ABSTRACT:The purpose of this study was to examine selected serum biochemical parameters and acute phase protein levels in a herd of Saanen goats showing signs of pregnancy toxaemia. Seventy five female goats were used and divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 57) (blood serum glucose levels were within the physiological range), Group 2 (n = 11) (serum glucose values were low) and Group 3 (n = 7) (serum glucose values were high). Goats in Groups 2 and 3 were diagnosed with pregnancy toxaemia. Apart from serum glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), triglycerides, blood pH, calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured in all animals. In Group 3 average Hp and SAA values were found to be significantly (P < 0.001) higher than in Groups 1 and 2, and also higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. Acute phase proteins in goats with pregnancy toxaemia may be used in the course and the prognosis of the disease. The evaluation of acute phase proteins is useful and also quicker in cases of suspected pregnancy intoxication.

The aim of this study was to examine the coagulation profile in peste des petits ruminant (PPR) in kids. Five kids from a group of 150 animals (72 goats and 78 kids) were brought to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital from a farm in Burdur province (Turkey) with nasal and ocular discharges and diarrhea. Fifteen goats and 41 kids had died due to diarrhea and three kids were presented to the Department of Pathology for diagnosis. Blood samples were taken from 12 ill animals (infected group) for haematological and biochemical analysis. In addition, five healthy kids were examined from another healthy flock (control group). Leukocyte and lymphocyte numbers of infected group showed significant declinations in comparison to control group (≤0.001). Haemorrhages in all organs of digestive system and small haemorrhagic areas in liver were caused to decrease in erythrocyte and haematocrit values (p ≤ 0.001) in infected group. Concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p ≤ 0.01) and creatinine (p ≤ 0.001) in infected group were significantly higher than control group. Compared to control group, significant increases were determined in serum concentrations of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p ≤ 0.01), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p ≤ 0.001) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p ≤ 0.001) in the infected group. No significant differences were observed between the infected and control groups for serum gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT) concentration value. In our study, thrombocytopenia (p ≤ 0.001) together with prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT; p ≤ 0.01) and prothrombin time (PT; p ≤ 0.001) may show that disseminated intravascular coagulopathy which can occur in kids with PPR.

Background: Bovine coronavirus (BoCV) is common with high seroprevalence in dairy cattle. It is reported in many countries. Also, BoCV causes diarrhea in dairy calves. The transmission of BoCV is the fecal-oral/aerosol-nasal routes. Feces from clinical cases or clinically normal dairy cattle are source of infection, also contamination of feed and water. The purpose of the current study was to investigate BoCV infection in diarrheic calves (age and sex) and their dams (age). For this reason, the serological and virological methods were used. Haematological parameters of the calves and their dams were compared using the statistical methods.Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, following clinical examination of 3500 cattle and their calves from 25 number of dairy farms 184 calves with diarrhoea and their dams (183) (≥2 - ≤6 age) were sampled for BoCV presence by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, all blood samples were examined by hematological methods. 172 (93.99%) cows and 172 (93.99%) calves were found antibodies (Ab) positive (+). The high levels of Ab for BoCV were detected as 36.05 % in dams 6 years and older ages. In the calves, Ab to BoCV were found at the highest level (25.26%) in the female calves ≥5 - ≤6 months ages. BoCV antigen (Ag) was detected in only faecal sample of a (0.54%) calf. When the haematological parameters were compared between BoCV Ab (+) and BoCV Ab negative (-) dams, only white blood cell (WBC) values were found statistically significant (P < 0.05). When the haematological parameters were compared between BoCV Ab (+)/Ag (-) and BoCV Ab (-)/Ag (-) calves, WBC (P < 0.05), lymphocyte (P < 0.01) and granulocyte (P < 0.01) values were found statistically important. When the haematological parameters were compared between BoCV Ab (+)/Ag (+) and BoCV Ab (-)/Ag (-) calves, both lymphocyte and granulocyte values were statistically important (P < 0.01).Discussion: BoCV infection has found worldwide among cattle of all ages. The disease results in major economic losses in dairy herds that result from treatment costs and calf deaths. One hundred seventy two out of 183 mothers whose blood sampling was done were detected as seropositive. Many researchers found similar results in dairy cattle. It was detected the highest seropositivity in cattle more than six years old. One hundred seventy two blood samples out of 184 calves were detected seropositive. Also, the highest seropositivity was detected among of > 5 and < 6 months of age. BoCV Ag (+) presence was detected in only one faecal sample of one calf out of 184. Researchers were found same or higher BoCV Ag(+) rates in faeces of diarrheic calves. In the study lymphocyte counts of seropositive cows and in Ab(+)/Ag(+) calves determined decrease. However, the counts in seropositive calves were increased. Leukocytes levels were also high in seropositive calves. Haematocrit values were decreased in seropositive cows, calves and in Ab(+)/Ag(-) calves. BoCV infections were detected at low level in diarrheic calves. But, BoCV seropositive mature and diarrheic calves were found at high levels. Haematological application methods could be used to be supportive with the serological and virological methods. All farm managements should be maintained with strict hygiene practices. Milking bottle, calf pens or hutches need to be sanitized. The calves must be prevent contamination from faeces and urine of other calves. The protective vaccination must be applied all animals.

