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Biomedical subjects

P Rüsch

Publications and source records attributed to P Rüsch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Evaluation of biochemical methods for estimating the sodium intake of dairy cows.

Samples of blood and urine were taken from 334 dairy cows in 29 herds, and the concentrations of sodium and potassium were measured in the serum and urine. The herds were split into five groups according to the amount of supplementary salt they were given: three groups given 10 to 20, 30 to 50 or 70 to 100 g salt per day, and two groups fed an ad libitum supply, given either in bowls or in the form of salt blocks, which were replaced either regularly or irregularly. The groups which received 70 to 100 g of salt daily or were supplied regularly ad libitum had significantly higher urinary sodium concentrations than the other groups. The group receiving 10 to 20 g a day had a significantly higher ratio of potassium:sodium in their urine than all the other groups, in which the ratio decreased as the level of supplementary salt increased. There were wider differences between the groups in terms of the urinary potassium:sodium ratio than in terms of the urinary sodium concentration but less variability within each group.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The federal system of Veterinary Services in Switzerland.

The Veterinary Service is described in the context of the federal state system in Switzerland. The Federal Veterinary Office (FVO) plays a leading role in this Service. Apart from its responsibility for legislation, the most important task of the FVO is the dissemination of information throughout Switzerland. The responsibility for ensuring that the laws are implemented lies with the 26 cantons. Veterinary public health is a key function of the Veterinary Service, where the core focus is on the implementation of the 'stable to table' concept. Animal protection is also an important function. A certified Veterinary Service requires a high-quality system based on professionalism, objectivity and evaluation. In this paper, the various strengths and weaknesses of the system in Switzerland are discussed and the disadvantages are analysed in depth.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

[Reference values in the cerebrospinal fluid of calves between four and eight weeks of age].

Reference values for the following parameters were established in the cerebrospinal fluid of 27 calves between four and eight weeks of age: specific weight, protein concentration, erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count with cell differentiation, creatin kinase activity, glucose and sodium. If possible, the findings were compared with those of other authors in calves and adult bovines. With 24.3 cells per microliter the 90% quantile of the total leucocyte count was seated significantly above comparable values for adult bovines. Hence, in individual cases markedly higher leucocyte counts can be expected in the cerebrospinal fluid of calves. In agreement with other authors, the protein concentration in calves was lower than in adult bovines. The reference range for creatin kinase activity was increased whereas the one for sodium was only slightly increased compared to earlier investigations in calves and in adult bovines.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Reassessment of the herd consultation in facilities with accumulated abortions in cattle].

One hundred and ninety-eight dairy herds in which an abortion problem had been investigated by laboratory examination alone or in conjunction with a farm visit were reassessed via a questionnaire at least 1 year after the initial investigation. The overall response rate to the questionnaire was 78%, but more owners responded after a farm visit. One hundred and twenty-five questionnaires (63%) could be evaluated. Significantly more (p = 0.01) complete or tentative diagnoses were made in herds that were visited. The abortion problem had resolved in 88%, 79% and 88% of herds with a complete, a tentative and no diagnosis, respectively. In 65% of herds, the suggested control measures were followed by the attending veterinarian or the owner. Resolution of the abortion problem was more common in herds in which the proposed control measures were followed, in herds in which a complete diagnosis had been made, and in herds that had been visited during the initial investigation. The success in resolving the abortion problem, that could be attributed to the initial investigation, was 21% when a complete diagnosis had been made and 11% when only a tentative diagnosis had been made. Most (67%) herd owners would favour an accompanying farm visit, as opposed to laboratory examinations alone, if another abortion problem occurred, but only if a considerable portion of the cost could be deferred.

Abortion, Veterinary↗
PubMed2000

[The supply of newborn camel foals (Camelus dromedarius) with immunoglobulin G].

A major problem in camel breeding in East Africa is the high mortality rate of young camel calves. The purpose of this research was to examine the quality of camel colostrum and extent of the calves passive immunization by maternal antibodies. In 31 camel birth on a ranch in Kenya, IgG concentrations in the colostrum and in the serum of the calf during the first three days of life were measured. IgG concentration in the serum of the calf reaches a maximum 24 hours after birth. In 39% of the examined calves, this maximum concentration was below 4 g/l. In 61% of the calves, an IgG concentration of more than 4 g/l was reached. No correlation was found between diseased animals and the IgG concentrations in the serum of the calves involved. A minor IgG concentration can be excluded as a reason for calves mortality. The high percentage of insufficient IgG concentration in the serum of the calves therefore must be caused by insufficient intake of colostrum. Future measures in order to decrease calves mortality must therefore try to improve the management of calves, especially the sufficient intake of colostrum.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Back fat thickness and fertility in Brown Swiss cows].

