Schwanzbeissen und Schwanzläsionen sind ein bekanntes Problem in der modernen Schweinehaltung. 20... more Schwanzbeissen und Schwanzläsionen sind ein bekanntes Problem in der modernen Schweinehaltung. 2008 wurde das Kupieren des Schwanzes zur Verhinderung von Schwanzbeissen bei Schweinen in der Schweiz verboten. Seitdem werden Schweine mit intakten Schwänzen gemästet. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die aktuelle Prävalenz von Schwanzläsionen bei Mastschweinen in Schweizer Schlachthöfen zu untersuchen und die Schlachthofdaten mit bestandsspezifischen Daten bezüglich potenzieller Risikofaktoren zu vergleichen. Die Datenerhebung wurde in sich wiederholenden Zyklen von je zwei Wochen in vier Schlachthöfen in allen vier Jahreszeiten durchgeführt. Unter anderem wurden Geschlecht, Schwanzlänge und Zustand der Schwanzspitze bei geschlachteten Schweinen bewertet. Während insgesamt 32 Wochen wurden 195 704 Schweine aus 6112 Posten aus 2510 Herden untersucht. Bezüglich der Schwanzlänge wurden 63,2 %der in die statistische Analyse einbezogenen Tiere mit einem intakten Schwanz geschlachtet (niedrigster Tail Length Score [TLS]), wohingegen 36,8 %einen teilweisen oder vollständigen Verlust des Schwanzes aufwiesen. Der Zustand der Schwanzspitze (Tail Tip Condition Score [TTCS]) wurde in 63,0 %als intakt, in 23,7 %als abgeheilte Läsion, in 1,3 %als akute Läsion und in 12,0 %aller Fälle als chronische Läsion beurteilt. Männliche Tiere zeigten signifikant höhere Werte für TLS und TTCS als weibliche (P ≤ 0,05). Die TLS-Werte waren im Winter signifikant höher als im Frühjahr und Sommer (P < 0,001). Die TTCS-Werte waren im Herbst deutlich höher als im Frühjahr und Sommer. Die TLS-und TTCS-Werte unterschieden sich signifikant (P < 0,001) zwischen den vier Schlachthöfen. Zwischen den Werten von TLS und TTCS und betriebsspezifischen Daten wurden nur wenige signifikante Korrelationen nachgewiesen. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass die Erfassung von Schwanzläsionen in Schlachthöfen eine genaue, aber arbeitsintensive Methode darstellt, um die Prävalenz von Schwanzläsionen in einer grossen Population von Mastschweinen exakt zu untersuchen. Darüber hinaus
In a proof of concept, PCV2-specific IgG-antibodies from testicular tissue fluid of seven-dayold ... more In a proof of concept, PCV2-specific IgG-antibodies from testicular tissue fluid of seven-dayold castrated piglets were measured to verify the vaccination status of their mothers. Twelve randomly selected sows were vaccinated twice during the last third of gestation with a PCV2 vaccine, while ten controls received only adjuvant. PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers of serum and colostrum from the sows were correlated with PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers of serum and testicular tissue fluid of their castrated male offspring. Vaccinated sows showed significantly higher average PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers in serum (29250 ELISA units, EU) and colostrum (65410 EU) compared to 980 EU and 2630 EU of the control group, respectively. Moreover, significantly higher average concentrations of antibodies were also measured in the serum (9362 EU vs. 247 EU) and the testicular tissue fluid (4022 EU vs. 354 EU) of piglets from vaccinated compared to piglets from adjuvant administered sows. Importantly, a strong linear correlation between PCV2-specific IgG-antibodies in the serum of the piglets and in their testicular tissue fluid was found (rs = 0.9148). PCV2-specific IgG-antibody titers of testicular tissue fluid from five randomly selected piglets allowed the determination of the vaccination status of the herd with a reliability of 98% for vaccinated and 73% for unvaccinated sows. Furthermore, using castration waste products is a very animal friendly method to replace painful and time-consuming blood samplings for herd monitoring or to verify vaccination status.
