Fecal Consistency Research Articles

Effect of a Beneficial Flora Colonization of Pen Surfaces on Health of Weanling Piglets

Introduction: Undesirable bacterial colonization of farm surfaces affects animal health after weaning. The objective of the study was to test the preventive effects of a positive biofilm formation on the surfaces of piglet facilities on beneficial flora colonization and animal health. Methods: 494 piglets from two weaning batches (Exp.1 and Exp.2) were allocated in 2 identical rooms. The rooms were sprayed either with water (Control) or a mix of selected bacteria strains (LFP) 48 h before the entrance, and again on day 15 in Exp.1, and on days 5, 12, 19, 26, and 33 in Exp.2. The microbiological status of the surfaces was assessed on days 0, 5, and 14 and on days -2, 0, 5, 7, and 35 in Exp.1 and 2, using peptone water swabs. Fecal consistency was scored on days 5, 8, 14, 21, and 28 on 16 randomly selected piglets per treatment. Statistical analysis was performed in SAS 9.4. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze the microbiological data, fecal scores, and death distributions. Results: There was a significant (P<0.05) higher load of aerobic bacteria (Lactobacillus spp., Bacillus spp.) in LFP pen surfaces in both experiments. Fecal scores were significantly improved on day 8 in Exp.1 (P<0.01) and on days 9 (P=0.01) and 28 (P<0.01) in Exp.2. Digestive disease outbreaks occurred 2 days later in Exp.1 and 7 days later in Exp.2 in LFP rooms. Conclusion: spraying a beneficial flora on surfaces may result in a protective positive biofilm that would help piglets to better deal with the weaning challenges.

Source-dependent effects of early-life zinc supplementation in milk on growth performance and starter intake of pre-weaned dairy calves

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of milk supplementation with different zinc (Zn) sources on growth rate, starter intake, diarrhea incidence, and nutrient digestibility in dairy calves during the pre-weaning period. Forty newborn Holstein heifer calves were assigned to four treatments: control (no Zn supplementation; CON) or supplementation with 80 mg/day Zn from zinc sulfate (Zn-Sul), chelated zinc (Zn-Bon), or zinc methionine (Zn-Met). The Zn supplements were provided via milk from days 3 to 14 of age. Body weight (BW) and starter intake (SI) were monitored until weaning on day 70. Serum metabolite concentrations were determined in blood samples collected on days 15 and 70. Fecal consistency index (FCI) and frequency of medical treatments were measured during the first 21 days of life. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined in the 10th week of life. Although the effects of Zn supplementation on BW gain or body measurements were non-significant, a tendency for treatment × time interaction on BW was observed, with variations among the experimental groups becoming more pronounced on days 56 and 70, showing higher values in Zn-supplemented calves compared to CON. SI was improved by Zn supplementation, with the greatest response in the Zn-Bon group. Compared to control, ATTD of organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and starch tended to increase with Zn supplementation. Blood metabolites and FCI did not differ among the experimental treatments. Although no significant difference was detected between Zn-Met and CON, the frequency of medical treatment was significantly lower in Zn-Bon and Zn-Sul compared to CON calves. In conclusion, zinc supplementation in milk, particularly with the organic chelated zinc source (Zn-Bon), showed promising effects on increasing starter intake and reducing medical treatments, along with trends toward enhanced growth and nutrient digestibility in pre-weaned calves.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and hospitalized humans in Libo Kemkem, North Western Ethiopia.

Cryptosporidium infection is one of the major causes of acute gastroenteritis and diarrhoea caused by a protozoan parasite affecting vertebrates and humans. The disease is prevalent in cases of immunocompromised individuals. Despite the impact of the diseases in calf and hospitalized humans, well-documented studies are not available in the study area. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and hospitalized humans and assess the major associated risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection in calves and hospitalized humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 on calf and human Cryptosporidium infection in Libo Kemkem District, North West Ethiopia. A total of 193 calves and 122 human stool samples admitted to the hospital were used for this study. Three kebeles were selected purposely, and individual calves were selected using a simple random sampling method. A number of sampled calves were allocated proportionally to the selected kebeles. Human samples were collected using a systematic random sampling method. Faecal and stool samples were examined using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. The overall prevalence of calf and human Cryptosporidium infection found in this study was 15.5% and 11.5%, respectively. Age of calf, breed, body condition, water source, faecal consistency and hygienic condition were found significantly (p<0.05) associated with Cryptosporidium infection in the calf. Similarly, the source of potable water, immunocompromisation and contact with domestic animals were found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with Cryptosporidium infection in humans. There was a higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and humans in Libo Kemkem District. Therefore, the implementation of proper prevention methods of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infection between calf and human beings through significant risk factors is mandatory. Furthermore, additional studies to investigate the levels of economic importance of the disease should be conducted.

