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As part of a literature review, a systematic search was carried out to determine how the focus of research on dystocia in cattle has changed in the German- and English-spoken literature between the 1960s and 2020 as well as to evaluate the the quality of the scientific literature to date. To this end, 621 references were analyzed. It is evident that the number of publications increased between 2010 and 2020, which emphasizes the importance of the subject. Case series (35.3%) are the most common type of publication. Controlled studies (4.5%) and meta-analyses (0.3%) were found much less frequently. The causes (43.8%) and consequences of dystocia (28.8%) have been investigated most frequently to date, while the frequency has only been analyzed in few studies (7.2%). While treatment methods were mainly evaluated from 1960 to 1979, no chronological focus can be found for the topics "causes of dystocia" and "consequences of dystocia". Publications focusing on the prevention of dystocia are increasingly found from the 1980s onwards.To summarize, it can be stated that publications on the causes of dystocia are currently the most relevant in quantitative terms. For future research projects, the studies should be planned in such a way that they can form the basis for systematic studies, reviews and meta-analyses.

Objective: Stillbirths account for a relevant proportion of total calf mortality on dairy farms. In addition, the stillbirth rate is an important criterion for assessing animal welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the stillbirth rate and aspects concerning the management of cows ante partum and during the calving period in larger dairy herds.

Material and methods: In 97 dairy farms with an average herd size of 550 cattle (≥24 months old), data concerning farm management and animal health were collected as part of a farm inspection using a questionnaire. The stillbirth rate of the respective farms was determined based on the farm's own data on the milk yield test and analyzed for possible correlations with farm management using a multivariable factor analysis.

Results: A higher stillbirth rate was found on farms with particularly lean and overconditioned transit cows in the herd. A positive association to the stillbirth rate was also found for farms using a special birth monitoring system for heifers and those with more than 20% assisted calvings. There was no association with herd size.

Conclusions: Regardless of herd size, factors that are related to the stillbirth rate may be determined by analyzing the farm management. The body condition of the cows is a key parameter. The introduction of special birth monitoring for heifers can probably be interpreted as a reaction to increased stillbirths in the herd.

Clinical relevance: Conditioning cows before calving is an important field of action for herd managers in order to avoid stillbirths. The cows should not approach the calving period in an overly lean or over-conditioned state. When in such state, however, it is advisable for these cows to be monitored more closely in order to allow for professional assistance at the pertinent time period. Integration of body condition scoring of cows at dry-off, calving and the end of the high-yielding period, assessment of calving conditions and training of staff involved in obstetrics into veterinary herd management is warranted.

The effectiveness and justification of every therapy and other clinical decisions is based on a correct diagnosis. However, many types of test results can contain uncertainties that may lead to clinically incorrect decisions. The same applies to the reliability of expert opinions for legal disputes. Adequate communication of diagnostic and expert uncertainties in the examination report or expert opinion is therefore crucial for avoiding incorrect decisions. The liability of the person providing the service is also affected. However, uncertain or even erroneous findings can have various causes, only some of which are known to the examining or commissioning person. This article provides an overview of 3 different types of susceptibility to errors using the example of pathological biopsy and cytology examinations, which can also be transferred to other veterinary disciplines in a similar way. A solid understanding of the possible sources of error as well as adequate communication and discussion of case-specific, limited probabilities in investigation reports and expert opinions make a significant contribution to avoiding incorrect decisions. However, commonly used terms such as "highly probable", "suspected" or "cannot be ruled out" are sometimes interpreted in unclear or divergent ways, which are explained here with recommendations for uniform use. This is intended to enable the person making the decision, if necessary, to initiate further diagnostic tests or gather further evidence in the context of all other available data in order to reduce the risk of error as far as possible.

Subject and aim: Based on health applications used in human medicine for the self-management of chronic diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate a mobile app in veterinary medicine using the example of a decision-making aid for the control and prevention of bovine fasciolosis on dairy cattle farms.

Material and method: The study was carried out on 37 organic dairy cattle farms in Bavaria. The farms were divided into two groups: one group received a mobile app (n=17) as a decision-making aid, while the other group received a printed brochure (n=20) with identical content. At the beginning of the study, all participants were questioned by telephone concerning their farm, among other things. After using the respective tool, the participants were again interviewed by telephone.

