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In meat samples from 2 hunted red deer (Cervus elaphus) of different origins (region Ilanz, region Filisur) large-scale greenish tissue discolorations with a gelatinous change of fascia were observed and diagnosed as eosinophilic fasciitis. Sarcocystis hjorti, a recently described Sarcocystis species in red deer and moose in Norway, was found as the causing agent. Foxes are regarded as final hosts in the development cycle of this parasite. Factors leading to such cases of eosinophilic fasciitis due to sarcosporidiosis, which is widespread in farm and wild ruminants and is normally inapparent are largely unknown. According to meat inspection directives carcasses with such discolorations have to be declared unfit for human consumption.

Primary hyperaldosteronism is a clinical syndrome characterized by an elevated aldosterone secretion by the adrenals. The present case series describes 7 cats with primary hyperaldosteronism, which were presented between 2002 and 2011. Common clinical symptoms were weakness, anorexia, cervical ventroflexion and blindness. All cats showed hypokalemia. In 6 cats, blood pressure was determined: 5 cats showed hypertension, of which 4 animals exhibited retinal detachment and blindness. In the ultrasonographic examination, unilateral adrenomegaly was present in 6 cats whereas one animal showed normal adrenals. In 4 cats, the serum aldosterone concentration was above the reference range. Five cats underwent unilateral adrenalectomy, which was accomplished uneventfully and returned the electrolytes back to normal. Histopathological examination of the adrenals revealed 2 carcinomas and 4 adenomas; one cat with ultrasonographic normal adrenals exhibited bilateral nodular hyperplasia.

This report describes a 2.8-year-old Swiss Braunvieh heifer with conjunctival changes as the lead clinical signs of malignant lymphoma. The heifer was referred to our clinic because of conjunctivitis that did not respond to treatment with antibiotics. The patient had bilateral lacrimation, severe swelling of the third eyelids and prolapse of the conjunctivae, which were erythematous and covered with haemorrhagic crusts. A clinical examination revealed enlarged prescapular and prefemoral lymph nodes. Based on cytological examination of a fine needle aspirate from a prescapular lymph node, a tentative diagnosis of malignant lymphoma was made. The heifer was euthanased and a postmortem examination carried out. The conjunctival lesions consisted of diffuse multifocal nodules of varying size. There was generalised lymphadenopathy and beige nodules were seen in several internal organs. Histological and immunohistological examinations confirmed the diagnosis of multicentric leukosis characterised by T-cell lymphoblasts, which had also infiltrated the conjunctivae. Examination of a blood sample for enzootic bovine leukosis virus yielded a negative result.

The present retrospective study describes the diagnostic workup and collected findings in 7 horses with chronic inflammatory bowel disease over the years 2000-2006. The diagnosis could be confirmed histologically with biopsies taken during laparoscopy or laparotomy or during post mortem examination. Weight loss and chronic diarrhoea were the most commonly reported clinical findings. Among ancillary examinations (fecal analysis, gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasonography, rectal mucosal biopsy) the D-xylose absorption test provided the most useful information. Although clinical signs and laboratory findings are helpful diagnostic tools, a definitive diagnosis is only possible by histological analysis of the intestinal segment.

This case report describes the findings in a 10-year-old goat with metastasis of an adenocarcinoma in the iris. Two weeks before admission, the owner had noticed blepharospasm of the left eye. Clinical examination by the referring veterinarian revealed unilateral intraocular hemorrhage. The goat was referred to our clinic for further work-up. The rectal temperature was 40 degrees C. The most important haematological result was severe thrombocytopenia. There was mild corneal oedema of the left eye. Approximately 75 per cent of the anterior chamber was filled with non-coagulated blood. The fluid in the anterior chamber dorsal to the blood was cloudy, and the corpora nigra could not be seen clearly. All other internal parts of the eye could not be seen. Ultrasonography of the left eye confirmed cloudiness of the anterior chamber and revealed moderate thickening of the iris. The right prescapular lymph node was markedly enlarged. Cytological examination of a fine needle aspirate of the lymph node showed a mixed population of neoplastic cells. Based on immunohistochemical evaluation of the cells metastasis of a carcinoma was diagnosed. The goat was subjected to euthanasia, and a postmortem examination was carried out. The anterior chamber of the left eye contained blood, and the iris was thicker than normal and adhered to the posterior surface of the cornea. There were neoplastic alterations in the iris, the oesophagus, the lung lobes, the liver, the kidney and in the prescapular, retropharyngeal, mediastinal and hepatic lymph nodes. Histologically, a diagnosis of carcinoma was confirmed, but the origin of the tumour could not be determined.

