Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde最新文献

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.

Introduction: Acute disease of any visceral organ, including an intrathoracic organ, can cause nausea and an acute abdomen. If acute vomiting can neither be explained by clinical examination nor laboratory and radiology findings, the etiolgy must be searched outside the gastrointestinal tract in less common locations. Testicular torsion was the cause in the present report.

Introduction: Gene tests play an important role for controlling monogenetic diseases because they reveal a genotype for each tested dog and thereby allow for the selection of animals with a lower genetic burden. For some complex inherited diseases and anomalies so called risk-tests are available and may support the selection of breeding animals. They analyze DNA-sequence variants which render a higher risk for carriers to develop a disease or anomaly. The usefulness of a risk-test for congenital idiopathic megaoesophagus (CIM-test) in German shepherds was analyzed in the closely related breed of White Swiss shepherds. The results showed clearly that the CIM-test in this breed is almost not informative, and a selection would probably not reduce the prevalence but only lower the genetic variability. Breeders and owners should be informed accordingly.

Introduction: Blood transfusions have become very important for supportive treatment of anemic animals. However, blood products are not innocuous substances, even if blood is typed and compatibility evaluated before transfusion. Multiple adverse reactions are possible, and the risk is markedly increased in already critically ill patients. One of the organ systems potentially affected by a blood transfusion is the respiratory tract, including transfusion related acute lung injury (TRALI). The present case report describes in detail the development of acute non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema and associated severe pulmonary hypertension a few hours after a packed red blood cell transfusion. With supportive care the dog recovered clinically, radiographically, and echocardiographically within days. Though considered rare in veterinary medicine, TRALI is an important potential complication of transfusion of blood products.

Introduction: A young, healthy male Labrador developed regurgitation, diarrhea, and decreased general condition after hormonal castration using a deslorelin implant (Suprelorin®) and concurrent cyproterone acetate injection. The gastrointestinal symptoms improved with symptomatic treatment, but lethargy persisted. The cause of the initial gastrointestinal symptoms is suspected to be impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by the injected cyproterone acetate. Cyproterone acetate has a known glucocorticoid effect and inhibits the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis like other progestogens. Low-dose (0,1 mg/kg once daily) and high-dose (1 mg/kg once daily) prednisolone therapy led to a slight improvement in the general condition. Seven weeks after the cyproterone acetate injection, the dog was noticeably more active, but only after the surgical removal of the deslorelin implant did the owner considered the dog «back to his old self.« This suggests that the dog's reduced general condition was a side effect of the hormonal neutering. Twenty-one weeks after the deslorelin implant application and cyproterone acetate injection, and fourteen weeks after the last prednisolone administration, the adrenal glands responded normally in the ACTH stimulation test. One year later, the owner describes the dog as healthy without any gastrointestinal symptoms since then.

Introduction: In the Swiss Fleckvieh (SF) cattle breed, derived from crosses between the Holstein (HO) and Simmental (SI) breeds, two inherited diseases, thrombocytopathy (TP) and bovine dilated cardiomyopathy (BDCMP), and four so-called fertility haplotypes, Fleckvieh haplotype 1,2,4,5 (FH1,2,4,5), have been described so far. In addition, the APOB-related hereditary disease cholesterol deficiency (CD) has been thoroughly described in the closely related HO breed after its discovery in 2015, but to date it has not been reported in the SF breed. The hereditary disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which leads to progressive retinal degeneration in homozygous carriers of a pathogenic variant of the RP1 gene, has been shown to occur in several European cattle breeds, but has not been described in the SF population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of the known genetic defects and fertility haplotypes, as well as CD, in SF and the two closely related breeds, HO and SI. We also investigated the prevalence of RP in the SF population and characterised the genetic disease through a case series. To determine the prevalence, the SNP array genotyping data of over 65 000 cattle from the Swiss breeding association database were analyzed and based on those results, four RP1 homozygous animals were clinically evaluated. The allele frequency of the RP causing allele in SF was 13 % and the CD causing allele, previously described only in HO, was found in SF with an allele frequency of 1,17 %. The remaining six genetic defects occurred in SF either with a low allele frequency (TP 0,24 %, BDCMP 1,93 %, FH2 0,03 %, FH5 0,02 %) or not at all (FH1, FH4). The four RP1 homozygous animals with a mean age of 7,5 years old Showed varying degrees of visual impairment. Overall, the clinical and pathological findings were consistent with RP1-associated RP. In a suspected case, RP1 genotyping by genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis of RP. Due to the routine use of SNP genotyping to estimate breeding values, the genotypes of genetic defects are known, at least in the active breeding population, and can therefore be considered before matings. Avoiding risk mating will improve animal health and welfare and prevent animal losses, and therefore economic losses.

