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Acta Vet Scand 2021 Apr 27;63(1):18. Epub 2021 Apr 27.

Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Parasitology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilžės 18, 47181, Kaunas, Lithuania.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminants result in production losses, and consequently economic losses, and are an animal welfare problem in most countries in the Nordic-Baltic region. Intensive use of anthelmintics to control helminth infections has led to anthelmintic resistance (AR), which has become a major issue in many European countries. Several studies have been performed in countries in the Nordic-Baltic region (e. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Apr 26;63(1):17. Epub 2021 Apr 26.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in companion dogs, but little is known of these conditions in show dogs. This study assessed body condition score (BCS) of show dogs of six selected popular breeds at a major Swedish dog show event and examined the association between BCS and performance in competition.

Results: At one of Sweden's largest dog shows, BCS of 120 dogs of six different breeds was assessed by trained animal healthcare personnel, using a 9-point BCS scale with conditional cut-off for overweight set to BCS ≥ 6. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Apr 7;63(1):16. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: The vector-borne human viral zoonosis tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is of growing concern in Sweden. The area where TBE is considered endemic has expanded, with an increasing geographical distribution of Ixodes ricinus as the tick vector and a rising number of reported TBE cases in humans. Efforts to map TBE risk areas have been carried out by sentinel monitoring, mainly based on individual sampling and analysis of wild and domestic animals, as well as ticks, for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Apr 1;63(1):15. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Mink urinary tract disease (MUTD) often presents as urolithiasis and/or cystitis and is known as an important cause of mortality in mink kits during the early growth season. Antimicrobial flock treatment has been routinely applied as preventive/therapeutic protocol on Danish mink farms with increased mortality associated with MUTD. The therapeutic effect of this treatment strategy has not previously been investigated. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Mar 30;63(1):14. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ullevålsveien 72, 0454, Oslo, Norway.

Background: Granulomatous myositis is a rare condition in both humans and dogs. In humans it is most frequently related to sarcoidosis, where a concurrent granulomatous neuritis has been reported occasionally. Simultaneous granulomatous myositis and neuritis have been diagnosed previously in dogs (unpublished observations), but have not been studied further. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Mar 23;63(1):13. Epub 2021 Mar 23.

Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Paraclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Adamstuen Campus, Sentrum, PO Box 369, Oslo, 0102, Norway.

Background: Semi-domesticated reindeer represent an important livestock industry and livelihood for a proportion of the human population in northern Fennoscandia. Reindeer husbandry is considered an extensive animal husbandry, where the animals are kept mostly on natural pastures, although sometimes kept in fenced areas for shorter periods. These reindeer may harbour a variety of parasites that may affect animal health and production. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Mar 20;63(1):12. Epub 2021 Mar 20.

National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute, J. Kairiūkščio str. 10, 08409, Vilnius, Lithuania.

Background: Rabies vaccination of wildlife carnivores is a powerful tool to prevent, control and eliminate rabies. The presence of neutralizing rabies antibodies in blood is considered a reliable indicator of adequate vaccination. The main purpose of the present study was to analyze the seroprevalence of specific antibodies in target populations of Lithuanian red fox (RF) and raccoon dog (RD) during the oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns during the 2010-2019 period. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Mar 12;63(1):10. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7054, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Heterophilic antibodies in serum and plasma can interfere with mammalian antibodies in immunoassays and result in false test results, usually false positive. Although studies screening for heterophilic antibodies as well as elimination studies have been conducted in dogs and cats, knowledge of the presence of heterophilic antibodies in other species in veterinary medicine is limited. In this study, a 2-site sandwich-type interference assay that detects anti-mouse antibodies was used to detect heterophilic antibodies in a population of horses treated in an animal hospital. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Mar 12;63(1):11. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

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

Background: In cows with acute toxic mastitis (ATM), the leukogram aids in the assessment of the severity of disease. The goal of our study was to compare the leukogram of 158 cows with ATM (cases) and 168 clinically healthy cows (controls). We hypothesised that the leukograms of surviving and non-surviving cows differ and that there are variables of the leukogram with sufficient prognostic potential to be used in the decision to treat or not to treat a cow with ATM. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Mar 4;63(1). Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Department of Research and Development, Multi-Chemical Industry Santé Animale, Lot. 157, Z I, Sud-Ouest (ERAC) B.P.: 278, 28810, Mohammedia, Morocco.

Background: Goatpox is a viral disease caused by infection with goatpox virus (GTPV) of the genus Capripoxvirus, Poxviridae family. Capripoxviruses cause serious disease to livestock and contribute to huge economic losses. Goatpox and sheeppox are endemic to Africa, particularly north of the Equator, the Middle East and many parts of Asia. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Feb 23;63(1). Epub 2021 Feb 23.

Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary, Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant Lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115, Valencia, Spain.

Myeloid disorders are conditions being characterized by abnormal proliferation and development of myeloid lineage including granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils), monocytes, erythroids, and megakaryocytes precursor cells. Myeloid leukemia, based on clinical presentation and proliferative rate of neoplastic cells, is divided into acute (AML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). The most commonly myeloid leukemia reported in horses are AML-M4 (myelomonocytic) and AML-M5 (monocytic). Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Feb 9;63(1). Epub 2021 Feb 9.

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

Background: Gastric carcinoma (GC) is uncommon in dogs, except in predisposed breeds such as Belgian Shepherd dogs (BSD) of the Tervuren and Groenendael varieties. When GC is diagnosed in dogs it is often late in the disease, resulting in a poorer prognosis. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to investigate possible associations of gastric mucosal pathologies with clinical signs, laboratory test results and GC in BSD. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Feb 2;63(1). Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Institute for Experimental Pathology, Biomedical Centre, University of Iceland, Keldur, Keldnavegur 3, 112, Reykjavík, Iceland.

Equine coital exanthema (ECE) caused by equid alphaherpesvirus 3 (EHV-3) is a contagious venereal disease. It is characterized by the formation of papules, vesicles, pustules and ulcers on the external genitals of both mares and stallions. The Icelandic horse is the only breed in Iceland and has lived isolated in the country for over 1000 years. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Jan 25;63(1). Epub 2021 Jan 25.

Laboratory for Parasitology, Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Veterinary Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Tilzes str. 18, 47181, Kaunas, Lithuania.

Background: With intensive use of anthelmintic drugs in recent decades, anthelmintic resistance (AR) in horse nematodes is becoming a growing issue in many countries. However, there is little available information about the parasites, treatment practices or AR in the horse population in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to assess the current situation of AR on horse farms in Lithuania. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Jan 21;63(1). Epub 2021 Jan 21.

University Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.

Background: The ultrasonographic examination technique is a well-established, non-invasive diagnostic tool for diverse conditions in humans and different animal species. The purpose of our study was to describe ultrasonographic localisation, sonographic appearance and dimensions of the kidneys and spleen of clinically healthy llamas and alpacas. Differences between llamas and alpacas and the influence of sex and ages were investigated. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Jan 15;63(1). Epub 2021 Jan 15.

Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, C.K. Norwida 25, 50-375, Wroclaw, Poland.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in horses may develop as a complication of a primary disease or following the administration of nephrotoxic drugs, and may pose a diagnostic challenge. Hence, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the concentrations and diagnostic significance of serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and conventional renal dysfunction biomarkers in healthy horses, horses at risk of developing AKI, and horses with clinically evident AKI. A second aim was to assess how gastrointestinal disease and exposure to potentially nephrotoxic drugs affected SDMA levels. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Jan 9;63(1). Epub 2021 Jan 9.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, An den Tierkliniken 11, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.

Background: Recumbent cows are a diagnostic challenge because of a wide range of differential diagnoses, which include trauma, neurological and metabolic disorders, malnutrition and mineral deficiencies. This case report describes recumbent suckler cows that presented as a herd problem. In addition to weakness due to inanition, Cu and Se deficiencies were considered as possible aetiologies of the recumbency. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2021 Jan 6;63(1). Epub 2021 Jan 6.

Landbrug & Fødevarer F.m.b.A., SEGES, Axeltorv 3, 1609, Copenhagen V, Denmark.

Background: Since January 2019, surgical castration of male piglets must be performed using local anaesthesia, if farmers deliver pigs to the primary exporting slaughterhouses according to the "Danish quality scheme"; a voluntary initiative taken by the Danish pig industry. The approved procedure for local anaesthesia in Denmark is a three-step injection method with procaine. A comparison of lidocaine and procaine with the same concentration and injection methods of local anaesthetics has not previously been studied. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Dec 7;62(1):67. Epub 2020 Dec 7.

Clinic for Swine, Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, 30173, Hannover, Germany.

Background: On farms, the currently approved and most widely practised method of euthanising non-viable piglets is blunt force trauma to the head followed by exsanguination. However, the use of this method is criticised due to public perceptions and aversion to the methodology by caretakers. Therefore, electrocution after electrical stunning was examined as an alternative approach in 80 hybrid piglets. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Dec 3;62(1):66. Epub 2020 Dec 3.

