Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde最新文献

Introduction: In order to better control eye diseases with a genetic background the Swiss Association for Entlebucher Mountain Dogs had to introduce a mandatory gonioscopy for prospective breeding animals. Abnormalities of the iridocorneal angle consist of pectinate ligament abnormalities and/or narrow or closed iridocorneal angles. They may reduce the outflow of aqueous humor into the blood stream and thereby raise the intraocular pressure. As a result, glaucoma may develop and affected dogs often go blind. Using a sample of 126 Entlebucher mountain dogs we observed that only 28 % of the dogs were unaffected by iridocorneal angle abnormalities. Mild, moderate and severe iridocorneal angle abnormalities were observed in 13 %, 38 % and 21 % of the dogs, respectively. Even though Swiss Entlebucher mountain dogs are affected by iridocorneal angle abnormalities, they rarely develop glaucoma (3,2 %). With increasing age, the iridocorneal angle abnormalitites became more severe in some dogs and our advice is to adhere to the selection strategy of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Introduction: A total of 48 horses with unilateral (n = 44) or bilateral (n = 4) overstrain-induced complete rupture of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in the forelimbs were retrospectively analysed. A telephone questionnaire, carried out an average of 5,9 years post-injury, served as a long-term follow-up in 25 horses. The mortality rate associated with SDF tendonitis was 12,0 % (3/25). Superficial digital flexor tendonitis did not recur in 76,0 % (19/25) of the horses, but at least one subsequent episode occurred in 24,0 % (6/25). The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable to treat horses with complete rupture of the SDFT; the prognosis for return to light ridden exercise (81,0 %) or achieving pasture soundness (14,0 %) is good. However, the rehabilitation period is long, a minimum of one year in most cases. This study also highlights the importance of monitoring for recurrence after the initial episode of overstrain-induced complete rupture of the SDFT.

Introduction: Neospora caninum is a global cause of abortion in cattle. Infection occurs either vertically - from the mother to the foetus - or horizontally through the oral ingestion of -oocysts via contaminated feed or water. Infected cows may abort or give birth to seropositive calves that are already infected in utero. Both the dams and their calves remain permanently infected. As Hérens cows often have a high emotional value for their owners, animals are often re-bred after abortions in an attempt to achieve a new pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in female Hérens cows in the canton Valais. Antibody testing of 425 animals from 86 farms revealed 13 Neospora caninum-positive animals from 12 farms. In our sample, this corresponded to a seroprevalence of 3,1 % (95 % C.I. 1,7-5,3 %) at the individual animal level and 14 % (95 % C.I. 7,8-23,5 %) at the farm level. No significant risk factors could be identified at either the individual animal or farm level.

Introduction: Influenza A viruses (IAV) are likely candidates for pandemics. This report summarizes the results of the Swiss national program for surveillance of influenza viruses in pigs by presenting data on their genetic diversity and on transmissions to humans between 2010 and 2022. Challenges and optimization options in the program are discussed. Nasal swabs or lung tissue samples from pigs with influenza-like signs were screened by real-time RT-PCR for swine influenza virus (SIV) genomes and the human seasonal strain A(H1N1)pdm09; positive samples were subtyped for H1, N1, H3 and N2. In parallel, humans with influenza-like symptoms and recent contact with diseased pigs were asked to sample themselves with a nasal swab. Human swabs were tested for IAV, and positive swabs further subtyped to identify potential cross-species transmission between swine and humans. In the pigs, SIV was detected in 375 of 674 farm visits. H1N1 was the only subtype detected in Swiss pigs so far. The human seasonal strain A(H1N1)pdm09 (Hemagglutinin (HA) clade 1A) was detected in seven out of 375 SIV positive farm visits. Phylogenetic analyses from partial HA and neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences indicate that the remaining pigs were infected with the Eurasian avian lineage (HA clade 1C), which is predominant in swine in Europe. The Swiss H1N1 strains form distinct phylogenetic clusters within HA clades 1C.2.1 and 1C.2.2 and seem to evolve comparably slowly. Infection of humans with SIV was identified in five cases. Sequence similarity analysis assigned the five viruses to the Eurasian avian lineage (C), clades 1C.2.1 and 1C.2.2. There was no evidence for sustained human-to-human transmission. Continued surveillance of influenza viruses at the swine-human interface is of major importance to enable early detection of new IAV subtypes and changes in the epidemiological situation. The authors consider the publication of data from the surveillance program to be essential in order to raise awareness of the disease among both veterinarians and the general public and to supplement existing information on circulating influenza viruses in Europe.

