Temporal trends in intake category data for animal shelter and rescue organizations in Colorado from 2008 to 2018

OBJECTIVE To investigate trends in animal shelter and rescue organization intake for dogs and cats in Colorado from 2008 to 2018. SAMPLE 482 animal shelters and rescue organizations that reported annual intake data to the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture for 1,086,630 dogs and 702,333 cats. PROCEDURES Total intake, intake for each of 5 Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act categories (stray, owner surrender, intrastate transfer, interstate transfer, or other), and community-based intake (total intake after exclusion of transfers) of dogs and cats were assessed in total and for each organization type (shelter or rescue organization). The number taken in per year, number taken in/1,000 capita (human residents)/y, and number in each intake category as a percentage of total intake for the same species per year were analyzed with linear regression models. RESULTS Trend lines indicated that total dog intake increased over the study period, but there was no change when these data were adjusted for the human population. Cat intake decreased over time according to both of these measures. Total community-based intake decreased, whereas total intake by interstate transfer from other organizations increased for both species during the study period. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Increased transfer of dogs and cats across state lines into regions with low community-based shelter intake suggested that regional and national animal disease trends could potentially impact disease profiles for recipient areas. Findings supported efforts toward collecting animal shelter and rescue organization intake and outcome data across larger systems.

Effect of a provincial feline onychectomy ban on cat intake and euthanasia in a British Columbia animal shelter system

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an increase in cat relinquishment for destructive scratching behavior, a change in overall feline surrender intake and euthanasia, or a change in average length of stay in a British Columbia shelter system after provincial legislation banning elective onychectomy. Methods Records of cats admitted to the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the 36 months prior to (1 May 2015–30 April 2018, n = 41,157) and after (1 May 2018–30 April 2021, n = 33,430) the provincial ban on elective onychectomy were reviewed. Total intake numbers, euthanasia and length of stay were descriptively compared between periods. Proportions of cats and kittens surrendered for destructive scratching, as well as the proportion of cats and kittens surrendered with an owner request for euthanasia, were compared using two-sample z-tests of proportions. Results Destructive behavior was found to be an uncommon reason for surrender (0.18% of surrendered cats) during the study period. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of cats surrendered for destructive scratching behavior ( z = −1.89, P >0.05) after the provincial ban on elective onychectomy. On the contrary, the proportion of owner-requested euthanasias decreased after the ban ( z = 3.90, P <0.001). The total number of cats surrendered, the shelter live release rate and average length of stay all remained stable or improved following the ban, though causation could not be determined. Conclusions and relevance The findings in this study suggest that legislation banning elective onychectomy does not increase the risk of feline shelter relinquishment – for destructive behavior or overall – and is unlikely to have a significant effect on shelter euthanasia or length of stay.

Ingestion of Soil by Grazing Sport Horses

Data on soil ingestion in horses are lacking in contrast to other free-range animals. The importance of soil as a vector for environmental pollutants to food is less relevant in horses but several disorders secondary to soil ingestion, such as sand colic or enteritis have been reported. Therefore, soil ingestion has been studied on Irish sport horses grazing at three offered levels of daily herbage: 2, 3 and 4% of their body weight. Soil ingestion was estimated by the faecal recovery of a soil natural marker. Horses had 4.5, 4.1 and 3.7% of soil in their total intake respectively for the 2, 3 and 4% herbage offers. The 4% offer presented significantly less intake (543 g/d) compared to the more restricted offers (624 and 648 g respectively for 3 and 2%). The post-grazing sward height was significantly lower on the 2% offer (3.1 cm) compared to the higher offers (4.1 and 4.4 cm respectively for 3 and 4%). Thus, restricted herbage allowance made grazing closer to the ground and increased soil ingestion. The sward height appeared to be a reliable indicator to manage animal withdrawal from a pasture to limit soil ingestion and the risk of gastrointestinal pathologies caused by it.

Cumulative Consumption of Sulfur Amino Acids Intake and Incidence of Diabetes

Objectives Increasing evidence in animal models and humans suggests that diets high in sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA) could be associated a greater risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, data from longitudinal human studies linking dietary SAA intake with T2D is lacking. The present study aimed to examine the association between long-term dietary intake of SAA including total SAAs, methionine, and cysteine and incident T2D in participants of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Methods Adult participants were selected from two prospective FHS cohorts: The Offspring Cohort (followed from 1991 to 2015, n = 3799) and the Third Generation Cohort (followed from 2002 to 2011, n = 4096). Individuals identified as diabetes patients before baseline, having missing diet or covariates data, or reported extreme daily energy intake were excluded. Energy-adjusted intake of dietary SAAs was calculated from responses to a 131-item food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between intakes of SAAs (in quintiles) and risk of T2D in each cohort. A combined analysis was also performed pooling subjects from both cohorts. Results Overall, we documented 471 T2D events during 9–23 years of follow-up. In both cohorts, higher SAA intake was associated with a higher risk of T2D after adjustment for demographics, traditional risk factors and related nutrients. Comparing participants in the highest quintile with those in the lowest quintile of intake, adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) were 1.98 (1.15–3.41) for total intake (P for trend = 0.04) in the Offspring cohort, and 4.37 (1.40–13.67) (P for trend = 0.01) in the Third Generation cohort. In the combination analysis of two cohorts, adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) were 1.98 (1.23–3.21) for total intake, 2.21 (1.38–3.53) for methionine, and 1.79 (1.12–2.87) for cysteine (P for trends &lt; 0.03). Conclusions Higher long-term SAA intake was associated with higher risk for T2D in humans, suggesting that dietary patterns emphasizing low SAA intake are protective against development of T2D. Funding Sources No funding.

