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Introduction: Two six-month old female Lacaune lambs with severe skeletal malformations of both front limbs were presented to the Department of Farm Animals, University of Zurich. The clinical examination showed alert animals with a high body weight and body condition score as well as a valgus deformation without pain or swelling. Radiographic examination showed severe irregularities in the epiphysial plate of the metacarpal bones in both lambs. Delayed growth in the lateral aspects of the physis was evident and resulted in valgus deformation. Nutritional causes were considered as the main reason for this presentation and a nutritional consultation was performed by the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Zurich. The estimated energy intake of these lambs was 65 % higher than the recommended maximum for growing sheep and the estimated vitamin D content of the diet was 71 % below the recommended allowance. Both animals were euthanized, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was performed postmortem to measure total bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone mineral density (tBMD) and cortical bone mineral density (cBMD) of the left and right metatarsal bone of both animals. The BMD and the tBMD at 10 % of bone length were below the reference values and the BMD at 50 % was above the reference values. In addition, postmortem examination revealed a Salter-Harris-Typ-1 facture in the right caput humeri of one lamb. Histological evaluation showed defects in the articular cartilage with an eburnation in the metacarpal region and a disrupted area of columnar cartilage. This case report supports the fact that a high dietary energy intake leads to damage to the cartilage and the epiphyseal zone in sheep. In addition, insufficient dietary vitamin D intake contributed to the incomplete bone mineralization, as well as delayed growth and skeletal malformation.

Introduction: A healthy, 1,5 year old female wild boar (Sus scrofa) was shoot in a hunting district in Switzerland on June 22, 2023. The meat inspection revealed noticeable skin changes on all four distal extremities which were described histologically as multifocal epidermal hyperplasia and moderate orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis. The rest of the animal body, the organs and the lymph nodes were without any obvious lesions. The diagnosis of papilloma virus-associated exophytically growing papillomas was made. The venison was approved as fit for human consumption.

Introduction: Viral infections are a frequent cause of disseminated non-suppurative encephalitis in dogs. However, using routine diagnostic methods, the specific virus may remain unknown due to extensive or complete viral clearance or because the virus is unexpected or new. A metatranscriptomics-based approach of combining high-throughput sequencing (HTS) and bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the viral etiology in archival cases of dogs with non-suppurative encephalitis. In formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) brain material from the years 1976 to 2021 a high incidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was detected. Moreover, canine distemper virus (CDV) was identified without typical demyelinating lesions and canine vesivirus (CaVV) was detected as an unexpected virus associated with non-suppurative encephalitis. We demonstrated the viral presence in brain tissues at the sites of inflammation by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). These results highlight the value of emerging sequencing technologies in veterinary diagnostics and expand our knowledge on the etiologies of encephalitis in dogs.

Introduction: This case series describes three cases of equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis (EMPF) diagnosed at the Clinic for Equine Internal Medicine at the University of Zurich between 2012 and 2017. Current information on etiology and treatment options are presented. Two horses showed mild signs of chronic lower respiratory tract disease and one horse was presented with acute signs of disease including recurrent fever spikes and tachypnea. Diagnosis was achieved by physical examination, radiographic findings, and PCR testing for equine herpesviruses (EHV) of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid or lung tissue obtained by biopsy. All horses were euthanized due to continuing deterioration after attempted treatment. Post mortem histological examination of lung tissue showed severe multifocal diffuse to confluent fibrosis in two cases and in another horse a discrete nodular fibrosis pattern. Panherpes nested PCR revealed the presence of equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) DNA in lung tissue of one horse whereas in two other horses, asinine herpes virus 5 (AHV-5) was detected. EMPF should be considered as a differential diagnosis in horses with acute and chronic respiratory disease, including horses non-responsive to treatment for equine asthma.

