2005 - 74 (4)

The number of cases of Lyme disease in humans in Belgium has been steadily increasing. Rabbits might represent a source of human borreliosis due to the fact that they are often infested with ticks. It was therefore the aim of the present study to estimate the seroprevalence of Borrelia infections in rabbits in Belgium. For this purpose blood samples from 103 wild rabbits were examined for the presence of antibodies using ELISA. Antibodies against Borrelia were detected in 8.7% of the samples, yielding an estimated prevalence of 2.3%. The low prevalence suggests that rabbits play a minor role in the epidemiology and transmission of Lyme disease from animals to man in Flanders.

Canine distemper is recognized as a worldwide problem of carnivores. It has been reported in all families of carnivores, including Mustelidae. The various mustelids (e.g. otters, ferrets) are among the species most susceptible to canine distemper virus (CDV) disease and, with some exceptions, the clinical presentation is similar to that seen in domestic dogs. Veterinarians, including those working with non-domestic carnivores, should be familiar with the clinical signs, diagnosis and clinical management of this disease. This paper is the first description of an acute outbreak of CDV in Asian clawless otter or Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) littermates.

An impala (Aepyceros melampus) premedicated with a combination of xylazine, carprofen, methadone and atropine was anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen for tibial fracture repair in combination with a lumbosacral epidural injection of bupivacaine for additional analgesia and muscle relaxation during surgery. The cardiopulmonary parameters remained within normal ranges, except for an initial hyperventilation. Recovery after 3 hours of anesthesia following administration of atipamezole was fast and uneventful. Subcutaneous administration of carprofen during a period of 5 days assured adequate postoperative analgesia.

Dental growth lines are often counted for age determination in feral animals that are living in the wild and are subject to seasonal variations. To assess whether or not this technique could also be used in domestic animals, the cementum growth lines of the canine and second premolar teeth were determined in 4 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) living in the natural habitat of Flanders, and in 7 domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) that were kept in housing conditions. Dates of birth of all animals were registered. In the foxes a good correlation was found between the age of the animals and the number of cementum growth lines. In contrast, in domestic dogs the number of cementum lines was variable and could hardly be determined because the difference between primary and secondary lines was often uncertain. It was concluded that the count of cementum growth lines cannot be used for age assessment of dogs that are living in domestic conditions devoid of seasonal variations in food accessibility and weather conditions.

Sixteen adult female pigeons were randomly divided into two groups that were fed either corn or peas. Within each group, four pigeons received a supplement of 2.5 g L-carnitine/l drinking water. After an adaptation period of 7d, all excreta were gathered per bird in a 7d collection period. Coefficients of apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract and apparent nitrogen retention were calculated from proximate analyses of feedstuffs and excreta. Blood samples were taken at the end of the trial and plasma samples were analyzed for carnitine and related compounds. Supplementation of L-carnitine did not affect digestibility but it did reduce apparent nitrogen retention in the corn-fed pigeons. Plasma analysis of γ-butyrobetain gave indications for a negative feedback mechanism of high L-carnitine dosage on de novo L-carnitine synthesis.