitherto not described myelination disorder of the spinal cord was examined. Bilateral symmetric hypo- as well as demyelination in several spinal tracts were the most conspicuous findings, affecting the ascending gracile funiculus, the ascending dorsolateral spinocerebellar tract, and the mainly descending sulcomarginal tract. Deficient myelin production, loss of myelin, consecutive axonal degenerations, and prominent astrogliosis within these tracts were the histological hallmarks of the disease. This possibly inherited primary myelination disorder of the spinal cord differs markedly from known hereditary neurological diseases in Brown Swiss and Braunvieh cattle, respectively, i.e. the weaver-syndrome and the spinal muscular atrophy.

[Spinal muscle atrophy in Brown Swiss x Braunvieh cross calves]. / Spinale Muskelatrophie (SMA) bei Kälbern aus Brown Swiss x Braunvieh-Kreuzungen.

The report describes seven SMA-cases in descendents of crossbreeds of American Brown Swiss x Deutsches Braunvieh. Symptoms and course: After initially normal development of the calves for one to six weeks the disease set in suddenly followed by a rapid lethal course of one to one and a half weeks duration due to asphyxia and/or secondary diseases. Only one case was reported having been sick since birth (?). Characteristic signs were rapidly progressing muscular atrophy, paresis and paralysis of the limbs, the trunk and the diaphragm, usually accompanied by progressive dyspnoea. Signs of congenital neuromyodysplasia (arthrogryposis) of different degree were present in four of the seven calves. Six calves had contracted a secondary pneumonia. Blood gas analysis (6/7) revealed a compensated (1x) or decompensated (4x) respiratory acidosis. Neurohistological findings: Degeneration and loss of motor neurons in the ventral horns of the spinal cord and neurogenic muscular atrophy. Immunohistochemistry revealed a pronounced accumulation of type 200 kD-neurofilaments in perikarya and dendrites of ventral horn motoneurons indicating disturbed mechanisms of the axonal transport. The disease seems to be inherited as a recessive trait.

[Preparatory feeding of the dry stage cow in regard to nutritional condition and the status of the rumen mucosa and rumen flora at calving]. / Vorbereitungsfütterung der trockenstehenden Kuh im Hinblick auf Ernährungszustand und Status von Pansenschleimhaut und Pansenflora bei der Kalbung.

Excessive fat deposition prior to calving and a negative energy balance post partum predispose the high producing cow for an intensive postpartal lipolysis and for the health problems resulting thereof. It was postulated that a well proliferated ruminal mucosa at the beginning of lactation could improve the energy supply by stabilizing the pH of the rumen content with energy rich feed and by providing a high absorption capacity for volatile fatty acids. Results of earlier experiments dealing with this problem are reviewed. Furthermore there is described a pilot experiment with 9 dry cows, which was directed to stimulate rumen mucosa growth ante partum by a low energy ration (roughage) during the first half of the dry period and a high energy ration during the last 3 to 4 weeks prior to calving, without inducing a fat cow. The ruminal mucosa reacted to that feeding regimen as expected and desired. The body weight of 3 cows in moderate and 4 cows in medium body condition increased by 7.2% or 3% during 8 to 11 or 7 to 9 weeks respectively. One of two fat cows lost 4.9% of her body weight within 8 to 9 weeks while the condition of the second animal remained unchanged. No problems were observed at calving. A further progress is expected by feeding the dry cows in two groups with different rations according to their body condition at the end of lactation. Results of experiments as well as practical experiences show that no more than 8 to 10 days are necessary to adapt the ruminal flora to a mixed ration (roughage + concentrates).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Enzootic otitis in a herd of calves]. / Otitis-Enzootie in einem Kälberbestand.

Following an outbreak of enzootic bronchopneumonia, 15 out of 19 calves of one herd were affected by uni- or bilateral otitis media. The animals (aged four days to nine weeks) were housed in individual boxes. Type and distribution of concurrent diseases as well as the symptoms indicative of otitis are listed in two tables; two other tables give the results of the bacteriological examinations of aural and nasal swabs taken before and during treatment. In order to cure otitis media, systemic as well as simultaneous local treatments are necessary. The application of oily suspensions of antibiotics into the auditory canal cannot be recommended. Twelve of the 15 sick calves recovered.

