Behavioral changes before metritis diagnosis in dairy cows.

Metritis is common in the days after calving and can reduce milk production and reproductive performance. The aim of this study was to identify changes in feeding and social behavior at the feed bunk, as well as changes in lying behavior before metritis diagnosis. Initially healthy Holstein cows were followed from 3 wk before to 3 wk after calving.

Behavior and productivity of cows milked in automated systems before diagnosis of health disorders in early lactation.

Associations of electronically recorded data were examined before diagnosis of health disorders in early-lactation cows in herds with automated milking systems (AMS). Rumination time, activity, and milk yield data were collected for 8 mo for 605 early-lactation cows in 9 commercial AMS herds. Using multivariable generalized linear regression models controlling for parity and days in milk, data were examined relative to the day of diagnosis for health disorders occurring in absence of, or at least 14 d before, another disorder: mastitis (n = 13), new cases of lameness (n = 45), subclinical ketosis (SCK; n = 113), and purulent vaginal discharge (n = 49).

A Quality-Improvement Initiative to Reduce NICU Transfers for Neonates at Risk for Hypoglycemia.

Background And Objective: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a common problem, often requiring management in the NICU. Nonpharmacologic interventions, including early breastfeeding and skin-to-skin care (SSC), may prevent hypoglycemia and the need to escalate care. Our objective was to maintain mother-infant dyads in the mother-infant unit by decreasing hypoglycemia resulting in NICU transfer.

Risk factors associated with mortality at a milk-fed veal calf facility: A prospective cohort study.

The veal industry experiences calf losses during the growing period, which represents a challenge to animal welfare and profitability. Health status at arrival may be an important predictor of calf mortality. The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to describe the health status of calves arriving at a veal farm and determine the risk factors associated with early and late mortality.

Associations between management practices and within-pen prevalence of calf diarrhea and respiratory disease on dairy farms using automated milk feeders.

Data on management practices used with automated milk feeders (AMF) are needed to identify factors associated with calf health in these systems. The objectives of this observational, longitudinal, cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence of calf diarrhea (CD) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD), and to identify factors associated with prevalence of these diseases at the pen level on dairy farms feeding milk to group-housed calves with AMF. Seventeen dairy farms with AMF in Ontario, Canada, were visited 4 times, seasonally, over 1 yr.

Clinical and metabolic indicators associated with early mortality at a milk-fed veal facility: A prospective case-control study.

Antimicrobial use and resistance, in combination with high levels of mortality, are important challenges facing the veal industry. To improve both the economic sustainability of the industry and animal welfare, measures need to be taken to explore and address reasons for these challenges. Health status at arrival may be an important predictor of calf mortality because substantial mortality occurs early in the growing period on veal operations.

Calf management risk factors on dairy farms associated with male calf mortality on veal farms.

The objective of this cross-sectional herd-level study was to assess the association of calf management practices on source dairy farms with mortality risk on veal farms. From April to October 2016, 52 source dairy farms supplying male calves to 2 veal operations were visited once. A questionnaire was administered that covered all areas of calf management, calves between 1 and 10 d of age were examined using a standardized health scoring system, and blood was taken to evaluate passive transfer of immunoglobulins.

Small bowel capsule endoscopy: May we delegate it to nurses?

Aim: Small bowel capsule endoscopy (CE) is a non-invasive and validated technique allowing the visualization of the small intestine mucosa. It generated more than 40,000 images per examination and induced a long median time of medical reading that may exceed 1 hour. In a transfer of skills' program, the CE reading might be transferred to nurses.

Estrous detection intensity and accuracy and optimal timing of insemination with automated activity monitors for dairy cows.

The objectives of this observational study were to assess the ability of automated activity monitoring (AAM) to detect estrus for first insemination, the accuracy of detection, and the optimum interval from the estrus alert from the AAM system to insemination. Four commercial farms using 1 of 2 commercial AAM systems were studied over 1 yr. Cows were inseminated between 55 and 80 d in milk (DIM) based on AAM only, then by a combination of AAM and timed artificial insemination (AI).

Comparative evaluation of two porcine ex vivo models for training in endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic fluid collections.

Introduction:  EUS-guided cystoenterostomy (EUCE), a technique used for the drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts and peri-enteric collections, requires specific skills for which dedicated models are needed. Based on a compact EASIE model (Erlangen Active Simulator for Interventional Endoscopy), we developed two ex vivo porcine models of retrogastric cysts and evaluated learning performance within the frame of a structured training program.

Material And Methods:  The first model was made of porcine colon (i.

Performance of automated activity monitoring systems used in combination with timed artificial insemination compared to timed artificial insemination only in early lactation in dairy cows.

Identifying cows in estrus remains a challenge on dairy cattle farms, and tools and technologies have been developed and used to complement or replace visual detection of estrus. Automated activity monitoring (AAM) systems and timed artificial insemination (TAI) are technologies available to dairy farmers, but many factors can influence their relative performance. The objective of the present study was to compare reproductive performance of cows managed with an AAM system combined with TAI, or with a TAI program (Double Ovsynch) for insemination before 88 DIM.

