Veterinary Science & Technology

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae are account as economically important pathogens in swine business worldwide. The studies of these two pathogens in Thailand were restricted on domestic pigs in swine industry and the status of these pathogens in wild boars is currently not available. This cross-sectional study aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of antibodies to these agents in captive wild boars. Fifty-two serum samples were collected from wild boars reared in three different types of captive settings including a commercial wild boar farm, a wildlife breeding research station and a zoo. All serum samples were examined for antibodies to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae by ELISA methods. The results revealed that the highest true prevalence of both pathogens was found in sera derived from wild boars in wildlife breeding research station at 69 and 66% for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae respectively. This study is the first to reveal seroprevalence of antibodies against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaein wild boar populations in Thailand. More detailed investigations are critically needed.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-immunoreactive (IR) cells are present in the retina of almost all species. Here we report about an unusual localization of nNOS-IR cells in the porcine retina. While no nNOS-IR amacrine cells were seen in the central porcine retina, a circular arrangement of nNOS-IR cells was observed next to the ora serrata region, particularly in the lower retinal quadrant. The neurons showed co-localization with calretinin. Most of their processes ran parallel to the ora serrata but some were disposed at right angles to the line of the ora serrata, directed either to the epithelial layer of the pars plana or towards the retina. The function of these uniquely located neurons in the porcine retina remains to be determined.

Use of ectoparasiticides on pets seems inevitable since pets are commonly infested with fleas, ticks, and many other external parasites. Currently, pyrethroids are more commonly used than any other class of ectoparasiticides because they are considered relatively safe. Due to paucity of data, serious concerns have been raised not only about their safety in dogs but their transferable residues to owners, veterinarians, veterinary technologists, and dog handlers who come in contact with treated dogs on a daily basis. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to determine the toxicity and safety of “Bio Spot Defense” applied to six adult dogs, and to determine the residue of active ingredients (etofenprox, s-methoprene, and piperonyl butoxide) in blood of dogs and cotton gloves worn for five minutes to pet dogs at 24, 48, 72 hours, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks post-application. At these time intervals, dogs were evaluated for physical examination. Residues of active ingredients were confirmed and quantitated using GC/ MS. In the blood, etofenprox was detected as early as 48 hours (18.42 ± 5.05 ìg/g) and the residue persisted until 1 week (0.80 ± 0.35 ìg/g). S-methoprene and piperonyl butoxide were not detected in the blood. In the gloves, the highest concentrations of etofenprox, s-methoprene, and piperonyl butoxide were determined at 24 hours (9,552.00 ± 1551.83; 2,307.86 ± 456.70; and 1286.13 ± 0.49 ìg/g, respectively). Residues of all three compounds were detected in appreciable concentrations in the gloves until 1 week (294.86 ± 27.22; 80.62 ± 10.06; and 40.49 ± 5.78 ìg/g, correspondingly). Their residues persisted in insignificant amounts in gloves until 5 weeks. In conclusion, findings of this investigation suggest that Bio Spot Defense product appears to be safe for dogs and their owners, but the veterinary personnel can be exposed to significant levels of etofenprox, s-methoprene, and piperonyl butoxide following chronic exposure, if not properly protected.

The present study investigated the effects of antioxidants Vitamin E (VE) and C (ascorbic acid, AA) on erythrocytes osmotic fragility (EOF), haemoglobin index (HI), colonic temperature (CT) and recovery times of transported Japanese quails during the hot-dry conditions. Two hundred male Japanese quails were used. The birds were randomly and equally divided into four groups: VE and AA groups, administered with 0.5 mg/kg and 200 mg/ kg body weight of VE and AA, respectively, control transported group (control group), administered with 0.5 ml of sterile water, and sedentary non-transported group (S). One hour after the administration of the antioxidants, the birds were transported by road for 2 h. The EOF, HI and CT were recorded before transportation, immediately after transportation (0) and on 3rd and 7th day of post-transportation period. The results showed that transportation induced hyperthermia, increased EOF and hypochromic erythrocytes in the quails, the effects of which were mitigated by antioxidants VE and AA. Base-line values for EOF were returned to normal in the control, AA and VE quails on days 7, 3 and 0, respectively post-transportation. The findings showed that recovery time after transportation in quails should be 7 days; but the duration may be reduced to 3 days if treated with AA or eliminated completely if the quails are treated with VE before transportation. The ameliorating effect was more pronounced in quails administered with antioxidant VE. The EOF may be employed as a biomarker and additional diagnostic tool for the assessment of transport-induce oxidative stress in quails.