Mange eradication in piglet producing farms in the Weser-Ems region

A variety of reports on mange eradication exist in international literature. Adequate programs are yet to be established in Germany. The commonly used examination of skin scrapings proved to be insufficient. Due to reliable results the pig health service is using Sarcoptes-ELISA (AFOSA GmbH). In the years 2001 and 2002 a Sacoptes suis eradication was accomplished in two sow farms in the Weser-Ems region and since continuously monitored clinical examinations have been used, as well as ELISA testing and skin scrapings. After two years of monitoring a certificate on "unsuspicious for mange" was given to both farms in November 2003 and June 2004. The practical approach will be described. This Sarcoptes eradication is possible even in areas with intensive pig production. When setting up or expanding high health breeding or multiplying herds "unsuspicious for mange" should be one of the important health targets. The practical results with the use of the Sarcoptes-ELISA for monitoring sow farms are promising.     

Diagnosis of viral agents associated with neonatal calf diarrhea.

During this study, 134 samples have been examined for the detection of the viruses associated with neonatal calf diarrhea. The presence of Nebraska viruses (rotavirus and coronavirus) has been demonstrated by using the electron microscope and the fluorescent antibody techniques while the presence of other viruses has been detected by the observation of a cytopathic effect on monolayer cells of calf testis. The Nebraska viruses have been demonstrated in 107 (80%) out of 134 field case specimens. An association of rotaviruses and coronaviruses was found in 58 cases (54%) whilst the coronaviruses and the rotavirus were found singly in 34 cases (53%) and in 15 cases (14%) respectively. Four bovine virus diarrhea viruses, two infectious bovine rhinotracheitis viruses and two enteroviruses have also been isolated in the preceding 107 Nebraska positive specimens. For the detection of the Nebraska viruses, the fluorescent antibody techniques were more sensitive than the electron microscopy. However, those two techniques must be used simultaneously for a better detection of a greatest possible number of cases.     

Effect of the bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection on dairy calf rearing

The aim of this study was to compare the cumulative incidence of mortality, clinical diarrhoea and respiratory disease in calves, during their first six months of age, in herds with different bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection status. Calves’ health indicators were tested by comparing proportions in 101 farms with dissimilar infection condition. The results indicate that there was a significant relationship between the BVDV status (actively infected herd or not) and the cumulative incidence of mortality and respiratory disorders.     

Bovine viral diarrhea in a newborn calf

Bovine viral diarrhea virus was believed to be the cause of ill-thrift since birth, resulting in death of a Holstein calf. Bovine viral diarrhea virus was isolated from Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, but serum neutralizing antibodies were not detected. The lymphoid depletion and myeloid suppression seen in this case may be a factor in the immune system dysfunction described for bovine viral diarrhea. Typical ulcerative lesions within the alimentary tract were not observed.     

Therapeutic agents used in the treatment of calf diarrhea

This article discusses various therapeutic agents that have been used in the treatment of calf diarrhea, such as antibiotics, modulators of intestinal motility, gastrointestinal protectants and absorbents, astringents, agents affecting secretion, steroids, antiadhesives, antitoxins, and monoclonal antibodies. The roles of nutrition and the administration of colostrum following onset of diarrhea are also discussed.     

Quantification of economic losses consecutive to infection of a dairy herd with bovine viral diarrhoea virus

Production losses and treatment expenditures consecutive to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection in a dairy herd were calculated by partial budgeting based on published estimates of production effects. Overall costs (losses plus expenditures) resulted in a decreased gross margin of 10.7 euros and 19.0 per 1000 l of milk for an average and severe infection, respectively. With a milk quota system allowing no lease of quota, assuming adjustment of the herd size by the farmer to produce the quota, decrease in gross margin was limited to 7.9 euros and 13.9 per 1000 l of milk.     

Fatal congenital anaplasmosis associated with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) infection in a crossbred calf

Clinical disease resulting from the vertical transmission of Anaplasma marginale has only been reported on 5 occasions despite studies demonstrating successful in utero transmission. During the reported experimental induction of congenital anaplasmosis in calves, the outcome was variable but mostly led to inapparent or mild infection. There are previous case reports of fatal congenital anaplasmosis following natural infection. The clinical findings in a 2-day-old calf presented to the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital with clinical signs of congenital anaplasmosis, which was unresponsive to treatment, are described. Subsequent post mortem diagnostic tests revealed that this calf was co-infected with bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). It is postulated that immunosuppression resulting from BVDV infection predisposed to severe, fatal anaplasmosis in this calf.     

Primary bovine viral diarrhoea virus infection in calves following direct contact with a persistently viraemic calf.

Six calves, aged 24 to 58 days and not previously exposed to bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), were infected with this agent by nose-to-nose contact with a persistently BVDV viraemic calf. The study was conducted in two trials, using 3 calves in each. All 6 calves showed a peak interferon level in serum at 4 days post infection (dpi), and they seroconverted to BVDV at 16-21 dpi. The calves in trial 1 had diarrhoea for 2 or 3 days between 2 and 6 dpi and one calf again from 9 to 11 dpi. During the periods of fever, the calves were slightly depressed. Those in trial 2 were more depressed and their oral and nasal mucous membranes were reddened but they never had diarrhoea. In both trials, fever (up to 41.3 degrees C) was a prominent symptom at 8 to 9 dpi and 2 calves showed a diphasic fever course. Respiratory affection was mild and no medical treatment was required. Haematological assessment demonstrated a transient but significant leukopenia and lymphopenia at 4 dpi (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05 respectively) and 11 dpi (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.01 respectively). A significant decrease in thrombocyte count was seen at 4 dpi (P less than 0.05, n = 3). This study has demonstrated that nose-to-nose contact is an effective way of transmitting BVDV from persistently infected to susceptible cattle.     

Histopathological pattern of adenovirus infection in the calf]

Pneumo-enteritis is the clinical manifestation of adenovirus infection in calf. Proliferative alveolitis, endobronchitis, and peribronchitis with intranuclear inclusions in the epithelial cells, histiocytes, and macrophages were histologically recorded. Proliferative changes with minor pleomorphism of cells were recorded from lymph nodes and lymph follicles of spleen and intestines. The epithelial cells of the renal tubules and liver exhibited degenerative changes, while the endothelium of the capillaries was activated. Five Serotype-1 adenoviruses were isolated from the lung, liver, and kidneys of the foetuses. IE were recordable from the epithelial cells of kidneys and lung. Other calves were examined following natural infection with adenovirus and virus of the mucosa disease. Dystrophic and necrotic changes were recorded from their digestive organs, lymphocytolysis from spleen and lymph nodes (a characteristic change related to mucosa disease), and nephrosis with adenovirus inclusions from the epithelial cells of the renal tubules.     

Epidemiologic approaches used in a herd health practice to investigate neonatal calf mortality

Epidemiologic methods were applied in an investigation into causes of neonatal mortality on a 1400-cow dairy in the southern San Joaquin Valley of California. A format for collation of information on birthdate and date of death was assembled into a matrix which improved conceptualization of the data and which simplified procedures for estimation of mortality rates. Contemporary and birth cohort life table methods, mortality density estimations and relative risk assessment were used to ascertain if there were high-risk groups of calves that could be identified by age, day-of-the-week born, day-of-the-week died and sex.During the outbreak of neonatal diarrhea on this dairy, female calves were found to have experienced an atypically higher rate of mortality (10.7%) than did males (5.3%). Calves of both sexes died between the ages of 9 and 19 days. In addition, the risk of dying was 11 times greater for calves born on Wednesdays than for those born on Saturdays. These findings formed the basis for recommended changes in management of neonatal calves on the dairy.