Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica最新文献

Background: The injection of a local anaesthetic into the periodontal ligament (PDL) to achieve desensitisation of the pulp, periodontium, and adjacent tissues is a well-established technique in human dentistry, particularly in paediatric patients. This approach, commonly referred to as intraligamental or intraligamentary anaesthesia (ILA), has been widely adopted due to its effectiveness and relative simplicity. The aims of the present publication were: (1) to provide a review of the literature, (2) to describe an ILA technique adapted by the authors for use in equine dentistry, and (3) to evaluate this technique in an equine cadaver study.

Results: Following injection of the solution into the periodontal ligament, the solution was observed to spread extensively through the PDL and alveolar bone, accumulating around the apex of the tooth. In horses, this distribution appeared to occur via both diffusion along the PDL within the periodontal space and infiltration into bone marrow spaces.

Conclusion: The described ILA technique is straightforward to perform and can practically be applied in equine dental procedures. The cadaver study demonstrated consistent distribution of the injected solution around the root apex, supporting the anatomical basis for potential desensitisation of the pulp, periodontium, and surrounding tissues. While clinical studies are needed to confirm efficacy, these findings indicate that ILA may represent a useful additional technique for achieving local anaesthesia prior to tooth extraction in horses.

Background: Acquired equine polyneuropathy is a neuromuscular syndrome characterized by digital extensor dysfunction, primarily affecting the pelvic limbs, with consistent, repeated knuckling. Despite being recognized as an emerging disease in Scandinavia since 1995, the aetiology remains unknown, and cases have been limited to Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Case presentation: On a combined breeding and training farm in Iceland, 30 out of 145 horses (21%) presented with acute pelvic weakness, pelvic limb digital extensor dysfunction, knuckling and/or recumbency, from May to August 2019. The affected horses, aged 2-9 years, were from four out of six free-ranging groups on the farm. All affected horses had been fed a specific batch of wrapped forage for 11 days or more, while none of the 40 stabled horses fed a different wrapped forage were affected. Eleven case horses were euthanised due to severe pelvic limb weakness, and/or recumbency, yielding a case fatality rate of 37%. Histopathological examination of peripheral nerves from one case revealed severe demyelination.

Conclusions: This case report documents the first recognized outbreak of equine polyneuropathy in Iceland. Describing one of the largest documented outbreaks of the disease, this report provides crucial insights into the epidemiology and clinical manifestation in mainly untamed horses kept and fed outdoors.

Background: Selenium (Se) is an essential element for mammals, with a relatively narrow safety margin between deficiency and toxicity. It is involved in the function of many vital activities and systems, including antioxidants, immune system, thyroid activity, muscle metabolism, and growth by composing different proteins and enzymes. Northern Europe is a Se deficient region, and livestock have been supplemented with mineral bolus or similar for decades to counteract Se deficiency, whereas Finland even adds Se to fertilizers to supplement soil, plants, animals and humans. Relatively few studies have investigated total Se concentrations ([TSe]) in wildlife, and here we present [TSe] measured in whole blood in moose (Alces alces), brown bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), and wolverines (Gulo gulo) from Norway and Sweden.

Results: [TSe] in whole blood increased with the trophic level of the species: herbivorous moose < omnivorous bears < carnivorous wolves < scavenging wolverines. Compared to established reference ranges of [TSe] in domesticated species, more than half of all moose sampled and 5% of brown bears were Se deficient. Surprisingly, 49% of bears, 42% wolves and 29% wolverines had [TSe] above recommended references range for domesticated species. In general, [TSe] significantly increased with age and body weight in all sampled species, whereas for most species, there was an additional association with region, year, and season sampled, reflecting variations in Se uptake caused by the element's geochemical properties related to bedrock and soil availability and atmospheric precipitation.

Conclusions: Further studies should focus on a wider spatial distribution for these animals and especially include more wolverines to investigate the relatively high [TSe] observed in this species. We also emphasize the importance of measuring Se in poor regions for ecotoxicology studies, since Se deficiency can exacerbate heavy metal toxicosis.

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. This study uses public domain datasets to identify the association between (a)biotic variables and occurrences of ASF in domestic pigs and wild boars in Europe. The public domain databases WOAH-WAHIS and EMPRES-i were used to obtain data about ASF cases in domestic pigs and wild boars from 2018 to 2023. Several (a)biotic variables were considered as potential drivers for ASF: precipitation, temperature, human-animal interface density, and type of land cover. A Shiny app was created to offer an interactive platform for data analysis and visualisation.

Results: Uni- and multivariable mixed negative-binomial models were used to assess the association between (a)biotic variables and ASF occurrence. The statistically significant associations between the (a)biotic variable 'land cover' and ASF cases differ between domestic pigs and wild boars. The land cover types 'industrial, commercial, and transport units' and 'inland wetlands' were identified as significant factors associated with ASF in both domestic pigs and wild boars. However, pig density, temperature, and human density were statistically associated with ASF occurrence only in domestic pigs. When a finer spatial resolution (5 × 5 km) was applied for all (a)biotic variables around the reported ASF cases compared to the coarser resolution of 10 × 10 km, the associations with (a)biotic variables for wild boars remained consistent. In contrast, for domestic pigs, only human population density remained significantly associated with ASF occurrence at this finer scale.