In 164 randomly selected Swiss piglet production farms and 101 fattening farms, the indication fo... more In 164 randomly selected Swiss piglet production farms and 101 fattening farms, the indication for antibiotic use in 2012/2013 was recorded and an animal treatment index (TBI) was calculated for each age group. Sows were treated on average 0.9 days per year mainly due to mastitis-metritis-agalactia (MMA). Suckling piglets were treated on average 0.5 days per production cycle, mainly due to diarrhea and polyarthritis. Weaned piglets were treated during 4.4 days, especially due to diarrhea, polyarthritis and wasting. In fattening pigs, treatments were mainly due to diarrhea and HPS-suspicion, and lasted on average 4.8 days. In sows, antibiotics were used prophylactically on 22.6% of the treatment days, in suckling piglets on 50.5%, in weaners on 86.1% and in fattening pigs on 79.0% of the treatment days. A prophylactic oral antibiotic group therapy did not have a significant positive effect on daily weight gain of fattening pigs, nor was it able to reduce the number of individual or group therapies. In farms with prophylactic oral group therapy, the mortality rate during the first two fattening weeks even tended to be higher (p=0.06) than in farms without oral group therapy. Highest priority critically important antibiotics were used in 22.6% of all treatment days in sows, in 37.5% in suckling piglets, in 17.2% in weaned piglets and in 27.3% in fattening pigs. In many farms, antibiotics were not prescribed and used according to the rules of "prudent use".
In der Milchviehhaltung sind antibiotische Tierarzneimittel, welche ihre Wirkung auf Mensch, Tier... more In der Milchviehhaltung sind antibiotische Tierarzneimittel, welche ihre Wirkung auf Mensch, Tier und Umwelt ausüben, ein öffentlich kontrovers diskutiertes Thema. In dieser Studie soll aufgezeigt werden, wie Betriebe bestehen, die keine antibiotischen Euterpräparate einsetzen. Dabei soll es nicht zu einer Vernachlässigung des Tierwohls und der angestrebt tiefen Tankmilchzellzahlen kommen. Die Betriebsdaten wurden während der Fütterungszeit und einem Melkvorgang auf 18 Schweizer Betrieben, welche seit mindestens 3 Jahren im Euterbereich keine Antibiotika einsetzten, erhoben und in dieser Studie ausgewertet. Dabei handelt es sich um eine Querschnittsstudie, welche Prävalenzen präsentiert. Die Landwirte setzten auf Zuchtmerkmale wie eine hohe Lebensleistung, eine tiefe Milchzellzahl über mehrere Laktationen hinweg, einen friedlichen Tiercharakter und auf kleinrahmige Kühe mit tiefem Flankenbau. Es wurde ein Trend Richtung Zweinutzungsrassen beobachtet. Die Bauern achteten darauf, dass nur wenige verschiedene Personen regelmässig melkten. Aufgrund der Aufzucht eigener Jungrinder auf 94% der Betriebe, wurde der Tierverkehr reduziert. Weiter hatten klare Betriebsstrukturen und Arbeitsabläufe, sowie eine gute Tierbeobachtung einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf den Erfolg dieser Produktionsweise. Unterstützend kamen auf diesen Betrieben eigene Therapieformen, wie Homöopathie, Phytotherapie und altbewährte Hausmittel zum Einsatz.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Probiotics in Progress (PIP) on the... more The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Probiotics in Progress (PIP) on the establishment of a competitive flora as well as on antibiotic use and losses of suckling piglets in pig breeding farms. The tested products were PIP AHC® and PIP AHS® produced by "Chrisal AG" in Lommel, Belgium. PIP's are cleaning products containing Bacillus spores. According to the manufacturer's specifications, they are able to establish a steady non-pathogenic stable flora. In a field trial in 19 pig breeding farms, the use of PIP-products did not lead to any reduction of antibiotic use or improvement of fertility parameters, especially in relation to losses of suckling piglets. In addition, we compared the bacterial flora using PIP products with the flora under conventional management conditions in a farrowing pen by means of swab samples. The use of PIP-products did not lead to any significant effect on the pen flora. Only very few swab samples contained a majority of probiotic Bacillus spp.
