MRI features of gastrocnemius musculotendinopathy in herding dogs

Pelvic limb lameness that was localized clinically to the lateral gastrocnemius head was observed in dogs without history of trauma. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of this condition. Nine dogs were identified, eight Border Collies and one Australian Shepherd. They all had chronic pelvic limb lameness; no signs of joint effusion or instability were present. In MR images there was high signal intensity in the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle around the sesamoid bone in T2-weighted, T2*-weighted, and STIR images and an iso- to mildly hyperintense signal in T1-weighted images with marked contrast enhancement. The abnormal signal intensity most likely represents a myotendinous strain. The breed affiliation to Border Collies is striking, and a relation to biomechanical forces or motion pattern may be possible. Except for the dog with the most extensive lesion all dogs had an excellent outcome.

A survey on intestinal parasites of livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs in Switzerland

The present study describes the occurrence of intestinal parasite infections in livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs. A total of 71 guardian dogs (more than half of the total number of guardian dogs in Switzerland) and 21 herding dogs were coprologically examined, using a combined sedimentation-flotation method. In 21 (23 %) of the dogs intestinal parasites were detected, and 8 (8.7 %) of these dogs shed either sporocysts of Sarcocystis sp. (n = 6) or taeniid eggs (n = 2). The evaluation of questionnaires providing data on age, origin and deworming schemes of the dogs completed the study.

A longitudinal study investigating the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus genotype B in seasonally communal dairy herds

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is a major mastitis-causing pathogen. Various genotypes have been recently identified in Switzerland but Staph. aureus genotype B (GTB) was the only genotype associated with high within-herd prevalence. The risk of introducing this Staph. aureus genotype into a herd may be increased by frequent animal movements. This may also be the case when cows from different herds of origin are commingled and share their milking equipment for a limited period of time. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of Staph. aureus GTB in seasonally communal dairy herds before and after a summer period when dairy farming is characterized by mixing cows from different herds of origin in 1 communal operation. In addition, the environment was investigated to identify potential Staph. aureus GTB reservoirs relevant for transmission of the disease. A total of 829 cows from 110 herds of origin in 9 communal operations were included in the study. Composite milk samples were collected from all cows during the first or second milking after arrival at the communal operation and again shortly before the end of the season. Swab samples from the environment, involved personnel, and herding dogs present were collected before the cows arrived. At the end of the season, sampling of personnel was repeated. All samples were analyzed for the presence of Staph. aureus GTB using an established quantitative PCR. At the beginning of the season, Staph. aureus GTB-positive cows were identified in 7 out of 9 communal operations and the within-communal operation prevalence ranged from 2.2 to 38.9%. At the second sampling, all communal operations were Staph. aureus GTB positive, showing within-communal operation prevalence from 1 to 72.1%. The between-herd of origin prevalence increased from 27.3 to 56.6% and the cow-level prevalence increased from 11.2% at the beginning of the season to 29.6% at the end of the season. On 3 different communal operations, Staph. aureus GTB-positive swabs from seasonally employed personnel were identified at the end of the season. The results indicate that Staph. aureus GTB can easily spread in communal operations when cows from different herds of origin are mixed during the summer season. Effective management measures need to be designed to prevent the spread of Staph. aureus GTB in seasonally communal herds. Copyright © 2014 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Staphylococcus aureus; biosecurity; communal herd; epidemiology

Schnidejoch (2756 m a.s.l., Western Bernese Alps, Switzerland). Did Holocene glacier advances close the alpine pass for human transhumance?

A series of more than 70 radiocarbon dates confirms that the Schnidejoch pass, linking the Bernese Highlands with the River Rhone valley, was in use at least from 4800–4500 BC on. The pass was of easy access when the glaciers from the nearby Wildhorn mountain range (peak on 3248 a.s.l) were in a retreating phase e.g. as is the situation today. During holocene phases of advancing glaciers the pass was blocked for humans accompanied by herding animals. The presentation reviews the publication of Grosjean et al. (Ice-borne prehistoric finds in the Swiss Alps reflect Holocene glacier fluctuations, JOURNAL OF QUATERNARY SCIENCE, 200, 22.3, 203–207) on a larger basis of radiocarbon dating and discusses the position of the pass within a system of prehistoric settlements, camp sites and passes.