[Impact of the simultaneous implementation of husbandry procedures on suckling piglets]. / Auswirkungen der zeitgleichen Durchführung zootechnischer Eingriffe an Saugferkeln.

OBJECTIVE: In addition to castration, further husbandry procedures are performed in piglets during the first week of life without anaesthesia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the pain-induced stress of the husbandry procedures castration, tail docking and ear tagging performed in piglets in combination in comparison with castration or handling alone. Furthermore, the effect of the presurgical administration of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug meloxicam alone or in combination with iron was investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The levels of pain and stress were evaluated based on cortisol and catecholamine concentrations, as well as from behavioural observations. The compatibility and the effect of combined drug administration were assessed, and the daily weight gain and blood iron level were determined. RESULTS: When comparing the application procedures, the slight changes observed at the iron injection site were reduced by 40% when using the mixture. After performing all three husbandry procedures without administration of meloxicam (KSO group), higher cortisol concentrations were induced for up to 4 hours compared to the handling (H) and castration (K) groups. In piglets receiving meloxicam or the mixture of iron and meloxicam presurgically, the cortisol concentration was significantly reduced for 0.5 hours after castration and up to 4 hours following all three husbandry procedures when compared to piglets without medication (groups K and KSO, respectively). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results indicate that the blood cortisol concentration significantly rose due to multiple pain and distress when combining castration, ear tagging and tail docking. Application of meloxicam before performing these husbandry procedures reduced pain equally to its application before castration alone. The application of a mixed preparation of iron and meloxicam did not affect the efficacy of either drug and improved the local tolerance of the iron injection.

[Serological course investigations of Haemophilus parasuis and Mycoplasma hyorhinis in three pig farms]. / Serologische Verlaufsuntersuchungen auf Haemophilus parasuis und Mycoplasma hyorhinis in drei schweine-haltenden Betrieben.

The aim of the study was to investigate the infection dynamic of Haemophilus (H.)parasuis and Mycoplasma (M.) hyorhinis in 3 farms. A total of 61 piglets were clinically investigated at 1., 3., 5., 7., 9., 11., 14., 18. and 22. weeks of life and a blood sample was taken from each piglet as well as from the sows. The serum samples were tested using ELISA for antibodies against H. parasuis and M. hyorhinis. Clinical signs indicating polyserositis were seen in farm 1 and 3. For both pathogens, a decline of the maternal antibodies could be detected up to the 5th or 7th week of life. The duration of persistence depended on the level of the maternal antibodies. In farm 1, all animals were tested positive for antibodies against H. parasuis during the fattening period. In farm 3, several sows were tested positive in the M. hyorhinis ELISA, therefore, positive results in sows can indicate a higher infection dynamic during the fattening period. For H. parasuis as well as for M. hyorhinis a significant correlation between the level of the antibodies in the sows and their piglets could be seen.

Sequential targeting of CFTR by BAC vectors generates a novel pig model of cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal inherited disease in Caucasians and is caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. The disease is incurable and medical treatment is limited to the amelioration of symptoms or secondary complications. A comprehensive understanding of the disease mechanisms and the development of novel treatment options require appropriate animal models. Existing CF mouse models fail to reflect important aspects of human CF. We thus generated a CF pig model by inactivating the CFTR gene in primary porcine cells by sequential targeting using modified bacterial artificial chromosome vectors. These cells were then used to generate homozygous CFTR mutant piglets by somatic cell nuclear transfer. The homozygous CFTR mutants lack CFTR protein expression and display severe malformations in the intestine, respiratory tract, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and male reproductive tract. These phenotypic abnormalities closely resemble both the human CF pathology as well as alterations observed in a recently published CF pig model which was generated by a different gene targeting strategy. Our new CF pig model underlines the value of the CFTR-deficient pig for gaining new insight into the disease mechanisms of CF and for the development and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies. This model will furthermore increase the availability of CF pigs to the scientific community.