Lethal Gastric Mucosal Necrosis due to Administration of Oral Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate to Suckling Piglets
Journal of Comparative Pathology, 2017
The oral application of a newly developed ferrous bisglycinate paste for suckling piglets at a do... more The oral application of a newly developed ferrous bisglycinate paste for suckling piglets at a dose of 180 mg/kg body weight led to increased death rates in 10% (n = 10) of Swiss test pig breeding farms (n = 100). Necropsy examination of suckling piglets (n = 12), selected randomly from the test farms with increased death rates, demonstrated severe gastric mucosal ulceration and necrosis. Due to the presence of crystalline iron surface coating within the gastric lesions, the iron was considered as the toxic principle and cause of death. To demonstrate the direct toxicity of ferrous bisglycinate, the paste was administered experimentally to a litter of suckling piglets (n = 11). Different time points (24, 48 and 72 h post partum) and doses (180 mg/kg and 360 mg/kg) were investigated. The manufacturer's recommended dose of 180 mg/kg corresponded to approximately 36 mg Fe/kg and to 6.4 % of the acute lethal dose50 of oral iron in rats. In all piglets the lesions were reproduced and most severe at the earliest time point (24 h post partum) and with the highest applied dose (360 mg/kg). The lesions were in accordance with those described from oral iron intoxication in man, suggesting pigs as an ideal animal model for oral iron toxicity studies.
The oral group treatment is still a common procedure in swine production. This project studied th... more The oral group treatment is still a common procedure in swine production. This project studied the effect of the application of 3 different formulations of antimicrobial premixes (1. chlortetracycline, 2. chlortetracycline + sulfadimidine + tylosin, 3. sulfadimidine + sulfathiazole + trimethoprim) via the liquid feeding system on the occurrence of tetracycline-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (Ent-Tetr) in the liquid feed. 156 and 112 feed samples were collected between April and December 2015 in 13 case and 14 control farms, respectively. The 27 farms were randomly selected pig fattening farms located in different parts of Switzerland. The number of feed samples that contained Ent-Tetr as well as the number of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to tetracycline per sample was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. The use of any of the 3 antimicrobial combinations turned out to be the main risk factor for the occurrence of Ent-Tetr in the liquid feed. Our results suggest that liquid feed containing antimicrobials is a reservoir of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in swine production. Die orale Gruppentherapie ist eine immer noch verbreitete Managementmassnahme in der Schweineproduktion. Diese Arbeit untersuchte den Effekt der Applikation von 3 verschiedenen Formulierungen antibiotikahaltiger Arzneimittelvormischungen (1. Chlortetrazyklin, 2. Chlortetrazyklin + Sulfadimidin + Tylosin, 3. Sulfadimidin + Sulfathiazol + Trimethoprim) über die Flüssigfütterungsanlage auf das Vorkommen Tetrazyklin-resistenter Enterobacteraiaceae (Ent-Tetr) im Flüssigfutter. 156 bzw. 112 Futterproben wurden zwischen April und Dezember 2015 auf 13 Fall-bzw. 14 Kontrollbetrieben erhoben. Bei den 27 Betrieben handelte es sich um zufällig ausgewählte Schweinemastbetriebe aus verschiedenen Regionen der Schweiz. Die Anzahl Futterproben, die Tetrazyklin-resistente Enterobacteriaceae enthielten, sowie die Keimzahl Ent-Tetr pro Futterprobe waren signifikant höher in der Fall-als in der Kontrollgruppe. Der Einsatz der untersuchten Formulierungen von Arzneimittelvormischungen konnte als Hauptrisikofaktor für das Auftreten von Ent-Tetr im Flüssigfutter identifiziert werden. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass antibiotikahaltiges Flüssigfutter ein Reservoir für Antibiotika-resistente Bakterien in der Schweineproduktion darstellt.
