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Biomedical subjects

R L Reece

Publications and source records attributed to R L Reece.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Toxicity episodes involving agricultural chemicals and other substances in birds in Victoria, Australia.

A series of case reports detailing observations on toxicity episodes in birds caused by a variety of agricultural chemicals and other substances is presented. These problems arose as a result of ignorance, accident and malicious intent. The episodes involved maldison, monocrotophos, fenitrothion, trichlorofon, dieldrin, chlordane, endrin, metaldehyde, bromadiolone, arsenic, lead and zinc. An unresolved episode where toxicity was implicated is also included.

Animals

Diseases diagnosed in broiler chicken flocks in Victoria, Australia, 1977 to 1984.

During the period July 1977 to June 1984, specimens from 1402 broiler chicken flocks were submitted to the Veterinary Research Institute, Victoria, Australia for investigation of morbidity, mortality and, or, poor performance. A total of 19,450 post mortem examinations, as well as numerous ancillary tests, were performed. The findings on these flocks are presented and the consequences of some particular diseases noted.

Anemia, Aplastic

The resistance to anti-microbial agents of bacteria isolated from pathological conditions of birds in Victoria, 1978 to 1983.

The resistance to anti-microbial agents of bacteria isolated from pathological conditions of birds in Victoria, 1978 to 1983, was determined for isolates of Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida, P. anatipestifer, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Haemophilus paragallinarum. The isolates of E. coli had a high prevalence of resistance to tetracycline and sulphonamides, and a lower prevalence of resistance to furazolidone and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The isolates of Salmonella spp commonly had resistance to tetracycline, sulphonamides, furazolidone and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Almost half the isolates of S. aureus showed resistance to lincomysin and many showed resistance to penicillin. Resistance to tetracycline was found in isolates of P. multocida, P. anatepestifer and Y. pseudotuberculosis. Some isolates of H. paragallinarum showed resistance to sulphonamides, streptomycin and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim.

Animals

Field, clinical and pathological observations of a runting and stunting syndrome in broilers.

Observations on a runting and stunting syndrome in broiler chickens in Victoria, Australia, based on general observations from 1980 to 1983 on 2244 chickens from 109 affected broiler chicken flocks, are summarised. The details on 156 of these birds from five affected flocks with varying runting percentages are presented. Typically affected birds were presented with atrophy of the pancreas, the thymus and the bursa of Fabricius.

Animals

Pancreatic degeneration in broilers with runting and stunting syndrome.

A number of plasma biochemical parameters were examined in five outbreaks of runting in broiler chickens. In four of the five outbreaks, runts showed consistent elevations in plasma amylase activity and reductions in glutathione peroxidase activity. In two of the five outbreaks the plasma vitamin E concentration was reduced, as was the activity of plasma alkaline phosphatase. A highly significant number of runted chickens were found to have pancreatic degeneration, elevated plasma amylase activity and reduced plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, compared with non-runted chickens. The implications of these changes are discussed in relation to the aetiology of runting and stunting syndrome and, in particular, the possible involvement of selenium.

Alkaline Phosphatase

Some observations on the development of the long bones of ratite birds.

Observations were made on the long bones of 16 young ratite birds (10 rheas, 3 emus and 3 ostriches), from 1-day-old to 12 weeks of age. At hatching all long bones contained large cartilaginous cones which were continuous with the growth plates, and an osseous cortex. At one week of age ossification had commenced on the periphery of these embryonic cones and in some bones the cones had become separated from the growth plates. At 3 weeks of age the embryonic cones of cartilage were still present in the proximal and distal tibio-tarsi and narrow cartilaginous bridges connected the cones to the growth plates. Embryonic cones were not present in other long bones of this 3-week-old rhea nor in the long bones of ratites 6, 8 and 12 weeks of age. Other praecocial birds such as turkey poults and chickens have cones of embryonic cartilage in their long bones at hatching and these persist in the tibio-tarsi till one to 2 weeks of age. The presence of large cones of embryonic cartilage in the tibio-tarsal bones of 3-week-old ratite birds is probably a normal phenomenon. Awareness of this feature is necessary for the correct differential diagnosis of the prevalent musculoskeletal disorders of ratite birds.

Animals