Effect of Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT) on death due to ascites in broilers.

The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of Poultry Litter Treatment (PLT) on levels of litter moisture, litter nitrogen, atmospheric ammonia, and death due to ascites. Data were collected from chicks raised in containment conditions that resembled commercial settings. The ascites death rate (5.9%) in broiler chicks on PLT-treated litter was significantly (chi 2 = 15.5, df = 1, P = 0.0001) lower than that (31.5%) in broiler chicks raised on untreated litter. Likewise, atmospheric ammonia levels in pens that had been treated with PLT were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in pens that received no treatment. Under the conditions of the present study, litter moisture and litter nitrogen levels were not different (P > 0.05) among treatments at any sample interval.

Effect of Poultry Litter Treatment(R) (PLT(R)) on the development of respiratory tract lesions in broilers.

In previous studies, Poultry Litter Treatment(R) (PLT(R)) was shown to reduce atmospheric ammonia levels and ascites death rates, and produce higher profit value in broiler chickens. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of PLT(R) on atmospheric ammonia levels, the development of respiratory tract lesions, and body weight gains in broiler chickens. Data were collected from chicks that were raised in containment conditions that resembled commercial settings. Atmospheric ammonia levels, gross thoracic air sac lesion scores, and the numbers and magnitudes of histopathologic tracheal mucosal injuries were significantly (P = 0.001) reduced in chickens that were raised on PLT(R)-treated litter than in their untreated-litter control counterparts. In addition, mean body weights and lung:body weight ratios were significantly (P < 0.03) larger in broilers that were raised on treated litter. The reductions in respiratory tract lesions among broilers raised on PLT(R)-treated litter were attributed to reductions in atmospheric ammonia levels.

[Cardioxane in pediatric oncohematology]. / Kardioksan v detskoi onkogematologii.

The tolerance of cardioxan (JCRF-187, dexrazoxan), an ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid analog and a Chiron Company product, administered to pediatric oncohematological patients, is discussed. The drug was used in 37 cases of acute lymphoblastic and non-lymphoblastic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease treated by polychemotherapy including anthracycline antibiotics administration. No untoward side-effects or inhibition of the therapeutic effect were observed.

Effect of sodium bisulfate on ammonia concentration, fly population, and manure pH in a horse barn.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of altering the pH of manure with sodium bisulfate, thereby decreasing ammonia concentration and fly population in a horse barn environment. ANIMALS: 4 mixed-breed pony stallions. PROCEDURE: The 4-week study was scheduled with 2 weeks of treatment (with 2 application rates) and 2 weeks with no treatment (control weeks). During treatment weeks, sodium bisulfate was applied daily to the top of the bedding and straw, then spread on top. Ponies were kept in the stalls 24 hours a day during the 7-day test period and stall cleaning was not done. On day 7 of each week, ammonia concentration, manure pH, number of flies on a fly tape, and fly-evasive behavior patterns were determined. RESULTS: Sodium bisulfate applied to the horse stall environment daily of either 2.3 or 4.5 kg/9.3 m2 (5 or 10lb/ 100 ft2) decreased ammonia concentration, manure pH, and number of flies in the stall environment, compared with a control period with no sodium bisulfate. Fly-evasive behavior patterns of ponies occupying the stalls, including tail swishes, head tosses, and kicks/strikes, were decreased during the period of sodium bisulfate application. CONCLUSION: Sodium bisulfate may be an effective method of decreasing ammonia concentration and may serve as a method of fly control in horse barns.

Postmortem findings of ostriches submitted to the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

A review of 121 ostrich necropsies from the files at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory was conducted. The birds ranged in age from unhatched embryos to 4 years; the majority were less than 3 weeks old. The most common cause of death was ostrich chick fading syndrome (OCFS). OCFS is characterized by depression, anorexia, and death 3-5 days after onset of clinical signs in ostriches less than 3 weeks old. Escherichia coli and/or Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from various organs in these cases, and mortality ranged from 40% to 100%. Other conditions observed were edema in chicks associated with high incubator humidity levels, aspergillosis, leg deformities, and impaction of the proventriculus.