We studied the effect of feeding neonatal piglets with bovine freeze-dried colostrum, produced by immunizing cows with inactivated toxigenic E. coli vaccine, including adhesion factors K99, FY and 31A. Immuno-electrophoresis, at 24 hours after feeding, identified that the bovine IgG was transfereed to piglets' blood circulation when they were fed bovine freeze-dried colostrum immediately after birth. Daily gains were slightly higher in the group of piglets given bovine colostrum than control group, but no significant difference was observed. By feeding freeze-dried colostrum to neonatal piglets, we observed dose-dependent increase of serum FY and 31A agglutinin titers at 24 hours after feeding. However, duration of the level of initial agglutinin titers was short, and on the 12th day of study, the level became too low to be detected. On the other hand, we were unable to evaluate the transfer of K99 agglutinin antibody since colostrum from the sow contained K99 agglutinin. Furthermore, the time course after birth and feeding of bovine freeze-dried colostrum was studied to determine the effective feeding time period. As a result, when piglets were fed 24 hours after birth, their agglutinin titer levels were one fourth of those fed immediately after birth; and when they were fed 36 hours after birth, no increase in agglutinin titer levels was identified. In conclusion, bovine freeze-dried colostrum, produced by immunizing cows with inactivated toxigenic E. coli vaccine, is considered to be effective in preventing scours in piglets. However, due to the short duration of serum IgG level, effectiveness in preventing post-weaning diarrhea may not be expected.

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The effects of maximum rate, 200ml/min, intravenous drip infusion (iv) of 2l of a 7.0% sodium bicarbonate solution (SBS) on alkalization of arterial pH and partial pressure of blood gas were examined at large animal practice. Six Holstein heifers, with the average body weight of 446.4±92.3kg, were subjected to 2l iv of SBS to right jugular vein at rapid (200ml/min, 10 min per administration, n=3) ormoderate (66.6ml/min, 30min, n=3) rate. From the start of iv (t=0) up to t=30min, blood samples were drawn from right femoral artery, every three minutes. Afterwards, another samples were drawn at t=120 min and t=240 min following the start of iv and all the drawn samples were subjected to blood gas analysis. Arterial blood pH's immediately before the end of iv were 7.626±0.044 (+0.195 from previous value) and 7.562±0.046 (+0.149) for rapid rate group and moderate rate group respectively, Both were significantly increased with maximum values. The maximum value was significantly higher (p<0.05) in rapid rate group;however no difference was observed between two groups at measurements from t=120 min and t=240 min. Both HCO₃ concentration and base excess have shown significant change that resulted in maximum values of each, immediately before the end of iv. However, no difference in the level of change was identified in two groups; therfore, it is suggested that the difference in the rate of administration has no effect in bioavailability. These results have shown that SBS can be administered intravenously to normal heifers at practically rapid rate and blood alkalization was demonstrated without causing any clinical abnormality. Thus, we suggest that SBS can be intravenously administered to heifers at a rate of 200ml/min.

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In Iwate prefecture, there were 628 cases of hoofs' disease and 243 articulations' disease of Japanese Black and Japanese Short Horn breeding cows in 1998 business year. We carried out the research on those clinical charts to obtain the understanding of those tendencies. As result, of research; 1) there were high occurrence rates of foot rot or arthritis, 2) disease of hooves occurred in high rate, especially during June to September, 3) pelvic limbs' disease occurred at higher rate than fore one, but in arthritis the result was reserved, 4) most of those cows got well, except for cows that had not be easily able to stand, not been treated locally or had four injured limbs. These results indicate that limbs' problem occurs not a few as for Japanese Black and Japanese Short Horn breeding cows, It is considered that earlier detection and treatment, regular observation of hooves and hoofs trimmings would be important to prevent for limbs' problem.

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In one Japanese Black beef finishing farm, multiple incidebces of disease, mainly respiratory symptoms, were seen. Therefore, we studied the cause and preventive measures. As a result, we identified the increase of white blood cell count and significant increase in antibody titers of bovine RS virus. Furthermore, Streptococcus spp was isolated from nasal secretion. As preventive measures for these symptoms, vaccines and antibiotics were administered at the time of entry to the herds. Intranasal (GroupaT) and intra-muscular administrations (GroupaU) were compared as methods of vaccinations, with following results. In the beginning of the study, 13 cattle (100% morbidity) were treated for symptoms out of l3cattle studied. After the preventive measure was taken, six cattle (35.3%) out of 17 in GroupaT, and one (10%) out of 10 in GroupaU received treatments. The average number of times one cattle received the treat-ments was 13.6 times before the preventive measure, and 3.0 times in GroupaT, and 6.0 times in GroupaU, which were significant decreases. At the initial examination, 13 (100%) had clinical symptoms such as respiratory murmur, cough, and fever above 39. 5Ae were observed. However, following the preventive measure, marked decrease of such symptoms were observed, which were in two to three cattle (11.8-17.6%) in GroupaT, and one (10%) in Group a U. Persistent fever was observed in eight (61.5) at the initial examination, and one (7.7%) death was reported. On contrary, no death was reported in both GroupaT and GroupaU, after the preventive measure. In this study, no significant difference was identified between two groups, which utilized different routes of vaccinations. Pathogenicity by bacteria and virus isolation were not identified; however, from the antibody titer results of these cattle, bovine RS virus was diagnosed as a cause of spreading respiratory diseases. Disinfecting of cattle barns and vaccinations were conducted as methods of prevention, and resulted in a great decrease of respiratory disease in cidences.

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We had satisfactory results for both of the premature Japanese black calves, one with fetal aged 241 days and the other 240 days, by applying intravenous drip of glucose solution and ringer solution.
As far as the Case 1 is concerned, it was in a state of unconsciousness at the time of examination, because five hours had already passed since the birth, due to hypothermia (bodily temperature at less than 36.0°C) and high degree dehydration. We therefore, applied for about an hour 100m1 of 40% glucous solution and 1, 000ml of ringer solution by intravenous drip. At the same time, we kept bodily temperature went up to 37.8°C, then it recovered consciousness and finally could swallow down milk.
For the Case 2, although the bodily tempreture was quite normal at 38.4°C because it was just after the birth when we examined the same, it was in a state of unconsiousness. We applied the same intravenous drip of solutions as mentioned above, as well as compulsory injection of milk using stomach catheter. On the same day, the calf recovered to swallow down milk. On the next day, it recovered its feet.
In both cases, the calves grew satisfactory afterwards.
From the above-mentioned two cases, it can be concluded that we may expect satisfactory growth of premature Japanese black calves, born at an earlier stage of pregnancy (at 85% of normal pregnancy period or less), by applying intravenous drip of glucose solution and injection of colostrum. .

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