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Freiburg i. Br. 2016
Krankheiten kleiner Wiederkäuer und ECSRHM
ISBN 978-3-86345-327-5
Deutsche
Veterinärmedizinische
Gesellschaft
Tagung der DVG-Fachgruppe
„Krankheiten kleiner Wiederkäuer“
und des European College of
Small Ruminant Health Management
(ECSRHM)
15. bis 17. Juni 2016
in Freiburg im Breisgau
Deutsche Veterinärmedizinische Gesellschaft e.V.
German Veterinary Medical Society
_____________________________________
Tagung der DVG-Fachgruppe
„Krankheiten kleiner Wiederkäuer“
und des
European College of
Small Ruminant Health Management
(ECSRHM)
Leitung: Prof. Dr. Martin Ganter, Hannover
Tagungsort:
Regierungspräsidium Freiburg
Bissierstraße 7
79114 Freiburg im Breisgau
Deutschland
15. bis 17. Juni 2016
___________________________________________________________________
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DVG Service GmbH
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ISBN 978-3-86345-327-5
1. Auflage Gießen, 2016
Foto Titelseite:
Philipp Tegtmeyer
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Sponsoren
Die DVG-Fachgruppe „Krankheiten kleiner Wiederkäuer“ dankt den folgenden
Firmen für die freundliche Unterstützung der Tagung vom 15. bis 17. Juni 2016
in Freiburg (in alphabetischer Reihenfolge):
Albrecht GmbH
Elanco
MSD Tiergesundheit
Serumwerk Bernburg AG
WDT- Wirtschaftsgenossenschaft
deutscher Tierärzte eG
Zoetis Deutschland GmbH
Stand: 20.05.2016 (Redaktionsschluss des Tagungsbandes)
Programm
Mittwoch, 15.06.2016
(Patho Demo im CVUA)
(Vorträge im Regierungspräsidium)
Zeit
10:00
12:00
13:00 13:10
13:10 13:20
13:20 13:40
Nr.
Ort
CVUA
Tagungsbeginn / Begrüßung
Grußwort des Ministeriums für Ländlichen Raum
Dr. Kuhn
Bundesforschungsprojekt „Schlachtung gravider
Nutztiere – SiGN“ – Projektvorstellung, bisherige
Arbeiten und Ausblick
Wohlfahrt, S.
et al.
1
Nottötung bei Schafen
Kaulfuß, K.-H.
2
Thoughts on animal suffering in ovine production
Natorp, J. C.
3
Die gute fachliche Praxis der Hütehundhaltung
Benesch, C.
4
Stoffwechselüberwachung in Thüringer Schaf- und
Ziegenherden - Theorie und Praxis
Moog U.
5
Kaffeepause
15:40 16:00
Das Nationale Referenzlabor für Enzootische
Rinderleukose, Maedi Visna und Caprine Arthritis
Enzephalitis stellt sich vor
Kotterba, G.
6
16:00 16:20
Einfluss einer Maedi-Visna-Herdensanierung auf
Reproduktion und Lämmergewichte im Rahmen
einer Feldstudie in einem Schafbestand in
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Hüttner, K.
et al.
7
16:20 16:40
16:40 17:00
17:00 17:20
Die Ständige Impfkommission Veterinärmedizin
(StIKo Vet) am FLI
Voluntary control program of caeous lymphadenitis
in North-Rhine-Westphalia
Pseudotuberkulose - Erfahrungen mit
bestandsspezifischen Impfstoffen
Bastian, M.
8
Koch, C.
9
Tegtmeyer,
P. C. et al.
10
17:20 17:40
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Insel Riems,
Bundesforschungsanstalt für Tiergesundheit, aus
der Perspektive einer bestandsbetreuenden
Tierärztin
Schröder, C.
11
Poster
Productivity and lamb losses on commercial sheep
farms in Southern Germany
Q fever - vaccination and surveillance in Thuringia
Frohnmayer, S.
et al.
Moog, U. et al.
18:00
DVG Fachgruppensitzung, Berichte, Neuwahlen
20:00
Gemeinsamer Abend
Poster
Referent
Suntz, M.
Regierungspräsidium
13:40 14:00
14:00 14:20
14:20 14:40
14:40 15:00
15:00 15:40
Thema
Patho Demo
Registrierung
12
13
Ganter
Bräu
Programm
Donnerstag, 16.06.2016
Treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal
12:10 nematodosis in a sheep flock with the natural
12:30
product PARANAT B
12:30 - Endoparasites of South American Camelids in
12:50 Austria
12:50 Mittagessen
14:00
14:00 - Disbudding in goat kids; best practice but tricky
14:20 business
Comparison of different national animal welfare
14:20 regulations concerning castration and tail-docking
14:40
in lambs and future perspectives
14:40 - A standard methodology to evaluate potentially
15:00 painful procedures in farm livestock
15:00 - The prevalence of split upper eyelid disease in the
15:20 UK Hebridean sheep population
15:20 - Occurrence and genetic coherences of congenital
15:40 entropion in lamb
15:40 Kaffeepause
16:20
Referent
Nr.
Bauer, B. et al.
14
Cousens, C.
et al.
15
Scott, P. R.
et al.
Lacasta, D. et
al.
16
17
D’Alterio, G. L.
18
Navarro, T.
et al.
19
Autef, P.
20
Voigt, K. et al.
21
Giadinis, N. D.
et al.
22
Lambacher, B.
et al.
23
Van den Brom,
R. et al.
24
Eibach, R. et al.
25
Bath, G. F.
26
Gascoigne, E.
et al.
Meilwes, J.
et al.
Ort
27
28
Zeit
Thema
09:00 Suspected pulmonary adenomatosis in goats
09:20
Prevalence of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma
09:20 determined ultrasonographically in seven sheep
09:40
flocks
09:40 - Prevalence, ultrasonographic findings, and
10:00 outcome of fibrinous pleurisy in sheep
10:00 - Respiratory diseases affecting adult sheep in Spain
10:20 Relationship between auscultation and lung lesion
10:20 - Ten years of developing a consultancy veterinary
10:40 service for dairy sheep in Central Italy
10:40 - Gross pathology findings in 258 necropsied animals
11:00 from an intensive dairy flock
11:00 Kaffeepause
11:30
11:30 - Fecal egg count in sheep medicine: From samples
11:50 to treatment advice
Evaluation of a combined score system for a
11:50 targeted selective treatment approach in dairy
12:10
goats on pasture
Programm
18:00
AGM ECSRHM
20:00
Konferenz Dinner
Referent
Czopowicz, M.
et al.
Nr.
Ort
29
Lühken, G. et
al.
30
Kaba, J. et al.
31
Van den Brom,
R. et al.
32
Van den Brom,
R. et al.
33
Zeit
Thema
16:20 - Persistence of maternal antibodies in Small
16:40 Ruminant Lentivirus-infected goat kids
Genetic resistance against Small Ruminant
16:40 Lentivirus in sheep: Association with the TMEM154
17:00
gene
17:00 - Fluctuation of antibody levels to small ruminant
17:20 lentivirus in naturally infected goats
17:20 - Comparison of diagnostic alternatives for detection
17:40 of infectious causes of ovine and caprine abortion
Surveillance of shedding of Coxiella burnetii by
17:40 small ruminants to prevent humans to serve as
18:00
sentinel for Q fever epidemics
CVUA
Programm
(Parallele Vorträge im CVUA)
Zeit
Thema
11:30 - A rickets-like bone disease in young dairy goat
11:50 lambs
11:50 12:10
12:10 12:30
12:30 12:50
12:50 14:00
14:00 14:20
14:20 14:40
14:40 15:00
15:00 15:20
15:20 15:40
15:40 16:20
Fibrous osteodystrophy in four adult goats
Progressive cutaneous angiomatosis in a Suffolk
ram
PCR-Diagnostik Pooling-Methoden zur Kontrolle
von Dichelobacter nodosus (AprV2)
Nr.
Ort
34
CVUA
35
CVUA
36
CVUA
37
CVUA
Adjou, K. et al.
38
CVUA
Malone, F. E.
et al.
39
CVUA
40
CVUA
41
CVUA
42
CVUA
43
CVUA
44
CVUA
Kaulfuß, K.-H.
45
CVUA
Soungaris, S.
et al.
46
CVU
LievaartPeterson, K.
et al.
Mickiewicz, M.
et al.
Crilly, J. P.
et al.
Greber, D.
et al.
Mittagessen
Clinical case report: Fatal poisoning of sheep by
Galega officinalis (french honeysuckle)
Photosensation in lambs associated with ingestion
of Bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum)
Intrauterine transmission of Anaplasma
phagocytophilum in sheep
First report of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in
sheep in a nature reserve in The Netherlands
Tick borne fever in sheep and the search for
prophylaxis
Sagen, A.-M.
et al.
Groenevelt, M.
et al.
Granquist,
E. G. et al.
Kaffeepause
Echocardiographic heart dimensions of goats of
16:20 two polish local breeds – Polish White Improved
16:40
and Polish Fawn Improved
16:40 - Hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges causing
17:00 seasonal dermatitis in sheep
17:00 - Studies of pheromone application in seasonal
17:20 anoestrous ewes
Effects of drying-off procedure and intramammary
17:20 antimicrobial dry treatment on udder health status
17:40
in Chios breed milking ewes
17:40 - Bronchoalveolar lavage by flexible endoscopy in
18:00 sheep
Referent
SzaluśJordanow, O.
et al.
Crilly, J. P.
et al.
Ganter, M.
46 a
CVUA
(18)
Programm
Freitag, 17.06.2016
Zeit
Thema
09:00 Living with bluetongue
09:20
Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the
09:20 2014 BTV-4 incursion in ruminants in northern
09:40
Greece
09:40 - Our experience with bluetongue epidemic in
10:00 Greece
10:00 - Selenium speciation in paired serum and
10:20 cerebrospinal fluid samples in sheep
Nr.
Bath, G. F.
47
Katsoulos,
P.-D. et al.
48
Christodoulopoulos, G.
HumannZiehank, E.
et al.
49
50
Helmer, C.
et al.
51
Ortín, A. et al.
52
Busin, V. et al.
53
Schoiswohl, J.
et al.
Giadinis, N. D.
et al.
Christodoulopoulos, G.
Ort
Occurence of molybdenosis and Ovine White Liver
10:20 Disease (OWLD) in pastured lambs in northern
10:40
Germany
10:40 - Preliminary study of the effect of the fattening stage
11:00 in feedlots on lamb immunological functions
11:00 Kaffeepause
11:30
11:30 - Pen-side diagnosis of sheep scab using a paper11:50 based microfluidic device
11:50 - Endoparasites and macrocyclic lactone resistance
12:10 in sheep in Austria
12:10 - A comparative study of three treatment protocols
12:30 against coccidiosis in goat kids
12:30 - On the etiology of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep
12:50 and goats
12:50 Mittagspause
14:00
Referent
54
55
56
Ausflug ins Breisgau
Post Congress Tour
Samstag, 18.06.2016
Zeit
09:0011:30
11:3012:30
12:30 14:30
14:3016:30
16:3018:30
Thema
Referent
Ort
Besichtigung der Ziegenkäserei „Monte Ziego“
Teningen
Mittagessen im Käsemuseum Endingen
Endingen
Fahrt nach Betschdorf, Frankreich
Besuch des Ziegenlämmermastbetriebs von
Armand Haas, Betschdorf
Rückfahrt nach Freiburg
Armand Haas
Betschdorf
Abstract Nr. 1
1
Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene, Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig
2
Department Ökotrophologie, Fakultät Life Sciences, Hochschule für Angewandte
Wissenschaften Hamburg
BUNDESFORSCHUNGSPROJEKT „SCHLACHTUNG GRAVIDER NUTZTIERE –
SiGN“ – PROJEKTVORSTELLUNG, BISHERIGE ARBEITEN UND AUSBLICK
S. Wohlfahrt1, A. Hamedy1, P. Maurer1, A. Pahl2, J. Saffaf1,
L. Walter2, E. Lücker1, K. Riehn2
Thematik Schlachtung gravider Nutztiere
Die Schlachtung gravider Nutztiere und die damit verbundenen Fragestellungen
bezüglich des Tierschutzes sind in den vergangenen zwei Jahren immer stärker in
den Fokus des öffentlichen Interesses gerückt. Bislang existieren in Deutschland
Daten zur Tierart Rind, welche jedoch durch die mangelnde Vergleichbarkeit der
Studien kritisch hinterfragt werden. Die vorhandenen Daten weisen eine hohe
Variabilität auf. Der Verband der Fleischwirtschaft e.V. (1) veröffentlichte, dass im
Durchschnitt 0,72% der zurückgemeldeten Tiere im letzten Drittel tragend waren. In
der Studie von RIEHN et al. (2) waren bis zu 15% der weiblichen Schlachtrinder
tragend. Über 90% der Tiere befanden sich im zweiten oder letzten Trimester.
Entgegen der Annahme des Scientific Committee on Veterinary measures relating
to Public Health (SCVPH), dass „der Konsum von Fleisch tragender Tiere eine
Ausnahme darstellt, da diese Tiere normalerweise nicht geschlachtet werden“ (3),
konnten bisher alle Studien zum Rind das Gegenteil beweisen. Jedoch ist bislang
weder national noch gemeinschaftlich in der EU die Schlachtung tragender Nutztiere
verboten. Lediglich in der VO (EG) Nr. 1/2005 ist der Transport von Tieren ab einem
Gestationsstadium von 90% verboten und kann bei Nichtbeachtung eine
Ordnungswidrigkeitenanzeige nach sich ziehen (4). Bezüglich der Schlachtung ist der
Fetus in keinem Rechtstext explizit erwähnt. In der Richtlinie 2010/63/EU für die zu
wissenschaftlichen Zwecken verwendeten Tiere werden Säugetierfeten ab dem
letzten Drittel ihrer normalen Entwicklung mit in die Bestimmungen eingeschlossen
und somit erstmalig tierschutzrechtlich erwähnt. Diese Berücksichtigung erfolgt
aufgrund wissenschaftlicher Belege, welche besagen, dass diese Feten „im letzten
Drittel des Zeitraums ihrer Entwicklung einem erhöhten Risiko ausgesetzt sind,
Schmerzen, Leiden und Ängste zu empfinden, die sich auch nachteilig auf ihre
weitere Entwicklung auswirken können“. Die Mitgliedsstaaten stellen sicher, die in
der Verordnung implizierten Tiere nur unter „geringstmöglichen Schmerzen, Leiden
und Ängsten“ zu töten (5).
Bundesforschungsprojekt SiGN
Aufgrund mangelnder Vergleichbarkeit der Studien zum Rind und der fehlenden
Daten zu anderen Nutztierarten, sah das Bundesministerium für Ernährung und
Landwirtschaft Forschungsbedarf und fördert daher über die Bundesanstalt für
Landwirtschaft und Ernährung das Projekt „Untersuchungen zum Anteil von
Trächtigkeiten bei geschlachteten Tieren und zu den Ursachen für die Abgabe
trächtiger Schlachttiere unter Berücksichtigung der verschieden Tier- und
Nutzungsarten“, kurz „SiGN“ (Förderkennzeichen 2814HS005/012).
Die Ziele des Projektes sind:




Erhebung bundesweiter, repräsentativer Prävalenzdaten zu allen Nutztierarten
unter Berücksichtigung jedes Trächtigkeitsstadiums
Ermittlung der Gründe, welche zu diesen Schlachtungen führen
Erstellen einer Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse
Erarbeitung von Maßnahmen- und Handlungsempfehlungen für alle Beteiligten
Die Erhebung der Prävalenzdaten erfolgt seit Juli 2015 deutschlandweit
zweistufig. Zum einen werden Daten seitens des amtlichen Personals an die
Projektmitarbeiter übermittelt und zum anderen werden Daten in einzelnen
Schlachtbetrieben von den Projektmitarbeitern selbst erhoben. Zur Eruierung
möglicher Gründe, die zur Schlachtung gravider Tiere führen können, wurden
tierartspezifische Fragebögen jeweils für die Tierhalter und die betreuenden Tierärzte
erarbeitet. Diese werden seit Anfang 2016 ebenfalls bundesweit verteilt. Sowohl die
Prävalenzdaten als auch die Gründe werden unter Wahrung der Anonymität erhoben
bzw. verarbeitet, damit schlussendlich ein Rückschluss auf einzelne Schlacht- oder
Herkunftsbetriebe ausgeschlossen wird.
Die Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse wird am Ende des Projektes mit Unterstützung von
Fachleuten für verschiedene Tierarten angefertigt. Dabei wird im Wesentlichen im
Sinne einer Wirtschaftlichkeitsuntersuchung die Schlachtung eines graviden
Nutztieres dem weiteren Verbleib im Betrieb und der Nutzung seiner Nachkommen
gegenübergestellt. Abschließend werden darauf basierend realistisch umsetzbare
Maßnahmen- und Handlungsempfehlungen unter Einbezug der entsprechenden
Fachleute erarbeitet, um Alternativen zu dieser Praxis aufzuzeigen und die
Schlachtung gravider Nutztiere zu reduzieren.
Bisherige Aktivitäten in Deutschland
In einigen Bundesländern (Schleswig-Holstein, Niedersachsen, MecklenburgVorpommern, Bayern und Nordrhein-Westfalen) wurden inzwischen für die Rinder
Vereinbarungen oder Ladeskodizes von Vertretern aller Bereiche (Schlachtbetriebe,
Transportunternehmen, Veterinärbehörden, Tierschutzvertreter, Tierarztvereinigungen) im Zusammenhang mit der Schlachtung tragender Nutztiere unterzeichnet.
Das Ziel dieser Vereinbarungen ist es, insbesondere die Schlachtung hochtragender
(letztes Trimester) Rinder zu vermeiden. Dabei werden alle an der
Wertschöpfungskette beteiligten Akteure im Sinne einer Stufenverantwortlichkeit in
die Maßnahmen einbezogen. In den Vereinbarungen der Länder Niedersachsen und
Nordrhein-Westfalen wird explizit empfohlen die vereinbarten Ziele ebenfalls bei den
anderen Tierarten anzuwenden.
Kleine Wiederkäuer
Im Rahmen des Vortrages wird vorrangig auf das Vorgehen und die bisherigen
Aktivitäten des Projektes bei den kleinen Wiederkäuern eingegangen. Wie ist der
aktuelle Stand des Projektes in diesem Bereich? Was werden die zukünftigen
Arbeitsziele bei den kleinen Wiederkäuern sein?
Literaturverzeichnis
1. VERBAND DER FLEISCHWIRTSCHAFT e.V. (2015): Trächtigkeit von
Rindern bei der Schlachtung – Ergebnisse einer Verbandserhebung. Meldung
vom 08.09.2015. http://www.v-d-f.de/news/pm_20150908_0023/ (zuletzt
besucht am: 21.03.2016)
2. RIEHN, K.;DOMEL, G.; EINSPANIER, A.; GOTTSCHALK, J.; HILDEBRANDT,
G.; LUY, J.; LÜCKER, E. (2010): Schlachtung gravider Rinder - ethische und
rechtliche Aspekte. Fleischwirtschaft. 100-106
3. SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON VETERINARY MEASURES RELATING TO
PUBLIC HEALTH (1999): Opinion of the SCVPH. Assessment of potential
risks to human health from hormone residues in bovine meat and meat
products.
http://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/docs/cs_meat_hormoneout21_en.pdf (zuletzt besucht am: 21.03.2016)
4. ANON (2005): Verordnung Nr. 1/2005 des Rates vom 22. Dezember 2004
über den Schutz von Tieren beim Transport und damit zusammenhängenden
Vorgängen sowie zur Änderung der Richtlinien 64/432/EWG und 93/119/EG
und der Verordnung (EG) Nr. 1255/97. Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union.
05.01.2005. Nr. L 3/1
5. ANON (2010): Richtlinie 2010/63/EU des Europäischen Parlaments und des
Rates vom 22. September 2010 zum Schutz der für wissenschaftliche Zwecke
verwendeten Tiere. Amtsblatt der Europäischen Union. 20.10.2010. Nr. L
276/33-79
Korrespondenzadresse
TÄ Sophia Wohlfahrt
Institut für Lebensmittelhygiene
Veterinärmedizinische Fakultät, Universität Leipzig
An den Tierkliniken 1
04103 Leipzig
Telefon: 0341/9738228
Telefax: 0341/9738249
E-Mail: sophia.wohlfahrt@vetmed.uni-leipzig.de
Abstract Nr. 2
Tierarztpraxis Hoffmann, Elbingerode/Harz
NOTTÖTUNG BEI SCHAFEN
K.-H. Kaulfuß
Einleitung
In der praktischen Schafhaltung werden pro Jahr ca. 20 – 25% des vorhandenen
Mutterschafbestandes durch Jungschafe remontiert [Remontierungsrate = der
prozentualer Anteil an Individuen (Schafe und Ziegen) aus der Population (Herde)
der zur Weiterzucht verwendet werden muss um den (natürlichen) Abgang zu
ersetzen]. Dieser natürliche Abgang besteht in den verendeten Altschafen und den
sogenannten Merzschafen (Aussonderung nicht erwünschter Tiere oder Tiergruppen
wegen Zucht- und Nutzungsuntauglichkeit). Da der Großteil dieser Merzschafe noch
Schlacht- (und Transport-) tauglich ist werden sie der regulären Schlachtung
(Händler, Hausschlachtung) zugeführt und im Sinne der Lebensmittelerzeugung
verwertet. Bei einem kleinen Teil der Merzschafe ist aber aus lebensmittelrechtlichen
Gründen (aber auch nach Tiertransportverordnung) eine Schlachtung nicht mehr
möglich bzw. es treten plötzliche Umstände auf, die bei den Tieren große Leiden und
Schmerzen verursachen. In diesen Fällen ist eine Nottötung indiziert.
Begriffsbestimmung
Nach VO EG Nr. 1099/2009, Artikel 2b versteht man unter Nottötung die „Tötung
von verletzten Tieren oder Tieren mit einer Krankheit, die große Schmerzen und
Leiden verursacht, wenn es keine andere praktikable Möglichkeit gibt, diese
Schmerzen und Leiden zu mindern“. Es kommt somit zu einer Abwägung zwischen
Lebensschutz (Behandlungsverpflichtung) und Leidensbeendigung, wobei „nach
allgemeiner Anschauung der Schutz des Wohlbefindens eines Tieres über den
Schutz seines Lebens gestellt wird“ (Tierschutzbericht der Bundesregierung 1999,
BT Dr 14/600, S.52). Demgegenüber untersagt das Tierschutzgesetz §17 das Töten
eines Wirbeltieres ohne vernünftigen Grund. Diese Form der Formulierung ist
insofern problematisch, da es keine Legaldefinition des Begriffes „vernünftiger
Grund“
gibt.
Einerseits
existieren
formal
rechtfertigende
Gründe
in
rechtsverbindlichen Ausführungen (Schlachtrecht, Jagdrecht, Fischereirecht,
Tierseuchenrecht) andererseits unterliegen die ethisch zu rechtfertigenden Gründe
einem ständigen inhaltlichen Wandel. Diese individuellen Auffassungen sind z.B.
durch die Erziehung, das eigene Erleben oder auch religiös begründet und bedingen
nicht zwingend eine gleiche Auffassung über einen bestimmten Sachverhalt
innerhalb von Berufsgruppen (z.B. Tierärzten) oder Menschengruppen. Trotzdem
versucht die normative Ethik eine mehrheitsfähige „vorherrschende sozialethische
Überzeugung“, die jedoch nicht in jedem Fall rechtverbindlich ist, zu entwickeln.
Somit stellt eine Nottötung für den Tierhalter in jedem Einzelfall eine
Gewissensfrage dar, die er viel zu oft, bedingt durch die Plötzlichkeit des Ereignisses
umgehend für sich beantworten und in Handlung umsetzen muß (VO EG Nr.
1099/2009,
Artikel
19,
Rechtzeitigkeitsgebot).
Dies
schließt
leider
Fehleinschätzungen mit ein. Um diese zu vermeiden wird aus rechtlichen Gründen
empfohlen die Entscheidung zur Nottötung gemeinsam mit seinem Tierarzt zu treffen
(gegebenenfalls telefonisch). Als Handlungshinweise werden im Folgenden nach
Auffassung des Autors Ursachen für mögliche Nottötungen aufgeführt:








missgebildete, lebensschwache oder nicht lebensfähige Lämmer
Tiere nach erfolgloser Therapie
Tiere mit erheblich offenen Wunden / Frakturen / Organvorfällen
Tiere die lange festliegen oder nicht mehr selbständig Fressen oder Trinken
können
Tiere die nicht mehr Harnen und Abkoten können
Tiere mit massiven Schmerzäußerungen (Körperhaltung, dribbeln mit den
Beinen, Zähneknirschen; Achtung: Schafe zeigen den Schmerz sehr verhalten
und spät)
Tiere mit tödlich endenden Erkrankungen oder Prognosis infausta (z.B.
Lungenadenomatose, Paratuberkulose, Listeriose)
hochgradig abgemagerte Tiere
Im Einzelfall können auch
 übergangene Geburten
 Geburtsstörungen
 akute Mastitiden
 zentralnervöse Störungen aber auch
 das Fehlen einer zeitnahen Behandlung durch einen Tierarzt

Gründe für eine Nottötung sein, wobei gerade der letzte Punkt deutlich auf die
Mitverantwortung des Tierarztes verweist. Auch wenn wirtschaftliche Erwägungen
(Behandlungskosten, überzählige Tiere/Lämmer) keine vernünftigen Gründe im
Sinne des Tierschutzrechts sind muss im Zweifelsfall die Frage nach der
Zumutbarkeit einer möglichen Behandlung erlaubt sein.
Nottötung – Wer?
Nach § 4 TierSchG darf ein Wirbeltier nur durch Personen getötet werden die die
dazu notwendigen Kenntnisse und Fähigkeiten besitzen (Sachkunde). Ein amtlicher
Sachkundenachweis ist dagegen wegen des Fehlens der Regel- und
Gewerbsmäßigkeit bei Nottotung im eigenen Bestand nicht erforderlich. Letzteres
entbindet die ausführende Person jedoch nicht davon, die Tötung nach den
Vorschriften der Tierschutz-Schlachtverordnung duchzuführen – Unkenntnis über
Gesetze entbindet nicht vor Strafverfolgung. Vorrangig aus diesem Grund raten
kontrollierende Stellen den Tierhaltern zur Teilnahme an einem Sachkundelehrgang.
Zusätzlich kann auch der betreuende Tierarzt den Tierhalter über den richtigen
Ablauf einer Nottötung aufklären bzw. diese gemeinsam mit ihm durchführen (Der
Tierarzt verfügt berufsbedingt über die notwendige Sachkunde).
Nottötung – Wie?
Wirbeltiere dürfen grundsätzlich nur unter wirksamer Schmerzausschaltung
(Betäubung) getötet werden. Nach Tierschutzschlachtverordnung sind folgende
Betäubungsarten zugelassen (und für Schafe und Ziegen geeignet):



elektrische Durchströmung
Bolzenschuß
Kopfschlag
Der stumpfe Schlag auf den Kopf darf bei Schaf- und Ziegenlämmern nur
außerhalb von Schlachthöfen, nur bis zu einem Lebendgewicht von 5 Kilogramm und
nur in den Einzelfällen (d.h. auch bei schwereren Tieren), in denen keine anderen
Betäubungsverfahren zur Verfügung stehen und bei denen das Betäuben und
Entbluten durch dieselbe Person vorgenommen wird, angewendet werden. Der
stumpfe Schlag auf den Kopf ist mit einem geeigneten Gegenstand und ausreichend
kräftig auszuführen.
Ein Tier gilt als betäubt wenn:




es unmittelbar danach zusammenbricht,
keine Aufstehversuche unternimmt,
der Lid-, Bindhaut-, Hornhaut- und Pupillenreflex ausfällt
und keine kontrollierte Atmung erkennbar ist.
Die Wirksamkeit der Betäubung ist unmittelbar durch die ausführende Person zu
kontrollieren. Bei Fehlbetäubung, erkennbar am Verkrampfen, dem „stummen
Aufschrei“, erhaltener Reflexe oder regelmäßige Atmung, ist die Betäubung zu
wiederholen (auch wenn nur eines der genannten Symptome auftritt).
Nach festgestellter Betäubungswirkung ist ein Entbluteschnitt als das den Tod
herbeiführendes Verfahren anzubringen. Die Zeitdauer zwischen Betäubung und
Entbluteschnitt darf 15 Sekunden nicht überschreiten. Als Schnittführung ist der
Bruststich dem Hals- oder Kehlschnitt vorzuziehen. Die Tötung sollte wenn möglich
nicht in der Stallbucht sondern in geeigneten Räumen stattfinden, die eine
sachgemäße Entblutung und Reinigung ermöglichen.
Abweichend von diesen Ausführungen darf der Schuss mit einer Feuerwaffe auf
den Kopf bei Schafen und Ziegen (nur) zur Nottötung angewendet werden
(Waffenschein). Dabei muss das Projektil über ein solches Kaliber und eine solche
Auftreffenergie verfügen, dass das Tier sofort betäubt und getötet wird. Grundsätzlich
ist die Euthanasie (Injektion tödlicher Substanzen) durch den Tierarzt die
tiergerechteste Methode der Nottötung (ohne Blutentzug).
Abschließend ist die Nottötung im Bestandsbuch zu dokumentieren. Hierbei sollte
neben dem Zeitpunkt auch der Nottötungsgrund vermerkt werden. Notgetötete Tiere
werden in toto über die Tierkörperbeseitigung entsorgt (zusätzlicher Nachweis). Eine
weitere Nutzung notgetöteter Tiere (evtl. als Hundefutter) sollte unterlassen werden,
da dann die Nottötung als Schlachtung ausgelegt werden kann, was bei fehlendem
Sachkundenachweis zur Schlachtung von Schafe und Ziegen bzw. fehlender
Fleischbeschau zu strafrechtlichen Konsequenzen führen kann.
Dr. Karl-Heinz Kaulfuß
Untere Schulstraße 8
38875 Elbingerode
Telefon: 0176 / 70006944
E-Mail: schafgesundheit@aol.com
Abstract Nr. 3
THOUGHTS ON ANIMAL SUFFERING IN OVINE PRODUCTION
J.-C. Natorp
Introduction
A new animal status was decreed in France in 2015. We understand moreover
that west and south of the Rhine, our anglo-saxon neighbors are much more
concerned than us with animal protection. This juncture leads us to focus on our
attitude in daily practice, and not so much on suffering in our ovine breeding farms as
we are aware of the charges, the illnesses and diseases, as well as what we require
of our ewes and lambs. Let us immediately clarify that we will only consider what
takes place in husbandry ; animal welfare during transport or in the slaughterhouse is
a very specialized item and must be discussed separately.
Suffering is a rather negative term and legislators and professionals alike prefer to
speak of welfare. Welfare is currently defined by satisfying fundamental needs :
1. Absence of illness or pain, 2. Absence of physical or climactic stress, 3. Absence
of hunger, thirst, malnutrition, 4. Absence of fear, of distress and 5. The possibility to
express normal behavior.
After illustrating the various causes of suffering in ovine husbandry, we will focus
on detection. A third part will be devoted to prevention of suffering in ovine
husbandry, before addressing prevention and treatment of pain. We will conclude
with 2 propositions : 1. the issue of dialogue with the herder after observation of
suffering in his/her herd ; 2. explain the role of professional context in acceptance or
non-acceptance of suffering in ovine husbandry.
1. Causes of suffering in ovine production and how to classify them ?
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)
i)
Sharp pain. Iatrogeneous or accidental. Injections, bites.
Durable pain: compensation. Example of lameness.
Sudden fears: general nervousness. Example : dog attacks.
Permanent or regular anxiety. Sheepfold according to Temple Grandin.
Exhaustion : lntensification hinders satisfaction of nutritional needs
Relation with the shepherd and fear of man.
Discomfort in the sheepfold : drafts, thermal amplitudes, humid litter.
Illness : still a too limiting factor in ovine productions.
Basic ovine behaviour: maternal relation, feeding, rest, pasture, space at
trough, rumination, movements, available watering and quality thereof, fresh
air, protection, période de lutte, space for lambing…
j) Conclusions : the 5 criteria of welfare are very diversely illustrated , as
diversity of ovine husbandry systems are. This requires of the practitioner a
good understanding of husbandry systems.
2. Expression of no welfare and difficulties in diagnosing suffering
Strategies to deal with suffering : The prospect of a difficult situation compels
ovines to flee, compounded by group effect with the risk of falling into a ravine, of
suffocating by piling up, of getting lost, of being exhausted, of aborting. A more
localised pain is expressed through a particular posture ; kneeling for footrot, bent
head for head pain, self auscultation in the case of digestive colics (example of
intestinal twisting), lameness at the beginning of mastitis, expulsive efforts for cystitis
and lambing complications. Hunger is ofently expressed par uninturrepted bleating,
especially in lambs. Climate agressivity depends on the type of agression (warm,
cold) of age. One commun situation is when lambs are piling up instead dispersing.
Pica (hair eating) shows the unimpossibility of expression of innate behaviour.
Conclusions : These manifestations are varied and leave room for an
anthropomorphism, either justified (Le Bars 2002), or perceived as a mistake,
(lobotomy –Moniz, Nobel 1949- : separation of the emotional and the sensory).
Screening of pain : It depends a lot on the observer, on his culture, and on his
motivation. Sheep, by their basic level of expression, do not render the task easy.
Finally, the herder’s pride, his profession, and his problems do not always help the
discussion. We consequently need a methodological approach, by 1st diagnosing the
possible pathological process, examining sanitary documents, as well as injection
equipment. Then we observe the animals, nutrition, notes of corporal state, fleece,
port, reaction to man, breathing, rumination. Finally we recommend examination of
the sheepfold and observation of ovine movements within the space.
3. Prevention of suffering in ovine husbandry
a) Primum non nocere : iatrogeneous pain. We must admit that the most frequent
causes of suffering and pain are treatments administered to the animals by the
herder or the veterinarian. From the capture of the animals to prepare the
procedure, to the pain of the injected product (for ex tetracyclines or post
vaccination abscesses) as well as the trauma linked to unadapted or chipped
needles. Per os administration can cause the same discomfort, with the same
apprehension, sometimes a more brutal contention than for an injection, the
possibility of wrong ingestion, and of blunt mouthpieces. Other interventions
can be pain inducing, such as castration, caudectomy, and especially
obstetrical procedures and hoof trimming. Finally we must address pain
caused by the equipment, in particular by a badly adjusted milking
machine ; the adaptation of the animal to the milking machine requires an
examination of the animals during milking. Other examples concern access to
racks with visible splinters or nails, or even sometimes electrical or elctromagnetic currents.
b) Euthanasia : We are more and more frequently called to alleviate suffering of
terminal animals, or those who no longer represent any economic value.
Ancestral methods called upon bleeding, gun, or bludgeon. Euthanasia today
is executed by injection (T61 or pentothal), or, in particular when the ovine
carcasses are used to feed vultures, by matador trepanation.
c) Adapted feeding: in intensive conditions, ewes who no longer graze, but ingest
« mash » and ensilages can have their teeth come loose. The speed of
ingestion of certain granulated food can cause accidents, and provoke
ruminitis, and even perforation of the rumen. The liver also suffers, and the life
span of such ewes is often reduced to 2 lactations. Animal feeding can favor
competition between animals. It is thus essential to provide ewes with a
correct and balanced ration, but also to make the ration available at the
trough. The increase of prolificité requires technical skills to help limit cetosis.
Early reproduction requires specific feeding management, in order to avoid the
« thin primiparous » syndrome.
d) A comfortable sheepfold: the quality of a sheepfold depends on the man who
works in it, and usually has not particularly been thought out for the comfort of
the animal. Standards met in decreasing order of priority are work objectives,
productivity objectives, health objectives, and finally animal welfare. A huge
sheepfold allows feeding and straw distribution with a tractor, but often makes
the building not isolated and exposed to draughts, impossible to heat. Surface
norms, even for an organic label, are insufficient for the nursing ewes’ needs.
On the other hand, certain intensive farms do not have enough space for the
animals to move in.
4. Treatment and prevention of pain in ovines
In many cases, and in particular in the case of intervention of man on animal, the
pain is too predictable not to be prevented. Surgical pain relief and the use of antiinflammatories are the 2 pharmacological tools all veterinarians need. We observe
the shortcomings in this respect, as no steroidian or other anti-inflammatory is
validated for ovine use in France. These anti-inflammatories are essential (we use by
defect those available for bovines) in the treatment of more painful pathologies such
as panaris, pasteurellosis, meningitis, mastitis etc… This anti-inflammatory action is
necessary for most surgeries, in particular for ceasarians. Any surgery needs at least
a local anesthesia, and manytime a general one that is still too infrequently used
because of risk of météorisation.
5. Role of the professional context in the fight against suffering in ovine
production.
The context is first and foremost the context of the farm we are observing ; and the
attitude of the herder regarding the welfare of his flock can vary greatly, from a very
passionate relationship, to pure economical reasoning for herders who refuse to treat
their animals for reasons of cost, of time, and sometimes under the cover of « natural
selection ». Let us note the place occupied by the veterinarian in this daily dilemna
for the herders : « will I call the veterinarian to treat this animal? » or « do I need to
treat this animal or have it put down? ». Our response is twofold : 1.a flat fee pratice :
if the one-off veterinary act is not cost-effective, the flat fee enables the herder to
show the veterinarian many different cases.2.the serch of dialog with the herder.
On the other hand, the herder belonging to an organised channel (cooperative)
follows his structure’s policies, where the questions of profitability of alleviating
suffering and animal welfare are not considered, whereas slaughterhouses in France
do not seem to be able to operate without a welfare expert.
Conclusions : Mentalities need to progress in parallel to legislation. The animal
until very recently was a personal possession (market value), and in 2015, became
« a living sensitive being » (Civil Code, article 515-14). Consideration of pain in a
child is very recent (1987, Sunny Anand) and remains under-estimated (IASP, 2005).
Will we make up for lost time in animal consideration willingly or through regulatory
obligation? In both cases the veterinarian must take a stance, make his profession’s
image clear in the face of public demand, and also provide himself with the means to
actively respond to the regulation’s demands.
Corresponding author
E-mail: jc.natorp@gmail.com
Abstract Nr. 4
Aus dem Arbeitskreis 1 der Tierärztlichen Vereinigung für Tierschutz, TVT
und dem Landesverband Bayerischer Schafhalter e.V.
DIE GUTE FACHLICHE PRAXIS DER HÜTEHUNDHALTUNG
C. Benesch
Gemäß einer groben Schätzung des Landesverbandes bayerischer Schafhalter
werden in Bayern etwa 3000 Hütehunde gehalten. Je nach Betriebsgröße arbeiten 112 Hunde in den Herden.
In der Hütehaltung sind es überwiegend Deutsche und Altdeutsche Hütehunde
und Kreuzungen aus diesen Rassen, in der Koppelschafhaltung werden neben den
klassischen Rassen auch Border Collis oder Kelpis eingesetzt. Kleinere Betriebe
oder Hobbyschäfer halten oft nur einen einzigen Hund, in den Vollerwerbsbetrieben
sind im Wechsel Teams von 2 bis 3 Hunden im Einsatz. Die großen Betriebe bilden
ihre Hunde in der Regel selber aus und Hunde, die aufgrund von Alter oder aus
anderen Gründen nicht mehr an der Herde einge-setzt werden können, bekommen
auf dem Hof ihr Gnadenbrot.
Die gesetzlichen Regelungen der Hundehaltung bestehen übergeordnet aus dem
Tierschutzgesetz und speziell aus der Tierschutzhundeverordnung, die in der
täglichen Überwachungspraxis ergänzt bzw. präzisiert wird durch Vollzugshinweise,
die von Fachbehörden oder Spezialabteilungen der jeweiligen Bundesländer
erarbeitet werden.
Weder in den Vorgaben der
Tierschutzhunde-Verordnung noch in den
Vollzughinweisen der Behörden werden Privathundehaltungen, gewerbliche
Hundezuchten oder Diensthunde wie z.B. Hütehunde voneinander abgegrenzt.