[Effect of a synthetic GnRF vaccine (Improvac®) on daily weight gain and carcass quality of boars. A field trial in Bavaria]. / Einfluss einer GnRH-Vakzine (Improvac®) auf Gewichtszunahmen und Schlachtkörperqualität von Ebern. Ein Feldversuch in Bayern.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of vaccination against gonadotropin releasing factor (GnRF) with Improvac® (Pfizer Animal Health) were compared with surgical castration in fattening pigs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 205 pigs were surgically castrated (group K) and 191 were vaccinated twice (group V) using the boar taint vaccine (Improvac®; 2ml s.c.). The first dose was administered atthe age of 12 weeks when the animals were moved into the fattening unit and the second dose in week 18, 4-6 weeks before the planned slaughter date. Live weights were recorded in weeks 1, 4, 12, 18, and 22. In weeks 18 and 20, length and width of the testicles of 171 animals of group V were measured. After slaughtering cold carcass weight, back fat depth, muscle thickness, percent lean meat, and fat and muscle areas of the carcasses were determined. A piece of the neck muscle from each pig was used to conduct a cooking and melting sensory test. RESULTS: While no significant weight difference was evident in week 22 (K=89.4kg; V=88.6kg), cold carcass weight, and back fat and muscle thickness were lower for vaccinates. Vaccinates had higher average daily weight gains (ADW) after the second injection from week 18 up to the cut-off weighing in week 22 (V=1121g; K=1007g; p<0.001) in contrast to average daily weight gains between weeks 12 and 18 (K=740g; V=668g; p<0.001). After the second injection, testicle size of vaccinated pigs decreased significantly. All animals were negative for boar taint by both cooking and melting tests. CONCLUSION: Boars vaccinated against boar taint had lower ADW before the second vaccination, but compensated the weight difference after complete vaccination. The significant reduction in the testicle size after the second injection indicates a vaccination success. After vaccination no boar taint was detected in carcasses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vaccination as well as surgical castration reliably prevents the incidence of boar taint. The late rise in daily gain can be beneficial if management is aligned.

Associations between pathogens in healthy pigs and pigs with pneumonia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between different pathogens in the development of pneumonia and bronchopneumonia in pigs. Samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from 100 pigs showing no clinical signs and 239 pigs with clinical signs of respiratory disease were examined for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Mycoplasma hyorhinis, US-type porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV), EU-type PRRSV, porcine circovirus type 2 (pcv-2), influenza virus type A, alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus species, beta-haemolytic Streptococcus species, Pasteurella multocida, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Haemophilus parasuis and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. These potential pathogens were detected more frequently in the pigs with respiratory problems than in the pigs with no clinical signs. pcv-2 and alpha-haemolytic streptococci were the pathogens most frequently detected; A pleuropneumoniae was isolated in only two cases. There were more often associations between the organisms in the pigs with clinical signs than in the healthy pigs. In particular, alpha-haemolytic streptococci and M hyopneumoniae were both associated with the presence of M hyorhinis, EU-type PRRSV, P multocida and B bronchiseptica, and alpha-haemolytic streptococci also occurred more often in pigs that were already infected with other pathogens. P multocida and B bronchiseptica were both significantly associated with M hyopneumoniae, alpha-haemolytic streptococci, EU-type PRRSV and US-type PRRSV.

[The efficacy of local anaesthetics administered prior to castration of male suckling piglets]. / Untersuchungen zur Wirksamkeit von Lokalanästhetika bei der Kastration von männlichen Saugferkeln.

Objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of various local anaesthetics (Procaine Hydrochloride, Procaine Hydrochloride + Epinephrin, Lidocaine Hydrochloride) used in castration of four to six day old male piglets. Animals of the control groups (I-IV) were treated analogous to the castration groups (V-IX) but not castrated. In groups I and V 15 minutes prior to castration/fixation the piglets were fixed as for injection but not medicated. The injection volume was standardised to 0.5 ml per testes. Local anaesthetics were applicated intratesticularly in five groups and intrascrotarly in two groups. Blood samples were taken shortly before and one, four and 24 hours after castration/fixation. The serum cortisol level was analysed to determine pain induced neuroendocrine stress reaction. To proof the tissue tolerance creatinkinase-(CK) and aspartataminotransferase-(AST) concentration were analysed. One, seven and 14 days after castration the healing process were evaluated by a wound score. Groups I to IV did not show any increase of the serum cortisol level. Contrary one hour after castration the average cortisol concentration of castration groups (V-IX) rose significantly. Cortisol concentration of the medicated castration groups (VI-IX) showed a comparable or even higher cortisol level as the not medicated control group (V). Determination of CK and AST indicated no tissue damage of the application of the local anaesthetics. The administration of local anaesthetics prior to the castration did not have any effect on the wound healing process. The results of this study lead to the conclusion that injection of local anaesthetics show a good tissue tolerance but the call for reduction of the castration pain by presurgical injection of Procaine Hydrochloride or Lidocaine Hydrochloride is not justified.

