Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica最新文献

To mitigate the use of antibiotics for many of the multifactorial diseases seen in pigs, horses and cattle, new diagnostic tools are needed. Acute phase protein (APP) measurements can, in humans, be used to guide antibiotic treatment initiation, evaluate treatment efficacy, and make a prognosis. The aim of this review is to collect evidence on the clinical functionality of APP measurements as a tool to guide antibiotic treatment in pigs, horses, and cattle. Literature was retrieved using Medline, CAB Abstracts and Google Scholar. The acute phase response has been investigated for a plethora of diseases and clinical signs and the major acute phase proteins are elevated in diseased compared to healthy animals. Few studies correlated acute phase response with aetiology, antibiotic treatment efficacy, prognosis, or severity of disease. The existing research does not support that APP can be used to guide antibiotic treatment, but the reported studies indicate that C-reactive protein (CRP) might be able to differentiate between bacterial and non-bacterial causes of disease in pigs. Serum amyloid A (SAA) might reflect underlying aetiology in horses and infectious or non-infectious cases of mastitis in cows.

Within the field of clinical research, reports on the stability of avian serum amyloid A (SAA) under varying storage conditions are currently scarce. In this study, avian plasma samples were evaluated for SAA, a major acute-phase protein in birds, to assess how varying storage periods and repeated freeze-thaw cycles impact the stability of SAA in the frozen samples. Seven plasma samples from two species and six plasma samples from three species stored at ‒20 °C were used to evaluate the time and temperature effects accordingly. A chicken-specific SAA ELISA kit was used for the measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, and the Kruskal-Wallis test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were applied, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. The SAA concentrations measured daily for 30 days showed no statistically significant differences over time. Freezing-thawing was repeated five times, and a significant negative relationship was confirmed over the cycles (r=‒0.8857, P < 0.05). Although no significance was observed between a decreased concentration and the number of cycles, a decrease in the concentration of > 10% was observed after the fourth cycle in four out of six samples. However, one to three freeze-thaw cycles did not result in a significant decline. Taken together, the results indicate that a negative correlation existed between the mean concentration and multiple freeze-thaw cycles, indicating that these should be avoided where possible.

Background: Environmental bacteria in animal healthcare facilities may constitute a risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAI). Knowledge of the bacterial microflora composition and factors influencing the environmental bacterial load can support tailored interventions to lower the risk for HAI. The aims of this study were to: (1) quantify and identify environmental bacteria in one operating room (OR) and one ultrasound room (UR) in a small animal hospital, (2) compare the bacterial load to threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities, (3) characterise the genetic relationship between selected bacterial species to assess clonal dissemination, and (4) investigate factors associated with bacterial load during surgery. Settle plates were used for passive air sampling and dip slides for surface sampling. Bacteria were identified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption-Time Of Flight. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by broth microdilution. Single nucleotide polymorphism-analysis was performed to identify genetically related isolates. Linear regression was performed to analyse associations between observed explanatory factors and bacterial load.

Results: The bacterial load on settle plates and dip slides were low both in the OR and the UR, most of the samples were below threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities. All settle plates sampled during surgery were below the threshold values suggested for use in human clean surgical procedures. Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. were the dominating species. There was no indication of clonal relationship among the sequenced isolates. Bacteria carrying genes conveying resistance to disinfectants were revealed. Air change and compliance with hygiene routines were sufficient in the OR. No other factors possibly associated with the bacterial load were identified.

Conclusions: This study presents a generally low bacterial load in the studied OR and UR, indicating a low risk of transmission of infectious agents from the clinical environment. The results show that it is possible to achieve bacterial loads below threshold values suggested for use in human healthcare facilities in ORs in small animal hospitals and thus posing a reduced risk of HAI. Bacteria carrying genes conveying resistance to disinfectants indicates that resistant bacteria can persist in the clinical environment, with increased risk for HAI.

