Tieraerztliche Praxis Ausgabe Grosstiere Nutztiere最新文献

Subject and aim: The aim of the study was to clarify to what extent the sonographic representation of the stomach changes depending on its filling state.

Material and methods: In a prospective controlled study, warmblood horses presented for gastroscopy were assessed sonographically. The examinations took place when the horses were fed normally (measurement 1), after 12 hours of food deprivation (measurement 2), after insufflation of air during gastroscopy (measurement 3) and after removal of air from the stomach at the end of the gastroscopy (measurement 4). The following objective parameters were recorded: Number of intercostal spaces (craniocaudal extension) and determination in which intercostal spaces the stomach could be visualized sonographically, maximum dorsal extension of the stomach, distance between skin and stomach wall.

Results: The median number of intercostal spaces in which the stomach could be visualized sonographically was 7.5 (IQR 3.75), 1.0 (IQR 1.0), 7.0 (IQR 2.0) and 2.0 (IQR 1.0) for measurements 1, 2, 3 (n=32) and 4 (n=15), respectively. The differences were significant between measurements 1 and 2 and between measurements 2 and 3. There was no significant difference between measurements 1 and 3. After 12 hours of food deprivation, the stomach size measured by the number of intercostal spaces visualizing the stomach was reduced by 75%. The maximum dorsal expansion of the stomach for measurements 1, 2, 3 (n=32) and 4 (n=15) was a median of 38 cm (IQR 15.25), 13 cm (IQR 6.75), 43 cm (IQR 7.00) and 21 cm (IQR 8.00), respectively. The differences were significant between measurements 1 and 2 and between 2 and 3. Concerning the distance between skin and stomach wall, the following medians were determined for measurements 1, 2, 3 (n=32) and 4 (n=15): 5.8 cm (IQR 2.27), 4.05 cm (IQR 3.05), 4.8 cm (IQR 1.48) and 5.9 cm (IQR 2.90). The only statistically significant difference was observed between measurements 1 and 3.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The sonographic appearance of the stomach changes according to the state of filling. Parameters that are readily determined sonographically are the craniocaudal and maximum dorsal extension as well as the distance between the skin and the stomach wall.

Fractures of the splint bones are the most common fractures in horses. Various treatment options for splint bone fractures (MC/MT II and IV), including conservative and surgical management, have been described. This report describes an acute splint bone fracture due to external trauma in a 17-year-old Icelandic mare. The fracture was diagnosed as an open multifragment fracture of the proximal third of the fourth metacarpal bone (MCIV) in the right front limb. Surgery was performed with the horse under general anaesthesia. The distal fragments were removed, and the distal part of the proximal remnant splint bone was cut with an osteotome. During the postoperative period, a routine x-ray-control two days after surgery showed a dislocated fracture of the remaining proximal part of the fourth metacarpal bone. In a second surgery, the proximal part of MCIV was entirely removed. After a reconvalescence period of 5 month, the horse reached her previous level of performance as a leisure horse. The mare is still free of lameness 6 years after the incident.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to determine the current inventory of Hinterwald cows in Baden Wurttemberg and in Switzerland. A secondary goal was to compare the production data and registered reasons for culling in Hinterwald, Vorderwald, Fleckvieh and Holstein dairy cows in order to determine possible differences between extensive and intensive husbandry practices.

Materials and methods: The relevant breeding organization data from 1953 to 2021 were obtained and analyzed. The data of the Hinterwald Breed Association of Switzerland were also included in this study because a large population has been established in the past 40 years.

Results: The number of Hinterwald cows used in dairy production has markedly declined in their original area of distribution in the highland zone of the Southern Black Forest. There is reason to fear that the use of this breed on dairy farms may eventually cease. In contrast, an increase in the number of Hinterwald cattle in extensive farming for meat production was seen in the Black Forest region and in Switzerland. Compared with Vorderwald, Holstein and Fleckvieh cows, the milk yield of Hinterwald cows has not increased significantly over the last 60 years, whereas other production data including fertility parameters, udder health, feet and leg scores and longevity have been outstanding. The breed comparison also revealed that the enormous increase in milk yield in the most popular dairy breeds has occurred at the expense of an unacceptably high disease prevalence and an associated shortened lifespan, often under suboptimal husbandry conditions.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: The Hinterwald breed has survived as a result of the resilience of many farmers, the financial commitment of private organizations and governmental support. The characteristics of Hinterwald cattle are excellent, making this breed an ideal choice for sustainable farming, which is a necessity in view of climate change. It would appear prudent to preserve and support this breed and others as they represent a valuable gene pool.

