Veterinary Record Online First

Paralysis in pigs with spinal cord injury due to porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) infection

Zlotowski, P., Pavarini, S. P., Bandinelli, M. B., Langohr, I. M., Driemeier, D. — 2013-05-21T00:01:00-07:00

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is the causative agent of a number of diseases and syndromes. Of these, postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) is the most extensively studied, with the main lesions occurring in lymphoid tissues, although a number of other tissues can also be affected. Unthriftiness, respiratory distress and diarrhoea are frequently reported clinical signs. Neurological signs associated with lesions in the CNS are, however, uncommonly reported (Segalés 2012).

This report describes the occurrence of marked spinal cord injury in pigs associated with PCV-2 infection. The condition was observed in two finishing herds in southern Brazil composed of 400 pigs each. Clinical signs observed were staggering gait and paraparesis progressing to paralysis and permanent lateral decubitus. Death occurred within one day after recumbency due to acute bacterial pneumonia. Six 100-day-old to 120-day-old pigs displayed these clinical signs, four in one herd and two in the other. Postmortem...

Pathogen profile of clinical mastitis in Irish milk-recording herds reveals a complex aetiology

Keane, O. M., Budd, K. E., Flynn, J., McCoy, F. — 2013-05-21T00:01:00-07:00

Effective mastitis control requires knowledge of the predominant pathogen challenges on the farm. In order to quantify this challenge, the aetiological agents associated with clinical mastitis in 30 milk-recording dairy herds in Ireland over a complete lactation were investigated. Standard bacteriology was performed on 630 pretreatment quarter milk samples, of which 56 per cent were culture-positive, 42 per cent culture-negative and 2 per cent contaminated. Two micro-organisms were isolated from almost 5 per cent of the culture-positive samples. The bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (23 per cent), Streptococcus uberis (17 per cent), Escherichia coli (9 per cent), Streptococcus species (6 per cent), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (4 per cent) and other species (1 per cent). A wide variety of bacterial species were associated with clinical mastitis, with S aureus the most prevalent pathogen overall, followed by S uberis. However, the bacterial challenges varied widely from farm to farm. In comparison with previous reports, in the present study, the contagious pathogens S aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae were less commonly associated with clinical mastitis, whereas, the environmental pathogens S uberis and E coli were found more commonly associated with clinical mastitis. While S aureus remains the pathogen most commonly associated with intramammary infection in these herds, environmental pathogens, such as S uberis and E coli also present a considerable challenge.

Eradication of BVDV in cattle: the Norwegian project

Loken, T., Nyberg, O. — 2013-05-18T00:01:19-07:00

The intention of this collaborative project was eradication of pestivirus from the Norwegian cattle population of about 30,000 dairy and beef herds, primarily by identification and culling of persistently infected (PI) animals. Testing was performed in four tiers, with examination for pestivirus antibodies by indirect ELISA in (1) bulk milk, (2) pooled milk from primiparous dairy cows and (3) pooled blood from young stock. The herds positive in the third tier were examined for pestivirus antigen in blood from all antibody-negative individuals by antigen-capture ELISA, and these animal composed tier (4). Following culling of the PI animals, a herd was considered free from pestivirus when pooled blood from young stock was antibody-negative on two sampling occasions three months apart. Number of herds with PI animals peaked at about 3000 (10 per cent) in the 2nd project year, then decreased steadily; only three herds (0.01 per cent) contained PI animals 10 years later. Solid, continuous information flow to all relevant partners was crucial to project success. The project saved losses of between 50 million and 200 million Norwegian crowns (NOK) annually (approximately 4.5 million to 18 million GBP). Project running costs for 10 years were 52.4 million NOK. Following project completion, surveillance of the Norwegian cattle population for pestivirus has continued.

