Subject and objective:The objective of this Bavaria-wide cross-sectional field study was to describe the extent of selected quantitative bacterial pathogen shedding in quarter milk samples from lactating dairy cows. The association between pathogen shedding, udder health, and seasonal influences was evaluated. Materials and methods:Randomly selected dairy farms (N=305) from all Bavarian administrative districts were visited once over the course of a year. A total of 58,108 quarter milk samples were taken from 14,700 cows and examined microbiologically. Pathogen shedding was determined semi-quantitatively (1-10 cfu/0.01ml to>200 cfu/0.01ml) per quarter. For the statistical analysis the 5 shedding classes were summarized into 3 categories. Results:The level of bacterial pathogen shedding varied depending on the health status of the udder quarter. Healthy quarters were more likely to show low or medium bacterial counts than subclinically or clinically affected quarters. For Staphylococcus aureus, the probability of low shedding (1-10 cfu/0.01 ml) was more than twelve times higher in healthy quarters than in clinically affected quarters. Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae were also predominantly shedded in medium concentrations in healthy quarters. For Staphylococcus aureus, there was also a seasonal effect with low pathogen shedding being observed less frequently in summer than in winter. For Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, no reliable conclusions could be drawn due to overall low detection rates. Conclusions:The study showed that even clinically inapparent animals may shed relevant amounts of pathogenic bacteria. This confirms that milk somatic cell count alone is insufficient to fully assess udder health or infection status. Clinical relevance:Targeted microbiological herd testing is a necessary supplement to somatic cell count analysis. It enables the detection of hidden sources of infection and may help in preventing spreading as well as new infections.
Abstract:Neonatal diarrhea remains one of the most frequent causes of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in calves worldwide. The clinical consequences in affected animals are primarily attributable to fluid losses and consecutive dehydration, but also to the occurrence of metabolic acidosis and associated imbalances in potassium homeostasis. In calves with neonatal diarrhea, metabolic acidosis mainly results from the accumulation of strong anions, in particular D-lactate, which arises from bacterial fermentation processes of undigested nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract. Increased blood D-lactate concentrations not only contribute substantially to the development of metabolic acidosis but are also responsible for most of the clinical signs such as depression, weakness, impairment of the ability to stand, and alterations of the palpebral reflex. Abstract:Hyperkalemia occurs in up to one-third of severely affected calves despite a negative potassium balance and is linked to dehydration, impaired renal function, and the nature of metabolic acidosis. While D-lactic acidosis is rarely associated with hyperkalemia, the latter is typically accompanied by severe clinical dehydration, muscle weakness, and cardiac conduction abnormalities, thus representing a potentially life-threatening condition. Abstract:This review summarizes current pathophysiologic knowledge of these major metabolic disorders in calves with neonatal diarrhea and outlines their clinical relevance for diagnosis and treatment.
Subject an aim:Puncture wounds are a common and potentially life-threatening injury in equine veterinary practice. The aim of this study was to systematically analyze data from horses presenting to the clinic with a puncture wound. Material and methods:A retrospective study was conducted on patient data from horses with a puncture wound in the period from September 2008 to August 2024. Analyzed data included medical management and surgical treatment, complications, duration and costs of hospitalization, short-term survival rate and treatment success. Results:A total of 96 horses met the inclusion criteria. Seven of the 96 horses (7.3%) were euthanized after examination and diagnosis, and three others (3.1%) were euthanized during surgery. Treatment was carried out in 86/96 (89.6%) of cases and was performed under general anesthesia in 62/86 (72.1%) of the animals. The surgical procedure consisted of the funnel-shaped enlargement of the solar defect and the debridement of the complete penetrating tract. If the navicular bursa was affected, endoscopic bursal lavage was performed via the puncture tract. Systemic antibiotic treatment was preferably administered in the form of penicillin and gentamicin. Intravenous regional perfusion was undertaken in 39.5% of horses. During hospitalization, 5/96 (5.2%) horses were euthanized due to economic and prognostic considerations. 81/96 (84.4%) horses were discharged from hospital treatment. Of the 81 horses discharged from hospital treatment, 70 (86.4%) were available for follow-up. 64/70 (91.4%) animals were returned to their intended purpose. Horses with injuries to the corium, or digital cushion were reused in 96.3% (26/27), with involvement of the distal phalanx and/or deep flexor tendon in 91.2% (31/34). In the case of synovial involvement, 77.8% (7/9) of the horses were returned to their intended purpose. Conclusions and clinical relevance:Depending on the structures involved and prompt initiation of therapy, the prognosis for puncture wounds is good to excellent. If the navicular bursa is affected, endoscopic lavage via the puncture tract after gentle debridement is an effective treatment method leading to good results.
