Contents page of the issue January 2007




WELCOMING OF THE NEW YEAR

EQUINE
Z. Makra, G. Bodó, O. Szenci: Ultrasonography of the eye of horses. Literature review and own experiences / 5

BOVINE
Gy. Szemerédi: Digital dermatitis in cattle – occurrence, ethiology, diagnosis, medical treatment and prevention / 16
Ózsvári L., Barna R., Visnyei L.: Economic losses due to bovine foot diseases in large-scale Holstein-Friesian dairy herds / 23
 
PORCINE
T. Süveges: Pathogenesis, detection and control of important respiratory diseases in pigs (summarising article). Part 1. Pathogenesis and detection of the diseases / 29

SMALL ANIMALS
K. Kamenica, W. Hermanns: Generalised amyloidosis in a shar-pei bitch / 40
A. Conrads, H.-H. Wrieg, W. Beck: Ear mange in cat caused by Otodectes cynotis – biology of the agent, pathogenesis, clinics, diagnosis and therapy with selamectin (Stronghold®) / 44

FOOD-HYGIENE
M. Szeitzné Szabó, M. Kovács: Regulations for mycotoxins: health protection v. economy? / 48

EVENTS
National Veterinary Day and Festive Meeting / (Budapest, 21–22 October 2006) / 58

IN MEMORIAM
Péter Tóth (1935–2006) (Virsinger Gy.) / 43
János Kojnok (1919–2006) (Padányi M.) / 39

Z. Makra – G. Bodó – O. Szenci:
ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE EYE OF HORSES. LITERATURE REVIEW AND OWN EXPERIENCES

The authors emphasize the importance of ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool in ocular examination. Ultrasonography of the eye is a rapid, safe and practical method. Transpalpebral or transcorneal ultrasonographic examination is indicated after trauma, when the transmitting media of the eye prevents the visualisation of the deeper intraocular structures. It is also useful in the evaluation of intraocular mass leasions, ocular size and biometry, to image the retrobulbar orbital space and to detect retinal detachment. The preparation of the horse, the detailed technique and the normal anatomical (Figures 1 and 2) and different pathological ultrasonographic findings of the most common ocular changes and diseases are described.

Gy. Szemerédi:
DIGITAL DERMATITIS IN CATTLE – OCCURRENCE, ETHIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PREVENTION

The author, on the basis of review of international and domestic literature, presents digital dermatitis (DD) in cattle. He presents its history, ethiology, pathogenesis, pathology, clinical signs, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and possibilities of treatment and prevention. He emphasises that nowadays DD is considered to be an infectious disease.

L. Ózsvári – R. Barna – L. Visnyei:
ECONOMIC LOSSES DUE TO BOVINE FOOT DISEASES IN LARGE-SCALE HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN DAIRY HERDS

In the article the authors present a model to calculate the herd level losses resulting from the of bovine foot diseases in dairies. In the research 1476 Holstein-Friesian cows of 4 Hungarian large-scale herds were surveyed in 2005. In the economic calculation the partial budgeting method was used. The average production for lactation in the population examined was 7684 kg. The incidence of cows with lameness was 19.2%, and that of cows treated due to bovine foot diseases was 17.5%. The average decrease owing to lameness for lactation was 579 kg (7.8%), the average quantity of discarded milk due to treatment was 189 kg (2.6% of the lactation). On average, 3.73% of all the cows were culled because of bovine foot disorders. The lame cows’ average calving interval was longer with 25 days, their body weight decreased by 6.6% (41.7 kg) compared to the healthy ones’ indices. The annual economic losses due to lameness were calculated as much as 16 491 HUF (61.6 EUR) per average cow. The biggest part of the loss (44.9%) came from the decreased milk receipts, 39.4% of it resulted from the premature disposal, but the drug cost could be blamed for 2% only. The average economic damage per case was calculated to be 88 000 HUF (320 EUR).

T. Süveges:
PATHOGENESIS, DETECTION AND CONTROL OF IMPORTANT RESPIRATORY DISEASES IN PIGS (SUMMARISING ARTICLE). PART 1. PATHOGENESIS AND DETECTION OF THE DISEASES

The author, based on his own experiences and on literature data, presents the pathogenesis, detection and pathohistological changes characteristic from diagnostic point of view of important respiratory diseases in pigs. Respiratory diseases in pigs can be caused by swine influenza virus, (PSI), PRRS-virus, type II porcine circovirus (PCV-II), inclusion body rhinitis virus alone, while by respiratory corona-, adeno-, reo-, rhino- and enteroviruses in concomitant infection. From the bacteria, Mycoplama hyopneumoniae and Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae can be the most frequent cause, while as the complication of viral or bacterial diseases pasteurellas, bordetellas, haemophiluses, streptococci, salmonellas, Arcanobacterium (Actinomyces) pyogenes, chlamydias and rarely fungi. Round-worm larvae and metastrongyluses from the parasites and beside the mentioned micro- and macroorganisms also the inadequate environment factors can cause respiratory problems. Inhalation of organic or inorganic dust can be extremely harmful by causing pneumoconiosis. From the non-infectious causes he mentioned fattening pulmonary oedema of unclear origin even now.
For making easier the detection and differential diagnosis of the diseases he summarises the data relating to the linkage to age, to spreading, individual course, possibility of treatment and pathohistology, and the ways of laboratory detection of pathogens, and presents on pictures some changes characteristic from diagnostic point of view.

M. Szeitzné Szabó – M. Kovács:
REGULATIONS FOR MYCOTOXINS: HEALTH PROTECTION V. ECONOMY?

For protecting consumer health more and more, recently at least 99 countries have introduced tolerable limits for mycotoxins. European Union applies the strongest limits, which are strongly criticized by WTO, developing countries and some developed countries (Australia, USA) as well. Economic losses for developing countries arising from the refused export of mycotoxin contaminated food and feed above tolerable limit are considerable. In the food trade the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission plays a central role in setting non-discriminative international standards based on scientific risk assessment.
This paper summarizes the risk assessment activity of Codex, regarding some mycotoxins and the recent state of the world-wide mycotoxin regulation. Based upon scientific papers, it considers the connection between the health gain in developed countries and the effect of regulation on trade and economy.