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Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is caused by Babesia (B.) caballi and Theileria (T.) equi and is transmitted by hard ticks. Predominantly, the Mediterranean region is known as being endemic for both pathogens in Europe. However, autochthonous infections in central European countries such as Germany can no longer be ruled out due to individual case reports in horses without any stays abroad as well as the geographical expansion of the habitats of different tick species. The case reports presented underline the risk of infection for horses travelling to endemic areas and in horses imported from such areas to non-endemic countries. Clinical signs are often unspecific and include fever, icterus, lethargy, inappetence, weight loss, and reduced performance. Mild to severe anemia is the most common hematologic abnormality, but thrombocytopenia has also been described. Direct (polymerase chain reaction, microscopical analysis of blood smears) and indirect detection methods (detection of antibodies) are available for the diagnosis of pathogen contact and/or infection. Imidocarb-dipropionate is recommended as treatment of choice against EP. Infections with B. caballi can be cleared, while infections with T. equi often result in a life-long carrier status despite treatment. Prevention is limited to controlling or avoiding tick contact. Aside from potentially severe and life-threatening clinical signs, equine piroplasmosis has a significant economic impact on the international trade of horses worldwide. EP is classified as a notifiable disease according to WOAH guidelines, which recommend serological screening for B. caballi and T. equi according to the respective national guidelines when travelling across borders. To date, EP is not classified as a notifiable nor reportable disease in Germany.

This case report describes the clinical findings, diagnostic procedures, therapeutic options, and the outcome in a llama suffering from idiopathic, necrolytic, neutrophilic hyperkeratosis (INNH) around the nares. The exact pathogenesis and etiology of this disease remains unknown up to now . To date, only a few reports on this condition are available in the scientific literature. Information regarding prevalence of this disease among South American camelids is lacking.The multimodal therapeutic measures (surgically, medically, physically) and the course of the disease are presented. A lasting clinical improvement was achieved, although complete healing did not occur.

In this study, a decision tree derived from scientific literature on selective dry cow therapy (ST), which was developed as a knowledge base for a digital expert system, was evaluated. The decision tree merges algorithmic (based on cell count results) and cultural (based on milk sample findings) approaches.During a two-year project period (August 2021-September 2023), ST was carried out on 19 dairy farms in southern Germany according to the decision tree, without specific requirements being placed on the herd's udder health before the start. A total of 1,369 dry-off observations were recorded. The dry-off cases were evaluated regarding implementation of the recommendations, cell count at the first milk recording after calving, proportion of new infections and cures during the dry period depending on the implementation of the dry-off recommendation and the udder health status of the herd.Across all farms, 38.4% of cows were dried off without the use of an antibiotic. The potential for saving antibiotics varied greatly between farms (range: 2.4-71.3%). In 75.9% of cases, a dry-off recommendation could be made based on the available udder health data; only in around 25% of cows did the dry-off recommendation require a microbiological examination of quarter milk samples. On average, the milk cell count after the dry period was less than 100,000 cells/ml in animals that were dried off with and without an antibiotic dry-off preparation. The proportions of new infections and cures during the dry period did not differ significantly between animals with and without an antibiotic dry-off preparation.The results show that with the help of the developed decision tree, ST can be carried out safely in dairy farms without endangering udder health. This decision tree can therefore serve as a reliable knowledge base for a digital expert system to optimize dry-off management in dairy farms.

The increasing population of alpacas in Germany requires comprehensive studies on potential disease. Borna Disease, an infection believed to be primarily transmitted by the bicolored, white-toothed- shrew (Crocidura leucodon) to animals and humans, poses significant concerns. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Borna Disease virus (BoDV) antibodies in alpacas in Bavaria, Germany, and explore associated epidemiological factors.A total of 424 serum samples were collected from 65 alpaca farms in Bavaria, which were selected voluntarily. In addition, questionnaires were filled out by the animal owners gathering information on husbandry and disease awareness of the owners.The results revealed an occurrence rate of nearly 9%, with one in every fourth farm housing at least one antibody-positive animal. While no significant differences were observed in breed, age, or gender, regional endemic areas were identified, coinciding with the presence of the shrew.This study underscores the widespread occurrence of BoDV antibodies in alpacas in Bavaria, emphasizing the importance of hygiene management and increased awareness of the disease among animal owners and veterinarians.

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the age dependent occurrence of different infectious agents in foals with diarrhea.

Material and methods: Fecal samples, which were submitted to a commercial laboratory for a PCR-profile "Foal Diarrhea Pathogens" from 01.01.2021 up to 31.12.2022 (n=144), were examined for Equine Coronavirus (ECoV), Lawsonia (L.) intracellularis, Rhodococcus (R.) hoagii (=R. equi), Clostridium (Cl.) perfringens toxin-encoding genes cpa, cpe, cpb, etx and netF, Clostridioides (C.) difficile toxin-encoding genes tcdA and tcdB, as well as Rotavirus A via PCR.