Aus Anlass eines Konfliktes einer Schäferei mit dem zuständigen Veterinäramt zur
Haltung der auf dem Hof befindlichen Hütehunde entstand die Idee einer
Expertengruppe, die sich zunächst mit dem betroffenen Veterinäramt und dann mit
der in Bayern zuständigen Stelle für die oben erwähnten Vollzugshinweise, der
Abteilung Tierschutz des LGL zu einem runden Tisch zusammengesetzt hat. Ziel ist
es, eine gute fachliche Praxis der Hütehundhaltung zu formulieren, die sowohl von
der Schafhaltung als auch von den Vollzugs- und Überwachungsbehörden akzeptiert
wird. Dies sollte sich dann auch mittels aktualisierter Vollzugshinweise in der
Überwachungspraxis umsetzen lassen.
Im Vortrag werden die Konfliktpunkte in der Überwachung der Haltungen durch die
Behörden, der bisherige Stand der Diskussion mit der Abteilung Tierschutz des LGL
und die Formulierung einer guten fachlichen Praxis der Hütehundhaltung durch die
Experten referiert. Eine Ergänzung und Unterstützung durch interessierte
Kolleginnen und Kollegen und Fachleute aus den anderen Bundesländern ist
willkommen.
1. CHIFFLARD, HANS und H. SEHNER: Ausbildung von Hütehunden, Ulmer
Verlag
2. www. hundetrainer-planer.de: Leitlinie zum tierschutzkonformen Umgang mit
Hunden
3. Bundestierärztekammer: AG Hundehaltung der BTK zum theoretischen und
praktischen Sachkundehinweis für Hundehalter
Dr. Christiane Benesch
Außenkager 1
94166 Stubenberg
E-Mail: ch-benesch@t-online.de
Abstract Nr. 5
Thüringer Tierseuchenkasse, Jena
STOFFWECHSELÜBERWACHUNG IN THÜRINGER SCHAF- UND
ZIEGENHERDEN – THEORIE UND PRAXIS
U. Moog
Die Beweidung im Rahmen der Landschaftspflege findet häufig auf
nährstoffarmen Magerstandorten statt. Deshalb ist eine Unterversorgung mit Energie,
Eiweiß, Mengen- und Spurenelementen über weite Teile des Jahres unvermeidbar,
(1, 2). Von den gleichen Tieren werden jedoch in der Lammzeit - insbesondere bei
Zwillings- und Drillingsträchtigkeiten - metabolische Höchstleistungen abgefordert.
Stoffwechselkrankheiten wie Ketose oder hypokalzämisches Festliegen können dann
zu hohen wirtschaftlichen Verlusten führen. Aufgrund der herdenspezifischen
Fütterung sind bei Stoffwechselimbalancen meist viele Tiere betroffen. Bei
subklinischen Stoffwechselstörungen stehen oft Leistungsdepressionen im
Vordergrund.
Stoffwechselüberwachung
Die Stoffwechselüberwachung ist ein komplexes System bestehend aus
Vorbericht durch den Praktiker vor Ort, der Laboranalyse, der Befundung sowie der
Umsetzung des Befundes im Bestand. Der Vorbericht sollte eine kurze Bestandsund Problembeschreibung sowie die Erhebung der Fütterungs- und
Tiergesundheitsdaten enthalten. Anhaltspunkte für eine Verdachtsdiagnose liefern
neben klinischen Befunden an Einzeltieren auch epidemiologische Befunde aus dem
Bestand, wie Häufigkeit des Auftretens, betroffene Altersgruppe, bestehende
Trächtigkeit sowie die zeitliche Ausbreitung der Erkrankung im Bestand (3).
Problemstellung:
Klinische Erkrankungen sind meist die Indikationen für Einzeltieruntersuchungen.
Bestandsuntersuchungen werden in der Regel bei Herdenerkrankungen,
Minderleistungen oder als routinemäßiges Stoffwechselscreening durchgeführt (3)
(Tabelle 1).
Tabelle 1: Untersuchungsgründe für Einzeltier- oder Herdenuntersuchungen (nach Staufenbiel)
Einzeltieruntersuchungen
• Diagnose
• Prognose
• Beurteilung des Krankheitsverlaufs
• Beurteilung des Therapieeffektes
Bestandsuntersuchungen
•
Auftreten von Erkrankungen sowie
mangelhafter Leistung
•
Beurteilung der aktuellen
•
Herdengesundheit
•
Beurteilung des Risikos für das
Auftreten
von
bestimmten
Erkrankungen  routinemäßiges
Stoffwechselscreening
Untersuchungsmaterial
Natürlich wird Blut am häufigsten untersucht, aber abhängig von der Fragestellung
können jedoch auch Harn, Futtermittel oder Organe von verendeten oder
geschlachteten Tieren (Leber, Nieren, Knochen) sowie Haare oder Wolle untersucht
werden. Unabhängig davon, welches Probenmaterial gewählt wurde, ist die
sachgerechte Entnahme, Lagerung, Transport und Bearbeitung der Proben (4)
unverzichtbar. Die tägliche Laborroutine zeigt, dass Fehler in der präanalytischen
Behandlung der Proben in manchen Fällen eine exakte Analyse unmöglich machen.
Dabei geltende Grundsätze sind u.a.:






In EDTA-Proben ist in der Routineuntersuchung keine Kalzium- und
Magnesiumbestimmung möglich. Da festliegende Tiere auch bei kleinen
Wiederkäuern ein häufiger Grund für eine Stoffwechseluntersuchung sind,
wäre die Unmöglichkeit einer Analyse aufgrund des falsch gewählten
Probenröhrchens durch den Probennehmer fatal.
Soll Glukose untersucht werden, müssen entweder Blut-Röhrchen mit
Natriumflourid-Zusatz verwendet werden oder die Probe innerhalb 2 Stunden
nach Blutprobenentnahme zentrifugiert und das Serum vom Blutkuchen
entfernt werden. Nur dann ist eine exakte Glukosebestimmung auch noch
innerhalb von drei Tagen bei Kühlschranklagerung möglich. Blutparasiten
führen auch zu einem Verbrauch der Blutglukose.
Die Zentrifugation zur Gewinnung von Blutserum/Blutplasma für andere
Parameter sollte möglichst bald nach Abschluss der Gerinnung, aber
möglichst innerhalb 1 Tages nach der Probenentnahme erfolgen.
Mechanischen Irritationen der Blutproben sollten möglichst bis zur
Zentrifugation
minimiert
werden;
hämolytische
Proben
durch
unsachgemäße(n) Probennahme, Transport oder Lagerung sind eine häufige
Ursache für Messfehler bei einzelnen Parametern bzw. für die vollkommene
Unbrauchbarkeit der Probe.
Möglichst kein Versenden von nicht stabilisiertem Vollblutproben (Serum auf
dem Blutkuchen); hier besteht die Gefahr der Hämolyse. Ausnahmen bilden
Proben zur Bestimmung von Blutbild und Vitamin B1)
Blutserum/Blutplasma ist ein bis acht Tage bei Kühlschranktemperatur stabil,
Probenentnahmezeitpunkte (Fütterung!) und Entnahmeort beachten. Bei
Schafen und Ziegen sollte Blut möglichst aus der V. jugularis entnommen
werden.
Praktische
Durchführung
Herdenüberwachung
der
Stoffwechseluntersuchung
zur
Für Milchziegen und -schafe haben sich in Anlehnung an die
Stoffwechselüberwachung beim Rind je nach Bestandsgröße fünf bis zehn
Einzelproben je Leistungsgruppe bewährt. Spurenelemente sollten aus
Kostengründen aus Poolproben bestimmt werden. Es ist zu beachten, dass nur
Serum oder Plasma gepoolt werden können, nicht jedoch natives Blut.
(Ungeronnenes EDTA-Vollblut hingegen kann z.B. für Mangan oder Vitamin B1Untersuchungen gepoolt werden.) Empfehlenswert ist eine zweimalige Untersuchung
im Jahr. Für “normale“ Schafbestände (Gebrauchsherden) kann bei
Routineuntersuchungen aus finanziellen Gründen eine Poolprobe je Leistungsgruppe
ausreichend sein.
Untersuchungsspektrum
Entsprechend des Alters und der Leistungsgruppe und/oder des Vorberichtes
werden zum Beispiel vom Labor der Thüringer Tierseuchenkasse unterschiedliche
Untersuchungsprofile angeboten. Folgende Parameter haben sich für die
Routineuntersuchung bewährt:
Blutserum:
Als Einzeluntersuchung für adulte Schafe und Ziegen:
 Kalzium, Phosphor, Magnesium, Harnstoff, Glutamatdehydrogenase
(GLDH), Gesamteiweiß, ß-Hydroxybuttersäure, Cholesterol,
Als Einzeluntersuchung für neugeborene Lämmer:
 Gammaglobuline, Gesamteiweiß, (wird vom jeweiligen Labor keine
Gammaglobulin-Untersuchung angeboten, kann die Kontrolle der
Kolostrumaufnahme auch indirekt über die Bestimmung der GGT erfolgen)
Parameter, die nur bei speziellen Verdachtsfällen untersucht werden:
 Albumin, Globulin, Glukose, Kreatinkinase (CK), Alkalische Phosphatase
(AP), Freie Fettsäuren (FFS, NEFA), Kreatinin, Eisen, Jod, Vitamin B12,
Als Poolprobe je Leistungsgruppe:
 Selen, Kupfer und/oder Zink
EDTA Vollblut:
 rotes und weißes Blutbild
 bei speziellen Verdachtsfällen Mangan und Vitamin B1
Bei akuten Krankheitsgeschehen werden parallel zur Stoffwechseluntersuchung
Sektion(en) sowie spezifische Untersuchungen von Futtermitteln und Organen
durchgeführt.
Nutzung der MLP-Ergebnisse zur Stoffwechselbeurteilung
Ebenso wie in der Kuhmilchproduktion können die bei der Milchleistungsprüfung
von Schafen und Ziegen erhobenen Angaben zu Eiweiß, Fett und Harnstoff zur
Beurteilung der Energie- und Eiweißversorgung genutzt werden. Natürlich sind dabei
die unterschiedlichen physiologischen Zusammensetzungen der Milch zu beachten
(5). Ebenso wie in der Kuhmilchproduktion ist dies ein hervorragendes Instrument zur
Überwachung laktierender Tiere und Tiergruppen. Besonders informativ sind dabei
jedoch Veränderungen von einer Milchkontrolle zur anderen. Da in der Phase der
höchsten Krankheitsanfälligkeit der Tiere – im geburtsnahen Zeitraum – keine MLP
Daten
vorliegenkönnen,
ist
und
bleibt
das
Blut
das
geeignetste
Untersuchungsmedium zur Diagnostik von Stoffwechselkrankheiten.
Einige wichtige Details in Kürze
1. Ursachen für Spurenelementmangel:
 ggf. beim Einsatz von überständigem Futter
 Iod → Entfernung zum Meer
 Selen → insbesondere auf sauren und sandigen Böden, Gehalte im
Aufwuchs reichen i.d.R. nicht aus
 Mangan → auf basischen Böden und bei Stallhaltung und Ackerfutter
(selten)
 Zink → auf Mangelstandorten sowie bei Milchziegen bei fehlender
Substitution, chronischen Infektionskrankheiten und/oder Stresssituationen
 Kupfer → Einfluss der Antagonisten Eisen, Schwefel und Molybdän
2. Lämmer haben physiologischerweise im Vergleich zu adulten Schafen
 vergleichsweise hohe Phosphor und GLDH-Werte
 vergleichsweise niedrige Gesamt-Eiweiß-Werte
 und in den ersten Lebenstagen deutlich niedrigere Eisen-Werte
3. Bei Fruchtbarkeitsstörungen bei Schafen und Ziegen ist die beta-Karotin
Untersuchung nicht angezeigt. Schafe, Ziegen, Ratten und Fleischfresser
nehmen beta-Karotin höchstens in Spuren in den Organismus auf oder
wandeln es noch in der Darmwand vollständig in Vitamin A um. Diese Tiere
besitzen dadurch im Vergleich zum Rind auffallend weißes Körperfett und
weiße Milch sowie wesentlich helleres Blutserum (6).
4. Da die konzentratreiche Fütterung der Hochleistungsziegen und Mastlämmer
die Darmflora negativ beeinflussen kann, sollten diese unbedingt einen
wirksamen Impfschutz gegen Clostridien-Erkrankungen besitzen (7). Dabei ist
zu beachten, dass in Deutschland nach wie vor kein Clostridienimpfstoff für
Ziegen zugelassen ist.
1. FRÜH, R., MOOG, U. (2010): Versorgung von Mutterschafen mit
ausgewählten Mengen- und Spurenelementen auf extensiv bewirtschafteten
Grünlandstandorten Thüringens. KTP 18, 120-124
2. SIERSLEBEN, K. (2015): Grundfuttersituation in den Schafherden.
http://www.tgdsachsenanhalt.de/schaf_ziege/fachbtrg/011/Siersleben%20Gru
ndfutteranalyse.pdf
3. STAUFENBIEL, R. (2015): Stoffwechselüberwachung als Methode der
Bestandsbetreuung von Milchkuhherden, In: Zukunft gestalten – 40 Jahre
Präventivmedizin,
Tagungsband
Leipzig
19.-20.07.2015,
https://sites.google.com/site/40icmmleipzig/
4. HUMANN-ZIEHANK, E., GANTER, M. (2012): Pre-analytical factors affecting
the results of laboratory blood analyses in farm animal veterinary diagnostics.
Animal. Jul;6(7):1115-23. doi: 10.1017/S1751731111002679.
5. LEEB, C., WOLF, R., PATTIS-KLINGEN, B., BÖHM, J., PROSL, H. (2007)
BCS bei der Milchziege – ein Parameter für Fütterung und Gesundheit.
Veröffentlichung im Rahmen der 3. Fachtagung für Ziegenhaltung, 16.
November 2007, 7-9. Lehr-und Forschungzentrum für Land-und
Forstwirtschaft
Raumberg-Gumpenstein,
Irnding,
Österreich.
https://www.raumberggumpenstein.com/c/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat
view&gid=264&limit=100&limitstart=0&order=hits&dir=ASC&Itemid=100103>
2010-04-09
6. PALMER, L.S. (1916) "The physiological relation of plant carotinoids to the
carotinoids of the cow, horse, sheep, goat, pig and hen." J. Biol. Chem., 27,
27-32.
7. CHARTIER C. (2002): Entérotoxémie et vaccination chez les caprins. Point
Vet., 33, 140-143
Dr. Udo Moog
Schaf- und Ziegengesundheitsdienst der Thüringer Tierseuchenkasse
Victor-Goerttler-Str. 4
07745 Jena
E-Mail: umoog@thueringertierseuchenkasse.de
Abstract Nr. 6
Nationales Referenzlabor für EBL, MV und CAE,
Institut für Infektionsmedizin,
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit,
Greifswald – Insel Riems
DAS NATIONALE REFERENZLABOR FÜR ENZOOTISCHE RINDERLEUKOSE,
MAEDI VISNA UND CAPRINE ARTHRITIS ENZEPHALITIS STELLT SICH VOR
G. Kotterba
Der Arbeitsschwerpunkt des Nationale Referenzlabors für Enzootische Rinderleukose, Maedi Visna und Caprine Arthritis Enzephalitis (NRL ERL, MV und CAE) ist
die Enzootische Rinderleukose.
Das ist dem Status der Leukose als anzeigepflichtige Tierseuche geschuldet und
ist an der Anzahl der bearbeiteten Einsendungen zur Abklärung unklarer Leukosebefunde und der durchgeführten Chargenprüfung deutlich erkennbar.
Seit 2013 nimmt die Anzahl der Einsendungen zur Klärung unklarer Befunde für
MV und CAE zu (siehe Tabelle).
Einsendungen zur Abklärung unklarer Befunde
Jahr
2013
2014
2015
2016*
MV (Anzahl)
Einsendungen
Proben
0
0
2
2
3
6
2
3
CAE (Anzahl)
Einsendungen
Proben
1
1
7
19
7
50
5
6
*Stand: 22.04.16
Bei der Untersuchung der „Problemseren“ stellte sich häufig heraus, dass die
Seren in den verschiedenen ELISA – Kits unterschiedlich reagieren. Die Ursache für
dieses Phänomen ist nicht geklärt. Aus diesem Grund wurde vom NRL für ERL, MV
und CAE ein internationaler Ringtest mit 27 Teilnehmern aus Deutschland, der
Schweiz, Österreich, Frankreich, Italien und Israel organisiert. An dem Ringtest
nehmen auch einige Hersteller von ELISA- Tests teil. Der Ringtest wird am 26.05.16
abge-schlossen. Mit großer Sicherheit werden die Ergebnisse des Ringtests zu einer
Diskussion führen, die zu einer Optimierung der serologischen Diagnostik von MV
und CAE beitragen kann.
Die Ergebnisse des Ringtest werden in dem Vortrag vorgestellt.
DVM Guenter Kotterba
Institut für Infektionsmedizin
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit
Südufer 10
17493 Greifswald - Insel Riems
Telefon: +49 38351 7 1512
Telefax: +49 38351 7 1226
E-Mail: guenter.kotterba@fli.bund.de
Abstract Nr. 7
1
2
LALLF MV, Epidemiologischer Dienst
Landesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Fischerei, Institut für Tierproduktion
3
Landesschaf- und Ziegenzuchtverband MV
EINFLUSS EINER MAEDI-VISNA-HERDENSANIERUNG AUF REPRODUKTION
UND LÄMMERGEWICHTE IM RAHMEN EINER FELDSTUDIE IN EINEM
SCHAFBESTAND IN MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN
K. Hüttner1, J. Martin2, D. Hager3
Die chronisch verlaufende Infektion mit dem Maedi-Visna-Virus (MVV) ist ein
substantielles Risiko für die Herdengesundheit bei Schafen.
Ein repräsentatives MVV-Screening in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern im Jahr 2009
mit 41 zufällig ausgewählten Herden ergab eine durchschnittliche serologische
Herdenprävalenz von 51,2 % und eine durchschnittliche Einzeltierprävalenz in
infizierten Betrieben von 28,8 %.
Aufbauend auf diesen Ergebnissen war es das Ziel, im Land eigene Erfahrungen
bei der MVV-Herdensanierung zu sammeln und den Effekt der Infektion auf die
Wirtschaftlichkeit an ausgewählten Herdenparametern zu prüfen.
Tab. 1: Zeitschiene, Befunddatenübersicht und Hinweise zum Verfahren.
Datum
untersuchte
neg pos frgl Prävalenz
Proben
Hinw eise
(%)
(n)
(n)
Jul. 2009
233
173 51
9
25,8
Herdentrennung. Nur noch MVV-negative
Teilherde beprobt.
Jan. 2010
162
156
5
1
3,7
Januar 2010: Beginn der
Feldstudie/Modellsanierung.
Aug. 2010
231
231
5
1
2,6
Fortlaufende Bestandsberatung. MVRichtline des LSZV M-V tritt in Kraft.
Jan. 2011
224
219
2
3
2,2
Wechsel von 6 auf 12 Monate Lebensalter
für Jungtier-Beprobungen.
Sep. 2011
195
186
6
3
4,6
Schlachtung der positiven Teilherde. Fokus
auf MVV-Freiheit negativer Tiere.
Jan. 2012
192
192
0
0
0,0
1. Anerkennungsuntersuchung (AU).
Listeriosenachweis bei einem Lamm.
Aug. 2012
215
215
0
0
0,0
2. AU. Selen/Calcium-Supplementierung
nach Futtermittelanalysen.
Jan. 2013
190
190
0
0
0,0
3. AU. Bereinigung Einzeltierdokumentation
im Herdenprogramm BelExpert.
Apr. 2014
188
187
0
1
0,5
4. AU. Bestandsbesuch mit NRL MVV (FLI).
Ein fragliches Tier gemerzt.
Trächtigkeiten vs. Maedi-Visna-Status
Die zum Zeitpunkt des MV-Sanierungsbeginns im Bestand gehaltenen 249
Muttertiere stammen aus den Geburtsjahren 2001 bis 2010. Betrachtet man den
Anteil von Trächtigkeiten MVV-positiver bzw. -negativer Muttertiere zu
Versuchsbeginn wird deutlich, dass 48,8 % positiver Muttertiere nur einmal lammten,
während der Anteil zwei- und dreifach Lammungen bei negativen Muttertieren mit
51,0 % deutlich überwiegen.
Abb.1: Anteil der Trächtigkeiten in Abhängigkeit vom MV-Status (n=249)
Lämmerverluste vs. Maedi-Visna-Status
Betrachtet man die Mediane der nicht normalverteilten Geburts- und
Lämmerverluste, liegen diese bei positiven Muttertieren deutlich höher. Dieser
Unterschied ist bei den Totgeburten marginal signifikant. Die Streuung der Werte ist
relativ hoch.
Tab. 2: Totgeburten und Lämmerverluste nach MV-Status
Totgeburten
Lämmerverluste
MVV- Status
Parameter
neg
pos
8,3
16,8
Mittelwert
16,8
29,0
n
207
42
121,5
25138,5
142,6
5986,5
Median
mittlerer Rang
Rangsummen
MVV- Status
Parameter
neg
pos
Median
1,3
1,4
Mittelwert
1,4
1,8
n
207
41
122,2
25286,0
136,3
5590,0
mittlerer Rang
Rangsummen
Mann-Whitney-U. Statistik: 3758,0; p-Wert: 0,207
Mann-Whitney-U. Statistik: 3610,5; p-Wert: 0,063
Lämmergewichte vs. Maedi-Visna-Status
Die Lämmergewichte wurden zur Geburt, und, soweit praktikabel, nach etwa 14d
(erste Rauhfutteraufnahme) und beim Absetzen (etwa 90d) erfasst.
Tab. 3: Lämmergewichte nach MV-Muttertierstatus
Gewicht /
Messung
Geburt
14d p.p.
Absetzen
(90d)
deskriptiv
Status
Einfaktorielle Variananalyse
Gruppen- QuadratMin. Max. betrachtung summe
df
Mittel der
Quadrate
F
p-Wert
0,0
1
0,0
,018
,895
innerhalb
263,9
193
1,4
23,5
zwischen
31,9
1
31,9
3,666
,057
8,3
17,6
innerhalb
1490,1
171
8,7
6,8
10,4
47,5
zwischen
15,4
1
15,4
,337
,563
5,4
23,1
34,5
innerhalb
3425,3
75
45,7
n
Mean
SD
neg
180
5,8
1,1
3,2
9,2
zwischen
pos
15
5,8
1,6
3,0
8,3
neg
161
13,5
3,0
8,3
pos
12
11,8
2,9
neg
73
28,7
pos
4
26,7
Betrachtet man die normalverteilten Daten wird deutlich, dass sich die mittleren
Geburtsgewichte der Lämmer beider Muttertiergruppen nicht unterscheiden, die
Lämmergewichte am 14d post partum zwischen MV-positiven und –negativen
Muttertiere jedoch deutlich differieren, was auf MV-induzierte Eutererkrankungen
hinweist. Hier ist der Unterschied marginal signifikant. Auch die Absetzergewichte
sind im Mittel bei MV-negativen Muttertieren höher als bei MV-positiven Tieren,
wobei hier die Zahl verfügbarer Messungen stark eingeschränkt ist.
Zusammenfassung
Die Ergebnisse unserer Feldstudie verdeutlichen den gravierenden Einfluss der
MVV-Infektion auf die Wirtschaftlichkeit im Versuchsbetrieb. Sowohl der Anteil von
Trächtigkeiten als auch die Lämmerverluste sowie die Gewichtsentwicklung der
Lämmer post partum sind mit dem Maedi-Visna-Status der Muttertiere assoziiert. Die
Daten bestätigen die hier nicht aufgeführten wissenschaftlichen Ergebnisse anderer
Autoren.
Vor dem Hintergrund des hohen MVV-Durchseuchungsgrades in den
Schafbeständen des Landes sind diese aufgerufen, die Landesrichtlinie zur
freiwilligen Sanierung von Schafbeständen auf Maedi-Visna und die damit
verbundenen Beihilferegelungen in Anspruch zu nehmen. In diesem Zusammenhang
ist die Notwendigkeit einer Novellierung tierseuchenrechtlicher Bestimmungen
hinsichtlich Maedi-Visna bei Schafen als auch der Caprinen Arthritis-Encephalitis bei
Ziegen, welche derzeit zu Lasten untersuchender Betriebe greifen, zu unterstreichen.
Unser Dank gilt allen beteiligten Eintrichtungen und Kollegen, insbesondere aber
dem Versuchsbetrieb auf Usedom, für die verlässliche Zusammenarbeit.
Dr. Klim Hüttner
Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Lebensmittelsicherheit und Fischerei, ED/TSBD
www.LALLF.de
klim@huettner.vet Abstract Nr. 8
Geschäftsstelle StIKo Vet, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für
Tiergesundheit, Insel Riems, Greifswald
DIE STÄNDIGE IMPFKOMMISSION VETERINÄRMEDIZIN (STIKO VET) AM FLI
M. Bastian
Zusammenfassung
Am 01. Mai 2014 trat das Gesetz zur Vorbeugung vor und Bekämpfung von
Tierseuchen (Tiergesundheitsgesetz – TierGesG) in Kraft. Das Gesetz sieht nach §
27 Absatz 6 die Einrichtung einer Ständigen Impfkommission Veterinärmedizin
(StIKoVet) vor, die weisungsunabhängig Empfehlungen zur Durchführung von
Impfungen abgeben soll. Die Einzelheiten regelt die am 5.5.2015 in Kraft getretene
Verordnung über die Ständige Impfkommission Veterinärmedizin (StIKoVetV).
In Zusammensetzung und Aufgabenbereich lehnt sich die StIkoVet an die am
Robert Koch- Institut etablierte Ständige Impfkommission im Bereich der
Humanmedizin an. Die Kommission besteht aus acht Mitgliedern und deren
Stellvertretern, die jeweils für eines der Fachgebiete Pferd, Hund, Katze, Rind, kleine
Wiederkäuer, Schwein, Geflügel und Fische nominiert wurden. Prof. M. Ganter
vertritt in der Kommission den Fachbereich kleine Wiederkäuer, vertreten wird er
durch Herrn Dr. J. Böttcher vom Tiergesundheitsdienst Bayern. Organisatorisch wird
die StIKoVet von einer Geschäftsstelle, die am FLI auf der Insel Riems beheimatet
ist, betreut. Unterstützt wird sie ferner durch Arbeitskreise, in die weitere Experten
aus dem jeweiligen Feld hinzugezogen werden. Die Mitglieder der StIKoVet wurden
vom FLI im Einvernehmen mit dem Bundesministerium für die Dauer von drei Jahren
berufen. Die Kommission trat am 1.Dezember 2015 zu ihrer konstituierenden Sitzung
zusammen und hat mit den ersten Arbeitskreissitzungen im Rahmen des Leipziger
Tierärztekongresses ihre inhaltliche Arbeit aufgenommen. Die bestehenden
Impfleitlinien zu Pferden und Kleintieren, die von der zuvor noch im Bundesverband
praktizierender Tierärzte (BpT) angesiedelten Impfkommission erarbeitet wurden,
wurden im Einvernehmen mit dem BpT übernommen und werden derzeit von den
Arbeitskreisen der StIKo Vet am FLI überarbeitet. Vor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen
BTV-Situation wurde am 2.2.2016 eine erste Impfempfehlung für Nutztiere
veröffentlicht. In dieser BTV-Impfempfehlung sprach sich die Kommission für eine
flächendeckende Pflichtimpfung aller empfänglichen Nutzwiederkäuer aus. Obwohl
eine derartige verpflichtende Impfung zumindest in absehbarer Zeit nicht eingeführt
werden wird, hat doch das zusammen mit Bayern und Rheinland-Pfalz am
unmittelbarsten betroffene Bundesland, Baden-Württemberg, im Sinne der
Impfempfehlung ein freiwilliges, vom Land und der Tierseuchenkasse kofinanziertes
Impfprogramm aufgelegt. Neben dieser ersten Impfempfehlung wurden bereits
verschiedene Stellungnahmen zu aktuellen Fragen der Impfung von Pferden und
kleinen Haustieren veröffentlicht. Es ist geplant gegen Ende 2016 Impfleitlinien für
Rinder und kleine Wiederkäuer herauszugeben. Durch den Vortrag soll die StIKo Vet
als Institution vorgestellt werden. Tierärzte sowie interessierte Tierhalter sollen
ermutigt werden, sich mit Fragen oder Vorschlägen die Impfung von Tieren
betreffend an die Kommission zu wenden.
Abstract
Since December 2015 there is a Standing Committee on Veterinary Vaccines
affiliated to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, the Federal Research Institute for Animal
Health. The mandate of the Committee is to issue guidelines on the use of veterinary
vaccines and to give advice to animal owners, veterinarians and veterinary
authorities to all questions concerning veterinary vaccines. The Committee consists
of eight members each representing one particular field of expertise and eight
respective deputy members. Prof. M.Ganter of the Tierärztliche Hochschule
Hannover is the expert for small ruminants. In a first guideline on Bluetongue mass
vaccination, published in February 2016, the Committee recommended to initiate a
mandatory vaccination program to protect susceptible livestock ruminants and to
prevent a new BTV-epidemic, caused by BTV serotype 4 or 8 prevailing in Austria
and Central France, resp. Not all federal states immediately responded to the
recommendation. However, in line with the arguments of the guideline the federal
state of Baden-Württemberg, where the current BTV-8 serotype is most likely to
occur first, has stockpiled doses of BTV-4 and 8 vaccines and will financially support
the voluntary vaccination of cattle, sheep and goats.
In addition to this first guideline a number of statements concerning companion
animals and horses were published. It is planned to compile a compendium on
vaccination of livestock ruminants by the end of year 2016. The presentation will
introduce the Committee, it’s mandate and mission and will encourage veterinarians
and interested animal owners to ask questions and bring forward their matters
concerning veterinary vaccines.
Dr. med vet Max Bastian
Leiter Geschäftsstelle StIKo Vet
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut
Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit
Südufer 10 | 17489 Greifswald - Insel Riems
Tel: 03835171026
E-mail: Max.Bastian@fli.bund.de
Abstract Nr. 9
Tiergesundheitsdienst Landwirtschaftskammer NRW
VOLUNTARY CONTROL PROGRAM OF CAEOUS LYMPHADENITIS
IN NORTH-RHINE-WESTPHALIA
C. Koch
Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) is one of the most important bacterial infections in
goats. It is characterized by abscess formation in the peripheral lymph nodes and in
lymph nodes of the inner organs, as lung, uterus etc. CLA is an economically
important zoonotic disease of small ruminants world-wide. Once established, it is
hard to eradicate, because there is no efficient therapy and the detection of all
infected goats is also difficult.
As there are several control programs in different Federal States in Germany as
well as in Austria and Switzerland, North-Rhine-Westphalia is also starting to control
the disease.
In some points, these programs are similar. E.g. clinical examination of the goats
is one important aspect. It has to be tested if there are palpable swellings of external
lymph nodes, especially the ln. cervicalis superficialis, ln. mandibularis, Ln. inguinalis
superficialis, ln. popliteus, ln. parotideus and ln. retropharyngeus. Additionally, goats
without palpable swelling are tested serologically. Animals without palpable swelling
and with a negative serological result are considered as unsuspicousof CLA and
have to be put into a clean and freshly disinfected stable and either milked in a
second milking parlour or before the positive group. After each milking session, the
parlour has to be disinfected.
The procedure in NRW is presented and the difficulties in different barns are
discussed. Furthermore, all programs will be compared and the serologic test method
described.
References
1. Dorella et al. (2006): Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis: microbiology,
biochemical properties, pathogenesis and molecular studies of virulence
2. Dercksen et al. (2000): A comparison of four serological tests for the diagnosis
of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep and goats
Dr. Cordula Koch
Tiergesundheitsdienst NRW
Siebengebirgsstr. 200
53229 Bonn
Tel: 0228-7032322
Fax: 0228-703192322
E-Mail: Cordula.Koch@lwk.nrw.de
Abstract Nr. 10
Klinik für kleine Klauentiere und Forensische Medizin und Ambulatorische Klinik
Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
PSEUDOTUBERKULOSE –
ERFAHRUNGEN MIT BESTANDSSPEZIFISCHEN IMPFSTOFFEN
P.C. Tegtmeyer, M. Ganter
Die Pseudotuberkulose ist in Deutschland insbesondere in Milchschaf- und
Ziegenherden verbreitet. Weltweit verursacht die Erkrankung hohe wirtschaftliche
Verluste.
In Mitteleuropa ist in erster Linie eine Infektion der Unterhautlymphknoten zu
beobachten. In der Herde stecken sich Tiere vor allem mit Eiter aus aufgebrochenen
Abszessen an.
Bei hohen Herdenprävalenzen kann sich die Pseudotuberkulose zu einem
Bestandsproblem entwickeln. Besonders in milcherzeugenden Betrieben kommt
neben einem Rückgang der Milchleistung ein Hygieneproblem hinzu. Da es sich um
eine Zoonose handelt, wird bei hochgradig infizierten Beständen vereinzelt die
Milchabgabe und Verarbeitung von den Überwachungsbehörden verboten.
Zur Bekämpfung der Pseudotuberkulose bieten sich drei Methoden an.
1. Das Merzen von klinisch kranken und serologisch positiven Tieren
2. die mutterlose Aufzucht und
3. die Impfung mit bestandsspezifischen oder kommerziellen Vakzinen.
In der letzten Zeit werden Sanierungsverfahren mittels Reagentenmerzung in
mehreren Ländern Europas vorangetrieben. Allerdings eignen sich diese Verfahren
nicht für hochgradig infizierte Herden. Zertifiziert Pseudotuberkulose freie Tiere für
einen Neuaufbau stehen nicht immer in ausreichender Zahl zur Verfügung.
Für Herden mit hoher Prävalenz kann eine Impfung gegen die Pseudotuberkulose
eine (vorübergehende) Alternative zur Merzung und Sanierung darstellen.
Kommerzielle Vakzinen stehen derzeit in Deutschland nicht zur Verfügung. Es
müssen bestandsspezifische Impfstoffe eingesetzt werden. Die Impfstoffe bieten
keinen vollständigen Schutz gegenüber der Erkrankung sondern sollen die
Verbreitung und Ausprägung der Krankheit reduzieren. Der Erfolg der
Pseudotuberkulose – Impfung wird kontrovers diskutiert. In Frage gestellt werden
muss aber ob die Tiere ordnungsgemäß geimpft wurden. Antikörpertiter sinken
bereits drei Monate nach der Impfung ab [1] Kurze Impfintervalle scheinen daher
notwendig. In Südafrika werden z.B. bestandsspezifische Pseudo-Tbc-Impfstoffe alle
drei Monate verimpft (mündl. Mitt. 2009).
In diesem Vortrag soll der langjährige Einsatz (2007 – 2016) einer bestandsspezifischen Vakzine in einem Melkbetrieb im Rahmen einer Feldstudie beschrieben
werden.
Material und Methoden
Die Feldstudie wurde in einer mit Pseudotuberkulose infizierten Herde mit 60
Milchziegen und 35 Milchschafen durchgeführt. Die beiden Tierarten wurden auf der
Weide gemeinsam und im Winterhalbjahr im Stall getrennt gehalten. Zu Beginn der
Untersuchung 2007 wurde mittels Lymphknotenpalpation in der Ziegenherde eine
Herdenprävalenz von 43,2 % und in der Schafherde eine Herdenprävalenz von 40,5
% ermittelt. Aufgrund dieser hohen Durchseuchung wurde auf eine serologische
Untersuchung verzichtet. Ein Austausch der CAE- und Maedivirus unverdächtigen
Herde und eine mutterlose Aufzucht der Lämmer waren für den Betrieb aus
finanziellen und organisatorischen Gründen nicht durchführbar. Vor der ersten
Impfung wurden Tiere mit multiplen Abszessen und offenen Abszessen aus der
Herde genommen und die Herdenprävalenz auf 28,8% in der Ziegenherde und 16,2
% bei den Schafen gesenkt. Die Tiere wurden durch zweimalige Impfung
grundimmunisiert und zunächst jährlich nachgeimpft. Ab 2009 wurde das
Impfintervall 6 Monate verkürzt und die Grundimmunisierung der Lämmer optimiert.
Parallel zur Impfung wurde die Prävalenz der Lymphknotenveränderungen durch
Palpation ermittelt. Im laufenden Betrieb wurden aus verschiedenen Gründen
(Remontierung, Krankheit, Zuchtselektion) Tiere geschlachtet.
Ergebnisse
In der Ziegenherde lag die Herdenprävalenz klinisch erkrankter Tiere in den
Jahren 2007 bis 2014 zwischen 5,9 % und 21,9 %. In den Jahren 2014 bis 2016
sank sie von 14,8 % auf 5,6 %. Die Neuinfektionsrate schwankte zwischen null und
10,2 %. In den letzten 12 Monaten konnten keine neu infizierten Tiere mehr
diagnostiziert werden.
In der Schafherde lag die Prävalenz in den Jahren 2007 bis 2014 zwischen 2,4 %
und 21,6 %. Seit 2014 liegt sie unter 10,2 %, 2016 bei 2,4%. Die Neuinfektionsrate
schwankte zwischen null und 21,1 %. In den letzten 12 Monaten lag sie zwischen
null und 6,5 %.
Diskussion
Die Lymphknotenpalpation weist eine hohe Unsicherheit auf. Insbesondere die
Befunderhebung der Euterlymphknoten wird durch die Differentialdiagnose Mastitis
erschwert. Hinzu kommen Impfabszesse, sowohl durch den stallspezifischen
Pseudo-Tbc-Impfstoff wie auch durch andere Vakzinen und Hornverletzungen.
Als Erfolg der Impfung kann gewertet werden, dass seit Jahren keine typischen
zwiebelschalenartig geschichteten Abszesse mehr vorkommen und keine Abszesse
aufgehen. Vielmehr werden kleinere, aber sehr derbe Lymphknoten detektiert. Es
gibt Tiere, bei denen sich Lymphknoten nach einer Impfung zurückentwickeln.
Andere Tiere bleiben langjährig infiziert.
Auch wenn über die Darstellung der Prävalenz und Neuinfektionen nur eine
langsame Verringerung der Pseudotuberkulose Infektionen beschreiben werden
kann, ist die subjektive Einschätzung der Herdengesundheit positiv. Es bleibt zu
hoffen, dass sich nach erfolgter mehrjähriger Impfung die Infektionsraten auf
niedrigem Niveau stabilisieren Besondere Hoffnung wird in die neuen Generationen
gewissenhaft geimpfter Zutreter gesetzt.
Zuletzt sei noch darauf hingewiesen, dass in Ziegenherdbuchbetrieben mehrerer
Bundesländer Sanierungsprogramme mittels serologischer Untersuchungen
gefördert werden. Geimpfte Herden/Tiere können nicht daran teilnehmen.
Dr. Philip Christian Tegtmeyer
Klinik für kleine Klauentiere und Forensische Medizin und Ambulatorische Klinik,
Bischofsholer Damm 15
30173 Hannover
E-Mail: ptegtmey@tiho-hannover.de
Abstract Nr. 11
Friedrich Loeffler Institut, Insel Riems
Bundesforschungsanstalt für Tiergesundheit
Abteilung für experimentelle Tierhaltung und Biosicherheit (ATB)
FRIEDRICH LOEFFLER INSTITUT, INSEL RIEMS
BUNDESFORSCHUNGSANSTALT FÜR TIERGESUNDHEIT,
AUS DER PERSPEKTIVE EINER BESTANDSBETREUENDEN TIERÄRZTIN
C. Schröder
Geschichte
Der Anlass der Gründung eines der weltweit ersten virologischen Institute auf der
Insel Riems war die Infektionsproblematik mit Maul- und Klauenseuche. Im Auftrag
von Kultusministerium und Landwirtschaftsministerium wurde 1897 eine Kommission
zur Erforschung von MKS gegründet. Die Leitung der Kommission übernahm Prof.
F.Loeffler. Loeffler und seine Mitarbeiter P. Frosch und W. Schütz begründeten somit
1898 eine neue Forschungsrichtung, die Virologie.
