INTRODUCTION:Influenza A virus (IAV) is an important respiratory pathogen in pigs and poses a zoonotic risk to humans in close contact. While IAV epidemiology has been extensively studied in large-scale production systems, data from Switzerland - characterized by small herds and limited live pig imports - remain scarce. This exploratory nationwide cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between herd-level IAV detection and reported respiratory disease in pig herds, and to explore associations with husbandry-, animal-, and human health-related factors. Between November 2023 and April 2025, 25 Swiss pig herds with caretaker-suspected respiratory symptoms were investigated. In each herd, five nasal swabs were collected and analyzed by quantitative PCR. Herd managers completed an interview, and clinical examinations were performed. Overall, 56 % (95 % CI: 37,1 - 73,3) of herds tested positive for IAV, comparable to reports from other European countries. The estimated intra-herd detection rate was 49,6 % (95 % CI: 31,2 - 68,0). Respiratory disease outbreaks associated with IAV detection showed indications of seasonal variation, with no positive herds identified during summer. Across age groups, pigs aged 11-14 weeks had a higher likelihood of IAV detection, with 15,79-fold increased odds (95 % CI: 1,50 - 860,4), although with considerable uncertainty. The interpretation is limited by the small sample size, heterogeneous data, and reliance on single time-point qPCR detection. The results suggest that IAV detection in clinically apparent respiratory outbreaks may follow seasonal patterns in Swiss pig herds. Weaners and newly introduced fattening pigs may play a role in such respiratory outbreaks and could represent relevant targets for IAV surveillance in Switzerland. Continued monitoring and the implemen tation of appropriate control measures remain important given the virus's zoonotic potential and impact on pig health.
INTRODUCTION:Effective horse-rider communication is essential in equestrian sports, both for performance and animal welfare. Rein tension, which is often applied through negative reinforcement (i.e., the release of pressure to reward a desired response), plays a central role in this interaction. However, high or inconsistent tension can lead to discomfort or injury, particularly in the mouth cavity. While previous studies have analyzed rein tension in basic gaits such as walk, trot, and canter, limited research exists on more complex maneuvers like jumping or abrupt stops. This pilot study introduces a custom-designed strain gauge-based sensor system developed to measure rein tension under typical riding conditions. A high sampling rate was configured to allow accurate detection of short-duration tension peaks. The sensors were calibrated and showed an accuracy of.
INTRODUCTION:Vascular hamartomas are rare malformations in foals that typically present as painless masses of the skin or subcutaneous tissue. This case report describes a newborn foal with a vascular mass over the right shoulder. Complete surgical excision was performed at seven days of age. Histologically, the lesion was found to be a well-defined dermal vascular proliferation consistent with a vascular hamartoma. The healing process was uneventful, and no recurrence occurred six months postoperatively. This case adds a rare location on the scapula to the literature and confirms surgical removal as an effective treatment option.
INTRODUCTION:The reported biochemical changes in primary abomasal impaction (PAI) have mainly focused on electrolytes; the changes in C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes have not been evaluated particularly for adult buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). The aim of this study was to describe the blood gas parameters, CRP, clinical, hematological, and biochemical characteristics of PAI in a prospective study. The study was conducted on 15 animals (nine buffaloes and six cows) diagnosed with PAI. The diagnosis was based on consistency of abomasum on laparo-rumenotomy and/or necropsy. The age of the animals was 2,5 to 10 years and had been ill for 4-15 days. The food composition was characterized by low quality fibres (wheat straw). Most frequent clinical signs were anorexia, reduced water intake, dullness, congested mucous membranes, dehydration, ruminal hypomotility, and scanty or absent feces with or without mucus. The hematological findings were neutrophilia, left shift and toxic neutrophils in most of the cases. The consistent biochemical changes were hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and increased levels of C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, globulin, triglycerides, glucose, urea, creatinine, lactate, magnesium and ruminal fluid chloride. Blood gas analysis revealed severe metabolic alkalosis with compensatory respiratory acidosis. Prognosis of the disease was poor. The degree of metabolic alkalosis, hypochloremia, hypokalemia and hyperlactatemia could be helpful in differentiating abomasal impaction from other abdominal disorders in bovines.