The Postpartum Dysgalaktie Syndrome (PPDS) also known as metritis agalactia mastitis (MMA), is co... more The Postpartum Dysgalaktie Syndrome (PPDS) also known as metritis agalactia mastitis (MMA), is considered the most common disease of the sow after farrowing. The reasons for PPDS are multifactorial and are to be found in the areas of management and hygiene, feeding, water supply and animal specific factors such as body condition and age of the sows. In this study a veterinary herd health management was carried out in 28 pig farms with PPDS, with the aim to reduce the PPDS prevalence and animal treatment incidence (TI). In 20 of 28 problem farms the PPDS-prevalence could be decreased from 37.4% (± 21.8%) to 24.5% (± 14.1%). The TI was not significantly reduced. The most effective procedures to reduce the PPDS-prevalence were the use of a prepartal transition feed, optimizing the PPDSdiagnostic and the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and oxytocin in the PPDS-treatment.
Die persönliche Einstellung sowie das Fachwissen eines Menschen beeinflussen sein Verhalten und s... more Die persönliche Einstellung sowie das Fachwissen eines Menschen beeinflussen sein Verhalten und seine Handlungen im Alltag. Um den Einfluss von Einstellung und Wissen von Schweineproduzenten auf den Antibiotika-Einsatz in den Betrieben zu untersuchen, wurden 220 Schweizer Schweineproduzenten zu Gesundheitsbewusstsein, nachhaltigem Handeln, Risikoverhalten, intrinsischer Motivation und Fachwissen über Antibiotika und Resistenzbildung befragt. Weiter wurden in einem persönlichen Interview die Antibiotika-Einsatz-Strategie (therapeutischer oder prophylaktischer Einsatz) und die Einsatzpraxis (Einzeltier-oder Gruppenbehandlung), bezogen auf den Antibiotika-Verbrauch und die Gefahr der Bildung von Antibiotikaresistenzen, erhoben. Betriebe mit ausschliesslich therapeutischem Antibiotika-Einsatz wiesen eine signifikant bessere Einsatzpraxis auf. Einen Zusammenhang zwischen persönlicher Einstellung und Antibiotika-Verbrauch oder einer erhöhten Gefahr der Bildung von Antibiotikaresistenzen konnte in dieser Studie nicht belegt werden. The attitude as well as the expertise of a person affect the behavior and actions in daily life. To investigate the influence of attitude and knowledge of pig producers on the use of antibiotics in farms, 220 Swiss pig producers were questioned on health awareness, attitude towards sustainable production, risk behavior, intrinsic motivation and knowledge about antibiotics and resistance development. In addition, the strategy of antibiotic use (therapeutic or prophylactic) and the business practice (single or group therapy) for the amount of antibiotics on one hand and for the risk of antibiotic resistance development on the other hand, were determined in a personal interview. Farmers using antibiotics only therapeutically had a better business practice. A direct link between the personal attitude and the antibiotic use or a higher risk of development of antibiotic resistance was not found in this investigation.
To determine the role of Toxoplasma gondii in reproductive failure, 108 of 113 sows that had abor... more To determine the role of Toxoplasma gondii in reproductive failure, 108 of 113 sows that had aborted or delivered stillborn or weak piglets from 58 Swiss farms were serologically tested for specific antibodies against T. gondii tachyzoite antigens by ELISA. Additionally, formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues from 123 foetuses or stillborn piglets derived from 25 seropositive and 27 seronegative sows were analyzed by real-time PCR for T. gondii DNA. Tissues from animals showing a positive reaction in real-time PCR were subsequently tested by immunohistochemistry for the presence of T. gondii antigens. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 24.1% (26 out of 108) of sows with reproductive failure, and 37.3% (22 of 58) of the 58 tested farms had seropositive sows. No significant differences in the prevalences were observed in relation to the housing system (exclusive indoor housing, indoor housing with outdoor yard and exclusive outdoor housing) neither at the individual nor at the farm levels. By real time-PCR, T. gondii DNA was detected in three placentas from one seropositive sow (abortion at 71 gestation days [gd]), and in brain tissues from one foetus (abortion at 76 gd), one stillborn (116 gd) and one mummy (112 gd) delivered by three further seropositive sows, but in no sample
Vaccination of dams in a PCV2 subclinically infected farm 2 and 4 weeks before insemination, with... more Vaccination of dams in a PCV2 subclinically infected farm 2 and 4 weeks before insemination, with a booster at 12 weeks of gestation did not influence fertility parameters of the dams. However, growth parameters of offspring of vaccinated sows improved significantly (+ 51 g/d), resulting in a shorter growing period of 9 days and a massively improved economy. Mortality of weaners and fattening pigs was not significantly influenced by dam vaccination. Nevertheless, compared to a period of 6 months before vaccination, the mortality rate declined in the weaning period by 0,3 % and in the fattening period by 5,5 %. The Return on Investment (ROI) was calculated with 1:9.5. Even, the historically low pork prices in 2011 led to a ROI of 1:7.