Die Forschungsarbeit wurde zu dem Zeitpunkt vom Berliner Institut für
Infektionskrankheiten an das Hygiene Institut in Greifswald verlagert. Doch gehäufte
MKS Ausbrüche in der Gegend veranlassten die Verantwortlichen nach einer
isolierteren Institutslage zu suchen. Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts fiel die
Entscheidung zugunsten der Insel Riems. Die Insel ging in den Pachtbesitz des
Preußischen Staates über. Mit 12 Rindern und 12 Schweinen sowie dazugehörenden
Räumlichkeiten für Schlachtung und Verbrennung der Tiere konnte Loeffler 1911 die
Fertigstellung der ersten 75 Liter Schutzserum gegen MKS ermöglichen.
Unter der Leitung von Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Waldmann von 1919-1948
entwickelte sich die Infrastruktur der Insel weiter. Unter Waldmanns Leitung wurde
die Übertragbarkeit des MKS-Virus auf das Meerschweinchen etabliert. Die
Forschung zu einer Mehrzahl weiterer viraler Erkrankungen konnte in diesem
Zeitraum eingerichtet werden.
Von 1948 bis 1970 war Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Röhrer Präsident. Während seiner
Dienstzeit begann die Herstellung von Kristallviolettvakzine gegen die Schweinepest
und MKS-Vakzine auf Zellkulturbasis.
Aufteilung der Institute
Das Friedrich-Loeffler Institut ist eine selbständige Bundesbehörde im
Geschäftsbereich des Bundesministeriums für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft.
Tätigkeitsschwerpunkte liegen im Bereich von Gesundheit und Wohlbefinden
Lebensmittel liefernder Tiere von der Honigbiene bis zum Rind und im Schutz des
Menschen vor Zoonosen. Das FLI setzt sich aus 11 Instituten an den 5 Standorten
Riems, Jena, Celle, Mariensee und Braunschweig zusammen. Die
Zuständigkeitsbereiche für Infektionskrankheiten sind auf Riems und in Jena
stationiert. Die Arbeitsbereiche für Tierschutz und Tierhaltung sind dem FLI-Celle
zuzuordnen und die Forschung zur Nutztiergenetik obliegt dem FLI-Mariensee.
Federführend für die Fachrichtung Tierernährung ist das FLI-Braunschweig.
Forschungsschwerpunkte
Die Forschungsschwerpunkte auf Riems finden sich im Bereich der klassischen
Tierseuchen wie Maul-und Klauenseuche, Geflügelpest und klassischer
Schweinepest. Ferner wird an Zoonosen wie Hantaviren, Riftalfieber, Tollwut und
„Vogelgrippe“ geforscht. Weitere fokussierte Arbeitsbereiche sind die „Emerging
Infections“, BSE, Blauzungenkrankheit, Schmallenberg, Afrikanische Schweinepest
und Westnil-Fieber. Auch die Infektionsarbeiten mit aquatischen Organismen
(Fischen, Muscheln) und mit Virusvektoren (Arthropoden) sind an dieser Stelle zu
erwähnen.
Das FLI hat die Funktion als Nationales Referenzlabor für über 75
anzeigepflichtige und meldepflichtige Tierseuchen, gut 40 davon sind auf Riems
angesiedelt.
Kontakte bestehen zwischen dem FLI und unterschiedlichen internationalen
Organisationen, wie der OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health), WHO (World
Health Organisation) und FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation) beispielsweise im
Zusammenhang mit Aviärer Influenza, Bovinen Herpesvirus 1 Infektionen,
Brucellose, Psittakose/Chlamydiose, Newcastle Disease, Rotz, Tollwut und
Klassischer Schweinepest.
Neubau
Die Grundsteinlegung des Neubaus fand im Oktober 2008 statt. Die ersten Labore
konnten Ende 2011 bezogen werden. Die Baumaßnahmen wurden komplett mit dem
neuen Karree und der Sanierung des Hauptgebäudes 2013 abgeschlossen. Sowohl
Stallungen als auch Labore sind in unterschiedliche Infektionsbereiche von L2/S2 bis
zu L4/S4 laut Biostoffverordnung eingeteilt.
Tierbestand auf Riems
Als verantwortliche Tierärztin für die Versuchstierhaltung ist man gewissermaßen
als bestandsbetreuende Tierärztin tätig. Wesentliche Aufgaben sind die Versuche in
den jeweiligen Infektionsbereichen einzuteilen, die Versuche ganz zu betreuen oder
nur punktuelle unterstützende Maßnahmen. Reine kurative Aufgaben wie
Geburtshilfen, Kastrationen, Wundversorgungen und Gesundheitschecks gehören
auch zum Arbeitsalltag.
Auf Riems werden momentan insgesamt ca. 10500 Tiere gehalten. Im Tierbestand
außerhalb des Infektionsbereiches gibt es zurzeit 6184 Tiere. Es ist eine vielfältige
Mischung unterschiedlicher Spezies, die zur Zucht, als Blutspender und für
Immunisierungen eingesetzt werden. Die Mehrzahl davon sind Mäuse und Fische.
Die kleinste Gruppe stellen unsere zwei Warzenschweine dar. Momentan stehen ca.
140 Tiere in Immunisierungsversuchen. Den Hauptanteil davon machen Mäuse,
Kaninchen und Frettchen aus.
Im Infektionsbereich waren 2015 insgesamt 6229 Tiere aufgestallt. In diesem Jahr
(Stand April) lag die Gesamtzahl Tiere bei 4260. Dabei stellen die Mäuse und die
Fische den größten Anteil dar. Eine hohe Anzahl an Hühnern und Kaninchen ist
ebenso vorhanden.
Dr. Charlotte Schröder
ATB
Friederich Löffler Institut
Südufer 10
17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems
E-Mail: charlotte.schroeder@fli.bund.de
Tel: +49-38351-7-1125
Fax: +49-38351-7-1524
Abstract Nr. 12
Clinic for Ruminants, LMU Munich, Germany
PRODUCTIVITY AND LAMB LOSSES ON COMMERCIAL SHEEP FARMS
IN SOUTHERN GERMANY
S. Frohnmayer, H. Strobel, C. Sauter-Louis, H. Zerbe, K. Voigt
Abstract
The aim of this study was to gather detailed data on flock performance, lambing
percentage, ewe and lamb losses and the causes of ewe and lamb deaths on
seventeen commercial sheep farms in Southern Germany. Over a twelve month
period the number of live and stillborn lambs were recorded by the farmers, as well
as the number lamb or ewe that deaths, the suspected causes of death, the
observed clinical symptoms and the number of abortions. The seventeen sheep
farms achieved an average lambing rate of 1.3 (live or stillborn) lambs per lambed
ewe (n=11,032 lambings). The percentage of stillborn lambs (not including abortions)
varied between 2.7 and 16.3% of the lambs born at full term (n=14,918 lambs). There
was a great variation between the farms in the percentage of lamb losses (live born
lambs that later died) until the end of the rearing period. The lamb losses of live born
lambs ranged from 0.8 to 40.1% with an average of 13.5%. An average of 1.1 (0.71.4) lambs were raised per lambed ewe. With 52%, perinatal deaths accounted for
the majority of lamb losses (n=2,589 dead lambs); 22% of deaths occurred between
the second and 14th day of life, 21% between the 15th day of life and weaning and
only 5% between weaning and the sale. Stillbirth was the predominant reason for
lamb losses (45%), 16% were classified as unknown cause of death, while 13% were
attributed to infectious diseases and 8% to maternal factors. The results of this study
close an important gap concerning the availability of benchmarking data for Southern
German sheep flocks used for conservation grazing and landscape preservation and
highlight the importance of veterinary involvement.
Dr. Katja Voigt
Clinic for Ruminants
LMU Munich
Sonnenstr. 16
85764 Oberschleissheim
Germany
Phone: +49 89 2180 78800
Fax: +49 89 2180 78851
E-mail: katja.voigt@lmu.de
Abstract Nr. 13
1
Thuringian Animal Diseases Fund, Jena
2
Friedrich-Loeffler Institute, Jena
3
Thuringian State Authority for Consumer Protection, Bad Langensalza
Q FEVER – VACCINATION AND SURVEILLANCE IN THURINGIA
U. Moog1, K. Henning2, S. Horner3
In 2005 more than 300 people living on the outskirts of Jena (Thuringia, around
100.000 inhabitants) became ill with Q fever during a 7-weeks outbreak. Because at
this time no phase-1 vaccine was available and no further human infections occurred
in the aftermath, no other immune-prophylactic or therapeutic measures were
conducted in the causing sheep stock - except the hygiene plan for a Q fever case
recommended by the Robert-Koch-Institute.
After the Dutch Q fever outbreaks, which occurred from 2005 to 2010, and the
resulting killing of over 50,000 pregnant animals and also because of the 17 human
outbreaks in Jena in 2009, a Q fever screening has been established in Thuringia,
Germany. This flock-screening was carried out in 2010 and 2011 by the animal
health service in collaboration with the Thuringian State Office for consumer
protection (TLV) and the Friedrich-Loeffler Institute (FLI). Blood samples taken in the
context of the brucellosis screening according to Directive 91/68/EEC were
additionally investigated for Q fever antibodies by the TLV. As it was shown in a
study of the FLI, the estimated antibody and antigen prevalence of C. burnetii (10%
and 25%, respectively) was assessed at flock level in 39/252 randomly selected
clinically healthy sheep flocks with more than 100 ewes and unknown abortion rate.
Results: The CHECKIT™ Q-fever Test Kit identified 11 (28%) antibody (Ab)
positive herds, whereas real-time PCR revealed the presence of C. burnetii DNA in 2
(5%) of the flocks. Multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeats analysis of 9
isolates obtained from one flock revealed identical profiles. All isolates contained the
plasmid QpH1. Figures 1 and 2 show the results of investigations carried out by the
TLV.
Fig. 1 and 2: Evaluation of 9.048 blood samples from sheep and goats of 127 Thuringian flocks in 23
districts for the presence of C. burnetii antibodies in 2010 and 2011
Tab. 1: The same samples like in Fig. 1 and 2 but ordered by flock size (* significant greater number
of pos./susp. findings compared with the other groups)
This screening has identified only few Q fever positive flocks. Out of these positive
herds two goat, two sheep and a mixed flock due to the number of positive findings,
the type of production and the loading state variable as stocks were characterized
with an increased risk of Q fever outbreak. In these 5 risky farms, vaccination of the
entire reproductive animal stock, the dimmers and young female goats with the
vaccine Coxevac®, phase 1, from CEVA Santé animale was performed from 2011 to
2013. Since 2014 only the dimmers and young female goats were vaccinated. The
sheep health service is tasked with the implementation of the vaccination. Diagnostic
monitoring is carried out by the FLI in a field study, the sheep health support through
sampling and data collection and accompanies physicians of the University Hospital
from a human perspective. The vaccination and also the field study will continue until
the end of 2016.
Between July 2011 and December 2013 the sheep and goats in 3 of 5 risky farms
were sampled regularly with 2716 vaginal swabs and about 5% of the afterbirth.
Vaginal swab sample were taken from a different person at the moment prior to the
vaccination in order to prevent contamination of the sample with Coxevac®.
Investigations on the results of vaccinating with Coxevac® in this 3 different Flocks
showed that this measure was able to reduce the amount of the infectious agent C.
burnetii in vaginal mucus and afterbirth like in other investigations described
(HOGERWERF et al. 2011).
Dr. Udo Moog
Thuringian animal diseases Fund
Victor-Goerttler-Str. 4
07745 Jena
Germany
E-mail: umoog@thueringertierseuchenkasse.de
Abstract Nr. 14
1
2
Bavarian Animal Health Service, Germany
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants,
Germany
SUSPECTED PULMONARY ADENOMATOSIS IN GOATS
B. Bauer1, E. Kappe1, M. Ganter2
Pulmonary Adenomatosis, caused by jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV), has
been frequently reported in sheep flocks. However the disease is less common in
goats. In a flock consisting of 120 dairy goats, five animals showed prolonged weight
loss and dyspnea. All affected animals were older than five years. The farmer
reported no contact to any sheep since the farm existing. Because of the infaust
prognosis two animals were euthanised and necropsy were conducted. In both
animals, the lungs failed to collapse and were enlarged, heavy and oedematous.
Consolidated diffuse foci were within all lung lobes. Affected areas appeared darker
(reddish/greyish) than adjacent normal tissue. Histological examination revealed
extensive neoplastic foci that emanate from the alveolar and bronchiolar epithelia.
The cells were cuboidal to columnar with cytoplasmic vacuolation. Large number of
macrophages infiltrated alveolar spaces around neoplasms accompanied by
neutrophils. A PCR was implemented with negative result. Differential diagnosis of
pulmonary adenomatosis and wasting diseases in goats will be discussed.
Dr. Benjamin Bauer
Naglerstrasse 50
91522 Ansbach
Mobil: + 49 (0) 163 – 34 60 217
Fax: + 49 (0) 9 81 – 9 72 01 29
E-mail: Benjamin.Bauer@tgd-bayern.de
Abstract Nr. 15
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
PREVALENCE OF OVINE PULMONARY ADENOCARCINOMA DETERMINED
ULTRASONOGRAPHICALLY IN SEVEN SHEEP FLOCKS
C. Cousens, M. Dagleish, P. R. Scott
Objectives
The objective of the present study was to document the prevalence of ovine
pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) in seven flocks with a history of this disease. OPA
was suspected on trans-thoracic ultrasonography as previously described (Cousens
and Scott, 2015) and confirmed at necropsy.
Introduction
Currently, small ruminant practitioners can offer farmers no proven OPA disease
control measures because there is no commercially available diagnostic test to
identify infected sheep. OPA cannot be reliably diagnosed on auscultation of
adventitious sounds (Cousens et al., 2008); and early cases and approximately one
third of advanced clinical cases produce no free fluid when the hindquarters are
raised (“wheelbarrow test”). The present study employed high-throughput transthoracic ultrasound examination of both sides of the chest using a 6.5 MHz
microconvex probe connected to a real-time, B-mode ultrasound machine to detect
OPA lesions in seven commercial flocks.
Materials and Methods
Adult sheep from seven flocks (total 5164 sheep) with a history of laboratoryconfirmed OPA, and where farmers perceived a high prevalence of disease, were
recruited for the study. The ultrasonographic diagnosis of OPA was based upon
previous reports (Scott and Gessart, 1998; Cousens and Scott, 2015). Fifty to 80
sheep were examined per hour. Video recordings of all lung and pleural lesions were
captured using Elgato software. To expedite elimination of all potential OPA-infected
sheep, all well-defined hypoechoic lesions >2 cm involving the visceral pleural in the
ventral lung field were considered to be OPA. Well-encapsulated lung and pleural
abscesses were identified by their spherical appearance and anechoic capsule with
acoustic enhancement of the distal lung surface. Eighty sheep with an ultrasound
diagnosis of OPA were culled and necropsied and 28 sheep, which had no identified
lesions by ultrasound were also culled. Necropsy findings were confirmed by
histopathology.
Results
Ninety sheep were diagnosed positive for OPA by ultrasound; 80 were available
for necropsy and OPA was confirmed in 61 cases. Prevalence estimates for the
individual flocks from ultrasound scanning, taking into account the test specificity,
ranged from no cases to 4%. OPA lesions varied from 2 cm to occupying more than
80% of lung tissue.
Discussion
This is the first report using trans-thoracic ultrasonography to determine the
prevalence of OPA in adult sheep in commercial sheep flocks. While all participating
farmers perceived a high prevalence of OPA in their flocks only two of seven flocks
had a prevalence greater than 2%. Note that this figure represents prevalence of
detectable tumour and not annual incidence of clinical disease which could be higher
or lower depending upon the rate of tumour growth which is currently not known.
Furthermore, OPA lesions may predispose to secondary bacterial pneumonias and
sudden death.
While 37 per cent of flocks in Scotland tested positive for JSRV (Griffiths and
others 2009) only 43-80 OPA necropsy diagnoses were recorded annually in years
2007-2014 from the entire UK national flock comprising more than 14 million adult
sheep (VIDA, 2015). An observational study at a fallen stock collection centre in the
UK reported six OPA cases over 12 months (Lovatt and Strugnell, 2013). By
comparison, 61 OPA cases were confirmed from 5,164 adult sheep in seven flocks at
the initial screening in the present study albeit these farms were recruited because
the farmers perceived a serious OPA flock problem. Nonetheless, the importance of
OPA is likely to be greatly underestimated in the UK.
The rapid examination of 50-80 sheep per hour cost the farmer approximately £1
(1.20 euros) per sheep. If OPA-affected sheep are detected before significant weight
loss and can be sold for slaughter at around £40 per head, and avoid a disposal fee
of ca. £12 per head, a prevalence rate of around 1.5% would cover the cost of whole
flock veterinary examination.
References
1. COUSENS, C., GRAHAM, M., SALES J., & DAGLEISH, M. (2008): Evaluation
of the efficacy of clinical diagnosis of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma
(Jaagsiekte). The Veterinary Record 162, 88-90
2. COUSENS, C., SCOTT P.R. (2015): Assessment of trans-thoracic ultrasound
diagnosis of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in adult sheep. Veterinary
Record.
3. LOVATT, F., STRUGNELL, B. (2013): An observational study involving ewe
postmortem examination at a fallen stock collection centre to inform flock
health interventions. Veterinary Record, 172, 504-504.
4. SCOTT, P.R. GESSART, M.E. (1998): Ultrasonographic examination of the
ovine thorax. The Veterinary Journal 155, 305-10.
5. VIDA (2015)
www.gov.uk/government/uploads/systems/attachment_data/file/458617/vida14
-sheep.pdf (accessed 1 February 2016).
Moredun Research Institute
Pentlands Science Park
Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
Capital Veterinary Services
West Latchfields
Haddington, Scotland EH41 4JN
E-mail: Philip.r.Scott@ed.ac.uk
Telephone +44 1620 810527
Abstract Nr. 16
Capital Veterinary Services, Edinburgh, Scotland
PREVALENCE, ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS, AND OUTCOME
OF FIBRINOUS PLEURISY IN SHEEP
P. R. Scott, C. Cousens
Objectives
The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, clinical significance,
and where possible, progression of fibrinous pleurisy lesions in weaned lambs and
adult sheep following initial trans-thoracic ultrasonographic diagnosis.
Introduction
A research project involving whole flock trans-thoracic ultrasound screening for
pulmonary adenocarcinoma also identified 11 sheep with fibrinous pleurisy. Where
appropriate, sheep were treated with antibiotics and monitored; sheep with
extensive/unresponsive lesions were killed for animal welfare reasons.
Materials and Methods
All adult sheep in five flocks (comprising 302, 493, 643, 850 and 2,067 ewes and
rams) were screened for ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) using a 6.5 MHz
microconvex probe connected to a real-time, B-mode ultrasound machine (Cousens
and Scott, 2015) during autumn/winter 2015/16. Sheep were also examined for
lesions of fibrinous pleurisy as previously described (Scott and Gessart, 1998; Scott
et al., 2013). Seventy weaned ram lambs from the largest flock were also included in
the study. Sixty five adult sheep presented to the University of Edinburgh Veterinary
School’s Farm Animal Hospital (FAH) over a two years’ period 2013-5, where the
cause of illness was not readily established, were also scanned for lesions of the
lungs/pleurae. Video recordings were captured using Elgato software.
Results
In mild cases pleurisy was identified as a 5-20 mm anaechoic layer occupying the
pleural space with acoustic enhancement of the visceral pleura with the lung surface
appearing as a broader hyperechoic line than normal (Table 1; cases 1-4, 8). In
moderate/severe cases, exudate occupying the pleural space appeared as a
hyperechoic matrix within anaechoic fluid with fibrin strands extending to 5-15 mm
thick.
Three sheep (cases 9-11) presented at FAH were diagnosed with unilateral
fibrinous pleurisy had a history of chronic weight loss (2 sheep) while one ewe
presented with an increased respiratory rate, abdominal breathing and weight loss.
Auscultation in advanced unilateral cases of fibrinous pleurisy revealed no normal
breath sounds and greatly reduced heart sounds on the affected side of the chest
with increased wheezes and louder heart sounds on the unaffected side. No pleuritic
rubs were heard in any sheep. None of the sheep with fibrinous pleurisy showed
signs of acute illness; one sheep (case 5) had lost weight over the previous three
months.
Procaine penicillin administered daily for four weeks to five sheep coincided with
rapid resolution of lesions within two weeks except for two cases where the pleurisy
extended to 6-15 cm and appeared well encapsulated at first examination. Penicillin
was selected based upon an earlier report of fibrinous pleurisy caused by
Streptococcus dysgalactiae (Scott, 2000). The extensive fibrinous exudate extending
>10 cm in one recovered sheep (case 8) appeared as a discrete 4 cm spherical
hypoechoic area when re-scanned two weeks after treatment commenced and this
lesion could not be differentiated ultrasonographically from an abscess.
Table 1
1
8577
Age
7 months
2
9395
7 months
3
9397
7 months
4
1043
7 months
5
4432
5 years
M
6
A01
4 years
F
7
A02
4
F
08 1865
4 years
F
9
TH01
1.5
M
10 EB01
1.5
F
Unilateral pleurisy to 1517 cm.
11 MS01
2.5
F
Unilateral pleurisy 3-4
cm
Sex Lesion
M
mm. OPA
M
Bilateral pleurisy 10-15
mm. Ventral
consolidation.
mm. Ventral
consolidation.
M
mm.
Pleurisy and pericarditis
to 15-17 cm.
cm. Collapsed lung.
cm. Chronic mastitis.
mm. Abscess
Unilateral pleurisy to 810 cm.
Outcome
Sold for slaughter.
Euthanased suspected
concurrent OPA.
Euthanased suspected
concurrent OPA
Extended course of penicillin.
No lesion detected 6 weeks
later.
Euthanased because of
hopeless prognosis
Euthanased. Negative control
in OPA study.
Treated with penicillin. Lesion
developed to 11 cm diameter
abscess.
No treatment.
Treated with penicillin.
Resolved to 4 cm diameter
lesion.
Treated with penicillin but
lesion did not change.
Euthanased.
Pleurisy resolved with penicillin
treatment.
Discussion
This is the first report detailing the prevalence and clinical significance of fibrinous
pleurisy in sheep diagnosed using trans-thoracic ultrasonography. None of the sheep
showed signs of acute respiratory disease despite the fibrinous exudate extending to
10-15 cm in three cases. The fibrinous pleurisy diagnosed in the four ram lambs
(cases 1-4), and confirmed at necropsy in two cases, appeared similar to pathology
textbook descriptions of disease caused by Pasteurellae spp. The efficacy of
antibiotic therapy could not be assessed because no animals were left untreated but
the resolution of extensive fibrinous exudate in three sheep would suggest some
beneficial effect in early cases. Samples for bacteriology will be taken in future
studies although these would probably be limited to necropsy samples because
ultrasound-guided thoracocentesis had proven unsuccessful in earlier studies. The
discrete spherical hypoechoic area in the pleural space observed two weeks after
initial diagnosis and start of treatment (case 9) could not be differentiated
ultrasonographically from an abscess. Such partial resolution of fibrinous exudate
within the pleural space may be one cause of pleural abscess(es) in sheep.
In some sheep, fibrinous pleurisy may be a coincidental finding at necropsy and
should not be interpreted as indicative of clinically significant respiratory disease.
This observation is supported by the extent of the pleurisy (10-15 cm) and in case 6
where the chronicity of the fibrinous pleurisy had resulted in collapse of the lung and
the capsule surrounding the exudate was 10 mm thick. Sheep with fibrinous pleurisy
should be carefully examined for concurrent OPA infection. Trans-thoracic
ultrasonography need take only 1-2 minutes per case, involves no skin preparation,
and provides the small ruminant practitioner with an immediate accurate diagnosis
which guides treatment and a more accurate prognosis.
References
1. SCOTT, P.R. GESSART, M.E. (1998):
Ultrasonographic examination of the ovine thorax. The Veterinary Journal
155, 305-10.
2. SCOTT, P.R. (2000):
Extensive fibrinous pleurisy in two ewes with Streptococcus dysgalactiae
mastitis.
The Veterinary Record 146, 367-8.
3. SCOTT P.R., COLLIE D.D.S., MCGORUM, B., SARGISON, N.D. (2010):
Relationship between thoracic auscultation and lung pathology detected by
ultrasonography in sheep. The Veterinary Journal 186 53-7.
4. SCOTT P.R., COUSENS, C., GRIFFITHS, D. (2013):
Diagnosis and control of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (Jaagsiekte). In
Practice 35, 382-397
5. COUSENS, C., SCOTT P.R. (2015):
Assessment of trans-thoracic ultrasound diagnosis of ovine pulmonary
adenocarcinoma in adult sheep. Veterinary Record.
Capital Veterinary Services
West Latchfields
Haddington, Scotland EH41 4JN
E-mail: Philip.r.Scott@ed.ac.uk
Telephone +44 1620 810527
Moredun Research Institute
Pentlands Science Park
Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland
Abstract Nr. 17
Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
RESPIRATORY DISEASES AFFECTING ADULT SHEEP IN SPAIN
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AUSCULTATION AND LUNG LESION
D. Lacasta, J. M. González, T. Navarro, M. Valero, F. Saura, J. J. Ramos,
L. M. Ferrer, A. Ortín, C. Jiménez
Introduction
Ruminants are particularly sensitive animals to the development of lung
pathologies and respiratory diseases are commonly encountered in sheep flocks,
affecting groups or individuals. It often involves a combination of infectious causes as
well as predisposing management factors, potentially leading to significant losses.
Respiratory diseases has been studied more deeply in lambs, however not many
surveys have been carried out in adult sheep, in spite of being one of the most
frequent pathology in these animals (Mearns, 2009).
Clinical diagnoses of respiratory processes are a medical challenge in veterinary
medicine due to the lack of gold standard diagnostic test and the low specificity and
sensitivity of the classical exploration techniques. Some studies has been developed
trying to improve the diagnosis of this diseases showing the relationship between
auscultation and ultrasonography of the lungs in sheep (Scott et al., 2010) and
preweaned calves (Buczinski et al., 2014). Furthermore, a thorough post-mortem
examination is probably the most useful tool for achieving a correct pathological
diagnosis, especially in small ruminants, in which, due to their size and economic
value, post-mortem examination is an affordable and frequently used method of
diagnosis of infectious diseases (Benavides et al., 2015).
The Ruminant Veterinary Service of the Veterinary Faculty of Zaragoza (SCRUM)
receives among 150-200 clinical cases annually. Some of them are referred by
practitioners and the others are culling animals selected by their pathologies and that
come from different collaborating farms. All the information obtained from these
animals is returned to the farmers.
Clinical exploration and hematology are carried out in all the animals routinely and
ancillary tests such as ultrasonography, x-ray, termography, etc, are developed. This
is a diagnosis service and all the animals received are humanely sacrificed and post
mortem study, macroscopically and histologically, is carried out to achieve a correct
final diagnosis. Moreover, all lesions compatible with an infectious origin are sampled
for microbiological study. All these data are collected and statistically analyzed to
draw conclusions which revert to the productive sector.
This communication presents the data obtained from sheep affected with
respiratory disorders during the last three years, including data about the clinical
scores, lung lesions and results of microbiological analysis.
Material and Methods
One hundred and fifty four sheep have been analyzed for this study. Clinical
exploration data such as temperature, heart and respiratory rates, body condition and
respiratory clinical signs have been recorded. Upper and lower respiratory tract
clinical signs have been differentiated studying parameters as type of cough, nasal
discharge, kind of dyspnoea or abnormal lower respiratory sounds as crackles and
wheezes. Moreover, respiratory gross pathological findings have been investigated,
again differentiating between high and low respiratory tract and the different types of
lung lesions found. Finally, microbiological study of infectious lung lesions has been
carried out.
The relationships among the different categorical variables have been studied by
Chi square test and in those showing statistical significant association the relative risk
or kappa were developed. The study of continuous variables (temperature, heart rate,
respiratory rate, age, etc.) has been made by T Student test. All statistical studies
have been performed by the use of SPSS software 22.0 (IBM, Chicago, USA).
Results and discussion
Respiratory diseases were the most frequent chronic pathology found in adult
sheep in the present survey, being 89 (58.5%) animals affected with any kind of lung
lesion versus 61 (41.5%) with a healthy lung. This did not necessarily mean that lung
injury was the main pathology presenting the animal, although in the majority so it.
This is in concordance with Suarez et al. (Suárez, 2009), in a cross-sectional survey
of 19 dairy sheep farms carried out in Argentina, these authors concluded that
pneumonia affects 31.6% of the adult sheep studied.
With regard to the type of lung lesion found, interstitial pneumonia associated with
Visna Maedi virus (VMV) was the most frequent lesion, as well as pleurisy and
pleural adhesions, followed by catarrhal and gangrenous pneumonia (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Number of animals showing different types of lung lesion: interstitial pneumonia, pleurisy and
pleural adhesions, gangrenosus, fibrinous and verminous pneumonia, abscesses, pulmonary
adenocarcinoma and others. Some animals showed more than one type of lung lesions.
Visna Maedi represents one of the most relevant chronic health problems in sheep
production in Spain. A serological survey of Visna Maedi virus infection involving
274,048 sheep from 554 flocks was undertaken during 2002–2007 in Aragón and the
results showed that all studied flocks had seropositive animals and 52.8% of tested
animals were seropositive (Perez et al., 2010). This is in concordance with our results
where the main lung pathology found in adult sheep was interstitial pneumonia
associated with Visna Maedi infection. VMV infects immunological cells promoting
the development of other kind of lung injuries (Gonzalez et al., 1993). In our survey,
52.2% of the animals with interstitial pneumonia related to VMV had any other lung
injury: six animals with supurative pneumonia; two with pleurisy, one with abscesses,
one with gangrenous pneumonia and one with acute congestion and edema.
The average age of studied animals was 6 years, finding significant differences
(p= 0.026) between those that had any kind of lung injury and which not (6.2±0.18 vs.
5.5±0.24). This is probably because, in addition to respiratory pathology, the second
most important disorders in the animals reported were digestive, fundamentally
Jonhe’s disease, which affects mainly young animals, lowering the average age of
this group. Studying the animals with different type of lung injury, not differences
have been found in the average age.
When respiratory and heart rates were compared between groups also, there were
significant differences between animals with lung injury and those which not; being
higher in those with lung injury (respiratory rate: 36.15±2.083 vs. 31.36±1.443 and
heart rate: 98.51±2.648 vs. 88.50±2.986). Tachypnea is a clinical sign traditionally
associated with respiratory diseases (Donachie, 2007).
Auscultation is considered an important component of large animal veterinary
clinical examination, however, according to Scott (Scott et al., 2010) the extent to
which auscultation of the chest can detect, localise and specify lung pathology has
not been critically investigated in sheep. In the present study we have tried to carry
out this research. From those animals without any respiratory clinical sign, 75.9% did
not have any lung lesion; however, 24.1% out of that group had any kind of lung
injury. If we analyse those animals with lower respiratory tract clinical signs; 81.8%
really had lung injury at necropsy and 18.2% had not (p<0.001). Kappa factor was
0.573, a moderate level of concordance. The probability of finding pulmonary lesions
at necropsy was 14.1 times higher in animals in which clinical signs of lung injury had
been previously found compared to the group where these signs were not present
(p=0.05). We had a high degree of sensitivity in the detection of animals with lower
respiratory tract pathology (72 out of 86 were detected), however, we did not have so
high specificity, because we detected lesions in 14 animals that finally did not have
any.
Tracheal injury in sheep has not been previously studied in depth; however, in our
service we have been observing for several years a high degree of tracheal injury
due to trauma in animals from flocks that spend some time indoors. In the present
study 26.7% of the studied animals showed any kind of tracheal injury with some
broken cartilage.
To conclude this study of respiratory diseases in adult sheep we have analyzed
the bacteria isolated from injured lungs. Forty eight lungs were sampled for
microbiological study and the results are shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 2: Presence of the most relevant microorganisms isolated from injured lungs. More than one
species were isolated from the lung lesions. Figure 3: Presence of the most relevant bacteria isolated
depending on the type of lung lesion. More than one species were isolated from the lung lesions.
In chronic lung disorders, bacteria isolated the most frequently were: Trueperella
pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida and Mycoplasma spp.
Nevertheless, when it was analyzed according to the type of lung lesion, it could be
observed that T. pyogenes was more frequently associated with gangrenous
pneumonia and abscesses, while P. multocida was present in all kind of chronic
pulmonary lesions at the same level.
References
1.
Benavides, J., González, L., Dagleish, M., Pérez, V., 2015. Diagnostic
pathology in microbial diseases of sheep or goats. Veterinary
Microbiology181, 15-26.
2.
Buczinski, S., Forte, G., Francoz, D., Belanger, A.M., 2014. Comparison
of Thoracic Auscultation, Clinical Score, and Ultrasonography as
Indicators of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Preweaned Dairy Calves.
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine28, 234-242.
3.
Gonzalez, L., Juste, R.A., Cuervo, L.A., Idigoras, I., Deocariz, C.S.,
1993. PATHOLOGICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF THE
COEXISTENCE OF MAEDI-VISNA AND SHEEP PULMONARY
ADENOMATOSIS. Research in Veterinary Science54, 140-146.
4.
Mearns, R., 2009. Post mortem examination of sheep aged over 12
months. Livestock14, 42-49.
5.
Perez, M., Biescas, E., de Andres, X., Leginagoikoa, I., Salazar, E.,
Berriatua, E., Reina, R., Bolea, R., de Andres, D., Juste, R.A., Cancer,
J., Gracia, J., Amorena, B., Badiola, J.J., Lujan, L., 2010. Visna/maedi
virus serology in sheep Survey, risk factors and implementation of a
successful control programme in Aragon (Spain). Veterinary
Journal186, 221-225.
6.
Scott, P., Collie, D., McGorum, B., Sargison, N., 2010. Relationship
between thoracic auscultation and lung pathology detected by
ultrasonography in sheep. Veterinary Journal186, 53-57.
7.
Suárez, V.H.y.B., M.R., 2009. Health management practices and
disease prevalence in dairy sheep systems in Argentina. Pesquisa
Veterinaria BrasileiraPesq. Vet. Bras. 29(11), 931-937.
Dr. Delia Lacasta
Urb. Lomas de San Jorge 13.
22283 San Jorge (Huesca)
Spain
+34609676727
dlacasta@gmail.com
Abstract Nr. 18
Ambulatorio Veterinario Farnese, Farnese, Italy
TEN YEARS OF DEVELOPING A CONSULTANCY VETERINARY SERVICE
FOR DAIRY SHEEP IN CENTRAL ITALY
G. L. D’Alterio
Introduction
In Italy, small ruminants farming, with an excess of 7.5 million of heads of sheep
and goats, is still a prominent component of the livestock farming sector. This is
particularly true in regions such as Sardinia (with almost half of the national small
ruminants flock), Sicily, Lazio and Tuscany. Beside the drastic reduction of farming
units over the last two decades, the remaining ones are increasing the size of their
flock and feeling the need to optimise production through innovation, hence the need
for a qualified veterinary assistance. This paper will describe ten years of
development and implementation of a flock health scheme primarily (but not only)
tailored to dairy sheep and delivered through a private veterinary consultancy
service, not compulsory and endorsed by farmers at their own expenses.
Background information
The consultancy service for dairy sheep has been developed in Central Italy,
based in the Lazio region but spanning between the provinces of Viterbo (Lazio) and
Grosseto (Tuscany). The service started in March 2004 (zero clients), initially as an
ambulatory service, and from 2007 as part of a mixed-species practice (small
animals, equine, production animals, and wildlife). Geographically, the region
considered goes from a plain coastal area along the Tyrrhenian Sea to the hills, rising
up to approximately 600 metres above sea level, surrounding the Bolsena Lake,
which is the biggest volcanic lake in Europe. From a pedo- and fitoclimatic point of
view the area represents a transitioning zone, from a true Mediterranean climate
along the coast to a temperate climate inland (transitioning Mediterranean region 1 ).
According to the latest data from the national agriculture census 2 of 2010, in the
province of Viterbo there were 914 farms keeping sheep, for a total population of
290.264 sheep and a mean number of heads per farm of 313. In the bordering
province of Grosseto, the farms with sheep were 964, for a total of 229.602 sheep
and a mean number of animals per farm of 232. In comparison, the national average
was 126 sheep per farming unit. The national trend over a decade sees a drastic
reduction of the number of units not matched by a reduction of the national flock 3 .
The main farmed dairy breed is by far the Sarda, but recent years have witnessed the
importation of Lacaune and Assaf. Although there are different types of cheese made
from the milk produced, the two most famous ones are the Pecorino Romano and
Toscano.
Development of the flock health scheme
At the time of writing, 15 dairy sheep farms were signed on a yearly scheme for a
private veterinary consultancy service. The range in size of the flocks enrolled in the
scheme varied from 50 to 1.300 sheep (includes ewes, ewe-lambs and rams),
therefore the mean flock size was 460 animals and the median value 400. All farms
kept the Sarda breed, including two which have added a separate flock of Lacaune in
the last two years. The farming system employed is semi-extensive, relying heavily
on grazing in rotational systems. Grazing occurs predominantly on cultivated,
permanent pasture, with additional limited access to left-over from harvested crops
such as barley and oat used for animal nutrition. Haymaking is always carried out on
farm through a natural drying process. Proprietary, pellet feeds are commonly
employed, mostly for the lactation phase. Upon request from an interested farmer a
preparatory meeting, away from the farm, was organised and the following
information were obtained: a) flock size and composition; b) plane of nutrition and
use of BCS; c) drugs commonly used; d) reproduction management; e) milking
routine and practice; f) milk production output; g) impact of diseases; h) diagnostic
techniques employed and results, if any. Once these data were collected, a general
description of the modalities of intervention on farm, together with costs involved and
terms of payment, were discussed with the farmer. In particular, the objectives of the
consultancy service on farm are highlighted as follow: a) rational use and reduction of
medications; b) critical appraisal and improvements of the nutritional plane, aiming at
balancing and maximising the use of farms produces c) increase the quantity and
quality of milk produced; d) improve lamb output by increasing twinning rate and
increase lamb survival; d) by improving nutrition and health management, anticipate
the reproductive activity of pre-pubertal ewe-lambs; e) creation of mating groups,
leading to concentrated mating activity, reduced lambing periods, more uniform
lambs batches for sale timed for optimal market prices, more uniform lactating groups
timed for best milk price (so called “summer” milk, that is milk produced in late
summer\autumn, when milk price is higher); f) improve the general health status of
the flock, reducing the incidence and therefore costs of prioritised diseases. If and
when an agreement with the farmer was reached, a number of actions were taken,
including the production of a written report summarising the points described above,
the creation of a yearly calendar structured on a monthly list of interventions, and
scheduling of the first consultancy farm visit. During the latter, printed sheets allowing
for simplified data collection were handed out in order to periodically collect: a) BCS;
b) incidence of selected clinical presentations in lambs; c) incidence of selected
clinical presentations in adult and sub-adult animals; d) reproduction performance; e)
milk production.
Conclusions and discussion
As a measure of success, the consultancy veterinary service for dairy sheep as
outlined in this paper had a steadily growing number of clients and was able to retain
them throughout the years. During the initial farm appraisal, several were the
livestock management practices which were found sub-optimal or worst, such as: a)
flock composition, with insufficient number of replacement ewes; b) nutritional plane,
with rations invariably lacking in the protein component and in vitamins\minerals; c)
use of medicines excessive and inappropriate, with an unclear understanding of the
withdraw period concept; d) reproduction management, with virtually no ram’s
management techniques adopted and the ratio ram/ewes too low; e) potential milk
quantity and quality productivity unexpressed and poor hygiene standards at milking;
f) impact of diseases, with Foot rot out of control in the whole area and the true
incidence of mastitis, abortions, para-tuberculosis and Maedi-Visna often
underestimated or not known. This was often due traditional farming practices which
appeared obsolete when placed in the current economic climate. The sector had also
suffered from lack of structural investments over the years. Know-how too was in
general deficient, often due to biased information provided by feed and drugs
merchants. However, the overall uptake from the farmers of the corrective measures
suggested in order to improve and modernise the flock management had been
positive. The future objective for the consultancy service is to consolidate and expand
the clientele base locally through the development of tools enabling a wider adoption
of the corrective measures proposed. In addition, by the establishment of a
consortium of multi-disciplinary professionals, a long term objective is to offer the
flock health scheme nationwide.
