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The behaviour of 101 calves was evaluated during (n = 73) and after (n = 28) thermical dehorning without anaesthesia. Cortisol in saliva (n = 68) was measured in 68 calves. A simulation of dehorning was carried out as a control in most of the animals. The area around the horn bud was examined histologically in 20 calves of different ages (newborn until 3-4 months old). Additionally, the influence of dehorning cows with a wire-saw under anaesthesia on behaviour (n = 16), cortisol in saliva (n = 23), and the milk yield was examined. Independent of the calves' age, the horn bud and the surrounding hairy area were well innervated. For all calves dehorning without anaesthesia was a painful experience. During dehorning calves showed distinct pain and defense reactions. Most reactions were observed more often when the calves were dehorned as when dehorning was simulated. The cortisol in saliva was significantly increased after dehorning. In summary, we have to conclude that calves have a well developed nociceptive system from birth on. Therefore calves should only be dehorned using anaesthesia. Despite the anaesthesia, dehorning was stressful for the cows, as measured by a significant increase of cortisol in saliva. Moreover, cows showed pain reactions when the effects of the anaesthesia diminished. Dehorning had only a short effect on the milk yield of the cows.

Clinical signs of horses with peritonitis were colic (67.4%), elevated heart rate (53.2%), altered mucous membranes (75.8%), reduced intestinal motility (63.2%), increased tension of the abdominal wall (69.9%) and pyrexia (45.1%). The amount of obtained peritoneal fluid was increased in 62.3% of the horses. Colour and translucency of the peritoneal fluid were abnormal in 98.8% of the patients. The nucleated cell count was 83.5 (10-595) x 10(3)/microliter, protein content 35.6 g/l (+/-14.2), specific gravity 1027.3 (+/-7.4) and the relative amount of neutrophils was 87.8% (+/-11). The physical examination and the examination of the peritoneal fluid were of diagnostic value. Complete blood count and blood chemistry indicated the degree of circulatory depression and the duration of the disease. Overall mortality was 47.4% (45/95). Non-survivors had significantly more often an increased heart- and respiratory rate, altered mucous membranes, an increased tension of the abdominal wall, reduced intestinal motility and increased amount of peritoneal fluid. Packed cell volume, urea, creatinine, glutamatdehydrogenase, sorbitoldehydrogenase, lactatdehydrogenase and blood pH were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. All these parameters were statistically of no prognostic value.

Gait analysis has found extensive application in human medicine in orthopaedics, rehabilitation and sports medicine. In veterinary medicine locomotor studies are focused on horses. The available dynamometric and kinemetric measurement systems and their application to tetrapods are discussed after a historical survey with literary review has been made. The installation of a gait analysis laboratory for small animals at the Department of Veterinary Surgery of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich and results of clinical studies including gait analysis will be presented.

Liamas and alpacas have gained international popularity over the last years. Therefore veterinarians are often asked to intervene in clinical management of different problems, especially reproductive problems. In this review the author attempts to summarize the material presented on the reproductive anatomy, physiology, behavior, embryo transfer and artificial insemination procedure of these animals.

The bile acid stimulation test is a sensitive and liver specific test to check liver function. In contrast to the postprandial estimation of serum bile acids which has been used up to now, it offers the advantage of a better standardization. Furthermore there are hardly any side effects. The test requires three blood samples at 0, 20, and 40 minutes after an i.m. injection of 0.3 micrograms/kg KM Ceruletid (Takus). The normal values in the fasting state are under 5.0 mumol/l, 20 and 40 minutes after stimulation under 15.0 mumol/l serum bile acids.

Mother and son of a Yorkshire Terrier family showed excessive multifocal retinal dysplasia (RD1) and geographical retinal dysplasia (RD2), intra- and preretinal hemorrhages partial and total retinal detachment (total RD/RD3), residues of the pupillary membrane and as a newness in this combination a geographical, subepithelial corneal opacity, composed of small dots. One, not examined son of the same litter was congenitally blind. Similar corneal opacities were also found in two Rough Collies affected with CEA, RD, and microphthalmia, a young German Wirehair Pointer with primary absolute glaucoma in conjunction with goniodysplasia and RD in the healthy seeming fellow eye as well as in a poodle puppy affected with bilateral posterior suture-line cataract in connection with persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous (PHPV) in one and a globe-shaped deformed retina in connection with a persistent, blood conducting hyaloid artery in the other eye. The latter finally resulted in intraocular hemorrhage and secondary glaucoma. A pathogenetic connection between ocular malformations and subepithelial corneal opacity seems to be likely.

The use of the Veterinary Cuttable Plate (VCP) is described using the experience in 160 cases. The range of its use and the technique of application is shown in cats and small, medium sized and large dogs, and complications are discussed.

Tissues from nine horses and one donkey suffering from natural Borna disease were investigated. Clinically, all animals demonstrated progressive reduced mentation and aggravating gait disturbances. During the clinical course anorexia and progressive loss of proprioception were observed. Cranial nerve failure was accompanied by signs of pharyngeal paralysis, sialorrhea, bruxism, and by blindness. Virologically, infectious virus was detected in the brain of all animals investigated but was not found regularly in all areas of the brain. However, in all cases, infectivity was found in the thalamus and the hippocampal area. In contrast, in other compartments of the central nervous system virus was not detected regularly. These findings correlate well to the results obtained from assaying Borna virus-specific RNA by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and virus specific antigen by immunohistochemistry. No evidence of infection was found in the autonomic nervous system and peripheral organs. Immunomorphologically, lymphocytic inflammatory reactions and increased expressions of MHC class I and class II antigen were found in the brain as well as in the trigeminal and olfactory system. No evidence of inflammation was found in the retina. From the finding that BDV-proteins and nucleic acids were even more abundant in the trigeminal system as compared to the olfactory system, we conclude that infection may have occurred via the trigeminal nerve.

Semen from three stallions was collected weekly for six months (December through May) to determine semen parameters and hormones (testosterone and estradiol-17 beta) in seminal plasma. Once a month three ejaculates were collected at intervals of one hour and examined accordingly. Testosterone and estradiol-17 beta were also determined in peripheral blood plasma (V. jugularis) collected twice a week. Semen parameters (volume, gel-free volume and sperm concentration) were clearly influenced by season. The testosterone concentration in peripheral blood plasma was lowest during December whereas in seminal plasma testosterone concentration gradually increased throughout the experimental period. Testosterone concentrations in seminal plasma were only one tenth of those in peripheral blood. Estradiol-17 beta in blood plasma was highest in April and May whereas no significant differences occurred in seminal plasma. Average monthly concentrations of estradiol-17 beta in blood and seminal plasma were in the range of 27.4 pg/ml to 45.3 pg/ml. Collection of three successive ejaculations led to a significant decrease of ejaculate volume as well as sperm concentration. Ejaculation frequency did not influence testosterone in seminal plasma whereas the concentration of estradiol-17 beta decreased significantly in the second and third ejaculate. The results indicate that estradiol-17 beta in the stallion's semen may be bound to spermatozoa or is accumulated in seminal plasma.