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Biomedical subjects

D K Onderka

Publications and source records attributed to D K Onderka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Injuries and behavior of raccoons (Procyon lotor) captured in the Soft Catch and the EGG traps in simulated natural environments.

The behavior and injuries of raccoons held for 12 and 24 hr in the Soft Catch and the EGG traps were studied in simulated natural environments. Nine raccoons held for 12 hr in the Soft Catch received minor injuries. However, one of nine raccoons held for 24 hr in this trap mutilated itself. The EGG trap caused only minor injuries to nine raccoons held for 12 hr, and nine others held for 24 hr. Thus the EGG trap can be expected, at a 95% level of confidence, to hold > or = 70% of the raccoons on traplines for 24 hr without serious injury. Raccoons captured in the Soft Catch fought their surroundings more than the trap. Those captured in the EGG trap fought the trap more than their surroundings. During the 24-hr capture study, escape behavior was more intense during the first 12 hr of capture, during both day and night.

Animal Welfare↗

Induction of follicular development in silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) with equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and antibodies against eCG.

Experiments were conducted that demonstrated that 1000 iu equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) was effective in induction of follicular development and ovulation in silver foxes during anoestrus. This treatment resulted in large, unovulated follicles; thus, trials in which the effects of eCG were reduced or abrogated by antibodies against eCG were carried out. Passive immunization against eCG on days 3 and 4 after eCG treatment interfered with subsequent follicular development and prevented ovulation. Treatment with eCG antibodies on days 5 or 7 after eCG treatment did not prevent ovulation and neutralization beginning on day 5 appeared to provide for the best ovulatory yield. The results suggest that combinations of eCG and anti-eCG antibody may provide a useful means of inducing ovarian activity in anoestrous foxes.

Anestrus↗

Efficacy of triclabendazole against natural infections of Fascioloides magna in wapiti.

Fourteen free-ranging adult wapiti (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) were captured in Banff National Park, Alberta (Canada) and held in captivity near Edmonton. A 24% suspension of triclabendazole at doses of 30 to 100 mg/kg body weight was drenched into the rumen of eight females and four males. Two male wapiti were used as untreated controls. Animals were killed and examined at 4 (n = 3), 6 (n = 4), or 8 (n = 4) wk after treatment. Efficacy was 90% against immature Fascioloides magna collected 4 wk after treatment and 98% against adult flukes collected 4, 6 or 8 wk after treatment. All 32 flukes recovered from control wapiti were active and apparently healthy. Treatment at 50 to 60 mg/kg is recommended against F. magna in wapiti. A protocol for treating infected wapiti is outlined.

Animals↗

Fibrosing cholehepatitis in broiler chickens induced by bile duct ligations or inoculation of Clostridium perfringens.

The pathogenesis of fibrosing hepatitis causing condemnations in broiler chickens was investigated. Three to four week old broilers were inoculated via the hepatoenteric bile duct with saline washed suspensions of Clostridium perfringens (10(7) and 10(8) organisms). In another group of broilers, both bile ducts were ligated. The sequential development of liver and gall bladder lesions was studied at intervals ranging from 1-28 days postsurgery. The lesions were similar in both experiments in that the liver became mottled and swollen by five to seven days. Fibrinoid necrosis, heterophil and lymphocyte infiltration, bile duct hyperplasia and fibrosis with reticulin fiber proliferation occurred. By 14-17 days, the liver was enlarged, tan colored and firm with red and white foci. By 28 days, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis were massive with only a few hepatocytes remaining. The liver capsule was not involved. Jaundice was not present but the birds with ligated bile ducts excreted intensely yellow stained droppings after six to seven days. The gall bladder in inoculated birds was edematous and distended with flocculent or inspissated material. Clostridium perfringens was reisolated from gall bladder and/or liver of inoculated birds up to 28 days postsurgery. It is suggested that this organism plays a role in the pathogenesis of fibrosing cholehepatitis by inducing septic intrahepatic cholestasis.

Animals↗

Prevalence and pathology of nematode infections in the lungs of ringed seals (Phoca hispida) of the western arctic of Canada.

Two genera of lung nematodes were found in a sample of 382 wild ringed seals (Phoca hispida). Otostrongylus circumlitus were found mainly in young of the year where they occupied the main stem bronchi causing extensive mucus production, mucosal hyperplasia and peribronchitis. Immature stages of the nematode were found in pulmonary vessels causing end-arteritis. There was only a slight reduction in respiratory parenchyma in infected seals and no correlation between infection and size or body condition. However, the sharp decline of O. circumlitus infection from 32% in young of the year to 0.5% after the first winter suggests that this parasite may play a role in the population dynamics of ringed seals. Filaroides (Parafilaroides) hispidus was found in alveoli of seals throughout all age classes causing no significant lesions. The infection rate increased from 44 to 71% in the 7 to 13-yr-old animals and declined to 38% in older seals. Concurrent infections occurred in 28% of young of the year seals.

Age Factors↗

Experimental contact transmission of Pasteurella haemolytica from clinically normal domestic sheep causing pneumonia in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

Two Rocky Mountain bighorn lambs (Ovis canadensis canadensis) were held in captivity for 120 days before being housed with two domestic sheep. The lambs were clinically normal and had no Pasteurella spp. on nasal swab cultures. The domestic sheep were known to carry Pasteurella haemolytica biotype A in the nasal passages. After being in close contact for 19 days. P. haemolytica biotype A was cultured from nasal swabs of one of the bighorn lambs. By 26 days, both bighorn sheep developed coughs, were anorectic and became lethargic and nasal swabs yielded P. haemolytica biotype T, serotype 10. Twenty-nine days after contact, the lambs were necropsied and found to have extensive fibrinous bronchopneumonia. From affected tissues pure cultures of beta-hemolytic P. haemolytica biotype T, serotype 10 were grown. Both domestic sheep remained clinically normal and had no gross or microscopic lesions, but they carried the same P. haemolytica serotype in their tonsils. Behavioural observations gave no indication of stress in the bighorn lambs.

