Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Acta Vet Scand 2022 May 7;64(1):11. Epub 2022 May 7.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Agrovej 8, 2630, Taastrup, Denmark.

Background: Up-to-date and hospital-specific knowledge of prognoses for horses with various forms of colic is essential for helping to guide owners' decisions on costly treatments, and for assessing the continuous development of standards of care in the hospital. This study aimed to determine the short-term survival rates of horses admitted with colic to the University Hospital for Large Animals (UHLA), University of Copenhagen, Denmark, from 2010 to 2018, and to compare these to a previous local study as well as recent, comparable international studies. Short-term survival rates were calculated for horses grouped by treatment (surgical, medical) and diseases. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 May 7;64(1):12. Epub 2022 May 7.

Ceva-Phylaxia Ltd., Budapest, Hungary.

Background: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes severe economic losses worldwide and only four countries in Europe are free from PRRSV. Complete depopulation-repopulation is the safest and fastest, but also the most expensive method for eradicating PRRSV from a population. Another possible way to eliminate an endemic PRRSV infection is to replace the infected breeding stock by gilts reared isolated and protected from PRRSV on an infected farm. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Apr 23;64(1):10. Epub 2022 Apr 23.

Norwegian Centre for Organic Agriculture, Gunnarsveg 6, 6630, Tingvoll, Norway.

Background: Eimeria spp. are widespread apicomplexan parasites known to cause coccidiosis in livestock, resulting in reduced animal welfare and productivity, particularly in sheep. The treatment options are limited, and there is an emerging development of resistance against registered pharmaceuticals. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Apr 4;64(1). Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Postboks 5003 NMBU, 1432, Ås, Norway.

On farm mortality is an increasing problem in cattle production systems in the Nordic countries. It represents an economic loss to the farmer and raises questions of sustainability, food waste and animal welfare. On-farm emergency slaughter (OFES) represents, in some situations, an opportunity for a farmer to salvage some of the economic value from an animal that cannot be transported to a slaughterhouse. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Mar 28;64(1). Epub 2022 Mar 28.

Department of Animal Nutrition and Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7024, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: The gut microbiota and its metabolic end-products act in close collaboration with the nutrient metabolism of the animal. A relationship between excess adiposity and alterations in gut microbiota composition has been identified in humans and rodents, but data are scarce for overweight dogs. This study compared composition and temporal variations of gut microbiota in healthy lean and spontaneously overweight dogs. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Mar 24;64(1). Epub 2022 Mar 24.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Background: Ethylene glycol (EG) (antifreeze) toxicosis has mostly been reported in dogs and cats, while reports on EG toxicosis in cattle are sparse. We report EG toxicosis in 25 milk-fed calves associated with a leak in the cooling pipes in a milk taxi. The milk taxi was connected to a geothermal heating system in which EG was used as antifreeze. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Mar 9;64(1). Epub 2022 Mar 9.

Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), P.O. Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Ovine footrot and contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) are contagious mixed bacterial infections with major impacts on animal health and production. In Sweden, ovine footrot and CODD were first detected in 2004 and 2019, respectively. In 2009, a voluntary control programme for footrot was established, and a prevalence study in slaughter lambs was conducted, however, the distribution of footrot and CODD-associated bacteria is still unknown. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Feb 9;64(1). Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, PO Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) are important causative agents for infections in humans and animals. At the Equine Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Helsinki, the first infections caused by ESBL-E were observed at the end of 2011 leading to enhanced infection surveillance. Contact patients were screened for ESBL-E by culturing infection sites and rectal screening. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Feb 9;64(1). Epub 2022 Feb 9.

Parasitology Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7036, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Haemonchus contortus is one of the most pathogenic gastrointestinal nematodes of small ruminants. The current diagnostic approach for the detection of this species relies on coproscopic methods, which both have low sensitivity and are time consuming. Methods employing detection through DNA amplification, such as droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR), offer an advantageous approach to the diagnosis of H. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Feb 7;64(1). Epub 2022 Feb 7.

Department of Food Hygiene and Public Health Protection, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: The consumption of raw or undercooked meat, especially pork, and offal containing infective tissue cysts is suspected to be a significant route of infection with Toxoplasma gondii. Although the use of "animal-friendly pig production systems" ensuring direct contact with the natural environment offers ethical benefits, it limits the ability to ensure animal health; it may also increase the probability of infections by pathogens such as T. gondii, and thus their entry into the food chain. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Feb 2;64(1). Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.