Objective:This study examined the implementation of the Maternity Protection Act for female veterinarians in Germany and analyzed the psychosocial and professional consequences of employment bans, as well as the lack of legal regulations for self-employed women. Materials and methods:Through qualitative, problem-centered interviews, 14 female veterinarians from 5 different professional fields were interviewed about their professional experiences regarding pregnancy and breastfeeding. The interview transcripts were transferred into MAXQDA software for qualitative data analysis and analyzed using Philipp Mayring's qualitative content analysis approach. Results:Satisfaction with the implementation of the Maternity Protection Act largely depended on the degree of involvement in task allocation. All 8 veterinarians working in curative practice and at slaughterhouses were subject to an absolute occupation ban. Despite early discussions with employers about family planning, the workplace was usually not adapted, as the risks and costs were seen as too high. This often led to negative changes in inter-collegial relationships and a sense of alienation from the profession. Of the 12 veterinarians previously employed in curative practice, all expressed doubts about the compatibility of family and career due to poor working conditions. Seven of them changed their professional field as a result. Female employers reported feeling inadequately advised and uncertain about their responsibilities. Self-employed veterinarians often worked until shortly before birth and resumed work early during the postpartum period, which was perceived as highly stressful. Conclusion and clinical relevance:The focus of this study was on self-determined continuation of work and, alternatively, the necessity for exit strategies. The resulting loss of contact with animals severely damages professional identity. Furthermore, highly qualified women with family aspirations are restricted in their careers and self-determination, despite possessing strong self-protection skills. The strict implementation of maternity protection ("zero-risk policy") forces qualified women out of the profession, while employers have little support or alternative solutions. This is especially problematic in light of the ongoing skilled labor shortage.
Abstract A nine-year-old Trakehner mare was presented three days after an episode of severe epistaxis, showing intermittent foul-smelling nasal discharge with feed material and rostral displacement of the upper incisor teeth. Radiographic and computed tomography examinations revealed a complete comminuted fracture of the right side and an oblique complete fracture of the left side nasal processes of the incisive bone and maxillary bone, as well as open fractures of the nasal septum and palatine bone with displacement of the incisor part rostrally and development of an oronasal communication. The fracture was treated by osteosynthesis using a locking compression plate on the left side of the incisive bone and cerclage wire connecting incisors and premolars of the upper jaw on both sides. Pressure on the fracture line during mastication was reduced by adjusting incisor length. Soft tissues of the hard palate were closed with sutures and managed with daily flushing of the oronasal communication. The mare showed good clinical condition during the whole treatment period. 9-week follow-up examination showed good upper jaw stability and cosmesis. CT-examination confirmed proper bone alignment and complete soft tissue healing.
Zusammenfassung Ziel dieser Studie war es, klinisch relevante anatomische Strukturen der Karpalregion bei gesunden Pferden mit Hilfe der Cone-Beam-Computertomografie (CBCT) darzustellen. Es wurden 28 Vordergliedmaßen von 15 erwachsenen Pferden ohne orthopädische Erkrankungen untersucht. Nach einer nativen CBCT-Untersuchung wurde eine Mischung aus hyperattenuierendem Kontrastmittel und blauem Epoxidharzfarbstoff in das Antebrachiokarpalgelenk und das Mediokarpalgelenk injiziert und daraufhin erneute CBCT-Aufnahmen angefertigt. Anschließend wurden die Gliedmaßen eingefroren und in verschiedenen Ebenen gesägt, die den ausgewählten CBCT-Ebenen (Dorsal-, Sagittal- und Transversalebene) entsprechen. Daraufhin wurden die gesägten Exemplare fotografiert, um die Anatomie der Karpalregion des Pferdes im anatomischen Schnittbild darzustellen. Die anatomischen Strukturen wurden jeweils in den Schnittebenen der CBCT und den anatomischen Schnittbildern gegenübergestellt und im Rahmen eines anatomischen Atlas in mehreren Abbildungen zusammengestellt. Die knöchernen Strukturen des equinen Karpalgelenkes waren auf den CBCT-Aufnahmen deutlich zu erkennen. Insbesondere nach Berechnung des Weichteilfensters waren Weichteilstrukturen wie Streck- und Beugesehnen und die karpalen Seitenbänder auf den CBCT-Bildern darstellbar, auch wenn die Sichtbarkeit im Vergleich zu den knöchernen Strukturen schlechter war. Intrakarpal liegende Bänder konnten nach intraartikulärer Kontrastmittelinjektion indirekt sichtbar gemacht werden. Der Gelenkknorpel war nach intraartikulärer Kontrastmittelanreicherung beurteilbar, wobei die Sichtbarkeit von proximal (Antebrachiokarpalgelenk) nach distal (Karpometakarpalgelenk) abnahm. Die CBCT kann somit wertvolle zusätzliche Daten liefern, insbesondere in Fällen, in denen andere zweidimensionale diagnostische Bildgebungsverfahren wie Röntgen oder Ultraschall nicht genügend Informationen für eine definitive Diagnose bei Erkrankungen in der Karpalregion bei Pferden liefern. Da die Schnittbildgebung in der orthopädischen Pferdemedizin immer wichtiger wird, zielt diese Studie darauf ab, die Anatomie der Karpalregion des Pferdes mit Hilfe der CBCT darzustellen und die gewonnenen Bilder mit entsprechenden anatomischen Schnitten zu vergleichen und so als wichtige Grundlage für die Anwendung der CBCT im klinischen Alltag zu dienen.
