Wiederkäuerklinik

Glucose was infused intravenously into cats prior to cerebral ischemia. Brain concentrations of glucose, measured in 7 regions, were elevated 2.5-fold compared to those of non-infused animals. Ischemia of 15 or 30 minutes duration caused a greater accumulation of lactic acid in the brain of glucose-infused animals. Post-ischemic restitution of cerebral ATP, phosphocreatine, and lactate during 90 minutes of recirculation was severely impaired in the brain of animals pretreated with glucose compared to untreated animals. Thus, excess lactic acidosis may be a major factor interfering with metabolic restitution following cerebral ischemia.

In order to establish reference values for blood parameters of South American camelids in Switzerland, 273 blood samples were collected from 141 llamas and 132 alpacas. These animals were classified in three categories (young animals < six months, adult females and males). Forty-one parameters were measured (red blood cell count, white blood cell count, electrolytes, metabolites and enzymes). Significant differences between llamas and alpacas were evident for 26 parameters. This study also showed that differences between young animals, females and males must be taken into consideration. A comparison of blood values with the results of fecal analysis for parasite eggs showed that an infestation with Dicrocoelium dendriticum was associated with elevated activity of two liver enzymes (GLDH and gamma-GT) in the serum. In contrast, no differences were found in the results of blood analyses between animals shedding eggs of gastrointestinal strongyles or not.

At the beginning of 2000, a population of 1622 South American camelids in 257 herds was living in Switzerland. The origin of the animals, their age, the management systems, their feeding habits, their use as well as the observed medical conditions and the indications for treatment were assessed with a questionnaire. Results of this study show that 60% of the South American camelid population in Switzerland consisted of llamas (999 animals) and 40% of alpacas (623), and that females younger than 4 years of age made up the majority of the animals. South American camelids were predominantly kept for hobby, breeding or trekking. The most frequent health problems were related to the digestive tract, the skin, the eyes and the metabolism. Veterinarians were consulted for deworming, vaccinations, castrations or obstetric interventions. The parasitological examination of 204 fecal samples showed that llamas and alpacas were infested with the same endoparasites as ruminants (i.e. nematodes, trematodes and protozoas).

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis and aspiration of bile were attempted in 176 cows. These same procedures were performed in another 100 cows immediately after slaughter. The bile samples were examined microscopically for large and small liver fluke eggs. In addition, a fecal sample from each cow was examined for liver fluke eggs. The findings of both groups were summarized, and the results of the fecal and bile sample examinations were compared. In all cows the liver was examined for flukes, and the results were used as a reference. Of 41 cows in which adult flukes were found in the liver, 28 had F. hepatica eggs in fecal samples and 40 had F. hepatica eggs in bile samples. Of 204 cows in which no adult flukes were found in the liver, 23 had F. hepatica eggs in fecal samples and 27 had F. hepatica eggs in bile samples. The sensitivity of the determination of F. hepatica eggs in fecal and bile samples was 68 and 98%, respectively. The negative predictive values for fecal and bile examination were 93 and 99%, respectively. Of 49 cows in which adult flukes were observed in the liver, 13 had D. dendriticum eggs in fecal samples and 44 had D. dendriticum eggs in bile samples. Of 176 cows in which no adult flukes were found in the liver, 19 had D. dendriticum eggs in fecal samples and 49 had D. dendriticum eggs in bile samples. The sensitivity of the determination of D. dendriticum eggs in fecal and bile samples was 27 and 90%, respectively. The negative predictive values for fecal and bile examination were 81 and 96%, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the examination of bile is clearly a more reliable method of diagnosing liver fluke infections than microscopic examination of feces.

The most important clinical signs of BSE are hypersensitivity to manipulations of the head and neck and disturbances in behaviour and locomotion. Diagnostic procedures include thorough clinical and neurological examination with emphasis on the assessment of behaviour, locomotion and sensitivity. The findings have to be interpreted carefully and depending on the diagnosis, national animal health regulations must be followed.

