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.
