Acta veterinaria Hungarica最新文献

The present study investigated the impact of antiparasitic treatment for Chorioptes spp. infection on the behaviour and stress of lactating cows. Although chorioptic mange is common, its effects on cow welfare through behavioural and physiological indicators remain unclear. The effects of topical eprinomectin for chorioptic mange on behaviour and salivary cortisol concentrations, indicators of cow welfare, were examined. In Study 1, total lying time after treatment, a key indicator of improved comfort in cows, showed a significant increase of 35 min. In Study 2, itching behaviour (P < 0.05) and salivary cortisol concentrations (P < 0.01) both significantly decreased after topical eprinomectin. All mites were identified as Chorioptes texanus via CO1 gene sequencing. Although no untreated control group was included due to ethical constraints, these results strongly suggest that Chorioptes spp. infection is a physiological stressor that negatively affects behaviour and elevates cortisol concentrations. Timely treatment improves cow comfort and welfare, underscoring its potential relevance to sustainable dairy production.

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an invasive species in Argentinian Patagonia. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Circoviridae-related viruses associated with its population in the Negro River. Total DNA samples extracted from the organ pools of 50 individuals were evaluated using a broad-spectrum PCR, which led in a single case to the detection of a circo-like virus. Based on the partial rep sequence obtained, phylogenetic analysis showed a relation between the virus found and those that have been identified in other cyprinid fishes, such as gudgeon (Gobio gobio) and fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). The results propose the occurrence of a previously undescribed circo-like virus in Patagonian common carp.

Metabolic bone disease of nutritional origin (Ca/vitamin D3 deficiency) is common in pet reptiles. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four dietary supplements with or without artificial UVB irradiation. Selected blood parameters, health and growth were also examined. Thirty-six, one-month-old bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) were housed individually and fed five times a week; dietary supplements were given daily. Blood samples were taken from 3 animals in each group (n = 18) seven times, once at 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15, and twice at 16 months of age (with 2 weeks difference). Measured parameters were Ca (2.6 ± 0.5 mmol*L-1), Ca2+ (1.2 ± 0.2 mmol*L-1), uric acid (358 ± 243 µmol*L-1), total protein (66.2 ± 14.9 g*L-1), alanine-aminotransferase (<1-83 U*L-1), Na+ (161 ± 8.0 mmol*L-1) and K+ (3.9 ± 1.1 mmol*L-1). The UVB exposure enhances both the Ca (P = 0.0489) and Ca2+ (P = 0.0222) levels. The 24-h fasting before sampling resulted in significantly (P < 0.0001) lower uric acid values. The effect of age seems clinically relevant in total protein, with lower levels in juveniles (P = 0.0016). Treatments did not affect the animals' body weight and length; all of them were clinically healthy.

Since mastitis is a multifactorial disease, its risk factors and their consequences for milk quality need to be examined from several perspectives. This study aimed to investigate how different udder health management factors affect the herd average test-day somatic cell count (HSCC), calculated from individual cow samples collected during monthly milk recording. A total of 33 large Hungarian dairy farms (with a total of 32,886 cows) were surveyed using a questionnaire. Data were collected on the main production parameters and several udder health management factors, including milking practices, housing, bedding, dry-off procedures, mastitis treatment and mastitis prevention. The data were analysed using multi-way ANOVA models. To create appropriate statistical models, three main groups of udder health management factors were defined: milking practices, dry-off procedures and mastitis management. Each group included three management factors which were analysed for potential associations with HSCC. Farms where dry-off therapy was performed at least weekly and teat sealants were used tended to have lower HSCC values, whereas farms where mastitis case severity was scored tended to have higher HSCC values. Udder health management factors varied widely across the surveyed farms and among the three main groups of management factors, dry cow management had the greatest impact on HSCC.

Several factors can influence the effectiveness of laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep. The season, the lunar phase, meteorological parameters and farm management factors were investigated to determine which ones affect pregnancy rate. A total of 250 Île-de-France ewes were inseminated by laparoscopy in spring (March, April) and in autumn (October, November). In the autumn season, only 20.0% of the inseminated ewes became pregnant while in spring, this was 51.3%. In the spring season, an extreme change in minimum temperature affected negatively the probability of conception (P = 0.0692), within the four days preceding insemination. Increased variance in the maximum and minimum temperature decreased the probability of conception (Tmax:P = 0.0472; Tmin:P = 0.033) within 40 days after insemination. Spring inseminations resulted in a significantly higher number of twin pregnancies (29.23%) compared with autumn inseminations (12.73%). The proportion of twin pregnancies was lower (21.90%) in the waning moon period compared to the waxing moon period (28.47%). None of the examined farm management factors had an effect on pregnancy. In our humid-temperate continental climate (in Hungary), spring laparoscopic inseminations were more effective in Île-de-France sheep, with weather conditions potentially influencing the outcome.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with the prebiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast on testicular width and semen quality in rabbit bucks. Twenty-four male rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups and their semen was sampled for 8 weeks: a control group (C) fed with a conventional diet without S. cerevisiae, a group supplemented with 0.3 g of S. cerevisiae/kg of feed (T1) and a group supplemented with 1 g of S. cerevisiae/kg of feed (T2). Testicular width was determined using a caliper. Semen was collected from each buck and evaluated for sperm volume, motility, percentage of live sperm and morphological characteristics. The results showed that both right and left testicles were greater (P < 0.01) in width in group T1. Regarding semen parameters, progressive sperm motility was higher (P < 0.01) in the T2 group compared to the C and T1 groups. A significant decrease (P < 0.01) in the percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal mid-piece and flagellum was observed in the T2 group compared to the other groups. Furthermore, the percentage of undeveloped sperm decreased (P < 0.01) in both T1 and T2 groups. However, semen volume and percentage of live sperm did not vary between groups (P > 0.05). These results suggest that S. cerevisiae improved the progressive sperm motility and morphological characteristics at the rate of 1 g kg-1 of feed.