References
1. http://www.provincia.vt.it/ambiente/Stato_Amb02/PDF/pag_004-007.pdf
(accessed 09\11\2014)
2. Istituto Nazionale di Statistica-ISTAT (2013). 6˚Censimento Nazionale
dell’Agricoltura. Atlante dell’Agricoltura Italiana.
3. http://www.istat.it/it/censimento-agricoltura/agricoltura-2000
(accessed 30\11\2014)
Dr Gian Lorenzo D’Alterio
Via Circonvallazione snc, Farnese, 01010 VT
Italy
0039 0761458121 (Phone/Fax)
E-Mail: gianlorenzod@yahoo.i
Abstract Nr. 19
Department of Pathology, University of Zaragoza, Spain
Gabinete técnico veterinario (GTV), Zaragoza, Spain
GROSS PATHOLOGY FINDINGS IN 258 NECROPSIED ANIMALS
FROM AN INTENSIVE DAIRY FLOCK
T. Navarro, J. M. González, B. González, A. Ortín, J. Pérez, L. M. Ferrer,
J. J. Ramos, D. Lacasta
Introduction
The presence of pathologies on a farm is the result of interaction among several
factors as management, reproduction and production system. This is particularly
important in intensive systems (Benoit et al., 2009). Post-mortem examination is a
useful tool for the diagnosis of several pathological processes (Black, 2006). Thus,
the information collected from necropsies allows to know the diseases that are
present on a farm and to detect mistakes in the management (Benavides et al.,
2015).
The aim of this study was to find out those pathologies that are producing
economic losses on a dairy sheep farm. Our study was based on macroscopic postmortem examination of all animals died in the farm during the studied period. The
results were used to evaluate the efficiency of the farm production system.
Material and methods
The farm where the study was conducted is the largest dairy sheep farm in Spain
with a total census of 13,000 Lacaune sheep. The flock is managed in an intensive
productive system with permanent stabling.
Adult sheep are separated into three different units that work totally independent,
although they share a common reproductive calendar and health program, which is
developed in a different time of the year. In each unit, four lambing seasons of a
month-long are carried out, thus each one has one breeding season every three
months. Ewes are mated following hormonally synchronized estrus treatment.
Lambs are separated at birth from their mothers and taken to the “lactation unit”,
which houses all the lambs born in the three productive nuclei, up to 6 months of life.
All lambs receive three doses of first-milking-colostrum, and are fed until the third day
of life with second-day-colostrum, after that they are reared with a milk-replacer. At
45 days of life they are weaned and vaccinated against clostridiasis and
pasteurelosis and dewormed against coccidia.
Female lambs are separated from male lambs and moved to the “replacement
unit”, where ewe lambs are kept until mating. There, the nutrition is based on hay and
compound feed, both ad libitum,up to the age of six months.. Hormone treatments
are carried out to the ewe lambs at 7/8 month of age to ensure correct mating. Forty
five days later, a pregnancy ultrasonographic examination is performed, because
only pregnant ewes are transferred to one of the productive units.
The production cycle of ewes is described in Figure 1. The ewes that are not
pregnant at the time of drying-off and those that have pathological issues are housed
in the “problematic pen”. This lot therefore includes a collection of problematic
animals and the time that sheep remain there depends on the cause that brought
them there.
Lactation 5-6 months
(compound feed + forage)
Birth 0-3 days
(colostrum)
Artificial lactation
3-45 days (milk-
Mating
Labour
replacer +
compound feed)
Pre-partum
2 months
Replacement
1.5-7.5 months
(compound
feed + forage)
Low
production
lactation
3 months
Production cycle
ewe (10-11 months)
(compound feed
+ forage)
(compound feed +
forage)
Dry-off
Mating 7-8
months
Problematic pen
Distribution of the necropsied animals according to age in moment of the death.
Young animals
(79)*
Birth
Replacement
(24)
Artificial lactation
Replacement
Ewes
(155)*
Pre-partum – Lactation – Devil’s pen
0-3d
4-15d
16-30d
1-2m
3-5m
6-12m
1y
2-3y
4-6y
≥7y
15
26
13
14
9
24
23
58
59
11
* In two young lambs and four ewes age data was missed.
Figure 1.Diagram of the production cycle and the age distribution of the necropsied animals
during the study.
All the animals died on the farm during the period of time between 27/07 and
10/09 of 2015 were necropsied in order to perform the present study. All the data
collected were recorded in a necropsy file, consisting in 35 parts put into groups
according to organic systems, where all observed lesions were written down.
All data were recorded and introduced in the statistic program SPSS Statistics
20.0 (IBM, Chicago, USA). Crosstabs and Chi-square test was used in the statistical
analysis and risk was calculated for statistical significant association among
variables.
Firstly, hepatic degeneration was the most frequent lesion observed in the adults,
being 61.7% (108/175) of the necropsied animals. More than 90% of this
degeneration was hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) that became more frequent as the
animals increased their age and their body fat reserves.Thus, ewes older than seven
year had 21 times more risk to show fatty liver than ewes younger than two years
(p<0.05), and ewes with excessive body fat reserves presented 22 times more risk
than ewes with normal body fat reserves (p<0.05). These results allowed us to
demonstrate an improper food management in the farm, that causes an excess of
body fat reserves.
Secondly, a group of lesions compatible with chronic wasting diseases was found.
Gross lesions associated with paratuberculosis (2), Visna Maedi (12) or ovine
pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) (10) were presented. OPA and Visna Maedi
lesions were observed in 5.8% and 7.0% of the necropsied adult animals,
respectively, which is not a very high percentage compared with 50% found by
Benavides et al. in intensively managed dairy sheep (Benavides et al., 2013). In
addition, a relationship between both pathologies was noticed, so Visna Maedi
lesions increased 22 times the risk to develop OPA lesions (p<0.05). This is
consistent with that found by González et al. (Gonzalez et al., 1993).
Reproductive pathologies (post-partum infection, uterine rupture, uterine prolapse)
supposed the most frequent cause of death in the farm; 27.1% of studied ewes.
Ovine respiratory complex (ORC), 22.6%, and pregnancy toxaemia, 20.0%, were
also observed in a high number of animals. Other causes such as enterotoxaemia,
mastitis, or others were also reported, however their importance was lower. These
data were collected during 45 days of summer, which could have influenced the
emergence of certain diseases. However, our results agree with those reported by
Suarez in dairy sheep flocks in Argentina (Suarez and Busetti, 2009).
Septicaemias (26.5%), diarrhoea & water mouth disease (22.1%) and ORC
(35.3%) were the main causes of death in young animals; similar results were found
by Lacasta et al. in Spanish meat sheep farms (Lacasta et al., 2008). Furthermore,
consolidated pneumonic lesions were found in 83% (64/77) of the total necropsied
lambs and they were presented in all age groups. On the other hand differences in
the cause of death according to age were found. In the first days of life the main
cause of death was starvation, while between 3 and 15 days deaths were associated
with digestive processes.
The gross pathological examination can provide valuable and useful information to
diagnose diseases and to detect management mistakes in a sheep flock.
References
1. Benavides, J., Fuertes, M., García-Pariente, C., Otaola, J., Delgado, L.,
Giraldez, J., García Marín, J.F., Carmen Ferreras, M., Pérez, V., 2013. Impact
of maedi-visna in intensively managed dairy sheep. The Veterinary Journal
197, 607-612.
2. Benavides, J., Gonzalez, L., Dagleish, M., Perez, V., 2015. Diagnostic
pathology in microbial diseases of sheep or goats. Veterinary Microbiology
181, 15-26.
3. Benoit, M., Tournadre, H., Dulphy, J.P., Laignel, G., Prache, S., Cabaret, J.,
2009. Is intensification of reproduction rhythm sustainable in an organic sheep
production system? A 4-year interdisciplinary study. Animal 3, 753-763.
4. Black, H., 2006. Necropsy as an epidemiological tool in the investigation of
diseases of sheep (abstract). N Z Vet J 54, 50.
5. Gonzalez, L., Juste, R.A., Cuervo, L.A., Idigoras, I., Deocariz, C.S., 1993.
PATHOLOGICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF THE COEXISTENCE
OF MAEDI-VISNA AND SHEEP PULMONARY ADENOMATOSIS. Research
in Veterinary Science 54, 140-146.
6. Lacasta, D., Ferrer, L.M., Ramos, J.J., González, J.M., De las Heras, M.,
2008. Influence of climatic factors on the development of pneumonia in lambs.
Small Ruminant Research 80, 28-32.
7. Suarez, V.H., Busetti, M.R., 2009. Health management practices and disease
prevalence in dairy sheep systems in Argentina. Pesqui. Vet. Bras. 29, 931937.
Teresa Navarro Rodrigo
C/ Miguel Servet 177
50013 Zaragoza
Spain
+34605469073
E-mail: teresanarr@gmail.com
Abstract Nr. 20
Veterinary Practice, Bellac, France
FECAL EGG COUNT IN SHEEP MEDICINE:
FROM SAMPLES TO TREATMENT ADVICE
P. Autef
Introduction
Several steps must be respected in order to give a rational advice for anti parasit
treatment. Fecal egg counts (FEC) can give a precise level of excretion but not
always of real infestation.The aim of this work is to detail the steps which are
important to respect before a treatment advice.
1. Step n°1 : Considering the housing of the sheep and the age of the
animals
These issues will influe on the parasits of interest (Table n°1).
Lambs indoor
Parasit
Eimeria sp
Strongyloides
papillosus
Lambs begining grazing Lambs - Adults grazing
(< 2 months)
Risk
Parasit
Risk
Parasit
Risk
(according
to
epidemiology)
High
High
High
Moniezia
Fasciola
expansa
hepatica
Medium Nematodirus
Medium Dicrocoelium
High
battus
lanceolatum
Other
gastro- Medium Calicophoron
Medium
intestinal
daubneyi
strongyles
Medium Other
gastro- High
Eimeria sp
intestinal
strongyles
Low
Lungs
Medium
Strongyloides
strongyles
papillosus
Low
Nematodirus
battus
Low
Strongyloides
papillosus
Low
Eimeria sp
Low
Moniezia
expansa
Low
Trichuris vulpis
2. Step n°2 : Perform the adequate coprological technic :
 The differents technics including flottation with salt or zinc sulfate with density
about 1,20 allow easy visualisation of light eggs as Eimeria sp oocysts, gastro
intestinal strongyles (Nematodirus battus, Strongyloides papillosus). The
advantages of this method are rapidity, possibility to perform a FEC within a
consultation or a necropsy, allow the diagnosis of the differents species of
Emeria. But is not performant to see the eggs of trematods which are heavier.
It’s particulary convenient for indoor lambs or grazing since a few weeks.
 Flottation with zinc sulphate with density higher than 1,40 allow visualisation of
heavier eggs as Fasciola hepatica, Dicrocoelium lanceolatum or Calicophoron
daubneyi including also the whole eggs present with the first technic describe
below. This technic is easy to be performed by practitionners but demand
more time as at least 30 minutes for each flottation and 10-15 minutes for
counting the eggs.
 Mac Kenna technic allow research of Dictyocaulus filaria, protostrongylinés
larvae of first stage. Easy to be performed, the simple decantation must begin
less than 12 hours after collecting samples, because of the fragility of larvae.
3. Step n°3 : Sampling correctly.
 With the first method (zinc sulfate d= 1,20) a mixed sample is possible with
faeces from 5 lambs collected directly in the rectum with a glove or just
excreted onthe floor, if not, the larvae could hatch from the eggs and give a
false result. The results can be given by this way :
+++
++
+
0
High excretion
Medium excretion
Low excretion
No eggs
 With FEC (zinc sulfate > 1,40), faeces should be sampled correctly according
to the size of the flock and the prevalence of infestation. Results are given in
EPG (eggs per gram)
 With Mc Kenna method, single sample or mixed samples are correct.
Result give presence of larvae or not.
In any case, the sample should be identified all long the different methods
4. Step n°4: Interpreting the results.
 Method with sulfate Zn =1,20:
o Eimeria :
 Result = 0, no treatment
 Result = +
 No signs = no treatment

No signs but diagnosis of species including E ovinoidalis
or E crandallis = treatment
 Result = ++ ou +++, treatment
o Strongyloides papillosus :
 Result = 0, no treatment
 Result = +, treatment according to the condition of the animals
 Result = ++, treatment
 Method with sulfate Zn > 1,40
o Trématodes :
 Fasciola hepatica :
 Presence = treatment
 Absence = no conclusion, consider the epidemiology,
perform further investigations as serology.
 Dicrocoelium lanceolatum :
 Average e.p.g. = 0, no treatment
 0 < Average e.p.g < 20 = treatment to be consider
according to the physiological status, condition of animals,
other parasites, withdrawal period.
 Average o.p.g > 20 = treatment.
 Calicophoron daubneyi :
 Average o.p.g = 0, no treatment
 0 < Average o.p.g < 50 treatment to be consider
 Average o.p.g > 50, treatment
o Cestodes :
 Moniezia expansa :
 Absence : no conclusion
 Presence: in relation with any proglottis in faeces,
treatment should be given according of the age and the
duration of pasture.
o Nématodes :
 Nematodirus battus :
 Presence : treatment
 Absence : pas de treatment
 Strongyloides papillosus :
 Presence : difficult counting because of small size and
clear eggs.
 Gastro intestinal strongyles (Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus,
Chabertia, Cooperia) :
 Average o.p.g < 100 : no treatment
 Average o.p.g > 500 : treatment
 100 < Average o.p.g < 500: treatment to be consider
Variability in the laying of eggs is depending of the species of
strongyles, sometimes a diagnosis of species could be
necessary.
 Mac Kenna method:
o Dictyocaulus, protostrongylines :
 Presence of larvae L1 of one or more species : treatment
 Absence of larvae L1 :
 No signs : no treatment
 Cough, poor condition… : collect samples again, look for
another cause !
Conclusion
By respecting the steps described above, the FEC is a performant tool which allow
to give a precise status of infestation of the flock providing a clinical examination of
few animals and looking at the global condition of the group. In most cases, the vet
will be confronted with mixed infestations where the treatment will be considered
according the disponibility of drugs, in agreement with the production, their broad or
narrow spectrum and hierarchized according the pathogenicity of the different
parasites.
Dr Vétérinaire Pierre Autef
16 rue des Rochettes
87300 BELLAC
E-mail: p.autef@wanadoo.fr
Abstract Nr. 21
Clinic for Ruminants, LMU Munich, Germany
EVALUATION OF A COMBINED SCORE SYSTEM FOR A TARGETED
SELECTIVE TREATMENT APPROACH IN DAIRY GOATS ON PASTURE
K. Voigt, S. Jaggy, A. Rieger, G. Knubben-Schweizer, M. Scheuerle
Introduction
Dairy goat farming is becoming more and more relevant in Germany. The majority
of dairy goat farms are operating to organic standards. Pasture-based husbandry
systems or the use of fresh forage are therefore very common. These are however
often associated with high levels of gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections. To
avoid economical losses or welfare problems endoparasite control is essential. Poor
immunity against GIN infections in goats, increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance,
the lack of licensed anthelmintic products for goats and therefore prolonged milk
withdrawal times (a problem exacerbated by organic standards) and a limited choice
of anthelmintics that can be used in dairy animals all contribute to a challenging
situation. A targeted selective treatment (TST) approach therefore seems a sensible
option. A score system used for TST must be easy to apply and reliable in
indentifying animals in need of treatment. The aim of this study was to test a
combined TST score on two commercial dairy goat farms in South-Western
Germany.
The two farms kept a total of 360 goats on continuously grazed pasture. Both
herds were managed to organic standards and were situated in the South-Western
Breisgau and Black Forest region. Farm visits were carried out at six-weekly intervals
between April and November 2014. The endoparasite burden was monitored by
regular individual faecal worm egg counts at these intervals and the percentage of
the various GIN species was determined following larval cultures from pooled
samples throughout the study period. The goats were examined at each visit using a
combined TST score which included the following parameters: colour of the
conjunctiva (FAMACHA© score 1 (red) – 5 (white)), body condition score 0
(good/average) – 2 (emaciated) and faecal consistency score 0 (formed) – 3 (runny).
In addition to these parameters, the colour of the vaginal mucous membrane was
evaluated to see if it could potentially replace the colour of the conjunctiva, as this
would allow for easier scoring in the milking parlour. EDTA blood samples were taken
in conjunction with the annual CAE test at one visit to measure the PCV. Individual
milk recording data were available for both herds.
Results
The faecal egg counts increased in both herds during the grazing season,
reaching a peak in September with an average worm egg count of 1004 epg in herd
1 and 546 epg in herd 2. However, a decrease of epg values was observed until the
last farm visit in November. The distribution of the egg excretion was positively
skewed in both herds. The spectrum of GIN species was mixed and the proportion of
the individual species changed over the season. The proportion of Haemonchus
contortus eggs was smaller at the beginning of the survey than towards the end,
reaching over 80% in herd 1 and 22% on farm two in September and November,
respectively. There was no evidence of liver fluke infections, however tapeworm and
small lungworm were present in both herds. Contrary to expectations the average
TST-Score improved over the study period in both herds; this was mainly due to
improved body condition (both farms) and due to improved conjunctival colour scores
on farm two. There was no evidence of a constant, significant correlation between
any of the single parameters or the total combined TST-Score and the individual egg
excretion. A ROC-Analysis for the thresholds ≥ 500 epg and > 1000 epg showed that
none of the parameters allowed a prediction of a high egg excretion. There was also
no measurable correlation between the milk yield and the egg excretion. The
FAMACHA©-score of the conjunctiva correlated slightly with the PCV; this correlation
was negative as expected. The colour score of the conjunctiva and of the vagina
agreed in only about half the cases. The colour of the vaginal mucous membrane
was therefore considered unsuitable for replacing the conjunctival score. Amongst
others, the following correlations between the remaining parameters examined were
found: low PCV values were likely related to high numbers of lactation (age) and to
high numbers of kids born in the 2014 season; animals with high numbers of lactation
tended to have paler conjunctivae and, on one farm, softer faeces.
Conclusions
The parameters examined in this study were easy and quick to apply. Due to the
inadequate correlation with egg excretion in both herds they were however not
convincing as acceptable parameters for a TST approach. Further research is
required to develop systems enabling the effective and sustainable control of
parasites in goats exposed to mixed species GIN infections; appropriate TSTsystems must be developed, evaluated and tested in practice.
Dr. Katja Voigt
Clinic for Ruminants
LMU Munich
Sonnenstr. 16
85764 Oberschleissheim
Germany
Phone: +49 89 2180 78800
Fax: +49 89 2180 78851
E-mail: katja.voigt@lmu.de
Abstract Nr. 22
Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Thessaloniki, GREECE
TREATMENT OF RESPIRATORY AND GASTROINTESTINAL NEMATODOSIS IN
A SHEEP FLOCK WITH THE NATURAL PRODUCT PARANAT B
N. D. Giadinis, E. Papadopoulos, K. Arsenopoulos, E. Ioannidou,
V. Papanikolopoulou, E. Kalaitzakis, H. Karatzias
Introduction
Lung and gastrointestinal nematodosis can cause heavy losses in sheep flocks, as
well as low milk production. Treatment with anthelminthics may have 2 limitations, the
development of resistant parasite strains to anthelminthics and the withdrawal time at
the milking period. This study presents the effect of PARANAT B, a natural product,
on the nematode control in a sheep flock.
Our study
The study was conducted in a sheep flock of Thessaloniki area, that had heavy
losses due to intestinal and lung nematodes. In fact, at the intervention time 60
sheep had died. For the study there were used 500 sheep in total, with high parasitic
burden, that were divided in 3 groups. The 50 animals of Group 1 were non-lactating
(aged 13 months old) and were treated with ivermectin, the 440 animals of Group 2
received Paranat B (Elanco) in their feedstuffs, while 10 animals (Group 3) remained
untreated (controls). The study lasted 3 months and during this period 8 sheep died,
3 from the controls (Group 3) and 5 from Group 1. None animal died from the Group
2 (Paranat B). The body condition score was significantly improved in the 2 treated
groups compared to controls. Parasitologically (faecal nematode egg counts per g)
there was a significant improvement in ivermectin group, while in the other 2 groups
there were not observed any differences before and after treatment.
References
1. Aitken I.D. (2007) Diseases of Sheep, Blackwell Science, UK.
N. D. Giadinis
Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 St. Voutyra str., 54627, Thessaloniki,
Greece, E-mail: ngiadini@vet.auth.gr
Abstract Nr. 23
University Clinic for Ruminants
Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health
University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
ENDOPARASITES OF SOUTH AMERICAN CAMELIDS IN AUSTRIA
B. Lambacher, T. Wittek, A. Joachim, A. Dadak, A. Stanitznig, B. Hinney, A. Tichy,
G. Duscher, S. Franz
Introduction
Llamas and alpacas are the domesticated South American Camelids (SAC). They
are becoming more and more popular especially for production of wool but also as
exotic pets. One of the most important health problems worldwide in SACs are
endoparasites. Large economic losses or even death may be consequences of this
disease. The aim of this first nationwide prevalence study in Austria was to provide
information on the potential risks of endoparasitosis and on the importance of
including endoparasite control into farm management programmes.
Materials and methods
A total of 469 clinically healthy SACs from 86 farms in all federal states of Austria
were examined. In total 145 faecal samples were taken rectally and maximal five
animals were pooled. Subsequently they were analyzed after sedimentation with a
combined sedimentation/flotation technique and the Baermann/Wetzel technique with
100 x magnification under light microscopy (Optiphot-2, Nikon) (ECKERT, 2000;
PROSL u. JOACHIM, 2006). The different parasitic objects were classified.
Unsporulated oocysts of Eimeria spp. were assigned to the genus level except for E.
macusaniensis, which could be identified to species level. Eggs of Trichuris spp.,
Capillaria spp., Nematodirus spp., and Moniezia spp. were identified to genus level,
while the eggs of GI strongylids except Nematodirus spp. were not differentiated
further. Fasciola hepatica and D. dendriticum could be identified to species.
Lungworm larvae were differentiated into large (Dictyocaulus spp.) and small (family
Protostrongylidae) larvae. In addition the regional differences in the prevalence of
protozoa, nematodes, trematodes and cestodes were compared. Therefor the Chi²
test with a level of significance of p<0.05 was performed. In addition the country was
divided into northern, eastern, southern and western parts on the basis of climate
(HIEBL et al., 2011).
Results
The most commonly found internal parasites were Gastrointestinal Strongylids
(GIS) with a prevalence of 82.8%, followed by Eimeria spp. (77.2%). The eggs of
Nematodirus spp., Trichuris spp. and Capillaria spp. could be detected in 44.8%,
22.8% and 16.6% of the samples. Dicrocoelium dendriticum was found in 17.2% and
E. macusaniensis in 11% of the faecal samples. Few specimens were positive for
Moniezia spp. (0.7%) and Fasciola hepatica (0.7%). Lungworms were found in any of
the samples. The statistically comparison of the north with the south or the west with
the east of Austria showed no significant differences in parasite distribution.
Nevertheless, an increased occurrence of E. macusaniensis in the south,
Nematodirus spp. and Capillaria spp. in the north and D. dendriticum in the south and
west could be demonstrated.
Conclusion
We detected in all federal states high prevalence for GIS and Eimeria spp.. While
Coccidia of the genus Eimeria was described as strictly host-specific and probably
introduced by imported SACs, various genera of nematodes and the small liver fluke
were considered as cross-species transmissible. As a result extensive health
problems as well as economic losses were described. Lungworms, tapeworms and
the big liver fluke seem to play, in contrast to the regional domestic ruminants (cattle,
sheep, goats), a minor role in Austrian SACs.
1. ECKERT, J. (2000): Helminthologische Methoden. In: ROMMEL, M.,
ECKERT, E., KUTZER E., KORTING, W., SCHNIEDER, T. (Hrsg.):
Veterinarmedizinische Parasitologie 5. Aufl., Parey, Berlin, 69–84.
2. HIEBL, J., REISENHOFER, S., AUER, I., BOHM, R., SCHONER, W. (2011):
Multi-methodical realisation of Austrian climate maps for 1971–2000. Adv Sci
Res 6, 19–26.
3. PROSL, H., JOACHIM, A. (2006): Veterinarmedizinische Diagnostik. In:
HIEPE, T., LUCIUS, R., GOTTSTEIN, B. (Hrsg.): Allgemeine Parasitologie in
den Grundzugen der Immunologie, Diagnostik und Bekampfung, 1. Aufl.,
Parey, 355–367.
Mag.med.vet. Bianca Lambacher
Veterinärplatz 1
1210 Wien-A
Telefon: 01/250775204
E-mail: Bianca.lambacher@vetmeduni.ac.at
Abstract Nr. 24
GD Animal Health, Deventer, the Netherlands
ULP, Harmelen, the Netherlands
DISBUDDING IN GOAT KIDS; BEST PRACTICE BUT TRICKY BUSINESS
R. Van den Brom, S. Greijdanus-van der Putten, K. Lievaart-Peterson,
M. van der Heijden, P. Vellema
Introduction
The Dutch dairy goat industry started in the mid 1980’s. In 2015, more than
350,000 dairy goats were kept on 348 farms with more than 50 goats. The average
number of goats per farm was approximately 900. Thermal disbudding in kids on
dairy goat farms is, with exception of some organic farms, general practice in order to
prevent injuries in adult goats caused by fighting. Therefore, disbudding takes place
within in the first two weeks after birth. Thermal disbudding is a painful procedure that
requires attention because of welfare issues and the fact that complications can
occur (Sanford, 1989; Thompson et al., 2005). Annually, complications after thermal
disbudding in goat kids are reported to GD Animal Health by farmers and
veterinarians. Some reported problems involve the recovery after anesthesia, but
also neurological symptoms and sudden death in the weeks after disbudding are
reported.
The aims of this overview are: 1) to provide some tools to perform best practice for
thermal disbudding in goat kids and 2) to describe complications noticed at post
mortem examination after thermal disbudding in goat kids.
‘Goat anesthetic’ for thermal disbudding in goat kids
Goat kids are, together with dairy calves, routinely anesthetized at a very young
age. Dealing with a neonatal animal requires special attention for the anesthesiology.
As preanesthetic procedure, goat kids should be weighed and their health checked.
Preferably, a short-acting anesthetic should be used and general anesthesia is best
practice, and induction and maintenance with halothane or isoflurane in oxygen by
mask is simple, quick and safe, and recovery is very rapid. Because of safety
procedures, this anesthesia is not easy to apply on farms (Matthews, 2009). Another
option is a combination of xylazine, ketamine and atropine (Table 1) as described by
Pieterse and van Dieten (1995). This ‘goat anesthetic’ is still often used by
veterinarians in the Netherlands. A slightly modified version of this general anesthetic
is currently used and taught in the veterinary practice ULP of the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine (Utrecht, the Netherlands) (Table1). This anesthetic should be
prepared very carefully since goat kids are very sensitive for anesthesia, especially
for xylazine. Therefore, 2% xylazine should preferably be diluted twenty times.
Atipamezole can be used as antagonist for xylazine, but should not be used too quick
after induction, since ketamine induced convulsions can occur. Moreover, it must be
taken into account that most veterinary anesthetics are not licensed for use in goats.
Make sure maximum residue limits (MRL’s) are available, otherwise use is not
permitted.
Table 1. Goat anesthetics
Xylazine (0.1%=1 mg/ml)
Ketamine (100 mg/ml)
Atropine
Aqua dest
Pieterse and van Dieten
(1995)
1.6 ml
4.0 ml
0.8 ml (0.5%=5 mg/ml)
1.6 ml
Total
8.0 ml
ULP
1.6 ml
4.0 ml
2.4 ml (0.1%=1 mg/ml)
8.0 ml
Table 1 shows the ‘goat anesthetic’ as described by Pieterse and van Dieten and the ‘goat anesthetic’
as used and taught by the veterinary practice ULP. The dosage of both ‘goat anesthetics’ is 0.2 ml/kg
body weight. The anesthetics can be administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously.
Within two minutes after injection, kids are unable to stand, after twelve to fifteen minutes thermal
disbudding can be performed, and 45 minutes after injection, kids are able to stand (Pieterse and van
Dieten, 1995).
Thermal disbudding
Thermal disbudding is a very precise procedure. Kids should be perfectly healthy
and disbudding should preferably be performed within two weeks after birth. Hair
around the horn base must be removed before thermal disbudding with a hot (!) iron,
and a diameter of at least 2 cm (for male kids even a minimum of 2.5 cm), is
recommended. Both electric and gas heated irons are used. Thermal disbudding
should be performed as quick as possible, because the skull of goat kids is very thin
(Thompson et al., 2005). The whole horn bud must be removed and tetanus
profylaxis has to be administered.
Recovery of kids
Recovery of goat kids after disbudding should take place under perfect
circumstances. This means a clean, warm, and draught free environment. Prevention
of kids crawling together, causing asphyxia, is important. Therefore, attention to the
recovery should be paid, and it is advised not to leave goat kids unattended, until
they are completely awake and able to stand. Currently, pain relief is not common
practice after disbudding of goat kids in the Netherlands, but should be standard
procedure. After using meloxicam, reduced pain response was observed in kids on
day one after disbudding (Ingvast-Larsson et al., 2011).
Disorders reported after thermal disbudding
Some reports of disorders involve goat kids not recovering after disbudding. In
those cases, individual illness of kids or over dosage could not be excluded as a
possible cause. Therefore, it is important only to anesthetize healthy kids and to use
the correct anesthetic for the correct body weight of the animal. Goat kids are very
sensitive to over dosage of xylazine. In some cases, kids are submitted for post
mortem examination. The available clinical information at post mortem examination
can be very minimum and varies from “sudden death” to “neurologic signs after
disbudding”. In some cases, the disbudding procedure is not even mentioned.
Macroscopic findings are necrosis, haemorrhage and exudative inflammatory signs of
the epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue. Even the bone of the skull can be terribly
damaged (Figure 1). In some cases clear purulent inflammatory processes are
present at the cerebral meninges (Figure 2) or adhesions can be visible at the inside
of the skull bone (Figure 3). At histopathology, an extensive purulent meningitis can
be noted with sometimes progression to malacia of brain tissue.
Figure 1. Area of necrosis, haemorrhage and
exsudate at the disbudded horn pit
Figure 3. Adhesions (arrows) at the inside of
the skull between cerebrum and bone
Figure 2. Focus of meningeal inflammation
after thermal disbudding
Discussion
Disbudding in goat kids seems necessary in the current goat industry.
Consequently, special attention should be paid to welfare issues and possible
occurrence of disorders.
Alternatives for thermal disbudding, as an injection with clove oil in order to
prevent horn growth are described (Molaei et al., 2015), but should be further
investigated before even considering application on large scale. Alternatives could
be not permitted according to legislation.
Additional local injection with 2% lidocaine at the corneal branches of lacrimal and
infratrochlear nerves seems redundant. Alvarez et al. (2015) found no decrease in
total behavior response during disbudding and therefore concluded that local
injection with lidocaine did not prevent pain during thermal disbudding (Alvarez et al.,
2015). Moreover, neonates are very sensitive to procaine and lidocaine, and both are
toxic at low concentrations.
Analgesic effects of meloxicam have been proven and should be performed after
disbudding, in order to prevent welfare issues (Ingvast-Larsson et al., 2011).
Conclusion
In conclusion, in order to prevent problems caused by anesthesia and thermal
disbudding, goat kids should be perfectly healthy at disbudding. Furthermore, they
have to be anesthetized for the correct weight, and the whole procedure of
disbudding should be performed as quick as possible under perfect circumstances
with a proper and hot iron. Recovery of goat kids after anesthesia in a dry, warm and
draught free environment is essential. As a welfare measure, pain relief should be
performed.
References
1. Alvarez L, De Luna JB, Gamboa D, Reyes M, Sánchez A, Terrazas A, Rojas
S, Galindo F. Cortisol and pain-related behavior in disbudded goat kids with
and without cornual nerve block. Physiol Behav. 2015 Jan;138:58-61.
2. Ingvast-Larsson C, Högberg M, Mengistu U, Olsén L, Bondesson U, Olsson K.
Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in adult goats and its analgesic effect in
disbudded kids. J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Feb;34(1):64-9.
3. Matthews J. Diseases of the goat. 2009. Third edition.
4. Molaei MM, Mostafavi A, Kheirandish R, Azari O, Shaddel M. Study of
disbudding goat kids following injection of clove oil essence in horn bud
region. Vet Res Forum. 2015 Winter;6(1):17-22. Epub 2015 Mar 15.
5. Pieterse MC, van Dieten JS. [Dehorning of goats and kids]. Tijdschr
Diergeneeskd. 1995 Jan 15;120(2):36-8. Dutch
6. Sanford SE. Meningoencephalitis caused by thermal disbudding in goat kids.
Can Vet J. 1989 Oct;30(10):832.
7. Thompson KG, Bateman RS, Morris PJ. Cerebral infarction and
meningoencephalitis following hot-iron disbudding of goat kids. N Z Vet J.
2005 Oct; 53(5):368-70.
René van den Brom (DVM, PhD, DipECSRHM)
PO Box 9
7400 AA Deventer (Netherlands)
0031-(0)570-660556
E-mail: r.vd.brom@gdanimalhealth.com
Abstract Nr. 25
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants,
Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Services
COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT NATIONAL ANIMAL WELFARE REGULATIONS
CONCERNING CASTRATION AND TAIL-DOCKING IN LAMBS
AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
R. Eibach, M. Ganter
Background
Medical standards and guidelines for the welfare of sheep diverge in different
sheep holding countries, especially regarding painful procedures such as tail-docking
and castration of lambs.
Present situation in selected countries
Germany
In Germany, the current animal welfare act allows castration in lambs up to an age
of 4 weeks without anaesthesia, but distinctly prohibits the use of rubber rings for
castration. Tail-docking is only allowed in lambs less than 8 days of age without
anaesthesia. For this indication the use of rubber rings is allowed. Both procedures
are, however, permitted for isolated cases only.
Switzerland and France
Tail-docking is allowed in lambs less than 8 days of age, castration is only allowed
with local anaesthesia (administered by the owner with a certificate of qualification)
up to an age of 14 days.
Austria
In Austria, tail-docking is only allowed in lambs less than 3 days of age and only if
a veterinarian confirmation of necessity for the concerned farm is at hand.
Furthermore, the procedure must be performed with a sharp knife, rubber rings are
prohibited. Castration is forbidden in general.
Netherlands
In the Netherlands tail-docking is only allowed in English breeds, which are
considered to need it such as Suffolk, Hampshire Down and Clunforest.
Estonia, Finland and Norway
Tail-docking and castration is forbidden in general, but an exceptional permit may
be granted.
Denmark
In Denmark tail-docking is allowed in lambs less than 8 days of age without
anaesthesia with an elastic rubber ring. Castration of lambs is allowed up to an age
of 4 weeks, but only if the veterinarian administers local anaesthesia in advance.
United Kingdome
In the UK, castration and tail-docking without anaesthesia is allowed in lambs less
than 8 days of age. The use of rubber rings is permitted for both indications.
New Zealand and Australia
Compared to the other countries, the legislations in New Zealand and Australia are
less strict. The painful procedures of castration and tail-docking without anaesthesia
are permitted up to an age of 3 months in New Zealand and even 6 months in
Australia. Officially approved methods include rubber rings, hot knives and sharp
knives for tail-docking and rubber rings, sharp knives and burdizzo clamp for
castration.
European recommendations by EFSA
Castration:
Castration is performed to prevent unwanted mating and meat taint. A range of
techniques for castration are applied. Common ones include bloodless techniques,
such as the use of rubber rings (elastrator) to restrict the blood supply to the scrotum
and its contents or castration clamp and surgery using a knife to incise the scrotum
and allow the testicles to be removed by traction. Pain alleviation strategies should
include the use of anaesthetics and anti-inflammatory treatments (1).
Tail-docking:
Tail-docking is practiced routinely on most sheep operations in order to prevent
flystrike and, in dairy breeds, to facilitate routine milking procedures. Docking can be
carried out using a rubber ring, a cautery iron or a sharp knife. Whatever the
technique is, tail-docking is stressful. Surgical removal appears to be less stressful
than the use of rubber rings. The use of a heated cautery iron produces the least
changes in behaviour and cortisol levels; however, it is not the preferred method of
tail-docking because of the incidence of subsequent chronic infections. The use of
local anaesthetic significantly reduces behavioural signs of pain, but it is not common
due to the fact that it is time consuming (1).
Problems and consequences
Different countries have different medical standards and guidelines for the welfare
of sheep. The EFSA only gives recommendations on these aspects. A uniform
regulation for painful procedures such castration and tail-docking, however, does yet
not exist.
Depending on the individual country, justification for the painful procedures may
also vary. In New Zealand for example the main course for tail-docking is flystrike,
whereas in Germany the main indication for tail docking is hygiene during parturition
and lactation.
Perspectives
An encouraging approach to reduce painful procedures for sheep lambs, are
special breeding programs for short tailed sheep. Several countries already
implemented breeding programs to gain knowledge on the heritability of tail lengths.
Until results of the different breeding programs can be assessed and evaluated, any
intervention should be carried out under local anaesthesia. Different systems are
already used or in development (i.e. applicator for local anaesthetic and rubber ring
at one time).
Conclusion
In any case a reduced amount of interventions should generally be aimed at,
requiring every single painful procedure to be overthought regarding necessity
Furthermore, animal welfare should be regarded and handled as a transnational
and primary concern. Therefore practicable standards for all countries should be
discussed, by taking their different management systems and needs into account
when planning to set up uniform regulations.
References
1. EFSA Journal 2014;12(12):3933, Scientific Opinion on the welfare risks
related to the farming of sheep for wool, meat and milk production,
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/scientific_output/files/main_docum
ents/3933.pdf
Dr. Regina Eibach
University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Foundation
Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants and Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory
Services
30171 Hannover
Phone: +49 511 8567260
Fax: +49 511 856 7684
E-mail: regina.eibach@tiho-hannover.de Abstract Nr. 26
Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
A STANDARD METHODOLOGY TO EVALUATE POTENTIALLY PAINFUL
PROCEDURES IN FARM LIVESTOCK
G. F. Bath
Deciding if a potentially painful procedure intended for use in farm livestock can be
allowed for use is difficult and subjective, unless the procedure is subject to a
standard system of evaluation. Many livestock organisations have developed Codes
of Best Practice for their farmers, there are also Codes of Best Practice for their
farmers, there are also Codes or Standards to guide usage developed by
organisations like the Livestock Welfare Coordinating Committee and South African
Bureau of Standards, supported by generic principles contained in laws. However
these guidelines are difficult to enforce and subject to legal challenge unless they can
be backed up by objective and consistent analysis of all procedures listed. The
paper presents a simple, practical method to analyse farm procedures for
acceptability that is both objective and consistent. There are eight tests applied,
preferably considered in the correct order and priority. Although these test are
sometimes referred to as the “eight rights” these should not be construed as applying
to animal rights, but rather that each test must be “right” in order for the procedure to
be acceptable from an animal welfare perspective. The first test is that the procedure
must be done for the right (good and sufficient) reasons – if it fails this test, there
need be not further investigation. The second and third tests are checking that it is
done only to be right (necessary) class of animal and at the right time – whether this
is age, season or programme related. The next two tests check that the right (most
suitable) method(s) are used, using the right, properly maintained equipment. The
sixth test requires that those who will perform the procedure must be properly trained,
and the seventh requires that they know all the risks involved and how to mitigate or
eliminate them. The final (eighth) test is that sufficient and appropriate follow-up
procedures are in place and done to ensure maximum safety for the animals. A list
of potentially harmful or painful procedures in small ruminants that are routinely
carried out by farmers in South Africa will be provided. Any proposed procedure that
is reckoned to be unacceptable can be listed, with the main reasons for rejection, but
no information should be provided on how it is carried out. This also applies to
justified procedures carried out using an unacceptable method.