Conclusions: The model showed high accuracy for ASF prediction in domestic pigs but low accuracy for wild boars, highlighting the limitations of public domain (a)biotic factors alone. Integrating restricted data on animal movements, migration, and carcass interactions could enhance future predictions and improve disease control strategies. The change in spatial resolution did not affect the associations between (a)biotic factors and ASF occurrence in wild boars but reduced the number of associated variables in domestic pigs, suggesting that ASF in wild boars is driven by broader-scale factors, while in domestic pigs it is influenced by more localised conditions.

Background: Neonatal enteritis is a major cause of losses in dairy calves and bovine norovirus (BNoV) and nebovirus (NeV) are underdiagnosed contributors to this disease. In this study, we report for the first time molecular characteristics of bovine norovirus (BNoV) and nebovirus (NeV) detected in calves in Swedish dairy herds. 700 samples from preweaned calves with and without diarrhea were analysed.

Results: BNoV was more prevalent (19%) than NeV (4.5%), and among BNoV, the GIII.P2 genotype was more frequently detected than the GIII.P1 genotype. These viruses were detected at similar frequencies in calves with and without diarrhea. The 17 NeV partial polymerase gene sequences all clustered with the Bo/NB/80/ USA prototype strain. Also, the molecular epidemiology of BNoV GIII.P1 in a longitudinal study in one dairy herd is reported.

Conclusions: In this study, we describe for the first time molecular characteristics of BNoV and NeV from Swedish dairy herds. The genotypes detected in Swedish dairy calves were similar to those detected in most of the studies from other countries within and outside Europe. Phylogenetic clustering of Swedish virus strains was detected and discussed in relation to virus transmission.

Background: Cleaning and disinfection (C&D) in slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities is essential to avoid cross-contamination of the meat and thereby prevent food-borne illness and decreased shelf-life of the food product. To determine C&D efficacy, environmental monitoring should be performed. The food business operator must decide which activities to apply in their facility, which can be a challenging task. Ten slaughterhouses, six red meat and four poultry, with associated meat processing facilities participated in this interview study. The animals slaughtered in these slaughterhouses represented approximately 32% and 90% of the annual slaughter in Sweden, respectively. Quality assurance managers of the slaughterhouses were asked 27 questions using digital interviews about their C&D procedures and environmental monitoring. Additionally, the managers could freely elaborate on the difficulties and challenges related to C&D.

Results: Daily C&D was performed in all slaughterhouses and nine hired external cleaning companies. The same type of chemicals were used in all ten slaughterhouses, which primarily included alkaline detergents with or without chlorine for cleaning and chlorine-based agents for disinfection. The most common methods used for monitoring C&D efficacy were the sampling of surfaces by dipslides and ATP-bioluminescence, while one slaughterhouse used swabbing. Only half of the slaughterhouses based thresholds to determine if a surface was sufficiently clean on their own risk-analysis. The remaining slaughterhouses did not provide the information, or the respondent did not know. Quality assurance managers expressed difficulties in determining C&D efficacy, identified several surfaces as difficult to clean and noted reliance on externally provided hygiene thresholds. Four thematic challenges emerged in the thematic analysis: microbial composition on surfaces; efficacy of C&D procedures; competence and management; and production and competitiveness.

Conclusions: Slaughterhouses face notable challenges in C&D, and environmental monitoring, including procedural deficiencies, knowledge gaps, and limited science-based guidelines. Hygiene outcomes are strongly influenced by personnel competence and management support. Limited collaboration between slaughterhouses further impedes the sharing of effective practices. Strengthened partnerships with the scientific community, improved training, risk-based monitoring, and hygienic facility design are essential to enhance C&D standards and reduce microbial contamination risks at slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities.

Background: To safeguard dairy calf welfare, European legislative recommendations on milk feeding practices and minimum standards on housing of calves exist. However, studies providing a general overview of common practices on milk-fed calf rearing across European countries are sparse. The aim of this study was to provide an overview of current milk feeding and housing practices for dairy calves in conventional and organic herds across European countries. Forty-five respondents with extensive knowledge about dairy production and calf rearing from 25 countries and regions were invited to an online questionnaire regarding farm demographics, management of the newborn calves, milk feeding and housing practices of calves 1-4 weeks of age and 5-8 weeks of age, and weaning practices.

