Per Wallgren, Magnus Johansson, Torun Wallgren, Zeljko Susic, Kerstin Sigfridson, Sven-Erik Johansson
{"title":"Impact of feed, light and access to manipulable material on tail biting in pigs with intact tails.","authors":"Per Wallgren, Magnus Johansson, Torun Wallgren, Zeljko Susic, Kerstin Sigfridson, Sven-Erik Johansson","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00716-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13028-023-00716-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Tail biting (TB) is a welfare issue with economic consequences due to infections and ill-thrift. This study aimed to reduce tail injuries in a high-performing non-tail-docking pig herd.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>During eleven years preceding the trial, the annual incidence of tail injuries registered at slaughter in pigs from the herd increased from 3% (equivalent to the national mean) to 10%. It was positively correlated to a high weight gain and negatively correlated to daylight length. The overall incidence of tail injuries during the four years preceding the trial was 9.2% with significant differences between four identically structured buildings for fatteners (I < II < III < IV). The feed was enriched with amino acids, minerals and fibres. The buildings used different illumination strategies, I: standard fluorescent tubes with an invisible flickering light of 30-40% for 14 h daily, II: non-flickering led light for 14 h daily, III (control) and IV: standard fluorescent tubes for 2 h daily. IV had free access to manipulable material (hay-silage), while I-III was offered 100-200 g daily. During the adaptation period (6 months), the incidence of tail injuries decreased significantly in all buildings to a mean of 5.4%. The largest decrease (from 11.4 to 4.3%) was obtained in IV. During the trial period (12 months), the mean incidence of tail injuries decreased in all groups to a mean of 3.0%. There were no differences in treatment incidences of individual pigs due to TB between groups, but the use of enriched pellets due to TB in pens was lowest in II. The low incidence of tail injuries was retained during the post-trial period (6 months) when all buildings used artificial illumination for two hours per day.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The incidence of TB in fast growing non-tail-docked pigs in the herd was successfully reduced by supplementing the feed with amino acids, minerals, vitamins and fibres. Additional manipulable material accelerated that process and non-flickering illumination may have had an impact in preventing TB. The results obtained do not support the need for tail-docking of pigs, provided that the needs of the pigs in terms of feed ingredients, stocking density and access to manipulable materials are fulfilled.</p>","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"66 1","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10777577/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139401420","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Torill Mørk, Henrik Isaksen Eira, Rolf Rødven, Ingebjørg Helena Nymo, Berit Marie Blomstrand, Sandra Guttormsen, Line Olsen, Rebecca Katherine Davidson
{"title":"Necropsy findings, meat control pathology and causes of loss in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in northern Norway","authors":"Torill Mørk, Henrik Isaksen Eira, Rolf Rødven, Ingebjørg Helena Nymo, Berit Marie Blomstrand, Sandra Guttormsen, Line Olsen, Rebecca Katherine Davidson","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00723-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00723-9","url":null,"abstract":"Reindeer herding in Norway is based on traditional Sámi pastoralism with the animals free ranging throughout the year. The animals move over large areas in varying terrain and often in challenging weather conditions. Winter crises, such as difficult grazing conditions caused by icing or large amounts of snow, are survival bottlenecks for reindeer. Calves are especially vulnerable, and many may die from starvation during winter crises. Predation and starvation are the predominant narratives to explain losses, however, carcasses are difficult to find and often little remains after scavenging and decay. Documentation of the causes of death is therefore scarce. In this study, we investigated the cause of reindeer mortality in Troms and Finnmark, Nordland and Trøndelag during 2017–2019. Necropsies (n = 125) and organ investigation (n = 13) were performed to document cause of death. Body condition was evaluated using visual fat score and bone marrow fat index. A wide range of causes of death was detected. The diagnoses were categorized into the following main categories: predation (n = 40), emaciation (n = 35), infectious disease (n = 20), trauma (n = 11), feeding related disease (n = 5), neoplasia (n = 4), others (n = 6) and unknown (n = 17). Co-morbidities were seen in a number of diagnoses (n = 16). Reindeer herders are entitled to economic compensation for reindeer killed by endangered predators, but a lack of documentation leads to a gap between the amount of compensation requested and what is awarded. An important finding of our study was that predators, during winter, killed animals in good as well as poor body condition. Emaciation was also shown to be associated with infectious diseases, and not only attributable to winter grazing conditions. This study highlights the importance of examining dead reindeer to gain knowledge about why they die on winter pasture. The work presented herein also shows the feasibility and value of increased documentation of reindeer losses during winter.