The administration route of indigestible gut permeability markers modulates urinary marker recovery in calves

Indigestible gut permeability markers are used to assess gut integrity and can be administered to calves via a milk meal (MM) or orally pulsed (OP). This study investigated how marker administration route (ADM_R) affects the estimation of gut permeability in relation to MR fat inclusion. Thirty-two male Holstein calves were blocked based on their arrival sequence at the facility. Within each block of 4 calves, calves were randomly assigned to one of 2 treatments (n = 16/ treatment): a MR high in lactose (HL) and a MR high in fat (HF). During the first 5 d, calves were fed 6.0 L/d followed by 7.0 L/d offered in 2 meals per day at 15% solids. To evaluate gut permeability, indigestible markers (lactulose, D-mannitol, and chromium (Cr)-EDTA) were administered in 2 periods, on Tuesday and Thursday in the third week after arrival. Within each block, calves with different MR treatments were randomly assigned to a different marker ADM_R order: MM in the first period and OP in the second (n = 16) or the opposite order (n = 16). Thus, one block of 4 calves included all combinations of MR and ADM_R. Following marker administration, urine was collected over 2 sampling periods: the first from 0 to 6 h and the second from 6 to 24 h. Measurements included weekly BW and daily MR intake and fecal scoring. Intake, growth, and fecal consistency were not affected by dietary treatments nor by ADM_R. The urinary recovery of lactulose was greater in calves fed HF during the 6–24 h and the overall 24-h collection period. Consistently, D-mannitol recovery tended to be greater in calves fed HF during the 24-h collection. With OP administration, the urinary recovery of all markers was greater between 0 and 6 h, whereas in the 6–24 h period, the recovery of lactose and D-mannitol were lower. Over 24-h of collection, Cr-EDTA recovery was greater with OP. No interaction between ADM_R and MR composition was detected. This suggests that both ADM_R were equivalent in assessing the effects of dietary interventions on gut permeability. However, different ADM_R affected the trajectory and time spent by the markers in each section of the gut.

Auranofin is lethal against feline Tritrichomonas foetus in vitro but ineffective in cats with naturally occurring infection

Protozoal diarrhea caused by Tritrichomonas foetus (blagburni) is a prevalent, lifelong, and globally distributed burden in domestic cats. Treatment is limited to the use of 5-nitroimidazoles and treatment failure is common. The repurposed gold salt compound auranofin has killing activity against diverse protozoa in vitro but evidence of efficacy in naturally occurring protozoal infections is lacking. This exploratory study investigated the efficacy and safety of auranofin for treatment of cats with naturally occurring, 5-nitroimidazole-resistant, T. foetus infection. The minimum lethal concentration (MLC) of auranofin against 5 isolates of feline T. foetus was determined under aerobic conditions in vitro. Healthy cats and cats with T. foetus infection were treated with immediate release auranofin (range, 0.5–3 mg/cat for 7 days) or guar gum-coated auranofin capsules (0.5 or 3 mg/cat for 7 days). Adverse effects were monitored by clinical signs and clinicopathologic testing. Efficacy was determined by fecal consistency score, bowel movement frequency, and single-tube nested PCR of feces for T. foetus rDNA. Fecal samples were assayed for concentrations of auranofin, known and predicted metabolites of auranofin, gold containing molecules, and total gold content using HPLC, LC-MS, ion mobility-MS, and ICP-MS, respectively. Auranofin was effective at killing isolates of feline T. foetus at MLC ≥ 1 μg/ml. Treatment of cats with T. foetus infection with either immediate release auranofin or a colon-targeted guar gum-coated tablet of auranofin did not eradicate infection. Treatment failure occurred despite fecal concentrations of gold that met or exceeded the equivalent MLC of auranofin. Neither auranofin, known or predicted metabolites of auranofin, nor any gold-containing molecules >100 Da could be detected in fecal samples of treated cats. Adverse effects associated with auranofin treatment were common but minor. These studies identify that in vitro susceptibility test results of auranofin may not translate to treatment effectiveness in vivo even when achieving gold concentrations equivalent to the MLC of auranofin in the target environment. These studies further establish the absence of any predicted or unpredicted gold containing metabolites in feces after oral administration of auranofin.