Prof Gareth Bath
Faculty of Veterinary Science, P Bag X 04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa
gareth.bath@up.ac.za or gf.bath@gmail.com
(27) 12 529 8038 phone, (27) 12 529 8396 fax
Abstract Nr. 27
1
2
Royal Veterinary College, University of London, England
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, England
3
School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, England
THE PREVALENCE OF SPLIT UPPER EYELID DISEASE IN THE UK HEBRIDEAN
SHEEP POPULATION
E. Gascoigne1, D. Williams2, K. K. Reyher3
Split Upper Eyelid Disease
The split eyelid condition (SUED) is a congenital defect of the upper eyelid thought
to be exclusive to multi-horned sheep. SUED was first recorded in 1969 in Jacob
sheep (Littlejohn, 1969), but is also present in polycerate lines of the Hebridean,
Manx Loaghtan, Icelandic, Damara and Churro Navajo breeds. There has also been
an isolated case reported of affected multi-horned goats in Spain (Herrera et al.,
2007).
The Hebridean Sheep Society (HSS) defines a number of different severities of
SUED. The eyelid defect can be accurately scored from birth and is widely accepted
to be a congenital defect (Pemberton, 1981). The condition is graded on a scale from
1 to 4, with 4 being the most severe defect. Subtle changes associated with score 1
or 2 pigmentation are accepted by breeders to be of little significance to animal
wellbeing, however breeders are strongly advised not to breed from category 3 or 4
males, or category 4 females (Hebridean Handbook, 2015). These latter categories
are considered to be detrimental to the animal, with suspected increase in ocular
discomfort for affected animals, although no previous work has confirmed this.
Minimal population-wide screening for the prevalence and incidence of SUED has
been carried out, but previous work in the 1980s examining multi-horned breeds in
the UK (including the Hebridean) suggested a prevalence at 18.6%, although the
author did not specify the age profile for animals included in the survey (Henson,
1981), and only two Hebridean flocks were examined.
To the authors’ knowledge, there has never been a comprehensive survey of the
population of an individual breed with SUED via physical inspection of phenotypes by
an individual recorder.
Method
Flocks with a high proportion of multi-horned breeding ewes were contacted and
invited to participate in a face-to-face survey during summer, 2011. Eleven flocks
were visited in prior to dispersal of stock at annual sales and culling decisions.
Animals were physically examined by one of the authors (EG), and phenotypic
data was recorded for all animals (e.g. unique identifying number (UK number or
HSS tag), age in years, number of horns, direction of horns (forward-facing, vertical
or backward-facing), presence of fused horns or scurs, eyelid score for right and left
eyes in accordance with HSS guidelines, worst overall eyelid score, body condition
score (1-5), presence of the topknot, and any additional lesions noted such as
presence of ovine infectious keratoconjunctivitis). For the lamb population, where
known, the worst eyelid score of the dam and sire were additionally recorded.
Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2007 (Microsoft Office
2007) and Stata 2014 (StataCorp). Pearson’s Chi Square analysis was used to
compare relative proportions within the categorical dataset with p<0.05 considered
statistically significant. Phenotypic and clinical datasets (e.g. sex versus eye staining)
were analysed in this way. Additional modelling work examining phenotypic,
inheritance and staining data with SUED is ongoing (Gascoigne et al., in preparation)
and therefore only descriptive data is presented here.
Results
Four hundred and seventy-three purebred Hebridean sheep and one crossbred
lamb were presented for examination. Two-horned animals were present in all flocks,
but were not routinely examined. A range of horn numbers were examined, including
polled animals. The median number of horns in multi-horned animals was 4 horns
(range 0-8 horns). One hundred and seventy-six multi-horned Hebridean 2011 born
lambs were examined. The median number of horns examined in lambs was 4 horns
(range 0-6 horns).
Animals ranged from spring-born lambs in the year of birth to 16-year-old sheep.
The average known age of animals examined was 1.6 years (standard deviation=
0.09, n=444).
When all multi-horned Hebridean eyes examined were considered, 9.7% (88/903)
had category 4 SUED, 14.8% (67/454) of animals had evidence of category 4 SUED
in one or more eyes and 4.8% (22/454) had category 4 SUED in both eyes.
When considering multi-horned lambs to negate the effects of selection bias with
culling, 12.5% (44/352) of eyes examined had category 4 SUED, 17.6% (31/176) of
lambs had evidence of category 4 SUED in one or more eyes, and 7.4% (13/176) of
animals were observed as having bilateral SUED.
When changing the definition of SUED by merging categories 1 and 2 together
and 3 and 4 together as per the breed description, 34.7% of the lamb crop had
evidence of SUED (i.e. formerly categories 3 or 4) in one or more eyes.
With unmerged worst eyelid score, but male neutered and male entire lambs
merged, 12.7% of female lambs had category 4 SUED in one or both eyes, and
22.2% of males had SUED in one or both eyes. There was no statistically significant
difference between these two groups (p=0.29, n=176, Pearson’s Chi Square).
When eyelid categories were merged and sex was considered, 41.1% of male
lambs presented with SUED in one or more eyelids, and 27.9% of female lambs
presented with SUED in one of more eyelids. There was no significant difference
between the sexes, although there was a trend for males to have more SUED
(p=0.07, n=176, Pearson’s Chi Square).
Finally, the HSS’s current female breeding recommendations are that females with
a worst score of category 3 are eligible for pedigree registration. If these animals are
considered as acceptable and categories are reviewed so that categories 1, 2 and 3
are acceptable, then 12.8% of females lambs in this study had evidence of SUED
category 4 in one or more eyelids and therefore would not be eligible for registration
based on eyelid scores.
Conclusions
This is the most comprehensive survey of the Hebridean Sheep multi-horned
population to date and the largest single survey where data was collected by one
recorder. As a consequence, the prevalence of SUED in the population is likely to be
reflective of the true prevalence of disease and the lamb proportions reflective of the
annual incidence of disease. In addition, other phenotypic traits were quantified, and
novel lesions in Hebridean sheep described (i.e. dermoids associated with the
nictitating membrane).
References
1. Hebridean Handbook (2015) Hebridean Handbook (Hebridean Sheep Society)
pp22-23
2. Henson, E., 1981. A Study of the Congenital Defect ‘Split Eyelid’ in the Multihorned breeds of British Sheep Ark VIII 84-90
3. Herrera, M., Monteagudo, L.V., Tejedor, M.T., Arruga, M.V, Sierra, I., 2007.
Multihorned characteristic in goats associated with an eyelid deformity
Veterinary Record 161:8, 176a
4. Littlejohn, A., 1969. A defect of the upper eyelid in a flock of piebald sheep
Veterinary Record 85:7 189-190
5. Pemberton J. 1981. Split eyelid genetics The Ark pp280-283
Emily Gascoigne
Royal Veterinary College
c/o Synergy Farm Health LTD
Evershot, DT2 0LD, England
Phone 00(44) 9135 83682
FAX 01935 83972
E-mail: emily.gascoigne@synergyfarmhealth.com
Abstract Nr. 28
1
Clinic of Swine and Small Ruminants
Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics
University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
2
OCCURRENCE AND GENETIC COHERENCES OF CONGENITAL ENTROPION
IN LAMB
J. Meilwes1, O. Distl2, M. Ganter1
Introduction
Entropion is a congenital anomaly of the eyelids, which is often found in lambs of
small ruminants. It is a problem especially in sheep, but it is rarely found in goats,
too.
An inversion of the eyelid leads to a direct contact between the eyelash and the
cornea. Consequently this results in an irritation of the cornea and subsequently in
corneal defects. The clinical signs are conjunctivitis, keratitis, watery eyes,
photophobia and pain. This anomaly can be found unilaterally or bilaterally. Most time
it affects the lower eyelid. If it is not treated it might cause severe inflammation,
secondary bacterial infection, pain and blindness. Self-recovery occurs.
There are different methods to treat this anomaly: In mild cases it is successful to
roll out the eyelids manually, several times within the first days of life. In severe cases
of inversion subconjunctival injections of fluid, e.g. sodium chloride, paraffin oil or
antibiotics, or the use of different types of clips are indicated [1].
The heritability of this congenital defect has been discussed for a long time and
several breeding experiments have been carried out. Littlejohn and colleagues
(1954) claimed that the condition was not inherited as a simple Mendelian recessive
defect, but that a genetic disposition existed [2]. Entropion was described in different
breeds. Green et al. found a significant relationship to the breed. Lambs from Texel
and Charolaise rams have had more clinical entropion compared to lambs from
Suffolk sires. Sakul et al. reported that 40-70% of affected lambs in each year were
sired by a small group of rams.[3] Consequently it might be interesting to identify
genes associated with entropion to develop genetic markers and establish selection
criteria for breeding programs. Mousel et al. published a genome wide associated
study to identify genomic regions that are associated with entropion as a
phenotypical trait. They identified different chromosomal regions that were associated
with entropion in three breeds [4]. Furthermore preliminary results of Hadfield et al
indicate associations between entropion SNP markers on ovine chromosomes 1 and
3. However, there is still a lack of knowledge and further research is needed [5].
Methods
Sheep and goat flocks in Northern Germany were interviewed by a questionnaire
concerning entropion. The owners of sheep and goat flocks were asked for the
number of clinical cases, the breed, the breeding regime and possible familiar
clustering. Moreover they were asked to describe the flock specific management of
clinical cases, e.g. treatment by injection into the eye lid or the use of „Michael wound
clips”.
This first part of the study will give an overview on the current incidence of
entropion in Northern Germany. It will be continued by ongoing genetic examinations
by the Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics with the aim to look for new genetic
markers associated to clinical entropion and heritability.
Results
First evaluations of the data indicate a predominant incidence in lambs from
German Texels and their cross breeds. In goats entropion occurs mainly in Boer
goats, cases in in dairy goat breeds are extremely rare.
The treatment of entropion by farmers showed various strategies: some control all
newborns consequently. By this they detect this anomaly shortly after birth and treat
affected lamb immediately. Immediate treatment diminishes chronic inflammations
and corneal defects. Without treatment, the eye will undergo an ongoing inflammation
process, which could end in recovery after this inflammation process or in blindness.
Discussion
Claine and colleagues examined the development of clinical cases of entropion in
lambs without treatment. They calculated 7 days as average time for recovery. In
most cases clinical signs declaimed up to 14 days after birth, but some of the lambs
showed clinical signs up to 6 weeks after birth [6]. Due to the recommendations of
animal welfare, farmers should be sensitized to treat lambs as early as possible.
According to literature it is it is strongly recommended, to exclude affected animals
from breeding as genetic coherency seems to be likely.
A big problem in the selection of animals without entropion for breeding is the fact
that after a treatment and a complete healing process there are no visible signs of
this anomaly anymore.
Outlook
For a following part of this study presented here we are currently collecting blood
samples from affected animals and their parents during this and the next lambing
season. The samples will be used by the Institute for Animal Breeding and Genetics
to establish a new genetic test for selecting genetic susceptible animals and exclude
them from breeding.
References
1. Lamprecht, H., Entropium bei neugeborenen Lämmern. 1988: Hannover. p.
29- 34.
2. Littlejohn, A.I., Entropion in newborn lambs. Vet Rec, 1954. 66: p. 211-214.
quoted by Lamprecht, H., Entropium bei neugeborenen Lämmern. 1988
3. Green, L.E., E. Berriatua, and K.L. Morgan, The prevalence and risk factors
for congenital entropion in intensively reared lambs in south west England.
Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 1995. 24(1): p. 15-21.
4. Mousel, M., et al. Genome-wide association identifies genomic regions
associated with entropion in domestic sheep. in 10th World Congress on
Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. 2014. Asas.
5. Hadfield, T. Genetic Investigation of Sheep Families Demonstrating the
Entropion Eye Condition. in Plant and Animal Genome XXIV Conference.
Plant and Animal Genome.
6. Claine, F., et al., Monitoring and management of congenital entropion in
lambs: A prospective study. Small Ruminant Research, 2013. 111(1–3): 1-5.
Johanna Meilwes
Klinik für kleine Klauentiere
30173 Hannover
Tel.: 0511/ 856- 7465
Fax: 0511/ 856 7684
E-mail: Johanna.Maria.Meilwes@tiho-hannover.de
Abstract Nr. 29
1
Laboratory of Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine,Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
2
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Small Animal Diseases with Clinic,
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw,
Poland
3
Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding in Jastrzębiec, Polish Academy of
Sciences, Poland
PERSISTENCE OF MATERNAL ANTIBODIES
IN SMALL RUMINANT LENTIVIRUS-INFECTED GOAT KIDS
M. Czopowicz1, O. Szaluś-Jordanow2, L. Witkowski1, M. Mickiewicz1, I. MarkowskaDaniel1, E. Bagnicka3, J. Kaba1
Introduction
Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) spreads in goat population mainly via vertical
route through colostrum and milk. Kids acquire the virus along with colostral
antibodies which, however, do not seem to prevent the infection (Ellis et al. 1986).
Maternal antibodies usually disappear within 60 to 85 days after suckling (Adams et
al. 1983). The study aimed to determine time period for which maternal antibodies
were detectable using various serological tests.
The study was carried out in one goat herd in which SRLV infection had been
present for previous 20 years (Kaba et al. 2011). Forty one goat kids born in 2013
(n=7), 2014 (n=23) and 2015 (n=11) by 24 SRLV-infected dams were enrolled. The
does were from 3 to 9 year-old and they all had been seropositive for SRLV in at
least two tests performed during the preceding year. The kids were allowed to freely
consume colostrum and milk from infected dams for at least first 3 days of their life.
The blood was collected from all the kids before first suckling and then weekly for 18
weeks. Blood was centrifuged and stored at -20°C until testing. Three serological
ELISA tests were used: ID Screen® MVV / CAEV Indirect (henceforth referred to as
ID) based on the whole virus antigen, IDEXX MVV/CAEV p28 Ab Screening Test
(IDEXX) in which recombined transmembrane (rTM) protein and core protein p28
were the antigens, and VMRD Small Ruminant Lentivirus Antibody Test Kit cELISA
(VMRD) based on surface envelope glycoprotein gp135. Cut-offs provided by
manufacturers were applied. Persistence of antibodies in kids was given as the
median, interquartile range (IQR) and min-max range, and compared between the
three ELISA tests using a log-rank test.
Results
Before first suckling 40 kids were seronegative, however in one kid antibodies
were detected by all three ELISA tests. Only ID detected antibodies in all 41 kids. In
IDEXX and VMRD two (5%) and six (15%) kids, respectively, were seronegative for
the entire study. Both tests missed antibodies in different kids and no case in which
siblings differed in terms of antibody expression pattern in the same test was
observed. Persistence of antibodies in kids was from 2 to 15 weeks (median of 8
weeks, IQR from 6 to 10 weeks) in ID, and from 1 to 18 weeks in both IDEXX and
VMRD with median of 12 (IQR 7-14) weeks and median of 8 (IQR 5-11) weeks,
respectively. On the 18th week antibodies were detected by IDEXX in 6 (15%) kids
and by VMRD in one kid (none of the 6 seropositive in IDEXX). Antibodies were
detectable in IDEXX for significantly longer time period than in ID and VMRD
(p=0.005).
100%
IDvet
IDEXX
VMRD
90%
Proportion of seropositive kids
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Time after suckling [weeks]
Fig. 1. Persistence of maternal antibodies in SRLV-infected kids evaluated using three different ELISA
tests Discussion and conclusions
Lack of anti-gp135 and anti-rTM/p28 antibodies in the considerable number of kids
in which concomitantly the two remaining ELISA tests were positive for at least
several weeks indicates that antibody expression pattern to various viral proteins
varied in does and some of them may have maintained very low (or even null) levels
of antibodies to selected viral antigens during pregnancy (Hanson et al. 1996).
Consequently, the ELISA test based on the whole-virus particles was the most
effective in identifying kids from infected does. The presence of antibodies in kids
aged 18 weeks implies early seroconversion rather than so long duration of maternal
antibodies (Ellis et al. 1986).
References
1. Adams, D.S., Klevjer-Anderson, P., Carlson, J.L., McGuire, T.C., Gorham, J.R.
(1983): Transmission and control of caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus. Am. J.
Vet. Res. 44: 1670-1675.
2. Ellis, T.M., Carman, H., Robinson, W.F., Wilcox, G.E. (1986): The effect of
colostrum-derived antibody on neo-natal transmission of caprine arthritisencephalitis virus infection. Aust. Vet. J. 63: 242-245.
3. Hanson, J., Hydbring, E., Olsson, K. (1996): A long term study
of goats naturally infected with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus. Acta Vet.
Scand. 37: 31-39.
4. Kaba, J., Bagnicka, E., Czopowicz, M., Nowicki, M., Witkowski, L., SzaluśJordanow, O. (2011): Long-term study on the spread of caprine arthritisencephalitis in a goat herd. Centr. Eur. J. Immunol. 36: 170-173.
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the grant No. 2013/09/B/NZ6/03514 from the
National Science Centre of Poland.
Dr. Michał Czopowicz
Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Nowoursynowska 159c,
02-776 Warsaw
Phone: +48 (22) 59 36 111
E-mail: mczopowicz@gmail.com
Abstract Nr. 30
1
Department of animal breeding and genetics, chair of animal genetics and
pathogenetics, Justus Liebig University, Gießen, Germany
2
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Umbria e Marche, IZS-UM, Perugia, Italy
GENETIC RESISTANCE AGAINST SMALL RUMINANT LENTIVIRUS IN SHEEP:
ASSOCIATION WITH THE TMEM154 GENE
G. Lühken1, M. Eltanany1, R. Simon1, M. Bazzucchi2, G. M. De Mia2
Background and goals of the study
Small ruminant lentiviruses (SRLV) belong to the family Retroviridae and cause
maedi-visna (MV) in sheep. Disease eradication is based on serological testing for
maedi-visna virus (MVV) and culling. Although this can be successful (Peterhans et
al. 2004), this method is neither cost-effective (Houwers 1990) nor sustainable, as
SRLV-free flocks are still susceptible to infection if exposed to other infected sheep or
goats (Gjerset et al. 2009). Therefore, breeding for lower SRLV susceptibility may be
a promising approach. There is no doubt about genetic potential of sheep to resist
MVV infection and/or MV disease development and that this potential differs between
and within breeds (Houwers et al. 1989, Straub 2004). An amino acid substitution
(E35K) in the TMEM154 gene has been shown to be a promising marker for selection
towards a lower SRLV susceptibility in U.S. sheep (e.g. Heaton et al. 2012).
The goal of this study was to assess this marker for association with SRLV
susceptibility in the German sheep population. As U.S. studies showed an influence
of the SRLV provirus genotype on this association (e.g. Sider et al. 2013), we
additionally aimed at phylogrouping SRLV provirus sequences in the positive sheep.
Sheep aged 3 years or older from flocks in 4 different German federal states
(sample sets 1-4) and including different breeds were serologically tested with IDEXX
MVV/CAEV ELISA. DNA samples were genotyped for TMEM154 E35K by allele
specific PCR (KASP assay, LGC Genomics) and used for PCR amplification and
sequencing of the SRLV provirus gag-pol gene region (Giammarioli et al. 2011).
Resulting TMEM154 E35K genotype frequencies were tested for association with
MVV status (negative, positive). Phylogenic analysis of virus sequences was done
using the program MEGA6 and including published SRLV gag-pol sequences from
other countries.
Results
The origin of breeds (federal state), numbers of analyzed MVV negative and
positive sheep and TMEM154 E35K genotype frequencies are given in Table 1.
Except of sample set 4, there was a highly significant association of TMEM154 E35K
with serological MVV status of sheep. The frequency of MVV positive sheep carrying
the genotype KK was low with 0 up to 10% in sample sets 1-3, but high (59 %) in
sample set 4.
Until now, more than 45 virus sequences were obtained from sample sets 1 and 3.
Within the group of SRLV genotype A, they belong to already known genetic
subtypes and at least to one potentially new subtype.
Table 1: TMEM154 genotype frequencies of serologically MVV negative and positive sheep from
different German sheep flocks
Sample set
1) TX/TX mixed flocks SH2 (n)
genotype frequency (%)
KK
EK
EE
2) Mixed milk sheep flock BW3 (n)
KK
EK
EE
3) TX+SKF flock NRW4 (n)
KK
EK
EE
4) ML mixed flock HE5 (n)
KK
EK
EE
tested
sheep
111
MVV
negative
56
MVV
positive
55
P value1
0.000
26.13
36.94
36.94
24
46.43
33.93
19.64
14
5.45
40.00
54.55
10
0.000
50.00
33.33
16.67
72
78.57
21.43
0.00
42
10.00
50.00
40.00
30
0.000
18.06
40.28
41.67
125
30.95
45.24
23.81
62
0.00
33.33
66.67
63
0.187
66.41
27.34
6.25
74.19
20.97
4.84
58.73
33.33
7.94
1)
difference between genotype frequencies of MVV negative and positive sheep (chi-square or
Fisher’s exact test); 2) case-control pairs of MVV negative and positive sheep were selected from a
total of 9 flocks; 3) inlcuded Lacaune sheep and Ostfriesisches Milchschaf and their crossings; 4)
included 34 TX and 38 SKF sheep;
5)
dominated by ML-crossbreds
Abbreviations: TX = Texel; SKF = Schwarzköpfiges Fleischschaf; ML = Merinolandschaf; SH =
Schleswig-Holstein; BW = Baden-Württemberg; NRW = Nordrhein-Westfalen; HE = Hessen
Conclusions and prospects
TMEM154 E35K was shown to significantly associate with MVV antibody status in
the majority of German sheep flocks analyzed so far. Preliminary results showed a
low genetic heterogeneity of SRLV circulating in Germany compared to other
European countries, but SRVL sequences from more flocks and regions will have to
be analyzed. The missing of association between TMEM154 E35K with serological
MVV status of sheep in one mixed flock with predominantly Merinoland-crossbred
sheep in Hessen (sample set 4) could be due to additional genetic factors of the host
and/or the pathogen. Therefore, samples from MVV negative and positive sheep with
TMEM154 genotype KK from this flock will now be analyzed for the complete
TMEM154 coding region as well as for other candidate markers of SRLV
susceptibility, and for SRLV provirus phylogroups. Furthermore, more precise
phenotypes for SRLV infection status will be included in our study (e. g. antibody titer
values, SRLV provirus load).
Altogether, TMEM154 E35K seems to be a promising candidate marker for
selection of sheep towards lower SLRV susceptibility in the German sheep
population. However, more research is needed before considering the
implementation of this marker in breeding programs.
References
1. GIAMMARIOLI, M., et al. (2011):
Phylogenetic analysis of small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) in Italian flocks
reveals the existence of novel genetic subtypes. Virus Genes 43, 380-384.
2. GJERSET, B., et al. (2009):
Impact of natural sheep-goat transmission on detection and control of small
ruminant lentivirus group C infections. Vet Microbiol 135, 231-238.
3. HEATON, M. P., et al. (2012):
Reduced lentivirus susceptibility in sheep with TMEM154 mutations. PLoS
Genet 8(1): e1002467.
4. HOUWERS, D. J. (1990):
Economic importance, epidemiology and control. Maedi-visna and related
diseases. G. Petursson and R. Hoff-Jorgensen. Boston, MA., Kluwer
Academic Press: 83-117.
5. HOUWERS, ET AL. (1989):
Importance of ewe/lamb relationship and breed in the epidemiology of maedivisna virus infections. Res Vet Sci 46, 5-8.
6. PETERHANS, E., et al. (2004):
Routes of transmission and consequences of small ruminant lentiviruses
(SRLVs) infection and eradication schemes. Vet Res 35, 257-274.
7. SIDER, L. H., et al. (2013):
Small ruminant lentivirus genetic subgroups associate with sheep TMEM154
genotypes. Vet Res 44, 64.
8. STRAUB, O. C. (2004):
Maedi-Visna virus infection in sheep. History and present knowledge. Comp
Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 27, 1-5.
Prof. Dr. Gesine Lühken
Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik
Ludwigstrasse 21
35390 D-Gießen
Telefon: 0641 99 37680
Telefax: 0641 99 37689
E-mail: Gesine.Luehken@agrar.uni-giessen.de
Abstract Nr. 31
1
Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
2
Poland
3
Sciences, Poland
FLUCTUATION OF ANTIBODY LEVELS TO SMALL RUMINANT LENTIVIRUS
IN NATURALLY INFECTED GOATS
J. Kaba1, M. Czopowicz1, M. Mickiewicz1, I. Markowska-Daniel1,
O. Szaluś-Jordanow2, L. Witkowski1, E. Bagnicka3
Introduction
Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) causes life-long infection which, although
unapparent for a long time, can disseminate between goats. Laboratory tests are the
only measure allowing to identify an infected animal and control the disease in a herd
(Herrmann-Hoesing 2010). ELISA serological tests have high accuracy and are the
mainstay of laboratory diagnostics (Brinkhof and van Maanen 2007), however a
single serological screening of a goat is rarely sufficient to rule out the infection (de
Andres et al. 2013). This is because humoral immune reaction may be markedly
delayed and after seroconversion antibody levels often wax and wane (Hanson et al. 1996). The goal of the study was to investigate antibody fluctuations in the group of
naturally infected goats.
The study was carried out in the group of 22 goats born in February 2014 of 15
SRLV-infected does. The does had been seropositive for SRLV in at least two ELISA
tests performed during the preceding year. To ensure that the kids acquired the
infection they had been allowed to suckle their dams at will for at least first 5 days of
their life. The blood was collected from them before first suckling and then weekly for
98 weeks (22 months). Blood was centrifuged and stored at -20 C until testing. An ID
Screen® MVV / CAEV Indirect ELISA test based on the whole virus antigen was
used. Optical density of the sample serum compared to the optical density of the
positive control was expressed in percent (S/P%) and used for evaluation of a
sample status according to following rule: S/P%<50% - negative result; 50% to 60% inconclusive; >60% - positive. The analysis included weeks from the 16th since
antibodies detected in younger goats were likely to be of maternal origin. The time
point from which a goat showed at least 2 positive results in a row was considered as
the moment of seroconversion. At the age of 20 weeks all 22 goats were tested for
SRLV infection with PCR.
Results
The earlies seroconversion was observed in the 17th week of life whereas the
latest in the 96th week. Only 9 out of 22 goats seroconverted during the study – 5 in
the first and 4 in the second year (Fig. 1). Levels of antibodies varied considerably in
a given animal from one week to another and only 2 goats (#1 and #2) managed to
maintain high and constant level of antibodies during the study (Fig. 2.).
Fig. 1. Rate of seroconversion of goats naturally infected with SRLV through colostrum and milk during
nearly 2-year observation
Fig. 2. Fluctuations of the ELISA test results in 9 goats which seroconverted during the study
Discussion and conclusions
The study confirmed that seroconversion could be delayed for many months after
natural SRLV infection (Hanson et al. 1996). Moreover, humoral immune response
when measures using ELISA based whole virus particle was a very variable indicator
of goats’ health status. Therefore it could hardly be considered as an useful method
of excluding the SRLV infection at least within the first two years of naturally acquired
infection.
References
1. Brinkhof, J., van Maanen, C. (2007): Evaluation of five enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assays and an agar gel immunodiffusion test for detection of
antibodies to small ruminant lentiviruses. Clin. Vaccine. Immunol. 14: 12101214
2. de Andrés, X., Ramírez, H., Bertolotti, L., San Román, B., Glaria, I., Crespo,
H., Jáuregui, P., Minguijón, E., Juste, R., Leginagoikoa, I., Pérez, M., Luján,
L., Badiola, J.J., Polledo, L., García-Marín, J.F., Riezu, J.I., Borrás-Cuesta, F.,
de Andrés, D., Rosati, S., Reina, R., Amorena, B. (2013): An insight into a
combination of ELISA strategies to diagnose small ruminant lentivirus
infections. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 152: 277-288
3. Hanson, J., Hydbring, E., Olsson, K. (1996): A long term study
of goats naturally infected with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus. Acta Vet.
Scand. 37: 31-39
4. Herrmann-Hoesing, L.M. (2010): Diagnostic assays used to control small
ruminant lentiviruses. J. Vet. Diagn. Invest. 22: 843-855
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the grant No. 2013/09/B/NZ6/03514 from the
National Science Centre of Poland.
Prof. Jarosław Kaba
Warsaw University of Life Sciences
Nowoursynowska 159c,
02-776 Warsaw
Phone: +48 (22) 59 36 110
E-mail: jaroslaw_kaba@sggw.pl
Abstract Nr. 32
COMPARISON OF DIAGNOSTIC ALTERNATIVES FOR DETECTION
OF INFECTIOUS CAUSES OF OVINE AND CAPRINE ABORTION
R. Van den Brom, R. Dijkman, P. Vellema, R. Dijkman, E. Van Engelen
Introduction
Abortion, premature birth, stillbirth and birth of weak lambs (together further called:
abortion) in small ruminants can be caused by various infectious and noninfectious
agents. Several of these infectious agents can cause disease in humans. As a
consequence, abortion not only results in small ruminant reproductive losses but also
can give rise to severe zoonotic implications. Therefore, abortion is of not only of
economic interest for farmers but also is important for the benefit and health of the
animal keeper himself, farm visitors, and citizens living in the surrounding. Annually,
post mortem examination on submissions of ovine and caprine abortions is carried
out by GD Animal Health. Surveillance of the causes of abortion is important (Van
Engelen et al., 2014). As previously reported, decreasing numbers of submissions
are a concern for the reliability of surveillance results (Van Engelen et al., 2014).
During the lambing seasons of 2015 and 2016, GD Animal Health investigated two
accessible alternatives for ovine and caprine abortion submissions: 1) a mucus
sample from the oropharynx of the fetus and 2) a puncture from the fetal lung. The
results from both alternatives were compared with each other and with results from
post mortem examination.
Additionally, observations on causes and incidences of abortion in small ruminants
in the Netherlands during the lambing season 2015-2016 are described, and
compared with data from the lambing seasons in the last decade, and those from
other countries.
Post mortem examination was performed according to standard procedures (Van
den Brom et al., 2012; Van Engelen et al., 2014). From each submitted fetus, mucus
from the oropharynx was sampled with an Eswab (Copan Diagnostics Inc., USA),
and lung tissue was sampled by puncture (pink needle). Sampling was done before
regular post mortem examination. Both samples were tested by bacteriology as
described previously ((Van den Brom et al., 2012; Van Engelen et al., 2014).
Additionally, both samples were tested with a commercial PCR for DNA of Coxiella
burnetii and Chlamydia spp. A sample was called C. burnetii positive when more than
103 bacteria/mL were detected (Rodolakis, 2010).
Results
Results of laboratory investigations of ovine and caprine cases of abortion of the
spring season 2016 will be analyzed, using pathology records of submissions to GD
Animal Health from January until and including April 2016. The first preliminary
results show a good comparison between the results of post mortem examination
and results from samples collected from the oropharynx and lung tissue of each
fetus. Bacterial contamination of mucus samples from the oropharynx occurred, but
detection and determination of the main (causal) bacteria was possible. Results of
samples from fetal lung and fetal oropharynx seem to be comparable. Based on
these preliminary results, Chlamydia abortus was the main cause of abortion in
sheep as well in goats. Other causes of abortions were Campylobacter spp., Listeria
spp., Escherichia coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Ovine submissions resulted more
often in a diagnosis compared to caprine submissions. Caprine submissions were
more often incomplete. Submissions containing both fetus and placental membranes
resulted in more diagnoses at post mortem examination.
Discussion
At this moment, we can only provide preliminary results. At the time of writing of
this abstract, several submissions of aborted fetuses are under investigation and new
ones are still offered for post mortem examination.
Recently, several countries have reported decreasing numbers of sheep and goats
submitted for post mortem examination. Not only practical reasons and costs make
Dutch farmers and veterinarians hesitate to submit, but also the fear for the outcome
as an increased number of abortions is notifiable in the Netherlands, and many of
them do remember the culling of 55.000 pregnant goats in 2009-2010 during the Q
fever outbreak. Therefore, we have investigated new accessible diagnostic tools for
ovine and caprine abortions. Collecting a mucus sample from the oropharynx of an
aborted fetus is very accessible: the sample can be collected by the farmer or
practitioner and shipped (conform legislation) for laboratory investigation. Sampling
the oropharynx of aborted fetuses seems to be an accessible alternative to
demonstrate the major bacterial causes of ovine and caprine abortion. This
implicates that another important cause of abortion, Toxoplasma gondii, will not be
detected by both alternatives. This also applies for abortifacient viruses as border
disease and Rift Valley fever virus. Another disadvantage of this alternative is that it
can be used to detect bacterial causes of abortion, but does not detect changes in
tissue that prove the causality between the detected agent and abortion. Therefore,
this alternative is not advised as replacement for post mortem abortion diagnostics,
but as an additional accessible tool for practitioners and farmers to provide a first
indication when confronted with abortion problems. Especially, this alternative is very
useful in case of infection with C. abortus and C. burnetii when placental membranes
are lacking.
Some of the disadvantages could be overcome by adding placental tissue to the
sample and performance of additional PCR’s, e.g. for T. gondii and border disease
virus, on these samples. This is not tested yet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, preliminary results of two accessible alternatives in case of ovine
and caprine abortion to provide a first indication of bacterial causes of abortion seem
to give reliable results compared to results of post mortem examination. Further
improvement of both alternatives should be investigated by adding tissues like
placenta, and testing the samples for other relevant agents of ovine and caprine
abortion.
References
1. Rodolakis A. Q fever in France. International Q fever conference. Breda (the
Netherlands), 25th February 2010.
2. Van den Brom R., Lievaart-Peterson K., Luttikholt S., Peperkamp K., Wouda
W., Vellema P., 2012. Abortion in small ruminants in the Netherlands between
2006 and 2011. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 137, 450-457.
3. Van Engelen E., Luttikholt S.J.M., Peperkamp N.H.M.T., Vellema P., Van den
Brom R., 2014. Small ruminant abortions in the Netherlands during lambing
season 2012-2013. Vet Rec. 174, 506.
Corresponding and presenting author
PO Box 9
0031-(0)570-660556
E-mail: r.vd.brom@gdanimalhealth.com Abstract Nr. 33
SURVEILLANCE OF SHEDDING OF COXIELLA BURNETII
BY SMALL RUMINANTS TO PREVENT HUMANS TO SERVE AS SENTINEL
FOR Q FEVER EPIDEMICS
R. Van den Brom, E. Van Engelen, S. Luttikholt, P. Vellema
Introduction
Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the intracellular bacterium Coxiella
burnetii, which is able to infect several animal species, as well as humans. Domestic
ruminants are the main animal reservoir. In small ruminants, infections mostly don’t
give clinical symptoms. However, abortions and stillbirths can occur, mainly during
late pregnancy. Shedding of C. burnetii occurs in faeces, milk and mostly in placental
membranes and birth fluids. During parturition of infected small ruminants, bacteria
from birth products become aerosolized. Transmission to humans mainly happens
through inhalation of contaminated aerosols. When only single persons or small
groups are diseased, often the source of infection remains unclear. Nevertheless,
also large human Q fever outbreaks are described and in most cases these are
related to shedding small ruminants (Van den Brom et al., 2015a). In order to prevent
human Q fever, surveillance of shedding of C. burnetii by small ruminants is
important. This abstract discusses the challenge to prevent humans to serve as
sentinel for Q fever epidemics, and subsequently identifying small ruminant farms as
most probable source of shedding of C. burnetii.
Surveillance on small ruminant farms
Detection of shedding of C. burnetii in small ruminants can be achieved by several
methods, that all have their pros and cons. Firstly, culture of C. burnetii can only be
done under biosafety level 3 circumstances and culture of contaminated tissues is
difficult to perform. Secondly, post mortem examination on aborted, stillborn or weak
fetuses and placental membranes can detect infection by immunohistochemistry, but
this method is probably relatively insensitive. Additionally, shedding can also occur
after normal birth which can easily be missed, since placental tissues after normal
birth are seldom offered for post mortem examination. Thirdly, testing for C. burnetii
by PCR is a very sensitive method which can be performed in several matrices, but
samples can easily become “false positive” in highly contaminated surroundings
(Roest et al., 2012) and clear thresholds for positivity should be defined (Rodolakis,
2010). Finally, serology detects previous contact of the animal with the bacterium, but
does not provide information on current shedding (Hogerwerf et al., 2014).
As a consequence of the above mentioned reflections, the numbers of practically
applicable surveillance methods seem to be limited. On the other hand, for small
ruminants already applied methods as bulk tank milk surveillance in dairy sheep and
goats, and deciding abortion, due to Q fever as notifiable has been shown useful
(Van den Brom et al., 2015b). Collecting air samples from stables and testing them
by PCR might also be used as surveillance method, since de Bruin et al. (2012)
demonstrated that this method was effective in tracing sources of shedding.
Prevention of human Q fever
Several cases of Q fever in humans were described after contact with infected
animals, although outbreaks in the community, without animal contact, have also
been described frequently. Prevention of incidental human Q fever seems impossible
since many animal species can shed the bacterium. Nevertheless, (large) human Q
fever outbreaks and individual cases of Q fever in people at risk can partly be
prevented by reduction of shedding by infected animals and subsequent
environmental contamination, and strict hygiene measures should be applied in case
of contact with possibly infected animals. Vaccination of sheep and goats with a
phase I vaccine seems to play an important role in prevention of shedding by these
animal species (Hogerwerf et al., 2011). Hygiene measure on farms and general
measures by people could reduce exposure to C. burnetii.
Humans as sentinel
In the undesirable situation, that current surveillance systems fail to detect
shedding by small ruminants, humans can serve as sentinels to detect shedding
small ruminants. In that case, clusters of human Q fever patients can be detected by
real time syndromic surveillance (Van den Wijngaard et al., 2011), and when
combined with modern geographic information systems, the most likely source of C.
burnetii can be identified (Schimmer et al., 2010). After identification, measures can
be implemented to prevent shedding and subsequent human exposure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, surveillance of shedding of C. burnetii by small ruminants is of huge
importance to prevent human Q fever. Surveillance methods should be improved if
we want to prevent humans to serve as sentinel to detect C. burnetii shedding small
ruminants, bearing in mind that prevention of all human Q fever cases seems
impossible. Physicians should be aware of the symptoms of human Q fever in order
to diagnose the disease quickly. Collaboration between physicians and veterinarians,
and sharing knowledge in an accessible way is helpful to recognize risks, to provide
information for a broader group of specialists in the field, and for implementation of
preventive measures in an early stage.
References
1. De Bruin A., van der Plaats R.Q., de Heer L., Paauwe R., Schimmer B.,
Vellema P., van Rotterdam B.J., van Duynhoven Y.T., 2012. Detection of
Coxiella burnetii DNA on small-ruminant farms during a Q fever outbreak in
the Netherlands. Appl Environ Microbiol. 78, 1652-1657.
2. Hogerwerf L., Koop G., Klinkenberg D., Roest H.I., Vellema P., Nielen M.,
2014. Test and cull of high risk Coxiella burnetii infected pregnant dairy goats
is not feasible due to poor test performance. Vet J. 200, 343-345.
3. Rodolakis A. Q fever in France. International Q fever conference. Breda (the
Netherlands), 25th February 2010.
4. Roest H.J., van Gelderen B., Dinkla A., Frangoulidis D., van Zijderveld F.G.,
Rebel J., van Keulen L., 2012. Q fever in pregnant goats: pathogenesis and
excretion of Coxiella burnetii. PLoS ONE, 7, 14.
5. Schimmer B., ter Schegget R., Wegdam M., Züchner L., de Bruin A.,
Schneeberger P.M., Veenstra T., Vellema P., van der Hoek W., 2010. The use
of a geographic information system to identify a dairy goat farm as the most
likely source of an urban Q-fever outbreak. BMC Infec Dis. 10, 69.
6. Van den Brom R., van Engelen E., Roest H.I.J., van der Hoek W., Vellema P.,
2015a. Coxiella burnetii infections in sheep and goats; an opionated review.
Vet Microbiol. 2015 Jul 15. pii: S0378-1135(15)00273-4. doi:
10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.07.011.
7. Van den Brom R., Santman-Berends I., Luttikholt S.J.M., Moll L., van Engelen
E., Vellema P., 2015b. Bulk tank milk surveillance as a measure to detect
Coxiella burnetii shedding dairy goat farms in the Netherlands between 2009
and 2014. J Dairy Sci. 88, 1-12.
8. Van den Wijngaard C.C., Dijkstra F., van Pelt W., van Asten L., Kretzschmar
M., Schimmer B., Nagelkerke N.J., Vellema P., Donker G.A., Koopmans M.P.,
2011. In search of hidden Q-fever outbreaks: linking syndromic hospital
clusters to infected goat farms. Epidemiol Infect. 139, 19-26.