Summary Estimation of the Heritability of Displacement of the Abomasum in Hessian Black Pied Cattle The degree of heritability of displacement of the abomasum was estimated in 30 Hessian herds breeding German Black Pied cattle in which displacement of the abomasum occurred more frequently than normal. Estimation was made by investigating the similarity between mothers and daughters. A total of 2626 pairs were used for this investigation, based on the absence or occurrence of abomasal displacement in the mothers and daughters. The fourpoint correlation coefficient was determined for each herd using a quadrant square. The arithmetic means were then calculated from the correlation coefficients. The number of herds examined was limited by assuming the correlation coefficient to be stable when it varied by less than 0.02 units during the investigation of more than 15 herds. Heritability was then calculated using the correlation coefficient. The correlation coefficient was stable after examining 15 herds; for the examination of the last six herds, it was 0.12 (0.117‐0.124) units. Based on this, the heritability of displacement of the abomasum in the herds was taken to be h 2 = 0.24. Zusammenfassung In 30 hessischen Zuchtherden für Deutsche Schwarzbunte Rinder, in welchen Labmagenver lagerung vermehrt vorkam, wurde der Grad der Erblichkeit von Labmagenverlagerung geschätzt. Die Schätzung erfolgte durch Untersuchung der Mutter‐Tochter‐Ähnlichkeit. Hierzu wurden 2626 Mutter‐Tochter‐Paare gebildet, unter Berücksichtigung des Nicht‐Vorkommens bzw. des Vorkommens von Labmagenverlagerung bei Mutter bzw. Tochter. Für jede Herde wurde mit Hilfe einer Vierfeldertafel der Vierpunkt‐Korrelationskoeffizient ermittelt. Aus den Korrelationskoeffizienten der untersuchten Herden wurden nacheinander arithmetische Mittelwerte errechnet. Die Anzahl untersuchter Herden wurde begrenzt, indem der Korrelationskoeffizient dann als stabil angenommen wurde, wenn er sich während der Untersuchung von mehr als 15 Herden um weniger als 0,02 Einheiten veränderte. Aus dem Korrelationskoeffizienten wurde die Heritabilität berechnet. Der Korrelationskoeffizient war nach Untersuchung von 15 Herden stabil; er betrug während der Untersuchung der letzten sechs Herden 0,12 (0,117–0,124) Einheiten. Demnach wird die Heritabilität von Labmagenverlagerung in den untersuchten Herden mit h 2 = 0.24 angenommen.

Clinical findings in seven goats affected with cerebrospinal nematodiasis are described. The animals originated from different parts of Switzerland. The disease occurred mainly in winter. The animals were admitted to the clinic because of progressive pelvic limb ataxia, recumbency, vestibular disease and circling. Clinical findings were complete or incomplete posterior paresis, pelvic limb ataxia, circling, reduced cutaneous sensation and proprioceptive deficits as well as cranial nerve reflexes deficits. The general condition was slightly reduced and the appetite was normal. In three goats predominance of mononuclear and eosinophilic cells in the cerebrospinal fluid was interpreted as typical findings for parasite infestation in the central nervous system. Histopathological changes and the finding of a nematode in cross sections in two affected animals confirmed the diagnosis. Infection with Elaphostrongylus cervi is discussed due to close contact with deer.

INTRODUCTION: Especially in regions with intensive cattle farming, paratuberculosis in ruminants can cause considerable economic losses for example through loss of sick animals, reduced milk yield and decreased reproduction performance. Although quantifying the actual economic losses is complex, this study attempts to quantify the losses caused by paratuberculosis in infected dairy farms in Switzerland by means of meta-analyses. For this purpose, in an elaborate selection process, data from 12 studies on milk yield and from three studies on the calving to conception interval were finally selected for further calculations. In addition, data from eight studies each on milk fat concentration and milk protein concentration were evaluated. For the meta-analyses, only studies in which «sick» (seropositive) and «healthy» (seronegative) animals based on the results of serum ELISA tests were compared at the individual animal level were considered. With a paratuberculosis prevalence of 5,99 % in cattle in Switzerland, a total loss of CHF 12 034 329,96 (95 % CI [CHF 8 625 406,02; CHF 16 409 276,30]; 11 095 652,20 € [7 952 624,35 €; 15 129 352,70 €]) per year was calculated for a population of 559 900 dairy cows. The main part of the losses is caused by an extended calving to conception interval: Seropositive animals need an average of 14,93 days longer (95 % CI [1,73; 28,13]) from calving to successful insemination as seronegative animals. This results in total costs for the extended calving to conception interval due to paratuberculosis of CHF 7 365 591,21 per year (95 % CI [CHF 900 394,95; CHF 14 838 087,61]; 6 791 075,10 € [830 164,14 €; 13 680 716,80 €]). Milk yield reduction based on a lactation period of 305 days results in an economic loss of CHF 4 668 738,75 per year (95 % CI [CHF 1 571 188,69; CHF 7 725 011,07]; 4 304 577,13 € [1 448 635,97 €; 7 122 460,21 €]). Milk fat and milk protein content were not found to be significantly changed. Despite a large number of studies in the screening phase, it was not possible to calculate all types of losses attributable to paratuberculosis due to lack of comparability between the studies, which is essential for meta-analyses. Nevertheless, it was possible to carry out four different meta-analyses, the results of which give a first impression of the economic importance of paratuberculosis in dairy cows in Switzerland.