Introduction: This study included 94 cows aged 2.1 to 12.0 years (5.2 ± 2.05 years) that were examined at a referral clinic because of type-1 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical findings were poor general health status (94%), partial or complete anorexia (93%), congested scleral vessels (89%), decreased skin surface temperature (76%), decreased or absent faecal output (72%), abdominal guarding (59%), tachypnoea (56%), rumen atony (53%) and positive percussion and simultaneous auscultation and/or ballottement and simultaneous auscultation on the right side (53%). The most common laboratory findings were hypokalaemia (68%), positive base excess (60%) and azotaemia (51%). The chloride concentration of rumen fluid was increased in 48% of the cows. The diagnosis of type-1 ulcer was made during laparotomy and/or postmortem examination. One or more concurrent diseases were diagnosed in 97% of the cows. Seventy-eight (83%) cows were euthanased immediately after the initial examination, during laparotomy or after unsuccessful treatment, and eight (8.5%) cows died, and all were examined postmortem. Eight (8.5%) cows were discharged and six of these made a complete recovery.

Introduction: The hypothesis of this study was that healthy calves undergo less stress and thus have lower hair cortisol concentrations than calves with chronic bronchopneumonic lesions. Fifty healthy calves (group 1) and 50 calves with chronic bronchopneumonic lesions (group 2) were used immediately after slaughter, at which time hair samples and both adrenal glands were collected. The hair samples and the left adrenal gland were used for cortisol measurement and the right adrenal gland was used for histological and morphometrical examinations. The median hair cortisol concentrations of calves in groups 1 and 2 were 1.6 and 1.9 pg/mg hair, respectively, and did not differ significantly. The same was true for the mean cortisol concentration of the adrenal gland (1.1 and 1.4 µg/g tissue) and for the adrenal cortisol content (3.7 and 4.6 µg). The weights of the cortex (3.3, mean, and 3.5 g, median) and medulla (1.7 and 1.8 g, both median) did not differ significantly between the groups. This study did not detect differences in hair and adrenal cortisol concentrations between clinically healthy slaughter calves with and without chronic bronchopneumonic lesions. In further studies, calves with clinical signs should be taken into account.

Introduction: This study involved 60 cows aged 1.9 to 13 years (mean 4.8 ± 2.3 years) with type-3 abomasal ulcer. The most common clinical signs were, in decreasing order of frequency, partial or complete anorexia (98%), obtunded demeanour (95%), decreased skin surface temperature (78%), congested scleral vessels (73%), abdominal guarding (61%), tachypnoea (58%), fever (58%) and tachycardia (55%). One or more concomitant disorders were diagnosed in 86% of the cows. The most common abnormal laboratory findings were hypokalaemia (75%), shortened glutaraldehyde test time (46%) and hyperfibrinogenaemia (43%). The diagnosis of type-3 abomasal ulcer was made in all cows during laparotomy and/or at postmortem examination. Forty-eight (80%) cows were euthanased immediately after the initial examination, during laparotomy or after unsuccessful treatment. Twelve (20%) cows were treated with a solution of sodium chloride and glucose administered via an indwelling jugular catheter, antibiotics, metamizole or flunixin, and discharged from the clinic. Ten cows were still in production two years later.

Two Swiss Braunvieh cows were referred to our clinic because of narrowing of the rectum and difficult rectal examination attributable to restricted arm movement within the pelvic cavity. Cow 1 also had perforation of the cranial rectum and cow 2 had multiple small funnel-shaped depressions in the rectal mucosa. Both cows had ultrasonographic evidence of peritonitis with thickening of the intestinal wall and fibrin and fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. A diagnosis of peritonitis was made in both cows, most likely caused by rectal perforation; they were euthanized and a post-mortem examination was carried out. Both cows had proctitis and ulcerative colitis with three or four perforated ulcers which were associated with fibrinopurulent peritonitis. The final diagnosis was ulcerative colitis and proctitis of unknown aetiology. Infectious causes of colitis and proctitis, including bovine viral diarrhoea, adenovirus infection and salmonellosis, and trauma and poisoning were ruled out.