Evidence of goats acting as domestic reservoirs of bovine tuberculosis

2013-05-18T00:01:18-07:00

Measures, such as the increase in the frequency of controls, the use of the gamma-interferon assay as ancillary test, the improvement of slaughterhouse surveillance, or the implementation of premovement testing have helped to progressively reduce the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in Spain in the last decade (Anonymous 2012a). However, the objective of eradication is far from being achieved, and this failure has been mainly attributed to the role of wild ungulate species (mainly wild boar and red deer) as reservoirs of bTB (Vicente and others 2006, Naranjo and others 2008). In Spain, with the second largest goat population in the European Union – about 2.9 million heads in 2010 (Anonymous 2012b) – the presence of tuberculosis in goats may also compromise the bTB eradication campaign (Liébana and others 1998, Humblet and others 2009). Goats seem to be very susceptible to infection by Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium caprae, which...

Balling gun-induced trauma in cattle: clinical presentation, diagnosis and prevention

Mann, S., Nuss, K. A., Feist, M., Weber, B. K., Zoller, D. K., Metzner, M. — 2013-05-15T00:01:03-07:00

Pharyngeal trauma in cattle can occur during the administration of oral medication using a balling gun. The number of cases of severe complications due to bolus application that have been referred to our hospital has increased from nil between 1996 and 2008 to three or four per year. In our experience, reports by bovine veterinarians of patients with severe and often fatal pharyngeal trauma, which were not referred to the clinic, have become more common in recent years as well. The incidence of this complication is likely to be higher than this number of referrals suggests. Diagnosis without the help of imaging techniques, such as radiography and endoscopy, may be difficult, especially in cases where exploration of the pharynx cannot be carried out, or is unable to confirm the absence or presence of a lesion. Prognosis is often poor in cases where perforation has been confirmed. Boluses are increasingly administered by the owners or farm personnel without the supervision of a veterinarian. In order to prevent losses due to balling gun-induced injuries, the veterinarian plays a crucial role in giving advice to his clients. Five cases of cattle suffering from varying degrees of balling gun-induced trauma are presented, and consideration is given to incorrect application techniques.

An observational clinical study in cats and rabbits of an anatomically designed supraglottic airway device for use in companion animal veterinary anaesthesia

Crotaz, I. R. — 2013-05-15T00:01:02-07:00

In literature, there are many reports of complications following endotracheal intubation in human patients. Examples include oesophageal perforation (Ranchère and others 1992) and tracheal rupture (Austin 2010). Supraglottic airway devices (SGADs) are frequently used in human anaesthesia, and one such device, the Laryngeal Mask Airway (Intavent, Orthofix, UK), has been used in approximately 150 million anaesthetics (Cook 2003). These devices allow maintenance of anaesthesia without intubation. They have the advantage of easy insertion without the risk of laryngeal or tracheal trauma (Hashmi and others 2009). One such device (the i-gel, Intersurgical, Berkshire, UK) is constructed from a soft thermoplastic elastomer with no inflatable sections to reduce trauma risks and improve patient comfort. This device is used for routine and emergency anaesthesia for human patients. In one study, the i-gel was found to have lower failure rates and complications than other supraglottic devices (Gatward and others 2008).

Endotracheal intubation in cats...

Rasamsonia argillacea mycosis in a dog: first case in Europe

2013-05-10T00:00:47-07:00

The fungus Rasamsonia argillacea was first described in 1969 (Stolk and others 1969). Its optimal growth temperature is between 37°C and 40°C (Houbraken and others 2012). It has been found in hot environments, but also in soil and air (Yaguchi and others 1994, Yaguchi and others 2005, Houbraken and others 2012). Its geographic distribution is widespread (Yaguchi and others 1994, Yaguchi and others 2005, Grant and others 2009, Barton and others 2010, Giraud and others 2010, De Ravin and others 2011, Machouart and others 2011, Houbraken and others 2012, Valentin and others 2012).

R argillacea has only been reported as a clinical pathogen in immunosuppressed human beings: nine with chronic granulomatous disease from the USA (De Ravin and others 2011) and France (Machouart and others 2011), and one Austrian patient with graft-versus-host disease (Valentin and others 2012). The only veterinary case reported was a German shepherd dog from the USA...

