Tieraerztliche Praxis Ausgabe Kleintiere Heimtiere最新文献

Vaccination is one of the most important measures for preventing infectious diseases. The basic immunization of puppies is particularly important, because the development of robust, active immunity in the young has a positive effect on the health and constitution of the entire later life. Maternal antibodies can seriously interfere with the success of the vaccination by neutralizing the administered vaccine antigen - especially with live vaccines. The higher the levels of these antibodies, the longer they may prevent successful induction of active immunity. The level of these antibodies is usually unknown. Therefore, repeated vaccinations during the first months of life keep the time window, in which maternal antibodies have declined and no active immunity has been developed, as short as possible.In dogs, vaccinations against distemper, parvovirosis and leptospirosis are considered core vaccinations. The use of tetravalent leptospirosis vaccines is highly recommended. The attenuated live components against distemper and parvovirus should be administered to puppies in week 8, 12 and 16. Since the leptospirosis component is inactivated and is as much affected by maternal antibodies, it is sufficient to administer the leptospirosis vaccination in week 8 and 12. A vaccination against distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis at the age of 15 months completes the basic immunization. In addition to the core components mentioned, vaccines against pathogens of the Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC) (formerly: kennel cough complex), against canine herpes viruses, dermatophytoses, Lyme borreliosis and Leishmaniasis are approved for dogs. The use of these vaccines can be highly advisable depending on the individual risk of infection. For cats, vaccinations against panleukopenia and against feline herpes- and caliciviruses are considered core vaccinations. Kittens should be vaccinated against all three components in week 8, 12 and 16. A vaccination against all three components at 15 months of age completes the basic immunization. For cats, vaccinations against bordetella and chlamydia infections, against dermatophytoses and against infections with the feline leukemia virus are considered non-core. Immunization against feline infectious peritonitis is not recommended. Ferrets should be vaccinated against distemper. Rabies has been eradicated in Germany. The vaccination is therefore no longer considered a core vaccination. However, susceptible pets, i.e. dogs, cats and ferrets, that are moved within the EU or taken across the border to or from third countries must be vaccinated against rabies. Rabbits should be vaccinated against myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease.

Two domestic cats (Abyssinian and Carthusian) presented with chronic respiratory signs including cough, respiratory sounds, and polypnea. One of the cats also showed intermittent fever. Thoracic radiographs demonstrated severe changes with predominantly micronodular interstitial lung patterns, some with mineralized areas. Bronchoalveolar lavage detected high-grade pyogranulomatous airway inflammation. A cytological examination for acid-fast bacteria and a PCR for Mycobacteria species of the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were negative in both cats. A culture for Mycobacteria of the BALF detected Mycobacterium avium subspecies in both cats. While the clinical signs, but not the radiographic findings, could be controlled in one cat with prolonged double antibiotic therapy, the other cat developed septic peritonitis shortly after diagnosis and was euthanized. In unexplained chronic respiratory disease in cats, mycobacterial infection should be considered as a differential diagnosis. The breed of the first patient is consistent with the known predisposition for Abyssinians.

An 8-month-old castrated male Birman showing hematuria, stranguria, and intermittend head tremor was presented for further diagnostic work-up on suspicion of hepato-encephalopathic syndrome. Computed tomography examination revealed a shunt vessel emanating from the vena gastrica sinistra which connected to both the vena phrenica sinistra and a pulmonary vessel from the left caudal lung lobe draining into the left atrium. This represents the first case report describing the radiologic appearance, surgical ligation as well as the post-operative outcome of a cat with such a shunt form.

Objective: Various facultative pathogenic bacteria have been detected in the dog's prepuce. To prevent the transmission of these bacteria, some breeders flush the prepuce of their stud dogs before mating. The purpose of this study is to find out whether preputial flushing is medically useful before mating.

Material and methods: 20 male dogs participated in the study. Their prepuce was flushed with physiological saline and minimum 4 weeks later with Caniprevent. The effect of the different solutions was compared using microbiological examinations of swab samples taken before and after flushing.

Results: The most frequently identified bacterial species were Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus canis and mycoplasma. There was no significant difference in the number of bacteria detected in dogs with and without preputial discharge (p=0.878). After the flushing there was a significant decrease in bacterial growth. The bacterial reduction after preputial flushing with Caniprevent was 20.8% (p<0.001) and in that more pronounced than after flushing with NaCl (p=0.004).

Conclusion: Although a reduction in bacteria through preputial flushing could be detected in this study, the medical benefits of prophylactic flushing cannot yet be assessed.

Clinical relevance: With regard to preputial discharge and preputial flushing solutions, further research is needed in order to be able to better inform and advice pet owners.

Assessing the nutritional status is a crucial component of the general examination for all patients. However, in tortoises, this may be challenging due to their unique anatomy and limitations of the shell. Despite their popularity, there is currently no established standard for assessing their nutritional status and body condition. Depending on the equipment of the veterinary practice, different examination methods are available. As each method has advantages and disadvantages and no clear references exist, an assessment of the nutritional status of tortoises should always consist of several factors. Therefore, detailed knowledge of tortoise physiology is essential when selecting the appropriate method. This article presents an overview of the currently best-known methods and their possible applications in veterinary practice, considering the physiological characteristics of tortoises.