Background: Neurological signs, such as head tilt, torticollis, paralysis, and seizures, are common in rabbits. Differential diagnoses include two zoonotic infections caused by the microsporidial fungi Encephalitozoon cuniculi and the apicomplexan protozoa Toxoplasma gondii. Both infections are mainly latent in rabbits but may cause severe or even fatal disease. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2022 Jan 27;64(1). Epub 2022 Jan 27.

Department of Dental Material Science, School of Dentistry, Aichi Gakuin University, 1-100 Kusumoto-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi, 464-8650, Japan.

Delphinids are top ocean predators and accumulate high concentrations of mercury (Hg) through the food chain, particularly in organs such as liver and kidney, although the proportion of methylmercury (MeHg) is relatively low due to the demethylation process. Total mercury (T-Hg) levels in marine mammals have been shown to correlate with selenium (Se) concentrations, and ingested MeHg that is demethylated may be present in tissues as mercury selenide (HgSe). In this study, we determined T-Hg, MeHg and Se concentrations of three Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus), and we used the individual with the highest Hg concentration for electron probe microanalysis to assess the co-localization of Hg and Se in the tissues. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Dec 27;63(1):54. Epub 2021 Dec 27.

Department of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 16, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a cause of severe thrombocytopenia in dogs. Immunosuppressive corticosteroid drugs are frequently used in the management of ITP, but treatment failure may occur. Immunomodulatory and non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive drugs might improve outcomes from therapy either alone or in combination with corticosteroids. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Dec 20;63(1):53. Epub 2021 Dec 20.

Klinika Weterynaryjna Bemowo, Powstańców Śląskich 101, 01-495, Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Luxation of the rib head with intrusion into the intervertebral foramen seems to be rare in cats. Only one report has been published describing a cat with non-ambulatory paraparesis, which was managed conservatively. Here we report a case of rib head luxation that was managed surgically. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Dec 4;63(1):52. Epub 2021 Dec 4.

Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Universitetstunet 3, 1433, Ås, Norway.

Background: Pasture management influences the prevalence and impact of the pasture parasites (PP) in cattle herds, which cause production-limiting disease worldwide. Evaluating farmer management strategies is vital when considering sustainable PP control practices. The aim of this questionnaire-based study was to describe the pasture management and control strategies regarding PP in Norwegian beef cattle (BC) and dairy cattle (DC) production systems with a focus on gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and Fasciola hepatica. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 29;63(1):51. Epub 2021 Nov 29.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Background: Greenland sled dogs (GSD) are a unique, genetically isolated population of dogs living under exceptional environmental conditions. Metabolism, and thereby thyroid hormones are affected by multiple factors. Among other activity, energy balance and environmental conditions are important. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 27;63(1):49. Epub 2021 Nov 27.

Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, Km 16, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Ilhéus, Bahia, CEP- 45662-900, Brazil.

Background: Multimodal analgesia consists of the combination of analgesic drugs at low doses to act in different places along the path of pain. Studies with continuous infusion of analgesic drugs in cats are not common. This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic effect of maropitant, lidocaine and ketamine alone or in combination (intravenous bolus + subsequent continuous intravenous infusion) in the management of acute postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 27;63(1):50. Epub 2021 Nov 27.

Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 14, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.

Background: Ketoconazole, an antifungal agent, adversely affects spermatogenesis in rodents, but knowledge on adverse effects of prolonged administration of ketoconazole on the fertility of male dogs is lacking. A case of reversible infertility with azoospermia in a male American Staffordshire terrier treated with ketoconazole is reported here.

Case Presentation: A seven-year old male American Staffordshire terrier treated for 3 months with ketoconazole for a persistent Malassezia dermatitis displayed reduced libido and mating of 3 bitches had been unsuccessful. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 25;63(1):48. Epub 2021 Nov 25.

Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Post Box 64, 1431, Ås, Norway.

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with known natural occurrence in humans and a few other mammalian species. The diseases are experimentally transmissible, and the agent is derived from the host-encoded cellular prion protein (PrP), which is misfolded into a pathogenic conformer, designated PrP (scrapie). Aggregates of PrP molecules, constitute proteinaceous infectious particles, known as prions. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 24;63(1):46. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 15, 1870, Frederiksberg, Denmark.

Background: Water treadmills are frequently used in the rehabilitation of dogs, for example with the purpose of re-building muscular strength after surgery. However, little is known about how different water depths and velocities affect the muscular workload during aquatic locomotion. This study used acoustic myography to assess hind limb muscle fiber activation in 25 healthy large-breed dogs walking in a water treadmill. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 24;63(1):47. Epub 2021 Nov 24.

Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute, 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Small poultry flock ownership has become a popular hobby in Europe and North America in recent years but there is a general lack of information regarding bird health and welfare. This retrospective analysis of routine post-mortem cases of non-commercial anseriform poultry aimed at providing information on causes of mortality mostly in relation to mortality events. For this purpose, birds that were submitted for routine post-mortem diagnostics to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) in Sweden in 2011-2020 were retrospectively reviewed to determine main causes of mortality. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 22;63(1):45. Epub 2021 Nov 22.

Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020, Legnaro, Padua, Italy.

Background: Primary laryngeal neoplasms are rare in cats, with lymphoma and squamous cell carcinoma being the most commonly diagnosed tumour types. These tumours are usually highly aggressive, difficult to treat, and have a poor prognosis. Here an undifferentiated laryngeal carcinoma with hyaline bodies in a cat is reported. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 20;63(1):44. Epub 2021 Nov 20.

Section for Animal Production, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Nutrition and Health, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Background: Structural changes in dairy farming increase farm complexity, thereby inducing a need to combine herd health management, technological solutions, legislation, and human relations among farmers, farm workers, and advisors. This complex situation may require 'transdisciplinary advisory service', i.e. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 14;63(1):43. Epub 2021 Nov 14.

Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany.

Background: The physiology of sheep as small ruminants is remarkably different from monogastric animals especially regarding the forestomach system. Using sheep for surgical procedures during scientific research thereby presents an exceptional setting for the anaesthetist. Long-term anaesthesia generally demands deprivation of food to reduce the risk of bloat in sheep. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 4;63(1):42. Epub 2021 Nov 4.

Itra-ULE, INDEGSAL, University of León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain.

Background: Centrifugation is routinely employed in handling the ejaculates of some species, but it is not part of the commonly used protocols in ram. However, the development and implementation of new assisted reproductive technologies, alternative preservation models based on washing sperm from a cellular ageing-accelerating substance such as the seminal plasma, and basic studies in spermatology is associated with the use of centrifugation. This requires a specific evaluation of the centrifugation protocols considering the species-specific relationship with the potential damage produced by this procedure. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Nov 3;63(1):41. Epub 2021 Nov 3.

Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Elizabeth Stephansens vei 15, 1433, Ås, Norway.

Background: Despite decades of research, the early phases of metastatic development are still not fully understood. Canine osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly aggressive cancer, with a high metastatic rate (> 90%), despite a low overt metastatic prevalence at initial diagnosis (< 15%). Canine OS is generally regarded as a good clinically relevant model for human OS. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Oct 13;63(1):40. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Ceva Innovation Center GmbH, Am Pharmapark, 06861, Dessau-Rosslau, Germany.

Background: To prevent re-emergence of wildlife-mediated rabies in Finland, oral rabies vaccine baits are distributed every year during autumn in southern Finland in a vaccination zone bordering Russia. Recently, Finland introduced a 3rd generation oral rabies virus vaccine bait. By analysing bait uptake and seroconversion in red foxes and raccoon dogs, the field efficacy of this new vaccine strain, SPBN GASGAS, was compared with the originally used highly efficacious 1st generation vaccine SAD B19. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Oct 10;63(1):39. Epub 2021 Oct 10.

Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 57, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.

Background: Caryospora bigenetica is an intracellular protozoan parasite, which in its primary hosts, typically snakes, is found it the intestine. Extraintestinal multiplication with the development of tissue cysts takes place in secondary hosts, which are normally prey for snakes. Natural infection in domestic animals has been reported only in dogs; this is the first report of C. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Sep 25;63(1):38. Epub 2021 Sep 25.

Department of Farm Animals, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Background: Type-4 abomasal ulcers (U4) are perforated ulcers causing diffuse peritonitis. This retrospective study describes the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic findings in 38 calves with U4. The medical records of 38 calves aged three days to 20 weeks with U4 were scrutinised. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Sep 23;63(1):37. Epub 2021 Sep 23.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 108, 3584 CM, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Background: Cardiac auscultation is an important screening test at the first health examination of puppies because most clinically relevant congenital cardiac anomalies cause a loud murmur from birth. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the age at which dogs with suspected congenital cardiac anomalies were referred to a veterinary cardiology specialist for murmur investigation. A secondary aim was to establish the time interval between the visit to the cardiologist and the first available murmur documentation. Read More