A longitudinal study of respiratory infections in British National Hunt racehorses

Cardwell, J. M., Smith, K. C., Wood, J. L. N., Newton, J. R. — 2013-05-06T00:00:47-07:00

Lower airway inflammation is a much investigated multifactorial problem in racehorses in training (Burrell 1985, Wood and others 1993, Burrell and others 1994, Burrell and others 1996, Chapman and others 2000, Holcombe and others 2001, Christley and others 2001a, b, Holcombe and others 2006, Wood and others 2005a, b). Studies in young (yearling to four-year-old) racehorses indicate that bacterial infections are more common and aetiologically more important than viral infections (Burrell and others 1996, Christley and others 2001a, Wood and others 2005a). Bacterial species consistently associated with disease are Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus), Actinobacillus/Pasteurella species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycoplasma equirhinis (Burrell and others 1996, Wood and others 1993, Chapman and others 2000, Christley and others 2001a, b, Wood and others 2005a). Disease likelihood increases with increasing counts (cfu/ml) of these species. Other commonly isolated species such as non-haemolytic streptococci (NHS) and coagulase-negative staphylococci are not associated with...

Echinococcus multilocularis introduction and establishment in wildlife via imported beavers

Kosmider, R., Paterson, A., Voas, A., Roberts, H. — 2013-05-01T00:01:32-07:00

Echinococcus multilocularis is one of the most pathogenic parasites present in Central Europe causing alveolar echinococcosis in humans and various kinds of intermediate hosts. Over the last 20 years, its distribution in continental Europe has been increasing, and several countries have recently reported E multilocularis in foxes for the first time (Davidson and others 2012). At present, Great Britain (GB) is recognised as free of this parasite following regular surveillance of the red fox population (eg, fox surveys by Smith and others (2003)). However, last year, Barlow and others (2011) published the first isolation of E multilocularis in GB in an imported captive European beaver (Caster fiber).

The risk of introduction of E multilocularis via importation of beavers has been assessed following the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) risk assessment framework and definitions of qualitative risks as part of an evidence-based approach to policy advice (Defra 2012; Table 1). The...

Long-term outcome for two heifers with a granulosa-theca cell tumour

Dobson, H., Kerby, M. J., Chantrey, J., Smith, R. F. — 2013-05-01T00:01:32-07:00

Granulosa-theca cell tumours (GTCTs) arise within the ovary and comprise both granulosa and theca follicular cell types. Clinical signs may progress from no abnormalities through to nymphomania, and ending with virilism. Many GTCTs are hormonally active (Bosu 1977, Meganck and others 2011), but few investigations have considered long-term prospects after surgical removal. Here, we report long-term follow-up on two heifers with GTCTs identified during pregnancy diagnosis on different farms.

Case 1 was a 20-month-old Holstein-Friesian, and ultrasonography (7.5 MHz; Easiscan, BCF Technology) revealed a small uterus, an inactive left ovary with no antral follicles, and an enlarged right ovary with several cystic-like structures but no recognisable follicles. There was no gross udder development or oedema. A blood sample was taken preoperatively and five days later. Case 2 was a 17-month-old Holstein-Friesian with an enlarged ovarian mass on the right-hand side (ultrasonography; 7.5 MHz EasiScan). Blood samples were taken twice a...

Identification of a new reovirus causing substantial losses in broiler production in France, despite routine vaccination of breeders

2013-05-01T00:01:32-07:00

Numerous cases of tenosynovitis appeared in France causing high morbidity in free-range and standard broilers. The main clinical findings were lameness, stunting and non-uniform bodyweights. Although the natural mortality was low, the economic losses due to birds that had to be removed from the flock prematurely, downgrading of carcases and lower average weights at slaughter were substantial. Postmortem examinations, bacteriological, virological and serological examination confirmed the aetiology of avian orthoreovirus (ARV)-induced tenosynovitis. The isolated ARVs were analysed serologically and genetically. Sequencing of C RT-PCR products and phylogenetic analysis revealed a new type of ARV. The virus was not neutralised in serum neutralisation test using monovalent sera from vaccinated chickens. Together with the flock data, epidemiology of these recent reovirus outbreaks in France was reconstructed. It is concluded that these reovirus isolates differ serologically and genetically from the well described reovirus isolates used in commercial vaccines which were not capable of preventing the disease. The outbreaks resulted in substantial losses in broilers from vaccinated breeders.

