There are presented the results of investigations on the effect of dairy cattle maintenance system on the animal health and welfare. The paper is mainly focused on observations on the effect of cowshed bedding on animals' physiological state. Methodic of investigations was based on observing the cow herd in four farms during eight months. The animal maintenance technologies in these farms were different. Prior to investigations, the breeders were interviewed in respect of technical parameters in the buildings for livestock. The results of investigations proved that maintenance system, type of bedding and technical parameters of the livestock building influenced evaluation of cattle health and potential hazards expressed by injuries.
Recent literature data suggests that parasitic and fungal diseases, which pose a threat to both human and animal health, remain a clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Attention is increasingly paid to the role played by natural microbiota in maintaining homeostasis in humans. A particular emphasis is placed on the possibility of manipulating the human microbiota (permanent, transient, pathogenic) and macrobiota (e.g., Trichuris suis) to support the treatment of selected diseases such as Crohn’s disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer. Emphasis is placed on important medical species whose infections not only impair health but can also be life threatening, such as Plasmodium falciparum, Echinococcus multilocularis and Baylisascaris procyonis, which expand into areas which have so far been uninhabited. This article also presents the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of opportunistic parasitoses imported from the tropics, which spread across large groups of people through human-to-human transmission (Enterobius vermicularis, Sarcoptes scabiei). It also discusses the problem of environmentally-conditioned parasitoses, particularly their etiological factors associated with food contaminated with invasive forms (Trichinella sp., Toxoplasma gondii). The analysis also concerns the presence of developmental forms of geohelminths (Toxocara sp.) and ectoparasites (ticks), which are vectors of serious human diseases (Lyme borreliosis, anaplasmosis, babesiosis), in the environment. Mycological topics contains rare cases of mycoses environmentally conditioned (CNS aspergillosis) and transmissions of these pathogens in a population of hospitalized individuals, as well as seeking new methods used to treat mycoses.
Proper care of dogs from their owner's perspective. The aim of the study was to examine the level of awareness of dog owners regarding the needs of dogs and ways of providing them with proper care. In order to provide dogs with proper care one needs to consider both the specific requirements of the species, as well as the expectations of the owners. The owner (in Poland) awareness survey was carried out by means of an internet diagnostic survey. The survey was performed on a group of 424 people currently owning dogs. Surveyed were asked 12 questions. The results of the survey were processed statistically (SPSS 23.0 statistical package). In order to divide the respondents into groups of various awareness of dog welfare, a clustering analysis was performed using k-means clustering. In order to estimate the differences in several independent variable samples the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. The respondents attributed the largest weight to medical costs (0.847) and physical activity associated with owning a dog (0.844). They regarded the costs of keep least important (0.548). The differences were confirmed statistically. Already during the phase of making the decision about owning a dog the more aware persons search for information about the animal. Such people declare o greater weight of all elements of dog care associated with welfare. This relation is evident in case of grooming and providing the dog with walks. The obtained results of the survey show that the majority of the respondents are people knowing the needs of their dogs.
Boron is a mineral used for various purposes in glass, ceramics, automotive and paint industries. Recently, boron has been confirmed to be an essential element for plants, animals and humans, although the knowledge of its biological effects is rather scanty. Boron is a dynamic trace element, and inorganic borates are transformed into boric acids and absorbed from mucosal surfaces, even when they are in low levels of physiological pH. It has been determined that boron affects many enzymes, bone development, mineralization, Ca, P, Mg and energy metabolism. Boron mineral compounds can be effective in optimizing the performance of an organism, treatment of bone structure disorders, reduction of cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Beside the effects it produces specifically on fat and lipid metabolisms, boron can influence the activity of vitamin D and affect some disorders connected with its deficiency. Although several studies on effects of boron on some mechanisms have been conducted over the last ten years, the available information remains insufficient.