PO Box 9
0031-(0)570-660556
E-mail: r.vd.brom@gdanimalhealth.com Abstract Nr. 34
A RICKETS-LIKE BONE DISEASE IN YOUNG DAIRY GOAT LAMBS
K. Lievaart-Peterson, C. Honigh, R. Dijkman, K. Junker, G. Counotte, P. Vellema
Introduction
Rickets is defined as a bone deformation arising as a result of relative or absolute
deficiency of vitamin D, phosphor and/or calcium. It is characterized by deviating
enchondral ossification. For example, rickets occurs in fast growing youngsters fed a
misbalance of calcium phosphor ratio in their diet. The developed curved legs result
in unequal pressure on the growth plates with delayed bone growth at the side with
the highest pressure.
A rickets-like bone deformation is, over the last few years, seen as reoccurring
health problem in a Dutch dairy goat herd. It was presented as clinically visual
curving of (mainly the front) legs, commencing between 14 and 21 days of age.
Yearly, approximately ten per cent of the female offspring in this herd is affected.
Deviating bone formation was strongly suspected after post mortem examination in
2015 (four kids), although the changes were chronic and therefore a definite
diagnosis was hampered. A vitamin D deficiency was suspected. In 2016, a group of
does was supplemented with vitamin D and their offspring evaluated and compared
to offspring of non-treated does. Post mortems were performed on early stage
affected kids (awaiting results).
The dairy goat herd comprises of approximately thousand adults. The problems
have been (re)occurring over the last three years. All the milking does are housed in
a large shed, divided over four departments. Young stock is snatched at birth and
initially housed in a separate climate controlled part of this large shed. After being fed
artificial colostrum to the females and (mixed) goat colostrum to the males in small
crates, they are reassigned to either larger compartments within the same space
(females and potential breeding bucks) or another part of the farm (males). Here they
are fed commercial milk replacer for goats via a drinking automat.
In 2016, out of hundred two years old does artificially inseminated, fifty have been
supplemented with vitamin D (2,5 ml subcutaneous injection AD3E 80/40 Pro,
Alfasan, the Netherlands) in the last trimester of pregnancy. After birth, kids were
twice weekly clinically scored according to a predesigned system. The prevalence of
curved legs are recorded and related to the treatment of the does. Furthermore,
blood calcium and phosphate values of newborn kids were determined. Also 25hydroxyvitamin D3 was determined in affected as well as unaffected kids.
Results
As suspected, from day 14 after birth onwards, a small proportion of the female
offspring started to develop curved front legs. The clinical scoring also revealed
“rose-but like” thickening at the costochondral joints in some individuals. These
lesions were almost always more severe on one side, and in some cases decreased
over time.
At post mortem examination in 2015, curving of the humerus, radius and in to a
lesser extend of the femur and tibia bones was seen, as well as carpal joint
malformation. Moreover bone cysts, bone collaboration, and supplemental
connective tissues were observed as well as trabeculae with retained cartilage on
which layer-wise deposited osteoid. Low osteoclast activity, as well as some bone
with too many trabeculae (possibly growth retardation lattice) was also observed.
Furthermore osteochondrotic changes as well as a few fissures beneath the
epiphysis were evident.
Three out of the four kids showed tissue decay and chronic (non-septic)
inflammation of the kidney’s, indicative of decreased renal function. There were no
kidney grid or stones found.The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 results will follow.
Discussion
Pathological changes such as bone cysts, bone collaboration, and supplemental
connective tissues, resulted from incorrect load and conversion of bones and joints.
Unfortunately, they do not reveal the primary problem. Trabecular fibrosis could fit
fibrous osteodystrophy e.g. low calcium. There are no signs of growth retardation
lattices such as seen after BVD-infection and toxic insults, although a congenital
osteoclast deviation cannot be ruled out. In previous years, there did not seem to be
a relation between a specific breeding buck and clinical cases. It has to be taken into
account that the Dutch dairy goat population has a narrow genetic base.
Pathology books (Grant Maxie 2007; Zachary 2012) mention that goats are
sensitive to long term vitamin D deficiency. Osteochondrotic changes and fissures
beneath the epiphysis are signs of disrupt ossification and linked to genetics and/or
growth rate causes. In Corriedale sheep, a hereditable defect has been identified
(Dittmer and others 2011a; Dittmer and others 2011b), just as in cats, dogs, pigs
(Dittmer and Thompson 2011). In experimentally induced rickets in sheep, it was
shown that this situation can cure spontaneously (Meynaud-Collard and others
2009).
Bone malformations can indirectly be caused by renal failure. Vitamin D is initially
converted in the liver (by the enzyme vitamin D-25 hydroxylase) to 25(OH)D, and
subsequently in the kidneys (by 25(OH)D-1α-hydroxylase) into its active form
1,25(OH)2D, in which it promotes uptake of calcium from the gut. If this mechanism is
disturbed, low calcium blood levels can activate calcium mobilisation from the bones.
Low calcium could also be the indirect result of renal problems (high phosphor) or a
secondary effect of hypovitaminosis D. Phosphor homeostasis is regulated by
excretion in feces, saliva and urine. In sheep, genetic differences have been reported
in individuals which mainly regulate via saliva (low absorbing) or urine (high
absorbing) (Sykes 2007).
This condition is not noticed in the young bucks which can be explained by the fact
that these animals are slaughtered at a life weight of 8 kg, a weigh gained within the
first two weeks of life. They may simply not have the time to develop clinical signs.
Also their diet is different as they receive (mixed) goats colostrum and milk replacer
in a higher concentration and quantity than the females.
In the Netherlands, this condition has previously been described occurring after
goat kids were fed artificial milk replacer intended for calves (Dercksen and Berger
1992). Although the ration fed to both the adults and youngsters seems correct in
respect to calcium phosphor ratio, the limited day- or artificial light in the shed
housing the does, might result in hypovitaminosis D within the mothers. Kids born to
these mothers may be predisposed for rickets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although the signs seem to favor rickets, the post mortem outcomes
so far (2015, 2016 awaiting results) do not (yet) lead to the conclusion of classic
rickets, although osteoclast activity is inhibited. A disturbed calcium phosphor ratio
possibly in combination with a hypo-vitaminosis D is most likely the cause. It is too
early to come to conclusions on the vitamin D supplementation.
References
1. DERCKSEN, D. P. & BERGER, J. M. (1992) [Rickets-like bone changes in
goat kids fed with artificial milk intended for calves]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd
117, 629-631
2. DITTMER, K. E., FIRTH, E. C., THOMPSON, K. G., MARSHALL, J. C. &
BLAIR, H. T. (2011a) Changes in bone structure of Corriedale sheep with
inherited rickets: a peripheral quantitative computed tomography assessment.
Vet J 187, 369-373
3. DITTMER, K. E., HOWE, L., THOMPSON, K. G., STOWELL, K. M., BLAIR, H.
T. & COCKREM, J. F. (2011b) Normal vitamin D receptor function with
increased expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3)-24-hydroxylase in Corriedale
sheep with inherited rickets. Res Vet Sci 91, 362-369
4. DITTMER, K. E. & THOMPSON, K. G. (2011) Vitamin D metabolism and
rickets in domestic animals: a review. Vet Pathol 48, 389-407
5. GRANT MAXIE, M. (2007) Jubb, Kennedy & Palmer's Pathology of Domestic
Animals
6. MEYNAUD-COLLARD, P., ASIMUS, E., MATHON, D., DARMANA, R.,
FRAYSSINET, P., CAHUZAC, J. P. & AUTEFAGE, A. (2009) Spontaneous
recovery of experimental valgus deformity in lambs. Vet Comp Orthop
Traumatol 22, 356-362
7. SYKES, A. R. (2007) Deficiency of Mineral Macro-Elements In Diseases of
Sheep. Ed I. AITKEN, Blackwell Publishing. pp 363-377
8. ZACHARY, J. F., MCGAVIN, M.D. (2012) Pathologic basis of veterinary
disease
Dr. Karianne Lievaart-Peterson
PO Box 9
0031-(0)570-660478
E-mail: k.lievaart-peterson@gdanimalhealth.com
Abstract Nr. 35
1
Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
2
Division of Pathology of Exotic, Laboratory, and Non-domesticated Animals and
Fish, Department of Pathology and Veterinary Diagnostics, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
3
Poland
4
Sciences, Poland
FIBROUS OSTEODYSTROPHY IN FOUR ADULT GOATS
M. Mickiewicz1, M. Czopowicz1, K. Warchulska2, J. Bonecka3, O. Szaluś-Jordanow3,
I. Markowska-Daniel1, A. Moroz1, E. Bagnicka4, J. Kaba1
Introduction
Osteodystrophia fibrosa is a common metabolic disease of goats. Clinical
symptoms result from the secondary food-related hyperparathyroidism caused by
long-term feeding animals with phosphorus-rich diet (Bandarra et al. 2011).
Clinical case
Four cases of fibrous osteodystrophy were observed in a herd of 600 dairy goats
from the northern Poland.They were Polish White Improved and Polish Fawn
Improved goats aged 3 to 5 years. They were fed with haylage (1.7 kg a day), corn
silage (1.1 kg), hay (0.3 kg) and concentrates (0.7 kg; 34% oats, malt sprouts 20%,
beans 20% soybean meal 10%, wheat bran 12%, 4% of premix). Even though the
goats were in peak lactation their milk yield was very low (approx. 0.5-0.8 L a day).
Results
In clinical examination, marked bilateral enlargement of the jaw and difficulty
chewing food were seen in all 4 goats. In two of them excessive salivation also
occurred. Serum calcium level was reduced and ranged from 1.42 to 1.59 mmol/l
(reference interval: 2.20 to 3.05 mmol/l; Winnicka 2011). Serum phosphorus level
ranged from 1.62 to 2.02 mmol/l and lay in a lower limit of the reference interval
(1.62-4.48 mmol/l).
Radiological examination of the mandible and maxilla revealed atrophy of bone
tissue and atrophy of alveolar laminae with horizontaldisplacement of the premolars
and molars.In the mandible rami markedfocal rarefaction of bone tissue
corresponding to the foci of fibrous connective tissue were seen.
At autopsy bilateral symmetrical enlargement and increased flexibility of the
jawwere evident. Premolars and molars were poorly embedded in their sockets and
horizontally displaced. The bones of the mandible and maxilla could be easily cut
with a knife. A cross-sectional area was bright, shiny and soft.
Microscopic examination of H&E stained specimens of bone tissue taken from the
jaw revealeda discrete number of small trabeculae of weakly-mineralized osteoid
tissue with the moderate number of active osteoclasts, and a very intense fibroblastic
proliferation associated with a marked fibrous connective tissue deposition on
intertrabecular spaces. Masson trichrome stained positively for collagen fibers.
Conclusion
Fibrous osteodystrophyhas been reported sporadically andmainly in young goats
(Smith and Sherman 2009).The presence of four affected adult individuals in the herd
indicates substantial nutritional problems.
References
1. Bandarra, P.M., Pavarini, S.P., Santos, A.S., Antoniassi, N.A.B., Cruz, C.E.F.,
Driemeier, D. (2011): Nutritional fibrous osteodystrophy in goats. Pesquisa
Veterinária Brasileira 31: 875-878.
2. Smith, M.C., Sherman, D.M. (2009): Goat medicine, 2 ed., Wiley-Blackwell, p.
71.
3. Winnicka A., (2011): Wartości referencyjne podstawowych badań
laboratoryjnych w weterynarii. (Reference intervals of basic veterinary
laboratory tests. – in Polish) SGGW, p. 52, 71.
Marcin Mickiewicz, D.V.M.
Postal address: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life
Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Phone: +48 (22) 59 361 11
E-mail: marcin_mickiewicz@sggw.pl
Abstract Nr. 36
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
PROGRESSIVE CUTANEOUS ANGIOMATOSIS IN A SUFFOLK RAM
J. P. Crilly, H. Jackson, L. R. Morrison, A. W. Philbey, D. J. Wilson, P. R. Scott
Introduction
Angiomatosis is a term applied to a range of localised or progressive vascular
proliferations in human beings and domestic animals (Rongioletti 2003). It has not
previously been described in sheep, to the best of our knowledge. Here, we describe
a case of cutaneous angiomatosis in a 17 month old Suffolk ram which developed
cutaneous vascular proliferations.
A 17 month old homebred pedigree Suffolk ram presented to the university
ambulatory practice in May 2014 due to a non-resolving, haemorrhagic, easily
traumatised, crusted lesion on the scrotum.
The ram was in good body condition and was bright, alert and responsive. Over
the right hip, the fleece was matted by a 6 cm x 5 cm area of crusting. Similar
crusting was present over the lateral aspect of the right fetlock. The distal right limb
was swollen but not oedematous and there was no palpable enlargement of draining
lymph nodes. The distal scrotum was covered in dark, hard crusts approximately one
cm thick, which extended proximally and along the cranial midline. There was
thickening and purpura of the distal prepuce. The ram showed no lameness and was
not pruritic but palpation of the scrotum and prepuce elicited a pain reaction.
Vigorous movement by the ram resulted in spontaneous haemorrhage from the
scrotal lesion. Elevation of the crusts over the right hip revealed underlying
erythematous and friable skin.
Initial investigation (hair plucks, skin scrapes, impression smears, fungal cultures
and punch biopsies) suggested superficial pustular dermatitis caused by Gram
positive cocci. Treatment for 1 month with penicillin and dihydrostreptomycin was
recommended.
Despite treatment the lesions progressed. Punch biopsies were taken from the hip
and prepuce. Crusts from the scrotal skin were submitted for bacterial and fungal
culture. Histopathology of the skin from the hip and prepuce revealed extensive
proliferation of small to medium diameter, thin walled, blood filled, vascular channels
throughout the superficial dermis, with multifocal, locally extensive invasion of
vascular channels into the deep dermis. In the skin from the prepuce, larger,
branching, vascular channels were also seen. The histopathological appearance of
both sections was consistent with progressive cutaneous angiomatosis. Culture from
both sites produced a mixed bacterial growth of no significance. No fungi were
isolated.
Given the widespread nature of the lesions and their location in areas not
amenable to surgical excision, as well as their painful nature, the ram was
euthanased and submitted for post-mortem examination.
Post-mortem examination revealed oedematous swelling of the scrotum, prepuce
and right hind limb. There were multiple, irregular, dilated, anastomosing blood-filled
channels in the subcutaneous tissues of the right rump, thigh, inguinal region, hock,
pastern and proximal scrotum, supporting the diagnosis of progressive cutaneous
angiomatosis. No lesions were present on mucosal surfaces or in internal organs.
Scrotal and preputial skin were examined histopathologically; findings were
consistent with the progressive cutaneous angiomatosis. Samples of skin from this
ram were submitted for PCR for Bartonella spp., but none was detected.
Discussion
Angiomatosis has not been reported previously in sheep, but cutaneous
vasoproliferative lesions have been reported in goats (Bildfell 2002). There are
reports of angiomatosis in cattle, including a syndrome designated “juvenile bovine
angiomatosis” (Watson 1990, Richard 1995, Ruetten 2014).
The aetiology of angiomatosis is poorly characterised, although infection with
Bartonella spp. has been shown to play a role in the development of several
vasoproliferative tumours in human beings (Chomel 1996, Dehio 2005, PiérardFranchimont 2010) and DNA from Bartonella spp. has been detected in
vasoproliferative lesions, including angiomatosis, in dogs, cats, horses and cattle
(Yager 2010, Beerlage 2012). In our investigation, samples of skin from the ram with
angiomatosis were negative by PCR for Bartonella spp.
Angiomatosis may arise from a congenital blood or lymphatic vascular
malformation, or may be acquired in response to trauma or lymphovascular damage
(Peavy 2001). In the present case the owner reported the frequent appearance of
scrotal lesions in rams grazing kale and we speculate that repeated physical trauma
to the scrotum, prepuce and lower limbs from kale may have triggered the
development of these lesions in an innately predisposed individual. However, it is
more difficult to explain the lesions affecting the gluteal region.
In previous reports of vascular proliferative lesions in sheep and goats, local
excision of benign lesions has been curative (Bildfell 2002, Mohajeri 2008), as in
other species, such as cats (Bulman-Fleming 2009). However, in the present case,
the extent and location of the lesions precluded surgical excision as a viable option
for treatment. In a bull with angiomatosis, lesions recurred and progressed to
sarcoma following local cautery and cryotherapy (Ruetten 2014). Laser
photocoagulation has also been used for treatment of angiomatosis in a dog and two
cats (Peavy 2011).
Conclusions
Clinicians involved in sheep practice should consider angiomatosis as a differential
diagnosis for proliferative lesions of the skin that present with crusting, pain and
localised haemorrhage.
References
1. Rongioletti F, Rebora A. (2003) Cutaneous reactive angiomatoses: patterns
and classification of reactive vascular proliferation. J Am Acad Dermatol
49:887-896
2. Piérard-Franchimont C, Quatresooz P, Piérard GE (2010). Skin diseases
associated with Bartonella infection: facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol
28:483-488
3. Chomel BB. Cat-scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis. (1996) Rev Sci
Tech 15:1061-1073.
4. Yager JA, Best SJ, Maggi RG, Varanat M, Znajda N, Breitschwerdt EB (2010).
Bacillary angiomatosis in an immunosuppressed dog. Vet Dermatol 21:420428
5. Beerlage C, Varanat M, Linder K, Maggi RG, Cooley J, Kempf VAJ,
Breitschwerdt EB (2012). Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii and Bartonella
henselae as potential causes of proliferative vascular diseases in animals.
Med Microbiol Immunol 201:319-326
6. Bildfell RJ, Valentine BA, Whitney KM (2002). Cutaneous vasoproliferative
lesions in goats. Vet Pathol 39:273-277
7. Watson TD, Thompson H (1990). Juvenile bovine angiomatosis: a syndrome
of young cattle. Vet Rec 127:279-282
8. Richard V, Drolet R, Fortin M (1995). Juvenile bovine angiomatosis in the
mandible. Can Vet J 36:113-114
9. Ruetten M, Hauser M, Nuss K (2014). Spontaneous progression of cutaneous
angiomatosis to an infiltrative sarcoma-like tumour in a bull. New Zealand Vet
J 62:221-225
10. Dehio C (2005). Bartonella – Host-cell interactions and vascular tumour
formation. Nat Rev Microbiol 3:621-631
11. Peavy GM, Walder EJ, Nelson JS, Rosenberg M (2001). Use of laser
photocoagulation for treatment of cutaneous angiomatosis in one dog and two
cats. J Am Vet Med Ass 219:1094-1097
12. Mohajeri D, Mousavi G, Rezaie A (2008). gingival hemangioma in a sheep.
Iranian J Vet Sci 3:85-89
13. Bulman-Fleming JC, Gibson TW, Kruth SA (2009). Invasive cutaneous
angiomatosis and thrombocytopaenia in a cat. J Am Vet Med Ass 234:381-384
James Patrick Crilly
FarmVets SouthWest, Unit 8, Sedgemoor Auction Centre, North Petherton, UK,
TA6 6DF
+44 7533 495115
E-mail: jp.crilly.vet@gmail.com
Abstract Nr. 37
1
Wiederkäuerklinik, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Bern
2
Veterinary Public Health Institute der Universität Bern
3
Amt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Tiergesundheit Graubünden, Chur
4
Institut für Veterinärbakteriologie, Vestuisse-Fakultät der Universität Bern
PCR-DIAGNOSTIK POOLING-METHODEN ZUR KONTROLLE
VON DICHELOBACTER NODOSUS (APRV2)
D. Greber1, I. Locher1, M. A. Butty1, G. Schüpbach2, K. Holdener3, J. Frey4,
A. Steiner1
Einleitung
Die Diagnose von Moderhinke (MH) wurde bisher vor allem aufgrund der Klinik
gestellt. Dabei lag der Schwerpunkt auf den fortgeschrittenen klinischen Stadien.
Diese sind ab MH-Score 3: geröteter Zwischenklauenspalt mit schmierigem Belag,
Ablösen der Klauenhornwand im ZKS und modriger Geruch. Dieses klinische Bild
kann sich weiterentwickeln zu einem MH-Score 4, wobei es zu einem Ablösen des
Klauenhorns im Ballenbereich und weiter bis zu MH-Score 5, einem kompletten
Loslösen des Klauenhorns (Ausschuhen) kommen kann. Bisher war es schwierig
einen Labortest durchzuführen, da die meisten Untersuchungen auf der
anspruchsvollen Anzucht des Erregers basierten. Mit der kompetitiven real-time
PCR, die am Institut für Veterinärbakteriologie der Vetsuisse-Fakultät Bern entwickelt
wurde, steht uns nun eine objektive Untersuchungsmethode zur Verfügung, die
gleichzeitig zwischen benignen (AprB2) und virulenten Stämme (AprV2) des D.
nodosus unterscheiden kann. Die Probe kann mit einem Tupfer im
Zwischenklauenspalt entnommen und anschliessend in einem Spezial-Buffer ohne
spezielle Transportmassnahmen ins Labor gebracht werden. Die PCR liefert damit
eine ideale Grundlage für eine objektive Moderhinkekontrolle oder Überwachung.
Das Ziel unserer Studie war die Untersuchung verschiedener Pooling-Methoden in
Hinblick auf eine mögliche Senkung der Probenanzahl, Kosten und Arbeit.
Material und Methode
Von allen Pooling-Methoden wurden die Sensitivität und die Spezifität berechnet.
Die Proben stammen aus verschiedenen Projekten, die zwischen Oktober 2013 und
Mai 2015 durchgeführt wurden.
4 zu 1: Dabei handelt es sich um den Vergleich zwischen 4 einzelnen
Klauentupfern und einem Pooltupfer von allen 4 Zwischenklauenspalten von den
Klauen von einem Schaf. Es wurde von jeder Klaue einzeln ein Tupfer entnommen.
Anschliessend wurde mit einem Tupfer - immer um 90° gedreht - von allen vier
Klauen im Zwischenklauenspalt eine Probe entnommen. Die weiteren PoolingMethoden basierten auf der 4-Klauen-Pool-Probe. Folglich wurde pro Schaf nur
einen Tupfer genommen.
10-er Pooling: Die Einzeltierproben (4-Klauen-Pool-Proben) wurden im Labor zu
10-er Pools zusammengestellt, so dass bei einem positivem Resultat auf das
Einzeltier zurück geschlossen werden könnte.
Risikobasierte Herdenbeprobung:
Anhand der Daten vom 4 zu 1 Pooling und einer angenommenen
Herdenprävalenz von 20% wurde die Stichprobengrösse berechnet. Dabei wurden
die Tiere aufgrund ihres Risikos ausgewählt. Es wurde zwischen Hochrisikotieren:
lahme Tiere, Neuzugänge, Ausstellungstiere und mögliche Kontakttiere zu anderen
Herden sowie Risikotieren: Tiere mit bekannten Klauenproblemen, Widder, Tiere mit
schlechten Klauen und zufällig ausgewählte Tiere unterschieden. Durch diese
Auswahl werden potentielle Trägertiere, die noch keine Anzeichen zeigen und in die
Herde gebracht wurden, abgedeckt und können identifiziert werden. Aus der
jeweiligen risikobasierten Stichprobe einer Herde wurde im Labor zusätzlich ein 10erPooling untersucht. Dabei wurden je nach Stichprobengrösse 2-3 Pools
zusammengestellt und untersucht. In Pool 1 wurden alle Hochrisikotiere eingeteilt
und dann absteigend nach ihrem Risiko aufgefüllt auf 10 Tiere pro Pool.
Resultate
Es wurden insgesamt von 522 Schafen je vier einzelne und eine Pooltupfer Probe
untersucht und verglichen. Dabei waren 112 Schafe AprV2-positiv und 410 Schafe
AprV2-negativ. Wenn man nur eine Pooltupfer Probe nimmt – also ein Tupfer pro
Schaf – gibt das eine Spezifität von 98.3% und eine Sensitivität von 93.8%. Von
insgesamt 112 AprV2-positiven Schafen (1 oder mehrere der einzelnen
Klauentupferproben waren positiv) waren 7 Tiere in der Pooltupferprobe falsch
aprV2-negativ. Dabei handelt es sich jedoch immer um schwachpositive
Einzelklauentupfer. Beim 10-er Pooling wurden eine Spezifität von 100% und eine
Sensitivität von 86,7% berechnet. Dabei waren 13 von 98 10er Pools falsch negativ.
Bei der risikobasierten Herdenbeprobung wurden alle 23 Moderhinke klinisch
positiven Betriebe anhand der Stichprobe als AprV2-positiv erkannt. Bei 15 der 23
Betriebe konnte mit vorhandenem eingefrorenem Material ein 10er Pooling anhand
der Stichprobenauswahl getestet werden. Davon wurden alle 15 Pools, die
Hochrisikotieren beinhalten, als AprV2- positiv erkannt.
Schlussfolgerung
Ein Pooling auf Einzeltierebene ist unbedingt zu empfehlen. Ein 10er Pooling ist
eine gute Möglichkeit für ein Screening des Moderhinke-Herdenstatus und
funktioniert gut in Herden mit stark positiven Tieren. Jedoch sollte das 10er-Pooling
weiter untersucht werden mit frischen Proben, um herauszufinden, ob die Lagerung
und das Einfrieren der Proben einen Einfluss hatten. Die risikobasierte Beprobung
zur Feststellung des Herdenstatus ist eine gute Lösung, um nicht die ganze Herde
untersuchen zu müssen. Mit der Erfassung der Hochrisikotiere werden die
wichtigsten der potentiellen Infektionsquellen abgedeckt. Wichtig dabei ist eine
sorgfältige Durchführung und Identifikation der Hochrisikotiere, sowie der Risikotiere.
D. Greber
Wiederkäuerklinik, Vetsuisse-Fakultät der Universität Bern
Universität Bern
3012 Bern
Schweiz
Abstract Nr. 38
Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort Unité de Pathologie des Animaux de Production,
Maisons-Alfort, France
CLINICAL CASE REPORT: FATAL POISONING OF SHEEP
BY GALEGA OFFICINALIS (FRENCH HONEYSUCKLE)
K. Adjou, V. Wolgust, Guy Peretz, A. Haffar, P. Gerbi, H. Benoit-Valièrgue
Galega officinalis also called "french honeysuckle" or "goatrue" is a toxic plant
found in abundance in many countries in Europe. This plant poisoning, which
generally occurs in summer, is characterized by asphyxic syndrome which leads to
death within hours. The entire plant is toxic (roots and external parts after flowering).
The toxic mechanism is yet to be established. However, the active substances
discovered in the plant such as galegine and its high toxicity for sheep are
documented.
Here we report a clinical case observed in a spring season. In a french farm of 48
sheep fed contaminated hay, 14 died suddenly after exhibiting signs of respiratory
distress, dyspnea and anoxia, a white foamy nasal discharge and meteorism. A
necropsy examination was performed on died ewes in the Veterinary School of Alfort.
Pathological signs in animals that died following the ingestion of a large amount of
the plant included severe voluminous citric yellow hydrothorax, which coagulated in
the air. Lung congestion, foamy exsudate in brionchioles and trachea were also
found. From the first findings on the necropsy examination, we suspected this
poisonous plant. Galega officinalis was then identified after the examination of the
contaminated hay fed to the sheep, which come from a parcel of land that had been
cut exceptionnally due to the drought at this period. This case report shows the
accidental nature of the intoxication of sheep by Galega officinalis, especially during
difficult seasons (lack of food).
Corresponding author :
Prof. Dr. Karim ADJOU
Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort
Unité de Pathologie des Animaux de Production
7 avenue du Général de Gaulle
94704 Maisons-Alfort, France
Phone : 00 331 43 96 71 24
E-mail: karim.adjou@vet-alfort.fr
Abstract Nr. 39
1
Scotland’s Rural College, Hill and Mountain Research Centre, Crianlarich, Scotland
2
Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services, Auchincruive, Ayr, Scotland
PHOTOSENSITISATION IN LAMBS ASSOCIATED
WITH INGESTION OF BOG ASPHODEL (NARTHECIUM OSSIFRAGUM)
M. L. Pollock1, F. E. Malone2
Bog asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) photosensitisation
Bog asphodel (German: Beinbrech; Åhrenlilie; Moorlilie; or Gelbe Moorlilie) is a
perennial plant of the family Liliaceae and is common on wet heaths, bogs and
moorland in North-West Europe (Cooper and others, 2003). It has slightly fleshy
grass-like leaves, flattened into one plane and 15 to 30 cm long stems bearing a
slender raceme of bright yellow flowers approximately 1 cm in diameter during
summer (Figure 1). Bog asphodel poisoning is associated with a hepatogenous
photosensitisation in lambs, which is known as “yellowses” or “plochteach” in
Scotland (Pollock and others, 2015). The condition is known as “alveld” in Norway
(Ender, 1955), where it has been extensively researched and is regarded as an
important sheep health issue (Ulvund, 2012). Bog asphodel does not cause
photosensitisation in cattle; instead it is associated with kidney disease (Malone and
others, 1992).
Photosensitisation occurs when abnormal quantities of photodynamic agents are
present in the blood, resulting in skin oedema, ulceration and necrosis (Sargison,
2008), with secondary infections commonly occurring. Secondary (or hepatogenous)
photosensitisation occurs when toxins damage the liver, limiting its ability to remove
photodynamic chemicals derived from chlorophyll from the blood (Cheeke, 1995).
Photosensitisation due to ingestion of bog asphodel is an example of secondary
photosensitisation (Ender, 1955; Flåøyen and others, 1991a; Flåøyen, 1993).
Clinical signs have only been observed in lambs and not in adult sheep (Flåøyen,
1993). These include oedema, serum exudation, ulceration and necrosis (Scott,
2007) in areas where blood vessels are close to the surface of exposed skin (lips,
ears, eyelids, back). Skin sloughing can lead to partial or full ear loss (Figure 2),
making tagging impossible. Bald patches often appear along the skin over the spine
where the fleece splits. There is a high risk of secondary infection. Affected animals
become dull, cease eating, seek shade and often damage the skin further by rubbing
or kicking their heads (Scott, 2007). In severe cases animals may die from shock or
from secondary infection.
Ender (1955) found saponins in N. ossifragum that are associated with other
secondary photosensitisation diseases elsewhere in the world and suggested these
could be the cause of the disease. Some dosing experiments using concentrated
extracts from N. ossifragum have replicated the disease (Ender, 1955; Abdelkader
and others, 1984), but other work using concentrated extract or feeding cut,
unprocessed N. ossifragum did not (Ender, 1955; Flåøyen and others, 1991b).
However, as the condition only occurs in early to mid-summer it has been suggested
that at least one other factor may be involved in the aetiology.
The disease in Scotland
The disease is thought to be highly prevalent in the West and North-West
Highlands of Scotland where N. ossifragum is abundant. Records of Scottish
blackface lambs with typical clinical signs were collated from Scotland's Rural
College (SRUC) farms at Kirkton and Auchtertyre in Perthshire in the summers of
2013 to 2015 (Table 1).
Figure 1. Bog asphodel
Year /
Flock
2013 /
Kirkton
2013 /
Auchtertyre
2014 /
Kirkton
2014 /
Auchtertyre
2015 /
Kirkton
2015 /
Auchtertyre
Figure 2. Ear tip necrosis due to
photosensitization
Total
number
tagged
518
% affected
3.5
% affected that % still present
disappeared
in August
before August
0.0
3.5
194
10.8
2.1
8.7
540
2.4
0.9
1.5
250
20.4
6.4
14.0
693
1.7
0.0
1.7
238
13.9
0.09
12.6
Table 1. Lambs affected in June and July on SRUC’s Kirkton and Auchtertyre farms in 2013, 2014 and
2015.
The Kirkton and Auchtertyre farms comprise a total of 2,200 hectares with 1,600
breeding hill sheep. In 2013, 3.5% of Kirkton lambs and 10.8% of Auchtertyre lambs
had clinical signs of the disease. In 2014, 2.6% of Kirkton lambs and 20.4% of
Auchtertyre lambs were affected. In 2014 around one-third of the affected animals
from both flocks had disappeared by weaning (late August) and presumably died. In
2015 1.7% of Kirkton lambs and 13.9% of Auchtertyre lambs were affected. Current
policy recommends lambs with signs of the disease to be housed with their mothers
until they have recovered. Lamb losses of unknown cause on West Highland hill
farms are considerable and it is likely that some of these losses are due to this
disease. Survey data collected from 50 farmers in 2015 suggests that the disease is
a significant issue in North and West Scotland, with farmer reported incidence of 13
per cent in ‘bad’ years and 3 per cent in ‘good’ years. Reported incidence rates were
low in South and Central Scotland and intermediate in Northern England and NorthEast Scotland (Morgan-Davies and McCracken, unpublished data).
References
1. Abdelkader, S .V., Ceh, L., Dishington, I. W. and Hauge, J. G. (1984). Alveldproducing saponins II. Toxological studies. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia 25,
76-85.
2. Cheeke, P. R. (1995). Endogenous toxins and mycotoxins in forage grasses
and their effects on livestock. Journal of Animal Science 73, 909-918.
3. Cooper, M. R., Johnston, A. W. and Dauncey, E. A. (2003) Poisonous plants
and fungi. The Stationary Office, London, UK, pp. 79-80.
4. Ender, F. (1955). Undersøkelser over alveldsykens etiologic (Etiological
studies on ‘Alveld’ – a disease involving photosensitization and icterus in
lambs). Nordisk Veterinaer Medicin 7, 329-377.
5. Flåøyen, A., Borrebæk, B., Nordstoga, K. (1991a). Glycogen accumulation
and histological changes in the livers of lambs with Alveld and experimental
sporidesmin intoxication. Veterinary Research Communications 15, 443–453.
6. Flåøyen, A., Tønnesen, H. H., Grønstøl, H., Karlsen, J. (1991b). Failure to
induce toxicity in lambs by administering saponins from Narthecium
ossifragum. Veterinary Research Communications 15, 483-487.
7. Flåøyen, A. (1993). Studies on the aetiology and pathology of Alveld: with
some comparisons to sporidesmin intoxication. Thesis, Doctorate of Veterinary
Medicine, Norwegian College of Veterinary Medicine. pp. 1-24.
8. Malone, F. E., Kennedy, S., Reilly, G. A. C., Woods, F. M. (1992). Bog
asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) poisoning in cattle. Veterinary Record 131,
100-103.
9. Pollock, M. L, Wishart, H., Holland, J. P., Malone, F. E. and Waterhouse, A.
(2015): Photosensitisation of livestock grazing Narthecium ossifragum: Current
knowledge and future directions. The Veterinary Journal 206, 275-283
10. Sargison, N. (2008). Sheep flock health. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, UK, pp.
411-413.
11. Scott, P. R., 2007. Sheep Medicine. Manson Publishing Limited, London, UK,
pp. 249-251.
12. Ulvund, M. J. (2012). Important sheep flock health issues in
Scandinavia/northern Europe. Small Ruminant Research 106, 6-10.
Frank Malone
Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Services, Auchincruive
Ayr
Scotland, KA6 5AE
Phone: 01292 520318
Fax: 01292 521069
E-mail: frank.malone@sac.co.uk
Abstract Nr. 40
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Production Animal Clinical
Sciences, Section for Small Ruminant Research, Sandnes, Norway
INTRAUTERINE TRANSMISSION
OF ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN SHEEP
A.-M. Sagen, W. Okstad, S. Stuen*
Introduction
The bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum may cause disease in several
mammalian species including humans. In ruminants, the disease is named tick-borne
fever (TBF). The infection is common on Ixodes ricinus infested pastures in Europe
and represent not only a welfare challenge, but may also cause severe economic
losses especially in the sheep industry. A. phagocytophilum causes a persistent
infection in sheep for several months or even years. In the present study, the extent
of intrauterine transmission in persistently infected sheep was investigated.
Thirteen lambs, 5-6 months old, of the Norwegian white breed were utilized.
Twelve of these animals were infected in the autumn with the variant M73220 (Gen
Bank acc. no.) of A. phagocytophilum. The infection was followed the first month of
infection by clinical examination and blood sampling. Thereafter the lambs were
mated and 9 became pregnant. All animals used were then monitored regularly for an
A. phagocytophilum infection for at least 10 months. In the following spring, the
pregnant animals gave birth. Colostrum and amniotic fluid were collected at delivery.
In addition, blood samples from the newborn lambs were collected on the day of birth
(day 0) and thereafter on days 3, 7, 14, 28 and 42. If the lamb died samples were
collected from several tissues, such as blood, brain, heart, liver, lung and spleen. All
animals included were monitored for an A. phagocytophilum infection by clinical
observation, blood smear microscopy, real-time PCR (msp2 gene of A.
phagocytophilum) and serology (IFA-indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay). In
addition, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of positive samples will be obtained.
A total of twenty lambs were born from altogether nine pregnant ewes, whereas 6
died within the first week. Eight of 14 live lambs (57%) and all dead lambs (6) were
suspected to be infected with Anaplasma by real-time PCR. For confirmation, 16S
rRNA gene sequencing of positive samples will be performed. Updated data will be
presented at the meeting. The primary results indicate that intrauterine infection of A.
phagocytophilum may occur in persistently infected ewes.
References
1. Granquist EG, Bårdsen K, Bergström K, Stuen S. 2010. Variant- and individual
dependent nature of persistent Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection, Acta
Vet Scand. Apr.15, 52, 25
2. Henniger T, Henniger P, Grossmann T, Distl O, Ganter M, von Loewenich FD.
2013. Congenital infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum in a calf in
northern Germany. Acta Vet Scand. May 1;55:38
3. Pusterla N, Braun U, Wolfensberger C, Lutz H. 1997. Intrauterine infection
with Ehrlichia phagocytophila in a cow. Vet Rec. Jul 26;141(4):101-2
S. Stuen
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Section for Small Ruminant Research
Kyrkjeveien 332/344
N-4325 Sandnes
E-mail: snorre.stuen@nmbu.no
tel: 47 51603510
fax: 47 51603509
Abstract Nr. 41
1
2
School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
Diergeneeskundig Centrum Zuid-Oost Drenthe, Coevorden, The Netherlands,
3
NSFO, Postbus 160, 5300 AD, Zaltbommel, The Netherlands
4
Utrecht Centre for Tick-borne Diseases (UCTD), Utrecht University, Utrecht,
The Netherlands
FIRST REPORT OF ANAPLASMA PHAGOCYTOPHILUM IN SHEEP
IN A NATURE RESERVE IN THE NETHERLANDS
M. Groenevelt1,2, R. Everts2,3, S.R.J. Burgers4, F. Jongejan4
Introduction
Anaplasma phagocytophilum has been found in the Netherlands in a wide variety
of species (Butler et al., 2008; Nijhof et al., 2007; Siebinga and Jongejan, 2000). In
sheep, the only report so far was on one of the islands in the North Sea although the
deer population in the rest of the country seems to be infected (Uilenberg et al.,
1979). Despite these reports, Anaplasmosis or Tick Born Fever (TBF) is a very rarely
made diagnosis by vets in practice. The case described here concerns a sheep flock
in a nature reserve with vague clinical signs and mortality.
Case background
During the lambing seasons of 2013 and 2014 a flock of sheep grazing on the
nature reserve ‘Bargerveen’ in the North-East of The Netherlands experienced high
levels of disease and losses in within the lamb flock. Clinical signs varied but
consisted of pyrexia, ill thrift, ataxia, gangrene of extremities and death. The flock
consisted of lambs and ewes both raised within the nature reserve and lambs and
ewes that were newly introduced. The majority of disease and losses were seen in
the newly introduced animals.
In 2014 a diagnosis of Anaplasma phagocytophilum was suspected and later
confirmed by PCR. As this was the first report of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in this
area it was decided to start a trial with three subsequent groups of sentinel sheep
during the summer of 2014 in order to be able to monitor the clinical signs and
possibly isolate the strains involved for further investigations.
Sentinel studies – material and methods
The sheep that were used in the trials all were a similar breed to the flock already
on the reserve (Drents and Schoonebeeker heideschap crossbreds) but were
purchased from non-conservational grazing areas. During all trials the animals were
checked twice daily by the farmer and once weekly by the researchers for clinical
examination, counting of ticks and blood sampling. Each week serum samples were
taken and if fever was measured (>40˚C), sterile EDTA blood samples were taken. At
the final day of each trial the remaining living ticks were removed and sent in for
species determination. If the farmer noticed one of the animals being sick, treatment
with oxytetracycline injections or removal from the reserve was carried out after
clinical assessment by the researchers.
