Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research
Volume:9 Issue: 2, Spring 2008

Forty eight 8-month-old male goats were divided into three groups. In each group, eight goats were feed-restricted for 45, 60 or 75 days, and eight goats served as the control. Restricted groups were fed with a maintenance ration, and the control goats were fed with a ration supporting 50 g of daily weight gain. At the end of restriction period, the restricted goats were offered the same ration as the control goats. When the average weight of the 75-day restricted goats approached that of the control, the goats were slaughtered. The carcass, several organs, carcass cuts and dissectible (trimmed) fat were weighed, and the chemical composition of the meat was determined. Feed restriction decreased the proportion in live weight of the dissectible fat, internal fat, liver and testis weight, meat dry matter and fat content, but the proportion of intestinal and splenic weights, and meat protein content were increased. Re-alimentation after 75 days of restriction was associated with a greater daily gain and less internal fat. Other measurements were not different from the control. Data showed that 8-month-old native kids are capable of considerable compensatory growth after 75 days of feed restriction without any deleterious effect on carcass composition.

The pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin following its single intramuscular administration (3 mg/kg) was investigated in six male buffalo calves. Peak plasma level of 2.95 ± 0.13 mg/ml was observed at 1 h and the drug level above MIC90 in plasma was detected up to 12 h of administration. The bioavailability was 68.1 ± 5.4% and levofloxacin was bound to the plasma proteins to the extent of 19.1 ± 1.5%. High values of AUC (8.81 ± 0.37 mg.h/ml) and Vdarea (1.06 ± 0.04 L/kg) reflected a vast area of body covered by drug concentration and appropriate penetration of levofloxacin into various body fluids and tissues. The elimination half-life and mean residence time were 3.27 ± 0.31 h and 5.4 ± 0.59 h, respectively. The total body clearance was 343.2 ± 14.1 ml/kg/h. An appropriate intramuscular dosage regimen for levofloxacin in buffalo calves would be 1.7 mg/kg repeated at 12-h intervals.

The present investigation was performed to determine the effect of long-term administration of sodium selenite on the biochemical indices and concentration of thyroid hormones in calves. Sodium selenite solution was drenched at 0.1 and 0.25 mg per kg body weight for 12 weeks. Higher dose produced characteristic symptoms of selenosis whereas mild symptoms were observed with lower dose. The toxic symptoms appeared when blood selenium level was 1.68 ± 0.13 mg per ml. There was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the activities of the aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in the treated animals. The repeated administration of sodium selenite resulted in a significant p-value decline in thyroxine levels on the 10th week and increase in triiodothyronine on the 8th week of treatment. The findings of the present study suggested that sodium selenite induced selenosis alters thyroid hormone levels in plasma.

The genus Campylobacter is of great importance to public health because it includes several species that may cause diarrhoea. Poultry and poultry products are known as important sources of human campylobacteriosis. In this study, during the autumn months of 2005, a total of 100 samples from poultry carcasses, representing 20 broiler flocks were obtained by rinse test, after the chilling stage of processing. The samples were enriched in Preston broth, followed by streaking on selective media. Then, the suspected colonies were isolated on sheep blood agar and tested for morphology, motility and Gram-staining. Biochemical tests and hippurate hydrolysis activity were also performed. Concurrently, a multiplex PCR assay (m-PCR) with two sets of primers was employed for identification of Campylobacter genus and Campylobacter coli. The m-PCR assay was applied on bacterial cultures harvested from selective media plates. By conventional culture method, including hippurate hydrolysis test from suspected colonies, 76% of samples were positive for Campylobacter spp. and 2% for C. coli. In m-PCR assay 28% of the harvested cultures, were positive for Campylobacter genus but C. coli were not detected in any of the samples. According to this preliminary study, it seems that the contamination rate of poultry carcasses with other species of Campylobacter genus is higher than contamination with C. coli.