Detection Dogs Working in Hot Climates: The Influence on Thermoregulation and Fecal Consistency.

Body temperature is an important physiological parameter that influences the performance of working dogs. The main cooling mechanism in dogs is panting to support evaporative cooling, which reduces the dog's ability to detect scents. In this study, we investigated the general body condition of four detection dogs searching for cheetah scats in a hot environment in northern Kenya. We evaluated the effect on the dog's body temperature post-work in the short term (within hours) and long term (12-24 h). The fecal consistency and mean body temperature of the investigated dogs differed significantly between individuals but not between locations (moderate Nairobi and hot Samburu). On the morning after fieldwork, the dogs showed a significantly increased body temperature (37.9 ± 0.8 °C) compared to resting days (37.5 ± 2.2 °C). In the short term, on the first day of fieldwork, the dog's body temperature (n = 2) decreased after 10 min of rest. On the second consecutive day of fieldwork, the 10-min recovery period was too short, and the body temperature did not decrease significantly. Our data showed that the use of detection dogs in hot conditions is possible and useful but requires increased attention to prevent heat-related illness.

Agmatine modulation of gut-brain axis alleviates dysbiosis-induced depression-like behavior in rats

Depression is a global health concern affecting nearly 280 million individuals. It not only imposes a significant burden on economies and healthcare systems but also manifests complex physiological connections and consequences. Agmatine, a putative neuromodulator derived primarily from beneficial gut microbes specially Lactobacillus, has emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for mental health. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is involved in the development of depression through the peripheral nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system and may be a key factor in the effect of agmatine. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of agmatine in antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and depression-like behavior in rats, focusing on its modulation of the gut-brain axis. Depression-like behavior associated with dysbiosis was induced through a seven-day regimen of the broad-spectrum antibiotic, comprising ampicillin and metronidazole and validated through microbial, biochemical, and behavioral alterations. On day 8, antibiotic-treated rats exhibited loose fecal consistency, altered fecal microbiota, and depression-like behavior in forced swim test. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were elevated, while agmatine and monoamine levels decreased in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Antibiotic administration disrupted tight junction proteins in the ileum, affecting gut architecture. Oral administration of agmatine alone or combined with probiotics significantly reversed antibiotic-induced dysbiosis, restoring gut microbiota and mitigating depression-like behaviors. This intervention also restored neuro-inflammatory markers, increased agmatine and monoamine levels, and preserved gut integrity. The study highlights the regulatory role of endogenous agmatine in the gut-brain axis in broad-spectrum antibiotic induced dysbiosis and associated depression-like behavior.

The Relationship Between Dietary Fiber Consumption Patterns and Physical Activity with the Incidence of Hemorrhoids

The purpose of this study was to explain the relationship between fiber food consumption patterns and physical activity with hemorrhoidal events. This study used a retrospective correlational analytic study design. The population in this study were patients with signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids in the General Surgery Specialist Poly of Petrokimia Gresik Hospital as many as 89 respondents, with sampling using purposive sampling and 72 respondents were obtained. Data analysis using the Chi-square test. Data collection using a fiber food consumption pattern questionnaire, a physical activity questionnaire, and the results of the diagnosis of the General Surgeon Specialist in the respondent's Medical Record. The results of statistical analysis with the Chi-square test with a significance level of alpha &lt;0.05 obtained a p-value of 0.001 and 0.000, which means that there is a relationship between fiber food consumption patterns and physical activity with hemorrhoidal incidence. Insufficient fiber food consumption patterns cause feces to settle longer in the rectum so that the consistency of feces will become harder. This condition stimulates a straining reflex to appear during defecation, causing hemorrhoids. Meanwhile, a pattern of physical activity that is lacking causes continuous and repeated pressure on the lower part of the digestive tract, causing vascularization to be less than optimal and causing hemorrhoids. This study is expected to be a reference for hospitals to be able to add educational media and health promotion as an effort to prevent hemorrhoidal incidence in the community and prevent recurrence in patients who have undergone hemorrhoid treatment.