Results: Pathogens could be detected in a high proportion (42.9%) of the samples. Rotavirus A was the most prevalent pathogen in the current study, followed by clostridial species. Especially in foals younger than one month, netF-producing Cl. perfringens was detected frequently. In this age group, netF-producing Cl. perfringens was as prevalent as Rotavirus A. In comparison, R. hoagii, L. intracellularis and ECoV were detected rarely. Cl. perfringens toxin-encoding genes cpb and etx were not present in the examined samples. In general, the previously known age dependency of the investigated pathogens could be confirmed. Nevertheless, Rotavirus A and netF-positive Cl. perfringens could also be detected outside of the most susceptible age group. Coinfections with the examined pathogens had a low prevalence in the current study.

Conclusions: In general, the examined pathogens showed an age dependent occurrence, but infections in foals outside of the common age group could not be ruled out with certainty due to small sample numbers in some of the age groups. Although Rotavirus A was the most prevalent pathogen in this study, netF-producing Cl. perfringens is an important differential diagnosis, especially in newborn foals. The diagnostic approach in diarrheic foals should contain a broad spectrum of pathogens. This is not only important to detect coinfections, but also to detect shedders, in order to protect other horses in the stable.

A 1-year-old alpaca mare was presented due to lateral deviation of the cervical spine which had been present for a period of 2 weeks. Based on the previous report, a traumatic event was assumed. Feed and water intake were unremarkable, the gait was altered due to slight ataxic movements in all 4 limbs. The animal showed no further neurological deficits on initial presentation. Radiographs revealed a displacement of the cervical vertebrae to the left as part of a subluxation of the articular processes of the cervical vertebrae C4 and C5. During the course of conservative treatment with pain medication, neurologic signs including ataxia and I: mpaired balance developed in spite of unremarkable food intake. Subsequently, the animal died at a time when it was not under observation.Pathologic examination revealed degenerative and inflammatory alterations as well as hemorrhages in the cervical medulla at the level of the axial deviation of the cervical spine. Under consideration of the patient's history, the findings may most likely be seen as the result of blunt trauma and represent the cause of the neurologic signs.This is the first case description of a subluxation of the cervical vertebral column in an alpaca in Germany that has been evaluated in detail.

Objective: The spread of African swine fever in Germany has brought wild boar trapping back into focus as a method for animal disease control. While data on free-bullet slaughter in domestic mammals is available, data on the gun shot and caliber selection for use in wild boar trapping is largely lacking.

Material and methods: The heads of 138 wild boars captured in 10 corral-style traps and shot with a bullet (caliber .22 lr) were analyzed with respect to following data: number of bullet entry holes, bullet entry location, as well as tissue damage to the brain and bleeding by the use of frozen sections of the heads.

Results: With the exception of one animal, all wild boars were killed by head shot with the caliber .22 lr. In 76% (105/138) of the wild boars, only one bullet hole was identified in the head, and in 96% (126/131) of the animals, damage of varying severity was observed in the end brain. In the animals with a frontal bullet hole, in which damage was detected in the cerebrum and brain stem in the frozen sections (n=77), the location was, on average, 2.2 cm above the eye line and 0.35 cm to the right of the median.

Conclusion: The .22 lr caliber appears to be sufficient for culling wild boar with head shots in corral-style wild boar traps. The choice of the smallest possible caliber is of great importance for reasons of animal welfare and safety for the personnel operating the cull.

Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA) is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum. In Central, Northern, Western, and Eastern Europe, ticks of the Ixodes (I.) ricinus/I. persulcatus complex, in Germany mainly I. ricinus, are considered as vectors. Ixodes ricinus ticks show peaks of activity during the spring and summer months, particularly April to July. Changing climatic conditions, however, have meanwhile led to a year-round risk of tick exposure and thus infections with A. phagocytophilum. The presented case report underlines the seasonal peak phase of the infection risk in that the presentation of the horse to the veterinarian occurred in June. Additionally, clinical signs - including fever - are mostly unspecific and thrombocytopenia represents the most significant hematological abnormality. Direct and indirect detection methods are available for the diagnosis of an infection or contact with the pathogen. A positive PCR confirms an acute infection, as in the presented case, while positive antibody levels indicate contact with the pathogen in the (recent) past. Additionally, inclusion bodies, so called morulae, may be detected rapidly and inexpensively in smears derived from the peripheral blood and are predominantly found in neutrophilic granulocytes, less frequently in eosinophilic granulocytes. However, microscopy has a lower sensitivity compared to PCR-testing. In the presented case, morulae could not be detected in EDTA blood despite positive PCR. Antibiotics with intracellular activity, such as oxytetracycline and/or doxycycline are the treatment of choice and, as in the described case, often result in rapid clinical improvement in horses suffering from EGA. The elimination of the pathogen should be confirmed by PCR-testing 5-8 days after the completion of the antibiotic therapy. Whether and how long antibodies against A. phagocytophilum could possibly be protective against reinfection remains unknown. In humans, A. phagocytophilum is classified as an emerging pathogen of increasing clinical importance in the northern hemisphere.