In a total of 94 cows the mean back fat thickness (BFT) on Day 275 of pregnancy and 2 to 3 days after calving (peripartal) as well as between Days 42 and 44 post partum (postpuerperal) has been examined sonographically. Based on their BFT levels all examined cows have been divided into three groups: overconditioned, optimal conditioned and underconditioned cows. Cows which were peripartal overconditioned had more often ovarian cysts (p < 0.05) and were culled more frequently (p < 0.1) because of infertility than peripartal cows which were optimal or underconditioned. Nevertheless, the interval from calving to conception of peripartal cows being in different physical conditions was not significantly different. Postpuerperal cows which were overconditioned had more often ovarian cysts (p < 0.05) and were more frequently (p < 0.05) slaughtered because of infertility than postpuerperal cows which were optimal or underconditioned. Postpuerperal cows which were over- or underconditioned had a significantly longer interval from calving to conception than cows which were optimal conditioned 6 weeks after calving. The correlation coefficient between peripartal and postpuerperal BFT was 0.82 (p < 0.05). The decrease of BFT between the peripartal and postpuerperal timepoint had no significant influence on the frequency of ovarian cysts, the interval from calving to conception and the infertility caused culling rate.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1999

Acid-base disorders in milk-fed calves with chronic indigestion.

Acid-base disorders were investigated in 50 calves with chronic indigestion and metabolic acidosis. In the calves that were unable to stand up, the acidosis was significantly more severe than in the calves that could stand up. The anion gap and four different components of the base excess were calculated by the method described by Fencl. The anion gap was high in more than half of the calves, and it was significantly associated with the base excess due to unidentified anions. However, in seven of the calves, the excess of unidentified anions would not have been detected without the calculations, which made it possible to measure the effect of sodium, chloride, plasma protein and unidentified anions on the acid-base balance. Twenty-four of the calves had a combination of hyperchloraemic and high anion gap metabolic acidosis. Changes in sodium and plasma protein concentrations had a minor impact on the calves' acid-base status.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed1999

Clinical, haematological and biochemical findings in milk-fed calves with chronic indigestion.

The principal clinical signs in 59 milk-fed calves with chronic indigestion were general malaise and depression, poor appetite, poor body condition, dehydration, a dull and scaly hair coat, alopecia and clay-like faeces. All the calves had metabolic acidosis, which was associated with an inability to stand up in more than half of them. There were significant differences in the severity of acidosis between the calves that could stand and those that could not. Other signs in some of the calves were dehydration, leucocytosis, and increased activities of liver enzymes.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1999

[Chronic indigestion in milk-fed calves].

Calves with chronic indigestion have disturbed general attitude and condition, decreased appetite, loss of hair, clay-like faeces and ruminal and metabolic acidosis. Possible causes include dysfunction of the oesophageal-groove reflex, reflux of abomasal contents into the rumen and abnormal ruminal motility. The anion gap may be increased or within normal limits. Metabolic acidosis is significantly more severe in calves that are unable to stand than in calves that can stand. Treatment of chronic indigestion consists primarily of intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate, transfaunation of the rumen and oral administration of electrolyte solutions.

Acidosis↗
PubMed1998

[Video-assisted theloscopic electroincision of a high teat stenosis].

Results of surgery of high teat stenosis remained disappointing until nowadays. The aim of this pilot study was to elaborate a new theloscopic surgical resection. A 5.5 year old swiss milk cow was suspected to have posttraumatic high teat stenosis. Diagnosed was ascertained by teat sonography. Animal was sedated and local anesthesia was performed at the base of the teat. After a teat side incision, resectoscope was introduced. Stenosis was electro-divided under continuity saline-solution irrigation and coagulation of bleeding vessels. After a follow-up period of 4 months, the cow was milked without residual. No intercurrent infections occurred. There were no signs of recurrence in the control teat sonography. Theloscopic electroresection of teat stenosis is a possible new, surgical, minimal invasive, option, to treat high teat stenosis.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

[Multifactorial effect of intrinsic animal factors, season and herd effect on the parameter of metabolic profile in dairy cows: energy and protein metabolism].

In this study, we investigated in a multivariate approach the multifactorial relationships between intrinsic factors, season, time of sampling during the year, and herd effect on one side, and selected biochemical markers of the energy and protein metabolism on the other side. A total of 370 cows (158 in summer and 212 in winter) were investigated within 0-160 days post partum. The following metabolites were chosen: glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, b-hydroxybutyrate, cholesterol and urea. Multiple linear regression models with only intrinsic factors had generally low coefficients of determination (r2). Season had a significant effect on all metabolites excepted glucose, but introduction of this factor in the models did not increase r2 markedly. Herd effect was highly significant for all blood parameters. Despite the reduction of the number of cases, models within season showed higher r2 than the overall models. This leads to the conclusion that, according to the season, some factors have different effects which neutralize themselves during the whole year. Many interactions herd x factors were significant for each metabolite. This means that the effect of the factors is different among herds. These interactions were especially strong for glucose, b-hydroxybutyrate and urea nitrogen, which usually show short-term responses to feeding changes. The regression models showed generally high coefficients of determination. It is concluded that these factors and interactions have to be introduced as covariates in models designed to investigate the relationships between biochemical markers and clinical findings.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid↗
PubMed1998

[Determination of bone markers in dairy cows with parturient paresis].

The collagen metabolites hydroxyproline (HYP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD) and pyridinoline (PYD) are suitable markers for bone resorption in humans and several animal species. In a field trial cows with symptoms of periparturient paresis (group A) and healthy control cows without symptoms (group B) were compared and urine and blood samples were collected on day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 14 after parturition. In group A the mean +/- SE serum Ca concentration on day 1 was 1.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/l whereas those of group B were 2.0 +/- 0.1 mmol/l. A significant increase of the corrected urinary HYP concentration was observed from parturition to day 14 (from 2.8 to 8.8 mumol/mmol creatinine) and the concentrations at the different times were higher in group A than in group B. The mean corrected total and free DPD and total PYD concentration in urine increased after parturition to reach a peak at day 9. For DPD and PYD the mean concentrations between the two groups did not differ significantly. The DPD and PYD are useful tools to follow bone resorption in dairy cows, although in our study no difference between the two groups could be found which means that both groups were able to mobilize Ca from bone.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1997

[Current resistance status of Escherichia coli strains from bovine mastitis milk samples].

Between December 1996 and March 1997, 95 E.coli strains were isolated from mastitis milk samples from 95 different animals. In 29.5% resistance could be observed against one or several of the examined antibiotics. However, Cefoperazone, Polymyxin B, Colistin and Gentamycin proved effective against the majority of these strains. Between 0 and 23% of E.coli were resistant against the single tested antibiotics. As opposed to earlier investigations a smaller number of Chloramphenicol-resistant strains could be found. One strain with multiple resistance was also resistant against Gentamycin. However, in the treatment of mastitis the resistance of a particular agent is only one among several contributing factors.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Uterine serosal inclusion cysts in a bitch.

A six-year-old, pluriparous German shepherd dog bitch was presented with an abnormal vaginal discharge of several weeks' duration. Clinical signs and radiographic and ultrasonographic findings supported an initial diagnosis of segmental cystic endometrial hyperplasia, and ovariohysterectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the uterus appeared normal except for one large and several smaller cysts attached to its antimesometrial side. These cysts were restricted to a small area of the left uterine horn. The histological diagnosis was serosal inclusion cysts. The clinical findings, gross pathology and histopathology are described and discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Treatment of urinary incontinence in bitches by endoscopic injection of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen.

Thirty-two spayed bitches with urinary incontinence due to urethral sphincter incompetence, non-responsive to phenylpropanolamine administration, were treated by urethral submucosal injection of glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen. Urinary incontinence resolved after a single injection in 19 of the bitches. Additional medication with phenylpropanolamine was necessary in five of these dogs, however. Of the 13 bitches that remained incontinent, the injections were repeated in nine. This resulted in a return to continence in five dogs, although two of these required additional medication for complete continence. The cure rate due to collagen injections alone is 53 per cent (17 of the 32 cases). A total of 41 injections were performed and no post-operative complications were observed.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[The animal health card for dairy cows--an instrument for veterinary herd health care and quality assurance in milk production].

A chart (62 x 82 cm) for veterinary herd health management based on a hand written card system is presented. The chart serves basic needs especially in small Swiss dairyherds. It is easily understood and immediately installed for the end user, the farmer and veterinarian. Furthermore an EXCEL-based tool is programmed to assist in standard data analyses. This chart meets the needs for documentation in quality assurance programs within dairy production.

Animals↗