Objective: This literature review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on intraosseous transcutaneous amputation prosthesis (ITAP) and stump socket prosthesis in amputated animals. The goal is to compare the advantages and disadvantages of ITAP with exoprosthesis use, given the importance of limb-sparing procedures in contemporary veterinary medicine.

Materials and methods: A systematic research adhering to the PRISMA protocol was conducted using a time span from 2000 to 2023, focusing on papers detailing the clinical application of ITAP or exoprosthesis in small animals.

Results: This review encompasses 8 studies, 5 of them offering insights into the use of exoprosthesis in dogs and cats and 3 into ITAPs. Among the patients receiving an ITAP, 2 out of 6 experienced complications such as implant loosening and breakage. Studies on stump socket prostheses identified 10 different complications, occurring 93 times in 96 canine patients, with some patients showing more than one complication. However, in the studies assessing the quality of life, 31 out of 48 owners reported that their dogs had a good or excellent quality of life post-surgery.

Conclusion: Both approaches have their pros and cons. Stump socket prostheses may offer better adaptability and simpler application, but owners must be vigilant about daily maintenance to prevent pressure sores or infections, often necessitating adaptations due to stump changes. In contrast, ITAP avoids these complications but requires assurance of proper skin and bone integration. The positive aspect of both prosthesis types lies in restoring quadrupedal gait, alleviating strain on other limbs and maintaining physiological posture, particularly crucial for animals with preexisting conditions. It is crucial to carefully evaluate the outcomes and potential complications of each prosthesis type, prioritizing the patient's well-being.

Clinical relevance: Limb amputation is an important decision in veterinary medicine, where alternative options beyond total limb amputation should be thoroughly discussed. Partial limb amputation, along with prosthetic devices, can greatly benefit patients, provided careful consideration and planning are undertaken.

The following case report describes the clinical approach concerning diagnostic procedures and treatment of a renal adenocarcinoma in a 2-year-old rabbit presented due to hyporexia and polydipsia. The clinical examination disclosed an abdominal mass. Further imaging revealed a unilateral enlargement of the left kidney presumed to be of neoplastic origin. After staging via blood testing, abdominal ultrasound and radiographic imaging of the thorax and abdomen revealed no signs of metastasis, nephrectomy was performed. Patho-histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a renal adenocarcinoma. Despite its guarded prognosis the patient recovered completely and was free of metastases or other health limitations 12 months after the surgery.

A 7-year-old French Bulldog presented with an acanthomatous ameloblastoma affecting approximately 30% of the right mandibular body. We utilized a patient-specific 3D-printed surgical template to perform lateral fenestration of the mandible and elevation of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN), facilitating nerve preservation during subsequent segmental mandibulectomy. The resulting critical-sized bone defect was anatomically stabilized using a patient-specific polyetheretherketone (PEEK) bridging plate. The recovery process was uneventful, with maintained occlusion and orofacial sensitivity.Similar to cases in humans with ameloblastoma, preserving orofacial sensitivity through the preservation of the inferior alveolar nerve seems feasible in dogs. Consequently, potential negative consequences of permanent regional denervation, which are unavoidable in traditional mandibulectomy, can be avoided. Bridging the ostectomy with a PEEK plate, offering advantages such as radiolucency, absence of imaging artifacts, and a modulus of elasticity similar to bone, proved to be functional in this canine patient, with no signs of complications observed up to the latest follow-up at 6 months.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the treatment success of dogs with medial coronoid disease (here: Fragmented Coronoid Process [FCP]) following arthroscopically performed subtotal coronoidectomy by the use of subjective and objective gait analysis and the evaluation of osteoarthritis progression in addition to their correlation with the findings from postoperative computed tomography. In particular, the clinical relevance of residual particles remaining postoperatively was to be evaluated.

Material and methods: Thirty elbows from 24 dogs of different breeds were examined clinically, orthopedically, using gait analysis as well as radiographically at least 6 months after unilateral or bilateral subtotal coronoidectomy. The results were compared with the preoperative findings of the corresponding examinations and postoperative computed tomography.

Results: 79.2% (19/24) of the patients improved by at least one degree of lameness in the orthopedic examination, 66.7% (16/24) were free of lameness. 60% (18/30 joints) showed an increase in the degree of arthrosis. Postoperative computed tomography revealed small residual bone particles (<1 mm) in the joint space or soft tissue in 56.7% (17/30) of the joints. No significant association was evident between residual lameness and residual particles remaining within the joint postoperatively. An association between persistent lameness and progression of arthrosis was also not be demonstrable.

Conclusion: No evidence was apparent supporting a link between residues of small bone particles after arthroscopic subtotal coronoidectomy and postoperative lameness. The progression of osteoarthritis could not be interrupted despite the surgical intervention.

Clinical relevance: When small residual particles (<1 mm) remain after subtotal coronoidectomy, these do not appear to have any influence on the clinical outcome.