INTRODUCTION:Actinomycosis in cattle is often detected late and is usually too advanced by that point to be successfully treated. Five cases referred to the Ruminant Clinic were reviewed as part of this case series. The aim of this review was to highlight the differences and similarities among the cases, as well as their clinical courses. The recommendation to the livestock owners in cases 1 and 2 was to slaughter the animals due to the advanced stage of the disease. Cases 3 and 4 involved animals in which the changes were detected early and could therefore be treated. The diagnosis in case 5 was confirmed by computed tomography, and the head was examined pathologically after slaughter. In addition to clinical examination, radiological imaging was the method of choice for diagnosing actinomycosis in vivo in all cases.
We propose elements of a political economy of One Health for Switzerland. It is derived from more than 25 years of collaborative research and development with an interdisciplinary research team at the interface between human and veterinary medicine and several other sciences in Africa and Asia. It is based on work on mixed vaccination services for nomads and their animals in Chad and the cross-sectoral economic analysis of brucellosis control in Mongolia. This was later supplemented by conceptual work on human-environment systems and a new game-theoretical approach to One Health. We refer to the new definition of One Health by the One Health High Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP), the European Union's advisory body on the implementation (operationalization) of One Health, and new integrated surveillance and response systems for humans, animals, and the environment in Ethiopia. A political economy of One Health emerges inductively from the above-mentioned research and consists of core elements of governance, economic guidelines, and principles of implementation. One Health governance works participatively with consultative processes that involve social actors. It is cross-sectoral and involves human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, the environment, and other areas in finding solutions. A key element is cooperation at all levels of society, from village communities to cantons, the national government, and international bodies. A One Health approach should be economically profitable while preserving natural resources. It should benefit all population groups, animals, and the environment equally. Existing policies can be adapted for implementation and do not necessarily have to be developed from scratch. It is important to clarify the respective responsibilities and then divide up the cooperation accordingly. The political economy of One Health thus has great potential to contribute to solving major pressing problems such as climate change, species loss, increasing antibiotic resistance, and the prevention of pandemics.
INTRODUCTION:Lameness grading in cattle facilitates the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders and provides information regarding the disease severity in terms of animal welfare and transportability of the animal. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between the degree of lameness and the severity of musculoskeletal disorders in cattle. The degree of lameness in 545 cattle with different orthopaedic disorders was analysed retrospectively. The categories age, type of lameness, anatomical localisation of the lesions, involvement of soft tissues, bones, joints, and other synovial structures, severity of infection, and claw involvement were generated. The categories were correlated with the degree of lameness, and both were correlated with the prognosis. Calves were more severely lame than older cattle (4/5 versus 3/5). Lameness originating from lesions at the carpus and tarsus or distally from these areas mostly led to supporting-leg lameness (87,5 % and 85,7 % or 95,7 %). Diseases localised proximal to the carpal and tarsal joints caused mixed lameness in 81,3 % of cases and supporting-leg lameness in 12,5 %; swinging-leg lameness was rare (6,3 %) The median degree of mixed lameness (3,5/5) exceeded that of supporting-leg lameness (3/5). Cattle with stifle (3,5/5) or elbow disorders (4/5) had significantly higher degrees of lameness compared with cattle with lameness attributable to other causes. Likewise, lameness caused by joint disease (3,5/5) was generally more severe than lameness caused by other disorders. Superficially infected musculoskeletal disorders and uncomplicated claw diseases were associated with milder lameness (both 3/5) than those with deep infection and complicated claw disorders (3/5 and 3,5/5). Cattle that recovered and were discharged had less severe lameness (2,5/5) than those that were slaughtered (3/5), and the latter had less severe lameness than those that were euthanised (3,5/5). The correlation between the severity of an orthopaedic disorder and the degree of lameness in cattle is consistent with clinical experience. This investigation allowed us to substantiate several relationships between the investigated variables and the degree of lameness. Our findings allowed the severity of a musculoskeletal disorder to be tentatively diagnosed and the affected anatomical structure to be identified based on the degree and type of lameness. This, in turn, may improve diagnostic capability and formulation of the prognosis, as well as the assessment of the fitness for transport of cattle with orthopaedic disorders.