Introduction: Opportunistic Candida infection of the central nervous system is increasingly observed in immunocompromised humans and has recently been reported in three dogs. Calvarial bone lysis is a rare manifestation of chronic Candida infection in humans but has not been reported in dogs. This report describes the case of a 10-year-old immunocompromised Bullterrier dog with cerebral lesions associated with meningoencephalitis and multifocal aggressive bone lysis, destruction of turbinates and conchae, sinusitis, a nasopharyngeal mass, and regional lymphadenomegaly in MRI and CT. Histology and microbiological examinations revealed Candida albicans infection. The dog responded transiently to antifungal treatment but was euthanized due to clinical deterioration. Postmortem examination confirmed granulomatous fungal meningitis and multicentric T-cell lymphoma. This is the first report describing imaging features of an opportunistic Candida infection causing granulomatous meningoencephalitis in a dog. The dog in this case report showed aggressive bone lysis at the same location as granulomatous meningoencephalitis lesions, a rare feature of chronic Candida infection in humans.

Introduction: This study analyses udder measurements in Lacaune ewes, with a particular focus on the effects of the control year (2022-2023) and lactation order on various udder traits. The number of Lacaune ewes included in the study ranged from 57 to 86 for various variables, while the number of control measurements was between 49 and 111. Significant year-on-year variations were observed in teat size and position, with teats generally decreasing in size with age. The control year had a significant impact on udder length, width, and depth, as well as teat length and angle. Our findings indicate that optimal teat angles for milking are around 45°. The order of lactation (parity) had a significant impact on udder size, particularly udder depth and length, which increased by the third lactation. The older ewes exhibited longer teats and a more horizontal teat position, indicative of larger udder cisterns. The results of the udder cistern measurements taken using different methods showed that cistern size tends to increase with age. It was found that larger cisterns correlate with higher milk yields and faster milk letdown. Although the impact of lactation order on cistern measurements was not statistically significant, the 'from the bottom' method proved more effective for assessing cistern size. There was considerable variation in the milkability parameters, including machine-milked and total milk yield. The correlation between udder attachment and milk production was significant, which highlights the importance of a strong udder attachment for efficient milk yield. A notable positive correlation between udder width and milk production indicates that wider udders yield more milk in shorter periods. The study findings indicate that larger udder cisterns, particularly on the left side, are associated with greater milk production. As ewes age and progress through lactations, udder morphology improves, facilitating better milkability. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of specific udder traits in the selection of ewes with enhanced milk production potential for the Lacaune breed.

Introduction: A five-month-old kitten has been admitted to catheter assisted intravascular occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Considering the small size of the patient, and of the femoral artery, a transvenous approach through the femoral vein was attempted. The PDA could be successfully occluded using an embolization device called Amplatzer vascular plug II. This device can be deployed retrogradely through the venous system, using a catheter, that must be passed through the caudal vena cava, right atrium and ventricle, and pulmonary artery, reaching the PDA. The intervention was assisted by fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. The cat recovered uneventfully from the procedure, and it was discharged the following day. Transvenous embolization of PDA can be successfully performed also in small patients or animals with comparably small peripheral arteries, like cats.

Introduction: Given the increasing shortage of skilled workers, working conditions in the veterinary sector are of central importance for the motivation and satisfaction of employees. Solutions to reduce stressors are important to keep skilled workers in their jobs in the long term and to counteract migration out of clinical work. An innovative approach to work design was developed as part of a master's thesis. The thesis was based on qualitative studies and structured according to defined characteristics, which can help to reduce stressors in small veterinary practices. The study aimed to develop an understanding of specific challenges in veterinary practices, as comparable research literature for the veterinary sector in Switzerland is limited. The theoretical basis of the work was based on findings from the human healthcare sector, which has similar problems. The qualitative data was collected through seven guided expert interviews, the transcripts were analyzed using Mayring's method. The resulting recommendation of this study can serve as a guideline for veterinary practices and aim to improve working conditions promoting employee satisfaction. The results not only contribute to the theoretical foundation in the area of work design, but also provide concrete impulses for small veterinary practices to increase their attractiveness and employee satisfaction.