Animals↗

Susceptibility of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and domestic sheep to pneumonia induced by bighorn and domestic livestock strains of Pasteurella haemolytica.

Bighorn sheep were inoculated intratracheally with suspensions of nonhemolytic Pasteurella haemolytica biotype T (10(12) organisms) unique to wild bighorns, with beta-hemolytic P. haemolytica biotype T (10(12) organisms) isolated from clinically normal domestic sheep or intradermally with half a dose of a cattle vaccine containing P. haemolytica biotype A (10(5) organisms). The bighorn strain caused lobar necrotizing bronchopneumonia whereas both domestic livestock strains precipitated fatal septicemia and fibrinous bronchopneumonia. The serotypes given were T3, T4, T15 and A1 and these were recovered from lung lesions and other organs. In three trials, domestic sheep were inoculated intratracheally with suspensions of bighorn sheep pneumonic lungs, and two concentrations of the P. haemolytica bighorn strain (10(4) and 10(12) organisms). One of these sheep was inoculated intrabronchially. The domestic sheep experienced a transient fever and elevated white blood cell counts. After six days, none of the sheep had lung lesions and inoculated organisms could not be recovered. It is suggested that bighorn sheep are very susceptible to P. haemolytica from domestic livestock and should not be allowed in contact with sheep or cattle.

Alberta↗

Use of equine chorionic gonadotrophin in female mink.

This study was comprised of three trials to determine the effects of equine chrionic gonadotrophin (eCG) on induction of sexual receptivity in female mink that had failed to mate by late in the breeding season. In the first trial one ovary was removed from unmated mink, which were then injected with 100 IU eCG. This treatment induced ovarian activity, including ovulation in the remaining ovary. In the second experiment, mink that had not been observed to mate were treated with 100 IU eCG or saline, resulting in mating of 10 11 of the eCG-treated animals, compared to 5 11 controls. Litter sizes were larger in mink in the control group, suggesting that eCG interfered with some phase of the reproductive process. In the third trial, 226 mink that had failed to mate until late in the breeding season were treated with 100 IU eCG. Of the 191 that subsequently mated, 99 produced litters, but litter sizes were reduced slightly from those observed in the remainder of the herd that bred without hormone treatment prior to March 20. Neonatal kit loss per female whelping was greater in mink treated with eCG. It is concluded that eCG treatment will induce mating in mink that refuse to mate, but this treatment results in reduced whelping success and greater neonatal kit loss. Its utility may be restricted to salvage situations where large numbers of mink fail to mate.

Journal Article↗

Salmonellae and salmonellosis in captive reptiles.

In a survey of 150 pet reptiles submitted for necropsy, 51% of snakes, 48% of lizards and 7% of turtles were infected with Salmonella. About one third of the positive animals had died due to various manifestations of salmonellosis. Thirty-one Salmonella serotypes were identified including three isolates new to Canada. The public health implications are discussed in view of the restricted popularity of reptiles and their possible infection from domestic agricultural products.

Animals↗

Actinobacillus septicemia in a black swan (Cygnus atratus).

A species of Actinobacillus was isolated in pure culture from the carcass of a captive Australian black swan (Cygnus atratus) dying of acute septicemia. The gross and microscopic findings are described and the significance of the isolate is discussed.

Actinobacillus Infections↗

Biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, 3-(3-carbocyphenyl) alanine and 3-(3-carbocy-4-hydroxyphenyl) alanine in higher plants. Examples of the transformation possibilities for chorismic acid.

14C-labelled shikimic acid and double labelled shikimic acid tritiated stereospicifically at C-6 are incorporated into 3-(3-carboxyphenyl) alanine, 3-(3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) alanine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine in Reseda lutea L., Reseda odorata L., Iris x Hollandica cv. Prof. Blauw, and Iris x hollandica cv. Wedgwood. The experiments with 14C-labelled shikimic acid confirm that the aromatic carboxyl groups and rings in 3-(3-carboxyphenyl) alanine and 3-(3-carbocy-4-hydroxyphenyl) alanine derive from the carbocyl group and ring in shikimic acid whereas the experiments with double labelled shikimic acid demonstrate that the pro-6S-hydrogen atom is retained and the pro-6R-hydrogen atom lost in the biosynthesis of 3-(3-carboxyphenyl) alanine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine in the plants used. 3H was located in the ortho-position in the aromatic rings of phenylalanine and tyrosine but in a position para to the alanine side chain of 3- (3-carboxyphenly) alanine. No 3H was found in 3- (3-carboxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) alanine. This supports a derivation of the last two compounds from chorismic acid via isochorismic acid, isoprephenic acid, and 3'-carboxyphenylpyruvic acid and 3'-carbocy-4'-hydroxyphenylphruvic acid. The 3H/14C ratio in 3-(3-carboxyphenyl) alanine was found higher than in the precursor used. This isotope effect must operate by competition between the pathways from isoprephenic acid to 3'-carbocyphenylpyruvic acid and to 3'-carbocy-4'- hydroxyphenylpyruvic acic. The proposed biosynthetic pathways for the two carboxy-substituted amino acids are in agreement with their distribution patterns in the plant kingdom and suggest that they may derive from minor changes of enzymes involved in the general pathways of aromatic biosynthesis.

Amino Acids↗