This study explores administration of two piglet vaccines as compared to the mono-and adjuvant-ap... more This study explores administration of two piglet vaccines as compared to the mono-and adjuvant-application. A vaccine against the Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) cap protein subunit and a vaccine with attenuated live culture against Lawsonia (L.) intracellularis were applied to piglets aged 23.5 days on average. 1'405 animals were divided randomly into four groups. One piglet group was immunized with both vaccines while two other groups were immunized with a combination of one vaccine and adjuvants of alternate vaccination protocol and vice versa. These piglet groups were also compared to a control group supplemented with both adjuvants only. During fattening, pigs, which were simultaneously immunized with Enterisol(®) Ileitis and Ingelvac(®) CircoFLEX(TM) vaccine, gained significantly more weight (792 g/day) when compared to piglet groups mono-vaccinated with Ingelvac® CircoFLEXTM (772 g/day) or either with Enterisol® Ileitis (774 g/day). Moreover, immunized piglet groups showed significantly higher daily weight gain when compared to adjuvants only inoculated control group (751 g/day). Additionally, during fattening the control group displayed higher mortality (6,3 %) than the three vaccinated groups (Ingelvac(®) CircoFLEX(TM) 2,5 %, Enterisol(®) Ileitis 2,3 % and the combination of both vaccines 1,1 %). These data imply that simultaneous immunization with PCV2and L. intracellularis specific vaccines positively benefit piglet growth observed by an additive effect on growth parameters in farms harboring both pathogens. Return of investment was calculated of 2.10 on the additional Enterisol(®) Ileitis vaccination.
Porzine Circoviren Typ 2 (PCV2) sind in der Lage Fruchtbarkeitsstörungen zu induzieren. Sechs Jah... more Porzine Circoviren Typ 2 (PCV2) sind in der Lage Fruchtbarkeitsstörungen zu induzieren. Sechs Jahre nach Beginn der Epizootie des «Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome» (PMWS) in der Schweiz wurden 286 Feten von 113 Muttersauen aus 59 Betrieben auf infektiöse Ursachen für Fruchtbarkeitsstörungen mit Aborten, vermehrt mumifizierten oder totgeborenen und lebensschwachen Ferkeln untersucht. 14 % der Fälle wurden anhand von Erregerisolation und histologischen Entzündungsanzeichen einer bakteriellen Infektion zugeordnet. In weiteren 12 % konnten histologisch Entzündungsreaktionen ohne plausiblen Erregernachweis gefunden werden. PCV2 wurde mittels Immunhistochemie (IHC) in nur 4 % der Fälle nachgewiesen und scheint somit in der Schweiz bei Fruchtbarkeitsproblemen eine untergeordnete Rolle zu spielen. Infektionen mit dem porzinen Parvovirus (PPV) sind mit 3 % der Fälle deutlich seltener als in früheren Untersuchungen. Auf Enteroviren/Teschovirus wurde nur stichprobenweise bei ätiologisch unklaren Fällen untersucht und eine Prävalenz von 11 % ermittelt. Unseres Wissens ist das der erste Nachweis von Enteroviren/Teschovirus in Feten in der Schweiz. Die ätiologische Ursache blieb in über 50 % aller Fälle, auch unter Anwendung moderner diagnostischer Methoden, unklar. = Porcine Circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is able to induce reproductive failures. 286 fetuses from 113 sows of 59 farms with increased reproductive disorders which included abortions, mummies, stillborn and weak born piglets were studied six years after the beginning of the epizooty of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Switzerland. 14 % of the cases were bacterial infections based on histological signs of inflammation and pathogen isolation. 12 % further cases showed inflammatory reactions by histology without pathogen identification. PCV2 was identified in only 4 % of cases by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Thus, PCV2 infections are of minor importance in respect to pig reproductive failures in Switzerland. Porcine parvovirus (PPV) infections were found in 3 % of the cases and seem to occur more infrequently compared to former findings. Hitherto, Enteroviruses/Teschovirus were marginally studied in etiologically undefined cases with a prevalence of 11 %. To our knowledge this is the first identification of Enteroviruses/Teschovirus in fetal tissue from reproductive failures in Switzerland. The etiology remained unclear in more than 50 % of all cases in spite of modern diagnostic methods.
Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was epizoozic between 2003 and 2008 in Switzerl... more Postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) was epizoozic between 2003 and 2008 in Switzerland. Nevertheless, infectious risk factors including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) were missing at all or were seen only sporadically (enzootic pneumonia and actinobazillosis). In a case-control study, 30 farms with PMWS affected pigs were compared to 30 inconspicious farms ("matched pairs"). The case-control allocation was verified by PCV2 DNA measurements of 5 healthy weaned pigs in each control farm, 5 healthy and 5 PMWS affected weaners in each PMWS affected farm. Diseased pigs showed in average 1.8x10(8) DNA templates per ml serum significantly higher than healthy pigs from control farms with 1x10(6) DNA templates per ml serum. Virus load in healthy pigs did not differ between control-and PMWS affected farms. PMWS mainly emerged among affected pigs in the 5th to 8th week of age. In a logistic regression model risk factors were identified such as high occupancy in weaning pens (p = 0.002), large groups in gestation facilities (p = 0.03) as well as reduced birth weight < 1.3 kg (p = 0.04). We suggest these factors might have lead to chronic stress e.g. through influencing negatively social interaction in pigs or disturbances of the maturing immune system. Heavy fly and rodent infestation might not only be viewed as a vector for disease transmission, but, also as a stress factor. In den Jahren 2003 -2008 entwickelte sich das «Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome» (PMWS) in der Schweiz zu einer Epizootie, obwohl beschriebene infektiöse Risikofaktoren für das Angehen von PMWS, wie das «Porcine Reproductive und Respiratory Syndrome Virus» (PRRSV) fehlen oder bei der enzootischen Pneumonie (EP) und der Aktinobazillose eine untergeordnete Rolle spielen. In einer Fall-Kontroll-Studie wurden 30 PMWS-Problembetriebe und 30 Kontrollbetriebe («matched pairs») auf Risikofaktoren analysiert. Kranke Schweine wiesen mit durchschnittlich 1.8 x 108 DNA-Kopien/ml Serum signifikant höhere Virustiter auf als gesunde Schweine aus den Kontrollbetrieben, welche 1 x 106 DNA-Kopien/ml Serum aufwiesen. Der Virustiter von gesunden Tieren unterschied sich nicht signifikant zwischen PMWS-und Kontrollbetrieben. PMWS trat meist zwischen der 5.-8. Lebenswoche auf. In einer ogistischen Regressionsanalyse wurden Risikofaktoren wie hohe Belegdichten in den Absetzbuchten (p = 0.002), grosse Galtsauengruppen (p = 0.03) sowie ein vermindertes Geburtsgewicht < 1.3 kg (p = 0.04) identifiziert. Diese Faktoren können zu chronischem Stress führen, welche die soziale Interaktion stören und die Ontogenese des fetalen Immunsystems negativ beeinflussen. Auch Fliegen-und Schadnagerbefall sind nicht zu unterschätzende Risikofaktoren beziehungsweise Stressfaktoren.