Dystocia represents a life-threatening condition for mare and foal. Morbidity and mortality rates due to a difficult birth, as well as the influence on fertility of the mare were analyzed, based on a review of publications. This was aggravated by the fact that no standardized diagnostic code was used and that most publications do not clearly describe how extensively the examinations were performed beforehand. Retentio secundinarum is the most common complication caused by dystocia. Other complications are injuries to the soft birth canal and the colon. These occur more frequently after surgical obstetrics than following assisted vaginal deliveries. Performing a fetotomy increases the risk of injury to the birth canal. After a caesarean section, the risk for retained placenta increases significantly. In order to evaluate the possibility of medical progress over time, mortality rates of mare and foal were investigated and divided in surgical and conservative obstetrics within the period of 1970-1990 and 1991-2021. The average maternal mortality rate following caesarean section amounted to 18% in the time period between 1970 and 1990 and 14% between the years from 1991-2021. After fetotomy, the two determined mortality rates amounted to 29% and 10% for the time between 1970 and 1990. In the period 1991-2021, the rate varies between 4% and 44% with an average mortality rate of 14%. Following controlled vaginal delivery, the average mortality rate is 9%. Literary sources were however only available for the current time period and range between 6% and 29%. The morbidity and mortality rate of foals is very high. Following caesarean section on average 53% of foals are dead on delivery, with a range of 13-79% in case reports from the years 1991-2021. The number of dead foals in the context of conservative obstetrics is of a similar scale. Postnatal foal diseases are largely due to intrapartum hypoxia during dystocia and obstetric injury. In consequence of a difficult delivery, mares experience reduced fertility. In numerous cases this however may be compensated by pausing from further breeding in the same year. The number of cases evaluated in this context however remains too small to advocate any recommendations for breeding following incidents of dystocia.

Hepatic lipidosis in dairy cows is the result of a disturbed balance between the uptake of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), their metabolism in the hepatocytes, and the limited efflux of TG as very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Lipidosis and the associated risk for ketosis represents a consequence of selecting dairy cows primarily for milk production without considering the basic physiological mechanisms of this trait. The overall risk for lipidosis and ketosis possesses a genetic background and the recently released new breeding value of the German Holstein Friesian cows now sets the path for correction of this risk and in that confirms the assumed genetic threat. Ectopic fat deposition in the liver is the result of various steps including lipolysis, uptake of fat by the liver cell, its metabolism, and finally release as very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). These reactions may be modulated directly or indirectly and hence, serve as basis for prophylactic measures. The pertaining methods are described in order to support an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of lipidosis and ketosis. They consist of feeding a glucogenic diet, restricted feeding during the close-up time as well as supplementation with choline, niacin, carnitine, or the reduction of milking frequency. Prophylactic measures for the prevention of ketosis are also included in this discussion.

Objective: The aim of the survey was to evaluate the development and implementation of Veterinary Herd Health Management (VHHM), as well as Selective Dry Cow Treatment (SDCT), in German veterinary practices and dairy farms. Furthermore, this survey set out to compare and contrast veterinary practitioners that utilize VHHM in relation to SDCT with those that do not.

Material and methods: The survey (n=600) was distributed to veterinary livestock practitioners at 7 advanced training courses. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Data analysis was carried out by means of descriptive statistics as well as by linear and logistic regression.

Results: The response rate amounted to 39.3% (n=236). 54.2% (n=128) of the veterinarians reported that they conduct VHHM. Procedures for SDCT were used on farms overseen by 75% (n=177) of the vets. Different decision criteria applied at herd (81.6%, n=142) and at individual cow level (97.7%, n=172) respectively. A performance review of SDCT was carried out more frequently on farms of veterinarians that practice VHHM (66%, n=66) than those that do not (41%, n=28). An increase in the number of farms conducting VHHM was associated with an increase in the proportion of farms using SDCT. An increase of the probability of good udder health was associated with SDCT farms that also apply VHHM (OR: 1.025; p<0.05). The provision of consultation for problems arising during the dry period (OR: 3.639; p<0.05), the frequency of veterinarians addressing SDCT with farmers (OR: 1,595; p<0,05) and vice versa (OR: 1,538; p<0.05), as well as frequency of consultation for drying off management (OR: 1,608; p<0.05) had an positive impact on the likelihood of SDCT being implemented on a farm and whether this process was ultimately successful.

Conclusions: According to available data, both VHHM and SDCT are established parts of veterinary practice in bovine care. In practice, SDCT is partially conducted within the framework of a controlled procedure including a performance review. The implementation of VHHM has an effect on the number of farms performing SDCT as well as on udder health where VHHM and SDCT are combined on a farm. The range and frequency of consultation by veterinarians have a significant influence on a reduction of use of antibiotics by implementation of SDCT.

Endocrine regulation of parturition is based on an intense exchange of signals between the fetus, placenta and mother. Apart from sheep, our knowledge of the endocrine control of parturition is still very incomplete. However, current observations suggest significant differences between the species. For the maintenance of pregnancy, progesterone (P4) is the crucial superordinate regulatory factor, although in some species, such as the horse, functions of P4 are at least partially fulfilled by other progestogens. In general, prepartum P4 withdrawal is considered a prerequisite for the onset of physiological birth. In species with exclusive (dog) or predominant (e. g., cattle, goat, pig) luteal P4 at the end of gestation, luteolysis is the crucial event. In sheep, where P4 is of placental origin prior to parturition, the prepartum P4 decline is due to a switch in placental steroid metabolism. The mechanism of prepartum progestogen withdrawal in the mare is still largely unclear. In sheep, initiation of parturition proceeds from maturation of the fetal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which leads to a steep prepartum rise in fetal cortisol concentrations stimulating the collapse of placental P4 production. In cattle, fetal cortisol probably triggers luteolysis via stimulation of placental prostaglandin secretion. In several other domestic mammalian species, there is also evidence that the initiation of parturition proceeds from maturation of the fetal HPA axis. However, the functional relationships between fetal cortisol and prepartum P4 withdrawal are largely unknown in nonruminant species.