Introduction: Hypoadrenocorticism (HAD) is a relatively uncommon endocrinopathy and dogs often present with non-specific clinical signs. The laboratory database of a tertiary referral center was blinded for review and retrospectively searched between March 2015 and March 2023, for dogs with suspected HAD and then categorized according to basal cortisol measurements and/or an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test (ACTH-STIM). Diagnosis of HAD was based on abnormal results of an ACTH-STIM (post-ACTH-STIM cortisol < 2ug/dl). HAD was diagnosed in 54 dogs, representing 9,6 % of the screened population (n = 564). Dogs without HAD had significantly higher sodium (p < 0,001), lower creatinine (p = 0,007), and lower phosphates (p < 0,001) concentrations than dogs with HAD. Most common breeds diagnosed with HAD included: mix breed (n = 16), Jack Russel Terrier (n = 5) and Bernese Mountain Dog (n = 3). Median age at diagnosis was 5 years (IQR: 3-8,75, range: 1-14). Twenty-nine dogs were male and 26 dogs were female. Most common clinical signs were combinations of hypo-/anorexia (n = 37, 68,5 %), lethargy (n = 35, 64,8 %), and vomiting (n = 31, 57,4 %). Only two of 54 dogs (3,7 %) had resting cortisol values > 0,5 µg/dl (> 13,79 nmol/l) (max. 0,63 µg/dl [17,38 nmol/l]) whereas six dogs (11,1 %) had post-ACTH-STIM cortisol values > 0,5 µg/dl (median: 0,82 µg/dl [22,62 nmol/l], IQR 0,51-0,96 [14,07-26,48]). Dogs with eunatremic, eukalemic hypoadrenocorticism (EEH) were more likely to present with anemia (OR: 14,19, 95 % CI, 2,71-74,22), whereas dogs with typical HAD were more likely to present with hyperphosphatemia (OR: 23,33, 95 % CI, 2,68-203,14). Forty-three dogs (79,6 %) had hyponatremic and/or hyperkalemic HAD and the remaining 11 dogs had EEH. In-house mortality was 5 % (3/55). One dog with EEH developed typical HAD seven weeks after initial diagnosis. Among dogs with HAD, the proportion diagnosed with EEH was similar to previous studies. In contrast to previous reports in which females were overrepresented, more males than females were affected in this cohort. No significant difference in age at presentation was observed between dogs with typical HAD and EEH.

Introduction: The change in body temperature of 21 brachycephalic and 15 normocephalic dogs was recorded using a rectal temperature probe during a standardised 10-minute run on a treadmill and in the subsequent 10-minute recovery phase. While the basal body temperature of the two groups did not differ, the body temperature increase at all representative time points was significantly different (5 min: 0,39 ± 0,17°C vs 0,21 ± 0,12°C; 10 min: 0,59 ± 0,20°C vs 0,25 ± 0,13°C; 15 min: 0,52 ± 0,20°C vs 0,21 ± 0,14°C; 20 min: 0,44 ± 0,24°C vs 0,15 ± 0,15°C) and correlated with both the phenotypic head shape and radiologically measured skull indices. While the body temperature increased significantly faster in brachycephalic dogs than in normocephalic dogs during the treadmill phase, the dogs in both groups cooled down at the same rate during the recovery phase. We interpret the difference in temperature change as an insufficient response by brachycephalic dogs to physical exertion and postulate an alternative pathway in the pathophysiology of the brachycephalic upper airway syndrome (BOAS): the shortening of the nasal skull reduces the thermoregulatory surfaces of the nasal conchae. Physical exertion and high environmental temperatures lead to a sharp rise in body temperature, which is compensated for by increased breathing and panting. This leads to increased negative pressure in the upper airways, causing the soft tissues, such as the nasal entrance cartilage, soft palate and laryngeal pockets, to be sucked into the upper airways and triggering the typical BOAS symptoms.

Introduction: The Swiss Animal Welfare Ordinance prohibits the breeding of dogs with persistent fontanelles. Especially in toy-sized dogs, closed fontanelles are important for breeding selection. In such dogs, other alterations at the cranio-cervical junction, hydrocephalus and syringomyelia are frequently observed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Whether such changes are associated with persistent fontanelles is unclear. The aim of the study was to investigate whether persistent fontanelles are associated with other abnormalities of the head and spinal cord. For this cross-sectional study, 41 toy-sized dogs were clinically and neurologically examined and underwent 3T MRI. Dogs were then grouped into cases and controls, based on ultrasonographic bregmatic fontanelle status. Findings in the two groups were compared using the unpaired t-test, linear regression and correlation as well as Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. In result, 53,7 % of the dogs had closed fontanelles, while 46,3 % had persistent bregmatic fontanelles. Persistent fontanelles were more commonly observed in dogs with lower body weight and a shorter skull but showed no association with age. There was no evidence of an influence of fontanelle status on clinical and neurological presentation. MRI revealed Chiari-like malformation in 78,1 % of dogs, dilated lateral ventricles in 56,1 %, and syringomyelia in 41,5 %. Dogs with persistent fontanelles were 3,7 times more likely to have syringomyelia (Fisher's exact test; p-value 0,047). Dilated lateral ventricles increased by 15 times the odds of syringomyelia (Fisher's exact test; p-value < 0,01). No association was found between persistent fontanelles and Chiari-like malformation, other cranio-cervical abnormalities, or ventriculomegaly. Toy-sized dogs in this study frequently exhibited brain and spinal cord abnormalities on MRI, regardless of their fontanelle status. These findings suggest that presence or absence of bregmatic fontanelles may not be a reliable criterion for breeding selection aimed at maintaining a healthy dog population.