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"15 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-01-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139095407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adherence to dental home care in dogs with periodontitis: a post-treatment survey","authors":"John Svärd, Karolina Brunius Enlund","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00718-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00718-6","url":null,"abstract":"Periodontitis is a common disease in dogs, and daily dental home care in the form of tooth brushing is essential for prevention and treatment. Despite this, many studies reveal low adherence to tooth brushing advice. This study aimed to assess compliance with dental home care among dogs with periodontitis and understand the factors influencing brushing routines. A questionnaire survey was emailed to 63 dog owners whose dogs had been diagnosed with periodontitis, received dental cleaning at the University Animal Hospital, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and were given tooth brushing instructions. The survey was supplemented by telephone interviews, resulting in a 57% response rate. The study presents dog owners' routines, experiences, attitudes, and motivation regarding tooth brushing. Approximately 42% brushed their dogs' teeth daily while others did so less frequently or not at all. Reported challenges, such as uncooperative dogs and difficulty establishing a routine, may explain infrequent brushing. While the study suggests that owners of dogs with periodontitis tend to follow dental care recommendations better than the general dog owner population, it also reveals that preventive care is inadequate for more than half of the dogs. Given the high prevalence of periodontitis, there's a need for resources to address infrequent tooth brushing. Understanding dog owners' needs can help establish daily brushing as a routine, improving canine oral health and overall well-being.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"18 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138743693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisabeth Rajala, Hedvig Gröndal, Susanna Sternberg Lewerin
{"title":"The first outbreak of African swine fever in Sweden: a survey of pig farmers' perceptions of information received, risks, biosecurity measures and future prospects","authors":"Elisabeth Rajala, Hedvig Gröndal, Susanna Sternberg Lewerin","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00722-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00722-w","url":null,"abstract":"African swine fever (ASF), a viral hemorrhagic disease in domestic pigs and wild boar with up to 100% case fatality, was confirmed in Swedish wild boar in September 2023. The responsible authorities launched a control programme to eradicate the infection. The aim of the current study was to understand (i) how Swedish pig farmers have perceived the information issued by authorities and other stakeholders since the discovery of ASF in wild boar, (ii) which risks they see for introducing the infection to their farm, (iii) what biosecurity measures they have taken on their farms, and (iv) their outlook on the future. Such information is important for evaluating the effectiveness of the early stages of ASF control in Sweden. A questionnaire was designed and distributed to members of the Swedish pig producers’ organisation. A total of 155 farmers responded to the survey (response rate 36%). Almost all respondents had received general information about ASF (91%, n = 138), and 72% (n = 109) had received information about how they can protect their farm from ASF introduction. A majority (87%, n = 118) thought the information was easy to understand, 90% (n = 137) that is was relevant, and 77% (n = 117) that they currently did not lack any information. If given the resources necessary, 58% (n = 84) of the farmers would like to take additional measures such as fencing, and heavily reduce or eradicate the wild boar population. Wild boars were considered the greatest risk for introduction of ASF into their herd (39%, n = 57), followed by people (30%, n = 44), and transports (16%, n = 23). Many farmers (66%, n = 88) had a positive outlook on the future, and 89% (n = 127) have not changed their plans for the future since the ASF outbreak. The responding farmers were in general satisfied with the information received in the beginning of the ASF outbreak. The majority have a positive outlook on the future and the outbreak has not caused them to change their plans. Actions that were highlighted as important to safeguard Sweden's pig production included measures to control the wild boar population.