Schmerzausschaltung bei der Ferkelkastration mittels Inhalationsanästhesie Zusammenfassung Ziel d... more Schmerzausschaltung bei der Ferkelkastration mittels Inhalationsanästhesie Zusammenfassung Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Umsetzung der schmerzfreien Ferkelkastration unter Inhalationsanästhesie in der Schweiz zu beschreiben und Aspekte des Tierschutzes, der Arbeitsplatzsicherheit sowie den Zeitaufwand für die Kastration zu untersuchen. Es wurden 600 Fragebögen an Ferkelproduzenten in der ganzen Schweiz versandt (Rücklauf 40.5 %) und 100 Betriebe während einer Kastration unter Inhalationsanästhesie besucht. Auf 44 % der besuchten Betriebe wurde ein Analgetikum entweder während der Anästhesie oder weniger als 10 Minuten vor der Kastration verabreicht. 14 % der Ferkel wiesen durch die Kastration verursachte Abwehrbewegungen oder Vokalisation auf und 18 % der Ferkel zeigten nach der Kastration eine verstärkte Blutungstendenz. Die Mortalitätsrate lag unter 0.1 %. 22 % der Betriebsleiter berichteten über Kopfschmerzen oder Schwindel während oder nach der Kastration. Auf 2 Betrieben wurde der in der Schweiz geltende Grenzwert der Isofl uran-Konzentration überschritten. Der für die Kastration benötigte Zeitaufwand inkl. Vor-und Nachbereitung lag mit durchschnittlich 4.3 Minuten deutlich über der für eine Kastration ohne Schmerzausschaltung benötigten Zeit. Der fi nanzielle und zeitliche Mehraufwand wird dem Produzenten zurzeit nicht angemessen entschädigt. Schlüsselwörter: Inhalationsanästhesie, Ferkelkastration, Schmerzausschaltung, Tierschutz The objectives of this study were a description of the practical implementation of the painless castration under inhalational anaesthesia with an objective assessment of animal welfare, workplace safety and time exposure. 600 questionnaires were sent to farmers all over Switzerland and 100 farms were visited during castration under inhalation anaesthesia. 44 % of the visited farmers administered analgetics during anaesthesia or less than 10 minutes before castration. 14 % of the piglets were insuffi ciently anaesthetised (moving or vocalising) and 18 % showed stronger bleeding tendency after castration. The mortality rate was less than 0.1 %. 22 % of the swine farmers reported headache or dizziness during or after castration work. The Isofl urane level on 2 farms was above the Swiss safety limits. The time needed for castration was with 4.3 minutes clearly above the time necessary without anaesthesia. The additional fi nancial costs and time are at the moment not adequately compensated to the farmers.
A member of the family Circoviridae , porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), is associated with postwe... more A member of the family Circoviridae , porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), is associated with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), a recent emerging disease worldwide. PCV2 is also found in clinically asymptomatic animals. This paradoxical finding makes the syndrome etiology challenging. We developed new assays to study PCV2 with links to syndrome etiology. For analysis, we used PCV2-infected tissues from subclinically infected and diseased piglets. We compared antigen- and PCV2 DNA-derived signals for tissue localization and intensity. Oligonucleotides were designed to the signature motif of the PCV2 capsid open reading frame to discriminate experimentally between PCV2 genotype groups by PCR, in situ hybridization (ISH), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Unexpectedly, all PCV2-infected animals carried both PCV2a and PCV2b genotype group members. Using confocal microscopy, genotype single-cell infections and cell superinfections were visible. Additionally, we...
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2012
At present, despite extensive laboratory investigations, most cases of porcine abortion remain wi... more At present, despite extensive laboratory investigations, most cases of porcine abortion remain without an etiological diagnosis. Due to a lack of recent data on the abortigenic effect of order Chlamydiales, 286 fetuses and their placentae of 113 abortion cases (1-5 fetuses per abortion case) were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods for family Chlamydiaceae and selected Chlamydia-like organisms such as Parachlamydia acanthamoebae and Waddlia chondrophila. In 0.35% of the cases (1/286 fetuses), the Chlamydiaceae real-time PCR was positive. In the Chlamydiaceae-positive fetus, Chlamydia abortus was detected by a commercial microarray and 16S ribosomal RNA PCR followed by sequencing. The positive fetus had a Porcine circovirus-2 coinfection. By the Parachlamydia real-time PCR, 3.5% (10/286 fetuses of 9 abortion cases) were questionable positive (threshold cycle values: 35.0-45.0). In 2 of these 10 cases, a confirmation by Chlamydiales-specific real-time PCR was possible. All samples tested negative by the Waddlia real-time PCR. It seems unlikely that Chlamydiaceae, Parachlamydia, and Waddlia play an important role as abortigenic agents in Swiss sows.
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Papers by X. Sidler