Reference values for the following parameters were established in the cerebrospinal fluid of 27 calves between four and eight weeks of age: specific weight, protein concentration, erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count with cell differentiation, creatin kinase activity, glucose and sodium.If possible, the findings were compared with those of other authors in calves and adult bovines. With 24.3 cells per mul the 90% quantile of the total leucocyte count was seated significantly above comparable values for adult bovines. Hence, in individual cases markedly higher leucocyte counts can be expected in the cerebrospinal fluid of calves.In agreement with other authors, the protein concentration in calves was lower than in adult bovines. The reference range for creatin kinase activity was increased whereas the one for sodium was only slightly increased compared to earlier investigations in calves and in adult bovines.

Reference values for the following parameters were established in the cerebrospinal fluid of 27 calves between four and eight weeks of age: specific weight, protein concentration, erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count with cell differentiation, creatin kinase activity, glucose and sodium. If possible, the findings were compared with those of other authors in calves and adult bovines. With 24.3 cells per microliter the 90% quantile of the total leucocyte count was seated significantly above comparable values for adult bovines. Hence, in individual cases markedly higher leucocyte counts can be expected in the cerebrospinal fluid of calves. In agreement with other authors, the protein concentration in calves was lower than in adult bovines. The reference range for creatin kinase activity was increased whereas the one for sodium was only slightly increased compared to earlier investigations in calves and in adult bovines.

A major problem in camel productivity is the high mortality rate of camel calves in the first 3 months. The causes for mortality are mainly poor management practice and infectious diseases. The purpose of this research, carried out on a ranch in Kenya, was to determine the immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in camel colostrum as well as the extent of the calves' passive immunization by maternal antibodies. IgG concentration in colostrum and in the serum of the calf were measured during the first 3 d of life. Evaluation was carried out by comparing the respective values with those for horses and cattle. The average IgG concentration in the camel colostrum was higher than that found in literature for horses and cattle. IgG concentration in the serum of the camel calves reached its maximum 24 h after birth. In 39% of the examined calves, this maximum concentration was below 4 g/l, which is considered to be the critical value in horses and cattle. 61% of the calves achieved an IgG concentration of over 4 g/l. Since there is no correlation between IgG level in colostrum and early mortality, the results indicate that low colostrum intake during the first 24 h of life and not low IgG concentration in colostrum is presumably one of the main causes of early calf mortality. Therefore, it was recommended that the care of the newborn calves by herdsmen should be improved.

According to reports in the literature, muscular extensor reflexes and spinal reflexes are exaggerated in the calf during the first month of life. To investigate developmental aspects of their expression, the following reflexes were tested in 12 healthy calves at days 1, 2, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 42 post natum: patellar, cranial tibial, Achilles tendon, flexor, coronet/heel bulb, triceps, extensor carpi radialis, crossed extensor, panniculus, anal and vulval reflex. Patellar, cranial tibial, flexor, coronet/heel bulb, triceps and extensor carpi radialis reflexes were exaggerated for various periods post natum. In particular, patellar, flexor and coronet/heel bulb reflexes were pronounced during the first two days of life. The patellar reflex decreased continuously throughout the period of investigation. The flexor and cranial tibial reflexes remained unchanged after days 7 and 14, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed differences in the time depending expression of the patellar, flexor, coronet/heel bulb and extensor carpi radialis reflexes. The interpretation of the patellar and flexor reflexes was most reliable, whereas the cranial tibial, triceps and extensor carpi radialis reflexes, although yielding reliable results as well, were more difficult to assess. The Achilles tendon reflex was generally very weak and thus not suited for diagnostic purposes. These findings demonstrate that the age of the calf must be considered in the interpretation of spinal reflexes.

Acid-base disorders were investigated in 50 calves with chronic indigestion and metabolic acidosis. In the calves that were unable to stand up, the acidosis was significantly more severe than in the calves that could stand up. The anion gap and four different components of the base excess were calculated by the method described by Fencl. The anion gap was high in more than half of the calves, and it was significantly associated with the base excess due to unidentified anions. However, in seven of the calves, the excess of unidentified anions would not have been detected without the calculations, which made it possible to measure the effect of sodium, chloride, plasma protein and unidentified anions on the acid-base balance. Twenty-four of the calves had a combination of hyperchloraemic and high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Changes in sodium and plasma protein concentrations had a minor impact on the calves' acid-base status.