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"7 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138743373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Proceedings of the 11th International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy, and the Summit of the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians and the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation","authors":"","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00706-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00706-w","url":null,"abstract":"<h3>\u0000<b>Anja Pedersen</b>\u0000<sup>1</sup>, Anna Bergh<sup>1</sup>, Linn Dadell<sup>1</sup>, Anja Babra<sup>1</sup>\u0000</h3><h4>\u0000<sup>1</sup>Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SLU, Uppsala, Sweden</h4><h5>\u0000<b>Correspondence:</b> Anja Pedersen (anja.pedersen@slu.se)</h5><p><i>Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica</i> 2023, <b>65(Suppl 1)</b>:O.01</p><p><b>Background:</b> Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is often used as a pain-relieving treatment in dogs. Despite its frequent use, the evidence for its clinical efficacy is sparse. However, it has been shown that treatment with TENS, on five dogs with arthrosis, increased weight bearing up to 120 min after treatment [1]. This randomized, controlled cross-over study aimed to investigate the effect of TENS on physical activity in dogs with chronic pain from the locomotor apparatus.</p><p><b>Materials and methods:</b> The study included 14 dogs with a low to moderate degree of lameness and age over 1 year. The dogs were diagnosed with pain from the locomotor apparatus by clinical examination before inclusion in the study. The dogs were treated with high-frequency TENS set at a constant current of 80 Hz and 100 µs for 45 min, once daily for eight or ten consecutive days. The electrodes were placed on the skin adjacent to the most painful joint, assessed by clinical examination, and confirmed by journal records.</p><p><b>Results:</b> There was a washout period between the randomized interventions active treatment and placebo (Fig. 1). The effect of TENS was evaluated by obtaining activity level data with an activity monitor (ActiGraph GT3X +) before and after treatment. Registrations were conducted for the full intervention (8 to 10 days) and a baseline (2–13 days).</p><figure><figcaption><b data-test=\"figure-caption-text\">Figure 1 (abstract O.01)</b></figcaption><picture><source srcset=\"//media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs13028-023-00706-w/MediaObjects/13028_2023_706_Figa_HTML.png?as=webp\" type=\"image/webp\"/><img alt=\"figure a\" aria-describedby=\"Figa\" height=\"167\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"//media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1186%2Fs13028-023-00706-w/MediaObjects/13028_2023_706_Figa_HTML.png\" width=\"685\"/></picture><p>Study design</p><span>Full size image</span><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" height=\"16\" role=\"img\" width=\"16\"><use xlink:href=\"#icon-eds-i-chevron-right-small\" xmlns:xlink=\"http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink\"></use></svg></figure><p>The activity monitor data was processed in Matlab by a person blinded to the order of treatments. Counts per minute were analyzed and the activity was divided into four categories: sedentary, light, moderate, and vigorous [2]. A one-sided paired t-test was performed in Excel and the significant P value was set to < 0.05. Preliminary results show significant changes were seen in the light activity category (P = 0.02). There were no significant changes before and after treatment for the ","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"50 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138689271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Karin Maria Olofsson, Norbert van de Velde, Simone Peletto, Barbara Iulini, Laura Pratley, Behzad Modabberzadeh, Emilian Małek, Giulio Grandi
{"title":"First Swedish case of fatal equine parasitic encephalitis by Halicephalobus gingivalis","authors":"Karin Maria Olofsson, Norbert van de Velde, Simone Peletto, Barbara Iulini, Laura Pratley, Behzad Modabberzadeh, Emilian Małek, Giulio Grandi","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00719-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00719-5","url":null,"abstract":"Halicephalobus gingivalis is a nematode with zoonotic potential which can cause fatal opportunistic infections in various mammals. The parasite has never been diagnosed in Sweden, in any species, prior to the presented case. An imported 21-year-old Icelandic mare developed severe neurological signs. The horse was eventually euthanized and submitted for post-mortem examination where severe lesions in the kidneys were noted. Histopathology revealed the presence of H. gingivalis in both kidneys and the brain. Phylogenetic analysis of the parasite determined it to belong to Lineage 1. With the occurrence of H. gingivalis in Sweden, the disease should be added to the list of differential diagnoses in cases with acute onset of neurological disease in both horses and other mammals including humans.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138689443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charlotta Oddsdóttir, Hanna Kristrún Jónsdóttir, Erla Sturludóttir