INTRODUCTION:Canine leishmaniosis is a zoonotic disease with diverse clinical manifestations; renal involvement is among the most severe. In light of the lack of recommendations for managing canine Leishmania-associated proteinuria across LeishVet disease stages, climate change and the associated risk of Leishmania infantum becoming endemic in Switzerland, a targeted evaluation of disease awareness and current therapeutic strategies is needed. This study investigated treatment strategies used by Swiss veterinarians for managing canine leishmaniosis, focusing on proteinuria. An online survey was conducted using LimeSurvey®. A total of 817 veterinarians were contacted, and 149 fully completed questionnaires were analyzed (response rate: 18,2 %). Most respondents reported following LeishVet guidelines in their treatment of leishmaniosis. Urinalysis is performed by 84,6 % of participants. In LeishVet stage 2B (urinary protein:creatinine ratio 0,5-1), 43 % initiate antiproteinuric treatment; in stage 4 (urinary protein:creatinine ratio > 5), 80 % treat proteinuria. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are the most frequently used medications, preferred over angiotensin II receptor blockers. Interestingly, the latter are mainly used in advanced stages of the disease. In summary, only a minority of veterinarians initiate antiproteinuric treatment in LeishVet stage 2B (urinary protein:creatinine ratio 0,5-1), although this would be the optimal time for slowing the progression of renal disease. Possible reasons include additional costs and a lack of awareness of the potential negative consequences of proteinuria. The results also show heterogeneity in treatment decisions and highlight the need for clear, stage-based recommendations for the management of proteinuria in canine leishmaniosis.
INTRODUCTION:Veterinary medicine students are confronted with choosing a specialty track after completing their bachelor›s degree. They can choose between clinical (Livestock (NT), Equine (EQ), Small Animal (KT)) and non-clinical track (Pathobiology, Biomedical Research or Veterinary Public Health (VPH)). Overall, the proportion of vegetarians and vegans in the population has increased in the last few decades. An even higher percentage of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles could be observed among veterinary students. There is empirical evidence that those who follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle are more likely not to choose the focus on «livestock (NT)». For this reason, a group of students of the Vetsuisse Faculty in Bern examined in more detail whether the choice of track differs depending on eating behavior. Despite some inaccuracies associated with such a study, it is shown that students who eat an omnivorous diet are more likely to choose the NT focus than students who follow a vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian diet. Moreover, that vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, as an expression of underlying values, ethical convictions or emotional attitudes, could play a role in specialization and career choice. Against this background, it seems reasonable, within the framework of the discussion on admission and training structures in veterinary studies, to examine how it can be ensured that a sufficient number of graduates are both professionally qualified and motivated in the long term for the livestock sector.
