2001 - 70 (5)

Eggs of pinworms were found during a routine examination of the faeces of a goat from a farm in Flanders. Further investigation on this farm revealed a prevalence of over 80% in the lactating animals. All recovered worms were adult specimen of Skrjabinema spp. This is the first report of this nematode in Flanders, Belgium. The question whether or not treatment is necessary as well as the possible therapies are discussed.

This article describes a Belgian White-Blue heifer getting ill five days after a caesarean section. It died of a severe pleuritis caused by a leaking esophageal diverticulum. The presumptive diagnosis was made after passing a stomach tube and was confirmed by an autopsy. Keywords: Cow - Esophageal Diverticulum - Pleuritis

In the period 1986-1994 a retrospective study was performed on 2,264 horses with colic at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Ghent University/Belgium. An exploratory laparotomy was performed in 1,069 horses. In this study the observed pathological conditions in the different parts of the gastrointestinal tract are thoroughly discussed in depth. The origin of colic symptoms was determined by rectal examination or exploratory laparotomy: it was localized in the ascending colon in 31% of the horses and in the small intestine in 25% of them. Less frequently observed localizations were the caecum (8%), the descending colon (3%), the stomach (3%) and the rectum (1%). The localization of colic pathology could not or not exactly be determined in 28% of the cases. Short time survival rates were used. The overall survival rate of conservative and surgical treatment of horses with pathology of the descending colon and pathology of the caecum and/or ascending colon was respectively 80% and 75%. The survival rate of horses with pathology of the small intestine, the rectum and the stomach was less favorable: 54%, 35% and 32% respectively. The risk of developing colic was statistically analyzed according to breed, gender and age. Foals less than 1 year old ran a significantly higher risk of small intestinal volvulus. Geldings and Warmblood horses had a higher incidence of incarceration through the foramen omentale (epiploicon), whereas females and foals had a lower incidence. An inguinal hernia was significantly more often observed in foals and stallions, and significantly less in mares and geldings. Horses aged 9-12 years showed a higher risk of caecal tympany, whereas ponies, males, foals and horses aged 1-4 years ran an increased risk of (ileo)caecal intussusception. Mares and horses aged 1-4 and 5-8 years had a higher incidence of pelvic flexure impaction. The incidence of right colonic displacement was lower in males and foals. Older horses and mares were at significantly greater risk of developing colonic torsion. A higher incidence of left dorsal displacement was observed in geldings and a lower incidence in females.

The efficacy of spray vaccination against Infectious Bronchitis (IB) in rearing layers, was examined in 12 flocks housed on 2 farms. For this purpose the vaccine was prepared with substantially more water than is commonly used in practice and was carefully sprayed in the direction of the animals. Single vaccination at 2 weeks of age resulted in mean 2log HI titres of only 3 to 4 at the end of the rearing period (16 weeks), whereas two vaccinations yielded titres of 6 to 7. Upon a third vaccination, titres increased up to 7 to 9, individually even reaching 11. These titres are distinctly higher than the mean level in the Netherlands. None of the flocks showed clinical symptoms of IB, neither during rearing, nor in the laying period, except one. For unknown reasons, this flock showed a poor serological response after three vaccinations and subsequently experienced clinical IB at the start of the laying period. It is concluded that administration of live IB vaccines as described in this study, deserves large scale practice, because it will then become clear whether this procedure contributes to a better IB prevention or not.

The treatment of obesity involves dealing with the psychological aspects, manipulating the diet and increasing the activity level. The objectives of the nutritional management are to decrease energy intake, to stimulate satiety and to provide a balanced nutritional intake that is appropriate for the stage of life and/or concomitant disease. The assessment of a diet for weight reduction should take into account the daily nutrient intake in order to avoid underfeeding of essential nutrients. The treatment of obesity will be illustrated with a complicated case of obesity and renal insufficiency in a dog.