The objective of this study was to evaluate kinetics and the residual decline of tylosin in milk and plasma of lactating Najdi ewes following single intramuscular injection of tylosin at the dose of 10 mg/kg. Blood and milk samples were collected from the ewes before and at different time intervals after treatment. Tylosin concentrations were determined by microbiological agar plate assay using Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 as the test organism. The pharmacokinetic parameters were processed using the methods of least square and statistical moments. The plasma levels of tylosin against time were adequately described by a one-compartment open model. The mean obtained values indicated a fairly low area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) (3.0 μg.h/ml) and the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of 0.63 mg/ml with Tmax of 1.33 h. The plasma elimination half-life (t1/2el) and the mean residence time (MRT) were 2.3 h and 3.9 h, respectively. A different pattern was shown for milk, in which measurable residual levels are found in all animals up to 72 h after treatment. The mean value of milk AUC was 88.1 μg.h/ml and the t1/2el was 3.3 h. In vitro mean plasma and milk proteins binding of tylosin were 19.3 and 30.2%, respectively. The milk withdrawal period of tylosin in lactating Najdi ewes should be at least 72 h to avoid risks in consumers.

Pregnancy prevention raises much concern to many pet owners. Female cats usually show undesirable behaviour during oestrus. Nowadays, researchers try to explore the reliable and effective ways to prevent oestrus signs in queens. The results of their studies prove that hormone therapy is probably one of the most reliable methods for this purpose. The aim of our study was to compare the effect of three steroidal preparations on oestrus suppression in queens. Twenty clinically healthy adult female cats and three healthy adult male cats with natural libido were used in the present study. The female cats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 5). The male cats were caged separately and maintained near females for sexual stimulation. The photoperiod was regulated artificially to induce oestrus in cats (14 h light and 10 h dark). The experimental cats were kept in a roofed room for about 3 months for adaptation and confirmation of oestrus detection. After this period, group I (control group) did not receive any treatment, group II received 12.5 mg methyltestosterone/week orally for 90 days, group III received one tablet of contraceptive LD/day (0.15 mg levonorgestrel + 0.03 mg ethinyloestradiol) orally for 90 days and group IV received 3 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate intramuscularly. The cats were monitored clinically every day (4 h in the morning and 4 h in the afternoon). The number of queens observed in oestrus and the number of oestrous cycles were recorded during the study. The results of the present study showed that in group I (control) oestrus was detected twice in 2 out of 3 cats. In group II oestrus was detected 3 times in 3 cats, which was not statistically different to that of the group I (P>0.05). In group III oestrus was detected 13 times (more than the other groups). All 5 cats of this group showed oestrus, which was statistically increased compared to group I (P<0.05). In group IV no oestrus was detected, which was statistically decreased compared to group I (P<0.05). According to our results, methyltestosterone prevented the oestrus for only 1 month so that it can be used for oestrus suppression for a short time; contraceptive LD unexpectedly increased the frequency of oestrus in queens, therefore this drug can not be advised for prevention of the oestrus in queens; however, medroxyprogesterone acetate completely prevented the oestrus during the treatment. Therefore, Medroxyprogesterone acetate is reliable, and only one injection is sufficient to prevent the occurrence of the oestrous cycle.

To improve our understanding of Helicobacter infection in cats and to determine whether they are reservoirs for H. pylori and sources of zoonotic transmission to humans, we selected cats as an experimental animal model for gastric colonization by H. pylori. Sixteen stray cats underwent Helicobacter eradication treatment followed by three consecutive oral inoculations of a cocktail of human H. pylori isolates. Four out of sixteen inoculated cats became colonized by H. pylori as confirmed by genus- and species-specific PCR. In conclusion, human H. pylori isolates are able to colonize the stomach of cats. It seems that the stray cat can be used as an experimental model in the future investigations of H. pylori-induced pathogenesis as well as evaluation of anti-H. pylori prevention and treatment regimens. Further experimental studies using more animals are needed to identify the usefulness of the cat as an experimental model.