INTRODUCTION:Brucellosis in domestic pigs, mainly caused by Brucella (B.) suis, has been eradicated in many European countries and the domestic pig population is monitored for freedom of disease by serological methods. However, antibodies cross-reacting with the prescribed smooth lipopolysaccharide (sLPS) diagnostic antigen, might lead to false positive serological results (FPSRs) due to antigen similarity with other bacteria, such as Yersinia species. Domestic pigs are frequently colonised with Y. enterocolitica. The ID Screen® Brucella suis Indirect ELISA, based on sLPS and rough LPS (rLPS) was developed to confirm FPSRs in porcine sera. The performance of the ID Screen® Brucella suis Indirect ELISA was analysed using 143 field sera from domestic pigs with different brucellosis status: group 1: brucellosis-free pigs kept in an artificial insemination unit (n=65); group 2: brucellosis-free herds showing seropositivity for brucellosis in different sLPS-based serological tests, suspected to be FPSRs (n=53); group 3: herds with confirmed porcine brucellosis (n=25). Additionally, sera were tested with Pigtype® Yersinia Ab ELISA. Sera of group 1 were confirmed as truly serological negative for brucellosis with the ID Screen® Brucella suis Indirect ELISA. In group 2, 51 out of 53 sera (96 %) were confirmed as FPSRs by the ID Screen® Brucella suis Indirect ELISA. Nineteen sera (76 %) of group 3 tested truly serological positive for brucellosis. The results confirm the good discriminatory power of the ID Screen® Brucella suis Indirect ELISA for false serological brucellosis positivity. Moreover, our data confirmed that cross-reactive Yersinia antibodies are the most likely cause of FPSRs.
INTRODUCTION:The present study provides an overview of gonioscopic findings in Leonberger dogs in Switzerland and describes glaucoma cases within this sample population. Purebred Leonberger dogs participated in this prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study. A full hereditary eye disease (HED) examination including gonioscopy was performed in all dogs according to the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO) HED scheme. The morphology of the pectinate ligament and the width of the iridocorneal angle (ICA-width) were noted and categorized into grades 0-3 and 0-2, respectively. Sixty-nine dogs (137 eyes) with a median age of 2 years and 8 months were included in the study. Pectinate ligament abnormality (PLA) and iridocorneal angle width (ICA-width) were combined to final scores of iridocorneal angle abnormality (ICA-abnormality). Twenty percent (14/69) of all eyes displayed severely affected iridocorneal angles (ICA-abnormality grade 3), 36 % (25/69) moderately affected (ICA-abnormality grade 2) and 31 % (21/69) mildly affected (ICA-abnormality grade 1). Overall, 87 % of the Leonbergers in this study showed some form of iridocorneal angle abnormality. Four percent (6/137) of all eyes, corresponding to 6 % (4/69) of dogs, developed glaucoma between the ages of 5,5-6 years. All of these eyes displayed severely affected ICAs (ICA-abnormality grade 3). A significant number of Leonberger dogs in Switzerland demonstrate iridocorneal angle abnormalities and are at an increased risk for developing primary angle closure glaucoma. Leonberger breeders should be encouraged to have gonioscopy performed on all potential breeding animals, as per the ECVO HED guidelines.
INTRODUCTION:The global availability of GS-441524 for treating feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) has increased in recent years, yet little data is available about how primary care veterinarians diagnose the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic approach to FIP in primary care practices and compare findings between effusive and non-effusive forms. Retrospective analysis was conducted using a dataset of 243 cats treated with unlicensed GS-441524 in Western Switzerland, obtained via a social media platform, all of which completed a minimum of 12-weeks treatment. Demographics were consistent with previous reports. Effusive and non-effusive FIP forms were equally represented. Most common presenting complaints included hyporexia/anorexia (70 %; 166/236), weight loss (63 %; 149/236), and lethargy (59 %; 140/236). Hyporexia/anorexia was more common in cats with effusive FIP (P.