The case report describes the symptoms and diagnostic methods of a spina bifida aperta in a new born lamb. The most relevant clinical findings were recumbency immediately after birth with normal consciousness and suckling reflexes, alterations of the skin and coat in the lumbosacral region as well as dysuria. The biochemical and haematological screening of the blood indicated no abnormalities. While the radiological examination of the spine showed no clear evidence of the cause of the clinical sings the ultrasound and computed tomography examination revealed an incomplete closure of the vertebral arch between the 4th lumbar and the 3rd sacral vertebrae. Additionally, a hernia with similar density to the spinal cord was present in the same region of the spine. Based on the findings the lamb was euthanized. The pathological examination confirmed the incomplete closure of the vertebral arch and moreover a myelomeningocele has been diagnosed. In the histopathological examination the white and grey matter were separated in the area of the macroscopic visible lesions. Due to non-specific clinical symptoms imagining diagnostics can be crucial to confirm the diagnosis of this rare syndrome.

Bovine besnoitiosis has been diagnosed in neighboring countries but not in Switzerland so far. This disease occurs endemically in France and focal outbreaks have been reported in Germany and Italy. To determine if Besnoitia besnoiti is introduced into Switzerland through the import of breeding cattle from France, a systematic serological survey was performed. A total of 412 breeding cattle (from 114 farms) imported from France into Switzerland between 2005 and 2011, were serologically examined for antibodies against B. besnoiti using a commercial ELISA kit (PrioCHECK© Besnoitia Ab 2.0, Prionics AG, Zurich, Switzerland). Sixty-four (15.5 %) animals reacted positive in ELISA. The serologic diagnosis was confirmed by an indirect immunfluorescence test (IFAT) and a Western blot (WB) in only 2 Limousin cows imported from France on a farm in Eastern Switzerland. Subsequently, this whole herd (n = 16) was examined clinically and serologically and 2 additional Limousin cows imported from Germany also reacted positive in the three serological tests. One of these cows presented B. besnoiti tissue cysts in the scleral conjunctiva and typical skin lesions in the head region. The infection was further confirmed cytologically, histopathologically and by PCR. It can be concluded that the parasite is most likely being introduced into Switzerland through the import of infected animals.

This report describes an 8.8-year-old Simmental cow with squamous cell carcinoma of the reticulum and liver. The cow had calved recently and was referred to our clinic because of intractable fever, anorexia and progressive indigestion. The general condition and mental status were moderately affected and rectal temperature and respiratory rate were significantly elevated. There were no ruminal sounds and pinching of the withers consistently elicited a grunt. Serum activities of gamma glutamyl transferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and sorbitol dehydrogenase were elevated. Radiographic examination of the reticulum and ultrasonographic examination of the reticulum, liver and abdominal cavity revealed multifocal, poorly demarcated, heterogeneous and echogenic changes in the liver. Biopsy of these lesions yielded a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. The cow was euthanized and a postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis. A 15 by 15 cm neoplasm was found in the reticular wall, and histological examination showed squamous cell carcinoma. It was assumed that the reticular mass was the primary tumour, which metastasized to the liver via the portal vein.

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effectiveness of a newly developed bovine anti-GnRH vaccine (Bopriva®, Pfizer Animal Health, Australia). A total of 12 peripubertal bull calves aged between 6 and 8 months were used, 2 randomly selected animals served as controls. Animals were vaccinated twice at an interval of 4 weeks with 1ml of Bopriva® (400 μg GnRH-protein-conjugate) subcutaneously in the neck and observed for a total of 36 weeks. Scrotal circumference was measured every week and blood samples were also taken weekly for the determination of testosterone and GnRH antibodies. Three months after the second injection (booster), 5 animals were slaughtered and their testes histologically examined. GnRH antibody titers rapidly began to rise after the second vaccination and reached peak values 3 weeks later. Testosterone concentrations decreased to values below 0.5 ng/ml serum 1 week after the booster and remained at this low level for at least 10 weeks. The following increase of testosterone occurred individually within 11 and 23 weeks after the booster injection. Histological examination of testes in vaccinated animals showed an incomplete spermatogenesis with impaired or no production of spermatids and a reduced diameter of seminiferous tubules. From our results we conclude that in the peripubertal bull two injections with the new bovine anti-GnRH vaccine 4 weeks apart is effective in suppressing testicular growth and testosterone secretion during at least 10 weeks after the booster injection.