[A field trial for early vaccination against Gässer's disease using Porcilis Glässer]. / Frühe Vakzinierung gegen die Glässersche Krankheit mit Porcilis Glässer in einem Feldversuch.

The goal of this study was to examine the use of an early vaccine for Haemophilus parasuis in three and five week old piglets. In the first field trial, 144 female piglets were divided into four groups. The groups consisted of animals showing no clinical signs of the disease (clinically normal) and a second group displaying clinical signs of the disease (clinically suspect). Half of the animals belonging to both clinical groups were vaccinated. In a second field trial, 240 female piglets, which were clinically normal at the time of housing and originating from the same farm were divided into two groups. Swine from one group were vaccinated, and both groups were regularly weighed and clinically examined until the end of the growing-finishing phase. Vaccinated animals from the first field trial which were clinically weighed on average 0.353 kg more than animals from the nonvaccinated control group at 11th weeks of age. Piglets of the vaccinated clinically suspected group which were 13 weeks of age weighed on average 1.41 kg more than the piglets from the nonvaccinated group. The average clinical scores for both vaccinated groups were lower than those from the nonvaccinated groups. The results from the second field trial showed that the average weight of the vaccinated group was higher by 3.1 kg than those of the control group.Also, a significant difference in weight gain was found beginning in the thirteenth week of age. The percentage of altered animals or animals unfit for growing-finishing was 8.3% in the nonvaccinated group at the end of the rearing phase. In comparison, this percentage was 3.8% in the vaccinated group.

[Changes in the concentration of noradrenaline and adrenaline before and after castration of piglets with and without isoflurane anesthesia]. / Verlauf der Noradrenalin- und Adrenalinkonzentrationen vor und nach der Kastration von Saugferkeln mit und ohne Isofluran-Narkose.

Since the amendment of the animal welfare law in Germany in April 2006, castration of piglets without anesthesia is only allowed in the first seven days of life. However, neonates are capable of feeling pain and react more sensitive to pain than adults. Accordingly we expect that castration without anesthesia will be unaccepted in Germany in the future as castration without anesthesia will be forbidden in Switzerland from 2009 on. Denmark and The Netherlands strive for an embargo of the castration without anesthesia and Norway is already asking for an elimination of pain during castration. In Switzerland castration under isoflurane-anesthesia is considered to be a good alternative for the castration without anesthesia. Whether isoflurane-anesthesia is able to reduce stress caused by castration adequately or anesthesia, especially anesthetization that often provokes defensive reaction, is stress for the animal itself was tested in the following investigation. To get an objective statement about the stress of the animals, concentrations of epinephrine and norepinephrine were detected before and immediately after castration/fixation with or without anesthesia. Five day old, healthy animals were divided into four groups. Animals of group A (n = 10) were only fixed without anesthesia, animals of group B (n = 10) were fixed and castrated without anesthesia. In group C (n = 10) the animals were only fixed under anesthesia and the animals of group D (n = 11) were fixed and castrated under anesthesia. Norepinephrine-concentrations and epinephrine-concentrations did rise significantly in all piglets handled without anesthesia (group A and B) independently if castrated or only handled. The values of these animals were significantly higher than the values of the anesthetized animals after fixation/castration (group C and D). In contrast the norepinephrine-concentrations and the epinephrine-concentrations of all anesthetized animals (group C and D) were significantly lower after castration than the concentrations before castration. The catecholamine peak did not differ significantly between the groups of anesthetized animals. The significant increase of the catecholamines of the non-anesthetized animals can be explained by the stress caused by fixation and/or castration without anesthesia. Because of the anesthesia the catecholamine-concentration was reduced considerably during the fixation and/or castration. The results show that fixation and/or castration under anesthesia causes no stress for the piglets.

[Detection of Haemophilus parasuis and Mycoplasma hyorhinis in swine and association of those pathogens with clinical and pathological-anatomic findings]. / Nachweis von Haemophilus parasuis und Mycoplasma hyorhinis bei Schweinen sowie Assoziation dieser Erreger mit klinischen und pathologisch-anatomischen Befunden.