Incidence and predicting factors of inadequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy: A cross-sectional study.

Adequate bowel preparation is necessary for optimal colonoscopy. Inadequate bowel preparation results in increased costs and imprecise colonoscopy results. This study aims to determine the incidence and risk factors of inadequate bowel preparation. In this study, 604 consecutive patients were observed prospectively who underwent colonoscopy examination. The patient's clinical and demographic data were obtained on the day of the procedure. Bowel preparation was evaluated by Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and was divided into two groups; adequate and inadequate. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Inadequate bowel preparation incidence was 17.9%. In the univariate analysis, education level (P value = 0.009), body mass index (P value = 0.03), admission type (P value = 0.038), previous history of colonoscopy (P value = 0.03), color and consistency of the last feces (P value = 0.03), diabetes (P value = 0.004), and smoking (P value = 0.03) were significantly related with the incidence of inadequate bowel preparation. While ischemic heart disease (IHD) decreased the level of inadequate bowel preparation (P value = 0.047). Multivariate analysis showed that diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR] = 2.18), smoking (OR = 2.10), inpatient status of admission type (OR = 3.32), last stool that was non-watery (OR = 1.60), and ischemic heart disease (OR = 0.032) were independent factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation. Diabetic patients, smokers, inpatients and who defecated a non-watery and colory stool as the last defecation are at risk of inadequate bowel preparation and need more potent regimens. It is important to inform patients about preventable factors that affect bowel preparation to improve their preparation outcomes.

Influence of High Milk Feeding Practices on Faecal Consistency Score and Behaviour of Early Weaned Crossbred Calves

This study investigated the impact of high milk feeding on the body weight of 25 early-weaned crossbred (HF×K) calves at Livestock Research Station, Kamdhenu University, Anand, Gujarat, over 182 days. Calves were divided into five treatment groups with equal numbers of male and female calves. Colostrum was provided for the first 3 days, followed by 4 liters of fresh milk daily for the first two weeks. The total milk quantity offered in T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 was 252, 329, 353.5, 378, 402.5 kg respectively, to study the faecal consistency and behavior of calves. The faecal consistency and behaviour of calves after one hour during morning milk feeding was observed among the experimental calves for milk feeding of 63 days. The observation shown that calves of T5 group (higher quantity of milk feeding) defecate less normal faeces with incidences of water faeces. The calves of T5 group exhibited discomfort sign like; standing up/down, licking and kicking of abdomen after ingesting milk. The high quantity of milk feeding at a stretch (T5) caused behavior abnormality and loose faeces in calves. The feeding of high amount of (T5) is not advisable for the welfare and intestinal health of crossbred calves.

Yeast mixture supplementation modulates faecal microbiota and ileum morphology of weaning pigs