The parasite fauna of 50 specimens of spiny eel obtained from two lakes, Zarivar (in Kurdistan province) and Parishan (in Fars province) and one river, Heleh (Booshehr province) were examined during the year 2003. A total of nine parasite species were found. Gills of spiny eel were infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, Trichodina pediculus (protozoa) and Mastacembelocleidus heteranchorus (monogenea). Argulus foliaceus and an unknown Argulus species were found on both the skin and gills of the specimens. Adult stages of Lernaea cyprinacea were observed on the skin and copepodid stage of this parasite observed on the gills (crustacean). An unknown coelozoic cestode, Polyonchobothrium sp. was recovered from the intestine, Diplostomum spathaceum (metacercaria) from the lens and Contracaecum sp. from the intestine wall of the infected specimens. Except Contracaecum sp. (nematoda), which was reported previously, other parasitic species mentioned in this study are reported for the first time from Iran. General prevalence of parasitic infection in specimens obtained from Zarivar lake is also recorded.

We studied the effects of a single ketamine injection in an experimental model of chronic hypernatraemia in rats. Three groups, each of 20 male Wistar rats were chosen for the experiment; the control group was given water and the test groups were given 1% (group 1) and 2% (group 2) NaCl solutions for two weeks. All groups were fed with the same diet, containing about 0.5% salt. Other living conditions for all groups were similar. Before using saline in the test groups and before induction of anaesthesia, blood samples were drawn to measure the serum sodium level. A single ketamine injection (125 mg/kg, IP) was used in all groups. Latency times to inhibit the righting reflex and to inhibit the response to painful stimulus, re-appearance time of response to painful stimulus and recovery time from anaesthesia were measured; mortality rates during anaesthesia were also recorded. During consumption of salt solutions and before induction of anaesthesia, we had no animal death. The serum sodium level in group 2 was significantly higher than group 1 and the control group. The required time to inhibit the righting reflex and the response to painful stimulus in group 2 was significantly shorter than group 1 and the control group. These parameters in group 1 were also significantly shorter than the control group. The required time for re-appearance of response to painful stimulus and for recovery from anaesthesia in group 2 was significantly longer than group 1 and the control group. We observed severe pulmonary complications in the test groups during anaesthesia. Mortality rate in group 2 was 60% and in group 1 was 20%; the control group had no significant problems during anaesthesia. Hypernatraemia decreased the induction time of anaesthesia. The duration of ketamine anaesthesia increased and the recovery from anaesthesia was associated with significant delay.

Disease agents that principally target the tongue are relatively rare. It seems that type of food and roughage play an important role to predispose the animals to lingual ulcers. During a period of four years different aspects of cattle lingual fossa ulcer were studied in a semi-industrial dairy farm in Tehran. The affected animals showed various stages of ulcer formation in their lingual fossa. Histopathological examination revealed parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, spongiosis and hydropic degeneration of the epithelial lining. There were also coagulative necroses associated with heavy infiltration of neutrophils in muscle fibers of the tongues. Some cases showed granulomatous reaction with the proliferation of connective tissue. Progressive lingual ulcers were induced in three calves following close exposure to the affected animals. Based on these findings, the disease was diagnosed as idiopathic contagious lingual fossa ulcer in cattle.

Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 101 clinically healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep according to their age (<1, 1-3, 3-5 and >5 years) and sex. Serum haptoglobin (Hp) was measured based upon the preservation of the peroxidase activity of haemoglobin, which is directly proportional to the amount of Hp. The reference value for serum Hp of apparently healthy Iranian fat-tailed sheep was 0.05-0.18 g/l. Age and sex had no significant effect on the serum concentration of Hp in examined animals.

The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of cadmium in the muscle, liver and kidney of cattle from Isfahan and to compare the results with those reported by other countries and with the maximum acceptable levels for human consumption. Samples of muscle, liver and kidney from 60 animals aged 1–10-year-old were collected from the carcasses slaughtered at Isfahan abattoir. Samples were digested with acid and cadmium concentrations were determined by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS). The mean concentrations of cadmium in muscle, liver and kidney were 3.3, 49.7 and 137.1 µg/kg fresh weight, respectively. The mean concentration of cadmium in tissue samples was generally lower than the maximum acceptable concentration in European Commission (EC). Statistical analysis showed a significant difference in cadmium concentration of liver and kidney between various age groups (P<0.05).