In routine diagnostic it is difficult to detect a Haemophilus parasuis infection causing a polyserositis. In the presented study, a detection method by means of PCR, from collective swabs of the serosal surfaces from animals, with and without fibrinous serositis, was investigated. A significant association was detected between post mortal findings of fibrinous serositis and molecular biological detection of Haemophilus parasuis and Mycoplasma hyorhinis. However, no significant association existed between cultural detection of Haemophilus parasuis in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and pathological-anatomical ascertainable fibrinous serositis. A significant association between Haemophilus parasuis and Mycoplasma hyorhinis could be determined in the animals that were included in this study.

[Alternatives for castration of suckling piglets, determination of catecholamines and wound healing after castration of suckling piglets at different points of time]. / Alternativen zur Kastration von Saugferkeln, Bestimmung von Katecholaminen sowie Wundheilung nach Kastration von Saugferkeln zu unterschiedlichen Zeitpunkten.

According to the applicable animal welfare legislation, the surgical castration of pigs is allowed up until the age of 4 weeks, without anaesthesia. According to the european guideline (2001/93/EG) it is only permitted in the first week after birth. The investigation should show, whether the castration of young piglets takes a milder course and to what extent stress reactions occur in different age groups. The healing process of castration wounds in piglets that were castrated at the age of four days progressed more rapidly and with less complications than those piglets that were castrated at 28 days of age. The catecholamine levels in younger piglets rose significantly after the operation, while these levels virtually stayed the same in piglets castrated at 28 days. As alternatives to castration without anaesthesia, several methods are in discussion: (1) Castration under general anaesthesia can only be practiced by a veterinary surgeon. The sole use of Azaperon and Ketamine has insufficient pain sedating effect. Isofluran anaesthesia is apparatively extravagant. (2) CO2-Anaesthesia in piglets leads to high strain. (3) Castration under local anaesthesia must be practiced by a veterinary surgeon. The application and the pain after the castration are not taken into consideration. (4) Jung boar fattening up until the slaughtering weight of 80 kg is not transformable, because of boar taste. (5) The breeding of slaughter pigs with little boar taint is not yet transformable. (6) Sperm sexing is not and will not, in the near future, be mature for practice. (7) Immunocastration is an active immunisation against GnRH. The immunological elimination of GnRH suppresses the development of sex hormones, such as testosterone, as well as the substance responsible for boar taint, Androstenone. To consider is the acceptance of the consumer. The preparation has the same effect in humans as it has in swine. "Self injections" have the same effect in humans as it has in swine. "Self injections" are therefore risky.

Mycoplasma suis antigens recognized during humoral immune response in experimentally infected pigs.

Today, serodiagnostic tests for Mycoplasma suis infections in pigs have low accuracies. The development of novel serodiagnostic strategies requires a detailed analysis of the humoral immune response elicited by M. suis and, in particular, the identification of antigenic proteins of the agent. For this study, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblot analyses were performed using pre- and sequential postinoculation sera from M. suis-infected and mock-infected control pigs. M. suis purified from porcine blood served as the antigen. Eight M. suis-specific antigens (p33, p40, p45, p57, p61, p70, p73, and p83) were identified as targets of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response during experimental infection, with p40, p45, and p70 being the preferentially recognized M. suis antigens. Besides the M. suis-specific antigens, porcine immunoglobulins were identified in blood-derived M. suis preparations. By immunoglobulin depletion, the specificity of the M. suis antigen for use in indirect ELISA was significantly improved. M. suis-specific Western blot and ELISA reactions were observed in all infected pigs by 14 days postinfection at the latest and until week 14, the end of the experiments. During acute clinical attacks of eperythrozoonosis, a derailment of the antibody response, determined by decreases in both the M. suis net ELISA values and the numbers of M. suis-specific immunoblot bands, was accompanied by peaking levels of autoreactive IgG antibodies. In conclusion, the M. suis-specific antigens found to stimulate specific IgG antibodies are potentially useful for the development of novel serodiagnostic tests.

VP1 sequences of German porcine parvovirus isolates define two genetic lineages.