In order to better control eye diseases with a genetic background the Swiss Association for Entlebucher Mountain Dogs had to introduce a mandatory gonioscopy for prospective breeding animals. Abnormalities of the iridocorneal angle consist of pectinate ligament abnormalities and/or narrow or closed iridocorneal angles. They may reduce the outflow of aqueous humor into the blood stream and thereby raise the intraocular pressure. As a result, glaucoma may develop and affected dogs often go blind. Using a sample of 126 Entlebucher mountain dogs we observed that only 28 % of the dogs were unaffected by iridocorneal angle abnormalities. Mild, moderate and severe iridocorneal angle abnormalities were observed in 13 %, 38 % and 21 % of the dogs, respectively. Even though Swiss Entlebucher mountain dogs are affected by iridocorneal angle abnormalities, they rarely develop glaucoma (3,2 %). With increasing age, the iridocorneal angle abnormalitites became more severe in some dogs and our advice is to adhere to the selection strategy of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
INTRODUCTION:A total of 48 horses with unilateral (n = 44) or bilateral (n = 4) overstrain-induced complete rupture of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) in the forelimbs were retrospectively analysed. A telephone questionnaire, carried out an average of 5,9 years post-injury, served as a long-term follow-up in 25 horses. The mortality rate associated with SDF tendonitis was 12,0 % (3/25). Superficial digital flexor tendonitis did not recur in 76,0 % (19/25) of the horses, but at least one subsequent episode occurred in 24,0 % (6/25). The results of this study indicate that it is reasonable to treat horses with complete rupture of the SDFT; the prognosis for return to light ridden exercise (81,0 %) or achieving pasture soundness (14,0 %) is good. However, the rehabilitation period is long, a minimum of one year in most cases. This study also highlights the importance of monitoring for recurrence after the initial episode of overstrain-induced complete rupture of the SDFT.
INTRODUCTION:Neospora caninum is a global cause of abortion in cattle. Infection occurs either vertically - from the mother to the foetus - or horizontally through the oral ingestion of -oocysts via contaminated feed or water. Infected cows may abort or give birth to seropositive calves that are already infected in utero. Both the dams and their calves remain permanently infected. As Hérens cows often have a high emotional value for their owners, animals are often re-bred after abortions in an attempt to achieve a new pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Neospora caninum in female Hérens cows in the canton Valais. Antibody testing of 425 animals from 86 farms revealed 13 Neospora caninum-positive animals from 12 farms. In our sample, this corresponded to a seroprevalence of 3,1 % (95 % C.I. 1,7-5,3 %) at the individual animal level and 14 % (95 % C.I. 7,8-23,5 %) at the farm level. No significant risk factors could be identified at either the individual animal or farm level.
Research on naturally occurring hypothyroidism in adult cats is limited to 16 reported cases in the last three decades, highlighting the need for more comprehensive studies. This prospective multicenter study aimed to identify cases of spontaneous primary hypothyroidism (SPH) in adult cats presented over a oneyear period . Staff members of two university hospitals and one private referral clinic screened for cats aged older than one year showing clinical signs suggestive of feline hypothyroidism including obstipation, obesity/weight gain, lethargy, goiter size, skin changes or mild azotemia. They were instructed to proceed with endocrine investigations if low or low normal total T4 (TT4) concentrations were detected, using inhouse analyses at two locations and external analyses at one uni versity hospital. The continuative diagnostic investigations consisted primarily of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) measurements using leftover samples and TT4 reevaluation. Additional cats with possible SPH were recruited by screen ing the local documentation systems for low to low normal TT4 concentrations recorded during the study period. Low (n = 253, 18,3 %) to low normal (n = 377, 27,3 %) TT4 concentrations were observed in 630 (45,6 %) of 1382 cats. Of these 630 possible SPH cats, 566 (89,8 %) cats were excluded for the following reasons: TT4 was measured to rule out hyperthyroidism (299 cats, 47,4 %), they were treat ed with drugs that lower TT4 concentrations (anti thyroid medications: 155 cats, 24,6 %; other drugs: 95 cats, 15,1 %), or followup investigations could not be conducted (17 cats, 2,7 %). In 64 (10,2 %) cats of the 630 cats with low or low Results suggest that SPH remains rare and further endo crine investigations e.g. TSH measurement are needed to find additional cases without any clinical suspicion.