{"title":"Haematological reference intervals for pregnant Icelandic mares on pasture","authors":"Charlotta Oddsdóttir, Hanna Kristrún Jónsdóttir, Erla Sturludóttir","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00721-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00721-x","url":null,"abstract":"Few studies have been conducted on haematological reference intervals (RIs) in Icelandic horses. Reference intervals have been published for Icelandic horses in Austria and a preliminary study in Iceland compared haematological values in riding horses to published RIs for other breeds as well as Icelandic horses abroad. Haematological parameters can vary greatly due to factors such as breed, gender, age, reproductive status, and training, as well as feeding, prior exercise and management method. Icelandic broodmares are kept on pasture under supervision throughout the year, with haylage provided during the winter, and it is therefore of interest to establish haematological reference intervals for pregnant broodmares in Iceland. The purpose of this study was to establish haematological RIs specific to Icelandic broodmares in the first months of pregnancy, kept on pasture. Blood samples from 183 mares, stabilised in EDTA were analysed using IDEXX ProCyte Dx and total protein was analysed in serum samples from 157 of the 183 mares, using IDEXX Catalyst One analyser. The RIs were established using the guidelines of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology. The RIs for red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin were higher in pasture-kept Icelandic mares in early pregnancy, most of which were lactating, than in pregnant mares of other breeds. This was also true for white blood cell count, as well as numbers of monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, which in some instances might illustrate problems in the automated categorisation of some leukocytes. As no RIs have been published for other pasture-kept Icelandic horses, future investigations should include other groups of pasture-kept Icelandic horses. Such an analysis might elucidate the effect of breed, management, and pregnancy on haematological values in pasture-kept Icelandic horses.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"197 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138689224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sarah Gutmann, Miriam Heiderhoff, Robert Möbius, Tanja Siegel, Thomas Flegel
{"title":"Application accuracy of a frameless optical neuronavigation system as a guide for craniotomies in dogs","authors":"Sarah Gutmann, Miriam Heiderhoff, Robert Möbius, Tanja Siegel, Thomas Flegel","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00720-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00720-y","url":null,"abstract":"Optical neuronavigation systems using infrared light to create a virtual reality image of the brain allow the surgeon to track instruments in real time. Due to the high vulnerability of the brain, neurosurgical interventions must be performed with a high precision. The aim of the experimental cadaveric study was to determine the application accuracy of a frameless optical neuronavigation system as guide for craniotomies by determining the target point deviation of predefined target points at the skull surface in the area of access to the cerebrum, cerebellum and the pituitary fossa. On each of the five canine cadaver heads ten target points were marked in a preoperative computed tomography (CT) scan. These target points were found on the cadaver skulls using the optical neuronavigation system. Then a small drill hole (1.5 mm) was drilled at these points. Subsequently, another CT scan was made. Both CT data sets were fused into the neuronavigation software, and the actual target point coordinates were identified. The target point deviation was determined as the difference between the planned and drilled target point coordinates. The calculated deviation was compared between two observers. The analysis of the target point accuracies of all dogs in both observers taken together showed a median target point deviation of 1.57 mm (range: 0.42 to 5.14 mm). No significant differences were found between the observers or the different areas of target regions. The application accuracy of the described system is similar to the accuracy of other optical neuronavigation systems previously described in veterinary medicine, in which mean values of 1.79 to 4.3 mm and median target point deviations of 0.79 to 3.53 mm were determined.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"78 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138629039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arja Helena Kautto, Abbey Olsen, Camilla Wallander, Ivar Vågsholm