In order to evaluate the genetic variability of Porcine parvovirus (PPV), the complete capsid protein sequences (VP1/VP2) from seven recent field isolates from Germany, one isolate from the UK and one German vaccine strain were sequenced and analysed, along with two American (NADL-2 and Kresse), three Asian and 22 Brazilian partial PPV sequences retrieved from GenBank. The analysis revealed a high degree of diversity: 1.2-2.6% at the nucleotide level and 1.2-6.8% at the amino acid level. Phylogenetic analysis defined two German clusters: one formed by four German isolates and the English, Asian and American sequences; and the second, distinct cluster formed by the other three of the seven German isolates examined. The latter cluster was still observed when the 22 partial sequences (853 nt of the 3' terminus of the VP2 gene) from the Brazilian isolates were included in the analyses, indicating that the VP2 sequence determines the phylogeny.

[Prevalence and association of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in aborted fetuses, mummified fetuses, stillborn and nonviable neonatal piglets]. / Prävalenz sowie Assoziation von porzinem Circovirus Typ 2 (PCV2), porzinem Parvovirus (PPV) und porzinem reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in abortierten Feten, mumifizierten Feten, totgebore- nen und lebensschwach geborenen Ferkeln.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) seems to cause reproductive failure in sows not only in experimental studies. A retrospective study was made with a total of 252 aborted fetuses, mummified fetuses, stillborn and nonviable neonatal piglets to determine the presence of PCV2, porcine parvovirus (PPV) and porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus (PRRSV) by PCR. PCV2 was found in all stages of gestation in 27.1 percent of samples examined. A statistically significant association could be shown between the detection of PCV2 and PRRSV. However, no significant association was seen between the detection of PCV2 and PPV and between PPV and PRRSV.

[Humoral immune response in breeding sows after vaccination with a herd-specific Chlamydophila abortus vaccine]. / Humorale Immunantwort von Zuchtsauen nach Impfung mit einer stallspezifischen Chlamydophila abortus-Vakzine.

A chlamydial vaccine efficacy trial with assessment of the clinical acceptability and serum antibody responses was performed in breeding sows. A BGM cell culture derived vaccine containing 10(8)/ml formalin-inactivated purified elementary bodies (Eb.) in sterile 0.15 M saline was prepared from Chlamydophila (Ch.) abortus strain OCHL03/99 which has been isolated in the herd from a sample of vaginal discharge. Vaccination was performed as a randomised trial with parallel treatment of a vaccinated group (25 sows) and non-vaccinated control group (20 sows). Sows received two 2.0-ml doses of vaccine intramuscularly at a three week interval. Control sows were dosed with sterile 0.15 M saline, accordingly. Serological response to vaccination was measured by ELISA with a total of 204 blood serum samples (114 from the vaccine group; 90 from the control group) using crude chlamydial LPS as the antigen. Compared to the control group, vaccinated sows showed a marked primary and secondary IgG serum antibody response following the two vaccinations. Antibody levels peaked between week 7 and 14 after priming vaccination, declined incrementally until week 27 but remained significantly higher than the corresponding sham-immune control levels and the prevaccination values of the vaccine group (p < 0.05). Western blot analysis of solubilized whole Eb. of Ch. abortus, Ch. pecorum, and Chlamydia (C.) suis with pre- and postvaccination sera confirmed that vaccination induced an antibody response preferentially against a range of 13 chlamydial antigens including the 40 kDa MOMP of Ch. abortus. Clinical side effects consisting of a transient mild local inflammatory reaction at the site of injection were observed in approx. 30% of vaccinated sows. These results provide the basis for further clinical evaluation of the Ch. abortus vaccine to protect sows from chlamydia-induced reproductive disorders.

Zoonotic potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi.

The reservoirs and the modes of transmission of the most frequent microsporidial species in humans, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, are still unknown. We have examined fecal samples of 26 humans and 350 animals from 37 species to find 18 samples containing this parasite from humans, cats, pigs, cattle, and a llama. Genotypic characterization of the internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA gene resulted in 14 different genotypes, 6 of them previously undescribed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the lack of a transmission barrier between E. bieneusi from humans and animals (cats, pigs, and cattle). Thus, E. bieneusi appears to be a zoonotic pathogen.

The acute phase response following implantation of triclosan-bonded vascular prostheses.

