In practice

The measurement of the body temperature in pigs is conventionally done by means of rectal temperature measurement using a thermometer. However, this is a time-consuming activity and in most cases, the method can hardly be put into practice feasible. Therefore, alternative methods for a reliable, fast and practical measurement of the body temperature are searched for. To evaluate the suitability of infrared thermometry, a method by which body surface temperature is recorded, an experiment was set up to assess whether it is possible to predict the rectal temperature based on the body surface temperature. Therefore, the body surface temperature of the ear, feet, side and anus was measured in 12 weaner pigs during 45 consecutive days. These temperatures were compared to daily-recorded rectal temperatures. The results clearly demonstrate that, although there is a significant correlation between most of the measured parts of the body surface temperature and the rectal temperature, no reliable predictions can be made for the rectal temperature. Therefore it can be concluded that infrared thermometry is not a good alternative for the detection of fever in pigs.

The traditional role of the veterinarian as the healer of individual sick cows has been complemented by the delivery of integrated health programmes concentrating on the prevention of diseases and the performance of the dairy herd. Modern animal health care requires excellent housing facilities and a close cooperation between a competent veterinarian and a skilled farmer/manager. An integrated herd health programme plays a key role in preventing diseases. This will improve animal health and welfare and guarantee a high quality and wholesomeness of foods from animal origin. Nevertheless medicines remain necessary, but must be administered under strict controlled conditions.

Spontaneously occurring hypercortisolism (Cushing’s syndrome) is a term referring to the constellation ofclinical and chemical abnormalities that result from chronic exposure to excessive concentrations of endogenouscortisol. In dogs it is a common endocrine disorder but in cats the disease is rarely observed.The choice of thetherapy to follow is based on the cause of hypercortisolism (pituitary or adrenocortical tumor), as well as on theexperience of the veterinarian. Several therapeutic options are available, including medical therapies andsophisticated surgeries. The most frequently used treatments are discussed below.