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The experiment evaluated the influence of ascorbic acid on the prevention of neonatal calf diarrhoea. Thirty-five Holstein newborn calves were used in the experiment. Ascorbic acid was administered orally to the trial group calves (n = 25) as follows: three times 1000 mg a day during the first week; three times 500 mg a day during the second week; and three times 250 mg a day during the third week. No ascorbic acid was administered to control group (n = 10). Calves of both groups were allowed to take sufficient colostrum during the first hours of life and they were fed 4.5 liters of milk/d during the first three weeks. Jugular blood was collected in EDTA containing vial at 7, 14, 21 days of age. Diarrhoea was observed in two calves (8%) among the trial group and four calves (40%) among the control group and calves with diarrhoea were excluded from analysis. Mean plasma ascorbic acid values in control group during the first, second and third weeks (45.61 ± 2.80 µmol⋅l -1 , 40.81 ± 3.47 µmol⋅l -1 , 40.81 ± 3.47 µmol⋅l -1 , respectively) were significantly lower than values in trial group (88.63 ± 6.07 µmol⋅l -1 , 79.67 ± 5.70 µmol⋅l -1 , 79.67 ± 5.70 µmol⋅l -1 , respectively; p < 0.001). Moreover, plasma ascorbic acid values for calves without diarrhoea were significantly higher than plasma ascorbic acid values for calves suffering from diarrhoea (p < 0.05). Supplementation of neonatal calves with ascorbic acid has a potential for the prevention of neonatal enteritis.

After very hot summer, 22 sheep from 5 different flocks consisting of approximately 150-200 animals each were diagnosed with facial eczema in September 2005, in southwest Turkey. Photophobia, corneal opacity, severe ulcers of the facial skin, especially localized around the eyes and mouth, and 3% mortality were the most prominent clinical symptoms. GGT levels of the animals were very high and varying between 261- 328 U/l. While the activities of ALT and total bilirubin were elevated and AST was normal in affected sheep. Total bilirubin level was higher than normal. Seven of the 22 sheep were euthanatized and necropsy was performed on all of these animals. Severe icterus, hepatomegaly, enlarged gallbladder, congestion of mesenteric vessels were the common necropsy findings. Histopathological changes of the liver included necrosis of the hepatocytes, cholangiohepatitis characterized by mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrate in the portal area and mild to severe fibrosis around bile ducts. A diagnosis of sporidesmin toxicosis was made based on the histopathology of the livers, the elevation in liver enzymes, and the development of cutaneous lesions consistent with photosensitization and high spore counts in the ruminal contents. Surviving sheep were treated with procaine penicillin + dihidrostreptomycin sulfate, multivitamin complexes and flunixin meglumine. Additionally, zinc sulphate was also given at a dose of 6 gr per 100 lt drinking water for 28 days. All treated sheep recovered. Pasture spore counts were between 96,300- 267,500 spores/g grass.