Different yeast strains benefit postweaning piglets by promoting intestinal health. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a yeast mixture containing Kluyveromyces marxianus fragilis, Pichia guilliermondii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Vetoquinol italia s.r.l., Italy) on gut health parameters and growth performance traits of weaned piglets. Forty-eight postweaning castrated male piglets (27 ± 1.7 days, 7.19 ± 0.54 kg) were randomly allocated to two homogeneous experimental groups and involved in a 28-day trial. Both the groups received a basal diet with (yeast mixture, YM) or without (control, CTR) the inclusion of 0.8% yeast mixture during weeks 1 and 2, and 0.6% during weeks 3 and 4. Individual BW and box feed intake were determined on days 0, 14, and 28, and average daily gain and Gain:Feed ratio were subsequently calculated for each administration period (0–14, 14–28). Individual faecal samples were collected for microbiota analysis on days 4, 14, 21, and 28, and faecal score was evaluated on the same days. At the end of the trial, 12 piglets for each group were sacrificed, and ileal tissue was sampled for morphological analysis and the evaluation of mucins profile, using Alcian-Blue/Periodic Acid-Shiff (PAS) staining. On ileum samples, dividing and differentiated epithelial cells were also identified using proliferating cell nuclear antigen and alkaline phosphatase expression, respectively. Differences in the means between the experimental groups were determined by ANOVA, while the metataxonomics analyses were performed by sequencing for V3 and V4 hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Growth performance traits were not different among the two experimental groups when considering the whole trial period, while treated animals showed increased faecal consistency on weeks 1 and 4 (P = 0.036 and 0.021, respectively). Yeast mixture administration increased the abundance of Bifidobacterium (P = 0.006) and Coprococcus 2 (P = 0.015), and decreased Clostridium Sensu Stricto 1 (P = 0.019) at all the considered timepoints. Ileum villous height, villous width, and crypt depth were significantly increased by yeast mixture supplementation (P = 0.019; P = 0.013; P = 0.036, respectively), while no differences were observed for the villous:crypt ratio among the groups. The mucin profile showed no differences among experimental groups for acid and neutral glycoconjugates. However, a higher presence of PAS-positive mucins was highlighted in the villi of YM piglets (P < 0.001) compared to CTR. Overall, the administration of a yeast mixture to postweaning piglets showed positive effects on gut health when compared to piglets not receiving the tested product, improving beneficial genera and intestinal morphology.

Spillover of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus to dairy cattle

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus clade 2.3.4.4b has caused the death of millions of domestic birds and thousands of wild birds in the USA since January 2022 (refs. 1–4). Throughout this outbreak, spillovers to mammals have been frequently documented5–12. Here we report spillover of the HPAI H5N1 virus to dairy cattle across several states in the USA. The affected cows displayed clinical signs encompassing decreased feed intake, altered faecal consistency, respiratory distress and decreased milk production with abnormal milk. Infectious virus and viral RNA were consistently detected in milk from affected cows. Viral distribution in tissues via immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed a distinct tropism of the virus for the epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the mammary gland in cows. Whole viral genome sequences recovered from dairy cows, birds, domestic cats and a raccoon from affected farms indicated multidirectional interspecies transmissions. Epidemiological and genomic data revealed efficient cow-to-cow transmission after apparently healthy cows from an affected farm were transported to a premise in a different state. These results demonstrate the transmission of the HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus at a non-traditional interface, underscoring the ability of the virus to cross species barriers.

The effects of Bacillus subtilis spores and yeast cell wall supplementation on growth and health in Holstein dairy calves

The study aimed to assess the impact of Bacillus subtilis spores and yeast cell wall (YCW) on the performance and health of dairy calves during the milk-feeding period. Thirty female Holstein calves (birth body weight [BW] of 36.7 ± 4.81 kg) were randomly assigned to three treatments: Control (CTL, no additives), T1 (Bacillus subtilis spores), and T2 (Bacillus subtilis + YCW). Animals were individually housed with free access to water and commercial pellet starter. Calves received 8 L/d of pasteurized waste milk and were weaned at 63 d of age. The treatments (T1 and T2) were mixed into milk and administered daily from 3 to 63 d of age. Dry matter (DM) intake (from liquid and starter feed), fecal score, and rectal temperature were recorded daily. Additionally, heart girth was measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 d of age, and BW was measured at 0 and 60 d of age. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein at 0, 20, and 60 d of age for analysis of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG). There was treatment × time interaction (P = 0.04) for fecal consistency scores. Calves supplemented with Bacillus subtilis tended (χ2 test, P = 0.07) to have lower cases of diarrhea than other groups. T1 or T2 supplementations did not affect milk DM intake, starter DM intake, or total DM intake. Growth performance (BW at weaning and average daily gain) was similar between treatments. Dairy calves fed Bacillus subtilis plus YCW tended to have (P = 0.09) higher rectal temperature and had higher frequency (χ2 test, P < 0.01) of rectal temperature >39.1°C compared to the CTL and Bacillus subtilis groups. However, treatments had similar levels of serum IgG (CTL = 18.3, T1 = 16.7, and T2 = 18.6 mg/mL; P = 0.58). Our results suggest that Bacillus subtills and YCW may interact in the digestive tract of young calves as evidenced by the increased rectal temperature in T2. While the cause of this interaction remains uncertain, there was no negative effect on the animal health or growth performance. The use of Bacillus subtilis spores shows promise in improving fecal consistency scoring in dairy calves fed pasteurized waste milk during the pre-weaning phase.