The effect of feeding ration, enriched in synthetic and natural ß-carotene on the selectedindicators of health condition of the cows and on reproduction parameters. The studies were conducted on 40 Simmental cows, classified into 4 groups, 10 animals in each group. The experiment was performed since the 4th week before calving until 12 week of lactation. In group I (control), standard nutrition, based on grass silage and maize silage was employed. In group II 400 mg of synthetic ß-carotene/cow/day to the ration was introduced. In group III, a part of maize silage was replaced by pumpkin silage in such ratio as to receive by 400 mg higher intake of natural ß-carotene/cow/day as compared to group I. The rations in group IV were not balanced in respect of the content of ß-carotene; there was only the replacement of 60% DM of maize silage by the pumpkin silage in this group. During the studies, blood samples were collected: to 5 hours after calving and on 4 and 12 week of lactation. Milk samples were collected on 4, 8 and 12 week of lactation and on 23 day after the first insemination. Morphological parameters of blood and concentration of ß-hydroxy-butyric acid in blood serum were analysed. In milk, somatic cell count and the level of progesterone on 23 day after insemination were determined. In group I during the following measurements were found the lowest levels of part of the morphological parameters of blood: after calving the lowest level of RBC (significant difference compared to group II), at 4th week of lactation the lowest level of HCT, and at 12 week of lactation RBC and HCT. The significant differences in somatic cell count in the milk, were recorded in the 8th week of lactation –significantly higher in group I as compared to group III. The significant differences between the groups in respect of BHM acid concentration was found only after calving. The highest BHM level occurred in the cows from group I and it was significantly higher in relation to group II and IV. In the cows from groups II, III and IV, the first heat occurred earlier; these animals had also shorter inter-gestation period. Also, the progesterone level, as determined on 23 day after insemination, was higher in the milk of cows from groups II, III and IV as compared to the animals from group I.
The objective of this work was to register and document the traditional knowledge of plant resources used in ethnoveterinary practices in Kendrapara district of Odisha, India. Investigation was carried out in the interior of the district, to explore the therapeutic uses of plants by local inhabitants. Information was gathered from traditional healers, elderly people and farmers by using participant observation, open-ended conversations and semi-structured questionnaires. Plants used as veterinary medicines were collected and identified by botanical classification. Fifty five plant species, distributed among 34 families, were indicated for 27 different medicinal uses. The family Solanaceae had the largest number of reported species followed by Mimosaceae, Fabaceae and Apocynaceae. Prominent diseases treated by plant remedies were wounds, diarrhea, constipation, snake bite, skin ailments and rheumatism. Leaves were more commonly utilized for the preparation of ethnoveterinary medicine than other plant parts. Documentation of traditional knowledge related ethnoveterinary information and identification of potential species for prioritization of conservation through sustainable management is essential for the benefit of future generations. The present study contributed to the construction of an inventory of ethnoveterinary plants, which might provides a better database for future scientific validation studies.
Applications of continuous body temperature measurements in pigs – a review.The temperature measurement is one of the most important indices in estimating the state of health both in humans and animals. Nowadays along with the development of technical knowledge and its implementation, increasingly more attention is paid to the continuously measurement of body temperature. This solution seems to be especially needed for the animal production.Continuous body temperature measurementsprovide a better control of the herd and a precise determination of the environmental impact on animal. Moreoverthis measurement may be very useful method in different animal studies enabling to obtain a large amount of data. The aim of this paper is to review the current state of knowledge on the topic of the most widely used methods of continuous body temperature measurement in pigs and also to show the directions of studies for the future.
Animal by-products of category 3 after proper processing may be a valuable fertilizer for agricultural purposes. However, they can contain numerous bacterial and viral pathogens and, in cases of improper handling, may pose a health risk for people and animals. This study is aimed at monitoring the number of fecal streptococci introduced into carriers of different types imitating fragments of meat and bone wastes during composting process in a drum bio-reactor. Fecal streptococci are indicator microorganisms, and are known by their thermoresistant characteristics, so it was assumed that their elimination will also diminish the pathogenic microorganisms present in wastes. Three research cycles were carried out in a drum-type bio-reactor, and a different course of temperature was noted in each of them. In cycle 1, in which the temperature exceeded 60ºC, fecal streptococci died the fastest, 139.0-154.4 hours later (depending on carrier type). In cycles 2 and 3, maximum temperatures were similar (57.2ºC and 58.8ºC, respectively), but secondary multiplication of the streptococci in the 102nd hour of the processes was observed. In cycle 2 at this time their number was similar to the level of initial suspension. The type and size of the carriers were of no major importance to streptococci survival in the bio-reactor. Yet in each of the cycles analyzed, effective reduction was accomplished and the product obtained can be considered to be environmentally safe.
