Kent H. Hoblet

Subclinical laminitis in dairy cows: use of severity of hoof lesions to rank and evaluate herds.

Thirteen high-yielding Holstein herds in Ohio were ranked according to the prevalence and severity of lesions associated with subclinical laminitis (pododermatitis aseptica diffusa). One hundred and seventy-three first lactation cows, most of them in their first 100 days of lactation, and 30 pregnant heifers were assessed. The lesions evaluated were yellow waxy discoloration of the sole, haemorrhage of the sole, separation of the white line, and erosion of the heel. Each herd consisted of more than 100 lactating cows and all the herds were producing over 8500 kg of milk per cow on a rolling herd average basis. The lactating cows were housed in cubicles and maintained in concrete yards. The lesions associated with subclinical laminitis were prevalent among the 13 herds, but when each category of lesion was considered independently, significant differences in prevalence and severity were detected among the herds. These differences suggest that it may be possible to make changes in herd management which may influence the prevalence of lesions.

Metabolic Hoof Horn Disease Claw Horn Disruption

Low-quality hoof horn is a frequent underlying cause of lameness in cattle. Because the lesions that are observed are the result of insults that affect horn production at the cellular level, the term claw horn disruption has been proposed to describe the disease process. Although claw horn disruption may result from multiple etiologies, the response of the keratinocytes is relatively nonspecific in that lesions often appear the same regardless of cause. To solve herd problems, the investigation of possible etiologies must be integrated with a basic understanding of the anatomic and physiologic features of hoof horn production.

Field trials evaluating the safety and serologic reactions of reduced-dose Brucella melitensis Rev 1 vaccination in adult sheep

Abstract Field trials of two reduced doses of Brucella melitensis Rev 1 vaccine were conducted in Portuguese Merino crossbred ewes. All ewes had been bred 73–100 days prior to vaccination. Doses of 106 and 107 Rev 1 live organisms were given subcutaneously in treatment groups of 43 ewes and 42 ewes respectively, with an additional 25 ewes maintained as non-vaccinated controls. Ewes were monitored for 20 weeks post-vaccination by clinical observation, vaginal culture to detect B. melitensis Rev 1 excretion, and repeated serologic testing by Rose Bengal, serum agglutination, Complement fixation, and rivanol tests. No difference in live lambing rates was observed between the two treatment groups or the control. No shedding of vaccine organism was detected in vaccinated ewes. Serologic reactions were stronger and persisted longer in the higher-dose treatment group. Titers fell rapidly in the vaccinated ewes, with only one ewe testing positive beyond the eighth week.

University Teaching Hospital and Private Clinic Collaboration to Enhance Veterinary Educational Opportunities at Mississippi State University

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University established a not-for-profit corporation (MSU-CVM-COS) to develop and manage private specialty clinics that would enhance teaching and student learning, increase caseload, and generate revenue. The corporation currently operates the Animal Emergency and Referral Center (AERC) and the Veterinary Specialty Center (VSC) as affiliates of Mississippi State University. These privately managed facilities provide access to advanced medical equipment, enhance clinical service and teaching, and promote the Colleges One Health initiative.