Overview of the Use of Oralit and Zinc in Children with Diarrhea at the Community Health Center

Diarrhea is still one of the main problems can cause illness and death, especially in children. Diarrhea is an infectious disease caused by bacteria, virus or other microorganism which is characterized by abnormal frequency of defecation, 3 or more times in 24 hours with a soft feces consistency, the presence or absence of blood or foam in the feces. Giving oralit and zinc can reduce the incidence of diarrhea in children. The aim of this study was to determine the description of the use oralit and zinc in children suffering from diarrhea at the kawatuna Community Health Center during the peroid October 2022-March 2023. Method of this study is retrospective descriptive using secondary data, namely prescription sheets for pediatric patients with diarrhea who received oralit and zinc therapy. The research results showed that the population of diarrhea cases was 125 and the sample used was 96 cases. The highest use of oralit and zinc for treating casess of diarrhea is in October 2022 and the least in March 2023. The age of children most a affected by diarrhea is 1-6 months (50%) and the age least affected by diarrhea is 12-17 years (7,3%).

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effect of providing a rest period during long-distance transportation of surplus dairy calves: Part I. Effect on health, growth, and activity

The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to determine whether providing a rest period to surplus calves transported for 16 h reduced the effect of long-distance transportation on health, growth, and activity after arrival to a calf-raising facility. Between September 2022 to January 2023, 6- to 24-d-old surplus calves were randomly assigned to one of 2 treatment groups: (1) continuous transportation by road for 16 h (n = 86) or (2) 8 h of transport, an 8 h rest period, then a further 8 h of transport to a single commercial calf-raising facility in Ontario, Canada (n = 84). Calves that received the rest period were fed 2 L of milk replacer at the time of unloading for the rest period and again before reloading for the second leg of transportation. Calves were weighed before and after transportation and once weekly until they left the calf-raising facility at 11 wk after arrival. Additionally, fecal consistency and respiratory health were assessed immediately before and after transportation, as well as twice daily following arrival. The odds of abnormal fecal and respiratory scores were assessed with mixed effects logistic regression models, whereas Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the hazard of treatment for diarrhea and respiratory disease. To evaluate weight loss during transportation, ADG, lying bouts, and steps, mixed linear regression models were used. Furthermore, mixed logistic regression models with repeated measures were built to assess associations with the odds of having a sunken flank and prolonged skin tent. There were no statistical differences in the odds of abnormal fecal or respiratory scores or the treatment for diarrhea between treatment groups; however, there was evidence that calves that received a rest period had a higher hazard of treatment for respiratory disease. Calves >10 d old had reduced odds of having an abnormal respiratory score and calves 13 to 24 d old had lower odds of arriving with a prolonged skin tent, lower odds of abnormal fecal score, and reduced hazard of treatment for diarrhea compared with calves that were 6 to 8 d old at transportation. During transportation, calves that received a rest period lost less weight than continuously transported calves. With respect to ADG over the 77-d study, an interaction between age at transport and treatment group was identified where calves aged 9 to 10 d old and receiving a rest period had higher ADG compared with calves that were 9 to 10 d old and not receiving a rest period. As for calf activity, calves receiving an rest period spent more time lying on the day after transportation compared with calves that were continuously transported. The results of this trial show few differences in the health and growth of calves having a rest period compared with those that underwent continuous transport. Furthermore, calves receiving a rest period may arrive more fatigued than calves that arrive at their destination in a shorter period of time overall. Transporting calves at older ages presents an opportunity to reduce the effect of long-distance transportation on subsequent health, growth, and activity.