OBJECTIVE: Infection of prosthetic material is a major complication of vascular surgery. Therapy for it includes implantation of antimicrobial prostheses bonded with different antimicrobial agents. These agents may, however, induce an acute phase reaction following implantation in the host, thus compromising follow-up of the infection. It is not known whether the antimicrobial agent triclosan induces a significant acute phase reaction when bonded to vascular prostheses. METHODS: To study this, 34 adult swine weighing 20-30 kg were allotted randomly to the following groups: (1) controls with untreated prostheses, (2) control group with triclosan-bonded prostheses, (3) therapy group with untreated prostheses, local infection with Staphylococcus aureus surgical revision, and exchange with new, untreated prostheses, and (4) therapy group with untreated prostheses, local infection with S. aureus, surgical revision, and exchange with triclosan-bonded prostheses. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin values were determined during the 28-day period after surgery. The study was performed at the Institute for Surgical Research of the Ludwig Maximilian University School of Medicine in Munich. RESULTS: Normal ranges of serum CRP and haptoglobin values were 10.7+/-1.4 microg/ml and 2.5+/-0.3 mg/ml, respectively. Following implantation of untreated and triclosan-bonded vascular prostheses, significantly elevated serum CRP and haptoglobin values were observed. No significant differences between results with triclosan-bonded and untreated prostheses were observed in control or treatment groups. No correlation was found between acute phase reaction and the absence or presence of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Triclosan is the only antimicrobial agent that bonds to vascular prosthetic material without the need of a sealant. Our data indicate that vascular prosthesis implantation, whether untreated and triclosan-bonded, results in a significant acute phase reaction. No differences between antimicrobial and untreated prostheses were observed, independently of the absence or presence of infection. The antimicrobial agent itself did not induce a severe acute phase response and may, therefore, be used in patients at risk of infection.

[Liver sonography and ultrasound-guided puncture of the gallbladder in pigs: new possibilities for the diagnosis of mycotoxicosis]. / Sonographie der Leber und ultraschallgeführte Gallenblasenpunktion beim Schwein: neue Möglichkeiten zur Diagnose von Mykotoxikosen.

60 pigs representing all age groups (suckling pigs, weaner pigs, hogs, gilts and sows; thereof 37 females, 2 males, 21 castrated males) were examined by ultrasound of the liver and by ultrasound guided gallbladder puncture. The visibility of the liver and gallbladder was strongly influenced by the size of the animals. The thickness of the abdominal and thoracic walls in older animals proved to be a highly ultrasound-absorptive medium, which limited the ability to assess the underlying tissue structures. As a result, gallbladder puncture of these animals was possible only with a certain degree of technical difficulty. The gallbladder puncture procedure itself posed little risk to the animal. The primary risk resulted from the general anesthesia required. Autopsy showed no pathological findings due to gallbladder puncture with the exception of minimal, rapidly healing, local infectious processes. The bile proved to be a suitable medium of the detection of mycotoxins and their metabolites. Selective accumulation of these toxins in bile provide a more reliable diagnostic tool than the standard mycotoxicological tests of feed.

[Clinical signs and differential diagnosis of foot and mouth disease in pigs]. / Klinik und Differentialdiagnose der MKS der Schweine.

FMD in pigs is primarily a foot disease. It is dominated by rather painful formation of vesicles in the epidermis of the feet (coronary band, interdigital clefts, bulbs) combined with severe lameness. Complications will be seen as detachment of the hoof and secondary infection of disrupted aphthae which may cause purulent arthritis of the pedal joint. Concerning differential diagnosis are to be considered all cases of acute lameness, vesicle-formation as typical lesions of exudative epidermites of pemphigus in the course of infections with S. hyicus or S. aureus as well as degenerative changes after selenium-intoxication, specially near the coronary band, sometimes linked with exungulation.

[Vitamin D3 poisoning--case report]. / Vitamin D3-Intoxikation--Fallbericht.

Over 650 pigs died within a couple hours in a fattening unit with approximately 3,000 fattening spaces. The pigs showed vomiting, dyspnea, kyphosis, sunken flanks, diarrhea, and polyuria. Another striking symptom of the pigs, besides the apathy, was the aphonia, due to the calcification of the vocal cords. An acute vitamin D3-intoxication was found to be the cause. The pathologic findings, especially the histologic detection of calcification processes of the soft tissues, lead to the suspect of an intoxication with a vitamin D-like substance. Between 39,000 and 196,000 IU/kg of vitamin D3 have been detected in a ready-to-use food mix. 8.8 million IU/kg of crystaline vitamin D3 were found in an open whey bag. An explanation how vitamin D came into the bag could not be clarified to this point.