Introduction: Calcium dobesilate has recently been used for treating lameness in horses because it enhances microvascular processes and reduces intraosseous pressure. Lameness caused by disorders in bone metabolism and increased intraosseous pressure, such as navicular disease, osseous cyst-like lesions and pedal bone oedema, are commonly treated with rest, anti-inflammatory agents and surgery. Calcium dobesilate has the potential to influence the pathophysiology of these diseases, thereby improving healing. To determine whether calcium dobesilate and its acting agent calcium 2,5-dihydroxybenzene sulfonate (2,5HBSA) is absorbed by the equine gastrointestinal system to generate detectable plasma concentrations. The study was designed as a prospective in-vivo study. Eight healthy adult Swiss Warmblood horses were used in the study. Calcium dobesilate (3 mg/kg, PO, q12h) was administered orally in mash for seven days. Blood samples were collected from a jugular vein after the last dose of calcium dobesilate. All horses underwent daily physical examination and haematological and blood chemical analyses before and after the study. Liquid chromatography was used to determine plasma concentrations of 2,5HBSA. Noncompartmental analysis was used to estimate the pharmacokinetic parameters. 2,5HBSA was detected in plasma samples after oral administration and ranged from 2300 ng/ml to 3600 ng/ml with a mean of 2900 ng/ml. The results of haematological and plasma biochemical testing were within the reference limits at all times, and no adverse effects occurred. Only plasma samples were analysed and calcium dobesilat was only measured after the treatment period of seven days. Calcium dobesilate was absorbed by the equine gastrointestinal system and reached detectable plasma concentrations.

Introduction: Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (APP) is a major cause of porcine respiratory tract infections where morbidity and lethality are influenced by the serotype and the virulence of the bacterium. Thuringian pig farms were tested for APP antibodies as part of a serologic monitoring programme. By retrospective evaluation of the testing results from one year, the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of APP serotypes in Thuringian pig farms and to evaluate whether serotype specific monitoring provides added value compared with non-specific screening. In the year 2012 blood samples of about 30 pigs per farm were collected on two occasions approximately six months apart and were tested for APP antibodies. Commercial ELISA kits were used for the non-specific as well as the serotype-specific screening. A total of 3509 samples were tested with 1551 positive and 1852 negative results in the non-specific screening. The positive test results originated from 76 out of 81 farms. Antibodies against the serotype groups 4-7 and 3-6-8 occurred in more than 85 % of these farms. Antibodies against serotype 5 were found in only a quarter of the farms with a median of 5 % non-negative samples per farm. If antibodies against the serotype group 4-7 were detected, a noticeably higher proportion of pigs (37 %) showed positive or suspicious test results. The frequent occurrence of antibodies against APP in Thuringia as detected by the non-specific screening test is primarily due to the high proportion of the low virulent serotype groups 3-6-8 and 4-7. The more virulent serotypes 2 and 5 were detected less frequently. A serotype specific testing of virulent serotypes, in addition to the non-specific screening, can be recommended, and contributes to a better insight into the APP situation of pig farms and a more justified assessment of APP's role in the complex causality of porcine respiratory tract infections.

Introduction: This sub-study describes the results of mastitis milk samples collected in the canton of Fribourg. In the «ReLait» project, a total of 2,441 milk samples were submitted from 123 different farms, from which 3,028 pathogens were isolated. Three pathogens were isolated from 26 milk samples, and two from 535 milk samples. Milk samples could be submitted for subclinical mastitis, clinical mastitis, or before dry period. Most milk samples (n=1,524) were collected and analyzed for subclinical mastitis or before the dry period (n=463). Only a few milk samples came from cows with clinical mastitis (n=123). The most frequently diagnosed pathogens were non-aureus staphylococci (NAS) at 37,4 %. In addition, frequently diagnosed bacteria were aesculin-positive streptococci, of which 67,3 % were Streptococcus uberis, coliform and coryneform bacteria, and mixed flora. This distribution largely corresponds to the results of other studies, which also show a predominance of NAS, Corynebacterium bovis, and Staphylococcus uberis. Fewer Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-positive samples were found in our study compared to studies outside Switzerland. The resistance situation among NAS was particularly striking with 73,6 % NAS showing a penicillin resistance. This rate has increased compared to previous Swiss studies where penicillin-resistant isolates of 31 % and 54,2 % in 2013 and 2014 respectively were found. Increased antimicrobial resistance to aminopenicillins (90,3 %) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (20,8 %) was found among coliform bacteria. However, due to the geographically limited sampling area, this increased resistance development cannot be extrapolated to the whole of Switzerland. The results, however, show that the resistance situation of some bacteria is alarming regionally. To counteract this, the use of antibiotics for the treatment of subclinical or clinical mastitis should be reconsidered. Bacterial milk culture is always indicated to ensure specific bacterial treatment with or without antibiotics.