Long-term dietary intervention of the hydrolyzed feather meal on microbiota composition of adult female dogs

This research delves into the impact of substitution of 7% of poultry meal (PM) with hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM) on the animal performance and fecal microbiota of dogs. The study was conducted on six adult female English setter dogs, split into control (CTR), and treated (TRT) dietary treatment groups, with similarity for age, initial body weight, and body condition score. During 45-days, body weight, body condition score, muscle condition score, fecal consistency score and microbiota were monitored at the beginning of the trial and after 3, 7, 15 and 45 days. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed for these parameters over the whole period of the trial, neither in relation to diet, nor to time, nor to the interaction diet x time. Significant differences were observed for alpha between diets and the TRT group displayed higher evenness compared to the CTR group. Beta diversity analysis revealed distinctions in microbiota composition between the CTR and TRT groups, with the former demonstrating higher biodiversity. Discriminant analysis highlighted 9 significant taxa and 6 of them were significantly different at the Kruskal Wallis test between diets. The results showed an increase in relative abundance (RA) for the CTR group of Streptococcus, Colinsella stercoris, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Bacteroides coprophilus. Conversely, higher RA was observed in the TRT group for Peptostreptococcaceae and Bacteroides uniformis. These findings indicated that the inclusion of hydrolyzed feather meal in the diet of dogs is well accepted and do not have adverse effects in the parameters analyzed.

Gastrointestinal parasites of owned cats in three districts of Central Ethiopia: Prevalence and risk factors

This present, cross-sectional study investigated gastrointestinal parasites in owned cats was carried out across Bishoftu, Dukem, and Addis Ababa city and towns in Central Ethiopia from February 2022 to April 2023. The primary objectives were to estimate the prevalence and assess the risk factors associated with these parasites. A total of 213 faecal samples were collected and processed using flotation and McMaster techniques. An overall prevalence of 34.7% (74/213) of gastrointestinal parasites was recorded in the examined cats. The cats harboured nematode (14.6%), cestode (12.7%), and protozoan (5.6%) parasites in single (32.9%) and mixed (1.9%) species. Specifically, Toxocara cati, Dipylidium caninum, Taenia spp., Giardia spp., and Physaloptera spp. were the more frequently identified parasites, with prevalences of 9.4%, 8.9%, 3.8%, 2.8%, and 2.8%, respectively. Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites among cats of different sexes, ages, and feeding conditions. Thus, higher prevalence rates were observed in females (49.1%, OR = 2.3), young cats (70%, OR = 4.7), and those consuming uncooked food (40.5%, OR = 3.6). Faecal consistency also showed a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) with the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. However, no significant differences were noted in the prevalence among cats of different housing conditions, seasons, or agro-ecological zones. Cats sharing shelter with families had the highest prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites (52.2%). In conclusion, this study uncovered a notably high occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in cats in the surveyed regions, emphasizing the imperative of adopting a One Health strategy to address the zoonotic parasites found in cats, which pose significant public health risks.

Lyophilized rumen fluid as a ruminal fermentation modifier in high grain-fed acidotic goats.

Rumen cud transfaunation re-establishes rumen micro environment and improves fermentation in recipient animals affected with digestive disorders. Preserving rumen cud or fluid will increase its availability for the treatment of rumen fermentation disorders, without having to maintain donor animals. Rumen fluid collected from healthy goats, fed standard ration having roughage 70% and concentrate 30%, was lyophilized (prefreezing -80°C, 48h; lyophilization -45°C, 32h) using 5% glycerol as cryoprotectant. The 16 S metagenome analysis of the lyophilized rumen fluid (LRF) revealed an abundance of Prevotella (33.2%). Selenomonas ruminantium (1.87%) and Megasphaera elsdenii (0.23%) were also present. Twenty-four goats having history of high grain feeding and exhibiting clinical symptoms of rumen fermentation disorders were randomly distributed into either one of the two treatment groups viz., T1 = oral administration of LRF 31g/animal/day and T2 = oral administration of sodium bicarbonate (SB) 15g/animal/day. Post intervention LRF and SB, improved animal body condition, feed intake, fecal consistency, elevated the ruminal pH at 48h, reduced propionate and lactate at 48h, reduced total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and ammonia nitrogen at 24h. Significant reduction in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urea levels were observed even from 24h post intervention irrespective of the treatments. LRF significantly improved acetate and decreased propionate production compared to SB. LRF at 7.5% (v/v) can thus be used to counteract ruminal fermentation disorders in goats sequel to high grain ration.

