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197 adverse reactions of Swissmedic-authorized veterinary medicinal products were reported during the year 2012 (2011: 167). Species and drug classes remain unchanged over the years: most of the reports related to reactions following the use of antiparasitic products (37.6 %), antiinfectives (15.7 %) or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (11.7 %) in companion animals (94 dogs and 53 cats) followed by cattle/calves (29). Additionally, 45 cases transmitted by the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre in Zürich were processed. We discuss a paradoxical reaction under the potential influence of acepromazine as well as a modified protocol for treating permethrin intoxication in cats. Finally, the vaccinovigilance program received 95 declarations following the application of various vaccines, mainly to dogs or cats.

The outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Great Britain in 2001 let to discussions and especially emergency vaccination was deemed as an alternative to the culling of vast numbers of healthy animals. The project emergency vaccination for FMD in Switzerland was conducted to compare the effectiveness of conventional control strategies during a FMD outbreak alone and with ring vaccination of 3 km and 10 km, respectively. The results of this project showed that emergency vaccination conducted at the beginning of an epidemic was not favorable compared to conventional disease control strategy in Switzerland. In case of an advanced FMD epidemic, a 10 km ring vaccination could support the disease control in a positive way. However, the goal of emergency vaccination to save animal live can hardly be achieved due to actual legal basis and the consequent restriction measures within vaccination zones which will lead to welfare culling.

167 adverse reactions of Swissmedic-authorized veterinary medicinal products were reported during the year 2011 (2010: 160). Species and drug classes remain comparable with previous years: most of the reactions occurred following the use of antiparasitic products (39 %), antiinfectives (20 %) or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (11 %) in companion animals (85 dogs and 27 cats) followed by cattle/calves (37). We received 15 cases of adverse reactions following reconverted use, 8 of them in treated cats. Additionally the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre in Zürich processed 84 enquiries and transmitted them to Swissmedic. One case of a successful new therapy to treat ivermectin poisoning in a pony is presented. Finally, the vaccinovigilance program received 60 declarations following the application of various vaccines, mainly to dogs or cats.

In 2010, we observed again an increase in the number of declarations reported to the vigilance system for veterinary medicinal products up to a total of 160. The species and drug classes reported remained the same as in previous years: the majority of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) concerned either dogs or cats and the most frequently involved drugs were either antiparasitic products or antiinfectives. Adverse reactions following reconversions and 8 cases of suspected allergic reactions following the use of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combinations in dogs were reported. Additional enquiries were processed by the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre and transmitted to Swiss medic. 11 of these reported accidental ingestions of flavoured tablets in overdose by dogs and some cats. The vaccino vigilance program received 179 declarations following immunization against blue tongue disease as well as 82 declarations following the application of other vaccines. The vigilance system increases the chance to identify rare reactions or interactions and thereby contributes to the security of veterinary medicinal products.

During the year 2009, 134 reports of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) were received (106 in the year 2008). The distribution according to species and drug classes remained in line with previous years. Companion animals were involved in most of the reports (46 % dogs, 19 % cats), followed by cattle or calves (22 %). Antiparasitic drugs made the biggest part with 30 % of the reports, followed by antiinfectives (19 %) and hormones (13 %). Some reactions following their use are specifically discussed. 95 additional enquiries about ADRs of VMPs were received by the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre in Zürich. Most of them concerned dogs or cats and antiparasitics or anti-inflammatory drugs. In the vaccinovigilance program, a total of 1020 reports were received, of which 1000 were related to the vaccination against blue tongue disease. The most frequently reported adverse reactions were aborts, mastitis or alterations of milk quality and they are specifically discussed.

With 106 reports of suspected adverse reactions to veterinary medicinal products (VMPs) there was a slight decrease in the year 2008 compared to 2007. However, the distribution according to species and drug classes remained grossly the same: dogs were involved in 45 % of the cases followed in frequency by cats (26 %) and cows or calves (21 %). Most often the reports described reactions following the use of either an antiparasitic drug (46 %) or an antibiotic (22 %). One particular case of off-label use and serious skin reactions are presented. For the vaccinovigilance a total of 310 reports were received, with 250 of them related to adverse events following vaccination against blue tongue disease. In most cases, aborts and elevated cell count in the milk were reported. A detailed evaluation of these cases is presented. Finally, 305 enquiries were received by the Swiss Toxicological Information Center in Zürich (concerning mostly dogs or cats). Most of the cases concerned either preparations for the nervous system or anti-inflammatory drugs (human medicinal products) or antiparasitics (VMPs).

