Neonatal diarrhea in calves frequently results in severe metabolic disturbances, particularly D-lactic acidosis and hyperkalemia. These conditions are associated with weakness, apathy, and, in the case of D-lactic acidosis, with neurological deficits such as impairment of the palpebral reflex. Severe hyperkalemia can be accompanied by potentially life-threatening cardiac conduction abnormalities. The second part of this review article provides a narrative overview of therapeutic approaches as well as the prognostic relevance of these key metabolic disorders.Correction of metabolic acidosis is of crucial importance in the treatment of calves with neonatal diarrhea. Oral rehydration by administration of buffer-containing electrolyte solutions represents the simplest and most cost-effective therapeutic option in calves that are still able to drink. For intravenous correction of metabolic acidosis, sodium bicarbonate is the treatment of choice. Appropriate therapeutic decisions can be made under field conditions by assessing the calf's ability to stand, the clinical degree of dehydration, and the degree of loss of the palpebral reflex. If enophthalmos (eyeball recession of 3-4 mm) or signs of metabolic acidosis (impaired ability to stand or absence of the palpebral reflex) are present, intravenous fluid therapy is indicated. Rapid infusion of small-volume hypertonic sodium bicarbonate solutions in combination with oral administration of electrolyte solutions is particularly suitable for calves with clinical signs of acidosis but without enophthalmos. In calves with enophthalmos, the infusion of a larger volume of isotonic crystalloid solutions is recommended. Initial intravenous administration of hypertonic sodium-containing solutions also offers advantages for the stabilization of calves with clinical signs of hyperkalemia, as this may rapidly reverse the cardiotoxic effects.Laboratory parameters are generally of limited prognostic value in calves with neonatal diarrhea. Even in cases of marked metabolic alterations, treatment attempts can be worthwhile as long as no severe concurrent or secondary problems are present.
Objective Prophylactic measures such as quarantine, vaccinations, preventive examinations, and participation in animal disease monitoring programs are important tools for good animal health monitoring. Although individual aspects of animal health measures in small ruminants in Germany have already been investigated, comprehensive analyses on their frequency and implementation at the farm level are still lacking. In addition, the population spread of wolves in Germany has raised the importance of herd protection measures against this predator. The aim of this study is to assess the current situation and, based on this, to identify options for optimization. Material and methods In collaboration with the Hessian Association for Sheep Breeding/Keeping (Hessischer Verband f & uuml;r Schafzucht/-haltung e.V.) and the Hessian Goat Breeding Association (Hessischer Ziegenzuchtverband e.V.), a questionnaire was developed to assess the situation of sheep and goat farming in Hesse. The questionnaire was made publicly available online and sent to livestock owners in written form. Specific questions were evaluated statistically using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 112 sheep farmers and 66 goat farmers participated in the survey. Around half of the livestock farmers surveyed (50,0% of sheep farmers and 50,0% of goat farmers) purchase animals on a regular basis. More goat farmers (74,2%) than sheep farmers (33,0%) pay attention to whether the animals originate from a farm that participates in animal disease monitoring. 61,0% of sheep farmers and 60,0% of goat farmers quarantine newly purchased animals. This quarantine period lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. Vaccinations are carried out at almost the same frequency on sheep and goat farms (sheep farmers: 43,9%, goat farmers: 48,2%). In more than half of the farms (sheep: 51,4%; goats: 54,2%), deworming of the animals takes place without prior fecal examination. In one-third of sheep farms and one-fifth of goat farms, the same preparation is always used. The majority of the livestock owners surveyed (sheep farmers: 81,0%, goat farmers: 71,2%) are satisfied with the veterinary care they receive. Herd protection measures are only established in just below half of sheep farms (45,5%). The most commonly used measure for this is fencing, with electric fences of various heights (78,1%) being the most popular. Conclusion Based on the survey biosecurity is implemented on many farms but applied inconsistently. There is potential for improvement in animal purchasing, vaccination management and parasite control. Clinical relevance The results of the survey indicate that many of the farms have deficits in the areas of animal health monitoring and disease prevention. These can be minimized by the use of targeted management and veterinary advice.
Atlantoaxial luxation represents a rare but clinically relevant differential diagnosis in neonatal foals presenting with neurological abnormalities or dysphagia. This case report describes a newborn filly without apparent ataxia, but presenting with a stiff head-neck posture and milky nasal discharge. Clinical examination revealed a compromised general condition and abnormal swelling in the region of the fossa retromandibularis. Radiographic examination confirmed the diagnosis of an atlantoaxial luxation. Due to the poor prognosis the foal was euthanized. This case highlights the diagnostic approach to atlantoaxial luxation and emphasizes the importance of imaging modalities both for ruling out differential diagnoses and for assessing therapeutic options.
Abstract Since 2021 anesthetic-free piglet castration has been banned in Germany and pain elimination is mandatory. Castration under local anesthesia is already carried out in some EU countries, but the study situation on this topic is very heterogeneous. Therefore, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture launched a research project to investigate whether surgical castration of suckling piglets with local anesthesia could be a suitable, legally compliant procedure for piglet castration in Germany. This field study represents the final part of the project and aimed to investigate surgical castration under a standardized multimodal analgesic protocol, including local anesthesia in contrast to anesthetic‑free castration on 9 conventional farms. In total, 920 piglets were castrated without anesthesia, and 3,046 piglets were castrated under local anesthesia. We focused our investigations on safety, based on adverse effects and piglet losses, on efficacy, based on the defensive behavior of the piglets, on practicability, based on the performance of the injection by the farmer compared to the experienced veterinarian, and additionally on economic efficiency based on working time. Overall, only 2 piglets (0.05%) experienced side effects between injection and castration. Losses were not increased compared to the control group (0.4%). During skin incision, the defensive behavior was reduced, with differences between the farms. During spermatic cord transection, it was reduced on all farms. The injection of lidocaine also led to defensive behavior. The time required for the entire castration process increased on average by almost one minute per piglet due to the use of local anesthesia. Workload also doubled compared to the control group. The evaluated multimodal analgesic protocol reduces pain-related responses but does not eliminate pain under field conditions. Local anesthesia with lidocaine represents a feasible and low-risk technique that can be implemented under field conditions. As it reduces but does not completely eliminate pain, it does not fulfil the legal requirements for effective pain alleviation and therefore cannot be considered a standalone procedure.