Comparison of online, hands-on, and a combined approach for teaching cautery disbudding technique to dairy producers.

The use of pain control for disbudding and dehorning is important from both an animal and industry perspective. Best practices include the use of local anesthetic, commonly given as a cornual nerve block (CNB), and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. The proportion is decreasing, but many dairy producers do not use local anesthesia, perhaps in part due to lack of knowledge of the CNB technique.

Association of rumination time and health status with milk yield and composition in early-lactation dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to determine the associations of rumination time (RT) and health status with milk yield and milk composition. This study used 339 dairy cows from 4 commercial dairy farms in Ontario, Canada (first lactation, n = 107; second lactation, n = 112; ≥third lactation, n = 120). Rumination time was monitored (24 h/d) using an automated system from 1 to 28 d in milk (DIM).

Dairy producers' attitudes toward reproductive management and performance on Canadian dairy farms.

The objectives of this study were to explore Canadian dairy producers' attitudes toward reproductive performance and challenges they perceive to be related to reproduction and reproductive management practices. A survey in both English and French was developed, validated, and administered to Canadian dairy farmers between March and May 2014 to collect general farm, reproduction management, and reproductive performance data, as well as opinions and perceptions about different facets of reproduction. Associations between management practices and the perceived importance of reproduction were tested using a logistic regression model.

Short communication: The effect of storage conditions and storage duration on milk ELISA results for pregnancy diagnosis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage temperature and time from sample collection to analysis on test classification of a commercially available ELISA for diagnosis of pregnancy using the measurement of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAG) in milk samples from dairy cows. Few studies have evaluated the effects of sample handling on milk PAG results. Using a repeated-measures study design, we evaluated sample storage at 5 temperatures: 37°C, 22°C, 4°C, -20°C, or -80°C.

[Focus on Achalasia].

The pathophysiology of achalasia is largely unknown, and involves the destruction of ganglion cell in the esophageal myenteric plexus. High-resolution esophageal manometry is the key investigation. Endoscopic pneumodilatation and laparoscopic Heller myotomy have comparable short-term success rates, around 90%.

Validation of commercial luminometry swabs for total bacteria and coliform counts in colostrum-feeding equipment.

A sufficient quantity and quality of colostrum must be fed quickly to the newborn calf while minimizing bacterial contamination. Adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence swabs offer a potential rapid on-farm alternative to assess bacterial contamination of colostrum. The objective of this study was to validate the Hygiena (Camarillo, CA) AquaSnap Total (AS), SuperSnap (SS), PRO-Clean (PC), and MicroSnap Coliform (MS) swabs as well as visual hygiene assessment for detection of elevated bacterial counts in or on colostrum-feeding equipment.

Prevalence and risk factors for transition period diseases in grazing dairy cows in Brazil.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe the incidence risk of dystocia, retained placenta (RP), pathological recumbence (down cow), the prevalence of metritis and subclinical ketosis (SCK), and the risk factors for SCK, metritis, and RP in grazing dairy herds in Southern Brazil. Fifty-three herds were visited 2-6 times from February to October of 2015. Body condition score (BCS), breed, days in milk (DIM), parity and disease status were recorded for each cow that was between 3 and 21 DIM at the time of the visits.

Survival inequalities in patients with lung cancer in France: A nationwide cohort study (the TERRITOIRE Study).

The French healthcare system is a universal healthcare system with no financial barrier to access to health services and cancer drugs. The objective of the study is to investigate associations between, on the one hand, incidence and survival of patients diagnosed with lung cancer in France and, on the other, the socioeconomic deprivation and population density of their municipality of residence. A national, longitudinal analysis using data from the French National Hospital database crossed with the population density of the municipality and a social deprivation index based on census data aggregated at the municipality level.

Is EUS-guided drainage a suitable alternative technique in case of proximal biliary obstruction?

Background: Results of endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUBD) are unknown in case of proximal stricture. The aim is to assess clinical outcomes of EUBD in patients with malignant hilar obstruction.

Methods: Patients undergoing EUBD with hilar strictures were prospectively included.

Burden of Clostridium difficile Infections in French Hospitals in 2014 From the National Health Insurance Perspective.

OBJECTIVE To describe the hospital stays of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and to measure the hospitalization costs of CDI (as primary and secondary diagnoses) from the French national health insurance perspective DESIGN Burden of illness study SETTING All acute-care hospitals in France METHODS Data were extracted from the French national hospitalization database (PMSI) for patients covered by the national health insurance scheme in 2014. Hospitalizations were selected using the International Classification of Diseases, 10 th revision (ICD-10) code for CDI. Hospital stays with CDI as the primary diagnosis or the secondary diagnosis (comorbidity) were studied for the following parameters: patient sociodemographic characteristics, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and related costs.