A five-year-old, neutered male, Bernese Mountain Dog was referred because of a two-week history of hematuria and a one-week history of polydipsia and polyuria. Palpation of the dorsomedial mesogastrium revealed a mass on the left side, which was seen via radiography and ultrasonography to be attached to the left kidney. The left kidney and the attached mass were excised surgically, and the dog had an uneventful recovery. Histological examination of the mass revealed a dense proliferation of non-polymorphic spindle cells, which stained positive for smooth muscle actin via immunohistochemistry. Leiomyoma of the kidney was diagnosed. Postoperatively, there was mild azotaemia, which did not affect the general condition of the dog and was still present 15 months after surgery. Leiomyoma of the kidney is a benign tumor, and hematuria may be the only clinical sign.

A 10-year-old Haflinger gelding was presented with severe generalized chronic dermatitis characterized by scales, crusts and widespread alopecia with a partially diffuse and partially circumscribed pattern. Pemphigus foliaceus was diagnosed based on history, clinical signs and histological examination of skin biopsies. Typical histological findings were subcorneal pustules with accumulations of intact neutrophil granulocytes and acantholytic keratinocytes. The gelding was treated with glucocorticoids and gold salts. The skin lesions resolved completely after 8 weeks of treatment. No recurrence was observed within 1 year.

On a farm housing cattle and goats an abortion storm occurred affecting 50% of the goats during the lambing season 2000/2001. In one of three investigated caprine abortions Chlamydophila abortus could be identified as etiology. During this time a pregnant woman (pregnancy week 19/20) had contact with aborting goats. She developed a severe generalized infection and aborted. The placenta contained Chlamydophila abortus shown by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Aim of the present case report is to alert veterinarians about the potential zoonotic risk of ovine/caprine abortions.

Since a new envelope subgroup (J) of the avian leukosis-sarcomatosis-complex was isolated for the first time from broiler breeders in the United Kingdom in 1989 and was characterized and associated with myeloid leukosis (syn. myelocytomatosis) the emergence of this subgroup was reported from all over the world. Thus the first known case of subgroup J avian leukosis in Switzerland in four imported broiler breeder flocks will be described. A total of 53 broiler breeder birds from four flocks showing reduced performance and increased mortality were submitted for postmortem examination. Approximately 20 blood samples from each flock were monitored serologically for antibodies against avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J). On necropsy myeloid leukosis (ML) was diagnosed in all four flocks. Furthermore the blood samples of three flocks showed significant ELISA-titres for ALV-J.

A two year old Swiss Alpine goat was referred to our clinic because of sterility. Ultrasound examination revealed a nonechogenic area cranially to the urinary bladder. As hydrometra was suspected, the goat was treated repeatedly with PGF2 alpha. Success of this therapy, however, was unsatisfactory and estrus was therefore induced by progesterone in combination with eCG and the goat mated. As conception failed and ultrasonography remained unchanged, laparoscopy was performed and a fluid filled structure could be located in the region of the right oviduct. After ovariohysterectomy and histo-pathological examination of the genital organs hydrosalpinx was diagnosed on both sides.

A survey of the prevalence of lung lesions in randomly selected slaughtered swine representative of the Swiss fattening pig population was carried out from May to September 1992 in six large abattoirs. In total 8921 lungs out of 561 herds were examined. Histological investigations were completed in every herd. No gross lesions could be found in 56% of the pigs. The most frequent lesions in individuals were bronchopneumonia (21%) and diffuse pleuritis (21%). Linear scars (9%), focal pleural fibrosis without any pneumonic lesion (2%), pleuropneumonia (1%) and abscesses (1%) were less prevalent. The prevalence of lesions at the herd level was completely different. The lungs of only 14% of the herds were free of any lesions. The main finding at the herd level was a diffuse pleuritis (75%), followed by bronchopneumonia (64%), linear scars (60%), focal pleural fibrosis (20%), abscesses (14%) and pleuropneumonia (9%). In 94% of the herd samples with macroscopically diagnosed bronchopneumonia, the histological lesions were consistent with enzootic pneumonia of pigs.

The EP vaccine Stellamune Myco was tested in 4 different trials. In a first trial, the daily weight increase and the incidence of lung lesions and their degree of severity were compared in non-vaccinated and vaccinated pigs originating from a herd infected with M. hyopneumoniae. The daily weight increases of the vaccinated animals were almost 60 g above that of the non-vaccinated and the number of altered lungs and the severity of the lung lesions was smaller in the vaccinated group. The effects were statistically different. In a second trial, no lesions were observed in 60% of the vaccinated animals. In the non-vaccinated group, the proportion was only about 35%. More severe lung lesions were only present in the non-vaccinated animals. In a third trial, it was observed that the animals originating from infected herds may excrete mycoplasmas despite the vaccination. In a fourth trial, it was determined that SPF piglets were not protected with the vaccination against an infection caused by M. hyopneumoniae.