Results: At the beginning of the study, the majority of participants were aware of the options for drainage (n=28; 75.7%) and fencing off wet areas (n=36; 97.3%). 37.8% (n=14) stated that they were familiar with a pasture rotation system. After using the respective aid, the majority of participants described the tool as helpful (94.1% app; 80% brochure). Many participants (app group: n=10 (58.8%); brochure group: n=16 (80%)) stated that they wanted to change their approach based on the new knowledge gained, e. g. introducing a pasture rotation system (app group: n=9 (52.9%); brochure group: n=13 (65.0%)).

Conclusion: Both study groups enjoyed working with the tool they used. They viewed the knowledge imparted by the mobile app or brochure as helpful and useful. Most participants expressed a desire to continue using these tools in animal health management on farms in the future.

Clinical relevance: The use of tools such as mobile apps may improve veterinary advice, e. g. in the management of parasitoses in cattle herds.

In January 2023, a Swedish piglet-producing farm with 2800 sows in production (SIP) was diagnosed with IAV (Influenza A virus) and the isolates were shown to cluster with the human seasonal influenza (2022/2023). In December 2022, employees with flu like symptoms tended to the pigs and a few weeks later, respiratory signs appeared in different age groups; sows in farrowing units were anorectic and pyrectic. Lung and nasal swabs were tested positive for IAV and other respiratory infectious agents. Blanket vaccination against H1N1pdm09 of sows and gilts was initiated but discontinued for sows after 2 treatments. Biosecurity measures aiming to reduce the spread of virus were implemented. However, the compliance to follow the protocol was moderate.Combining immunity and strict sanitary measures is crucial to control virus circulation. As the farmer discontinued sow vaccination and just partly increased biosecurity, this may have contributed to ongoing virus circulation and clinical signs in pigs, even 5 months post-diagnosis. Although H1N1pdm09 already had been found in the herd in 2017, there were no clinical signs or diagnostic results indicating continuous circulation of this or other IAV strains afterwards. However, this cannot be entirely excluded. Swine IAVs pose a risk of reintroduction into the human population, highlighting the importance of vaccination of farm workers against seasonal influenza.

Objective: The relationship between the in vitro detected virulence factors biofilm and capsule formation of Streptococcus (S.) uberis isolates of clinical mastitis in dairy cows and the bacteriological cure rate after antibiotic therapy was investigated in order to better understand the importance of these virulence factors for the bacteriological cure rate.

Material and methods: A total of 111 clinical mastitis (CM) cases were collected, in which S. uberis was bacteriologically detected. All mastitis cases were treated in accordance with the approval conditions of the antibiotic udder tubes used. Individual cow information including age, number of lactations, current lactation mastitis and antimicrobial treatment received was recorded. The microtiter plate test was used to detect biofilm formation and Anthony capsule staining was used to detect capsular capacity. Statistical analyses were performed to characterize the correlation between in vitro virulence factors and bacteriological cure (BC) rate.

Results: 30.5% (n=29) of the S. uberis isolates of bacteriologically cured cases and 34.5% (n=10) of the isolates of bacteriologically non-cured mastitis cases were found to have the ability to produce capsules in vitro. 70.7% (n=58) of the S. uberis isolates from bacteriologically cured mastitis cases had the ability to produce biofilm in vitro, whereas 58.6% (n=17) of the isolates of non-cured mastitis cases showed ability in producing biofilm. No correlation was found between the in vitro ability of S. uberis to form capsules and biofilms and the BC rate after antibiotic treatment of bovine mastitis.

Conclusion(s): The present work has shown that the investigated in vitro virulence factors are not associated with the BC after antibiotic therapy. Further studies on the role of S. uberis virulence factors are needed to complete the missing knowledge on the difficulties in curing S. uberis mastitis.

Clinical relevance: This study is of great clinical relevance since it enhances the understanding of the occurrence of BC in S. uberis mastitis cases. The investigated virulence factors are often addressed as possible reasons for therapy failure, although respective scientific studies are missing.