Bluetongue, caused by the bluetongue virus serotype 8 has rapidly spread through Europe since 2006. The first cases in Switzerland were detected in October 2007. The European Union and Switzerland launched a vaccination campaign in June 2008. This study aims to demonstrate the safety and the immune response of the three vaccines used in Switzerland under practical conditions in the field. The trial was carried out in cattle, sheep and goats. Based on the results of this study recommendations for the 2009 campaign are presented.

163 reports of suspected adverse reactions were received in the year 2007: 111 for veterinary medicinal (VMPs) and 52 for immunologic products. Half of the reported reactions for VMPs concerned either an antiparasitic drug (26%) or an antibiotic (24%). Reconversions (use in another target species or for another indication as registered) made the third most frequently mentioned group with 11 reports. For immunologicals, half of the declarations were related to an adverse reaction in dogs, the most frequently reported reaction in companion animals being allergies. Moreover, 272 enquiries were received by the Swiss Toxicological Information Center in Zürich. Most of these were related to dogs (73%) and the number of enquiries regarding VMPs correlated positively with the most frequently used therapeutic classes like antiparasitics (47%) and anti-inflammatory drugs (23%). The complexity of proscessing reports regarding the detection of residues in milk after prescribed withdrawal times is discussed in detail. In conclusion, the year 2007 is seen as a consolidation of the established system with a tendency towards increase in the number of complex cases.

We received 190 reports of suspected adverse events (SARs) following the use of veterinary drugs for the year 2006: 118 declarations for veterinary drugs and 72 declarations following the application of immunolgical medicinal products. Most of the 118 declarations relate to the use of antiparasitic drugs (48%) and every second declaration to drug use in dogs. Other drug classes concerned were, in decreasing order, antiinfectives (20%) and drugs used off-label (12%; other target species or other indication). For the vaccines, most of the reactions occurred in dogs (62%) followed by horses (11%) and cattle (10%). The most frequently reported reactions concerned the use of a vaccine against piroplasmosis. Another 349 requests for information were processed by the Swiss Toxicological Information center. We also present a case of a serious adverse reaction in form of a Stevens-Johnson syndrome in a cat as well as a case of ketamine abuse. We note the growing interest of practicing veterinarians with pleasure and are currently working on further adaptations to the system.

We received 105 reports of suspected adverse events (SARs) following the use of veterinary drugs for the year 2005. This corresponds to a 35% increase compared to 2004. Practicing veterinarians sent most of these declarations. 73% of these concerned drugs used on companion animals. Antiparasitic drugs approved for topical use were the most frequently represented group with 48%, followed by drugs used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (11%) and drugs used off-label (14%; other target species or other indication). For the first time 2 declarations concerning the application of permethrin containing spot-on preparations used by mistake on cats were received. An overview of 20 declarations about adverse reactions following application of different vaccines is also presented with emphasis on the problem of fibrosarcoma in cats. We are pleased by the growing interest shown by practicing veterinarians for the vigilance system and hope to further develop this collaboration in the future.

In this study the distribution of the various antigenic types of canine parvovirus in Switzerland, Austria, and Germany was investigated. From 14 samples from Switzerland, 35 samples from Austria, and 82 samples from Germany exclusively the new antigenic types CPV-2a and CPV-2b were isolated. Most of these isolates had a Ser-Val mutation at amino acid 297, which was shown to be prevalent in recent CPV isolates from various parts of the world. These findings are discussed with regard to the use of modified live virus vaccines.

Cyst-forming coccidia may cause significant losses in livestock, primarily due to abortion, loss of young animals and neuromuscular diseases. Rather recently, Neospora caninum has been recognized as one of the major protozoal abortion-inducing parasites in cattle. The present study addressed the performance of different diagnostic tools (in vitro-cultivation; histology; immunohistochemistry; serology; PCR) suitable for the direct or indirect detection of N. caninum. By PCR, Neospora-DNA was detected in 24 brains (29%) from 83 bovine abortion, many of these brains were simultaneously characterized by histopathological findings typical for a protozoal, cerebral parasitosis. The diagnostic methods were furthermore assessed using samples of different tissues and body fluids from three experimentally Neospora-infected pregnant cows and their foetuses. The diaplacental passage of N. caninum to the foetus was successful in two of the three cases. In these two cases, PCR was positive for different foetal organs and, additionally, for the abomasal and amniotic fluid. The successfully infected cows developed anti-Neospora serum antibodies between 10 and 17 days post infection, foetuses remained serologically negative in all cases. The results obtained in the present study demonstrated the usefulness of PCR, complemented by serology, for the specific diagnosis of bovine neosporosis. Such tests may prove suitable to perform epidemiological investigations. Taken together, our data indicated that prenatal neosporosis may be an important cause of infectious bovine abortion in Switzerland.