A 4.5-year-old Swiss Braunvieh cow was presented to the Department of Farm Animals, University of Zurich, because of severe haematuria. All other clinical findings were within normal ranges. Transrectal ultrasonography revealed a 1 cm x 1 cm echogenic, irregularly-shaped, raised mass in the wall of the urinary bladder. Endoscopy identified the mass as a proliferation, approximately 0.5 cm in diameter, which was bleeding continuously. Thermocautery of the bleeding site was carried out twice five days apart via endoscopy. Clinical signs resolved for the remainder of the cow's life; she was slaughtered 15 months later because of infertility. Histological examination of the mass revealed a haemangiosarcoma.

Palliative radiation therapy may provide significant relief in symptoms in pets with incurable cancer. Therapy is applied over a short period of time, using larger than normal fractional doses. Palliative radiation leads to minimal or no side effects. This case report describes the situation of a miniature poodle that was presented with severe dyschezia as well as fresh blood in the feces. The dog had a large abdominal mass which was diagnosed as lymph-node metastasis of a perianal gland carcinoma. Therapy included palliative radiation as well as chemotherapy. Six months after initial presentation the dog is free of clinical symptoms.

On a farm housing cattle and goats an abortion storm occurred affecting 50% of the goats during the lambing season 2000/2001. In one of three investigated caprine abortions Chlamydophila abortus could be identified as etiology. During this time a pregnant woman (pregnancy week 19/20) had contact with aborting goats. She developed a severe generalized infection and aborted. The placenta contained Chlamydophila abortus shown by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Aim of the present case report is to alert veterinarians about the potential zoonotic risk of ovine/caprine abortions.

This report describes border disease in a flock of sheep in Switzerland. In April 2001, three ewes in a flock of 41 sheep gave birth to lambs that had generalized tremors and excessively hairy fleece. One of these, a three-week-old female lamb, was referred to our clinic for further diagnostic work-up. The lamb was very nervous, bleated constantly and had generalized muscle tremors, which were more pronounced in the head region. Hind end ataxia was observed, and the lamb was slow to correct its posture when the hind limbs were abducted, adducted or crossed. Blood samples were collected every six weeks to determine antibody titres to pestivirus and for virus isolation via cell culture. A skin biopsy sample was also collected and examined immunohistochemically for pestivirus antigen. Antibody titres in the first tests were suspicious and those of the second were negative. Pestivirus was identified in cell culture, and the skin biopsy sample was positive for pestivirus antigen. Blood samples were collected from all of the ewes and lambs and the buck for virus isolation via cell culture and determination of pestivirus antibody titres. Thirty-one animals were seropositive, six had borderline antibody titres and four were seronegative. Pestivirus was isolated from eight animals, which included the lamb described in this report. Of the virus-positive animals, three were seronegative, three others had borderline titres and two were seropositive. Six of the eight viruses isolated from cell culture were further characterized genetically via retrotranscription and polymerase chain reaction and subsequent sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the causative agent was border disease virus. This is the first time that border disease virus has been isolated in Switzerland. The lamb referred to our clinic was observed for three months; it was then euthanatised and a postmortem examination was performed. Immunohistochemical examination of numerous organs revealed pestivirus antigen. The source of infection was though to be infected sheep from another flock, which shared a pasture. All antigen-positive animals were slaughtered.

Enzootic calcinosis was diagnosed in 16 cows, which originated from 6 dairy farms located in the Unterengadin valley in Switzerland between 1,402 and 1,650 metres above sea level. During the winter, the cows were fed haylage, which contained up to 50 per cent golden oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), and hay and grain. The first symptoms of enzootic calcinosis were noted in March 1998, when some of the cows developed locomotor abnormalities. Additional cases were diagnosed during the following three months. The most important clinical findings were decreased milk production, weight loss, frequent recumbency, difficulty in rising, kneeling while rising and feeding, stilted gait, arched back, shifting weight from one foot to another and reluctance to remain standing after being roused. Of the 16 cows, 5 had elevated concentrations of serum calcium and 10 had decreased concentrations of serum magnesium. All cows had normal or decreased concentrations of serum phosphorus, because the feeding of haylage containing golden oat-grass had been discontinued two months previously. In all of the cows, the most important postmortem findings were severe calcification of the aorta, iliac artery, brachiocephalic trunk and pulmonary artery.