A fifteen-month-old Pembroke Welsh corgi with respiratory distress, exercise intolerance, and moderate regenerative anemia was referred to The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Small Animal Hospital.Hematology revealed moderate regenerative anemia without evidence of hemolysis. Thoracic radiographs showed a generalized mixed interstitial to alveolar lung pattern and enlarged pulmonary arteries. Changes suggestive of moderate pulmonary hypertension were noted on echocardiography. Baermann fecal diagnostic flotation identified large numbers of Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae, and the AngioDetect serological antigen test was positive. The dog was treated with a two-week course with fenbendazole (51 mg/kg q24h po) and topical imidacloprid/moxidectin (250 mg/62.5 mg) and a one-week course with sildenafil (0.45 mg/kg q12h po). Complete clinical, clinicopathological and echocardiographic resolution was observed after only four weeks. Rapid improvement of echocardiographic abnormalities in cases with suspected pulmonary hypertension is not usually reported in cases with angiostrongylosis.Infection with A. vasorum should be considered in dogs with respiratory signs and bleeding tendencies, even in countries with no endemic history or reported cases.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant global health concern, necessitating the monitoring of antimicrobial usage (AMU). However, there is a lack of consensus on the standardized collection and reporting of AMU data in the veterinary field. In Denmark, the Danish Cattle Database (DCDB) contains treatment information on animal level, which allows counting of number of treatments carried out, used daily doses (UDD). The Danish VetStat database (VetStat) contains information on veterinary medicinal prescriptions at farm level and uses fixed standard doses of each product to calculate number of daily treatments, animal daily doses (ADD). This study aimed to compare two different numerators, UDD and ADD, used to describe AMU on Danish cattle farms, and estimate their correlation.

Results: Routinely collected registry data from conventional dairy farms in Denmark for 2019 were used, including a total of 2,197 conventional dairy farms. The data from VetStat and the DCDB were aggregated and analysed, and treatment frequencies (TF) were calculated for both UDD and ADD, adjusting for farm size. Spearman correlation analysis and Bland-Altman plots were employed to assess the relationship and agreement between TF for ADD and UDD, respectively. The results showed a high correlation between TF for ADD and UDD for most prescription groups, i.e., groups used to categorise antibiotics based on target organs. An exception is found for the Udder prescription group, where a systematic underreporting of UDD compared to ADD was observed. This discrepancy may be due to combination treatments, and potential missing or grouped registrations in the DCDB.

Conclusions: Our UDD and ADD comparison yields valuable insights on farm-level AMU. We observe strong correlations between UDD and ADD, except for udder treatments, where some farms report only 1/3 UDD compared to ADD, indicating potential underreporting. Further investigations are needed to understand the factors contributing to these patterns and to ensure the accuracy and completeness of recorded information. Standardizing AMU data collection and reporting remains crucial to tackle the global challenge of AMR effectively.

Background: The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (NSDTR) has previously been highlighted as a breed at risk for developing immune mediated diseases and cancer. The immune response is of great importance for the development of neoplastic disease and a dysregulated immune response may predispose to cancer. Two of the commonly seen immune mediated diseases in NSDTRs are immune mediated rheumatic disease (IMRD), which bears similarities to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affecting humans, and steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis (SRMA), which is a non-infectious inflammation of the meninges and the leptomeningeal vessels. The aim of this survey study was to investigate the lifetime prevalence of immune mediated diseases and tumors among Swedish NSDTRs based on owners' information. The study design was cross-sectional. A questionnaire was sent to 4102 persons who owned or had previously owned a NSDTR. The questions concerned information about the dog and its overall health status as well as specific diseases.

Results: The response rate was 30%, including 935 live NSDTRs, corresponding to approximately 20% of the current population registered in Sweden (n = 4564), and 177 dead dogs. The surveyed dogs were spread over different ages and sex and corresponded to the typical demographic profile of the general dog population. Of the 935 individuals that were alive, 28 dogs (3%) were reported as previously diagnosed with IMRD and 33 dogs (3.5%) were reported as previously diagnosed with SRMA, one dog was reported to have been diagnosed with both SRMA and IMRD. There were 129 dogs (14%) reported to have or have had a neoplasia of some kind. For the dead dogs (n = 177), almost 40% of the owners reported neoplasia as the main reason for death/euthanasia.

Conclusion: This study reports an estimated lifetime prevalence of IMRD and SRMA, in the studied population of Swedish NSDTRs, of 3.0 and 3.5% respectively. In this study, 14% of the living dogs (n = 935) were reported to have a neoplasia of some kind and almost 40% of the deceased dogs (n = 177) were euthanized due to neoplasia or suspicion of it.