A survey of the opinions of recent veterinary graduates and employers regarding early career business skills

Bachynsky, E. A., Dale, V. H. M., Kinnison, T., Gazzard, J., Baillie, S. — 2013-04-30T00:00:52-07:00

A questionnaire was designed to assess recent veterinary graduates' proficiency in early career business skills, from the perspectives of graduates of 2006–2008 and employers of recent graduates in the UK. Recent graduates perceived themselves to be generally more competent in financial matters than employers considered them to be. However, when specific skills were assessed, graduates felt less prepared than employers considered them to be competent. Overall, graduates and employers rated recent graduates' preparedness/competence as poor to average for all skills, which were regarded as having average to high importance. Both groups commented on the difficulties faced by new graduates in terms of client communication (generally and financially), and having the confidence to charge clients appropriately for veterinary services. The results of this study indicate that veterinary schools need to take a more active role in the teaching of basic finance skills in order to equip graduates with essential early career competencies. It is anticipated that the information reported will help inform undergraduate curriculum development and highlight the need for increased training at the continuing education level.

Molecular characterisation of calicivirus and astrovirus in puppies with enteritis

2013-04-19T00:01:15-07:00

Canine parvovirus (CPV) and canine coronavirus (CCoV) are considered to be the main pathogens responsible for acute gastroenteritis in young dogs Greene and Decaro 2012). Recently, canine caliciviruses (CaCV), genus Norovirus and canine astroviruses (CaAstV) have been associated with outbreaks of enteritis in puppies that were either singly infected or coinfected with CCoV and/or CPV Martella and others 2008,Mesquita and others 2010,Ntafis and others 2010,Zhu and others 2011,Grellet and others 2012,Martella and others 2012).

Previous reports have shown that CPV and/or CCoV are responsible for approximately 48 per cent of the enteritis cases in puppies in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Castro and others 2012). However, cases involving CaCV or CaAstV infections have not been described yet in South America. The purpose of this study was to perform the molecular characterisation of CaCV in faecal samples from puppies showing clinical signs of gastroenteritis using RT-PCR and sequence analysis....

The neuter status of cats at four and six months of age is strongly associated with the owners' intended age of neutering

Welsh, C. P., Gruffydd-Jones, T. J., Murray, J. K. — 2013-04-19T00:01:15-07:00

The recommended neutering age of client-owned cats reduced recently from six to four months of age. This study assessed the proportion of cats neutered at these ages. Data were obtained from owner-completed questionnaires at recruitment (8–16-week-old kittens) and 6.5–7 months of age. Demographic and lifestyle factors were assessed for potential association with neuter status using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Of 751 study cats, 14.1 per cent and 73.5 per cent had been neutered at (or before) four and six months of age, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that being neutered at four months was significantly more likely for cats whose owners intended to have their cat neutered by this age, cats with a microchip, and from households in deprived regions. The likelihood of being neutered at six months of age was significantly increased for cats that were insured, obtained from an animal welfare organisation, given their second vaccination, from a household with an annual income of ≥£10 000, and owned by people intending to have their cat neutered by this age. This study suggests that while neutering rates were high at six months of age, they were low at four months of age, and that further work is required to disseminate the recommended neutering age of four months.

Puerperal development of ewes following dystocia: a retrospective analysis of two approaches to caesarean section

Ennen, S., Scholz, M., Voigt, K., Failing, K., Wehrend, A. — 2013-03-30T00:00:31-07:00

The objective of this study was to retrospectively analyse the puerperal development of ewes referred to a veterinary teaching hospital following caesarean section in comparison with assisted parturition. Laparotomy was performed either via left flank incision (group 1, n=86) or ventral mid-line approach (group 2, n=33). Both groups were compared with ewes following non-surgical intervention (group 3, n=73). The overall fetal death rate was 41 per cent. There was no significant difference in fetal deaths between groups 1 and 2, but assisted delivery led to a higher number of liveborn lambs compared with caesarean section (P<0.05). Seven ewes (3.6 per cent) died or were euthanased on welfare grounds during caesarean surgery, and the overall maternal mortality rate following dystocia in the postpartum period was 10.9 per cent. While there was no significant difference between groups 1 and 2 in the percentage of ewes developing healing disorders, the complications that occurred were more severe after the left flank approach (P=0.04), and the mean hospitalisation period was significantly longer in group 1 than in group 2 (P<0.05), leading to the conclusion that ventral mid-line laparotomy has some advantages over a left flank approach.