Zusammenfassung Im Jahr 2025 kamen keine neuen Wirkstoffe für Pferde und landwirtschaftliche Nutztiere auf den deutschen Tierarzneimittelmarkt, jedoch wurden 2 bestehende Wirkstoffe auf zusätzliche Tierarten erweitert. Ein Dexamethason-Präparat ist nun bei Ziegen anwendbar und ein neues Natriumsalicylat-haltiges Produkt für Hühner wurde eingeführt. Oxalsäuredihydrat ist nun als imprägnierter Streifen zur Kontaktbehandlung verfügbar. Bei den immunologischen Tierarzneimitteln wurde erstmals ein Impfstoff gegen das Epizootische Hämorrhagie-Virus beim Rind zugelassen. Außerdem erhielten alle 3 bisher schon verfügbaren Impfstoffe gegen das Blauzungen-Virus bei Rind und Schaf eine Zulassung. Für Hühner gibt es ein neues trivalentes Kombinationspräparat gegen die Newcastle-Disease, die Infektiöse Laryngotracheitis und Infektiöse Bursitis sowie einen Impfstoff mit einem weiteren Serotypen des Aviären Reovirus. Eine neue Applikationsart ermöglicht eine weitere Anwendung für einen Impfstoff gegen Rota- und Coronaviren sowie E. coli (subkutan) beim Rind. Zusätzlich wurden neue Packungsgrößen eines Impfstoffs für Kälber gegen das Bovine Respiratorische Synzytialvirus sowie das Bovine Parainfluenza 3-Virus und eines Impfstoffs für Hühner gegen die Aviäre Salmonellose in den Verkehr gebracht.
Zusammenfassung Im Zuge des Blauzungenkrankheitsausbruchs mit dem Serotyp 3 des Blauzungenvirus (BTV-3) in Deutschland 2024/25 wurden in einer sächsischen Fleischrinderherde bei 6 neugeborenen Kälbern neurologische Auffälligkeiten direkt post natum festgestellt. Ziel dieser Fallstudie ist die Beschreibung der Klinik der 6 Kälber, die pathologisch-anatomischen und lichtmikroskopischen Befunde eines dieser Tiere sowie die virologischen Untersuchungsergebnisse des Bestandes. Die betroffenen Kälber zeigten Orientierungslosigkeit, fehlende Reflexe und Saugschwäche. Bei dem sezierten Kalb konnte ein ausgeprägter bilateral-symmetrischer Verlust der Großhirnrinde mit flüssigkeitsgefüllten Hohlräumen im Neuroparenchym und dilatierten Seitenventrikeln im Sinne einer Hydranenzephalie festgestellt werden. Histologisch zeigten sich eine kortikale Hypo- und Dysplasie, zystische Defekte, Mikro- und Astrogliose sowie dystrophische Verkalkungen. Bei 3 von 3 untersuchten Kälbern war mittels RT-PCR im Blut BTV-3-RNA nachweisbar und sie zeigten hohe Antikörpertiter, ebenso wie deren Mütter und der Großteil des Bestandes. Die Evaluierung der epidemiologischen Situation des Bestandes deutet auf eine mögliche intrauterine BTV-3-Infektion etwa um den 120. Trächtigkeitstag hin. Der Nachweis einer Hydranenzephalie im vorliegenden Fall unterstützt die Grundregel, dass eine genaue morphologische Charakterisierung der Läsionen wesentlich zur Abgrenzung gegenüber anderen, insbesondere viralen Ursachen von ZNS-Missbildungen beim Kalb beitragen kann.