Background: Preventing pathogens from entering the broiler premises is the main biosecurity measure at farm level. In conventional broiler production, chickens are kept indoors during the entire production period. Pathogens can enter the broiler-producing unit from sources such as water, equipment, personnel, insects, and rodents. The possible routes must be controlled, and corrective measures applied when necessary. The objective of this study was to (1) develop a hygiene protocol and test the scheme on 30 farms, and (2) compare the results to their Campylobacter-colonised status. A Hygiene Performance Rating protocol at farm level (HPR-F) was developed to systematically review the production to identify risk areas to biosecurity. The HPR-F consists of 13 categories with related questions. For each question, a score was given from 1 to 3, where 1 meant "acceptable", 2 was "potential for improvements", and 3 was "not acceptable". Scores for each question were multiplied with weight factors for hygienic impact and economic consequences describing whether the necessary improvement depends on a significant investment or is a cheap quick-fix and calculated into a percentage where 100% is perfect hygiene. The 30 farms in the study were selected from one county in Norway. The Campylobacter-results for each of the 30 farms in 2019-2021 were given according to rules in the Norwegian Action Plan against Campylobacter faecal sampling on-farm 3-6 days prior to slaughter.

Results: The overall results from the HPR-F showed that the general hygiene level was high in all farms. The mean total hygiene score was 82% and varied from 70 to 92%. The category Handling dead chicken had the highest hygiene score (93%), and Ventilation had the lowest score (55%). The HPR-F results were compared to the Campylobacter-status for the 30 farms: Campylobacter-negative flocks had slightly higher total scores than Campylobacter-positive flocks (P = 0.19). Among others, the category Outdoor area (vegetation close to the premises' walls) was identified as the most stable factor in relation to be colonised with Campylobacter.

Conclusions: The HPR-F tested in this research trial provides a tool for veterinarians, advisors, and poultry farmers to improve biosecurity at farm level and enhance the preventive animal health initiatives.

Background: Canine coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis is a common, painful and debilitating condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate if any measurable changes in pain or lameness occurred in this patient group immediately after a single treatment with pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Eight dogs with coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis presenting with signs of pain and lameness were prospectively recruited to this randomised, controlled, double blinded, cross-over study. Subjects attended the research facility on two occasions for one active and one placebo treatment with pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. The immediate effect of one pulsed electromagnetic field therapy treatment on pain and lameness was measured subjectively with the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index and Visual Analogue Scale and objectively using a pressure sensitive walkway.

Results: A statistically significant difference (P = 0.03) for change in stride length in the affected limb was recorded for subjects between the active and placebo treatments with pulsed electromagnetic field therapy. Within the active treatment results, there was a statistically significant change in the measurement for reach (P = 0.04) and stride length (P = 0.047) which got shorter in the affected limb post treatment. For the subjective outcome measures, there was no statistically significant difference between the active and placebo treatments for the evening of the treatment day or the next morning from pre-treatment values. Within the placebo treatment results a statistically significant change (improvement) was detected in Visual Analogue Score (P = 0.03) between pre-treatment and the next morning values.

Conclusions: The findings of this study do not show demonstrable improvement in owner assessed pain levels or temporospatial performance in dogs with coxofemoral joint osteoarthritis immediately after a single application of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy.

Background: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), observed in many flat-faced dog breeds, is one of the most urgent welfare problems in pedigree dogs. Various breeding schemes against BOAS have been implemented in many countries during recent years, but their impact on breed health remains unknown. The BOAS breeding test, used by the Finnish Kennel Club (FKC), includes an exercise component with a recovery assessment, BOAS grading by a veterinarian that evaluates upper respiratory signs before and after exercise, and a nostril stenosis assessment. The aim of our study was to evaluate BOAS breeding test results and estimate the heritability of the BOAS grade using parent-offspring regression from FKC data collected during 2017-2022.

Results: The majority (80%) of dogs (n = 957) participating in FKC BOAS testing were English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. In 2022, 89-100% of the litters from these three breeds registered with the FKC had at least one parent tested for BOAS. The proportion of dogs failing the exercise test was highest in English Bulldogs (11%), followed by French Bulldogs (4%) and Pugs (3%). In these three breeds, moderate to severe BOAS signs were reported in 28%, 22% and 30% of dogs, respectively. The proportion of moderate to severe nostril stenosis was highest (71%) in Pugs, followed by French Bulldogs (55%), and English Bulldogs (40%). Estimates of heritability for BOAS grade were separately calculated for these three breeds and for all dogs, and the estimates were moderate to high, ranging from 0.39 to 0.58.

Conclusions: The exercise test alone did not sufficiently identify dogs with moderate to severe BOAS signs. To better consider the complex nature of BOAS and breed differences, exercise tolerance, the severity of upper respiratory signs (BOAS grade) and nostril stenosis should all be assessed together in breeding animals. The heritability estimates for veterinary-assessed BOAS grade indicated that BOAS grade could be used in selective breeding to obtain less-affected offspring.