[Field studies of the effect of sperm motility and morphology on the fertility of boars used for insemination]. / Spermienmotilität und -morphologie in ihrer Auswirkung auf die Fruchtbarkeit von Besamungsebern in Feldversuchen.

Based on 2127 first services in a field trial, the influence of sperm motility and morphology on the fertility of ten AI boars was investigated using semen stored for three and five days. Depending on sperm morphology the farrowing rate differed by up to 31% and the litter size differed by up to 3.4 piglets. Sperm motility and morphology are useful parameters in selecting sires for AI, especially in the case of inseminations with semen stored long-term.

[Rapid diagnosis of botulism in cattle using heated microcomplement fixation reactions]. / Schnelldiagnose des Botulismus beim Rind mittels Mikro-Wärmekomplementbindungsreaktion.

Clostridium botulinum toxin, type C, could be demonstrated by means of temperature induced microcomplement fixation in blood serum and in aspirated rumen fluid of cattle suffering from botulism. The results were already available after seven hours. Botulinum toxin likewise could be identified from hair of a suspicious carcass. The investigations confirm the high sensitivity of this method.

[Uterine perforation following an experiment in the correction of a uterine torsion in the 5th month of pregnancy. Illustrated report]. / Uterusperforation nach Retorsionsversuch bei einer Torsio uteri im 5. Monat der Trächtigkeit. Bildbericht.

In this case report a perforation of the uterus in a German Black Pied cow after correction of the uterine torsion in the 5th month of gestation is described. Because of the hopeless prognosis, the cow was slaughtered. An additional finding was a metaplastic keratinization of the chorionic epithelium in the form of a plaque. The reason and pathogenic meaning of this metaplasia is not known. In the discussion, therapy of the uterine torsion in such an early state of gestation is critically considered.

[Infection-limited disease factors in cattle]. / Infektionsbedingte Faktorenkrankheiten beim Rind.

The following infectious diseases of cattle can be included in the group of the so-called infectious 'factors disease': certain respiratory diseases, in particular enzootic bronchopneumonia (EBP, 'shipping fever'), trichophytia, some parasitic skin diseases and internal parasitoses, certain types of calf enteritis, special forms of mastitis and of genital infections and possibly others. As is discussed in the paper EBP is a typical multifactorial infectious disease in cattle. The role of Pasteurella spp. in the pathogenesis of EBP is shown on the basis of recent investigations in young beef cattle. When performing research on such diseases there arises the following difficulty: for biological, technical and financial reasons it is hardly possible to test the whole spectrum of the viral and bacterial germs presumably involved as well as the whole complex of influencing factors in the animal and in its environment. Such restrictions therefore reduce the value of clinical or experimental studies. Nevertheless, the systematic investigations of such factors which possibly are significant, have proven useful. Some examples are mentioned.

[Dysfunction of the esophageal groove ("ruminal drinking") as a complication of neonatal diarrhea in the calf]. / Dysfunktion der Schlundrinne ("Pansentrinken") als Komplikation der Neugeborenendiarrhö beim Kalb.

It is well documented that the induction of the oesophageal groove reflex in the milk fed calf depends on certain prerequisites: The fluid drunk by the calf must come into contact with the receptors located in the pharynx, it must be consumed voluntarily by the animal without undue disturbances, it should have no offensive smell or taste and the general status of the calf should not be disturbed. When those conditions are not met the oesophageal groove closes incompletely or not at all and the milk flows into the reticulo-rumen. If the milk or any other nutrient solution remains there for a sufficient period of time, the nutrients it contains are subjected to bacterial breakdown. In a study including 249 calves (age less than 14 days) suffering from enteritis catarrhalis acuta it could be demonstrated that no closure of the oesophageal groove occurred in 11.2% of the patients; 11 calves of that group died. The same was probably true for a further 11.8% of the diarrheic calves; 12 of them died. In 37 ruminal drinkers, suffering from neonatal diarrhea (n = 30) or another primary disease (n = 7) the acid status of the rumen fluid could be examined several times. According to the analyses the following types of fermentation could be distinguished: --predominant butyric acid fermentation; --predominant lactic acid fermentation; --"biphasic type": predominant lactic acid fermentation changes to predominant butyric acid fermentation or vice versa. In the milk fed calf suffering from neonatal diarrhea, dysfunction of the oesophageal groove reflex (ruminal drinking) with its consequences (rumen acidosis, dyskeratosis of the ruminal mucosa) can result in a fatal outcome.