Antibiotic susceptibility of bacteria isolated from nasal swabs and lungs of pigs, to 16 commonly used antibiotics, was determined by disc diffusion test, ß-lactams showed the best activity against Streptococcus suis (S. suis) (> 99% of susceptible strains). The lowest sensitivity of S. suis was evidenced to: tylosin, tetracycline and neomycin (50%, 40% and 25%, respectively). Isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) demonstrated the highest susceptibility to cephalosporin (85% strains), gentamicin and norfloxacin (over 74%). The lowest susceptibility of E. coli was demonstrated to tiamulin and penicillin (11.3% and 1.9%, respectively). Over 80% of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (App) strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested. The highest resistance of App, but demonstrated by below 20% of tested isolates only, was evidenced to neomycin and LxS. Isolates of Pasteurella multocida (Pm), Haemophilus parasuis (Hps) and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (A. pyogenes) were highly susceptible to the most antibiotics included in the analysis. The comparison of the in vitro susceptibility of pathogens to the chemotherapeutics used on Polish farms for the therapy of bacterial infection of pigs within the last five years and the last 10 years, showed an increasing percent of E. coli and S. suis strains resistant to commonly used antibiotics. It is also shown that Pm, Hps, App and A. pyogenes isolates were continuously susceptible to the most chemotherapeutics applied.
Cyanobacterial blooms, often observed in eutrophic water reservoirs, produce toxic metabolites known as cyanotoxins that affect animal health. There are five groups of cyanotoxins classified on the basis of their toxic action: hepatotoxins, neurotoxins, cytotoxins, dermatotoxins and irritant toxins. Microcystin (MC) is a very common and well described hepatotoxin produced by various genera, such as Microcystis, Anabaena, Planktothrix, Anabenopsis, Hapalosiphon and Nostoc. It acts as an inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A), inducing hyperphosphorylation of cell proteins and a variety of toxic changes in hepatocytes often leading to liver insufficiency and death caused by hypovolemic shock. Since the reports on MC toxicity are on the increase this cyanotoxin should be treated as an important environmental factor affecting human and animal health. A brief overview of existing literature on the intake, mechanism of action, and hepatotoxic effects on mammalian animals is presented in this paper
Staphylococci are the main aetiological factor of bovine mastitis in many dairy herds. Traditionally, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were considered a normal skin microbiota. Lately the role of CNS in bovine mastitis has increased, as in some countries these pathogens had started to outnumber other mastitis aetiological factors. Given the scale of mastitis problems, the intensive use of antibiotics in dairy cattle, the number of animals and the consumption of milk products there is an urgent need to highlight the threat to both human and animal health originating from CNS. The knowledge of how CNS mastitis develops, spreads in herd and persists is limited. Bovine strains of CNS are poorly characterised; moreover, they are characterised mainly in terms of phenotypes. This review summarises knowledge on the characterisation of CNS strains, stressing the role of the bacterial genotype, in the context of the risk to human and animal health. Selected CNS virulence factors that play a role during mastitis in dairy cattle are listed and described in this paper. They have been selected subjectively by the authors in view of their significance for public health (toxins, antimicrobial resistance) and their importance for animal health (formation of biofilm, prevention of phagocytosis intracellular survival) and mastitis outcome.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of fish-based feed materials, as a source of readily available protein contained in fish broth and essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in fish oil, on the health of piglets and rearing results. The experiment was conducted on a commercial pig fattening farm. The study involved a total of 80 weaners with an approximate body weight of 15 kg. The experiment was carried out over a period of 40 days. Feed samples were subjected to laboratory analyses. Blood samples were collected from experimental group animals to determine serum biochemical and immunological parameters. The body weight gains of weaners, mortality rates and average feed intake per animal were calculated for the entire experimental period. The addition of fish broth and fish oil significantly improved the n3:n6 fatty acid ratio in diets. The presence of EPA and DHA in the experimental diet could have had a positive health effect on piglets, comparable with that exerted by therapeutic doses of zinc often administered to pigs of this age group. During the experiment, feed conversion ratio (FCR) gain was considerably reduced in the experimental group, with similar daily gains in the control and experimental group.