Erysipelas in laying hens is associated with housing system

Eriksson, H., Nyman, A.- K., Fellstrom, C., Wallgren, P. — 2013-03-29T00:00:21-07:00

Following the change from conventional cages to non-cage housing systems and furnished cages, which in Sweden was finalised by 2005, problems caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae increased in laying hen flocks. This study aimed to investigate possible associations between housing systems for laying hens and outbreaks of erysipelas. Also, sera from 129 flocks in different housing systems, collected during 2005–2007, were analysed for the presence of antibodies to E rhusiopathiae using an indirect ELISA test. Antibodies were detected in all housing systems. The mean flock absorbance values from free-range flocks were significantly higher than corresponding values from other housing systems. Data on the Swedish laying hen population were compared with the recorded number of erysipelas outbreaks during 1998–2011. Outbreaks occurred on 15 farms with indoor litter-based systems (n=87 farms in 2011). No outbreak was diagnosed on farms with flocks in conventional or furnished cages. The results indicate that the risk for an outbreak was higher in free-range systems than in indoor litter-based systems, and lowest for flocks housed in cages. Absence of erysipelas in the majority of subsequent flocks on the affected farms suggested that proper measures, including vaccination, were undertaken.

Veterinarians' role for pet owners facing pet loss

Fernandez-Mehler, P., Gloor, P., Sager, E., Lewis, F. I., Glaus, T. M. — 2013-03-14T00:01:13-07:00

Owners' satisfaction with, and expectations from, their veterinarians around euthanasia, including questions on disposal of pet remains subject to animal species, clients' gender, age, family conditions, area of living and type of veterinary clinic visited were evaluated by questionnaire. Questionnaires were to be filled out by clients consecutively visiting the individual practices and hospitals for any kind of consultations. Of 2350 questionnaires distributed, 2008 were returned and available for analysis. Owner satisfaction concerning the procedure of euthanasia was high (92 per cent, 1173/1272). After the event of euthanasia, 14 per cent (170/1250) had changed their veterinarian, even though 75 per cent of these 170 had been satisfied with the procedure. Most owners (88 per cent) expected veterinarians to talk about their pet's final destination, and 38 per cent expected this to happen early in the pet's life. For 81 per cent clients, the veterinarian was the primary informant about the possibilities concerning the disposal of pet remains, and 33 per cent indicated their veterinarian as the contact person to talk about pet loss. Area of living, or veterinary specialisation, only marginally influenced the answers. Veterinarians play an important role to inform their clients concerning questions around euthanasia and the care of pet remains, and to support them during the process of mourning.

Mycoplasma species isolated from intramammary infection of Japanese dairy cows

2013-03-01T00:00:40-08:00

Mycoplasma species are highly contagious pathogens, and intramammary Mycoplasma infection is a serious issue for the dairy industry (Nicholas and Ayling 2003). Clinical Mycoplasma mastitis presents with clinical signs including fever, swelling and udder induration (Bushnell 1984). Milk from an infected quarter usually appears abnormal, with flaky sediments in watery or serous fluid. Because the cure rate of clinical Mycoplasma mastitis is very low due to a poor response to antimicrobial treatment, cows infected with Mycoplasma species must be culled to prevent outbreaks of Mycoplasma mastitis in dairy herds (Jasper 1982, Kirk and Lauerman 1994, Nicholas and Ayling 2003). We previously reported a 1.29 per cent prevalence of Mycoplasma species in bulk tank milk from 1241 Japanese dairy farms (Higuchi and others 2011a, b). However, little is known about the relationship between Mycoplasma species and somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. Here, we identified the Mycoplasma species isolated from...