A 9.4 mg deslorelin slow-release implant was inserted into an adult, healthy billy goat to achieve temporary infertility and a reduction in sexual behavior. The implant was inserted in late autumn. No significant change in testis size was observed over the following 6 weeks. The endocrine function of the testis, which was examined by stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin, was also unchanged after 6 weeks compared to the initial examination. Histological examination revealed a preserved spermatogenesis.In conclusion, the application of a GnRH analogue implant in the adult male goat has no influence on the investigated parameters - and thus probably also on its fertility.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in lameness prevalence among Austrian dairy farms for both lactating and dry cows as assessed by locomotion scoring (LCS 1-5) by an expert and a student who had received brief training in locomotion scoring and by farmers' estimates and by farmers' lameness assessments.

Materials and methods: In total, 632 cows from 11 farms were evaluated, including 553 lactating and 79 dry cows. Lameness prevalence was calculated for all farms collectively as well as for individual farms. The ratio of lameness prevalence determined by the student/expert (Student's Assessment Index: SAI), the ratio between farmers' assessments/expert assessments (Farmers' Assessment Index: FAI) and the ratio between farmers' estimates/expert assessments (Farmers' Detection Index: FDI) were calculated.

Results: For the expert, the mean lameness prevalence (LCS≥2) among all 632 cows was 63.1%, while for the student it was 60.2%, and the farmers' assessment was 37.3%, resulting in a mean difference of 25.8% between the expert and the farmers. In cows with LCS 2, the SAI was 99.6%, in cows with LCS 3, it was 84.4%, and in cows with LCS≥4, it was 88.6%. The mean FDI and FAI for all cows on the 11 farms were 35.1% and 58.2%, respectively, with wide variation across farms (6.8-79.1% and 17.8-94.7%, respectively). Overall, lactating and dry cows exhibited a high mean lameness prevalence (63.9% vs. 59.6%), which differed by only 4.3%.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Farmers should actively assess their cattle for lameness on a regular basis. Moreover, they should be trained to identify lame cows (lactating and dry cows), especially those showing mild lameness (LCS 2). Since the recently trained student achieved similar high recognition rates as the expert, it is assumed that a training in locomotion scoring can contribute to higher recognition rates.

Subject and aims: The Swiss Claw Health Project (SCHP) started on 1 January 2019 and will last a total of 8 years. The main goals of the SCHP are (a) digital recording of claw health data of cattle in Switzerland by 100 professional claw trimmers, (b) development of claw health programs, (c) improvement of cattle claw health in Switzerland, (d) development of breeding values for claw health and (e) reduction of antibiotic use to control claw health problems.

Material and methods: Data was collected digitally by 45 hoof trimmers who had previously successfully completed the training program for diagnosis and digital documentation in accordance with the ICAR Claw Health Atlas. The national animal health database was further developed for data storage. Livestock farms with unfavorable claw health were offered an on farm analysis with subsequent annual support visits.

Results: A total of 1155 cattle owners joined the project by the end of the 5^th project year. The claw health data of 149753 claw trimmings at cow-level was recorded, and 176 individual visits and analyses of farms with claw health issues were carried out. A health program for mechanical and metabolism-related claw disorders was developed and successfully established. Biosecurity measures during claw trimming were analyzed, and a brochure with recommendations for claw trimmers was developed. Risk factors for the occurrence of digital dermatitis in dairy herds were identified. The prevalence of alarm lesions (painful lesions) decreased significantly and continuously in the participating farms over the project years 2 to 4.

Conclusions: The scientific project support proved to be extremely useful, as the progress of the project was continuously monitored, and new issues could be addressed promptly. Digitally recorded findings during herd hoof trimming are essential for monitoring and improving claw health.

Clinical relevance: This description and critical assessment of the SKGP procedure can be used by other consortia planning a similar project.

Various systems are available for birth monitoring in horses, whereby a distinction must be made between methods for more accurate prediction of the date of birth in order to intensify monitoring of the mare in a timely manner as well as methods for detecting individuals that are in labor. Basically, it should be noted that there are almost no studies that compare different methods on the same population of mares. As the time of birth approaches, physiological parameters of mare and fetus change, but their variability is too high to predict the exact parturition time point prospectively. The best method currently available is the detection of a decrease in the pH value and an increase in the calcium concentration of the udder secretions.Continuous camera monitoring is currently the method of choice for the detection of the start of the parturition process. However, the downside of this method is that the recordings have to be evaluated by a human.Recent developments based on the use of artificial intelligence could provide significant improvement. Before these methods are ready for practical use, the combination of camera monitoring and a sensor that is sewn into the vulva and activated during the opening phase of parturition is the safest method.