Feline chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common condition in cats. International guideline adherence may vary among veterinary practitioners. The objective of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring practices of primary care veterinarians in Turkey regarding feline CKD and to compare these practices with guidelines. A cross-sectional online questionnaire consisting of 32 items was distributed to veterinarians. The survey addressed demographics, diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities and monitoring strategies for feline CKD cases. Descriptive statistics were calculated to analyse responses. A total of 281 veterinarians participated. While 93.6% were aware of IRIS guidelines, only 55.2% reported performing all recommended diagnostic procedures. SDMA was used alongside creatinine by 73.6% of respondents. However, only 30.5% routinely measured blood pressure. Telmisartan and ACE inhibitors were commonly used, but amlodipine was prescribed by only 8.9%. Most veterinarians recommended renal diets irrespective of CKD stage and typically suggested a short 1-2 week transition period. Follow-up intervals varied, with 40.9% recommending re-evaluations every 2-3 months. Although awareness of international guidelines is high, discrepancies remain in disease substaging, blood pressure monitoring and antihypertensive drug selection. Greater emphasis on blood pressure measurement and improved access to feline-licensed drugs may enhance CKD management in cats.

Major forest and rural fires have intensified and become increasingly frequent, driven by climate change resulting from anthropogenic actions. Animal farms are susceptible to fires, with serious consequences for the animals. The aim of this study is to describe the anatomopathological lesions of seven cattle that suffered thermal lesions of varying severity during a major fire that hit a teaching farm. Due to the poor therapeutic prognosis, these cattle were euthanised on different dates. The seven cattle had thermal lesions of grades II to IV, as well as smoke-related alterations to the upper respiratory system and systemic lesions that could be correlated with the consequences of the burns. This study can be used as a source of data for veterinary forensic pathologists or in comparative pathology.

Prion protein, which is encoded by the prion protein gene (PRNP), is essential for the development of prion diseases, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle. A previous study reported that two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 4136 and 13861, in the bovine PRNP gene were associated with susceptibility to BSE in UK cattle. Although these two SNPs were briefly reported in Hanwoo and Korean Holstein cattle in our earlier study, their presence has not been confirmed in Jeju Black cattle, a Korean native breed. Therefore, we investigated PRNP polymorphisms using 94 Jeju Black cattle and conducted a comparative analysis of their genotype and allele frequencies. We found five SNPs and compared the genotype and allele frequencies of these SNPs among three Korean cattle breeds. The genotype distribution of SNP 4136 significantly differed between Jeju Black and Korean Holstein cattle, while the allele distribution of SNP 13861 significantly differed between Jeju Black cattle and both Hanwoo and Korean Holstein cattle. Comparative analyses revealed significant differences in the allele distributions of SNPs 4136 and 13861 between Jeju Black cattle and cattle breeds from other countries. These findings may provide valuable fundamental data for future genetic studies on prion disease susceptibility.

For many years, artificial insemination (AI) has been regarded as one of the most significant assisted reproductive techniques.The objective of our manuscript is to summarise the preliminary results of the program in which AI with fresh and frozen semen was being used to support the reproduction of a foxhound colony with valuable genetic properties. In this manuscript, three AI cases are presented, one with fresh and two with frozen semen.Artificial insemination with fresh semen was conducted two days after the LH peak, when the progesterone (P4) concentration exceeded 5 ng*mL-1. Transcervical AI (TCI) was repeated 48 h later.Artificial insemination with frozen semen were carried out when P4 level was >15 ng*mL-1 and TCI was repeated on the next day (Day 5 and 6 after LH peak).Our preliminary results show that an acceptable litter size can be achieved after TCI with freshly collected and cryopreserved semen. Healthy puppies were successfully created from genetically valuable canine parents. We obtained three pregnancies and 18 offspring in a one-year period. Our data indicate that the technology used (timing of AI, semen handling, TCI technique) could have played a major role in achieving these results.