Study 1
In the first study, six ewes and four lambs were introduced into the nature reserve.
These sheep were given a set area of the reserve to graze and did not mixed with the
original flock. The sheep were introduced in July 2014 and stayed in the trail for 51
days.
Study 2 and 3
In the second and third study, six and four adult ewes respectively were introduced
and were set to graze the same area as the original flock and mixed with them. They
were introduced in September and October 2014 and stayed in the trial for 12 and 14
days respectively.
Results
Clinical examination
The main clinical signs seen during all three study periods were fever (up to
41.8˚C), lymphadenopathy and pale mucous membranes. During trial 1 the animals
stayed fit until day 51, when two animals were found dead and a third that died three
days after it had been removed from the reserve. During trials 2 and 3, four and three
animals respectively became very dull with high fevers and general lymphadenopathy
between days 8 and 14 and it was decided to remove them from the reserve and to
treat them with oxytetracycline injections. All treated animals recovered quickly and
fully.
During trial 1, ticks on the animals were scarce until the last week, while during
both trial 2 and 3 all sentinel sheep were carrying two or more ticks from day 7 and
forward of the trial.
PCR results
Figure 1 Cumulative positive PCR results (Burgers et al., 2014)
Figure 1 shows the cumulative number of sheep that are found to be PCR positive
during the length of the trials. Animal numbers presented here are lower as the PCR
results showed that several of the sentinel sheep had been PCR positive on day 0
and they were excluded from these results. During the second and third trial, the
majority of animals became positive before day 8. In the first trial three animals were
positive within a week but it took up to 51 days for more animals to become positive.
Discussion
The results of these trials show that at least part of the clinical signs seen in the
commercial flock grazing on ‘Bargerveen’ can be explained by TBF. The gangrene of
extremities seen in the commercial flock was not noticed in the sentinel animals and
might be caused by poisonous fungae such as ergot or fescue poisoning rather than
TBF (Sargison, 2008). The reason why the first trial sheep did not show clinical signs
until the end of the study remain unclear but potentially relate to the animals not
having access to the full reserve and the fewer numbers of ticks found during clinical
examination.
Conclusion
TBF needs to be considered as a possible diagnosis in sheep being grazed on
conservational grazing areas in The Netherlands. This is especially important since
TBF carries a zoonotic risk and ‘Bargerveen’ is a popular tourist spot as well as being
managed by foresters who can easily come in contact with infected ticks.
References
1. Burgers, S.R.J., Goderski, G., Borger, L., Everts, R.E., Jongejan, F. 2015 TickBorne Fever outbreaks in sheep introduced into nature reserves in The
Netherlands. Master thesis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht
Univeristy.
2. Butler, C.M., Nijhof, A.M., Jongejan, F., van der Kolk, J.H., 2008. Anaplasma
phagocytophilum infection in horses in the Netherlands. Vet Rec 162, 216217.
3. Nijhof, A.M., Bodaan, C., Postigo, M., Nieuwenhuijs, H., Opsteegh, M.,
Franssen, L., Jebbink, F., Jongejan, F., 2007. Ticks and associated pathogens
collected from domestic animals in the Netherlands. Vector Borne Zoonotic
Dis 7, 585-595.
4. Sargison, N., 2008. Sheep Flock Health, a planned approach. Blackwell
Publishing Ltd., Oxford, UK.
5. Siebinga, J.T., Jongejan, F., 2000. [Tick-borne fever (Ehrlichia phagocytophila
infection) on a dairy farm in Friesland]. Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 125, 74-80.
6. Uilenberg, G., van Vorstenbosch, C.J., Perie, N.M., 1979. Blood parasites of
sheep in the Netherlands. I. Anaplasma mesaeterum sp.n. (Rickettsiales,
Anaplasmataceae). Tijdschr Diergeneeskd 104, 14-22.
Margit Groenevelt DVM dipECSRHM
Dorpsstraat 25a
7863 PA Gees
The Netherlands
Margit.groenevelt@bristol.ac.uk
0031641210192
Abstract Nr. 42
1
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Sciences, Norwegian University of Life
Sciences, Oslo/Sandnes, Norway
2
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA;
3
Department of Immunology, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway
4
Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Linköping, Jönköping, Sweden
5
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
TICK BORNE FEVER IN SHEEP AND THE SEARCH FOR PROPHYLAXIS
E. G. Granquist1*, U. G. Munderloh2, A. F. Barbet5, S. Tollefsen3, P. E. Lindgren4
S. Stuen1
In Norway, approximately 300.000-400.000 lambs are infected by Anaplasma
phagocytophilum on pastures annually. Economic and welfare implications result
from the infection, which is usually accompanied by secondary bacterial diseases
such as arthritis, pneumonia and septicemias. Current disease prevention strategies
are based on reduction of tick infestations by chemical acaricidal preparations and
secondary diseases are treated with broad spectrum antibiotics. However, there is a
growing concern about the environmental safety and public health risks associated
with rising antibiotic resistance in target- and non-target bacteria, increasing costs of
chemical control and the possibility of resistance in ticks, to pesticides. An effective
vaccine against tick-borne fever has been demanded by sheep farmers and
veterinary practitioners in Norway for years. The lack of such vaccines is partly due to
the difficulties in obtaining high quality genome data from live-stock associated
strains and detailed information on the genetic structure of different strains. The
project will approach the development of effective vaccine candidates by combining
cell culturing methods, genome sequencing and reverse vaccinology methods to
produce whole cell- (attenuated, mutant and knockout) and subunit vaccine
candidates to be tested in sheep models by vaccination and challenge trials. Vaccine
responses will be monitored and characterized by different immunological assays
both in vivo and in vitro. Bio-security assessments, cross-protection trials and
transmission blocking studies will be carried out by using molecular- and xenodiagnostic methods. The project is funded by the Norwegian Meat and Poultry
Research Center, The Norwegian Sheep and Goat Association, The Foundation for
Research Levy on Agricultural Products (FFL) and the Agricultural Agreement
Research Fund (JA). The project was initiated in January 2015 and will run till
January 2019. One PhD student will be enrolled in the project. The current
presentation will outline the aim, objectives and expected outcomes of the project
and invite potential collaborators.
References
1. Stuen, S (2003):
Anaplasma phagocytophilum (formerly Ehrlichia phagocytophila) infection in
sheep and wild ruminants in NorwayTitle and source of reference
1. Granquist, EG (2010):
Infection strategies and immune evasionof Anaplasma phagocytophilum in
lambs
Dr. Erik Georg Granquist
Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences
Ullevålsveien 72
0033 Oslo
+47 67232120
E-mail: Erikgeorg.granquist@nmbu.no
Abstract Nr. 43
1
Poland
2
Laboratory of Epidemiology and Economics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, Warsaw, Poland
3
Sciences, Poland
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC HEART DIMENSIONS OF GOATS OF TWO POLISH
LOCAL BREEDS – POLISH WHITE IMPROVED AND POLISH FAWN IMPROVED
O. Szaluś-Jordanow1, M. Czopowicz2, L. Witkowski2, M. Mickiewicz2, T. Frymus1,
E. Bagnicka3, J. Kaba 2,
Introduction
Heart diseases are rarely diagnosed in goats. Emergence of clinical symptoms of
the heart disease results rather in culling then medication. However, goats are not
rarely kept for companionship as well as they are used as experimental animals
(Fletcher et al., 1964) and these facts render more individual diagnostic and
therapeutic approach justified. Only a few publications describing the use of
echocardiography in goats have so far been released – one on Swedish domestic
goats (Olsson et al., 2001), one on Philippines native goats (Acorda et al., 2005),
three on Saneen goats (Leroux et al., 2012a; 2012b; Steininger et al., 2011) and one
on a mixed sample of Saneen and Golden Guernsey goats (Hallowell et al., 2012).
They all proved that echocardiography was as safe, convenient and reliable
diagnostic test in goats as in any other animal species. Therefore we carried out the
study to compare dimension of the heart between two Polish local goat breeds –
Polish White Improved (PWI) and Polish Fawn Improved (PFI).
Sixty four Polish Fawn Improved goats and 61 Polish White Improved goats were
enrolled in the study.
All echocardiographic examinations were performed in conscious animals by one
examiner using Mindray M7 diagnostic ultrasound system with Phased Array probe
(P4-2s). Measurements recorded from two-dimensional echocardiography (2-D)
included aortic diameter (AoD) in diastole and left atrial diameter (LAD) in systole and
calculated ratio of the left atrial diameter to the aortic diameter (LAD/AoD).
Measurements recorded from one dimensional (M-mode) echocardiography
included right ventricular internal diameter in diastole (RVIDd), left ventricular internal
diameter in systole (LVIDs) and diastole (LVIDd), inter-ventricular septum thickness
in systole (IVSs) and diastole (IVSd), left ventricular peripheral-wall in systole
(LVPWs) and diastole (LVPWd).
Numerical variables were given as an arithmetic mean and standard deviation
(SD) if normally distributed, otherwise as median and interquartile range (IQR).
Normality of variable distribution was assessed using Shapiro-Wilk W test.
Comparisons between two groups were performed using Student’s t-test for unpaired
samples or Mann-Whitney U test if the variable had non-normal distribution. Analysis
of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for comparison of echocardiographic
measurements between the two breeds with control for role of body weight. A
significance level of 0.05 was assumed. Statistical analysis was performed in
Statistica 10 (StatSoft Inc.).
Results
Age of goats enrolled ranged from 2 to 9 years and was right-hand distributed
(p<0.001) with the median of 4 years, IQR from 3 to 5 years and no difference
between the breeds (p=0.898). PWI goats were significantly heavier than PFI goats
(67.9±8.5 kg; 46-73 kg and 58.5±7.7 kg; 48-80 kg, respectively; p=0.001).
Comparison of echocardiographic measurements between the two breed is given
in table 1. Most of differences observed between PWI and PFI goats proved to result
from the higher body weight of the former breed. Only right ventricle was significantly
wider in PWI goats, more than could be linked to their higher body weight.
Table 1. Comparison of echocardiographic measurements between Polish White Improved (PWI) and
Polish Fawn Improved (PFI) goats
Echocardiographic
measurement
LAD
AoD
LAD/AoD
RVIDd
LVIDd
LVIDs
LVFWd
LVFWs
IVSd
IVSs
Units
cm
cm
1/1
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
cm
Breed (mean±SD)
PWI (n=61)
PFI (n=64)
3.36±0.40
2.80±0.28
1.21±0.13
1.15±0.37
4.29±0.49
2.57±0.36
0.91±0.19
1.21±0.21
0.88±0.14
1.10±0.19
3.26±0.41
2.64±0.22
1.24±0.14
0.95±0.33
4.07±0.43
2.4±0.39
0.84±0.14
1.11±0.18
0.81±0.13
1.03±0.15
* difference significant at a significance level of 0.05
ANCOVA
(p-value)
Breed
Body
weight
0.634
0.042*
0.588
0.006*
0.389
0.962
0.018*
0.838
0.646
0.025*
0.073
0.972
0.885
0.016*
0.675
0.019*
0.050
0.858
0.607
0.134
Discussion and conclusion
Both goat breeds included in the study were developed in last two decades of the
20th century by mating native Polish goats with two popular dairy breeds – French
Alpine (for PFI) and Saanen (for PWI) (Kaba and Bagnicka, 2009). Actually, many
goats from this study were very closely related to either French Alpine or Saanen
goats as they came from highly-producing dairy farms where regular breeding policy
aimed to maximize milk productivity by mating with the aforementioned pedigree
goats. The share of genes of improving breeds was even up to 80% in the herd in
which more than 50% of goats used in this study were kept (Bagnicka et al., 2015).
The analysis showed that differences between the two breeds could be attributed to
different body weights with only one exception (RVIDd) in which the difference
although statistically significant was unlikely to be clinically relevant.
References
1. Acorda, J.A., Ong, R.A.F., Maligaya, R.L. (2005): Ultrasonographic features of
the heart in Philippine native goats (Capra hircus). Philippine Journal of
Veterinary Medicine 42: 66-74.
2. Bagnicka, E., Hamann, H., Distl, O. (2015): Structure and the non-genetic and
genetic effects on milk traits in Polish dairy goat population Animal Science
Papers and Reports 33: 59-69.
3. Fletcher, W.S., Rogers, A.L., Donaldson, S.S. (1964): The use of the goat as
an experimental animal. Lab Anim Care. 14: 65-90.
4. Hallowell, G.D., Potter, T.J., Bowen, I.M. (2012): Reliability of quantitative
echocardiography in adult sheep and goats. BMC Vet. Res. 8: 181.
5. Horowitz, G.L., Altaie, S., Boyd, J., Ceriotti, F., Gard, U., Horn, P., Pesce, A.,
Sine, H., Zakowski, J. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI).
Defining, establishing, and verifying reference intervals in the clinical
laboratory; approved guidelines, 3rd ed, CLSI document C28-A3, Vol. 28, No.
3.
6. Kaba, J., Bagnicka, E. (2009) Goats in Poland – breeding and use. Życie
Weterynaryjne 84: 206-209.
7. Leroux, A.A., Moonen, M.L., Farnir, F., Sandersen, C.F., Deleuze, S.,
Salciccia, A., Amory, H. (2012a): Two-dimensional and M-mode
echocardiographic reference values in healthy adult Saanen goats. Vet. Rec.
170: 154.
8. Leroux, A.A., Farnir, F., Moonen, M.L., Sandersen, C.F., Deleuze, S., Amory,
H., (2012b): Repeatability, variability and reference values of pulsed wave
Doppler echocardiographic measurements in healthy Saanen goats. BMC Vet.
Res. 8: 190.
9. Olsson, K., Hansson, A., Hydbring, E., von Walter, LW., Häggstrom, J. (2001):
A serial study of heart function during pregnancy, lactation and the dry period
in dairy goats using echocardiography. Exp. Physiol. 86: 93-99.
10. Reed, A.H., Henry, R.J., Mason, W.B. (1971): Influence of statistical method
used on the resulting estimate of normal range. Clin. Chem. 17: 275-284.
11. Steininger, K., Berli, A,S.. Jud, R.. Schwarzwald, C,C. (2011): Echocardiography in Saanen-goats: Normal findings, reference intervals in
awake goats, and the effect of general anesthesia. Schweiz. Arch. Tierheilkd.
153: 553-564
Corresponding author:
Dr. Olga Szaluś-Jordanow
Postal address: Nowoursynowska 159c Street, 02-776 Warsaw,
Phone: +48 225936111
E-mail: olga_szalus@sggw.pl
Abstract Nr. 44
Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Roslin, UK
HYPERSENSITIVITY TO CULICOIDES MIDGES CAUSING SEASONAL DERMATITIS
IN SHEEP
J. P. Crilly, T. Nuttall, J. Del Pozo, A. Hopker, M. Tomlinson, N. D. Sargison
Introduction
Seasonal allergic dermatitis due to hypersensitivity to Culicoides midge bite has
been described in many species (Yeruham et al., 1993), most extensively in horses
(Schaffartzik et al., 2012). Culicoides midges have been described as the cause of
allergic dermatitis in sheep before in both the UK and Israel (Connan & Lloyd, 1988;
Yeruham et al. 1993, 2000, 2004), with the diagnosis based on clinical signs, history
and histopathological findings. In this case we confirmed hypersensitivity to
Culicoides midges in affected sheep using an intradermal allergen test (IDAT).
Figure 1. Lesions were most severe and extensive
on the face, most notably on the pinnae, around the
eyes and along the sides of the muzzle. Less
severe lesions were also present on the limbs and
udder.
4 adult Hebridean ewes (40% of
the breeding flock) presented in July
2015 with a 3-4 year history of
seasonal pruritic skin disease (MayNovember). Affected sheep showed
pruritus, alopecia, hyperkeratosis and
lichenification. Lesions were present
on the face, distal limbs, and udder
(see Figure 1). No previously
attempted treatment had ameliorated
signs but the pruritus was reported to
lessen during wet and windy weather.
The ewes were not known to be
related, but this could not be
excluded.
General clinical examination was
unremarkable. No toxic plants were
identified in the pasture; no evidence of dermatophytosis, ecto- or endoparasitism
was found. Haematology revealed relative monocytosis in all affected sheep,
absolute monocytosis in two, eosinophilia in one ewe. There was no evidence of zinc
deficiency.
The affected animals were hospitalised in the R(D)SVS in August 2015 for one
month; punch biopsies were taken from the margin of affected areas at admission
and submitted for histology; no pruritus was observed during hospitalisation and the
lesions resolved. IDAT was performed using a standard panel of 53 allergens, with
positive (histamine) and negative (saline) controls (Greer Laboratories, Lenior, NC,
USA). This was performed craniolateral to the udder in one animal and high on the
lateral thorax in the remaining three. An IDAT test was performed using just
Culicoides extract and positive and negative controls on farm on two unaffected
sheep (one adult ewe and one ewe lamb).
Results
Histopathology revealed moderate diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with
moderate diffuse acanthosis, and a moderate interstitial to perivascular superficial
inflammatory pattern consistent with chronic, diffuse eosinophilic dermatitis.
In the IDATs, three of the four affected sheep showed positive responses to
Culicoides extract. The fourth showed no response to the positive control or any of
the allergens. In the two unaffected animals there were good responses to the
positive controls, but neither animal showed a response to Culicoides extract.
These results support hypersensitivity to Culicoides as the cause of the seasonal
skin disease seen in these four sheep.
Discussion
This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, to confirm hypersensitivity to
Culicoides spp. in sheep by means of IDAT. This technique is well-established for the
diagnosis of equine insect bite hypersensitivity (Quinn et al., 1986, Ferroglio et al.,
2006). The test is based upon an immediate type hypersensitivity response (Quinn et
al., 1983, Hillier & DeBoer, 2001). The IDAT dilutions have not been validated for this
species, but the lack of response in the two healthy sheep suggests that the
response to the Culicoides allergen extract was specific and not an irritant reaction.
The distribution of lesions seen in this case is different to that described
previously. Prior reports indicate a primarily ventral distribution of lesions with the
udder and ventral abdomen most severely affected (Connan & Lloyd, 1988, Yeruham
et al., 2000). The difference in this case may be due to different species of Culicoides
being present in north-western Scotland (Purse et al., 2012), as preferred feeding
sites on the host are known to be species specific (Schmidtmann et al., 1980).
The age profile of the affected sheep is similar to that reported in previous studies
(Connan & Lloyd, 1988, Yeruham et al., 1993, 2000, 2004).
There appear to be breed differences in prevalence of Culicoides hypersensitivity
(Yeruham et al., 2000) and individual differences within breeds (Yeruham et al.,
2000). This suggests a hereditary component to Culicoides hypersensitivity, as
reported in other species (Eriksson et al., 2008).
Housing the affected sheep in an area of lower midge density (Purse et al., 2012)
was associated with complete resolution of the lesions, as described in the previous
British report (Connan & Lloyd, 1988).
This is a potentially serious condition with implications for animal welfare and
potentially a high prevalence in a rare breed. Further studies on effective Culicoides
control, other management options and heritability are therefore required.
Conclusions
Hypersensitivity to Culicoides species was confirmed in sheep showing seasonal
allergic skin disease affecting the face, udder and distal limbs by IDAT. Practitioners
should consider hypersensitivity to Culicoides spp as a differential diagnosis for
seasonal pruritic and hyperkeratotic skin disease in sheep.
References
1. Connan, R.M., Lloyd, S. (1988). Seasonal allergic dermatitis in sheep.
Vet.Rec.123:335-337
2. Eriksson, S., Grandinson, K., Fikse, W.F., Lindberg, L., Mikko, S., Broström,
H., Frey, R., Sundquist, M., Lindgren, G. (2008). Genetic analysis of insect bite
hypersensitivity (summer eczema) in Icelandic horses. Animal. 2, 360-365
3. Ferroglio, E., Pregel, P., Accossato, A., Taricco, I., Bollo, E., Rossi, L.,
Trisciuoglio, A. (2006). Equine Culicoides Hypersensitivity: Evaluation of a
Skin Test and of Humoral Response. J.Vet.Med.A. 53,30-33
4. Hillier, A., DeBoer, D.J. (2001). The ACVD task force on canine atopic
dermatitis (XVII): intradermal testing. Vet.Immunol.Immunopathol. 81,289-304
5. Purse, B.V., Falconer, D., Sullivan, M.J., Carpenter, S., Mellor, P.S., Piertney,
S.B., Mordue (Luntz), A.J., Albon, S., Gunn, G.J., Blackwell, A. (2012).
Impacts of climate, host and landscape factors on Culicoides species in
Scotland. Med.Vet.Entomol. 26,168-177
6. Schaffartzik, A., Hamza, E., Janda, J., Crameri, R., Marti, E., Rhyner, C.
(2012). Equine insect bite hypersensitivity: What do we know?
Vet.Immunol.Immunopathol. 147,113-126
7. Schmidtmann, E.T., Jones, C.J., Gollands, B. (1980). Comparative hostseeking activity of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) attracted to pastured
livestock in central New York State, USA. J.Med.Entomol. 17:221-231
8. Yeruham, I., Braverman, Y., Orgad, U. (1993). Field observations in Israel on
hypersensitivity in cattle, sheep and donkeys caused by Culicoides.
Aust.Vet.J. 70:348-352
9. Yeruham, I., Braverman, Y., Perl, S. (2000). Study of apparent hypersensitivity
to Culicoides species in sheep in Israel. Vet.Rec. 147:360-363
10. Yeruham, I., Perl, S., Braverman, Y. (2004). Seasonal allergic dermatitis in
sheep associated with Ctenocephalides and Culicoides bites. Vet. Dermatol.
15:377-380
James Patrick Crilly
FarmVets SouthWest, Unit 8, Sedgemoor Auction Centre, North Petherton, UK,
TA6 6DF
+44 7533 495115
E-Mail: jp.crilly.vet@gmail.com
Abstract Nr. 45
Tierarztpraxis Hoffmann, Elbingerode/Harz
STUDIES OF PHEROMONE APPLICATION IN SEASONAL ANOESTROUS EWES
K.-H. Kaulfuß
Introduction
Sheep normally undergo a prolonged anestrous period during spring and summer,
thus preventing the continuous production of lambs for the marketplace. Too meet
this challenge, it has been demonstrated that off-season estrus can be artificially
induced by the delivery of exogenous hormones (progestagen sponges, GnRH,
PMSG, melatonin). However, questions about possible hormone persistence in lamb
meat have resulted in the prohibition of such hormone treatments in the agricultural
practice of many countries, including Germany. The development of an altenative
method for the oestrus induction by an application of ram-pheromones could be a
way for a naturally breeding manipulation of anovulatory ewes as a basis for an
efficient system of a continuous lamb production. The aim of this work was to test the
influence of a single nasal application of ram-pheromone containing woolfat on LH,
FSH, progesterone (P), corpus luteum (c.l.) and the follicle development in
anoestrous German Mutton Merinos with a known ovary state before the start of the
trial.
Production and processing of the wool fat
To produce the pheromone containing wool fat, the wool of one sexually vigorous
ram was collected. The wool had grown during one breeding season and the ram
was sheared in September and February. The wool fat was cold extracted with
methylenchloride, as described by Over (1992). After filtration and multiple washing
with the same solution, the extract was condensed in a vacuum rotation vaporizer
until a paste was obtained.
Experiment 1
The experiment was carried out in May, involving ten adult ewes which had
lambed in February/March of the same year and suckled their lambs only a
shortened period. Within the last four weeks before the start the animals showed no
oestrous behaviour, had plasma progesterone values < 0,1 ng/ml and during three
ovary diagnoses by transrectal ultrasound no corpora lutea (c.l.) as well as follicles >
3 mm were detected. The ewes were prevented from any contact with rams.
Following a nasal application of 2 ml of woolfat over a period of 48 hours frequent
blood sampling took place. The ovary morphology was examinated once per day and
progesterone levels were measured over a period of 25 days after pheromone
application.
The significant increase of LH and FSH within 20 minutes after pheromone
application acts by a direct pheromone mechanism on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis
and is independent of the negative feedback effects of the ovarian steroids. After 180
minutes LH and FSH decrease to the basal levels and showed a second increase
between 9 and 26 hours after application. Within two days after stimulation follicles >
5 mm were found in all animals, which later all came to ovulation. In ewes originally
having less than 5 follicles with a diameter of 2 - 3 mm (group A) a significant
increase in the total follicle number was obtained. In comparison, in females with
more than five such follicles (group B) only the follicle dimension categories changed.
Four animals showed c.l. with diameters of more then 10 mm, like in cyclic ewes, and
a P-level of > 4ng/ml. The P-values of 6 ewes were below 4 ng/ml and accompanied
with insufficient c.l. (diameter 4-6 mm) in five cases. Within group B P-values
generally stayed at an increased level over 19 days and showed two maxima in this
period. In three of these animals a formation of new c.l. could be diagnosed. In group
A on the other hand a higher P-level was obtained only for 11 days and only one ewe
showed two tops in the curve. The results demonstrated that the visual and physical
components of the ram-effect are not necessary for the stimulation of the
gonadotropin release and the follicle development in seasonal anoestrous German
Mutton Merino.
Experiment 2
The objective of the study was to clarify if a single nasal application of ram
pheromone containing wool fat can induce fertile oestrus in anoestrous ewes under
field conditions. The investigations were conducted in 251 sheep from April
(pheromone application) until September (lamming). In order to determine the ovary
status of the ewes ovary diagnosis were carried out by ultrasonography before
pheromone application in 111 (44.2%) randomly selected ewes. Afterwards the
sheep were divided into two groups (treated, untreated) and kept in separate pens.
The treated group received a nasal application of 2 ml wool fat each. Oestrus was
detected by crayon-harnessed rams. During the first 14 days of the mating period
15% of the ewes in both groups showed signs of oestrus. In the following four weeks
in the treated group 31.2% more ewes became oestrous than in the untreated group
(71.9% to 40.7%) and 29.7% more treated ewes lammed (61.9% to 32.2%). The
absolute lamming rate increased by 0.32. In contrast to the control group some
treated animals, which had only follicles with a maximum diameter of 3 mm before,
showed oestrus signs or lambda later due to the handling.
Conclusion
Because of the use of a species-characteristic active substance and the simple
application of a defined quantity of the substrate it can be concluded that the nasal
wool fat application is suitable to replace other procedures for oestrus induction in
seasonal anoestrous sheep.
Reference
1. OVER, A. (1992): Physiological reactions and operations to isolate
pheromones of rams and he-goats. PhD thesis, University of Hohenheim.
Dr. Karl-Heinz Kaulfuß
Untere Schulstraße 8
38875 Elbingerode
Telefon: 0176 / 70006944
E-Mail: schafgesundheit@aol.com
Abstract Nr. 46
Clinic of Farm Animals, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
EFFECTS OF DRYING-OFF PROCEDURE AND INTRAMAMMARY
ANTIMICROBIAL DRY TREATMENT ON UDDER HEALTH STATUS
IN CHIOS BREED MILKING EWES
S. Soungaris, C. Brozos, E. Petridou, E. Kiossis
Introduction
Dry period is the time of pause before parturition which is necessary for the udder
of every milking ruminant and can affect the next milking period. Identifying the
conditions of inserting the animals on the dry period we can improve both health and
productiveness of mammary gland during the next milking period. So far, neither a
drying-off method nor the use of dry period antibiotic is established in small ruminants
as this happens in cows of similar productive direction. The purpose of this study is to
evaluate the impact of drying-off procedure (gradual or abrupt) on subsequent
mammary infection or development of mastitis peri-partum and to test whether the
use of drying-off treatment prevents new intramammary infections (IMIs) and
improves cure rate of mammary infections.
In order to test those effects, 80 Chios breed ewes were randomly selected and
divided into two groups depending on their drying-off procedure; ewes of group A
(n=40) proceeded to mammary involution gradually during a 15 days period, whereas
in ewes of group B (n=40), udder drying-off developed abruptly. Half of the ewes of
each group received an intramammary infusion of bezanthine cloxacilline (Orbenin
DC®, Zoetis). Sampling took place repeatedly just before dry period, as well as right
after lambing and ended during the next milking period. Representative samples of
milk and teat duct material were collected aseptically from each mammary half for
cytological and microbiological examination. Milk samples were also collected for
chemical analysis and for differentiation and count of somatic cells. Finally, daily milk
production was recorded from farm files. During the sample analysis, we evaluated
‘mammary infection’ (i.e., isolation of bacterial microorganisms from milk samples)
and ‘subclinical mastitis’ (i.e., both increased number of somatic cells and bacterial
isolation but without any clinical udder abnormalities). All results were statistically
assessed using a linear mixed effects modeling and significance level was set at
P=0.05.
Results
Ewes of both group A and group B presented no significant differences peripartum as far as incident risk (p=0.466) of clinical or subclinical mastitis is concerned.
No significant differences were noticed between two groups in bacteriological cure
rate (p=0.336), as well. However, the risk of new IMIs during dry period (or
immediately after lambing) is significantly lower (p=0.039) in ewes that received
drying-off antibiotic treatment (3%) that in ewes that received no treatment at all
(13%). Additionally, ewes that received drying-off intramammary antibiotic presented
better bacteriological cure rate (p=0.036) opposed to those with no treatment at all
(66.7% opposed to 14.3%, respectively).
Conclusion
Conclusively, udder drying-off procedure seems to have no effect on the
development of mastitis or subsequent infection of the mammary gland of the ewes.
However, the use of intramammary antibiotic treatment during dry period provides a
better bacteriological cure rate and decreases the incident risk of new IMIs.
References
1. Baştan, A., Salar, S., Acar, D. B., Demirel, M. A., Cengiz, M., Darbaz, İ., &
Bulut G. (2015): The effects of dry-off therapy on milk somatic cell count in
Saanen goats. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 39, 550555.
2. Hernandez, F., Elvira, L., Fernández, B., Egea, M., Gonzalez-Bulnes, A.,
Gonzalez-Martin, J. V., Astiz, S. (2015): Effects of intramammary antibiotic
therapy during the dry period on the performance of Lacaune dairy sheep
under intensive management. J Dairy Res. 82 (1):95-101.
3. Petridis, I. G., Mavrogianni, V. S., Fragkou, I. A., Gougoulis, D. A., Tzora, A.,
Fotou, K., Skoufos, I., Amiridis, G. S., Brozos, C. & Fthenakis, G. C. (2013):
Effects of drying-off procedure of ewes’ udder in subsequent mammary
infection and development of mastitis. Small Ruminant Research 110 128–
132.
4. Souza, F. N., Blagitz, M. G., Penna, C. F. A. M., Della Libera, A. M. M. P.,
Heinemann, M. B., Cerqueira, M. M. O. P. (2012): Somatic cell count in small
ruminants, friend or foe? Small Ruminant Research 107 (2): 65-75.
Savvas Soungaris, PhD candidate
94, Vas. Olgas str., Thessaloniki, 54643, Greece
+306907200900
+302310886887
E-mail: ssoungar@hotmail.com Abstract Nr. 46 a (18)
Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.
BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE BY FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPY IN SHEEP
M. Ganter
Introduction
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a technique to collect cells and fluids from the
epithelium and the interstitium of the lung. Originally BAL was established to
investigate the pathogenesis especially of chronic interstitial lung diseases in
humans. BAL is a minimal invasive method, which can be used also in patients with
severe disorders without significant risk. By BAL the inner surface of a lung segment
or a subsegment can be lavaged. Therefore the BAL findings are more
representative for the situation in the whole lung or for the lung segment, which was
lavaged than the results of a transthoracic biopsy.
In sheep BAL can be performed in awake animals. Local anesthesia is performed
by rinsing 5 ml of a local anaesthetic into the nose. Another 5 ml of a local
anaesthetic is injected through the working channel of the flexible endoscope to
anaesthetize the surface of the larynx, which helps also to suppress the swallowing
reflex. A third application of local anaesthetic is necessary to suppress the cough
reflex by spraying specifically the carina at the distribution of the trachea into the two
main bronchi through the working channel of the endoscope. For bronchoscopy a
flexible gastroscope with a maximum diameter of 8 mm and a length of a minimum
1.10 meters should be used. In lambs bronchoscopes for children with diameters of 3
to 4 mm and a length of about 70 cm are suitable.
The sheep is fixed by an animal attendant, in an upright position so that it cannot
move backwards. Young lambs are kept and fixed on the lap of the attendant. The
endoscope is inserted into the lower nasal meatus and is passed into the
nasopharynx. During inspiration the larynx is passed and the tip of the endoscope is
advanced through the trachea into the segmentbronchus which should be washed in
wedge positition. The bronchus which has to be washed should be diagnosed in
advance of the endoscopy by X-ray or ultrasound investigation of the lung.
The volume and the number of fractions used for lavage has significant influence
on the results of the BAL. With increasing volume the relative volume of the
recollected fluid decreases, but the total number of collected cells increases. With
increasing volume of the lavage fluid the side effects of the BAL increase, like
coughing, decreased oxygenation of the blood, fever, and reduction in the breathing
mechanic and lung perfusion.
In sheep we use 5 fractions à 20 ml of warm 0.9 % NaCl-solution for lavage.
Immediately after instillation the fluid is aspirated with the help of a pump, afterwards
the next fraction of 20 ml is installed. In lambs less than 25 kg b.wt. we use 3
fractions of 3 ml/kg b.wt. each. In general the side effects of the lavage pose a
minimal and temporary strain for the animals. In severe obstructive and suppurative
pneumonitis the BAL can even improve the clinical situation of the patient. To
establish cytological reference limits 20 Merino sheep were lavaged. On a routine
base sheep with different lung diseases especially with Maedi and Sheep Pulmonary
Adenomatosis (SPA) were investigated by this method.
Results
In healthy sheep the recollection rate of the fluid is 72 + 12%. In sheep with
chronic lung diseases like Maedi and Sheep Pulmonary Adenomatosis (SPA) the
recollection rate of the BALF is not significantly lower. In animals with severe
obstructive bronchitis, suppurative bronchopneumonitis, and lung emphysemas the
rate of recollected fluid is severely reduced.
Like in humans the percentage of ciliated epithelial cells should beneath 3% so
that we can claim an alveolar lavage. The total amount of cells ranged in health
Merinos between 0.10 – 0.65 G/l. The percentage of Alveolar Macrophages was 78 100%, the percentage of lymphocytes 0-13%, polymorphnuclear granulocytes (PMN)
0-12%, and eosinophils 0-4% respectively.
To find rare things like tumour cells, worm larvae or Curschmanns spirals, foreign
material, and others, it is necessary to examine every cytospot entirely first with a low
optical magnification (e.g. 200x) followed by differentiation of 200 to 400 cells with a
higher magnification (600x – 1000x) in a representative area of the cytospot.
In contrary to pigs and calfs polynucleated macrophages are also found in healthy
sheep on a regular base. In sheep with Maedi an SPA the amount of polynucleated
macrophages increase. Within the BALF the percentage of PMN increases with the
total number of cells in the fluid and is also a good parameter to differentiate between
healthy sheep and sheep with lung diseases [1]. In sheep with Maedi the percentage
of lymphocytes in the BALF is significantly elevated. According to Burrels [2] and
Lujan et al. [3] there are also changes in the Subpopulation of the lymphocytes. Also
in severe Maedi cases we find frequently Curshmanns spirals, which indicates
chronic obstruction of the bronchi.
In SPA juvenile cells of the respiratory tract, tumour cells and agglomerations of
tumour cells are found on a regular base even in early or subclinical cases of the
disease when the wheelbarrow test is negative.
Discussion
The investigation of the lung of sheep by bronchoalveolar lavage performed by a
flexible endoscope is a complex method, which requires expensive equipment and
technical assistance. Nether the less it can be helpful to investigate the etiology, the
manifestation, and the degree of lung diseases. The big advantages are, that sheep
accept the bronchoscopy and the lavage without general anesthesia, only by local
anesthesia of the nasal mucosa, the larynx and the carina deviding the main bronchi.
This technique became a routine method to investigate all chronic lung diseases in
sheep alive. For “blind” washing of the lung under field conditions a general
anesthesia followed by oral intubation is necessary [4]. The cytological investigation
of the BALF can be added by the bacterial culturing of the sediment, the investigation
of soluble ingredients, e.g. protein content, specific proteins, surfactant, and enzymes
e.g. LDH, ß-glucuronidase, or AP. Due to the dilution effect the content of soluble
ingredients is often refered to the amount of Epithelial lining fluid (ELF), which is
calculated by the relation between the concentration of urea in blood plasma and the
BALF. In sheep the activity of the alkaline phosphatase (AP) in the BALF can be
used for diagnosis of SPA. SPA is a proliferating tumour of the type II pneumocytes
with a severe secretion of AP. An AP activity over 444 U/l ELF has a sensitivity of
51%, a specifity of 90% and a diagnostic efficiency of 79% for diagnosis of SPA [1].
Beside this the sediment of the BALF can be used also for virological culture or for
PCR diagnoses, e.g. for proviral DNA of Maedi virus or Jaagsiekte retrovirus.
References
1. GANTER, M. (1996): Pneumologische Untersuchung beim Schaf unter
besonderer Berücksichtigung der bronchoalveolären Lavage. Tierärztliche
Hochschule Hannover, Habilitationsschrift.
2. BURRELS, C. (1985): Cellular and humoral elements of the lower respiratory
tract of sheep. Immunological examination of cells and fluid obtained by
bronchoalveolar lavage of normal lungs. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 10: 225243.
3. LUJAN, L., GEGARA, I., COLLIE D.D., et al. (1993): Phenotypic analysis of
cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood of Maedi Visnainfected sheep. Clin Exp Immunol 91: 272-276
4. VOIGT, K., KRÄMER, U., BRÜGMANN, M., DEWAR, P., SHARP, J.M.,
GANTER, M. (2007): Eradikation of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma by
motherless rearing of lambs. Veterinary Record, 161; 129-132
Prof. Dr. M. Ganter
Klinik für kleine Klauentiere
Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173 Hannover
Phone 0049 (0) 511-856 7585
Fax 0049 (0) 511-856 7590
E-Mail: Martin.Ganter@tiho-hannover.de
Abstract Nr. 47
Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science,
University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
LIVING WITH BLUETONGUE
G. F. Bath
The first descriptions of bluetongue come from South Africa, and because of its
importance to the sheep industry virtually all of the early work on its aetiology,
transmission, epidemiology, treatment and prevention was done in South Africa. The
experiences and knowledge accumulated over a century should thus be of some
value and assistance to countries where the disease is new and relatively unknown.
In short, we have learned to live with Bluetongue as an endemic disease with no
prospect of eradication. The most important point to make is that provided farmers
undertake the right control measures, the financial impact of the disease is small and
acceptable, but if they do not do so, its effects can be devastating. The presentation
will cover the key features of Bluetongue that impact on effective control.





early recognition of clinical of clinical signs and lesions followed where
necessary by confirmatory tests
managemental measures to lower the chances and severity of infection
knowledge of epidemiological factors that affect its spread
effective and practical treatment measures that can improve survival and
recovery of affected sheep
timeous and correct use of the Bluetongue vaccine to lower the clinical
occurrence and impact of the disease to negligible levels
Bluetongue impact surveys conducted with experienced livestock veterinarians will
be presented, showing the importance of this disease on sheep flocks. A description
of the current 3 part 15 serotype live attennated vaccine will be presented, followed
by a practical guide to its use under different farming conditions.
Prof Gareth Bath
Faculty of Veterinary Science
P Bag X 04
Onderstepoort
0110
South Africa
gareth.bath@up.ac.za or gf.bath@gmail.com
(27) 12 529 8038 phone
(27) 12 529 8396 fax
Abstract Nr. 48
Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece
CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 2014 BTV-4
INCURSION IN RUMINANTS IN NORTHERN GREECE
P.-D. Katsoulos, N. D. Giadinis, S. C. Chaintoutis, C. I. Dovas, E. Kiossis, G. Tsousis,
V. Psychas, I. Vlemmas, T. Papadopoulos, O. Papadopoulos, S. Zientara,
H. Karatzias, C. Boscos
Introduction
During 2014, an outbreak of Bluetongue virus (BTV) infections attributed to
serotype 4 occurred in Greece. The virus subsequently spread to south-eastern
Europe. Here, the clinical and epidemiological data of 15 sheep flocks, 2 dairy goat
herds and 5 dairy cattle herds affected in Greece are presented.