Calves with chronic indigestion have disturbed general attitude and condition, decreased appetite, loss of hair, clay-like faeces and ruminal and metabolic acidosis. Possible causes include dysfunction of the oesophageal-groove reflex, reflux of abomasal contents into the rumen and abnormal ruminal motility. The anion gap may be increased or within normal limits. Metabolic acidosis is significantly more severe in calves that are unable to stand than in calves that can stand. Treatment of chronic indigestion consists primarily of intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate, transfaunation of the rumen and oral administration of electrolyte solutions.

The principal clinical signs in 59 milk-fed calves with chronic indigestion were general malaise and depression, poor appetite, poor body condition, dehydration, a dull and scaly hair coat, alopecia and clay-like faeces. All the calves had metabolic acidosis, which was associated with an inability to stand up in more than half of them. There were significant differences in the severity of acidosis between the calves that could stand and those that could not. Other signs in some of the calves were dehydration, leucocytosis, and increased activities of liver enzymes.

The collagen metabolites hydroxyproline (HYP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and pyridinoline (PYD) are suitable markers for bone resorption in humans and several animal species. In a field trial cows with symptoms of periparturient paresis (group A) and healthy control cows without symptoms (group B) were compared and urine and blood samples were collected on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 14 after parturition. In group A the mean +/- SE serum Ca concentration on day 1 was 1.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/l whereas those of group B were 2.0 +/- 0.1 mmol/l. A significant increase of the corrected urinary HYP concentration was observed from parturition to day 14 (from 2.8 to 8.8 mumol/mmol creatinine) and the concentrations at the different times were higher in group A than in group B. The mean corrected total and free DPD and total PYD concentration in urine increased after parturition to reach a peak at day 9. For DPD and PYD the mean concentrations between the two groups did not differ significantly. The DPD and PYD are useful tools to follow bone resorption in dairy cows, although in our study no difference between the two groups could be found which means that both groups were able to mobilize Ca from bone.

Results of surgery of high teat stenosis remained disappointing until nowadays. The aim of this pilot study was to elaborate a new theloscopic surgical resection. A 5.5 year old swiss milk cow was suspected to have posttraumatic high teat stenosis. Diagnosed was ascertained by teat sonography. Animal was sedated and local anesthesia was performed at the base of the teat. After a teat side incision, resectoscope was introduced. Stenosis was electro-divided under continuity saline-solution irrigation and coagulation of bleeding vessels. After a follow-up period of 4 months, the cow was milked without residual. No intercurrent infections occurred. There were no signs of recurrence in the control teat sonography. Theloscopic electroresection of teat stenosis is a possible new, surgical, minimal invasive, option, to treat high teat stenosis.

Results of surgery of high teat stenosis remained disappointing until nowadays. The aim of this pilot study was to elaborate a new theloscopic surgical resection.A 5.5 year old swiss mill; cow was suspected to have posttraumatic high teat stenosis. Diagnosed was ascertained by teat sonography. Animal was sedated and local anesthesia was performed at the base of the tear. After a test side incision, resectoscope was introduced. Stenosis was electro-divided under continuity saline-solution irrigation and coagulation of bleeding vessels.After a follow-up period of 4 months, the cow was milked without residual. No intercurrent infections occured. There were no signs of recurrence in the control tent sonography.Theloscopic electroresection of teat stenosis is a possible new, surgical, minimal invasive, option to treat high teat stenosis.

Thirty-two spayed bitches with urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter incompetence, non-responsive to phenylpropanolamine administration, were treated by urethral submucosal injection of glutaraldehyde cross-linked, collagen. Urinary incontinence resolved after a single injection in 19 of the bitches. Additional medication with phenylpropanolamine was necessary in five of these dogs, however. Of the 13 bitches that remained incontinent, the injections were repeated in nine. This resulted in a return to continence in five dogs, although two of these required additional medication for complete continence. The cure rate due to collagen injections alone is 53 per cent (17 of the 32 cases). A total of 41 injections were performed and no postoperative complications were observed.

The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors for abortion in Swiss dairy farms affected by abortion as a herd problem. The tested animals were divided into two categories: cases with abortion and control animals without abortion from herds with a history of abortion. The study design was cross sectional. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors for abortion. Results were expressed as the odds ratio of abortion with a 95% confidence interval (CI). A final backward stepwise logistic regression model included a positive Chlamydia titer as a protective factor, a positive Leptospira spp. titer and a positive Coxiella titer as risk factors. The interactions of a positive Bovine Virus Diarrhoea (BVD) Virus titer with alpage and a positive Chlamydia titer with Red Holstein breed were risk factors. The interactions of Red Holstein breed with alpage, Brown Swiss breed with a positive Coxiella titer and a feed-lot in the proximity of the dairy cows with a positive Coxiella titer were protective factors for abortion. Thus, the breed probably has an influence for the incidence of abortion. Other potential factors influencing abortion are a feed-lot in close proximity to dairy cows, alpage, i.e. overcrowding and different infectious agents.