INTRODUCTION: Fifty-two dairy herds in the canton Fribourg were included during one winter in a study on calf management, prevalence and treatments of calf diseases. Colostrum management was optimal in 46.2% of the herds only, and 51.3% of the calves had been sick at least once during the observation period. The most commonly observed diseases included respiratory disease (57.5%), diarrhea (32.8%) and umbilical disease (5.7%). Cases of pneumonia were treated with antimicrobials first by the farmers in 65.4% of the herds. Calf diarrhea was treated with antimicrobial drugs by 57.7% of the farmers. Fluorochinolones were used in 47% of all parenteral treatments and oral antimicrobial drugs included macrolides in 11% of the cases. These results provide information on calf management, calf health and treatment strategies in an area where dairying is the most important sector of the farming industry. They show clearly that the farmers are not sufficiently informed about the use of critically important antimicrobial drugs and about the etiology of calf diarrhea. Improvements in colostrum management and treatment strategies are urgently needed.

Herens cows have been treated at the Clinic for Ruminants, University of Berne, more frequently for fertility problems than other breeds. The aim of the study was to overview the reproductive performance of the Herens breed by analyzing data sets of the Herens Breeding Book and of the Animal Traffic Database of Switzerland. In addition, a questionnaire was sent to the breeders concerning aspects of management and care to identify a possible influence on the reproductive performance of the animals. Based on 4988 lactations starting in 2003, an average interval of calving to first insemination of 86 days a calving to conception interval of 146 days and an inter calving period of 431 days could be calculated. Conception rate resulted in 39.1%, the fertility index was 1.87 and 6.5% of all cows were culled because of fertility problems. Half of the breeders owned 4 or less cows. The most important reason for keeping Herens cows was cow fighting. Traditional alpine pasturing and cow fight rules resulted in a seasonal calving with 80% of the births taking place between October and December. The calving month and seasonal calving were the most important reasons for a prolonged calving to conception interval.

In Switzerland, bovine fasciolosis is an economically important but often overlooked disease of dairy cows. The intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica in Switzerland is Galba truncatula, an amphibious snail living in humid habitats which are infected by miracidia from recently hatched Fasciola eggs. The definitive hosts include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and free-living ruminants. Infection of these hosts occur from metacercariae, usually encysted on vegetation. Infection risk depends on the location of the habitat on the farm. There is a lower risk for the intermediate host to become infected on pastures for young stock and dry cows than on pastures for dairy cows. This in turn results in a lower infection risk for young stock and dry cows than for dairy cows. When controlling the disease, epidemiologic factors such as treatment and pasture management strategies should be taken into account. If individual control measures are followed, infection pressure and prevalence in a herd can be significantly reduced. To support veterinarians and farmers in the control of fasciolosis, an interactive map showing potential risk areas for fasciolosis was created on the basis of geographical, meteorological, and biological data of the intermediate host and the free-living parasite stages.

INTRODUCTION: The administration of antibiotics in livestock has been criticized for many years, in particular because of an inappropriate use and the appearance of antibiotic residues in the environment, which can promote the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. However, antibiotics are essential for the successful and sustainable control of bacterial pathogens. With the aim of optimizing the use of antibiotics in food animals and minimizing the prevalence of resistant bacteria, AntibioticScout. ch provides a decision aid for the prudent use of antimicrobial drugs. This approach emphasizes the importance of supportive therapy and the hallmarks of preventive concepts. Procedures to improve animal health and animal welfare in accordance with the principles of good veterinary practice are primary and effective tools to reduce the use of antimicrobial drugs. The necessary reduction in the use of antibiotics must, therefore, be accompanied by appropriate management strategies in animal husbandry. In particular, hygiene, animal welfare and biosecurity measures are crucial to ensure an optimal health status in farm animals.

