Background: The European hare (Lepus europoeus) is part of the Hungarian small game fauna and lives mainly in open fields and groves. Although it resembles the domestic rabbit in appearance, there are significant differences between the two species in terms of physiology, behavior, and reproduction. Despite these differences, however, there is little difference between the species in terms of their feeding biology and the structure of their digestive organs. Liver torsion, which is common in domestic rabbits, is almost unknown in European hares. One of the smaller lobes on the visceral surface of the liver tends to change position in domestic rabbits, and both acute and chronic forms of this condition are described in the literature. Due to the non-specific symptoms, imaging diagnostic methods (ultrasound examination) are required to make a diagnosis. According to the literature, only surgical intervention can bring about a cure in domestic rabbits. Objectives: A 5-year-old brown hare living in a breeding colony showed signs of uncertain, enteric symptoms, which led to diagnostic tests and, after the alteration was identified, abdominal surgery with hepatic lobectomy. Materials and methods: A 5-year-old female European hare (Lepus europaeus) kept in cage and bred, raising 3 youngs during her reproductive cycle, underwent physical and ultrasound examination. Blood was taken from the hare prior to surgery, and then the twisted and necrotic liver lobe was removed through an abdominal incision under anesthesia. Following surgery, the animal received antibiotic and analgesic therapy. Results and discussion: The authors diagnosed chronic liver torsion and consequent accumulation of bloody serum in the abdominal cavity in a captive-bred female European hare (Lepus europaeus) aged 5 years, which was raising three young during its reproductive cycle. The displaced hepatic lobe was clearly visible on ultrasound examination. Blood tests revealed elevated MCHC, white blood cell count, heteophil granulocyte and lymphocyte persentages. After median laparotomy, 30 ml of bloody serum was aspirated from the abdominal cavity. The liver was twisted and the necrotic caudate process was resected. After flushing the abdominal cavity with sterile physiological saline solution, the surgical wound was closed. The rabbit received ShotapenR (Virbac) 22,000 IU/kg, Neovit B complexR (Kela) 1.5 ml, and MelovemR 5 mg/ml (Dopharma) contain ng 05 mg/kg meloxicam intramuscularly every 3 days. During the operation, physiological saline solution was administered at a rate of 48.5 ml/hour through a cannula placed in the caudal marginal ear vein, to which 2 ml of DuphalyteR (Zoetis) infusion was added. One week after follow-up treatment, the rabbit recovered without symptoms.
Background: Kangaroos, particularly the Bennett's wallaby, have become increasingly common in captivity and as pets in Hungary over the past decade. Their popularity is linked to relatively simple husbandry requirements. adaptability, and ability to form human-animal bonds. However, beyond basic technical standards, legal regulations remain limited. Between 2014 and 2025, the most frequently diagnosed disease in captive macropods in Hungary was macropod progressive periodontal disease (MPPD), also known as lumpy jaw. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment approaches of MPPD in captive macropods in Hungary over a 10-year period. Materials and Methods: A total of 286 Bennett's wallabies were examined between 2014 and 2025, of which 139 were diagnosed and treated for MFPD. The study evaluated disease occurrence, clinical stages (early and late), and treatment strategies. Husbandry conditions and their potential role in disease development were also assessed. Results and Discussion: Hungarian data from 2014-2025 were compared with European findings reported by Rendle et al. (2020) between 1995 and 2016. The prevalence of MPPD in Hungarian captive macropods was high (48.6%), exceeding European data, while overall mortality was lower, suggesting improvements in early diagnosis and management. Between the two study periods (2014-2018 and 2019-2025), the prevalence of MPPD in Hungarian captive macropods showed a slight increase (46.6% -> 50.0%), while both the overall mortality (57.4% -> 43.5%) ant recurrence rates (47.2% -> 44.1%) decreased. These trends indicate earlier detection and more effective clinical and preventive practices, with milder lesions observed in recent years. Despite persistently high prevalence, the reduced mortality and recurrence highlight progress in husbandry, preventive care, and dental monitoring in captive populations.
The authors describe the diagnosis and treatment of two horses with calcinosis circumscripta, a disorder rarely seen in horses. Both horses were presented for evaluation of a non-painful swelling of increasing size involving the lateral aspect of the stifle joint. One horse was treated conservatively and the other received operative treatment. Surgical excision of the mass required opening the femorotibial joint and resection of a substantial portion of the synovial membrane. Inability to entirely close the joint capsule led to continuous discharge, seroma formation and finally to septic arthritis, ultimately necessitating euthanasia of the horse. Conservative treatment of the other horse for calcinosis circumscripta at the same location resulted in a marked decrease in the size of the swelling over a period of several months, and a cosmetically acceptable outcome was reported by the owner three years later.
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a growing public health threat, imposing substantial societal and economic burdens through excess mortality and reduced quality of life, while also exerting significant environmental impacts. Objectives: The aim of this analysis is to provide an order-of-magnitude estimate of the human disease burden and environmental burden attributable to and associated with AMR in Hungary, as well as the expected annual health and environmental benefits associated with a 1% reduction in AMR. Materials and methods: In estimating the human disease burden of AMR, we applied the following health indicators as defined by the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2019 study: mortality, YLL (Years of Life Lost), YLD (Years Lived with Disability), DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Years), and QALY (Quality-Adjusted Life Years). In estimating the environmental burden, we assessed the economic value of ecosystem services that may deteriorate if AMR-related pressures persist or intensify. Results and discussion: The estimated indirect AMR-associated burden in Hungary amounts to 6,567 deaths per year and 177,209 disability-adjusted life years (DALY) annually, whereas the direct burden attributable to AMR is estimated at 1,707 deaths per year and 46,239.9 DALY annually. If AMR were reduced by 1% as a result of implemented interventions, an estimated total of 82.7 deaths and 2,234.5 DALY per year could be averted. The corresponding estimated economic benefit on the human health side would range between HUF 11.9-57.6 billion annually. In addition, an estimated environmental benefit of HUF 10.85 billion per year would accrue, resulting in a total aggregated benefit in the range of HUF 22.8-68.5 billion per year. Considering the methodological limitations of the study, the results should be interpreted as preliminary, order-of-magnitude estimates.
Background: Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is a widespread infectious animal disease accompanied by fever and general symptoms, causing significant economic losses worldwide. Voluntary control programmes are present in Hungary to combat BVD virus (BVDV) infections, however, despite these efforts, the prevalence of the disease has not yet declined. Objectives: The presented case study provides a detailed description of the steps involved in BVD eradication in a large dairy herd, from the detection of the introduction of the virus into a disease-free herd, through the development of the control strategy, to the achievement of disease-free status once again. Materials and Methods: The control strategy design relied on eradication programmes published in scientific literature, and took into consideration the local conditions, including herd size, the level of BVD infection within the herd, and the available human and material resources of the farm. The key components of this strategy included the identification and removal of persistently infected (PI) animals from the herd, combined with the implementation of a vaccination programme. Vaccination successfully reduced further economic losses and prevented the development of new persistently infected (PI) animals. To ensure appropriate progress of the eradication programme, the individual steps were monitored through regular testing. These assessments included evaluation of the post-vaccination immune response, screening for newly emerging PI animals, and monitoring the circulation of BVDV within the herd using sentinel animals. Results and Discussion: Eradication based on modified live virus vaccination combined with PI screening proved to be highly effective and rapid. Within one year of initiating control measures, wild-type BVDV could no longer be detected in the herd. This outcome was most likely facilitated by the relatively low rate of infection, as well as by appropriately implemented vaccinations, sampling procedures, and the introduction of effective external and internal biosecurity measures reinforced by farm management.
