Veterinary Preventive Medicine, Epidemiology, and Public Health Commons^™

Prevalence Of Disorders Recorded In Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices In England, Jennifer F. Summers, Dan G. O'Neill, David B. Church, Peter C. Thomson, Paul D. Mcgreevy, David C. Brodbelt

Epidemiology Collection

Background: Concerns have been raised over breed-related health issues in purebred dogs, but reliable prevalence estimates for disorders within specific breeds are sparse. Electronically stored patient health records from primary-care practice are emerging as a useful source of epidemiological data in companion animals. This study used large volumes of health data from UK primary-care practices participating in the VetCompass animal health surveillance project to evaluate in detail the disorders diagnosed in a random selection of over 50% of dogs recorded as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs). Confirmation of breed using available microchip and Kennel Club (KC) registration data was attempted. …

Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease In Dogs Attending Primary‐Care Veterinary Practices In England, M. Mattin, A. Boswood, D. B. Church, J. López-Alvarez, P. D. Mcgreevy, D. G. O'Neill, P. C. Thomson, D. C. Brodbelt

Epidemiology Collection

Background

To date, epidemiological studies on degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) in dogs have largely reported referral caseloads or been limited to predisposed breeds. Analysis of primary‐care data to identify factors associated with DMVD would help clinicians identify high‐risk individuals and improve understanding.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of and identify risk factors for DMVD in dogs attending primary‐care veterinary practices in England.

Animals

Cases were identified within the electronic patient records of 111,967 dogs attending 93 practices. Four hundred and 5 dogs were diagnosed with DMVD (diagnosed cases) and a further 3,557 dogs had a heart murmur (HM) consistent …

A Behavioral Analysis Of The Pre-Release Tasmanian Devils (Sarcophilus Harrisii) Currently At Devils@Cradle: An Assessment Of The Impacts Of Captivity On The Wild Behaviors Of Tasmanian Devils That Are Important For Their Reintroduction, Survival, And Inclusion In Wild Populations, Anna Staudenmaier

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisi, is in danger of extinction in the wild due to the emergence of Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD). In an attempt to save the species the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program (STTDP) has initiated the creation of an ‘Insurance Population’. These insurance animals are a part of the captive breeding population (CBP) designed to conserve the genetic diversity of the species to preserve their ecological function for their future reintroduction into the wild. CBPs are located at various bio-secure zoos, wildlife parks, free-range enclosures (FREs), Tasmanian islands and peninsulas and sanctuaries like Devils@Cradle - Tasmanian …

Prevalence And Risk Factors For Mast Cell Tumours In Dogs In England, Stephanie J.W. Shoop, Stephanie Marlow, David B. Church, Kate English, Paul D. Mcgreevy, Anneliese J. Stell, Peter C. Thomson, Dan G. O'Neill, David C. Brodbelt

Epidemiology Collection

Background

Mast cell tumour (MCT) appears to be a frequent tumour type in dogs, though there is little published in relation to its frequency in dogs in the UK. The current study aimed to investigate prevalence and risk factors for MCTs in dogs attending English primary-care veterinary practices.

Methods

Electronic patient records from practices participating in the VetCompass animal surveillance project between July 2007 and June 2013 were searched for MCT diagnosis. Various search terms and standard diagnostic terms (VeNom codes) identified records containing MCT diagnoses, which were evaluated against clinical criteria for inclusion to the study. MCT prevalence for …

Nutrient Digestibility And Ruminal Ph Of Finishing Diets Containing Dry Milling Byproducts With And Without Oil Extraction, Melissa L. Jolly-Breithaupt, Adam L. Shreck, Jana L. Harding Harding, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A metabolism trial was conducted to determine the effects of corn oil removal in condensed distillers solubles (CDS) and modified distillers grains plus solubles (MDGS) on nutrient digestibility and ruminal pH. Oil removal had no impact on DM, OM, or NDF digestibility in steers fed CDS or MDGS. However, steers fed de-oiled CDS had a lower fat digestibility than steers fed normal CDS. Average ruminal pH was lower for steers fed de-oiled MDGS than for steers fed normal MDGS, however no difference within CDS was observed.

Mineral Composition Of Beef Cattle Carcasses, Andrea K. Watson, Jana L. Harding, Matt P. Mccurdy Curdy, Matt J. Hersom, Kristin E. Hales, Clint R. Krehbiel, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Mineral retention was measured in 76 beef steers. Cattle were grown at different rates of gain and then finished on a common diet. Calcium and P retention were not affected by treatment and were similar between the growing and finishing periods averaging 4.2 g P and 10.8 g Ca /100 g protein gain across both experiments. As ADG during the growing period was decreased, K, Mg, and S mineral retention during the finishing period were increased. Expressing mineral retention as g/100 g protein gain reducedvariation due to animal size and ADG and suggests that current NRC predictions are accurate.