The aim of the study was to examine the incidence of lumbar paralysis in goats and the possible role of Elaphostrongylus cervi as an agent. For this reason questionnaires concerning the clinical pictures and the incidence of lumbar paralysis were sent to 200 owners of goats and to 9 veterinarians. The study showed that the symptoms of lumbar paralysis had been observed for many years mainly during the winter. Most of the animals suffering from lumbar paralysis originated from the Valley of Leventina and Blenio. The symptoms of lumbar paralysis could be observed from 29 owners of goats. Fecal examination of 36 red deer in the autumn of 1995 was carried out for studying if deer plays a role in spreading the larvae of E. cervi. Twenty-five red deer passed the E. cervi larvae. This could be indicating that deer plays an possible role in the infection of goats with E. cervi.

The objective of this study was to calculate the national costs associated with udder health in Switzerland and to estimate the cost effectiveness of an udder health intervention program. In 49 farms, yearly mastitis associated costs before and during an intervention were collected at herd level. Costs were calculated for each lactating cow being present in the herd. At the beginning of the intervention, 24 farms received a report with recommendations to improve the udder health. In the following year, those herds were followed-up by their veterinarian at a monthly basis. The other 25 farms were used as a negative control group and neither received any recommendations nor any follow-up. In the first year of analysis (2010), the median udder health associated costs were 209.- Swiss Francs for each lactating cow, regardless of the intervention group. During the intervention period (2012), mastitis associated costs were 191.- Swiss Francs for control farms and 396.- Swiss Francs for farms with veterinary intervention on a monthly basis. The median additional costs for herds with intervention were 159.- Swiss Francs per lactating cow. At the national level, mastitis associated costs were estimated at 129.4 millions of Swiss Francs per year. The cost effectiveness of future mastitis control programs can be evaluated with the help of the deterministic model developed during this study.

One hundred and three calves and heifers persistently infected with BVD virus were examined. The most important clinical findings in order of frequency were weight loss, erosions of the oral mucosa, diarrhea, anorexia and fever. In addition, nasal discharge, lymph node enlargement, erosions of the nose, muzzle and interdigital cleft and bronchopneumonia occurred in less than half of the patients. Furthermore, crustaceous dermatitis was observed in three patients and petechial hemorrhage of the oral mucosa occurred in two other cases with severe thrombocytopenia. Haemoconcentration, leukocytosis, hyperfibrinogenemia and azotemia were the most important haematological findings. To confirm the clinical diagnosis, the serum antibody titre of 69 patients was compared with that of a clinically healthy control animal from the same herd. There was no positive antibody titre in 65 of the 69 patients, whereas 67 of the control animals had positive titres. In 34 patients, EDTA blood samples were collected for virus detection. In 20 of these, skin biopsy samples were also obtained for virus demonstration. Virus has been demonstrated in the blood of 32 of the 34 cases and in all 20 skin biopsy specimens.

This case report describes the clinical, ultrasonographic and postmortem findings in an alpaca with Mycobacterium kansasii infection. The alpaca was referred because of chronic weight loss and weakness. The results of clinical examination, haematology and serum biochemistry were not diagnostic. Ultrasonography of the liver revealed multiple, hyperechogenic lesions with a diameter of 1 to 3 cm. Histological evaluation of a liver biopsy sample showed acute, multifocal, suppurative, necrotising hepatitis. Despite treatment with antibiotics, the alpaca died. Postmortem examination revealed nodular to coalescing lesions in the liver, lungs, mediastinum, pleura and greater omentum, which could not be differentiated macroscopically or histologically from lesions caused by tuberculosis. Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed massive numbers of rods within epithelioid macrophages, which were identified as Mycobacterium kansasii by polymerase chain reaction analysis.

