B.S. Cooper

Procaine penicillin by subconjunctival injection in the treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

A profile off the penicillin concentration in bovine conjunctival sac fluid (CF) was determined after a single subconjunctival injection of procaine penicillin (6 x 10(5) iu in 2ml). When the injection was made through the skin of the upper eye lid, the duration of therapeutic concentration was significantly greater (P<0.01) than when the injection had been given by the perconjunctival route: approximately 68 hours or 40 hours respectively. These findings support the clinical use of subconjunctivally administered procaine penicillin in the treatment of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis. A single application of an equivalent dose of either procaine penicillin or benethamine penicillin, applied topically in a simple occulentum base, produced a therapeutic duration in CF of 37 +/- 4 hr and 56 +/- 4.5 hr respectively.

A comparison of the pharmacological activity in cows of two suspensions of betamethasone alcohol.

The activity of two betamethasone (BM) suspensions, which differed only in their solids:vehicle ratio, was examined in cattle. Two groups of 10 cows received by subcutaneous injection either 20 ml of a 2 mg/ml aqueous suspension of BM alcohol or 2 ml of a 20 mg/ml aqueous suspension. A further 10 cows served as a saline-treated control group. The mean peak plasma BM concentration was significantly higher in cows treated with 2 mg/ml suspension. However, plasma BM levels tended to be maintained for longer by the 20 mg/ml suspension. A depression of early morning cortisol levels, similar to that seen with other synthetic glucocorticoids, was recorded with both BM preparations; the depression outlasted the presence of BM. Plasma glucose levels and circulating neutrophil numbers were elevated by BM treatment, and the magnitude and duration of these changes was related to the solids:vehicle ratio of the injected suspensions. The more concentrated suspension was absorbed more slowly and thus produced effects of greater duration.

Keratitis in red deer

Abstract Twenty-five of 40 red deer (Cervus elaphus) exhibited corneal opacities and ulceration resembling mild bovine infectious keratitis. Attempts to incriminate either a bacterial or viral causal agent were unsuccessful. Subconjunctival injections of a penicillin/streptomycin mixture were administered in both eyes of affected and in-contact animals. Resolution over an 8 week period was uneventful.

A survey of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis in the Gisborne and Hunterville regions of New Zealand.

A postal survey of 400 beef farmers in the Hunterville and Gisborne districts sought to identify features of farms or management procedures that might influence the occurrence, transmission or severity of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK). The overall response rate was 72%. The annual incidence of IBK outbreaks rose from 10% to 28% between the years 1977 to 1981 and was similar for both districts. Prevalence was highest during mid-summer and lowest in mid-winter. Larger properties were more prone to outbreaks. In both districts, farmers of IBK-free properties purchased fewer cattle than those who had experienced IBK and this distinction was more evident in the Hunterville area. Only in the Gisborne district did a Hereford breed predisposition to infection become apparent. All age groups were affected with IBK but the attack rate was highest in the younger cattle. Eleven percent of farmers routinely treated their cattle for IBK and that produced an earlier resolution of lesions and fewer cattle in which healing extended longer than four weeks. Most farmers considered IBK to be an inconvenience which limited livestock production through reducing growth rates and lowering monetary returns when stock had to be sold at unsuitable times. Eye disfigurement caused loss of value in stud and export stock.

Hydergine as an emetic for dogs

Abstract The ergot derivative Hydergine was compared with apomorphine as an injectable emetic for dogs. A simple crossover study using 19 mixed-age animals of different breeds and sexes indicated that apomorphine was more consistent in effect and had a shorter latent period. It was concluded that in circumstances demanding emesis in the dog, apomorphine remains the drug of first choice, but should it become unavailable, Hydergine would be a possible alternative.

A preliminary investigation of serum folate concentrations in sows during pregnancy and at weaning.

The mean serum folate concentrations of Large White sows were compared between one group of 13 animals, 43-80 days pregnant and another group of 9 animals at weaning when the litters were 28-30 days old. The mean concentration was higher in sows at weaning (p<0.05) and the lowest levels were found in sows no more than 51 days pregnant (p<0.05).

The response of vaccinated rams to experimental challenge using Brucella ovis

One hundred and thirty eight rams were allocated to four experimental groups. An inactivated Br. ovis vaccine was administered either once by the intraperitoneal route (1 i/p), twice by the intraperitoneal route (2 i/p), or twice by the subcutaneous route (2 s/c), and the last group was left unvaccinated. They were then challenged by the intravenous inoculation of between 123 and 1.23 x 108 live Br. ovis bacteria. The number of rams that succumbed to infection within the four groups was 4135 (11%) for the 2 s/c, 7133 (21%) for the 2 i/p, 9135 (26%) for the 1 i/p and 18135 (51%) for the unvaccinated rams. Vaccination reduced the number of rams that succumbed to experimental challenge and although there were differences between the vaccinated groups, these were not statistically significant. Following challenge, unvaccinated rams were the first to excrete Br. ovis in their semen three weeks following inoculation. Next, those vaccinated by either one or two doses by the intraperitoneal technique began to excrete the organism (five weeks) and then finally those rams vaccinated twice by the subcutaneous route (seven weeks).

Local tissue reaction to the administration of an inactivated Brucella ovis saline-in-oil vaccine by the intraperitoneal route.

An inactivated Brucella ovis saline-in-oil vaccine was administered to 14 adult ewes using both the intraperitoneal route and the subcutaneous route. Pairs of animals were necropsied at intervals between 24 hours and ten weeks after injection. The nature of the local inflammatory reaction to the administration of the vaccine was similar at all sites. The lesion consisted of granulomatous inflammation arranged around droplets of oily vaccine. Diffuse peritonitis was seen at necropsy in 12 of the 14 animals. A local extraperitoneal inflammatory response at the injection site was present in four animals despite careful attempts to deposit the vaccine within the abdominal cavity. A second study of 30 rams vaccinated by the intraperitoneal technique confirmed that extraperitoneal deposition of vaccine commonly occurred and that approximately 20% of animals vaccinated by the intraperitoneal method still had peritonitis six months later.