In a parasitic study on five Sharks (Carcharhinus macloti) caught from the Iranian coasts of Persian Gulf, two of five sharks appeared to have nematode in their intestine. Using light microscopy, the nematode was identified as Acanthocheilus rotundatus. A. rotundatus is characterised by 3.3-4.5 cm in length, semi-thick cuticle, small lips, semicircular and tri-lobed pseudolabia (not offset from anterior end), each lip provided on inner surface with two pairs of small pointed teeth.

Reovirus infections are actually related to a lot of disease conditions with different clinical manifestations. Reoviruses have been isolated from a variety of tissues in poultry, suffering from different disease conditions including viral arthritis/tenosynovitis, stunting syndrome, respiratory disease, enteric disease, immunosuppression and malabsorption syndrome. Economic losses related to reoviral infections are frequently associated with increased mortality, viral arthritis/tenosynovitis and general lack of performance, including diminished weight gains, high feed conversions, uneven growth rates and reduced marketability of the affected birds. The aim of this survey was to study the prevalence of reoviral infection of broiler chickens in Tehran province. The samples were selected by cluster sampling method from sera in Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. The selected sera had been collected from different slaughterhouses of Tehran province during 2004 to 2005. Commercial ELISA test was done on 582 serum samples of broiler chickens. The total number of 572 serum samples were positive and the prevalence of Reovirus infection was 98.3% (CI = 96.9-99.2%). The result shows high prevalence of antibody titre in broiler chickens. The resistance of the virus could be one of the reasons for such a high prevalence. This high prevalence put emphasis on the vaccination of the breeder flocks and shows the necessity of more studies on aspects of Reovirus infection in broiler chicken.

Concurrent disorders with diabetes mellitus is one of the most challenging subject. Our knowledge of the most common concurrent disorders in diabetic dogs may be useful in diagnosis of these disorders and better treatment of diabetic dogs. In this study diabetes mellitus was diagnosed in a 7-year-old male German shepherd dog, based on clinical and laboratory findings. Following the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, insulin therapy was started and blood glucose concentration reached to the accepted level. Eleven months later the dog was presented again with acute episodes of collapse and hypoglycaemia. The owner noted that there was no change in the animal’s routine insulin treatment programme and the dog had received his daily insulin injections. Further ancillary diagnostic tests were refused by the owner and the animal was humanely euthanized. Histopathological diagnosis was correlated with lymphoma. The association between diabetes mellitus and lymphoma has been reported in human medicine but the similar clinical condition has not been reported in veterinary literature.

The present study introduces a rare case with secondary glaucoma due to anterior chamber lipoma and uveitis in a Pekingese dog in Iran. A four-year-old castrated male Pekingese dog was referred to the private clinic with impaired vision of the left eye, pain, rubbing the left eye onto carpet, presence of a milky-coloured mass into the anterior chamber, and loss of appetite. The clinical examination, haematological and biochemical tests, fluorescein staining, measurement of intraocular pressure and ultrasonography were conducted. Based on all results, medical and surgical treatments were carried out. The mass was removed surgically and its histopathologic study revealed lipoma. The eye appearance became normal within 6 weeks. Authors concluded that the milky-coloured mass in the anterior chamber may have caused secondary glaucoma due to obstruction of the aqueous outflow from iridocorneal angle and uveitis.

A 6-year-old male crossbred dog was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Islamic Azad University of Karaj with the history of abdominal distention, rectal tenesmus and stranguria. Abdominal radiographs and ultrasonography indicated large distended urinary bladder and prostatic enlargement. ECG showed temporary episodes of atrial standstill. The only abnormalities detected by serum biochemical analysis were mild uraemia and hyperkalaemia. The cause of hyperkalaemia and mild uraemia was postrenal azotaemia which was occurred as a consequence of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to prostatic enlargement. There was a good response to castration as a choice of treatment. Gradual improvement in the signs of rectal tenesmus and stranguria was observed over a period of three weeks following castration. Furthermore, ECG records during post-surgical period were normal.