Anaerobic Digestion Of Feedlot Manure, Andrea K. Watson, Adam L. Shreck, Amy M. Schmidt Schmidt, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Cattle diet can impact manure quality and quantity but has minimal impacts on methane production from anaerobic digestion of manure. Quality of manure, measured as OM, does affectmethane production and is largely impacted by the environment cattle are housed in and methods used to collect manure. As the amount of ash contamination of manure was increased, or OM content of the manure was decreased, organic matter degradation and methaneproduction were decreased. With adequate daily cleanout of ash from digesters, open-lot beef cattle manurecan be used for anaerobic digestion.

Mineral Composition Of Serial Slaughter Holstein Carcasses, Andrea K. Watson, Trent J. Mcevers, Lee-Anne J. Walter Walter, Nathan D. May, Jacob A. Reed, N. Andy Cole, Ty E. Lawrence, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Carcasses of 115 Holstein steers were divided into lean, bone, internal cavity, hide, and fat tissues for analysis of P, Ca, K, Mg, and S retention. Every 28 days, five steers from each of two treatments, fed Zilmax for 20 days prior to harvest or not fed Zilmax, were harvested. There were no differences due to treatment or days on feed when mineral retention was expressed as g/100 g of protein gain. Expressing mineral retention relative to protein gain reduced variation due to rate of gain and animal size.

Supplementing Cow-Calf Pairs Grazing Smooth Bromegrass, Jason M. Warner, Annie J. Doerr, Galen E. Erickson Erickson, Rick J. Rasby, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A three-year study evaluated supplementing ethanol co-products mixed with low-quality forage to cow-calf pairs grazing smooth bromegrass as a method to replace grazed forage intake. Supplementing a 30:70 modified distillers grains plus solubles:cornstalks mixture reduced estimated grazed forage intake by approximately 40%. Doubling the stocking rate and supplementing did not impact cow or calf performance. A summer supplementation program designed to reduce grazed forage intake is a viable strategy for increasing stocking rate if forage for grazing is limited.

Effect Of Post-Weaning Management And Age At Weaning On Calf Growing And Finishing Performance, Jason M. Warner, Curtis J. Bittner, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The impact of post-weaning management system and calf age at weaning on growing and finishing performance was evaluated. During the growing phase, cattle in the fast-track system had improved intake, gain, and feed conversion. Although initial finishing weight was similar between systems, slow-track cattle had greater intake, gain, final body weight, and carcass weight. While the impact of age at weaning was negligible, the improvement in finishing performance for slow-track cattle demonstrates the value of different management systems.

An Economic Analysis Of Conventional And Alternative Cow-Calf Production Systems, Jason M. Warner, Andrea K. Watson, K. H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Kate Brooks, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Profitability through weaning was predicted for conventional and alternative cow-calf production systems using various input price scenarios. At base input price levels, conventional systems were more economical than alternative systems. As pasture price increased, alternativesystems became cost effective. Feeding cows year-round in a confinement setting appeared the least economical; however, an alternative system combining summer drylot feeding with cornstalk grazing is projected to be economically competitive given an increasing abundance of corn residue.

Effects Of Calf Age At Weaning On Cow And Calf Performance And Feed Utilization In An Intensive Production System, Jason M. Warner, Curtis J. Bittner, Karla H. Jenkins Jenkins, Rick J. Rasby, Matt K. Luebbe, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The effects of calf weaning age on cow and calf performance, reproduction, and feed utilization were investigated in a two-year study. Early weaning increasedcow BW in January. Pregnancy rates were not impacted by calf age at weaning. Dry matter intake (DMI) was similar between normal-weaned cow-calf pairs and early-weaned cows and calves. Feed requirements and utilization were comparable between early- and normal-weaned pairs when fed high energy diets, implying weaning decisions should be made on the basis of management rather than feed efficiency.

Evaluation Of The Impact Of An Alternative Corn Residue Harvest Method On Performance And Methane Emissions From Growing Cattle, Janessa J. Updike, Anna C. Pesta, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, James C. Macdonald, Samodha Fernando, Galen E. Erickson, Terry J. Klopfenstein

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A growing study was conducted to evaluate the impact of alternative corn residue harvesting methods and inclusion of Rumensin® on performance and methane to carbon dioxide ratio (CH₄:CO₂) of steers. Use of the alternative harvesting method resulted in greater ADG and improved F:G ratio than traditionally harvested cornstalks. Rumensin increased ADG and improved DMI; however, it did not have an impacton F:G ratio. Altering the composition of baled corn residue did affect CH₄:CO₂, while inclusion of Rumensin, whether included in the diet on a constant or rotational basis, had no impact.