A case of chylothorax caused by fracture of thoracal vertebrae in a two-day-old Swiss Braunvieh male calf ist described. The clinical symptoms were those of a unilateral, progressive pleural effusion. This was confirmed by radiological and ultrasonographic examinations. Thoracocentesis was performed under ultrasonographic assistance. The liquid obtained from the pleural cavity was turbid and contained chylomicrons, lymphocytes and neutrophilic granulocytes as well as a high concentration of triglycerides. These qualities go together with chylus. Immunohistological examination for BVD virus turned out to be positive. An intrauterine disturbance of osteogenesis due to BVD virus must be considered a possible cause for fracture of vertebrae during delivery.

A six-year-old, pluriparous German shepherd dog bitch was presented with an abnormal vaginal discharge of several weeks' duration. Clinical signs and radiographic and ultrasonographic findings supported an initial diagnosis of segmental cystic endometrial hyperplasia, and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the uterus appeared normal except for one large and several smaller cysts attached to its antimesometrial side. These cysts were restricted to a small area of the left uterine horn. The histological diagnosis was serosal inclusion cysts. The clinical findings, gross pathology and histopathology are described and discussed.

Cases of abortions in cattle were investigated using several different laboratory procedures. The purpose was to collect information on an individual animal and on a herd basis that would allow a correct etiological diagnosis and also the institution of prophylactic measures. The cause of the abortion was diagnosed in 30% of the cases and in 16,3% of the herds. Due to the complexity of the problem, there is not routine diagnostic procedure that can universally be recommended and applied. There was not association between the number of tests performed or the number of herd mates included in the diagnostic work-up and the diagnostic success rate. In order to make a more efficient use of the diagnostic procedures, a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to abortion, on an individual animal basis on a herd basis, is required.

Plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol were compared in 7 ovariectomised cows after application of 2 different intravaginal releasing devices. Peak concentrations of 4-6 ng/ml progesterone were found within 2 hours after application of the devices. From day 2 to day 6 concentrations sank continuously to 2 ng/ml. Progesterone levels of 1-2 ng/ml prevailed from day 6 to the day of removal of the pessaries (day 12 for PRID(R), day 15 for CIDR(TM)). No differences between the two devices were detected. Increased concentrations of estradiol were found for PRID(R) only, reaching maximum levels of 6-7 pg/ml plasma 150 minutes after application.

Cases of abortions in cattle were investigated using several different laboratory procedures. The purpose was to collect information on an individual animal and on a herd basis that would allow a correct etiological diagnosis and also the institution of prophylactic measures. The cause of the abortion was diagnosed in 30% of the cases and in 16.3% of the herds. Due to the complexity of the problem, there is no routine diagnostic procedure that can universally be recommended and applied. There was no association between the number of tests performed or the number of herd mates included in the diagnostic work-up and the diagnostic success rate. In order to make a more efficient use of the diagnostic procedures, a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to abortion, on an individual animal basis and on a herd basis, is required.

Plasma concentrations of progesterone and estradiol were compared in 7 ovariectomised cows after application of 2 different intravaginal releasing devices. Peak concentrations of 4-6 ng/ml progesterone were found within 2 hours after application of the devices. From day 2 to day 6 concentrations sank continuously to 2 ng/ml. Progesterone levels of 1-2 ng/ml prevailed from day 6 to the day of removal of the pessaries (day 12 for PRID, day 15 for CIDR). No differences between the two devices were detected. Increased concentrations of estradiol were found for PRID only, reaching maximum levels of 6-7 pg/ml plasma 150 minutes after application.

A four-week-old Simmental x Red Holstein calf had lesions of skin and oral mucosa since its first days of life. Where skin or mucosa was exposed to minimal trauma as in oral cavity or over joints, it broke off, forming blisters and erosions. The diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa, a hereditary disease, was based on clinical and histological findings. Histology pointed to the epidermal form of epidermolysis bullosa, comparable to epidermolysis bullosa simplex in humans.

Nine related kittens presented with hairlessness involving almost the entire body. Necropsy and histopathological examination revealed hypotrichosis, absence of the thymus, and reduction in germinal follicles and depletion of lymphocytes in the paracortical regions of lymph nodes, spleen, and Peyer's patches. Pedigree analysis suggests an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance.