Economic evaluation of the eradication program for bovine viral diarrhea in the Swiss dairy sector

The aim of this study was to conduct an economic evaluation of the BVD eradication program in the Swiss dairy sector. The situation before the start of the program (herd-level prevalence: 20%) served as a baseline scenario. Production models for three dairy farm types were used to estimate gross margins as well as net production losses and expenditures caused by BVD. The total economic benefit was estimated as the difference in disease costs between the baseline scenario and the implemented eradication program and was compared to the total eradication costs in a benefit-cost analysis. Data on the impact of BVD virus (BVDV) infection on animal health, fertility and production parameters were obtained empirically in a retrospective epidemiological case-control study in Swiss dairy herds and complemented by literature. Economic and additional production parameters were based on benchmarking data and published agricultural statistics. The eradication costs comprised the cumulative expenses for sampling and diagnostics. The economic model consisted of a stochastic simulation in @Risk for Excel with 20,000 iterations and was conducted for a time period of 14 years (2008–2021)

[Intramammary use of antibiotics in dairy farms in the canton of Ticino before, during and after Staphylococcus aureus genotype B elimination].

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study was to evaluate the use of intramammary antibiotics before, during and after the elimination of Staphylococcus aureus genotype B (SAGTB). Data on intramammary antibiotic use was collected in 65 dairy farms as part of a pilot project for SAGTB elimination in the canton of Ticino from 2017 to 2019. The investigated farms were divided into 46 affected farms (with at least one SAGTB-positive animal) and 19 control farms (SAGTB-free farms). Data on antibiotic use were requested from veterinarians and treatment incidence, as a measure of antibiotic use, was calculated based on medical records and veterinary prescriptions. In addition, the treatment incidence was calculated for 47 farms during alpine farming period. In 2018 (elimination year), the mean incidence of treatment during lactation in the SAGTB-positive farms was significantly higher than in the control farms (p=0,003). In 2019 no significantly lower antibiotic use during lactation or dry period was detected between 2017 (before elimination) and 2019 (after elimination). Alpine farming places where only S. aureus genotype B-negative animals had access to had a significantly lower antibiotic use during lactation (p=0,004). The new federal database (Antibiotics Information System in Veterinary Medicine, IS ABV) should allow continuous monitoring and to confirm the reduction of antibiotic use in the coming years

Antimicrobial susceptibility in E. coli and Pasteurellaceae at the beginning and at the end of the fattening process in veal calves: Comparing 'outdoor veal calf' and conventional operations.

Animal husbandry requires practical measures to limit antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Therefore, a novel management and housing concept for veal calf fattening was implemented on 19 intervention farms (IF) and evaluated regarding its effects on AMR in Escherichia (E.) coli, Pasteurella (P.) multocida and Mannheimia (M.) haemolytica in comparison with 19 conventional control farms (CF). Treatment intensity (-80%) and mortality (-50%) were significantly lower in IF than in CF, however, production parameters did not differ significantly between groups. Rectal and nasopharyngeal swabs were taken at the beginning and the end of the fattening period. Susceptibility testing by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration was performed on 5420 isolates. The presence of AMR was described as prevalence of resistant isolates (%), by calculating the Antimicrobial Resistance Index (ARI: number of resistance of one isolate to single drugs/total number of drugs tested), by the occurrence of pansusceptible isolates (susceptible to all tested drugs, ARI=0), and by calculating the prevalence of multidrug (≥3) resistant isolates (MDR). Before slaughter, odds for carrying pansusceptible E. coli were higher in IF than in CF (+65%, p=0.022), whereas ARI was lower (-16%, p=0.003), and MDR isolates were less prevalent (-65%, p=0.001). For P. multocida, odds for carrying pansusceptible isolates were higher in IF before slaughter compared to CF (+990%, p=0.009). No differences between IF and CF were seen regarding the prevalence of pansuceptible M. haemolytica. These findings indicate that easy-to-implement measures to improve calf management can lead to a limitation of AMR in Swiss veal fattening farms

Low occurrence of Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in Swiss pig herds with diarrhoea.

