Ergot poisoning in cattle

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2004), 148(2), 97-101

In addition to the financial losses that ergot ( Claviceps purpurea) contamination causes in crops, the ingestion of ergot-contaminated food by cattle results in an intoxication that develops in several ... [more ▼]

In addition to the financial losses that ergot ( Claviceps purpurea) contamination causes in crops, the ingestion of ergot-contaminated food by cattle results in an intoxication that develops in several patterns. The observed clinical troubles may involve different systems. In this paper, we reviewed the clinical signs observed in ergot-poisoned cattle and some diagnostic and prevention aspects. [less ▲]

Atypical Myopathy (Atypical Myoglobinuria)

in IVIS Reviews in Veterinary Medicine (2004)

Trace elements deficiencies in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress syndrome in the mature newborn calf

Poster (2004)

In Belgium, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal death in the mature hypermuscled Belgian Blue calf (BB) but also occurs in other cattle breeds. Major clinical ... [more ▼]

In Belgium, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is one of the leading causes of neonatal death in the mature hypermuscled Belgian Blue calf (BB) but also occurs in other cattle breeds. Major clinical signs (tachypnea, tachycardia and sometimes depression) develop in the first hours after birth and are due to insufficiency of functional surfactant. Knowing that trace elements deficiencies can slow pulmonary maturation, the aim of this study was to investigate trace elements status in 10 RDS affected BB herds in comparison with 6 reference herds without any evidence of RDS. In each herd, blood was sampled from 10 pregnant or freshly calved healthy cows. In each blood sample, the plasmatic zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) contents and erythrocytic glutathion peroxydase activity (GSH-pxe) were measured and considered normal when above 15 μmol/L, 14 μmol/L and 250 IU/gHb, respectively. A herd was deficient in one element if at least 30 % of sampled animals were out of normal range for this element. Milk was also sampled and pooled from 10 other cows or, when possible, bulk milk was taken. Milk iodine (I) content was considered normal when above 80 μg/L. Results were compared between groups by Chi-square test. All RDS affected herds had low Zn and Cu concentrations and low GSH-pxe activity. Eight out of 10 had low I in milk. In the non-RDS affected herds, only 1 herd was deficient in I, Zn, Cu and had low GSH-pxe activity, 2 herds were deficient in Zn and Cu and 1 herd was deficient in Cu. RDS affected herds were significantly more often deficient in I and GSH-pxe than non-affected herds. It seems that the trace elements selenium (Se), Zn and Cu play an essential role in the development of RDS. The same applies for I, although not deficient in all herds. The reason for this might be that milk samples were taken during lactation, when cows’ nutrition was different and, in any case, supplemented in I. In mature babies, the same RDS is observed but its etiology is still unclear, although I deficiency in the mother is suspected to play a major role in pathogenesis. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that a Se-dependent deiodinase is responsible for transformation of thyroxine (T4) into tri-iodothyronine (T3), which is essential for effective surfactant production. In conclusion, results suggest an association between RDS in mature newborn calves and trace elements deficiencies, especially Se and I, that can be responsible for primary surfactant insufficiency. [less ▲]

Differential diagnosis of neurologically expressed disorders in Western European cattle

in Revue Scientifique et Technique (International Office of Epizootics) (2003), 22(1), 83-102

A classification of neurological or neurologically expressed disorders that occur in Western European cattle aged 12 month and over has been established on the basis of aetiology, frequency and conditions ... [more ▼]

A classification of neurological or neurologically expressed disorders that occur in Western European cattle aged 12 month and over has been established on the basis of aetiology, frequency and conditions of appearance, age and type of animals concerned and the main clinical signs observed. Neurologically expressed disorders have been classified according to different groups of causes: biological, non-biological and non-specific or unknown. Differential diagnosis of neurologically expressed disorders is an essential element in the clinical epidemiological surveillance of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. A growing number of aetiologies are described in the scientific literature. The identification and centralised management of neurological disorders will make it possible, one the one hand, to take account of the inherent variability in the clinical forms encountered and in the diagnostic approaches of the observers and, on the other hand, to identify new risk factors in order to control them. [less ▲]

Diagnostic différentiel des troubles à expression nerveuse dans l’espèce bovine en Europe occidentale

in Revue Scientifique et Technique (International Office of Epizootics) (2003), 22(1), 61-82

Speed of sound measurements in the evaluation of bone properties in Holstein-Friesian cows: a preliminary study

in Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. Supplementum (2003), (Suppl 97), 149

Approche pratique et intégrée d’un troupeau avec des pathologies néonatales

Conference (2003)

Myopathies atypiques chez les chevaux au pré: une série de cas en Belgique

in Annales de Médecine Vétérinaire (2002), 146(4, AUG-SEP), 235-247

Atypical myoglobinuria in grazing horses was described in United Kingdom and Germany between 1984 and 1996. Fourteen horses were presented at the University of Liege between November 2000 and April 2001 ... [more ▼]

Atypical myoglobinuria in grazing horses was described in United Kingdom and Germany between 1984 and 1996. Fourteen horses were presented at the University of Liege between November 2000 and April 2001, with a clinical history suggesting atypical myoglobinuria. Lesions were similar to those previously described. All horses were at rest and grazing when they developed clinical signs. Three times, the syndrome killed several horses grazing together. Horses were generally found recumbent, nearly or totally unable to stand up. They were presenting tachycardia, polypnoea, myoglobinuria and died rapidly. When performed, blood analysis revealed severe muscular enzymatic activity rises. Histopathology revealed pulmonary congestion and oedema, and squeletal muscular fibers degeneration, mostly in respiratory and postural muscles. These observations are in accordance with cases of atypical myoglobinuria previously described in UK and Germany. The aetiology of this pathology is still unknown, despite of research attempts. [less ▲]

Pulmonary surfactant from healthy Belgian white and blue and Holstein Friesian calves: Biochemical and biophysical comparison

in Veterinary Journal (2002), 163

The biochemical composition and biophysical behaviour of pulmonary surfactant samples isolated from healthy Belgian White and Blue (BWB) and Holstein Friesian (HF) calves have been investigated and ... [more ▼]

The biochemical composition and biophysical behaviour of pulmonary surfactant samples isolated from healthy Belgian White and Blue (BWB) and Holstein Friesian (HF) calves have been investigated and compared. Interesting differences in composition have been demonstrated. In particular, a higher level of total hydrophobic surfactant-associated proteins (SP) (due to higher levels of SP-B and SP-C) is reported in HF calves compared to BWB calves. Higher levels of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and especially the disaturated form of PC were also found in HF as compared to BWB calves. No immediate effect on the surface tension properties evaluated by the pulsating bubble surfactometer was found between the surfactant samples of the two breeds under physiological conditions. However, since a high content of disaturated PC and the presence of the SP-B and SP-C are thought to be essential for the surface activity, we propose that the reported modifications could contribute to the apparently lower resistance of the BWB calves to respiratory troubles in comparison with HF calves. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]

Trace elements deficiencies in Belgian beef and dairy herds in 2000-2001

Conference (2002)