Recommendations and examination protocols for pre-purchase examination in South American camelids.

This article provides information and recommendations for the pre-purchase physical and laboratory examinations of South American camelids (SAC). It is strongly recommended to have a written contract between the potential buyer and the veterinarian before the examination detailing its form and focus including any tests. The pre-purchase examination subsequently leads to the production of a report describing the animal's signalment, history and the results of the examinations following the contract description.

[Non-invasive monitoring of ovarian function in llamas and alpacas - Evaluation of the suitability of sex steroid measurement in milk and vaginal cytology].

In South American Camelids (SAC), determining a suitable time point for mating poses challenges as females ready for conception do not show estrus signs or behavioral changes. Therefore, the applicability of measuring sex steroids in milk and vaginal cytology as non-invasive methods for monitoring ovarian activity was investigated.Samples were collected from a total of 10 alpacas (A) and 9 llamas (L) over a period of 4 weeks following parturition.

Helicobacter pylori Screening After Acute Myocardial Infarction: The Cluster Randomized Crossover HELP-MI SWEDEHEART Trial.

Importance: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is common after myocardial infarction.

Objective: To determine whether routine screening for Helicobacter pylori infection during hospitalization for myocardial infarction reduces bleeding events and improves clinical outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A nationwide, open-label, 2-period, 2-sequence, cluster randomized, crossover clinical trial using a clinical registry for study population definition and data collection merged with national Swedish health data registries.

The Elecsys AMH Assay Is a Suitable Method to Detect Gonadal Tissue in Male Alpacas and Llamas.

Objective: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) has become an important hormonal parameter for the detection of gonadal tissue and for the diagnosis of gonadal functions and pathologies. To our knowledge, there is currently no homologous test for AMH measurements in South American camelids (SACs). Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine serum AMH concentrations in postpubertal male alpacas and, for the first time, in llamas, using the Elecsys AMH assay kit that has not previously been tested in these species.

Animal Welfare Problems in Sheep Farming: A Current Overview for Germany Based on Surveys of Veterinary Offices and the Evaluation of Publicly Accessible Court Cases.

This study aimed to provide an overview of the most frequent animal welfare cases documented by the authorities involved in sheep farming in Germany. A questionnaire with 26 questions was developed and sent to all German veterinary offices (supervisory authorities). Furthermore, publicly available court decisions on animal welfare cases over the last 30 years were consulted and analyzed.

[Comparison between vitamin E-selenium injection therapy and oral trace element bolus for selenium deficiency in weanling lambs].

The aim of the present observational study in veterinary practice was to determine the efficacy and the duration of the effect of a vitamin E-selenium injection treatment for the treatment of a laboratory-proven selenium deficiency in comparison to an orally administered trace element bolus in weanling lambs.75 weanling lambs were randomly divided into 3 equal groups, weighed and treated as follows after blood sample collection: Group 1 remained untreated as a control group, group 2 received an injection treatment with 3ml of a vitamin E-selenium preparation (all-rac-alpha-tocopherol acetate 150 mg+sodium selenite 1.1 mg/ml) and group 3 received an oral trace element bolus (48g bolus with calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate and sodium selenate).

[Surveys on farm structure and marketing of products of animal origin from sheep and goat farms].

The population of sheep and goats has significantly decreased during the last few years. The aim of this study is to identify opportunities for an improvement of the support of this part of livestock farming.A questionnaire was developed in cooperation with the Hessian Sheep Breeders' Association and the Hessian Goat Breeders' Association to record the situation of sheep and goat farming in Hesse.

Adrenaline has a limited effect on myocardial microvascular blood flow: A randomised experimental study in a porcine cardiac arrest model.

Background: Adrenaline (ADR) is a cornerstone of advanced life support (ALS) in cardiac arrest (CA), although its neurologically favourable survival outcomes remain unclear. ADR increases coronary perfusion pressure (CPP), with levels >15 mmHg associated with successful defibrillation. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between ADR, myocardial microvascular blood flow, and resuscitation outcomes using a porcine CA model simulating refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF).

Phenotyping the Sheep Tail: Histological Depiction of Caudal Spine Structures in Sheep.

The morphology of sheep tails remains relatively understudied. Given the escalating discourse on routine removal of the caudal spine in sheep, a thorough exploration of the anatomical structures within this region is imperative. To examine the tails in detail, this study undertook histological characterisation of three segments (the cranial, middle, and caudal segments) of the tails of 12 undocked Merino sheep lambs.

Effects of Breeding for Short-Tailedness in Sheep on Parameters of Reproduction and Lamb Development.

Background: Sheep's tail docking is a widespread practice, which is banned or critically discussed in some countries to improve animal welfare.

Objective: The aim was to determine the influence of breeding for short-tailedness (ST) or long-tailedness (LT) in sheep on the development of reproduction parameters and lamb performance.

Method: One hundred forty-nine ewes were mated with four rams according to tail length.

[Traumatic subluxation of the cervical spine in an 1-year-old alpaca mare].

A 1-year-old alpaca mare was presented due to lateral deviation of the cervical spine which had been present for a period of 2 weeks. Based on the previous report, a traumatic event was assumed. Feed and water intake were unremarkable, the gait was altered due to slight ataxic movements in all 4 limbs.

Bivalirudin versus heparin in ST and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction-Outcomes at two years.

Background: The registry-based randomized VALIDATE-SWEDEHEART trial (NCT02311231) compared bivalirudin vs. heparin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for myocardial infarction (MI). It showed no difference in the composite primary endpoint of death, MI, or major bleeding at 180 days.

Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies capri, an uncommon mastitis and respiratory pathogen isolated in a German flock of goats.

Mycoplasma mycoides ssp. capri (Mmc) is one of the etiological microorganisms of contagious agalactia, which is among the diseases causing the highest economical losses in small ruminants. We report a disease outbreak in a German flock that led to significant suffering of goats characterized by mastitis, arthritis, pleuropneumonia and sudden deaths.

First detection of autochthonous Lamanema chavezi infections in llamas (Lama glama) in Europe.

Lamanema chavezi is one of the most pathogenic nematode species of South American camelids (SAC), with a homoxenous life cycle involving enterohepatic migration of its larvae in the host. So far, it has been found in the Americas and New Zealand. The first autochthonous L.

Fasciola hepatica soluble antigens (FhAg) induce ovine PMN innate immune reactions and NET formation in vitro and in vivo.

Fasciola hepatica causes liver fluke disease, a worldwide neglected and re-emerging zoonotic disease, leading to hepatitis in humans and livestock. In the pathogenesis, flukes actively migrate through liver parenchyma provoking tissue damage. Here, parasites must confront leukocytes of the innate immune system in vivo.

MFSD2A frameshift variant in Kerry Hill sheep with microcephaly.

Microcephaly is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by reduced skull circumference and brain volume that occurs sporadically in farm animals. We investigated an early-onset neurodegenerative disorder observed in seven lambs of purebred Kerry Hill sheep. Clinical signs included inability to stand or severe ataxia, convulsions, and early death.

Frequency and Characterisation of Anomalies and Fractures of the Caudal Spine in Sheep with Undocked Tails.

As tails are often docked within the first days of life, studies investigating tail malformations and injuries in sheep do not exist thus far. To address this gap in the literature, this research aimed to analyse the occurrence of vertebral anomalies and fractures in the tail within an undocked Merinoland sheep population. At 14 weeks of age, the caudal spines of 216 undocked Merinoland lambs was radiographically examined, and tail length and circumference were measured.

[Phenotyping the sheep tail - Presentation of characterization methods in the context of breeding for short-tailedness].

Objective: In order to establish targeted breeding for short-tailedness, a suitable method must initially be found that allows phenotyping of the sheep tail beyond tail length. In this study, in addition to assessing body measurements, more advanced studies such as ultrasonography and radiology were performed on the caudal spine of sheep for the first time. The objective of this work was to analyze the physiological variation of tail lengths and vertebrae within a merino sheep population.

Multiple-trait and structural equation modelling approaches to infer genetic relationships between tail length and weight traits in Merinoland sheep.

Tail docking is routinely conducted in long-tailed sheep breeds to prevent flystrike infections, but it is not in agreement with legal guidelines and animal welfare issues. Selection on short tails is a sustainable alternative in this regard, but side effects on other breeding goal traits are unclear. In consequence, the present study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for tail length (TL) at birth, birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and postweaning weight (PWW) at the slaughtering date considering single-trait (STM), multiple-trait (MTM) and structural equation models (SEM) with different random effects, and accordingly, different covariance structures.

[Survey among keepers of endangered sheep and goat breeds on the influence of wolves on animal husbandry].

Objective: As Germany's wolf population is steadily becoming more widespread, conflicts with livestock owners are increasing. In this context, the wolves' impact on grazing livestock is of particular interest. The study aimed to investigate the wolves' influence on the husbandry of endangered sheep and goat breeds.

[Population structure of South American camelids in Germany].

Objectives: As part of the "Model- und Demonstrationsvorhaben Tierschutz (MuD-Tierschutz)-project, supported by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), an animal owner survey was conducted to collect data on various aspects of keeping South American camelids (NWC). This publication covers the population structure of NWC in Germany.

Material And Methods: 550 owners participated in the survey, of which 421 (76.

[Importance of tail length in sheep and the breeding for short tails].

Breeding for short tails in sheep may represent a good measure in order to avoid the continuation of tail docking in lambs. Since the ancestor of domestic sheep, the mouflon, has a short, narrow tail, it may be assumed that longer tails are a result of domestication. Previous studies on the heritability of tail length in domestic sheep were able to show values of 0.