Results: A total of 21 respondents from 15 countries and regions responded to the survey. The survey suggests that in conventional herds most calves spent a limited time with the dam after birth (≤ 12 h) with longer durations found in organic herds (> 2 days). Calves 1-4 weeks of age are reported to be commonly housed in individual pens and fed 6-8 L/day in two daily feedings. In most countries and regions, less than 25% of the herds are reported to be practicing ad libitum milk feeding. In most countries and regions, teat buckets or teat bars are reported to be used for milk feeding. In countries and regions where open buckets or troughs are more common, access to permanently mounted artificial dry teats (dummy teats) was typically provided. Calves 5-8 weeks of age are reported to be predominantly group housed and fed 8-10 L/day in two daily feedings with once a day milk feeding occurring more frequently in calves within this age group. Weaning was reported to be most frequently initiated between 8 and 10 weeks.

Conclusions: Based on the respondents' evaluations the survey suggests that there are discrepancies between recommendations based on research and the current practices regarding milk allowance and feeding frequency, and weaning. Legislative or industry regulations on timing of separation from the dam, milk type, or weaning age are primarily implemented for organic production systems in a smaller proportion of countries.

Background: Despite advancements in pancarpal arthrodesis implants, the postoperative complication rate remains high, and implant removal is often required. This study assessed the implant removal rate following pancarpal arthrodesis and identified its associated factors. Case records of 52 pancarpal arthrodesis procedures performed on 42 dogs at three veterinary centres between 2017 and 2023 were reviewed. The collected data included signalment, medical history, surgical techniques, and postoperative follow-up, which were categorised into perioperative, short-term, mid-term, and long-term periods. Additionally, the timing and indications for implant removal were documented. Univariable logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the data and identify factors associated with implant removal.

Results: The implant removal rate was 36.5%. The presence of orthopaedic injuries in the contralateral limb was not associated with implant removal. The interval between diagnosis and pancarpal arthrodesis was significantly associated with implant removal (mean delay: 368.5 and 47.5 days for explantation and non-explantation cases, respectively). Carpal arthrodesis angle showed a statistically significant association with explantation (median angle: 8.58° and 11.73° for explantation and non-explantation cases, respectively). Perioperative and short-term surgical site infections, perioperative and short-term cultures and sensitivities, and the need for additional perioperative antibiotic therapy showed a statistically significant association with explantation.

Conclusions: This study confirms the high implant removal rate following pancarpal arthrodesis. Although infection may contribute to this, prompt intervention and careful attention to the carpal arthrodesis angle intraoperatively may reduce this risk.

Background: Research on cancer in wild animals provides important insights into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Histiocytic sarcomas comprise a rare malignant macrophage-dendritic cell lineage neoplasm in wildlife. This study reports a case of histiocytic sarcoma in the small intestine of a collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), describing its clinical, anatomopathological, and immunohistochemical aspects.

Case presentation: A six-year-old male collared peccary maintained in captivity at a facility in Northeastern Brazil presented progressive weight loss, diarrhea, anorexia, dyspnea, lethargy, abdominal distension, bristled fur, and pale mucous membranes. A complete blood count indicated a mild degree of anemia and moderate leukocytosis. Treatment included anti-inflammatories and antibiotics; however, on the 18th day after initial presentation, the animal was found dead in its enclosure. An anatomopathological examination revealed that the animal exhibited poor body condition, scant body fat with a gelatinous appearance, hydrothorax, pulmonary edema, and ascites. Thickening of the duodenal wall was observed, along with the presence of a yellowish-white tumor. Histopathological examination of the affected intestinal segment revealed a neoplastic proliferation of round cells with large, hyperchromatic nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and a high mitotic index (20 mitoses per high-power field). Numerous multinucleated and binucleated giant cells were present. The neoplastic cells extensively infiltrated all layers of the intestinal wall, from the mucosa to the serosa. Immunohistochemical analysis showed strong positivity for macrophage/mononuclear phagocytic lineage markers (CD18, IBA-1, and lysozyme), while negative for T-cell (CD3), B-cell (CD79), and plasma cell (MUM1) markers. The proliferation index assessed by Ki-67 was approximately 60%.

Conclusions: The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of intestinal histiocytic sarcoma in a collared peccary, representing the first documented case of this neoplasm in this species.

Background: Antibiotic treatment of piglets after birth is commonly carried out due to concern for development of omphalitis leading to umbilical outpouchings and/or systemic infections. Among others, the portal of entry for bacterial infections includes the umbilical cord at birth. The aim was to characterise the histological and bacteriological pattern of manifestations in the umbilicus of piglets with omphalitis that died during the suckling period in a Danish herd.

Results: A total of 37 piglets found dead or euthanised due to sickness before weaning were included. Histopathological omphalitis was diagnosed in 13 of these piglets, and umbilical lesions and bacteria were most often observed in association with the umbilical blood vessels. Neutrophilic granulocyte infiltrations were observed in association with both umbilical arteries and the vein, occurring most frequently in the arteries. Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes were the most commonly isolated bacteria from piglets with histopathological omphalitis.

Conclusions: Omphalitis in piglets was characterized by inflammation and presence of bacteria in the umbilical arteries and to a lesser extent the umbilical vein. Inflammation in urachus was not present.