Cross-matching is used to determine the serological compatibility of donor and recipient blood. This procedure is used to detect possible antibodies against the donor's erythrocytes, thereby reducing the risk of immunological transfusion reactions. Various methods are available for cross-matching: In addition to the tube agglutination method, which is often viewed as a reference method, gel and immunochromatographic methods are available. In this study, a gel tube method, an antiglobulin-enhanced gel tube method, and an immunochromatographic method were evaluated in comparison to the tube agglutination method in 28 different major cross-matches. The evaluation resulted in 85,7 % agreement between the antiglobulin-enhanced gel tube method, in 60,7 % agreement between the gel tube method and in 35,7 % agreement between the immunochromatographic method and the tube agglutination method. Considering the macroscopically positive test results alone, the agreement between the tube agglutination method and the antiglobulin-enhanced gel tube method was 100 %, the gel tube method 62,5 % and with the immunochromatographic 0 %. Using the antiglobulin-enhanced gel tube method, 4/9 weakly positive cross-matches, which were positive with a microscopic degree of agglutination of 1+ - 2+ using the tube agglutination method, were compatible. In all other cross-matches with a higher degree of agglutination, the results were consistent with those of the tube agglutination method. Transfusion of incompatible blood products may result in hemolytic transfusion reactions. However, the clinical relevance of microscopically weakly positive cross-matches is unclear. The application of the various test kits took significantly less time compared to the tube agglutination procedure. Due to the strong agreement and reduction in required time, the antiglobulin-enhanced gel tube method offers a good alternative to the reference method, especially in emergency situations. On the other hand, there was only a weak agreement between the gel tube and no agreement between the immunochromatographic method and the reference method.
INTRODUCTION:Hypoadrenocorticism (HAD) is a relatively uncommon endocrinopathy and dogs often present with non-specific clinical signs. The laboratory database of a tertiary referral center was blinded for review and retrospectively searched between March 2015 and March 2023, for dogs with suspected HAD and then categorized according to basal cortisol measurements and/or an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test (ACTH-STIM). Diagnosis of HAD was based on abnormal results of an ACTH-STIM (post-ACTH-STIM cortisol < 2ug/dl). HAD was diagnosed in 54 dogs, representing 9,6 % of the screened population (n = 564). Dogs without HAD had significantly higher sodium (p < 0,001), lower creatinine (p = 0,007), and lower phosphates (p < 0,001) concentrations than dogs with HAD. Most common breeds diagnosed with HAD included: mix breed (n = 16), Jack Russel Terrier (n = 5) and Bernese Mountain Dog (n = 3). Median age at diagnosis was 5 years (IQR: 3-8,75, range: 1-14). Twenty-nine dogs were male and 26 dogs were female. Most common clinical signs were combinations of hypo-/anorexia (n = 37, 68,5 %), lethargy (n = 35, 64,8 %), and vomiting (n = 31, 57,4 %). Only two of 54 dogs (3,7 %) had resting cortisol values > 0,5 µg/dl (> 13,79 nmol/l) (max. 0,63 µg/dl [17,38 nmol/l]) whereas six dogs (11,1 %) had post-ACTH-STIM cortisol values > 0,5 µg/dl (median: 0,82 µg/dl [22,62 nmol/l], IQR 0,51-0,96 [14,07-26,48]). Dogs with eunatremic, eukalemic hypoadrenocorticism (EEH) were more likely to present with anemia (OR: 14,19, 95 % CI, 2,71-74,22), whereas dogs with typical HAD were more likely to present with hyperphosphatemia (OR: 23,33, 95 % CI, 2,68-203,14). Forty-three dogs (79,6 %) had hyponatremic and/or hyperkalemic HAD and the remaining 11 dogs had EEH. In-house mortality was 5 % (3/55). One dog with EEH developed typical HAD seven weeks after initial diagnosis. Among dogs with HAD, the proportion diagnosed with EEH was similar to previous studies. In contrast to previous reports in which females were overrepresented, more males than females were affected in this cohort. No significant difference in age at presentation was observed between dogs with typical HAD and EEH.