Short- and long-term effects of different forage types supplemented in preweaning dairy calves on performance and milk production into first lactation

We investigated the short- and long-term effects of different forage types supplemented in preweaning dairy calves on growth performance, blood metabolites, rumen fermentation, bacterial community, and milk production during first lactation. A total of 60 healthy 30-d-old female Holstein calves were blocked by birth date and body weight and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 20): normal milk and pelleted starter feeding (CON), supplemented with chopped oat hay (OAH; 75.0 g/d per calf [DM basis]), or alfalfa hay (ALF; 75.0 g/d per calf [DM basis]). The forage supplementation started when calves were 30 d old (d 1 of the experimental period) and ended when they were 73 d old (d 44 of the experimental period, when calves were weaned). Milk and feed intakes and fecal consistency scores were recorded daily. Growth performance, rumen fluid, and blood samples were collected biweekly. After weaning, all the calves were integrated with the same barn and diets. After calving, the milk production was recorded daily. During the experimental period, the OAH group had greater solid feed and total DM intakes and greater rumen pH than the CON group (P ≤ 0.04), but had lower forage intake and CP digestibility than the ALF group (P ≤ 0.04). The ALF group had higher rumen pH and blood BHB concentration (P ≤ 0.04), lower fecal score (P = 0.02), and greater ether extract digestibility (P = 0.02) than the CON group. The ALF and OAH groups had lower concentrations of ruminal total VFA (P = 0.01). Still, the ALF group had a greater proportion of acetate and a relative abundance of cellulose degradation-related bacteria (Lachnoclostridium_1 and Oribacterium) and a lower relative abundance of inflammation-related bacteria (Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG-009) in the rumen compared with CON. Interestingly, the average milk production from 6 to 200 DIM was greater in the ALF group (P < 0.01), even though no significant effects were found on the rumen fermentation parameters and blood metabolites at 200 DIM. Generally, alfalfa hay supplementation in preweaning dairy calves had positive effects in the short- and long-term for rumen development, health status, and future milk production.

Clinical Efficacy of Use of Probiotics in Children with Acute Watery Diarrhea

watery diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 5 years, at H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital/Combined Military Hospital, Muzaffarabad. Methodology: The Randomized Controlled Trial was done at Pediatric department, H.H Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital/CMH, Muzaffarabad from January 2020 to December 2021. All patients aged 6 months to 5 years with acute watery diarrhea who present with severe, minimal, or no dehydration within the first five days of illness were included. Children meeting the inclusion criteria were consecutively enrolled and randomly assigned to either the study group (ORS plus oral administration of Saccharomyces Boulardii) or the control group (ORS alone). From day 1 to day 5, the quantity and consistency of feces were counted. On day 5, clinical effectiveness was indicated by 3 stools or fewer per day. SPSS version 26 was used for data analysis. Results: Of 252 patients, a significant mean difference of number of stools and consistency was observed on day 3, day 4, and day 5 (p:&lt;0.005). A significant association of efficacy was observed with probiotic group (p: 0.021). After adjustment for other covariates, efficacy was 2.37 times higher among children who were in probiotic group as compared to control group (OR 2.37, 95% CI 1.07-5.24, p: 0.033). The efficacy was 3.23 times higher among children with age ?3 years than children with age &gt;3 years (aOR 3.23, 95% CI 1.32-7.91, p: 0.010). The efficacy was 94% lower among children without dehydration (aOR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.52, p: 0.011) and 91% lower among children with some dehydration (aOR: 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.77, p: 0.028). Conclusion: The efficacy of probiotics was observed to be higher in treatment of acute watery diarrhea in hospitalized children. Probiotics, when used as an adjunct to standard therapy, may be beneficial in reducing the severity and duration of diarrhea, potentially leading to improved clinical outcomes.