2018 - 87 (3)

Feline arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a complete or partial obstruction of a peripheral artery caused by a thrombus that was formed at a distant site. The most common underlying cause in cats is cardiomyopathy. Given the clinical presentation, often without preceding signs, an ATE event is considered one of the most distressing emergency conditions in feline practice. Often, these cats are euthanized at the time of diagnosis. However, recent scientific research has shown that a subpopulation of these patients may have long-term survival. In case of adequate treatment and follow-up, some cats survive over a year with a satisfying quality of life. Key points of ATE are the identification of specific prognostic factors in the individual patient in order to guide owner communication, the decision to treat or not to treat, individually adjusted patient management and regular monitoring, which are discussed in this article.

Farm biosecurity includes the prevention of disease transmission within and between farms. Two studies were set up to investigate what motivates and withholds farmers to implement biosecurity measures. The first study aimed to assess the perception of cattle farmers towards biosecurity and to identify possible reasons for its low application. This study consisted of a focus group discussion, of which the trends were used to develop a questionnaire for Flemish cattle farmers. Although the 91 participating farmers were familiar with several measures, they associated them with disease prevention rather than biosecurity. Nearly all farmers (98%) identified their herd veterinarian as their main source of information. Twenty percent and 32% of the respondents were convinced that the implementation of biosecurity would cost them more money and time, respectively. Finally, 80% of the farmers saw room for improvement of their herd, but indicated a need for practical information. The second study aimed to identify the key elements of twenty preselected biosecurity measures, motivators and obstacles for their implementation. They were judged by twenty-two cattle stakeholders, such as farmers, veterinarians and advisors, on feasibility, efficacy and return on investment. A box for parturition, a plan for rodent control and cleaning and disinfection of the stables scored highest overall. The lowest scoring measures were showering before entering the stables and an animal-free period of 24 hours. Their return on investment scored very low, since high investments are required. For a farmer to understand why biosecurity is beneficial, he must understand all risks and costs of disease and how biosecurity may reduce these risks and costs.

A five-year-old, female scaly-sided merganser was presented with a chronic recurrent conjunctivitisof the left eye. Physical examination showed a caseous nodular lesion at the palpebral conjunctiva associatedwith excessive tearing. Necropsy revealed caseous necrotic debris at the left conjunctiva andinfra-orbital sinus, but also multiple granuloma in several internal organs. Histological examinationshowed granulomatous splenitis, hepatitis, arteritis, fibrinonecrotic enteritis and conjunctivitis, andalso amyloidosis of liver and spleen. Bacterial and molecular tests of a conjunctival swab in the liveanimal showed the presence of a multiresistant Escherichia coli strain and Chlamydia psittaci, respectively.These bacteria had only a secondary pathogenic role. No premortem cytological examinationor Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining of the histological section of the conjunctiva biopt or additional tests,such as blood test and radiographs, were performed. Finally, a Mycobacterium avium infection of theconjunctiva and internal organs was confirmed following necropsy by ZN staining and PCR analysis.Local and systemic antimicrobial treatments with fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and aminoglycosideswere unsuccessful.

In a horse with severe sweet itch and a history of corticosteroid treatment for this disorder,a single, well-circumscribed and crusty white lesion was present on the thigh. The geophilicdermatophyte species M. gypseum was cultured from the lesion. The lesion was treated topicallyonce a week with an enilconazole emulsion for four weeks. Full recovery was noted after twomonths. This case suggests that sweet itch combined with systemic corticosteroid treatment, mayact as predisposing factor for dermatophyte infection. In addition, the importance of correctisolation and identification of the causal agent is highlighted.

In this report, a dog is described that was referred to the Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Ghent University) for further work-up and treatment of a solitary renal cyst. The cyst was treated successfully with ultrasound-guided drainage and percutaneous sclerotherapy. The dog was followed-up during twenty-four months post procedure with renal sonography. The complaints of intermittent lethargy disappeared after the first treatment. The ultrasonographic appearance of the cyst evolved from a round, anechoic, sharply demarcated lesion to an ill-defined, hyperechoic lesion.

Paratuberculosis is a chronic intestinal disease affecting goats and other ruminants worldwide.The objective of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the prevalence, diagnosticpossibilities and possible prevention and control measures for paratuberculosis in dairy and pygmygoats in Europe. The herd level prevalence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis(MAP) in dairy goat farms is very high, namely 71%, 63% and 86% in Germany, France andthe Netherlands, respectively. The prevalence in pygmy goats is undocumented. Antibody ELISA,fecal culture and PCR testing are readily available for diagnosis. A highly suggestive finding forparatuberculosis is the presence of enlarged intestinal lymph nodes on abdominal ultrasonography.To control the disease a combination of ‘test and cull’ and environmental hygienic measures arerecommended. In contrast to cattle, vaccination is available and might be an additional tool in thecontrol program for goats. Vaccine antibodies are no longer detectable after one year, and thereforeserological monitoring can be continued on vaccinating herds. The worrisome prevalence data fromneighboring countries indicate the need for a prevalence study on dairy goat farms in Belgium.

Ascending placentitis in the mare, which affects 3 to 7% of pregnancies, is a common cause ofabortion, premature birth and delivery of compromised foals (Troedsson, 2003; LeBlanc, 2010).Since the infection ascends from the caudal genital tract, the first and most distinct lesions areseen near the caudal pole area of the allantochorion adjacent to the cervix.The symptoms are not always obvious or will be exhibited only at a later stage of the diseaseprocess, which renders timely adequate treatment difficult. Moreover, experimental models ofplacentitis in the mare are difficult to maintain and double-blind, controlled studies are scarce,making it hard to formulate clear science-based advice. In this paper, the diagnosis is discussedon the basis of the symptoms, the ultrasound examinations and the endocrinological parameters,and the therapeutic and prognostic considerations are evaluated.