Our study
In sheep, the most frequent clinical signs observed were fever, hyporexia and
edema of the face. A number of clinically affected sheep had chronic laminitis
resulting in chronic lameness. Confirmation of suspect clinical cases was performed
using BTV-specific real-time RT-PCR, and serotype 4-specific RT-PCR. The average
morbidity of bluetongue in the sheep flocks was estimated to be 15.3% (95% C.I.:
6.8–23.8%) and the average mortality and case fatality were 4.5% (95% C.I.: 1.5–7.6
%) and 32.0% (95% C.I.: 18.1–42.9%), respectively. The BTV seroprevalence and
the ratio of clinical manifestations to infections determined in 7 of these flocks, were
on average 36.5% (95% C.I.: 15.7–57.3 %) and 24.6% (95% C.I.: 12.8–36.3%). BTV
ratio of clinical manifestations to infections was higher in the imported western
European sheep breeds examined compared to the local ones. Infections were also
observed in two goat herds. Specifically, fever, neck edema and mortality were the
predominant clinical features. In dairy cattle, the average herd prevalence of viremia
was 48.8% (95% C.I.: 15.3–82.4%) and none of the animals had signs associated
with bluetongue. All cases were BTV-4-positive and negative for other possible
causes. The results of this study indicate that the 2014 Greek BTV-4 strain had a
significant impact on the health status and the viability of sheep in affected flocks, but
did not cause clinical signs in cattle, despite the high prevalence of viremia.
References
1. Katsoulos P.-D. et al (2016): Epidemiological characteristics and
clinicopathological features of bluetongue in sheep and cattle, during the 2014
BTV serotype 4 incursion in Greece. Trop. Anim. Health Prod. DOI
10.1007/s11250-015-0974-5
P.-D. Katsoulos
Thessaloniki
Greece
Abstract Nr. 49
Clinical Veterinary Medicine Department, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
OUR EXPERIENCE WITH BLUETONGUE EPIDEMIC IN GREECE
G. Christodoulopoulos
Introduction
In May 2014, a bluetongue outbreak in a sheep farm was confirmed in the county
of Argos in Peloponnese (southern Greece). Initially the State Veterinary Service
attempted to stop the spread of the infection; however soon a big epidemic
developed that covered almost the entire Greece. The epidemic lasted till November
2014, when the winter had been set well in Greece. According the Greek Agriculture
Ministry, the epidemic gave 962 outbreaks in different farms of sheep, goats and
cattle, with total susceptible animal population of 224,773 sheep, 25,695 goats and
317 cattle. The apparent morbidity rate was 13.4% in sheep, 2.48% in goats and
8.83% in cattle; while the apparent mortality rate was 6.72% in sheep, 1.08% in goats
and 0.95% in cattle. The main control measures employed were livestock movement
restrictions, insect control and modified stamping out (Doudounakis, 2014).
This report summarizes our clinical experience with the epidemic in Thessaly, the
central part of continental Greece and gives data on the effect of the epidemy on the
milk yield of dairy sheep.
Fifteen (15) dairy sheep farms, 5 dairy goat farms and 1 farm of grazing cattle
were clinically followed with weekly veterinary visits for the entire epidemic period.
The total number of the susceptible animals was 1,830 sheep, 467 goats and 48
beef. In these farms cases of bluetongue were confirmed by competitive ELISA (cELISA) and real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR).
In two of the 15 dairy sheep farms, the milk production of the affected ewes was
compared with this of the non-affected ones.
Results and Discussion
The first cases detected in Thessaly at the end of August 2014. The epidemic
affected mainly sheep; however also gave clear clinical signs to goats and cattle.
In the farms attended by us, the apparent morbidity rate was 15.6% in sheep,
3.2% in goats and 10.4% in cattle; while the apparent mortality rate was 2.0% in
sheep, 0.4% in goats and 0% in cattle. The clinical course of the disease lasted 1-2
weeks in sheep, 2-3 weeks in goats 2-5 weeks in cattle. The observed deaths
concerned almost exclusively ewes and does in periparturient period. In all tested
cases the responsible bluetongue-virus serotype was the serotype 4.
Clinical signs in sheep included fever, laryngeal swelling, lips swelling, small
amount of serous nasal discharge, erosions in the lips and the mouth, erosions in the
teats of the udder, weakness, lameness, walk on knees, recumbency, lethargy and
death. In necropsy the most characteristic lesion was the haemorrhagic laryngitis and
haemorrhagic tracheitis. Haemorrhages were always observed in the top of the
pericardium, also petechiae were observed in the myocardium and in the fat around
the coronary arteries. No haemorrhages in the endothelium of the aorta were
observed. All deaths were caused by pulmonary oedema.
The milk production of the affected ewes showed a dramatical drop, once the
animals became sick. In case of ewes in the second half of her milking period the
milk was totally ceased for the rest of the milk period (2014), while for those in the
first half period the milk was partially recovered after 2-3 weeks in an average
amount of three fifth of the amount of non affected ewes. In the next milking period
(2015), the ewes that had been affected in 2014 showed an average milk production
of four fifth of the non-affected.
Clinical signs in goats included fever, milk drop, laryngeal swelling, lips swelling,
mucopurulent nasal discharge, erosions in the lips and the mouth, lameness,
recumbency and death. The gross necrotomical lesions were similar with those in
sheep.
The only clinical sign recorded in the affected cattle was abundant mucopurulent
nasal discharge.
Reference
1. Doudounakis S (2014): Bluetongue, Greece. Follow-up report No. 12. OIE
website,http://www.oie.int/wahis_2/public/wahid.php/Reviewreport/Review?pa
ge_refer=MapFullEventReport&reportid=16455
Prof. G. Christodoulopoulos
Postal address: P.O. Box 199, Karditsa GR-43100, Greece
Phone: 00302441066003
Fax: 00302441066053
E-mail: gc@vet.uth.gr
Abstract Nr. 50
1
Klinik für kleine Klauentiere und forensische Medizin und Ambulatorische Klinik,
Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Germany;
2
Helmholtz Zentrum München – Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und
Umwelt ,Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry, Neuherberg, Germany
SELENIUM SPECIATION IN PAIRED SERUM AND CEREBROSPINAL FLUID
SAMPLES IN SHEEP
E. Humann-Ziehank1, M. Ganter1, B. Michalke2
Selenium (Se) and selenoproteins are known to play an important role in brain
function (1), however, little is known about the mode of exchange of Se or
selenoproteins between the extracellular compartments blood and cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF). The study presented here (2) was part of a comprehensive project on
metabolic effects of differentiated Se supplementation published previously (3). It was
performed to characterise total Se and Se species in CSF and serum of sheep and
its relation to the respective Se concentrations in serum.
Methods: Five sheep were fed a diet with a marginal Se concentration of 0.05 mg
Se/kg diet dry weight (dw, Se–), and five animals were fed the same diet
supplemented with sodium selenite revealing a concentration of 0.2 mg Se/kg diet dw
(Se+). All other nutrients were offered according to the recommendations for sheep.
The feeding strategy was conducted for two years; At the end of the feeding period,
paired samples of serum and CSF were collected and analysed using ion exchange
chromatography inductively coupled plasma – dynamic reaction cell – mass
spectrometry (IEC-ICP-DRC-MS) technique for total Se concentration and
concentrations of Se species. Albumin concentrations were analysed additionally.
Results: There were significant differences (p<0.01) in total serum Se
concentrations with 33.1 ± 5.11µg Se/l in the Se– group and 96.5 ± 18.3 µg Se/l in the
Se+ group, respectively. The corresponding total Se concentrations in CSF were 4.38
± 1.02 µg Se/l and 6.13 ± 1.64 µg Se/l in the Se– and the Se+ group (p=0.077),
respectively. IEC-ICP-DRC-MS technique was able to differentiate the Se species
selenoprotein P-bound Se (SePP), selenomethionine, glutathione peroxidase-bound
Se (Se-GPx), selenocystine, thioredoxin reductase-bound Se, ovine serum albuminbound Se (Se-OSA), SeIV and SeVI in ovine serum and CSF. Quantitatively, SePP
was the main Se species in ovine serum followed by Se-GPx, both Se species were
positively correlated to the total Se concentration in serum. The CSF/serum ratio (Q)
of albumin (Q Albumin*1000) was 6.13 ± 1.62 and 6.95 ± 1.64 for the Se- and Se+
group, respectively. The Q Se-species were higher than Q Albumin in both feeding
groups. Significant positive regression lines (p<0.05) calculated for parameters in
CSF vs. serum regarding all animals were found for albumin and Se-OSA only.
Conclusions The modification of the dietary Se supplementation leads to a
distinctly higher total Se concentration in serum in sufficiently supplemented
compared to marginal Se supplemented sheep, whereas the total Se concentrations
in CSF did not reflect the nutritional management. Quantitatively, SePP is the main
Se species in ovine serum followed by Se-GPx. The positive correlation to the total
Se concentration attracts especially SePP to be used as a diagnostic parameter. The
Q Albumin reflected a physiological function of the CSF-blood barrier. Q Se species
were higher than Q Albumin in both feeding groups in general, supporting the
hypothesis of local production of selenospecies in the brain. The positive regression
line found for albumin and Se-OSA in serum vs. CSF recommends further evaluation
if albumin may play a main role to convey Se across the blood-CSF barrier,
prospectively. The ovine model used here, together with a highly sophisticated
analytical method (IEC-ICP-DRC-MS) to characterise the Se species at both sides of
the functional blood – CSF barrier, might be a worthwhile model for further studies as
repeated sample collection as well as modifications of the nutritional status are
feasible and effective.
References
1. Chen J, Berry MJ. Selenium and selenoproteins in the brain and brain
diseases. J Neurochem 2003;86:1-12.
2. Humann-Ziehank E, Ganter M, Michalke B. Selenium speciation in paired
serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples of sheep. Journal of Trace Elements in
Medicine and Biology 2016;33:14-20.
3. Humann-Ziehank E, Renko K, Mueller AS, Roehrig P, Wolfsen J, Ganter M.
Comparing functional metabolic effects of marginal and sufficient selenium
supply in sheep. J Trace Elem Med Bio 2013;27:380-90.
PD Dr. Esther Humann-Ziehank
Klinik für kleine Klauentiere und Forensische Medizin und Ambulatorische Klinik
D-30173 Hannover
Germany
Phone: 0049 511 856 7260
Fax: 0049 511 856 7684
E-mail: esther.humann-ziehank@tiho-hannover.de
Abstract Nr. 51
Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants1
Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation,
Germany2
Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety,
Food- and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hannover, Germany3
OCCURRENCE OF MOLYBDENOSIS AND OVINE WHITE LIVER DISEASE
(OWLD) IN PASTURED LAMBS IN NORTHERN GERMANY
C. Helmer1, R. Eibach1, E. Humann-Ziehank1, S. Kleinschmidt3, M. Kölln2,
J. Kamphues2, M. Ganter1
This case report describes a combined occurrence of molybdenosis and
secondary Cupper (Cu) deficiency on the one hand and Ovine White Liver Disease
(OWLD) due to Cobalt (Co) deficiency on the other hand in a small pedigree sheep
flock (breed: white horned heath sheep, 8 ewes, 2 rams, 3 gimmers, 17 lambs)
reared close to the Free City of Hamburg, which, to the authors` knowledge, has not
been previously reported in Germany. Additionally, a selenium (Se) deficiency could
be diagnosed.
Clinical signs predominantly became obvious in a group of pastured ram lambs
which showed emaciation, conjunctivitis, anemia, growth retardation, discoloration of
the wool and photodermatitis up to animal losses despite intensive treatment in
summer 2014 and 2015. Clinical symptoms and deaths started to appear at the age
of 4-6 months. Summing up the results, we found deficiencies in Se (n=3), Cu (n=4),
and Co (n=3) in combination with elevated values for Molybdenum (Mo, n=2). As
Hamburg is a large industrial city, an input of heavy metals by surrounding industry
and coal mining in combination with a sandy soil and monoculture of pasture grass
might be a possible explanation for the disorders in the mineral balance of this flock.
Mo is an essential trace element. This metal is part of the so called molybdenum
cofactor complex which is required for the three mammalian enzymes xanthine
oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulfite oxidase (Sardesai, 1993). High levels of Mo
can interfere with the body's uptake of Copper (Cu), causing secondary Cu deficiency
(Kamphues et al., 2014). Mills and Davis (1987) revealed that severe diarrhea might
be a direct effect of Mo toxicity, but most effects of high Mo intake appear to be a
result of the induced Cu deficiency, called molybdenosis, which occurs under natural
grazing conditions in many different parts of the world. The clinical manifestation of
Cu deficiency might by very unspecific including ill thrift, emaciation and
achromotrichia in cattle or wool changes in sheep. Cu deficiency might also be
expressed as enzootic ataxia (lambs), bone fragility, cardiovascular disorders (cattle),
anemia, growth retardation and infertility (Howell, 1979).
The trace element Cobalt (Co) is needed from ruminant bacteria for synthesis of
the requirement for vitamin B12 (Cobalamin). Thus, Co deficiency secondary results
in a vitamin B12 deficiency. Sheep appear to be extremely susceptible to Co
deficiency and develop a normocytic and normochromic anemia, anorexia, reduced
weight gains and photosensitivity (Ulvund and Pestalozzi, 1990; Vellema et al.,
1997). Moreover, lacrimations, scaly ears, discoloration of the wool, cardiovascular
lesions and cerebrocortical necrosis (Sargison et al., 2001; Rice et al., 1989;
Mohammed and Lamand, 1986; Macpherson et al., 1976) have been associated with
low dietary levels of Co.
In Northern parts of Germany, as in most parts of Central Europe, almost all soils
need to be considered as Se-deficient. Hence, if no mineral feed is provided or the
Se content of the mineral feed is low Se deficiency is preprogrammed. A vitamin
E/Se deficiency is also called nutritional myopathy as it causes degenerative lesions
of the skeletal muscles and heart muscle as well as hepatic necrosis. Adult animals
only show unspecific symptoms as infertility, emaciation and shaggy coats. In lambs,
stillbirths and dying shortly after birth due to pathological alterations taking place
during the intrauterine development are described. Lambs at the age of several
weeks or months show retardation in growth performance, shaggy wool and
movement disorders (Bickardt, 2009).
As the Free City of Hamburg is a large industry city, an input of heavy metals by
surrounding industry and coal mining might be a possible explanation for the
disorders in the mineral balance of this flock.
References
1. BICKARDT, K. (2009): Vitamin-E- und Selenmangel. In: Behrens, H., Ganter, M.,
Hiepe, T. (Eds.): Lehrbuch der Schafkrankheiten. fourth edition, Parey, Stuttgart, pp. 139147.
2. HOWELL, J. (1979): The characteristics of copper deficiency and toxicity and sheep
and cattle. In: Purser D.B. (Ed.): Proc. Symp. Mineral requirements of sheep and cattle:
Copper. Australian Society of Animal Production, Perth, Australia,
pp. 23-27.
3. KAMPHUES, J., COENEN, M., WOLF, P., LIESEGANG, A., EDER, K., MÄNNER, K.,
IBEN, C., ZEBELI, Q., KIENZLE, E., ZENTEK, J. (2014): Supplemente zur Tierernährung
für Studium und Praxis . M. & H. Schaper GmbH, Hannover, pp. 232, 294-295
4. MACPHERSON, A., MOON, F.E., VOSS, R.C. (1976): Biochemical aspects of cobalt
deficiency in sheep with special reference to vitamin status and a possible involvement in
the aetiology óf cerebrocortical necrosis. British Veterinary Journal. 132, 294-308.
5. MILLS, C.F., DAVIS, G.K. (1987): Molybdenum, in: Trace elements in human and
animal nutrition, Vol. 1, Academic Press Inc., London, pp. 429 – 463.
6. MOHAMMED, R., LAMAND, M. (1986): Cardivascular lesions in cobalt – vitamin B12
deficient shhep. Annal of Veterinary Research. 17, 447-450.
7. SARDESAI,V.M. (1993): Molybdenum: An essential trace element. Nutr Clin Pract. 8,
277-281.
8. RICE, D.A., MCLOUGHLIN, M., BLACHFLOWER, W.J., MCMURRAY, C.H.,
GOODALL, E.A. (1989): Sequential changes in plasma methylmalonic acid and vitamin
B12 in sheep eating cobalt-deficient grass. Biological Trace Element Research. 22, 153164.
9. SARGISON, N.D., SCOTT, P.R., WILSON, D.J., BELL, G.J.C., MAUCHLINE, S.,
RHIND, S.M. (2001): Hepatic encephalopathy associated with cobalt deficiency and white
liver disease in lambs. Vet Rec. 149, 770-772.
10. ULVUND, M.J., PESTALOZZI, M. (1990): Ovine white-liver disease (OWLD) in
Norway: clinical symptoms and preventive measures. Acta Vet Scan. 31, 53-62.
11. VELLEMA, P., MOLL, L., BARKEMA H.W., SCHUKKEN, Y.H. (1997): Effect of cobalt
supplementation on serum vitamin B12 levels, weight gain and survival rate in lambs
grazing cobalt-deficient pastures. Vet Quart. 19, 1-5.
Dr. Carina Helmer
Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants and forensic Medicine and Ambulatory
Services, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
Bischofsholer Damm 15, D-30173 Hannover, Germany
E-mail: Carina.Helmer@tiho-hannover.de
Abstract Nr. 52
Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Spain
PRELIMINARY STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF THE FATTENING STAGE
IN FEEDLOTS ON LAMB IMMUNOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
A. Ortín, J. M. González, A. Fernández, T. Navarro, J. J. Ramos, A. Loste,
B. C. Marca, L. M. Ferrer, D. Lacasta, M. Borobia, M. De las Heras
Introduction
The fattening stage of lambs in feedlots is a necessary tool to standardize
productions and reach the requirements that consumer demand, with the advantage
of improving economic results through reducing the production costs and increasing
sales revenues. These reasons have led to significant increasing in the number of
lamb feedlots in recent years. However, production in these farms might be a risk to
the animal welfare. This practice could result in compromised function of the immune
system derived from the effect of stressor agents unique to these centers, such as
transport or mixed origin, but also other factors that include nutrition, heat stress and
common immunosuppressive diseases during the fattening period can lead to the
same consequence. The lack of knowledge about the functionality of the lamb
immune system during this period and its possible correlation with stress and health
status of the lambs led us to research on the subject.
The objective of this work was to evaluate, in a preliminary way, the evolution of
immunological functions and stress indicators in lambs throughout the fattening
period. Total and differential leukocyte numbers and lymphocyte blastogenic
responses to mitogens were measured in blood at different intervals during the stage
in the feedlot, as well as faecal cortisol metabolites. The results obtained were
compared with data about productive parameters, clinical condition and gross lesions
observed after slaughter.
Forty Rasa Aragonesa male lambs were selected at random for this study from
lambs which were fattened in the Casa de Ganaderos de Zaragoza S.C.L. feedlot in
Zaragoza, Spain. The lambs arrived there after approximately 1h period of road
transport. The average weight of these animals at arriving was 14.75±0,222 kg,
reaching 27.65±0.413 kg at slaughter, after 6 weeks of fattening period. Samples of
whole blood and faeces were taken from these animals at four different moments: in
the farm of origin (T0 or basal sample), at arriving to the feedlot (T1), after two weeks
in the feedlot (T2), and at the end of the fattening period (T3). Samples of whole
blood were evaluated for total and differential leukocyte numbers, and lymphocyte
proliferative responses to the mitogens pokeweed mitogen (PWM), concanavalin A
(Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were assessed in isolated blood
mononuclear cells. Cellular proliferation in vitro was determined with a MTT assay.
Samples of faeces were analysed in duplicate for cortisol metabolites according to
Morrow et al. (3) using a commercially available I125 radioimmunoassay kit. The
animals were daily examined looking for any clinical sign, and were weighted weekly. At the slaughterhouse, postmortem examination of viscera was carried out and the
weight of carcasses was recorded.
Statistical analysis of data was made using the statistical package SPSS
Statistical 22.0 (IBM, Chicago, USA). The analysis of cell counts was performed by
general linear model for repeated measures and Bonferroni test to measure the
differences among samples in leukocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes and monocytes;
however non parametric test was made for eosinophils and neutrophils/lymphocytes
ratio because theirs distributions were different of a normal distribution. In these
cases the Wilcoson signed ranks test was applied. Lymphocite proliferative response
to PWM and PHA were analyzed by Wilcoson test while Con A and faecal cortisol
metabolites were studied by general linear model for repeated measures. Similar
tests were developed for the study of relationships between cell counts, lymphocite
proliferative responses, faecal cortisol metabolites and production or sanitary
indicators. Furthermore, Chi square test was performed to explore the relationships
between ovine respiratory complex and coccidiosis.
Mean total leukocyte numbers was higher after transport (T1) than in the farm of
origin (T0), and at T2 and T3 (p=0.033, p<0,001 and p=0.015 respectively). The
increase in total leukocytes was associated with a coincident increase in neutrophils
to lymphocytes ratio (N/L) at T1 compared to the other sample times (p< 0.05), as a
consequence of a higher number of neutrophils (p< 0.05) while lymphocyte counts
did not change significantly. In addition, eosinophils were decreased at T1 (p< 0.05).
No significant differences in monocytes numbers were found in none of the
samplings. These changes in leukocyte profile observed at T1, are related to an
increase in stress hormone levels (1) and point to a stress effect associated with
transport. Leukocyte stress indicators were no observed at T2 and T3,
notwithstanding average concentration of faecal cortisol metabolites was higher at
the end of the fattening period than in the basal sample (p<0.05). These results
suggest that an accumulative stress exists in lambs during the stage in the feedlot as
faecal cortisol, an indicator of chronic stress, reflects an average level of circulating
cortisol over a long period (4).
The blastogenic responses of lymphocytes to mitogens are illustrated in Figure 1.
A significant reduction in proliferation of lymphocytes in response to the three
mitogens (PWM p=0.022; Con A p=0.01; PHA p=0.004) was observed at T1, but no
significant differences were found at T2 and T3 respect T0. These results indicate
that stress of transport negatively affects this immunological function but, taking into
account the number of animals that have been studied so far, it seems that chronic
stress along the fattening period is not great enough to have this immunosuppressive
action.
About health condition, 29 out of the 40 lambs (55%) showed clinical signs and/or
gross lesions. They were associated with coccidiosis (22/40) and/or ovine respiratory
complex (ORC) (17/40), and in all the cases they were slight (mild diarrhea, increase
in respiratory rate, and minor lesions compatible with coccidiosis and/or ORC). It was
also observed a strong statistical tendency of association between coccidiosis and
ORC (p=0,068), which is consistent with previous findings (2). The average daily
growth (ADG) of these lambs for the whole fattening period was 0.320±0.0100 kg and
mean carcass yield was 45.3±0.24%. Neither heath status nor productive parameters
showed statistical association with changes in the immunological functions evaluated,
probably as a result of modifications in leukocyte profiles occurred within the
physiological range and leukocytosis, lymphopenia, eosinophilia or eosinopenia were
rare in the study. One lamb showed leucopenia with neutropenia and two lambs had
lymphopenia. None of these situations were associated with disease in the animals.
Figure 1. Evolution during the fattening period of lamb lymphoproliferative response to mitogens
stimulation
Results are expressed as stimulation index: optical density of the stimulated cultures per optical
density of the control. Different letters in the same line means significant statistical difference between
samples (p<0.05).
References
1. DAVIS, A.K., MANEY, D.L., MAERZ, J.C.(2008): The use of leukocyte profiles
to measure stress in vertebrates: a review for ecologist. Functional Ecology
22, 760-772.
2. GONZALEZ, J.M., BELLO, J.M., RODRIGUEZ, et al., (in press): Lamb feedlot
production in Spain: Most relevant health issues. Small Ruminants.
3. MORROW, C.J., KOLVER, E.S., VERKERK, G.A., MATTHEWS, L.R. ( 2002):
Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites as a measure of adrenal activity in dairy
cattle. General and Comparative Endocrinology 126, 229-241.
4. PALME, R. (2005): Measuring steroids. Guidelines for practical application.
Ann NY Acad Sci 1046, 75-80.
Dr. Aurora Ortín
Animal Pathology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Miguel Servet 177, 50013
Zaragoza, Spain
Phone: 34 976762837 Fax: 34 976761612
E-mail: aortin@unizar.es
Abstract Nr. 53
a
b
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Penicuik
School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
PEN-SIDE DIAGNOSIS OF SHEEP SCAB USING A PAPER-BASED
MICROFLUIDIC DEVICE
V. Busina, W. Shub, S. T. G. Burgessa
The traditional diagnosis of P. ovis infestation is based on microscopical detection
of mites in skin scrapings. Recently the Moredun Research Institute has developed a
diagnostic ELISA for the detection of antibodies specific to a mite allergen (Pso o 2)
which has proven highly sensitive in the diagnosis of sub-clinical infestation (Nunn,
Burgess et al. 2011). The main disadvantages of this assay are that it is lab-based
and that host antibodies may be present for a prolonged period after treatment
potentially leading to false positives. However, the use of haptoglobin (Hp) as a
marker for sheep scab has recently attracted considerable attention, as its serum
levels increase with disease progression but fall rapidly following successful
treatment (Wells, Innocent et al. 2013). At the same time, interest has grown over the
application of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) in the diagnostic
field. These devices allow for cheap, point of care, multiplexed analyses to be carried
out while maintaining the advantages of conventional microfluidic technology, such
as size, speed and reduced sample volumes (Rozand 2013). Within the field
of µPADs, a very interesting application is the translation of ELISA onto paper or PELISA. P-ELISA combines the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA with the intrinsic
low cost and ease-of-use of paper-based platforms (Cheng, Martinez et al. 2010).
This study focused on a novel fabrication method to create a multi-pad paper plate
for P-ELISA, which can be used to translate virtually any ELISA assay into a PELISA. The functionality of the multi-pad paper plate was applied to the optimisation
of a sandwich ELISA assay for detection of serum haptoglobin (Hp), where a
standard curve was generated based on the data obtained by the P-ELISA assay.
The results showed that it was possible to transfer the assay onto a paper format with
considerable reductions in assay time and costs. The colorimetric reaction generated
on paper demonstrated that the colour intensity was proportional to the dilution of Hp,
with semi-quantitative detection being possible using a calibration curve.
Furthermore, the platform was used to transfer the indirect Pso o 2 ELISA
developed by Moredun Research Institute and optimization as P-ELISA was
conducted. Further studies will assess the combination of the two assays using the
P-ELISA format into a 3D µPADs platform to enable true, multiplexed POC testing at
the “animal-side”.
References
1. Cheng, C. M., A. W. Martinez, et al. (2010). "Paper-based ELISA." Angew
Chem Int Ed Engl 49(28): 4771-4774.
2. Nunn, F. G., S. T. Burgess, et al. (2011). "Development of a serodiagnostic
test for sheep scab using recombinant protein Pso o 2." Mol Cell Probes 25(56): 212-218.
3. Rozand, C. (2013). "Paper-based analytical devices for point-of-care infectious
disease testing." Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis.
4. Wells, B., G. T. Innocent, et al. (2013). "Two major ruminant acute phase
proteins, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, as serum biomarkers during active
sheep scab infestation." Veterinary Research 44(103): (31 October 2013).
Valentina Busin
Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan,
Penicuik EH26 0PZ.
(+44) 0131 445 5111
E-mail: valentina.busin@moredun.ac.uk
Abstract Nr. 54
1
University Clinic for Ruminants, Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public
Health, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2
Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary
Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria
3
Animal Health Service Styria, Graz, Austria
ENDOPARASITES AND MACROCYCLIC LACTONE RESISTANCE
IN SHEEP IN AUSTRIA
J. Schoiswohl1, B. Hinney2, K. Bauer3, R. Krametter-Frötscher1
Background
Recently reports on resistance against anthelmintics in small ruminants increased
worldwide (8, 11, 12). These reduced efficacies of anthelmintic drugs in small
ruminants provide a major medical problem but also an economic one. The presence
of anthelmintic resistance has been reported for the three most important genera of
sheep nematodes, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Teladorsagia (10). In many
European countries reports from anthelmintic resistance refer to benzimidazole but
the number of cases of resistance to macrocyclic lactones increases (11). In Austria
resistance to benzimidazoles in sheep were documented locally (7) and resistance to
Doramectin was suspected in a sheep (5). There are no data according the
resistance of endoparasites against macrocyclic lactone in Austria till now, but from
other comparable European countries like Switzerland some cases are documented
(1). These reports about resistance against macrocyclic lactones have multiplied
lately (8), but there are also other studies which describe the effectiveness of
macrocyclic lactones with 100 % (3, 4). Results from an Austrian study provide clues
to a reduced effectiveness of the applied anthelmintic groups. A study from Lower
Austria shows that 50 % of determined herds are qualified as resistance suspected
(guideline W.A.A.V.P.) (6) and another examination in Salzburg showed that 13 from
18 examined herds demonstrated resistance against benzimidazoles (2). However, in
Austria further studies are needed to get more information about the anthelmintic
resistance status of endoparasites of small ruminants (9).
Recently reports on resistance against anthelmintics in small ruminants increased
worldwide (8, 11, 12). These reduced efficacies of anthelmintic drugs in small
ruminants provide a major medical problem but also an economic one. The presence
of anthelmintic resistance has been reported for the three most important genera of
sheep nematodes, Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus and Teladorsagia (10). In many
European countries reports from anthelmintic resistance refer to benzimidazole but
the number of cases of resistance to macrocyclic lactones increases (11). In Austria
resistance to benzimidazoles in sheep were documented locally (7) and resistance to
Doramectin was suspected in a sheep (5). There are no data according the
resistance of endoparasites against macrocyclic lactone in Austria till now, but from
other comparable European countries like Switzerland some cases are documented
(1). These reports about resistance against macrocyclic lactones have multiplied
lately (8), but there are also other studies which describe the effectiveness of
macrocyclic lactones with 100 % (3, 4). Results from an Austrian study provide clues
to a reduced effectiveness of the applied anthelmintic groups. A study from Lower
Austria shows that 50 % of determined herds are qualified as resistance suspected
(guideline W.A.A.V.P.) (6) and another examination in Salzburg showed that 13 from
18 examined herds demonstrated resistance against benzimidazoles (2). However, in
Austria further studies are needed to get more information about the anthelmintic
resistance status of endoparasites of small ruminants (9).
Methods
Individual faecal samples from randomly selected animals of 16 sheep flocks were
examined for endoparasites. All samples were prepared by sedimentation/flotation
and investigated qualitatively and also quantitatively. For quantitative analyse a
McMaster counting technique with a detection limit of 50 eggs per gram of faeces
(epg) was used. Additionally a Baermann examination for the detection of lung worm
larvae was performed.
In addition a faecal egg count reduction test was performed. Sheep were randomly
assigned to a control and a treatment group. Because of the varying sizes of the herd
a sampling scheme was defined. Data were compared with a control group when the
herd was bigger than 30 animals. All sheep were weighed and sheep from the
treatment group were dewormed with macrocyclic lactones based on the determined
weight while the animals from the control group were left untreated. 14 days after
deworming a new parasitological examination (identification of epg) and so the
effects of the macrocyclic lactone treatment was carried out with an egg count
reduction test. Animals from the control group were dewormed with macrocyclic
lactones at this time.
References
1. ARTHO, R. et al. (2007): Avermectin-resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes
of Boer goats and Dorper sheep in Switzerland. Vet Parasitol., 144, 68–73
2. BIERMAYER, W. (1996): Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung der
Resistenzsituation von ovinen Magen-Darm-Strongyliden im Bundesland
Salzburg. Dissertation, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
3. CRINGOLI, G. et al. (2007): Resistance of trichostrongyles to benzimidazoles
in Italy: a first report in a goat farm with multiple and repeated introductions.
Parasitol Res., 101, 577–581
4. DOMKE, A. et al. (2012): Prevalence of anthelmintic resistance in
gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep and goats in Norway. Parasitol Res., 111,
185–193
5. FEICHTENSCHLAGER, C. et al. (2014): Vorkommen von Helminthen beim
kleinen Wiederkäuer in der Steiermark mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der
Wirksamkeit von Benzimidazolen und Makrozyklischen Laktonen, Wien.
Tierärztl. Mschr.–Vet. Med. Austria, 101, 251–262
6. GERGELY, A. and WEHOWAR, A. (2008): Magen-Darm-Strongyliden in
ausgewählten niederösterreichischen Schafherden: Vorkommen und Status
von
Anthelminthika-Resistenzen.
Diplomarbeit,
Veterinärmedizinische
Universität Wien
7. HERTZBERG, H. and BAUER, C. (2000): Anthelmintic resistance in
gastrointestinal Strongylidae in sheep and goats: new data on prevalence,
epidemiology, preventive measures and alternatives to anthelmintic drugs.
Berl Munch Tierarztl Wochenschr., 113, 122–128
8. KAPLAN, R. and VIDYASHANKAR, A. (2011): An inconvenient truth: Global
warming and anthelmintic resistance. Vet. Parasitol., 186, 70-78
9. KLOSE, S. (2012): Pilotstudie zur Befallsintensität mit Magen-DarmStrongyliden und zur Abschätzung der Wirksamkeit von Benzimidazolen und
Makrozyklischen Laktonen in Schaf- und Ziegenbetrieben in Österreich.
Diplomarbeit, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien
10. PAPADOPOULOS, E., et al. (2012): Anthelmintic resistance in sheep in
Europe: A selected review. Vet. Parasitol., 189, 85–88
11. PAPADOPOULOS, E. (2008): Anthelmintic resistance in sheep nematodes.
SmallRum. Res., 76, 99-103
12. WEST, D., et al. (2009): Estimating the cost of subclinical parasitism in grazing
ewes. SmallRum. Res., 86, 84–86
Mag. Julia Schoiswohl
Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna
E-mail: Julia.schoiswohl@vetmeduni.ac.at Abstract Nr. 55
Clinic of Farm Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Thessaloniki, Greece
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THREE TREATMENT PROTOCOLS
AGAINST COCCIDIOSIS IN GOAT KIDS
N. D. Giadinis, P.-D. Katsoulos, E. Ioannidou, V. Papanikolopoulou, H. Karatzias,
E. Papadopoulos
Introduction
Coccidiosis is a protozoal disease causing significant losses in young goat kids
due to reduced growth rates and increased mortality. The objective of the present
field trial was to evaluate the efficacy of three treatment protocols against coccidiosis
in a commercial goat farm.
Our study
The study was conducted in a goat farm of northern Greece with high mortality of
the young stock due to coccidiosis. The diagnosis at herd level was confirmed by
fecal parasitology and necropsy. Forty goat kids with diarrhea due to coccidiosis
aged 20-22 days old were used in the study. They were divided into 4 groups; groups
1-3 consisted of 12 animals each, while the rest 4 animals were used as controls
(group 4). The animals of group 1 received toltrazuril (Baycox®, Bayer) once, those
of group 2 received diclazuril (Vecoxan® Elanco) once and the animals of group 3
received Greek oregano oil (Ecodiar®, Ecopharm, Greece) once daily for 5
consecutive days. The kids of group 4 remained untreated and served as controls.
None of the treated animals died, while seven days after the onset of treatment
diarrhea was observed in 2/12 goat kids of group 1 (toltrazuril), in 1/12 goat kids of
group 2 (diclazuril) and in 6/12 goat kids of group 3 (Greek oregano oil). All the
animals of group 4 (controls) remained diarrheic and died.
References
1. Smith and Sherman (2009) Goat Medicine, Blackwell Science, USA.
N. D. Giadinis
Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract Nr. 56
Clinical Veterinary Medicine Department, School of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Thessaly, Karditsa, Greece
ON THE ETIOLOGY OF NON-CEREBRAL COENUROSIS IN SHEEP AND GOATS
G. Christodoulopoulos
Introduction
In sheep and goats veterinary literature, there are some scant and old reports from
the start of 19th century concerning coenurosis affecting body locations other than
the brain or the spinal cord, with the disorder known as non-cerebral coenurosis
(Christodoulopoulos et al 2013; Christodoulopoulos et al 2015). A scientific interest
has been noted lastly with publications in the international literature on the query if
the parasites cause non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats belong to the same
species T. multiceps. The aim of this investigation was to answer this query.
Our investigation comprises three studies. (1) A morphological study of the
rostellar hooks of protoscolices in cysts isolated from cases of cerebral coenurosis in
sheep and goats naturally infected in Greece and of the rostellar hooks of
protoscolices in cysts isolated from cases of non-cerebral coenurosis selected from
sheep and goats slaughtered in the UAE and Egypt. (2) A morphological study
between adult Taenia spp. produced by the experimental infection of dogs with cysts
associated with cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats and also with cysts
associated with non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats. (3) A molecular
investigation, within the nad1 (NADH dehydrogenase 1), the cox1 (cytochrome c
oxidase subunit 1) and 12S rRNA (12S ribosomal RNA) mitochondrial genes, in
coenurus cysts isolated from cases of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats
and also from the cases of cerebral coenurosis in sheep and goats.
Results and Discussion
Our choice to compare the tropical “Non-cerebral” samples with “Cerebral”
parasites coming from Greece was not only based on our access to Greek samples.
To the best of our knowledge, no cases of non-cerebral coenurosis have ever been
described in Greece, where coenurosis is a common disease in sheep and
sometimes occurs in goats.
The taenias produced by cerebral and non-cerebral cysts distinctly differed
morphologically; the major differences include the distribution of the testes in the
mature proglottids, the shape of the small hooks, and the appearance of the coils of
the vas deferens were the most characteristic differences. Morhological differences
were observed between the rostellar hooks of protoscolices in cysts of cerebral cysts
and those of non-cerebral.
The phylogenetic analysis showed that cerebral and non-cerebral cyst specimens
from sheep and goats comprise a monophyletic species in Taenia multiceps. In
majority, the non-cerebral specimens were clustering, without however to form a
monophyletic group. Also, there were not monophyletic groups based on the
intermediate host, sheep or goat, neither on geographical origin; however clusters of
specimen of the same geographical origin were usual.
However and as more molecular data progressively had been became available in
GenBank, our isolates from non-cerebral cases show a clustering along with
deposited in GenBank isolates from non-cerebral cases, while our isolates from
cerebral cases cluster with deposited isolates from cerebral cases in Italy and China.
In addition we can see a tendency for clustering of our isolates from non-cerebral
cases with deposited isolates from cerebral and non-cerebral cases in Iran and
Turkey.
Consequently and while there are not clear monophyletic groups, our data reveal a
remarkable clustering based on the geographical origin (Europe vs Middle East and
Tropical) and also on the tissue affecting (cerebral vs non-cerebral).
The results of this study support a T. multiceps variability due to geographical
isolation and lead us to propose a theory for the explanation of the existence of
cerebral and non-cerebral forms: “The intraspecific variability of T. multiceps results
to different strains in the various geographical locations. All these different strains
cause mainly cerebral coenurosis in sheep and this is the main mode that the
parasite completes its life cycle in the given area. However, some strains have the
additional ability to affect other species and cause cerebral coenurosis in goats and
cattle and also some strains have the additional ability to produce non-cerebral forms
mostly in goats and more rarely in sheep.”
Interestingly, in our phylogenetic analysis cerebral specimens appear as basic in
the tree. This gives to the above theory the extension that the property of the parasite
to affect non-cerebral tissues is probably acquired in a later time of their cerebral
pathogenicity.
References
1. Christodoulopoulos G, Kassab A, Theodoropoulos G (2013): Occurrence of
non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep. J Helminthol 87: 125-127
2. Christodoulopoulos G, Kassab A, Theodoropoulos G (2015): Characteristics of
non-cerebral coenurosis in tropical goats. Vet Parasitol 211: 216-222
Prof. G. Christodoulopoulos
Postal address: P.O. Box 199, Karditsa GR-43100, Greece
Phone: 00302441066003
Fax: 00302441066053
E-mail: gc@vet.uth.gr Freiburg i. Br. 2016
Verlag: Deutsche Veterinärmedizinische Gesellschaft Service GmbH
35392 Gießen · Friedrichstraße 17 · Tel. 0641 / 24466 · Fax: 0641 / 25375
E-Mail: info@dvg.de · Internet: www.dvg.de
Krankheiten kleiner Wiederkäuer und ECSRHM
ISBN 978-3-86345-327-5

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