Japanese carotenoid database with α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and fucoxanthin and intake in adult women

Carotenoid intake is associated with low mortality and cancer risks; data on non-provitamin carotenoid intake is limited especially in Asians. We aimed to estimate carotenoid intake in Japanese adult women. Carotenoid content database comprises 196 food items, including 39 fruits, 87 vegetables and mushrooms, and 11 seaweeds, and was established using data from the literature and analyses of foods available in Japan. We surveyed the intake of these foods in Japanese women aged 21–56 years (n=109). Total intake of 7 carotenoids (mean±SD [range]) was 7,450±3,840 (1,160–21,300) μg/day; α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and fucoxanthin represented 4.3%, 23%, 3.4%, 15%, 2.0%, 39%, and 13% of total intake, respectively. Lutein intake was 1,132±686 (294–3,490) μg/day; its best sources were spinach, cucumber, chicken egg, green onion, and Chinese chives, representing 51% of total intake. Lutein can be obtained from a variety of sources. Thus, lutein intake levels did not vary widely among individuals and very few individuals consumed insufficient levels of lutein. Intake of zeaxanthin, lycopene, and fucoxanthin was 149±93 (2–479), 2,890±2,970 (0–17,100), and 980±1,230 (0–5,660) μg/day, respectively. Their intake required rich sources including chicken egg for zeaxanthin (52%); tomato products for lycopene (98%), and wakame seaweed for fucoxanthin (76%). The carotenoid content database including all food items consumed in Japan will be helpful for further investigations on carotenoid intake and its health benefits.

Prenatal and Postpartum Maternal Iodide Intake from Diet and Supplements, Urinary Iodine and Thyroid Hormone Concentrations in a Region of the United Kingdom with Mild-to-Moderate Iodine Deficiency

Iodine is essential for normal thyroid function, supporting healthy fetal and child development. Iodine requirements increase in pregnancy, but many women in regions without salt iodization have insufficient intakes. We explored associations between iodide intake and urinary iodine concentration (UIC), urinary iodine/creatinine ratio (I/Cr), thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine and palpable goiter in a region of mild-to-moderate iodine insufficiency. A total of 246 pregnant women aged 18–40 in Bradford, UK, joined the Health and Iodine in Babies (Hiba) study. They provided detailed information on diet and supplement use, urine and serum samples and were assessed for goiter at around 12, 26 and 36 weeks’ gestation, and 6, 18 and 30 weeks postpartum. Dietary iodide intake from food and drink was estimated using six 24 h recalls. During pregnancy, median (IQR) dietary iodide intake was 101 µg/day (54, 142), with 42% from dairy and 9% from white fish. Including supplements, intake was 143 µg/day (94, 196), with 49% < UK reference nutrient intake (140 µg/day). Women with Pakistani heritage had 129 µg/day (87, 190) median total intake. Total intake during pregnancy was associated with 4% (95% CI: 1%, 7%) higher UIC, 5% (3%, 7%) higher I/Cr, 4% (2%, 6%) lower thyroglobulin and 21% (9%, 32%) lower odds of palpable goiter per 50 µg/day. This cohort consumed less iodide in pregnancy than UK and World Health Organization dietary recommendations. UIC, I/Cr and thyroglobulin were associated with intake. Higher intake was associated with fewer goiters. Because dairy was the dominant source of iodide, women following plant-based or low-dairy diets may be at particular risk of iodine insufficiency.

Effect of Meloxicam on Behavior, Physiology and Pain Sensitivity in Holstein Calves Following Dehorning

The present work aimed to assess the effects of meloxicam on the behavior, feed intake, physiology and pain sensitivity in calves following dehorning. Calves were randomly allocated to four groups: dehorning by amputation with saline (ADNM) or meloxicam (ADM) and chemical disbudding with saline (CDNM) or meloxicam (CDM). Significant differences in the frequencies of all behaviors and activity levels were not observed for the treatment*time interaction (p ≥ 0.05) but were observed for time points (p < 0.05), and the total intake, foraging, hay or milk intake, rectal temperatures, respiration and heart rates and mechanical nonreceptive thresholds (MNTs) in calves were all noted (p < 0.05). For the treatment*time interaction, significant differences were showed between the CDNM and CDM groups in the total intake (at d 0 and 1), foraging (at d 1), hay or milk intake (at d 0 and 1), rectal temperatures (at 24 hr), heart rates (at 4 and 6 hr), and MNTs ( right horn at 2, 6, 24, 48 and 72 hr; left horn at 6 and 24 hr); and significant differences were found between the ADNM and ADM groups in the rectal temperatures (at 6 hr), respiration rates (at 4, 6 and 24 hr), heart rates (at 2, 4 and 6 hr), and MNT (right horn at 2 to 72 hr; left horn at 24 hr). Our results indicated that meloxicam relieves pain after calf dehorning and helps restore feed intake.

Study on status and solution to improve the ventilation system of Quang Hanh coal mine

Quang Hanh coal mine is currently operating at two areas with 11 longwalls having the annual production of 1.5 million tonnes. In recent years, the mine has used 4 conjugate fan stations for air ventilation. To assess the quality of ventilation operation at the Quang Hanh coal mine, the paper surveyed the ventilation quality at longwall faces, roadway faces, ventilation works and main fans. The results show that the ventilation at longwall and roadway faces basically satisfies the requirements. However, in some areas, the fresh air has not been sufficiently supplied, the temparature and humidity are high, the air leakage is serious, and the total intake air lacks an amount of 26.4 m3/s (8%). Based on these the findings, the paper the proposes proper solutions to the air ventilation system at the Quang Hanh coal mine in the near future.