In the Swiss pig population, only four sequence types (ST6, ST66, ST196, ST197) of Brachyspira ( B .) hyodysenteriae , an agent of Swine Dysentery (SD), have been so far detected suggesting a limited number of sources of B. hyodysenteriae in the Swiss pig production. A one year culture- and molecular-based diagnostic project was performed to identify and trace back B. hyodysenteriae in pig herds with SD, and to identify possible new STs. Up to five faecal swabs from herds with diarrhoea were examined. Three out of 141 herds tested positive for B. hyodysenteriae of ST196 (n=2) and ST66 (n=1). A common source was unlikely as none of the supplier herds or pig trader was shared and the occurrence was very low (2.1%) in the study population. This low occurrence may have resulted from the monitoring and eradications during the last ten years, emphasising their further applications to control B. hyodysenteriae

Component‐resolved microarray analysis of IgE sensitization profiles to Culicoides recombinant allergens in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity

Background: Allergy to bites of blood sucking insects, including biting midges can affect both human and veterinary patients. Horses are often suffering from an IgE‐mediated allergic dermatitis caused by bites of midges (Culicoides spp) . With the aim to improve allergen immunotherapy (AIT) numerous Culicoides allergens have been produced as recombinant (r‐) proteins. This study aims to test a comprehensive panel of differently expressed Culicoides r‐allergens on a cohort of IBH‐affected and control horses using an allergen microarray. Methods: IgE levels to 27 Culicoides r‐allergens, including 8 previously unpublished allergens, of which 11 were expressed in more than one expression system, were determined in sera from 347 horses. ROC analyses were carried out, cut‐offs selected using a specificity of 95% and sero‐positivity rates compared between horses affected with insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) and control horses. The combination of r‐allergens giving the best performing test was determined using logistic regression analysis. Results: Sero‐positivity was significantly higher in IBH horses compared to controls for 25 r‐allergens. Nine Culicoides r‐allergens were major allergens for IBH with seven of them binding IgE in sera from >70% of the IBH‐affected horses. Combination of these top seven r‐allergens could diagnose >90% of IBH‐affected horses with a specificity of >95%. Correlation between differently expressed r‐allergens was usually high (mean = 0.69, range 0.28‐0.91). Conclusion: This microarray will be a powerful tool for development of component‐resolved, patient‐tailored AIT for IBH and could be useful for the study of allergy to biting midges in humans and other species

AntibioticScout.ch: Entscheidungshilfe für den umsichtigen Einsatz von antimikrobiellen Wirkstoffen: Anwendung beim Rind

The administration of antibiotics in livestock has been criticized for many years, in particular because of an inappropriate use and the appearance of antibiotic residues in the environment, which can promote the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria. However, antibiotics are essential for the successful and sustainable control of bacterial pathogens. With the aim of optimizing the use of antibiotics in food animals and minimizing the prevalence of resistant bacteria, AntibioticScout. ch provides a decision aid for the prudent use of antimicrobial drugs. This approach emphasizes the importance of supportive therapy and the hallmarks of preventive concepts. Procedures to improve animal health and animal welfare in accordance with the principles of good veterinary practice are primary and effective tools to reduce the use of antimicrobial drugs. The necessary reduction in the use of antibiotics must, therefore, be accompanied by appropriate management strategies in animal husbandry. In particular, hygiene, animal welfare and biosecurity measures are crucial to ensure an optimal health status in farm animals

[Livestock management and veterinary services for cattle and pigs in Switzerland].

INTRODUCTION The role of livestock veterinarian has changed in recent decades and the advisory role of veterinarians is becoming increasingly important. Only vague statements have been made about the current distribution and content of the livestock management in Switzerland. The aim of this study was to collect information and data on veterinary services and the use of livestock management for cattle and pigs and to describe the current situation in Switzerland. Therefore, a survey was carried out among veterinarians and farmers. The results show that around half (46%) of the surveyed veterinarians offer livestock management. However, the majority (61%) of farmers do not make use of the livestock management. Around one third of the farms (31%) are serviced by the animal health services and almost every tenth farm (8%) using the integrated veterinary livestock management (ITB). The service is mainly used by larger cattle and pig farms. The number of cattle in managed and non-managed farms differ significantly (p = 0.01). In general, pig farms are managed more frequently than cattle farms - mostly in the form of an agreement with the Pig Health Service (SGD). 76% of pig farms, 21% of cattle farms and 44% of mixed farms are using the livestock management. The majority (79%) of the surveyed veterinarians classify the market for livestock management small and its future importance is largely assessed stable or decreasing by veterinarians and farmers. Half of the veterinarians and a tenth of farmers without livestock management mention excessively high costs as a reason for the limited market. In addition, more than half of the farmers with livestock management name costs as the limiting factor. Veterinarians see the greatest advantage of livestock management in cattle fertility, udder health and milk quality, while pig farms profit in reduced use of veterinary drugs, improved herd health and disease prophylaxis

Erfahrungen zur Schmerzausschaltung bei der Ferkelkastration in der Schweiz. Teil 1: Inhalationsanästhesie

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 insufficiently 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 Isoflurane 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 financial costs and time are at the moment not adequately compensated to the farmers. 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 Isofluran-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 finanzielle und zeitliche Mehraufwand wird dem Produzenten zurzeit nicht angemessen entschädigt

Erfahrungen zur Schmerzausschaltung bei der Ferkelkastration in der Schweiz. Teil 2: Injektionsanästhesie

The aim of this study was to describe the practical implementation of the painless castration under injection anaesthesia in Switzerland. 30 swine farms were visited and 60 farmers answered a questionnaire. 34 % of the piglets showed movements during castration under injection anaesthesia and 17 % had excitations during recovery from anaesthesia. After 48 minutes half of the piglets were in sternal position and after 112 minutes half of them showed coordinated movements. The body temperature decreased by 3.1 °C until 60 minutes after castration, especially small piglets reached critical temperature levels. 38 % of the piglets showed strong bleeding after castration. The healing of the wound was good according to 82 % of the farmers. 83 % of the farmers reported piglet losses, especially at the beginning of the anaesthesia period. The anaesthesia may be improved by using butorphanol in addition to the combination of ketamine and azaperone. The recovery of the piglets should be in a warm place without any risk of injury by obstacles or the sow. Increased bleeding can be controlled by using an emasculator. iel der vorliegenden Studie war es, die Umsetzung der schmerzfreien Ferkelkastration mittels Injektionsanästhesie in der Schweiz zu beurteilen. Es wurden 30 zufällig ausgewählte Betriebe besucht und 60 Betriebe mittels Fragebogen befragt. Bei den Betriebsbesuchen zeigten 34 % der 371 beurteilten Ferkel im Zusammenhang mit der Kastration starke Abwehrbewegungen und 17 % heftige Exzitationen während der Aufwachphase. Es dauerte durchschnittlich 48 Minuten bis die Hälfte der Tiere in Sternallage war und 112 Minuten bis die Hälfte wieder koordiniert gehen konnte. Die Körpertemperatur sank 60 Minuten nach der Kastration im Durchschnitt um 3.1 °C ab, wobei sie vor allem bei kleineren Ferkeln kritische Werte erreichte. 38 % der Ferkel bluteten nach der Kastration stark. Die Wundheilung war in 82 % der befragten Betriebe gut. 83 % der Betriebsleiter beklagten kastrationsbedingte Verluste, welche vor allem in der Anfangsphase vorkamen. Die Anästhesie mit Ketamin und Azaperon kann durch Zugabe von Butorphanol verbessert werden. Die Aufwachphase sollten die Ferkel in einer warmen Umgebung und abgetrennt von der Muttersau verbringen. Nachblutungen können mit der Verwendung eines Emaskulators zum Absetzen des Samenstranges verringert werden