Diarrhea is a multifactorial symptom of infectious agents, nutritional and environmental factors. Although many prevention and treatment strategies have been developed to prevent diarrhea, diarrhea is still one of the most common problems in ruminants. Cryptosporidiosis, coccidiosis and giardiasis in newborns and young ruminants are important protozoer diseases causing diarrhea. Although the symptomatic treatment of neonatal diarrhea is similar, there are differences in the etiologic treatment. In this review, antiprotozoal drugs used in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis, coccidiosis and giardiasis are discussed.

SummaryGiardia duodenalis is a protozoan that infects a variety of vertebrates. It is a major cause of diarrhea in agricultural animals. There have been reports of clinical signs in cattle and sheep, which include diarrhea, dehydration and weight loss, however; there are limited drugs available for the treatment of giardiasis in animals. In this study, we compared the therapeutic effect of 20 mg albendazole, 50 mg and 100 mg paromomycin (kg body weight orally) for 3 successive days in lambs naturally infected with giardiasis. The efficacy of these drugs was evaluated based on reduction in cyst excretion. In the group treated with albendazole, no cysts were seen in the feces after treatment on D5 (day 5) in 7 lambs and on D8 in all animals. In the group treated with 50mg/kg of paromomycin, no cysts were seen in the feces after treatment on D2 in 3 lambs and on D6 in all animals. In the group treated with 100 mg/kg of paromomycin, there were no cysts after treatment on D2 in 5 lambs and on D6 in all of lambs. White blood cell (WBC) levels were high in all groups before treatment; paromomycin decreased the total leukocyte count more than albendasole. In the present study, we found paromomycin to be more effective than albendozole for the treatment of lambs with giardiasis for both treatment regiments mentioned above. Keywords: Albendazole, Paromomycin, Giardiasis, Lambs Doğal İnfekte Giardiazisli Kuzuların Tedavisinde Albendazol ve İki Farklı Paromomisin Dozunun Etkisinin Karşılaştırılması ÖzetGiardia duodenalis çeşitli omurgalılarda hastalık yapan bir protozoondur. Çiftlik hayvanlarında oluşan ishalin önemli sebeplerinden biridir. Sığır ve koyunlarda ishal, dehidrasyon ve kilo kaybı gibi klinik bulgular bildirilmiştir fakat çiftlik hayvanlarında giardiazis tedavisinde kullanılan ilaçlar sınırlıdır. Bu çalışmada doğal infekte giardiazisli kuzularda 3 gün oral kullanılan 20 mg Albendazol, 50 mg ve 100 mg Paromomisinin (kg canlı ağırlık) terapötik etkileri karşılaştırıldı. Bu ilaçların etkinliği kist atılımındaki azalmaya bakılarak değerlendirildi. Albendazol grubunda 5. günde 7 kuzuda ve 8. günde bütün hayvanlarda kist atılımı sıfırlandı. 50 mg/kg paromomisinle tedavi grubunda 2. günde 3 kuzu ve 6. günde bütün hayvanlarda kist atılımı sıfırlandı. 100 mg/kg paromomisinle tedavi grubunda ise 2. günde 5 kuzu ve 6. günde bütün hayvanlarda kist atılımı sıfırlandı. Tedavi öncesi lökosit değeri bütün gruplarda normalin üstünde tespit edildi. Paromomisin total lökosit sayısını albendazole göre daha fazla düşürdü. Sonuç olarak giardiazisli kuzuların tedavisinde paromomisin albendazole oranla etkili bulundu.