ABSTRACT
Twenty Holstein calves were used to investigate the effects of mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) supplementation in the whole milk on growth performance, faecal score, faecal pH, selected faecal bacterial populations and health during the preweaning period. Healthy calves selected by clinical examination were allocated to one of the two groups (control [CG] and experimental [EG]) at 5 days old. Each group consisted of 5 male and 5 female calves. Each calf in EG was supplemented with 7 g/d of a MOS product (Celmanax) from 5 days to 56 days of age. MOS supplement was mixed with the whole milk once in the morning and administered to the calves in EG via nipple bottle, whereas the calves in CG were fed the whole milk without MOS. Calves were weaned at 56 days of age. The final body weight, average daily weight gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were statistically similar (p>0.05) but were higher by 3.70%, 6.66%, and 10.97%, respectively, in MOS than in control calves. Feed efficiency (ADG/ADFI) was also similar in two calves group. While faecal scores did not differ on day 5, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, 49, and 56 between groups, EG had a higher faecal score (p = 0.05) than CG on day 35. Faecal concentration of Lactobacillus was lower (p<0.05) in EG compared with CG. No differences (p>0.05) in faecal concentrations of Bifidobacterium, Clostridium perfringens, and Escherichia coli were found between groups. Although there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the incidence of diarrhoea, treatment days for diarrhoea and the costs associated with diarrhoea treatments between groups, collectively, the observed reductions in treatment days and the cost of diarrhoea treatments accompanying increases in final body weight, ADG and ADFI for EG may indicate potential benefit of MOS in treatment of diarrhoea.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical efficacy of subconjunctival injection of clindamycin in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). ANIMALS STUDIED: Clinically, out of 81 animals examined, 46 were found to be suffering from IBK of variable severity. The ocular secretions were collected and cultured for Moraxella bovis. The study included 36 Holstein cattle from which M. Bovis was isolated. These animals ranged between 4 and 28 months of age. PROCEDURES: The severity of the clinical findings were scored as normal, mild, moderate, and severe. Clindamycin was injected subconjunctivally at a total dose of 150 mg (1 mL), once daily for 3 days to the test group (n = 18); isotonic saline solution (1 mL) was administered to the control group. After treatment, all cattle were re-examined and clinical response was evaluated on days 3, 7 and 15 post-treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control group and prior to treatment, all active lesions such as blepharospasm, epiphora, photophobia, chemosis, corneal edema, and corneal ulceration were generally resolved by day 15 after subconjunctival injection of clindamycin. Severity of IBK lesions increased on days 3 and 7, compared to baseline in the control group administered isotonic saline solution. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that subconjunctival injection of clindamycin is effective in the treatment of naturally occurring infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.