Protection of the Swiss national cattle herd against foot-and mouth disease is attempted by annual vaccination with inactivated trivalent (O, A, C) vaccines. With the serotype A5 as an example, this paper demonstrates the procedure of potency testing. Serological data obtained with two vaccines in primovaccinated feeder bulls showed that neutralizing antibodies developed within 7 to 14 days post vaccination. There was no statistically significant difference in the anti-serotype antibody titers induced by each of the vaccines; differences were seen between anti-O serotype and anti-A serotype antibody titers, regardless of which vaccine was used. Epidemiological analyses with about 3000 cattle demonstrated that single-vaccinated, and to a lesser degree twice-vaccinated, animals often had short lived immunity; that is, the antibody titers waned within a few months. In contrast, the majority of thrice and multiple vaccinated animals maintained relatively high antibody titers throughout the twelve month period of observation.

In order to investigate the specificity of low titer antibodies to BHV 1, twelve cattle were subjected to stress and dexamethasone treatment. They were monitored virologically by inoculating cell cultures with naso-pharyngeal-, ocular- and vaginal- or preputial swabs and serologically by assessing the prevalence and incidence of antibodies to bovine, caprine-, porcine-, and equine herpesviruses and to bovine leukemia virus. Antibodies were classified as specific for BHV 1 if the animals excreted IBR virus, or if the antibodies neutralized BHV 1 and reacted with BHV 1 antigens, or if they reacted additionally with CapHV antigens. Animals whose sera recognized BHV 1 and BHV 2 but not other herpesviruses, were judged to have experienced both infections. Nine of the twelve animals had specific BHV 1 antibodies. With three animals the question for specificity of their antibodies remains open. Two animals experienced several herpesvirus infections. Therefore, the induction of crossreacting antibodies, directed against epitopes common to herpesviruses, could not be ruled out. The sera of one animal reacted with BHV 1 and BHV 4 antigens in ELISA tests. They did, however, not neutralize BHV 1.

One of the vaccines that were used in 1988 to immunize the Swiss national cattle population against foot-and mouth disease (FMD) was apparently not stable. Data, provided by the manufacturer, indicated a high initial antigenic content for serotype O. Protection experiments at the end of the vaccination campaign, however, indicated a substantial loss of serotype O antigen in the vaccine. Serological data, obtained during the campaign indicated that only 12% of the primovaccinated animals and 63% of previously vaccinated animals received an amount of FMD viral antigen sufficient to induce protective immunity. The primovaccinated animals were revaccinated in fall 1988 with a new batch provided by the same manufacturer. The new vaccine induced high titers of neutralizing antibodies in primo- and an anamnestic response in revaccinated cattle.

The eradication of Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis/Infectious pustular vulvovaginitis (IBR/IPV) in Switzerland is reviewed. In 1978 IBR was reported in dairy cattle in the Eastern part of Switzerland. No preexisting eradication program was available at that time. In 1983, following a period of hesitation, the legal basis for the eradication of IBR was issued. This aim was achieved by: i) Controls and restrictions of the traffic of susceptible animals in order to prevent further transmission of IBR. ii) Slaughter of seropositive cattle, based on the assumption that animals with antibodies to BHV 1 were virus carriers and therefore an IBR-virus-reservoir. iii) The fact that besides the cattle population no BHV 1 reservoir existed in Switzerland. iv) Never licensing IBR-vaccines because they were not able to prevent the infection and the establishment of latency. The costs of the eradication program amounted to approx. SFr. 114,000,000. A total of 51,911 animals were slaughtered in order to eradicate IBR. An amount of SFr. 5,000,000 per annum is estimated to be necessary in order to maintain the favourable situation concerning IBR. In the future, the experience concerning IBR is applied for the prevention and control of other infectious diseases in the Swiss cattle population.