Zusammenfassung Die wirtschaftlichen Verluste in mit Paratuberkulose infizierten Beständen können beträchtliche Ausmaße annehmen. Ein allgemein gültiges Konzept zur Überwachung oder Bekämpfung von Infektionen mit Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) beim Rind liegt bisher jedoch nicht vor. Im Rahmen des Niedersächsischen MAP-Verminderungsprogramms (NPVP) sind alle Milchviehhalter zur halbjährlichen Untersuchung von Sammelmilchproben ihrer Herden auf MAP-Antikörper verpflichtet. Ein nicht negatives Ergebnis zieht eine Einzeltieruntersuchung nach sich. Im Anschluss daran können die Tierhalter selbst entscheiden, ob sie sich verpflichten, am Verminderungsprogramm teilzunehmen. Im Rahmen des freiwilligen hessischen Paratuberkulose-Zertifizierungsprogramms HEMAP wird der MAP-Herdenstatus durch Sockentupferuntersuchungen ermittelt. Positive Betriebe werden 2-mal jährlich mittels serologischer Untersuchung aus Milch- oder Blutproben überprüft und positive Tiere zeitnah aus der Herde entfernt. Das Programm zur Bekämpfung der Paratuberkulose in den Rinderbeständen in Thüringen sieht eine jährliche Untersuchung von Kotproben aller Kühe und Zuchtbullen mittels Kotkultur vor, als MAP-positiv erkannte Tiere sind schnellstmöglich aus dem Bestand zu entfernen. Die Grundlage des MAP-Überwachungs- und Bekämpfungsprogramms in Tirol ist eine alle 2 Jahre stattfindende Erhebung des MAP-Herdenstatus mittels Sockentupfer. Betriebe mit einem positiven Ergebnis haben die Möglichkeit, alle adulten Tiere mittels Kotproben auf MAP testen zu lassen und dann über eine Teilnahme am Paratuberkuloseprogramm zu entscheiden. Die angeführten Beispiele zeigen, dass eine zweistufige Herangehensweise, mit einer Herdenuntersuchung und einer darauf aufbauenden Einzeltieruntersuchung, eine mögliche Methode zur Überwachung und Bekämpfung der Paratuberkulose in Rinderbetrieben darstellt.

INTRODUCTION: Fifty-six E. coli, 37 P. multocida und 8 M. haemolytica were isolated from 157 nasal swabs taken from calves in 52 dairy herds. The antibiotic susceptibility of the organisms was determined by measurement of the minimal inhibitory concentrations. Of the 56 E. coli isolates, 55.3% exhibited resistance to tetracyclines, 55.3% to sulfonamides, 39.3% to beta-lactams, 30.3% to aminoglycosides, 8.9% to fluorochinolones and 3.5% to 3rd generation cephalosporins. The 3rd generation cephalosporin- resistant isolates contained the extended spectrum-beta-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-14 and came from 2 farms where the milk of cows under antimicrobial treatment was fed to the calves and mastitis was treated with cefquinome as first line therapy. Of the 37 P. multocida isolates, 48.6% exhibited resistance to tetracyclines, 16.2% to beta-lactams, and 5.4% each to macrolides, aminoglycosides and sulfonamides. The 8 M. haemolytica isolates showed no resistances against the tested antibiotics.

INTRODUCTION: The modern technique of cattle hoof care was founded by E. Toussaint Raven in 1977. Environmental risk factors on cattle claws altered in the past 43 years. The change from free ranging to indoor housing, the intensified feeding and the breeding towards traits of high performance have significantly increased the mechanical and chemical stress on the claws. In modern free-stalls, dairy cows are required to walk on hard flooring to feed, drink and get milked. Good hoof health is a basic requirement for cattle welfare. Professional and regular hoof trimming is still considered the most effective measure to promote hoof health in dairy cattle. In order to meet today's requirements and to promote claw health, the Swiss Hoof Trimmers Association (SKV), in collaboration with the Vetsuisse faculties, Universities of Berne and Zurich, and the Bovine Health Service (RGD, Bern) developed and described the Swiss technique of functional claw trimming. The aim was to establish a consistent method, which takes into account the size and bodyweight of the modern cow, the anatomical and physiological characteristics of their claws and includes adaptations counteracting very relevant diseases such as digital dermatitis. The result is a workflow described and illustrated with coloured pictures and consisting of five individual steps based on the technique of E. Toussaint Raven, Additionally, the upcoming Swiss national resource project on long-term improvement of claw health is presented in some detail. The key point of this project is the electronic documentation of clinical findings by the trained professional claw trimmers. This data will later (i) be used to assess the foot health of Swiss cows, (ii) allow to determine the prevalence of foot diseases of cattle in Switzerland and (iii) to monitor the effect of the implementation of foot health concepts. The aim of this work is to combine the findings from science and the practical experience of hoof trimmers in one method, to standardize the applied hoof care in Switzerland and to adapt it to today's hoof health requirements.

Surgical interventions in cattle are frequently performed under local analgesia. Local analgesia may be carried out in the standing animal without or with slight sedation or with the animal in recumbency after deep sedation. Injection of local analgesics is less time consuming than induction and maintenance of general analgesia and is, therefore, frequently used in private veterinary practice. Precise anatomical knowledge of the nerve supply to the area to be operated is a prerequisite for the successful introduction of a local analgesia. The goal of the present review is to summarize nerve supply and indications for surgery in the area of the head, male genital tract, teat and the claws of the hind limb of cattle.