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Ridebanevej 3, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Background: The disease Fur Animal Necrotizing Pyoderma (FNP) has since 2000 been reported in many fur producing countries including Canada, Finland and Denmark. Development of FNP is characterised by rapidly forming treatment-resistant wounds on paws and in the head region. Economic losses related to FNP have been associated with mortality and decreased fur quality as well as increased veterinary costs. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 25;62(1):65. Epub 2020 Nov 25.

Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Background: Early maternal separation may have long-lasting physiological effects on different organ systems. Although long-lasting effects of early maternal separation are mostly studied in connection with the development and function of the central nervous system hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, animal health, behaviour and productivity, there is a lack of information about its impacts on the reproductive system. In the dairy industry, calves are often separated from mothers 1 or 2 days after birth and are not nursed. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 23;62(1):64. Epub 2020 Nov 23.

Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ullevålsveien 68, 0454, Oslo, Norway.

Background: Outbreaks of infectious arthritis in young lambs associated with Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae (SDSD) lead to reduced animal welfare, increased use of antibiotics and economic losses for sheep farmers. Understanding risk factors is essential when developing strategies to prevent such outbreaks. This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study classified sheep flocks of respondents as cases or controls. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 19;62(1):63. Epub 2020 Nov 19.

Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Groennegaardsvej 8, 1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate if calves' play behaviour and non-nutritive sucking behaviour, as indirect measures of welfare status, are associated with the age of the calf when group housed, age when observed, age difference within the group, pen size, milk feeding system, current or previous sicknesses, access to dry teat, indoor/outdoor rearing, sex, organic/conventional farm, group size and regrouping events. An observational study was conducted on 176 Danish dairy calves in the age range of 1-12 weeks, on both conventional (n = 17) and organic (n = 5) farms. All calves had been group housed before 8 weeks of age and had spent various periods of time with the dam and/or individually housed before being group housed. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 16;62(1):62. Epub 2020 Nov 16.

International Livestock Research Institute, Old Naivasha Road, PO Box 30709, Nairobi, KE-00100, Kenya.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a respiratory disease caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides. Infection occurs via Mycoplasma-containing droplets and therefore requires close contact between animals. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 11;62(1):61. Epub 2020 Nov 11.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Background: Dental disease is very common in dogs and veterinary professional dental cleaning and examination, together with daily dental home care, is the foundation for good dental health. To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated professional dental cleaning routines in small animal veterinary practice. A validated questionnaire survey was distributed to all veterinarians and veterinary nurses with registered e-mail addresses in the Swedish national registry (veterinarians; n = 3657, veterinary nurses; n = 1650). Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 10;62(1):60. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, (FMV/ULisboa), Lisbon, Portugal.

Background: Digital thermal imaging is a physiologic, non-invasive, contactless, and non-radiating diagnostic tool that can assess a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including hip osteoarthritis (HOA). Fifty police working dogs were evaluated to compare the dorsoventral (DV) and lateral (LT) thermographic images in dogs with naturally occurring bilateral HOA. A DV, and left and right lateral LT images were obtained for each animal in six different moments. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Nov 10;62(1):59. Epub 2020 Nov 10.

Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, SLU, 73091, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.

Background: Wildlife traps are used in many countries without evaluation of their effect on animal welfare. Trap-capture of wild animals should minimise negative effects on animal welfare, irrespective of whether the animals are trapped for hunting, research, or management purposes. Live-trap capture of wild boar (Sus scrofa) followed by killing inside the trap by gunshot is a recently introduced but disputed hunting method in Sweden. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Oct 20;62(1):58. Epub 2020 Oct 20.

Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 369, N-0102, Centrum, Oslo, Norway.

Background: In this 4-year prospective observational study, all elbows in a dysplasia screening program including 14,073 dogs were studied using radiographs in two projections. Elbows were evaluated for the presence of medial humeral epicondylar lesions or discreet calcified structures and were described as they appeared. The age, breed, and sex of affected dogs were recorded. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Oct 7;62(1):57. Epub 2020 Oct 7.

Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: An overall increase in poaching of white rhinoceros results in captive breeding becoming a significant component of white rhinoceros conservation. However, this type of conservation comes with its own difficulties. When wildlife is captured, transported and/or confined to a boma environment, they are more predisposed to diseases caused by bacterial organisms such as spore forming Clostridium spp. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2020 Sep 18;62(1):56. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

Clinic for Ruminants, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bremgartenstr.109a, Bern, 3001, Switzerland.

Background: The increasing popularity of alpacas and llamas outside of South America is undeniable. The associated limited genetic diversity raises questions about health and other genetically determined traits like coat colour. Therefore, a survey studying the prevalence of congenital disorders and coat colours and patterns in South American camelids was performed in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Read More