Estimation Of British- And Continental-Specific Heterosis Effects For Birth, Weaning, And Yearling Weight In Cattle, Lauren N. Schiermiester, R. Mark Thallman, Larry A. Kuehn Kuehn, Matthew L. Spangler

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Heterosis, assumed proportional to expected breed heterozygosity, was calculated for 6,834 individuals with birth, weaning, and yearling weight records from Cycle VII of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Germplasm Evaluation Program. Heterosis was further estimated by proportions of British x British (BxB), British x Continental (BxC), and Continental x Continental (CxC) crosses. Estimates of BxB, BxC, and CxC heterosis were significant for weaning and yearling weight. This study illustrated that differences among biological types exist and provide an opportunity to utilize specific breeds and exploit heterosis in a crossbreeding system to achieve production goals.

Effect Of Corn Plant Maturity On Yield And Nutrient Quality Of Corn Plants, Cassandra A. Row, Adam L. Shreck, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Curtis J. Bittner, Jana L. Harding, James C. Macdonald, Terry J. Klopfenstein, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Two corn plots (short season, 102-day, and normal season, 111-day corn) were serially harvested to evaluate nutrient, digestibility, and yield change over the duration from half-milk line through black layer. Digestibility of the corn plant decreased as corn plant maturity and NDF content increased. The lower leaf in the normal season plot decreased in digestibility, but did not change in the short season plot. Little change was observed in the digestibility of the internodes across time. The NDF content of the upper plant increased in both plots. The internodes increased in NDF content across time in both plots. The results …

Digestibility Of Calcium Oxide Treated Corn Residue With De-Oiled Distillers Grains, Sarah J. Peterson, Meredith L. Bremer, Adam L. Shreck Shreck, James C. Macdonald, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A digestion study was conducted to evaluate diets containing calcium oxide treated corn residue in combination with de-oiled distillers grains in forage based growing diets. Chemical treatment did not affect digestibility of DM, OM, or NDF. However, concentration of distillers grains did improve DM and OM digestibility. The use of chemically treated residue in combination with distillers grains in growing diets may not impact diet digestibility.

Effects Of Dietary Fat Source And Monensin On Methane Emissions, Vfa Profile, And Performance Of Finishing Steers, Anna C. Pesta, Andrea K. Watson, Robert G. Bondurant Bondurant, Samodha C. Fernando, Galen E. Erickson

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

A finishing study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary fat source and presence or absence of monensin on performance, methane (CH4) emissions, and ruminal VFA profile of cattle. No effects on performance or VFA profile were observed. Inclusion of modified distillers grain plus solubles (MDGS) in the diet tended to increase measures of CH4 production when compared to other fat sources (corn oil or tallow), while inclusion of monensin in the finishing diet was not significant for CH4 production.

Impact Of Heifer Development System On Subsequent Gain And Reproduction, Hazy R. Nielson, John D. Harms, Adam F. Summers Summers, Rebecca A. Vraspir, Rick N. Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Replacement heifers from 2 different calving herds (March and May) were fed ad libitum hay and 4 lb of supplement/day, or were allowed to graze meadow and received 1 lb of supplement/day from mid-January to mid-April prior to both breeding seasons. Heifers from both calving herds that received hay had a greater average daily gain during the treatment period compared with meadow grazing heifers. However, heifers grazing meadow experiencedcompensatory gain during their respective breeding season, resulting in similar body weights at pregnancy diagnosis for March-calving heifers. The proportion of heifers that attained pubertybefore breeding and became pregnant was similar between …

A Comparison Of Two Implant Protocols: Synovex-Choice/Synovex-Plus Vs. Synovex-S/Revalor-S On Steer Feedlot Performance And Carcass Characteristics, Hazy R. Nielson, Adam F. Summers, Rick N. Funston Funston

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

In a 2 year study, implant strategies were compared utilizing Synovex® Choice followed by Synovex Plus® or Synovex® S followed by Revalor® S. Spring-born crossbred steers were blocked by BW and randomly assignedto receive either Synovex Choice or Synovex S as the initial implant. Approximately100 days later, steers were reimplanted with Synovex Plus or Revalor S. Steers were slaughtered after 205 days on feed. There was no difference in average daily gain or hot carcass weight between treatment groups. Furthermore, there were no differences in yield grade, marbling score, or proportion of steers grading USDA Choice. Both implant regimens resulted …

Effects Of Ingestion And Collection Bag Type On Nutrient Composition Of Forage Samples From Esophageally Fistulated Cattle, Jacqueline A. Musgrave, Jared Judy, Aaron Stalker Stalker, Terry Klopfenstein, Karla Jenkins

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Ingestion and mastication of forage samples adds ash. Generally, levels of CP were lower and NDF and IVOMD were similar for post-ingested versus pre-ingestedforage. Bag type (screen vs. solid) generally did not affect ash, NDF, or IVOMD. Bag did not affect CP of alfalfabut CP of grass samples from screen bags was lower than solid bags. More fresh than dry forage was recovered through the esophageal opening.