{"title":"Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) in northern Sweden: a cross-sectional study from 2014","authors":"Arja Helena Kautto, Abbey Olsen, Camilla Wallander, Ivar Vågsholm","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00717-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00717-7","url":null,"abstract":"Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan that can infect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including humans. The infection with T. gondii, is of particular concern due to its potential impact on human and animal health. In Sweden, semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus L.) is an important species both economically and culturally, but susceptibility to Toxoplasma infection and seroprevalence in reindeer herds remain relatively understudied. A total of 528 reindeer, sampled at two slaughterhouses in Sweden in 2014, were investigated for antibodies to T. gondii. Specific antibodies to T. gondii were found in 5 of 209 (2.3%) tested adult reindeer and in 6 of 308 (1.9%) tested calves, giving an apparent total prevalence of 2.1% (95% confidence interval 1.1–3.8%). None of four putative risk factors studied (sex, age, type of grazing area, county) were statistically associated with T. gondii seroprevalence. Swedish semi-domesticated reindeer are exposed to T. gondii and may harbour infectious tissue cysts. To mitigate the risk of T. gondii infection in consumers, reindeer meat should be frozen or cooked thoroughly before consumption. The global climate change may influence the seroprevalence and possible associated risk factors for T. gondii in reindeer. To be able to manage the risk and get better advice to the consumers there is a need for further investigations covering the whole spectra of herding conditions for reindeer.","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138573896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tonje Opsal, Ingrid Toftaker, Lucy Robertson, Ian Woolsey, Lisbeth Hektoen
{"title":"Comparison of diagnostic methods for assessment of Ostertagia ostertagi exposure in Norwegian dairy herds.","authors":"Tonje Opsal, Ingrid Toftaker, Lucy Robertson, Ian Woolsey, Lisbeth Hektoen","doi":"10.1186/s13028-023-00712-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-023-00712-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) Ostertagia ostertagi can cause severe disease in first season grazers (FSG) and impaired performance due to subclinical infections in adult cows. Diagnostic methods to assess exposure include faecal egg count and detection of specific antibodies using antibody-ELISAs resulting in an optical density ratio (ODR). Using the ELISA test on bulk tank milk (BTM) allows for a herd level diagnosis. Appropriate use of diagnostic methods for evaluation of O. ostertagi exposure is required to optimize herd parasite surveillance and aid in a sustainable control regime. The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between different diagnostic tests used to assess GIN exposure in Norwegian production systems. A cross-sectional field study was carried out in twenty herds in Norway in the fall of 2020. Serum and faecal samples were taken from 380 individuals, of which 181 were FSG and 199 were cows. In addition, milk was collected from every cow and one BTM sample was taken from each herd. Faecal egg counts were performed. The distribution of ODR values in individual samples within and between herds and the associations between BTM ODR and individual ODR values were described. The data were analysed using visual assessment of scatter plots, Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A high variability of the within-herd individual ODR values in serum and milk in every herd was detected. The ODR in BTM explained a low degree of the variation in the individual serum and milk samples. When plotting the ODR results in milk or serum according to four BTM categories, the distribution of ODR values were notably different in the highest and lowest BTM categories. The correlation between individual milk and serum samples was moderate (r = 0.68), while the highest correlation (r = 0.81) was between the BTM ODR and the group average individual milk samples.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A poor predictive ability for BTM ODR to assess individual ODR values in both FSG and cows was demonstrated. However, the study indicates that the evaluation by ELISA test on BTM to assess exposure to GIN could be useful in herds with a very high or low BTM ODR.</p>","PeriodicalId":7181,"journal":{"name":"Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica","volume":"65 1","pages":"52"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10687923/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138457159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}